"WHO EVER THOUGHT CASH WOULD BE THE PROBLEM?" I complained frustratedly as I adjusted the straps of my gown, walking into the living room I designed to be his game room.

It didn't cost much as I only placed a couch, carpet and a 93 inch tv he bought specifically for that. Now it isn't a problem to me as I didn't buy it myself, but I know for a fact that I wouldn't have spent that much money on a tv I would play games on. But hey, that's just me. I guess.

He was seated on the couch, his head leaned back on the pillows and headphones perched on his head. I could hear him mumbling something to probably one of his friends playing the game as well.

His head snapped in my direction at the sound of my voice, his large eyes in taking my figure.

"We're talking about Nigeria." He threw me a pointed look. "Nothing should surprise you anymore." He further added.

"It's just mind blowing. They literally tell you to work and earn your money and you do just that, but spending it is a problem." I huffed walking around the couch to sit beside him.

His hands reached to zip my dress taking the words right out of my mouth, causing a smile to replace the frown on my face seconds ago. My heart fluttering at the small gestures he does unconsciously.

"Are you having problems getting it?" He quirked a brow, his hands clutching the control lowering to his lap.

"Yeah, my gas is pretty low. Ismail just told me he couldn't get more because the filling station wouldn't accept transfers. Who does that." I scoffed, my gaze on the paused game on the tv.

"You can take mine. I got enough." He offered.

"What about you?" I tilted my head to the side.

"Don't plan on going out today. Hafiz has everything under control." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Thank you." I beamed clasping my hands together, resting the left side of my cheek on them. He offered me a lazy smile in return. I stood from the couch to finish getting dressed before I got late once again.

"Sumaya." He drawled.

I hummed looking over my shoulder, my brows raised meeting Ibrahim's eyes.

"Drop by the bank. They'll give you what you need." He instructed snatching his phone off the couch laying facedown on the couch. His phone didn't have a phone case which bothered me, but his simple reason was he preferred it bare, and it would only disguise the phone's beauty.

I bit my lip trying to fight back the stupid grin that wanted to make an appearance. His eyes roamed around the bright phone screen briefly before he raised his eyes to meet mine.

"I love you." I blurted earning a laugh from him, throwing his head back pushing his head further into soft cushions. My smile widened at his reaction, his infectious laugh making it hard not to.

"That was unexpected." He mused.

"It was something I had to muster the courage to say. I can't believe you." I gasped splaying my hand across my chest, appearing hurt and betrayed.

Ibrahim craned his neck in my direction, his brows furrowing in the process. "Did I ruin your perfect moment?" His eyes enlarged, feigning surprise.

"The perfect guy is supposed to whisk me away with his money and how romantic he is." I said dramatically.

"You weren't joking about him being perfect." He muttered. "What kind of scenarios were those writers online feeding you." He scrunched his brows in incredulity.

"What?" I raised my hands. "I would like you to know it isn't as bad as you think it is. They brought up nice scenarios." I let my hands drop to my sides. He gave me a deadpanned stare letting his stare speak for him.

"It was nice when I was younger." I poorly defended. His expression didn't falter eliciting a groan from me before a smile briefly crossed my lips.

"Guess my plan to show you just how much I love you later on isn't necessary." I muttered loud enough for him to hear, shrugging my shoulder innocently.

His brows furrowed proceeding to sit up tugging his headphones to his neck, his undivided attention on me.

"What do you mean?" His large eyes bore into mine, his head tilting to the side. I couldn't help but smile at the focused look on his face as I leaned down to peck his lips which he was quick to return.

My eyes fluttered closed unconsciously as my hands roamed to his hair, tilting my head for a better position emitting a throaty groan from him. I felt his lips stretch into a smile against mine before he pulled away, his eyes glued to my lips.

"I need to go to work." I whispered regretfully only for him to peck my lips once again. I giggled when he placed another peck after another until he finally pulled away, his thumb coming to graze my lips.

His eyes flickered from my lips to eyes as he pulled his bottom lip in his mouth. "Do you really have to go to work?" He asked lowly, his brows raising in the process.

I let out a laugh straightening up to fix  my dress dusting the invisible dirt off them, before meeting his almost disappointed eyes. I chuckled picking my bag off the floor when we got a bit carried away, and I started entertaining his idea in my head. But I never wanted the easy way.

"Marinate on it." I wiggled my fingers at him, making my way out of the room feeling triumphant.

•••

I stepped out to the scorching sun with my heels crushing the gravels underneath my heels. I unlocked the car by using the button on the key, the car bleeping as the lights flashed momentarily.

