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Chapter 25
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2025-04-26 09:48:15The Abuja sun blazed high as Zara stepped out of the white-walled studio, her feet aching from the black heels she had worn for the final shoot. The commercial was finally a wrap. Her skin glistened with sweat, makeup melting slightly, and her body ached from all the dramatic poses. But she had nailed every single frame.
“Yes! That’s it! Hold that pose. Eyes softer… perfect!” the photographer shouted, clicking away. A stylist rushed in to adjust her necklace mid-shoot. “Your neckline is too hidden. Let’s show off the product.” Zara nodded, standing still like a mannequin while hands fussed around her. The makeup artist whispered after the shoot, “Girl, you just ate that shoot. You might get picked for next month’s cover job.” Zara smiled faintly, exhausted but giddy. Her heart pulsed with joy. She wasn’t just playing dress-up—she was finally living her dream. Her first paid modeling gig had just ended, and it felt like a beginning. She stepped outside, the heat of the day wrapping around her as she waited for her ride, phone clutched in her hand. It buzzed suddenly. Her father’s name flashed across the screen. Her stomach sank. She inhaled sharply before answering. “Hello, Daddy.” His voice was low, heavy with authority. “Zara.” “Yes, sir?” “I want to see you in Lagos tomorrow before 3 p.m. Whatever you came to Abuja to do, I hope you’ve finished it. Don’t test me.” The line went dead. Zara just stared at the phone screen, her breath stuck in her throat. That was it. No explanation. No room to negotiate. She bit her lip hard, then quickly tapped on Kemi’s contact. “Kemi,” she said, the moment her friend answered. “My dad just called. He said I must be in Lagos before 3 p.m. tomorrow. Like… no excuses.” Kemi gasped. “Ah! That man again! Does he work with FBI? Why is he always timing your life?” Zara paced, still in her shoot outfit. “I don’t even know how he found out I’m done with the gig. Or maybe he just sensed it.” “Well, it’s giving spiritual detective,” Kemi joked. “But babe, be calm. At least the shoot went well, yeah?” Zara paused, then smiled. “It was incredible, Kemi. The photographer loved me. They’re even considering me for something bigger next month.” “I’m proud of you, superstar. That’s the energy! And now, one thousand dollars richer!” Zara rolled her eyes playfully. “As if I’ve touched the money.” “You better o! Because I need sushi and vibes when you land back.” They both laughed, easing the tension. Back at the hotel, Regan was still lounging in bed, one arm under his head, the other idly tracing invisible circles on Zara’s pillow. The scent of her coconut hair oil lingered, mixing with the memory of last night. Her breathless moans, the way her lips trembled when he kissed her collarbone, how she shivered under his touch. He had seen a different side of her. A vulnerable side. He couldn’t lie—he wanted to see it again. His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. He reached for it lazily, brows narrowing when he saw the name. Imani. His chest stilled. Imani? Why now? They hadn’t spoken in months. Not since that ugly fight. Not since he walked away. The phone rang out once. Then again. Against his better judgment, he picked up, voice calm. “Imani?” Her voice came sharp. “We need to talk.” Regan sat up, suddenly alert. “Talk about what?” “I’m in Lagos. Where are you?” He hesitated. “I’m not in town. I traveled.” There was a pause. Then she said it. “I didn’t want to do this over the phone, but… I’m two months pregnant.” His stomach twisted. “And it’s yours.” The call ended. Regan stared blankly ahead. His hand dropped slowly from his ear. His jaw slackened. Two months. Pregnant.
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Regan’s fingers trembled slightly as he ended the call. The words “I’m two months pregnant” echoed in his head like a loud bell refusing to be silenced. He stared at the ceiling, heart pounding, mind spinning in a thousand directions. Imani. Pregnant. Two months.“No, no… this has to be a mistake,” he muttered to himself, sitting up abruptly on the bed.He rubbed his hands over his face, then grabbed his phone again. Within minutes, he had booked the next flight to Lagos. He couldn’t breathe properly until he got answers face to face. If what Imani said was true, everything he’d started to build with Zara was about to come crashing down like a fragile house of cards.While Regan scrambled to deal with the storm unfolding, Zara rolled her suitcase through the familiar gates of her father’s house in Lagos. Her heart thumped with a strange mix of fear and curiosity. She hadn’t seen her parents since leaving for Abuja. And knowing her father, there was no telling what awaited her inside.
