Dancing with Chike at the ball was one of the few times I relished in not being popular. When he took me to the gleaming dance floor and pulled me to his chest, no one cared that I took several seconds before pulling back. And when his hand cupped my buttocks, no one noticed that I grounded against him.

"Stop doing that," Chike purred into my ear.

"Likewise," I replied. "You look magnificent," I said, trying to hold my hand still so they didn't wander across his chest on their own accord.

"Thank you. I think this is the first time you've openly complimented me or my clothing," Chike said as we moved along to the musician's melody.

"A simple 'thank you' would have sufficed. I didn't know you owned a tux."

"I didn't know either. I love your dress by the way."

"Thanks."

"I just can't wait to rip it off."

"Stop," I whispered as my mind went straight to the gutters.

"Are you going home tonight?"

"No. I'm staying at a hotel."

"Can I come see you when this ends?"

"You can. I'll send you the hotel name and my room number."

Chike spun me around and I giggled as my hand grabbed his arm to keep from tripping.

"I'll be expecting it. Let's go meet some rich folks," he said as the song ended.

I left the dance floor with Chike and he started off by introducing me to a couple that I later found out owned a large tech company. I smiled politely as they chatted with Chike and I answered the few questions thrown at me.

"They're filthy rich," Chike said when we left their side.

"How do you know them?" I was obviously surprised.

"I worked for them. Allow me to introduce you to the Obis'."

Chike moved on to another couple before I could further question him.

"Young man, it's been years," The person who looked like the patriarch of the family said to Chike when we got to their side.

A woman closed to his age was by his side, she looked like his wife and beside her were two other young teenage boys who resembled the man.

"Yes, sir. I've been busy," Chike said, bowing slightly as he shook the man's hand.

"Who's this gorgeous lady?" his beaming wife asked before we were introduced.

"Jade, she's a friend."

"What do you do, my dear?" The woman asked, eyeing my outfit.

I could tell she was mentally appraising me. "I'm a celebrity stylist," I answered.

My answer seemed to please her because she nodded. I spoke with her for few minutes, complimenting her dress and talking about the latest fashion before Chike spotted someone else and dragged me along with him.

"Slow down. We're moving so fast I'm not sure I'm making an impression."

Chike paused. "Don't you want to meet the governor?"

"How do you know the governor?"

"I used to work for him."

Same answer as the last two. Chike must have worked for everyone in the room, I was intrigued. "What exactly did you do for them?"

"Different jobs. Do you want to question me or network?"

"I just find it surprising, that's all. I'd like to be introduced to the governor."

I was led to where the governor was and I was so intimidated that I got tongue tied. Chike answered most of the questions thrown my way while discreetly rubbing my back. I didn't know how he knew the governor, and I wasn't buying his explanations, it sounded too farfetched. I nodded as the people gathered around the governor talked about random things.

We left the group and I joined Dave who was surrounded by people within our age range. I introduced myself to them and I smiled as they cracked drunk jokes. Chike whispered into my ear that he needed to talk privately with someone. He left and Dave came to my side, he held my arm in the crook of his as we walked together to our table.

"I can't say I did as well as you but I made prospective clients," Dave said.

"You did better."

"Huh? I saw you with the Governor."

"I was just another face. I'm sure he won't remember anything about me after tonight."

"That bad, huh?"

"I couldn't speak, I was so overwhelmed." We got to our table and sat.

"But we had a good time. You saw your...you know. I don't know what he is."

"Just call him Chike. He's not my anything."

I picked another glass of champagne from the server passing by.

"I need to use the bathroom," I said, emptying my glass content before leaving.

"I'll be waiting here," Dave said.

I walked into the bathroom and saw several women talking and using the sink. I joined them and took out the compact powder from my clutch then dusted some on my face with the puff.

"This is so embarrassing. Of all the time for this to happen, can you imagine?" a lady sitting on the couch far from the sink said.

"You'll have to stay here until after the ball. I can't fix the zip," another lady standing beside her replied.

"Let me take a look," I said when I saw them both puffing and sweating from stressing over a zip.

"There's no need, I've tried everything," the one standing said, looking at me with skepticism on her face.

"Let her look," the lady with the zip problem said.

I went behind her and found out her zip was worn out. I could easily fix it so I bent down and got to work.

"Do you have a razor or scissors? I need to cut the zip," I asked.

"Oh no, you can't. It's an Oscar de la Renta dress," the distressed girl said.

"You can replace the zip after the party, but I can leave if you're okay staying here all night," I stood from my squatting position and took my clutch.

"Okay, do it," she gave in.

I took the blunt razor I was offered and tore the tooth of the zip, fixing it as I entered the torn tooth into the slider before I pulled the tab all the way up.

"Done. You need to get it fixed though, this can only last for tonight." I stood and beamed down at her.

"Thank you so very much, I don't know what I would have done without you. What's your name?" she asked.

"Jade Collins."

"I'm Agnes, and this is my friend, Judy." She pointed to her friend who was now smiling.

"Thank you," the friend introduced as Judy said.

"It was no problem," I replied.

"My dad is the one hosting the ball. Who did you come with?" Agnes asked.

"I was invited," I answered.

"Really? I've never come across your name, what do you do?"

"I'm a celebrity stylist."

"Oh, okay," Agnes said tonelessly.

"You girls have fun," I said and walked out of the bathroom.

"Just the person I was looking for," Kola said as I stepped out of the bathroom.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you stalking me?"

He took my arm in his as we walked to the hall. "I need you not to say anything to Cynthia," Kola said.

I stopped walking and looked him dead in the eyes. "Do you actually think I care about you or who you're sleeping with enough to tell your wife? I'm just glad I was spared the STI."

I had cried for him when he left and now I could see he was never going to change from his cheating ways. I walked away and went to the table I left Dave, and he wasn't there. I was getting tired of the party as I sat by myself drinking champagne.

Frankly, the ball wasn't what I expected it to be. Everyone was mostly stuck up and kept to their circle. I wasn't making new friends or networking. The few people I was introduced to would never need my services, I was sure of that. Chike was nowhere to be found and I didn't want to get cornered again by Kola.

I texted Dave to tell him I was leaving, and I left the party in the car we came in when I didn't get a reply from him. I jumped into bed once I got into my room. I was too tired to undress, and I buried myself underneath the thick, fluffy duvet. My phone beeped as I stifled a yawn and I saw a message from Chike asking where I was. I texted him my hotel name and room number then tried to keep my eyes from shutting as I waited for him.

When I heard a knock, I walked unsteadily to the door and let Chike in.

"Sweet face, you left," he said.

"I wasn't enjoying it and I'm tired. I did few jobs before attending the ball."

"My poor baby. Let's get you out of this dress then."

Chike helped me with the zip and I peeled the dress off, dumping it on the chair. He stripped also and carried me to the bathroom. I was enjoying being looked after, I caressed his chest as we waited for the tub to get filled. I moaned when the foamy water covered my body as I got into the tub. Chike got in after me and washed my body, delicately scrubbing the day's stress off my skin.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked as he washed my feet.

"So much better," I replied. I chuckled as his fingers tickled my foot. "You?"

"I feel good when I'm with you."

"Let's make that better."

I slid closer to him and took his face, kissing him as I settled into his arousal. I was too tired to go fast as Chike wrapped his hands around me. I shifted and settled deeper into him and just rocked lazily until we were both sated. My eyes drifted shut as Chike lifted me out of the tub and towel dried my glistening body.

"Thanks," I murmured as he settled behind me in bed.