The grey Audi Q8 glistened under the scorching sun fueling my confidence even more. I sauntered to the car letting myself in, securing the seatbelt. I grinned rubbing my palms over the smooth steering wheel.

"Let's do this." I muttered under my breath tightening my hold on the steering wheel. I didn't bother to wait for the car to warm up and pressed on the accelerator, knowing it was already taken care of. I sped out of the compound and onto the almost empty street.

I zoomed the car into one of the empty spaces on the parking lot, steeping out seconds later. A few eyes bounced from the car to me but I ignored it, strutting toward the entrance with no care in the world.

I bumped into the intern who was assigned as my assistant on my way to the elevator. "Good morning." She greeted and I smiled in return.

"Morning. Oh yeah, did we get a response from the girl who contacted us earlier?" I asked.

"No unfortunately not." She folded her lips.

"That's that I guess." I mumbled stepping out of the elevator as soon as it slid open. Now I was planning on going to my office and work peacefully but I guess my life wasn't ready for a drama free day when Halima approached me with a file pressed to her chest.

"He's looking for you." She informs me flatly already walking towards the office.

I rolled my eyes following behind her, my lips turned up in distaste. She pushed the door open walking further into the office leaving the door open for me to walk in. I closed the door behind me taking a few steps closer.

"You called me, sir?" I asked after exchanging pleasantries. He nodded gesturing me to sit whilst he said something to Halima.

"There's a case I want you both to work on. I know you have impending cases but this is urgent. Go to the ministry and they'll give you whatever you need." He instructed.

A frown made it's way to my face at the request but I fixed my face. Everyone knew Halima and I didn't get along, couple with the fact that she sabotaged me multiple times.

It made no sense.

"Sir, If I may," Halima started and he nodded, urging her to speak. "I'm capable enough to take this case on my own, and with the new intern, it would speed up their learning process." It wasn't a surprise she emphasized on her abilities.

"There's a reason I assigned you both to this case. You're both more than capable of pulling it off but we aren't taking chances. I'm sure you can set aside your problems and work it out." His words made it sound like he was asking, but with his stern gaze, I knew our discussion ended.

"Yes sir." We chorused and he nodded focusing on the news channel displaying the election. I took that as my cue to leave and so did Halima as I felt her presence behind me.

"We'll need to check both our schedules and find time to work on the case and be done with it." I said looking over my shoulder at the woman who stood a few feet behind me, a defeated look on her pretty face.

"I'm hungry. Let's talk over some coffee." She hummed continuing her walk to the stairs as there was a huge notice plastered on the elevators door showing it was under maintenance.

"I'm full. Call me when you're done." I shot back deliberately disagreeing with her suggestion, knowing her fully well.

Halima was never really someone I was close to and even after multiple disagreements, I still took the high road but after the last incident that happened just made me realize that these people will never be satisfied, and the only way around it was matching their energy.

"It won't take long." She gritted out but displayed a smile on her face, obviously trying to keep herself from lashing out.

"Can't it wait? Or did you forget to eat before coming to work?" I tilted my head to the side, acting clueless.

"Depends. I want to talk about it over coffee, let's act like adults please." She jabbed.

I raised both my brows letting out a soft laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. I know I'm being unnecessarily petty but I was done with her, and I wasn't about to follow whatever she says because she wants me to.

"We're solving this case together and I don't by any means necessary have to agree to your demands. Let's make this clear." I stopped in my tracks turning on my heels to face her. "I'm not an intern or your assistant tasked to help you. Let's act our age and keep the undignified name calling to ourselves." I said my voice tight, not leaving any room for an argument.

She was taken aback due to my obvious warning, daring her not to cross a line. Her tongue poked against her cheek and she nodded, raising her eyes to meet mine.

"Understood. But all I asked was some coffee. I would appreciate if you act according to your words. The cafe makes fresh coffee and I only wanted to introduce it as one of the places we could work." Halima's voice matched mine, cold and controlled.

"As you wish." I said simply making my way down the stairs. As soon as I pushed the door leading to the lobby open, I was met with the nearly empty space, but a gorgeous woman walking towards me with a smile as wide as the lady in red.

"Farida, it's nice seeing you here. Do you need me to talk to the boss?" Halima said jerking her thumb in the direction we came from.

"No need. I just needed to pick up some files." Farida declined raising her hand to show the plane white envelope in her hold. "I came to see you actually. Maybe we could talk over some coffee." She pinned her eyes on me, offering me an innocent smile.

Halima's gaze bounced from me to Farida in confusion as she probably wondered how we knew each other. I just wished they would go together and let me work in my office in peace.

"We were actually going to a cafe. You found tag along." Halima rushed out.

