Handcuffs And Honeymoon Vibes
834 Words
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Episode 15: Handcuffs and Honeymoon Vibes
Word Count: ~2,000**
8:45 a.m. – Lagos Police Headquarters
Clara Monroe stepped out of her tinted black car in towering stilettos, draped in silk and pride. She wore her scandal like perfume—thick, attention-demanding, and dangerous.
She didn’t expect the four armed officers waiting on the stairs.
“Clara Monroe?” the lead officer asked.
She smiled coldly. “Yes?”
“You’re under arrest for conspiracy, fraud, digital impersonation, and corporate sabotage.”
“What?”
He pulled out a warrant and held it inches from her perfectly lined eyes. “You have the right to remain silent…”
“No, no, no,” she whispered, backing away. “You can’t—Damian would never—”
“He pressed the charges himself.”
In full view of the flashing press cameras, Clara Monroe was cuffed and led away.
Her heels clacked on the concrete as her empire crumbled behind her.
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10:30 a.m. – Wolfe Enterprises
Aurora stood at the window watching it unfold on live TV.
Clarissa clutched her coffee like it was champagne. “Tell me that’s not the best thing you’ve seen all year.”
Aurora blinked. “She looks... small.”
“She is small,” Clarissa replied. “Just wore big heels and bigger lies.”
Damian entered, his face softer than usual.
“She’s gone,” he said.
Aurora turned. “For how long?”
“Long enough.”
He glanced around at the staff outside, peeking in, still unsure what would happen now.
“Which brings me to this…” he continued.
He opened his tablet and tapped a company-wide announcement.
> ALL DEPARTMENTS: You’ve survived sabotage, scandal, and six months without a decent coffee machine. Pack your bags. You’re all going on a week-long company retreat. FULLY PAID.
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Three Days Later – Zuma Rock Resort, Abuja
A white luxury bus pulled up outside the glass-walled eco-resort tucked in the forest foothills of Abuja. Wolfe staff spilled out, grinning, snapping selfies, already dressed in floral shirts and slippers.
There were hot springs.
Infinity pools.
Lakeside cottages.
Zero board meetings.
Clarissa threw her arms wide. “Now this is corporate healing!”
Tasha wore shades and held a fruity drink. “If someone tells me to answer a single email, I will eat my phone.”
Aurora stood quietly, soaking in the sunlight and freedom. Damian approached her from behind and said, “Come with me.”
“Where?”
“To see our cottage.”
Her eyes widened. “Our?”
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Zuma Rock Cottage 4B – 3:15 p.m.
The place was quiet. Peaceful. Birds chirped. A soft breeze danced through white curtains.
And in the middle of the cozy wooden cottage...
One giant bed.
Aurora stared at it.
Damian stared at her.
A beat passed.
“We can ask for a twin bed,” he said quickly. “Or I can take the couch. Or sleep on the floor. Or in the pool—”
“Stop,” Aurora said, laughing softly.
He smiled, scratching the back of his neck. “We’ve shared so much... but suddenly this bed looks like a mountain.”
“Because we’re not wearing our armor here,” she whispered. “No suits. No company. Just us.”
Their eyes met.
Their fingers brushed.
Then boom—Tasha banged on the door.
“Pool party in twenty minutes! Lovebirds, don’t be late!”
Aurora giggled as Damian rolled his eyes.
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Later – Poolside, Sunset
The staff danced around a fire pit. Laughter rang through the trees. Clarissa rapped poorly to Afrobeat. Someone spilled mocktail on the CEO.
Damian didn’t care.
He and Aurora sat by the water, legs in the pool, the stars beginning to peek out.
She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I like this,” she murmured.
“This?”
“You. Me. Not being hunted.”
He laced his fingers through hers.
“Me too.”
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That Night – The Cottage
They stood on opposite sides of the room in silence, brushing teeth, avoiding the bed.
“I’ll take the left,” Damian said.
“I’ll face the window,” Aurora replied.
He turned off the light. The moonlight poured in through the glass.
They lay side by side.
Neither moved.
Neither slept.
Their arms barely inches apart.
Finally, Aurora whispered, “Damian?”
“Yeah?”
She hesitated.
“Never mind.”
He turned his head toward her. “No. What?”
She blurted, “I like being beside you. Even when I’m scared.”
A heartbeat.
Then he replied, “Me too.”
And slowly, they turned toward each other.
No kiss.
No rush.
Just closeness.
Fingers intertwining beneath the sheets as sleep finally found them.
Together.
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To Be Continued...
📌 In Episode 16: A surprise guest shows up at the retreat. Damian’s past resurfaces with a romantic twist. And Aurora must face a woman who once loved him first.
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