(oh oh. Get ready)
The sun had barely risen when William stepped out of the inn where he had passed the night. The air was crisp, tinged with the faint fragrance of blooming flowers that lined the cobbled streets of the central kingdom. A cool breeze brushed against his skin, chasing away the last traces of sleep, and he stretched his arms as though embracing the day itself.
"The center kingdom is indeed beautiful." he murmured to himself, a smile breaking across his face. "No wonder everyone desires to come here."
He let his feet carry him through the bustling town, his eyes sweeping over stalls overflowing with fabrics, spices, and trinkets. The scent of roasted plantains drifted on the wind, mingling with the chatter of merchants calling out their wares. For William, each turn of the road was another story waiting to unfold.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the same town, another story had already begun.
Adrian sat in the lively courtyard of a popular inn, his back straight and his eyes fixed on the young woman serving guests. Her hair- short but beautiful , and her soft steps reminded him of flowing water. He leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth as velvet.
" I heard the last piece of meat has been sold. " Adrian said, his eyes twinkling with charm. " But you know, I doubt that. I saw some taken to the back not long ago. Beautiful lady, surely you would not deny a poor man like me a taste? Also… " He paused, letting his gaze linger deliberately. " …your hair looks so beautiful and shiny."
The words hung in the air, but it was not so much his compliment as it was the sight of him— his flawless features, his radiant smile— that sent a blush rushing to her cheeks. She looked away, flustered, and scurried off, her heart beating faster than she wished to admit.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his lips curved into a faint smile, his confidence unshaken.
Beside him, a young man chuckled softly. " Master, you really know how to make your way with people. "
He glanced sideways at him— Idowu, his attendant and slave, ever faithful and sharp-tongued- just like himself.
" They were going to cheat us." he said with quiet disdain.
"What would they do with all those meats they hid anyway? Isn't it better to sell them and profit? What do you think, eh Idowu? "
"You are right, Oga- Master. " Idowu replied, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. " But… maybe someone bought them all. That is why they will not sell to us. "
He waved his hand dismissively. " I do not care. I asked for meat, and meat I shall get. That beautiful lady won't fail me. Let us wait. " His smile returned as he sipped leisurely from his cup of wine.
Not far from him, William finally stepped into the inn. He stopped for a moment to take in its beauty. Flowers framed the walls and windows, filling the place with color and fragrance. The tables bustled with people from different lands, their laughter and conversations mingling into a warm hum.
" So this is why it is so famous. " William muttered with a grin.
He chose a table and sat, signaling to one of the servants. " I will like ila soup and a plate of meat. " he said, dropping a few glittering coins onto the table.
The servant's eyes widened at the sight of the payment. He hesitated, swallowing nervously. " Yo… Young master, we have run out of meat. But if you like, I could get you fish. Very delicious fish! Freshly caught today— our best—"
But William was not listening anymore. His eyes had strayed to a nearby table where a female servant was setting down two steaming bowls of meat. His stomach growled, his mouth watered.
' Ah… so that's where all the meat went.' he thought.
" O ṣe- Thank you. " he heard the man at the other table say, his voice rich and smooth.
Recognition struck William like a spark and his lips curled into a knowing smirk. The man sat with casual grace, every gesture an unintentional performance. Even from a distance, his beauty drew eyes like moths to firelight- that same arrogant expression
William's lips curled slowly into a grin. " Of course. It is him. " he murmured under his breath.
His grin widened. Scooping his coins from the table, he rose, ignoring the servant's babbled apology about the lack of meat and strode confidently to the table. The crowded inn blurred into background noise — laughter, clinking cups, the sharp tang of palm wine, roasted yam smoke drifting from the kitchen — all dimmed beside the flame of the man he had stumbled upon again.
He strode straight to the familiar figure. Without hesitation, he slid into the empty opposite seat; uninvited and unbothered.
He leaned forward, smile stretching wide, voice rich with playful mischief.
"Ah… Arewà. We meet again "
(Arewa- A beautiful person)
Adrian did not lift his gaze immediately. He set his cup down with careful precision- only then did he look up.
William's grin was waiting for him, bright, unashamed, relentless.
Adrian hand tightened around his cup. Of all the people to cross paths with in this crowded city, fate had cursed him with this man again. He kept his composure, but inwardly he groaned.
"Hey. " William leaned forward with a playful glint in his eye. " Don't tell me you don't recognize me already, arewà?"
Adrian's lips twitched, his patience wearing thin. "Of course I do. It's not every day you meet someone so annoying— someone who intrudes on another's privacy without shame. People like that are rare… and crazy. Truly, a rare species. I'm only surprised you remembered me." He finished with a smile, sly and cutting, pleased at his subtle insult.
William gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as though struck by an arrow. His wide-eyed surprise would have fooled anyone — anyone but Adrian.
"Oh my! You remember me? " He leaned closer, lowering his voice like a lover sharing a secret.
"I'm flattered— deeply flattered! And of course I remember you. How could I not? A face like yours doesn't fade from memory Arewà. Besides…"
His grin stretched wider, eyes dancing with laughter. " …it's not every day you meet a goddess with the beauty of heaven and the temper of a thunderstorm. People like that, Precious. Rare. Worth chasing. "
Adrian's smile thinned, vanishing almost as soon as it appeared. He gave the man a hard stare. He studied the man across from him, irritation simmering in his eyes, yet beneath it… a flicker of something he would not name. Madness. That was what this stranger carried — thick skin and a tongue so shameless it could charm the dead. No insult seemed to pierce his thick skin.
"You mistake persistence for charm," Adrian replied evenly, voice calm but edged. " And thunder, for tolerance. Do not think I have either."
William chuckled, unconcerned, drumming his fingers lightly on the table as though the whole inn were their private stage.
" Ah, but thunder still answers when it's called, doesn't it? And here you are, sitting before me again. You could have left, yet you stay."
Idowu who has been watching the drama unfold silently, shifted awkwardly, whispering toward Adrian. " Master… this is the same man from yesterday, isn't he?"
Adrian's eyes flicked toward his companion — a silent warning to shut up — before snapping back to William.
The two locked eyes, the space between them crackling with an unspoken tension.
To anyone watching, they looked like rivals ready to draw swords. Yet beneath the sharp words and clashing stares, there was something else— an energy neither of them fully understood. Attraction and irritation, tangled like fire and spice.
For a long moment, neither spoke. The noise of the inn faded into the background. It was just the two of them— Adrian, fighting to keep his composure, and William, savoring every second of their collision.
William had already leaned back, utterly at ease. His grin lingered, shameless and daring as if he'd won a prize. Adrian's face an impassive mask, though his eyes burned with restrained anger.