ONE WOMB, TWO HEIRS

Jessica Ogun was on her way out of Zero Degree Nightclub when she saw him. It was 2:10 a.m., and the popular nightclub in the middle of Surulere Boulevard felt stuffy and boring. For the first time since becoming a card-carrying member of Nigeria's most exclusive club, Jessica regretted venturing out. First, her boyfriend, Pete, had stood her up - and she absolutely hated being stood up. To make matters worse, the nightclub's air-conditioning system had broken down just as the in-house band was beginning to liven things up. "What is Nigeria turning into?" she thought bitterly as she stepped out of the hall. "Everything, everywhere is falling apart. Imagine the air-conditioning of Nigeria's foremost nightclub breaking down in the middle of a session!" "Enough of these dreary thoughts," Jessica told herself as the hunk who had caught her attention locked his car and turned toward the entrance. The bright security lights picked out his handsome face as he approached. He was tall and masculine - the exact type that effortlessly attracted the opposite s*x. His comely face carried a certain calmness that intrigued Jessica. "Get a hold of yourself, girl!" she reprimanded herself, realizing she had come to a standstill at the entrance, staring. She willed herself to step out of his path as he glided toward the doors. "Good evening, pretty." Jessica was taken aback as the man stopped and looked her over. He clearly liked what he saw; he smiled broadly and offered his hand. "I'll be damned if I haven't seen this face somewhere before." He had what Jessica would describe as a deeply sexy voice. Jessica accepted the handshake, making a mental note of the manly firmness of his grip. "Pardon my manners, Miss. I mean, a man isn't supposed to offer his hand to a lady first." "Never mind British etiquette," Jessica found her voice. "Times have changed, I'm sure you've noticed." The stranger smiled again, wowing Jessica with a set of deep dimples. "My name is Mike." "Jessica," she replied. She didn't mind his evaluating eyes because she knew she looked absolutely gorgeous in her emerald dress, which hugged her sensuous curves perfectly. Her face could make even a beauty queen green with envy. Even now, she could sense a wave of desire wash over him as his eyes made a quick amorous tour of her body before coming to rest precisely on her eyes. Jessica smiled, knowing exactly what Mike was going to say next. "Look at those emerald eyes!" Jessica replied with her sweetest smile. She had never met a grown man who didn't compliment her on them. She was glad she had decided to wear her favorite green party dress tonight. "I'm blushing," she joked. "Pardon me, Jessica, it's not every day one meets a stunner like you." Jessica laughed. "And you are a head-turner yourself." Mike said, "Thank you. Tell me, were you leaving, or...?" "Oh, no!" Jessica didn't want to lose the moment. "I just wanted to catch some air. It's kind of stuffy in there." Mike turned and led Jessica toward the spacious car park. "I could use some air myself," he said with a smile. The lot was well-lit and windy, echoing with the hum of Lagos' never-ending hustle and bustle outside the club walls. They strode to where Mike's car-a black Toyota Land Cruiser SUV-was parked. Leaning against the vehicle, the pair engaged in a flirtatious exchange, laughing gaily as they gauged each other's romantic interest. They chatted for a long while before Mike suggested they go to a cinema or another club-anywhere but waste the fine night standing in a carpark. Jessica smiled and agreed it was a fine idea. Thank you, Pete, she thought as they drove out of the club premises, for standing me up. For Jessica, the night's turn of events was a perfect case of a better door opening when one closed. Mike drove to the prestigious Liberty Cinema on Lagos Island, a good twenty-minute drive from the Mainland. A new Nollywood movie by arguably Nigeria's most popular movie producer, Funke Akindele, was showing. They bought packets of popcorn and settled into cozy seats. Before the end of the movie, Mike remembered where he had seen Jessica before: the Lagos Stock Exchange building on Lagos Island. Jessica admitted that she sometimes went to the Exchange for official business. "That means you are in finance." "Yes, I am. A banker with Western Bank." "That's interesting," Mike told her. "I run a stock brokerage and I have my offices in the Exchange building." Jessica was thrilled to hear that. "You must have seen me on one of my visits to the Exchange. It's certainly interesting that we both work in the financial sector." "You can say that again, Jessica. Do you believe in fate? I'm... I'm sorry. I guess it's too early to ask that." "Oh, there's nothing wrong with you asking. To answer your question: no, I don't believe in fate. There's no such thing as fated lives or happenings. I believe we are all responsible for whatever happens to us. I mean, you could very well have walked past me at the club. Our meeting has nothing to do with fate." "I see you are the cerebral type." "I take that as a compliment. Thanks." They watched the rest of the movie in silence, their hands intertwined, neither of them remembering the packets of popcorn on their laps. They left the cinema at the end of the film. In the car, Mike turned to Jessica and said, "I hope I won't be committing any sin if I suggest taking you to see my place? I could drive you back to the club later in the morning so you can pick up your car." "How did you know I drove to the club?" Mike laughed. "You were fiddling with a car key as you walked out." "You are very observant, Mr. Stockbroker." "I am, and several things besides." He laughed again and paused briefly, waiting for Jessica's answer. When she didn't reply, he started the car and pulled away from the cinema's parking lot, a wide grin plastered on his face. The city was fast awakening for another day of hustle. Mike switched off the airconditioner and let down the windows. A gentle breeze caressed Jessica's cheeks as she sat back in her seat. At an intersection, an early morning mobile preacher was already at his station, his booming loudspeaker exalting city dwellers to come to repentance. Jessica wondered what Mike would think of her if she allowed him... u