Chapter 8: Deception
---
The morning light streamed through the linen curtains of Sewa's bedroom, casting a soft glow on the polished tiles and minimalistic decor. Her head rested on a fluffy pillow, one arm flung across her forehead as if to block out the weight of her thoughts rather than the sun. Despite the peaceful setting, her mind had been anything but calm.
Tobi.
He showed up at her gate with no explanation, no story—just an apology and a mysterious air that left her both irritated and intrigued. The nerve of him. Yet, she had let him go with a promise of another date. Why? Maybe it was the look in his eyes. Maybe it was the honesty—or the effort it took to show up at all. Or maybe, deep down, she didn't want to admit she wanted to see him again.
Dragging herself out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and letting cool water wash over her face. She stared into the mirror for a moment, examining herself. This wasn't the usual version of Sewa—composed, calculating, unfazed. She was in unfamiliar territory.
Back in her room, she reached for her phone and scrolled through her chats. No new messages from Tobi.
Typical.
She sighed and tossed the phone aside. "I'm not about to let one man destabilize my week," she mumbled, heading to her wardrobe. Pulling on a beige linen jumpsuit and a pair of gold hoop earrings, she looked effortlessly elegant—like the boss she was. She tied her braids into a low bun, swiped on lip gloss, and grabbed her laptop bag.
In the kitchen, she met Moji, already halfway through a cup of coffee and scrolling through Instagram. She raised an eyebrow the moment she saw Sewa.
"Morning, CEO," Moji smirked.
"Morning," Sewa replied, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.
"You look good… for someone whose brain was spinning like a washing machine last night."
Sewa chuckled softly, sipping her drink. "Well, the washing machine is done. Clothes are dry. I'm focused."
Moji gave her a knowing look. "Sure. And I'm the Queen of England."
Sewa rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, Moji. I've got work to do."
Moji raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Just don't forget to protect your peace. Mystery boys with cute smiles can be fun… until they're not."
Sewa nodded, appreciating the concern behind the sass. "I'll be fine."
With that, she grabbed her keys, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed out. The drive to work was smooth, music playing low as her mind toggled between a client pitch and the subtle smile Tobi gave before leaving her gate. She shook the thought off, focusing instead on the high-rise building coming into view: Skyrise Firm, her domain.
Little did she know, the charming man she thought she was getting to know had ties to more than just her heart—he had ties to her business.
And soon, the lines between the personal and professional would blur in ways she never expected.
---
The Williams estate was already humming with the sounds of movement. Staff moved about with practiced grace, clearing breakfast dishes and tidying up after the patriarch and his son. Tade adjusted the cuffs of his shirt as he walked back toward his wing of the mansion, the conversation with his father still playing in his mind.
> "We can proceed with our plans. That old bastard won't see this coming."
His father's words were laced with vengeance and strategy, but that was nothing new. Business was war to Adeleke Williams, and Tade had been trained from birth to be a general.
But something had shifted.
Sewa.
He hadn't planned for her. The whole fake-name plan was to keep his identity under wraps until the deal was sealed. Clean, simple, no distractions. Yet there she was—sharp-tongued, beautiful, and now… involved.
Tade paused at his study door, glancing at his phone. Still no messages from her.
He wanted to text her, but something held him back. Maybe it was guilt, maybe it was fear of being exposed, or maybe it was something even he couldn't admit yet.
He dialed a number.
"Guy," came the sleepy voice on the other end. "It's not even 9 yet. What?"
"Bayo, I need a favour."
His cousin groaned. "I knew this peace was too good to last."
"I need you to go in my place to the Skyrise meeting. Pretend to be me. Just for this one."
There was a pause.
"You serious? You better not be playing a prank on me this morning, you literally woke me up."
"Very serious. It's not a prank"
Bayo chuckled. "So I'll be Tade Williams for the day? This better not land me in jail."
"You'll be fine. It's just a face-to-face to show commitment. You don't even need to say much—just observe, nod, act like the brilliant bastard I am."
There was silence on the line again before Bayo said, "Why though? You never skip business."
"I'll tell you later," Tade replied quickly, a little too quickly.
"Tade…"
"Please, Bayo. Just trust me. I owe you."
"You owe me big."
"Done."
Tade hung up and stared out the window. He hated this feeling. Deception had always come easily to him in boardrooms, in negotiations—but never with people who mattered. And somehow, Sewa was starting to matter.
He sat down in the chair behind his oak desk and pulled up her profile on his tablet. Her company's valuation, client history, and competitive standing. Everything matched what he'd told his father. She was legit. Efficient. Powerful. But she was also now a complication.
A beautiful, dangerous complication.
He tapped on her contact again, thumb hovering over the call button… then lowered it.
Not yet.
Instead, he leaned back, closing his eyes briefly, trying to map out his next move. He didn't want her caught in the crossfire of what was about to happen between the Williams Empire and their oldest rival.
But how long could he keep the truth hidden?
And when it finally surfaced, would Sewa forgive the man behind the lie?
---