APPEARANCE

"You have got to be joking!" Olu blurts out in Nenrot's living room. The latter is dressed in a short, yellow glittery gown, which accentuates her hips and is perfectly fitted to alignment. Her hair is professionally packed in a bun, and she's wearing minimal makeup, a simple diamond necklace is on her neck to announce that she's just as expensive as she looks outfit and all. Even an untrained eye could easily tell that the diamond on her neck is as real as real can get. Her purse and open toes heels are black and are perfectly in sync with her dress and overall look.

She is seated on her couch, waiting for Rotji, sipping a drink and trying unsuccessfully to pacify an agitated Olu.

"Look, Olu, it's just dinner. I'll be back in just a little while."

"It's not the dinner that's the problem, it's the person you are going with. And to think I tried to warn you against this very occurrence."

"What are you so concerned about him taking me to dinner? We are both adults, we can have a meal, and be good afterward."

"But you told me you wanted to go and give him a piece of your mind, how did that turn into a date?"

"It's a long story, the brief version is I accepted to go, and here I am."

"That's my problem exactly. If he could change your mind about going to dinner, how long before he starts changing your mind about other things? He's not your friend, he's your rival, forget that your interests are aligned at the moment. He's always going to put himself and his business first. Please, don't go."

"Olu, just calm your nerves, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."

"He uses and discards women. Why would you accept to go out with him?"

"Because I'm not one of those women, and would never be. I will never be a statistic of his philandering ways. Don't get ahead of yourself, it's just dinner."

"Keep telling yourself that. Can you at least do me a favor?"

"Ask away."

"I would feel better if some of the boys followed you as security. In another car if you please."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, it would make me feel better."

"That's not a problem....." She pauses and strains her ears. "I think I hear the sound of a car horn."

One of Nenrot's men enters and announces, "Mama, Mr. Rotji is here. He wants to see you."

"Okay, tell him I would be right there." She picks up her purse and pecks Olu's cheek. "I'll see you soon."

"He looks at her sullenly, "what about the security detail?"

"I would tell them to follow me now. See you later."

She exits the living room, leaving Olu in a pensive mood.

******

Rotji and Nenrot arrive at the five-star restaurant he had reserved a table for a few days ago.

He turns off the ignition, runs out, and opens Nenrot's door for her to step out.

She steps out, smiles at him, and offers him her hand to kiss.

He kisses her hand and bows.

"You look stunning, Nenrot. Believe me, when I say you are not one of the most beautiful women I ever met, you are the most beautiful woman I ever met."

Blushing, she thanks him and nudges him towards the entrance to the restaurant.

They enter and Rotji confirms the reservation. They are led to their table by a waitress in a well-starched and ironed uniform.

She places the menu before them and leaves.

"This place is nice." Nenrot comments looking around the restaurant. I'm not usually impressed by things, but this right here is top-notch. Have you been here before?"

"Only the best for the best. I've been here on several occasions. It's one of my favorite restaurants if not my only favorite. Their service here is very efficient, and their food is out of this world."

"I guess it's better for you to make the order then. Impress me." She pushes her menu to him over the table.

"My pleasure."

He picks up the menu, skims through it, he calls a waitress at a nearby table.

"What would you like to order, sir and ma'am?" The waitress asks pen and notepad in hand.

"The lady here would like to have fried rice with chicken and salad." He says motioning towards Nenrot." I want the same thing without the salad, and please, add glasses of juice, and a bottle of champagne. I am celebrating a special woman tonight." He winks at Nenrot who blushes and looks away.

"Would that be all, sir?" The waitress asks, jotting down the orders.

"Yes, please. We'll order desserts later."

She leaves the table to go and see to the orders.

Rotji thanks her and looks at Nenrot to find her observing him with a questioning look.

"What's wrong, Nenrot? You don't like what I ordered for you? Should we change it?"

"Nah, it's fine. Just come clean already."

"Come clean about what?"

"How did you know fried rice is my favorite food, and that I like taking juice with it?"

"Give me credit for doing my homework well. How can I make your day beautiful without doing the things you love?"

"Okay, Rotji, I'm here with you for dinner, it's high time you tell me why you were persistent about it."

"I don't know myself, I've been drawn to you since the very first time I saw you. Frankly, I don't know what I am doing. I just want to make you happy for a reason I can't quite place, and you see....."

He is interrupted by the arrival of the waitress who appears with a tray in hand. She sets it down and places their food on the table in front of them.

"Enjoy your meal, sir and ma'am." She says and leaves.

Nenrot uncovers her food, and begins to eat, "It's just as advertised, this food is delicious."

"I told you, didn't I?"

"You sure did." She's about to take another forkful of rice when she notices Rotji hasn't started eating and is staring at her. Why aren't you eating?"

"Nothing, seeing you eat is filling enough."

"I feel embarrassed, you should eat, so I won't look like a glutton."

"Don't be, I will eat." He uncovers his food and starts eating too. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

Her mouth is full of food, she nods, "It depends on the question, but shoot. There's no guarantee I would answer though."

"I guess I can take that. Why are you in this business? You are the only woman I know who currently runs an empire. How have you been able to do that?"

She places her fork on the plate and wipes her mouth with a napkin. "That's s very long story."

"Just give me the short version."

