Binary Hearts

96| Pretending Hearts 😶❤️

With the Sunday morning came good news. It was the kind of morning where everything seemed to be falling into place. Tunde's phone buzzed nonstop, filled with congratulatory messages and news headlines. Forbes had just reported that his net worth had surged to $900 million, making him one of Africa's fastest-rising entrepreneurs of the month. The headline read: "Tunde Adeyemi: Africa's New Tech Powerhouse Almost at Billionaire Status." His hands trembled slightly as he scrolled through the articles, absorbing the weight of his achievements.

But as Tunde took a deep breath, another call interrupted his reverie. It was his stepmom.

"Tunde, my dear! I'm so proud of you! Look at you on Forbes!" Her voice was high-pitched with excitement.

"Thanks, Ma," Tunde responded, still processing everything.

"I'm in Lagos. I need you to come to Victoria Island. There's someone I want you to meet. She's a CEO-her name's Ireti Olowu Lawal. You know, from one of our partner companies with Zenith Digital."

Tunde knew where this was going. His stepmom had a habit of "introducing" him to influential people, especially now that he has become the CEO of his father's company.

"Also," she added casually, "you should bring your fiancée with you. I already told her you have one."

"What? I don't have a fiancée, I told you when we met last time," Tunde said, caught off guard.

"Then bring a friend, a girl. It's important. Ireti's daughter is there, and honestly, I don't think she's suitable for you. I told her you're already taken. You wouldn't want me to look like a liar, would you?"

Tunde sighed, realizing he had no way out. "Fine. I'll bring someone."

After hanging up, Tunde paced around the living room, lost in thought. Who could he possibly take? Then it hit him. He needed to talk to Adeola. She could help.

Meanwhile, Paul was gearing up for his own plans. He sipped on a bottle of Kolak Alagbo, a concoction known for its potency. He needed to be at his best-after all, he was going to pick up Bam Bam. Driving his favorite Porsche, he wanted to impress her, especially since they worked together, and failing to meet her expectations would be an embarrassment he couldn't afford.

Tunde found Adeola in her room, scrolling through her phone. She looked up, slightly surprised by his presence.

"Adeola, I need your help," he started, pacing awkwardly.

"Help with what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Look, I need you to pretend to be my fiancée. Just for today."

Adeola blinked, her expression unreadable. She had wanted to be close to Tunde, but she wasn't going to make it easy for him. "Oh really? You need me now?" she teased, trying to play hard to get.

Tunde groaned, frustrated. "Yes, I need you. I promise I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Please."

After a pause, she smirked. "What's in it for me?"

Tunde sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll owe you. Deal?"

Adeola finally agreed, though she wasn't about to let him off the hook that easily. "Fine. But you have to beg a little more," she teased, enjoying the power she held in that moment.

"Deal?" Tunde repeated, offering his hand.

"Deal," she responded with a smile, shaking his hand.

"We need to get matching outfits," Tunde said, pulling her to her feet. "We're going shopping. You need to look the part."

The sun blazed as they arrived at Maison D'Élite, one of the most exclusive boutiques in Lekki. Inside, Adeola tried on dress after dress, each time stepping out of the dressing room to model them for Tunde. He shook his head after each one, sending her back to find something more fitting.

"This one's too flashy," he said, waving his hand dismissively.

Adeola rolled her eyes but couldn't deny that she loved the attention. Tunde, on the other hand, couldn't help but recall the last time he had done something like this-with Adaora. The memory hit him hard as he recalled the intimate moment they shared in a dressing room, when he helped zip her gown and it led to a brief, stolen moment of passion. He shook off the thought as Adeola stepped out in a new dress that seemed to fit perfectly.

"This is the one," he said with a smile, trying to focus on the present.

They picked out a matching senator outfit for Tunde without him even bothering to try it on, trusting Adeola's judgment. Once their outfits were sorted, they headed back home to prepare for the day ahead. An hour remained before they had to leave.

At the same time, Bam Bam stood outside her house, eyes wide as Paul pulled up in his sleek, white Porsche. She hadn't realized just how wealthy Paul was until now. She climbed in, her excitement barely contained as they drove to his mansion.

Inside, Paul wasted no time. They began kissing, their passion intensifying as they moved from the wall to the couch, then to the floor. Every corner of the house became a playground for their desires, with Paul's hands exploring Bam Bam's weak spots. He had been waiting for this moment, and he wasn't going to hold back.

Meanwhile, Tunde and Adeola were on their way to Victoria Island in his Audi Q7. In the car, they rehearsed their story, going back and forth on the details of their "relationship."

"When did we start dating?" Tunde asked, glancing at her.

"Let's say two years ago," Adeola suggested.

"No, that's too long," Tunde replied, shaking his head. "Maybe six months."

"Okay, fine. Six months," Adeola agreed, though she secretly wished it were real. She had always dreamed of being with Tunde, and this charade was beginning to blur the lines between fantasy and reality for her.

They continued to argue playfully about their made-up plans and relationship milestones. Deep down, Adeola wished Tunde could see how much she cared for him, how much she wanted this to be more than just a performance. But for now, she was content to play the part, hoping that one day, their pretend romance might turn into something real.

As they approached Victoria Island, Tunde parked the car, his thoughts racing. The stakes were high, and they both knew they had to play their roles perfectly