My money was all that was invested in the clothing line, I'd refused Dave's input. But his support had gone a long way, he had been extremely helpful. He was my employee, I knew that as did he but he treated my business like it was his. I followed him to the dressing room and we went about getting the models out of their clothes.

Bym, Zola, Amaka and Trent came into the dressing room each holding a bottle of champagne and plastic cups. I smiled when they popped the bottles and shared the drinks around to the models. Some were getting makeup off their faces and others were back in a dressing robe getting ready to leave.

"Thanks everyone for doing an outstanding job. Prints N Patterns loves and appreciates you," Trent said and gave me a cup.

I saw Chike walk out after taking off my clothes and wearing his again. I sighed and placed the drink Trent gave me on the dressing table, Amaka's arm came around my neck and I pecked her. Dave and Bym avoided each other, they never got along so they were never in the same circle together. Dave was arranging the outfits into a large travel bag, obviously ignoring the drinking going on.

The models started leaving one at a time and the room became less stuffy. The makeup artists were packing up their kits and I went over and hugged each of them, including the lady that was flirting with Chike. She did an outstanding job and I wasn't going to hold a grudge for her little mishap. When the room got clearer as the hair stylists also left, I stood with the girls and watched them as they talked about the highlights of the night and their favorite outfits.

Moyo came into the room, and I followed her out when she said she was leaving.

"That was really impressive," she said.

She was a lecturer at the University of Lagos so she was going to be needing few clothes from my collection, I was certain of that.

"Thanks. Send me the clothes you liked so I can deliver them to you," I said when we got closer to her car.

"Don't bother. I'm going to be ordering them from the website, I'm not getting them for free."

"No, you're family."

"That's the more reason to pay for it, don't argue. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, my regards to your husband and my nephews."

"You need to think about adding kids collection," she said as she opened the car.

I laughed and thought about it. "That can be added as time goes on, it's all depending on how successful the collection gets."

"Alright, night. Don't stay up late," Moyo said.

She was only few years older than I was, so it was confusing whenever she spoke to me like her child and not her sister.

"I've heard. Night."

Moyo got into the car and I shut the door for her. I stepped back to allow her drive out of the parking lot, and I waved as she honked then walked back towards the dressing room. I was on my way there when I got stopped by the girl from the ball, she was with Chike and when I looked down, their hands were intertwined. Wasn't he done making me jealous? She didn't fit into his type that I had formulated in my head, she was almost as petite as I was but younger.

"You're so awesome, and your dresses are fire. I'm going to be telling my friends about them. I already ordered some from the website and thanks for helping me the other day. I'm Agnes, you remember? The girl with the zip problem."

She was talking so fast, but I was glad she reintroduced herself. I was bad with names, Chike might call that snobbish but it wasn't.

"You two have met?" Chike asked, shaking his head as he looked at the dark sky.

"Yea, she helped me with my zip at the ball dad hosted," Agnes said.

"Just my luck," Chike murmured.

"This is Chike, my family friend. He doesn't know it yet but he's my future husband," Agnes said, she looked at Chike and beamed.

How old was she anyway? 16? I remembered she said something about her dad hosting the ball, that was the Governor who also happened to be Chike's godfather. I understood why she had her hopes high, rich families marrying each other wasn't news. I looked at Chike and he was rubbing his face.

"Thanks for coming. I'm glad you came and your patronage is well appreciated. I need to go now," I said.

Chike had obviously invited her along. To spite me? I knew he could be an asshole but this, this was unacceptable.

"Okay. We'll see you some other time," Agnes said, still beaming.

I went to the dressing room and joined my friends.

"Where have you been? We have to leave," Trent said, getting up from the chair in front of the vanity.

They all had kids and husbands to go home to and it was dark already so I understood the urgency.

"I was delayed by a customer. I'll see you guys off, thanks for coming. I love you," I said.

"Just wait behind. You've been stressed enough, we'll find our way," Zola said, my ever insightful friend.

"Alright." I was truly beat and I needed to put my feet up. My bones wear weary.

I hugged the girls and sat in the seat Trent vacated when they left. Dave was by my side and his head was on the table.

"I need to book us an appointment at the spa. This has been very challenging."

