Chapter 27: Lines Crossed
Imani sat at her desk, fingers tight around the mouse. The open-plan floor buzzed softly with office noise.
Sarian from accounts walked past, paused, then leaned in. Her voice was just loud enough for two nearby desks to hear.
Sarian: "Of course you're still here? I thought you'd be happy after that TV apology. Your family must be rejoicing… or maybe you're the one holding on for the money."
Imani looked up slowly. The pen in her hand snapped between her fingers.
"Say that again."
Sarian smiled thinly.
"Just an observation. The whole office is talking. Deepfake mess. Your sister trending. And you're still collecting salary like nothing happened."
Imani stood. Her chair scraped loudly.
"You know nothing about my sister. Nothing about my mother lying in a hospital. You think this is a joke?"
Sarian stepped back but kept the smirk.
"Calm down. I'm just—"
Imani's hand rose. It almost connected.
A colleague grabbed her arm.
"Imani. No. Not here."
She yanked free.
"Just leave me the fuck alone!"
She walked out.
Straight to the bathroom.
She locked the door and faced the mirror. Red eyes stared back at her.
She slid down the wall and sat on the cold tiles.
She cried quietly.
Her shoulders shook. No sound. Just tears falling hot onto her knees.
Her phone stayed silent in her pocket.
No one came after her.
Of course not.
She was used to it.
The vermin in that office saw her as competition, nothing more.
She stayed there until her breathing evened.
Then she stood.
Washed her face.
And went back to her desk like nothing had happened.
Work waited.
Deadlines waited.
Everything waited.
She just needed to catch her breath.
Across town, Maya slipped out through the Banana Island gate.
The driver was off duty. The gateman was half-asleep.
She ordered a Bolt and left two streets away.
Then another.
The Surulere flat looked the same as always.
She knocked softly.
After a moment, Becky opened the door. Her eyes widened.
"You came. For real."
Aunty Rose appeared behind her, arms folded.
"Imani will vex if she sees this. Girl, you know the rules."
Maya pleaded quickly.
"Please, Aunty. Just a little time. I miss her. We miss each other. I won't stay long. I promise."
Aunty Rose sighed. She looked at Becky's hopeful face.
She softened.
"Okay. One hour. No more."
"I'll go make yam porridge for you two."
They sat on the floor.
Maya brought out her iPad and loaded a racing game.
Their laughter started small.
Then louder.
Becky won twice.
Maya complained dramatically.
Aunty Rose returned with two bowls of yam porridge. Steam rose from the bowls.
The yam was soft. The pepper sharp.
"Aunty, this is sweeter than restaurant food," Maya said.
Aunty Rose smiled.
"Eat well. You're too thin now."
They kept playing.
Time slipped away.
Becky showed Maya a new dance move.
Maya copied it badly on purpose.
They collapsed into laughter.
Even Aunty Rose laughed.
For a moment they forgot everything.
The hospital.
The scandal.
The world outside.
Then—
The door opened.
Imani stepped in.
Her bag dropped.
Her eyes widened.
"What is this?"
The girls froze.
Maya scrambled up. Becky hid slightly behind her.
"Imani… I'm sorry. I didn't tell anyone I was coming. I sneaked out."
Becky spoke quickly.
"We just… missed each other."
Imani rubbed her forehead.
Her voice was tired.
"You two want to give me high blood pressure."
She sighed.
"Maya, you need to go home. I'm sure they're already looking for you."
She looked at Becky.
"Smallie. We'll talk later."
Then she paused.
She saw them.
Two best friends risking everything just to see each other.
Something shifted inside her.
A small spark.
Maybe friendship was worth more than pride.
Maybe some things were worth fighting for.
She picked up her phone and called Damian.
The phone rang.
She was about to say hello—
But Damian shouted through the phone.
"What?!"
His voice was loud enough for Aunty Rose to hear from the kitchen.
Imani remained calm.
"Your sister is here. Come pick her."
Silence.
Then—
"I'm coming."
At the VI villa, Jude paced the living room.
Maids stood in a line.
The butler wiped sweat from his forehead.
They were all terrified.
Jude shouted.
"How can one girl disappear? One minute I look away and the next minute she's gone. You are all useless!"
"If I don't find my daughter in one hour, someone will lose their job today!"
He called Damian.
"She's gone. Her room is empty. No one saw her leave."
Damian's voice hardened.
"Dad. I'm coming."
He arrived quickly.
The car door slammed.
His voice echoed through the hall.
"How can you people not watch one small girl? Incompetent!"
The maids flinched.
One whispered softly.
"She has never done this before."
Then Damian's phone rang.
Imani.
He answered sharply.
"What?!"
"She's here," Imani said calmly. "Come pick her up."
His breath caught.
"Is she safe?"
"She's safe. Just come."
He threw the car keys to the driver.
"Drive."
The black Lamborghini sped out of the gate.
Traffic horns blared.
In Surulere, people turned to look.
"See car."
"That one shine o."
Normal Lagos life continued around them.
The car stopped.
Damian stepped out, still in his suit, face tight.
The door opened.
Maya ran.
"Big bro!"
"Not a word. Get in the car. Now."
Maya rolled her eyes.
"One moment."
She hugged Becky.
Then she turned to Imani and whispered—
"Thank you."
She entered the back seat.
Damian turned to Imani.
"Thank—"
But she was already inside.
She slammed the door.
The sound echoed.
Damian muttered.
"Rude."
Later that night, Jude and Damian sat beside the long pool.
Blue lights glowed under the water.
Wine glasses in their hands.
The water lapped quietly.
Jude spoke.
"She likes those girls. Maybe more than we think."
Damian stiffened.
"Maybe."
Jude continued.
"What's going on with you and the sister? The Imani girl."
Damian forced a smile.
"Nothing, Dad. She's just my PA."
Jude's voice turned firm.
"You are pushing her too hard. Give her some space."
"She has family matters."
"And Maya needs peace. She finds that peace with Becky."
Then he looked at Damian.
You need a wife soon
"The board is talking."
"Your time is running out."
"If you can't handle it… I will."
"I will find a wife for you myself."
"For now, half your shares are frozen."
"Don't make me."
Damian gripped the glass.
Panic rose inside him.
This was real.
The shares.
The legacy.
Everything.
"I heard you, Dad."
Jude sipped his wine.
A small smirk formed.
An idea was already forming in his mind.
Meanwhile, at the hospital—
Kings stood outside the ward with Aunty Rose.
The doctor spoke quietly.
"The blood flow to her brain is worsening."
"She needs surgery immediately."
"If not… brain death is likely."
Aunty Rose's knees buckled.
She collapsed.
Kings shouted—
"Aunty!"
Then Kings called Imani.
"Come to the hospital immediately
"The doctor said your
Your mother needs surgery immediately
Imani's breath stopped.
"I'm coming."
The world narrowed.
Mother.
Surgery.
Money.
Everything closing in.
She grabbed her bag.
And ran.
Because if the doctor was right…
Her mother might not survive the night.