One year later

"Your mum is so hilarious!" Ebun started laughing as soon as she got into the car with Sean.

She brought out a piece of tissue paper and began using it to dab off the lipstick from her mouth. She'd only caked up her face to impress Sean's family. It was a big occasion after all - at least for anyone who cared what their boyfriend's family thought of them. She'd always dreamt of this day for the past nine years since she'd met Sean at the boxing ring. On that very day, he'd talked about introducing her to his family as his fake fiancée in return for following him to Russia for murder missions.

Now, they were no longer engaging themselves in taking people's lives. Instead, they'd done some individual introspection on their lives, searching deep into other areas and little things that interest them. It was then that Ebun discovered that she had a flair for hair styling. She could never forget how devastated she'd felt when Mrs. Mariyah had told her that it was best to trim her afro to a lower level so that the students at the university wouldn't ask weird questions about her hair or begin to quiz her about whether Africans truly lived with lions and monkeys.

Of course, Mrs. Mariyah had been coming from a good place. Still, it didn't reduce the anger she felt that night. Her hair was her crown. Why did she have to tone down her shine for a bunch of nosy Russian teenagers? Still, she heeded because she remembered that it was important for her not to attract any attention, especially since she was starting on her path as an assassin.

During the weekends, when she didn't have to meet with Sean, which was rare, she'd always look at her hair in the mirror and try to weave what was left of it into stylish cornrows. Still, it didn't matter much. Every girl loved to have their hair look good on them. It didn't mean they felt the same towards other females' hair. But Ebun decided she would focus on hair styling and learn it as a skill so she could have something meaningful to account for. That was what the one-year hiatus was all about - finding themselves and starting anew.

Sean didn't need to dig too deep. He always knew he had a thing for uniquely designed constructions. The shed where he'd kept people who falsely accused innocent persons was solid proof. So he began an online course on architecture and started to learn all about designs, lines, and shapes. So far, it has been rejuvenating for them, and they've grown stronger individually and as partners. Now, he didn't have to take her to visit his parents as a pretend girlfriend just because his parents wanted him to start a family as proof that he was doing mentally okay. Instead, he was introducing her to them as his real lover. It was blissful.

"What did she tell you when you two spoke in private?" his mouth tilted to the side in a grin.

"You don't even want to know," Ebun giggled, dabbing off the final touches of powder on her cheeks as she stared into the mirror. Then she turned to him, smiling cheekily as she revealed the details. "She told me that pre-marital sex is for children of The Devil. She warned me never to be alone with you in a dark space so we don't tread on tricky, hormonal waters."

"Were those the exact words she said?' Sean's eyebrows rose with amplified interest in the discussion.

"Yes! I'm quoting her verbatim. I would never have thought that a black woman who has lived in Russia all her life would say that. She must have been an African in her past life or something because you know, Africans are more of the religious kinds. She told us to wait until we're married. If only she knows what we've done."

As Ebun gave the gist, she looked back into the mirror, finalizing the removal of the foundation on her forehead. Until she recited what she'd just said in her mind and paused, she turned to him and met a bewildered expression on his face, but it was mixed with a bit of adoration.

He looked like he was amazed at her confidence to speak openly on matters that many grown-ass adults would avoid. Unfortunately, Ebun had a different thing in mind. Her delivery had only come at the wrong time. It was impossible for a misconception not to have occurred.

"I meant the killings, actually. You know, the organized assassinations and all," She cleared her throat and licked her lower lip. A patchy taste of lipstick remnant touched the tip of her tongue. "Even if we remained virgins till our wedding night, I doubt we can ever be saints till we die."

Sean still didn't say anything, and the look on his face did not change either. His eyes were just on her lips as they moved expressively, and the proud smile was still on his lips. However, Ebun wasn't feeling great despite his show of positivity. Instead, she formulated her interpretation of his facial expression based on overthinking.

"I'm sorry I talked about the past. I promise you I've healed. It was kind of a dark joke, you know? Nothing serious," she gave a flustered smile with her eyes, but it didn't reach her lips.

