"Sweetheart, I am heading to work now" Annie hurriedly prepared for work and sighed as she looked at her wristwatch. It's 6:45 am, and she has to get to work early, or she will be questioned. She sprayed perfume on her body and checked herself in the mirror before leaving the bedroom.
"Aren't you going to have breakfast before you leave?" Her roommate, who is also her friend, asked while setting the table.
"Babe, I'm already late, but what are we having for breakfast?" she asked while putting on her shoes.
"Bread, egg, and tea. Would you rather take it to work?" Ella asked while heading to the kitchen.
"Never! I won't be able to eat it. There's never free time for me at work. The workload is always too much, and the customers sef get wahala" Annie said and sat down for breakfast while Ella served her. Ella wondered if she could ever skip a meal for work. Work is necessary, which also applies to food. She drank her tea silently and observed Annie with a smile, pondering the balance between work and self care.
Annie kissed her friend goodbye and left for work. Normally, Annie would prefer to take a cab to work, but today, she drove her car to work because she was already late. Ella locked the door and went back to her laptop to continue her online marketing business. The two friends led contrasting work lives, with Annie navigating the challenges of a fashion company while Ella managed her online vendor selling bags and shoes. Annie, average in height, fair and pretty, slim with a curvy shape, unlike her roommate Ella, who is dark and chubby.
Later that evening, Annie arrived at her bestie's house to find her friends deeply immersed in a game, oblivious to her presence.
"Hello, guys" she called out, but received no response. Someone hugged her from behind.
"Eni, stop it!" she said, turning to face the handsome, tall, dark guy.
"How did you know it was me? It could have been any of our friends" He said and Annie laughed.
"Anyways, I can differentiate my best friend from my other friends" she added, returning his hug.

"How are you, bestie?" she asked, noticing her best friend's delight at seeing her.
The rest of their friends had finished their game and noticed Annie standing by the door.
"Hey, Annie" they chorused, laughing together.
"Where is this babe, Mitchie? She isn't here yet" Annie inquired, scanning the room as if expecting her to appear from somewhere.
"She went to get food for us" Daniel, short and fair with a cute baby face, replied.
"Mitchie and food, can't you guys cook?" Annie teased.
"Will you come and cook for us, or will your work not allow it?" Eni teased back.
The six friends bantered about cooking skills, showcasing their close bond and shared interests in korean dramas. Eni worked in a tech company, Daniel was a fashion blogger, Simon, the quiet one, owned a logistics company, Jamal was the CEO of Jams Tech, and Mitchie was the CEO of Mitchie Trading Store, where she sold home and kitchen appliances.
"Speak of the devil" Annie exclaimed as she heard the gate open signaling Mitchie's arrival.
Mitchie, tall, dark, and chubby, entered with a large bag filled with food and drinks. The guys stood up to help her.
"Annie, my love" she called out happily.
They embraced each other joyfully. It was a delightful evening and their sixth annual gathering. As the evening unfolds, they shared laughter, stories, and a feast. By 8 pm, Annie bid them farewell and drove off leaving Mitchie to follow suit half an hour later while the boys carried on with their festivities, cherishing the bond that had endured over the years.