I don't know why but Halima was obviously trying to get into Farida's favor. It would make sense as she's an accomplished lawyer. She has always been a prideful person so seeing her sucking up to someone left me surprised.

"That would be nice." Farida tilted her head to the head, her tone hesitant.

"That's great." We already started walking towards the entrance and out of the building towards the parking lot. "The distance isn't much but I think it would be best to drive there." Halima suggested.

"We could take mine, it's closer." I said causing both their heads to snap to me.

"Really?" Halima asked.

"Of course! That would be nice." Farida offered me a warm smile motioning me to walk ahead to my car. I smiled making my way to the car, noticing Halima assessing the car whilst Farida slid into the front seat already making the choice for Halima as she slid into the backseat, a frown etched onto her pretty face.

"The address?" I asked.

"12 Haven street." Halima replied.

I typed it in driving out of the parking lot. Farida looked out of the window whilst Halima was buried in her phone, probably insulting my whole generation to her stuck up friends.

"This might seem weird." Farida let out a breath as a laugh and I hummed, briefly looking in her direction.

"Did you ask Ibrahim about me? I've been pretty curious to hear the version of me he told you about." Farida laughed softly, earning Halima's attention as she raised her eyes in her reflection in the mirror, her gaze landing on mine when I looked back at the road.

"I'm sorry it slipped my mind." I admitted and her smile faltered making me feel bad.

"It's okay." She waved it off.

"Thank you for reminding me though. It seems like he might just give me some pretty interesting stories." I joked and she released a heartfelt chuckle.

"Did you know each other?" Halima directed the question at us and Fairda hummed, directing her dark orbs to her.

"Her husband and I went to the same school." She explained crossing her legs.

"Funny I didn't even know you were married." Halima jabbed.

I ignored her turning on the blinker, sighting a signboard hanging on one of the lamps in front of a small shop. It was silent as we exited the car and entered the restaurant finding a vacant table.

"I think I just got a place to frequent." Farida whistled.

"It's not overcrowded like the usual cafe's in Abuja. Especially a place like this." Halima added.

"That's what we lack. There's nothing like that in our office. It's just full of industries and such. I still wonder why they haven't relocated though." Farida tutted.

"These ministries usually hate anything that has to do with spending money." We shared a laugh at my statement and for once, I didn't feel uncomfortable with Farida's presence.

We spent more time there than we thought we would, sharing different stories of different people and situations, and I was too carried away to keep track of the time.

"Wait." Farida guffawed raising her hands up.

"So you're telling me he has a million dollar house in another country, but he doesn't have a room to himself in his own country?" She facepalmed.

"And he hasn't been there in years." I tilted my head to the side.

"No." Halima shook her head.

"What is wrong with men nowadays." Farida whined fixing her turban.

"Whenever I see my brother dating multiple girls I ask him the same thing." Halima scoffed incredulously.

"Aiman?" I raised my brows, shocked.

"You didn't know?" Her brows shot up. "Aiman is officially a fuckboy now." Both Farida and I burst out in small chuckles at her statement.

"Aiman? Cute little Aiman? He knows how to woo chicks now? I can't believe it." I mused.

Halima pulled out her phone out of her bag shoving her phone in my face displaying a picture of a handsome boy leaned against a car, his arms crossed over his chest with a smile. My eyes bulged out of my sockets.

"This can't be possible." I shook my head.

"He does have potential though." Farida hummed sipping her tea earning baffled looks from the both of us. She raised her eyes to meet our horrified gazes. "Chill I said he has potential, it's not like I'm going to do anything." She clarified.

"One question though." Farida brought up and Halima hummed in response, her brows raising.

"Is he an adult?" She asked and Halima grimaced, stuffing her phone in her skirts pocket. I couldn't help but giggle at their conversation.

"He's nineteen." Halima shook her head in disbelief.

"He's legal then." Farida mused bringing the teacup to her lips to hide the smirk making it's way to her pretty face. Halima and I both shared a look.

"Age is just a number." I shrugged adding fuel to the fire and Farida's bright eyes found mine, she smirked in response staying quiet.

"Both of you are questionable." Halima gagged.

•••

As soon as I got home, I jumped on Ibrahim straddling his lap as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He chuckled keeping me in place as his eyes took in my grinning face.

"What's got you in a good mood today?" He quirked a brow earning a giggle from me as I shook my head side to side.

"I don't know, I just feel energetic." I confessed.

"Will you be up for dinner?" He asked as his hands trailed from my waist to my hips repeatedly.

"It depends on what Lami makes." I shrugged my shoulders as he let out a breath as a laugh, further confusing me.

