#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 9: THE REQUEST.

-
-
-

Four days later. Sunday. 8:03 AM.

Dressed in a dark brown halter top and tight, faded shorts with a pair of clean black sneakers on her feet, Candice stood in a long queue of people waiting at a bus stop for the next transit bus. She was the last person on the line, and it angered her immensely because she had other places to be.

Yomi's crib, for example, was the first place on Candice's list. She wanted to pay him a surprise visit today before doing the same to her other boyfriends' houses. But the slow-moving queue was practically killing her and wasting her precious time.

Candice almost wished she could grow angelic wings to fly away from there, but she knew better than to wish for the impossible.

The morning sun was becoming brighter, and Candice knew the implication of that on her skin. Worse, she'd forgotten to carry her trusty umbrella along with her when she left her hostel. Only God Himself could save her from the scorching hands of the hostile sun when it finally comes out in all its majesty. She definitely didn't want to be around there when that happens.

As though her desire had been answered, a pure white Mercedes Benz halted on a separate laneway adjacent Candice's spot. The black-haired middle-aged man in the car smiled at Candice, gesturing at his car door with his head. Without thinking twice, Candice walked up to the man's car and got in the passenger seat beside him.

Comfortably seated, Candice gave him a once-over and automatically figured that the man was undoubtably good-looking and loaded. She could tell that the man was nothing short of a millionaire from his expensive outfit and the type of car he drived. His friendly smile alone reeked of luxury. Pure luxury. And she loved it.

Wearing a wide smile on her face, Candice said "Hi, handsome!" with a voice that was entirely different from the way she normally talked.

"Hello, angel." The man greeted back, ogling Candice's exposed laps like nobody's business. "My name is Titus. What about you?"

"Candice," she said, taking notice of his lustful stare. "That's my name."

Titus grinned, holding out a hand to Candice. "Wow. What a pretty name for a gorgeous woman like you. I'm pleased to meet you, angel."

Although his pick up line was very cliché, Candice didn't mind at all, as long as it came from a millionaire's mouth. She shook his hand with gladness. "Pleased to meet you, too, Titus."

Titus nodded, refusing to let go of Candice's hand. "So what is a sexy damsel like you doing in a crowded bus stop?"

"Waiting for a bus, obviously."

"Oh, really?" Titus arched a single brow. "Where are you headed?"

"Yaba."

"Unbelievable!" Titus exclaimed jaw-droppingly. "That is my destination, too. What a coincidence!"

Candice blinked at that. "It's a small world, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it is." Titus shook his head in wonder. "How about I give you a ride? Do you mind?"

Candice shrugged. "Nah. I don't mind. Really."

"All right, then." Titus offered Candice a half-smile, releasing her soft, pale hand from his grasp. "Fasten your seat belt, baby. We are about to go on a wild ride!"

__________

By 8:45, Candice entered a big, black gate and walked across the corridor until she was standing in front of a huge marble door. She didn't even bother to greet some of Yomi's neighbors who were chilling in the compound, looking at her.

As Candice wanted to knock on the exotic door, someone opened it from inside. To her amazement, it was Jonathan Alfred, the loudmouthed clown himself. He was dressed in his Sunday best and held a big Bible in his right hand. Candice would've taken him for a staunch Christian if she didn't know him well enough.

For the record, Jonathan might succeed in fooling his church members and pastor that he was a good guy, but definitely not Candice. She refused to be deceived by his innocent, responsible look for today. She knew that deep inside, he was still the same goofy, annoying pervert who was strongly despised by her friend Betty ever since the night of the Truth or Dare game.

"Hola, big mama," Jonathan joked as he stepped out of the house and closed the door behind him. "How come you are the first woman I'm laying my eyes on on this blessed Sunday morning?"

Candice faked a smile. "I don't know," she shrugged. "Is Yomi inside?"

"Haba. Weren't you supposed to compliment my outfit first?"

Candice had the urge to hiss at him. "Okay, I'm sorry." She rolled her eyes instead. "You look so frickin' fantabulous today, Jon. Satisfied now?"

"Say it like you mean it na."

Candice frowned. "Look, Jon, I don't have time for all this crap. I want to see Yomi. Tell me if he's in there or not."

