She stepped out; rocking her brand new stilettos which had cost her a fortune, not to mention the limited edition designer bag, diamond jewelry set and stunning outfit designed for her alone by a world renowned Italian designer. Her hair was styled by a team of specialists and before that she had a daylong session with her masseuse who flew in from Paris at her request. For her makeup, the team had closed down the top cosmetic brand stores shopping exclusively – tirelessly, as they sought all they needed to deliver on the brief. 

She didn’t bother to look at the mirror. That wasn’t necessary. Funny enough, her intention wasn’t to slay, though that would have been very hard to belief. 

She arrived just in time. At the end, when the final set of paparazzi were making their way off the red carpet. She smiled as she walked into the magnificent hall, trying as much as possible to avoid being seen. She didn’t want the attention, she loathed it actually. Yet it followed her everywhere she went. An usher approached her but she ducked quickly, knowing that if she recognized her, her cover will be blown and she’d be taken to the exclusive part of the event – the boring part actually, where the ladies spent all their time sizing each other up, and the men who came with their wives pretended to dot on them, but the moment their wives stepped away, were quick to fill the empty glass of some dashing beauty. 

She had married one of those – twice. Silent billionaires! They had married her solely for her beauty. She was a trophy; a piece they only wanted for their collection. One they could show off to their friends, associates and business partners, which meant they showered her with every single luxury imaginable. She became the full manifestation of their wealth. Their wealth, clothed in nice curves, smooth silky skin and shinny blue eyes. 

This beautiful exterior was cherished by many; which led to her constant feature on the front pages of high-end global magazines. 

She took a deep breath as she sat gently crossing nicely chiseled legs. The memory came flooding in. 

They had visited their newly dedicated multimillion dollar edifice of a home. She and her high profile fiancé had opened up their home to friends as they announced their engagement and upcoming wedding. There was an endless flow of all things beautiful, up until the last guest kissed them goodbye. They had retired for the night by 3am when suddenly the lights in the mansion went out. Bode had tried to reach the facility manager to find out what was happening, but for some reason, his number was switched off. He thought nothing of it and made for his robe as he headed down the stairs. That was when he heard movements. 

She woke up and made for his room; wondering where he was. The house was somewhat warm so she chose something free and light. She didn’t hear the muffled scream. Didn’t know when they approached. Now, she was tied to the bed, her mouth gagged while her dashing fiancé, now badly beaten, was tied to the chair.

Soon, they approached. One after the other and took her, violently abusing her, unleashing their anger and frustrations as they weighted down on her. At first, she looked at him; they stared into each other’s eyes, lost for a moment. Then he took his gaze off her as the fifth masked man took his turn. She closed her eyes. Willed that the end would come but it didn’t. She tried to pretend that this was her wedding night. Sought to fool herself into believing that she was with Bode, her man, her husband and now her lover… the one she had kept herself for, waited for; this wasn’t a horror… it was a pleasant moment… she told herself; and soon there was silence everywhere. 

She tried to open her heavy eyes. Everywhere was white. Sparkling white. She wandered what heaven felt like… was this it? Then the stabbing pain surged through her body and she trembled violently. Soon the room was filled with doctors, nurses, everyone but him. 

On the day she was discharged, a limousine was outside the hospital waiting. She was driven to his private jet and flown outside the country – to Hawaii. It was an opportunity for her to forget… to recover… to heal…!

A few weeks later, he married her in a private ceremony that had only his parents, the judge and her sister in attendance. 

A few months later, together, they publicly announced their separation and a few months down the line, the divorce was finalized. 

No word of the incident ever got out. He had saved her honour by marrying her. But he couldn’t do more. The pain was unbearable for him and for her. For every time he looked at her, that day played continuously in their minds. That was the line. His line. 

To the world, it was another crashed celebrity marriage. 

Years down the line, she found out the truth. He married her and kept everything under tabs to save face, for his status would have suffered a massive hit if the truth came out. 

Music filled the air, and she slowly came back to the hall – her mind at least. It was a beautiful performance and she couldn’t help but applaud. Just then they played the song. 

She truly wasn’t interested in a relationship talk less of marriage. She also feared going for counseling sessions lest the wrong person got wind of the perfectly hidden truth. Yet, date after date she went. Gift after gift filled her Lekki 1 mansion, and soon, she was engaged.

She had insisted on not making an announcement. She had also insisted on a quiet wedding ceremony. All of which he consented to. He was in love… he told her, and was willing to do all she desired not just now, but, for the rest of their lives. 

The wedding went smoothly, a totally regal affair. But when the night came and he approached her, her mind replayed everything that happened that night, and as he touched her, she felt them; as he kissed her, she smelt the strong perfume, a repulsive scent she couldn’t get out of her head. That night, she gave her all… literarily. She was the dutiful wife and lover, but silently she sobbed. And this happened every single time he came to her. Interestingly, every time he was with her, he gave her an expensive gift thereafter. 

Months later, she was feeling unwell and anxious. The doctor had come in to see her and given her a couple of drugs and sedatives. A nurse had been hired to care for her, when the doctor sent in the report confirming she was pregnant. 

Whether it was fate or misfortune, she had suddenly awoken, gently making her way out of the room. She heard voices that sounded strangely familiar though they were muffled. She ascribed it to the sedatives and so turned around gently and headed for her room, when suddenly a hand held her back. 

Pulling her gently and covering her mouth at the same time as she tried to snap, her nurse motioned her to wait silently. It was then she heard everything and more. 

Years ago, there was a bet between two power brokers over a dashing beauty. The amount was enough to build and sink an empire. The first round was won by Bode… her Bode when he announced their engagement. To turn the tables in his favour, her husband Segun sent thugs that night, and though it appeared that she was raped by them all, only Segun had raped her violently all through the night so Bode could call off the engagement. Their wedding had earned him – Bode, a massive fortune. He won the bet and divorced her as soon as his account was credited. But then, Segun had fallen deeply in love with her and sought every opportunity to have her as his wife, after all, he was well aware of her purity; and the news of her expecting his child…! He had won indeed!

Both men were drunk. They bore it all out, and she and her nurse listened. 

Soon her legs began wobbling and she crashed violently to the floor. The men heard the crash and sobered up, the nurse was too late. 

She opened her eyes in the hospital. She knew she had lost the baby. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or sad; she felt lifeless and for some reason, the song just kept playing over and over and over again in the room. 

She never saw Segun again. He left a long letter apologizing, a hefty investment and even more funds in her name; and a will that left every single one of his possessions to her. A few days later, she was awoken in hospital by the sound of the TV, and the particularly annoying high pitched tune that introduced the 9pm headline news. She was irked by it, for sleep had become her only escape. Just then, her eyes caught the headline:

 Lagos Billionaires Segun Lawson and Bode Thompson Die in Plane Crash. 

Only three people were onboard the private jet; Segun, Bode and the nurse.

She applauded at the end of the performance, for a moment losing herself; when an usher spotted her and apologizing profusely, ushered here to the section she belonged to – the exclusive part of the event. 

To the world, her life was blissful; twice married to dashing billionaires, a young striking beauty and the richest woman on the continent. To her, life was a nightmare. 

As she made her way through to the exclusive section, cameras flashed, many breaths were stilled, especially when she turned to give her signature smile. 

Suddenly their eyes met…!

Just wandering… How do you think this is going to end? A happy ending…, another tragic twist… or perhaps it’s all been one big nightmare…! I’d leave that to you with a little note that says… no matter how dark the night might be or how horrible the situation is; you can still in faith write the script for a happy ending – in your life – in every facet of your life – and watch how things turn around for good in Jesus name, amen.