"Marry me."

"What did you just say?" Before Ebun could even pause to process his body language or the tone with which he'd uttered the words, she'd just assumed that it was not said at all, and she'd probably just imagined him saying that.

There was no response. It was just the same smile but hinted that he was dead serious with his request and wasn't joking. He knew she'd heard and was waiting for her to come to terms with the fact that he'd just proposed. Repeating the same words would make the request lose its original flavor and make it sound mechanical. In due time, Ebun got the message and saw that he was for real. Her cheeks began to feel hot with embarrassment and all of the ooey gooey feelings.

"Wait, are you proposing to me right now?"

"Yes. I mean, isn't it high time I did so? I don't want us to be held back by anything anymore. We've scaled through big roadblocks and obstacles that have helped us improve ourselves and what we have together. Look at us now. Who would have thought we'd be able to get our consuming pasts behind us? I want us to seal this relationship as a testament to a love that conquers all woes. I-"

"No, not the poetic rendition," Ebun held a hand in the air and looked away to catch a breath. She didn't know how much more of the affectionate display she could take because her cheeks were still pale from blushing so hard. So she cut to the chase. "I'll marry you. Where is the ring?" she pointed her ring finger in his face.

Now, it was Sean's turn to be embarrassed.

'Err..."

"So you are doing 'prop' without the 'osal'?" Ebun turned to look at him. There was disbelief in her eyes. It was evident that she thought of him as a ridiculous boyfriend.

"What is that?" Sean couldn't help but ask even though they were having a serious conversation.

"You want to propose to me, but you don't have a ring prepared?"

"Where did you get that term from?"

"I formed it," She revealed casually.

“Well...” Sean gave a pained smile. “Should I laugh so you don't feel bad?”

“I don't care if the joke is funny or not. It wasn't even a joke. I was being serious. Now, back to the real question. Answer it!”

“Well, it-it just occurred to me now that I wanted to get married to you as soon as possible," he scratched his neck lightly.

"Really? Then show me how fast you can get a ring!"

Ebun had not expected Sean to come up with a solution so fast or to show her that he took her very seriously. But he did because, in a matter of seconds, he'd pulled out his phone to punch in a few digits. The mysterious errand boy on the receiver line picked Sean's call after the second ring.

"Take one of the cars and go to the closest jeweler immediately. Buy the most beautiful and expensive wedding ring available."

"S-sir, it is Sunday. All jewelers in Moscow are closed."

"Then go buy the jeweler and tell him to open!" he commanded after he took a deep breath. Ebun did her best not to let out the gasp that was threatening to escape her throat. "I'll be expecting you in forty minutes. Meet me at Shkolnoye Lake," He hung up.

"Wow. Just wow," Ebun clapped. Her jaw was on the floor.

"That was the coolest thing you've ever seen, right?" Sean smirked as he started the car's ignition, ready to drive off to the aforementioned location.

"Yes, and perhaps, the most passionate as well," Ebun nodded. "Anyway," she let the word drag on as the excitement of what was about to happen in a few minutes surged up in her. "What should we do while we wait for the ring?"

"I don't know. Maybe drive there and kiss while we wait?"

"I think I have something to talk to you about."

"Oh?" There was a bit of playful disappointment in his voice. He drove into the road.

"Yes. I'd like for us to settle down in Nigeria. Ever since the Russian-Ukrainian war, I've not gone back home for almost two years now. Besides, I'd love for us to start this beautiful journey in a place where I feel at my best. You know, with my family by my side and you. I know it sounds selfish of me because I'm not putting your family and your attachment to Russia into consideration. But I don't know. I was just thinking of us starting anew in a different place."

"It's totally fine by me."

"Really?"

"Yes, my love. I've learned not to hold on to anything anymore. Besides, it's not much of a big deal. I'm a full-blown adult and can decide to live anywhere for the rest of my life. Most importantly, you've been away from your family for too long. You shouldn't be distant from them anymore."

