KELVIN WALKED into the living room wearing a blue shirt with its tail tucked into a pair of black jeans and Alex went over and gave him a long kiss. She actually took his face in her hands and kissed him for so long like I wasn't right there in the room watching them. I lowered my gaze to give them their privacy. I felt so silly and uncomfortable and my heart was literally shattering in my chest. They looked so in love, like married couples. I should have just sent an excuse and skipped dinner.

"Hey," Kelvin said as he took the seat beside me. He gave me a quick peck and I smiled shyly at him.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"Great," he replied and Alex joined us, sitting on Kelvin's lap.

They looked way too perfect together. Alex with her dark skin and puffy, long, curly hair. She had the nicest lips I'd ever seen on a human, and her eyes were so huge and beautiful. She matched Kelvin's ever moisturized face, huge eyes and pink lips. This was a match made by the gods. I could see why it was so easy for Kelvin to fall in love with her, they complemented each other too well.

"We should eat," Alex said dragging Kelvin with her to the dining area.

I followed them and took the seat Kelvin pulled out for me. He went to the kitchen and returned to set the table with plates and cutlery, wine glasses and champagne flutes. Alex was also busy in the kitchen as he arranged the glasses.

"What do you think of her?" Kelvin asked me when he finished. He sat in the chair beside me.

"I think she's beautiful and nice." So far, I added silently.

"She is." He was grinning, obviously pleased that I liked his girlfriend.

Alex walked in with plates filled with deviled eggs and placed one in front of me. "Enjoy. I hope you like eggs?" she asked.

"I do, actually."

"Great. We wanted to go for healthier options for your sake."

"That's so nice." I took a bite and the filling tasted so good. I could taste the lemon that was generously used. "Hmm, it's so good," I said looking at Alex.

"Kelvin made them," she replied.

I polished my plate and Kelvin cleared the table.

"So..." Alex turned to me. "What's the one thing you've always wanted to do?"

"Let's see." I turned my head upward like I was thinking hard. "I would say traveling the world to see exotic places like Greece, France, Rome, England and definitely Egypt." I saw her smile when I looked at her.

"That sounds great, mine would be having a baby."

I could have easily guessed that, she seemed like one of those people that grew up wanting the traditional life; a husband then a baby. Each to their own though. "That's even better," I said and sipped my glass of water.

"Do you think Kelvin is ready to settle?" Alex asked looking towards the kitchen.

"I wouldn't know, honestly."

Kelvin chose that moment to walk in with plates of jollof rice well balanced on his hands. He placed a plate in front of me and I muttered a simple thank you.

"It looks good, Kelvin," I said as I saw the plating. My plate contained a circular potion of jollof rice with fried plantain and some pieces of barbecue chicken with a small portion of coleslaw on the side.

"Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I'm not sure you should be having rice but it's only a small potion, and you can eat most of the chicken and coleslaw. That should balance it." Kelvin sat and we faced our plates.

I ate my meal and I watched as Alex kissed Kelvin at any chance she got. I smiled at their display of affection, I wasn't going to be seen sweating over this relationship.

"How would you describe your friendship with Fatimah?" Alex asked while looking at Kelvin.

Kelvin chewed on his food before replying. "Friends, I think. Best friends, maybe. I'm the only friend she's got."

"No, you're not," I replied.

"Liar."

"You guys must be really close then," Alex continued.

"Yes, we are," Kelvin replied.

"Where were you when I met Kelvin? I didn't hear about you then." Alex addressed me.

I looked at Kelvin before replying, "We fell out, it wasn't really serious but we didn't talk to each other for a while. We're good now though." I wished I could enjoy my food in peace.

"That's interesting," Alex said.

"Enough about us, how does it feel being a lawyer?" I asked because I wasn't comfortable with her line of questioning.

"Cutthroat, really. There's always so much to do, clients to meet and advise, things to settle, court sessions. It can be nerve-wracking but it's great, and I love the pressure that comes with it. I'm not sure I could do something different."

"You're really passionate about it."

"It's what I've always wanted to do."

I ate my chicken and listened to Alex as she kept on talking about her profession. I nodded and smiled occasionally while finishing the food on my plate and I tried my best not to tune her out.

