Later that afternoon, curiosity got the better of her. She wandered outside into the backyard — an endless stretch of green, a pool glinting in the sun, and beyond that, a private basketball court.
That's where she saw him again. "Ayo" .
Shirtless this time, shooting hoops with an easy, blunt grace. Low key looked like he had personal beef with that basketball. Tattoos covered across his arms and legs it was dense . His muscles flexed under the late sun. If not for his mouth he could have been attractive.
He caught her staring.
And stopped, a crappy smile formed , like he was thinking of a way to exit me from this world.
"Enjoying the view ?" he called out, voice lacking interest and yet taunting.
Adanna folded her arms. " please . I've seen better." the words rolled off her tongue before her brain could process it .
He laughed — a low, rough sound that somehow made her skin crawl , his voice was an obvious hint to a chain smoker . He dribbled the ball once, then tossed it in a perfect arc through the hoop. Nothing but Net.
"oh really," Ayo said, grabbing a towel off a chair. "This place gets really ? And what did I say about you getting in my --"
Before he could finish respond, a sleek black van roared into the driveway. A group of boys — rough-looking, dressed in ripped jeans and leather — climbed off, greeting Ayo with handshakes and laughter.
Gangsters.
Or something close to it.
Chioma's voice rang out behind her, sharp and furious. "Adanna! Come inside. Now."
Adanna hesitated, looking back at Ayo one last time.
He smiled at her, it wasn't a proud smirk but an actual smile— slow and deliberate.
.
.
.
Chioma yanked Adanna by the arm the second she stepped inside, her face a mask of fear.
"Have you lost your mind?" she hissed, dragging her toward the kitchen. "You do not mingle with them! Stay invisible, Adanna. You and I are nothing, let's just make ourselves invisible"
"I was just looking—" Adanna started, but Chioma cut her off with a sharp glare.
"No looking. No talking. Just working. You think we're here on vacation ? No ! We should be working like the guys in TV no questions just work , do you understand?"
But she could see the panic written across her mother's face. Chioma wasn't angry , she was scared of Adanna messing up .
They entered the massive kitchen — bigger than their entire old house — already buzzing with movement. Maids darted between counters, pulling spices, meats, vegetables. Chief Adedayo clearly had summoned a feast for his unexpected visitors.
Chioma shoved a cutting board and a pile of peppers toward Adanna.
"Slice these. Quickly," she ordered, voice low and urgent. "We must not embarrass ourselves."
Adanna muttered under her breath but obeyed, slicing through the red peppers with quick, angry strokes. Her hands moved on their own while her mind wandered back to the backyard.
That look in his eyes like he knew a thousand ways to ruin her , what is he planning?
She shook the thought away and worked faster.
The smell of pepper and onions filled the kitchen. Pots clanged, oil hissed on the stove. Sweat beaded on Adanna's forehead as she helped plate the dishes: steaming jollof rice, spicy grilled chicken and fish, fried plantains, and pepper sauce.
Everything looked perfect.
At least, for twenty minutes , when the shouting started.
Adanna was carrying a tray toward the dining room when she heard the crash — the unmistakable sound of glass breaking.
She froze.
Then came the coughing.
She dropped the tray and ran.
One of Ayo's friends — the shortest, fattest , roughest-looking one — was doubled over by the dining table, clutching his throat, face twisted in pain.
Another boy shouted, "Something's wrong with the food!"
Chief Adedayo stood, his face thunderous.
The butler rushed forward, barking orders.
And right in the center of it all, Ayo leaned back in his chair, watching Adanna with a look she couldn't read.
"Who prepared this?" Chief Adedayo demanded, voice like a whip crack.
Chioma pushed forward immediately. "I...I supervised, sir," she stammered. "My daughter only helped chop vegetables."
All eyes turned to Adanna.
Her stomach dropped. What is this it's not like she pour acid in him .
Before she could defend herself, Ayo stood up, slow and lazy, clapping his hands mockingly.
"Wow," he drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm. "First day and the maid already tried to poison us. New record."
The words hit harder than a slap.
"I didn't do anything!" Adanna snapped before she could stop herself.
Murmurs spread through the room.
The maids froze.
Even Chief Adedayo looked mildly amused at her daring.
Ayo stepped closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head up to meet his eyes.
They were cold. Hard.
"You're right," he said softly, just loud enough for her to hear. "but I beg to differ,... what haven't you not done , let's see , breaking the rules, disrespecting my father by not bowing, indirectly insulting me, trying to poison us. So now dear what haven't you not done ?"
Adanna clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
What kind of accusations is this . This instead a kind of Telemundo is it ? She looked around to make sure this isn't a joke.
"Look here , Mr Man first off, I mean no ill intent," she said, her voice low and steady. "And second if I were to poison you I would have done it , so non of you will survive and tell your friend to stop the act , I studied pre med for 6 months . He isn't poisoned, he mostly likely chocked on fish bone or rice with the amount of weight he has on disrupting his jaw movement."
For the first time, something flickered across Ayo's face.
Amusement?
Is he Mad ? How is this situation funny?