TRUCE

"Thank you very much for everything you did, I don't think I have ever enjoyed myself this much," Nenrot says as she alights Rotji's car in front of her house.

"It's my pleasure, I only wish I could have done more. I have never enjoyed a woman's company as much as yours either" Rotji responds staring longingly at her. 

"It's true what they say, looks can be deceiving."

Smiling, Rotji turns off the ignition, "What do they say and what does that mean in this context?"

"You are the perfect example of "never judge a book by its cover". I had a different opinion of you, but you had me blown since yesterday. I feel tired from too much fun and dancing, but no regrets. It was worth it." Yawning, she checks the time on her wristwatch, "It's already past 3, I need to get some shut-eye. I don't even know how you managed to convince me to stay past midnight."

"I'm glad I was able to change your opinion of me, that's enough reward in itself."

"Well, I owe you one, and I never leave my debts unpaid. Feel free to call the debt at any time."

"You don't owe me anything, but seeing as you offered, I will gladly take you up on it sometime. So, will I see you again?"

"Of course, we are business partners remember?"

"Not like that, I mean a more personal nature, just you and I."

"I make no promises. Drive safely, goodbye." She blows him a kiss and walks away, swinging her hips delightfully.

Rotji starts up the ignition, and drives away, still looking at her in his rearview mirror and whistling a tune to himself.

Nenrot enters the house to find Olu pacing around the living room, his back turned to the door. She softly calls out his name as she makes her way to him.

"Olu, why aren't you in bed?"

He turns around suddenly and regards her for a few minutes. "I am not in bedcause I was waiting up for you. It's almost daybreak and you are just coming in."

"I'm sorry I was late, the time got away from me." She takes her seat on the couch and begins to take off her shoes.

"I called you several times, but you didn't pick up, you got me worried. I was just about to send the boys to look for you since you left your security detail behind."

"I was in the club, and didn't hear my phone ringing, the music was too loud."

"You went clubbing with him?"

Smiling, she massages her toes, "I did and we had lots of fun. We had dinner first before heading to the cinema, the karaoke bar, and then, the club."

"Are you being serious right now? You followed him to all those places? I thought you said you were only going to dinner."

"I know, it's just when you are having fun, you tend to forget a few things."

"You are treading in a very dangerous territory. Rotji is not the sort of man to lose guard around. Did you maybe go beyond dinner? I can almost smell his perfume on you. Did you take off your clothes for him to sleep with you?"

"I beg your pardon! You forget your place, Olu. The fact that I took you in like a brother does not give you the right to talk to me like that." She snaps her fingers, "You could be thrown out as fast as this."

"I apologize, Mama, it won't happen again. It's just that I am always overzealous when it comes to you. My only priority is looking out for you, I just get carried away sometimes".

"It better not happen again. I understand that you are only looking out for me, but I'm an adult, and I'm not defenseless as you know. It's okay for me to loosen up once in a while."

"I'm sorry I overstepped, Mama. I hope you are good though. I just don't trust Rotji, I know his reputation with women. You are in the big leagues, and you are not of the random girls he lays with."

"It's okay, Olu, I can handle myself, thanks for looking out. Henceforth, stay out of my business, and handle the financial aspect of things. Now, I need to catch up on some lost sleep. Wake me up if there's anything that needs my urgent attention."

She stands, picks up her shoes, and walks up the stairs, yawning as she leaves.

Olu picks up a throw pillow from the couch and flings it away in anger. Swearing quietly, he picks up another one and sends it flying with a kick. Muttering under his breath, he picks up the pillow in front of him. "how stupid can women get? The signs are right there in front of her, but she won't see it."

Nenrot's phone rings on her bedside table, she groans and puts a pillow over her ears to muffle the ringing phone. "Can't a girl just have a little time to herself to rest?" She rolls over on her side and stretches her hand to take the phone.

Still groggy-eyed, she picks up the call without bothering to check the caller's name. "Yeah, what's the matter?"

"Good morning, beautiful, did you sleep well?" Rotji says from the other end of the call.

She quickly looks at the screen of her phone upon hearing his voice, "Sorry, Rotji, I didn't know it was you."

