Nelly didn't remember the ride home. The thought simply drifted around in her head. All she knew was that by the time she pushed through the front door of their apartment, she had nothing left.
A towering model paced their two-bedroom flat in Wuse. Standing at six feet, her hair tinted gold, displaying signs of carefreeness, with a beautiful frame and sculpted body, she was Amanda, former winner of Miss Nigeria. It was hard to imagine what would worry this walking goddess.
But it was the same as everyone else. Her best friend hadn't returned home yet, and worse, she couldn't reach her by phone.
2:00 PM.
The interview was supposed to have ended hours ago. Amanda couldn't help it as the worst possible thoughts crossed her mind.
Safety in this part of town was becoming harder, with one-chance gangs running rampant, thieves springing up on every corner.
That's why her heart nearly melted when she heard the door open.
Nelly stood there looking dejected, her eyes red.
Had she been crying? That bastard. Amanda cursed under her breath before pulling her friend into a tight embrace.
---
A little while later...
Nelly had curled herself up in a blanket. She'd heard her bestie cursing out Kelvin to make her feel better. Actually, it wasn't just simple threats—Amanda would have likely mobilized boys to deal with anyone who made her cry. She'd done it several times before.
Unfortunately, this time it was none other than Kelvin Akor. No matter the influence Amanda possessed, his dwarfed by almost a thousand. It would take a madman to even plot against Kelvin.
And that was exactly what Nelly was doing. Taking it a step at a time. That was why she needed the job. She winced again, remembering the embarrassment.
---
Amanda burst into her room with unusual excitement.
"Get up and dress up. We're going out."
"To where?" Nelly frowned. The glint in her brown eyes revealed a lot. She hated this side of Amanda.
"We, my dear, are going clubbing." Amanda flashed half her teeth in excitement.
"No."
"You know I wasn't asking." She beamed, joining Nelly on the bed. "Think about it. You get to meet someone. Who knows? Maybe he might make you forget your sorrow."
"Who said I'm sorrowful or need someone? That's the last thing on my mind." Nelly retorted. But it was pointless. Her friend had already sensed the sorrow in her ever since she came back to Abuja. Today's event was just an excuse to take her out.
"We're going. Get dressed." Amanda raised her hands, swaying as she left the room, then turned. "Or should I come help you pick a dress?"
"Hell no, crazy woman."
Nelly sighed. It was no use truncating her bestie. The thought re-entered her mind... maybe clubbing wasn't a bad idea. Then she stopped herself. Damn that crazy woman.
---
Some hours later...
A GLE X230 2025 model pulled into the parking lot of a tall building, its lights reflecting on the wet floor.
Nelly sat inside, a bit hesitant, as Amanda alighted from the driver's seat. It was already too late to change her mind.
Amanda was already in a party spirit, urging her to come out.
As they stepped out, they attracted stares from onlookers. Amanda had been a popular model, and still was—one of the Abuja big girls. But most people's eyes turned to the smaller frame by her side. Caramel skin, a dark short dress, six-inch heels.
Nelly sighed as she took a step. Her outfit today had been selected by Amanda herself. Just what was this woman planning?
12:00 AM.
It was already late, way past her bedtime. Going back now was inevitable. A big sign in neon light stood before them.
Beat79.
---
The club was loud... too loud. Or was it that she felt out of place here? Nelly was lost in thought as her mind re-evaluated her strategy, now that she had lost the job offer.
Amanda had even offered to pull strings to get her a place at Akor Corp. But due to the nature of her original intent, Nelly had declined, fearing any danger leading back to her friend.
Speaking of Amanda, she had disappeared somewhere inside the crowd. "Make sure you have a good time, darling!" she called out at the top of her voice.
Nelly simply sat at the bar. After another round of hesitation, she asked the bartender to pour her a shot.
Was it her, or did the club carry an unusual excitement? Everyone was dancing. Too much.
"Is there a special occasion tonight?" she turned to the bartender.
"Not really. Is it your first time here?"
"No," she lied, not wanting to sound too naive.
"Hello, beautiful. My name is Hafiz."
Nelly turned slightly. A young man, probably in his late twenties, was smiling at her, revealing a pair of yellow teeth.
He looked like a child of one of those big politicians—spoiled rotten. Not the kind of connection she was looking for.
"Can I buy you a drink?" he continued.
"Not interested." She snarled.
"I can change your life. Ask about me. My father owns half of Gilead Estate. You won't regret giving me a chance."
Nelly only felt more irritated. "Get lost," she hissed.
---
Lucky stood in his usual corner, watching the crowd.
He felt unusually excited. He'd met a beautiful girl this morning and felt a weird connection with her, which was quite strange.
Nevertheless, let's get to business.
