My Nigerian Gf

Some nights change your life forever. Others steal it." Rain fell over Lagos like a curtain of silver, washing away the noise of the day but not its troubles. Traffic crawled through the streets. Vendors hurried to pack up their stalls. The smell of roasted corn mixed with the scent of wet earth, while the flashing lights of passing cars painted the road in streaks of red and white. Among the crowd walked Ada Nwosu. At twenty-three, she possessed a beauty that didn't need expensive makeup or designer clothes. Her smooth mahogany skin glowed beneath the streetlights, and her long, luxurious virgin human hair was neatly packed into a sleek high ponytail that reached the middle of her back. Each confident step made it sway gently behind her. Her heart-shaped face, full lips, and expressive dark-brown eyes made strangers look twice, but Ada barely noticed anymore. Beauty had never paid her rent. She adjusted the strap of her worn handbag and glanced at the time. 10:17 p.m. Another late shift. Her feet ached from standing all day at the restaurant, yet exhaustion wasn't what weighed on her heart. Her phone vibrated. Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The smile on her face disappeared instantly. Taking a shaky breath, she answered. "Hello?" "Good evening, Miss Nwosu," the nurse said softly. "Your mother's condition has become more serious. The doctors can't delay the surgery any longer." Ada stopped walking. "What... what did they say?" "We need the initial payment by tomorrow morning." She closed her eyes. "How much?" "Five million naira." The words struck harder than a slap. Five million. She barely had enough money for transport home. "I'll find a way," she whispered. "We're praying for you." The line went dead. Ada stood in the rain for several seconds before wiping away the tears gathering in her eyes. "I'll save you, Mama," she whispered to herself. "No matter what it takes." She slipped the phone into her bag and continued toward the bus stop. The streets had grown unusually quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly... A sharp cry shattered the silence. "Please! Don't do this!" Ada froze. The voice came from a narrow street beside an abandoned warehouse. Curiosity battled with fear. Slowly, she stepped closer. A black SUV stood with its headlights off. Three masked men surrounded an elderly white man dressed in an expensive suit. One of them snatched a leather briefcase from his hands. "Please," the old man pleaded. "Take the money... just let me go." The tallest man laughed. "You've seen too much." He pulled out a gun. Ada's heart stopped. BANG! The old man collapsed onto the wet pavement. Ada gasped. She stumbled backward. Her heel struck an empty glass bottle. Clink... Clink... The sound echoed through the alley. Silence. Then every head turned. One of the masked men slowly smiled. "Who's there?" Another pointed directly at her. "A witness." Their leader's cold voice sliced through the rain. "Kill her." Ada didn't think. She ran. Her handbag bounced against her side as she sprinted through the narrow streets, her lungs burning with every breath. Behind her came the pounding footsteps of armed men. "There!" "Don't let her escape!" She turned a corner- -and crashed into a broad chest. Strong hands caught her before she hit the ground. She looked up. A tall man stood before her, drenched by the rain. His sharp blue eyes locked onto hers. His jaw tightened as he glanced toward the men chasing her. Without another word, he grabbed her wrist. "Come with me." His voice was deep... ...and carried a distinct Scottish accent. Ada yanked her hand free. "I don't even know you!" He looked over her shoulder. Neither of them noticed the gun being raised. Until- BANG! The bullet struck the wall inches from Ada's head. She screamed. The stranger grabbed her again. "This isn't the time to argue." He pulled open the door of a black Range Rover. "Get in... if you want to live." She looked into his piercing blue eyes, torn between trusting a complete stranger or facing the armed men closing in. Behind her, footsteps grew louder. One of the masked men shouted, "There she is! Shoot them!" Ada's breath caught as the stranger shoved her into the Range Rover... The engine roared to life.