I still remember the first day I saw you, AbdulJawwad. I don't know what kind of spell you cast on me, but I swear, my heart skipped a beat—maybe even two. I tried to ignore it, to act like I wasn't completely drawn to you, but the truth is, I fell for you from that very moment. And ever since then, you've been stuck in my head, completely rent-free.

I wanted to keep my pride, to pretend like I didn't care, but let's be real—I'm losing that battle. Here I am, against all my better judgment, throwing my guard to the wind and telling you exactly how I feel. As a woman, maybe I shouldn't be making the first move. Maybe I should be waiting for you to notice me, to come to me. But who am I kidding? I can't keep pretending.

So, here it is; unfiltered, unguarded, and straight from me to you. I like you. I've liked you from the start. And now, the ball is in your court.

What are you going to do about it?

-Yasmin

Jawwad read Yasmin's message again, his eyes scanning the words carefully, as if trying to make sure he wasn't imagining things.

She never gets tired, does she?

By now, he should be used to her flirty texts, but somehow, it still felt off. It was almost criminal, the way she keeps throwing herself at him, making it clear that she wanted more than just a mutual thing.

And what made it worse was how bad he felt about constantly shutting her down. He wasn't the type to lead someone on, and yet, no matter how many times he ignored her, she just didn't stop.

For the first time, he found himself actually thinking about it. Maybe he should give her a chance. Maybe his heart wasn't completely against it.

But his mind?

His mind was rejecting the idea immediately. No. He wasn't interested in her like that.

Exhaling sharply, he dropped his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair. There was no point in wasting time thinking about things that didn't matter. He had a meeting in less than an hour with important clients, and that was where his focus needed to be. No distractions.

Meanwhile, Yasmin sat on her bed, staring at her phone screen with an irritated expression. No reply. Again.

She let out a low hiss, her fingers gripping the phone tightly.

Her heart burned with annoyance.

She loved Jawwad. No, she was obsessed with him.

From the very first day she saw him, she knew she wanted him. And when Yasmin wanted something, she did everything in her power to make sure she got it. He was perfect. Too perfect. His presence, his voice, his aura—everything about him made her feel things no other man had ever made her feel.

And yet, no matter what she did, he kept pushing her away.

Why?

Didn't he see how much she wanted him? How much she was willing to do for him?

She had never been this desperate for any man before, but Jawwad was different. He wasn't like the ones she played around with for money or favors. He was the one she wanted to claim as hers.

And she would.

No girl was going to take him from her. Not Laylah. Not anyone.

Thinking about Laylah made her stomach twist in anger. That girl had never shown interest in Jawwad before, so why now? Just because she suddenly realized he was worth something?

Yasmin's jaw tightened.

She needed to act fast. Before Laylah tries something stupid.

Before she loses him forever.

Just then, her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly checked the caller ID, her heart racing slightly.

Jawwad?

No.

It was Laylah.

Yasmin's lips curled in annoyance, but she still answered the call, her voice immediately switching to its usual sweet tone.

"My baby girl," she cooed, as if she wasn't just cursing Laylah in her head.

"Yasmin, please come over," Laylah's voice came through the speaker, sounding urgent.

Yasmin rolled her eyes slightly. "Ah-ah, what's happening? You sound like you have gist."

"I have plenty to tell you," Laylah sighed dramatically. "Just come, I'll pay for your Uber."

Yasmin smirked. "See how you're bribing me. Is it about Jawwad?" she teased.

Laylah hissed. "Dan Allah, just hurry up. Amina is also on her way."

Yasmin laughed but then asked, "What about Safiya?"

Laylah scoffed. "That one? She went out with her cheap, ugly boyfriend."

Yasmin burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Wallahi, Laylah, you have no filter."

They ended the call after a few more exchanges, and the moment Yasmin hung up, her expression dropped.

She didn't even like going to Laylah's house anymore.

Not because she didn't enjoy the gossip or the comfort of being in a rich girl's mansion, but because Jawwad might see her.

Even though she had sent him her pictures before, he never seemed to recognize her. That was a good thing. That meant he didn't know she was Laylah's friend. Because if he ever found out... it would be a disaster.

She had to be careful. She had to keep hiding until she was sure she had him wrapped around her finger.

She was even willing to cut off all her friends if it meant having him.

That was how deep her obsession ran.

Sighing, she got up and adjusted her dress, smoothing out the fabric before heading to her mother's room. She needed to inform her that she was going out.

Her mother sat on the old, worn-out mattress, flipping through her small phone, her face looking dull and tired from the struggles of life. The moment she saw Yasmin walk in, she gave her a revolting look.

"And where do you think you're going?" her mother asked, her voice laced with disapproval.

Yasmin folded her arms. "To Laylah's house."

Her mother scoffed. "And what are we supposed to eat today?"

Yasmin hissed lightly, already irritated. "I'll buy something when I'm coming back."

Her mother muttered something under her breath and went back to her magazine.

Yasmin ignored her and stepped out of the room.

Her house wasn't anything like Laylah's mansion.

It was a simple, two-bedroom flat in Kubwa. Small, cramped, and nothing fancy. She lived here with her mother and younger sister, struggling to get by each day.

But she was the one keeping them afloat.

Laylah's money.

Her rich men.

One of them was paying her school fees. Another was funding her expensive lifestyle. And Laylah? Laylah helped her family when things got too hard.

That was the only reason she even agreed to go to Laylah's house today.

To get money from her.

Because at the end of the day, survival came first.

