Behind the celebration
2702 Words
SHYLA’S HOME
Shyla sat alone in the living room, the silence of the enormous house almost irritating.
Her parents were gone.
Good.
At least, that was what she told herself.
Her phone vibrated on the glass table. She picked it up lazily, expecting another message about her family scandal.
Instead, a headline filled her screen.
BILLIONAIRE THIAGO ADEBAYO ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT TO ANABELLE ALEXANDER
Shyla stared at it.
Then she laughed.
“Anabelle?”
She opened the post.
There were two pictures. One showed their hands intertwined, rings clearly visible. The other showed Anabelle standing beside a pool with her back to the camera.
Shyla’s smile slowly disappeared.
A week ago, Anabelle had been fighting to save her reputation. Now she was engaged to one of the most powerful men in the country.
Her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Shyla, have you seen the news?” her manager asked.
“I have.”
“This is good for us. Everyone is talking about the engagement. The attention is finally moving away from your parents.”
Shyla stared at Anabelle’s picture.
“Of course it is.”
“Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You sound—”
Shyla ended the call.
She enlarged the picture of Anabelle, her eyes narrowing.
“So that’s how you survived.”
---
THIAGO’S MANSION
Bose stepped out of the car and stared at the mansion.
Then she looked at Anabelle.
Then back at the mansion.
“Ana.”
“What?”
“This is a house?”
Anabelle continued walking.
“No, Bose. It’s a roadside kiosk.”
“I’m serious. People actually live like this?”
“Apparently.”
Bose hurried after her.
“And you’re marrying the owner?”
“Unfortunately.”
Inside, Bose’s eyes moved from the high ceiling to the wide staircase and expensive furniture.
“Ana, if this is suffering, I volunteer.”
Anabelle turned to her.
“I was kidnapped yesterday.”
Bose’s smile vanished.
“What?”
They sat down, and Anabelle told her everything.
Sharon.
The dark room.
The rescue.
By the time she finished, Bose was staring at her in disbelief.
“And you were going to tell me this like it was normal?”
“What exactly was I supposed to say on the phone? ‘Good morning, Bose. I was kidnapped yesterday. How was your night?’”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I know.”
Bose reached for her hand.
“You could have died.”
Anabelle looked away.
“But I didn’t.”
“And now you’re marrying Thiago.”
Anabelle sighed.
“Apparently.”
Bose studied her carefully.
“Ana, what exactly is going on between you two?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.”
“He buried your scandal, rescued you from Sharon, refused to let you leave his house, and now he’s marrying you.”
“When you say it like that, it sounds worse.”
“It is worse.”
Anabelle leaned back.
“I don’t understand him either.”
A maid entered.
“Ma’am, the stylist is waiting.”
Anabelle groaned.
“Wonderful. Time to prepare for my own engagement party.”
---
THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY — THIAGO’S MANSION
By evening, Thiago’s mansion had transformed.
Warm lights stretched across the gardens, reflecting against the pool. Luxury cars arrived one after another as politicians, business executives, celebrities and other influential guests stepped out. Camera flashes repeatedly cut through the night.
Inside, soft music floated beneath conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses.
Anabelle stood before the mirror while Bose adjusted the back of her dress.
For a moment, Anabelle barely recognised herself.
The dress fitted her perfectly. Jewellery rested against her skin, and every detail around her had clearly been arranged with the kind of money that made anything possible.
“I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Bose said.
“Neither can I.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
Anabelle looked at her reflection.
“I’m wearing a dress worth more than my father’s house, surrounded by people I don’t know, preparing to celebrate an engagement I didn’t plan. How happy should I sound?”
Bose smiled.
“At least you look beautiful.”
“I always look beautiful.”
Bose laughed.
“There she is.”
A knock came at the door.
“The guests are waiting, ma’am.”
Anabelle exhaled and stood.
“Time to pretend my life makes sense.”
---
The moment Anabelle entered the hall beside Thiago, several heads turned.
Then came the cameras.
Anabelle kept smiling.
“Do these people ever stop staring?” she whispered.
“No.”
“Wonderful.”
Thiago placed a hand around her waist.
Anabelle’s smile remained perfectly in place.
“Remove your hand.”
“We’re engaged.”
“Fake engaged.”
“The cameras don’t know that.”
Her smile widened for another photograph.
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
As they moved through the guests, Anabelle noticed a familiar woman entering the mansion with a man she had never seen before.
“Mrs Diana?”
Diana turned.
For a brief moment, surprise crossed her face before she smiled.
“Anabelle.”
“You’re here.”
“Of course. I was invited.”
Anabelle glanced at the man beside her.
Thiago stepped forward.
“You already know Mrs Diana. This is Mr Fredrick Bamidele.”
