AKANNI POV
The music stopped after everyone's performance, and the crowd broke into cheers. Laughter filled the air as we all started heading back to our seats — until the DJ's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Let's see the couple kiss!" he said with a teasing grin.
The crowd joined in instantly, chanting and clapping.
I turned to Bukky. She looked stunned — her cheeks flushed, eyes wide.
"You don't have to," I said softly. "My girlfriend isn't really into public displays." I tried to laugh it off.
The crowd groaned in disappointment. But before I could say another word, she looked up at me with that shy smile and whispered, "It's fine… I don't mind."
Before I could even process that, she leaned in and kissed me.
The world went quiet.
Her lips were soft, her scent familiar — warm, sweet, dizzying. I froze for a second, then kissed her back instinctively. The cheers around us faded into background noise. For that moment, it was just us — two people caught between impulse and emotion.
When we finally pulled apart, the air felt thick, charged. I tried to laugh, to shake off the sudden awkwardness. "How about a drink?" I said, half to ease the mood, half to calm my heartbeat.
She nodded, smiling nervously.
We ended up turning it into a silly game — who could stay sober the longest. Hours passed, laughter spilling between glasses, songs. By 1 a.m., we were both high after heavy drinking and kissing at every chances.
She drifted off on the seat, soft breathing, hair scattered like waves across her face.
"Bukky," I said, my voice thick with fatigue, "let's get you home."
She murmured something I couldn't catch, still half-asleep. I sighed, then gently lifted her into my arms, careful not to wake her.
The night air outside was quiet, almost too quiet, as I carried her out. I dropped her gently before fumbling my way to the wheel. God, when last was I this drunk?
I forgot to even ask for her house address. Well, I guess we'll both have to crash at my place.
I waited outside my gate for almost two minutes before Mira came out to open it. I couldn't blame her though—I hadn't informed her of my whereabouts beforehand.
I parked the car and turned off the engine, stumbling to the back seat to get Bukky.
Mira looked both confused and surprised—this was the first time I'd ever brought a lady home, and worse, I was drunk as hell.
She ignored the moment and opened the door for me. I carried Bukky bridal-style into the house and gently laid her on the couch before collapsing beside her.
"You didn't answer your calls," Mira said.
"Oh... I—" I fumbled for words.
"You're drunk... and you came back with a lady," she said, sounding irritated.
"Yeah... I didn't..." I tried to speak, but Bukky suddenly vomited.
"Holy shit!" I jumped up to steady her.
"Disgusting," Mira muttered.
"Help me clean... please," I begged, before passing out beside the couch.
Saturday
BUKKY POV
I woke up with a throbbing headache and looked around, this isn't my room. Then everything from last night came rushing back. "Oops," I gasped. "I hope I didn't mess up."
My clothes were neatly folded beside me. That realization hit hard. I quickly checked my body. "What!" I exclaimed, just as Akanni walked out of the restroom. Oh my God, it's not what I'm thinking, right? "Oh, you're awake," he said. "Yeah..." I replied, hoping he'd catch my hint. "My maid changed your clothes," he said casually. Instant relief washed over me. Oh right, he'd told me he had a maid. "Thank you," I said, awkwardly scratching my head. "I hope I didn't do anything stupid yesterday?" "Nothing much," he grinned. "Except that you threw up on my couch."
My God. From his tone, I must've acted like an idiot last night. I face-palmed. "I'm really sorry," I muttered. "No, it's actually fine. How was your night?" he asked. "It's fine, just that I have a headache," I said, looking around the big room he called a bedroom.
"Care for a hangover cure?" he asked. "Sure. What did you have for hangovers?" I asked, with a hint of sarcasm. "Pepper soup?" he asked "uhm, that sounds nice, pepper soup then "Okay," I said. "Freshen up. I'll have my maid prepare it now," he replied, then left me alone in the room.
I walked into the restroom he had just stepped out from. A new toothbrush was already waiting for me. I helped myself and quickly freshened up.
When I stepped out, I paused. I didn't even know where to go. His house was huge—bigger than my parents' place.
For someone who is just a studio manager? I thought to myself. I followed the faint voices coming from downstairs. But after taking two steps, I froze. Standing there was the prettiest human being I had ever seen. She was beautiful—even more beautiful than me, I admit.
What confused me the most was the apron she was wearing.
Don't tell me this is Akanni's maid.
Who keeps such a fairy as a maid?
I was so lost in my ridiculous thoughts that I didn't hear Akanni calling me.
"Are you going to stand there only?" he asked, now seated at the dining table.
"Oh…" I snapped out of it and walked toward him. "Mira, you can bring the soup now," he said, gesturing for me to sit—so I did. "Alright, sir," the so-called Mira replied and disappeared into what I assumed was the kitchen.
My eyes lingered on her again. She was simply stunning. How on earth did Akanni call that kind of beauty a maid? "you're staring," Akanni said, breaking my gaze.
