"I don't get it," Esther groaned, sinking into the couch with a dramatic flop. "The man avoids me like the plague!"
Her fingers dragged through her hair in frustration, eyes wide with disbelief. "He won't even let me touch him. It's like I've got some sort of disease." It being days after he brutally rejected her in his office and ever since then, he refused to meet and when she made time , he got away from her every attempts to touch her.
"Seriously, you need to stop teasing the poor man," Zainab said, taking a bite of the cake in her hand. "Have you forgotten how your uncles practically threatened him not to lay a finger on you unless it's after a proper marriage?"
Esther scoffed. "Proper marriage? We did get married. He paid my bride price, stood before the elders, got my uncles' blessing. That's traditional enough."
"True," Dija chimed in, stealing a slice from Zainab's plate. "But it's not legal yet. And trust me, Uncle D isn't going to touch you, or let you touch him, until you two walk down that aisle and sign that certificate. Let say he's going to act like a monk on a vow of celibacy. He's old-school like that."
Esther let out an exaggerated sigh, flopping onto her side like a starved romantic. "He's killing me, I swear. One look from me and he turns into a statue. Not even a twitch."
"Well," Zainab said, licking a smear of icing from her finger,"only two days to go. Thankfully, Ma insisted the wedding happen sooner rather than later. She clearly knows her daughter well."
Esther narrowed her eyes at both of them. "Are you two consoling me or scolding me?"
"To be fair, both," Dija gave her a mischievous grin"But if you keep tempting that man, you might just get exactly what you want… and maybe more than you can handle."
"Exactly," Zainab chimed in with a cackle. "Have you seen the man?, That man's built like a Greek god. All quiet and disciplined now, but wait till the switch flips. You're in for a full-blown thunderstorm."
"You two are impossible. I'm going to my room," Esther huffed, getting up and storming off.
"Oh, and please keep those thoughts of yours in check!" Zainab called after her, snickering. "We don't want you going wild up there."
Esther paused mid-step, scowled at them over her shoulder, and shook her head. "God help you both. And for the record, my thoughts are clean. Very clean. Nothing even remotely illicit."
"Sure they are," Dija said sweetly.
"Spotless," Zainab added, trying not to burst into laughter.
With a huff, Esther stormed off, muttering something about finding peace in a house full of lunatics.
The moment her door clicked shut, Dija turned to Zainab, giggling. "She's totally going to think about it."
Zainab raised her fork like a toast. "No doubt. She's probably upstairs trying to resist the urge to fast-forward to the honeymoon."
They both burst into laughter, knowing full well Esther was upstairs trying very hard, and failing, not to do exactly that.
Somewhere across the city, Daniel sat in a secured cabinet room within the State House, flanked by the quiet hum of a heavily guarded corridor. The Prime Minister had invited him for a confidential meeting, one that was said to concern national security.
The atmosphere inside the room was dignified but relaxed. The Prime Minister sat across from him, sleeves slightly rolled up, speaking with the ease of an old friend.
"First off, congratulations, son," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I hear you've made quite the decision. Marriage suits a man like you. When do I get my invite to the big day?"
Daniel returned the smile politely. "Invitations will be sent out very soon, sir."
"Good. I look forward to it." Then, almost seamlessly, the Prime Minister's expression shifted, friendly still, but touched with gravity. "Now, to the reason I called you."
Daniel leaned in slightly, listening.
"There's a critical initiative the state has been reviewing, one that requires your expertise," the Prime Minister began. "Our security agencies have raised concerns about the increasing risks our soldiers face in modern combat. Casualties have risen. Recruitment rates are declining. Morale is slipping in places we can't afford it to."
Daniel nodded silently, his mind already analyzing where this might be leading.
"We want to explore an innovative solution," the Prime Minister continued, his voice low but steady. "Something that merges technology with tactical defense. The cabinet has approved the proposal for a specialized robotics initiative, an autonomous or semi-autonomous combat unit that can assist our forces during high-risk missions. Fast, intelligent, adaptable. A tactical support system, built not just to fight, but to preserve lives."
"You're asking me to build a military-grade AI operative?" Daniel asked, measured.
