Sophie glanced at the time on her phone and blinked.
"Wow."
Dayo looked up from his drink.
"What?"
"It's late."
She hadn't even realized how long they had been talking.
The lounge had grown quieter now. Fewer people moved around. The soft music playing overhead had changed twice already.
Dayo leaned back slightly.
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
Most dates with Sophie usually felt like work. Men trying too hard to impress her. Forced conversations. Fake confidence. Loud personalities hiding emptiness.
But this?
She wasn't sure.
And that irritated her a little.
She picked up her bag slowly.
"I should go."
Dayo nodded once and stood up too.
"I'll drop you."
Sophie shook her head immediately.
"I came with my car."
That caught his attention.
"You drove yourself?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
"What?"
"Nothing oo."
Sophie narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Say it."
"You don't really move like most women."
She almost laughed.
"What exactly does that mean?"
"You know exactly what it means."
Sophie adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Maybe I just like independence."
"Doesn't mean I'm different"
"Maybe."
They began walking out of the lounge together.
The hotel hallway remained softly lit, quiet except for the distant sound of elevator doors opening occasionally.
As they walked, their conversation continued naturally.
"So your parents set this up?" Dayo asked casually.
Sophie sighed softly.
"Yes."
"They're pressuring you?"
"You have no idea."
He smiled. "Marriage pressure?"
"Every week."
"And yet you still came."
Sophie looked ahead calmly.
"My mother would've staged a protest in my house if I didn't."
That made him laugh again.
"At least we have that in common"
"Thank God"
"You really don't like being told what to do."
"I like making my own decisions."
He glanced at her briefly.
That confidence again.
The parking lot came into view shortly after.
Sophie pressed her key slightly and her car blinked twice nearby.
Dayo looked at it, then back at her.
"Nice."
"Thank you."
They stopped beside the car.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
The air between them felt different now.
Dayo slipped one hand into his pocket casually.
"So…" he said slowly. "What do I get for surviving your interview?"
Sophie raised an eyebrow.
"Interview?"
"That's what this felt like."
"I don't think you passed"
"Ouch."
She smiled.
Dayo stepped a little closer.
"At least give me something."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Hug? Kiss? Small reward for effort."
Sophie stared at him for a second.
Then calmly extended her hand.
"Goodnight, Dayo."
He looked down at the handshake.
Then laughed softly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He shook her hand anyway.
"Goodnight, Sophie."
She entered her car smoothly and shut the door.
Moments later, the engine started.
Dayo stepped back slightly as she drove off.
He watched the car disappear from the parking lot before exhaling through his nose.
Then he smiled to himself.
Upstairs, Nancy sighed loudly as she dropped back onto the couch.
"This man sef."
She picked up her phone again.
Still nothing.
"How long does one business meeting take?
At first she hadn't minded.
The room itself had been enough distraction.
But now?
Irritation crept in.
Nancy stood up again and walked toward the mirror.
At least the lighting was good.
She opened her camera immediately.
One picture.
Then another.
Then a short video slowly turning toward the balcony view.
"Soft life."
She smiled as she checked the recording.
Her followers would lose their minds if they knew where she was.
Nancy adjusted her hair again before sitting back down.
Maybe he really had business stuff.
Rich men always doing one meeting or another.
Still…
Something felt strange.
She checked the time again.
Too long.
Her phone remained silent beside her.
Nancy folded her arms
"If this one thinks I'll sleep here waiting forever…"
The sound of the door opening interrupted her.
She turned immediately.
Dayo stepped inside calmly like nothing unusual had happened.
Nancy stared at him.
Then slowly raised one eyebrow.
"Business meeting?" she asked.
Her tone suspicious.