"I'm hurt for real. Don't tell me you deleted my contact."

Smiling, she sits up on the bed, "no, not that. It's your call that woke me up, so, I didn't bother to look at the caller id. Thanks for yesterday, I'm grateful."

"Nah, don't mention, it's what any other gentleman in his right thinking senses would do. Trust you slept well. Hope I didn't wear you out."

"I'm not sure about any other gentleman doing it, but thank you all the same. You didn't wear me out, I just decided to sleep in today."

"As you should, you deserve it."

"Thank you. Was there something you wanted to say?"

"Can't a man just call to check up on his date, especially if the date is one hot, sexy, drop-dead gorgeous beautiful woman?"

Smiling, she crosses her legs to adjust into a better position, "I don't need your flattery this morning, what was it you wanted?"

Chuckling, "I knew you would see through the bullshit. I called to check up on you and ask if you would be open to going out with me again."

"That's a no. I appreciate all you did for me, but there's no reason for me to go out with you anymore."

"Hmm, did I offend you?"

"No, you didn't, it's just that I usually have my dates with my work, there's no time for me to go on social outings."

"What if I begged you? Is there any chance of you changing your mind? It would mean a lot to me. Surely, you can take a day off work, you are the boss."

"I can take a day off, but I won't. I'm always available to tend to my business, I don't trust anyone else with it. So much could happen in a day, you of all people should know that. You are aware of the kind of business we are in, being a woman in this business is hard enough, I need to be around to oversee things always. Besides, our outing was a one-time deal, and I held up my end of the bargain. Why would I want to go out with you again?"

"I know we had a deal, but how am I supposed to function if your face keeps popping up in my head all the time? Please, Nenrot, reconsider."

"I'm sincerely sorry but I have to decline. We'll surely see each other around, we are business partners remember?"

"Then, you leave me no choice, I didn't want to have to resort to this, but I see no other alternative."

"I leave you no choice on what?"

"I'm going to have to call in that favor you owe me. One more date at least."

Giggling over the phone, "You are such a bastard, I have to admit I didn't see that coming, now you are making me regret ever saying that."

"Promise is a debt, and you told me I could call it in anytime. I'm calling it in now for a date with you."

"This is cheap blackmail at best. Damn! I walked into that one eyes wide open. When do you have in mind for the date?"

"It's not blackmail from where I'm standing. How about Saturday? I won't keep you for long."

"Saturday is fine. What time and where?"

"How about 6 pm if that's convenient for you? I would pick you up at home. All you need to do is to just stay beautiful till then."

"Shut up, Rotji. Saturday is fine, I will be waiting for you."

Smiling triumphantly and giggling loudly, "That's perfect, thank you. See you on Saturday then."

"It's a deal."

"One more thing before I drop the call."

"What's that?"

"Has anyone told you this morning that you are beautiful?"

Blushing, she crosses her legs, "Goodbye, Rotji, see you on Saturday." She drops the call abruptly with a smile plastered on her face.

Rotji sets his phone down on the table and nods at Chinedu who has been sitting comfortably in his office.

"I can tell she agreed, your expression is enough confirmation itself."

Rotji walks to this mini bar to pour Chinedu and himself a whisky. He carries the glasses back to the table and offers one to Chinedu who says his thanks.

"Boss, you have got the hots for this girl, what's going on?" Chinedu asks sipping his drink.

"Honestly, Chinedu, I don't know myself. I have been stuck to her since the very first time I set my eyes on her, she's not regular for real. Our outing on the night of her birthday made me see the real her, and it's beautiful I must say. She's beautiful in and out."

"Well, I have never seen you this serious about a girl, please don't forget that business and pleasure shouldn't be mixed."

"I know of course. I'm sure I will get over her as soon as I sleep with her."

"With all due respect, boss, I don't think that's a wise idea. That sort of move is just going to jeopardize your business arrangement. I'm worried everything would be a real mess if you continue with this quest."

"Leave the worrying to me, I've got it all covered. You got a problem with that?"

"None at all, boss. You know better."

"Good, now get to work, go and oversee out deliveries."

 Chinedu sets his drink in the table, stands, bows respectfully and leaves.