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'You didn't ask for anything,' she said. 'I decided to give it to you, for the reason that you're my friend. Simi, are you not my friend again? Are we quarreling?'

'We're not quarreling,' I explained. 'But ...'

'Take it, Simi darling,' she said plaintively.

I held the money but still hesitated.

She smiled again and came to rub my shoulders.

'Okay,' I said. 'Thank you.'

'Oh, it's nothing.'

That evening at the close of work, Tina and I went to my room to pass the night.

'Has that your boyfriend called you?' she asked as soon as we stepped inside the room.

'No,' I replied.

'I told you he would not likely continue with the relationship.'

I nodded. 'No problem. I'll move on with my life.'

She patted my shoulder. 'My dear, indeed, the best thing is to move on. Don’t worry, there’re great guys here in Lagos. Sooner than you think,
you’ll have them fawning over you. You’re very beautiful, my dear.'

What she said reminded me of what Mrs. Shitta told me in Ibadan. I knew they were quite correct. It was not that guys had been scarce in approaching me. I was the one that lacked the interest and gave them the cold shoulders. But as Tina had suggested, I would have to change that attitude.

I nodded. We changed from our working clothes to casuals and lay in bed. Our play resumed and that made me forget all about Daniel or any guy. Who needed over-bearing men when there was a viable and better alternative to deriving pleasure?

The following morning, we left together for our working place. Later that evening, Tina told me our ‘special guest’ sought her companionship for the night again.

I sighed. ‘You want to do it with him again?’ I asked, though I knew it was an unnecessary question.

‘Yes,’ she replied promptly. ‘As long as he’s paying for it.’

‘I hope he’s using protection.’

Tina grinned. ‘Sure. I’m not a novice in this thing.’

That night, I had to sleep alone again.

In the weeks to come, I could see that Tina was deep in these ‘runs’ things. She had already established some contacts and would go and offer
her service whenever it was needed. She said she ‘serviced’ men in Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Banana Island. To her, I was an innocent
gal who needed to wake up and explore the best for herself.

I was three months old on my job in Lagos when Tina said she had a deal for me.

‘Two oil barons need the services of two ladies. I’ll take up one of them, why don’t you take up the other guy?’

Full story available @ https://publish.okadabooks.com/search?term=thrills

Interesting story.

Interesting story.

Interesting story.

Once again, she smiled. 'I'm not going home tonight,' she declared. 'I've promised that guest that I'll make myself available.'

'What!' I was shocked again. 'Tina, I can't believe what you're saying.'

'I'll be discrete,' she said. 'Then, of course, he must use condom.'

'Tina, how could you sleep with a stranger? All for money?'

'Yeah, it's for the money. It's also for the thrill of it. Surely, you don't expect that I should allow that kind of opportunity to pass me by. We're
talking about almost forty thousand naira, here.'

God! I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that Tina would offer herself for money.

I faced her squarely. 'Tina, if you do it, you and I will not be good friends again,' I threatened.

She frowned slightly. 'Oh, come on, Simi. This is hotel business and one of the services we're to provide is this kind of thing. Surely, I've done
nothing wrong. Madam should be happy to hear what I want to do. What if I had told the man that we didn't do that kind of thing, and he left
us for another hotel? Are we supposed to be losing customers or to be gaining them?'

I was too stunned to say anything further on the matter. When it was ten thirty, I closed for the day and left the hotel, leaving Tina behind. I was still mad at her. How could she bring herself so low? I lay on my cold bed and thought things over again. But, why was I feeling so angry with her? I asked myself. Tina had been in this business before you dreamt of coming to Lagos. She most likely was involved in this 'runs’
business before now. Why then was I trying to subvert her will and determination?

Was it not better that I let her live her life the way she wanted to live it? I suddenly shrugged. It was her life, I decided. Let her live it the way she liked and desired. The following day, I greeted Tina normally. I had decided that I would not broach on the issue of the 'special guest' again.

'Hello, Simi baby,' she greeted me in excitement. 'How was your night?' I smiled briefly. 'My night was fine.' I nearly asked her how her night
was, but I stopped myself on time. She followed me to my office. I put my handbag on the table and sat on the swivel chair.

Tina opened the bag and dropped some folded five hundred notes there.

'What's that?' I asked.

'Buy a special lunch for yourself.'

I quickly dipped my hand in the bag to remove the money. 'I can't accept it, Tina. I'm sorry.'

'You didn't ask for anything,' she said. 'I decided to give it to you, for the reason that you're my friend. Simi, are you not my friend again? Are we quarreling?'

'We're not quarreling,' I explained. 'But ...'

'Take it, Simi darling,' she said plaintively.

I held the money but still hesitated.

She smiled again and came to rub my shoulders.

'Okay,' I said. 'Thank you.'

'Oh, it's nothing.'


You can get full story @ https://publish.okadabooks.com/search?term=thrills

I sat on one of the visitors' seats and waited. As soon as she finished with the woman, the woman left.

'Good morning, baby,' she greeted, smiling.

'Good morning, Tina.'

'You always look dazzling in your outfits,' she said smiling and standing up. She came to my side and squeezed my left boob.

'Ouch! We're in the office, miss,' I said in protest.

