Behind her were her two friends: Vanessa, tall, dramatic, elegant, and Kem.
Kelvin’s breath paused slightly when he saw Kem again.
Caramel skin glows softly under Lagos sunlight. Curly hair tied neatly in a bun. Simple but classy outfit. Gentle expression.
The contrast between her and Linda was louder than Lagos traffic.
Kelvin lowered his head slightly and stretched out his bowl. “Madam, please help.”
Linda stopped. She looked down slowly.
Her nose wrinkled like she had smelled expired ambition.
“You again?” she snapped.
Kelvin blinked.
Again?
Oh, yes. She had seen him earlier in the week.
She adjusted her sunglasses dramatically. “Don’t ever block my path. My billionaire boyfriend from America will not like this nonsense.”
Kelvin almost coughed.
Boyfriend?
He resisted the urge to remove the beard and said, “Surprise!”
Vanessa burst into laughter. “See how he’s staring? Maybe he wants you.”
Linda scoffed loudly. “This guy? Please look at him. He needs soap and destiny.”
Then it happened.
She kicked his metal bowl.
Coins scattered across the ground.
A soft collective gasp rose from nearby shoppers.
Kelvin felt heat rise in his chest, but he remained still—testing, watching, waiting.
Then—slap.
Linda’s hand connected with her cheek.
“Didn’t I warn you?”
His jaw tightened.
He tasted humiliation, but his billionaire pride swallowed it.
And then Kem stepped forward.
Her face changed.
Concern replaced embarrassment.
She bent slightly. “I’m sorry,” she said gently.
She reached into her purse and placed money into the scattered bowl.
Her caramel skin glowed under the sunlight. Her eyes held sincerity, not performance.
Vanessa rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please. Not this good-girl behavior again.”
Linda folded her arms. “So now you want to prove you have a better heart than us?”
Kem stood upright calmly. “I’m just being human.”
Kelvin felt something shift inside him.
Human.
Such a small word.
Such a rare quality.
The Plan Deepens
That evening, Kelvin returned to his quiet hidden apartment, arranged secretly by his staff.
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