"It was lovely. I particularly enjoyed the plantain, it was soft inside and crunchy on the outside, quite perfect," I said when Alex stopped talking enough for me to compliment Kelvin.

"Thanks," Kelvin replied.

"Don't tell me you made that too," I said, teasing.

"I did, don't look at me like that. I know how to cook. You're the one who requires a guide to boil water."

"Low blow, low blow," I said as Kelvin laughed. He took the dishes away and I turned to Alex. "I need to use the restroom."

"Oh, sure. Just walk down straight, it's at the end of the hall."

"Thanks."

I walked down the hall and opened the door to the bathroom when I saw a funny sign hanging on it. It read, please remain seated during the entire performance. I sat on the closet and closed my eyes, it was too much. Alex had been nice so far and it made me uncomfortable that I possessed feelings for her boyfriend. It felt misplaced, a total waste of affection.

I heard a knock at the door and flushed the unused toilet then went to the sink.

"Come in," I called out.

Alex walked in. "Kelvin asked me to check on you, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll join you guys in a minute."

I dried my hands on the napkin and watched her as she left, she turned around before getting to the door.

"Are you two fucking?" she asked suddenly and I looked at her in dismay.

"What?" I managed to say.

"Let me rephrase. Are you sleeping with my boyfriend?" Alex crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for an answer.

"N-no, of course not," I stuttered.

"Good."

"Why would you ask that?" I was curious. I didn't do anything to warrant that question, I had concealed my emotions since I arrived at their doorstep.

"Isn't it obvious? You guys look at each other like dogs in heat."

"That's gross and you're mistaken." I dropped the used towel in the bin and walked forward to leave. Alex blocked my path not moving aside as I waited. "Can I leave?" I finally asked.

"Not yet. Just keep your relationship as it is, because you really don't want to cross me."

"Is that a threat?" I asked in astonishment.

"Why would I threaten you?" Alex asked with a wild smile and turned to leave.

I looked at her retreating back in puzzlement, she was nothing like the girl that had been smiling at me all through dinner. I got back to the table and took my seat.

"You girls were gone for so long, bonding I hope?" Kelvin asked. It couldn't have been farther from the truth.

"For sure," Alex replied.

I looked at her and felt revulsion. She was just threatening me few minutes ago, I couldn't believe anyone could act so convincingly. "Yes," I replied tonelessly.

"Time for dessert then." Kelvin stood and went to the kitchen. He came out with a bowl of frozen yogurt with diced pineapple sprinkled all over it and two glasses of cheesecake.

"Yogurt for you," he said as he placed the yogurt bowl in front of me.

"Thanks." I ate as fast as I could, wanting to finish with dinner as quickly as possible.

"I heard you're single," Alex asked, nipping my plan in the bud.

"Yes."

"I've some male friends that are single also. I could introduce you to any if you wish."

"Alex, she isn't looking for a boyfriend," Kelvin injected, he looked at me and silently mouthed, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sure she is, she just hasn't told you." Alex looked at me for confirmation.

"She tells me everything," Kelvin replied.

"I wouldn't mind meeting one of them." Kelvin looked at me in surprise and I shrugged.

"You see?" Alex said. I knew what she had in mind so I went along with it.

"She's just being polite," Kelvin said.

"I'll give them your number. I'm sure you can handle it from there."

"I should be on my way, I don't want to stay out too late," I said as I dropped my spoon into the empty bowl.

"I'll walk you out," Kelvin said, standing from his chair.

"Thanks for having me, Alex," I said without looking her way as I walked towards the door.

"You're always welcome here," she replied sweetly.

Kelvin went with me to my car and I got in before he could give me the peck I knew would come.

"Thanks for coming." He leaned forward as I rolled down the window.

"Thanks for going to all that trouble for me. The dishes were all perfect."

"You can come around anytime. I'm sure Alex wouldn't mind the company. "

"I'm not sure she likes me."

"Of course she does. She likes everyone."

"You're right," I said without further argument.

"Alright. Call me when you get home."

"I will."

Kelvin stood upright and I drove home.