All Give, All Take

Sleep refused to come.

 Cynthia-Rose lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, listening to the familiar sounds of Lagos at night, generator humming somewhere close, a dog barking, voices arguing in the distance. Her phone lay beside her, screen dark, but her mind was loud.

 One week.

 Seven days to decide whether her life would remain hard and uncertain... or become something she might never escape.

 She turned to her side and closed her eyes, but Chief Fredrick Mba's face appeared immediately. Calm, Confident, and Certain.

 She will say yes.

 The thought made her chest tighten.

 ******

Morning came too fast.

 Her mother was already awake, moving around the kitchen quietly like she was afraid of making noise. Cynthia-Rose watched her for a while before speaking.

 "Mama," she said softly.

 Her mother turned. "Good morning, my daughter."

 They stood there, looking at each other, words heavy between them.

 "You knew about this before yesterday," Cynthia-Rose said. It wasn't a question. Her mother sighed and sat down.

"Yes." "How long?" Cynthia-Rose asked. "Two months."

 The betrayal stung more than she expected. "Two months," she repeated.

 "And you didn't tell me."

 "I was hoping it would go away," her mother said. "But when Chief Mba called again, I knew it was serious."

 "So you discussed me like land for sale," Cynthia-Rose snapped. Her mother's eyes filled.

"God forbid. I discussed survival." Cynthia-Rose laughed without humor.

"So if I say no, what happens?" Silence. "Mama?"

 Her mother looked away. "We manage."

 "That means we suffer," Cynthia-Rose said. Her mother nodded slowly.

Chuka walked in, phone in hand. "Cynthia, have you seen this?"

 He showed her the screen.

 A blog post.

 RUMORS SWIRL AROUND YOUNG STAR AND LAGOS BUSINESS TYCOON.

Her heart dropped. "Already?" she whispered.

"That man works fast," Chuka said. Her phone buzzed immediately after.

 Unknown Number.

She hesitated, then answered. "Good morning, Cynthia-Rose," the voice said calmly. Chief Fredrick Mba. Her stomach twisted. "Good morning, sir."

 "I trust you got home safely yesterday," he said. "Yes."

 "I don't like rumors," he continued. "But Lagos likes noise. Ignore it."

She swallowed. "I didn't invite the rumors."

 "I know," he replied. "That is why I am calling." She waited.

 "I want you to understand something," he said. "Whether you say yes or no, your life will change. Attention has already come." Her grip tightened on the phone.

 "This city does not unsee," he added. Fear crept into her chest. "I'm not threatening you," he said calmly, as if reading her thoughts.

"I'm explaining reality." The line went dead.

 *******

By afternoon, Cynthia-Rose needed air. She met Toke at a café in Yaba. Her friend arrived late, sunglasses on, lips tight. "

So it's true," Toke said, sitting down.

 Cynthia-Rose sighed. "You heard."

 "The whole internet heard," Toke replied. "Cynthia, what did you get yourself into?"

 "I didn't get into anything," she said.

"I was dragged."

Toke leaned forward. "That man is dangerous."

 "Everybody keeps saying that," Cynthia-Rose snapped. "But nobody explains how."

Toke hesitated. "Power changes people. Especially men who've had it too long."

 They sat quietly.

 "What if I say yes?" Cynthia-Rose asked softly.

 Toke looked at her. "Then you better be ready to give up parts of yourself."

 "What if I say no?"

Toke sighed. "Then be ready to struggle."

Cynthia-Rose laughed bitterly. "So either way, I lose something."

 "That's Life." Toke said.

 *******

 That night, she stood on the balcony again, watching the city lights. Her phone buzzed.

 A message.

 Dinner tomorrow. 7pm. No pressure, just talk.

She stared at the screen for a long time before replying.

 Okay.

 *******

 Chief Fredrick Mba's house in Ikoyi was quieter than Mba Tower. No noise, no chaos, just space. He welcomed her alone this time.

"You look tired" he observed.

 "I haven't slept well." she replied.

 "That will change." he said. They sat across from each other.

 "Why me?" she asked suddenly. He studied her.

"Because you are not desperate. And because you are not foolish." She frowned. "You think this offer makes me smart?"

 "No" he said. "Your hesitation does." She looked away. "I won't lie to you," he continued.

"This is not a fairytale. You will give. I will take. I will give too." "All give, all take" she muttered.

He smiled faintly. "Exactly."

 "What if I fall in love with someone else?" she asked.

 He paused. "That would be... complicated" he said. Her chest tightened.

 "And you?" she asked. "What if you fall in love?"

 He chuckled softly. "I stopped believing in that years ago."

 That scared her more than anything. When she stood to leave, he said quietly, "Whatever you choose, choose with open eyes."

 As she walked out, Cynthia-Rose knew one thing for sure. This was no longer just a decision.

 It was a trap closing slowly. And Lagos was watching.