Chapter 2: Public Disgrace for Dinner

As I land for the dinner, Aunty Grace just pull me to one side sharp sharp.

She glance around, lower her voice: "You no sabi say industry people dey here? No carry your wahala come disgrace person. How you take enter here? I tell you say make you no come find Morayo again. If you try talk anyhow, Morayo fit finish you sharp sharp."

Her Ankara wrapper grip her chest as she fold hand, glare me like say she fit bite. Now wey Morayo don blow, she dey flex muscle.

"Finish me? This country get law o," I reply, grab one glass of palm wine, sip am.

Palm wine sweet but bitter for my tongue—betrayal dey inside cup.

"And so? Our Morayo na the youngest Best Actress for Naija Gold Awards history. Anything she want, she get. No think say you fit block her shine."

I just shake head, remember all the times Aunty Grace dey beg me for corridor. "You be her agent, you suppose know how she dey get all those connections."

"Na me negotiate all Morayo's jobs by myself."

I just look Aunty Grace laugh. I really hide am well. Every chance I get, I dey arrange people to talk to producer and director first, set everything, then make them contact Aunty Grace—so she go dey feel say na she dey run things.

People dey whisper for corner, dey eye my side. The film industry for Lagos no get joy. If you no wise, dem go run you street.

Then Blessing voice cut in: "Kunle, how you take waka enter here? Where you borrow this your suit from? You dey pose like big man. Oya, comot before you disgrace Morayo. You dey wear suit like tailor wey rush work for Oshodi."

I look well—na Blessing, Morayo industry padi. Morayo don carry me chop with her before, but Blessing never rate me. Girls dey always think say nobody reach their friend level, so I no vex.

Blessing lips red like palm oil, hair pack for gele. I just smile. "I come with invitation now."

Blessing burst laugh, Aunty Grace join—like say na stand-up comedy.

I show them my invite, dem laugh louder.

"Why your own invitation black? Our own na orange. You no even sabi forge invite well. You jump fence enter?"

Aunty Grace nearly roll for ground.

My invite na special one from organizers—only one. I no get time to argue or prove anything. I just wan see Morayo—ask how she fit finish three years like this.

"Kunle, no be Morayo dump you? You come here to wish us well?"

So na this be Tunde.

I look the guy. I don jam am before.