'I know, my darling.'

There was a soft rapping on the door. Tina quickly moved to her seat.

'Yes, come in,' she called out.

The door opened and the head of security came.

'The guy that will connect the CCTV to the computers is here,' he announced.

'Oh, okay, bring him inside.'

The guy was brought in. I took my excuse and went to my office. Events went on routinely for the rest of the morning and afternoon. About four
o'clock, we had a very important person as our guest. A man probably in his forty breezed in and ordered for a suite for one week. That made him important.

About an hour after he had come, he asked to see the manager, so Tina went to meet him. After some minutes, Tina came to give me the
feedback in my office.

'The man said he wondered if I could help him get a lady for the night,' Tina said.

I was livid. 'What! Did he think this place is a brothel? We offer decent services here, for God's sake.'

Tina grinned. 'He's ready to pay in hard currency.'

'So what? He should not give this place a bad name, please.'

Tina ignored what I said. 'He's ready to pay 100 dollars per night.'

I stopped short and stared at her. 'Wait a minute, Tina. Don't tell me you're interested in it.'

She grinned again. 'Why not?'

'What?!' I was shocked by her response. 'You don't mean it, Tina. That's prostitution!'

She smiled at me. 'Calm down, baby. It's not prostitution. It's called 'runs', and that's business.'

I smiled ruefully. 'That's prostitution business,' I said. 'No matter any other name you call it.'

She smiled again. 'You don't worry your head. I will handle it.'

'How will you handle it?'

She smiled. 'Baby, don't worry. Just keep cool.'

We continued our work. I noticed that Tina did not close to go home at the normal time she used to.

'It's already ten in the night. Aren't you going home?' I asked.

Once again, she smiled. 'I'm not going home tonight,' she declared. 'I've promised that guest that I'll make myself available.'

'What!' I was shocked again. 'Tina, I can't believe what you're saying.'

'I'll be discrete,' she said. 'Then, of course, he must use condom.'

'Tina, how could you sleep with a stranger? All for money?'

'Yeah, it's for the money. It's also for the thrill of it. Surely, you don't expect that I should allow that kind of opportunity to pass me by. We're
talking about almost forty thousand naira, here.'


You can get the full story @ https://publish.okadabooks.com/search?term=thrills

I became curious. 'Your guy?'

'Yeah. Osas, that's his name. He raved about my absence yesterday night and wanted me to make it up today.'

I suddenly felt jealous. 'So, you were with a guy.'

She looked sharply at me. 'Hello, have you forgotten our agreement? Ours is a secret thing. Go for the guys. The richer and stronger, the better.' She laughed at her own joke. I managed a smile.

'So, how's business?' she asked.

'Fine. Many customers are in the bar already.'

'Good. That is good business.'

By eight in the evening, Tina signaled her intention to leave.

'I'm meeting him again,' she said. 'This Saturday is going to be groovy.'

I wanted to feel jealous again, but I suppressed it. She was right. I should get myself a guy. The fact was I was not very excited about guys.

Having sex with them had never been something I enjoyed or looked forward to, and most likely, would never be. After I had ensured that everything was in order, I left the hotel.

The building where I stayed looked very quiet. I used the keys given to me to open the main gate and main door. It was few minutes after eleven but the whole place looked deserted. I wondered if madam was around. I had not seen her since morning. I wondered if Bimpe too was around. I remembered the previous night and the fun I had with Tina. I wished she was around again so we could re-enact the whole act.

I locked the door of my room and removed my clothes, including the undies. In the semi-darkness of the room, I lay back on the bed and had
reminiscences. Daniel had not called me since the last time I spoke with him. Just like Tina said, it was high time I forgot about him.

Tina's kissing and hand job came back to my. My right hand went to my private part and caressed the place. I was not doing that for the first time. As a matter of fact, I had always relieved the tension in me by doing this.

Deftly, the fingers rubbed on the clitoris and dipped into the vaginal. I continued to excite the clitoris, the vulva and the hole until I climaxed.


The following day was Sunday and I was the one on duty which was the afternoon duty. I missed the absence of Tina, just as business was all-time low until evening.

Mummy called that evening.

'I hope all is well,' she said.

'Yes, mum. All is well.'

'Maria said you're doing a good job, so far.'

'Oh, that is good.'

'So, keep up the good work.'

'Yes, ma. How's Titi over there?'

'She's fine. She misses you a lot.'

'Oh. Please, send my regards to her.'

After the conversation had ended, I sighed. It was amazing that I had already spent a week and a day in Lagos. Wow!

Tina was early to work on Monday. By the time I entered the hotel at 7.41 a.m., I met her at work.

'Good morning, Miss Kadiri,' I greeted. She was talking to a cleaner and I felt I had to be official.

'Good morning, Miss Akolade,' she returned in the same token.

I sat on one of the visitors' seats and waited. As soon as she finished with the woman, the woman left.

'Good morning, baby,' she greeted, smiling.

'Good morning, Tina.'

'You always look dazzling in your outfits,' she said smiling and standing up. She came to my side and squeezed my left boob.

'Ouch! We're in the office, miss,' I said in protest.

'I know, my darling.'

There was a soft rapping on the door. Tina quickly moved to her seat.


