ORNAMENTS✅

Chapter Fifty Four

8th Arrondissement, Paris
2023

After bidding goodbye to Khalti and Teta in Morocco—They made me promise I'll come visit before i return to Nigeria.

I finally landed in Paris, making my way to the Shangri-La Hotel. This wasn’t just any hotel—it was a former palace, now transformed into a 5-star sanctuary. I’d heard so much about it, so when I made my reservations, I knew I had to experience its opulence firsthand.

I took a few pictures and videos to capture the moment, savoring the anticipation of what was to come, before settling into the quiet luxury of my suite, eager for the next day to unfold.

Whenever I lie down or close my eyes the only thing, I see is Umaimah. The feeling that i was going to be her husband i couldn't shake it off, how will our lives be?

With that thought I slept the morning arrived softly, the light gently streaming in through the grand windows of my room. I stood up, went through my usual routine, and sat down to a delicious breakfast. I re-edited my poem, letting the words flow once more as I memorized each line, each syllable. The poem; It has to be perfect. For it's not just any poem, it was a chance forme to prove my self—a once in a lifetime opportunity that not everyone gets. The quiet of the morning gave me time to reflect, and my heart swelled as I looked at the wedding page Maria created. It was growing with every passing day, and I couldn’t help but imagine how it would soon be filled with beautiful pictures of Umaimah and I, Romantic pictures of our wedding. God, I can't wait.

I Facetimed Nini, and though I saw that she’d tried to reach me the day before with a missed call, I hadn’t had a chance to call back. She answered, her voice light and teasing. “Mutanen France,” she laughed.

We chatted for a while, and then I called Umaimah, my thoughts swirling with the future, the wedding, and the journey that awaited us.

The Shangri-La Hotel was everything I had heard it would be, and more. It was a haven of peace and quiet luxury, with every detail curated to perfection. I shared a photo on Instagram, marking my location, because, well I wanted the hype. From my suite on the third floor, I could catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from a distance, I wished this was my room with Umaimah. We will be cuddling by the and be watching the Eiffel tower.

Tomorrow was the big day—the Forbes Leading Men 2023 event in the 8th Arrondissement. I would be reciting my poem before the world’s most influential figures. The excitement of being invited to such an exclusive gathering still hadn’t quite hit me. I had performed at prestigious events before, but this—this felt different. It wasn’t just a chance to showcase my talent; it was a moment that could change everything.

That afternoon, I took a short walk through the  streets of Paris. The weight of the upcoming performance was heavy on my mind. A thousand eyes would be on me. What if I didn’t live up to their expectations? What if the world didn’t see me the way I saw myself? What if I messed up? What if everyone flops and i get laughed at.

I found my way to Van Cleef & Arpels, a world-renowned Parisian jeweler. Paris had long been known as the city of love, but the artistry here was something else entirely. I had visited many luxury boutiques around the world, but there was a richness to the history at Van Cleef & Arpels that spoke to me deeply.

The bell chimed softly as I stepped inside, and the saleswoman, dressed in an elegant black suit, greeted me with a smile. “Bonsoir, monsieur. How may I assist you?”

“I need something special… for my fiancée,” I said steadily  “She means everything to me. I want it to be perfect just like her.”

She led me to a display case, and my eyes immediately fell on a delicate diamond bracelet. Its intricate design, a dance of interwoven leaves, felt as though it was made just for Umaimah—beautiful, but understated. Just like her.