"I grew up in a poor family, a family where I was hated. Nobody cared what I did as long as I'm out of the way. I saw my mom get beaten almost every day for any reason my stepfather could find. I had to scavenge for food in bins, and beg for alms from strangers to feed most days."

Rotji drops his fork, and sighs, "I'm sorry, I had no idea. What about your father?"

"I never knew him, he died when I was a baby. I begged my mother to leave my stepfather every time, but she wouldn't. According to her, she had no source of income, and where would she live with myself and my siblings? She had no one to turn to, not even her own family. Anyway, he eventually beat her to death, and is still serving his prison time."

"That must have been traumatic for you."

"It was, but I learned something valuable from the experience."

"What's that?"

"If my mother had a source of income, she wouldn't have had to endure domestic violence for the sake of her children. Each time I needed something, we had to walk on eggshells around the house before asking my stepfather, and there was usually no guarantee on how he would react. He hated me, probably because I wasn't his child. The point is, I promised myself I would never have to rely on a man for anything. I decided to make money, lots of it, bullshit-stopping kind of money. I started as a distributor for a mini-scale drug dealer, and got paid for my efforts."

"I'm speechless, I don't even know what to say. How then did you rise to this level?"

"I killed my old boss, and took over his business, gradually fighting my way underground to the top. My men were the ones transacting business on my behalf until I could show my face. By then, most people didn't care about my gender, as long as they know they will be satisfied with our service. Being a woman helped too, cause when people see a woman, they usually see vulnerability. I used that to my advantage until I gave them the shock of their lives."

"You killed your boss? You are cold."

"I did what I had to. He wanted to rape him so, I cajoled him to give me time, only I poisoned him before the time was up. I set another person up for his murder."

"Why set an innocent person up? And here I thought I was the ruthless one."

"I set him up because he was about to snitch on me for skimming off the money and the products. If it makes you feel better, he's killed lots of innocent people, and no one is innocent in this line of work. You can't be a drug dealer, and be innocent, period."

"You are hardcore, I give it to you."

She shrugs, "It is what it is. How about you? Why did you decide on this line of work? I know it's a family business, but you could have done anything you wanted."

"It's not as easy as you think. I was blackmailed into taking over, but I don't regret it one bit. I've had to scrape out the old ways, and introduce new policies."

"As you should. The business is thriving well under you than it was before you took over."

"It is, but now I'm faced with shipping issues. How can the number one drug dealer not have a shipping line? How long before the title is forcefully taken from me?"

"The crown is still yours, wear it with pride, and find an alternative. I know our arrangement is only temporary."

"I'm on it, believe me, I surely am. Even though our business is for a while, I still want you to be my friend." He motions to a nearby waitress to come and pack the plates. "We are ready for the second item on the menu."

The waitress nods, packs the plate, and leaves.

"I don't have any more space in my tummy for a second course. Thanks for dinner, it was better than I anticipated. I don't even know why I told you all I did, but it's a relief to finally tell someone."

"Just wait for the second menu, it's worth it, I promise."

"Okay then, let's have it."

The waitress arrives at their table, followed by a woman carrying a trumpet, and the other waiters of the restaurant in tow, carrying a cake, lighted candles, and boxes of gifts.

Puzzled, Nenrot looks around her, "what's all these?"

The woman with the trumpet begins to blow the trumpet with a happy birthday tune.

The cake is set on the table before Nenrot, and the gifts are placed on the floor beside her.

Rotji chuckles at her confusion, "It's all for you, this is my little way of wishing you a happy birthday."

The waiters join the trumpet's tune and begin to sing a happy birthday song to her.

She looks around and bursts into tears, "You didn't have to do all these, Rotji, you have done more than enough."

"I'm not complaining, am I? Now blow out the candles and make a wish."

She blows the candles and the audience claps for her.

The tune soon ends, and the waiters depart with the woman with the trumpet.

Nenrot dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Why, Rotji? Why go through all this trouble for me?"

"It's just because you are not regular, You deserve more, and that's God's truth. I won't lie, you are the most industrious woman I ever met. Most women out there have sand for brains. You do you differently, and I can't help but appreciate it." He takes the champagne on the table and pops it open.

Nenrot smiles and dodges the muselet as it flies over her head.

Rotji fills two wine glasses for them, and they toast to good tidings. They begin to sip their drinks and continue talking far into the night.

She looks at her watch and sets her cup on the table. Thanks so much for everything, Rotji. I should be on my way now."

"What's everything? I didn't do nothing yet."

"Everything you did. You might never know, but I appreciate it a lot."

"Not so fast, Nenrot. Your day isn't over yet, and we have other places to go. I still have till midnight if I'm not mistaken."

"Truly, Rotji, you have done more than enough."

"Nah, that won't work. We still have to go to the cinema for a private viewing of a very interesting movie. Then there's still the karaoke bar, we would round it up with clubbing. You really should dance on your big day?"

She looks at him in amusement, "How long have you been planning this?

"Since the day I knew your birthday date. I did a thorough research, I told you. Please, don't say no, it took a lot of effort to organize everything. I just wanted you to have the best birthday ever. Please don't let my efforts go to waste."

"Okay, then, tomorrow is Saturday so I can sleep in if I wake up late."

"Wonderful, I promise, you won't regret it."

"I'll tell one of my boys to take your gifts home." He stands and stretches his hand for Nenrot to take. "Shall we, my lady?"

She smiles and takes his hand.

They exit the restaurant together, hand in hand