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https://publish.okadabooks.com/search?term=thrills

Cool story.

Her kiss went on, while her right hand continued to be busy on my boobs. I wasn’t a virgin, but it seemed I was just about to have my first coital experience. I would not just stand there and be impassive. Gingerly, almost tentatively, my right hand went to her left boob. I touched and caressed it. I felt good. By the time her hand went to my private part, I felt I was drifting in the cloud of ecstasy.


By six in the morning, we remained huddled together on the bed. She was the first to wake up and to use the bathroom. Minutes later, she was through. She came to the room with my towel wrapped round her body from the chest to the knees. Memories of what we did in the night came back to me. Tina played the role of the man, while I was the perfect lady. Odd as it was, I found the experience exhilarating.

‘Hello, sweetie,’ she greeted.

‘Hello,’ I answered. I couldn’t bring myself to using an endearment. At least, for now.

She opened the wardrobe.

‘Sorry, I have to wear one of your clothes for today.’

I nodded. ‘It’s okay.’

I went to the bedroom to have a bath. There, I examined my body. I was beautiful, no doubt. Tina told me over and over again during the night
how bewitching she found me, and she said it in a way no man had ever done. Gosh!

But then, everything must remain a secret. I would keep on behaving like a ‘normal’ lady and I would have to settle for a man and have
children. That was what Bimbola Akorede expected from her daughter; that was what I had to do.

By the time I came out of the bathroom, Tina was already trying one of my blouses and skirts. The looked quite tight for her. The blouse in particular made her boobs to shoot out. I looked at them and grinned.

‘I hope the clothes are okay for me,’ she said.

I looked at her again critically. They were tight, but they were quite okay.

‘You’re okay,’ I said.

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course.’

It was Saturday morning and she didn’t have to come to work until afternoon. We had arranged that I would do ‘morning shift’ while she would do afternoon.

She came to give me a quick kiss. ‘I’ll be going to my home now. See you, sweetie.’

‘See you.’

She brought a small perfume from her bag, sprayed it on her body, smiled at me and left. I sighed as she left. Then, I started creaming my body to get ready for work.

I walked smartly from the residential building to the hotel. One of the cleaners was mopping the marble floor of the lobby when I got there.

'Good morning,' she greeted.

'Good morning, Mrs. Bello.'

It was few minutes to eight and the lady that was supposed to be at the reception desk had not resumed. I decided to stay at the desk until she came. She did not come around until many minutes after eight.

'Good morning. Sorry I'm late,' she apologized.

'Good morning,' I answered, nodding understandingly.

I returned and left the place for my office. Being a Saturday, business started picking up in the early hours of the afternoon. Tina was expected
to resume for afternoon shift by two o'clock, but few minutes to the time, she had not come. A couple of minutes after two, she called my number.

'Hello, Simi darling.'

'Hello, Tina. How're you?'

'Fine. See, I may be a bit late in coming. I'll explain when I see you.'

'I hope there's no problem,' I quickly said.

'No, no problem. See you, dear.'

'Alright.'

I continued with the work, moving from one place to another, ensuring that all went well.

That Saturday, there was an international football match. That, I supposed, was one of the reasons why the bar was filled up on time. It was
about three p.m. when Tina finally breezed in. She came to meet me in my office.

'Hello,' she greeted.

'Welcome. How's everything?'

'Fine. Sorry, I was delayed by my guy.'

I became curious. 'Your guy?'

'Yeah. Osas, that's his name. He raved about my absence yesterday night and wanted me to make it up today.'

I suddenly felt jealous. 'So, you were with a guy.'

‘But it does. You were not just looking, you were ogling at them’. She smiled kindly. 'I know it's not an easy thing to accept, but you can't keep on denying it. Okay, I'll cite myself as example. This is my sexual orientation and I can't deny it. This is what is natural to me and I've got to live with it. How long will you keep living in self-denial?'

I didn't say a word. I could not think of a word to say.

She sighed. 'Well, if you're really 'straight' as you claim to be, and my sight is so repulsive to you, tell me to leave this place. I can still go back to the hotel and sleep in my office. So, if I'm wrong in saying you're what I said you are, Simi, tell me to get out of your sight.'

I looked at her briefly and shook my head. How I wished I could tell her she was preposterous, that her claims were absurd. Unfortunately, I
could not.

Some floods of memory came. At eighteen and a fresher in the university, I was a very beautiful one that boys would not stop pestering for a
relationship. I found some of them amusing, but was never sexually attracted to them. I found it amazing that the sexual arousal came when I saw other beautiful female. No, I could not be a lesbian, I told myself. How could I be?

I denied this essence in my life and tried to talk and act as a normal female. No single soul knew that my sexual orientation was different from
what it seemed to be; not my mother, not my sister. It was my guarded secret. Certain things I did might however have given people some hints. For example, I hardly had boyfriends and the relationships hardly lasted. Even then, the guys complained that I behaved in a 'frigid' way.

I didn't mind them and I didn't give a hoot if they left or stayed.

But Tina seemed to have read me perfectly. She had seen those things I did that gave me out. Was it because she was not 'straight' herself?
I sighed again.

Tina would not stop staring at me.

