The rain had stopped completely by the time Daevyd and Shemmy left Ruth's apartment the previous day
The drive back to Lagos felt long and quiet.
The city came into view slowly.
High rises.
Busy roads.
The familiar hustle.
Daevyd held her hand the whole way.
His thumb stroking her skin.
We will get through this he said softly.
The apartment felt different when they got back.
The air heavy with what was coming.
Shemmy's phone would not stop buzzing.
Messages from Ruth.
From Femi.
From her mother.
One from a big brand.
We are pulling out of the collaboration they said.
The video is too much drama for our image.
Shemmy felt her stomach drop.
Another message from Femi.
Come home he said.
Mama is not eating.
She is worried sick.
Daevyd's phone rang.
His main investor.
He answered 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 the funding stops TechWave could fail.
Shemmy felt guilt rise like a wave.
This is because of me she said.
The public kiss.
The video.
Daevyd pulled her close.
No he said firmly.
This is because of Nadia and Tunde.
They want to break us.
We cannot let them.
Ruth called.
Nne I am coming over she said.
We need a plan.
She arrived thirty minutes later with a big bowl of fried rice and chicken.
The last food she would bring for a while.
They needed to focus on the fight now.
The three of them sat in the living room.
Eating.
Planning.
The video is everywhere Ruth said.
Brands are scared.
Investors are pulling back.
We need damage control.
Daevyd nodded.
My lawyer says we can sue for defamation he said.
But it will take time.
Ruth leaned forward.
Then go public but smart she said.
Pretend you are just friends in interviews.
Keep the romance private for now.
Let the heat die down.
Shemmy looked at Daevyd.
Pretend she repeated.
Daevyd took her hand.
Just in public he said.
Behind closed doors we burn for each other.
Ruth grinned.
That is the spirit she said.
Now let us practice your story.
They spent the evening role playing interviews.
Ruth pretended to be a reporter.
Daevyd Kng is the kiss real she asked in a fake serious voice.
Daevyd smiled.
Shemmy is a good friend he said.
We got caught in the moment.
But it is all business.
Shemmy laughed.
You sound so fake she said.
Ruth threw a pillow at him.
Try again she said.
They laughed together.
The funny moment made the heavy day lighter.
Later that night after Ruth left.
Shemmy and Daevyd sat on the balcony.
The city lights twinkled below.
I hate pretending she said.
Daevyd pulled her onto his lap.
Her full figured body settled against him.
Me too he said.
But it is temporary.
To protect us.
He kissed her neck softly.
In public friends he whispered.
In private this.
His hands slid to her waist.
Then lower.
Fondling her big bum softly.
Squeezing gently.
Shemmy moaned softly.
Daevyd she breathed.
They moved inside.
To the bedroom.
The lights were low.
Only the city glow from the window.
Daevyd laid her down gently.
His eyes dark with desire.
You are beautiful he said.
He kissed her neck.
Her collarbone.
His hands slid under her top.
Cupping her full breasts.
Playing with her nipples softly.
Rolling them between his fingers.
Shemmy arched her back.
Moaning louder.
Daevyd his voice was rough.
Please.
He kissed lower.
His mouth on her breasts.
Sucking gently.
Teasing her nipples with his tongue.
Her hands tangled in his hair.
Pulling him closer.
He moved lower.
Kissing her stomach.
Her hips.
His hands never left her body.
Fondling her big bum.
Squeezing.
Pulling her closer.
Shemmy felt heat everywhere.
Daevyd please she begged.
He came back up.
Kissed her deeply.
Their bodies pressed together.
They made love slowly.
Full of emotion.
Full of promise.
Every touch intense.
Every kiss deep.
When they finished.
They lay tangled in the sheets.
Shemmy rested her head on his chest.
This is worth pretending for she said.
Daevyd held her tighter.
Yes it is he said.
The next day they did their first interview.
A popular Lagos radio show.
Shemmy and Daevyd sat side by side.
Pretending to be just friends.
The host asked about the kiss.
It was a moment Daevyd said.
We are close but it is professional.
Shemmy is an amazing designer.
We are working on TechWave together.
Shemmy nodded.
Exactly she said.
Friends and partners.
The host laughed.
You two look like more than friends she said.
They both smiled.
Pretending.
The interview went viral.
Some bought it.
Some did not.
But the heat started to cool a little.
Brands called back.
Investors paused but did not pull out completely.
In public they kept it professional.
Handshakes.
Smiles.
No kisses.
But behind closed doors.
Every night was fire.
Stolen moments.
Passionate embraces.
Whispered I love yous.
One evening Ruth came over.
You two are doing well she said.
The pretending is working.
But Nadia is still posting.
She says she has more.
Shemmy felt the fear again.
What more could she have she asked.
Ruth shrugged.
I do not know.
But be ready.
That night as they made got home.
Shemmy held Daevyd tighter.
I do not want to pretend anymore she said after.
Daevyd kissed her forehead.
Soon he said.
When the storm passes.
But the next morning.
The storm hit again.
A new video from Nadia.
This one showed Daevyd and Nadia signing the share papers.
But edited to look like a secret meeting.
The caption read.
See the proof.
He gave me shares behind Shemmy's back.
She is just a cover.
The comments exploded.
Shemmy felt her world shake.
Her phone rang.
Femi.
Semilore this is too much he said.
Mama is in the hospital again.
The stress.
End it now.
Shemmy cried.
I cannot she said.
Then a message from Tunde.
Time to choose again beautiful.
My offer is back on the table.
One million dollars.
Paris.
Leave him.
Shemmy showed Daevyd.
He held her.
We will fight he said.
But as the day went on.
More brands pulled away.
More investors called Daevyd.
The pretending was not working anymore.
The storm was back.
And this time it felt like the end.