EPISODE
9
SOTERIA’S POV
The weight on my stomach was heavy, unmoving, and pinning one of my hands. I knew it wasn’t my pillow. I tried to shift it off, but it didn’t budge.
With my free hand, I reached for my phone on the chair beside the bed and turned on the light. My eyes adjusted slowly as a sharp headache throbbed through my head.
For a few seconds, I didn’t open my eyes. My head was pounding in that dull, unforgiving way that reminded you of every bad decision you made the night before. The air in the room smelled faintly of cologne, alcohol, and everything sinful.
I forced my eyes open.
The curtains were half drawn. Early morning light filtered in softly, almost timidly, like it wasn’t sure it was welcome. My dress was on the floor near the door. One heel was overturned. My clutch bag lay open, its contents spilled lazily across the rug.
Last night flashed in pieces. Music vibrating through the guest house walls. Ayoola, Amaka, a few friends, and I had thrown a weekend party at my family’s guest house. We drank heavily. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but with Ayoola, it always felt expected.
We partied until around 2 a.m. before calling it a night. Ayo drove us back to his place in a quieter part of Abuja.
Beside me, Ayoola’s chest rose and fell slowly beside me. His face in sleep looked younger, less calculated and even less demanding. His lips were slightly parted, breath even. One hand was draped across my stomach unconsciously, fingers flexing against my waist as though even in sleep he was afraid I would disappear.
I stared at him for a long moment.
“Ayo…” I muttered, nudging his arm.
He didn’t move.
I pushed harder. “Get your hands off me.”
He grunted and rolled slightly, but the grip didn’t loosen.
“Ayoooo…” I dragged out his name until he finally shifted, turning to the other side of the bed with a lazy sigh.
I slid out carefully, adjusting the oversized duvet around him.
In the bathroom, the bright light felt violent against my eyes. I leaned against the sink for a moment, gripping the marble counter as memories sharpened.
I splashed water on my face.
I had a life outside this room and I needed to remember that.
After showering, I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped back into the bedroom. Ayoola was still asleep, one leg thrown over the space I had just left.
I walked to his wardrobe and pulled out one of my emergency sets of clothes. He liked keeping things for me here. Toothbrush, body lotion. Even my favourite lip gloss.
Convenient. Dangerously convenient.
I dressed in fitted shorts and a loose top, tied my hair into a low bun and went downstairs. The house was quiet. The estate even quieter. Abuja mornings had that stillness that made you feel like the world was holding its breath.
I made oats quickly, scrambled two eggs with a little pepper and onions, and brewed coffee strong enough to wake the dead. I ate standing by the kitchen island, scrolling through my schedule.
I had a big project to handle. It was a design consultation in Asokoro with a very big client. I was meeting with the family today. They wanted to renovate their late father’s house to something modern, something that felt like theirs.
I rinsed my plate, grabbed my keys and left without going back upstairs.
As I drove out of the estate, my phone rang.
The name on my screen made me smile instantly.
Naya (Akila’s sister).
“SoSo!” she screamed the moment I picked up.
“Naya, my darling. How are you?”
“I’m fine o. Just that you’ve been avoiding me. You barely replied my chats yesterday.”
I laughed lightly. “The same yesterday that we spoke for over two hours?”
“Ehh… even though,” she muttered, and I could hear her grin through the phone.
“Come over today nau,” she said suddenly.
I hesitated.
“Come over where? So your iron breaker brother can throw me out abi?”
She burst into laughter. “He’s not at home. He won’t even know.”
“That sounds nice, but I have a job. I’m already on my way to meet the client.”
There was a brief silence. “Oh… okay.”
I felt bad instantly.
“I just got to my client’s place. Do you want to come and see it? It’s a renovation project.”
Her energy snapped back. “Yes! Anything to leave this house. Pleaseeeeeee…. Send location now now.”
I ended the call and sent the address as I turned onto Ibrahim Babangida Highway.