"I love you," she leaned and cupped some strands of his beard, caressing it. "Thanks to you, I get to have my dream wedding. I already forgot what it was like to be a girly girl with lofty dreams. It feels awesome to be that kind of person now."

"Anything for you, Ebun."

In precisely forty minutes, Sean's errand man had arrived with the ring on a silver salver as the couple waited by the picturesque lake. And as tradition required, Sean gracefully went down on one knee and repeated his question, holding the sapphire jewelry in hand. Although Ebun wasn't appropriately dressed nor prepared for the most memorable occasion of her life, she could not have had it any other way. With a refreshed smile, she answered in the affirmative and their journey to forever began.

***

Three weeks later, Sean and Ebun had finished packing their valuables and sojourned to Africa. Now, they were driving to Yemisi's house from the airport. It was going to be her sister's first time meeting her lover. Although she was anxious because she hadn't told her sister the kind of things she used to do with him in the past, she still nurtured a positive feeling within, believing that her sister would be excited to meet the man she loved. Yemisi was pretty eager to know who the 'lucky' man was. She didn't feel like he was the lucky man, though. Instead, she was the blessed woman.

Sean, on the other hand, was a total wreck. He could hardly keep his hand firm on the steering wheel. His left little finger twitched every ten seconds. It was funny how the tables had turned in twenty-one days. Weeks ago, she was the one who was trying so hard to look cool while Sean stared at her with a calm demeanor. Now, he looked like he would pee his pants if he didn't get a break from his sensory regions.

"You're so cute, Sean. You don't even have an idea."

"Cute?" Sean side-eyed her and gave a nervous laugh. "I think I'm a freaking mess if I do say so myself. I've not been to Nigeria in so long."

"Me too. I miss my sister so much. Seriously though, don't overthink it. You're not meeting my mom. You are meeting my sister, so don't expect to be judged based on your looks and other ephemeral stuff. In fact, you look like a decent young man, so there's no need to worry. My sister only cares about your body language and the way you speak. She can easily tell if you have bad vibes from a few sentences you utter, and her judgment is always correct. I've watched her interrogate some of my sibling's partners. It's always spot on," Ebun explained naïvely with a smile.

"So, is that supposed to make me feel better now?"

"Yes," she laughed. "The summary of it all is for you to be yourself. She'd see through the real you, and I don't think she'd have a problem with your personality."

"Okay. If you say so," he heaved a sigh. Ebun stretched out her hand and placed it on his free hand, comforting him with a few strokes of her thumb on his skin.

The rest of the drive was spent in reasonable silence - one that was still mixed with remnants of fear, but it was not at all unbearable. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Yemisi's grey mansion. As they alighted from the car, Sean took a deep breath, letting out some of his apprehension into thin air. Ebun patted his back like a girl would to her brother. Then she grabbed his hand and held it firmly as they walked to the door. Yemisi opened the door nonchalantly after a few knocks from Ebun.

She was dressed in sportswear, and her hair was tangled in thick, fuzzy, spherical forms. She wasn't expecting anyone and had even opened the door with annoyance, but her countenance changed immediately when she set her eyes on her beautiful baby sister whom she hadn't seen in a year. Her eyes widened, and she spoke at the top of her voice.

"Oh my goodness! My baby! Is this you?"

"Yes, yes. It's me, completely in the flesh," Ebun smiled so hard that her cheeks began to hurt.

"Allow me to touch you, please," Yemisi said. She was still awestruck both by Ebun's presence and her blinding beauty. She added a healthy weight, and her dark skin glowed like caramel.

Ebun nodded, still smiling as her sister proceeded to rub her fingers on Ebun's forearm. When Yemisi was convinced she was really there, she pulled her in for a tight, sisterly hug.

"I'm so happy you are alive. I was distraught when news of the Russian-Ukrainian war was the talk of the town. Speaking to you on the phone every day was not even enough. I still feared that someone would point a gun at your head once the conversation was over, and I'd be unable to help you. I missed you so much and prayed that you'd be okay," she pulled out of the hug but was still beholding her kid sister with unbridled love in her eyes.

