Chapter 7: Big game
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Tobi shut the door of the sleek black SUV, the tension in his shoulders slowly melting into the seat as the engine hummed beneath him. The evening had been a rollercoaster—Sewa had every right to be furious, but she hadn't slammed the door in his face. She hadn't smiled either, but at least she hadn't shut him out completely.
He pulled into the underground garage of a high-rise in Ikoyi, the kind of place only people from his world could afford without flinching. The Williams estate logo was engraved on the security panel—a reminder of the legacy he was born into. Real estate royalty. His father practically owned half the Lagos skyline.
As he entered the private elevator, his phone buzzed. A message from Ola:
"You alive tade or should I say tobi? Mission over or should I send backup?"
Tade chuckled.
By the time he stepped into the apartment—sleek, modern, filled with floor-to-ceiling windows and curated art pieces—Ola was already sprawled on the couch, a bottle of whiskey and two glasses waiting.
"So?" Ola asked, not bothering to look up from his phone. "Did she curse you out or slap you first?"
Tade sank into the opposite couch, grabbed the whiskey, and poured himself a generous glass before replying. "She forgave me."
Ola blinked. "Wait. She actually forgave you? Like, just like that?"
Tade smirked, swirling the drink in his hand. "Not just like that. I showed up, took the heat, and told the truth. Well… most of it."
"Hmm." Ola narrowed his eyes, studying him. "So you're sticking with the Tobi alias, huh? That's dangerous, bruv."
Tade sighed. "I didn't mean to lie, I just didn't want to be Tade Williams the first time we met. I wanted to be just... a guy. Not the heir to a billion-naira empire or the face of williams Real Estate."
"Still," Ola muttered. "That secret is gonna bite you in the ass. I don't get the game you're playing but it's risky as hell. You know she works at the firm your father just got into dealings with, she'll find out sonner or later."
Tade didn't respond right away. He leaned back, eyes on the ceiling. "Yeah. I do."
"You're falling." Ola said, raising a brow.
"If you knew the whole story you'll know there no turning back." Tade admitted under his breath, then shook his head with a laugh. "But don't get ahead of yourself. It was one date and a scolding at her gate."
"You're playing a risky game, bro. Why all the stress why not be straight forward?"
"Its worth it " Tade said, his tone softening. "That's why I'm not letting her go."
Ola picked up his glass. "To hoping she forgives you again when she finds out Tobi isn't your real name."
Tade clinked their glasses with a confident smirk. "She will. And when she does, I'll finally take her on a real date. One she won't forget."
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The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of the Williams estate, casting a golden glow over the dining room's sleek marble surfaces. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, scrambled eggs with diced peppers, and golden-brown plantains filled the air, gently nudging the household to life.
Seated at the head of the long ebony table was Adeleke Williams, a man whose very presence demanded respect. Dressed in a tailored navy kaftan that matched the seriousness in his tone, he held a tablet in one hand and his fork in the other, scanning through documents even as he ate.
Tade, still going by Tobi to everyone outside this house, sat two seats down, dressed in a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark slacks. His youthful charm was slightly dimmed by the weight of the dual lives he was living—one as the charismatic stranger Sewa was falling for, and the other as the heir to one of Nigeria's most powerful real estate dynasties.
Without looking up, Adeleke asked, "Have you checked into Skyrise Firm, like I asked?"
Tade didn't hesitate. "Yes, sir. I have. Their record is clean—exceptionally clean. Their deals are airtight, no underhanded practices, and their execution is efficient. They're easily one of the best law firms in Lagos."
Adeleke finally looked up, his intense gaze meeting his son's. He nodded slowly, clearly pleased. "Good. I didn't make a wrong decision then."
Tade's brow raised slightly. "Are we proceeding with the partnership?"
Adekile smiled, the kind of smile that never quite reached his eyes. "No, son. We're proceeding with our plans. That old bastard won't see this coming. The firm is just the middle man not our target so they won't be affected."
Tade leaned back slightly in his chair, processing his father's words. Adeleke Williams wasn't one to use terms like "partnership" lightly—his mind was always several steps ahead of everyone else's. And if he had a plan, it likely involved more than just business alliances.
Their conversation drifted into silence, filled only by the clinking of cutlery and the occasional rustle of the morning paper. A moment later, the neatly dressed maids arrived, moving like clockwork to clear the table. Tade stood and adjusted his cufflinks while his father took one last sip of his black coffee, rising as well.
"Keep your head in the game," Adekile said as they walked through the wide hallway toward the entrance. "You know what's at stake."
Tade nodded. "I do."
"And that girl," his father added casually, pausing near the door. "Sewa adeosun. You said she's the one handling our file?"
Tade gave a slight smile, though it didn't reach his eyes either. "Yes, sir. She's sharp. Driven. She's also someone I don't want to burn."
Adekile chuckled, but his tone was flat. "Then make sure you don't get burned either. Emotions are a liability in this business. You'll meet her soon representing me for all future meetings."
With that, they stepped into the warm Lagos morning, each getting into their respective black SUVs. As the cars pulled away from the estate, Tade leaned his head back and exhaled deeply, the weight of his father's expectations and his own growing feelings for Sewa beginning to press down on him. This wasn't just business anymore—and he knew it. His father didn't know there was more to his story with sewa and he hoped this won't affect the plan so he won't disappoint his father.
But for now, he had a role to play. The mysterious Tobi. The charming stranger with no ties. What has he gotten himself into?
And only he knew that the illusion would not last.