s house, Cynthia-Rose understood someth

d dusting. drivers waiting, security men preten

arge, but it di

t the Ikoyi skyline. Lagos looked beautiful from up there. Calm,

e buzzed

Even distant relatives who had never

edge of the b

had posted

ty Snags Bi

der her breat

headli

or Sur

a-Rose's Sudde

t a Number.

ed her face with both hands. "God" she whi

ck came at

is ready," the m

da

ke borrowed clothes,

ready seated at the dining table, calm as always, reading a newsp

en she entered.

she repli

wspaper neatly.

es

to sit. "Eat first

ughed. "I'm n

g your breath,

wly. "They're ca

tired." He

ped you." "Is that eve

w slightly. "That w

t him. "You'

asked calmly

head. "You don

k. "Then expl

ifferent, because you're used to it and powerful. But, when the

ed slightly, not dra

happen if you

ay" she replied. "Your na

s yours," he

s gaze. "At

sat betw

of the house staff hurried in

journalists ou

a-Rose

Fredrick a

five

r stomach d

ood slowly.

ned. "What do yo

h. "Lagos is bored. We've

funny" she s

t her. "I'm

again. A live v

licke

n. Reporters talking about "controv

est ti

up for this"

ser. "You sign

eyes flashing. "And

es

esty hi

e continued. "And I

o we do?"

and toward her. "

d. "You want me

beside me" h

now. "What if they as

y wi

re calm a

quietly. "I

rence unse

she expected. Microphones raised, c

his marriage

se! Are you

ney inv

edrick's hand rested lightly at the small of her back

. We are getting married. There is no scandal, no

o her. "Miss Cynthi

roat w

id not ans

econd, she ap

the flashing lights, at the hu

clearly. "And I am not a pr

rs sp

lled out, "Did h

the moment. The question

presence beside he

Pressure is when you ha

truth. But it was

stions, security gui

sed, and sil

ees fe

im and sat down heavil

new normal

he r

ion rising. "You're too calm.

g. "Everything shakes me.

ied him

ategy" she said. "For

" he replied, "

. "Not for women.

t diffe

dn't

ietly, "Then we wil

e

lingered

and hard. "You say we l

t

I'm fragile" she said. "Tell m

ightly, not in anger

ll weight of my

es

for a moment, t

l what you

e for the first time since saying

anger. The real danger was understanding e

she was re