Shemmy woke up to her phone exploding with notifications.
She sat up in bed, her full figured body wrapped in the sheets.
Light yellow skin still warm from sleep.
The Lagos morning sun filtered through the curtains of Daevyd's Lekki apartment.
She grabbed her phone.
Her heart sank immediately.
The beach kiss video was everywhere.
Millions of views.
Trending on every platform.
Captions like "Lagos Power Couple or Power Play?"
"Shemmy Esther and Daevyd Kng: Hot Kiss or Hot Mess?"
"Fashion Designer Caught in Tech King's Arms – Is This Love or Business?"
Comments flooded in.
Some supportive.
Some nasty.
"Thick queen getting her king! Goals!"
"Shemmy, run girl, he looks like a player."
"Daevyd Kng moving mad with the curvy designer. Lagos love is sweet o!"
Shemmy scrolled, her stomach twisting.
Daevyd stirred beside her.
His tall slim frame turned toward her.
Chocolate skin glowing in the light.
What is it he asked, voice rough from sleep.
She showed him the phone.
The video is viral she said.
Everyone is talking.
Daevyd sat up fast.
Took the phone.
Scrolled through the comments.
This is chaos he said.
But it is also free publicity.
Shemmy laughed a little.
A bitter laugh.
Publicity I do not want she said.
My family will see this.
My clients.
As if on cue, her phone rang.
Femi.
She answered with shaking fingers.
Semilore what is this rubbish he shouted.
Mama is in tears.
Papa is asking if you have lost your senses.
Kissing a man in public like that.
The whole Abeokuta is talking.
Shemmy felt tears sting her eyes.
Femi it is not like that she said.
I love him.
Love Femi laughed angrily.
The same love that Emeka gave you?
That Igbo boy left you broken.
Now this Lagos boy will do the same.
Come home now.
Shemmy ended the call.
Tears rolling down her light yellow cheeks.
Daevyd pulled her into his arms.
His slim hard body holding her close.
I am sorry he whispered.
I did not think it would blow up like this.
Shemmy wiped her eyes.
I knew it would she said.
But I chose you anyway.
Daevyd's phone rang next.
His investor.
He put it on speaker.
Daevyd what is this video I see the investor asked.
You kissing some fashion girl on the beach.
The board is worried.
Is this affecting your focus on TechWave?
Daevyd's jaw tightened.
No sir he said calmly.
My personal life is separate.
The app launch is still on track.
The investor sighed.
We will see he said.
But some partners are questioning if you are stable enough for big investments.
Fix this.
The call ended.
Daevyd looked at Shemmy.
This is bad he said.
If investors pull out TechWave could crash.
Shemmy felt guilt rise in her chest.
This is my fault she said.
The kiss.
The video.
Daevyd took her hands.
No he said firmly.
This is our choice.
We chose to be real.
To be together.
We will fix this.
Ruth called next.
Nne the video is everywhere she said.
But some people are loving it.
Brands are calling me asking for your number.
They want to collaborate with the Lagos power couple.
Shemmy laughed through her tears.
Power couple she repeated.
Ruth laughed too.
Yes o.
You two are trending for all the right and wrong reasons.
Come to my place.
We will plan.
They drove to Ruth's small apartment in Ikeja.
The Igbo girl opened the door with a big hug.
Nne you look tired she said.
Come eat first.
She had made egusi soup and pounded yam.
They sat and ate.
The food was warm and comforting.
Ruth told a funny story about a client who saw the video and asked if Shemmy could make a dress for her beach kiss date.
Shemmy laughed hard.
Her full figured body shaking.
See Ruth.
Even in chaos you find laughter.
Ruth grinned.
That is how we survive Lagos.
Daevyd smiled too.
Thank you for being her rock he said to Ruth.
Ruth pointed her spoon at him.
And you.
Do not mess this up.
Or the egusi will not be the only thing hot.
They all laughed.
The funny moment made the heavy day lighter.
After eating they planned.
Daevyd called his lawyer.
We need to sue Nadia for defamation he said.
The editing is clear.
We have proof.
The lawyer agreed.
I will start the papers he said.
But be ready for more drama.
She will fight back.
Shemmy called her mother in Abeokuta.
Omo mi her mother said.
Your father is angry.
The family is talking.
Come home.
Mama I love him Shemmy said.
He is good for me.
Her mother sighed.
Love is not enough in this world she said.
But if he makes you happy.
Bring him home.
Let us see.
Shemmy felt hope rise.
Thank you mama she said.
The day went on with more calls.
More messages.
Some brands pulled away.
Scared of the drama.
But others reached out.
A big makeup company wanted Shemmy to be their ambassador.
The Lagos love story is inspiring they said.
We want that.
Shemmy looked at Daevyd.
See she said.
Even the storm is bringing rainbows.
He pulled her close.
That is because of you he said.
Your strength.
Your light.
They kissed softly.
Full of emotion.
Ruth watched from the kitchen.
You two are too sweet she said.
But remember.
Nadia is still out there.
The night came fast.
They went back to Daevyd's apartment.
As they lay in bed.
Shemmy rested her head on his chest.
I am motivated by us she said.
We are turning hate into something good.
Daevyd kissed her hair.
We are unstoppable he said.
But as they fell asleep.
One last message came.
From Tunde.
The lawsuit will fail.
I have Nadia's back.
And the next bombshell is mine.
Shemmy showed Daevyd.
He held her tighter.
Let it come he said.
We are ready.
The night was peaceful.
But the biggest bombshell was still waiting.
And when it dropped.
It would change everything.