I shifted awkwardly. To be fair, Akanni himself was strikingly handsome—and then he had a fairy for a maid? What kind of household was this? "you can tell me anything," he said softly. "You're not angry that I brought you here, are you?"
"Angry? No, why would I be angry?" I asked, confused at the question.
"It's just… you seem off. Like you're acting a bit odd," he added. "oh… I just didn't mention your house to you," I said, trying to make sense of what he meant. Before he could reply, Mira returned with the soup, smiling politely.
"Enjoy, please," she said as she portioned mine into a glass bowl.
"Thank you," I murmured and began eating.
I made sure to take five spoonfuls before raising my head—only to find both of them
staring at me like I was some fragile treasure worth worrying about.
"What?" I asked, suddenly embarrassed. Why were they staring so hard?
"Nothing… I mean, you took it piping hot," Akanni said, looking away and focusing on his own soup.
"Yeah, taking it hot makes it work better…" I started to say—then froze.
Oops. I suddenly remembered I'd sneaked out of the house yesterday.
"What?" Akanni asked when he saw the sudden change on my face.
"I… didn't tell my parents about my whereabouts yesterday," I said, my voice shrinking.
"You didn't inform them? Weren't they home when you came?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah… I… I sneaked out yesterday," I confessed, getting up from my seat.
"Oh."
That was all he said.
I went back to the room to look for my phone. No missed calls.
Maybe my parents thought I was still sleeping.
I dialed my mum.
"Hello, Mum," I said. I heard her stretch on the other end.
"Hello, baby. Are you going out early today?" she asked. I heard her tell Dad, "It's Bukky."
"No, Mum… actually, I'm not at home right now. I'll be back soon. Greet your hubby for me," I said.
She chuckled. "Alright, baby."
I sighed softly and hung up just before Akanni walked in, "you informed them?" he asked "yeah, just now."
"oh. Okay then. Want to join?" he asked.
"Join what?" I blinked.
"Warm-up." He lifted his left hand — he was holding a baseball glove and a ball.
"You play baseball?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah. That's my game," he said proudly.
"Oh."
"You know baseball?" he asked.
"Yeah… back in my service year," I said, smiling at the memory.
"Oh, seems like you had wonderful memories."
"Yeah… I did," I murmured, still wondering how his house was this big for a studio manager.
"So where did you serve?" he asked as we stepped into an enclosed space neatly covered with artificial grass.
"Osun State. Osogbo," I replied.
He dropped the balls and glove and began stretching. Mira entered as well.
"She also plays baseball?" I asked, mimicking his stretches.
"Yeah. Don't expect anyone around me not to do what I love," he said proudly.
"Oh." I swallowed. "You said you knew baseball during NYSC?" he asked.
"Yeah, it was one of the leisure activities I joined."
"Oh. One of my teammates used to train kids at an Anglican College in Osogbo," he said.
"Oh! The person I knew then was a guy named Demi."
I didn't notice the way Akanni suddenly stopped.
"Demi?" he repeated.
"Yeah. Coach Demi."
"You know him?" I asked quickly.
"Yes. Demi was my teammate when we played for the National Team for almost five years. He later left baseball to take over his father's business. Didn't know he still trained kids."
"Oh. He trained all of us who were interested then," I replied. "He was a good man."
"Yeah, he is. I just lost contact with him."
We finished stretching and moved on to throws and catches.
"Sure you can handle the glove?" he teased.
"Why not? My coach trained me well," I fired back.
Mira was surprisingly good, catching almost everything. A few minutes later, she excused herself to prepare lunch. I used the chance to rest — because Akanni clearly loved the sport enough to play all day.
"Need water?" he asked.
"Sure."
I walked toward him, not noticing the ball in front of me. I tripped — but Akanni caught me in time.
He made me sit between his legs as we relaxed and chatted until Mira came to inform us that lunch was ready around 1:12 p.m.
We walked into the dining room. Mira served the food like she already knew my exact portion.
"You can take more if it's not enough," she said flatly.
"Yeah, thank you," I muttered, intimidated, and pulled the dish closer.
"Enjoy your meal," she said before heading upstairs.
"Thank you. Aren't you joining us?" I asked.
"No, not yet. I have a few things to take care of," she replied, glancing briefly at Akanni — who only kept a rigid expression.
"You can do that later," Akanni said authoritatively.
"This is actually the right time. I'll join you when I'm done," she said, walking away without waiting for a response.
She didn't look intimidated at all — which shocked me.
What kind of maid talks to her boss like that?
"Eat before it gets cold," Akanni said, unconcerned. "She's like a little sister to me. She'll get used to the new development. It's always been just me and her."
I nodded.
The rest of lunch was quiet, except for Akanni's occasional glances.
Afterward, he gave me a tour of his huge home. A poultry with chickens and turkeys. A dog's kennel. A small farm with tomatoes, peppers, vegetables, fruit trees — oranges and pawpaw — and another section with maize, yam, and potatoes.
How a studio manager managed all these… I didn't know.
He was truly a man to admire.