Chapter Thirty-Six: Fake Smiles, Real Spies
Adebayo Family House
Tayo was all sweet teeth and fake hugs when she showed up at the Adebayo mansion that Saturday afternoon. She glided into the living room like she owned the place, her perfume announcing her presence before her voice did.
"Oh Tammy!" she squealed, hugging her elder sister like she hadn't once left her stranded at the altar of family loyalty. "You're glowing, honestly. Marriage must really suit you." She laughed out loud.
Tammy hugged back stiffly, caught off guard by the sudden warmth. "Uh… thanks?"
Jeremy was on the couch with his iPad, pretending to scroll through a presentation while secretly watching every micro-expression on Tayo's face. His lips curved faintly—nobody noticed the little black device tucked neatly into the corner of the flower vase. Surveillance camera number three, hidden in plain sight.
In his head, Jeremy was cataloguing: fake smile. Overcompensating hug. Sudden interest in Tammy's schedule. Suspicious. Very suspicious.
If it wasn't for the Coker family asking to release the charges that weren't even pressed on Tayo yet, she'd be in jail. He was very pissed when he got the news. And he had to act like none of it ever happened.
But out loud, he said coolly, "You didn't call before coming, Tayo. That's unlike you."
Tayo flashed her teeth again. "Well, I missed my sister. Isn't that allowed?"
Tammy side-eyed her. "Since when?"
Jeremy chuckled, not at her words but at Tammy's sharp comeback. His wife had that unintentional dry humor that made him want to laugh every other minute.
They sat through tea, but the whole time, Jeremy's mind was on the feed streaming to his private laptop upstairs. Tayo's every glance, every too-sweet smile, every sudden question about his travel plans—recorded. This time, she wasn't slipping past him.
---
Later that evening, when Tayo finally left, Tammy flopped onto the bed with a groan. "What's wrong with my sister? She's been acting like she suddenly auditioned for Miss Nigeria with all that fake smiling. It's creepy."
Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed, smirking. "You noticed?"
"Noticed? Babe, she was practically blinking in Morse code. And what's with her suddenly remembering I exist?" Tammy muttered, then perked up. "Wait. Do you think she's jealous that I married you?"
Jeremy laughed low, shaking his head. "You and your theories. Just… trust me. I'm keeping an eye on her."
Tammy squinted at him. "Hmm. That sounds like code for I'm plotting something."
"Maybe," Jeremy said with a wink. "But that's not the problem at hand right now. The issue is if my ear is failing me. Did I just hear Tammy call me babe?" He smirked while Tammy threw a pillow at him and ran out of the room. His chuckle followed her out.
When she was out, his smile disappeared. He had to make sure she and the kids weren't hurt now that she was pregnant.
---
The next day was Sunday, which meant family lunch at Mama Adebayo's house. Tammy had been nervous—this was only her second time going since the marriage—but she was determined not to embarrass herself.
The air was full of laughter, loud conversation, and the faint sound of Burna Boy's It's Plenty playing from a neighbor's compound. Tammy sat between Jeremy and Grandma Adebayo, trying not to overthink.
"Tammy, my dear," Grandma leaned closer, her glasses perched on her nose. "I hear you like to cook. Is it true?"
Tammy smiled shyly. "Uh… yes. A little."
"A little?" Grandma scoffed playfully. "Jeremy cannot survive on a little. My grandson eats like he's feeding three grown men. Abi, Jeremy?"
Jeremy smirked, stabbing his fork into some jollof. "Don't expose me, Mama."
Tammy burst into laughter, covering her mouth. "It's true though. The man can finish food like it's a side hustle."
The whole table laughed, and Tammy felt her nerves melt. For the first time in weeks, she relaxed around Jeremy's family. Grandma Adebayo patted her hand warmly.
"You have spirit," she said with a smile. "I like that. This family needs women with backbone. Not only beauty."
Jeremy looked at Tammy from the side, pride flickering in his eyes. She had no idea how fast she was winning over his grandmother—something most people had failed to do.
---
That night, when Tammy was brushing her hair in front of the mirror, she caught her own reflection frowning.
Jeremy walked in behind her. "What's that look?"
"I don't know…" Tammy hesitated, twirling the brush. "It's just… Tayo was acting too nice. And I don't buy it. I feel like… she's hiding something."
Jeremy met her gaze in the mirror. His voice was low, calm. "You're right. But don't worry. Let her keep smiling fake smiles. The real story is already writing itself."
Tammy turned around, eyes narrowing. "You know something, don't you?"
Jeremy leaned down, kissing her forehead instead of answering. "Sleep, Tammy. Leave the spying to me."
And though she groaned and muttered about secrets, she let him tuck her in. Outside their window, Lagos buzzed with nightlife, car horns, and distant music—but inside, Jeremy's surveillance system kept running, catching every fake smile and whisper Tayo thought she got away with.