It was the fourth day of room week, and the play and fashion show- coincidentally- were scheduled for later that evening.. All the performers were to sojourn in the hotel for the night. Uche and Huma had protested the offer, each having history with the place, but Henrietta had given them no choice, saying they had a room for makeup and dress up, and she didn't want stress or disorganization of any form. It took everything Huma had to keep her roommate from throttling their director.

They'd practised long and hard. In between school work and the activities, they barely got decent sleep. Huma had been up most nights creating the looks for the cast and Bernise reviewed and gave suggestions for improvements. By show day, she was painting the ideas on the faces of the cast.

Meanwhile, Uche stood at the window of her suite, watching cars enter the premises. She never realized the event would pull in such a crowd. The doorbell rang. Heart in her throat, she opened the door and Henrietta bustled inside, carrying something wrapped in a transparent bag.

"Your attires are here." She dropped them on the bed. They were tagged number one, two and three. " We have one hour," she pointed at dress one," That's for scene one to three." then at two, " For scene four." then at three." The last scene."

"Huma will be here to do your make up when she finishes with the others." Henrietta left.

Alone she sat on the couch with her head in her hands, heart beating wildly. What was she thinking going ahead with the whole thing? She regretted her decisions now. The door bell rang again and she let Huma in. Some guys accompanied her, carrying some boxes, dropped them In front of the vanity mirror and left.

Uche eyed the boxes suspiciously. "You sure it's just make up in there."

Grinning, Huma shrugged. They belonged to Bernise who was studying performance art. Apparently, she had with several local producers and was a real professional make up artist for those locally produced films.

Sitting in front of the mirror, Uche calmed her raw nerves while Huma beat her face. It took roughly thirty minutes.

"I'm definitely going to break out after this," she smiled nervously at her reflection. The colours were boldly dark, the focus being her eyes which were made to slant sultrily." This was Henrietta's idea wasn't it?" She sighed, sitting back. Huma didn't deny the assumption.

"So I invited Kazeem,"

Huma stared at her in shock.

"Yes, I did." Uche said, ignoring her reaction. "I told him about the fundamental work you're doing, and he said he wanted to see for himself. I asked Henrietta, and she agreed to have him included in the list of guests."

Many possibilities went through Huma's mind. What if he told her parents? They didn't want her doing make up instead of studying her books. She worried her bottom lip. No matter how well meaning Uche had thought it would be, she'd only get in trouble.

"He promised not to tell your parents, so you can relax."

Sagging with relief, Huma settled into one of the chairs, her knees going weak.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I wasn't going to but I don't want anything disrupting this excitement you have going on right now. I can tell you're enjoying yourself, and I want someone else besides me to see that and the amazing work you've done."

They smiled at each other. The phone in the room suddenly began to ring, and Uche went to answer it."They need you back. Bernise said she'll send someone for the boxes later. I'm also to dress up."

Huma came to her, rubbing her arm, even though she had been expecting a hug. "You'll do great."

"I sincerely doubt it."

After Huma left, Henrietta reappeared in the room. By that time, Uche had donned in the first attire- a long, velvety off shoulder gown, cinched at the waist, with a slit down the sides. Native beads adorned her neck, wrists and ankles. Again she sat in front of the vanity mirror, watching as Henrietta fixed a braided wig on her head then stood aside. She'd changed from her usual skimpy wears to a rather modest low cut, sleeveless dress. For the evening, she wore a curly wig. A simple necklace gleamed around her neck.

"So beautiful," one finger trailed down Uche's left cheek, but she was too tensed to care. Henrietta walked to stand behind her, hands on her shoulders. "Looking at you now, no one would know you're a killer."

Heart pounding, Uche disentangled herself from her touch, turning in her seat. " What did you say?" She whispered brokenly.

Puzzled, Herrietta frowned. "I said looking at you now, we could easily be declared the winners."

"That is not what you said." Uche accused darkly, rising. "You're lying. Tell me what you said."

Killer.

" That is what I said," Henrietta stepped back, wary. "Uche. Are you all right?"

Killer.

"What do you think I said?"

That laughter was in her head, and Uche held it, groaning with her eyes squeezed shut. "Leave. I need five minutes."

"Five minutes? We're about to start."

"Just give me five fucking minutes."

"Uche, what's going on?" Henrietta started to reach for her.

