THE 365-DAYS WIFE

Chapter 9: The Gala

Day 7.

The Okafor Foundation Gala.

Banana Island Grand Ballroom. Crystal chandeliers. 500 people. All of Lagos high society.

Zara’s dress was red. Backless. Damian picked it.

`“Red is power,”` he’d said this morning. `“And tonight, you need power.”`

`“Why?”` Zara asked.

`“Because people will be watching,”` Damian adjusted her diamond necklace. His fingers brushed her neck and she shivered. `“Let them watch.”`

The cameras were in her room. In the car. Now probably here too.

Damian’s hand was on her waist the whole time. Claiming her.

`“Smile, wife,”` he murmured. `“They’re taking pictures.”`

Click. Flash.

`“Mrs. Okafor, you’re glowing,”` a reporter said. `“Any baby news?”`

Zara almost choked. Damian laughed and pulled her closer.

`“We’re enjoying marriage first,”` he said. His thumb rubbed circles on her hip.

Suspense. Romance. All at once.

---

Halfway through the night, a waiter came with champagne.

Zara was thirsty. She took a glass.

Damian’s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

`“Don’t,”` he said quietly.

`“What?”`

`“Not that one.”` He took the glass from her and set it down. `“Drink water.”`

The waiter disappeared into the crowd fast. Too fast.

Zara’s heart started pounding. `“Damian...”`

`“Later,”` he whispered in her ear. His breath made her skin prickle. `“Just stay close to me.”`

10 minutes later, security dragged the waiter out back.

Zara saw it from the corner of her eye.

Someone had tried to poison her.

---

Panic hit her at 10pm.

She excused herself to the bathroom. Locked the door. Breathed.

_Knock knock._

`“Zara? It’s me.”` Damian.

She opened it. He stepped in and closed it behind him.

`“Are you okay?”` he asked, scanning her face.

`“Someone tried to—”`

`“I know,”` Damian cut her off. He cupped her face with both hands. `“Look at me. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”`

His eyes were dark. Angry. Scared.

`“Why is this happening?”` Zara whispered.

`“Because you’re my wife now,”` Damian said. `“And that makes you a target.”`

The music outside was loud. But in here it was just their breathing.

Damian’s thumb brushed her cheek. `“I hate that I put you in this.”`

`“Then let me go,”` Zara said. The words hurt.

Damian’s jaw clenched. `“I can’t.”`

`“Why?”`

`“Because the thought of you out there, without me protecting you...”` He stopped. Shook his head. `“I can’t.”`

Zara stared at him. `“Damian.”`

He looked at her mouth. Then her eyes.

And he kissed her.

Not soft. Not slow.

Desperate. Possessive. Like he was proving something to the whole world.

His hand went to the back of her neck. The other to her waist, pulling her flush against him.

Zara gasped into the kiss. Her hands fisted in his tuxedo jacket.

It lasted 5 seconds. 10 seconds.

When he pulled back, they were both breathing hard.

`“That,”` Damian said, voice rough, `“is for anyone watching. To know you’re mine.”`

Zara’s lips were tingling. Her heart was racing.

From fear. From the kiss. From him.

`“Come on,”` Damian took her hand. `“We need to leave.”`

In the car, silence.

Zara touched her lips. `“You didn’t have to do that.”`

`“Yes I did,”` Damian stared out the window. `“The cameras in that ballroom are everywhere. By tomorrow everyone in Lagos will know you’re my wife. Really my wife.”`

He turned to her. `“Was it okay? The kiss?”`

Zara looked away. Her cheeks were burning. `“It was... fine.”`

Damian smirked. `“Liar.”`

At home, he walked her to her room.

`“Sleep with your door locked tonight,”` he said. `“And don’t drink anything I don’t give you.”`

`“Are you scared for me?”` Zara asked.

Damian was quiet. Then: `“Terrified.”`

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Lingering.

`“Goodnight, Zara.”`

He walked away.

Zara closed her door and slid down it.

Her heart wouldn’t stop.

Day 7.

Someone tried to kill her.

And Damian kissed her like he meant it.

END OF CHAPTER 9