Philip slammed open the office door without knocking. From his walking step, one could tell he was pissed from his face, which was twisted with uncontrollable rage. Shane was already there, behind his desk, watching the News. On the screen, CNN replayed the scene of the attack for what seemed like the hundredth time as JD sang for the crowd, then he shielded the girl from the attack and disarmed the attacker.
Philip said with a heavy voice. "What the hell was that? This wasn't the plan!"
Shane didn't answer immediately. He leaned back in his chair, hands resting on his chin, his eyes fixed on Philip with something between amusement and annoyance. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, but one could feel the chill in his voice.
"Why didn't you tell me he knew how to fight?"
Philip panicked, caught off guard. "What? I didn't know!" His words fumbled out. "I swear, I had no idea. He's just some rookie singer. How the hell was I supposed to know he could fight like that?"
Shane's gaze didn't soften. He pointed a finger toward the screen where JD's movements were being slowed down, analyzed like footage of a professional fighter. "That—" he pointed at the screen, JD twisting the attacker's wrist until the blade fell— "is not beginner's luck. That's training, Military for that matter, I don't care. But he's not normal. You sent me in blind."
Philip ran a hand over his face, frustration boiling. "Look, I hired you to handle him. Not to tell me about what I didn't know. This wasn't supposed to happen."
Shane's lips curved into a cold smirk. "And yet, here we are. Your boy didn't just survive, he's trending as some kind of hero. The camera caught him protecting a fan. If anything, you made him bigger because of what you don't know."
Philip's jaw clenched with a hint of panic. "So what now? Are your people going to talk? Will this come back to me?"
That was his only concern now.
Shane shook his head with a smirk on his face. "No. My men don't talk. They know the deal. If they open their mouths, they get nothing. And besides…" He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "The cover still holds. They were 'Luna's obsessed fans,' angry that JD's name is tied to hers. The public will have no choice but to eat that narrative up. No one connects this to you. Not unless you're stupid enough to expose yourself."
Philip swallowed, relief and fear wrestling inside him. He nodded stiffly, but his chest still burned with unimaginable anger towards Dayo. Shane leaned back again, watching the footage one more time, muttering almost to himself.
"JD just became a bigger problem. And bigger problems… require bigger solutions, and my advice to you is to leave him be for now at least, cause clearly you don't know this guy well enough ."
He took a sip of the whiskey beside him before continuing.
"And second, it's best if you deal with him within the circle and not outside, cause from the look on his face, he is someone you should avoid."
Philip didn't answer. He just turned and stormed out, Shane's words echoing in his head like those of his father, who had once told him to stay away from Dayo. And still, he went against that advice. Outside, he kicked the tire of his car in frustration. Dayo was becoming a pest that wouldn't stop buzzing. Unless he dealt with him, he'd never regain his face after the elevator incident.
***
The plane touched down in the U.S., and Dayo switched on his phone before he could do anything. It buzzed instantly. The name on the screen made his chest tighten: Mama.
He picked up instantly. "Mama."
"Dayo!" Her voice was sharp but shaky. "I saw the news, my boy. What happened? Are you hurt? Talk to me."
"I'm fine, Mama," he said gently, trying to calm her. "It's just a cut. Nothing serious."
"A cut? They said you were attacked at the airport, and you still sound so calm? Dayo, don't play with me—"
"Mama, I promise, I'm okay. Don't worry. Please. I'll explain everything."
"Where are you now? Are you still at the airport? Your siblings are already there; they promised to wait for you. I told them not to go, but they wouldn't listen!"
He exhaled softly, guilt and warmth mixing in his tone. "I'm almost out, Mama. Don't worry. I'll meet them. Just… stay calm, okay?"
There was a pause, then her voice softened. "We are waiting for you, my boy. Just get here safe."
"I will," he promised, before hanging up.
Immediately, he scrolled through his contacts and called Vivian. She picked up on the first ring. "JD? Where are you?"
"Just landed," he said quickly. "But listen, I need security at the terminal exit. I feel the media already know I'm here, and it's going to be a mess. Wayne should be with you, right?"
"Yes," Vivian replied, her voice firm but urgent. "We're already at the airport with security. We'll meet you where you claim your luggage. Don't leave the terminal until you see us."
"Good. I don't know what I'd do without you guys," Dayo said, calm but appreciative.
She chuckled. "I've told you countless times to get a P.A. and escorts, but you always said you weren't at that level yet. Seems you are now, eh?"
He laughed lightly. "Alright, you win, Viv. Anyway, my family's also here. Make sure you get them out safely. I don't want them caught in this circus."
"Understood," she replied.
He ended the call, but before he could pocket the phone, Luna's name flashed across. For a second, he hesitated, because after last night, he wanted to take some time to think about what happened, but he knew he had to answer with a deep breath, then answered.
"Dayo?" Her voice was steady, but the undertone betrayed the storm she was holding back.
"I'm here," he said softly.
"I saw the news again this morning. I just…" she breathed, steadying herself. "I needed to hear your voice."
He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. "I'm fine, Luna. Don't worry. It looks worse than it is."
"You were bleeding," she reminded him, her voice tightening.
He chuckled, teasing. "And guess whose fault that is, eh?"
Luna frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Well, when I spoke with the police, they said the attackers claimed to be your fans. Apparently, I'm not worthy of you. Even when you're not here, you still find a way to torment me, Luna."
Her laugh spilled through the receiver, warm and genuine. "Oh, please. Don't put that on me."
"Too late," he teased, smiling despite himself. "Anyway, I'll call you later, okay? I've got to handle something here."
"Alright," she whispered. "Just… be safe."
"Okay, I will."
He slipped the phone into his pocket and adjusted his jacket over his bandaged arm. Then he walked toward the arrivals hall.
The moment he stepped through the terminal doors, the media storm hit.
Flashbulbs. Shouts. Reporters pressed forward, their cameras raised high, questions being asked in a rush, not giving him space to see.
"JD! JD, over here!"
"Were you really attacked? Was it staged?"
"Did you know how to fight before? Who trained you?"
He kept his head low, moving forward, silent, bracing himself.
Another wave of reporters came rushing.
"Are you safe now?"
"Who do you think targeted you?"
"Is it true the attackers were Luna fans?"
"And how do you feel about that?"
The noise was deafening.
Then, as planned, Vivian appeared with Wayne at her side, flanked by a wall of hired security. Their presence cut through the chaos, pushing reporters back and creating a shield around him.
Behind them, his family was guided forward—his siblings rushing to his side, their eyes wide with worry, but relief flooding their faces when they saw him alive and standing.
"JD, this way," Wayne barked, his hand firm on Dayo's shoulder as the security detail formed a tight circle.
The guards moved swiftly, ushering them all through the throng and out toward the waiting limousine.
One by one, his family was guided inside, then Dayo last. As the door shut, sealing them off from the chaos outside, silence finally returned.
For a moment, Dayo leaned back in the leather seat, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His mother reached for his hand, her grip trembling.
"You're here… thank God," she whispered.
He squeezed her hand gently, offering the calmest smile he could manage. "I told you, Mama. I'm fine. And I'm home."
Outside, the cameras still flashed, reporters still shouted, but none of it mattered now. Inside the limo, it was just family.
And for Dayo, that was all that mattered—for now.