**

Yasmin sat in the back of the Uber, her fingers tapping lightly on her lap as she stared out of the window. The ride to Guzape was long, and the farther they went, the more her mind wandered.

Jawwad.

She had never wanted anything as much as she wanted him.

Her eyes gleamed with obsession as she imagined what life would be like if she were in his arms, if she lived in his house as his wife. Just thinking about it sent a strange thrill through her body.

She would do anything to make that happen. She didn't care about consequences. She didn't care what would happen if she got caught in her schemes. All she wanted was Jawwad, and she wasn't going to stop until she had him.

Her thoughts were so deep that she barely noticed when the driver pulled up in front of estate. It wasn't until he spoke that she snapped out of her fantasy.

"We're here," the driver announced.

Yasmin blinked and quickly directed him to their unit and then the house number. She paid him before stepping out.

Her gaze immediately shifted to the large, magnificent house across the street—Jawwad's house.

Her heart raced at the sight of it.

One day, I will live there.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she imagined herself walking through its doors, holding his hand, being introduced as his wife to his family she has zero idea of. The thought filled her with excitement, made her feel more determined. Nothing else mattered. Only Jawwad.

With that thought, she turned on her heels and walked into Laylah's compound. The gateman opened the door for her, barely sparing her a glance as she stepped in. She greeted him quickly and made her way to the house.

As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Laylah's mother sitting in the living room, scrolling through her phone. Yasmin immediately knelt and greeted her with the sweetest voice she could muster.

"Ina Yini, Mamii."

Mamii barely looked at her, only nodding slightly before muttering a response. "Lafiya kalau. Laylah is upstairs."

Yasmin's stomach twisted a little. She had always felt uncomfortable under Mamii's gaze. She could tell Laylah's mother didn't really like her, and deep down, Yasmin didn't like her either. But she was always careful to act like the perfect friend in front of her.

Nodding quickly, she stood up and headed for the stairs, climbing up to Laylah's room.

The moment Yasmin pushed the door open, Laylah squealed in excitement. "Yasmin! Finally!"

Yasmin grinned and hugged her before turning to Amina, who was sitting calmly on the bed. "Amina, my love," she teased, pulling her into a brief hug.

Amina smiled softly. "Welcome."

Unlike Laylah and Yasmin, Amina was always calm, always different. She didn't get carried away with gossip or unnecessary drama. She was always trying to keep them in check.

Yasmin flopped onto the bed beside Laylah, stretching her legs. "So, what's the gist?"

Laylah rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's about my stupid cousin, Khairi."

Yasmin raised a brow. "What did she do?"

Laylah let out an annoyed sigh. "She came from Yola with her mother, Yapendo, and I swear, I already regret her coming."

Amina chuckled. "What happened?"

Laylah crossed her arms. "Yesterday evening, Jawwad came over, and do you know what that girl was doing? She was throwing herself at him like a fool!"

Yasmin's heart skipped a beat.

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.

Laylah huffed. "She was all over him. Smiling, laughing, talking as if they've known each other forever. And do you know what's worse?"

Amina raised a brow. "What?"

"He was responding!" Laylah threw her hands up. "He was actually laughing with her! Smiling! Meanwhile, he didn't even look at me!"

Yasmin felt like the ground had just been pulled from under her feet.

A threat.

Khairi was a threat.

Amina, sensing the rigidity, spoke softly. "Maybe she doesn't see him the way you do. You should take it easy."

Laylah scoffed. "You didn't see how she was acting. She was being nosy, flirty, acting like she had the right to be near him. I swear, I can't stand her."

Yasmin's jaw clenched. "Where is she now?"

"She went out with my annoying brother, Bilal." Laylah waved a hand dismissively. "He's another problem. He keeps pestering me, saying he loves me." She rolled her eyes. "I don't even know what to do about him."

Yasmin smirked. "Just handle him the way you handle other guys."

Amina shook her head immediately. "Laylah, don't listen to her. You shouldn't play with people's feelings."

Laylah shot her a look. "Why do you always have to be the good one?"

"Because someone has to," Amina replied firmly. "And if you try anything stupid with Khairi, I'll tell Mamii."

Laylah groaned. "Fine! But she and her mother are leaving in a few days anyway, so I'll just endure it."

She shifted the topic back to Jawwad.

"Yasmin, have you started messaging him with the new number?"

Yasmin sighed, feigning disappointment. "I did. But he didn't reply. I messaged again, and I think he blocked the number."

Laylah groaned helplessly and turned to Amina. "What do I do now?"

Amina smiled. "Pray about it. If it's good for you, Allah will bring him to you in the easiest way."

Yasmin's heart sank with envy, but she kept her face blank.

Laylah, however, rolled her eyes. "Amina, you're so bad at giving advice."

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking, laughing, and gossiping. Laylah even told them how Ya Umar humiliated her last week in front of Jawwad after she poured kunun aya on Bilal.

By evening, Yasmin finally brought up what she really came for.

"Laylah, please. I need some money for an emergency back home."

Laylah didn't even hesitate. She transferred Yasmin some money without a second thought. Yasmin smiled, satisfied. Laylah was so easy to use.

As they got up to leave, they started heading downstairs.

But just as they reached the last step, the front door swung open.

Ya Umar walked in first.

Jawwad followed closely behind.

And right behind them—Khairi and her mother.

Yasmin's heart nearly stopped.

Laylah's stomach twisted with irritation.

Jawwad was with Khairi. Again.

Yasmin, on the other hand, was frozen in fear.

If Jawwad saw her...