'Let me ask you some questions,' she said. 'Did you have a girlfriend before? I'm not talking about female friends. I'm talking about female lovers.'

I shook my head. 'No.'

She breathed in deeply. 'I can understand you. You want to continue the way you've been doing?'

It was my turn to sigh. 'I don't know.'

She nodded. 'What some of us do is to pretend that all is normal, like you've been doing. Some went ahead to have husband and children.

Some however keep secret love and try to enjoy themselves in their own ways. Our society does not help matters. Here, same-sex marriage is criminalized while people look at us like we're outcasts.'

I nodded but said nothing.

'You can carry on like a 'straight' female, Simi. But you don't have to keep denying yourself of some enjoyment. You can get yourself a secret lover, like I've been doing.'

'You have a girlfriend?' I asked.

'I used to have, but some months ago, she traveled to South Africa.'

I nodded, not knowing what to say.

She smiled at me again. 'Let me take you as my secret love, Simi. It doesn't stop you from doing the normal things, like being a beautiful lady, getting married and having children.'

I hesitated. This was the first time I would be coming face to face with a lady who showed understanding to the feelings I had been suppressing for years.

'Give it a trial,' she said. 'If you don't want it later, you can always stop it.'

I nodded as I thought she had a point there.

She smiled, once more, at me. 'You're just like a sweet, innocent girl. Don't worry, I promise to treat you very right. I promise to show you the best of love and affection.'

She threw her arms wide open. 'Oh, Simi baby, come over here.'

I still hesitated.

She stood up from the bed and came to where I stood like a statue.

‘Oh, how sweet, beautiful and innocent you are,’ she said.

Her right hand came to my cheek. Slowly, she ran it down to my neck and my chest. I did not resist, but I could not encourage her too. Rather, I closed my eyes. That gesture certainly encouraged her. I felt her lips on mine. They were warm, moistened and tender. The experience was electrifying.

Her kiss went on, while her right hand continued to be busy on my boobs. I wasn’t a virgin, but it seemed I was just about to have my first coital experience. I would not just stand there and be impassive. Gingerly, almost tentatively, my right hand went to her left boob. I touched and caressed it. I felt good. By the time her hand went to my private part, I felt I was drifting in the cloud of ecstasy.


You can download full story at: https://publish.okadabooks.com/search?term=thrills

After ensuring that everything was in order, we left for my place. As usual, I had a shower and changed into a night wear. Tina too went for a shower. I gave her one of my shorts and t-shirts to wear. It was few minutes to midnight when we lay on the bed to sleep.

'Tell me about your boyfriend,' Tina said.

I smiled and told her about Daniel. I also added how Daniel threatened to give me the red card if I should come to Lagos.

'He's just like so many other guys - self-opinionated and selfish. From what you said he said, he has given you the red card already. Start looking for another lover.'

I smiled sadly. 'Well, I believe there's always another opportunity.'

'Don't waste your time on him,' she said in a tone that looked like she was counseling.

'What're about you? You've not told me about your lover,' I pressed.

She laughed shortly. 'I have boyfriends,' she said.

'Boyfriends? You keep more than a lover at a time?'

Again she laughed shortly. 'They're boyfriends, not lovers. I allowed them to be friends because of what I can get from them.'

'What?' She was so down-to-earth, and I was taken aback by her candor. 'It's not safe to have multiple partners.'

'Yeah, I know. I can take care of myself.'

I went back to the issue of having a boyfriend. 'A boyfriend is supposed to be a lover,' I pointed out.

'Not in my case,' she answered.

I wondered what she meant, but I kept quiet on that.

'The weave-on you're wearing is fine,' she said. 'It's amazing they could fix something as beautiful as this in Ibadan.'

I chuckled. 'Come on,' I said. 'Ibadan is neither a village nor a town.'

She laughed too and touched the hair.

'It's so good and looks so beautiful on you.'

I grinned. 'Thanks for the compliments.'

Her right hand went to my neck. 'You're beautiful, Simi.'

I would have said another 'thank you' to her, but there was something in her tone that made me catch my breath. I lay still. To confirm my suspicion, her hand went to my shoulder and my chest. I quickly sat up.

'Tina, what're you doing?'

She sat up too and smiled. 'Alright, let me confess.'

I looked at her curiously. 'Confess what?'

She smiled again and sighed. 'I have a crush on you, Simi.'

'What!?'

'Ever since I first saw you, I've had the crush.'

I stood up from the bed and moved away.

'You can't be serious, Tina.'

She looked at me solemnly. 'I'm serious, Simi. By now, you should know what my sexual orientation is.'

I was too surprised to say a thing. I still kept away, staring at her. She stared back at me.

'But something tells me you are just like me too,' she burst out.

I looked scandalized. 'That I'm what?'

'That you're not straight; that you're a lesbian.'

'Oh, come on. Don't say what you don't know!'

'Don't deny it, Simi. I've known and worked with you for days. I've seen how you look at men impassively; and I've seen how you look at
beautiful ladies with interest. I’ve seen the fascination look in your eyes when you look at me.'

My mouth felt dry. 'You're just making this up,' I said.

She chuckled. 'I'm not, and you know it.'

I was breathing hard, but didn't say anything.

