Late Friday afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains of Nancy's apartment, painting faint golden lines across the small living room.
The space wasn't large, but it carried the restless energy of two young women who lived fast and laughed loudly.
Music played softly from a speaker on the windowsill, the rhythm of an Afrobeats song filling the room while Nancy stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of a fitted black top.
Clothes were scattered across the bed behind her. A small pile of makeup sat open beside them, brushes and lip gloss rolling dangerously close to the edge.
Nancy leaned closer to the mirror, studying her reflection.
"Hmm," she muttered, tilting her head.
Her phone buzzed on the dresser.
She glanced at it but didn't move.
It buzzed again.
Nancy sighed and picked it up.
A WhatsApp message from Zara.
She opened it.
"Awfar? Are you home?"
Nancy typed back quickly.
"Yes. Why?"
Three dots appeared.
Then Zara replied.
"Nothing. Just checking up on you"
Nancy stared at the message for a moment.
She could almost hear Zara's tired voice behind those two words.
Nancy sighed lightly and dropped the phone back on the table.
"Chaiii, my Zara!," she murmured to herself.
Before she could continue fixing her makeup, the apartment door burst open.
"Naancyyy!"
Nancy jumped slightly and turned.
Her roommate, Amara, rushed into the living room like someone who had just won a lottery.
"Nancy!" she repeated, breathless.
Nancy raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you shouting like they finally canceled rent in Lagos?"
Amara ignored the sarcasm and dropped her handbag on the couch.
"You won't believe where we're going tonight."
Nancy crossed her arms slowly.
"If it's another birthday dinner where everybody contributes money, I'm not coming."
Amara rolled her eyes.
"Relax. Nobody asked you to bring money."
Nancy narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"That's exactly what people say before they start sharing bills."
Amara laughed and flopped onto the couch.
"This one is different."
Nancy turned back to the mirror, pretending not to care.
"Different how?"
Amara leaned forward, lowering her voice slightly.
"Exclusive club party."
Nancy paused.
Just for a second.
Then she continued applying lip gloss like the information meant nothing.
"So?"
Amara stared at her.
"So?" she repeated.
"Nancy, this is not your normal Island hangout. This one is invitation only."
Nancy shrugged.
"Invitation only does not mean anything."
Amara leaned closer.
"Rich crowd."
Nancy's hand slowed.
"Hmm."
"Serious rich crowd," Amara continued.
"Some guy is hosting it. One of those Lagos big boys."
Nancy turned abruptly.
"Which guy?"
Amara grinned.
"That's the point. I don't even know. But Chioma said the last time he hosted something like this, people were spraying dollars."
Nancy turned fully now.
"Dollars?"
Amara nodded dramatically.
Nancy walked toward the couch slowly and sat down across from her.
"And Chioma invited you?"
"Yes."
"And she invited me?"
"Yes."
Nancy studied her roommate carefully.
"Why?"
Amara laughed.
"Because you know how to behave in those places."
Nancy smirked.
"That's true."
Amara leaned back comfortably.
"So we're going."
Nancy didn't respond immediately.
Instead she picked up a small makeup brush and tapped it against her palm thoughtfully.
"Who exactly is attending?"
Amara shrugged.
"I don't know everybody. But Chioma said the guest list is tight. Mostly big boys and their friends."
Nancy's lips curved slightly.
"Networking event."
Amara laughed.
"Networking? You mean hunting ground."
Nancy shrugged again.
"Call it whatever you want."
Amara studied her face.
"You're interested."
Nancy rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Nancy stood up and walked back toward the mirror.
"Rich men don't gather in one place for no reason," she said casually.
Amara nodded.
"Exactly."
Nancy picked up a different top from the bed and held it against her body.
"What time?"
"Ten."
Nancy checked the clock.
"Still early."
Amara grinned.
"You're coming."
Nancy glanced at her reflection again.
Then she smiled slightly.
"Of course I'm coming."
Amara clapped excitedly.
"I knew it!"
Nancy chuckled and tossed the first top aside.
"But let's make something clear."
Amara looked up.
"I'm not stepping out tonight if it won't make sense financially."
Amara burst into laughter.
"Jeezzz Nancy."
Nancy shrugged.
She reached for a different outfit, something more daring.
Amara watched her with amusement.
"You know some girls just go out to have fun."
Nancy raised an eyebrow.
"And those girls usually go home with empty pockets."
Amara shook her head.
"Girl, you're something else."
Nancy smiled.
"Look who's talking"
The room filled again with music and chatter as they continued getting ready.
Clothes changed.
Makeup touched up.
Perfume sprayed into the air.
Every now and then Amara would glance at Nancy and laugh.
"What do you think your future after tonight would look like? "
Nancy laughed loudly.
"My future?"
"Yes."
Nancy slipped on her heels and stood up straight.
"My future is money."
Amara pointed at her dramatically.
"Exactly what I thought."
Nancy grabbed her small handbag and checked her phone one last time.
Still no new messages.
She dropped it back into her bag.
"Let's go."
Night had fully taken over Lagos by the time they arrived at the club.
The street outside was alive with flashing lights and expensive cars parked in a long line along the curb.
Nancy stepped out of the ride slowly, adjusting her dress as she looked around.
A tall bouncer stood at the entrance, scanning people carefully before allowing them inside.
Music pulsed through the walls of the building, the bass vibrating through the pavement.
Nancy's eyes moved across the scene quickly.
Luxury SUVs.
Men in designer shirts.
Women in glittering dresses.
Definitely not the usual crowd.
Amara nudged her.
"Told you."
Nancy smiled slightly.
"Not bad."
They approached the entrance where another girl waved excitedly.
"Amara!"
Chioma rushed forward and hugged her.
"You made it!"
Amara laughed.
"Of course."
Chioma turned to Nancy.
"And you brought Nancy."
Nancy smiled.
"Hello."
Chioma grinned.
"You girls came on the right night."
Nancy glanced toward the entrance.
"Looks like it."
They moved inside together.
The club was dimly lit, colorful lights flashing across the dance floor while the music roared through powerful speakers.
People filled the space—laughing, dancing, talking loudly over the music.
Waiters moved between tables carrying bottles that probably cost more than Zara's entire market stall.
Nancy's eyes scanned the room slowly.
She noticed things quickly.
The expensive watches.
The VIP section.
The way certain men commanded attention without even speaking.
Then her gaze paused.
Across the room, a man sat in the center of a group.
He wasn't dancing.
But people kept walking up to greet him.
Waiters hovered near his table constantly.
The confidence in his posture said everything.
Amara followed Nancy's gaze.
"That one," she whispered.
Nancy tilted her head slightly.
"Hmm?"
Amara leaned closer.
"That one has serious money."
Nancy watched him for another moment.
Then a slow smile spread across her face.
"Well," she said softly.
"This night just got interesting."