Chapter Four

 The air felt cool and familiar, carrying the faint smell of freshly baked bread from a distant corner of the street. Nike stood on a quiet Lagos beach at sunset, the city's usual chaos a distant hum. The waves rolled gently, brushing the shore as if in rhythm with her heart.

Then, she saw him—Jimi.

He was leaning against a beach hut, dressed in a white shirt that fluttered slightly in the ocean breeze, his face soft and calm.

"Nike," he called her name, his voice low and warm, like a secret only they shared.

Her lips curled into a smile before she could stop herself. "You're here?" she asked, her bare feet sinking into the cool sand as she walked closer.

"I've always been here," he said with a grin, his dimples deepening as he stretched out a hand to her.

When her hand met his, it felt like sparks—warm, comforting, and yet thrilling. They began walking along the shore, the waves lapping at their feet. The sun painted the water in hues of orange and pink, but all Nike could focus on was him.

"I thought… we lost this," she said softly, not even sure what she meant, but the words felt right.

Jimi chuckled, his laugh soft and rich. "Lost? No, we just needed time. You'll see."

As they strolled, he stopped suddenly, turning to face her. His eyes held that look—the one she had dreamed about countless times. "You've always been special, Nike. I've always known it."

Her heart raced, his words sinking in like a song she didn't want to end. She wanted to reply, to say something—anything—but just then, her phone blared loudly, tearing through the dream like a rude conductor's horn.

Nike jolted awake, her heart racing as she grabbed her phone to see Darey Calling. For a second, the warmth of the dream lingered, but reality hit her like a bucket of cold water. She sighed, rubbing her eyes as the dream faded, leaving behind a bittersweet ache in her chest.

"Darey…" she mumbled with a lazy voice a she picked the call closing her eyes and rubbing it.

"Damn, I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he asked with a voice of regret.

"Yes you did!" she stated "but it was good, because you woke me up from a bitter dream." She chuckled calmly. "Anyways, what's up?" she asked.

"I have good news!" he exclaimed happily and she sat up immediately.

"Nike!" His voice was excited, practically bouncing through the speaker. "Guess what? The ad went viral! The turnout for today is already looking insane!"

Nike sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Really?" she mumbled, still shaking off the dream.

"Really!" Darey exclaimed. "You're a genius. I can't thank you enough for making this happen."

She smiled despite herself, his excitement contagious. "It's a team effort, Darey. I'm glad it's working out! I turned off my data, so I didn't see the notifications,"

"Team effort or not, you're the brain behind it. You should get here soon—"

Nike chuckled. "Alright, give me like…thirty minutes. I'll be there." She said thrilled and excited.

As she ended the call, she quickly took her phone to confirm what Darey had said. Lo! It was truly true! Her phone was bombarded with messages flowing in all at the same time. Messages like…..

-Hey! Am ready to gain more followers please!!!

-I saw the ad! Is there still space for me?

-I think I'll love this place, how do I secure two slots?

-How do I start the process?

-Are make-up artists and fashion designers accepted?

Nike jumped out of bed like a mad girl, her mind briefly drifted back to the dream. She shook her head, with an annoyed frown trying to brush it off. 'It was just a dream', she reminded herself, and "a very stupid dream" she said aloud, bouncing off to the bathroom while whistling a song. So happy and proud of herself for the turn ups. She honestly wasn't expecting it to be so huge but, of course collective work made the difference.

Today wasn't about Jimi or the memories that sometimes snuck up on her. None of the day was allowed to be about him, in any ways. Today was about building something real—something she could be proud of.

Lagos was a city of surprises, and as she stepped out into the morning sun, Nike couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store for her. But whatever it was, she should be able to use it for the best.

****

As soon as she arrived at the hub, she immediately met with Darey who was beaming with wide smiles seeing the quick changes that had just occurred in a short period of time. Now this hub isn't just a general hangout for any type of people, it was going to be partly restricted to those for the media. Any other person who is not participating will be free to be the audience, which during special events, people neither cast or crew or duly registered for ordinary membership will have to pay.

