---
Chapter Two: Tea and Trouble
Anjola's apartment smelled like fresh lavender and cinnamon buns. Always did. Nestled in a quiet Lekki estate, it was one of those places that felt like a hug the moment you walked in—a stark contrast to the storm spinning inside Tammy's chest.
"Babe?" Anjii's voice echoed from the kitchen. "That you?"
Tammy barely managed a response. She dropped her bag by the door and dragged herself toward the living room couch like a ghost.
When Anjii stepped out, flour on her fingers, a headwrap sitting pretty on her braids, her eyes widened.
"Oh my God," she said, wiping her hands. "Tammy, what happened to you?"
Tammy collapsed on the couch, hands over her face. "You don't want to know."
"I kind of do, actually," Anjii muttered, walking toward her. "Because you look like you just came out of a war. Why are your clothes wrinkled? Where's your wig? Is that—are you wearing a hotel robe under your jacket?"
Tammy didn't answer.
Anjii sat beside her slowly. "Did something happen with Kunle?"
Tammy let out a dry laugh. "You could say that."
"Talk to me."
There was a long silence before Tammy finally said, "I woke up married."
Anjii blinked. "Excuse me?"
"To a stranger. In a hotel."
Anjii's mouth dropped open.
"I don't remember anything after entering the place. I think I was drugged. And the guy? He was drugged too. We were both naked. Marriage certificate on the table. And there were photos—someone took pictures of us."
"Wait, wait, wait—slow down." Anjii sat up straighter. "Are you messing with me right now?"
"I wish I was."
"Who… who's the guy?"
Tammy rubbed her forehead, then dropped the bomb. "Jeremiah Adebayo."
Anjii's scream could've cracked glass.
"JEREMY THE BILLIONAIRE?!"
Tammy shushed her quickly, eyes wild. "Please, keep your voice down."
"Oh my God, Tami. Oh my God. That man is like... Lagos' Idris Elba with a credit score of God. You married him? You accidentally married Nigeria's golden bachelor?!"
Tammy rolled her eyes. "It's not funny."
"I didn't say it was. But babe… do you know what kind of prayers people are praying to land that man?"
"I didn't land anything. It was a setup. Someone drugged us both. Someone wanted this to happen."
Anjii sat back, stunned.
Tammy pulled out a small pill from her purse and popped it in her mouth with a gulp of water.
"What's that?" Anjii asked.
"Emergency contraception," Tammy said quietly. "I don't know what happened last night, but I know what could've happened."
Anjii nodded solemnly. "Smart. Want tea?"
"Yeah. Please."
Anjii stood and moved toward the kitchen. She pulled out a small glass jar filled with dried herbs. "You need to calm your nerves. This is my mum's special mix. Cinnamon, lemongrass, ginger, a touch of mugwort and hibiscus. Works wonders."
Tammy barely registered the ingredients. She just needed something warm in her stomach to settle the dread swirling inside her.
Minutes later, Anjii returned with a steaming mug. "Drink this. Then you'll talk me through everything, start to finish."
Tammy took it with a small "thanks" and sipped.
---
Elsewhere in Ikoyi
Jeremy's penthouse was the polar opposite of Tammy's vibe: clean lines, minimalist furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a panoramic view of Lagos.
He sat shirtless at the edge of his couch, phone to his ear, brows furrowed as he spoke.
"She looked just as surprised as I was," he said.
Wale's voice came through, calm and composed. "You're sure she's not playing a long game?"
"She was freaked out. I don't think she even knew who I was until I said my name."
Tobi laughed on speaker. "You do have that effect. Waking up next to you probably gave her an existential crisis."
"Not the time, Tobi," Jeremy growled.
Zion's voice cut in. "We've scanned CCTV. The footage at the hotel? Tampered with. There's a blank window of 45 minutes. But we caught something at the bar."
"What?" Jeremy stood.
"A woman in red. Sat next to you. Didn't say much. Slipped something into your drink when you turned to answer a call."
Jeremy clenched his jaw. "Do we have her face?"
"Partially. I've got a guy cleaning the footage. But guess who she called after she left?"
"Who?"
"Tony Balogun."
Jeremy's fist tightened.
His business partner.
Bastard.
"You think he's behind this?" Tobi asked.
"I think it's not a coincidence," Jeremy replied coldly. "Tony's been pushing for more shares. This scandal could cost me the CEO seat."
"And the girl?" Wale asked. "Tammy?"
Jeremy sighed. "She's dating Kunle. The tech guy. Second richest after me."
"Oh damn," Tobi muttered. "So it's messy-messy."
"I need to keep this quiet," Jeremy said. "For her sake and mine. No one outside this room can know what happened."
"You mean besides the blogs that already posted your picture with her entering the hotel?" Zion said.
Jeremy swore.
---
Back at Anjii's
Tammy was pacing now.
"I can't tell my parents. My dad will disown me. And my mum… she'll cry blood. And Kunle? God. I haven't even looked at my phone."
"Let's start with Kunle," Anjii said. "Do you still want him?"
Tammy hesitated.
"Be honest," Anjii pressed. "Because Kunle's fine, but he's always made you feel… small."
"I don't know," Tammy admitted. "I thought I loved him. But lately he's been distant. Always 'busy,' always avoiding me."
"You think he could've been part of this?"
Tammy frowned. "Why would he set me up?"
"Maybe he didn't. Maybe someone else used you to get to Jeremy."
Tammy's stomach churned. "Anjii. Do you think I was… raped?"
Anjii walked over and hugged her tightly. "No, babe. Not from what you said. You said he was gentle. That he looked as shocked as you were. Two people, drugged. Not remembering. That's not rape. That's a setup."
Tammy nodded, tears welling up.
"You did the right thing taking that pill," Anjii whispered. "Let's just hope it works."
---
Later That Night
Jeremy stood in his office, tie loose around his neck, staring out the window.
His phone buzzed.
Mum.
He answered.
"My dear son," her smooth voice rang out. "You've made headlines."
Jeremy closed his eyes. "Mum, not now."
"I saw the pictures. She's beautiful. And she looks Yoruba. I like her already."
"It's not real."
"Shame. Because I already told the board that my son finally settled down. And I'd hate to backtrack."
"Mum."
"You've dodged marriage long enough, Jeremiah. Maybe this was a sign."
"I was drugged. It was a mistake."
"Sometimes mistakes are fate in disguise."
He ended the call and dropped onto the chair.
---