She froze. The world blurred, her vision fading as she stumbled forward. Her knees hit the pavement beside him.

Blood seeped into the pavement. Everything happened so fast.

"Stay here!" He had ordered. He bolted after the masked man in the bike who dragged his camera from his neck.

But she didn't Stay.

Her pulse spiked as she chased after him; he was faster, catching up to them in no time; the rough road didn't allow them full speed.

Then-

A sound split the air.

A sharp, merciless crack.

She woke up with tears streaming down her eyes. This was 10 years ago, and yet the pain was still sharp like it was yesterday.

Maybe it was indeed a mistake to come back to Abuja, the nightmare that resurfaced is a clear sign.

The city was different.

She had known it would be Amanda, her roommate had warned her.

"You won't even recognize the streets anymore."

But she was adamant, she grew up around these parts. Yet the once familiar roads had twisted, new buildings towering over where the old route where. Nothing could reflect the streets she had walked a lifetime ago.

And now she was lost.

She gripped the strap of her back tighter; a quick glance at her watch was enough to tell her she was almost late for her interview; she stood at the edge of the bustling maitama market; her Google maps had already failed her twice,, and now she barely had enough time to spare.

Standing by the sidewalk she scanned carefully for someone who looked approachable in respect to the other warning she had received this morning.

"Do not take directions from anyone you see".

Most people walked by in a hurry, barely sparing her a glance as she tried to talk to them.

Finally, she spots a man sitting across the streets, says a silent prayer and then takes hesitant steps towards him.

"Excuse me," she called out. Do you know how to get to Agu Corp?

She continued down the alley as directed; something had seemed off, but the man had assured her this was a shortcut to her destination.

A dead end was almost visible with only a man leaning against the wall, cigarettes dangling from his fingers.

"You don loss" He fired.

Sensing danger she quickly turned, but her entrance was blocked by a group of four men, with the man who had given her directions earlier leading them. Something about their smile made her pulse quicken.

"I-" she stammered.

" we hear say you Dey find road" one of them said slyly. "Come make we help you".

At this point, she understood the seriousness on Amanda's face as she had warned her about taking directions from strangers. But it was too late now, only a miracle would save her.

The feeling of uneasiness crawled up her spine, her instincts screamed at her to back away. Somehow she remained calm,

"This is nothing like my nightmare." She thought.

She had barely taken a step back before one of them moved closer,

"Just give us your phone and card and maybe we no go touch you."

Her heart pounded, and she observed how high the walls were; she could scream with all her might, and no one would hear. Another disgusting realization hit her- these men were not only after her phone and money.

"Now, now". A lazy voice drawled behind them. "Why all of una gather this fine girl for her."

She turned to see the newcomer walking past these men. He didn't look like one of them; his hair was properly kept, he had no cigar, his white shirt, though unbuttoned enough to see his chest and the silver chain around his neck, the amusement dancing around his eyes. Their hands in his pocket, posture relaxed- he looked more like trouble than a saviour. He stood taller than all of them, his confidence was not the only thing surprising, but also the sign of fear that had begun to appear on the faces of her former assailants.

"Did these idiots touch you?" He asked. His voice was sharp but calm.

She shook her head.

"Make una commot from here now wey my mind still good." He thundered.

The direct threat In his voice was enough to make even her shiver. The man who had given her directions hesitated for a second; the others at his back had begun murmuring quietly, yet she caught a phrase they had repeated.

"Na lucky be this o."

Then without another word, they melted in the same directions they had entered from.

She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"That was reckless," she muttered turning to him. "They could have had weapons."

Realizing almost immediately she should have said something else first.

He grinned. "Oh sweetheart, so could I."

"Who are you?" She added immediately. "Why do they seem to know you."

"Unless you're new around here, I should start being worried if my reputation is growing more among men than the ladies." He smirked.

That smirk- it was practised, effortless. The kind that belonged to someone who thrived on trouble. And yet, for a lot of reasons, she wasn't afraid.

"Well," He said, "is this where you live or you're not done being impressed.

She frowned. "I wasn't impressed."

"That's what they all say."

She huffed. "I need to go to Agu Corp."

His smirk widened. "What a coincidence. I was just headed that way."

"What do I call you." She asked though she had pretty much figured it was lucky.

"If you don't know after as you're new, in walking, He grinned, ed. "You'll find out soon enough."

She wasn't sure why, but something had tolinscribedaona lie. And yet she found herself flowing him.

After a few minutes of walking, they both realise the gate of the tall glass building. Agu Corp boldly inscribed in the gate.

; it is." He said Chad cheerfully.

She headed straight to the building only to realise she had a receptionist him a pet rely on turned around; she couldn't find him anymore; it seemed as if he had disappeared.

She strolled inside the building and straight towards the receptionist's desk.

"Hi, I'm Nelly Samuel, and I'm here for th. Sheoffer." She said, trying to sound hopeful,l.

