I entered the office the following day feeling like my usual self. Dave walked in just as I booted my computer and he explained how the previous day went. 

"We have a new client," I said after listening to his explanation.

"Who's it?" He took a seat quickly eager to meet a new face.

"A ballet dancer. He recently became popular after his performance at the Intercontinental hotel went viral and his agency got through to me on his behalf. He has a red carpet event coming up next week and we're going to style him."

"Hmm," Dave replied, non-committal but I knew better than to believe that tone. "What does he look like?" he asked.

"I've not met with him and I don't know exactly how he looks so you'll be going with one of the interns to see for yourself. I need you to do the usual and when you get back, I need to know the things he's comfortable in. You know the drill."

"I'll leave now then," he said standing.

"I just forwarded you his name and address. I believe he's expecting you," I paused and looked at him. "Dave, no flirting."

He held his heart dramatically like I'd just thrust an arrow through it. "I'll have you know I have a boyfriend and I'm very loyal."

"Good. Let's keep it that way."

Despite his explanation, Dave got carried away occasionally when we work on really handsome male clients. I've yet to met this guy but something told me he was just his type.

"I've never disappointed you and I won't start now."

"I'm proud of you, now leave. I have a video shoot wardrobe to put together."

I requested the presence of my IT manager after Dave left with a lively spark in his eyes. When Kat entered my office, I showed him the chair.

"How is the family?" I asked warmly when he sat.

Kat was a family man with two kids and a wife and when he wasn't working, he was talking about them.

"All doing well," he answered.

"I got your mail about wanting a meeting yesterday, what do you want to talk about?"

"The website. Personally, I think it's time we changed it."

"Go on," I prompted when he waited for my cue to continue.

 "Since there are newer trends and colours, I'd like the website to match the evolving trends. Is it okay if I work on new designs, like playing a bit with the font and font size as well as the placement of the section and category?"

"Is it necessary?" I asked lightly. It wasn't my forte so I took little to no notice of what goes on in the tech world.

"I believe it is," he replied gravely like we were doomed if changes weren't made. He bent his head and I could see his hairline which had started receding. I heard him once make a joke about it to Dave.

I nodded trying my best to mimic the seriousness he was giving off. "If you believe it's absolutely necessary then I have to follow your professional advice. How about we have a meeting on Monday morning with all the staff present, then we can get everyone's opinion and decide on a new look."

"That works well. I have few samples we can choose from."

I smiled. "Perfect. Kat, can you help me check this phone?" I asked quickly when he stood to leave.

"For sure, what's the matter with it?"

I placed the phone in his outstretched hand. "I'm expecting a call but it hasn't rang yet. I think something is wrong with it, could be I pressed something I wasn't supposed to." I wasn't a whiz with technology, in fact I distrusted it and it felt like my phone was currently trying to play a trick on me.

"I'll give it a quick check and let you know what I find."

Kat dusted his trousers and walked out. He wore the same style of clothing to work every day which was a flannel shirt and chinos pants. He obviously didn't care about the warm weather like most people did.

"Thanks."

I chewed on my lips nervously as I recalled how Chike had promised to call. He made it seemed like he would call ten minutes after I got into the office but there was nothing from him. It wasn't as if I really wanted to talk to him, I found it simply annoying that he couldn't fulfil his promise. Maybe, I just dodged a bullet because what kind of person made a promise and not act on it? It irked me when I admitted that I cared about him and my mood turned sour as I got angry with myself. It had been a night of sheer stupidity, mostly on my part so there was nothing to miss.

When Kat returned with my phone, he assured me that it was in perfect condition and he further explained that if I wasn't getting a call, then no one was calling me. I felt like a dummy for five long minutes before returning to work. When I couldn't concentrate, I took a break and logged on to Facebook. I couldn't believe what I was resorting to as I  searched for his name and hoped to see an account with his face as avatar. After I scrolled down to the hundredth suggested Chike and didn't see any matching his information, I logged out. Perhaps, he wasn't into the whole social media craze.

As the week came to a slow end and I got ready for the new week, I gave up expecting a call from Chike. My nights grew longer as I couldn't sleep from thinking about that one night and the passion that was unleashed. I was also getting angrier with myself for caring if he called or not. I told Dave he was nobody and that was what he became. A nobody. Okay, a fine nobody, I admitted ruefully. 

Chike called me after two weeks while I was on my way to forgetting how his lips felt on mine. I was in the middle of picking out some clothes in a boutique for an upcoming editorial look when Dave pressed my ringing phone into my hand.

"Who's it?" I asked him before answering the call.

"Don't know, it's an unsaved number."

"I'll be right back, carry on without me."

I found a private spot outside and answered. As Chike's voice spoke on the other end, I dragged in my breath. At last.

"Did you miss me?" he asked without introduction, not that he needed to because I recognised his voice.

"Who's this?" I asked, letting annoyance reflect in my voice.

"Wow, really? Is that how it's going to be?"

