“It's my father!” Niyi exclaimed. He could feel his heart beat faster than the ticking time itself. Yes, he was that terrified of his father. Satan could not scare him as much as his father could.

Elijah had inched back from the phone, acting like the mere look at it could scorch him.

“We are so dead,” Niyi muttered.

“We will be six feets under if you don't answer.”

“Why should I answer? You are closer to the phone?”

“Am I the only he is calling? Abeg, answer him o.”

Shaking, Niyi picked up his phone and answered the call. He set the call on speaker.

“What took you so long to answer?” His father barked.

Cowering, he came up with an excuse, “I was in the bathroom.”

“Is Elijah not in the house?”

“Ah sir, I just came back from the market,” Elijah quickly said. “Good afternoon sir.”

“What about the girl? Sewa?” He asked.

“She is fine, sir,” Niyi said.

“Anyway, I called to inform you to bring her to Chief Davidson's party on Saturday. Don't even dare think about bringing me a fake woman because I will know.” And he disconnected the call leaving the two boys tensed.

Niyi kicked the table and groaned in annoyance. “What sort of rubbish is this one now?”

“We are so dead.”

“Let's just tell him she didn't believe us and didn't want to come along.”

Elijah gave him a look that he didn't like. Niyi rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Get the fuck out of my house!”

The two men jumped as she slammed the door on their faces.

All it took was a knock, a request, an explanation and pleadings to receive that terrifying reaction.

This is exactly why Niyi never deals with women. They are like ticking bombs waiting to explode; and they explode every freaking time.

“Well, we tried. Let's go live the last days of our lives.”

Elijah cursed and tried to rub the fearful expression off his face.

“Let's go.”

“Shake it off. Shake it off,” Sewa mumbled to herself. She didn't need the bad vibes those disgusting boys brought. What she needs to do is quickly prepare for the event.

She placed a book on the lap and twirled the pen with her fingers. What should she prepare? What's in vogue now?

It's going to be an elaborate party for wealthy people.

Okay, I'll prepare a couple of local and foreign dishes, she thought to herself.

*

After days of preparing, the day of the event finally arrived. Nervous, Sewa observed as the uniformed waiters saileed into the hall. Each group of two carried silver platters aloft and placed them in the open kitchen area.

"Sewa Ade?"

Sewa turned at the soft questioning voice and met the person's gaze "Hello?"

The woman greeted with a smile and brought forward her hand, "I am Danielle, the event planner. Funmi told me about you and your catering service."

"Oh hi, Danielle." She took the woman's hand and shook it. Sewa suddenly felt shy in the older woman's presence. She carried herself with an elegant and proud posture and her dress made Sewa feel out of place. While the woman don on a purple floor length chiffon dress, Sewa wore a short green dress.

"May I taste your dishes?"

Sewa could feel the distrust and doubt  from the woman's expression. Perhaps she had someone in mind to prepare the dishes.

"Of course," said Sewa and served her a small plate of the ogbono soup. There was no expression on her face as Danielle continued to take a spoon of each dish.

"You are quite good. Do you have a business card?"

"Uh Uhm...yes," She stuttered and quickly recovered. She searched her purse for the only business card she had and handed it to the woman.

"It would be nice to work with you again." The woman gave her an approving smile and excused herself with a short wave.

Sewa gaped after her. Danielle had said she would love to work with her again! Grinning, she fought hard to keep from jumping and squealing.

"Sewa!" Rose scented perfume filled the air as arms wrapped around her.

"Oh my gosh, Funmi!"

The two squealed, drawing attention from the people around them.

"It is so good to see you again," Sewa commented.

"I know. I'm amazing." Funmi flipped her long braided hair over her shoulder.

"And thank you so much for this opportunity. Danielle said she would love to work with me again."

"You deserve it. Your meals are the best."

"Sewa?"

The two women turned their attention from each other to the man intruding their conversation.

Sewa could feel her smile turn into a frown as she regarded her ex-friend.

"What are-"

"Oh my gosh! Elijah, is that you? It's been a while."

"Hi, Funmi." The two hugged. "Hi, Sewa."

"How do you two know each other?" Funmi asked, holding on to Elijah's arm.

"We used to live in the same neighborhood."

"Wow, what a small world," Funmi commented.

Sewa trained her glare on Elijah. "How do you two know each other and what are you doing here?"

"Oh, we met at a friend's party in the U.S and became friends. I invited him," Funmi said with a excited smile.

"Come. Let's go meet my mom." Elijah gave her a pleading look as Funmi dragged him away.

"The world really is small."

"You too?!" Sewa exclaimed, stricken by the appearance of the scammer.

"Hi to you too. I do not understand how you are here but I don't care. We need to change you out of that," Niyi pointed at her dress in distaste, "into something spectacular."

"Why would you care about my dress? How do you have money to get a dress?"

"My father will be here soon and we do not want to give him a terrible impression of you, right?"

"Go to hell! I do not believe you."

"Do not make this harder for either of us."

"Niyi? I didn't know you were in town," Funmi came back with a distressed Elijah.

"You know him too? He is trying to kidnap me."

Funmi chortled and playfully hit her arm. "What are you talking about? Niyi and kidnapping? That's ridiculous."

"Thank you! My father wants to meet her."

Funmi frowned as she looked at the two of them.

"I don't know and you know how he can be."

Funmi turned pale. She released her grip on Elijah's arm and dragged Sewa's to the door. "Babe, you are meeting a big man and you are wearing that? You need to change. ASAP!"

"Thank you!" Niyi exclaimed as he followed behind.

"What about the dishes?"

"Danielle will handle it," Funmi snapped.