"What name are we settling for?" I asked Dave as he sat in the chair facing my desk. We were in the office deliberating the name for my upcoming clothing line.

"Prints N Patterns. I registered it successfully, the other names we picked were already taken," Dave said.

It sounded different from my firm's name, Styled Up.

"I like Prints N Patterns, it sounds chic. Are you satisfied with the models?"

"Yes, we practiced again yesterday, it's a wrap with them. We can focus on something else, like the seamstresses."

"I've got that part. I'm worried about the stage presentation, it's one stage for all three designers showcasing that night but we need to add our own subtle touch."

"A different background maybe, that's as far as we can go or we can make our models different."

"How?"

"Their makeup, add pop of colors."

"No, the clothes are already so colorful, there won't be a need for that. I want their faces bland, no flashy colors, just a good makeup base."

"Alright, we can let the clothing do the talking then. No added design."

"Not bad, I need Kat. How is the website and social media accounts coming up?"

"One of the interns is handling the social media account. She's quirky so she knows all the pop culture references."

"Will that help?" I placed my elbow on the desk and watched Dave talk.

"Gives the account a witty personality so for sure, it will. On twitter you have to be witty to catch users' interest, same as Instagram and Facebook."

"Whatever works. What about the website?"

"I'll get Kat for you so he can give you a detailed run down."

"Waiting."

Dave left my office and returned with Kat who walked in and sat.

"What's going on with the website?" I asked him as I took a bite of some dry nutritional bar Dave got for me.

"We're almost done, here's how the website looks."

Kat passed me the tablet and I studied the website. The background was in African prints.

"I like it, but the placement of the section and category are a bit cluttered. And the background is too distracting. I want it plain but catchy, the right color scheme."

"I think I've an idea of what you mean, we could make the background a plain white then add like round, small templates of prints on it just to give it a contrast and a certain theme."

"I don't know how that'll look yet, I just want something grand but minimal. Also, make sure it can withstand enough traffic. I don't want my site crashing, that's going to not only be embarrassing but discouraging to our customers."

"All that can be easily adjusted to meet the timeline of the fashion weekend."

"Thanks."

I watched Kat walk out and Dave poked his head in.

"Anything?" I asked.

"Did you change your spa? Your face has a different glow."

"I didn't, go back to work."

Dave laughed and came into my office. "My arch enemy who is also your friend asked you out for dinner."

"Tell her I'm busy."

"Oh no, she's going to kill me. She hates when I tell her that."

"Okay, I'll see her."

"Hallelujah!" Dave did the sign of the cross and went back to his work.

I texted Bym to ask where she would like for us to meet, and she wanted me to get her from her office before we left for dinner. That wasn't what I had planned for the evening but an impromptu dinner never hurt anyone. Plus, I was dying to go out with someone who wasn't Chike. My life was becoming all about him and I recently started feeling some gooey type of way towards him. I didn't want to fall in love with anyone and I most certainly didn't want to fall in love with him. We were too different and I wasn't ready to dabble into a relationship.

I drove towards Bym's workplace after I closed for the day at the office.

"I'm waiting for you downstairs." I texted when I parked the car across her office building.

I waited for her in the car and saw her few minutes later walking down the front steps of her office. I opened the car door as she spotted my car amongst the sea of cars parked across the building.

"Hey, baby. I can't believe you weren't too busy to show up," Bym said when she got in the car.

"Actually, I'm busy, but Dave was scared you'll cause him bodily harm if he told you that, so here I am."

"That's great, he's learning. Give me a hug."

I went in for a quick hug and started the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I drove out.

"Somewhere fun, you need help with your dating life so I'm taking you where men are," Bym said, typically.

"You don't have to, I've so much on my plate now. It's not going to work."

It was easier having friends with the same relationship status as you because they never bugged you, but I had no such luck.

"We'll try and we can eat some great burgers in the process."

"Burger sounds good. Where is the place?"

"Hunger Busters in Ikoyi."

"I don't know where it is so I need help with the direction."

"Alright, how's the fashion show coming along?"

"It's stressful. I'm going to be having breakouts from all the stress in few weeks."

"Just stay hydrated. It won't get that bad."

I looked at her outfit then faced the road. "You're dressed better than I am and I'm the single one."

Bym laughed. "Girl, bye. There's no time you don't look elegant. You're wearing jeans and a blazer, how can I compete with that in my plain office gown?"

"Keep inflating my ego. Thanks anyway and you can pull anything off, there's no competition."

"Yea, thanks too."

"Are the girls joining us?"

