THE BLUE MOON

The city of Lagos never truly slept. Even at night, the streets remained alive with movement. Cars flowed through the roads like rivers of light, music drifted from distant restaurants, and the glow of skyscrapers painted the sky in shades of gold and silver. Standing on the balcony of her luxurious home, Gold watched the city below. She loved this view. It reminded her of how far she had come. Ten years earlier, she had been an ordinary university student with big dreams and little money. Now she was married to one of the city's most successful businessmen, lived in a beautiful mansion, and owned part of a growing fashion company. To outsiders, her life seemed perfect. And perhaps that was why she never noticed the cracks. The glass door behind her slid open. "Still staring at the city?" Gold smiled before turning around. John stood there holding two glasses of juice. Tall, handsome, and confident, he possessed the kind of charm that made people trust him immediately. "Someone has to appreciate the view," Gold replied. John handed her a glass. "You've seen this view every day for five years." "And somehow it keeps getting prettier." John laughed softly. "You always find beauty in everything." Gold took a sip and smiled. One of the things she loved most about John was how easily he made her feel safe. Whenever she was worried, he knew exactly what to say. Whenever she felt uncertain, he made her feel confident again. At least, that was what she believed. A horn sounded outside. Gold glanced down and immediately recognized the car. "Beauty is here." John's smile froze for a fraction of a second. The expression disappeared so quickly that Gold missed it completely. Moments later, Beauty entered the house. She was beautiful enough to turn heads wherever she went. Long dark hair framed her face, and her bright smile could light up an entire room. Gold had known her since childhood. They had attended the same primary school. The same secondary school. The same university. There was nothing Gold wouldn't have done for her. And nothing she believed Beauty wouldn't do for her. "Gold!" Beauty rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "I missed you." "You saw me yesterday." "I know." The women laughed. John watched them carefully. A strange expression flashed across his face. One that neither woman noticed. They spent the evening talking about work, life, and old memories. Beauty told funny stories from their school days. Gold laughed until tears filled her eyes. Everything seemed normal. Everything seemed perfect. Yet beneath the surface, a dangerous secret waited. Hours later, after Beauty had gone home and Gold had fallen asleep, John quietly left their bedroom. The mansion was silent. Moonlight spilled across the hallway. John carefully walked downstairs. A car waited outside. Minutes later, another figure stepped out. Beauty. John opened the door. She entered quickly. Neither spoke for several moments. Then Beauty sighed. "I can't keep doing this." John looked at her. "We don't have much longer." "You've been saying that for two years." "I mean it this time." Beauty folded her arms. "What if she finds out?" John's eyes hardened. "She won't." Beauty looked toward the staircase. "She trusts us." John laughed quietly. "That's exactly why she won't suspect anything." Beauty remained silent. For a moment, guilt appeared in her eyes. But only for a moment. Because guilt had long ago been replaced by greed. The affair had begun almost three years earlier. What started as attraction had slowly become something darker. Together, they dreamed about Gold's wealth. Her company shares. Her inheritance. Her properties. Everything. And the only obstacle standing between them and that future was Gold herself. Above the mansion, clouds drifted across the night sky. Hidden behind them was a rare blue moon. A moon that would soon witness betrayal, death, survival, and revenge. Neither John nor Beauty knew it yet. But fate was already preparing to punish them. And when it did, neither of them would escape.