"Not asking," the Prime Minister said, "I'm entrusting. The state believes you're the only one capable of creating a prototype that balances power, control, and responsibility. If this succeeds, it won't just shift our defense strategy, it'll place the country at the forefront of global innovation."
Daniel didn't respond immediately. He leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled in thought. "A project of this scale, this sensitivity, would require strict confidentiality, a specialized team, military liaisons, unrestricted access to secure research materials… and full government backing."
"And you'll have all of it," the Prime Minister replied without hesitation. "Every logistical and financial resource you require will be made available. No bureaucratic interference. You'll report directly to my office."
There was a brief pause before Daniel gave a small, thoughtful smile. "Then I'll have my legal team review the terms. This kind of project needs to be airtight."
"A wise move," the Prime Minister said with approval. Then, with a nod toward the door, he added, "I'd like you to meet someone."
The door opened and in stepped a tall, commanding figure, broad-shouldered, sharply dressed in military attire. He carried himself with the precision of a career soldier.
"This is Brigadier General Mohamed Bangura," the Prime Minister said. "Chief of Army Operations. He'll be your liaison on the project, representing the defense sector."
Bangura extended his hand. "Mr. Lewis. It's an honor. I've followed your work closely, especially your latest project. What you did for children with speech conditions… my niece was one of the beneficiaries."
Daniel stood and shook his hand firmly. "The honor is mine, General. Your service to this nation is what makes work like mine possible."
Bangura offered a rare smile. "We both serve in different ways. Yours just happens to be cleaner and makes more international headlines."
Before either man could say more, the Prime Minister cut in with a chuckle, clearly reading the mutual admiration between them. "Let's agree that both of you play vital roles in shaping this country's future, one with protection, the other with progress."
The room settled into a quiet understanding.
A discreet project had just begun, one with the potential to change the very fabric of national security. But in the midst of all that, love was calling center stage.
And just like that, the big day was knocking on their doors.
The morning sun broke through the curtains like a spotlight, and Esther woke up to the sound of her heart pounding louder than her alarm. She was already at the hotel booked for the wedding , tucked away in one of the private bridal suites, surrounded by people who loved her, and refused to let her overthink any of it.
"Esther, are you breathing? Blink twice if you're alive," Dija teased, legs crossed and dressed in a silk robe that matched the rest of the bridal party.
"She's blinking too slow. Might need CPR," Zainab added, feigning concern as she reached for her cup of coffee.
"If anyone's going to need CPR, it's Daniel when he sees her in that dress," Lady Bell said with a sly smile, brushing invisible lint off her lap.
Esther sat quietly in the vanity chair, her eyes wide, but lips fighting a smile as a stylist installed the last of her wig, sleek, center-parted, and styled in soft waves cascading down her back. Her gown hung nearby like a living dream, the satin bodice and pearl details catching the soft morning light.
"I'm just… making sure I don't pass out before the aisle," Esther murmured.
"Well, if you do, we'll drag you there ourselves," Zianab piped up, sipping juice from a champagne flute.
"Plus, I doubt Dad would survive the news," Betty added, drawing raised brows from the elders in the room.
"Isn't it tradition for the child of the bride or groom not to attend the wedding?" Dija asked, glancing over at Betty, who was busy playing with her tablet.
"That's an old tradition, and hardly practiced anymore," Esther replied, settling beside Betty. "Sunflower is not just attending, she's the event coordinator," she added with a smile, pulling the little girl into her arms.
"Thank you," Betty beamed, wrapping her arms tightly around Esther. Then, looking at Dija with a playful smirk, she added, "Also, I think you should downgrade her from best friend to just… ordinary friend."
"Oh no you didn't!" Dija gasped dramatically. "Esther, your future daughter doesn't like me!"
"Mom," Betty said suddenly, her voice clear and sure.
The room froze.
Esther's heart skipped, and even the elders paused mid-breath. It wasn't just the word, it was the meaning. The acceptance. The love. Betty had just called her "Mom" for the very first time.
"She doesn't like me either," Betty added, casting Dija a mock-challenging glance.
Esther smiled through the sudden wave of emotion, not just at their teasing banter, but because in that small, powerful word, she'd received the greatest gift on her big day.
"You two should stop bugging the bride," Lady Bell said warmly, her eyes gleaming with joy.
