Chapter 6

OMNISCIENT POV.

Tiana arrived back in her two bed room apartment tired. After interviewing him, she went back to the office to finish editing the interview she had with an actress and another business man. She dropped her bag on the couch then stripped out of her clothes. She went for a cold shower which helped her relax. She was so ready to sleep but she was famished.

She wore a big blue shirt she stole from Deji. She went to her fridge looking for what to eat. She didn't have energy to cook anything so just took out a box of cornflakes and poured it into a bowl adding milk,sugar and a glass of water.

She ate slowly thinking about her encounter with James earlier.

The sound of her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts. She checked the caller ID seeing it was Dera❤️✨ .She smiled answering,

Dera-Hey boooo.

Her-Business woman, how far?

Dera- I'm chilling how are you?

Her-Tired and stressed. (She sighed then said)you won't believe who I saw today.

Dera-Who? Who?

Her- You remember that guy I went home with when we went partying that night before graduation?

Dera-Yes!

Her- Yeah that guy. He looks more handsome now. Likeeeeeeee..

Dera- Ouuuuuuu, I want to see this guy shaaa.

Her- I will send you a picture of him.

She explained to Dera her day with him. Dera ate cookies listening to her intently and laughing here and there.

Dera-Send picture at the end of this call. Anyways Johnathan and I are going to the launch of one new hotel.

Her- You and Jonathan?

Dera-Relax it's just as friends. You know I still have a man.

Her-Okay okay, I might go too. How is your man? Hope he still treating you right?

Dera-Yeah but he's been real distant but I guess it's just work. If you need a dress for the event you know I got you.

Her- Thank you.When are you coming to Ibadan?

Dera- A day before the Launch.

Her-Okay bring something.

Dera - No wahaluddd.

They talked for a while then they both exchange 'goodbye' and 'i love you'.

After NYSC, Chidera opened a boutique through the help of her family. So she often travelled to different countries to get both Male And Female Clothes, Sneakers, Heels, Slides.

Her boutique was just really nice place which had varieties.

They both still talk to Aishat but she has really been busy.

After eating she was still hungry, like who eats cereal for dinner? She just went to her room and texted Tamara asking ifshe was okay.

She slept off waiting for her response. Tiana and Tamara both stayed in this apartment but Tamara went out of state for a work conference. Normally, if Tamara was around, she would have cooked already.

Tiana's lips turned downwards hearing her stomach grumble.

*****

Friday Night Launch Day..

"Is everything ready?" James asked his assistant, Amina, as they entered the car heading to the event.

"Yes sir,Your mum just arrived at the hotel." She answered going through her iPad as they both got seated in the car.

He sat in the car thinking about everything. He wasn't sure about launching the hotel in Ibadan because according to most people, it would have been profitable in Lagos.

He just hoped with all the promotion and this launch,he would be able to prove them wrong. He still had a classy restaurant in Lagos that was doing well and he was planning on opening another in Abuja.

This hotel was dedicated to His Dad. After his father died when he was 15,he had been working hard for his family and now he was glad each and everyone of his siblings were comfortable.

His mum and her sister, Aunty Kemi, were traveling from one country to another. His Elder sister, Ire, by two years, was married with a child.

His immediate sisters, the twins,Taiwo and Kehinde were both working and living their best life. His baby sister, Favor, just gained admission to a Private University in Osun State.

He always made sure to spoil her rotten and she never had to hustle for anything. He wasn't sure it was a good thing but he just wanted everyone to be comfortable.

"Good evening sir." He greeted the investors and business associates shaking their hands. He was greeting people and thanking them for coming.

He saw his friends, Daniel and Mustapha standing next to a few people.

"Business man." Daniel greeting with a dap. He chuckled greeting Mustapha.

"I'd like to introduce you to someone," Mustapha said as they walked towards Jonathan. "This is Jonathan, he works at the DEN Advertisement agency. Jonathan, this is James, the owner of all this."James gave him a firm handshake, his grip strong and confident. Jonathan took in his appearance, noting the black tailored suit and this whole aura seemed every bit of a successful man.

"Nice to meet you. Congratulations." Johnathan stated with a smile.

"Thank you." He replied with a sense of pride. As they discussed, they were interrupted.

"Sorry jare, Tiana was wasting time." A very annoyed Chidera interrupted them holding Tiana's hand while Tiana was looking for her phone in her bag.

"So these are my friends, Chidera and Christiana. Guys this is Daniel, Mustapha and James, the owner of this hotel." Johnathan introduced. Chidera smiled greeting all three men. She took an overlook at James remembering him from the picture Tiana had sent.

She looked at Tiana through the corner of her eye while they all shook hands and waved.

James gazed at Christiana, admiring how radiant she looked. The sleek black gown hugged her curves, accentuating her hourglass figure. The V-neck cut drew the eye to her delicate collarbone, while the slit at the side revealed a hint of leg. She carried a black Chanel bag and wore a twelve-inch jet black wig, the middle part framing her face. The whole ensemble exuded class and sophistication, and James seemed drawn to it.

"Nice to see you again, Congratulations." Christiana smiled at him shaking his hand. Her smile was so beautiful to him and contagious so he smiled."Thank you,you look beautiful."

Blushing at his compliment, she responded with a low thank you.

"Sir, it's time for your speech." Amina tapped on his shoulder whispering. He nodded looked at Christiana for a second as she mingled with his friends.

He went to the podium and started by Greeting everyone.

"Firstly I would like to thank God for making this possible.

When I was 15, I lost my dad and our family was really going it.

We had debts to pay from school, the loan my dad took to pay our school fees was still pending, we were literally owing everyday.

I saw my mum struggle having 5 children to take care of, there was no time to grieve for her.

At that age, I was thinking of just dropping out to look for something to do to help.

Do you know what my mum told me? She said are you stupid?

You must finish school, if I went to school we wouldn't be in this situation.

So I finished secondary school, finished university hustling here and there so even in school, I was already making money and sending to my mum.

As soon as I graduated, I already had money to start my first restaurant. I opened the restaurant in Lagos.

Then seeing how it was successful, I opened one here in Ibadan.

But I wanted more. I have always wanted to open a hotel and it's not easy as a restaurant. I had to work night and day studying everything and now with the help of God,all my business partners and family I have been able to achieve this.

So thank you all for your support here today, just being here and telling a friend means a lot to me.

So we open this hotel in the name of the father, son and Holy spirit."

He cut the ribbon with his mum, business partners and priest at his side. He smiled big, his mum looked at him with a proud smile as the photographer snapped the pictures. Everyone clapped, his sisters wipped their tears and went to hug him. He hugged each of them happy his dream had come true.