"Hey, baby…" Damian said, turning slightly as he woke.
Janaya had already stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped securely around her chest.
"Good morning," she smiled, walking toward him. "You look like you slept well."
"I mean… an angel slept next to me. Why wouldn't I?" he replied, getting up to meet her.
She rolled her eyes slightly, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Are you going somewhere today?"
"Looks like someone wants me all to herself," he teased, his hands settling on her waist.
And just like that—
Her towel slipped.
Janaya gasped, quickly grabbing it and wrapping it back around herself.
Damian chuckled softly, sitting back on the bed.
"Ouuu… someone is still shy."
"It just happened suddenly," she muttered, turning away to continue her skincare.
"The way you grabbed it like your life depended on it…" he teased.
"Babe, stop!" she said, trying not to smile.
"Alright, alright," he laughed, heading into the bathroom.
"Hey, Jason!" Janaya called from the stairs, running toward him with open arms.
Jason paused.
"What do you want from me?" he asked cautiously.
"If you leave me hanging like this, I might stop helping you in class," she threatened playfully.
"Heyyyyy, my dear Janaya, you look so beautiful today," Jason said immediately, pulling her into a hug.
She laughed.
"Did you sleep well?"
Jason took a deep breath.
"I was traumatized by the sounds coming from your room."
Janaya froze.
"What sounds?" she asked, trying to stay calm.
Jason just groaned, moving toward the coffee maker.
"Wait—NO—Jason, no!" she panicked, running after him. "What were you doing near our door?!"
"The library is literally close to your room!" he defended, dodging her.
"Oh my God, I'm telling your brother!"
Jason suddenly stopped and turned to her, serious.
"The alpha and omega… the only woman my brother will ever love in this life and the next," he said dramatically. "Please… let this remain between us."
Janaya stared at him.
"…Then stop eavesdropping."
"I'll just stop telling you things," he muttered, then leaned closer. "But you guys were actually very loud."
He ran.
"JASONNNN!" she yelled, chasing him with a spoon.
"What is going on here?" Damian's voice cut in as he walked toward the kitchen.
Silence.
Instant.
"Uhh… she wanted help with an assignment and I refused," Jason said quickly.
Damian didn't react, grabbing a bottle of water.
"What? That's not true, you said you heard—"
Jason clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Yes! I heard about the lecturer's assignment," he rushed.
Damian paused slightly.
"I don't think I like you being too close to my woman," he said calmly.
Jason leaned toward Janaya's ear.
"I swear I'll tell the group everything I heard yesterday," he whispered.
And ran.
"Jason, don't!!!" Janaya shouted helplessly.
On the group chat:
"You guys don't want to know what I heard on my way to the library today," Jason texted.
"Exam questions?" Timothy replied instantly.
"Not school library. The one in my brother's house," Jason shot back.
"It's probably Janaya begging your brother to leave so she can dress," Timothy added with a laugh.
"That would have been better," Jason replied.
"Wait… Janaya and the cold CEO now live together?" Maya typed immediately.
"Oh, you're far behind," Jason said.
"How did Timothy know and I didn't?" she added, offended.
"We have a separate group for the boys," Daniel replied.
"That's unfair. You guys are pushing me out of this friendship 😞," Maya said.
"Says someone who knew about Janaya's date and didn't tell us," Timothy fired back.
"Okay, I felt it in my spirit that my name was being mentioned… and it was you people?" Janaya finally joined.
"Jason, what did you hear?" Maya asked, completely ignoring Janaya.
"Wow. So I'm being ignored now?" Janaya typed.
"Some traumatizing sounds you guys never want to hear," Jason replied.
"Like Janaya using the toilet? The last time I stood guard for her, I was traumatized 😂😂," Timothy said.
"Bro!! That was two years ago. I've fixed my eating habits now," Janaya replied quickly.
"Guys… that would have been better," Jason insisted.
"Just spill it, Jason. This suspense is annoying," Maya said.