"I said get out!" She shouted, causing Henrietta to flinch and withdraw, bewildered by the sudden outburst.

Immediately she exited Uche felt her gorge rise and dashed into the bathroom.

*********"

"Where is she?" Bernise asked as Henrietta came into the area reserved for dressing, heels angrily clicking.

"Taking five fucking minutes," Henrietta blew out air, exasperated.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Bernise frowned. " The comedian is almost done."

"I know," Henrietta whisper-yelled.

"But she is coming right?"

"She'll be here." Herrientta reassured. Her wig itched, and she badly needed a smoke.

Overhearing the conversation from where she sat fiddling with the beaded crown, Huma headed towards her friend. Towards Uche. When she reached their suite, about ringing the door bell, Uche opened the door, face bright and looking like the queen she was casted to be.

"I believe this is mine," she took the crown that was still in Huma's hands, unknown to her, and placed it on her head. " Thank you,"

Still perplexed as to what had happened, Huma watched Uche sashay down the corridor in her royal regalia.

*******

"How do I look?" Lawrence turned from the mirror for Anthony's appraisal on his formal appearance.

"Stiff," Anthony said flatly, " loose the bow,"

He'd thought so too. "What would I have done without you," Striping off the bow, Lawrence loosened two buttons down his neck. Much better.

"You on the other hand." Lawrence reassessed Anthony from head to toe. " I no understand. Wetin you dey wear?Nah coat or nah suit be this?"

Self conscious, Anthony shrugged. "I couldn't get a good fit, and the timing was short, so i just picked anything."

Pocketing his hands, Lawrence smiled easily. " Tony, you can wear your usual clothes. You don't have to do this."

"I'm fine,"

He was dressed to impress, and Lawrence knew that. "Are you sure, Mr lover?" He bit his bottom lip slying. " You know she'll be very busy tonight and may not even look at you. So all this your forming could be for nothing." He said, knowing his loathing for suits.

"Free me, jor," Anthony replied, vexed that his boss was intent of goading him into changing his mind.

"Okay," Lawrence faced the mirror again, fiddling with his cuffs. "Whatever you say," He waited until he heard Anthony's retreating foot steps, and chuckled to himself knowing he had succeeded.

Tonight was a big night- sort of. Events like these only serve to avert suspicion. Laundering and the right connections kept trouble at bay. His brother handled his fair share of the former and he handled latter.

Jidenna was with his mother for the week. A huge risk on his side, but he hoped his trust in her wasn't misplaced. His brother was away still, so he had nothing to worry about.

What he had to worry about what this giddy excitement within him. The source: Uche. When he'd heard she was acting in a play, he'd been surprised she'd willingly do so without a fight. He was almost certain she did but Henrietta would have given her trouble for it. Uche was stubborn but the other woman could be equally as stubborn.

She was also featured in Rita's show. Lawrence had to admit, he was rather eager to see Uche out of her elements. He cast his mind back to some nights ago when he'd pleaded with her to let Vanessa and Jidenna stay the night. Frankly, he had been surprised she agreed. It had been an excuse to spend time with her, which he was sure she'd figured out. Having her so close had triggered the night in which he'd almost-

If not for those binds...

He couldn't get the vision of her breasts or how enticing she'd looked that night out of his head no matter how hard he tried. Just thinking about it gathered heat in his loins.

Lawrence shook his head,clearing all perverted thoughts. He couldn't be lusting after a woman. That was not the plan.

Downstairs he greeted new faces around the bouquet hall with a perfunctorily smile. He came across some persons he'd never seen before or invited.

The charming boy, however, seemed to know him. " I'm Kazeem. I'm not sure if you remember me. We met at Francine's university. You came to pick up Huma, my friend. She invited us."

The girl looping arms with the boy seemed wary of him, and kept her distance.

It occurred to him that they must have encountered his brother. How unfortunate. He wondered what could have prompted Ryan to do something so uncharacteristic of him and just how much damage had been done.

He covered up his confusion quickly and expertly, smiling cordially. " I remember. You're welcome. I hope you two enjoy yourselves." He made to leave but Kazeem stopped him.

"I'm really sorry about the last time we met. I was rude. I was just looking out for her. I hope you understand."

"Of course," Lawrence said, keeping up the pretense." No hard feelings." He shook the boy's hand to put him at ease and excused himself, heading for his table.

