Lara woke up to the sound of her favorite highlife, the old school kind. There was nothing like a good Kojo Antwi song on a romantic birthday trip with Clarence, which had basically started shortly after she’d woken up. 

He came over right before morning, ordered her to dress up while she was still barely out of bed, then ordered her to pack a small bag. And he’d done all this while wearing her favorite grey suit. He surely knew how to tease her, and she was having to use every bit of restraint not to break her no-chopping-in-granduncle’s-house rule. However, they both knew what was coming once they got to whatever their destination was. 

Clarence pretty much confirmed as much when he went over and ran his hands over her thigh as she bent over to close the bag she’d packed. He moved his hands inwards just enough to make his plans clear, then went over her glutes and trailed off at the back of her waist. She smiled to herself, but said nothing.

Once they’d gotten to their exclusive room at Lou Moon, Lara went full feral tigress on an armed and ready Clarence, and the explosion from their epic encounters had worn them out. She was just waking up at 2pm from a session that had ended at 10am, and the sound of Densu was sending her. 

Then Clarence made the perfect error of walking in with red wine and dark chocolate, which basically curtailed any and all plans related to daytime outdoor activities. She’d expected her birthday to be slow and boring this year. So far, she’d had her back blown out six different ways to Sunday, and the night hadn’t even arrived yet.

***********

“Baby, not that I’m not enjoying the hell out of this, but please tell me that you actually have plans for us outside this bed today.” 

Clarence looked down at Lara as she lay on his chest, watching a Spanish soap opera. “What time is it?” 

Lara looked at his phone, “Its like six.” 

“Well, we have dinner at eight, so that should take care of your question.” 

“Dinner where?” 

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out. Now, I’m going to go shower. Care to join me?” 

Lara took one look at Clarence’s face and knew better than to accept. “I’d like to be able to make it to this dinner, thank you very much.”

While Clarence took his shower, Lara finally decided to turn on her phone. She was fully prepared for the onslaught of blessings and well-wishes she’d expected. Plus she couldn’t feel any more special than Clarence had made her feel all day.

Or so she thought. 

The flood of prayers and voice messages left her close to tears. The squad, her close circle of three girls, had all sent beautiful messages which made her heart leap. Each one of them had mentioned something about a party soon, which made her think they’d probably link up back in Accra once Clarence took her back.

She’d purposefully saved Boris’ message for last, and was a little confused when she opened it and saw a cloud link.

“What’s this motherf**cker up to now?”

She opened the link, and it was a video. She hit play, and what followed took her breath away in ways she didn’t even think were possible. Clarence’s very high bar had just been accidentally one-upped by her best friend. 

She watched as various images of her through the years popped up, mixed with messages from all three members of the squad, a message from Asiedu, and a few more from cherished friends. Boris had managed to get all these people to send in short clips, which he’d woven into the first and most beautiful birthday message video she’d ever gotten.

He’d done for her what she’d only seen done for dignitaries and celebrities, and she was left with her mind shocked, her heart overjoyed and her spirit completely settled. Only Boris knew how to spin her like this, and he’d done his best work yet.

Clarence walked out of the shower and saw Lara smiling like a toddler at Christmas, tears rolling down her cheeks. He knew that only one other person could have this effect on her, and he did not mind at all.

He walked over to her. “What did he do now?” 

Lara handed him the phone and he watched the video, and was left grinning at the end. “Goddamn Boris. Now I have to work even harder tonight. Is there anything he won’t do for you?” 

Lara got up and hugged Clarence tightly, then took him by the hand and led him back into the shower.

*****

“Just a few more steps, babe. We’re almost there.” Clarence walked Lara into the private room he’d set up for her. 

“Oh my god, it feels like we’ve been walking forever. My feet are killing me in these heels.” Lara had worn a gold one-hand dress with black shoes, the one-hand being very intentional. She had more intentions for Clarence whenever they got back, and she intended to keep him as ravenous as she was. Their shower episode had gone quite smoothly, and she’d made him promise to give her a proper good night to cap the day.

“Why did you park so far away, babe? We’re still not there yet?” 

Clarence led her up the stairs and into the room, which was pitch black. “We’re here, love. But before you take the blindfold off, I just want to let you know that I love you, I’m pumped to be with you, and I’m glad to have you in my life. You’ve been so excellent with my little boy, so much so that he calls you mama and calls his mother by her name, not that I mind at all. You’ve been a good girl to me, except when you’re being a stubborn last baby for no reason, and I hope you’ve had an even better day than you imagined.”

He leaned in to give her a kiss, then he took the blindfold off.

Almost immediately after, purple lights came on at the same time as a loud “Surprise!” filled the room.

Here were all the people in the video, including the squad!

These bitches! 

“How the hell did you get them all here?” 

Clarence smiled back at her. “Well, I had a little help from your best friend.” 

They all rushed to hug her as the shock sent her into a whole other universe, and in the midst of her threats to get them back for this, she took in all the love they gave her. She greeted everyone in the small party, and then Sarah, her closest friend among the squad, came up to her along with Norkor and Cecilia. “We have a message from Boris for you. Check your phone.” 

Lara took her phone out of her clutch and saw she’d received a message from Boris seconds ago, almost as if he’d timed her.

She opened the message, but didn’t really have to read it cos the girls did her the honours: “Surprise, Bitch!” 

Lara shook her head and gave them all that evil look which only spelled craziness for them in the future, but they could not care less.

******

The party was over, the cake had been massacred, they’d danced till their feet almost bled, and now Lara was in the arms of a sleeping Clarence. 

He’d delivered on his promise exactly as she’d hoped he would: he’d turned her into a dinner plate and tongue-massaged her every which way to the peaks of pleasure’s mountain, and she’d happily jumped off the cliff at the first time of asking. His entire body was worn out from having to battle her all day, and he was content to not have to do too much before bed.

While she lay there, she went over the entire day from start to finish. Boris’ video was the clear standout in a day which had all kinds of pleasure, a surprise party with all her loved ones plus cake, and an entire day of uninterrupted hanging out with her man. 

How was it that her best friend had managed to outdo her boo, and yet he was still playing like he didn’t want her? Why did she even care? His actions were noble; he was saving their friendship by not asking more of her. But what if he really did love her, and he was just playing coy? Could she draw it out of him? 

Clarence was being all nice and romantic now, but the second they got back to their real lives, she’d be all alone again. What if Boris was the one who she really needed to give a shot? Yes, he lived in freakin Texas, but surely he was worth the try? She got more from him that Clarence would ever think to give to her. What exactly was stopping her?

She turned and put her head on Clarence’s chest as her thoughts continued to go wild. Deep down inside of her, she knew there was no way she could ever love Boris in a romantic way. She saw him as a brother already; there was no changing that.

But what if she could eat her cake and have it?

It would be a nice challenge to draw a confession out of Boris. She already knew what she’d have to do, she already knew him through and through, he’d make it hard but wouldn’t that be fun? 

Nah. She loved him too much to play him like that. 

She shelved her thoughts and closed her eyes, trying her best to sleep while the thought of dating Boris continued to fester.

So now she’s thinking of getting with her bestie? Well, I wonder if such a thing will happen. I guess the story will let us in on all that…