AKANNI POV
"So what exactly is his plan, coming down here?" Leke asked.
We had just finished dinner. Mira cleared the dishes quietly, moving around the dining area with the ease of someone who knew the house well—not as a maid, but as family. Leke had been staying over since Thursday, helping me handle a few things, and Mira decided to stay too. Leke's wife, however, was with my parents.
"I don't want to know his plan," I replied calmly. "Besides, he's originally from here."
"Yes," Leke said, leaning back, arms folded, "but I sense he has a hidden agenda. He came in last week, gathered information about you and Bukky, and didn't even visit his parents' house."
"And how does that concern me?" I asked. "He's Bukky's former acquaintance—her first love, even. And he was my former teammate. It's normal for him to ask questions. Nothing to blow out of proportion."
"He bought two villas at Adore Palace," Mira said suddenly.
I paused.
"Two?" I asked, brows furrowing.
"Yes," she continued. "I heard he plans to gift them to Bukky's parents. And invest a billion naira in her company."
I exhaled slowly.
"That explains it," I said, piecing everything together. "So what do you both think?"
"I heard he took Bukky to the new restaurant—Take Away—when she went shopping," Leke added.
I chuckled softly. "So Demi has decided to go all out."
I reached for my phone, intending to confirm everything directly, when it rang.
WhatsApp video call.
Bukky.
"She's calling," I signaled to them before answering.
"Hello, baby," I said, smiling.
"Honey, you look tired," she said gently. "How was your day?"
"Stressful," I admitted, "but with Leke and Mira around, it's easier."
"Oh? Are they still with you?"
"No," I lied smoothly. "They're upstairs."
The guilt flickered briefly, but I masked it. "You look beautiful tonight. Anything new?"
"You and your flattery," she blushed.
"And how's everything on your end?" I asked carefully.
"Smooth," she replied. "Very smooth."
"That's good to hear."
She smiled brightly. "Guess what, Akanni?"
"You secured a new deal?" I guessed.
"Why is everything money with you?" she scoffed playfully. "Guess again."
I pretended to think. "I'm terrible at guessing. Just tell me."
"You're no fun," she pouted.
"Please, joor," I said, laughing. "I'm anxious."
She paused. "Okay… Demi is in Ado."
I acted surprised.
"Demi?"
"Yes. The baseball coach. The friend I told you about."
"Oh—Demi," I said. "What's he doing here? How did you meet?"
She told me everything. Every detail. I listened quietly.
"So… he tried to win you back?" I asked, amused.
"Yes," she said. "Very seriously too. As if we're not already engaged."
"He is not an issue at all" I told her
"You're not taking this seriously, Akanni."
"I am," I said gently. "But what trick could he possibly play? We're getting married in less than two weeks."
"He flaunted his wealth," she said lightly—but there was something else beneath the tone.
"And my princess wasn't impressed by the billionaire?" I teased.
"And how do you know?" she asked.
"Because I'm marrying the president of the Lucas Group."
"It's nothing compared to that," she said firmly.
I hesitated, then asked, "Do you still have a part of your heart reserved for him?"
Silence.
"You hurt my feelings," she said softly.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I'm just scared some rich kid might snatch you away from a studio manager."
She laughed gently. "Nobody is snatching me. I have enough. My heart belongs to you—only you."
Relief washed over me.
We spoke for thirty more minutes before ending the call.
Monday
Just two days to our Court Wedding, I have been analyzing the series of event that transpire in this last few days.
You don't see it at first, but you feel it pressing against your chest, tightening conversations, making silences louder than words. That was how Demi's presence began to feel around me—heavy, intrusive, unfinished.
I watched him from a distance at first.
The way his smiles never reached his eyes when my name came up.
The way he always found a reason to stand a little too close to Bukky.
The casual mentions of his wealth, dropped like reminders—I have arrived.
But the past doesn't disappear just because money shows up.
He had the Director made me personally publicize his donation to Schools, Healthcares, and public places, probably trying to intimidate me.
I heard from Bukky that someone invest a billion into their company. I knew it was from Demi. The villa he gifted Bukky parent was turned down. That relieved me of some worries, at least, Bukky's parent still has some conscience.
One afternoon, as Bukky adjusted her phone beside me, I noticed it—she was quieter. Not withdrawn, just… guarded. Her laughter didn't come as easily, and her replies to messages were slower, more deliberate.
"Are you okay?" I asked her gently.
She nodded too quickly. "I'm fine."
That was when I knew something was wrong.
Bukky had always been honest—even when the truth was uncomfortable. Silence was never her language. I didn't press her then, but my instincts began to sharpen. And instincts, I had learned long ago, are rarely wrong.
Later that evening, Demi passed by us, greeted politely, and left. The air felt different after. I was not surprised that he found my house, but I know he would be quite thrilled to see such huge mansion.
That night, I sat alone on the balcony, memories flooding back uninvited.
Demi had always been behind me—never by accident, never by choice. Even when I came from nothing and he came from abundance, somehow life kept placing me ahead.
And men like Demi don't forget that.
The moment came sooner than I expected.
We were driving when my phone rang—Leke.
"Guy," he said, his tone sharp, "you dey sense am too, abi?"
"I am," I replied.
"Bukky is changing," he continued. "Not drifting—but carrying something."
I sighed. "I know."
There was a pause before he spoke again.
"Don't forget your plan."
That stopped me.
"The marriage plan?" I asked.
"No. The revelation plan."
I leaned back in my seat.
"After the wedding," Leke continued, "you said you would finally reveal yourself. Convergence Group. You said once you marry, the mask comes off."
I closed my eyes briefly.
Yes. That plan.
For years, I had chosen silence. Let people think I was just a radio presenter with ambition. Let them underestimate me. Power works best when it moves quietly.
"You can't let distractions scatter your focus now," Leke added. "You've come too far."
He was right.
Bukky didn't know yet. No one outside a tight circle knew. And Demi—especially
Demi—had no idea who he was really standing next to.