"I missed you so much as well, sis," Ebun tried to help her sister level her hair because she could not stand to see it looking so unkempt. However, she barely got to do anything because Yemisi had moved away, only now noticing the man standing beside her.

"Who is he?"

"Um...He's my fiancé."

"Oh wait," Yemisi's eyes widened as she gazed at Sean, accessing everything that there was to see to him on the surface level. Sean stood still as a statue, unsure of how to comport himself better. "He's the one?" she asked Ebun for confirmation but didn't remove her eyes from him.

"Yes," Ebun beamed. "He's him."

"Good afternoon, ma," Sean gave a formal greeting and even bowed slightly.

"Afternoon to you too," She purposefully got rid of every form of emotion on her face, so he could be unsure as to what she felt about him. Did she like him or not? He could never know. "Please, come in."

"What's your name?" Yemisi began her interview as soon as she sat on the couch. She didn't even bother to offer him snacks or refreshments. His answers to her questions would determine if she deemed him worthy of feeling at home.

"My name is Sean Graham, ma'am."

"How old are you?"

"I'm thirty-eight years old," he proceeded to answer like a toddler who was being quizzed about their basic details by a random stranger.

"You mean three and eight put together? That's your age?" Yemisi blinked twice. Her eyebrows furrowed in doubt.

"Yes, ma'am," Sean wanted to laugh because of the tone in her voice as she blinked, but her facial expression did not approve of it. He feared that his age was going to put her off. So he forcefully swallowed perturbed lumps of saliva down his throat. Ebun was also beginning to feel uncomfortable. It showed in the way she crossed her legs firmly at the ankles.

"Does it feel strange to be dating a woman that's twelve years younger than you?"

"It used to feel a bit weird, but it no longer does. She's capable of making her own decisions as an adult. We grew fond of each other as time passed. The astounding age difference made me hesitant to indulge in something as serious as a relationship with her, but we were willing to make it work, and we did."

"Oh," Yemisi nodded as she pondered on his explanation. "There's nothing new under the sun, anyway, so I can understand. For how long have you guys known each other?"

"We've known each other for almost ten years now. We became close right from her university days in Russia."

"University days?" Yemisi repeated the words from his statement.

"Yes, ma'am."

Sean wasn't being sincere, and Ebun knew. Still, to be frank, she could understand why he'd lied. There was no how he wanted to share the original story of how they'd met without eliciting a suspicious feeling in Yemisi. She didn't know what her sister would think either. So she could sympathize with him.

"Oh, okay. So...who made the first move? How did you guys meet each other? How did you guys start liking each other?"

Ebun knew there was no escaping from the truth now, so she decided to take over the questioning session and tell her sister the facts. Thus, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak.

"You could already tell that I didn't go to school in Russia, right?"

"Yup, so I knew he was lying. I just needed to see how far he was willing to go," Yemisi wielded the double-edged swords right into their chests but did so with poise, fingers clasped together, legs crossed, and a malignant smile.

"Oh," Ebun was pale from humiliation. "Can I take it over from here? I think you deserve to know the truth from me."

"Yes."

"Basically, our relationship started as a contractual one. We met each other at the boxing ring in Victoria Island when I was eighteen years old. I learned that he also had a gory past of sexual abuse and harassment, and he wanted to get revenge just like I did. So we decided to help each other. He told me that we could avenge the injustices done to us by killing people that rape other people. He told me he would help me find my molesters but suggested that exerting my anger on criminals who indulge in the same crime that was done to us could help me retain my emotions for the time being. It could also help me feel a sense of fulfillment.

I was really fascinated by the offer and thankful to have met someone who truly understood what I genuinely wanted and allowed me to go after it. So that was how we started. True to his word, he proved to be of great help to me. I was able to find one of the men, thanks to him. He began to teach me how to use weapons and helped me polish my skills in fist fighting. Later, he helped me build an empire of my own. So I started managing a hospital a few years after I left Hostel Pavlov. This time around, I had to focus on schoolwork so I could pass my exams and become a certified doctor.

