The man sat in a darkened room with a land phone to his ear.His eyes were fixed on Ayo and Tanya’s video even as he nodded.In a chilling tone, he asked the person on the phone.“Are you sure?”He waited for an answer from the other end and said, “No mistakes this time.” He disconnected the call, placed the phone on its holder, and reached for the smouldering cigar above the ashtray.The cigar glowed in the dark as he puffed on it.The hand he had to his side was raised swiftly and a silent pinging sound echoed in the room as he shot the target on the other side of the study.Pinned to the target was the face of Mr Tomori.“Fucking bastard,” he said, then emptied five more bullets into the electronic target.***********The next few weeks after Ayo’s live video was filled with lots of activities for the couple.Most brands who had shunned Tanya because of the scandal began to call back and many new ones started to send her offer upon offer too.Not only was she back on the chart as
Dressed in a vibrant crimson gown with a gold belt, paired with diamond-encrusted stilettos and chandelier earrings, Vera Devane ignored Tanya and turned up her megawatt smile as she raised her hand to Ayo.“Hi, Mr Taiwo. It’s my pleasure to finally meet you up close,” she purred. “Has anyone mentioned that you are a yummy piece? If you get tired of this one, you can call my number, you know.”Tanya’s body tightened at the direct jab, and she was pleased that Ayo didn’t take the hand Vera offered to kiss.“I don’t know if I should say I am honoured or insulted, miss, but I think I can return the compliment that you look…” he gave her a once-over before completing with a straight face, “...like you are ready for a theme party,”Tanya had to suppress her smile at the veiled insult when she saw the way Vera’s smile dimmed.Then the lady kept her plastic smile in place as she looked from Ayo to her, “Awn, you got yourself the loyal one. I am almost happy for you, babe.”The mocking refere
“What?”“What?”“Why would Martinez hit his girlfriend for…?”Tanya gaped in shock as she saw Susan remove her hand from her face.The imprint of Martinez’s hand on her face was clear for all to see.“Mart…”“Don’t you dare talk to Tanya like that! You are nothing compared to her, you hear me?! This is between me and her. Go away!”What?Tanya was as surprised as the whisperers around them exclaiming in shock while taking videos.Martinez ignored Susan’s teary face and tried to hold Tanya’s hand again. Tanya didn’t hesitate to smack his hand away.Despite that, he desperately said “It is you I love, Tan. I am so sorry. It was this bitch. She seduced me and I let her confuse me for a moment. I am back for you now, baby. We can go back to…”“Are you not ashamed of saying that shit to another man’s wife?” Tanya was so relieved by Ayo’s voice that she smiled automatically.He hit Martinez out of the way with his shoulder as he came to put his arm around Tanya, “I am sorry that you can’t e
“I love you, baby. You know that?”“Yes, mommy. I love you too. I can’t wait to see you!” “Very soon, baby. Very soon.” Tanya said fondly.She listened to her daughter being called by her host mother. Then the girl returned to the video, “I need to go, Mommy. Charlotte is taking me to get my ballet kit! Cindy is coming too! She is getting ready right now.”“Cool, look at you, ballerina. You start next week, right?”Emerald preened with excitement as she nodded vigorously, “Yes, the teacher said I have good form, Mommy. Cindy will be there too. I am going to have so much fun!”“I bet you will. Say my goodbyes to Charlotte, Cindy and Rouarke. Go on now. Don’t keep her waiting. Promise to model everything for me later?” she asked with a grin.“Of course! Love you, Mommy, bye!” As Ayo came into the frame, Emerald hastily waved at him as well, “Bye, Mr Taiwo. I have to go get my ballet kit now!”“Oh? That’s cool. I wish I could do ballet too, you know.”Emerald laughed, “That’s silly. Yo
She stood up while still holding his hand and placed the wine glass on the table. “You are right. We should get some sleep. Also, Ruffs is right. You should get an assistant. You would be surprised at how much an assistant could save a day. You have a one-month shoot with Laureve and trust me when I say it can be draining.”“Ughh,” he said with a mock shudder. “Now, I am getting a bit scared. Do you think I can still unsign that contract now?”“Yeah, just be ready to pay a lot for the damages,” she said simply as they got into bed.“Hey, what damages? I could say I backed out based on health issues. That is a valid reason.”“You look healthy as a horse to me and Laureve knows it too,” she sighed as she laid her head on his chest. “You are going to be fine. I can ask Meg to help you interview some assistants before we leave tomorrow.”“No, no, she has enough to handle already, with your travels and everything. Between me and Ruffs, we will handle it. Just take good care of yourself on
Dressed in her best finery, Nancy Salazar sent two of her girls before her to deliver exotic gifts to the Queen Dowager.She had to bribe the dowager’s handmaiden to know the details of the type of brocades and other exotic gifts the woman would accept.As much as the expenses drained more of her family’s already draining fortune, she knew it was a worthy investment.“If not for my silly son who decided to slap me in the face like this, would I be doing all this?” she thought as she calmly waited in the dowager’s waiting room.Gone were the days when the dowager stayed in the main palace. Now she stayed in one of the mansions on Darlington’s estate.Even at that, the mansion was way bigger than Nancy’s home. She was a woman who had scrimped and scraped her way up the ladder of society. If it was left to her simple-minded husband alone, they would probably still be struggling with his meagre monthly salary.What would she have done when he suddenly died?Thankfully, God had heard her pr
