Siri

Third person's POV

OlaOluwa Badmus, popularly known as Laolu Makanaki is a Nollywood and multiple award winning Actor who also has a nice voice and has done features with a couple of musician. Playing Lover Boy is never a challenge to him because he was born into a home where love was treated like salt. You just gotta have it in the house.

His parents, Olawole and Olaronke were good Christians and secondary school sweethearts who at first did not support him acting on TV because they felt he could do something better with his life especially being the first born and because they knew as a Christian, Nollywood might turn you into what you are not supposed to be, but with time they became his biggest fan, praying for him and his salvation and went to his premiere whenever they were free and close by.

Fast forward to present...

Laolu's POV

The water ran down my taut body as I ruminated on the things I still needed to do before the day ended.

I wish I could take a break but actors are just like musicians, after the first big break, your audience expects more and being both, I just have to give it to them.

I switched the tap off, cutting short the supply of water and I grabbed one of my freshly laundered white towels that my housekeeper, Folake, keeps in my bathroom.

I tied one round my waist concealing my most private part and slung a smaller one around my neck. I stepped into my bedroom and headed for my walk-in closet.

Standing in front of the mirror, I dried my face and hair and DJ Neptune's "Nobody" decided to steal the silence in my room as it blared loudly from my iPhone 12, a sleek piece of technology that I adored. Tobi calling, it displayed

Sue me. We boys just gotta love our toys.

I picked up my phone and placed it on loud speaker while I walked back to my closet to get dressed.

"Hey Man, you ready yet?"

"I am almost ready. Where you dey?"

"I dey go Yetunde's side. I need you to be at Radisson Blue before we get there."

"I will definitely get there before you. You know how you lovers get when you meet with each other."

"How do we get?"

"Let's just say once you see Yetty, you can't keep your hands to yourself."

"If you were in my shoes, you wouldn't either. Who's going to be your date tonight?"

"No date, Bro. I'm coming by myself and leaving alone."

"This could be your chance to hook up with someone. Several people would be at the party tonight, I can assure you that."

"And I don't think I will be interested. I am coming because of Yetty, no more, no less."

"All right. Be headstrong about it then. See you soon."

"Don't forget to use condoms."

"Get off my phone, Man!" Tobi said ending the call and I placed my phone on my vanity table and finished my dressing. Black denim with sky blue dress shirt. Pressed some cologne. Got my kicks on and picked up my phone and wallet. I took one last check in the mirror and stepped out of my room.

I picked up my car key and went down the penthouse into my garage. I looked at my toys, Venza, Benz and Evil Spirit. I chose the white Benz, got in and off I went.

* * * * *

As I drove into Radisson Blue's parking lot, I sighted the paparazzi with their sleazy cameras slung round their necks. Okay, two can play the game. I checked my look in the mirror again and exited the car quietly. Even though I could not see myself, I knew that I looked good enough to be hounded by those sperm thirsty creatures inside and outside. I called my right-hand man, Frank, who I had initially given the night off but he insisted he was going to be at the party with his girlfriend so he was partially on duty. He cleared me to take the back exit and I did.

Once I was safely inside, I took a picture and posted it online. Captioned it, 'Turn up for Yetty Diva.'

As I mingled with the crowd, trying to find the birthday girl and her boyfriend who is my best friend, my phone was blowing up with comments. They were trying to figure out how I entered the hall without any recognition.

I finally caught up with Tobi about ten minutes later.

"Bro, how far na?"

"When did you arrive?"

"Oh! Not quite long. Where's our birthday girl?"

"Right on time. She's coming our way." Tobi said smiling as he faced his girlfriend and I slipped to the other side to get her gift from Frank. I could see some ladies eyeing me but I paid them no attention and found my way back to Tobi and Yetty.

"Hey baby." Yetty said as she stepped into her lover's embrace and they kissed not before Tobi murmured,

"Hey yourself."

"Can you guys keep the mushiness to yourself or get a room please?" I asked, wrinkling my nose as her eyes registered my presence and she left aq Tobi's arms for mine. She sputtered as she took me in,

"Laolu! OMG! Laolu, you are here!"

"Yes, I came to see our future Mrs Kosoko and to wish her a big happy birthday."

"Thank you for coming."

"And here is your birthday gift."

"You got me Christian Louboutin!"

"You are welcome."

"As a thank you, I am taking you to meet someone. Come on."

I looked to Tobi for help but his eyes were trained at nothing spectacular on the floor and I tried to save myself from Yetty's meddling.

"I don't think that is necessary. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday. I will be leaving soon."

"More reason why you should meet her. Come now, don't be shy!" Yetty said and dragged (and I seriously mean drag) I and her boyfriend to the left part of the hall.

As we got nearer to her 'thank you', she said,

"Hey, be nice."

She let go of our hands and called out to a black lady whose back was bare and turned.

"Siri?"

Black hourglass shaped woman turned at once and we got a full view of her. Well, I will admit she is interesting to the eye. Her dress was fitted showing all her curves appropriately but there was still a sexiness somewhere in the mix. Make-up minimal. Cool.

"Our birthday girl, we never see you for stage na."

"I gaz welcome some people before the party start." She replied her and then face me,

"Siri, you suppose sabi Laolu na, Laolu Makanaki, the actor and of course, my boyfriend, Tobi Kosoko."

"Yeah, yeah, I do. I was just waiting for a proper introduction. I no wan dey jump." She said and then shook our hands saying,

"Hi, I am Siri-Egbo Oghene."

"It's nice to see you again, Siri." Tobi said and I said,

"Nice to meet you, Miss Oghene."

"Oh! Call me Siri. Miss Oghene is reserved for my old unmarried aunt." She corrected smiling.

"Oh! Okay." I said.

"We have to go. So, you guys enjoy yourself and the party." Yetty said and she and Tobi left, leaving me and the black girl alone. How do I get outta this? Or do I just go with the flow?

The party started with the emcee talking about the birthday girl. Then throwback pictures of Yetty were displayed on a large screen. After which Tobi went upstage with his guitar to play her his own version of Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

I know what you are all thinking, Tobi is into business, he likes playing the guitar only during his leisure time even though he is quite good at it. Whenever he is teased about making a career out of it, he jokes around saying, he already gave me his celebrity status and if he becomes popular, no one would watch me again.

Stupid right?