Stolen Moments

Candace is what I'm called. It’s not the name I was christened with but I instinctively become alert when I hear it.

I have a crush.

 I'm sure you're wondering why that's news. But well, this crush is different. It might eventually crush me. You see, my crush is a celebrity and I'm just an ordinary citizen. He doesn't even know I exist.





I'm a reporter and I love my job. A week ago, I was assigned to attend and cover 'Beauty Redefined', a red carpet event filled with the best of my country's snobbish and haughty celebrities.

 I was bored to death. I arrived early and stood beside the spotlights, aside from the hungry paparazzi but in full view of the red carpet.

Thirty minutes later, they began to stream in, glittery and stunning in their jewels and expensive clothes. To say I was jealous was an understatement, I was burning with envy. I looked down at my mono strap dress with its leopard print and I felt drab. I mentally shook myself and began to do my job. Politely but with a smile on my face, I asked notable people for a snapshot, a better pose here, a smile there. I nodded my thanks to Miss Bay Werebi as I turned away and made for my seat.

3 hours of boredom and formality later, I flashed my press pass and wormed my way backstage. My heart caught in my throat and dropped to my feet as I spotted Tade Lewis. The Tade Lewis?! I immediately made my way over to him but I was prevented by two heavy bouncers. I smiled and tried to walk around them but they would have none of that. They effectively barred my way and I could barely see Tade. I appealed and reasoned but I could as well have been talking to a wall. Two muscled walls actually.

I was still standing there hopelessly when I noticed that Tade was leaving. Oh No, You Don't! Tade! Taaaaadeeee Lewiiiiiiisssssss! I screamed shrilly, waving my hands to get his attention and hopping around like a chicken with a broken leg. Was he stopping?! I screamed again as I tried to jump higher than the bouncers. They looked bored. They were used to the antics of crazy fans like me.

“Pleeassseee, Pretty please with cherries on top?” I appealed breathlessly. The giant bouncer looked at me then at his partner. They sighed and searched my purse. "I give you five minutes!" He grunted.

I screamed happily and gave him an impetuous hug which seemed to soften him up even more. "It’s because you were nice and polite o. That's why. Fine girl" He winked at me and let me across.

I dashed left and found my 'Him' chatting with a fellow actor. I stood patiently until his partner noticed and said "Oh your date is waiting. I'm really sorry Miss. See you around Tade."

Tade Leroy Lewis, International Actor, TV Presenter, OAP, Model. Indeed a man of many talents. I had been crushing on this guy since I was 15. I would never tell him that I knew every little detail about him. His cologne, the location of his birth mark, his zodiac sign, his birthday, age, family, past relationships, even his preferred soap. My mind drifted away. Oh to be a piece of soap, running lightly across his bronzed skin, learning the nooks and crannies of his gorgeous body and maybe even-

"Hi Tade's mysterious date" he smiled.

His Three-Piece suit was the ish. The shoes you may ask? On point. I looked him over and noted his wristwatch, haircut, and his carriage. He was flawless.

Hii? He was looking at me quizzically this time. I was dumbstruck as I stared at him stupidly.

He sighed. "Okay, let's do it this way". He took my hand and led me to a seat. He sat beside me and smiled. My name is-

"Tade Leroy Lewis!" I cut in hastily.

 "My name is Candace. I'm a reporter and I'm a huge fan."

"Well thank you" he smiled. "You guys made me if I may say."

 Before, I could say anything else, his phone beeped. He rolled his eyes as he answered it.

"Yeah? Oh, the car is outside? I'll be right there" he said, and hung up. "I have to leave now, are you going my way? I stay at Dolphin Estate. You?"

"Ermm, Lekki!" I said.

"Well, that's along my route. Kind of."

He got up and offered me his arm. "Shall we?" He smiled.

Oh gosh! He was so friggin handsome! We walked towards the exit and though he waved and chatted with other people on his way, he didn't once let go of my arm.

My heart sang as we walked along, I'm walking beside Tade Leroy Lewis and my arm is tucked into his. I'm walking beside Tade Leroy Lewis and my arm is tucked into his. I'm walking beside Tade Leroy Lewis and my arm is tucked into his. I'm walking beside Tade Leroy Lewis and my arm is tucked-

"So Candace, tell me about you?"

I glossed lightly over my background but laid heavy emphasis on my single relationship status.

He smiled again and held the car door open for me. I slid in and he got in beside me. Before we arrived at Obalende, I was no longer star struck and my shyness had melted away. I talked nineteen to the dozen, firing numerous questions at him which he replied calmly with an amused smile.

He gave me his business card and made me promise to call.

"Why don't you give me your number, I'll call you instead" he said. He asked for a hug and I obliged. Why not? Am I mad?! He smiled and waved goodbye as I got out of his car. His driver had taken me all the way to Lekki Phase 1 bus stop and I drifted dreamily home on gossamer wings of happiness and unbelief.

I was barely at my doorstep when my phone rang and a chocolatey voice drifted into my ears. "Hey Beautiful? Home yet?"

"Just got in", I stuttered.

 "Alright, stay safe, I'll call you in the morning"

 I floated upstairs and ignored my curious roommates as I stripped and fell asleep with dreams of my wedding to Tade Lewis. Tade Lewis. Candace Lewis.

I fell asleep.

Over the next few days, Tade and I got closer; we kept in touch via calls, sweet sms and BBM. I didn't believe it, I mean, this guy is a celeb! A busy man and he likes me! He took time out to call me every day, I held my tongue as he told me things I already knew about his family and past relationships because I didn't want to creep him out. He admitted that he had a girlfriend in the states that he liked but he got lonely sometimes.

One Saturday morning, he called me up and suggested a meeting. I was frantic! I didn't have anything suitable for hanging out with a celeb! I kept calm and told him I would wait for him at Lekki bus stop. We met there two hours later and headed to a private beach to avoid the prying eyes of the  public. For the next two weeks, we kept in touch and hung out and I could feel him liking me more.

He was no longer 'The Tade Lewis'. Now he was just Tade. In fact I was practically his girlfriend, getting jealous when I saw him speaking with another lady and calling him when it suited me. We were going places...



On Monday morning, my boss sent for me and requested a report of how the 'Beauty Redefined' event I had covered on Sunday went.

I placed my report on his desk along with the pictures. He flipped through them and asked "but I heard Tade Lewis was there. Why didn't you get a picture of him? It would have made our magazine more attractive."

I explained to my boss about how the bouncers had escorted me out and prevented anyone from getting too close to the backstage celebrities.

"Not even L'espace Magazine had access to him" I added.

"Well Okay, work on these then, I want to see your finished review on my desk before COB today."

In actuality, the bouncers didn't let me across and I went home even more dejected than before. But I had had my stolen moments with Tade in my fantasies and it was time to get back to work and real life.

I nodded politely at my boss and left the room.