Cherry walked into the office the next morning with quiet certainty.
Yesterday had unsettled her—but today would correct it.
Today would remind her exactly who Nyla was.
By 9:30 a.m., Nyla still hadn't arrived.
Cherry stood by the glass wall of her office, her fingers lightly tapping against her arm.
"Has Nyla checked in?" she asked without turning.
Her assistant shook her head. "No, ma'am."
Cherry's lips curved slowly.
"Of course she hasn't."
Relief settled in.
Cold. Satisfying.
Yesterday had meant nothing.
Just a coincidence dressed as intelligence.
"She couldn't even last a day," Cherry murmured, turning back to her desk.
Across the city, Nyla stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the hem of her outfit—a sleek black dress paired with minimal jewelry.
Effortless. Controlled. Intentional.
Her phone buzzed continuously beside her, notifications pouring in from her latest post.
"Got invited to a brand opening today… should I go or be responsible for once? "
The comments were exactly what she expected.
"GOOOO "
"We need content!"
"Don't even think twice!"
Nyla smiled faintly.
Decision made.
The invitation had come the night before—
An exclusive clothing brand launch.
Perfect timing.
Perfect distraction.
By noon, her Range Rover Velar rolled smoothly into the event venue.
Cameras flashed immediately as she stepped out, her presence drawing attention without effort.
The space was breathtaking—glass walls, warm gold lighting, curated racks displayed like art.
Luxury. Precision. Image.
Nyla slipped into the atmosphere seamlessly.
Her phone was already in her hand.
Recording. Posting. Smiling.
"Okay, you guys," she said softly into the camera, turning to show the venue. "This place is actually insane… I might just move in."
A soft laugh followed.
Light. Carefree.
Exactly as expected.
Kimberley spotted her almost immediately, bustling toward her with practiced enthusiasm. "Nyla! I'm so glad you could come! You're just the kind of guest I hoped for tonight."
Nyla smiled lightly, demure but poised. "Thank you, Kimberley. Your collection looks wonderful."
"Thank you so much babes " Kimberly replied. She was so excited that Nyla honored her invite.
Kimberly is actually a young entrepreneur who is very passionate about fashion and loves relating with her fellow fashionistas hence why she extended her invite to Nyla. Seeing Nyla at her event made her so happy that she tried introducing Nyla to cousin sister Vera who was also present at the event.
She glanced around, nervous, and added, "I'd like you to meet my cousin, Vera."
She walked towards Vera and tried introducing her to Nyla. "Nyla this …" " Vera" Nyla completed her sentence. Kimberly was so confused at first, then Vera spoke up "Kimmy I know Nyla we are family "
Kimberley froze, blinking. "Wait… what? Family? Are you sure?"
Vera chuckled softly. "Yes. Nyla is my husband's cousin she's uncle Alaric's daughter we just… haven't had much reason to interact before."
Kimberly still stunned at the news turned to Nyla and said "wow the world is indeed very small "
After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, Kimberley left Nyla and Vera to talk, excusing herself to attend to other guests across the room.
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
Not awkward—just… observant.
Vera crossed her arms lightly, her gaze steady on Nyla, no longer casual this time. She wasn't looking at her the way the others in the room were—admiring her outfit, her presence, her online influence.
She was studying her.
"You've changed," Vera said finally.
Her tone wasn't accusatory. It was factual.
Nyla tilted her head slightly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Have I?"
Vera didn't smile back.
"Yes," she said simply. "You've always been around. Quiet. Distracted. Always on your phone."
Her eyes narrowed just a little.
"But this…" she gestured subtly around them, "…this is different."
Nyla let out a small, light laugh, glancing briefly at her phone as if to prove a point.
"I'm still on my phone," she said playfully.
Vera didn't react.
"That's not what I meant."
Another pause.
This time, heavier.
Nyla looked up again, meeting Vera's gaze fully now. There was a shift—barely noticeable, but real.
"People grow," she said calmly.
Vera held her stare for a second longer, then gave a small nod.
"Some do," she replied.
"You know maybe one of these days we can all convene at the hub and get to spend time with one another—even if it's just for a shared dinner," Nyla said, her tone light, almost casual, as though the idea had just crossed her mind.
Vera's brows lifted slightly.
That… she hadn't expected.
For a brief second, she simply studied Nyla—searching her face for hesitation, for uncertainty, for the familiar distraction she had always associated with her.
But there was none.
"That's… surprisingly thoughtful," Vera replied slowly.
Not mocking. Not warm either. Just… honest.
Nyla gave a small shrug, her fingers brushing lightly over the stem of her glass.
"Well, we all live in the same estate," she said. "Separate buildings, same ground… yet we barely know each other."
She glanced around the room, then back at Vera.
"Feels a little ironic, doesn't it?"
Vera let out a quiet hum, considering that.
"It does," she admitted.
Then after a pause, she added, "But families like this… don't gather without reason."
Nyla's lips curved faintly.
"Then we'll give them one."
That caught Vera's attention.
Fully.
Before she could reply a familiar voice came from just behind them-
"Give them what?"
Both women turned slightly.
Edward had just arrived.
His jacket was still in his hand, his presence carrying that subtle air of someone who had come in late but immediately taken in the room. His eyes moved briefly between Vera and Nyla, catching the tail end of their conversation.
"You're late," Vera said, though there was no real annoyance in her tone.
Edward exhaled lightly. "Traffic."
Then, glancing at Nyla again, he added, "I didn't expect to see you here."
Nyla smiled politely. "Neither did I."
A brief silence followed—comfortable, but layered.
Edward slipped his hand into his pocket, his expression thoughtful.
"What were you two talking about?" he asked.
Vera glanced at Nyla before answering, almost like she was testing her.
"She suggested a family dinner. At the hub."
Edward stilled slightly.
Not dramatic—just enough to notice.
Then he nodded.
"That's… actually not a bad idea."
Vera turned to him, mildly surprised.
"You agree?"
Edward shrugged lightly.
"With everything going on… especially Uncle Alaric," he said, his tone more grounded now, "it might be time we all sit down. Properly."
His gaze shifted briefly to Nyla again—more observant this time.
"Clear the air a little."
Nyla met his gaze calmly.
"A dinner sounds simple enough," she said.
But there was something in her voice—
Something steady.
Intentional.
Vera noticed it again.
That same feeling.
This wasn't just a suggestion.
"Alright," Vera said after a moment. "We'll see how that goes."
From across the room, Kimberley called out, waving for Vera.
As Vera turned to leave, she cast one last glance at Nyla.
Still smiling.
Still composed.
Still… unreadable.
Edward lingered a second longer before following.
And Nyla—
standing there, blending effortlessly into the elegance of the event—
lowered her gaze briefly to her phone, her lips curving just slightly.
The move had landed.
Quietly.
Perfectly.
And soon…
the entire family would be sitting at one table.