Tired.

Exhaustion was an understatement for what I felt yesterday night after I got back home from that horrible date with Tunde. Luckily, I didn't have to deal with Iya Yeside and my siblings bombarding me with all sorts of questions. With my look yesterday, they knew not to ask.

I didn't bother to call Tunde and I was sincerely clueless about what to do next. Maybe I was the one overreacting? On the other hand, each of the overthinking thoughts that roamed in my head proved that I was probably right about our relationship. Tunde was loving... well... sometimes and it was beginning to take a toll on me. I wasn't going to say anything to him because I had nothing to say but our plan holds. I knew how excited Tunde got whenever he talked about us being together in London.

Boya I was making a big mistake.

I didn't bother going to work today because I saw no purpose. No salary for five months so I cannot come and kill myself. A break from capitalism was what I needed after the shege my boss showed me. Should I even be going back? Nothing was left for me but it was high time I upgraded.

What should I even do with my life? Why was I here in my mother's house, chopping insults left to right and whining about how life was flogging the hell out of me in my thirties? E no go ever pay so what I really need to do now is maybe seek help?

Ew! I can't do that. I am thirty-three abeg.

I know what to do with my life since life is telling me; "It is me and you in one trouser today." I will show life too. Me too, I must outsmart life! Which was why I have been thinking, maybe... just maybe... I should do money ritual.

Oloriburuku, where you wan find pesin destiny go?

Bad idea abeg. I know what to do, I should use the whole ajo money for my own business. At the same time, I cannot. Which money I wan use go London? Am I even thinking properly sef? What alternative was left?

I should take myself to the art gallery nearby, I needed a place to go just to clear off my head. This house suffocates the heck out of me. I couldn't call Emem and co. because they were probably busy at work and I felt no need to disturb them. I was going there all by myself.

After successfully putting on a green casual green boubou with light brown palm slippers. I had my hair in a silk press last week at a salon so I combed it into a low back sleek ponytail.

Sha, I was currently at the art gallery, and oh my... I live for the artworks in this gallery. I have always loved art; the colors, texture, and the message. I walked in front of each piece of art I found captivating. There was one in particular I admired, it was a painting of an older woman sitting whilst plaiting a little girl's hair in kiko style with hair cream on her lap. Each of the details was mesmerizing, I moved forward to trace my fingers on the artwork. Whoever made this masterpiece was a genius. Leonardo Da Vinci no do reach this one.

"It's beautiful," I turned to a masculine voice I heard beside me and it was no one other than the Kamal Madaki.

As in, Kamal Madaki! The one who paid for the food my friends and I ate at that restaurant. What was he doing here? Was this art gallery one of his businesses too? I wouldn't be surprised, the man owned various businesses after all. Abi was he stalking me?

Cannot be possible, ode!

The aroma of his cologne which surrounded him was the first instinct I noticed, it was very telling that this was the billionaire Madaki everyone knew. Not only by his cologne, his outfit too... well not that it was anything flashy but he looked neat and fit in his casual kaftan. His hair was completely grey which he barbed in a low haircut along with his nicely shaved grey beard. I glanced at the chunky silver ring adorned on his little finger, no be small o!

Nawa o! Every hair just white finish.

"Well..."

"We meet again." A smile broadened his face.

"I... am surprised..." honestly, it was a surprise meeting him here. I couldn't hold the amusement I had written all over my face which caused me to stutter. "Sorry, hey... I mean yes..."

"I recognized you from afar. We didn't get to speak that night."

Speak ke? Egbami o.

"Oh sure, thank you. You shouldn't have."

"I see you love my daughter's piece."

Ah! Kamal Madaki has a daughter too? As much as I have come across his numerous businesses and biography on the internet, this one was news to me o. Did this mean he was married too?

Amebo, mind your bizness!

"I am sure you are a proud father, it's amazing," I said, trying to mask my surprise and how it felt unreal that a whole Kamal Madaki was having a conversation with me.

"Definitely! Most of her works are often brought here. A lover of art?" He asked with his hands tucked into the pocket of his kaftan.

"What?"

Yeside, your brain no dey quick catch question?

"Do you love art?" he repeated.

"Oh yes, I do," I answered in the realization of the question he asked me. "I'm more of a cubism fan, a sprinkle of impressionist paintings. As seen by your daughter's work."

"What? I think it's very much modern. I am not a fan of that, as cliché as that might sound."

I laughed softly at his remark. What was it with people hating modern things? "I very much love modern art. You know, I have never really understood why people heavily criticize modern art. I mean... no offense but I am just saying."

I watched a little smile return to his lips as he averted his gaze from his daughter's piece to mine. "No offense taken, I only feel a connection with arts I find descriptive. I don't know for you but I like my things straightforward."

His things? Is he a painter ni?

"So, should the same be said for your daughter's art?" I gave him a quizzical look as I pointed to the art which was placed beautifully on the wall.

"You got me there but I'm simply referring to the modern arts..." he paused to quote his two fingers in the air when he said "arts". "Take for example, renaissance paintings. You see them from afar and you get captivated right away, it feels like you are in that period."

"Ah! You are the old-school type."

"What is wrong with old-school art?"

"What is wrong with modern art?" I shot back at him, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He stared at me for a second which made us both laugh.

This man dey carry me go where I nor know o! Hep me! Hep me!

Wait o, why was I getting comfortable with this man sef?

"It's too all over the place and confusing, it doesn't focus on humans as individuals."

"I think I know where your problem lies with your disconnection. Maybe it's a generational thing."

"I'm not that old," Look at this man o, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Pesin wey don grow grey hair for head finish. "I'm only forty-seven," he added.

Lee Mao, what a funny bobo.

"On a serious note, modern isn't that bad. I think there's a huge and way huge misconception that anything modern means it's difficult. Modern art has been very much alive since history, new styles of art have always been invented, and imagine how new it felt for people during that time back then. I think people who hate modern art are afraid of embracing a new change."

"You have a point but I stand on my words."

"Hey, no hard feelings." I surrendered my two hands in the air.

"Thanks for liking my daughter's art."

"And thank you for lecturing about art."

"Listen... Ms..." he paused for a moment as I could see he was eager to know my name.

"Yeside, just Yeside."

"Okay, Ms. Just Yeside."

"No, No. I meant, Yeside. Yeside is just fine." I laughed awkwardly.

"Kamal is doing okay too."

"I give up."

"It was nice talking to you. I like the company I keep with you," he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a card that made me look at him amusingly. "Here's my business card, if you want, you can call me." Kamal Madaki handed it over to me as my eyes met with his and then bid me goodbye, leaving with three other hefty men who I was guessing were his securities. Of course, a man like him was going to have security.

Focus, werey! You have a boyfriend.

You see that smile of his, it was no ordinary smile.