Chapter 3: Meeting Nigeria's Most Eligible Bachelor.

Tiana slowly walked out of the campus, careful not to trip on herself. Cursing herself for not riding her bike to school this morning, it’d enabled her to get to the Island faster.

Lagos State wasn’t just called the centre of excellence for nothing. It had everything in full; arrays of choices to be made, uncountable number of people pillaging the highway both on foot and on vehicles, foul smells characterized many of the bus stations and traffic congestion was the order of the day on most highways. Approaching Iyana-Iba, a popular bus-stop known for its notoriety, she checked the time on her wristwatch. It was already 1:50 P.M which meant she could be stuck on the road as it was a pretty late time to ply the highways in Lagos. Especially for a drive from the Mainland of Lagos to the Island. Waiting at the bus-stop for the public commuter bus, she quietly observed how people hurried about their affairs. The highways which were supposed to be for motorists only were now shared by traders of different wares. Hawkers running with renewed vigour between the clusters of vehicles so they could get their wares sold couldn’t be ignored, everything and anything was peddled on the highways. There was even a joke that one could buy anything even humans in the traffic congestion in Lagos.  

Lagos State had been divided by heaven knows who into two parts. The Island section covered the serene, lush and beautiful environment such as Victoria Garden City, characterized by grandeur. Basking in the calmness of this section made one felt one was on vacation outside the shores of Nigeria. Little wonder, the mahatma in the state resided there. Those who wanted the feel and show of affluence fought tooth and nail to get a single room apartment there and it was also where all the big job opportunities were. 

The Mainland covered the slums, ghettos, outskirts and suburbs. The worst of human characters were found here, the highways filled with ugly potholes and evil ditches where one’s car could get stuck once there was a downpour. Despite all the atrocious and deficient characters the mainland was known for; it was the perfect get-away and hide-out from anyone, even the Police. It had the best brains, many big names in the country started from here. It had bred an adamant and strong headed set of people who’d never give up on themselves as they went through all the hassles urban life had to offer with a smile. A smile that would make the dying have hope of living again. 

While waiting for her ride, Tiana clutched her bag tightly to her side, this particular bus-stop was known as the hub for pick-pocketers who didn’t mind picking people too if given the chance. Not that she’d mind a good chase if any fellow stepped on her lane, it’d delay her for the interview she was already late for. 

She jumped into a bus that headed straight to Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos, of course after fifteen harrowing minutes of waiting without bargaining, they could do that on the way. She grew up in Lagos and she’d discovered very early that agility was the recipe to surviving in Lagos. In no time the bus got filled and the bus driver sped away only then did she get the stale smell of alcohol…the driver was drunk! She watched with consternation as the maniac drunk zoomed past other motorists and potholes without a care in the world, cursing heavily at the passengers who tried to talk him into slowing down. Not like she cared, her injuries would heal up quickly but there were people who could get hurt. She breathed heavily when he finally pulled, she still had about an hour more to spare and she thought of how favourable his drunken state was to her.

The company, Sean Corporation was sited along Trey’s Avenue and the view of the high-rise was magnificent. Tiana strode through the gates of Sean Corporation confidently, pausing to soak in the sparse yet classy environment, her nostrils flared in response as a distinct, poignant scent hit her nostrils immediately. She could neither explain nor fathom what her senses picked yet she wanted to get to it. It was strong, distinct and wonderful and Luna Bella was purring happily.

“What’s wrong?” Tiana asked her.

“You wouldn’t want to know.” Luna Bella returned with a hint of mischief.

“Then keep quiet!” Tiana said irritated.

“Oh, I will.” Luna Bella replied and kept purring.

“It’s useless arguing with yourself.” Tiana admitted, seconds later.

Luna Bella chuckled,“You just discovered?” 

Tiana felt the urge to get the source of that scent but that would mean losing…losing valuable time which she needed for the interview. She checked her watch, she had fifteen minutes left, who knows she could get lucky and get to the source of it later, she thought, taking purposeful strides to the double glass doors and pushed them open. While waiting for her turn, she retrieved her phone from her bag to resume her favourite game 'CHOICES' but the scent…that fresh wood scent mixed with grass got her distracted, a continuous reminder of the scent of her favourite animal in the world, Wolves! And that reminded her, it’d been six months since she last visited the zoo. After an horrible hour of being distracted, she threw the phone into her bag and as if on cue the front desk lady announced immediately.

