Spotlight
1048 Words
Chapter 5: My Wife
Adeyemi HOLIS couldn’t sleep.
Friday. Gala Night.
His grandfather’s 80th birthday. All of Lagos high society would be there. The white family friends from London. The board. The press.
And Sarah.
He sat in his office at midnight, staring at nothing.
Grandfather made the arrangement. “Marry in 3 days, Adeyemi. Or I cut you out. I want to see my great-grandchildren before I die.”
So he bought Sarah. Contract.1 year No love.
He told himself: “One year. I’ll do the public thing for 1 year, keep the company, then divorce Sarah. Simple.”
But…
The image of her in light pink came up again.
The way she held that pepper soup flask like it was gold.
The way she whispered, “This person is not the man I love.”
Her shape. Her body. Her skin. The way she smelled like money… no, not money. Like home.
“This is the real woman,” he thought before he could stop himself. “She’s my spec. Perfect taste.”
He slammed his laptop shut. “No love, Adeyemi. Clause 3.”
But his heart didn’t listen.
Gala Night. Eko Hotel Ballroom.
8:00pm.
Sarah was shaking.
She stood in front of the mirror in a champagne gold gown. Off-shoulder. Fitted. Elegant.
Stylist came to the villa. Hair. Makeup. Nails. Everything.
“Madam, you look like a billionaire’s wife,” the stylist said.
Sarah didn’t feel like it. She felt like an imposter.
She had never been to a rich party before. Never. In keta , parties were in compounds with loud music and jollof rice.
This was chandeliers. Champagne towers. Cameras.
Adeyemi HOLIS entered the room. Black tux. Sharp.
He stopped walking when he saw her.
Sarah turned. “Is… is it okay?”
Adeyemi’s throat was dry. “Yes. You’re perfect.”
Perfect. Again.
They walked in together.
The moment they entered, the room changed.
“Who is that?”
“That’s Mr. HOLIS, Adeyemi HOLIS.”
“Who is the girl beside him?”
“Since when did Adeyemi have a wife?”
They stole the spotlight.
Cameras flashed.
Sarah held Adeyemi’s arm tight. Her palms were sweating.
Adeyemi leaned down. “Breathe, Wife. Smile. You’re Mrs. HOLIS now.”
Sarah forced a smile.
Meet the Family
“Come,” Adeyemi said. He led her to a table.
A woman in her 50s stood up. Elegant. Regal.
“Mom,” Adeyemi said. “This is Sarah. My wife.”
Mrs. HOLIS looked Sarah up and down.
Sarah’s heart dropped. She was going to be judged.
But Mrs. HOLIS smiled. Warm. “Sarah. You’re beautiful, dear. And you make my son look… human.”
Sarah blinked. “Thank you, Ma.”
Mrs. HOLIS took her hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Sarah almost cried.
Then an old man in a wheelchair rolled up. Oxygen tank beside him. Eyes sharp.
Grandfather.
“Adeyemi,” he said. “Is this her?”
“Yes, Grandpa. Sarah HOLIS.”
Grandfather looked at Sarah. Long.
Sarah bowed. “Good evening, Sir.”
Grandfather’s face softened. “You have kind eyes, child. Not like these Lagos girls.” He took her hand. “You make this foolish boy happy. I can see it.”
Adeyemi frowned. “Grandpa—”
“I love her already,” Grandfather said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Keep her.”
The whole table went quiet.
Sarah’s face burned.
They love Sarah. At first sight.
The Problem: Chioma
Then she came.
Red dress. Red lips. Red nails.
“Adé!” She ran to Adeyemi and hugged him.
Adeyemi froze. “Chioma. What are you doing here?”
Chioma pulled back. “Mom said it’s Grandpa’s party. I had to come. For you.”
Chioma. Adeyemi’s mom’s friend’s daughter. They grew up together.
She looked Sarah up and down. Once.
Then her lips curled.
“Oh. So you’re the… wife.”
Sarah smiled politely. “Sarah HOLIS.”
Chioma laughed. “HOLIS? Emma, be serious.” She turned to Adeyemi. “This one? She’s not even worth my taste, Adé. I will make your life tired if you keep her.”
Sarah’s smile fell.
Adeyemi’s face went cold. “Chioma. Watch your mouth. This is my wife.”
Chioma stepped closer to Adeyemi. Too close. Her hand on his arm. “Come, let’s talk. Like old times.”
Sarah watched them.
They were too close. Laughing. Whispering. Childhood friends.
Her chest got tight.
She looked away fast.
Am I… jealous?
There is no love, she told herself. This is a contract. Why am I feeling like this?
Adeyemi saw Sarah’s face change.
She was looking at the floor. Hands clasped.
Jealous.
His chest did something stupid. It warmed.
Chioma was still talking. “Adé, we should leave. This party is boring. Let’s go to—”
“Stop,” Adeyemi said. Loud.
Everyone looked.
He stepped away from Chioma. Walked to Sarah.
He took her hand.
“Everyone,” he said into the mic the DJ handed him.
The music stopped.
“I’d like you to meet my wife, Sarah HOLIS.”
Cameras flashed again.
Sarah’s eyes went wide.
Adeyemi looked at her only. “She’s not a contract. She’s not temporary. She’s my wife. And anyone who disrespects her disrespects me.”
He stared at Chioma.
Chioma’s mouth opened. Closed.
Grandfather smiled. Wide.
Mrs. HOLIS clapped.
Sarah… Sarah couldn’t breathe.
He chose her. In front of everyone.
Later, on the Balcony
Sarah ran out.
Adeyemi followed.
“Sarah.”
She turned. Eyes wet. “Why did you do that? This is no love. This is a contract. You said one year and divorce.”
Adeyemi walked to her. “I don’t know.”
“Then why?”
He looked at her. Really looked.
“Because when Chioma touched me, you looked away. And I hated it.”
Sarah’s breath caught.
“Because you smell like money,” he said. “But not the money I have. The money I lost. Peace. Home. Real.”
Sarah shook her head. “I’m scared, Mr. HOLIS.”
“Call me Adeyemi,” he said.
“Adeyemi,” she whispered.
He didn’t kiss her.
But he took her hand. And didn’t let go.
- Writer
