Dayo and Joy laid on their sides. Their gazes were on each other. At intervals, Dayo brightened his smile. For him, this was more than perfect. He'd spent the rest of the evening snuggled closely to her while they watched a movie. Even after they retired to bed where they slept on opposite sides and a gap between them. He was grateful that she didn't look away and he was still able to look at her face.

Joy couldn't get his words out of her head. Actually, she didn't wish to. He had said more than she expected to hear. The first time she met him and he welcomed her into his home, she eventually concluded that he was a bit mysterious. As time went by, she realised there was more to him than she thought. Why didn't she say the same words back to him? She should have. She was sure he would have loved to hear those words. Yet, she didn't. She wasn't sure why. Maybe she froze. His words were touching that she worried she might hurt him.

Joy reached her hand to him and lightly stroked his cheek with her fingers. She didn't want to put in much thought into her actions anymore. She didn't want to let her doubts ruin the possible future she might have with him. Joy decided to live in the moment.

Adedayo watched her shift closer to him until there was no space between them. She looked into his eyes. Her heartbeat was fast. When he didn't expect it, she softly kissed him on the lips and said in a low voice. "I love you too."

Dayo felt a weight lift off his chest at the mention of those words. He had no idea he felt that way until now. He'd secretly worried she might not like him enough. At least not as much as he was in love with her. Unable to contend with his excitement, Dayo held her face in his hand and kissed her. This time, it was deeper than the one she'd initiated and with each passing second, their kiss deepened. He'd never felt so much at once. His heart thumped faster and he could barely reason. With great struggle, he pulled away from her, gulped down hard and tried to catch his breath. Adedayo opened his eyes to meet a pair of hers. He could see she was intoxicated with their moment just as he was.

"I... I'm sorry... I got carried away." He told her and she shook her head at him. The words were at the tip of her tongue but she was unable to say them plainly to him. Before he completely pulled away, she held his hand and looked into his eyes. Her lips parted and the right words were still hard for her to find. Her heart raced on and Joy had only one thought. Words might never be enough for her to show her affection towards him. Now, she was ready to cross the only threshold left between them.

Joy placed his hand on her waist. He looked from his hand on her waist and back to her eyes. "Don't stop." She told him. He was still for a few moments. More than anything, he didn't want her to do anything she wasn't sure of. The marriage proposal had come like a surprise to her and even with him popping up the question the way he did, she'd said yes. He would hate for her to feel like it was the same thing in this case and that because they were married, she was obligated to give her body to him.

"We... we don't have to do it." Dayo told her even if a deep part of him would've loved to share this unique experience with her.

"I know but... I want to."

Dayo looked from one orb to the other trying to understand how truly she meant it. When he felt he'd found in them exactly what was enough for him to believe her words, Adedayo drew closer and continued his kiss with her. He kissed her cheek, the nape of her neck and back to her lips. For him, this was his first and he didn't exactly know what to do. Did he worry he might mess it up? Yes, he did but Dayo was going to take his time. During most of the part, he let his sense of touch lead and cherished every little moment of their time together.

Kenny pushed the door open. For a minute, he stood by the door and stared at the room in front of him. From the neatly dressed bed to the shelved books, the velvet curtains by the window, the walk-in closet and her dressing table. Everything was left the same way she left it. He walked into the room and stopped in front of the bed. A memory was fresh in his mind and her laughter echoed in his head. Kenny picked up the small picture frame off the bedside table. A smile drew across his face as he stared at the image of he and Adesuwa, arms interlocked.

He sighed. The search for her was taking long and with each passing day, he worried for her safety.

"We'll find her." Said the older woman who stood by the door. He looked at her. She walked to where he was.

"I know... my only worry is when... When am I going to find her? I'll never forgive myself if by the time we find her, she would've been hurt."

"God forbids it. Nothing will happen to my daughter. Nothing."

"I should have been with her. If I'd waited long enough to see her board the plane, today, she wouldn't be missing."

She kept her hand on his arm. "My son, don't talk like that. No one could've guessed what would happen."