He had already spotted his prey. A week ago, he'd promised her she was next. If only the dancers knew today's winner had already been chosen.
It was easy to spot her. She sat with her friends, not bothered by the noise—or was she waiting?
He liked her confidence. Observing her body from a distance, it seemed to have gotten even more luscious. Lucky could almost feel himself salivating.
He started to move. She spotted him, too, though she was trying to hide it. He could tell she was excited.
He'd barely gone halfway when he felt a tugging sensation in his heart.
His attention turned toward the bar stand.
A mix of shock and excitement appeared on his face. He mused... "Just what do we have here?"
Lucky Dante was a focused person... on the things he liked to do. It was often said he never broke a promise, especially not one to a beautiful lady.
Today, he broke all his rules.
Drawn by the tugging sensation in his chest, Lucky made a turn. It was unusual for him to change his target once he started, but today he felt compelled to.
Because right at the bar sat the lady he'd met this morning.
He felt a twinge of disappointment in himself as he changed direction.
---
Nelly was still irritated as the guy beside her kept rambling. She'd figured by now that he was probably quite influential in the club, noting how people seemed to avoid the seats around her. She turned slightly in search of her crazy bestie.
"I believe the young lady is uninterested."
Nelly froze for a second. The voice was awfully familiar. No, of all people, it was the smug, charismatic brute from this morning.
Surprisingly, her rambling companion stopped, mumbling something under his breath before vacating the seat.
Just who is this guy...
"Hello. We meet again." His voice was more carefree than earlier.
She shrugged, ignoring him again.
A stray thought hit her. She needed allies, and this guy had proven to be something more than met the eye. Turning, she faked a smile.
"Hi, I'm Nelly. Nice to see you again."
---
Lucky was surprised. He had imagined more resistance. There was something about her that felt different. He'd seen it from different angles—that was why he was drawn to her.
She was gorgeous, with a nice body, and someone interested in her career. The only reason he didn't give her a 9.5—almost perfect—was the danger lurking in her eyes.
Still, he could see how she'd forced her smile, even though she didn't know anything about him. She was the kind of girl he liked.
He slid into the empty seat beside her. A shot swiftly appeared as he did.
---
"How was your interview?" he mused.
Nelly cringed. Disappointment flickered across her face. She stayed silent.
"That bad, huh? Never liked that Kelvin guy." He retorted. "Well, you're with me now. I can make you happier."
Nelly snorted. "I'm not with y—"
A shriek tore through the crowd, heading in her direction. Nelly bowed her head in shame.
"You never told me you know Lucky!" Amanda shouted as if competing with the loudspeakers, before turning toward the charming man, almost drooling.
"I don't know him." Nelly followed her eyes to the young man.
With the playful smile latched on his face, he looked even more handsome as his almost-unbuttoned shirt revealed his chest and abs.
But there was something else. The scent of his cologne seemed awfully familiar. It wasn't the same one he'd worn this morning.
Amanda giggled, pulling her from her thoughts. "I'm Amanda. She's my bestie."
"Oh, who wouldn't know the gorgeous Miss Nigeria?" He smirked, taking her hand and kissing it lightly.
"Former," Amanda chuckled nervously.
"The beauty never fades." He smiled.
Nelly hissed. He seemed like the type of guy who thought flattery worked on every girl. Well, too bad for him.
Amanda winked at her before disappearing into the crowd again.
"Care to dance with me?" He turned to her.
"I'm not a dancer."
"I can teach."
She gave it another thought before gulping down the second shot placed before her. Then she gave him her hand.
---
Lucky studied Nelly as he led her to his spot. She'd suddenly become a mystery to him. Being friends with Amanda would mean she'd have connections to higher opportunities and offers, so why did she want to work at Akor?
He became suddenly interested in her.
They had barely reached the floor when the DJ changed the tune, drawing cheers from the crowd.
---
Nelly was surprised as all attention soon turned to them. She'd figured he was popular, but not to this extent.
In a far corner, she saw a beautiful lady glaring at her... if only eyes could kill.
She made her plan. She was going to get close to him, use him, and continue her investigation.
A moment after they started dancing, he swiftly pulled her closer, leaving little space between them.
She caught the scent of his cologne again—stronger this time—triggering her memory of where she'd felt it before...
Kelvin.
She stirred, overwhelmed by embarrassment again.
Shame. Here she was, throwing herself at two men she'd barely met.
She felt weak. A memory rose—walking down the street with Ken—and she felt like she was betraying him.
Her head felt fuzzy. The music got louder, ringing in her ears as she slipped.
Falling, until a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
"Steady," he muttered, laced with care.
She tried to push him away, fighting against her slipping consciousness, only mustering enough strength to slap him before fainting.