On a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon in Abuja, the air was filled with vitality, and the azure sky, adorned with delicate wisps of white clouds, infused the city's denizens with a sense of liveliness and vigor. Nestled in the heart of the bustling metropolis, there stood a dance academy on a street named Allen. Inside the dance studio, a diverse group of over thirty individuals, ranging in age from 17 to 40, moved in unison to the rhythmic melodies wafting from the background. Leading this dance ensemble was their instructor, Tobi, a man in his mid-30s, who observed their every move with a critical eye.

"You all need to step it up. Let the music flow through you; don't waste it!" he exclaimed to his dedicated students.

As if his words were a rallying cry, their movements intensified. "Fantastic! Keep that energy up!" he encouraged as they grooved to the infectious afro beat tune.

Minutes passed, and the song drew to a close. Among the dancers, a young woman in her mid-twenties gracefully broke away from the group and made her way to a bench positioned on the room's left side. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her face bore a natural, makeup-free look. Her hourglass figure and sun-kissed complexion peeked out from her black-pink sports bra and leggings.

This was Mary, standing at 5.9 feet tall, her physical attributes bordering on perfection. Her hazel, almond-shaped eyes could easily ensnare anyone's heart. Despite the exertion, a gentle, radiant smile graced her lips. She settled onto the plush leather bench, taking a moment to hydrate with her water flask. As she sipped, her friend Ifeoma approached, wearing a sheepish smile.

"Are you telling me you're already exhausted?" she inquired.

"You wouldn't be wrong. I'm really beat."

Ifeoma chuckled, "But you know you signed up for this willingly, right? I didn't twist your arm."

"I know, but I didn't realize dancing could be as taxing as a workout! I wanted to avoid joining a gym, so I chose this dance academy. The way we're dancing, it's like we're preparing for a competition," she paused and then stood up abruptly, "Just watch me now."

She positioned herself and glanced at the group of guys dancing in the room, then began mimicking their dance steps.

Ifeoma burst into laughter as Mary put even more energy into her dancing. "Okay-okay, stop, Mary, you're cracking me up."

"But is it funny? I'm just showing you how those guys over there dance. That's how all of you dance. You all have so much energy!" Mary groaned and sat back down, with Ifeoma joining her.

"You are so funny, Mary. Dancing is not hard as you see it. This is only two weeks since you started, just give yourself a little time, and you'll become close to perfect, if not perfect like us."

"You said it like it was that easy. I, Mary Sandie, cannot be a perfect dancer like you" Mary scrunches up her nose.

"Of course, you can. You just have to put your mind to it, and before you know it, you'll become an expert. And let me tell you something. You see most of those dancers over there-?" Ifeoma gestures to her fellow dancers, and Mary's gaze follows it.

"What about them?" she asks with a shrug.

"Dancing is the career path they've chosen. Most of them want to become the world's best dancers, and that is why you see them training so hard."

"Unlike me, that is just doing it for fun?" Mary replied rhetorically, and her friend nodded. "Now I understand. I think I should stick to your advice of putting my mind to it just maybe I won't find it too challenging anymore."

"Exactly! You see that instructor over there with the name Tobi? He doesn't give up on his students easily. He is going to put you through until he is satisfied with your progress," Ifeoma said.

"Hmm, let's see-"

"Mary and Ify, get over here!" their dance instructor called for them, interrupting the two friends.

Mary groans and rises to her feet alongside her friend, Ifeoma. "I hope this is the last dance for today," she murmured, and Ifeoma sniggered and patted Mary's back.

"I don't care about that. I just love how he calls me Ify," she batted her eyelashes.

"You’ve started floating in the clouds of reverie again" Mary rolled her eyes at her friend, and she giggled.

They both jogged their way to the dance floor.

"C'mon guys, just one more dance, and we are done for the day!" Tobi announces, and Mary sighs with relief. "Teddy, play us something good!" He gestures to the DJ.

"Yes, boss," Teddy answered, and within 10 seconds, 'Bailando' by Enrique Iglesias ft Sean Paul filled the studio.

"Hoo! I love this song!" Ifeoma exclaims, and Mary glances at her friend.

"Me too!" Some of the dancers exclaimed in unison.

"Looks like I'm the only one who doesn't know this song," Mary mutters to herself, and Tobi snorts, having heard her. She squinted at him and gave him her best smile.

"Don't worry. I'll teach you how to dance to it. You will be my dance partner and-" he stopped, and his brows lifted. "Don't give me that look, I'm your dance instructor, and I have the right to choose anyone of you to be my dance partner."

"Exactly!" the words slipped out of Ifeoma's mouth before she could control them. Her cheeks turned rosy when all gaze shifted to her.

A smile curled up Tobi's lips, and he clapped twice, calling their attention back. "Okay, guys! You all should get yourself a dance partner!" he announced. "Please replay the song, Teddy," he added.

"Roger that!" Teddy responded. "Have you all gotten a partner?" Tobi asked, glancing around to see all of them paired in twos and holding each other.

"Yes!" They chorused.

"Okay then, let's do this at the count of three" he turnaround and held Mary with a gentle yet firm grasp. His hand was securely placed at the small of her back, and Mary slowly held onto his shoulder. They both took a few steps forward and stood in front of the rest of the dancers. He glances back to his students, and they follow his leadership by holding their dance partners the same way he was holding Mary. "Are you ready?" he asks softly, and she nods slightly.

"At the count of 3, the melody will come up. Are you guys ready?”

