Months Later…
(Rooster crows…)
Mandy Morgan groaned and buried her face deeper
into her pillow. "That annoying feathered creature again!" she hissed.
It was the Third month of the year, and she had
long moved on from Jayson Anderson. She had resigned from Vienna Suites,
leaving behind painful memories, and was now on the path of self-discovery. A
new chapter had begun—one that led her to Lagos, where she had secured a
business contract at De Globes as an executive assistant to the most
prestigious, well-respected, and undeniably handsome billionaire CEO—Nathan
Hydes.
She had always known Nathan to be influential, but
when she discovered he was the son of Ezekiel Hydes, one of the most feared and
revered billionaires in Nigeria, it sent a wave of surprise through her. The
revelation made her realize how little she had actually known about him.
Months had passed since their last conversation.
Nathan had disappeared from her life after she rejected him, leaving only
silence in his wake. But fate had its own plans.
But one
fateful afternoon, as she was adjusting to life after resigning from Vienna
Suites, a message popped up on her phone:
Nathan Hydes:
"Hey, Mandy Morgan… What's up?"
I know it's
been a while. I'm sorry for going MIA. I needed time to accept the rejection,
even though I told you I'd wait—no matter what.
"I also got caught up in business. And I suppose
you've figured it out by now… Yes, I'm Ezekiel Hydes' son, and the sole owner
of De Globes."
"I never meant to keep it from you, but there was
never a perfect moment to tell you."
"That being said, I have a proposal for you—not personal, strictly
business. I'd like you to work with me as my executive assistant at De Globes.
No strings attached. Even if you still don't want me, I just want to help. You'll have access to incredible opportunities to build your career.
Accommodation and feeding? All taken care of. Let me know soon Mandy. You
deserve it."
Mandy stared at the message, her heart pounding. It
felt like the universe was nudging her, telling her it was time—to fully
discover herself and embrace new possibilities. Without hesitation, she typed
back:
Mandy Morgan:
"Nathan, thank you for this opportunity. I accept.
And… I understand why you had to keep your identity a secret."
She pressed SEND and exhaled. Within minutes,
Nathan responded with a smiling emoji and a thumbs-up—as if he had known she
would say yes.
Excitement surged through her. She tossed her phone
onto the sofa and jumped in joy, swirling her waist in giddy delight. She
couldn't contain it—her mother needed to hear this.
The first attempt didn't go through. She tried
again.
"Hello, Mum! Good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon, princess. How are you?"
"Mum, I'm great! Guess what?"
"You know I'm not good at guessing, Mandy. Just tell
me before my blood pressure spikes."
She giggled. "It's Nathan! He offered me a job in
Lagos! I'm flying out in two days!"
"That's wonderful news!" Her mother's voice
brightened. "That young man would do anything for you. Have you told your
father?"
"Not yet. But you can tell him for me."
"All right, my love. Take care of yourself."
After hanging up, Mandy grinned, already imagining
Hazel's reaction. Her best friend would scream as if she had just announced a
wedding.
That evening, she called Hazel, who didn't
disappoint.
"Mandy baby, I'm so happy for you! Nathan is such a
good guy, you know?"
Mandy hesitated, then sighed. "Maybe. But my heart's
not ready for that, Haze."
Hazel scoffed. "Girl, you're the only one still
pretending."
Mandy rolled her eyes and ended the call before
Hazel could tease her further.
Two Days Later…..
MARCH 12th :MANDY'S DEPARTURE
Mandy had booked her flight. This is it, she
thought. A fresh start.
At the airport in Owerri, she took her boarding
passes and boarded the plane. Hours later, as the aircraft touched down at
Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, anticipation coursed through her
veins.
A sleek black van was already waiting at the
entrance. The man standing beside it was tall, broad-shouldered, and
intimidating, his skin a deep shade of ebony.
"Miss Mandy?" His voice was deep and gravelly.
"Yes," she replied, flashing a small smile.
"I'm Jide Abrams. Mr. Hydes sent me." He took her
luggage, gesturing toward the vehicle.
As the van pulled away, Mandy gazed out the window,
taking in the bustling energy of Lagos. This was a new world—her world now.
Later That Evening….
ARRIVALATTHE HYDES' MANSION
The van halted before a breathtaking,
magnificent mansion—a masterpiece of
modern architecture.
