Chapter Eight

The next day was all about preparations for the big showcase happening at the main hub. Darey had one thing on his mind—Nike and Tonia had been rehearsing. At least, that's what Tonia had been telling him. And the way she hyped it, this showcase was going to be so perfect that he could finally show his dad what he was capable of.

Adesua, Nike, and Jimi sat with him on set, casually chatting while watching everything unfold. But something was off. Was it just him, or was Nike not even asking about the showcase?

"Man, look at that place," Darey said, pointing toward a tent at the far end of the venue.

"What's up with it?" Jimi asked, glancing at it with mild interest.

"The owners want to launch a game there—with a prize of one million naira," Darey announced.

Jimi's face lit up. "I'm in!"

"We want to join too!" the girls chorused as the boys stood up.

"Sorry, babe. Not for kids," Darey teased with a fatherly smile before walking off with Jimi.

Nike and Adesua stared after them, blinking in disbelief.

"They just called us kids," Nike muttered.

Adesua shook her head solemnly. "Disrespect."

Meanwhile, Jimi and Darey were making their way toward the tent when they abruptly stopped in their tracks. A notice slapped them right in the face—a cruel reality check.

'DO NOT ENTER THE PREMISES WITHOUT A BABE (HOT CHICK)'SIGNED—MANAGER.

Darey sighed dramatically, bowing his head in despair. "Why is the world such a wicked place?"

"The singles will never breathe," Jimi added with a heavy sigh.

"Jimi, this one million naira na hot cake! We need to find babes ASAP. If possible, pay them!" Darey declared with the determination of a war general.

"I agree, bro! But where? All these girls sef," Jimi groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Anywhere o! If you find one, text me. I go do my magic." And with that, Darey left Jimi alone to figure out his own strategy. Socializing with girls had never been his strong suit.

***

"Adesua, Adesua, Adesua my baby, my love," Darey crooned in a dramatic Yoruba accent. "Ade, abeg now."

"Kí ló selè?" She folded her arms, unimpressed. "Didn't you just say it's not for kids?"

"Chai, na slip of tongue, I swear! And it's in the past, my love," he pouted. "Please na, fine girl," he added with a wink.

Adesua tried to keep a straight face, but the blush betrayed her.

She groaned. "Ugh, fine, fine!" she said, rolling her eyes as if she wasn't excited.

"For real? Thank you!" Darey grinned and gently squeezed her hand before whipping out his phone.

Adesua just stared at him, her mind wandering. How many days exactly did God take to create this masterpiece? She shook her head, grabbing his hand as they walked back together.

***

Jimi stared at his phone, hopeless. He had just Googled:

HOW TO ASK A GIRL TO ACT AS YOUR GIRLFRIEND

Approach her gently and politely.Start with a friendly conversation.Look into her eyes and just ask.Use a polite and sincere tone.Explain your real intentions. Maybe offer a gift or money.Stay positive.If she rejects you, don't feel bad. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

He groaned in frustration. Damian would have been great at this.

"How am I even supposed to do this?" he muttered.

Sighing, he walked to a nearby mango tree, placed a hand on the bark, and started talking to it.

"Hi Nike, how are you? How's the family? How's life? How's—"

Footsteps. Voices approaching. Then… silence.

He turned his head slowly, and there she was—Nike—standing beside the lead photographer from her modeling gigs.

Jimi tensed, taken off guard. The photographer's phone rang, and after a quick excuse, he stepped away to take the call, leaving Nike and Jimi alone.

Nike clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "Just my luck! Why this idiot come spoil this moment for me?" she muttered under her breath.

Then, as if flipping a switch, her annoyed expression faded into something more neutral as she sauntered toward Jimi.

"New update! So Daddy is now talking to trees? That's kinda crazy." She picked up an unripe mango that had fallen nearby.

"Uh, what?" Jimi quickly regained his composure, straightening up. He had almost lost his steeze earlier when he saw her and the photographer looking all comfortable together. She had been smiling. Enjoying his company. And the moment she saw Jimi, her expression shifted.

He wasn't going to overthink it, though.

"How are you even here?" he asked with a smirk. "You stalking me or something?"

Nike scoffed. "Fine boys, their head no dey correct," she muttered just loud enough for him to hear. "Like, eww, why would I stalk you?" She tossed the mango in her hand. "I came for this."

She waved the fruit at him before heading to a nearby tap to rinse it.

Jimi shook his head with a dry laugh. "So now you're craving unripe mango?"

"New miracles every morning," she replied without looking back.

His phone buzzed. A message from Darey.

'Found a hot chick.🔥 Chilling with drinks.'

Attached was a photo of Adesua looking comfortable in her seat.

Jimi cursed under his breath. He was still babeless.