She looked at me and smiled. 'I saw you staring at my unclothedness when I wanted to change clothes,' she went on. ‘Specifically, you were
staring at my boobs.’

I opened my mouth in surprise. 'Oh, stop it. That doesn't mean a thing.'

‘But it does. You were not just looking, you were ogling at them’. She smiled kindly. 'I know it's not an easy thing to accept, but you can't keep on denying it. Okay, I'll cite myself as example. This is my sexual orientation and I can't deny it. This is what is natural to me and I've got to live with it. How long will you keep living in self-denial?'

I didn't say a word. I could not think of a word to say.

Within such a short time, Tina and I were chatting as if we had been friends for years. After taking me round the hotel complex, I was shown (last, but not the least) the small office I would be using. It was the next room to hers, except that it was smaller and had only a chair for visitor. It was cozy, sort of, and i liked the place as it was. She sat on the visitor's seat while I sat on my leather, swivel chair.

'It means you can only receive a visitor at a time,' Tina said and smiled.

Later, towards evening, I decided to call Daniel.

'Hello, Daniel,' I said. 'You did not even call to ask after me or about my trip.'

'What trip?' he asked, almost in a snappy tone.

'My trip to Lagos, of course.'

'Wait a minute. Are you saying you left Ibadan, despite asking you not to do so?'

I breathed in deeply. 'Daniel, since yesterday evening, I've been in Lagos.'

'So, you decided to please yourself, right?'

'It's not about pleasing myself,' I told hm. 'It's about doing something that is exigent.'

There was no response from him again. Seconds later he disconnected the line. I sighed in exasperation. Going by the sign he had been giving
me in the last few weeks, he was most likely fed up with the relationship.

We didn't do much at the hotel the next day other than to prepare for the commissioning. On Wednesday, by nine in the morning, guests had started arriving for the occasion which was billed to commence by ten o'clock. The Chairman of the occasion, a serving female senator, was there. There were short speeches and the place was declared open. Work started in earnest.

My work was not just to sit in the office. I had to always go round and see that things were working the ways they should. I soon got to understand the pattern of patronage from customers. There was usually a lull in business in the morning till late afternoon. Apart from taking care of the needs of lodgers, much was not done in the morning time.

But by early evening, business boomed. The bar was usually filled to capacity by seven-thirty p.m., till it closed at ten o'clock. Tina would stay late before she would leave for her. It was a good thing that she lived at Ojodu, not far away.

On Friday, business was so good there was no lull until about eleven. It was our first weekend. Tina decided she would sleep in her office. I usually stayed around till about that time before going to my one-room apartment in the adjunct building.

'You can sleep in my room, Tina,' I offered.

She looked at me briefly. 'Are you sure about that?'

'Of course. The bed is quite small, but we can manage it.'

She smiled and brightened up. 'Well, thanks a lot, Simi.'

After ensuring that everything was in order, we left for my place. As usual, I had a shower and changed into a night wear. Tina too went for a shower. I gave her one of my shorts and t-shirts to wear. It was few minutes to midnight when we lay on the bed to sleep.

Tina and I stood up and left the office. Down the corridor, about three rooms from Mrs. Shitta's office, was Tina's own. Her office was small but cool, neat and well-arranged.

'Sit down,' she said.

'Thank you, madam.'

'Hey, just Tina is okay,' she protested.

I smiled. 'Okay, Tina. Thank you.'

She stared at me briefly and studied me. I studied her too. She couldn't be less than thirty-two. Almost the same height with me, but she was a bit plump and busty. She looked pretty and confident. She certainly looked like a lady who was not a push-over.

'I've seen your c.v, and I'm impressed,’ she said. ‘Having a Second Class Upper in Pharmacy is no joke. But this is a complete different terrain.

This place is not about being erudite. It's about smartness and astuteness. Baby, you're in Lagos now, and you've got to be smart. Some guys will want to take you for a ride, and some ladies too. But that’s if you allow them.’

She paused to gauge my attentiveness. I was all ears.

‘In hotel business, you meet all sorts of characters. You’ll meet the educated, the illiterate, the successful business people, and those that that are still struggling.’

I was in for a pep lecture. I waited.

‘You’ll meet honest ones and those that are unscrupulous and fraudulent. Hey, you must always be on your guard. People always want to take advantage of weak or soft ones.’

I nodded in agreement.

‘Simi, I don’t just want to be your boss or colleague. I want to be your friend. Do you accept my offer?’

I smiled. ‘Sure. It’s better we’re friends than we’re rivals.’

She nodded and smiled too. ‘Good. That will make this our job much easier. This hotel will be opened to the public and business after its commissioning on Wednesday. Now, let me tell you how the place will operate.’

I nodded. ‘Okay, Tina.’

She told me how she had and Mrs. Shitta had mapped out how to make things work. I listened to her carefully. I must say Tina was brilliant.

She combined beauty with brain and it was not difficult to see why Mrs. Shitta had picked her for the job. I definitely had a lot to learn from her, but I would learn fast.

After the talks, she took me round the hotel. From the offices, we went to the lobby, the club, the restaurant and the rooms. We also went to the kitchen and the store house. Expectedly, the staffers would all start work on Wednesday. She also took me to the special rooms upstairs regarded as suites. I was impressed with everything. Mrs. Shitta had done well.

