Shemmy Esther couldn't stop smiling.
Even as she stood in her small Ikeja apartment the next morning.
Light yellow skin still glowing from yesterday's excitement.
Her thick curves moved softly under her silk robe as she made coffee.
The Lagos sun poured through the window.
But her mind was miles away.
On him.
Daevyd Kng.
That tall, slim chocolate-skinned man from Ekiti.
His deep voice still echoed in her ears.
His smile still made her stomach flip.
She touched the spot on her arm where his fingers had caught her.
Warm.
Electric.
Her phone buzzed on the counter.
Unknown number.
But she knew.
"Hey Shemmy… or should I say Semilore?
Couldn't sleep thinking about you.
Coffee this morning? The Beanery, Victoria Island. 10 AM.
I have an offer you won't believe."
She bit her full lower lip.
Heart racing like a danfo in traffic.
Business, she told herself.
Just business.
But her fingers typed yes before her brain could argue.
"Okay. See you there."
She chose her outfit carefully.
High-waisted cream trousers that hugged her sexy hips.
A soft blouse with embroidery she designed herself.
The fabric clung to her full chest and tiny waist.
She wanted to look powerful.
Not like a girl melting over a stranger.
But deep down?
She was.
The ride to Victoria Island felt endless.
Okadas honking.
Street vendors shouting.
She stared out the window.
Abeokuta blood ran in her veins.
Ogun state girl.
Strong.
Ambitious.
She had left home with nothing but talent and dreams.
Now this man from Ekiti wanted to pull her deeper into his world.
The Beanery smelled like heaven.
Fresh coffee.
Warm croissants.
Sunlight danced on the lagoon outside.
Daevyd was already waiting.
Tall.
Slim.
Chocolate skin shining under the lights.
Crisp white polo hugging his toned chest.
He stood the moment he saw her.
Eyes lighting up like he had won the lottery.
"Shemmy."
His voice wrapped around her name like silk.
"You look… dangerous."
She laughed softly.
Trying to hide the blush on her yellow skin.
"Flattery so early, Mr. Kng?"
"Only the truth," he said.
Pulling out her chair.
His cologne hit her.
Sandalwood and pure man.
They ordered.
Black coffee for her.
Latte for him.
Then he leaned in.
Eyes locked on hers.
No games.
"My app launch is in two weeks. Eko Hotel. Big investors. Media. Everyone."
She sipped her coffee.
Waiting.
"I want you to design the outfits for my entire team."
Her cup froze mid-air.
"Daevyd… two weeks? I'm drowning in my own collection."
"I know," he said gently.
"But listen."
He reached across the table.
Almost touching her hand.
Stopped himself.
"Your bold ankara styles mixed with tech vibes. Silver threads like circuits. African prints that scream power. My team on stage in your designs? Your name will be everywhere."
Shemmy's heart pounded.
This could change everything.
Her brand.
Her life.
But the timing?
Insane.
"I've been burned before," she whispered.
"Promises. Then nothing."
Daevyd's dark eyes softened.
"I'm not them. Ekiti man. We keep our word."
He smiled.
Slow.
Deadly.
"And I'll pay you well. Very well."
She studied him.
That slim, tall frame.
The way his chocolate skin glowed.
The sincerity in his gaze.
Something inside her melted.
"Okay," she breathed.
"But we move fast. Sketches by tomorrow."
His smile exploded.
Bright.
Happy.
Like a boy who just got his dream.
"Deal!"
They clinked cups.
Laughing.
The next hour disappeared.
She sketched on napkins.
Flowing dresses with digital wave patterns.
Blazers with hidden QR codes.
Her thick curves leaned forward as she drew.
Daevyd watched every stroke.
Every move of her hand.
"You're a genius," he said quietly.
His voice husky.
"No one sees fashion like you do."
She felt heat rush to her cheeks.
No man had ever looked at her work with such hunger.
Not just the designs.
Her.
Then he reached into his bag.
Pulled out a small wrapped box.
"For you."
Shemmy's fingers trembled as she opened it.
A delicate gold necklace.
Pendant shaped like a tiny circuit board.
Gemstones sparkling like stars.
Modern.
Beautiful.
Made just for her.
Her light yellow skin flushed.
"Daevyd… this is too much."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
Suddenly shy.
"Had a friend in Ekiti make it last night. After our talk. Fashion meets tech. Like us."
He stood.
Moved behind her.
Gently fastened it around her neck.
His fingers brushed her skin.
Soft.
Warm.
She shivered.
The pendant rested perfectly between her full breasts.
Glowing against her yellow tone.
"Perfect," he whispered.
Close to her ear.
Too close.
She turned.
Their faces inches apart.
His chocolate skin.
Her light yellow glow.
The air crackled.
She could smell him.
Feel his breath.
One move.
One tiny move.
And she would taste those lips.
But she pulled back.
Barely.
"We should talk measurements," she said.
Voice shaky.
He sat down again.
But his eyes never left hers.
They talked for hours.
Fabrics.
Colors.
How his app could one day let women try her designs virtually.
She told him about growing up in Abeokuta.
The Ogun state heat.
The way her mother taught her to sew under kerosene lamp.
He told her about Ekiti.
The hills.
The quiet nights coding in his village room.
Two Yoruba souls.
Different states.
Same fire.
Same hunger.
The café grew busy around them.
But the world felt small.
Just them.
When they finally stood to leave.
Daevyd walked her outside.
Lagos sun hot on their skin.
He stopped at the door.
Turned to her.
"This is going to be huge, Shemmy Esther."
His hand lifted.
Brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Gentle.
Possessive.
"I can't stop thinking about you."
She swallowed.
Heart slamming against her ribs.
"Business first, Daevyd Kng."
He stepped closer.
Towering over her thick curves.
His slim frame radiating heat.
"Dinner tomorrow? To review the first samples."
His eyes dropped to her lips.
Then back up.
"Purely business…"
He smiled.
Dark.
Promising.
"…unless you want more."
Shemmy's breath caught.
The necklace burned against her skin.
Her body screamed yes.
Her mind whispered danger.
What if she said yes?
What if this tall chocolate-skinned man from Ekiti opened doors she could never close?
What secrets hid behind that perfect smile?
She opened her mouth.
But no words came.
Only the wild beating of her heart.
And the terrifying knowledge that one word from her lips…
Would change her life forever.