"I'm sorry the interview is over." " the receptionist said with a smile, trying to sound polite.

She stood there lost in thought. She had been job hunting for the past month, and this was the best offer she'd seen, only to lose it like this. She was about to head out when a thought had struck her. She went back in towards the receptionist.

"Nadia," she called out the name tag on the receptionist's shirt.

"How long have you been working here." Nelly muttered, trying to start up a conversation.

"4 years," Nadia replied her. It worked and they conversed for a while.

Which elevator leads to his office." She asked calming.

"That one." She pointed

The receptionist realised her a little too late, as Nelly headed towards the elevator and towards the office.

NELLY'S POV

I stood in from of his office with a slight feeling of betrayal for Nadia, we had struck up a good conversation and she'd have probably realised by now it was all lower her guard and go to her bosses office. An action that could probably get her fired.

I took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. Though I was pretty sure the motion detectors had already informed him someone was at the door.

"Come in."

His voice was deep rich, void of all form of stress.

I opened the door and walked in.

"He's a mean bully," she had whispered, when I asked about her boss. I had smiled politely, thinking she was exaggerating.

Now, standing in Kevin agu's office, I realized she had been right.

The moment I stepped in, he didn't even acknowledge me. He sat behind a sleek glass desk, typing away on his laptop, completely absorbed. The only sound in the room was the soft clicking of keys.

I shifted awkwardly. "Good afternoon, sir—"

Before I could finish, the office door flew open.

"That's her!" The receptionist burst in, dragging a security guard with her. "Get her out of here! I'm very sorry, sir, I didn't see when she slipped past me."

Heat rushed to my face. Everyone in the room was looking at me now.

I stood quickly, trying to maintain some dignity. "It's okay. I'll leave."

But before I could take a step, his voice cut through the room.

"It's fine, Nadia," he said, stopping the security guard mid-step. "I've been expecting her."

I turned to him, confused. Expecting me? That was impossible. I had only submitted my application a few days ago—one among probably a thousand others. How could he have singled me out?

"Have a seat," he said, interrupting my thoughts.

I hesitated before lowering myself into the chair across from him. He didn't speak again, just returned to his laptop as if I wasn't even there.

I clenched my hands in my lap. My eyes wandered around his office, taking in the vast space. It was five times the size of my apartment, decorated with an impeccable taste that spoke of old money. Antique sculptures lined the shelves, paintings from different eras hung on the walls, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire Maitama district.

"Do you like what you see?"

His voice made me jump. When I turned back to him, he was watching me with an amused smirk.

"Go ahead," he said. "Explore."

I hesitated before standing, walking slowly around the room. The antiques were impressive—works of artists I had never heard of, paintings that looked like they belonged in a museum. One, in particular, caught my attention.

It was a painting of a man facing a mirror. But instead of one reflection, the mirror showed three different versions of him—each one distinct, as if they were entirely separate people.

"Interesting piece," I murmured.

"Don't bother," he said from behind me. "You won't be able to make sense of it."

His voice was closer now. I turned slightly, feeling his presence just inches away. The heat of his breath tickled the back of my neck.

"This," he continued, "was made in view of society today. No one cares about the man himself—only the versions of him that suit their expectations."

I barely heard him. My mind was too focused on the way my body was reacting. My skin tingled where his breath touched, and my pulse quickened against my will.

"How badly do you want this job?" he whispered.

The words sent a shiver down my spine. Then it hit me.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

From the moment I walked in, every pause, every glance, every word had been calculated to build up to this moment.

And it was working.

My body was betraying me. I felt lightheaded, my knees weak. I imagined what his hands would feel like, what his lips could do—

"Can I have it?" he asked suddenly, stepping away.

I blinked, trying to refocus. He was standing near his desk now, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his coat draped over his chair. Behind him was a king-size bed with silk sheets, as inviting as the man himself.

"Come and get me," I blurted, before I could stop myself.

A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. He unfastened his watch, setting it on the desk. I watched as he loosened his cuffs, rolling them up further.

He started walking toward me.

I closed my eyes, waiting—anticipating.

"Miss Nelly."

My heart pounded.

"You have something for me."

My breath hitched.

I opened my eyes, expecting him to reach for me—but instead, he extended his hand.

"For the interview," he clarified. "Your CV."

The floor beneath me might as well have opened up and swallowed me whole.

My stomach dropped.

Every ounce of heat, every ounce of tension that had built up, evaporated instantly. Shame rushed in to replace it.

He had played me.

And he knew it.

"I've got to say," he added, that smirk still on his face, "I enjoyed this little game. I love the way your mind works."

My entire body burned with humiliation.

Before I knew it my hands was in the air.

The slap echoed through the office.

For a moment there was only silence.

He turned his head back slowly, rubbing his jaw, that smirk-still there but sharper now and more amused than before.

I didn't wait for another reaction.

Without another word, I bolted from his office, willing myself not to cry.

I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.