When I pulled up at the property in Asokoro, I stared for a moment before inputting the temporary passcode sent to me. The gate was opened up and I drove in. I parked at the garage to wait for Naya so we could go inside together.
The house wasn’t just big. It was excessive.
The walls were cream and stone. The mahogany doors were tall enough to swallow you whole.
Few minutes later, my phone rang again.
“SoSo…” Naya’s voice was hushed.
“I’m at the gate o. Are you sure you sent me the correct address? This place is like where senators hold their private meetings.”
I burst into laughter.
“Yes, that’s it. Stop behaving like you haven’t seen big houses before.”
“This one is not a big house. This one is a palace.”
I laughed harder and gave her the temporary security code. “Enter the code and come inside.”
A few minutes later, she walked in, her eyes wide, turning her head slowly as though she was inside a museum.
Her simple jean trousers and soft pink top made her look even younger against the grandeur of the place.
“Jesus,” she whispered. “So people actually live like this?”
“Apparently,” I replied.
She grabbed my arm. “I will make this money one day, in Jesus name.”
“Amen oo…” I concurred, but I couldn’t hide my smile.
Before I could say more, the front door opened.
A woman stepped out first and ushered me into the living room.
She was elegant. Soft silk kaftan, wedding band glinting unmistakably on her finger. Her posture spoke of someone used to being wealthy. I could relate.
“Miss Soteria?” she asked warmly.
“Yes, ma’am. Good morning.”
“I’m Adesuwa. Thank you for coming. Please have a seat. My siblings will be with us shortly.” Her smile was kind.
As if on cue, they came out.
One by one. Four men and two ladies.
It took only seconds to see the resemblance. Same sharp nose. Same strong jawline. Same confident carriage.
“This was our father’s house,” Adesuwa said softly after we all exchanged pleasantries. “We want to keep the memory… but make it ours too.”
There was something tender in her voice.
As we walked into the main living area—large enough to host a small wedding. I began asking questions. What they wanted preserved. What they wanted modernised. How often they would all be here.
They answered over one another sometimes, laughing and correcting each other.
Large families carried noise like perfume.
We settled into the sofas to discuss structure and budget.
Adesuwa spoke about turning their father’s study into a shared family archive room.
That was when I noticed the third son.
He had been quiet since he came out.
He was tall with broad shoulders and clean beard. The kind of face that didn’t try to impress anyone but still did.
He wasn’t looking at me. He was staring at Naya.
Naya, who was pretending to scroll through her phone, was very aware of it. I could tell by the way she adjusted her hair unnecessarily. The way her foot tapped lightly.
I continued speaking about lighting fixtures and spatial flow, but I saw everything.
Every glance and flicker.
At one point, his brother nudged him lightly, whispering something that made him sit up straighter.
I felt a small smile tug at my lips.
I kept my expression neutral and my voice steady.
But inside, I was quietly and shamelessly happy.
The air inside the house had shifted.
What started as a professional consultation slowly softened into something far more tender. By the time we finished discussing floor plans and lighting preferences, the emotional weight of the space had begun to surface.
Adesuwa stood near the old fireplace, fingers grazing the mantel.
“This is where Daddy used to sit every evening,” she said quietly. “He would call us one after the other and ask about our day.”
Her youngest sister sniffed softly.
“We’ll preserve this space,” I said gently. “Not exactly as it was… but respectfully. It will still feel like him.”
Adesuwa nodded.
As we wrapped up, the siblings began to disperse slowly. There were soft side conversations.
That was when the third son finally spoke.
He looked directly at me.
“Would you be working alone or with a team?” he asked.
His voice was calm, but his eyes were red.
Very red.
The kind that came from trying not to cry in front of your siblings.
I softened immediately.
“I have a team I work with.” I replied professionally. He nodded.
His gaze shifted slightly.
“is she your assistant…?” he gestured subtly toward Naya.
Naya froze beside me.
I could almost feel her pulse spike.