Fredrick offered a warm smile.
“A pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Finally?” Anabelle repeated.
Fredrick paused.
Diana immediately spoke.
“Thiago has mentioned you.”
Anabelle looked at Thiago.
“He talks about me?”
“Unfortunately,” Thiago replied.
Anabelle rolled her eyes before turning back to Fredrick.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“And you already know Mrs Diana,” Thiago said.
“Of course. She’s my boss—or was, before she suspended me.”
Fredrick glanced at Diana.
Diana cleared her throat.
“Tonight isn’t about work.”
“Thankfully.”
Fredrick laughed.
“I like her.”
Thiago glanced at him.
“I didn’t ask.”
Anabelle turned to Thiago.
“You see? This is why people don’t like you.”
Fredrick laughed again.
Diana didn't.
She was still watching Anabelle.
There was something about her face.
Something painfully familiar.
Diana looked away.
---
“Well, well.”
Anabelle’s smile disappeared before she even turned.
Sharon approached slowly, a glass in her hand.
“Anabelle Alex,” she said, looking her over. “You clean up nicely.”
Anabelle smiled.
“And you still look the same. Unfortunately.”
A few nearby guests went quiet.
Sharon’s smile tightened.
“I must admit, this is impressive. From a boutique manager to a billionaire’s fiancée. Some women work their entire lives for this kind of opportunity.”
“And some women kidnap people and still don’t get the man.”
Sharon’s expression changed.
The silence around them deepened.
She stepped closer.
“Be careful, Anabelle. An expensive dress doesn’t change where you came from.”
“No,” Anabelle replied. “And apparently being born rich doesn’t give everyone class.”
Before Sharon could respond, Thiago appeared beside Anabelle.
“She’s here with me.”
Sharon looked at him.
“I was only welcoming your fiancée.”
“You’ve done enough welcoming.”
“Thiago—”
“Enjoy the party, Sharon.”
His voice remained calm.
That made the warning worse.
Sharon looked between them before walking away.
Anabelle turned to Thiago.
“I could handle her.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you interfere?”
Thiago watched Sharon disappear into the crowd.
“Because I wanted to.”
Anabelle rolled her eyes.
“Of course you did.”
Then her eyes moved towards the entrance again.
Guests continued to arrive.
But not the one person she was waiting for.
Her smile slowly faded.
Her father still wasn't there.Anabelle checked her phone again.
Nothing.
No missed calls.
No messages.
She dialled her father’s number.
The call went straight to voicemail.
Her brows pulled together.
“Still nothing?” Bose asked, appearing beside her.
“No.”
“Maybe he got delayed.”
“My dad would call.”
Anabelle looked towards the entrance again. Every time another guest walked in, she expected to see Lawrence.
But he never appeared.
Across the room, Thiago noticed.
He watched Anabelle check her phone for the third time before calling one of his men over.
“Find Lawrence Alex.”
The man nodded and disappeared.
Thiago said nothing to Anabelle.
---
The music continued, and the party grew louder.
Anabelle tried to enjoy herself, but her attention remained divided between the guests and her phone.
“You look worried.”
She turned.
Sharon stood beside her.
“I don't remember asking for your concern.”
“You didn't.”
“Then keep it.”
Sharon smiled.
“You're getting comfortable quickly.”
“Isn't that what I'm supposed to do at my engagement party?”
“Your engagement party.” Sharon repeated the words as if they amused her. “You really think any of this belongs to you?”
Anabelle sighed.
“Sharon, I am already tired, and unlike you, I don't get energy from disturbing people.”
She turned to leave.
“Do you even know the man you're marrying?”
Anabelle stopped.
Sharon smiled when she saw the reaction.
“You know his name. His money. His power. But do you know Thiago?”
Anabelle turned back.
“Do you?”
“I know enough.”
“Then congratulations.”
She started walking away, but Sharon followed her into the quieter corridor.
“Ask yourself something, Anabelle. Why you?”
Anabelle stopped again.
“Excuse me?”
“Out of every woman he could have chosen, why did Thiago choose you?”
Anabelle folded her arms.
“You seem more interested in my engagement than I am.”
“Because I know Thiago. He doesn't do anything without a reason.”
For once, Anabelle had no immediate response.
Sharon stepped closer.
“You think he saved you because he cares?”
“I never said that.”
“Good. Because the day you find out why you're really here, don't say nobody warned you.”
Anabelle stared at her.
“And the day you realise kidnapping people won't make Thiago love you, don't say nobody warned you.”
Sharon's expression hardened.
“Enjoy the party, Anabelle. While you still can.”
She walked away.
Anabelle remained there.
She hated admitting it, but Sharon's words had found a place in her mind.