"I'm busy and if I don't get a name in ten seconds, I'm hanging up."

Really agitated now, I counted to ten silently and he still didn't reply. I waited two more seconds before he spoke.

"It's Chike, the guy you met few weeks ago. Am I speaking with Jade?"

"You are."

"I'm surprised you didn't recognise my voice," he sounded offended. "I'm sorry it took this long to call you back, I went on a charity tour with a band so I've been out of town."

I didn't need the explanation but I was happy when it came. "Alright. I need to get back to work now."

"Hold on, are you free on Friday? I was thinking maybe we could hang out in the evening, like see some places together. Are you interested?"

"I'll check with my assistant and get back to you," I said in a tone reserved for difficult clients. I decided right there that he was never going to see me again. It didn't matter that he kissed better than the men I'd been with.

"Jade," he began softly, "I really want to see you again. I've thought of nothing else but you since I dropped you off."

 He sure had a funny way of showing it but I didn't counter it, instead I said, "Bye." 

I hung up before he could respond and smiled with satisfaction. I wiped it off my face when I entered the boutique.

"Who was that?" Dave asked, ever curious.

"Nobody," I replied evasively. "What are we going for?" I questioned, subtly changing the topic.

"Bright tops and plain bottoms, for both sexes."

"Too simple, I crave for more. I want more, you know how much I detest mediocrity. Call someone at the office and tell them to book an appointment with the hairstylist," I fired off getting back to business. "Also, we need jewelries, loan some and get whatever is available. We'll choose from them when they're delivered since I've yet to decide on a solid direction."

Dave furiously typed on his iPad as I spoke.

"What look do you want to go for?" 

I placed my hands on my hips in thought and went around the rack, pushing aside and checking clothes to choose from.

"I like this shirt," I said as I removed a white shirt from its hanger.

Dave took it from me, spreading it on the table beside him.

"I'll need tweed suit pants and a pair of strappy shoes. It has to be strappy heels."

"On it. Neck jewelry?"

"No. The high collar is enough glamour for the neck but we'll need statement earrings." I folded my arms and pictured the final look in my head.

"We have one look finalised."

Satisfied by the progress, I nodded. "Since we're going for frills now, I need gowns with it." I went back to the rack and checked again.

"Got it. What about shoes?" Dave asked as he showed me a gown that met my criteria.

I smiled at his brilliance before taking the gown from him to inspect further. "Plain black and make that ankle boots, please. We need to move ahead, I have more collections to choose from."

"We need to pick one more outfit."

"I want red. I think a leather mini skirt will do with a wraparound blouse."

"Perfect. Where are the frills going to be in this outfit?"

"The choker since the blouse will have a plunging neckline. I'll make that myself."

"I think I get the picture you're going for."

Needing to move quickly to the next store, I said, "Let's go. Did you get the prices of the things we selected?" 

"Shoot! I'll have them send it to my email."

Dave got complementary bags from the boutique as we hurried out and he looked inside while I drove towards the next direction in my matte black KIA sportage.

"What's in there?" I asked when he wouldn't stop smiling like the cat that ate the canary.

He pulled out a white round neck Tee with words inscribed on it. "Bad bitch," it read.

"You can have it. I don't think I want to be caught wearing profanity across my chest."

"I think it was sort of a compliment."

Distasteful nonetheless. "I'm too old for that, give it out or keep it. It's all up to you, baby."

"I'm keeping it just because I think I'm a bad bitch."

"Yes, you are. Don't wear it during office hours," I warned.

"Noted."

"Do I have anything serious planned for Friday evening?"

"Let me check." He scrolled through his device before pronouncing, "For now nothing but it could change, it's the weekend after all."

"Keep it empty."

"May I ask why?" Dave was looking at me curiously.

"You may not."

"I'll leave it empty then."

"What's next?" I looked at him briefly then turned my face back to the road.

"Lunch, you missed breakfast. I got you chicken salad."

"Oh, I forgot about food. What's next after lunch?" I honked at a dispatch rider trying to squeeze in between my car and another.

"Crazy man." Dave shouted and I agreed with a hum. "You have a meeting with the interns."

"How do you think they're doing so far?"

"Okay, I'd say. No one has gotten pregnant by a celebrity so it's more than okay actually."

"Don't put it in their heads."

"I would never. It was only a passing comment."

I relaxed. "Have you contacted the photographers?"

"I have."

"Thanks." When traffic got thicker, I sought for distractions. "I need the gossip from the tabloids, was there anything about the guy you styled?" 

"The press is all over him, Jade. You were credited for his looks by some, all positive reviews as usual," he added.

"The next time you personally style someone without my input, take credit for it. You can add the company's name but you deserve to be praised for your efforts. We need to get your name out there, Dave."

"Thanks. I love you."

We got into the office parking lot by evening after concluding other errands. While Dave hurried off, I waited in the car to text Chike. Friday was a possibility despite my earlier decision and I couldn't wait to see him again.