Last Updated : 2025-04-26The reluctant vow Chapter 27
The streets of Lagos blurred past as Regan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles pale against the leather. He wasn’t headed anywhere in particular — just driving, trying to outrun the chaos swirling in his chest. The confrontation with Imani played in loops through his head like a haunting tune he couldn’t turn off.A baby.She claimed she was pregnant with his child. And the timeline… two months ago? That night. That stupid, foggy night when they ran into each other at that bar, both downing more drinks than they should have. He remembered being with her… vaguely. The bar. Her laugh. The taxi ride. Her apartment. But nothing intimate. Nothing sexual.Still, Imani had recounted everything with confidence — where they sat, what they drank, how he had kissed her. He had no recollection of even holding her hand.Could she be lying?His head throbbed. He thought of Zara, her soft laugh, the way she’d curled into his chest in Abuja. How, for the first time in a long time, something had
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“You know your father has made the decision. That’s final.”Zara’s eyes widened in disbelief as her mother’s voice echoed through the living room, sharp and unwavering. “So nobody cares about me or my dreams? Not even my happiness?”Mrs. Tunde stood still, arms folded across her chest. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, like she was trying to stay calm, but the tension between them was too thick to ignore.“I don’t love Regan. I don’t even know him!” Zara burst out, voice trembling as she stood in the middle of the room, her fists clenched by her side.“You don’t need to know him or love him.” Mr. Tunde’s deep baritone cut through the air as he stepped into the living room. His expression was unreadable—cold, commanding, final. “All you need to know is that the marriage is happening. You, Zara Tunde, are going to be the wife of Regan Kareem.”Zara felt her chest tighten. Her legs wobbled beneath her. “You can’t do this to me,” she said, almost in a whisper.“We already have,” her
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The house felt quieter than usual, but it wasn’t peaceful. It was the kind of silence that carried weight—unspoken words, wounded pride, and burning disappointment all wrapped into one. Zara had barely slept the night before. Her body had collapsed into bed, but her mind had wandered restlessly, dancing between hope and helplessness.The email still sat open on her phone. She had read it more than a dozen times. Each line, each sentence, carried the promise of freedom, of escape. A chance to start fresh, to step into the world she had dreamt of since she was a teenager. Yet that future now clashed with the one her parents were forcefully designing for her.Downstairs, the hum of conversation floated up to her room. Footsteps echoed off the polished tiles, followed by the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Zara slowly sat up, her heart thudding with anxiety. She could already sense what was coming.The door creaked open without a knock.“Zara, come downstairs,” her mother sai
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The living room buzzed with stifled tension. Chief Kareem’s deep voice floated in and out of Zara’s consciousness as he discussed “family values” and “merging legacies” with her father. Regan sat across from her, back stiff, eyes occasionally glancing her way, unreadable as always.Zara’s fingers twitched in her lap. She couldn’t breathe in here—couldn’t think straight. With a polite smile that barely masked her frustration, she excused herself.“Excuse me, I need to get something upstairs,” she muttered, not waiting for permission.Once in her room, she locked the door behind her, slumped onto the bed, and grabbed her phone. Her heart beat faster as she pulled up her messages, scrolling until she saw the email again—the one that had flipped her world upside down just hours ago.Congratulations Zara Tunde, you have been shortlisted as one of the finalists for the House of Aramé Model Search. The final selection will take place in three months. Prepare to bring your A-game.She stared
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Zara blinked, her steps faltering as she entered the kitchen and caught sight of Regan—bare-chested, sweatpants hanging low on his waist, his muscular frame bent over the water dispenser as he filled a glass. The silver jug shimmered beneath the fluorescent light, but all she could focus on was the stranger in her house. Again.He looked up briefly, their eyes locking for half a second before he turned away, cool and unbothered. Not a single word. Not even a nod. Just silence.Zara’s brows furrowed in confusion and mild irritation as she backed away and turned down the corridor, storming toward her mother’s room.“Mummy,” she called, pushing open the half-closed door. “Why is Regan in our kitchen?”Mrs. Tunde looked up from where she was folding a wrapper. “Because he’s staying here, Zara.”Zara blinked. “Staying? As in… sleeping over?”Her mother sighed. “Yes. The Kareems are spending the weekend here. Both families agreed. We’re going to start planning the engagement, and this will
