Chapter 6 THE SLIP

Zara never meant to fall asleep in the hospital lounge. But somewhere between Tari's steady breathing and the low hum of fluorescent lights, her body gave in. She woke up to find his jacket draped over her, his hand still loosely clasped around hers. It was... intimate. Not in the way strangers fake closeness for an audience - but in the quiet, *real* way two people seek each other in the dark, even when they pretend not to. Tari was still asleep, his features softer, less guarded. Without the sharp suits and cutting words, he looked almost... young. Breakable.

Zara watched him for a moment before slipping her hand free and walking outside. The air was crisp, Lagos just beginning to stir awake. She leaned against the railing, trying to breathe, but everything inside her was too loud. This wasn't part of the plan. They had rules. She'd promised herself no feelings. No danger. Just six weeks of pretending and a clean break. So why did her heart ache whenever he was quiet for too long? Why did she find herself staring at him when he wasn't looking? Why did she *want* him to kiss her again? And why did that terrify her? "Couldn't sleep?" Tari's voice was low behind her. Zara didn't turn. "I did. You let me." He came to stand beside her. "You looked like you needed it." She laughed softly. "You're acting nice lately. It's suspicious." "Don't get used to it." She turned to face him. "That's the thing. I'm afraid I *will*." Tari looked at her then, really looked. His eyes didn't carry their usual chill - just something close to honesty. "I think we're already used to each other." That simple sentence cracked something inside her. And before she could stop herself, she said it: "I'm scared of what happens when this ends." He didn't flinch. Just stepped closer. "Then maybe it shouldn't end." Her breath hitched. "Tari..." He cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek like a question. And then he kissed her. This time, there were no audiences, no pretenses. It was slow, uncertain, and messy with everything they hadn't dared say. And when they finally pulled apart, Zara didn't say a word. Because the truth was now louder than the lie. The car ride back from the hospital was quiet - not cold, just... full. Full of questions, full of tension, full of *what now?* Zara stared out the window, replaying the kiss over and over. She didn't regret it. That was the scary part. She should've. It should've felt like crossing a line they could never uncross. But instead, it felt like finally breathing after holding her breath too long. Beside her, Tari kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly on his thigh. His jaw was tense, but he hadn't said a word since they left. She broke first. "So, we kissed." He exhaled, still looking straight ahead. "Yeah." "Twice, technically." "Right." "Are we going to talk about it or pretend it didn't happen?" Tari paused. "Which would you prefer?" She turned fully to him. "Don't do that." "Do what?" "Give me options like this is still a negotiation." He glanced at her, his voice lower now. "Okay. Then I'll say it straight." Zara's heart pounded. Tari continued, "I don't know what the hell we're doing. But pretending it's just a business deal is getting harder." Zara swallowed. "So what does that mean?" "It means I feel something. I don't know what to do with it. But it's real." She blinked at him, momentarily speechless. Tari added, "And if you don't feel it too... just say the word." She looked away, voice soft. "I do. That's the problem." He parked the car. The moment stretched. Then he reached across, took her hand gently. "Then maybe it's time we stop lying." Zara nodded slowly. But neither of them noticed the flash. Across the street, tucked behind a tinted window, a phone camera clicked. And just like that, the secret started slipping. *** The next morning, Zara's phone blew up. She opened Instagram to see her name tagged in a post. A grainy photo. Her and Tari. In the car. His hand on hers. Caption: *"CEO Tari Amadi spotted with mystery woman? Rumor has it the fake engagement might be real after all..."* Zara's stomach dropped. She hadn't even told her best friend yet. Now the entire blogosphere had their heads in it. Her phone buzzed again. *Dami*: *Babe what's happening?! Is the engagement even fake anymore?? Are y'all in love for real? You've been quiet and now THIS???* Then a call came in. Tari. She answered immediately. "Tell me you didn't leak that." His voice was clipped. "Of course not. I'm trying to control it." "You said this would stay quiet!" "I'm handling it." "No, you're *managing optics*. I'm the one being dragged online by your past and present." "I'll release a statement." Zara's voice shook. "You think a statement will stop this from spreading?" Silence. "I didn't sign up for this level of exposure, Tari. I just wanted peace and money - not chaos." He exhaled. "Come to the office. We'll talk it through." But she didn't. She needed space. And worse - she needed to figure out whether the panic in her chest was because the lie was falling apart... Or because the truth was surfacing faster than she was for.