Why had Thiago chosen her?
---
“Anabelle.”
She turned to see Diana approaching.
“Ma.”
“I wanted to speak with you.”
Anabelle smiled faintly.
“Is this about my suspension?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
Diana looked towards the crowded hall.
“Walk with me.”
They moved towards the garden, where the music was quieter.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Diana said.
“Thank you.”
“And you seem... different.”
“Different good or different bad?”
Diana almost smiled.
“I'm still deciding.”
Anabelle laughed softly.
For a moment, Diana simply watched her.
The way she smiled.
The movement of her eyes.
Something about her continued to disturb a memory Diana had buried years ago.
“Is something wrong?” Anabelle asked.
Diana looked away.
“No.”
Fredrick appeared behind them.
“There you are.”
He smiled at Anabelle.
“I hope my wife hasn't started discussing business at your engagement party.”
“Your wife?”
Anabelle looked between them.
Diana sighed.
“Yes. Unfortunately, I'm married to him.”
Fredrick placed a hand over his chest.
“Unfortunately?”
Anabelle laughed.
“You two are interesting.”
“So are you,” Fredrick said.
Before Anabelle could respond, someone called Diana away.
Fredrick followed her, but not before giving Anabelle another warm smile.
Anabelle watched them leave.
For strangers, there was something strangely comfortable about them.
---
The party continued late into the evening.
But Lawrence still hadn't arrived.
Anabelle dialled his number again.
Voicemail.
This time, the worry settled deeper.
Thiago approached.
“Your father is fine.”
Anabelle immediately looked at him.
“How do you know?”
“I sent someone to check.”
“You did what?”
“You were worried.”
Anabelle stared at him.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
“And?”
“He wasn't at home or his workplace.”
Her worry returned immediately.
“Then how do you know he's fine?”
“His car was seen leaving town.”
“Leaving for where?”
“We're finding out.”
Anabelle looked down at her phone.
“My dad wouldn't disappear without telling me.”
Thiago studied her.
“Go inside.”
“No.”
“Anabelle.”
“This is my father we're talking about.”
“And standing here worrying won't find him faster.”
She glared at him.
“I hate when you make sense.”
“I know.”
---
ELSEWHERE
The room was nothing like Thiago's mansion.
No expensive lights.
No music.
No champagne.
Only the constant humming of computers and the glow of several screens.
Lawrence sat beside a young man whose fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.
On one screen was the video that had nearly destroyed his daughter's life.
Lawrence stared at it.
He had seen the news.
Every report.
Every accusation.
He had known before Anabelle arrived at his house crying.
But when she had asked if he knew about the current news, he had pretended he didn't.
His daughter had needed a father that night.
Not another person asking questions.
Now, however, he needed answers.
“Can you find where it came from?” Lawrence asked.
The man leaned closer to the screen.
“The original upload has been deleted. Most copies are gone too.”
“Most?”
The man nodded.
“Deleting something from the internet doesn't always mean it disappears.”
Lawrence leaned forward.
“Then find what survived.”
Minutes passed.
The man opened one file after another, tracing dates and accounts.
Then he suddenly stopped.
Lawrence noticed.
“What?”
The man stared at the screen.
“I found the earliest surviving copy.”
“Who uploaded it?”
“That's the problem.”
Lawrence moved closer.
The man opened another window.
“This video didn't begin where everyone thinks it did.”
Lawrence's expression hardened.
“Then where did it begin?”
The man looked at him.
“Someone sent it directly to the media before it was ever posted publicly.”
Lawrence stared at the screen.
“Can you find who?”
The man's fingers returned to the keyboard.
“I can try.”
The screen changed.
Then he froze.
“What is it?” Lawrence asked.
The man slowly leaned back.
“Mr Lawrence...”
The man's fingers moved across the keyboard.
Then he stopped.
Lawrence noticed.
“What?”
The man leaned closer to the screen.
“This is strange.”
“What is?”
“The video.”
Lawrence's expression hardened.
“What about it?”
The man opened another window and studied the information.
“The story behind this video isn't as simple as the media made it look.”
Lawrence moved closer.
“Can you find who created it?”
“Not yet.”
“Then what did you find?”
The man stared at the screen for a moment before looking at Lawrence.
“Something that shouldn't be here.”
Lawrence's eyes narrowed.
“What?”
The man turned the screen away slightly and began typing again.
“I need to confirm it first.”
Lawrence leaned back.
“Then confirm it.”
The man's fingers returned to the keyboard.
On the screen, files began opening one after another.
Lawrence watched silently.
Whatever had happened to his daughter, he was going to find out why.
And this time, he wasn't going to stop at the story everyone had been given.
- Writer