However, we decided to stop later on. After a terrible incident that happened to me, my spirit and soul were crushed. I couldn't continue with the job anymore. Even after I decided to stop, he stood by my side and kept me safe while the war was ongoing."

"What was promised in return for you guys helping each other get revenge?"

"Umm... he asked me to be his pretend fiancée for one day. He told me he needed a girl to show his parents so they could believe he had healed from his mental struggles and was finally willing to settle down. But we didn't even need to pretend because we ended up liking each other for real."

"Wow," Yemisi looked at Sean after managing to close her mouth. She'd left it open for too long. "Young man, I need you to give us some space right now."

"Oh," Sean fiddled with his fingernails as he stood up from the sofa. He looked at Ebun for a brief moment, asking multiple questions with his eyes without having to voice them out. Ebun nodded reassuringly, imploring him to calm down and trust her. Then he went outside.

Yemisi moved closer to Ebun once it was just the two of them left in the living room.

"Did you take a moment to listen to yourself as you were talking?" Her eyes were so full of horror that Ebun began to get heart palpitations just from looking at her.

"Sis, what do you mean?"

"Does the deal not sound so freaking ridiculous to you? So he offered to help you get revenge in return for you becoming a fake fiancée for just one day? Doesn't that sound weird to you? Who on earth, especially a random stranger, would care so much to help you with something that serious in return for a little favor?

It's so unrealistic and illogical. The only sense of that strange deal is that he just wants to waste your freaking time. Perhaps, he knew you before from somewhere and even happened to know about your past. Then he ran into you that day and thought, 'hm, let me waste this girl's time.' It's something that a wrecked psychopath with no future ambition can do. Don't ever underestimate sick people like that."

"That's not true, sis," Ebun rolled her eyes. "You know, miraculous encounters happen like that once in a while in our lives. He was more like a destiny helper to me, someone who was willing to make my life better without doing anything hurtful or taking advantage of me. If he just wanted to waste my time, he wouldn't have lingered around for ten years and even gone through the pain of stopping what he was doing just to be by my side.

In fact, he would have forced me to continue so he could watch me waste my time some more. But he allowed me to do what I wanted and encouraged me every step of the way. Not only did he do all in his power to help me find the rapists while I worked as an assassin, but he also fell in love with me. He allowed himself to heal so he could start a new life with me. Even psychopaths with no future ambition have their limits. No one would do this much just for the thrill of it."

"Okay. How about the stuff that you guys were doing? Killing people who rape and molest others to seek revenge for your horrid pasts? Doesn't that sound familiar to you? That's precisely what the Black Vipers Mafia does!" Her eyes had grown large as dinner plates. "I used to think I had an idea of what you were doing in Russia. I thought you were just focused on finding your molesters. I didn't know you were joining forces to do more dangerous things."

"Sean is not a part of the Black Vipers Mafia," Ebun let out a long breath. She had so much explaining to do, and she hated it. "Let me tell you in detail what Sean does. Unlike the Black Vipers, Sean does not go about killing people that give him the slightest inconvenience. He doesn't go around killing or raping women just because they try to get in the way of his murder operation. He doesn't even rape women.

He runs a different organization where people come to make complaints about serious offences - crimes that the police ignored. Then he takes the case up and helps out. The reason I decided to stop was that one of the clients who came with a complaint misled me during the operation because she had a poor memory, and she made me kill the wrong person. The guilt almost destroyed me, and ever since then, I made the resolve to quit and come back home. Unfortunately, I couldn't leave because of the war."

"Hm," Yemisi sighed, still trying to take the heavy information. "Still, was it necessary for him to take such a job upon himself? Is the Russian Police that incompetent? I'm sure the law enforcement agencies would have done something if the victims had persistently complained. This whole organization thing and exerting your anger on other criminals because of your brutal past makes him look like a thug, to be honest. The only difference is that he's a glorified one - not those you find on the streets with faded, sagging jeans and messy hair."