“Tariana Edi Mante is next.”

She opened the door with confidence and walked into what was clearly a boardroom, it was empty save for a lady of about thirty, dressed in a crisp suit, engrossed with the folder she was scanning. Tiana stood patiently for an eternity…in reality it was mere seconds before the lady lifted her head.

“Oh! You’re still standing.” She said shocked,“Please sit.” She announced, gesturing to the chair across her.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Tiana replied, taking the offered chair and faced her with apprehension. Observing the lady’s beauty, a weird emotion ran through her, she’d never be as classy or beautiful as the lady and she realized seconds later that she was jealous she’d never match this lady in the looks department.

“Name?” The lady asked, skimming through the many folders on the table.

“Tariana Edi Mante.” Tiana replied and gasped when the door flew open, the scent that had her distracted since she stepped in the company hit her nostrils strongly, making her brain woozy immediately. She melted like butter spread on hot, fresh from the oven bread as the owner’s rich raspy baritone voice broke into her head.

“I’ll take it from here.” He announced with authority, the aura around him carrieda certain dominance.

Luna Bella purred happily,“Come on look at him, he can’t be hideous with that voice.”

“We can’t Bell, it’s rude.” Tiana replied.

“Then just sneak a peek, we’re going to kiss him today, whether you like it or not.”

“Keep quiet! ” Tiana snarled playfully,“You want us to kiss a man we just met?” She questioned, stunned at her wolf’s suggestion. Luna Bella had suggested they would kiss a man, not that it was gross…

“But Rico, you have other things to do.” Madam Classy and Beautiful replied. 

“I know, I’ll be working with any of them, so I should do the interviews myself.” Rico countered, closing distance and sat on a chair directly facing the human.

Tiana didn’t even notice him move, she only saw his hand outstretched to collect the file from the Lady…his swiftness was beyond normal, It was supernatural. And oh! She studied the man in front of her. She couldn’t believe she was facing the much heard, the most gossiped about, tabloid cover, most cute, hottest bachelor in the country, the thirty-five year old man who’d built a business empire from scratch and the President of Sean Corporation, Enrique Sean.

The tabloids had done no justice at all in their description of him. He had strong masculine features—a square, rugged jaw coated with day-old stubble on ebony skin, a straight, prominent nose. His hair cropped and gelled, he must have a unique hair stylist. She was sure behind the two piece designer suit he wore, the brand of which she didn’t know was a mass of finely chiseled muscles of abs ad flesh…she’d also need her fashion diviner, Emmaline’s help identify his suit brand and she sincerely hoped in the near future her sister would become a fashion line owner.

Back to the man making her all soft inside, if she wanted to be employed today, she needn’t fan-girl over him. He must have been sculpted on a different day, maybe a holiday, she wanted to be in those large hands, she was attracted to not just his voice but his person as well and the feeling got her overwhelmed. She has never been attracted to any guy, not even her blind-dates, but this one was different. He raised his head from the file and their eyes met…and how she wanted to run her fingers through his hair as he kissed her. Wait a minute! Did she just say kissed? She groaned and face-palmed herself mentally when Luna Bella affirmed it immediately. She stared into his sleepy but intense sharp, brilliant black eyes, she felt a sense of security with him and she saw it flashed…for a moment, his eyes were pure silver. She felt vulnerable at his piercing gaze, he gave her his signature smile, the one she’d always seen in the tabloids.

“Are you alright?” He demanded tenderly.

She forced a smile and nodded,“I don’t think I’ll be alright with those beautiful eyes staring at me.” She said to herself.

“Neither can I.” Luna Bella completed with longing in her voice,"He is ours."

She saw his head bend once more to peer at the file, he closed it, pushed it away and reclined in the chair probably to get comfortable and show her he was the boss.

“Tariana Edi Mante right?” He asked.

“Really?!” Max snapped at him in disbelief.

“What?!” Rico questioned, confused.

“Is that what you just said to our mate?” Max chided him.

“What should I have said?!” He snapped, sarcastic.

“Yes…everyone calls me Tiana, Sir. I don’t really like going by my full name.” He heard her say nervously, oh and he felt it.