"Yea," I agreed, "You can leave."

"And you?"

"After you. Let's get the bags into the truck first. Are you going to the office first or going home straight?"

"I'll go home straight. I'll drop the clothes at the dry cleaner on my way to work on Monday, then we can focus on delivering the ordered outfits."

"Alright." I stood from the chair. "Where are the interns? I didn't really see anyone today."

"They were behind the scenes. I told them to distribute flyers to the shoppers in the center. You know some people just came to shop and hang out?"

"Yea. That's smart, but they could have been here to see how these things go."

"Lola was here earlier. I didn't want them here this late."

I was a much stricter boss than Dave, he was really in charge of the interns and he was taking things easy with them. I didn't voice my disapproval, we could talk about it some other time. Dave lifted one hand of the large bag and I lifted the other.

"I hope the truck is close by?" I asked.

"It is."

Dave was the one with muscle. I was just a skinny lady, and I had no energy left in me to carry those bags to a long distance. Only if the interns had waited behind, I thought wishfully. I heard a knock at the door and looked at Dave who shrugged when our eyes met. I went to the door and opened it, Chike was outside and he started talking but paused when he noticed Dave standing by the bags.

"Let me help with those," he said.

I wasn't going to argue, if helping made him feel less guilty then that was good for me. "Thanks," I said.

Chike and Dave carried the bags out while I waited for them in the dressing room. They returned and Dave gave me a hug before finally leaving. I was left all alone with Chike and I got my handbag and carryon.

"Don't you have a future wife to get home to?" I asked, looking at him when he just stood staring at me.

He drew closer and took the bag and carryon from me. I raised my brows at him.

"No, I don't. It was a joke, she's like twenty-two anyway and she's family."

"And the makeup artist you were flirting with right in front of me? That was low even for you." I folded my arms and Ckike dropped the bags on the floor.

"Why didn't you call?" he asked, taking my arms to straighten them.

"I wasn't sure you were going to answer."

"You should have. Also, I wasn't flirting with her, she was flirting with me. But since you don't like it, it won't happen again."

I was happy to hear that. "Alright."

"Can I?" he asked.

He was beside me and I could feel his hand on my side zip. I nodded, and he pulled the tab down before pulling off the bralette.

"I missed you," Chike said, his mouth was on the mole on my neck as he palmed one breast.

He carried me to the table and I almost wept when he kissed me. I hated when we fought, I held on tightly to his shirt. I didn't want to ever let him go. It was at that moment I knew I was done for. I couldn't deny it any longer, I had feelings for him. We were different on every level and aspect but I liked him, even too much for my own peace of mind. It was not just sex anymore. I didn't know how it happened, I couldn't even say when it did. I just knew. My lips stilled as he kissed me. Chike must have noticed my demeanor because he stopped and looked at me.

"Are you okay?"

My eyes were already brimming with tears. I hugged him and let them fall. He hugged me back and stroked my hair softly.

"What's the matter, sweet face?" Chike asked when I kept crying.

I sniffed and wiped my eyes with my fingers. "I don't know, I think it's all the stress from running around for the fashion show," I said, making up a different excuse.

I knew I was in real trouble. We never really talked about the specifics or rules of our relationship but I knew we weren't meant to fall in love. All we did was have sex, no more no less.

"It's over now," he said when I kept crying.

When I stopped, he got me my bralette and I put it back on. I climbed down from the table and he got my bag and carryon. We both left the dressing room and walked towards my car, Chike got in with me.

"Will you go home with me?" I asked him.

We could be together one last time before I ended things. I didn't want a relationship and he once said having a girlfriend was too much work. I had to end things before I fell in deeper.

"I can't. I have a voice training session to get to."

"Okay," I said. I was disappointed he wasn't leaving with me. In his defense, he couldn't have known I was planning our last rendezvous.

He took my right hand and kissed my palm. "I'll see you soon though. I'll call you, don't miss too much."

I smiled and nodded. One last time. After I saw him one last time, I'd end things.

"Get some rest also, sweet face."

"I will. Thanks for showing up."

Chike left the car and I drove off. I didn't bother undressing or getting under the shower when I got home, I climbed into bed and slept as soon as my head hit the pillows.