CHAPTER TWO
890 Words
CHAPTER TWO
New Neighbors, Old Rules
The estate w******p group lit up almost immediately.
VANESSA KING: Emergency meeting. Five minutes. Same spot.
Vanessa lowered her phone and peered through her oversized sunglasses as the moving truck rolled fully into the compound across the road. New cars. New furniture. New noise.
“Another one,” Tara Bello said, joining her with a slow sip of champagne. “Did you hear the shouting earlier?”
Dami Oja frowned. “They’re just excited. Everyone is on their first day.”
Vanessa smiled without warmth. “Excitement is one thing. Fitting in is another. We need to see if this one understands how things work here.”
Tara nodded. “Five minutes is generous.”
Dami said nothing.
Inside the house, Lola and Nnamdi were floating on happiness.
“This place needs a woman’s touch,” Lola said, spinning slowly in the living room. “I’ll put pictures of us here—wedding pictures, anniversary pictures. Maybe one big frame where everybody can see our fine faces.”
Nnamdi laughed. “As if they won’t already see your beauty when you step outside.”
Lola gasped dramatically. “Stop it! Look at this place. Oh my God, I’m so proud of you. This is so chic. Everything looks so expensive.”
She touched the walls, the railings, the windows—each detail stealing her breath.
Nnamdi winked. “By the time we get to the master’s bedroom, your breath will completely finish.”
She rolled her eyes, smiling. “You’re too much.”
They climbed the stairs together.
When the master bedroom door opened, Lola froze.
The room was massive. Sunlight poured in through wide windows, reflecting off soft cream walls and polished floors. The bed stood grand and inviting, like it had been waiting for them alone.
Lola squealed. “Nnamdi!”
He spread his arms. “I told you.”
She jumped onto the bed, laughing, then sat up quickly to smooth her dress. “This room alone can pay rent.”
Nnamdi cleared his throat dramatically. “With the way this bedroom is so beautiful,” he said, grinning, “the kind of children that will come out of this bedroom—twinkle, twinkle, little star.”
Lola buried her face in her hands, blushing. “Please stop embarrassing me.”
He chuckled, then suddenly grew serious. He reached into his folder and held out a neatly arranged document.
“Baby,” he said softly, “without further ado—as the honorable man would say—I present to you the papers of this house.”
She stared at him.
“Happy second wedding anniversary,” he continued. “To the entire love of my body. My baby.”
Lola’s eyes filled instantly. “God… you’re going to make me cry. This is the best thing ever.”
Nnamdi shook his head. “Baby, what are you saying? When I’m still alive, how can this be the best gift ever?”
He pulled her closer.
“They say love is for better or for worse,” he said quietly. “But let me tell you something—we are going to focus on the better. I will spoil you tire, Lola.”
She laughed through her tears. “How will I ever repay you?”
He kissed her forehead. “Just stay choosing me.”
Outside, footsteps echoed.
The Big Three had arrived.
And the estate was ready to decide if love was welcome behind its gates.
Interruptions
Nnamdi’s voice dropped.
“You can start repaying now,” he murmured, pulling her closer. “Let’s test the bed. My voltage is already high.”
Lola laughed softly, her cheeks warm. “You’re impossible.”
But she leaned in anyway, her hands sliding to his shoulders, her lips finding his. The world narrowed to warmth, laughter, familiarity—the kind that only comes from love that feels safe.
Just as Nnamdi deepened the kiss, a sharp knock echoed through the house.
He pulled back immediately. “Ah ah! Who is that?” irritation flashing across his face. “This driver ehn—”
“It can’t be him,” Lola said quickly. “I heard the car leave.”
Another knock. Louder this time.
Nnamdi groaned and flopped back onto the bed. “Unbelievable.”
Lola laughed, pecked his lips gently, and stood up. “Calm down. I’ll quickly check and come back to you.”
“You better,” he muttered.
She smiled, straightened her dress, and walked out of the bedroom.
Outside, the Big Three stood waiting.
Vanessa King tapped her manicured nails against her champagne glass, clearly annoyed. “I don’t understand what’s keeping her,” she said. “How long do we have to wait before she opens the door?”
Tara Bello shrugged lightly. “They just moved in. Maybe they’re still settling down.”
Vanessa scoffed. “Who cares? Settling down doesn’t take this long.”
Dami Oja shifted uncomfortably. “We could have given them more time.”
Vanessa shot her a look. “First impressions matter.”
Just then, the door opened.
Lola appeared—radiant, smiling, completely unaware of the silent assessment already taking place.
“Yes?” she asked warmly.
The Big Three exchanged glances.
And the interview had officially begun.
- Writer