Within such a short time, Tina and I were chatting as if we had been friends for years. After taking me round the hotel complex, I was shown (last, but not the least) the small office I would be using. It was the next room to hers, except that it was smaller and had only a chair for I visitor.

It was cozy, sort of, and i liked the place as it was. She sat on the visitor's seat while I sat on my leather, swivel chair.

‘Simi here is the daughter of my good friend, and that means she’s my daughter too. She’ll be working with me. Take her to the first room downstairs to drop her luggage. That’s where she’ll be staying. Then bring her up. We still have some talks to do.’

We entered the building. It was a new building that looked and smelt new. I followed Bimpe to the room allocated to me. It was a modest room,
a little smaller than my room in Ibadan, but still comfortable enough. It had a single bed, a desk and a plastic chair, plus a stool. With the chair and desk, I could do some reading and writing. There was an in-built wardrobe. Everything smelt new.

‘This is your room,’ Bimpe said. She pointed at an adjoining door. ‘In there, there’s a toilet and a bathroom. You don’t have to use the other main bathroom and toilet at the end of the corridor. I occupy the next room.’
I nodded. Bimpe, at a guess shouldn’t be more than twenty-four. She looked friendly and I hoped we would get along well.

‘Thank you,’ I said.

‘You’re welcome.’

I opened the wardrobe and piled my suitcases inside. Later, I would arrange my things there.

‘Now, let me take you upstairs,’ Bimpe said.

I nodded. She pointed at a bunch of three keys hanging in the key hole.

‘Those are the keys to your room. I’ll advise that when you’re not in, always lock the door.’

I nodded. We stepped out of the room. I removed the bunch and locked the door. We climbed the tiled floor up to the first floor. Immediately
we got to the top, next to the stair case by the right, was a large room that served as the living-room.

The black leather seats looked exquisite. Mrs. Shitta was obviously a woman of taste. There was a flat screen on, and it was showing a food and drinks channel. I watched and was impressed with the sumptuous meals they showcased. Comely Hotel must strive to excel if it must be at par
with providing the kind of quality food shown.

Madam came to meet me. She chose a sofa not far from my seat.

'Yes, Simi. Let me give you some briefings on your work,’ she stated in earnest. ‘You're actually to be the Deputy Business Manager. Yes, for now, I've brought a lady that will be the substantive manager. She has working experience in hotel business. You will be her deputy and you're to understudy her. The moment you've learnt the ropes, you'll take over. I trust that you will learn fast.'

I nodded.

'Any time you want to relax, you can come up here. Meanwhile, I will tell Bimpe to get us something for dinner.'

She stood up and went downstairs. I sat back relaxingly on my seat. Then, I remembered I had not called mummy to let her know we had safely arrived Lagos. Promptly, I brought out my phone and called her


I woke up early the following morning, took my bath and dressed up for work. The black skirt, white shirt and black jacket I wore fitted me well, without doubt. I was to go to the living-room upstairs and wait for Mrs. Shitta. By few minutes after seven, I was waiting for her. I stood up to greet her as soon as she stepped inside the room.

'Good morning, ma,' I greeted.

'Good morning, Simi. You’re looking good. I like your outfit. That's the spirit.'

I smiled coyly. 'Thank you, ma. Your dressing is super, too.'

She seemed pleased. Indeed, her dressing, though 'iro' and 'buba' looked good on her.

'Bimpe!' she called out. Bimpe answered from her room and soon came up.'

Mrs. Shitta handed her bag to her and turned to face me. 'Alright, let's go.'

I followed them downstairs and outside to the waiting car. Mr. Gideon had washed the jeep and it looked sparkling. Once again, I sat beside
madam in the jeep. In less than fifteen seconds we got to the front of the hotel. In the absence of Bimpe, I assisted madam with her bag. I could see the hotel edifice clearly now. In its modesty, it looked attractive from the outside.

We entered it and went to the lobby. I could see the members of staff eagerly greeting Mrs. Shitta.

The interior was very grand. Mrs. Shitta must have spent fortune to put that building in place. By the lobby was a corridor to the right. We followed it to the last door by the right. Madam took her bag from me, opened it and brought a bunch of keys out. She went through the keys and finally decided on one to open the door. She stepped inside the cool room. Her portrait was on the wall and a small Nigerian flag was on her desk. This was Mrs. Maria Shitta's office.

She motioned me to a seat while she went to sit behind the desk.

She opened her handbag again and brought out her cell phone. Then, she put her eye glasses on, scrolled through the saved numbers on the
phone and called a number.

'Hello,' she said into the mouth piece and passed briefly. 'Yeah, good morning. Are you in the office? Come over to my office.'

She cut the connection and put the phone on her big desk.
'I've just called the Business Manager that you will be working directly with. Don't forget: you're my eyes and ears in this place. You must always brief me about things that are going on.'

'Yes, ma,' I answered.

The door opened and a lady stepped in.

'Good morning, madam,' she greeted.

'Good morning, Tina. Sit down.'

'Thank you, ma'am.'

She sat down and regarded me briefly.