"What matters now is that he doesn't do stuff like that anymore," Ebun tried to contain her anger. She wasn't okay with the jabs her sister was throwing her way, but she had to stomach it because it was important for Yemisi to approve of her relationship. After all, she would be one of the legal officials officiating their court wedding.

"Can I study him for a month to know whether he's really the right man for you?"

"This was what made me resent you back then when I wanted to travel to Russia. You stayed with me at Hostel Pavlov for two weeks to ensure you could monitor me as you wish."

"But it wasn't in vain, though, because you lamented to me years later that traveling to Russia had felt like a waste of your time."

"I needed to be away from you."

"You're right. You were forced to come back eventually. Having a good and supportive family by your side is more than enough, and I'm glad you finally learned to trust me."

"Sean is not a bad decision, though."

"Hm."

"Sis," Ebun stomped her foot on the floor in frustration. She wished she could command her sister to agree with her immediately. Her constant 'hm's' and 'oh's' were more nerve-wracking than a negative response. "We are already engaged," she added.

"Who introduces their spouse to their family members after their engagement?" Yemisi gasped and shook her head.

"Me," Ebun smirked and raised her hand to flaunt the ring that adorned her finger.

"Did you do this in haste so I wouldn't be able to get in your way?" Yemisi squinted her eyes in skepticism.

"No," Ebun laughed.

"Seriously though, I need some time to study him," she pressed.

"Okay, if you insist," Ebun gave in. "I know you won't try to make the situation awkward or uncomfortable for us. Clement was of great help when that incident happened in Russia. Frankly speaking, it was a blessing. You were so discreet about protecting me that I'd even forgotten that you sent men to follow me to Russia until the day I needed to be rescued. You are amazing, sis. Thank you for standing by my side even when I pushed you away."

"That's what sisters are for," Yemisi tapped Ebun's back lovingly. "By the way, I heard bad news about Clement while you were away. He told me that a group of men had tried to attack him on a few occasions. He also said something about being followed and tracked. I had to send more men to Russia to guard him and the other bodyguards I'd initially sent. I couldn't tell him to come back to Nigeria at that time because of the international conflict."

"That's crazy. I'm glad he's okay now. He was nice to me while I stayed with him for a brief time," Ebun spoke gloomily. "It might have been the Black Viper Mafia's handiwork, you know?" her voice became urgent when the possibility occurred to her. "How's Gaius? Is he still in that tenement?"

"Yes, and he's safe. He now remembers what the leader of the rapists looks like."

"What?" Ebun could not mask the curiosity and anxiety in her voice. For the past one year, she'd thought she was done caring about her molester, but now, she could see that she'd been telling herself a big fat lie. It was easy for her to deceive herself because she was no longer hearing reports about molestation when she decided to stop. Now that this information had landed on her lap like a bucket of cold water, there was no denying that she still cared a great deal.

"Who is Grigory Levin?"

"He didn't give me descriptions. We only agreed that he'd be released from the tenement on days when we have a special occasion - like an induction party or festivity of any sort so he can point out to the guy if he's present. Since the Black Vipers are after us, it's plausible to find Grigory lurking around, especially amidst a crowd. That way, it would be easier for him to carry out his evil deeds and go scot-free."

"Has that worked, though?"

"So far, it hasn't."

"Let's still wait and see. Perhaps, we could have Gaius attend my wedding. Grigory Levin might be there, especially because it's the happiest day of his victim's life. He would want to ruin it. Besides, I think Gaius and Gifty deserve to see each other and reconcile, you know? It's been many years since they last saw each other. Watching her boyfriend go to prison must have taken a huge, mental toll on her."

"Hm. Not a bad idea at all. I guess it could work but isn't that risky for you? Wouldn't you be affected by the possibility that a man who once molested you is at your wedding?"

"Not at all, sis. I've healed. Besides, I can always find out who he is after my happy day. I'm getting married to the love of my life, so that's more than enough to distract me from any form of negativity."

"Okay then. We'd see about that."