Shemmy stood frozen between the two men at her Ikotun gate.
Her voluptuous body trembled under the simple gown.
The morning sun already felt too hot on her light yellow skin.
Daevyd's hand still held hers.
Warm.
Steady.
Full of everything she wanted.
Femi's eyes burned with anger.
Semilore he shouted again.
Get inside this house right now.
Shemmy pulled her hand gently from Daevyd's.
Her generous curves brushed against him one last time as she stepped back.
Please go she whispered to him.
I will call you later.
I promise.
Daevyd looked at her.
His dark eyes full of fire and fear.
I will wait he said quietly.
No matter how long.
But do not sign anything until we talk.
He turned and walked to his car.
Tall slim frame moving with quiet strength.
She watched him drive away.
Her heart felt like it was tearing in two.
Femi grabbed her arm.
Dragged her back inside the compound.
You are playing with fire he warned.
That boy will ruin you.
Shemmy said nothing.
She walked straight to her room.
Locked the door.
And broke down.
Tears poured down her cheeks.
She slid to the floor.
Her full-figured body shaking with sobs.
One million dollars.
Paris Fashion Week.
Her name in lights.
Everything she had sewn for since she was a little girl in Ikotun.
Or Daevyd.
The man who saw her dreams.
Who held her on the beach like she was the only woman in the world.
Her phone rang.
Ruth.
Her best friend.
She answered with a broken voice.
Ruth I do not know what to do she cried.
Ruth's voice came through calm but worried.
The Igbo girl who had been her ride or die since their days at the fashion institute.
Nne (Dear) talk to me.
I saw the photos.
The whole of Lagos is talking.
What is happening.
Shemmy told her everything.
The beach.
The kiss.
Nadia.
Tunde's offer.
The contract.
Femi's anger.
Her mother's tears from Abeokuta.
Ruth listened without interrupting.
Semilore you are at a crossroads she said finally.
Tunde is offering you the bag.
The fame.
The life you have been fighting for.
But Daevyd is offering you something real.
Something that makes your eyes shine when you talk about him.
Shemmy wiped her tears.
But what if I choose love and end up with nothing she asked.
Emeka left me because of my dreams.
What if Daevyd does the same when things get hard.
Ruth sighed.
Then he was never yours to begin with.
But from everything you have told me.
This one fights for you.
He came to your gate this morning even when your brother was ready to fight.
That is not a man who runs.
Shemmy stared at the contract still open on her phone.
I have one hour to decide.
Ruth's voice became firm.
Do not sign anything yet.
Meet me at our usual spot in one hour.
The small café in Ikeja.
We will talk face to face.
You do not have to carry this alone.
Shemmy agreed.
She quickly changed into a simple blouse and wrapper that hugged her ample figure.
Slipped on sunglasses to hide her red eyes.
And sneaked out through the back gate before Femi could stop her.
The café was quiet when she arrived.
Ruth was already waiting.
Two cups of hot tea on the table.
Shemmy sat down.
Her curvaceous form sinking into the chair.
I am so confused she said.
One road gives me everything I prayed for.
The other road gives me a man who makes me feel alive.
Ruth reached across the table.
Held her hand.
Remember when you started your brand.
Everyone said you would fail.
Full figured girl from Ikotun trying to dress the world.
But you kept sewing.
You kept believing.
This choice is the same.
What does your heart say when you close your eyes.
Shemmy closed her eyes.
She saw Daevyd.
His smile at the conference.
His arms around her on the beach.
The way he said her name like a prayer.
I want him she whispered.
But I am scared.
Ruth smiled softly.
Then tell Tunde no.
Tell Daevyd yes.
And if the world burns.
You two will burn together.
Shemmy felt a small weight lift from her chest.
She picked up her phone.
Opened the contract.
Her finger moved to the delete button.
But before she could press it.
The café door opened.
Daevyd walked in.
Tall.
Slim.
Chocolate skin glowing.
His eyes found hers immediately.
Shemmy he said.
Voice full of relief and fire.
She had texted him the location while talking to Ruth — just a quick "I'm at the café in Ikeja with Ruth if you want to come."
He walked straight to their table.
Ignored everyone else.
I could not wait he said.
I had to know what you are thinking.
Ruth stood up quietly.
I will give you two some space.
She left them alone.
Daevyd sat down.
Took both her hands in his.
Whatever you choose he said.
I will respect it.
But I need you to know this.
I am not Emeka.
I am not here to dim your light.
I want to watch it shine brighter.
With me beside you.
Shemmy looked into his eyes.
I was about to sign she admitted.
The money.
The fame.
It looked so easy.
Daevyd nodded.
I know.
But easy is not always right.
He leaned closer.
His forehead touching hers.
Choose us he whispered.
Shemmy felt tears again.
But this time they were different.
She deleted the contract.
I choose you she said.
Daevyd's smile was like sunrise.
He pulled her into his arms.
Right there in the café.
Her ample figure fitting perfectly against him.
But as they held each other.
Her phone buzzed loudly on the table.
A new message from Tunde.
Bad choice beautiful.
The photos are about to get worse.
And your little boyfriend will be the one who pays.
Attached was a new picture.
Daevyd and Nadia.
From years ago.
But edited.
Made to look recent.
With a fake caption.
TechWave founder still sleeping with ex while playing with new girl.
Shemmy showed him.
Daevyd's face turned dark.
This is war he said.
He stood up.
Eyes burning with determination.
I am ending this today.
But before they could leave the café.
Another message came in.
This time from an unknown number.
A video.
Shemmy pressed play with shaking fingers.
It was her.
On the beach last night.
Kissing Daevyd.
But the angle made it look much more than a kiss.
The caption read.
Lagos fashion designer selling her body for tech funding.
Full video dropping in one hour.
Shemmy felt the ground shift under her feet.
Her choice was made.
But the price was about to be higher than she ever imagined.
And the whole of Lagos was waiting to watch her fall.