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Zara didn’t expect peace when she came downstairs, but she also didn’t expect the bomb her father was about to drop. The living room was filled with cheerful voices—Chief Kareem’s deep laugh, her mother’s polite chuckles, and her father’s barely hidden pride. Everyone was drinking tea like it was a regular Sunday morning.Until her father cleared his throat and said, “We’ve decided the wedding will be next month. Just enough time for proper preparations.”Zara froze.Kemi’s voice in her head whispered breathe, but it was already too late.“Excuse me?” she said aloud, blinking like she’d misheard.Her father didn’t even look at her. “You heard me. It’s final.”She stood, heart pounding. “And I don’t get a say? You’re just going to marry me off like—like some business deal?”Chief Tunde’s eyes snapped to hers, hard and warning. “Zara. Sit down.”“No,” she said louder now. “You can’t just decide my future without me!”Chief Kareem’s smile stiffened. Mrs. Tunde looked away, pretending to
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Zara paced the length of her room, her fingers trembling with excitement as she stared at the message on her screen. “Your shoot is confirmed for today at 6 PM. Location: VI. Don’t be late.” She could almost hear Kemi’s voice squealing in her head. It was finally happening.This shoot wasn’t just any shoot—it was a potential launchpad. The kind of opportunity that could change everything.She quickly changed into something casual but sleek, just enough to make it seem like she was going out for something ordinary. If she played this right, she’d be back before dinner. No one would even notice.But her plans shattered the moment her mother’s voice echoed up the stairs.“Zara! Be downstairs in twenty minutes. We’re going to dinner with the Kareems.”Zara froze. “Dinner again?” she muttered under her breath. Her brows furrowed. “Why? We’ve had breakfast, lunch, dinner… brunch… more food than conversation.”Still, she descended the stairs slowly, calculating what excuse to give. Maybe she
Last Updated : 2025-04-17
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The reluctant vow Chapter 27
The streets of Lagos blurred past as Regan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles pale against the leather. He wasn’t headed anywhere in particular — just driving, trying to outrun the chaos swirling in his chest. The confrontation with Imani played in loops through his head like a haunting tune he couldn’t turn off.A baby.She claimed she was pregnant with his child. And the timeline… two months ago? That night. That stupid, foggy night when they ran into each other at that bar, both downing more drinks than they should have. He remembered being with her… vaguely. The bar. Her laugh. The taxi ride. Her apartment. But nothing intimate. Nothing sexual.Still, Imani had recounted everything with confidence — where they sat, what they drank, how he had kissed her. He had no recollection of even holding her hand.Could she be lying?His head throbbed. He thought of Zara, her soft laugh, the way she’d curled into his chest in Abuja. How, for the first time in a long time, something had
The reluctant vow Chapter 26
Regan’s fingers trembled slightly as he ended the call. The words “I’m two months pregnant” echoed in his head like a loud bell refusing to be silenced. He stared at the ceiling, heart pounding, mind spinning in a thousand directions. Imani. Pregnant. Two months.“No, no… this has to be a mistake,” he muttered to himself, sitting up abruptly on the bed.He rubbed his hands over his face, then grabbed his phone again. Within minutes, he had booked the next flight to Lagos. He couldn’t breathe properly until he got answers face to face. If what Imani said was true, everything he’d started to build with Zara was about to come crashing down like a fragile house of cards.While Regan scrambled to deal with the storm unfolding, Zara rolled her suitcase through the familiar gates of her father’s house in Lagos. Her heart thumped with a strange mix of fear and curiosity. She hadn’t seen her parents since leaving for Abuja. And knowing her father, there was no telling what awaited her inside.
The reluctant vow Chapter 25
The Abuja sun blazed high as Zara stepped out of the white-walled studio, her feet aching from the black heels she had worn for the final shoot. The commercial was finally a wrap. Her skin glistened with sweat, makeup melting slightly, and her body ached from all the dramatic poses. But she had nailed every single frame.“Yes! That’s it! Hold that pose. Eyes softer… perfect!” the photographer shouted, clicking away.A stylist rushed in to adjust her necklace mid-shoot. “Your neckline is too hidden. Let’s show off the product.”Zara nodded, standing still like a mannequin while hands fussed around her.The makeup artist whispered after the shoot, “Girl, you just ate that shoot. You might get picked for next month’s cover job.”Zara smiled faintly, exhausted but giddy. Her heart pulsed with joy. She wasn’t just playing dress-up—she was finally living her dream. Her first paid modeling gig had just ended, and it felt like a beginning.She stepped outside, the heat of the day wrapping aro
The reluctant vow Chapter 24
Zara stirred beneath the sheets, the early morning light pouring through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the hotel room. Her body ached in places that reminded her of the night before—the way Regan had kissed her, touched her, held her like he couldn’t breathe without her.Her eyes blinked open slowly.And there he was.Lying next to her, half the sheets kicked off his body, arm draped lazily over his head. Peaceful. Warm. Infuriatingly attractive.Zara turned to her side, slowly, quietly… willing her breath to steady. Her mind was a mess. What had she done? She wasn’t supposed to fall into his arms like that. Not after everything. Not with all the secrets between them.She sat up gently, pulling the sheet with her to cover her chest. Her gaze flicked to the clock.7:13 AM.The shoot was by 10. She needed to freshen up, call Kemi, get mentally back on track. She tiptoed out of bed, picked up her clothes from the floor, and headed toward the bathroom.But halfway there, hi
