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sen

e medical account promise hanging between us like a

onds after she's g

e board

cel

inks.

" I move to the windows, staring out at the city w

I ask

N

hen: "Sir, if I may... the clean

e." I cut him o

r among the staff. Rumors are circulating about why th

m the wind

g family has... opinions about propriety. If your gr

dule, not my personal life. Eve's mother is ill. I'm helping. That's the end of the story. If

tal,

he phone. I need a medical expens

s and

o the view that Eve was st

am I

hey can't interfere with business. Sterling men don't do sentiment-my father

two million naira to a wom

uzzes. My

consider-she'll only call back,

ndmo

ld money and older expectations. "I hear dist

ls fast in

viding medical assistance.

terling men don't do charity, my dear. We ma

ame is

The family has a reputation to maintain. Your father understood that

'll handle my reput

nding. The last thing we need is scandal about

p before I

phone, ange

terile and professional. Because the moment you show intere

it, I know I'm not

exhaustion, the way she refuses to

doesn't give up on thi

ount is established. I have a debit card printed with Eve's nam

gh for two yea

livered to her. Pro

Biodun, "What time does the

n PM,

orking lat

is carefully blank

floor is quiet-most staff gone home to families, to lives, t

quarterly reports when

hallway. The

lf to focus on the n

k at m

me

Mama Kike, the cl

ment stabs

ous. "We're here for the evening cl

e conference room.

. Thank y

s, heading to the conference

crew disperse across the floor. Mama Kike as

er is

g for s

gers, Folarin, stands in the

ou be home?"

rtain someone." He leans against the doorframe. "A certain pretty clean

you remember who s

me that mixing business with pleasure was for weak men who couldn't

t o

vice? If you're going to break your own rules, at least be sma

lea

conference room,

. I am breaking my ow

n pride and desperation, the strength it took to accept, the promise

are about

. A text from a

s Mr. S

se qui

Who is

nt. I wanted to say thank you again. For every

message, then

hanked me. No

'thank you' isn't enough fo

o the same i

use.

I wo

ping indicator appear and dis

ou really

considering the questio

Give her the charity line, the corporate respon

I type

a war they didn't choose. And I have the weapons to

takes longe

ne's ever said to me. Even if

to understand it

od at accep

ubborn and admirabl

ng me stubborn

es. It's a

say so

y her sends an unexpec

ritory. I know it. Bu

it home safe

walked me. A m

gster, street king, dangerous in ways that have nothing

l was he doi

e?" I type

know

not someone you s

n were bothering me, a

lares in my chest. Rico Blaze

careful a

careful. I'm starting to think La

ially for peo

le li

see the best in others. The

ss I better

y the toughest

long pau

't know

But I'd

efore I can

onse is

ink that's

y n

We live in different worlds. People like you don't

Sharp, uncomf

Help me unders

ld you w

d you. That alone m

I think she's not go

range, you

en calle

o. Mama's waiting for dinner. But

thanki

nce. Goodn

night

ne long after the

know? I've dated models, heiresses, corporate executives-wo

ever made me

dge of something vast and

m about

ir

a Kike stands

ed, sir. Have

as assigned here yesterday-Evelyn A

jobs, sir. Market shift on Tuesdays a

. Than

ne with the realization

hat I won't se

enager wi

old. Billionaire. Acting like a fool

would be

s already prepar

d

n't

w evening, I'll

hat to do with this thi

y like the beginning of something

o