"Jason don't!! I'll tell Damian and I'm not joking," Janaya warned.
Too late.
Jason had already sent it.
Then—
Deleted.
"How do I unsee that?? 😭😂" Maya typed.
"I knew opening this group today was a bad idea," Daniel added.
"Jason… did you record it? Might need it for my next album 😂," Timothy said.
"I'm leaving this group. This friendship ends here," Janaya typed, dropping her phone.
"I really need to unsee what you typed!!!" Maya added before going offline.
"I'm tapping out," Daniel sent.
"Can I at least get the recorded version? It'll help my album," Timothy insisted.
"Nigga, quit this music thing. It's not for you," Jason replied.
And just like that—
The group went silent.
Back in Maya's lodge, she moved around her room, getting ready.
There was a certain excitement in her steps.
Today felt different.
She picked up her phone and dialed his number.
"Hey, Tan… you're not here yet?" she asked, trying to hide the slight impatience in her voice.
"My driver should be there in five minutes," he replied calmly.
Maya paused.
"Your driver?" she repeated. "You told me you were coming to pick me up… you didn't say you were sending a driver."
"I'm sorry, babe. I sent a message about an hour ago," he explained.
"I didn't see it. You could have called," she said, clearly annoyed.
A brief silence followed.
"Does it change anything?" he asked softly. "If you want, I can still come get you myself."
Maya sighed.
"No… it's fine. Tell him to knock. I might have my earplugs in," she said before ending the call.
She dropped her phone on the bed.
"Just to come pick me, and you sent a driver?" she muttered under her breath. "Now my surprise is ruined… I even wanted him to try this food."
She walked into the kitchen, carefully packing the meal she had prepared into a food box.
Ten minutes later—
A knock.
She opened the door to see a well-dressed driver standing politely.
"Ma, I was asked to pick you up. Is there anything I should carry for you?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, pointing. "My luggage… and this food box."
"Is that all, ma?" he asked, already reaching for them.
"Yes. I'll join you shortly."
She watched him carry everything out, then quickly went back inside.
One last check.
Windows locked. Lights off. Everything in place.
Only then did she step out and enter the car.
"Shall we, ma?" the driver asked, glancing at her through the mirror.
Maya leaned back into the seat.
"Yes… let's go."
The ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
She stared out the window, her earlier excitement slowly mixing with curiosity.
What was he doing?
Less than thirty minutes later, they arrived.
And the moment Maya stepped out—
She paused.
Tan's house stood tall and sleek, a perfect blend of glass, steel, and soft ambient lighting. The exterior lights reflected subtly against polished surfaces, giving the entire building a calm, modern glow.
It wasn't loud luxury.
It was intentional.
Minimal.
Powerful.
The kind that didn't need to prove anything.
Maya felt it instantly.
A quiet shift in her chest.
"Follow me, ma," the driver said, pulling her luggage.
She nodded, still taking everything in as she walked behind him.
The door opened—
And the first thing that greeted her was a soft, rich scent.
Musk.
Warm. Deep. Inviting.
The lights inside were dim… but deliberate.
Just enough to guide her steps.
And then she saw it.
Written boldly across the space—
"Can I be yours, Maya?"
Her breath caught.
Around her were neatly arranged gift boxes, each labeled with her initials.
Her hands flew to her mouth.
"Tan!!!" she screamed, her eyes instantly moving toward the door.
Right on cue—
He walked in.
Dressed sharply in a suit, like he had planned everything down to the last detail.
Maya didn't even let him finish.
"What do you say, ma—"
"Yes!!!" she screamed, rushing toward him.
She threw her arms around him, holding him tight.
He laughed softly, wrapping his arms around her.
"I hope you love the gifts," he said.
"I haven't even opened them yet," she replied, her voice filled with excitement, her arms still around him.
"I made your favorite meal," he added gently. "I wanted this to be… a proper date."
He stretched out his hand toward her.
"Come with me."
Maya looked at him—
Completely taken.
She smiled, placed her hand in his, and followed him.