Nancy saw that she had caught her attention and quickly added, “That is the only explanation for this, my queen, and as a mother, I made sure I didn’t sit about it too. Once I knew, I started praying and even asked many priests to pray too. You won’t believe how much I had to spend on it. But it is the sacrifice of love that I did not just for my son but also for the princess as well. For our long-lasting union, you know. Have you heard that my son has already left that shameless girl? It was because of my efforts, my queen. The moment my son’s eyes opened like this, he left her immediately.”“Hmmm,” Charlotte said in thought as she nodded to herself.Nancy gave her a sly look, then she made her voice pitiful as she said, “Now, he finally realised the damage he had caused, but as you can see, the princess wouldn’t accept him back. He had been thinking so much now that it had affected his career. He could barely eat or drink. He has even cancelled many of the shows that should fetch mon
“We are so sorry about this, princess. I assure you that we will get started bright and early tomorrow,” the director pleaded with Tanya.“It’s fine. I understand how these things can be. Just contact my manager tonight once you have secured the new venue so we can easily get there tomorrow.”“I will personally send my driver to bring you to the location tomorrow. I will be in touch once we find the new venue. Thank you for your understanding.”“You are welcome.”The woman smiled at Meg before she walked away with her phone to her ear.“This is unacceptable, for real,” Meg said with a pronounced frown on her face. “How can the venue be double-booked for a project like this? I still think you should have let me…”Tanya shook her head as she got into the car, “It is not strange for mix-ups to happen with a project this big. I am sure they will sort it out. Also, they already promised me a bonus for this extra night. Who am I to say no?” she said with a smirk.Meg smiled and looked at her
"Why is he here?" Tanya felt Ayo's hand tighten on hers.She turned her head to see Martinez down the hall surrounded by his new manager and his bodyguards.She noticed that the bodyguards were fewer than he normally had.She supposed he had to keep up pretenses because she of all people knew that he could no longer afford them.He could barely afford the clothes on his back as he was so neck-deep in debt that she was sure he wouldn't finish paying for them in a decade, even if he decided to straighten up and do better.Since that didn't seem to be in the cards anytime soon, she was sure even his pretences would crumble soon enough.She saw Derek, a heavyweight champion, pointedly snubbed Martinez and walked away.When he spotted them, he turned towards their direction, but Tanya looked at her security head before turning away.She knew he wasn't going to get to her family even if he became a fly."Ignore him," she told Ayo. "Some people still believed that his old music, Gangrene, des
“It will be fine,” she told herself firmly.She had to believe it.She told her men to stay out while she looked for him.She entered the hotel and was directed to the ballroom on the second floor, sectioned off separately from the main floor.Tanya took the stairs that led to the ballroom just as someone was coming down it.“Why must I always see you everywhere I go? Isn’t it enough that you ruined my life?!” Susan’s shrill voice dampened Tanya’s mood.She wondered what she was doing here, especially coming from that part where the receptionist said it was closed off to the public for the day.Despite her curiosity, Tanya decided to ignore the bitch so she could go away with her trouble. She had something better to deal with, and she was not going to allow her to ruin it for her. She continued up the stairs expecting Susan to shut her trap if she didn’t respond.She gasped when she suddenly felt a hand pull her from behind, and she slipped backwards.“Tanya!” she heard Ayo’s voice as
“I am pregnant?” Tanya started at the doctor in shock.“Yes, princess. That explains all those feelings you’ve been having. Congratulations.”Tanya couldn’t believe it.She stared blankly at Dr. Aguilar then looked down at her stomach.Cupping it, she stood up from the bed and walked slowly towards the door.She flung it open and Christianah almost tumbled in. She had her ears plastered to the door, while Meg leaned against the railing with a worried look on her face.Meg hurried forward while Christiana steadied herself, “Well?” she asked while peering into Tanya’s pale face. “What is it? You are fine? You are fine, right?”Her worried tone made Tanya nod automatically, and then she said quietly, “I am pregnant. He said I am pregnant.”“Pregnant?! That is good news!” Meg said excitedly, then “Come, you shouldn’t be standing. You are pregnant…”Tanya didn’t believe she could squeeze laughter past the ball lodged in her chest, yet it erupted as she looked at Meg’s face. “Pregnant, not s
