"Susanne, let them go. They're not worth it," Michael's words enveloped Susanne like a comforting embrace, melting her resistance under the simmering ember in her stomach.

"Micheal, don't be furious. Your wife isn't worth the concern!” Cryst chased after Michael as he quickened his pace. “Your gold-digging wife is only after money, not love. I've warned you countless times that she doesn't love you, but you wouldn't listen! I hope you're convinced now, and that guy?" She briefly glanced at her phone before tucking it into her handbag. "His name is Kingsley Nwadigbo. I heard they were high school sweethearts. Just divorced Susanne to break free from her grasp.”

Michael spun around sharply, his resentment palpable as Cryst's words echoed in the air.

"You knew about them, didn't you?" Michael's expression darkened as he confronted Cryst. "And you kept it from me?"

"No, Mick! I just found out today. I forwarded it to you as soon as I learned," Cryst replied defensively. Her voice faltered as he confronted her, his eyes ablaze with fury.

"Do you pay someone  to spy on my wife, are you crazy?" His teeth gritted to word as he tried hard not to land her a slap.

Cryst took a step backwards, with raised brows. She never expected Micheal to react this way. He was so loose with Susanne instead of being strict like he was with her and everyone around him. Micheal's thick brows lowered above his squinted eyes as he thought of what to do.

"Yes!" Cryst confessed. "Yes, I followed her! I can't lie to you, unlike Susanne who acts like a good wife to you at home and cheats when you are away. I won't stab you in the back, Micheal!

"You ungrateful..." Michael's finger jabbed accusingly at her before he was interrupted by a man's approach.

"Oh, it's you, Mr. Michael Balogun." They shook hands with bright smiles. "Don't tell me that you're here to see your wife. She's upstairs." he pointed.

"Who are you and how do you know Susanne?" Cryst asked the man.

"I'm the deputy director of this ad campaign. Mrs. Balogun is featured in our ad today, along with Kingsley Nwadigbo. I've arranged for them to rehearse in room 502. We're shooting at 10:00 a.m."

"Oh, I see." Micheal convincingly emphasized while his head slightly tilted with a subtle smile.

Cryst's face flushed as he revealed

"The scene is to be shot outside, within this hotel. The director asked me to check if they're ready and invite them outside for shooting." The assistant producer nodded with acknowledgement as he further explained. "Excuse me. I'll go upstairs to see Mrs. Balogun now."

"Okay, I will follow you. "

"What?" Cryst gasped in disappointment and warned. "Micheal, don't!"

"If I lay my hands on you?" He threatened Cryst with a devilish stare that exposed his bare teeth. With a grumpy hiss, Micheal followed the assistant producer. Instead of being honoured, Cryst was mistrusted.

"What am I still doing here?" Her hand scratched her head as she paced in restless movements. With clipped tightened lips, Cryst stormed out of the building with her face twisted in pain and anger.

With hurried steps, she reached her red, flashy car. Entered and slammed the door shut behind her. Ignoring the honking horns and screeching brakes at her, Cryst bolted onto the busy road.  Her driving was fueled by adrenaline and frustration, determined to escape the suffocating weight of her emotions.

"Susanne! Where are you?" Micheal called as he stepped into room 502 alongside the assistant producer, Mr Akin.

"Mrs Balogun!" He called peeping through the toilet door but there was no one there. "Where are we? Mr. Kingsley was with her just now."

Michealdialledd Susanne's contact, hoping to get a reply this time. But Susanne wasn't with her mobile phone. Her stomach hurt from the sudden shock,  and Kingsley held her from behind. They followed another exit and he helped Susanne with her phone from his car.

'Ring! Ring! Ring!'

Her phone vibrated once he reached her. It was 'Sweetheart' calling. It rang again, and Kingsley studied her eyes as if asking her if he should reply to her call.

"No, don't worry." She stopped him.

"What's the matter? Why don't you want to pick up the call?"

"I don't want anyone to see me, especially Micheal."