"Thank you, Sunflower," Esther whispered, pressing a kiss to Betty's forehead.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hotel, Daniel Lewis was trying not to strangle his best man.
"Honestly, if I'd known you'd be this annoying today, I would've picked someone else," Daniel muttered as Sankoh adjusted his bow tie for the third time.
"You say that, but you love me," Sankoh smirked. "Besides, you need me. You're way too serious for wedding day vibes."
"Every word out of your mouth makes me regret choosing you," Daniel muttered under his breath.
Kabil, adjusting his cufflinks with a grin, chuckled. "Congratulations again, brother. I know it's your second time around, but still, welcome to the club where the wife is always right. Especially when she's smarter than you."
Daniel chuckled. "She's always been smarter than me."
"Good," Kabil nodded. "Means you might actually survive marriage."
"Can someone get Sankoh out of my mirror?" Daniel grumbled, nudging him aside with a scowl.
"You're nervous," Sankoh grinned. "It's cute. And I know just what'll help." His eyes glinted mischievously. "Let's go see what the girls are up to. A glimpse of Esther might calm your nerves."
Of course, his real aim was to catch a moment with Zainab, and maybe finally talk to her.
"Bad idea," Kabil cut in, tightening his tie. "It's said to be bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony."
"Oh, please. That's just an old wives' tale," Sankoh scoffed, waving off the warning.
"Believe what you want," Kabil shrugged, settling back into the couch. "But if there's even a chance it could bring harm to her or the marriage, is it worth it?"
Daniel straightened his cuff, his tone firm. "If there's any risk to her safety, no matter how small or superstitious, I'm not taking it."
Sankoh raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. Superstitions win today."
Before Daniel could reply, the wedding coordinator poked her head in. "Groomsmen, ten minutes until first look prep."
"Showtime," Sankoh announced theatrically, tossing Daniel a wink.
Daniel took a slow breath and turned back to the mirror. The tux. The tie. The weight of what this day meant reflected in his eyes.
And still, his lips curved into a smile.
He was ready.
In a quiet corner of the hotel, far from the bustling bridal suite and the groomsmen's playful chaos, Sarah sat alone in a room she had insisted on booking for herself.
The tray sat in front of her. A single glass of chilled pineapple juice rested in the center, innocent and glistening with condensation.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she removed the small vial from her purse. A clear liquid, odorless, tasteless, and swift in effect.
"To love," she whispered darkly, unscrewing the vial and pouring the contents into the glass. The juice swirled briefly, then settled as if nothing had changed.
Her plan was simple. A sip, maybe two, and it would begin. Nausea. Dizziness. Collapse. And then silence.
Once Esther was out of the way, Daniel would grieve, yes, but time would soften the loss, and she would be there to pick up the pieces. She would comfort him, stand by him. One way or another, she would be in his life. And if anyone was to blame, it would be Esther. For standing in her way. For stealing the life she believed should've been hers.
Sarah wiped the base of the glass clean with a napkin and placed it back in the tray. The knock came seconds later.
Room service.
"Take this to the bridal suite," she said, flashing a sweet smile as she opened the door and handed the tray to the hotel server. "Miss Esther asked for this earlier. She forgot."
The man nodded, oblivious, and left with the tray.
Heart pounding, Sarah waited a full minute, then grabbed her clutch and followed.
By the time she entered the bridal suite, she was calm again. Poised. Decent. A smile fixed to her face.
The others barely noticed her entrance, Dija was trying to lace up her dress, Zainab and Betty were fussing over the veil, and Lady Bell was humming some old wedding song.
Esther, radiant in her wedding dress, held the glass in her hand already.
"Juice?" she asked, a little surprised. "I didn't order.."
"Oh, I asked them to bring it," Sarah chimed in quickly, voice smooth. "You hadn't eaten anything all morning, I figured something sweet might help."
Esther smiled faintly. "That's… thoughtful."
Sarah nodded, folding her arms and leaning casually by the wall, eyes watching, never blinking, as Esther brought the glass to her lips.
And drank.
Every last drop.
Sarah exhaled slowly, her fingers curling tightly against her arms. The room moved on in laughter and chatter. But she stood still, eyes on Esther's soft smile, waiting for it to fall.