I HATE LOVE STORY

CHAPTER THREE - THE SHADOW OF THE PAST

THE SHADOW OF THE PAST

Naomie stood before the mirror, her fingers trailing along the surface like she was searching for answers within her reflection. The soft hum of the city outside barely penetrated the silence of her apartment, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to stare directly into her own eyes. They looked tired-swollen from nights of suppressed tears and the emotional exhaustion that came with wearing a mask in front of the world.

The events of the past few weeks had left a hollow in her chest. Liam’s sudden exit still echoed like a gunshot in the corners of her mind. The kiss they shared-the one that shook her to the core-felt like a fever dream, something beautiful yet dangerous. She had always been in control, always had her walls up, but he’d found a way in. And now he was gone.

She turned away from the mirror with a grunt of frustration. Love. She hated the word more than anything. It had taken her mother, broken her father, and now, tried to unravel her carefully constructed world. No, Naomie didn’t believe in love-not in the way others did. To her, it was a loaded gun dressed in roses.

**

Outside, the streets of Lagos buzzed with life. Horns blared, vendors shouted, and life went on with or without anyone’s permission. Naomie pulled on her blazer and slipped into heels like armor before heading out. She had work to do, a name to protect, and most of all-distractions to embrace.

But fate had other plans.

As she walked into the sleek glass building of Riva & Co., her phone buzzed. A message.

Unknown Number: "We need to talk. It’s about Liam."

She froze. Her breath caught, but her legs kept moving. She made her way to the elevator and pressed the 15th floor button.

Unknown Number: "It’s urgent. Meet me at Sweet Bean Café. 7 PM. Come alone."

Her heartbeat pounded. Who could this be? Was Liam okay? Or was it some sort of trap? She couldn't tell, but she was done living like prey. Whatever this was, she would face it head-on.

**

The Sweet Bean Café was a quiet spot, hidden near Lekki's quieter corners. Naomie stepped in, her eyes scanning the room. Then she saw her.

A woman. Tall. Dark-skinned. Confident posture, like she owned every room she entered. She sat alone at a back booth, a cup of steaming coffee in her hands.

"Naomie?" the woman asked, her voice a smooth blend of warmth and caution.

"Yes. And you are...?"

"Danika. Liam’s sister."

Naomie blinked. Sister? Liam never mentioned having a sister.

Danika sighed. "There’s a reason he never told you. And I need to tell you everything. Because... he’s in trouble."

Over the next two hours, a story unraveled that left Naomie breathless.

Liam wasn’t just the charming brand consultant she met by coincidence. He was the whistleblower of a corporate embezzlement case that involved some of the top business giants in the country-including his own late father. After his father's mysterious death, Liam had gone undercover to gather evidence, changing identities, moving cities, and cutting off everyone-including Danika.

Naomie felt like her world was spinning. The Liam she kissed, the Liam who had seen her at her most vulnerable, wasn’t just running from heartbreak. He was running from danger.

"So why are you telling me this?" Naomie asked.

Danika leaned in. "Because he came back for you. He said he couldn’t leave you behind. That you were... different."

Naomie’s eyes welled up. Different. The word echoed inside her like a whisper from a forgotten dream.

That night, Naomie couldn't sleep. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.

What kind of love was this?

A man who risked his life but still found time to care? She hated that her heart responded to the idea. She hated that she still missed him. She hated...

She hated love.

But she couldn't deny it anymore. She loved him.

And if he was in danger, she wouldn’t sit and do nothing.

The next found the room ransacked.

Blood. Smashed glass. A broken phone.

And a note.

"If you love him, find him before they do."

Naomie fell to her knees, the paper trembling in her hands. Her tears didn’t fall this time. She wasn’t sad.

She was angry.

And determined.

Love had finally called her bluff. Now, she was going all in.

To be continued...