Lagos Babe (Love & Pain Book One)

01

Cynthia Okoli

The steady sting of the needle moving against my skin is painful, but I close my eyes and force myself get lost in the lyrics of the music being played loudly in the shop.

"Assurance, assurance
I give my baby assurance
I give my baby life time insurance"

Although I'm already tired of hearing this song on repeat everywhere I go, I focus on it just to distract myself from the pain of the tattoo that is being drawn on my wrist.

~Babygirl~

I impulsively decided to get this tattoo just yesterday, so I persuaded one of my best friends, Aramide to accompany me.

She's only in Nigeria for a week more before she has to head back to London for university so I figured this could be used as a bonding time for the both of us because I wasn't certain even next I'll see her again, sadly.

"This is actually really pretty." Ara says in an appreciative tone as she moves closer to study the artwork.

I call her Ara because in Igbo language 'Ara' means breast and my girl is not lacking in that aspect at all. At first she didn't like the nickname because it was just a joke that I always used to tease her, but now it has grown on her and I'm used to it.

"I know right." I reply with my eyes still closed. I did a sketch of what I wanted so I already had an idea of what it looked like, and I was sure it looked great.

George, my tattoo artist has never disappointed me before and I'm sure that he won't start now. Although, I really only have a few tattoos. One on my ankle of a big rose complete in red and black ink, one of stars ascending on the right side of my lower neck, and another of a quote across the left side of my upper chest that read:

I've come, I am seeing, and I will conquer.

I was drunk and jaded when I got that so it's entirely not my fault that it sounds strange.

About 20 minutes after, I'm done with getting the tattoo and making payment so Aramide and I take our leave, exiting the shop with a wave at George.

We walk to the now deserted parking lot of the plaza, which is pretty much the extra ground space of the compound, and get in my white Range Rover 2019 model and I drive off into the night.

"Oh my god." Aramide exclaims some minutes into the car ride, her eyes bulging dramatically as they remained on her phone.

"What?" I ask, sending her a glance.

"Babe, you won't believe it. Guess what."

I roll my eyes at her, although I'm pretty sure she can't see me considering its night time. "You literally just said I won't believe it so how the hell am I supposed to guess?"

"Smart ass." She says with a chuckle. "Ricko is throwing a birthday party for himself on the 21st and I just received an e-invite from Omarly and I can bring a plus one which is definitely gonna be you. We about to turn the fuck up, girl!" She practically squeals.

Of course I know Ricko. Who in this city that really matters doesn't? He is one of the most popular big guys in Lagos. He is famous not just for his fat ass wallet and massive bank account balance, but also for his irresistible looks and his male charm that is said to able to get him any girl that he wanted, however, I hadn't actually met him before so I couldn't testify to that.

And I also know that Ricko throws the best parties so I'm definitely going to turn up.

"Girl, you know you don't even have to say it twice. Where is it gonna be?" I ask Ara.

"Club Quilox. Omarly says he's renting out the entire VIP section." She replies, sounding as impressed by the venue as I am.

Club Quilox is one of the most expensive clubs in the whole of Lagos and only caters to the elite so the fact that Ricko is renting it out just for himself means that it's going to cost a fortune. Not like that will make a dent in his bank account if what I have heard is true.

But something Aramide said earlier comes to my mind. "Wait a minute. It's on the 21st and you're leaving on the 20th. How do you plan on going? Or is it your spirit that will attend?" I ask her with a laugh.

"Leave kini? You and who?" Ara asks with a face. "Cynthia, you of all people should know that I can't miss that kind of party. I'm finding a way to push my flight forward as we speak."

"See this girl oh!" I exclaim and we laugh loudly.

"You know we girls have got to be sharp these days. Who knows, I just might have an encounter with him." She says in a faux dreamy voice.

One mad man speeds past me, almost scratching my car in his haste. "Is this guy drunk?" I agitatedly shout. I know he can't hear me through the rolled up window of the confined space, but I don't care.

"Better get that out of your mind before Omarly catches you." I finally reply Ara. 

"Abeg. I keep telling you guys, nothing is going on between us, y'all won't listen." She says in slight frustration with a dismissive wave of her hand. She doesn't even sound like she herself believes what she just said.

"Mhm." I hum. "Tell that to your instagram."

All of Ara's instagram posts and stories, since she came back to Nigeria, has been filled with pictures of the two of them. They are either out on dates or they are just hanging out doing all sorts of corny shit. Even when at a party with lots of other people around, she only posts the pictures and videos he is in, I've noticed. Although I suppose its unintentional and more due to the fact that the pair are always glued together at functions. They are actually really cute and even as 'just friends', I'm happy that Ara has someone who's got her back like I do.

"Besides, I'll be leaving soon anyway, and I'm not even sure when I will be back." She says sounding sad for a moment before changing the subject altogether. "Anyway, wanna see pictures of Ricko? I know you don't follow him in social media."

I smack my lips. "No, thank you." I say as I try to focus on driving because as they say, if you can drive in Lagos, you can drive anywhere. That's how bad it is here. Loose concentration for a moment and your car won't be in the same shape by the time you come back to reality.

The light suddenly turns red so I slowly stop and that's when Ara takes the opportunity to shove her phone into my face and there is...Ricko.

Oh wow.

It's been a while since I've seen his picture as we don't have any social media connections, I don't follow him on Instagram or Snapchat and vice versa, but goddamn it, the man is so handsome.

He's skin is a smooth caramel color with full eyebrows and high cheekbones which leads to a perfectly angled jaw, suddenly my favourite subject is maths as I try to guess what exact angle his jaw takes in this photograph.

The picture is taken in a care free moment with him on what looks to be a yatch with a cigar in his hand, his well kept short dreads pulled atop his head in a bun, his hairline and facial hair well shapened and a bright grin captured from the side on his face showcasing his white teeth. He looks genuinely happy.

He captioned the picture: 'Chop life, make life no chop you. #livinggood'

Suddenly, the sound of loud honking breaks my attention away from that picture and I look in my side mirror.

"Shit." I say as I quickly drive off after confirming that the light was indeed on green for God knows how long.

The loud laughter of Aramide suddenly fills the car. "Now I see why you didn't want to look at his picture." She teases.

"Ode." I mutter under my breathe with a roll of my eyes.

***

First chapter! What do you guys think of it?

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