The Eko Hotel ballroom glittered like pure Lagos gold.
Crystal chandeliers.
Live Afrobeat band.
Hundreds of investors in designer suits.
Shemmy Esther stepped in.
Heart slamming against her ribs.
Her light yellow skin glowed under the lights.
Thick sexy curves poured into the special dress she made for herself tonight.
Deep red ankara with silver threads that caught every flash.
She looked like a queen.
But inside?
She was shaking.
Daevyd's launch.
Her designs on every team member.
And that phone call from Nadia still ringing in her ears.
She pushed it down.
Smiled.
Tonight was business.
Nothing else.
Then she saw him.
Daevyd Kng.
Tall.
Slim.
Chocolate skin shining like dark honey in a black tuxedo that fit him like sin.
The custom blazer she made looked even better under these lights.
He turned.
Their eyes locked across the room.
His smile hit her like fire.
"Shemmy."
He crossed the floor in three long strides.
Towered over her thick body.
"You are… dangerous tonight."
His voice was low.
Rough.
For her ears only.
She felt heat pool low in her belly.
"You clean up nice too, Lagos boy."
He laughed softly.
Took her hand.
Led her through the crowd.
Every head turned.
Whispers followed.
"That's the designer."
"Her pieces are fire."
Daevyd's team looked sharp in her outfits.
Bold prints.
Circuit patterns.
Everyone was talking about them.
About her.
The keynote ended.
Applause exploded.
Daevyd took the stage.
Spoke about TechWave.
About dreams.
About connecting creatives like her.
His eyes kept finding hers in the crowd.
Every look felt like a touch.
When the music started.
He didn't ask.
He just pulled her onto the dance floor.
One hand on her waist.
The other sliding to the small of her back.
Their bodies pressed close.
Her full curves against his hard slim frame.
Perfect fit.
The beat was slow.
Dangerous.
Shemmy's breath caught.
"You feel this too, right?" he whispered against her ear.
His lips brushed her skin.
Soft.
Hot.
She nodded.
Couldn't speak.
His hand tightened on her waist.
Pulling her even closer.
Their faces inches apart.
His dark eyes dropped to her full lips.
She tilted her head.
Just a little.
Ready.
Wanting.
The almost-kiss hung in the air.
Electric.
One second more and their mouths would meet.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
Then a deep voice cut through the music like a knife.
"Well well… isn't this cozy."
Shemmy froze.
Daevyd's body tensed.
They turned.
A tall, rich-looking guy stood there.
Handsome.
But cold eyes.
Expensive watch.
Tailored suit.
Tunde Adebayo.
The investor everyone feared.
He smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"Daevyd Kng. Nice launch."
His gaze slid to Shemmy.
Slow.
Appreciative.
"And you must be the talented Shemmy Esther."
"I've been watching your work."
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"I have a contract for you."
"Paris Fashion Week level."
"Big money."
"But there's one condition."
His eyes flicked to Daevyd.
Then back to her.
"You cut ties with this one."
"Tonight."
Shemmy's heart stopped.
Daevyd's hand was still on her waist.
Tight.
Possessive.
The whole ballroom seemed to hold its breath.
Tunde leaned in.
Voice low.
Dangerous.
"Choose wisely, beautiful."
"Because I don't share."
"And I always get what I want."
Daevyd's body vibrated with rage.
But Shemmy?
She was caught between two fires.
One she was already burning for.
One that could make all her dreams come true.
Her phone buzzed in her clutch.
Once.
Twice.
She didn't need to check.
She already knew.
Nadia.
Watching.
Waiting.
The music kept playing.
But Shemmy's world had gone silent.
One wrong move tonight.
And everything would explode.
Right here.
In the middle of Lagos' brightest party.