When Uche stepped out from behind the screen, everyone present gasped in awe at how gorgeous she looked. The blonde fringed wig teased her shoulders. It complimented the part lace, part fabric gown which was ruffled off one shoulder and detached off the other with a low cut center that exposed some cleavage. It hugged her length and hemmed above her knees.

"Okay, so like how we practised," Rita's eyes were glowing. "Everyone give her room."

Slowly Uche put one heeled foot in front of the other, turning and striking a pose, back to the others, one hand on her waist and her head over one shoulder, lash extensions sweeping low then up.

"Perfect,"Turning, Rita signaled to one of the girls. " Tell the others to line up. We're on in ten minutes." As every other person left, she walked up to Uche. "And you say you've never done this before. I find that hard to believe." she noticed Uche's distant eyes and said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I think It's almost ten minutes."

********

"So has anything caught your fancy this evening?" Lawrence asked the man who had come to join their table. He was what people called a 'venture capitalist' in the business world. But occasionally, Mr Aigbe Christopher, scouted talents for his associates interested in investing in promising young individuals. They rarely kept contact or saw each other, except when the need arise, like the event currently unfolding. He was an insufferable man of stocky built and in his fifties.

Lawrence couldn't wait for the end of the week so he wouldn't have to tolerate the man any longer.

"Just a few. Well, the night is still young." He sipped wine then leaned forward, lowering his voice. " Do you still offer entertainment? It has been a very tiring journey, and I'd like to relax a bit."

Wondering how a short flight and an air-conditioned car could be described as tiring, Lawrence hid his disgust behind an exaggerated smile. "Of course. Any entertainment of your choosing."

The fashion show was next. Rita,the designer, gave a brief introduction of her styles, and one by one each stunningly dressed girl emerged from the side entrance, strutted across the stage, struck a pose or two and disappeared behind a curtain on the other side. Some men flaunted Rita's other debonair styles. Lawrence pretended to be interested but his body tingled in anticipation.

When Uche strode in, he couldn't believe his eyes, transfixed by her sensuality. At that moment a yawning chasm opened inside of him and he felt himself plummeting towards its dark depths.

"She was in the play, right?This woman. The one who sang." Mr Christopher said beside him, breaking the spell.

"Yes, sir," he said distractedly.

"She's quite the beauty." Mr Christopher mused." She's got a nice voice too. All the makings of a star. Tell me, is she available?"

Lawrence's jaw clenched involuntarily, temper flaring. "Available?"

The man grinned. "You know what i mean."

Anthony drank some wine to keep from laughing.

Mr Christopher must have seen something in Lawrence's face that made him rueful. " I didn't know. I apologize."

Lawrence raised a brow. "Know what?"

"She's obviously your woman. I should have known."

Lawrence didn't refute this claim. Anthony made a noise in his throat. His boss stepped on his foot under the table, and he sobered.

"But she is quite talented. She could easily be a musician. Or a beauty queen, if she prefers pageantry. She could do both."

Needing distraction, Lawrence turned his attention to the stage, tuning the man out. He frowned, not understanding his anger. As he strove for calmness, he soon realized that Uche appeared distressed. Cameras were aimed at her, emitting flashes. She squinted, blinking excessively.

Something was wrong. He had an idea what.

"Tell the photographers to cease taking shots." He told Anthony. Before he could relay the message, Uche had missed a few steps, tripped and fallen. Gasps emanated from the guests; some persons stood to gawk.

Lawrence was on his feet at once. "Excuse me," He headed towards Uche but Rita and her roommate who were nearby reached her first.

**********

"What happened?" Fatima asked Kazeem who had his eyes glued to the screen above. She'd just come back from the restroom. The MC had taken over and was reassuring the guests.

"Uche tripped and fell." Kazeem replied then it dawned on him that Fatima didn't know whom he spoke of. " One of the models."

Fatima eyed him suspiciously."And you happened to know her name?"

"That's because she happens to be Huma's roommate."

"Wow," she'd glimpsed the beautiful woman's face before they'd assisted her out. The two people couldn't be more different.

Kazeem's phone started to ring, and he got up, said. "I have to take this," and left the hall. Fatima watched him leave, stirring her drink with a straw. She glanced around, still amazed by the lush decor and Ilk of guests. Whoever hosted the event must be rolling deep in money. Of course when Kazeem had gotten the invite, she just had to tag along,because Huma was involved- Huma, his pet. She didn't want her man getting too close and invite trouble, except her fiance had forgotten about them.

There was something else. That deep-seated disquiet he'd elicited in her the last time she'd seen him; she didn't feel it presently. The man had just seem bothered by these pesky individuals he wanted to get rid of.

Fatima let that slide since they'd met just once. But then, she'd watched the man from their table during the play. He'd seemed focused on the singing woman in particular. Well- If she had to admit- everyone had been focused on her, not for her acting skills but her captivating beauty and voice. Almost like a spell had been cast on all the men present.

Something still wasn't right. That man appeared interested. Itchy with curiosity, she left her seat and slipped further inside the hall. Following discord wherever she saw it , Fatima caught sight of Huma, her fiance and a woman scarred by fire on the stairs. She hid beside the wall so as not to be seen and eavesdropped.

"She won't say. I feel like it's my fault. She didn't want to do it." The scarred woman was saying, her voice trembling.

Fatima peeked. Huma was rubbing the woman's back.

