Lagos had a pulse, an undeniable rhythm that danced through the city's crowded streets, swirled in the night air, and set the tone for the holidays. It was a place where the energy of December was more than just festive; it was wild, intoxicating, and alive. Ezinne had always loved it—the chaotic, electric atmosphere that never seemed to die. This was her time of year, the one where the city's allure was impossible to resist.

It was the start of Detty December, and Ezinne was already caught in the whirlpool of Lagos nightlife. After weeks of planning and preparing for the month of parties, concerts, and events, she was finally ready to let go. The first of many nights of excess had arrived, and the air was filled with promises of unforgettable experiences. But little did she know, this night was going to be different.

Her best friend, Chinonso, had convinced her to attend the exclusive launch party at a popular beach club in Lekki. It wasn't Ezinne's usual scene—she preferred quieter, more intimate settings—but Chinonso had insisted it was where the real action was. The DJ was a big name, and the guest list was full of influencers and celebrities.

Ezinne sighed as she stepped out of her apartment, slipping into her outfit for the night. The dress was an effortless, body-hugging number, paired with a sleek, metallic clutch and a statement heel. She had a way of dressing that felt stylish without trying too hard, always balancing comfort and elegance. She glanced at her reflection before heading out, knowing the night would be filled with superficial interactions, the kind that barely lasted past the first round of drinks.

At the club, the beats of Afrobeat music vibrated through her body as she walked in, the lights flickering in time with the bass. Chinonso had already disappeared into the crowd, and Ezinne made her way to the bar, where the bartender handed her a drink without a word. She took a sip, the sweetness of the cocktail mingling with the sharp tang of the alcohol. As she scanned the room, her eyes landed on him.

Chike. The IJGB—I Just Got Back—who had been on her radar for months.

He was standing by the railing, looking out over the beach with an air of casual confidence. His dark skin gleamed under the club lights, and his sharp jawline and full lips were effortlessly striking. His presence was magnetic, and even from a distance, she could tell he was different from the usual Lagos crowd. The way he held himself, the way his eyes scanned the room without seeming eager—it was the sort of quiet intensity that made him impossible to ignore.

Ezinne had heard about him through a mutual friend. He was back in Lagos for the holidays, having lived in London for the past few years. There was something about him that piqued her curiosity. He wasn't just another Lagos bachelor looking to enjoy the chaos of the season. No, Chike was in a different league. He wasn't chasing attention, and he wasn't the type to settle for anything shallow.

As if sensing her gaze, he turned slightly, meeting her eyes. There was a flicker of recognition in his expression, followed by a lazy, inviting smile. Ezinne's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, pretending to sip her drink as though nothing had happened. She had no time for distractions, not tonight.

But the city had other plans.

She felt a tap on her shoulder, and before she could turn around, a voice she hadn't expected to hear filled her ear. "Are you going to keep pretending you didn't notice me?"

Ezinne's eyes widened as she slowly turned to face him. Chike stood there, close enough for her to feel the heat of his body, the scent of his cologne mixing with the sea breeze. He was even more striking up close, his presence larger than life, and she couldn't help but feel a slight flutter in her chest.

"Didn't notice you?" Ezinne quipped, fighting to keep her composure. "I didn't think you were the type to chase after attention."

Chike raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "I don't chase attention," he replied smoothly, "but I don't shy away from a good conversation either."

Ezinne couldn't help but laugh, surprised by his charm. She had assumed he was like every other guy who would be all about the superficial small talk, the kind that only lasted as long as the party. But Chike's presence was different—intense, yet casual. She felt something shift in the air, like they were the only two people in the room.

"So," he said, leaning slightly against the bar, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "what brings you to this chaos?"

Ezinne tilted her head, eyeing him curiously. She wasn't sure why she felt so at ease around him. Maybe it was the way he didn't seem to care about impressing anyone, the way he simply existed in the moment. He wasn't trying to prove anything.

"I'm here for the party, obviously," she responded, her tone playful but guarded. "And you? You seem like you're not really the type for big crowds."

"I could say the same about you," Chike replied, his voice low. "But I'm here for the experience, not the crowd. There's something about this city… something that pulls you in."

Ezinne's heart raced as he spoke, as if his words resonated with something deep inside her. He wasn't wrong. Lagos had a way of making you feel both anonymous and alive, like every night had the potential to be unforgettable.

For a moment, they both stood there, the noise of the party fading into the background. It was just them, sharing a moment that felt like it had the potential to turn into something more.

"So," she said after a beat, "what do you do when you're not busy being the city's most intriguing person?"

Chike chuckled, clearly amused by her boldness. "I'm a consultant. But tonight, I'm just a guy enjoying the last bits of December before I head back to London."

The words hung in the air. London. Ezinne's heart skipped a beat as she realized what that meant. He wasn't going to stay in Lagos forever. In fact, he wasn't even going to be here for long. He was just passing through, another fleeting encounter in a city that thrived on them.

"So, what about you?" he asked, breaking her reverie. "What keeps you here in Lagos, in the middle of all this madness?"

"I guess I'm just trying to figure it out," Ezinne replied, her voice quieter now. "Lagos is home, but sometimes, it feels like there's no place for me in all the noise."

Chike's gaze softened, and he took a step closer. "Maybe you just haven't found the right person to quiet the noise."

The words hit her harder than she expected. She didn't know how to respond. All she could do was look up at him, her thoughts swirling as the night stretched on. She had told herself she wasn't looking for anything—certainly not a distraction, not someone who could make her forget the rules she'd set for herself. But in that moment, she wasn't so sure anymore.

As the conversation continued, the night seemed to stretch on indefinitely, like a promise that didn't know how to end. They talked about everything—life, love, travel, their shared understanding of Lagos and the way it could both embrace you and spit you out when you least expected it. They laughed like old friends, like they'd known each other for years, and in that moment, it felt like anything was possible.

But deep down, Ezinne knew better. Chike wasn't staying. He wasn't here for the long haul. He was an IJGB, a temporary thrill in a city that always kept you guessing.

But she couldn't help but wonder—what if this time was different?