Before I said yes

Tobi stood in front of her mirror, trying to get her lip combo right. She wiped the corner of her lips and tried again. “Please, just cooperate,” she muttered, staring at herself. After a few seconds, she smiled. “Okay, this one is nice.” She picked up her perfume and sprayed some on her neck before adjusting her hair. She looked at herself one more time and smiled. Her phone suddenly buzzed on the bed. Tobi ignored it. It buzzed again. “Who is disturbing me now?” She walked over to the bed and picked it up. The moment she looked at the screen, her expression changed. Love of My Life ❤️ I’m outside. Tobi’s face immediately lit up. “James?” She quickly typed a reply. Tobi: Outside where? She waited. No reply. She checked the message again. I’m outside. “What’s this man planning?” She laughed to herself. James had been acting strange for the past few days. He had been disappearing randomly, and whenever she asked him what was going on, he would simply smile and tell her not to worry. Now he was outside her house without even telling her he was coming. Tobi quickly checked herself in the mirror again. She adjusted her hair. “Okay, I’m good.” She grabbed her phone and hurried downstairs. As she got closer to the door, she suddenly wondered if she should have at least asked him why he was there. But she was already smiling. She opened the door. And froze. For a few seconds, Tobi couldn’t understand what she was looking at. Rose petals covered the ground. Soft music played somewhere in the background. Then she saw him. James. He stood in the middle of the compound wearing a black suit that fitted him perfectly. In his hand was a huge bouquet of flowers. Tobi’s mouth dropped open. “James…” But that wasn’t all. Behind him stood their friends and family. Everyone was smiling. Some held cards in their hands. Tobi looked at the first card. WILL The next one. YOU Then the next. MARRY ME? Her hand immediately went to her mouth. “Oh my God.” Tears filled her eyes. James smiled when he saw her reaction. He slowly walked toward her. “You like the surprise?” Tobi laughed through her tears. “Like? James, what is this?” “You’ll find out.” Before she could say anything else, James went down on one knee. The entire compound erupted in cheers. Tobi covered her face. She couldn’t stop laughing and crying at the same time. James brought out a small velvet box. He opened it. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen. Tobi stared at it, completely speechless. James looked up at her. “Tobi.” She looked at him. “I’ve been trying to find the right words to say this, but honestly, I don’t think there are enough words.” He smiled nervously. “You came into my life and somehow made everything better. You became the person I want to tell everything to. The person I want to come home to.” Tobi’s tears rolled down her cheeks. James continued. “I don’t know what the future will bring, but I know I want you in it.” He lifted the ring slightly. “I love you, Tobi.” Everyone became quiet. “Will you marry me?” Tobi stared at him. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. She thought about everything they had been through. Their late-night conversations. Their silly arguments. The way James always made her laugh whenever she was upset. The way he held her whenever she felt like the world was too much. This was the man she loved. Her best friend. Her safe place. She slowly walked toward him. “Yes.” James’s eyes widened. “Yes?” he asked, almost as if he wanted to make sure he heard correctly. Tobi laughed. “Yes, James!” Everyone screamed. James quickly stood up and pulled her into his arms. Tobi wrapped her arms around him, crying against his chest. He kissed her forehead. “I love you.” “I love you too.” Their friends started cheering again. For the first time that day, Tobi felt like everything in her life was perfect. Until— “STOP!” The voice was loud enough to silence everyone. Tobi pulled away from James. Everyone turned toward the gate. A young woman stood there. She looked like she had been crying. Her breathing was heavy, and one hand rested on her stomach. Tobi looked at her, confused. Who was she? The woman slowly walked toward them. Her eyes were fixed on James. James’s face suddenly changed. “Seyi?” Tobi looked at James. He knew her. Seyi stopped a few feet away from them. “You really thought you could do this?” James frowned. “What are you doing here?” Seyi laughed bitterly. “What am I doing here?” She looked at Tobi, then at the ring on her finger. “You should be asking yourself that question.” Tobi’s smile slowly disappeared. “What is going on?” she asked. Seyi placed her hand on her stomach. “I came here because there is something you need to know.” James stepped forward. “Seyi, don’t.” She looked at him. “Why? Are you scared she’ll find out?” Tobi’s heart started beating faster. “Find out what?” Seyi took a deep breath. Then she looked directly into Tobi’s eyes. “I’m six months pregnant.” Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. Tobi felt her stomach drop. Seyi pointed at James. “And James is the father of my baby.”