The waves of Ilashe Beach whispered like old lullabies, curling toward the shore in slow rhythm.
It had been Majek's idea.
"You need a break," he said after Banjoko's boardroom coup failed. "We both do. Just a weekend. No emails. No office. No ghosts."
Agnes resisted at first—her mind too wired, her soul still clenched.
But then, late one night, standing at her window staring at a Lagos skyline that never truly slept, she whispered to herself, "What if rest is part of resistance?"
So she packed light.
And they fled to the coast.
The beach house was small, tucked behind flowering palms and driftwood fences. It wasn't opulent—no marble, no chandeliers. But it was clean, silent, and theirs.
They arrived before noon. Agnes wore a straw hat and white cotton slacks. Majek had never seen her so relaxed.
They didn't talk much that first afternoon.
Just walked barefoot, holding hands.
Like maybe love could be simple if the world stopped shouting long enough to let it breathe.
Later That Evening – Bonfire
The crackling of the fire matched the beat of Majek's heart.
He and Agnes sat on a woven mat, legs stretched, zobo in hand, the night air salted and warm.
"You know," she began, "this is the first time in years I've gone somewhere without an agenda."
He smiled. "That's progress."
"It feels strange," she added. "Peaceful. But strange."
Majek leaned back, staring up at the stars. "You're allowed to live. Not just survive."
"I know," she said softly. "But I'm still learning how."
A beat of silence passed. Then she turned to him.
"What are you afraid of, Majek?"
He didn't answer at first.
Then: "That one day, you'll outgrow the man who only knew how to protect you."
Agnes reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his.
"I never asked you to protect me. I just wanted you to stay."
The Next Morning
Sunlight spilled into the bedroom like a blessing.
Majek stirred first, blinking against the soft glow. He looked at Agnes—curled beside him, her breathing slow, a few strands of hair fanned across the pillow.
He kissed her forehead and slipped out of bed quietly.
He needed air. Maybe coffee.
He walked barefoot to the tiny outdoor kitchen behind the house.
And that's when he saw him.
Daniel.
Tall. Fit. Handsome.
Standing by a rental SUV, sunglasses hanging on his shirt.
Majek froze. "Can I help you?"
Daniel gave a tight smile. "You must be Majek."
"Who's asking?"
"Her past."
Inside the House
Agnes stirred to the sound of voices.
She reached for her wrapper, wrapped it tightly, and walked outside.
And froze.
Her eyes widened. "Daniel?"
"Hello, Aggie."
Majek turned sharply to her. "You know him?"
She swallowed. "We… we were engaged. Years ago."
The air thickened.
Majek stepped back. "You were engaged?"
Daniel chuckled bitterly. "Don't act surprised. You didn't really think you were the first man to guard her heart, did you?"
Agnes stepped forward. "Daniel, what are you doing here?"
"I came to find answers. You disappeared after the accident. Then I saw your face on the news, back in charge at SMG, and I realized... you never really closed the chapter with me."
Agnes's jaw clenched. "There was nothing to close. We ended long before the café. You were halfway to Boston. I let you go."
"You disappeared!" he barked. "No calls. No closure. You think I didn't deserve a goodbye?"
Majek looked at her. "Is that true?"
Agnes's lips trembled. "I ran. Back then, I ran from everything. Including people who didn't know how to stay."
Daniel laughed. "And now you think this guy does?"
Majek stepped forward.
"I'm not here to compete," he said. "I've watched this woman survive grief, manipulation, violence, and still choose peace. I won't let you disrupt it because your ego didn't get a sendoff."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
But he turned.
"You win, protector. For now."
He got in his car and drove away, wheels spinning sand.
Inside the House – An Hour Later
Agnes sat at the window, staring at the waves. Silent.
Majek brought her tea.
"Why didn't you tell me about him?"
"I didn't think it mattered anymore."
"It does. Because everything about you matters to me."
She turned to him, eyes misty. "I wasn't proud of who I was then. I let people into my life just to prove I could be wanted. Daniel was... comforting. But not kind."
"Did he hurt you?"
She shook her head. "Not physically. But love that demands you shrink yourself is another kind of bruising."
Majek sat beside her.
"Then I'm glad you left."
"I just wish I had told him the truth."
"You did today. That's all that counts."
That Night – The Shoreline
They walked barefoot again, toes sinking into the cool sand.
This time, there was no holding back.
Majek stopped mid-step, turned to her.
"I've loved you in silence. In chaos. In distance. But I think now I love you in the light."
Agnes touched his face. "Then promise me—when the light dims, when the storms come again—you'll stay."
"I swear it," he whispered.
She pulled him close, rested her head on his chest.
There were no crowds. No titles. No legacies.
Just two people.
Tired. Brave.
And still standing.
Final Scene – Days Later, Lagos
Back at SMG, Agnes stepped into a press conference with new investors. Calm. Controlled.
Majek watched from behind the curtain.
She was dazzling.
When it was over, she walked toward him, dropped her papers, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ready for the next chapter?" she asked.
He smiled. "Only if we write it together."