"I think this means, spotlight zone…" Nike stated and paused.

"Is back to business!!" Darey exclaimed as he shook her hand with delight.

****

Few weeks later,

(The United States)

"Yes, yes, I have contacted the port, be expecting the goods at your doorsteps soon! No, of course not. Yes! Thank you, bye," Darey's father hung up as he sipped his orange juice. He was here on a business trip and he had just successfully cleared an important deal.

"Fred!!" He called out.

"Yes sir!" A young looking guy came to him immediately as though he was waiting for the man to call him.

"How's he?" He asked.

"Sir, seems like he's back on his feet, here are my latest findings" he said as he handed over the tablet to the man and bowed.

He watched the advert with keen interest nodding his head in satisfaction. He was seeing the amount of turn up all at the same time and he just knew Darey had collaborated which was a good one.

"Here's a video of the area sir" Fred clicked somewhere in the tab that took him to the video playing.

"Cut!" Darey was the one talking.

"Look guy, you have to put your mind to this, believe you can do it and trust me you will! Now let's try that again" Darey smiled as they began to film again.

"Ah, this is improvement ooo" the man said happily he was so impressed. "Thank you Fred, am so glad I listened to you" he smiled.

He had actually taken the advice from Fred to make Darey see life small and also without the mother's consent, cause she might block him from giving the punishment. Fred has been Darey's good friend right from childhood even though he was two years older than him. Fred could see the kind of path that Darey was taking and he did not want it, also he could feel the pains of the father when he was always complaining on how Darey used and wasted his life anyhow so that's why he came up with that idea. And sure it really worked.

"You are very welcome sir" Fred smiled with a bow.

"Ok, I have told John and he has bought the cameras and light for filming, please call some boys they should start arranging to ship it to Darey immediately" he ordered.

"Yes sir!!" Fred said and was about to go...

"And how is my iyawo?" The man asked referring to his wife who was taking a vacation with her friends in Dubai.

"She is doing well Sir" Fred laughed.

"Okay then, extend my greetings, is like she has forgotten me" he laughed and Fred laughed in return and finally left.

****

[Back in Lagos]

In the cool of the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the hum of chatter filled the air, a sleek black Lexus 350 slid into the hub's parking lot. A young, handsome man stepped out—silent and composed, like a ghost drifting through the growing crowd.

He lingered near the gate, casually observing the scene, his gaze fixed on the unfolding drama. A grin tugged at his lips as he noticed a girl—Nike—marching toward him with enough annoyance to set the ground on fire.

"Ohhhhhhhhh my Goddddddd, Ughhhhhhhh!!!!!" she groaned, stopping just a few meters away. Her face screamed frustration and defeat.

"Uhm... are you okay?" he asked, genuine confusion lining his face.

"Okay?!" Nike spun around, pointing furiously at the actors on the field. "No! No, just look—please—look at what a human being is doing!"

On the field:

Boy: "I... love you!!" he roared, fists clenched like he was about to strangle a goat.Girl: (Dramatically placing a hand on her forehead, she turned away like a tragic princess). "But I don't feel the same."

"Cut! Cut!! No, no, no, no, no!" The director stormed onto the field, hands flailing. "That's not it at all!"

Nike let out a groan long enough to rival the director's rant.

"No, this is really annoying," she snapped. "How did they even pass the audition? If it were me, I'd drag them by their heads and throw them out of this hub!"

The guy beside her chuckled softly, his voice calm and carefree. "Hmm, but they're trying though. It's not that easy."

Nike froze mid-rant, turning to glare at him. The look on her face screamed, "I think I'm trying so hard not to throw you into the trash."

"I was about to compliment your looks," she muttered with a forced smile, "but I'll just go have a drink instead. Bye. Nice meeting you."

She turned on her heels, rolling her eyes as she stormed off, leaving the stranger behind—still laughing.

"But…" he scratched his head "but they are trying, aren't they?" he asked to no one in particular.

"Are they?" Darey cut in from behind almost startling the guy but he got his composure.

"Actually... They aren't" they guy laughed.