For some inexplicable reason, Jonathan started laughing quirkily. "I see there's not much difference between you and Betty after all. You both have something in common."

"Which is?"

"The absence of a good sense of humour, of course," said Jonathan. "And it's bad. Really, really bad."

Candice hissed at that. "Go away, abeg." She brushed past him and opened the door and then went into the house after saying, "I've had enough of you and your antics."

"Okay na." Jonathan turned on his heels to leave. "But cook something nice before I come back o," he voiced over his shoulder. "And make sure it's tasty with plenty of onions. You hear?"

"As your housemaid wey I be na." Candice shot him a sullen look before slamming the door to his face. "Moron."

Turning around, Candice saw Yomi sleeping on his bed with no clothes on, except for his boxers though. The spacious bedroom was partially dark even though Yomi's generator was active outside. She cringed when she realized that all the windowpanes and curtains were closed to prevent the sunlight from coming in.

Dropping her handbag on the tiled floor, Candice went about, opening one window after the other until the whole room was properly illuminated. She then sighed and turned around, only to meet Yomi's sleepy eyes aimed directly at her face like a sniper rifle.

"Oga, well done, sir. I thought you'd never wake up."

"Candice?" Yomi asked, his voice deep and hoarse. "Darling, is that you?"

"No o! It's my spirit." Candice joked, moving toward the high bed. "See me see question sha."

Yomi slung his arm over his eyes to block out the light. "Damn. When did you arrive?"

"Not too long ago." Candice carefully sat on the bed beside Yomi. "Surpriiissse!"

Yomi smiled lamely. "You never cease to amaze me, Candy."

"True that." Candice said, running her fingers through Yomi's messy hair. "Neither do you, Yomi. And I'm specifically talking about the fact that you never heard when I slammed your door. You can sleep for Africa."

"Thank you." Yomi rubbed his hand over his face and yawned. "Have you seen Jonathan so far?"

"Yes. I saw him on my way in. He has already gone to church."

"Oh, nice." Yomi breathed, glancing at the wall clock ahead. "Shit. Can't believe I'm late for service. I'm screwed." He blinked thrice, alarmed. "Shouldn't you be in church now?"

"Nope. I attended the first mass. I'm free now." Candice lied. "Besides, since when did Jonathan start living with you?"

"Nah, he's not living with me. He only crashes here sometimes. And last night was one of those times."

"Oh, okay, then. But how do you cope with his stupidity, though?"

Yomi grimaced at that. "Please, stop badmouthing my friend, Candy. I don't like it."

Candice scoffed. "Sorry o, Mr. Barney and friends."

Yomi didn't comment on that. Instead, he rolled over onto his back and yawned again.

Somehow, Candice spotted Yomi's morning erection the very moment he rolled over. "Oh my gosh!"

"What?"

"That!" Candice swallowed, gaping at Yomi's massive bulge. "Is that real?"

"No o! It's synthetic," he laughed, giving her a taste of her own medicine. "See me see question sha."

Candice bit back a laugh. "Using my own format against me, abi? Very clever."

Yomi sneered, stroking Candice's lush thigh. "Abi na."

Candice pinched Yomi's nipple out of revenge.

"Ow!" Yomi winced. "What was that for?"

"Just a little somethin' to remind you who's boss."

Yomi smiled evilly. "You know, it's all fun and jokes until I retaliate."

"You won't even try it." Candice eyed him playfully. "I'll just chop you raw."

"Hehe. Someone wants to chop me raw." Yomi muttered, winking at her. "I absolutely like the sound of that. When do we start?"

"You frickin' perv!" Candice pouted, taking her shoes off. "Maybe we will start immediately after you brush your friggin' teeth, 'cause your morning breath smells like piss."

Yomi smiled even wider. "Don't blame me, darling. Blame the hamburgers I ate last night instead."

Candice hissed and shook her head. "Well, jokes apart, Yomi, I have something important to tell you."

"Really? What could that be, Candy?"

"I need a favor from you." Candice's voice was soft and low now. "And I'd be glad if you could make it happen."

"All right. Spit it out already."

Desperately making heavy eye contact with Yomi, Candice licked her lips, and then said, "I need fifty thousand Naira, baby."