9—Surprise!
Now was the time. Today was the day.
Folarin rapped on Aramide's door thrice in their secret code, excited to see how she would react to her surprise.
“Come in,” she called. She was settled on the couch under her window with an open Bible on her lap.
“Sorry to disturb,” he started backing away.
She smiled and waved him in. “I’m done. I was just soaking in the moment.”
“Okay,” he closed the door behind him and looked around her room.
He looked around the room that had taken him so long to design. The room was an almost replica of her room back home in size. But the design was where the difference started.
He had selected calming colours, light blues, brown and green. They had taken so long to get everything right.
Her bed was centered on a brown headboard and covered in a soft blue linen. Two doors sat opposite each other, one led to the bathroom and the other was her closet. He added a desk, in case she wanted to work in her room. The desk sat close between the room door and the closet.
He rocked back on his heels, unsure how to proceed.
“Want to tell me what stood out to you the most?” he pointed at her Bible.
She tapped the seat beside her. He settled in and she let out a big sigh.
“I was studying Proverbs, and it struck me that Proverbs isn't just Solomon's book. Well, not only his and Agur, anyway. I believe David also wrote a part of the book.”
“Really? What makes you think that?” Folarin had never heard that school of thought before.
“See here. It says: Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;” She flipped the page and read it out loud. “It's almost like Solomon is writing down the last bit of advice his father gave him.”
She goes on to show him a few more verses that support her belief.
“And—” she flipped excitedly. “I finally got to chapter ten, and look. The proverbs of Solomon. So if chapters one to ten were Solomon's words, why is it just now saying it in chapter ten?”
“This is—” Folarin settled back into his seat. “I've never noticed that before.”
She smiled. “It's beautiful, isn't it. How we can know so much of the Bible and still learn new things every time we pick it up.”
“Yes, it just proves the fact that the word is living and breathing. It's how I always learn new things about you even though I've known you for so long.”
“That sums it up perfectly.” She looked content and glowy.
“Jesus looks good on you,” he commented offhandedly.
“Thanks.” She tucked her Bible away. “I'm ready for my surprise now.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma'am. Let's go.”
“So how do you want to do this? Do you want to blindfold me? Should I—”
“Just come with me. I want to give you a tour of the building before I show you your surprise.”
“Okay,” she practically hopped beside him in excitement. “Let's go then.”
He took her through the complex. Introducing her to staff members and telling her all about the process. It felt a little braggy, but he had always wanted to show her everything that the complex had to offer, everything it could be. It had been her idea, too, and he wanted her to see their teenage ramblings come alive.
“I can't believe you named this place Florine Towers.”
“I said I would. Plus, you came up with the name.”
“When I was sixteen!” she smacked his arm. “It didn't age well. I'm sure you could have thought of something better.”
He shrugged. Yeah, the name was kind of childish, so many people had told him so. Most of all was her Dad, Gbenga (the architect who designed the complex) was a close second. But it felt like a tribute to the girl who had accepted into her home and life without question.
“You were always the smart one.”
“You're smart too. Mr. MBA. Dad bragged about you all the time.”
“I think he just wanted you to forgive me.”
She smiled sadly, and he changed the topic. They still had to talk about that, but not now, not today. Today he was going to surprise her.
The truth was the complex wasn't open to the public yet. Every staff member on the property was an expert marksman. This was the headquarters of Blackguard Security, his company.
It was supposed to be a safe house of sorts. A safe house that ensured the upper-class people they protected still kept their routine. It helped them feel in control even though their life was in danger.
It kept a facade of regular life. A few of them pretended they were on vacation. Which helped their state of calm. The only thing he frowned on was parties and uninvited guests. Those rich snobs he had been hired to protect actually wanted to throw parties because the place was safe.
This tour served two purposes: one was bragging rights, but the other was helping Ara feel less trapped. He had made a big mistake when he brought her here.
He hadn't given her a tour or told her how the complex operated. He still didn't plan to tell her how everything operated yet. He just needed to settle her anxious mind by giving her the freedom to explore the complex without him.