"Exactly!" Darey joined in the laughter.

"Well...seems like they didn't take their acting classes seriously or they lack the talent obviously" Darey added.

"I really agree with you" he chuckled heartily not knowing what to say because he's not really expert in this field.

"Nice car by the way," Darey complimented cause he saw him park earlier and it was his duty to welcome people that comes when he sees them. He was actually making a call outside when the guy came and he also saw Nike talking to him.

"Ohhh, thanks," he chuckled "it's actually for my dad, mine is under service" he said.

"Wow, such good relationship you share with your dad!" Darey exclaimed.

"Ha!! I wish!!" He laughed a sarcastic laughter meaning it was not it at all.

Darey understood that actually.

"My dad arrived home last week and it's even surprising he offered me the car without asking and I can just not care more about it"

"Hmmm" Darey sighed.

"Nice outfit by the way," he said changing the topic.

"Thank you!!! You ain't looking bad yourself" he smiled. "Darey, I'm Darey" he said extending his hands for a hand shake which the guy took gladly.

"I'm Akinjimi, just call me Jimi" he shook his hands.

****

"I'm Akinjimi, just call me Jimi" he shook his hands and yeah, guess they are good for friends.

"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking... Who's that girl by the way, the one that was pissed off earlier, she looks quite familiar or...I can't really recall" Jimi said.

"Ohhh, that's Nike! She's like the brains behind the success of this place" Darey said proudly.

"Nike...." Jimi said with furrowed eye brows. Like he was trying to remember something. He decided to forget about it because his memory was not ready for stress. "You say she's the brains of this place?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, I had some small issues with my dad, and I was on my own not knowing what to do, but is like...God sent her like an angel," Darey smiled remembering how they met and the result of their meeting is this.

"Wow seems like someone you are really proud of!" Jimi smiled.

"Yup! I've never seen her in action though, so I don't know how good she is in this media stuff," he said.

"Wait!" Jimi said like something was just shot into his memory. "That's Nike?" He asked codedly pointing to the girl talking to Adesua.

"Yeah...." Darey said unsure. "Do you know her?"

"Nike? Like Olanike...Veronica Elias?" He asked.

"Yes!!! Seems like you know her very well, you even know her literal name, hope say u no wan kidnap am?" Darey asked with the Nigerian Pidgin English as he laughed.

"Nooo!! Ha!" he laughed briefly, "Wait! Wow! Wow, wow, wow," he shuttered and to really ensure it was the Nike he was thinking, he took his phone and checked his gallery because he had a picture of her many months ago, and yes to his confirmation it was her! It was really her!

*****

Later that night,

Nike arrived home and got a message from Darey informing her about the new camera and light set that was brought to the place that day.

Nike: Ong! That's wonderful!!!!

Darey: I know right? But the problem is...I don't even know who this gift is from...

Nike: Uhm...what? How do u mean?

Darey: Like the sender is anonymous…

Nike: Oh wow, hope it's not a trap?

Darey: Lol! Mm, I don't think so.

Darey: We are safe, I asked and I heard it is someone we know that sent it.

Nike: Hmmm...Are u at the venue right now?

Darey: Yeah...I'm here as they are setting it.

Nike: Owww, I wish I can come buhh am feeling headache right now, so am just lying down getting ready to sleep.

Darey: Okay, that's fine... Lemme leave you to sleep ok.

Nike: Thank you.

Darey: Take meds, and be ok.

Nike: I will thanks, bye!

Darey: Bye.

*****

Later in the week....

Everything was going on fine and good. They had replaced those horrible actors with better people and they finally wrapped up that scene ready to upload in their channel as short video.

Jimi came to the place again and met Nike... Again!

"Hey!!" Nike greeted, seems like she was calmer this time. "I saw you few days ago right?" She asked.

"Yeah you did" he smiled reflecting his very deep dimples. "How are you?" He asked. "You haven't been online for some time now which is unlike Olanike."

"Yeah yeah I've been a bit tired these days, that's why" she sighed.

