Anonymous.
A woman chatted on the phone with a 22-year-old boy, her laughter echoing through the penthouse.
She lay comfortably on the bed, even though it was getting late and she hadn't left the penthouse all day. It had been far too long since she last heard his voice, and today, she felt like the happiest person in the world.
She was proud of his remarkable achievements—at just 22, he was a multibillionaire, breaking records in the billionaire rankings this year. The most thrilling part? He was still single and involved with a Mafia organization.
"You know you're a naughty boy, right?" she teased, crossing her ankles.
He chuckled, accustomed to her playful reprimands. "And I'm glad I'm not hiding in the shadows anymore, Ma."
What would she do with him? "Sebastian, you left Poland and came to Nigeria without even calling me?"
"Mommy, it's called a surprise." He burst her bubble, and oddly, her heart began to race. Then, in a thick Polish accent, he added, "I just wanted to see you. Is it so wrong for a son to visit his mother after fifteen years?"
When she said she didn't understand him, he quickly translated.
There were too many secrets and scandals. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him; it was just that this sudden visit and the revelation of his identity could break her husband's heart.
"Seb, I'm happy for you too, but—"
"Guess what, Mommy?" He cut her off excitedly. "I'm buying shares in a huge business chain. That's the second reason I'm in Nigeria, Mamma Mia."
"What?" She sat up straight, frowning. "Seb, stop wasting your money on these so-called investments. You're too young to achieve this much. Look at you—already making headlines. What will you do in your thirties?"
The boy gasped, taken aback by her words. "Ah, Mommy, I'll buy you a country, and we'll rule it together—just like Elon Musk!"
She rolled her eyes at his silliness. Rising from the bed, she went to check on the cake baking in the oven. "Maybe this Mafia thing your godfather dragged you into is clouding your judgment. I told Kacper to let you resign, but that old he-goat is as stubborn as you are." She slipped on her slippers.
"Mom, this has nothing to do with my organization. I'll soon be the boss, and backing out isn't an option."
"I knew sending you to study in Poland and leaving you with your godfather was a mistake." She started toward the door but paused when someone entered, looking worn and haggard from work.
"Ah, come on, Mommy. I had a blast in Poland, all thanks to yo—"
"Let me call you back, Seb."
"Okay." They hung up.
She tucked her phone away and approached the man. "Baby…" Worry etched on her face as she cupped his cheeks in her hands, but his expression was blank. "You're home early. What's with the moody face?"
Unbeknownst to her, it was all part of a plan.
He sighed, weary. He hesitated to share his thoughts but knew she deserved to know. "There's a young business tycoon who's been shaking up the industry…"
Before he could finish, she interrupted, "Come have a seat first." She guided him toward the bed.
She helped him take off his coat, and they sat on the edge of the bed. "Tell me everything, my love," she said, genuinely wanting to know.
He sighed. "You've probably heard of him. He's everywhere—online and in the news." He frowned, weighing his words. "They call him the 'King of Hell.'"
Her heart sank at the mention of that name; she knew who he meant. "Did he threaten you?"
He looked at her, confused. "No." She exhaled in relief. "He's just planning to buy all my investments."
"What?!" she exclaimed. So it was her husband's shares her son had mentioned on the phone?
The man began counting on his fingers. "Refineries, stocks, shares, airlines—everything I've worked hard for all these years. He wants to take it all by force."
Irritation flared within her as she stood up. "For what?!" Her voice rose in anger. "What's wrong with Sebastian for goodness' sake—"
"Yeah, babe. That's his name." The woman's eyes widened, and her mouth fell agape as she realized her slip. He turned to her, intrigued. "You seem familiar with him. Have you met him?"
"No, no, no, no…" She shook her head vigorously, forcing a weak smile. "I… um…" She stammered, scrambling for an excuse. "Some colleagues talk about him a lot at work, so I—I need to check on the cake in the oven. You freshen up, okay? I'll be back shortly." She planted a quick kiss on his lips and hurried out of the room.
He sat there for a moment, contemplating, but as soon as she left, his façade dropped. A smirk spread across his face as he picked up his phone. "The game is going according to plan. She's hiding something from me."
"How do you know?" the voice on the other end asked. "Did she say anything?"
"As soon as I mentioned the title, she knew who I meant. She started acting strange."
"Hmm."
******
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the woman dialed the most recent number on her call log and pressed the phone to her ear.
After one ring, Sebastian answered. "Hello, Mommy. You almost took too long to call me back," he teased, his tone playful.
"Sebastian," she replied, gritting her teeth. "You have to back down from buying those stocks and shares. Whatever investments you're pursuing—stop it."
"But Mommy, why do you sound so agitated? Look—"
"Sebastian, don't 'Mommy' me! Just do as I say." She glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, then lowered her voice. "Please, Seb, do this for me."
"Are you asking me to do it for your marriage?" he asked, frowning.
"Yes, for my marriage. I need to save my marriage, Seb."
"But Mommy, don't you think it's time to tell your husband about me? I'm tired of hiding."
"No!" she insisted, then softened her tone. "Seb, you don't understand. It's not that easy. Yes, I will tell him, but not now. I just reconciled with him, and you want me to drop this on him? My marriage could fall apart again. Don't you get it? There's a time for everything. Please, just this once."
He sighed, sensing her desperation. He had never seen her like this before. "Fine, I'll back out."
Relief flooded through her, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. She knew she was the only one who could change his mind.
"Only on one condition."
She groaned. "What now, Seb?"
He smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Have lunch with me tomorrow. I'll send you the time and address."
Without hesitation, she agreed. "Deal."