"No, we sort of made this plan to go out with you separately on different days. You can see someone you like and start a relationship while you're out. I can't imagine how lonely you must be."

Why did people assume that not being in a relationship was the sole cause of loneliness?

"Not really. I'm fine, I'll get someone when I'm ready." I had Chike but I couldn't tell them about him, we weren't really a thing.

"We're not pushing, we just want you to go out more and have fun," Bym said in a tone that sounded like I had a choice in the matter. I didn't, they planned the whole thing behind my back and I couldn't blame them. They were only being great friends.

"Okay," I said what was expected of me.

The car stopped suddenly in the middle of the street and I tried to start it again. The engine purred but didn't pick up.

"What's happening?" Bym asked.

"I honestly don't know." I tried starting it again but it died after seconds of roaring to life.

"We're in the middle of a busy street, can you at least get it near the curb."

"Let me try that."

I could already hear cars behind me honking. I started the car again and then turned the steering wheel, turning the tires towards the curb. It moved sluggishly then stopped. I tried again and again until I was off the moving lane. I got out of the car and Bym joined me as I opened the bonnet. I saw several drivers looking at us and I bet they were thankful it wasn't happening to them.

"Everything looks fine," I said, there was no smoking, nothing.

"I don't know the first thing about cars, so I don't know for sure if you're right."

"I'll call my mechanic. Will you get back in the car?" I asked Bym who was still looking under the bonnet. I saw her touch a thing or two.

"No, I'll wait here."

I opened the door and got my handbag from the back seat.

"Damn," I said loudly when I got no response from the mechanic shop I was dialing. I called a second time then called again, no one answered.

"Hey, my car just broke down, can you get me any mechanic's number?" I said to Dave when he answered my call.

"Sure, I'll get back to you," Dave said and ended the call.

I got down from the car and joined Bym by the bonnet.

"Did you get anyone to help?"

"Yea, Dave is finding me a mechanic."

I kept checking my wrist watch as I waited for a message from Dave. I got my phone from my car and dialed Chike's number when I couldn't wait any longer.

"Sweet face," he answered.

"Hey, can you em...my car broke down somewhere. Can you help?"

"Sure, I work in an auto shop from time to time. Send me where you're stuck and I'll come with a tow truck in case I can't get it fixed on the spot."

"Thanks." I exhaled loudly and motioned for Bym to get in the car.

"Did he get any?" Bym asked still talking about Dave, I didn't bother to correct her.

"Kinda, we should be out of here soon. I don't want dusk to fall while we're still here, it's risky."

"You're safe with me, no one is getting near us."

I looked at her and smiled. "What are you going to do? Slap them with your bag?"

Bym laughed and said, "You'd be surprised how effective that can be."

We got out of the car when a tow truck parked in front of the car. What in the world was he wearing? I asked myself when I saw Chike dressed in yellow overalls. I cringed when he walked towards me.

"Is that your mechanic?" Bym asked as Chike walked towards the car.

"Yes," I sort of whispered.

"What do you need?" Chike asked without sparing me a glance.

"I need you to check what the problem is," I answered.

"Let's see." He unbuttoned his overall and rolled the top to his waist, leaving his upper body covered in a tight singlet.

"Wow," Bym said as he bent to check under the bonnet.

She was looking at him like he was a treat and she was a starved child. Chike spent quite some time checking things. Bym was beside him and I saw her trail her palm over his bicep. I went to her side and took her arm, and she followed me to the back of the car.

"What?" she asked.

"Tone it down, he doesn't like being objectified."

"He's hot."

"You're fucking married, act like it," I snapped and went back to join Chike.

"I need to fix it in the workshop, you can't drive it anywhere today," Chike said, still not meeting my eyes.

"That won't be a problem," I said.

Why was he in a such a bad mood? I silently willed him to look at me but he went to the driver in the tow truck. I waited as Chike got the car towed with the help of the driver. Bym was standing beside me asking unnecessary questions.

"I don't know," I answered her when she asked if she could get Chike's number.

Why was she so thirsty? We were somewhat a wild group back in our Uni. days but kids and husbands came along and all that stopped. I never knew Bym was still boy crazy. When Chike came around, Bym took his arm and I shook my head in disgust. Did I need to slap her to reset her brain? I wouldn't but the thought was amusing.

"Can I have your number? In case I need your services," she said.

"Sure," Chike replied.

I got an Uber while watching Bym and Chike interact, he was laughing as she spoke. She wasn't even funny. Was she his type? Did he have a type? I was confused. Why wouldn't he even look at me?