Nancy adjusted herself slightly as the car slowed to a stop.
She looked through the tinted window first before opening the door fully.
Another hotel.
But this one looked expensive.
Very expensive.
The entrance alone made it obvious. Shiny glass walls. Uniformed staff. Luxury cars parked neatly outside. Even the silence around the place felt rich.
Nancy stepped out slowly.
Her heels touched the ground carefully as she looked around.
The driver came around briefly.
"Madam," he said politely, "please wait small."
Nancy nodded.
She adjusted her bag and stood near the entrance, trying not to look too impressed.
Inside though, her mind was racing.
"Okay… this one serious."
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, madam," a male voice said politely. "I'm coming to get you."
Nancy frowned slightly. "Get me?"
"Yes, ma."
The line ended.
A few seconds later, a young man in black stepped out through the glass doors.
"Miss Nancy?"
She nodded carefully.
"This way, ma."
Nancy followed him inside.
The air conditioning wrapped around her immediately. The lobby glowed softly under warm lights. People moved around, dressed neatly, speaking in low voices.
Nancy tried not to stare too much.
The man led her toward the elevator.
"This place fine oo," she muttered to herself.
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped inside.
As they moved upward, Nancy checked herself quickly in the mirror reflection. Hair okay. Makeup okay. Dress okay.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Not from fear.
Anticipation.
The doors opened again.
The man stepped out first and led her down a hallway.
He stopped in front of a door and opened it.
"Please wait here, ma."
Nancy entered slowly.
The room was massive.
Bigger than she expected.
Her eyes moved around immediately. The soft couch. Huge television. Balcony view. Mini bar. The bed neatly arranged further inside.
Nancy blinked slowly.
This wasn't some random quick hookup setup.
This looked intentional.
Luxurious.
The door shut behind her.
She stood still for a second.
Then slowly walked further inside.
"Jesus…" she whispered under her breath.
She touched the edge of the couch lightly before sitting down.
Her fingers brushed against the smooth fabric.
Everything looked expensive.
She crossed her legs slowly, trying to act normal even though she was mentally screaming.
"This guy really get money ooo"
She glanced around again.
Still no sign of Dayo.
Nancy frowned slightly.
"Interesting."
"Usually men like this rushed things."
"But this one? Hmmmm"
Special room. Driver. Escort. Waiting.
She leaned back slowly.
"Okay…"
"Maybe today would actually be different."
A loud burst of laughter filled the second hotel room down the hallway.
Dayo sat comfortably on the couch, drink in hand, while two of his friends argued over football highlights playing on the television.
The room smelled of alcohol and cologne.
One of the guys looked over at Dayo.
"So where your babe dey?"
Dayo shrugged casually. "Relax."
Another friend laughed.
"Which one? The club one or the arranged wife?"
The room burst into laughter.
Dayo shook his head. "Una too talk."
"You're mad," one of them added.
"Your mother go kill you if this thing spoil today."
"She no go know," Dayo replied calmly.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
The staff member stepped inside politely.
"Sir, the lady has arrived."
Dayo nodded once.
"Okay."
The man stepped back out.
One of his friends whistled.
"She actually came."
"Why she no go come?" another replied. "See treatment."
Dayo smiled but said nothing.
Instead, he leaned back comfortably like he had all the time in the world.
His friend shook his head.
"You no serious oo this guy."
Dayo laughed. "Life too short Abeg."
Outside, Sophie sat inside her car staring at the building ahead.
Her expression slowly tightened.
A hotel?
She checked the address on her phone again.
Same place.
Her irritation immediately returned.
The man hadn't even called her all day.
Not once.
Now hotel?
Sophie leaned back against the seat and exhaled slowly.
Maybe I should just leave.
Honestly.
She could already imagine Nancy's voice mocking this entire situation.
But then she remembered her mother's face at dinner.
"At least meet him first."
Sophie closed her eyes briefly.
Fine.
She picked up her phone and dialed the number.
The line rang once before connecting.
"Hello?" Dayo's voice came calmly through the speaker.
Sophie frowned slightly at how relaxed he sounded.
"Hi. I'm outside."
"Oh," he said. "You're here already?"
She paused.
"Yes."
"Okay. Park properly. Someone will come get you."
That was all.
No apology or explanation.
Nothing.
Sophie's irritation deepened.
"Right," she said shortly.
The call ended.
She stared at the phone for a second.
"strike two," she muttered.
Still, she adjusted herself, picked up her bag, and stepped out of the car.
Back upstairs, Dayo's friends were still laughing.
One of them pointed at him.
"You just dey play dangerous game."
Dayo smirked.
Another lifted his drink dramatically.
"Well," he said, grinning widely,
"may the best love story win."