“There are a few bodyguards stationed around the property to ensure your safety. So—”
“So I don't need to drag you everywhere,” she smiled. “This place is amazing, Flo.”
He smiled at the old nickname. “Thanks, I was trying to create an oasis.”
“You definitely did. Maybe we should rename it to that.”
“Hey! I like the name.”
“Folarin!” she glared at him. “Tell me you don't plan on keeping this name forever.”
He shrugged. He had, he had fought everyone just to keep the name. But he couldn't fight her. He could try, but he knew he wouldn't win. He had never won any of their previous fights.
“I will think about it. But Oasis is too generic. If you really want me to change the name, you need to bring a strong contender. Something that will wow me.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re easily wowed if you like Florine Towers.”
He laughed and steered her into the cute cafe that had the best coffee and cute breakfast items.
“Breakfast?” he asked when she stepped in.
“Wow!” she marveled at the decor, hopping from one beautiful display to the next, and he knew bringing her here was the right choice.
He felt himself relax for the first time since he woke up to that empty apartment yesterday. She was okay, she was safe. They had avoided disaster for now.
But for how long? The thought nagged him as he watched her beaming at the person behind the counter. He pushed the thought away and focused on the present.
Hopefully his surprise would ease his worries.
They ordered decaf coffee with a full American breakfast of pancakes, sausages, and the works. They finished their meal in a few minutes. Mide sighed on every bite.
She praised the chef to high heavens before they left the cafe.
“It’s like a luxury hotel with bodyguards,” Aramide said after they left the cafe. “How does it pay for itself in between clients? How many people are here right now? How long?” she spat out the questions. Not giving him time to even answer one before moving to the next.
He kept quiet and let her continue until she ran out of steam. Her business brain was buzzing, trying to understand how the concept paid for itself. He just smiled and let her continue.
“Well?” she finally said. “Aren’t you going to answer my question?”
“Which one?” he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“Right,” she gave him a sheepish smile.
“It’s your homework.” he stopped her before she could ask any more questions. “Figure out the answers to your questions and prepare a presentation slide. If you're right, you get a reward. If you're wrong…” he paused for dramatic effect. “Nothing for you.”
“Ugh, homework.” She rolled her eyes and frowned.
She turned on the charm, switching to puppy dog eyes.
He looked away and smirked. “I’m immune to your puppy dog eyes.”
“How?!” she blinked, shocked by the idea that her charm wasn't working on him.
“I was there when you perfected it, remember.”
“Then why aren't you looking at me?” she jumped, trying to make eye contact with him.
He just looked up ahead. His height was finally paying off. He was not immune to those eyes. Nobody was. Except maybe her cruel in-laws, but she had probably never tried it on them.
“Close your eyes,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders to stop the jumping.
“What? Why?” she narrowed her eyes. “You’re not immune after all,” she looked gleeful.
“Your surprise is up ahead.”
“Oh!” Now she was jumping from pure excitement.
“Close your eyes,” he held her still when she tried to sneak a look.
She tried to swivel her head to catch a glimpse, but he blocked her at every turn, stealth mode.
“Fine,” she sighed and did as he asked when she realised he wasn't budging an inch.
He smiled and led her into the store that held her surprise. He thanked Jacob, the guy there, with a nod.
Jacob tiptoed out of the room and shut the door behind him. Folarin led her further into the room until they were in the middle, close to the best part of the room.
“Surprise!” he called out, and she opened her eyes slowly.
He swallowed the evil cackle that threatened to burst out of him at the look of abject horror on her face.
“You don't like it? I worked so hard on it though.”
She stared at him like she wasn't sure if he was joking or not. He was flat out struggling to hide his smirk of triumph. She may not have liked his surprise, but she had been absolutely surprised by it.
“Is this what you guessed it was? Is it everything you wanted it to be?” he asked the gobsmacked Aramide.
His question finally snapped her out of her shock, and she reached over to punch him. He let her, this once. Because he deserved it for tricking her. But this was the only punch he was going to let land today. He smiled when he considered what the rest of the day had in store for her. She was going to absolutely hate it. He rubbed his palms in glee.
Let the surprise begin.