Chapter 2
Teniola dragged a hand down her face as she stepped out of her apartment, it was past 10 already, she had the fastest bath in history and worn the clothes her friend picked for her. The Lagos sun was unforgiving, slamming into her skin like it had a personal vendetta.
She wasn't even supposed to leave the house today, but her assistant, Kemi, had called her frantically. "Aunty Teni, the new stock has arrived o! The gems are crazy! You need to come and see them yourself, although I think the delivery company messed with it, the cartons are rumpled and bent, you know the contents are delicate."
Normally, that would excite her. New gemstones, fresh designs, endless creativity. But today? She was broke, her goods came in messed up and some items missing. Restocking had been a stupid decision. She had invested her last savings into these materials without a single client order to cover the cost. If she didn't start selling fast, she'd be drowning in debt.
Sighing, she sighted the Uber her friend had ordered and got into the backseat of a faded red Camry that had seen better days. "Ah, madam! Na fine woman you be, you no suppose dey work! Na man suppose take care of you" The driver grinned at her through the rearview mirror, she didn't even bother checking her outfit out since she was in a rush and trusted her friends judgements, her judgement was perfect something light and nice good for the weather and for the sweats that would break out at her office space, it's going to be a long day she thought as she settled into the car seat, heads thrown to the back. Teni clenched her fists. She didn't have the energy for this today.
"Bros, I take God beg you, just drive."
The man chuckled. "No wahala. But make I tell you—"
She tuned him out, although he kept talking to himself then later humming along to Adekunle Gold- Ire playing from his car speakers, she focused on the email invoice from her jewelry supplier, listing her latest purchases that had nearly drained her account.
Ethiopian opals: rare and iridescent, catching the light with fiery blues and greens.
Tanzanite stones: deep violet, perfect for statement rings.
Gold-plated Cuban links: heavy, high-end, the kind rappers and Lagos big boys loved.
Freshwater pearls: for the 'soft life' girls who wanted elegance…
The list goes on, they were stunning, but useless if nobody was buying. She sighed, closing her eyes, then she remembered that it was only Chisom that was left at home and she had not left the house with her keys, she made a mental note to remind her to keep the keys under the flower pot right outside her door by the window should incase she'd leave for her own house before she arrives. Then—
BANG!
The car jerked violently, sputtered twice, then rolled to a shaky stop. Teni's eyes snapped open. "What the hell was that?" The driver cursed and hit the steering wheel. "Ahn ahn! This useless motor don disgrace me again!"
Teni exhaled slowly, trying to keep calm. "Oga, what happened?"
"Battery wahala," the driver muttered. "I go check am now and he go work soon, just chill fir me madam, abeg." Teni groaned. Perfect. Just perfect.
She stepped out of the car, arms crossed as she took in her surroundings. They were parked beside a half-developed estate, a massive plot of land with construction signs and expensive-looking site workers.
And then—she saw him.
He stood a few meters away, dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, his presence effortless but commanding. He wasn't doing anything special—just talking to a man in a suit, probably about the property.
But something about him made it impossible to look away.
Teni didn't even realize she was staring until, suddenly, he turned and met her gaze.Her breath caught. Sharp, deep brown eyes locked onto hers, for a moment, it was just them.
A flicker of curiosity crossed his face, but then, just as quickly, he looked away and continued his conversation.
Teni swallowed. What the hell was that? A rich man, probably another Lagos big shot buying up land, had no reason to be in her thoughts. She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. "Na rich people full this country, we poor people no go see road pass again."
The driver finally fixed the car and jumped back in. "Madam, make we dey go?"
Teni shot one last glance at the mysterious man before shaking her head. No distractions, She had a business and face to save.