In a theatrical whisper, he said, “It is that man I saw on the TV with you. I think he is your husband? Yes, that one. Such a wicked soul,” he said with disgust on his face right before he forked some lobsters into his mouth.“There are many men with me on the TV, many have acted as my husbands before too. Which one of them are you talking about?” Tanya asked with confusion on her face.“I mean the…” he cleared his throat and drank wine to wash down the hastily chewed food. “The real one. The one you married instead of Martinez. What is that name I hear people call him? Yes, Mr. Taiwo. That one.”With surprise evident on her face, Tanya leaned forward. “Are you sure about this? You must have been mistaken. After all, it was a dark street.”“I know it as sure as I know my name, princess. I won’t lie to you. If that killer wants to lie about it, I can say this right to his face!” he said firmly.“Oh? That means you wouldn’t mind repeating this anywhere?” Tanya asked.“Of course not! Mart
Tanya waved the man over as she saw him enter the restaurant.She had booked the whole restaurant for the evening and was seated alone, so it was easy for him to see her.He wore a blue windbreaker jacket that seemed to have seen better days, just like his jeans and shoes. He seemed to be in his thirties.Smiling broadly, he approached her table. "Hello, princess. I can't believe I am meeting you in the flesh. This is so surreal. May I have an autograph, please?" he said excitedly."Of course, why not?" Tanya answered with a smile. "Let's get down to business first. We can do that later.""Okay, okay," he said as he scraped the chair back loudly and sat eagerly while smiling at her.Tanya disliked his shifty eyes immediately, but she held her smile as she assessed him. Her eyes went towards the man behind the counter with his face turned away before focusing on the man giving her a once-over.She was sure she had never seen him before nor knew him with Martinez, but then it was easy to
She was ashamed.The better Ayo’s family treated her during their two-day visit, the more ashamed she felt about the way her mother had treated Ayo and was still treating him.The visit was meant to be a few hours' visit, but his sister had persuaded her to stay one more day.She could see that his mom loved the idea as well, so she immediately agreed.It had been the most relaxing and heart-filled visit she had ever had.Ayo’s mother did not treat her like a stranger at all. She treated her like she had known her for ages.Her care and compassion almost seemed alien to Tanya.It wasn’t that her mother wasn’t capable of love, she just couldn’t remember a time when things like her career and her standing in the family hadn’t overshadowed any bond they might have developed while spending time together.If she thought hard enough, maybe she could recall a time in her childhood when she had been allowed to just be a child or when her mother had just looked at her with love without thinking
She covered the distance between their hands and linked them together, saying, “I want to meet your family. It would be my honour to see your home.”Emotion clogged Ayo’s chest and thickened his voice as he said, “And after that?”“I want you back,” she said without hesitation.“Back? Like…?”“Forever,” she answered. “I don’t want to end this. I lied when I said this was just an arrangement. I want more.”Oh, baby. Ayo’s hands tightened on hers as his eyes swam with the blooming emotions in his heart. “I want more too, baby. I want it all. I don’t ever want to let you go. I will work hard to deserve you. I will…”She leaned forward to lay her finger on his lips, “Ssshh,” she said softly. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You are more than enough for me,” she said with glistening eyes.Ayo shot out of his chair and hauled her into his arms before he could stop himself.Enough. She believed he was enough.Apart from his family, no one had ever believed he was enough.E
Excitement and anxiety warred in Ayo as he entered Avery.Avery was one of the top restaurants in Lagos with full-course international cuisines. One could request any food from Asian delicacies to oriental cuisines.The restaurant was so famous that one had to book a reservation at the restaurant at least a week before the date.Ayo had decided to try his luck that afternoon when he called. He was disappointed when he was told they were booked for the next three months.He was thinking of another place he could invite Tanya to that would be just as phenomenal when he got a call back from the restaurant.“You are in luck, sir. Someone just cancelled their reservation now. Would you like to take it?”“Yes,” Ayo said immediately.Though the reservation had taken the bulk of the money he had left, he was happy to do it for her.The security guard greeted him cordially and opened the door for him, and he stepped into the cool interior.He was surprised when he saw three attendants waiting f
“You won’t believe this!” Tanya smiled as she readjusted on the bed and asked, “I can sense it is something exciting from your voice. What is it?”“Oh my God! Excitement is the least of what I am feeling right now. I am overwhelmed.” his exuberant voice made her smile widen.Oh, she missed him. She wished she could see him right now.Even better, she wished he could be beside her at that moment. She missed him badly, but she was determined to respect his decision.“Even if it kills me,” she thought as she rolled her eyes at herself, then focused firmly on his excitement.“Do you know James Beed? I mean, what am I even talking about? Of course, you know James Beed. Mr Beed called me!”“Oh?” she prompted while grinning from ear to ear.“He called me for my book! He wants to make it into a movie! Can you believe that?! He was even talking about series, collaborations, and some other things I couldn’t really focus on. Can you believe this, Tanya? My book will be turned into a movie. I wro