*CHAPTER 2 – Storms in London*
Rain painted the café windows with steady rhythm, the kind that made time feel slower. *Alexa* leaned over her tea, laughing at something *Lixxie* had just said. His dry humor always caught her off guard — one minute serious, next minute ridiculous.
He was unpredictable.
"So, what exactly are you studying again?" Lixxie asked, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Strategic business leadership," she replied with a shrug. "It's more of a show for my father than a passion."
"Ah," he said, leaning back. "Daddy's empire must be heavy on your shoulders."
She gave a tight smile. "Try suffocating."
There was a pause — a moment of realness — and in that silence, something unspoken lingered. Lixxie watched her carefully, like he already knew the parts of her she never shared. It was both comforting and unnerving.
Outside, thunder rolled.
---
*Two months passed.*
The friendship blurred quickly. There were movie nights, study sessions, then hand touches that lingered too long. *Lixxie* made it clear — he wasn't here for just friendship.
And Alexa… she didn't stop him.
One evening, he took her to the top of a rooftop bar overlooking the London skyline. The city buzzed below, but all she saw was the intensity in his eyes.
"I don't want to just be your friend, Alexa," he said quietly.
She bit her lip. "You sure about that?"
"I've never been more sure."
That was the night they kissed — the kind of kiss that set things in motion you couldn't take back.
---
*Meanwhile, back in Lagos…*
*Luxia* stood at the window of his skyscraper office, overlooking the city. His secretary, *Wang Lefie*, placed a report on his desk, but he barely noticed.
"She's still with him, isn't she?" he asked flatly.
Wang blinked. "Excuse me, sir?"
"Alexa. She's still with that guy."
Wang's jaw tightened. "From what I've seen online… yes."
Luxia gave a bitter laugh. "He's not good for her."
"You could tell her that," Wang said, her voice slightly sharper now. "Or maybe you're just scared."
Luxia's gaze shifted toward her — unreadable. "I don't fight battles I've already lost."
But deep down, he knew he hadn't lost yet. He just hadn't played his move.
And when Alexa returned — he would.