The night settled softly over the estate, the air was warm and sweet with the scent of hibiscus and the faint sound of crickets.
Amara sat on the balcony outside her room, legs tucked beneath her, a thin shawl around her shoulders.
The moonlight shimmered across her skin, giving her a gentle glow that made her look almost unreal.
She didn't realize Dapo was watching her from the doorway.
He leaned against the frame silently, arms folded, his eyes taking in every detail the way the breeze lifted her hair, the soft curve of her q, the calm on her face he had fought so hard to bring back.
"You look like you're having secret thoughts again," he said quietly.
Amara turned, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I am."
He pushed off the door and stepped toward her, slow, controlled, as if afraid of crossing an invisible line. "Should I be worried?"
"Depends," she teased, patting the small space beside her. "Are you planning to behave yourself tonight?"
He sat immediately, closer than necessary, his knee brushing hers. "No promise."
Amara rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course not."
They sat in silence for a moment, watching the moon drift through the clouds. It felt peaceful—too peaceful for the storm building inside both of them.
Dapo tilted his head toward her. "You've been distant since this afternoon."
She exhaled lightly. "I've been thinking."
"About?"
"About us," she admitted. "About how fast things are changing."
Dapo's breath hitched, but he kept his voice calm. "Do you want it to slow down?"
"No," she whispered. "Not really. I just… I'm scared."
He turned fully to her now, his hand reaching out but stopping inches from her arm. "Of me?"
Amara shook her head quickly. "No. I'm scared of how easy it is to fall back into this.
To want you like this again."
His jaw tightened as if the words hit somewhere deep. "Then don't hold back," he murmured. "If you want me… I want you twice as much."
Amara swallowed.
The raw honesty in his voice made her chest ache.
"Dapo," she whispered, licking her lips nervously. "You can't just say things like that."
"Why not?" His voice dropped lower. "Everything I feel for you, I've been holding in for months. I'm tired of pretending I don't want you.
Tired of acting like I'm fine watching you slip away."
Amara looked away, the confession pulling something sharp in her heart. "But things were so broken…"
"I know." He leaned closer, his breath warming her cheek. "And I'll spend the rest of my life fixing them if I have to. Just… don't walk away from me."
A soft tension settled between them—thick, warm, electric.
Then footsteps echoed from the hallway.
A knock followed—three light taps.
Amara stiffened. "Tomi," she guessed.
Dapo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course."
Sure enough, Tomi poked her head through the doorway, cheeks flushed as if she'd been rushing. "Amara? I was looking for you. I wanted to show you a video—"
She froze when she saw how close Amara and Dapo were sitting.
"Oh…" Tomi blinked, then her gaze darted to Dapo. "Did I interrupt something?"
Amara opened her mouth, but Dapo spoke first.
"Yes."
Amara elbowed him sharply. "Dapo!"
He only smirked, not even pretending to hide his jealousy.
Tomi laughed awkwardly. "Okay, okay. I'll just… text it to you instead."
Before she left, she whispered dramatically, "Continue, lovebirds."
Dapo groaned as she disappeared. "That girl is trying to kill me."
Amara laughed softly and nudged him. "Don't be dramatic."
He wasn't smiling. Not really.
He turned to her again, his face serious, voice rougher. "I don't like the way she looks at you."
"She doesn't look at me in any way!" Amara protested.
He leaned closer, eyebrow raised. "Amara… she practically glows when she sees you.
Should I remind her who you belong to?"
Her breath caught at the possessiveness in his tone. "I don't belong to anyone."
"You belong with me," he corrected softly, firmly. "You always have."
The night air thickened between them.
Amara looked down at her hands, fingers trembling slightly. She didn't know if it was fear, desire, or both.
Dapo gently slid his hand beneath hers. She didn't pull away.
"Come here," he whispered.
She hesitated, but only for a second.
Then she let him pull her closer until her head rested against his shoulder, his arm around her waist, holding her as if she might disappear.
Her body melted into his instinctively.
"Amara…" he murmured into her hair, voice barely a breath. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."
She lifted her head slightly, heart thudding. "What is it?"
He cupped her cheek with surprising tenderness. "If you give me one more chance… I swear I won't waste it. I'll love you right this time. No games. No doubts. No running."
Her eyes softened, emotion pooling in her chest. "Dapo…"
He leaned in—slow, careful, seeking permission in the inches between them.
Her breath trembled.
His forehead touched hers.
Her eyes closed.
"It's okay," he whispered, voice trembling. "You can breathe. I'm right here."
Amara exhaled shakily, overwhelmed with closeness, with warmth, with the dangerous comfort of him.
Their lips were almost touching—almost—when the balcony light flickered loudly, breaking the moment.
Amara pulled back with a startled laugh. "Wow. Even electricity is against us tonight."
Dapo groaned softly, running a hand through his hair. "I swear, something is conspiring to block that kiss."
She laughed again, cheeks flushed. "Maybe it's a sign."
He grabbed her hand again, gently, firmly. "Or maybe it's telling me to try again tomorrow."
Amara held his gaze, heart hammering.
"Tomorrow," she whispered.
And the smile that spread across Dapo's face was the kind she hadn't seen in a very long time a smile full of hope, promise, and love that was ready to be reborn.