Shemmy woke up the next morning with her heart already heavy.
The short clip of Daevyd and Nadia from three weeks ago still played in her mind.
She sat up in his Lekki bed.
Her full figured body wrapped in one of his shirts.
Light yellow skin still warm from sleep.
Daevyd was not beside her.
He stood by the window.
Tall slim frame tense.
Staring at the lagoon like it could give him answers.
She walked over quietly.
Wrapped her arms around him from behind.
It is not what it looks like she said softly.
I believe you.
He turned and pulled her close.
His chocolate skin warm against her.
Thank you he whispered.
But the real video drops in a few hours.
Nadia is going to twist everything.
Shemmy rested her head on his chest.
His heartbeat was fast.
Then we face it she said.
Together.
Ruth arrived an hour later with a big bowl of jollof rice and chicken.
This would be the last time she brought food for a while.
The Igbo girl took one look at their faces and shook her head.
You two look like someone died she said.
Come eat.
Food first.
Drama later.
They sat at the dining table.
The smell of jollof rice filled the apartment.
Ruth served big bowls.
Eat my people she said.
Lagos will not kill us today.
Shemmy smiled a little.
You always know what to say she told Ruth.
Ruth pointed her spoon at Daevyd.
And you.
If this video shows you doing anything stupid I will personally come and beat you with my grandmother's broom.
Daevyd laughed.
The sound was real.
I am innocent he said raising his hands.
I swear.
They ate and talked.
Ruth told funny stories about her last client who wanted a dress two sizes smaller than her actual size.
Shemmy laughed so hard rice almost came out of her nose.
See why I keep you she said wiping her eyes.
The laughter felt good.
It made the fear smaller.
But at exactly twelve noon the video dropped.
Shemmy's phone exploded.
Notifications everywhere.
She opened it with shaking fingers.
The video was thirty seconds long.
It started with Daevyd and Nadia in his old office.
They were close.
Too close.
Nadia touched his chest.
Daevyd stepped back.
But the angle made it look like he was pulling her in.
Then it cut to the beach kiss with Shemmy.
The editing was perfect.
It looked like Daevyd was playing both women at the same time.
The caption read.
TechWave founder Daevyd Kng caught between two women.
Fashion designer Shemmy Esther is just the side chick.
The real woman is back.
Comments flooded in.
Some called her a fool.
Some called him a player.
Some defended them.
One comment made Shemmy laugh through the pain.
Abeg leave these people.
Lagos boys and their multiple charging ports.
Shemmy my sister run.
But if the boy fine like that I understand.
Ruth read it and burst out laughing.
See Lagos people she said.
They will drag you and still support you the same time.
Daevyd put his phone down.
His face serious.
I am sorry he said to Shemmy.
I should have told you Nadia came to the office.
It was only business.
She wanted money from the old company we started together.
I refused.
That is all.
Shemmy looked at him.
Her eyes soft.
I believe you she said.
But the world does not.
Ruth stood up.
Then let the world see the truth she said.
Go out.
Be seen together.
Kiss in public.
Show them you chose each other.
Daevyd looked at Shemmy.
Do you want to she asked.
Shemmy took a deep breath.
Yes she said.
I am tired of hiding.
They drove to a quiet beach in Lekki.
Not Elegushi.
A private one.
The sun was setting.
Orange light on the water.
They walked on the sand hand in hand.
Her full figured body moving beside his tall slim frame.
People recognized them.
Phones came out.
Shemmy felt nervous.
Daevyd stopped.
Turned to her.
I love you he said loudly enough for the phones to hear.
I choose you every day.
Shemmy smiled.
Tears in her eyes.
I love you too she said.
He pulled her close.
His hand slid to her waist.
Then he gave her bum a light playful spank.
That is for being brave he teased softly.
Shemmy gasped then laughed.
Her body shook against him.
Daevyd you are not serious she said.
He grinned.
I am very serious.
Then he kissed her.
Right there on the beach.
In front of everyone.
The kiss was deep.
Full of everything they had been holding back.
His hands on her waist.
Her hands in his hair.
The sunset behind them.
It was their first real public kiss.
Hot.
Passionate.
Real.
Phones flashed everywhere.
When they pulled apart both were breathing hard.
Daevyd rested his forehead on hers.
Now the world knows he said.
Shemmy smiled.
Let them know.
They walked back to the car hand in hand.
People clapped.
Some shouted.
One woman shouted.
We support you o.
Thick girl win.
Shemmy laughed.
See she said to Daevyd.
Lagos people.
But as they got into the car.
Her phone rang.
It was Tunde.
She answered.
You think a kiss fixes everything he said.
The real video drops in thirty minutes.
The one that shows Daevyd signing papers with Nadia three weeks ago.
Giving her money.
The one that proves he was still with her while chasing you.
Shemmy felt cold.
Daevyd took the phone.
Try it he said.
We are ready.
He hung up.
Shemmy looked at him.
Is it true she asked.
Did you give her money.
Daevyd nodded.
Yes he said.
To make her sign the papers and leave me alone forever.
It was the last payment.
I did not tell you because I did not want to bring her into our happiness.
Shemmy took his hand.
Then we tell the world the truth she said.
Together.
They drove home.
Thirty minutes later the new video dropped.
But this time they were ready.
Daevyd posted his own video.
Explaining everything.
Showing the signed papers.
Showing the date.
Showing the truth.
Shemmy posted beside him.
I choose him she wrote.
And I am not ashamed.
The internet exploded again.
But this time more people supported them.
Hashtags trended.
Shemmy and Daevyd.
Real Love in Lagos.
Choose Your Person.
Ruth called.
Nne you are trending for the right reasons now she screamed.
People are saying you are goals.
Shemmy laughed.
See Ruth.
Lagos people.
Daevyd pulled her into his arms.
We did it he said.
Shemmy looked up at him.
We did.
But as they celebrated.
One last message came.
From Nadia.
This is not over.
The real secret is still coming.
And when it does.
Your perfect love story will burn.
Shemmy showed Daevyd.
He held her tighter.
Let it come he said.
We are stronger than any secret.
The night felt sweet.
Motivating.
Emotional.
They had faced the storm.
But the biggest secret was still waiting.
And when it dropped.
It would change everything.