Chapter 004

My head was throbbing when I woke up, and I smelled something I couldn't identify. I opened my eyes and adjusted to the faint light coming in through the heavy curtains. The room was new to me; it was sleek and simple, and there was still a hint of pricey cologne in the air. For a few period, I laid there attempting to recall how I got here, but everything returned in a dizzying rush.

The gathering. Yemi's treachery. the unfamiliar person.

As I attempted to put everything together, my heart skipped a beat. I had hardly heard of him. But I could still clearly remember his words and touch.

A one-night stand. It was intended to be just that—an escape, a brief error of judgment, a means of ignoring Yemi's suffering. However, there was more to it than that because of the intensity with which he had gazed at me. It had been... strong.

My body ached in unexpected areas when I sat up. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and winced because they felt heavy. Although the room was spotless, there was an air of icy disinterest, as if no one should really remain there. I looked about in the hopes of finding a clue to my location, but nothing caught my attention. As if the man who had brought me here had no personal association with this place, everything was immaculate and unaltered.

I got up and moved toward the big windows, opening them slightly to let in a little light. The outer world appeared serene, too serene for the events of the previous evening. I took out my phone as it buzzed in my pocket, partly expecting to see a message from Yemi. Rather, nothing was present. I just got a missed call from Linda, my dearest friend.

For now, I choose to disregard it. I had more pressing concerns.

I turned back to the room and saw a small card nicely arranged on the nightstand, something I had never seen before. I approached it, carefully unfolded it, and picked it up. The ink flowed precisely, and the calligraphy was exquisite.

"Toyosi, I hope you got what you needed last night. We'll definitely cross paths again soon. -N

When I read the letter, I felt cold. N? The man whose touch had pushed everything else aside, the man who had spoken so authoritatively to me—was he N?

It was unbelievable to me. The person I had slept with was suddenly more mysterious than before. In an attempt to make sense of it, my mind raced. Who was this individual? With me, what did he want? He was not your typical man, judging by the strength he radiated and the way he spoke. Furthermore, this vague note has just made matters more confusing.

I inhaled deeply and stuffed the card into my pocket as my mind was racing. I had to go, return to my flat, and decide what to do next. I had no idea what had happened, but I was certain that my life was about to change in ways I could never have predicted.

I picked up my phone and headed for the door, but before I could touch the handle, I heard footsteps coming from the corridor. My heart stopped beating. My initial reaction was to run away and hide, but I refrained. I was unable to. They were getting closer, whoever they were. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as the sound of footfall increased. I didn't need to bump into him just now.

With my back to the door, I turned around and hoped the person would go by.

But suddenly the door opened and I saw him directly.

I was momentarily paralyzed when his eyes—those same dazzling emerald eyes—met mine. Even though I couldn't read his face, there was something about his posture that startled me.

With his voice as silky and low as before, like if nothing had changed between us, he continued, "You're up early."

I was unsure of how to react. I had trouble finding words since my mouth felt dry. "What is this place, exactly?" With a shaky voice, I managed to say.

A tiny smile of understanding twisted his lips. "You can't recall? I assumed that by now you would feel more at ease in your own flesh.

I couldn't decide if I should kiss him or smack him. It was unnerving the way he spoke to me, as if he knew exactly what had transpired between us. No embarrassment or remorse was evident. It seemed as though everything had gone according to his plan.

My chest grew irate as I yelled, "I don't know what you're playing at." "You left me a note and brought me here. You appear as if it's normal now?

He took a step closer as his eyes briefly clouded. "Slow down. I have no games to play. I simply wanted to check in with you.

"All right?" I raised my voice and echoed incredulously. "You believe that given what transpired last night, I'm okay? Following what you did?

He didn't recoil. He looked at the card I had shoved in my pocket instead. "I see you read the note. It was to be anticipated. You were aware that this was more than just a one-night fling.

I started to argue, but I didn't say anything. I wanted to scream and ask him why he seemed to have so much power over me, as well as who he was and what he wanted. But in some way, he had constructed a web around me, and the words felt trapped.

His voice grew softer as he went on, "You're not as ignorant as you wish to think." "And you underestimate how much more capable you are."

I couldn't comprehend a word he was saying, so I just stared at him. Who was he? Why was he so composed? More significantly, why did I feel as though I had just entered an unfamiliar world?

"I—" I muttered a curse as my voice wavered. "I've finished this. I don't want to interact with you at all.

With a slight smirk on his lips, he lifted an eyebrow. "We'll check on that."

He took a step back and clicked the door shut behind him before I could say anything else.

His words weighed hard on my shoulders, and my heart thumped in my chest. I didn't know what type of game he was playing, but I knew for sure that I had just gone too far.

Furthermore, there was no turning back.