"I'm sure it's not," Huma's fiance said. " I'll find out. Just go to your room and relax. You did well." He held her shoulder affectionately.

"Are you sure it's a good idea? To go talk to her now. She insisted on being alone."

"We'll see about that."

When the conversation was over, Fatima pretended to be walking down the corridor with a destination as they separated then she tailed Huma's fiance.

*******

The door was locked but Lawrence had the key- he'd preempted the action. On entering the room, he noticed the lights were off. He guessed that she must be light sensitive at the moment. He looked to the balcony and saw Uche standing there, bathed in moonlight. As he walked towards her, relief flooding through him, he picked up her shoes which were tossed about carelessly, placing them on the table.

She must have heard his footsteps but didn't turn. When Lawrence stood next to her, a few meters away, he saw that her cheeks were tear-stained. Her make up were married by jagged lines of dried tears.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked softly.

Uche said nothing, only staring straight ahead. Pocketing his hands, he gazed in her direction, quiet himself.

"The pictures." Uche suddenly said after a period of silence." Do they..."

"It's not for publicity." Lawrence said." That is what you're worried about, isn't it?"

She looked at him then, eyes gleaming. He stepped closer drawn in by her distress. His gaze roving her face, he hesitantly reached up a hand to touch it, caressing the smooth skin with his thumb. Lawrence half expected her to resist but she was still, looking into his eyes, yet not seeing him.

"It's going to be okay," he reassured, struck once again by her beauty. He had seen her vulnerable several times, never like this. He also knew her walls were completely down by the liberties he took.

He should be over the moon, ecstatic. Instead, anger course through his veins. This wasn't the face of killer. It was that of a woman haunted by regret, guilt. Fear. Perhaps, they didn't know the whole story.

"I ruined the show," She whispered. "I shouldn't have done it."

"I think you did a great job," he smiled small, tucking hair behind her ear, and dabbing her tears away with a handkerchief. " Some people think you'd make a great musician or a pageant queen."

Cool air breezed by, and Uche shivered. Lawrence took off his suit jacket and, stepping closer, covered her with it. He looked past the enticing cleavage, pulling the Jacket tighter.

"I must look terrible."

Lawrence gave a lop-sided grin. "It's quite the contrary, I think you're...." although cliche, he wanted to say that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, but he'd glanced up and gotten lost in those crystal clear eyes.

Without thinking, Lawrence cupped her face and kissed her. He felt her grow still as he moved his lips slowly over hers. He didn't let her lack of response stop him. Angling his head, he captured her bottom lip, tugging gently for her to yield. He could hear the sound of his heart beat in his ears, and knew for sure that he was trembling as well.

Then she responded, kissing him back. She placed a hand flat on his chest, the other grasping the sleeve of his shirt as he pried her lips apart with his tongue and plunge in, deepening the kiss. She tasted like pineapples and vanilla.

Soft moans escaped Uche's throat, driving him wild.Lawrence wrapped a hand around her waist, pulling her closer, and she grabbed the back of his head, tugging, his suit jacket falling off her body.

Backing Uche against the wall, he put one leg on his hip. Lawrence broke off the kiss and she gasped as he began sucking lightly down her neck, and she tilted her head sideways to give him more access, her hold on his head firm.

Trailing back up, he melded their lips, stealing her breath, while he rubbed his hardness against her cleft and cupped a breast. She moaned into his mouth; he moan into hers.

When she reached down to caress him. A warning bell went off in Lawrence's head. "No,"he protested. Before he could succumb to his desires, Lawrence tore himself from Uche, moving away. " I don't want you like this."

He knew he was probably blowing his last chance to hell. The opportunity he'd always wanted had finally presented itself, yet he couldn't take advantage of it. From the shadows, Uche stared at him, chest heaving.

"You don't want me like this?" It was a breathless whisper. She started to approach him.

"Stay right where you are," Lawrence held out a finger to ward her off, his blood still on fire, and she halted. "Just stay right there, please." He was afraid. One touch and he'd take her right on the balcony floor. His entire being was screaming for the deed to be done.

He saw Uche's hooded gaze. The troubled woman had retreated into her aloof, hardened exterior. " How then do you want me, Lawrence?"

How did he want her? He asked himself, wondering what nonsense he was spouting.

"Cuffed? Hanging from a ceiling? Tied to a table? It's nothing I haven't heard before." She sounded distant, detached. Lawrence didn't like it.

"You want me. I see it every time you look at me. I want you too. We don't have to pretend anymore."

"What are you doing?" He asked when she began unzipping the side of her gown from the bottom up.

"The last time, you were tied to the bed. There's nothing stopping you now. So let's get it over with."

Quickly, he went to stop her, and they struggled with the zip," Let me go!" She screamed, shoving him back.

"Uche, just stop. Calm down."

When he didn't budge, she hit him across the face. Lawrence stepped back with a grunt of pain, covering his mouth.

"Wait. Uche," His words came out muffled. She had disappeared inside and few seconds later, he heard the door slam shut. He couldn't go after her, not without causing a scene.

As the pain subsided, he tasted metal and knew there was a cut before he felt the moistness of blood.

Snorting,he sat on the floor, head in his hand. He should have had better control of the situation. Then again, he could never do anything right.

*******

Henrietta was on her balcony when Uche slipped out into the night. Blowing out plumes of smoke, she smirked.