More than feeling regretful, he felt remorseful towards the woman in front of him. He hadn't mentioned to her that he saw Adesuwa a few days ago or that in appearance, she looked nothing like the woman they both knew. Since then, he hadn't seen her again and Mr. Lucky was yet to give him good feedback. He'd decided it was best not to tell her until he had a better lead on where Adesuwa might be.

"I know Adesuwa will come home. She will." Mrs. Irabor said as she walked towards the door. Kenny was glad she had overcome her growing depressive state and was now rather hopeful. To him, that was a good omen.

Adedayo wore the strap of his briefcase over his shoulder and turned away to leave.

"Wait." Joy had called as she hurried out of the bedroom and to where he was. They smiled at each other before he took the lead and stepped out of the apartment. She did the same. Joy locked the door after themselves. Together, they walked hand-in-hand.

"Good morning, Dayo." Isoken greeted them upon sighting them. She was on the verge of opening the shop. "Joy." She added and her smile was a bit crooked. Even more so when she saw their joined hands.

"Good morning, Isoken." Dayo replied without sparing her more than a minute.

Isoken clapped her hands slowly in a rather mocking manner. "Hmm, I can't believe this." She said and spent a little more time staring at them. To her, Joy had shown up like a sudden plague and before she could understand it, Dayo was dangerously infected. Joy hadn't entertained her whims and thus began her hatred for her.

Even though they were in public, Joy gave him a quick kiss on the lips and whispered in his ear. "I love you." Before she pulled away, he held her back and whispered in her ear as well. "I love you too." Their smiles were wide. Joy felt rather sad while she waved to him and he waved back. Right now, she was at the highest peak of her excitement and wished it would never come to an end.

"Congratulations, Mr. Michael." Dayo's colleagues said as they each gave him a handshake and sang praises of him.

"Thank you." He accepted their congratulatory words and his smile was hard to diminish. The news of his marriage spread within them after Dayo asked the principal for a two days break and told him the reason for the break. For years, Dayo had been a good attendee. A good worker. It was hard to say no to him.

"It would've been so nice if we were able to celebrate with you that very day." Mrs. Akiniola intercepted.

"I'm sorry about that. It was a simple court wedding. Maybe, someday, we'll have a gathering big enough to invite you all." Adedayo couldn't help adding. Also, he couldn't help feeling slightly insecure at the mention of the future. He didn't want to think of the fact that he was on borrowed time with Joy.

"No problem. It's not a problem at all. We're so glad for you." Another added and the rest nodded.

"Joy." Bimbo called and immediately, she looked at her, a little puzzled. Mrs. Aderigbe laid the material under the needle of her sewing machine before she steadied her gaze on Joy.

"Are you okay? You spaced out for a long time."

A momentary frown appeared between Joy's brows. "I'm fine." She said before she continued loosening the threads from the clothe in her hands. Bimbo stared at her a little longer. She knew Joy wouldn't want to wash her dirty linens outside. But over the time she had been coming to learn tailoring in her shop, they'd gotten a little closer and she hoped it was enough for her to see her as a friend regardless of their age gap.

"Is there trouble in paradise?" Bimbo asked, determined to find out what her worry was about. "I hope Adedayo is treating you well."

Joy's smile was obvious. "Dayo is always good to me. I'm just... Every day he goes to work, I'm left clueless. I have to wonder all day if he's okay or when he will be back."

An amusing scoff left Bimbo's lips. "Call me him na. Maybe text him." She chuckled and shook her head. "Young lovers nowadays, you people are too funny." Bimbo added before she turned on the machine and allowed it to stitch the material under it. The space for her shop was no luxury but she made do with what she had. Apart from Joy, another young lady worked for her and together, they tried to get the work done on time.

Joy's smile was a shadow of its normal self. She didn't tell Bimbo she had no phone. No way of contacting her husband. Joy knew well that she needed one but she was unfortunate in that aspect. She couldn't afford one and she didn't want to pester Dayo to get her one. He had already spent so much on her. For now, she knew she had to manage.