Chapter 5: When the Cracks Deepened

Dami had always been ambitious sometimes too ambitious. He wanted more out of life, more money, more respect, more power. I could understand his drive because I wanted those things too, but something about his desperation scared me. It felt like he was always trying to prove something, not just to the world but to himself.

One afternoon, he mentioned that his friends had introduced him to someone, a man who could supposedly help them make more money. "This guy's connected," Dami told me over the phone, his voice filled with excitement. "He has businesses everywhere. If I work with him, we'll be set."

I wanted to be supportive, so I told him to go for it if it felt right. But deep down, I had my doubts. I didn't know much about this man or the kind of business they were getting involved in. All I knew was that Dami was eager, maybe too eager and I could sense a storm brewing.

As the weeks went by, things started changing. Whenever I called Dami, his voice carried a strange weight. He sounded stressed, tired, and often regretful. At first, I thought it was just the pressure of a new job, but it became clear that there was more to it.

"I never should've gotten involved in this," he said one night.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart tightening.

"Nothing," he brushed it off quickly. "I'll handle it."

But he wasn't handling it well, at least. I later found out that the man he was working under wasn't his friend's friend like he'd said. This guy was someone else entirely powerful, intimidating, and dangerous. Dami was working under him in a way that didn't feel safe.

One evening, Dami showed up at my apartment, his face clouded with frustration. He paced back and forth, running his hand through his hair as he explained how they'd met the man.

"It was all supposed to be simple," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "But this guy… he's not who I thought he was."

"What's going on, Dami? You're scaring me."

He stopped pacing and looked at me. "I don't know how long I can do this. You know my temper. I can't take the way he talks to me like I'm nothing. But I can't just walk away either."

I didn't know what to say. I was scared not just for him but for us. Dami's temper had always been a problem, and now he was working with someone who seemed just as volatile. It felt like only a matter of time before things exploded.

A few days later, the cracks deepened. Dami called me, his voice frantic. "My car's been seized," he said.

"What? Why?" I asked, already feeling the panic rise.

"Road safety stopped me. They said my papers weren't complete, but I know it's because of my boss. He's behind this. I swear he's trying to ruin me."

I didn't know what to believe, but I stayed on the phone with him, trying to calm him down. The next few days were a blur of anxiety and tension. Eventually, Dami got his car back, but the situation didn't improve. He went right back to his boss's house, and I was left with a growing sense of dread.

My sleepless nights started then. I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was coming. Dami's mood swings were worse than ever. He'd call me one minute, sounding affectionate and sweet, and the next, he'd be yelling over something small. I was walking on eggshells, afraid to set him off.

One evening, around 8 p.m., I decided to step out to get something from a nearby store. The air was cool, but there was a heaviness in my chest that I couldn't ignore. As I approached the gate to my apartment complex, I noticed a figure crouched down near the entrance. My heart jumped into my throat.

I froze, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. The person was hunched over, their face obscured by shadows. Panic surged through me, and I turned to run back inside. But something made me stop. I turned back slowly and took a few cautious steps closer.

"Dami?" I whispered.

The figure shifted, and my fear turned to shock. It was him but something was wrong. I ran toward him, my breath catching when I saw the state he was in. His clothes were stained with blood, his face pale and twisted with pain.

"God, Dami! What happened?" I cried, kneeling beside him.

He tried to smile, but it turned into a grimace. "I… I argued with my boss," he said weakly. "I just wanted to see you. I was driving here when… the accident happened."

My mind was spinning. I didn't know what to focus on the blood, his words, or the fear that gripped me. His phone rang, and I saw his brother's name on the screen. I answered it with shaking hands.

"Where's Dami? Is he okay?" his brother asked, his voice thick with worry.

"We're at my apartment," I said, barely holding back tears.

Minutes later, his brother arrived, and the sight of his only sibling covered in blood broke him. We cried together, the fear and helplessness overwhelming us. But there was no time to fall apart. We had to get Dami to the hospital.

The ride there felt endless. Dami drifted in and out of consciousness, and every time his breathing slowed, I thought I'd lose him. At the hospital, the doctors rushed him in for treatment, and I sat in the waiting room, my mind replaying everything that had led to this moment.

Hours passed before we got any news. When the doctor finally came out, his face was calm but serious. "He's stable," he said, and I felt the breath I hadn't realized I was holding leave my body. "But he's been through a lot. He needs rest and time to heal."

We were allowed to see him briefly, and when I walked into the room, my heart broke. Dami looked so small and fragile, a stark contrast to the confident, fiery man I'd fallen for. I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

"For what?" I asked, tears spilling down my cheeks.

"For everything."

I didn't know what that meant, but I didn't push. Right then, I was just grateful he was alive. But deep down, I knew this was far from over.