Mandy stepped out, her jaw slightly agape.
Her breath hitched "Wow… this is stunning." She whispered,
stepping out.
The mansion was an architectural masterpiece—grand, elegant,
breathtaking. The sheer size alone made her stomach tighten with awe.
The intricate design blended with the lush greenery surrounding it,
as if the very earth bowed in admiration. It was like stepping
into a dream.
As she stepped inside, crystal chandeliers cast
golden reflections across the marble floors, the luxurious furnishings exuding
an air of royalty. This was wealth. This was power.
Jide smirked at her awestruck expression. "You'll
get used to it."
Several staff members dressed in crisp black and
white uniforms bowed in greeting. A well-dressed butler approached.
"Good afternoon, Miss Morgan. Welcome to the Hydes'
residence."
He took her luggage, and Jide turned to her. "This
is where I leave you. Nathan will see you shortly."
Mandy frowned. "You call him by his name?"
Jide simply chuckled and walked away.
A young woman in uniform approached. "Excuse me,
ma'am. Let me show you to your room."
Mandy followed, still absorbing the mansion's
grandeur.
Her room was equally astonishing—a royal suite fit
for a queen. Luxurious, warm, and impossibly perfect.
The staff member smiled. "I'm Ella. If you need
anything, just ask."
"Thank you, Ella."
MANDY'S ROOM
When she stepped in, her breath caught.
It wasn't just a room. It was a royal chamber.
The canopy bed was king-sized, draped with the
finest silk. A private balcony overlooked the city skyline. The décor was
pristine, detailed, and undeniably expensive.
As she settled in, a nagging thought crossed her
mind. Why did Nathan insist on bringing her to his house
instead of arranging an apartment?
A message from Nathan appeared on her phone:
Nathan Hydes:
"Mandy, I heard you arrived. Have you eaten? I'll
see you soon."
"Oh, and… sorry for not telling you about the
living arrangements. I just wanted you close by. After all, you're not just my
assistant—you're my friend."
A strange warmth settled in her chest. Close by…?
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Ella entered
with a silver tray carrying food.
"Dinner is served, Miss Morgan," she said with a
polite smile.
Mandy smiled, grateful. Mandy sat on the edge
of the bed, staring at the delicious spread.
This is too much. She ate quickly, showered, and
later called her parents.
When she told her mother about staying at Nathan's
house, Victoria Morgan gasped.
"That young man is full of surprises! Don't be
shocked if he proposes next."
"Mum! Not you too!"
Even her father had advice. "Be careful, Angel.
Don't let luxury cloud your judgment."
Yet, something told her Nathan's kindness wasn't
about power—it was about something else.
After the calls, she rang Hazel.
"Haze, you won't believe this—I'm staying at
Nathan's mansion."
Hazel, her best friend, was no different.
"Mandy…! You're living in his MANSION?" Hazel
shrieked over the phone. "Tell me you see what's happening here! This man is
claiming his woman!"
Mandy groaned. "Oh, Lord! Not
you too! Hazel just laughed.
Enough already!" hanging up before Hazel could tease
her further.
HOURS LATER…..
Just as Mandy was about to lie down, when a soft knock
sounded.
A maid peeked in. "Miss Morgan, Mr. Hydes requests
to see you."
Mandy's pulse quickened.
Taking a deep breath, she followed the woman
downstairs.
As she reached the lavish living room, her breath
caught.
Nathan stood there in the lavish living room, a soft
smile on his lip.
—tall, broad, effortlessly elegant— He looked even
more striking than she remembered.
His brown, casual suit hugged his frame, his hazel eyes locked onto
her with an intensity that sent her stomach into free fall.
For a moment, neither spoke. The silence was
heavy—charged.
Then, slowly, he stepped closer.
Mandy's pulse roared in her ears.
Nathan's eyes darkened as they held hers. His
fingers brushed a loose strand of her hair, tucking it behind her ear.
His voice was low, teasing. "Sleep early, Miss
Morgan. Tomorrow will be… hectic."
Then, before she could react, his eyes still lurked
on her face, then leaned down—his lips pressing softly against her forehead.
A shiver ran down her spine.
As he pulled back, a mischievous smirk played on
his lips before he turned and disappeared into the hall.
Mandy stood frozen. Her breath hitched.
Damn….
This….. was only the beginning.