She was glad the traditional marriage had ended early; it meant she and her crew would pack up before dusk fell, although, with Mrs. J stopping her to meet her unending list of friends, that might never happen.
Rita shook her head as she went back into the huge compound, having to dodge vendors, dismantling canopies and tables used, she should trust her crew to do what's right, after all, they'd been doing this without her for almost a year, except when founding customers like Mrs. J requested for her.
She was about to ask someone who wore the Ankara uniform identifying family members at the event, where she could fine Mrs. J, but the jolly old woman was making her way out of her house with a tall man who had a familiar face, though she couldn't place him.
"There you are, dear," she enthused and waddled over with a huge smile, catching Rita's arm in a gnarled hand and leading her forward to the man. "You know I always introduce you to people that matter, people that can get you more business," Rita nodded, bending a little to hear the woman's murmur. "This is one of them," she seemed so excited, so Rita forced a smile to her face and met the man's gaze.
Her skin crawled immediately, but she steadied the smile and tried to look enthusiastic as Mrs. J made the introductions, knowing not all introductions led to business, especially when it concerned men. With the lascivious gaze this man was giving her, she just had to persevere through the introduction and that would be that. But then Rita really had to struggle to maintain an amiable mien because this was the man she'd been searching for, dropped right in her lap and as despicable at sight as in character.
"Ritaz Imaginations? The one above Global Press on Wellington Bassey way?"
"Yes, sir," Rita grinned to seem enthusiastic like the elderly people expected young people to be in their exalted presence.
"That's my company. I own Global Press," Zack Inyang declared and stood back with pride.
Rita amped the enthusiasm. "Wow! I never thought I'd meet the owner, it's been rumoured you aren't based here, Sir."
Mrs. J had a fulfilled smile on her face when Zach Inyang offered an appointment to see him at his office to discuss business. Rita nodded, grinned more even though she wanted to scratch the man's eyes out and walked away.
Her crew were almost done, so she joined them in packing the last of the decorative paraphernalia. She'd been heading to her car when her phone rang, it was Nene calling to tell her they were waiting at the ice cream place down the road.
She got in her car and dialled Okpara's number. "Hi, err...an opportunity has arrived earlier than expected. We have an appointment with him on Monday afternoon." As was her case, Okpara grunted and ended the call. Rita thought she was the most taciturn woman she'd ever met.
It took her less than three minutes to be seated before her eager friends who wanted the uptake on her night with Ben. "It was nice."
"That's it?" Nene leaned back in sarcasm.
"Rita, that can't be it. But if you don't want to share with us, it's fine." Eka added, looking down her ice cream as though she didn't care.
Blackmail, Rita thought. Eka reminded her of her mom, this was exactly what she would have done to get the entire gist from Rita. So, with a groan, she told them everything, from Ben's lateness to his amazing bed game, though she didn't give them any details no matter how much they grumbled for it.
They followed her home, insisting that she'd be freer with the details if she had wine and that they had to sample the cache of wine that Ben had brought. Rita just shook her head and unlocked the door, not even bothering to check if Ben had dropped her extra key in the potted plant by her apartment door.
The aroma hit her first and she frowned in confusion, wondering vaguely if she was in the right apartment. Then Ben, in a low slung jean and a grey wifebeater, a getup that did everything to expose his maleness, walked out from her kitchen with a serving bowl which he dropped at the dining table before he focused his gaze at her, smiled, "Hello, Ladies."
***
Ben hadn't expected that she'd return with her friends, but with the way the two married women, yes he'd deduced that from the huge rocks on their fingers, stared at him, he knew they were her close friends and they were aware of the one night arrangement.
He brought on the charm, "Hello, ladies. I'm Benjamin Inyang," he said to them but his eyes were on Rita.
"We know," her friends chorused, their tone sounding amazed. Good, amazement was better than outright questioning, especially, since he shouldn't still be in her house and he'd taken the liberty to cook for her.
It was all done out of love and concern. He knew she'd be back tired, not really knowing how hectic her work had been, he just wanted to take care of her. She looked tired and tattered, but she was the most beautiful woman to him at that moment; he'd missed her.
When Ben reached her, he still hadn't looked away from her, he grabbed her face and leaned down to kiss her so deeply, she moaned and melted on him. Ben felt settled, he felt like he was home. Then with some effort, he dragged his lips from hers, looking into her eyes, he smiled, "Welcome, sweetheart."
Her friends sighed like women do at adorable situations. Rita remained stunned and speechless. "Have you had dinner?" he asked her, noticing that she'd loosened her weave, his fingers found their way into her hair from her nape as he lightly massaged her scalp. Rita moaned, her eyes drooped but she never replied.
"Err...she just had ice cream," the shorter of the two friends provided, her gaze catching all of his moves. "I'm Eka, by the way."
"I'm Nene," the taller one added eagerly.
"Nice to meet both of you. I'm assuming you're her best friends?" Both women nodded like bubble heads; Ben grinned and hugged the silent Rita closer, loving the full softness of her in his arms. "It was nice of you to bring her home, I appreciate." They sighed again and Nene's hand went to her chest.
"We'll be out of your way," Eka said, grabbing Nene's wrist and widening the door they'd not moved from.
"We hope to see you some other time?" Nene shared her sentiments as a question and he knew why.
"Definitely," he answered her with determined assurance.
"Take care of our friend," Eka added, dragging Nene through the door and closing it behind her after Ben had nodded his willingness to take care of their friend who was yet to speak.
They were finally alone. He hugged Rita more and kissed the side of her head. "Baby?" he thought she might have fallen asleep on him when she didn't reply, so he pulled her pliant body from his and their eyes met.
"I don't understand," her brow furrowed, while her eyes searched his face, probably looking for an explanation. Should he tell her now? It still felt too soon and raw, so he grinned instead and kissed her temple, before leading her to the dining table.
"My culinary skills aren't vast, but I make a mean spaghetti," he sat her at the table and dished out food for her.
"This is really nice," she murmured, avoiding his gaze.
Ben didn't mind, it gave him more time to enjoy her beauty while she ate. "It must have been a really hectic day."
"Hmm," she nodded, mashing a piece of boiled egg she'd shoved in her mouth with a fork of spaghetti. Even her eating was sexy to him.
His gaze roamed every part of her above the table. "You have particles in your, like dust or something, can I wash it?"
Her gaze finally shot up to meet his and he smiled. "My hair or..."
"Your hair."