efused

ds of Lagos at night, generator humming somewhere close, a dog barking, voices argu

e w

would remain hard and uncertain... or b

s, but Chief Fredrick Mba's face appeared

ill sa

made her ch

**

came t

tchen quietly like she was afraid of making noise.

she sai

ed. "Good mornin

king at each other, wo

," Cynthia-Rose said. It wasn't a ques

" Cynthia-Rose as

e than she expected. "T

u didn't

r mother said. "But when Chief Mba c

d for sale," Cynthia-Rose snap

survival." Cynthia-Rose

what happens?"

looked away.

" Cynthia-Rose said. He

e in hand. "Cynthia,

d her the

log

D YOUNG STAR AND LA

ed. "Already?"

Chuka said. Her phone b

own N

thia-Rose," the voice said calmly. Chief Fredric

ome safely yesterda

he continued. "But Lagos

"I didn't invit

. "That is why I am c

her you say yes or no, your life will change. Attenti

rept into her chest. "I'm not threatening you

reality." The

***

e met Toke at a café in Yaba. Her friend

" Toke said,

se sighed.

Toke replied. "Cynthia, wha

t into anythi

s dra

ward. "That man

at," Cynthia-Rose snapped.

nges people. Especially me

sat qu

yes?" Cynthia-Ro

n you better be ready to

if I sa

Then be ready

bitterly. "So either

Life." To

***

balcony again, watching the

essa

w. 7pm. No pres

creen for a long ti

ka

***

ieter than Mba Tower. No noise, no chaos, j

tired" h

slept well."

he said. They sat acr

asked suddenly.

ause you are not foolish." She frowned.

n does." She looked away. "I w

give. I will take. I will give too.

faintly. "

n love with someon

be... complicated" he sa

asked. "What if

"I stopped believin

she stood to leave, he said quietly, "Wh

e knew one thing for sure. This

sing slowly. And L