It had been two weeks.
Two full weeks of Luna visiting Jeddah's house almost every day. But he never let her spend the night.
Compared to that first—or maybe second—night, nothing physical had happened since. Not even a touch. Not beyond a kiss.
Luna was frustrated. The plan wasn't working, and her employer was breathing down her neck.
She wanted to push things further, seal the job, and walk away from Jeddah. But the guy was cautious. Sharp. Like a kite that never came down.
He was unreadable. And Luna couldn't place her finger on what had changed.
Jeddah, on his part, was suspicious too. Something about Luna didn't feel right. But everything looked normal.
Maybe it was just his libido talking.
He didn't want to let her go. Her presence alone satisfied something in him.
Yes, he wanted more—but something about this version of her didn't sit right.
The second version of her—the one from the first night—had ruined everything. She was everywhere. In his thoughts. In his air.
Or maybe he just wasn't used to a woman always being around.
That tension? It was building.
"What's wrong, Jedha?" Luna said softly. "You were all over me. You wanted me. You asked me to come to your house."
He stared at her, puzzled. "Asked you? Didn't you want to come?"
He blinked. Was he being played?
He remembered how manipulative women could be. And Luna? She reminded him of the only other woman who'd ever come close—business-wise. Also dangerously manipulative.
Before he could respond, Luna's phone rang.
His eyes caught the caller ID before she snatched it. It was Stacy.
Jeddah said nothing, but his instincts sharpened. He had the precision of an eagle—trained to detect the slightest twitch in a room.
He was a man who never let his heart override his head. That was why he lived alone in New York. Why commitment was always off the table.
Luna, flustered, flipped the phone and dragged it behind her on the bed. She locked eyes with him.
"So what's it going to be?" she asked, like nothing had happened.
"Your phone is ringing," he said calmly.
"It's none of your business."
The phone rang again. She ignored it. Again. Same sequence. Same cold stare.
"Jeddah, come on. I don't understand. I thought you wanted this. You came looking for me, remember? You came to the bar because you wanted to find me."
"Wait. What? I never said that."
"Yes, you did." She leaned in, voice low. "You told me on the way to your house that you were looking for me. You said you came back to the bar because you didn't know how to find me."
She spoke carefully, slowly, her eyes locked on his—searching for signs her lie was working.
Jeddah's brows furrowed. He looked left, then right, trying to recall. Trying to believe her.
But her phone rang again.
This time, he picked it up.
"Hey, you bitch," the voice barked. "You think you can ignore my calls now just because you're with my man? I've been waiting for updates for days and you've said nothing. You think I'm dumb? You think I don't know you're in Jeddah's bed and refusing to leave?
"You think you can steal him from me? You think any girl has succeeded in two years? No way. You better answer me, or I swear, I'll do something you'll regret.
"I'm coming there. Right now. I'm working on Plan B. And it's going to be nasty. I'll beat the hell out of you and make you cry while I accuse you of being his mistress. Just wait. You know how crazy I can get."
Click.
Call ended.
Jeddah didn't say a word.
The air thickened. Luna could barely breathe. Her head spun.
She was in trouble.
But she knew—Stacy was in deeper trouble.
Stacy showed up earlier than expected, burning with rage.
"Jeddah!" she shouted from the door. "I know there's a girl in there! You're cheating! The agreement says no girl stays till daybreak! You've kept one for days! I swear I'll ruin you!"
She barged into the bedroom—only to find it empty.
Jeddah sat in his study, back turned, hand on his chin, pen in hand. In front of him: a document. A contract.
He turned slowly. Calm. Calculated.
Stacy's eyes darted to Luna, kneeling quietly on the floor. Head down.
"Welcome," Jeddah said coolly. "You sounded pissed on the phone."
Stacy brushed her hair over her shoulder, forcing composure.
"Okay, so you figured out our plan. So what?"
Jeddah laughed. Loud.
"You're a fool. A big one. You let two women play you like a violin. Not one. Two. At thirty-five, Jedidiah Bamidele Ayobami. That's sad."
He turned to her, cold and smug.
"What were you trying to gain? You thought I was in love with her?"
Luna stood up.
"Look, I was paid to do a job. I tried. But he's too difficult. I'm done."