"I mean dinner, you know, where I take you out." He squinted his eyes playfully and my eyes widened at his suggestion. I sat up in his lap peering into his eyes eagerly.

"That sounds great." I grinned as I got off his lap, clasping my hands together. "I'm going to go get ready, I'll be out in a minute." I promised earning a nod from him as I sauntered to my room.

I took a quick shower to get rid of the sweat and how sticky my body was feeling, wrapping a towel around myself as I checked my closet to see what I could wear.

It was a casual outing but I liked dressing up every time we went out not only for his reputation and mine, but the awestruck expression he gives me whenever I do dress up makes me want more. So I settled for a blue abaya with a flower pattern at the sleeves.

It took me half an hour to get ready as I barreled down the stairs, already spluttering apologies finishing Ibrahim changed into a blue kaftan with blue Hermes slides. His eyes raised to meet mine and a smile ghosted his lips as he walked towards me.

"I took so long." I chuckled and he only shook his head, wrapping his arm around me, resting his hand on my hip.

"Don't worry about it. You didn't take long." He assured gesturing to the door causing me to burst into giggles as I sauntered to the car, feeling his eyes on me as I did so.

He pulled the door open for me causing me to place my hand over my chest and I slid into the car. He closed the door coming over to his side sliding into the car.

"I'm flattered." I swooned earning a smirk from him as he stretched his arm over to my seat, his eyes darting from the wheel to the back of the car. It was a sight to see up close and I stayed quiet taking in his face and how focused he was.

"Progress is nice." He murmured as I hummed, looking at the bright road thanks to the streetlights.

"What should I be expecting?" I lowered my eyes, leaning my head back with my cheek resting on the headrest, staring at his breathtaking side profile.

"I'll take you out of this world." He drawled and the smirk reappeared on my face at the comment. He let out a laugh at my reaction. "I'm saving that for when we come home though. This is me trying to win you over."

I folded my lips into my mouth at his words, feeling my cheeks flush at his simple words. Khalil shared his innuendos with me but I didn't entertain it much, and he respected my decisions so Ibrahim being this way was something new, but I liked it.

"Now I don't know if you're being a playboy or a gentleman over here." I chuckled.

"Playboy?" He mused.

"Yes. Like pick one because it's usually easier to do so." I grumbled playfully, feigning irritation due to his indecisive behavior.

"What if I want to be both?" He raised a brow, his eyes boring into mine as he asked the question. I only rolled my eyes playfully, placing my attention back on the road before I pulled my phone out and connecting it to the car's Bluetooth. As soon as it did, I played I wanna be yours by Arctic Monkeys placing my phone in the cup holder, clearing my throat preparing for a mini concert.

"Are harder to hide than I thought." I snapped my fingers as I vibed to the song, feeling Ibrahim glancing at me from the corner of my eyes.

"Breathing in your dust." I turned my head to look at him with a silly grin on my face, seeing Ibrahim sporting a small smile on his face whilst he drove and everything was perfect, everything fit and I wondered if the artist felt the same way I'm feeling.

And that was how we got to our destination with me singing out the lyrics I knew whilst I mumbled the parts I didn't know which made him laugh every time I did.

We strolled into the restaurant which was crowded than usual and it made me wonder if they also had an impromptu dinner as we sauntered to our table, only to meet eyes with Safiya's making my steps falter.

Ibrahim noticing my hesitance placed his hand on my lower back, his eyes following the direction of where I was looking finding my sisters full table with Ameera and her husband, Hadiza and Eedah all present.

I looked up at Ibrahim offering him a smile as we went to sit on our table which was at the corner of the place, as per our request. We took a seat opposite each other as I went ahead to scan the menu. The waiter approached us with a smile with his hands behind his back.

"Are you ready to order?" He asked looking in between us.

"Yes I'll get a medium rare steak." I closed the menu handing it to him with a smile, looking over to Ibrahim who's eyes were still roaming the menu.

"I'll get the same." Ibrahim handed the waiter the menu. I shook my head with a smile as he nibbled on his bottom lip, the waiter walking away giving us our privacy.

"Medium rare? Now that doesn't seem so good." He shook his head, scrunching his face at the thought.

"It's chewy and the flavor is more prominent. Trust me, you'll thank me for making this suggestion." I clasped my hands together, tucking it under my chin.

"Whatever you say." He murmurs softly. I smiled reaching my hand across the table to hold his larger hand in mine. Ibrahim has always been the type to try new things and trying out new dishes has never been a problem for the both of us.

"I can feel their eyes on us." I mumbled as he raised his brow at my deduction.

"Who?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Who indeed." I chuckled glancing down at the covered table.

