Shemmy Esther stood frozen on the moonlit sand of Elegushi Beach.
Her thick sexy curves trembled under the red ankara dress.
The cool sea breeze brushed her light yellow skin but could not cool the fire burning inside her chest.
Nadia stepped closer from the shadows.
Her long hair danced in the wind like a dark flag.
Her light skin glowed under the moonlight as if she owned the entire night.
A tight smile played on her lips.
Hello love she called again.
Her voice sounded sweet but sharp as broken glass.
Miss me Daevyd.
Daevyd Kng moved instantly in front of Shemmy.
His tall slim frame became a solid shield.
His chocolate skin looked tight with tension under the moonlight.
One hand reached back.
Found hers.
Held it tight.
Nadia this is not the time he said.
His voice came out low and cold.
Nadia laughed softly.
The sound floated over the crashing waves.
Oh it is the perfect time.
I saw every photo from the party.
I saw you two dancing like the whole world belonged to you alone.
And now this secret beach date under the moon.
How romantic.
She turned her sharp eyes to Shemmy.
Slow.
Measuring every inch.
So you are the fashion girl.
Thick curves.
Beautiful yellow skin.
Bold designs that everyone is talking about.
I must admit you have good taste Daevyd.
But she will never understand you the way I do.
Shemmy felt hot anger rise in her cheeks.
Her light yellow skin burned bright.
She stepped out from behind Daevyd.
Her full breasts rising and falling with every quick breath.
I am not here to compete with your past she said clearly.
But if you have something to say say it right now.
Nadia tilted her head.
Her eyes narrowed into slits.
Oh I have plenty to say.
Ask him about all the promises he made to me.
Ask him about the nights he swore I was the only woman in his world.
Ask him why he ran away the moment things became real.
Daevyds grip on Shemmys hand tightened until her fingers almost hurt.
Enough Nadia he growled.
We ended this months ago.
You chose the money and the lifestyle.
I chose my peace and my future.
Nadia took one more step forward.
Her heels sank into the sand with a soft crunch.
And now you choose her.
A girl from Ikotun who sews dresses for a living.
How sweet and simple.
But remember this Daevyd.
I know every single secret you hide.
Every heartbreak you never told a soul.
I can destroy you both before the sun rises tomorrow.
She smiled one last time.
Cold.
Beautiful.
Deadly.
Enjoy the moon while it lasts.
Then she turned on her heel.
Walked back into the dark shadows behind the palm trees.
Her figure disappeared completely.
Silence fell heavy between them.
Only the waves kept speaking.
Shemmy turned slowly to face Daevyd.
Her eyes searched his face under the moonlight.
Tell me the truth she whispered.
No more games.
No more hiding.
What really happened with her.
Daevyd let out a long deep breath.
His tall slim frame seemed heavier now.
He sat back down on the jacket he had spread earlier.
Pulled her gently down beside him.
Her thick curves settled warmly against his side.
Close.
Safe.
I was twenty four when I met her he began.
Still hustling hard in Lagos.
TechWave was nothing but an idea on my laptop.
No money.
No name.
No connections.
Nadia came into my life like a storm.
Beautiful.
Ambitious.
She said she believed in me more than anyone.
We built dreams together.
Late nights coding in my small room.
Her helping me practice pitches.
She made me feel unstoppable.
Then the first real investor showed up.
Big money.
Big promises.
She changed overnight.
She wanted the fast cars.
The VIP parties.
The flashy lifestyle.
When I refused to do shady deals to get rich quick she left me.
She took half my savings.
Told everyone I was a failure who would never amount to anything.
He looked out at the dark ocean.
His dark eyes filled with old pain that still hurt.
That was my first real heartbreak Shemmy.
After that I swore never again.
I locked my heart away.
Until the day you bumped into me at that conference.
And everything inside me woke up again.
Shemmy listened quietly.
Her hand stayed locked in his.
She squeezed gently.
My turn she said softly.
I was engaged once.
Two years ago.
His name was Emeka.
He was Igbo.
From a prominent Igbo family living here in Lagos.
My parents liked him because he was respectful and came from a good home.
Femi even approved at first.
He said he supported my fashion dream completely.
But every time I worked late in the studio he complained.
Every time I turned down his money to build my brand on my own he got angry.
One night he gave me an ultimatum.
Marriage right away or my brand.
No in between.
I chose my brand.
Shemmy looked down at the sand.
Her voice dropped lower.
He called me selfish.
Said no real man would ever want a thick girl with big dreams who put her work first.
He left the same night.
Took the ring with him.
Told my family I was the problem and that I would end up alone.
Daevyd turned to face her fully.
His free hand lifted her chin gently.
His thumb stroked her soft yellow cheek.
You are not selfish he said firmly.
You are strong.
You are beautiful.
You are driven.
And that makes you everything I never knew I needed in my life.
Their eyes locked.
Moonlight reflected in both pairs.
Shining.
Searching.
The gold necklace between her full breasts caught the light.
Rising and falling faster now.
Daevyd leaned in slowly.
His slim hard body pressed closer to hers.
No more secrets he whispered against her lips.
No more running from this.
His mouth brushed hers.
Soft at first.
Testing.
Then deeper.
Hotter.
Full of everything they had been holding back for days.
Shemmy melted completely into him.
Her thick curves molded perfectly against his frame.
One hand slid up to his chest.
The other tangled in his hair.
The kiss grew stronger.
Full of all the fear.
All the want.
All the fire they had been fighting since the first bump.
When they finally pulled apart both were breathing hard.
Chests rising fast.
Daevyd rested his forehead gently against hers.
I am falling for you Semilore he said.
Hard.
Fast.
And I do not want to stop.
She smiled against his lips.
I think I already fell Daevyd.
But in the distance a phone camera flash went off.
Quick.
Silent.
Hidden in the shadows.
Shemmy pulled back suddenly.
Her eyes wide with fear.
Did you see that she asked.
Daevyd stood up fast.
His tall frame tense.
Eyes scanning the palm trees behind them.
Another flash.
This time closer.
Nadia was gone.
But someone else had captured their kiss.
The embrace.
Everything.
Daevyds face hardened like stone.
This is not over he said.
Someone is feeding these photos straight to the world.
Shemmys heart raced wildly.
Her phone was already buzzing nonstop in her clutch.
New post.
The kiss on the beach.
Clear as daylight.
The caption read.
Lagos power couple caught in the act.
But how long before all the secrets explode and burn everything down.
Shemmy looked up at Daevyd.
Fear and desire mixing together in her chest.
What do we do now she asked.
He pulled her close again.
Protective.
Determined.
His arms wrapped around her thick curves.
We fight he said.
Together.
No matter what comes.
But as they walked back to the waiting car hand in hand.
Another message came in.
This time from Tunde Adebayo.
Beautiful kiss on the beach.
My Paris offer still stands beautiful.
Choose before the whole of Lagos chooses for you.
The night was no longer quiet or peaceful.
The whispers had become loud screams.
And the real storm was just beginning to break over their heads.