Lucky Dante was severely disappointed in himself.
He couldn't even spend a month in Lagos. Two weeks. Two fucking weeks. Despite several clubs and their invitations, despite the allure the city provided, still he couldn't stay.
There was a clog in his mind. A virus that had infected it, and its influence kept growing. His usual antibiotics weren't working.
He imagined the headlines: Lucky Dante Finally in Love.
No. It wasn't just her looks that drew him. It was that look in her eyes. The feeling that she was more than she let on.
He couldn't shake it. Finally, he admitted it—a new part of him seemed to unleash each time he was around her. That part that was always controlled before, that had stayed hidden. So he wants her too.
Lucky had no doubt he was feeling it. Perhaps it was the proximity that affected them both. After all, they were the same person. But his other half shouldn't have known that. He'd made perfectly sure of it.
But he couldn't sit quiet anymore. He needed to discover what it was about her that triggered him, lest he lose himself completely.
That's why he was back in Abuja.
And why he'd chosen this time to visit her.
He had a good feeling she wanted to see him too. So he took the hint. Perhaps it was the universe sending him a message—if such a thing existed.
Stepping a foot inside her house, he saw her beautiful face twisted in disgust.
Was he wrong?
He smirked. No. He could never be. Because just then, he saw it—hidden perfectly behind her disgust was longing.
His smirk widened.
"I missed you too."
---
Nelly felt a certain strangeness as Amanda opened the door. Unexplainable. The same feeling came anytime something bad was about to happen.
What could it possibly be?
Only as Amanda turned, after opening the door, did she realize who it was.
"Speak of the devil."
That damned playboy. Why did he come here?
Then he had the guts to say he missed her too—implying she did first. Her irritation grew. What is it with me suddenly being surrounded by proud men?
"What do you want, Lucky?" She shot him a wicked glance.
"Awwwn, aren't you being extra feisty?" He smiled. "Is it because of your little outing today?"
Nelly turned just in time to see Amanda's mouth drop in shock. She herself had turned to hide hers. But there was no helping it.
How did he—
Something clicked inside her. The mysterious caller that had calmed Austin. Still, it couldn't be. Even Lucky couldn't have possibly known it was her with Kelvin.
His smile became mischievous. "Relax, darling." He pulled out his phone. "You guys are trending all over the internet."
Nelly watched the video replay on Lucky's phone. How had she missed this? No, she hadn't. Mandibu was supposed to be private property. She didn't see anyone recording. So how?
And the worst part—
The video had been taken when Kelvin took her hand and walked through the crowd, emphasizing the moment. Austin's mouth moved, but there was no audio.
Leaving the internet plotting theories here and there. The most popular being: fight over mystery girl.
Each realization hit Nelly like a rock. Amanda's warning flashed in her mind. The fair prince wasn't innocent either. And worse, it had already gone viral.
The existence she'd tried to keep hidden was suddenly everywhere.
---
Lucky watched in amusement as the gorgeous lady's countenance changed every minute. It was too cute to watch, even though he'd seen it many times before.
That's why he was here. To officially welcome her to the life of celebrity. He convinced himself it was his only reason.
---
Nelly sat down, overwhelmed by the torrent of information reeling past her. Amanda did little to console her.
"Don't worry, it's for the best." She smiled. "Look on the bright side. You could be an influencer. A content creator. I'm sure those social media FBI are beginning to look for you."
"How is this a good thing?"
She hadn't told her friend her original plan. This could all blow out, especially if someone from that night recognized her. The thought sent shivers down her spine.
Just then—
"I could make it go away." A pleasant voice chimed in.
"Huh?" Again, Nelly was stunned.
"Oh, I can. This video of yours, disappear from the internet. I told you, didn't I? It's why I'm here."
She slowly raised her head. Of course he could. Who else could pull such a feat if not the most influential? She had rejoiced too soon.
"But—" His smile suddenly turned devilish. "I have a condition."
Amanda made a hissing sound, shaking her head violently for her bestie to take the hint. She knew her too well. And thus, she was too late.
"I accept," Nelly said firmly.
"I haven't even told you what it is."
Nelly didn't think much about it. Or rather, she didn't want to. But in hindsight, the proud playboy seemed to have everything he wanted. So what more could he possibly want?
"Fine. It's already done anyway. That was the last copy I showed you. And now—" He tapped his screen. "Delete." He looked up, smiling. "Now for my condition."
---
Even if Nelly had all the time in the world, she wouldn't have guessed what the playboy would have asked for. She'd imagined sex, or something disgusting. But... but, they were just walking.
Indeed, Lucky had only asked her to walk with him.
She watched him carefully from the corner of her eyes, realizing now how much of a mystery he actually was. In the time she'd pretended to get ready, Nelly did a quick search on him, hoping to find something useful.
But the playboy had no known history. Or even worse, no known business. So how the hell is he influential?
But more importantly, what could he want to talk about?
As they walked, they soon entered a park. All around, pairs of eyes began to shoot at them. Some painted with jealousy. Should I get used to this? She wondered.
"Miss Nelly, how is life at Akor?"
Nelly felt a strong déjà vu as those words reached her. Had she heard him say it before? Today? No. It wasn't possible. It was Kelvin. Yet why did it feel so... so...
"Is it that bad it's taking you this long to answer? As for today's drama, only a few people would know." He smiled. "Very few."
Something felt wrong. Did he ask her to walk with him only to ask about work? Suddenly, Nelly grew bitter. She wasn't in the mood to play games anymore.
She stopped. "Lucky Dante, what do you want with me?"
---
Lucky had confirmed his suspicions. Just being around her seemed to stir something within him. But now it became clear what it was.
Memories.
Though an ocean of memories were blocked from him before, from the time he met her, a dam had been constructed. And it began flowing instead of being stuck. Albeit slowly. Not enough to make sense of it. So he figured he'd have to be around her more to know.
However, hearing that question shocked him. I guess she's no fool.
Turning, he looked her dead in her brown eyes.
"I want you, Miss Nelly. It is you that I want."
---
A Few Hours Earlier
Kelvin's driver dropped him off. He walked into his house. His household staff knew not to come in whenever he was home. That was why he was currently alone in the mansion he'd bought a few months back.
His eyes closed for a moment, then opened as drowsiness lined them. Exhausted, he walked to his bedroom.
His bedroom was large, with several mirrors hanging in various corners. It was a weird habit he'd picked up, and somehow it stuck with him.
Yawning as he stretched his arms, he fell flat on the bed.
---
A moment later, he stood up, removing his clothes. But something felt wrong.
His rigid face had collapsed. His body seemed to move on its own.
A heartbeat passed. Kelvin finally saw himself, standing before the mirror. His reflection seemed wrong.
His deep black eyes were now diluted, light coal. His face seemed more... more. He didn't have the words for it.
Was his reflection... or was he dreaming? Because the face reflected in the mirror didn't look like his at all.
It opened its mouth to speak. Kelvin was sure his own lips were still closed. But he could hear the words perfectly clear.
"I'm only going to warn you once. Stay away from her."
Then it smiled.
"Look at me. I'm a little bit embarrassed, sending a warning this way to you." Its expression darkened.
"My other half."