Chapter 5 Five

The festive season had folded into memory like the final page of a photo album. Lights dimmed, the air grew still, and the world resumed rhythm. Lisa tightened the straps on her travel bag and glanced at her quiet hometown. She was heading back to school-her academy had resumed, and it was time to chase dreams again.

Despite the sudden return to lectures, assignments, and long hours at the library, Lisa had one comforting constant: Johnson.

Johnson, with his calm voice and warm texts, was always checking in on her. Morning greetings, motivational quotes, reminders to eat, even late-night calls just to hear her voice before she slept, he had made it his mission to ease every bit of stress she encountered.

"You good?" he would ask every night.

"Better, now that you called," Lisa would reply with a smile she didn't even try to hide.

Back in their city, Johnson and Emily, his sister, had returned to their routines. Yet, Lisa seemed to have followed Johnson home in spirit. His friends had grown used to hearing her name so often, they teased him relentlessly.

"Johnson, we're convinced," one friend groaned over lunch. "Lisa is perfect. Now, when do we get to meet her?"

Johnson chuckled. "Soon. Very soon. She's something else, you guys. You'll see."

Whenever Lisa and Johnson video-chatted, he would pull his friends into the frame.

"Hey! So you're the famous Lisa!" they'd chorus.

She blushed. "Oh, come on. What has he told you now?"

"That you're a goddess," one joked.

"The future Mrs. Johnson," another added with a wink.

It was lighthearted, warm, and consistent. Lisa was beginning to feel like part of his circle, even from afar. But still, there was a part of her that wondered if this dream-like attention was too good to be true.

Months passed, and Lisa's resolve hardened: she needed to meet Johnson in person. No more phone calls. No more virtual affection. She wanted to see if this feeling could live in the real world.

When she called him to say she was ready to visit, the reaction was almost immediate.

"You're coming?" Johnson's voice cracked with excitement. "Baby, you've made my whole year!"

Within the hour, her bank alert pinged. Johnson had sent her an amount so generous, Lisa blinked at the screen in disbelief, money for transportation, a new wardrobe, meals, anything she could possibly need.

Her heart fluttered. Is this even real? She wondered. Could Johnson be the final stop on this love journey I've been praying for?

After class the next day, she lingered back to chat with her favorite lecturer, Dr. Adebayo. They joked about school politics and gossiped like old friends until Lisa casually mentioned her travel plans.

"Oh, you're going to Calverton this weekend?" he asked. "That's where I stay too. I can give you a lift."

Lisa's shoulders relaxed. "You have no idea how much that helps. It's my first time leaving school since I got here."

Dr. Adebayo smiled. "You'll be fine. Let's get you there safely."

By Friday evening, Lisa was packed and ready. She waved goodbye to campus and sat in the passenger seat of Dr. Adebayo's sedan, her heart drumming in rhythm with the tires against the road. Anticipation coursed through her veins like caffeine.

As they drove into Calverton's city lights, Lisa messaged Johnson.

Just got in.

OMG, you're here? Sending the driver now. Wait till you see the ride 😎

Not even twenty minutes passed before a sleek black Lamborghini pulled up outside the café where Dr. Adebayo had dropped her. Lisa's mouth fell open.

The driver stepped out, suited and smiling. "Miss Lisa? Mr. Johnson is expecting you."

As the car purred down Calverton's high-end streets, Lisa felt like royalty. The city blurred past her in streaks of neon and twilight, and all she could do was wonder what lay ahead.

When she finally stepped into Johnson's home-a mansion tucked within a private estate she was greeted with cheers, music, and familiar faces from video calls.

"Lisaaa!" Johnson's friends shouted as they gathered around her.

There was laughter, food, drinks, and music. She was no longer just a name or a face on a screen-she was here, and they loved her.

Johnson was the perfect host, never letting her glass empty, always close by, whispering in her ear.

"Welcome home," he said softly.

Later that night, as the crowd thinned and the music faded, Johnson turned to her with a sheepish grin.

"So... the house is packed, and all the guest rooms are full. Would you mind sleeping in my room?"

Lisa hesitated for just a second.

"I promise to be a gentleman. Cross my heart," he said, raising a hand like a Boy Scout.

She nodded. "Okay. Just this once."

They laughed into the night, exchanging stories, playing music from each other's playlists, until sleep gently stole them away.

By morning, Lisa woke to the smell of fresh pastries, brewed coffee, and strawberries.

On the bedside tray were breakfast croissants, fruit parfaits, and little pancakes stacked like art pieces. There were shopping bags, too designer labels she'd only ever seen in fashion magazines.

Johnson sat nearby, his phone in hand, capturing her stunned expression.

"Good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep well?"

Lisa blinked, still caught in the dream. "You did all this?"

"Of course. Only the best for you."

He was attentive, thoughtful, and charming. Every hour with him deepened the enchantment-until the texts began.

The first came while she was dressing for brunch.

Be careful. He is not who he says he is.

Her hand froze. She looked around the room, but no one was there.

She locked the phone and told herself it was probably spam.

But the second message came the next day.

He's hiding something. Get out while you can.

This time, Lisa sat down. Her chest tightened. Who was sending these? A jealous ex? One of his female friends?

Could it be true?

She didn't want to believe it. Johnson had been nothing but kind, generous, and warm. But the timing was eerie. Her first time away from school. A luxurious house. A too-good-to-be-true romance.

Should she tell him?

No. If there was any truth to the messages, confronting him would only make him cleverer with his lies. But if it was a jealous girl trying to scare her away, reacting would mean giving them power.

For now, she would stay silent. Observe. Play along.

That evening, Johnson invited her to a private dinner on the rooftop of his mansion. There were fairy lights, a private chef, and soft jazz playing from hidden speakers.

He pulled out her chair. "To us," he toasted, raising his glass.

Lisa smiled, but her mind was spinning. Who are you really, Johnson?

They talked for hours. He asked about her childhood, her dreams, and her fears. He seemed genuine. Yet something in the way he deflected personal questions left her uneasy.

"Have you ever been in love?" she asked him.

He looked away, smiled wistfully. "Once. But she didn't deserve it."

Lisa tilted her head. "And how do you know I do?"

Johnson met her gaze, and for the first time, something flickered darkness. Or just depth?

"I don't know yet. But I'm willing to find out."

That night, Lisa couldn't sleep. Her phone buzzed again.

Leave now. He's planning something. Don't let the charm fool you.

She blocked the number. Her hands trembled. She looked over at Johnson, sleeping peacefully.

What if he's watching me? What if he knows?

The morning was different. There was no breakfast in bed. Johnson was gone when she woke up. No note. No messages.

Lisa stepped out of the room and found one of his friends in the hallway.

"Hey, morning," she said casually.

The friend's smile was strained. "You okay?"

"I think so. Why?"

He looked around, then leaned in. "Just... be careful, Lisa. Don't give in too soon."

Lisa's heart dropped.

"What do you mean?"

He hesitated. "I've said too much. Just watch your back."

Lisa knew then. This wasn't just a game. Someone on the inside was warning her. But were they helping, or was it another layer of deceit?

Would Lisa leave Johnson? Could she confront Johnson and uncover the truth? Or was she already in too deep, tangled in a beautiful lie with nowhere to run?

Whatever the outcome, this weekend was no longer just a romantic getaway; it had become a crossroads between fantasy and fear.

And Lisa had a choice to make.