TRACY
The sun hung heavy over the compound — the kind of heat that pressed softly on the skin, making even the air glint. From the shared pool area of our high-end Lekki apartment complex, the faint murmur of the city felt unapproachable, softened by the gentle sound of rippling water.
Sonia and I had claimed our corner of the pool — wide-brimmed straw hats beside us, champagne chilling in a silver ice bucket, a small tray of cookies and fruit slices glinting in the light.
We weren't really swimming. We floated, laughed, and let the cool water soothe the warmth of the day, our voices mingling with the breeze.
I leaned against the pool edge, droplets glistening down my shoulders as I tilted my face toward the sun. "This weather, ehn... Lagos needs a reset. It's too hot to even think."
Sonia laughed, swirling the champagne in her glass. "At least we have this pool. Some people are fighting traffic under this sun. Imagine!"
I chuckled softly. "We thank God for small mercies."
For a while, we just sat there — two women cocooned in that kind of lazy weekend calm that feels like freedom.
Then Sonia sighed contentedly. "You know, sometimes I think about how far we've come. All the drama from our early twenties, the silly relationships, the crying, the confusion..."
I smiled, eyes half closed. "It feels like another lifetime."
"Exactly," Sonia said, grinning. "Now see us — stable, glowing, peaceful. I swear, my dad buying those two acres of land for me changed everything. It gave me a new kind of focus."
I turned to her, smiling warmly. "Your dad really came through. That's huge babe, that's huge."
She nodded proudly. "And I've decided — I want to build something real. Not just enjoy the money. I want to start a beauty brand. Something bold, something with class. And I want you in it with me."
I blinked, surprised. "Me?"
"Yes, you!" She laughed. "Who else? You have the eye, the taste, the marketing brain. I have the capital and connections. Together, we can build something big. Something that screams Lagos luxury for women."
My lips curved into a slow smile. "Hmm... a beauty store. I like it already. But what do we call it?"
Sonia tilted her head, thinking. "Something sleek. Not the usual names. Something that feels like it belongs in London or Dubai."
I swirled my fingers through the pool water, thinking aloud. "Maybe something simple... like Velvet Aura."
Sonia's eyes widened. "Velvet Aura?" She grinned, pointing. "That's it! That's the name. Babe, it even sounds rich."
We both laughed, excitement bubbling in their voices.
"You see, you have the brains my girl. With you in this business, we will make so much money." Sonia laughed and sipped her drink.
"Velvet Aura," I said dreamily. "A high-end beauty lounge — makeup, skincare, fragrances... the works."
"And champagne while you shop," Sonia added with a wink.
I giggled. "You know Lagos women will love that."
"Yes o, they love everything sharp and beautiful, and we're going to bring that to life my darling." She added.
Our laughter drifted across the water, light and genuine. For a few minutes, we let the future dance in our imagination — two friends dreaming of something beautiful and bright.
Then, as I reached for the champagne bottle to refill our glasses, my expression softened into a shy smile.
"I almost forgot," I said. "Eli surprised me last night."
Sonia raised a brow. "Surprised you how? Don't tell me he proposed already! You know you still owe me some gists about the nightclub a week ago."
I bursted into laughter. "No! Not yet. But soon. Do you know he booked a full trip for us — Maldives. Five days, ocean villa, everything planned."
Sonia's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Girl, that's serious! When?"
"We're leaving In two days," I said, my smile glowing now. "He's been talking about it for a while. Said he wanted us to have our first real getaway together — just us. He told me not to worry about anything, he's handled it all."
Sonia leaned closer, grinning. "That's romantic! Maldives, of all places."
I nodded, my tone soft. "He said he wanted it to be special... since he found out I'm still a virgin. He wants it to be meaningful."
Sonia blinked, then smiled with quiet admiration. "Wow, Tracy. That's rare. Honestly. So you want to tell me that you've not allowed any man in?"
"Yes o, Omo babe, I've been waiting for over 26 years now o. It hasn't been easy at all. Didn't just want to allow any type of man be my first experience." I said shyly.
"Ehh, it's very understandable, at least you have an intentional man who appreciates your sacrifice — who wants to make it happen in a special way. With that, it will be a long lasting memory to hold throughout your lifetime.
You deserve that kind of care. Go. Enjoy it. Have fun. You've been too careful with life — now let life spoil you small."
I laughed, cheeks flushing a little. "You sound like my mother."
Sonia grinned. "I sound like your best friend, who knows you've earned happiness."
"Speaking of your mother". Sonia paused and continued, "You've never spoken much about your family. Are you in good terms with them?"
I exhaled and kept calm for a moment. The question threw me off guard. And I realized how much I've missed my family. It's been years I last saw and spoke to them. But that's a story to tell another day. "Yeah, sure, we're good. It's been a while, I hope they're good too."
Sonia read my sore expressions but didn't push.
We clinked our glasses together, the soft ting ringing out against the afternoon air.
Then I turned, playful curiosity lighting my face. "And you, Madam Sonia — what will you be doing while I'm gone?"
Sonia smirked. "Ah, me? I'll spend some time with Kelvin. You know we've been working on things. I just want to be more intentional — put more effort into us. Maybe a few days at his place."
I nodded. "So while I'm in Maldives, you'll be in Lekki doing your own honeymoon preview?"
She giggled. "Something like that! Let's just say we're both travelling — mine just doesn't need a visa."
We both laughed again — that easy, infectious laughter of women who knew how to enjoy their moments.
Above us, the sun began to dip slightly, painting the sky gold. The water shimmered. Our voices softened into quiet conversation, dreams, and laughter that echoed across the pool — two friends on the edge of new beginnings, unaware of the paths fate was already weaving between us and the people we'd left behind.