Chapter 1: The Deal
474 Words
The hospital bill was on the table. `₦8,700,000. Due in 7 days.`
Zara stared at it until the numbers blurred. Her mom was in ICU. Kidney failure.
Her phone buzzed. Landlord: `“Madam Zara, if rent is not paid by Friday, pack out.”`
Her account balance: `₦4,320.`
She was 24, jobless, and about to lose everything.
That was when the email came.
Subject: Business Proposal - Confidential
`“Miss Adeleke, I am Damian Okafor. I have a proposition that will solve all your financial problems. $2,000,000 USD. In exchange for 365 days of your time. Meet me at Eko Hotel, Suite 501. 6pm. Come alone. - D.O”`
Zara laughed. It was a scam.
But she was desperate.
At 5:55pm she was in the hotel lobby. Guards everywhere. Marble floors. People who looked like they owned Lagos.
Suite 501.
Damian Okafor was not what she expected.
Not old. Not ugly. 32. Tall. Black suit. Eyes that looked through you.
`“You came,”` he said. `“Sit.”`
He slid a contract across the table. 52 pages.
`“Marry me for 365 days,”` he said simply. `“Act as my wife in public. Live in my house. Sign an NDA. At the end, you get $2 million. No questions asked.”`
Zara blinked. `“Why me?”`
`“Because you’re clean. No scandals. No family that will ask questions. And because you need the money.”` He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. `“My board wants me married. My ex is causing problems. This is... convenient.”`
Zara flipped through the pages. Clause after clause.
`“What if I say no?”`
`“Then your mother dies,”` Damian said softly. `“And you go back to owing everyone.”`
It wasn’t a threat. It was a fact.
Zara signed.
Her hand shook.
`“Congratulations, Mrs. Okafor,”` Damian said. `“We get married tomorrow. The car will pick you at 8am.”`
As she left, he added: `“And Zara? Don’t fall in love with me. This is business.”`
She walked out into the Lagos night with a pen and a death sentence in her bag.
She had no idea what she just agreed to.
END OF CHAPTER 1
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