I smiled lightly. “Oh, she’s not my assistant. She’s my friend. She just came along today. My actual assistant wasn’t available.”
He nodded slowly. “Oh. I see.”
There was the faintest flicker of disappointment before he masked it.
Naya cleared her throat unnecessarily and stared at the wall like it had suddenly become fascinating architecture.
We exchanged final pleasantries and stepped toward the door.
Just as we reached the massive mahogany entrance, he moved ahead of us.
“I’ll walk you out,” he said.
The afternoon sun hit us warmly as we stepped outside
We walked in silence to the car for a few seconds.
Then he asked casually, “When are you coming back for the next meeting?”
I answered before Naya could breathe.
“Next week. Same time.”
“And…” he hesitated slightly, eyes flicking to Naya, “…you’ll both be coming?”
Naya suddenly became very interested in adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Yes, we’ll come together.”
Her head snapped toward me so fast I almost laughed.
“What?” her eyes screamed.
But she said nothing.
He smiled.
“Alright then,” he said quietly. “That’s good. See you, next week” he waved and walked back inside.
As the gates closed behind us and we drove onto the main road, Naya turned to me slowly.
“Why would you say that?”
I kept my eyes on the road. “Because he likes you.”
She gasped. “Likes who? Please! Like me ke?”
“Yes. You think I didn’t notice?”
“Ah! You want my brother to kill me?”
I laughed. “Your brother will not kill you. You are an adult. Why are you always scared of him?”
She scoffed lightly. “I’m twenty-one. I need to focus on my studies. I want to apply to Ireland next year. Relationship will just distract me.”
“You can study and be in a relationship at the same time.”
She turned to look at me fully now. “Na so… Soteria the love doctor.”
“Abegiiii.. You’re too afraid.” I said
She sighed. “Life is not as simple as you make it sound.”
I shrugged. “Sometimes it is.”
We drove in silence for a moment before she suddenly brightened.
“Oh! My brother’s office isc lose by, please let’s go and greet him.”
I stiffened slightly.
“Your brother? Akila?”
“Yes na. Please, please. I want to surprise him.”
I exhaled slowly. “Are you trying to put me in trouble?”
She grinned and I just smiled in response. I didn’t have the strength to argue. I was still hungover. And maybe seeing Akila will bring strength to my bones.
“Fine.” I replied
“Yayyyy!! But we need to buy him food. He probably didn’t eat since morning.” She added and I agreed.
We stopped at Bite and Vibes, a stylish spot not too far from the NAF Valley axis. The smell of grilled chicken and spices greeted us immediately.
We ordered jollof rice, grilled chicken, plantain, and a drink.
As we stepped out with the takeaway bags, my phone rang.
Ayoola.
I paused before answering.
“Where are you?” he asked immediately.
“It’s just now you’re waking up?” I replied lightly. “I left since morning.”
“I know. I just didn’t see you when I woke up.”
“I had a meeting with a client.”
There was a pause.
“We didn’t really talk this weekend,” he said. “We need to have a proper conversation.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“I’m actually busy. Can I call you later?”
“Fine.” He replied grudgingly and i hung up.
Naya was staring at me.
“You have a boyfriend?”
“…Yes.”
Her jaw dropped dramatically. “Oh my God. And I wanted to ship you with my brother!”
I choked. “What?”
“Yes! My brother is too serious. He needs someone like you.”
I laughed nervously. “Please oooo. Your brother is too stuck up.”
“And you are fun,” she shot back.
“Anyways… I can give it a try and date him alongside my man.” I teased.
“Holy Ghost fire. Please double dating is a sin. Don’t play with people’s hearts.” She advised.
I shook my head. “Madam Pastor. Na you know oo. Besides, it’s not like your brother would even like me.”
She smiled knowingly. “Oh really? I won’t say anything.”
I pretended not to hear that.
As we drove into the barracks area and approached the office complex, I cleared my throat.
“Guess what?”
“What?” she asked
“My brother works here too.”
“What?” she asked. I ignored her and parked the car in the spot reserved for guests.