"Tired? How?" he asked laughing revealing his fine fangs. "Or… you are pregnant?" He asked casually.

"Wh..." She wanted to say something but was cut short by a sudden thought. How did this guy know about her online status and how did he know her name?????

"Uhm...am sorry, do I know you?" She asked.

"Yes! Have you forgotten me? Haven't you seen me before?" He asked back.

Nike stared at him now, really studying his face. Those dimples, those eyes… She could almost feel a memory clawing its way to the surface, but she pushed it back, unwilling to let him see she might remember. From the Jimi she remembers online, she didn't remember him being as so handsome as this, probably cause he didn't send his pictures frequently even though she always asked. Ok, why was he here? Or why did they have to meet? Will it be good or bad?

The truth is…. She couldn't care, she doesn't care, why should she care?

"Oh! Jimi!!!" she exclaimed with a brief laugh and he was glad she had finally remembered him. "I'm sorry, but I don't have any single memory of any name called Jimi!" she smiled innocently batting her eyelash like a secretary who just denied him access to his hotel room.

Nike!" Adesua called from behind walking towards them. "Hi!" she greeted Jimi and faced back Nike. "You are needed on set immediately,"

"Ohk! Nice meeting you Jimi, hope to see you around these days," she winked at him then left.

Jimi stood frozen for a moment, watching her leave. Then he scoffed softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "She winks at someone she doesn't remember?" he muttered under his breath, chuckling. "Still… wow, that was cute."

****

Nike's POV

Arriving home that evening, I barely had the strength to do much. I took a quick bath and collapsed face-first onto my bed. Lying there, I tried to absorb and meditate on everything that had happened today.

To be honest, I learned a lot—the hard way. The biggest lesson? I was unbelievably stupid for liking Jimi. Like, stupid stupid.

I should be irritated with myself, maybe even praying fervently that the evil ones won't use that ridiculous dream to torment me again. But let's face it, I can't kill myself over one stupid crush. The only noticeable aftermath is my newly developed mood swings.

Okay, maybe not "intense" mood swings. More like… frequent ones.

And no, I am not bipolar!

But you know what? One of the most valuable things I picked up today was how to level up my flirting skills. Because what? You think I'll become some pathetic loner just because some random online guy rejected me? A guy I've never even seen in person, mind you—not his full face or even heard his voice properly.

Wait.

How did I even fall for him in the first place?

I shot up from the bed and hurried over to the mirror. Staring at my reflection, a slow, self-assured smile crept onto my lips.

"Ah, it's official," I said, shaking my head. "I was just being stupid. And that's okay. Everyone's allowed to be stupid sometimes."

Then, my grin widened. "But Jimi? That guy is the real fool here. Blind as a bat. Missed the deal of a lifetime—me."

Feeling the confidence rush back into my veins, I strolled over to my boom box, recently purchased in a questionable fit of extravagance, and hit play. The opening beats of "Ozeba" by Rema blasted through my room. My head practically caught fire as the rhythm took over.

And then it happened.

I started dancing. Not normal dancing—no, this was a series of wild, uncoordinated, borderline illegal moves. If anyone had walked in, they might've called for help.

Halfway through, I grabbed my phone and scrolled to Jimi's contact. Oh, I had already deleted it earlier, but now I decided to report his number for absolutely no reason. Then I blocked him. Unblocked him. Blocked him again.

And I repeated this cycle—sixteen glorious times—before finally deleting his contact for good.

The song's bridge hit:

"They want a banger? Ehn-ehn?

Give them back to back, ehn-ehn?

Buss up their medulla, arrg-arrg…"

I lip-synced with intense dedication… badly. But who cares? I didn't.

"I don comoti for my set, I don intercept

I dey put the game for reset…"

"Ozeba ozeba ozeba ozeba…"

I sang with increasing energy, waving my hands around like I was casting a spell. By the time the song came to an abrupt end, I flopped into the chair in front of my mirror, breathing heavily. My face was as calm as if nothing had just happened.

Looking at my reflection again, I smiled—a wide, triumphant smile.

Then, just as quickly, I frowned.