"Then why does your stomach hurt this much? Are you having Ulcer?" He raised as he noticed the tears lingering at the corner of her eyes due to the unbearable pain. Kingsley pesterings made her shiver.

"I'm pregnant." Susanne finally revealed.

"What?" He bowed and leaned closer.

"You heard me!"

"Whose baby is it?" His eyes searched hers.

"Micheal and I never shared a bed until today." Kingsley blinked twice. His eyes and nose crinkled in a sudden smile. "Is it mine?"

"What's so exciting about it, idiot?" Her glare tore the smile off his face. "The Balogun will kill us both if they ever find out so wipe that silly smile off your face!"

"Oh sorry, you mortified me just now. Let's go to a safe place." He grabbed her arm and pulled her forward.

"Better." She hissed as she ambled alongside Kingsley. 

It's been ten minutes. Micheal was still awaiting Susanne at the parking lot. The ad production was ongoing and she wasn't even there.

"Micheal!" she called unto him, limping. He spun around sharply as his gaze met hers. Suzanne's left leg was bandaged, and she managed to walk in her heels.

"Are you alright?" Micheal hurried to her, concerned. "What happened to your feet? Did you fall?"

"No, I sprain my feet just now." Guilt formed in her eyes as she explained. I" had to visit the clinic."

"Just wait here, don't move." He told her and brought a pair of slippers from his car. Though they were a little oversized,  it was manageable.

"No, don't worry." she took another step

"I said didn't move!" he repeated. With affection, Micheal squatted to take off her heels, replacing them with his slippers.

Susan rested her hand on his shoulders in support as as stood upright.

Meanwhile, Kingsley watched them from the transparent window pane of the hotel room. His face contorted with a mix of hatred and envy as he watched Susanne walk away with her rich husband. His eyes narrowed, his lips tightened into a thin line, and his jaw clenched, betraying the bitterness and jealousy consuming him. Every step she took with her husband felt like a dagger twisting in his heart, reminding him of what he couldn't have. But Kingsley remains quiet. He was meant to remain so.

"Let's go," Micheal told his wife as they held hands and walked toward his car. Micheal opened the passenger door like a perfect gentleman.

It had been two years since she last shared a seat with him. Something felt off, Susanne searched the car with narrowed eyes. "Who drove you here? Where's Kanye?"

"I drove myself today."

"What?" Her eyes widened while she flashed him a half-lipped smile. "You never drive! What pushed to to take such a risk?" Susanne spared him a glance with blown-out cheeks.

"I drove myself here and I can drive ys back home. So please, let's go home now, I'll postpone my travel till tomorrow. The stares I get here freaks me out." Micheal glared at the production crew members who stole glances and secretly took pictures of him.

"This advert cost a lot! We are to shoot for 7 days and I ruined everything."

“Just say the amount, I'll double whatever you want.”

A chill frightened Susanne to the spot as her entire body became impossibly still. Her expression was deceptively composed, with surprise given away by a brief gasp. "Umm. About earlier." Guilt took over her once again. "You see, I and Kingsley we're just discussing in the room," she explained.

"Forget about that, Susanne." Micheal rectified. "I don't need any explanation, it wouldn't have happened if Cryst wasn't so nosy. Don't take the blame."

"Do you trust me?" her brows quirked at the question.

"No matter how I look at it, you won't love Kingsley. You married me for love so I won't doubt your intentions." He clarified and slid into the driver's seat. "Come on, let's go home now."

As Micheal navigated his sleek sedan out of the hotel's valet area, his grip tightened on the leather steering wheel. The faint scent of his wife's perfume lingered in the air. With practised precision, he merges into the bustling flow of city traffic, his eyes scanning the road ahead as they embark on their journey home, together.

Watching them leave, Kingsley's brows rose with his head, tilted to the left. A fleeting grin stretched against his thin chapped lips, emphasizing his sense of contempt.

***

Hi guys! Hope you loved reading this. Well, Kingsley is definitely up to something.  Can you guess what?
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