"It isn't something great to cut your family out of your life but you could take breaks to make them realize their mistakes, so let's act like we're the only people here." Ibrahim advised as I hummed in response, my thumb sticking out to caress my chin.

"You're right," I bobbed my head. "You want my attention all to yourself huh?" I smirked and Ibrahim only mirrored my expression, shrugging his shoulders in the process.

"Seeing you all dressed up for me and your attention elsewhere," His eyes ran over my outfit before meeting my eyes. "Only makes me crave it more." He finished.

"What are you planning Ibrahim Waziri because I'm starting to get worried." I chuckled leaning forward, resting my chin in my palm.

"Oh I've always been like this babe, you're bruising my ego here." He placed his hand on his chest.

"Oh you didn't know?" I tutted.

"What exactly?" He arched a brow.

"I break hearts, that's kind of my hobby." I whispered pulling away soon after, a sweet smile forming on my lips whilst my husband flashed me a sickly smile in return.

"So you're trying to tell me I cuffed a heartbreaker without even trying?" He chuckled making my face fall as my eyes turned into slits.

"You did not just go there." I laughed at his reply crossing my legs, just as the waitress appeared with our plates, placing the presented dishes in front of us which looked highly appetizing.

"Thank you." I smiled at the waitress who had a passive expression causing me to raise a brow at her rude behavior but pinned my eyes on Ibrahim who stared down at his plate with uncertainty.

"Come on," I dragged out. "Just try it out, I promise it's amazing." I promised cutting a small piece forking it in my mouth, and the taste melted in my mouth making me feel like I was in heaven for a second.

I roamed up raking my eyes over the restaurant to find the waitress only to meet Hameed's eyes. I blinked angling my head to the side flashing him a brief smile as I ushered the waitress. I focused my attention on Ibrahim who was munching on the steak and I raised my brows, waiting for his reaction.

"Now that actually tastes good." He bobbed his head and I clasped my hands together happily. I don't know but I always got happy when I introduce someone to something and they actually enjoy it.

"Can I get non alcoholic wine?" I asked the waitress when she came over. She shrugged her shoulders carelessly, turning on her heel walking away.

"Now I don't know what's up with that woman." I chuckled irritably causing Ibrahim to look up, glancing at the woman's retreating figure.

"The waitress? What did she do?" He questioned.

"I just ordered wine and this girl only walked away without saying a word. What is wrong with people these days?" I scrunched my face.

"She's not worth ruining your day over." Ibrahim dismissed the woman with a wave of his hand and I hummed in response.

She came back with a bottle popping the lid, serving it into our glass cups. I ignored the fuming woman taking a bite of the crunchy plantain a side relished the taste. I never knew about this restaurant before but I'm guessing it wasn't long when they launched it.m bite their food was good, unlike most restaurants where the food we make at home taste better.

And that was how we enjoyed our dinner and each other's presence as the people in the restaurant got fewer and fewer until it was almost empty.

"Can I have the bill?" He quirked a brow after flagging down the waiter and the man nodded, not too long after, he came back with the bill. I fished Ibrahim's card out of my bag handing it to the waiter.

"Do come back, thank you." The waiter nodded and I smiled briefly in response as he handed me the card. I tucked it in my bags pocket as we made our way out of the restaurant, finding Safiya's group also making their way out of the restaurant.

Hammed's eyes lingered on Ibrahim's hand on my lower back and it dawned on me that this was the first time they were seeing us together in person. Ameera's husband, Usman cut their conversation short approaching us with a grin and she frowned before following her husband with her eyes finding me as her eyes widened a fraction, surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Ibrahim, it's been long." Usman chuckled as he embraced Ibrahim who smiled back as he tapped his shoulder when they pulled away. When he spotted the confusion coating Ibrahim's features, he made a move to further explain.

"Usman, Qasim's roommate?" Usman further explained and Ibrahim nodded his head finally putting a name to the face.

"Usman, I didn't recognize you with that beard." Ibrahim tilted his head to the side, flashing the shorter man a smile.

"I was going for a more mature look." Usman caressed his beard as his eyes fell on me. "Sumaya, been long since I last saw you." He chuckled.

"I've been around." I response pairing it with a chuckle. I met Ibrahim's eyes jerking my head in the doors direction and Usman seemed to pick up what we were planning to do.

"Let's see each other sometime yeah?" He smiled clasping his hands together and Ibrahim nodded as we made our way out of the restaurant.

"Why do I have a feeling you still can't remember him?" I giggled as we slid into the car.

"I forgot about that man completely." He let out a laugh and I shook my head letting out a breath as a laugh, happy Ibrahim brought up the idea of us going out on a date.