She turned to Stacy.
"Can I at least get my balance?"
"You're not going anywhere," Stacy hissed. "Neither of you. You disrespected me."
"Stacy," Jeddah said slowly, "we had a contract."
"We do."
Jeddah stood and walked toward her.
"We did. Not anymore."
He held up the contract.
"Says here, if one party plays foul or manipulates the other—the contract is void. And there's a penalty."
Stacy laughed bitterly.
"You can't do that to me, Jeddah. I own a major stake in your company."
"Not you. Your father."
"I could bring that company down."
Jeddah smirked, walking back to his chair.
"You breached the agreement. I've been waiting for this day."
Stacy bit her lip, furious.
"Damn that foolish lunatic girl," she muttered. "Should've known 'Luna' was short for 'Lunatic.'"
Jeddah smiled inwardly.
Finally, freedom from Stacy.
But he knew—the real war had just begun.
She had files. Private things. Business. Personal. Everything.
He needed a plan—to silence her before she turned his life into ashes.
"If you want to play dirty, Jedha," Stacy hissed, "be my guest."
And with that, she stormed out.
It had been a hell of a day. The kind Jedha hadn't experienced in years.
Sure, he'd had tough days—but those were business. Clean. Solvable.
This? This was chaos.
He needed air. So he went to the bar—the same place it all began.
This time, no girls. Just drinks. And his friend.
He'd had enough of women. For now.
"What about that one?" Sterling asked, pointing. "Fine girl."
"Oops. Never mind. She's fine for fists, not for feelings."
Jeddah said nothing.
Sterling kept watching. He couldn't believe Jeddah would leave the bar without someone.
"Sterling," Jeddah said suddenly, "how did Stacy know I was coming to the bar to find that girl?"
The question he prayed wouldn't come.
"Bro… she threatened me."
"With what?" Jedha leaned in.
Sterling sighed.
"She has videos. Of me. Hooking up. Bed stuff. Real stuff. Pornographic."
"What? No. That's illegal."
"Since when did Stacy care about laws?"
"You're scared and yet you came here to pick up another girl?"
"You're a poetic man, bro," Sterling shrugged. "But hey, her plan helped you uncover everything."
Jeddah didn't respond. For a second, he doubted if Sterling was on his side.
He leaned back, motioned for a drink—then nearly bumped into someone.
"Hey, watch it!" a voice barked. "Is this how guys act now? No gentlemen left?"
Jedha turned. A woman. Tall. Loud. Pink hair. Miniskirt. Bralette. No jacket. Full glam.
She was… a lot.
He looked at Sterling. Sterling looked away. Not his drama.
Jeddah stared back at the other girl with her.
It's her.
He made a face. Kissed the air. Looked away.
"Birds of the same feather," he mumbled.
He nudged Sterling.
"Flop together," Sterling finished.
Kemi pinched Tasha.
"Let's go. This will lead nowhere."
But Tasha wasn't leaving.
"Apologize," she said to Sterling.
"Me? For what?" he laughed. "It was him!"
"Girl, you look good," he added, smirking. "What are you doing with all that body?"
Tasha blinked, confused. Wasn't she supposed to be mad?
"Oh, you think so?"
"I know so."
"I don't even do much," she smiled. "Just sleep, wake up—and boom. All this."
Jeddah placed his head in his palm.
So much for Bro Code.
"So, you're not just crazy—you have crazy friends too. Cool."
Jeddah broke the silence once Sterling and Tasha walked off.
Their exit left a conversation behind—one that could lead anywhere. Or nowhere.
"I'm Jeddah," he introduced.
It was long overdue, and he knew it. But did she?
She didn't reply. Instead, she turned her face in the direction her friend disappeared, silently hoping she returned soon.
"You won't find them," Jeddah said. "Trust me. They're long gone. And the night is still young. So unless you want to die of boredom, you might as well talk to me. I don't bite."
"Oh, you don't?" she shot back. "Funny. I thought biting was the first thing you did when we met."
"That wasn't biting," he grinned. "You should see me bite."
He was flirting with her.
Kemi drew in a long breath, then let it go. This guy had a way with words. He was good. She'd give him that.