“Yes! Come let’s greet him first.” She blinked slowly and just followed without questions.
This day just became very interesting.
As we stepped into the office building, security officers nodded at me respectfully. Clearly, I am known here.
I led confidently.
“My brother’s office is here.” I said and dragged her to Effiom’s office.
She adjusted my bag and followed.
I knocked once and pushed his door open.
“EFFIOM MY GUY!!!” i shouted playfully.
Effiom broke into the widest grin I had ever seen.
“My baby!” he exclaimed, already moving forward.
Before I could even process what was happening, he pulled me into a tight hug and lifted me slightly off the ground like i weighed nothing at all.
I let out a surprised laugh. “Okay, okay, put me down before you report yourself for excessive affection.”
He laughed loudly and finally set me back on my feet, still holding my shoulders as if checking i was real.
“I’ve missed you,” he said warmly.
I grinned. “I saw you last week.”
“And I still missed you.”
That was said so simply it didn’t even sound like exaggeration.
Then his attention shifted.
And landed on Naya.
“Well, who is this pretty lady?”
“That’s Captain Gaya’s younger sister. Her name is Naya.”
Naya blinked and gave a shy smile.
“Oh… you are Akila’s baby sister?” Effiom’s smile flickered for half a second and I laughed awkwardly.
I am in hot soup!!!
“Yes. You know him?” Naya tilted her head slightly.
“Of course. He is my colleague.” Effiom said and stared at me in a weird way that says ‘we have a lot to talk about later.’
I shot him a look and quickly changed subject.
“Naya came to give him lunch so we thought to stop by and greet you too” I added smoothly.
“Ohhhh okay?” Effiom coughed loudly.
“Uhmmm.. He is currently in the intelligence room. Let me call him for you,” he said swiftly and stepped out to make a call.
Minutes later he came back and directed us to Akila’s office. For the sake of Naya, I pretended not to know the location. God bless Effiom for playing along.
When we got into his office, Akila was at the head of his desk. The moment he saw us, he straightened and walked across the desk.
“Naya, what are you doing here?” he asked softly, pulling her into a hug.
“Hi big bro. I dragged Soteria to drive me here. I brought you lunch. I know you didn’t eat today.” Naya placed the food on his desk.
He gave a faint smile. “Thank you.”
Then his eyes moved and landed on me.
“Hello,” he said politely.
“Hi,” I replied.
Our eyes met.
Just for a second longer than normal.
I noticed it immediately. I always notice anything that has to do with Akila.
“Yaro, you’re not fine.” Naya said bluntly.
“I’m fine.” He tried to smile.
She didn’t believe him.
Neither did I.
“I know that you will deny it,. Anyways we just came to greet you,” she continued. “Oh! And cell church picnic is next week Saturday. Pastor Olive sent me a WhatsApp message and asked me to inform you.”
He nodded. “Okay. I will check my schedule and inform her if I will be going”
I leaned back in the chair. “Church picnic?”
“Yes,” Naya said excitedly. “You should come, Soteria. You would love it”
I smirked lightly.
“Do you even go to church?” Akila asked as he glanced at me.
Ohhhh.. he is talking to me.
Nice…
Uhhh.. What do I say?
“I… I go sometimes.”
“When?” Naya teased.
“When my friends are doing child dedication.” I said timidly.
Naya burst into laughter.
“That’s not church attendance, that’s social attendance.”
“At this point, you’ll be my first convert,” she declared boldly.
Hiiii babiessss… I am sorry this took long but I have not been in the best frame of mind. Say a word of prayer for me in my DM or in the comments.
That being said, abeg use this one take hold body for now. I promise you all, a more befitting and intriguing chapter. Forgive this author…
May God help you Isabella and thank you for this chapter. Naya is doing God's work oo
My goodness this was a fun read. Had so many beautiful emotions reading this. Thank you, thank you Isabella. You're a beautiful writer and I can't wait to see how this story unravels beautifully.