Some people came over to exchange pleasantries. Most he had already met before he'd gone upstairs to change.

"Who was that?" Anthony asked him. He could spread himself freely in his chair no longer constricted by suits or coats.

"Potential trouble." Lawrence murmured, voice low. "Don't look."

"Ladies and Gents," The Master of Ceremonies began, " without wasting much of your time, the drama group."

Everyone clapped as the lights dimmed. The narrator came on stage. Distracted by his need to keep tabs on the baby, voices faded Lawrence mind and into the background. Vanessa reassured him again- he had nothing to fear. For his sake, he hoped that was true.

"Wow," Anthony said, drawing his attention. "Isn't that your crush?"

Knowing who he was referring to, he began to protest. "She's not my---" then he looked at the stage, and his mind went blank. Fuck. He could hardly recognize her. Lawrence couldn't remember if he'd ever seen Uche in anything so formal, so regal. Every bit of her curves were accentuated, every movement was sensual, provacative, and almost....dangerous. She had him mesmerized.

"Easy there, boss," Anthony said with an amused chuckle. " You're drooling."

It was a lie of course, but Lawrence rubbed the sides of his lips to be sure.

"Omo! she set o. No be small thing." Anthony whistled. For some reason that Irked Lawrence. He was certain every male in the hall thought so as well.

Suddenly he wanted her off the stage. His blood boiling, mind addled with unfamiliar emotioned, he remained seated, aware of his powerlessness given the circumstances.

Then she began to sing, distracting him,deepening the spell. He prided himself in being an Igbo man despite being orphaned at an early age. And the song, he noticed, had poignant meanings which struck him deeply, heart and soul.

He watched her move across the stage, emotions lilting her beautiful voice. Lawrence felt bereft when it was over, clapping without awareness.

As Uche left the stage, Lawrence willed her to look at him, and she glanced his way briefly. He wasn't sure if she'd seen him but in that moment, it had just been two of them.

*****

"You managed to do a half decent, job." Henrietta remarked as Uche took off her beads, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Uche glanced at Henrietta through the mirror. " Results of hard work."

Henrietta thought there was more. Before the play, she had seemed insane. Now she exuded an inexplicable calmness. "I guess you're right." Henrietta's said, tone skeptical.Slowly, she came forward and stood beside Uche, running her fingers down an exposed arm.

"That's two favours you now owe me, beautiful." She reminded her. "Be certain that I will come to collect them."

Alone, Uche released a shaky breath, easing into her chair. She removed the wig and stared at her reflection, suppressing the urge to shatter the image she saw. She brought out the pills form her bag and swallowed another before calling Rita, sitting quietly until her arrival.

When she came, Huma was with her.

" You did really well," Rita enthused, pony tail bouncing. The fled dress she was as wearing trembled beneath as she rapped her heels on the floor. " I didn't see everything but the finale was epic. All eyes were on you. It won't win you an Oscar but a good performance regardless."

"Your tips helped."Uche smiled wanly. Out of the corner of an eye, she noticed Huma's concerned countenance." You did a great job with the attires."

"Oh, they are nothing compared to what's coming next." Rita came closer, sitting beside Uche on the couch. She studied her face. " You don't look so good."

"I'm just tired." Uche looked away from the scrutiny. " It's been a rough week."

"I understand that," Rita said, sympathetic. " Are you sure you can still do it? If you need rest, we can postpone to tomorrow."

"The sooner, the better."

Relieved, Rita smiled. "Okay. Whenever you're ready. No rush-well, we still have an hour. I'll go join my team." At the door, she paused. " Thank you for doing this."

Silence hung over them. And for a while, no one spoke.

"Why are you just standing there?" Uche asked, having had enough of the girl's motionlessness.

Huma didn't know what else to do. Her friend was behaving strangely. Regardless, she perched on the opposite couch.

"Did Kazeem show up?"

She communicated that he had but was unable to have 'conversation' since she'd been busy and hadn't been with her phone or board as at the time they met. His girlfriend wouldn't have permitted it anyway.

"Interesting," Uche rose, walking towards the window. Looking out into the night, she said. "Can you help me get some snacks downstairs? Something light. I called for some earlier but it seems everyone is too busy with the event."

Standing, Huma approached her instead.

"I'm really hungry," Uche turned her head over one shoulder. " Please." At the plea, Huma reluctantly left, and Uche faced the window once again.