In the car with Director Contee, silence enveloped them. The thought of a possible relationship with Director Contee, as mentioned by Romy, made Sani uncomfortable in his presence. She avoided making eye contact and instead stared out of the window.
Director Contee finally broke the silence. "I hope you weren't too upset about what Quinn said."
Sani sighed. "She had her reasons, and, in a way, she was right. Thank you, Director Contee, for standing up for me again. You've done so much for me, and I wish there was something I could do to show my gratitude."
He smiled handsomely while keeping his gaze on the road, and spoke gently.
"Come on, it's been over five years. You can call me Sale." He smiled, and she nodded as he continued. "You don't need to go above and beyond to thank me. Just accept my invitation to a nice restaurant I know."
Sani pondered for a moment. "That sounds nice, but I don't really feel like going to a restaurant at this time. How about we watch an excellent movie at my place instead?"
Sale's smile widened. "Why not? That sounds like fun."
They both instantly felt more comfortable with each other, engaging in a lively discussion as they made their way to Sani's apartment.
Sani's place had a cozy simplicity to it. The interior was adorned with beautiful plants, creating a relaxing atmosphere. It was evident that the inhabitant had a fondness for paintings, as there were several displayed on the walls. Sale stepped inside and admired the artwork.
"Make yourself at home. I'll be back in less than thirty minutes. I just need to freshen up," Sani said, inviting Sale to take a seat on the sofa.
She returned shortly, dressed in a low-cut top and a mini blue jean skirt that showcased her attractive legs. In her hands, she held a bottle of wine and two glasses.
"A solitary woman like myself always has a bottle of wine on reserve," Sani joked, watching Sale admire a sculpture displayed beside the TV set.
"I got it at a local auction," she explained.
Sale nodded, impressed. "The sculpture is stunning."
Sani smiled and offered him some wine. He accepted with a grateful smile, taking a sip and releasing an astonished sigh.
"I'm delighted to discover that you're not just an aesthete but also a wine connoisseur," Sale remarked.
Sani chuckled. "Thank you! I try my best to be good at something." Her expression momentarily turned sad, but she quickly recovered her smile.
"What are you saying? You're the most talented woman I've ever met. You excel in screenwriting."
Sani sighed, her voice tinged with longing. "I wish I were more than just a screenwriter. I wish I had my own TV show. I have the skills for it."
Sale placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I have no doubt about your abilities, but you've only been in the journalism field for five years. You have a long journey ahead, my dear. Let things..."
"Unfold?"
"Yes!"
Sani couldn't help but laugh.
"Did I say something funny?" Sale looked confused.
"Romy said the exact same thing to me today. You guys always know how to make me feel better. I'm grateful!" She flashed a grateful smile.
"It's because we truly understand you."
"How well do you know me?" She smiled mischievously and snatched the TV remote. "Did you know I'm a huge fan of horror and paranormal movies? I've got a whole collection. Shall we watch one?"
"As you wish, demoiselle," he said, smiling.
"Scream?"
"Which season?"
"One?"
"Hell yes! By far the best."
"I won't debate on that." She said and they both laughed.
She started the movie and switched off the lights. While she sat next to him, holding a glass of wine, she made sure to keep a bit of distance, not being used to Sale being so close.
She was captivated by every scene of the movie. On the other hand, Sale couldn't take his eyes off Sani. It didn't matter what was happening on the screen; he was more interested in the way the movie affected her every movement and expression.
Over the past five years, he had been a constant pillar of support for Sani, almost like a father. But in that moment, he wanted something to change. Her beauty and simplicity no longer left him indifferent. He had always been calm, solitary, and professional, but at that moment, the desire to break all the rules took precedence.
"What a great movie!" Sani exclaimed as the movie came to an end.
The wine had left her slightly dizzy, but she tried to stay composed as she looked at Sale. For a moment, neither of them moved, but then, his head started getting closer to hers.
The flickering light from the TV illuminated his face, and Sani could no longer ignore the situation. She stayed still as Sale's head tilted slightly towards her lips.
In that moment, she realized just how handsome he was. She could feel his breath on her skin, signaling a kiss.
Suddenly, he stopped.
"I have to go now. Thank you for this wonderful evening." He coughed awkwardly, a mixture of embarrassment and regret in his voice.
"What the hell was about to happen?" Sani wondered, her dizziness clouding her thoughts.
"Let me walk you to the door," she offered, trying to stand up but stumbling in the process.
Sale quickly caught her, their faces inches apart again.
"Be careful!" he cautioned.
She waved him goodbye and closed the door. Feeling the sleepiness taking over, she collapsed onto her bed and drifted off into a deep slumber.
Walking through the office the next morning, pretending everything was fine, was especially difficult for Sani considering her awful hangover. She met Ada at the reception area.
"Good morning, Ada. Could you please arrange for someone to bring me some headache pills?" She pleaded, and Ada nodded in understanding.
Once in her office, Sani felt slightly better after taking the pills. Thankfully, Romy hadn't arrived yet, which brought her some relief. She planned to avoid his probing questions.
Engrossed in her work, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in," she called out, and a concerned woman entered.
"Sani, Director Contee needs to see you urgently. It's crucial."
Having reservations about meeting Sale after what happened the previous night, Sani had no choice but to go.
She promptly followed the worried woman, a crew member from Quinn's show, to the TV studio. The moment she laid eyes on Director Contee, she sensed the extent of his worry.
"Sani, we have a problem! Quinn is nowhere to be found, and we don't have a host for today's show. If we cancel it, we'll incur significant losses. The general manager is furious," he explained.
"That's terrible! I'll try to find out where she is. And if there's anything else I can do to help, please let me know," Sani offered, concerned.
"We've given Quinn plenty of time to show up, and in five minutes, the show is set to start. The general manager has approved for you to host the show," he said matter-of-factly.
"Me?" Sani froze in disbelief.
"Yes, you! You have a degree in TV hosting. Besides, you're the main screenwriter and the senior editor of this program. You know everything about today's episode. Who better than you to host the show?"
"Director Contee, I'm not so sure," Sani expressed.
"This is your chance, Sani. Remember what you said to me yesterday. Get ready!" Sale urged, impatience evident in his voice, before joining the crew.
Sani was still unsure, but when she saw the anxious faces of the crew members, she mustered up the courage to go for it.
Once the show ended, she received countless praises for her exceptional performance. She couldn't help but smile and blush.
"Incredible, Sani! It was as if you'd been doing it your entire life," a crew member remarked.
"You were amazing!" added another, and the compliments kept pouring in.
Sani graciously thanked them all while Sale looked on, filled with pride.
"Didn't I tell you that you'd succeed?" he beamed with p
"Well, I just hope the audience accepted this temporary change. Thank you, Director... Sale, for having faith in me," she said gratefully.
He affectionately patted her shoulder and left the set. Sani walked back to her office, bubbling with excitement that only she could feel. Once inside, she closed the door and found Romy sitting comfortably with his legs crossed. He stood up and applauded with a wide grin.
"Wow! Miss Sani Gowon, you were fantastic. Darling, I always knew you were meant for this." He proclaimed.
"I did my best" Sani modestly replied and sat down.
"Don't be so modest, girl!" He smiled.
"All thanks to Sale."
Romy was surprised as he recalled Director Contee's first name was Sale. He immediately took a seat opposite Sani's office desk, furrowing his brow slightly with a teasing smile.
"So, what happened last night with 'Sale'?"
A/N
I can't wait for you to read Romy's reaction when he will know Sale and Sani were about to... Will Sani tell him😉? Please fam, like, comment, vote and share.