'Yes, Tina,' madam said. 'This is Miss Simi Akolade, the lady I told you will be your assistant as Deputy Business Manager. Simi, meet Miss

Augustina Kadiri, the Business Manager. The two of you will be working together. I want maximum cooperation and high productivity.'

I nodded.

'Hello, Simi,' Tina said.

'Good morning, madam,' I replied.

'Yes,' Mrs. Shitta went on, turning to Tina. 'You will show Simi her office. You will also put her through our operations here. Explain everything to her.' Mrs. Shitta extended her right hand to me for a hand shake.

'Thank you, ma'am,' I said.

'You will get your letter of employment later today.'

Again, I nodded. 'Thank you, ma. I’m grateful.'

Tina and I stood up and left the office. Down the corridor, about three rooms from Mrs. Shitta's office, was Tina's own. Her office was small but cool, neat and well-arranged.

The story continues ...


But then, I knew I must not get angry with my sixteen years old niece.

‘Come, Titi, I’ll always be coming back home.’ I gave her a thousand naira note. ‘Hey, get something for yourself.’

I was surprised she refused my offer.

‘I’m going to miss you,’ she said.

I was moved, so I hugged her. She calmed down.

Titi and mum waved at me as the driver moved the jeep out of our compound. I felt like shedding tears too, and I almost did; but the presence of the driver who would imagine that I was probably destined for a trip as far as Papua New Guinea, prevented me from doing so..

We were soon at Mrs. Shitta’s residence at Bodija. We didn’t stay there for long. Her suitcase was soon added to mine in the booth and we set out for Lagos. I sat with her at the back seat.

‘Simi, my daughter’, she said. ‘I’m glad you and Bimbola accepted this offer. Just do your best and see how you will be rewarded.’

I nodded. ‘I’ll do my best, ma.’

‘That is good.’

She did most of the talking, and she would caution the driver from time to time to cut the speed.

‘Hey, I’m not in a hurry o. Even in London where their roads are better, I never liked speeding.’

About an hour later, we got to Berger. The jeep veered off the expressway. I supposed in minutes, we would get to our destination.

‘The hotel is like a complex building,’ she explained. ‘The main building houses the lodging rooms, restaurant, a bar, a conference hall and a club. Behind the main building is a storey building. There’s a kind of suite on the first floor and that’s where I stay. On the ground floor, there’re four rooms. You’ll be occupying one of them for now. The problem of accommodation and transportation is solved.’

I nodded. We soon got to the hotel, the Comely Hotel. It was a two-storey building with a side drive that led us to the building at the back. The driver, whose name I had learnt was Gideon, stopped the car and grinned.

We got down from the vehicle. Mrs. Shitta stretched her legs. ‘To think that some people will travel by road from Lagos to Kano!’ she exclaimed.

A young lady came from the house.

‘Welcome, ma,’ she greeted her.

‘Yes, Bimpe. How’re you?’

Fine, ma. How was your trip?’

‘Fine.’

I removed my suitcases while Bimpe struggled with madam’s big luggage. Madam faced Bimpe.

‘Simi here is the daughter of my good friend, and that means she’s my daughter too. She’ll be working with me. Take her to the first room downstairs to drop her luggage. That’s where she’ll be staying. Then bring her up. We still have some talks to do.’

Last but not the least, I called Daniel.

‘I’ll be going to Lagos,’ I said. ‘There’s a job waiting for me there.’

‘What!’ he sounded astonished. ‘How could you do that?’

‘The job is better than what I have now and mum advises that I should take it.’

‘And you didn’t discuss it with me before you decided,’ he accused. ‘What if I say no?’
Now, that was Daniel for you. How could he say no?

‘The job is from a family friend and …’ I was explaining.

‘Alright, alright. What kind of job is it, anyway?’

I sighed. ‘I’m to be a hotel Business Manager.’

‘What? You want to work in hotel?’ His tone sounded like it was the most disgusting job I could ever take.

I breathed in deeply but said nothing.

‘Listen, Simi,’ he said. ‘No baby of mine will work in hotel. You’re not to take that job.’

‘You don’t mean that, Daniel,’ I said, getting agitated.

‘I mean it. Don’t accept it. If you do, then kiss our relationship goodbye.’

‘Daniel!’

‘I mean it. Take up that job, and then forget about me.’

He went on to cut the line. Can you imagine that? Daniel cut the line. I sighed and shook my head. I was not totally surprised by his behavior, for he always had that propensity to be domineering.

I continued to prepare for my departure. Mum kept drumming it in my ears that I must be a good gal and prove myself worthy, and I kept replying her that she had no reason to be apprehensive.


‘I’m twenty-seven and I know what I should do,’ I said.


On the Sunday that I would leave Ibadan, Mrs. Shitta’s driver came to our house about three o’clock to ‘pick’ me. I had already packed the clothes and other things I would be taking to Lagos in two suitcases. I went on to hug my mum to say goodbye. I was surprised to see drops of tears fall from her eyes.

‘Oh, mum, if you’re doing this because I’m traveling to Lagos, what will you do if I’m departing for Canada, or Australia?’

She smiled wryly. ‘Don’t mind me, Simi. Make sure you’re very careful there.’

‘I will, mum.’

Titi too was shedding tears. Now, wait a minute. I was only travelling to Lagos, a place less than 190 kilometers away, for God’s sake!

