At Sarge Restaurant, tension brewed in the air like a storm waiting to break. Saima stormed into the office, barely knocking.
"Why hasn't Vicky shown up in days? What's her deal now? Did she finally bail her mother out of that pitiful hospital bed?" she snapped.
Tonia, barely looking up from her phone, responded with a smirk, "You know how God works — blessings fall upon those who truly deserve them. That's how you ended up with John, and guess what? Vicky just landed that ten-thousand-dollar event contract with Carlos Conferences and Events. She's officially on their team. So why don't you shut that toxic little gap of yours and focus on your man?"
Tonia's words struck like a slap. Saima's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Vicky? Got the 10K contract? That's not possible — she doesn't even have what it takes to run a proper catering gig, let alone plan high-level events! I poured my soul into that application!"
Tonia crossed her arms. "So what? Do you think you were the only applicant? Maybe, just maybe, Vicky's not as alone as you think. She has allies too."
"I didn't even tell her about the opening!" Saima hissed, her voice rising. "I made sure she never knew. So how—how did she get it?"
"Like I said," Tonia shrugged, turning away, "She's not without friends."
Saima grabbed her bag and stormed out, muttering through clenched teeth, "She took John… now the contract? What's next, my whole damn life?"
At Vicky's home, chaos struck. Karen and Ndeshi broke in, ransacking the place in a frantic search for something — or someone. They left the house upside down, drawers yanked out, cabinets flung open. But they found nothing.
Veena, the elderly neighbour, spotted them and raised the alarm. Shouting for help, she stirred the neighbourhood into a frenzy. Karen and Ndeshi fled before the crowd could catch them. Luckily, nothing was stolen or broken — only the silence of Vicky's home was disturbed.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in town, Monica gripped the wheel, her car swerving dangerously as she sped with reckless fury.
Back at Nate's apartment, Kuku Veronica knocked gently on his door. He was getting ready for work.
"I'm sorry… for the way we talked about you," she said softly.
Nate gave a weak smile. "Don't worry. I've accepted it — this is just who I am now. I won't ever be normal again."
"I wish you'd stop saying that," Kuku whispered. "This… this isn't who you were. I miss the old you."
"I'm fine, really. That thing only hits when there's fire. Just keep it away from me, and I'm okay."
Kuku looked down, remorse etched across her face. "I feel terrible about what happened last night. I should've been—"
"It was different," Nate interrupted, his voice distant. "Last night, it was like… someone was there. Not you, not mom, not dad. Someone else. She held me. She told me she wouldn't leave me. She even sang me a lullaby. I felt… safe. Loved. Maybe it was just a dream."
Kuku blinked in silence, stunned.
Across the hall, Ruben entered his room with Cinthia.
"You seriously expect me to believe you made the tea… using the internet?" he asked, raising a brow.
"What else was I supposed to say? You should be thanking me," she replied with a smirk.
"Fine. Thank you. But next time Kuku asks you to make tea, I hope you won't need Google to do it."
Cinthia rolled her eyes. "You want the truth? I could've just told her Vicky made it. That Nate is calmer in her presence. Then Kuku would start believing Vicky's 'the girl', and Catty? She'd be out the window."
Before she could finish, Ruben clamped his hand over her mouth. Their eyes locked — a moment froze. Then he pushed her gently into his room.
"See? Lies are sometimes better than messy truths," she whispered.
"So you think Vicky is the girl?" he asked.
Cinthia nodded. "Of course. I listen to Kuku's crazy horoscope rants."
They both laughed and echoed, "What's destined will happen."
Suddenly, Nate's bracelet lit up, beeping nonstop.
"Give me a sec. I need to undress and change," he said to Cinthia.
"I have no problem with that," she teased.
"I, uh… could die of embarrassment," Ruben stammered, off-guard. Cinthia laughed as she stepped out, shaking her head.
Later, Ruben was summoned to the organization.
Back in Nate's room, Kuku noticed a jacket slung over a chair.
"What's this?"
Nate froze. "It's... Catty's. But we didn't do anything! She probably just forgot it while leaving."
Kuku raised an eyebrow, but didn't press.
"I arranged a wedding planner," she said casually. "She's sweet. Loves kids. You'd like her."
"I thought I was handling that," Nate frowned.
Just then, his phone rang. Jack.
"Hey, Nate. Event approved. Send over your info."
"Sure, give me a sec," Nate said, scribbling down the details — Vicky's details.
"Thanks, Jack," he said, ending the call.
"Jack is back?" Kuku asked, her brows lifting in curiosity.
"Yes," Nate replied, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Well, not exactly him—he re-opened the conferences, but the event was run by this lady. She's the one who organized the business function last night. And, Kuku, I'm telling you, she's incredible. The theme, the menu, the entire flow of the night? Flawless. You really need to cancel your planner."
Kuku folded her arms gently. "I haven't even seen my planner's work yet, Nate. But she carries herself with such grace. She's respectful, sweet, and simple. She also organized an event yesterday."
Nate scoffed. "Exactly! You haven't seen her work. You're going off 'vibes'. Just tell her the engagement's off, problem solved."
"No," Kuku said firmly. "Why don't you cancel yours instead? That girl—my planner—saved my life yesterday. This is my way of thanking her."
Nate blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean, saved your life?"
"At the mall," Kuku explained, her voice turning soft with memory. "I was almost hit by a stack of falling boxes. Out of nowhere, that girl dashed in and pushed me out of the way. She took the hit."
Nate's eyes narrowed. "Wait… how did she know those boxes were going to fall? What if it was a setup?"
Kuku frowned. "Can you stop looking at everything like a trap? Do you really think someone's out to kill us now?"
"Who else was there?" Nate pressed.
"Your wife," Kuku replied, her tone cool and measured. "Listen, let's do this—your planner, my planner. Let's meet them both today, see what they bring to the table, and then decide together."
Nate hesitated, then nodded with a small smirk. "Alright. But I'm warning you—I have a good feeling about mine."
Kuku smiled back, a playful glint in her eyes. "We'll see, won't we?"