Chapter 1: Big day
The shrill buzz of the alarm sliced through the early morning silence, pulling Sewa from the depths of sleep. With a soft groan, she reached for her phone, silencing the noise before stretching her long, toned limbs against the silky sheets. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of her Lekki apartment, casting a golden glow on the minimalist yet elegant space.
Pushing the covers aside, she swung her legs off the bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush rug. A quick glance at the time—6:15 AM—told her she had no room for laziness. She had a full day ahead, one that required precision, poise, and just the right amount of calculated charm.
Stepping into the bathroom, she turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade down her smooth skin. The subtle scent of vanilla and shea butter filled the space as she lathered up, her thoughts already shifting to the tasks ahead. By the time she stepped out, steam curled around the air, and she wrapped herself in a thick white towel before walking toward her wardrobe.
Sewa didn't have time for indecision. Reaching for a crisp white blouse, she slipped it on, the silky fabric molding against her curves. She tucked it neatly into a black pencil skirt that hugged her figure in all the right places, emphasizing the dip of her waist and the graceful curve of her hips. With practiced ease, she fastened the delicate gold buttons on her cuffs before slipping into a pair of sleek black heels.
Her reflection stared back at her from the floor-length mirror—elegant, composed, and undeniably striking. She ran a comb through her thick, shoulder-length curls, letting them frame her face before applying a soft touch of nude gloss to her full lips.
Satisfied, she made her way to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and pouring in some cereal along with cold almond milk. As she took a spoonful, she reached for her phone, dialing a familiar number. The line rang twice before a deep, slightly groggy voice answered.
"Sewa? It's early—what's wrong?"
She smirked, swirling the spoon in her bowl. "Relax, nothing's wrong. Just making sure you're awake. We have a big day ahead. And it isn't early it's almost 7:30, you're gonna be late."
A chuckle came through the line. "You really don't take mornings off, do you?"
She smiled, taking another bite. "Not when there's work to do. You should be more like me Moji. Be ready, I'll see you soon."
Ending the call, she placed the bowl in the sink, grabbed her bag, and with one final glance in the mirror, she walked out the door—ready to take on whatever the day had in store.
Sewa headed downstairs, her heels clicking lightly against the marble floor as she made her way to the underground parking. Sliding into her Cabriolet Benz, she started the engine, the low hum filling the quiet morning air. She was in luck—no traffic today. As she sped through the near-empty highway of the mainland bridge, the crisp early morning breeze teased through her open windows, tousling her curls. A small smile tugged at her lips. She enjoyed moments like these—just her, the road, and the promise of a new day.
Twenty minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot of Skyrise Firm, the towering glass structure gleaming under the soft morning sun. After smoothly parking in her reserved spot, she stepped out, adjusting her blouse before walking toward the entrance. The automatic doors slid open, and she was met with the familiar, cool rush of air conditioning.
"Good morning, Miss Adesewa," the receptionist greeted warmly from behind the sleek front desk.
"Morning, Teni," Sewa responded with a polite nod, swiping her access card against the scanner. The soft beep confirmed her check-in.
As she made her way further inside, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Good morning, Ms. Adesewa," came the deep, professional tone of Mr. Adedayo, one of the firm's senior partners.
She turned, offering a courteous smile. "Good morning, Mr. Adedayo."
His sharp gaze settled on her. "Are the files I requested ready?"
"Yes," she replied smoothly. "I'll send them to you as soon as I settle into my office."
He nodded approvingly. "Good. I'll be expecting them."
With that, he stepped aside, allowing her to continue on her way. Sewa exhaled softly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she strode towards her office. The day had officially begun.
Sewa settled into her office, the soft hum of the air conditioning blending with the rhythmic tapping of her fingers on the keyboard. She quickly pulled up the required documents and sent the file to Mr. Adedayo before diving into her other tasks. The familiar comfort of work enveloped her, allowing her to push aside any lingering thoughts as she became fully engrossed.
The sudden ring of her office telephone pulled her from her focus. She picked it up smoothly, balancing the receiver between her shoulder and ear.
"I am ready for the presentation, Mr. Adeleke," she said, her voice composed.
A deep voice responded on the other end.
"Yes, I will be there before nine o'clock… I know this is a big project. I won't disappoint you."
With that, she ended the call, exhaling softly as she gathered some necessary documents. Just as she was about to return to work—
Boom! The door burst open.
Sewa looked up, startled but unsurprised, as a tall, dark-skinned woman strolled in like she owned the place. She had long, thick braids cascading down her back, her beauty striking and effortless. There was always a certain confidence in her movements, an energy that made her presence impossible to ignore.
"What's up, babe?" the woman grinned, placing a hand on her hip.
Sewa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Moji, why can't you knock?"
Moji gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Excuse you? This is my best friend's office—I don't need to knock."
Sewa rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and asked, "Do you have the CeeCee Farms file ready?"
With a smug smile, Moji reached into her bag and pulled out the file as if performing a magic trick. "You're welcome."
Sewa took it, shaking her head. "Thanks, Moji."
"Yeah, yeah, I don't care about that," Moji said, waving off the gratitude. She leaned in with a teasing smirk. "Tell me about him."
Sewa froze for half a second before giving her a blank look. "There's nothing to talk about."
Moji scoffed, flopping onto the visitor's chair. "Come on, I hate when you do this."
Sewa sighed, closing a folder with a soft thud. "We had fun, hung out, and it's all in the past. We've both moved on."
Moji arched a brow. "Is that true… or are you just mad he didn't call after that?"
Sewa didn't reply. Instead, she neatly stacked some files and stood up, grabbing a few documents. "I have a presentation soon. Bye."
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the office, leaving Moji sitting there, watching the door swing shut.
Moji sighed, shaking her head. She knew her friend well enough to see through the act. Sewa wasn't over it. She was just pretending to be.