But then I knew I must not get angry with my sixteen years old niece.

‘Come, Titi, I’ll always be coming back home.’ I gave her a thousand naira note.

‘Hey, get something for yourself.’

I was surprised she refused my offer.
‘I’m going to miss you,’ she said.

I was moved, so I hugged her. She calmed down.

Good one.

I stayed with the two women for several more minutes before I excused myself. The following day was Wednesday, I was on my way to work when mummy called me.

‘Maria just called me now. She advised that you should resign from your current place of work with immediate effect.’

Just like that? I sighed. ‘Okay, mummy.’

‘She also advises that you’ll get set and follow her to Lagos on Sunday.’

‘So fast?’

‘Yes. She wants you to be on ground, familiarize yourself with the place and be part of the team that will kick off the operations of the place.’

I sighed. ‘Okay, mum.’

As I soon as I got to my office, I wrote a short letter to notify the management that I had resigned my appointment with immediate effect. I thanked them for the opportunity they had given me to work there. Moji, my colleague and good friend was shocked by my sudden decision. I explained to her why I had to do what I did.

I packed my few personal belongings, bade them farewell and left. I was back home before mid-day. Mum advised that I should get some books and read about hospitality business. I went on Google to do so.

I called my friends to inform them about my imminent relocation to Lagos. I also called Deola, my sister to intimate her. She was a Medical student at the University of Ibadan and she stayed on campus.

‘Are you going to be working at NAFDAC in Lagos, or what?’ Deola asked.

‘Mrs. Shitta is opening a hotel. I’ll be working there.’

‘What? Hotel? Do they prescribe and dispense drugs in hotel?’

I chuckled. ‘Don’t be cheeky, Deola. I’ll be working as Business Manager.’

‘Business what? What d’you know about business?’

‘Don’t under estimate my potentials, sister.’

She laughed over the line. ‘Well, best of luck, Simi.’

‘Yeah. And best of luck to you too.’

Last but not the least, I called Daniel.

‘I’ll be going to Lagos,’ I said. ‘There’s a job waiting for me there.’

‘What!’ he sounded astonished. ‘How could you do that?’

‘The job is better than what I have now and mum advises that I should take it.’

‘And you didn’t discuss it with me before you decided,’ he accused. ‘What if I say no?’

Now, that was Daniel for you. How could he say no?




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I nodded. Just then, there was another blaring of horn at the gate. ‘Goodness,’ mum said. ‘That must be Mrs. Shitta. She said she would be visiting.’

She stood up from the bed and moved to the door. I followed her.

‘Maria has a lot of confidence in you for inviting you for this job, Simi. You must not disappoint her.’

I sighed. Mummy was always zealous about things she was interested in. I had not even affirmed that I would accept the job offer, but she was already taking about not disappointing her friend.

She went downstairs while I went back to my room. I played some music on my small sound system and reclined on my bed.

Many minutes later, there was a knock on my door. The person that knocked didn’t wait for an answer when the knob was turned and the door was pushed in.

Titi gave a grin. ‘Mummy said you should come downstairs,’ she informed.

I knew that would be her message. ‘Okay, I’ll be coming.’

I got down from the bed and went to the staircase. Here, I could hear the excited voices of mum and her guest. I descended the case slowly. The voices grew louder as I got to the large living-room.

‘Good evening, ma,’ I greeted Mrs. Shitta.

‘Ah, Simi, my daughter, come and give me a hug.’

I gave her a hug, the strong whiff of her perfume assailing my nose.

She looked at me all over. ‘Only God knows what is wrong with the young men in Ibadan. How could they leave a beautiful damsel like you alone all this while?’ she smiled.

I wasn’t surprised at her sarcasm. This woman could talk!

‘Don’t worry,’ she went on. ‘Lagos men are smarter. Before you spend months there, you’ll see how they will rush you. They know good things.’

Mummy smiled while I grinned. But, who told Madam Maria that I didn’t have a man in my life? I had, even though he was an unserious fellow.

‘O ya, sit down and let’s discuss,’ Mrs. Shitta went on. ‘Bimbola must have told you about the Lagos job I’m offering you, right?’

I nodded and took a seat beside her. ‘Yes, ma.’

‘So, what d’you think?’

‘She’s going to do well on the job,’ mummy intervened. ‘I trust my daughter.’

I nodded in support of what my mother said.

‘Yes,’ Mrs. Shitta continued. ‘I want you to be smart and sharp. I want you to be my eyes and ears there. I want you to grow the place. And of course, the remuneration is mouth-watering. I know you’ll not disappoint.’

I resigned myself to fate. ‘No, I’ll not disappoint,’ I answered.

I stayed with the two women for several more minutes before I excused myself. The following day was Wednesday, I was on my way to work when mummy called me.

‘Maria just called me now. She advised that you should resign from your current place of work with immediate effect.’

Just like that? I sighed. ‘Okay, mummy.’

‘She also advises that you’ll get set and follow her to Lagos on Sunday.’

‘So fast?’

‘Yes. She wants you to be on ground, familiarize yourself with the place and be part of the team that will kick off the operations of the place.’

I sighed. ‘Okay, mum.’



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