The reluctant vow Chapter 23
Zara’s fingers trembled as she hit send on the message: “Regan is here and I think my dad knows I lied.”Within seconds, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call. Kemi.Zara picked up and barely got out a greeting before Kemi said, “Turn your camera. I want to see for myself. Are you sure it’s him?”Still catching her breath, Zara turned the camera shakily toward the corridor where she’d last seen Regan, but the hallway was empty now.“What the actual hell? He was just there! I swear—Kemi, I’m not losing it—I saw Regan!”“Babe, maybe it was someone that looked like him,” Kemi offered, her tone soft but unsure.“No, no, Kemi—I know what I saw. It was him. He even sent me a text!”“Wait, text?” Kemi sat up straighter. “What did it say?”Zara switched to her other phone, quickly screenshotting Regan’s message: “Your lies are getting better, but not good enough.”She forwarded it to Kemi.Kemi stared at it and exhaled slowly. “Okay, he’s definitely close by. But try not to panic. You’
The reluctant vow Chapter 22
Zara stared at her screen, blinking hard as the email glowed back at her.Subject: URGENT – Invitation to Abuja Modeling Campaign ShootFrom: Prestige Faces Africa“Congratulations, Zara Tunde. Following your recent shoot with Ajah Agency and the widespread attention it garnered, we’re pleased to invite you to a high-profile commercial shoot in Abuja this weekend. All travel and accommodation will be covered. Talent compensation: $1,000 USD flat rate.”Her heart skipped. Her hands began to shake. One thousand dollars? For one shoot?She covered her mouth and sank slowly onto the edge of her bed, eyes still fixed on the email. This wasn’t a scam. It was real. This was the kind of break she had dreamed about. No catwalk, no competition—just a booked, paid commercial.She quickly dialed Kemi.“Kemi…” she whispered the moment the line connected. “They want me in Abuja. It’s real, Kemi. It’s happening. A thousand dollars!”“What?!” Kemi screamed. “Zara, are you joking right now?!”“No o! I
The reluctant vow Chapter 21
The car ride home from the shoot was quiet, but Zara felt anything but still. Her chest swelled with a cocktail of relief, excitement, and disbelief. The shoot had gone way better than she imagined. Even without Kemi’s usual backup, she pulled it off—and when she spotted her best friend in the crowd with that familiar smirk, it felt like her wings spread wide again.But now, with her makeup cleaned off and her hoodie wrapped tightly around her braids, she looked and felt like the normal Zara again—just a girl from Surulere with a father who didn’t want her to dream too loud.When she walked into the house, nothing felt off. The atmosphere was normal. Her mum was in the kitchen humming as she fried plantain, and her dad was on a call in the sitting room, his glasses hanging low on his nose. Zara quickly greeted him and walked to the kitchen to steal one or two pieces of plantain, then helped set the table.Dinner that evening was one of the few peaceful ones they’d had in a while. Her
The reluctant vow Chapter 20
Zara sat curled on her bed, her knees hugged to her chest as the afternoon sun poured lazily through her window. The email from the modeling agency was still open on her phone screen, its bright text almost mocking her. They had given her a second chance—a golden opportunity she never expected after backing out the first time.She should’ve been thrilled. She should’ve been out picking an outfit or practicing poses. But instead, she was stuck in a spiral of doubt, fear, and loneliness.Her eyes stung with unshed tears.She hadn’t spoken to Kemi all day. No playful banter. No encouraging messages. No Kemi offering to come over and help her prepare. Just silence. It was a silence that echoed louder than any argument could. Kemi’s words from the night before haunted her.“I have better things to do. Your dad will still call you to run back home… and like always, you will.”Zara closed her eyes tightly, biting her lower lip. Kemi was angry—and maybe she had every right to be. But it didn’
The reluctant vow Chapter 19
Zara adjusted the strap of her black sling bag over her shoulder and ran a hand through her curls, trying to suppress the anxious flutter in her stomach. Today was the first official visit to the modeling agency—a quick consultation and test shoot—and Kemi had pulled every string she could to make it happen discreetly. Dressed in wide-leg jeans and a crisp white blouse tucked in neatly, she looked effortlessly stunning. Her face bore minimal makeup, just enough to highlight her natural features. She had told her parents she was going to Kemi’s house again for another girls’ day, and thankfully, they hadn’t asked too many questions.Kemi, already waiting in front of the gate, waved from her small car. Zara jogged toward her, heart pounding with excitement and nerves.“You ready?” Kemi beamed as she opened the door.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Zara muttered, sliding in. “Let’s go before someone changes their mind.”The drive was filled with excited chatter. Kemi hyped her up, played the