“Yes, instructor,” they answered in sync.

“Alright.1, 2...3!" He yelled, and the music came right back.

Their feet moved on the wooden floor uniformly. He guided her with a gentle sway, and his students emulated his every move. Mary found herself enjoying the dance, and she loosened up more when she realized Tobi was helping her catch up with the rest of the dancers.

The dance continued for a couple of minutes, and when the music faded, there were cheering voices coming from the dancers, including Mary, as they all high-fived each other.

"I think my partner and I did better than the rest of you," Tobi teased, chuckling.

"That's not true!" They all argued, and Tobi and Mary threw their head backward, laughing.

"Okay, okay, okay! I was just kidding. We all did great!" He announced, and they squealed excitedly. "Each one of you will get an energy drink for dancing so well today," he added, and more cheering voices filled the room.

"We love you, instructor Tobi!" They cheered, and he waved them off, grinning from ear to ear.

"Ken, please come with me. Excuse me, guys, I'll be right back," Tobi said and excused himself with his student, Ken, walking right beside him.

"Oh my gosh, I did enjoy the dance class today. It was really fun," Mary said as she and her friend made their way to their backpack.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be fun when handsome Tobi was dancing with you like-"

"Please don't go there, Ifeoma. Tobi choosing me as his partner has nothing to do with me having fun in our dance class today. I'm just happy that we didn't do more than an hour like we usually do other days," Mary intruded her friend.

"Are you sure?" Ifeoma taunted, wiggling her brows, and Mary frowned at her. "Tobi is a cute guy. It is not a big deal if something sweet like love transpires-”

"Stop. I don't understand how you run to such conclusions with just one dance I had with him today. And besides, who told you I believe in love? All those things people say about lasting love don't exist, so why should I get myself involved in it? I can never love any man. The least I could do if I'm to have a man in my life is to get into a contract marriage with him," Mary replied offensively.

Her friend's head whipped backward with large eyes. "What did you just say?" Ifeoma asks to be sure she heard right.

"You heard me. I rather go for a contractual marriage than get married into that prison they call real marriage. Getting involved in a contractual marriage is preferable to the other form of marriage people do today. In a contractual marriage, you can walk away anytime you want and-"

"You are interested in a contractual marriage?" A masculine voice interrupts Mary.

The two friends stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before turning to see who just intruded into their conversation. "Tobi?" Ifeoma said his name in almost a whisper, stunned at the sight of him.

"Yes, it's me. Wipe off that expression, Ify. You look like you are seeing a ghost right now. I'm sorry to interrupt you two. I was just passing when I heard-"

"You heard wrongly, instructor," Ifeoma cuts in and clears her throat. "We were just talking about a movie we watched that the actor was..."

"That's not true-" Mary cuts in, and her friend raises a brow at her. "We were discussing a contract marriage, and I seem to be interested in one. Do you know someone interested in it, or are you interested in one?" "Mary!" Ifeoma yelled in disbelief, and Tobi snorted.

"What? Can't I say what's on my mind anymore?" Mary demanded.

"Of course not! You can say whatever you like, but not something like that!" Ifeoma exclaims.

"C'mon Ify, Mary is an adult. She knows what she wants that will make her happy. If contractual marriage is part of her plans in life, then she should have one," Tobi said, and a smile curved on Mary's lips.

"Thank you for saying that, Tobi," Mary replied, and Ifeoma gave her a nasty glare.

"Do you mean you are in support of her decision to have such a marriage?" Ifeoma asks, still in disbelief, and he shrugs in response.

"Who am I to decide for your friend?" Tobi returns the question. Ifeoma shared a glance with her friend and shook her head disappointedly.

"You know what? I'm out of here. You two can go ahead and discuss your meaningless contract marriage!" Ifeoma spat the words irritatingly and excused herself.

"Babe, you are taking this too personally. Just wait, let's-" Mary's words hung in the air when her friend walked out of the room. "What the hell is wrong with her? Why is she so upset that I'm seeking a contractual marriage?"

"I wish I had known, but I have a feeling she doesn't want you to get involved in something like that. I mean, c'mon, you are really beautiful, intelligent, smart, you've got a great personality, and the list goes on. It is not fair that a complete package like you should be seeking a contract marriage. You deserve more than that. You are meant to be married and have a happily ever after kind of life, you know".

Mary rolled her eyes and folded her arms on her chest after hearing the short speech from Tobi. "You are a dance instructor, not a relationship counselor, Sir," she reminded him, and Tobi's mouth formed an 'o', and then he chuckled. "If there is one thing you should know about me is the fact that I don't believe in that fairy tale kind of love. There's nothing like a happily ever after, people just came up with that goddamn story to deceive themselves into getting married, and then a few months or years after, they get divorced. I don't want that kind of life for myself. I want to live freely and not be tied to one man that will make me regret my decision of getting married. You know what? Enough of this long talk. Let's get to business. Who is this person that is interested in a contract marriage like I am?"

Tobi sighed and took a step forward to Mary. "You are right in a way. Now I see your reason for your decision."

"I'm glad you are with me, but that doesn't still answer my question," she replied.

Tobi smiled and said, "What if I tell you that I am interested in having a contractual marriage with you? What would you say?" his gaze fixed into her eyes.

"Y-o-u?" Mary stuttered, and Tobi nodded.

Authors note

Thank you for picking my book as your read. I can assure you that you won't regret adding it to your library. Feel free to leave a review on it. You can also follow me to get chapters update. Thanks for your support.