CHAPTER 11

It felt like I had been awake for hours, yet I was unable to utter a word or move. My gaze was fixed on Lyon as my mind reeled into confusion. I knew that the OBI family held great power, but this. this just felt different.

Lyon had said so easily, "The OBI family really wants you back, Sommy Lanka."

How come? After all these years? Why do they want me, Sommy Lanka, back?

My heart thundered against my chest as Lyon dialed the phone. I barely caught the words before my brain overheated. He was asking for Harry, Dad's closest confidant and patriarch of the OBI family, to come for me personally. It was close to ridiculous that Harry would actually come all the way here. He was one of those men who always stayed so above it all, unreachable practically. He would never agree to such a request from Lyon.

"Fine. Forget it if Harry refuses to come! Bye!" Lyon hanged up without afterthoughts, his lips curling into a smile that made me nervous.

I sprang up from the couch, my eyes flashing in anger at him. "Are you crazy? You seriously want to have Grandpa come get me? I say we leave and forget about all this. They sound way too serious for my liking.

Lyon looked at me, grinning. "Don't worry, Sommy. Just wait. Three. two. one."

Before he had even finished counting, my phone vibrated. My heart went into a race in my throat.

"Sommy," Harry's voice came through, strained but oddly patient. "I'll be there to pick you up in half an hour. Get ready."

I stared at the phone with incredulity. "He is coming?"

Lyon nodded calmly. "Looks like Grandpa is eager to see you.

My stomach twisted in knots. I'd spent years avoiding Harry, and now he was going to come right to me. The idea terrified me more than I was willing to admit.

I grabbed Lyon's arm, trying to calm myself, though my hands were shaking. "What are we doing, Lyon? This doesn't feel right.

Lyon didn't seem in the least bit perturbed. "Relax, Sommy. This is how it is all supposed to go. Trust me."

Half an hour later, a sleek black Mercedes Benz slid to a smooth stop before the hotel. The very presence sent a shiver down my spine as the door opened to let Harry out, commanding the space around him with his easily exuded presence.

Lyon quickly made it onto his feet; he then beckoned me to follow him. "Come on, time to face the music."

I was stuck; my frozen joints refused to move, so Lyon took my hand, lugging me after him. Harry, at the sight of us, slumped slightly, but called out as the moments ticked by, "Sommy, you. get in the car, boy. We have much to talk about.

I was so taken aback by the rare smile on Harry's face that words failed me. He had never given me anything but cold indifference all my life. And here he was, smiling at me, as though everything between us had never been strained.

Harry wasted no time in the car. "I'll get straight to the point, Sommy. You've been working on the West Lagos Eco-Park development, haven't you?

I nodded, still processing his sudden shift in demeanor. "Yes, I've been working on the proposal for months."

"Well, now's your chance to present it. Mr. Jennings from the Ministry of Construction personally requested you. He wants to see your plan in person."

I almost dropped my phone. Mr. Jennings? The same Jennings who works with the Ministry?

"Do your best, Sommy. You've got this," Harry went on, his voice softer now, filled with something that almost sounded like pride.

I couldn't believe this. Was Harry actually urging me on?

At 7:55, Lyon and I reached the office building, and my mind was still racing. Again, my phone buzzed, and I was nearly jumping out of my skin.

"Ms. Lanka, you're here! Please, after you," Orlando said, rising the instant we entered the room. "Tea or coffee?"

Lyon beat me to it. "Tea for Sommy. Coffee for me."

I gawked, still shocked. Mr. Jennings is here? Orlando—the head of the Ministry's construction division—was attending to us personally. Why?

"Please, Ms. Lanka, take a seat," Orlando insisted, his voice respectful as he led us to the waiting area.

I was beyond confused now. Why was Orlando treating me like this? It wasn't just respect—it was admiration. Something wasn't adding up.

Lyon didn't seem the least bit fazed by it. "Sit down, Sommy."

I nodded, still trying to take it all in. Over the next few minutes, Orlando came back with our drinks, carefully placing them before us. Lyon leaned back casually, confident in his usual posture.

I didn't even realize when Orlando went to set up the pitch. My hand shook a little as I handed over the document. "Mr. Jennings. I mean. Orlando, I'm Sommy Lanka. Nice meeting you. Here's my proposal."

Orlando smiled wryly. "Ms. Lanka, your reputation precedes you. We trust your work implicitly."

My mouth went dry. Did he just say that?

But then Orlando's eyes flickered to Lyon, and something in his eyes changed. The sudden tension was palpable, and I knew in that moment that Lyon wasn't just a powerful man-he was untouchable.

Orlando took the proposal from me and started discussing the details with the project leaders. I barely heard the conversation because my mind was lost in my own thoughts. Why had they put so much trust in me?

In about thirty minutes, Orlando got up, smiling. "The plan is perfect, Ms. Lanka. You've scored ninety-five out of a hundred. After a few minor revisions on our end, we're good to go."

Lyon straightened up. "So, we got the project?"

Orlando nodded. "Yes. Your proposal was the best of thirty-three submitted. It is clear that you and the OBI family are more than capable of handling this project."

My mind was racing, but I nodded-the feeling of disbelief having gone through my mind. It was it; we had gotten the project. I had done it.

I felt like floating outside the building. My legs moved themselves while my mind was lagging behind, not quite catching up with the action. I couldn't believe it: my proposal, the project to which I had given my heart and soul, was accepted. More than that, it was praised. For this one moment, I forgot the tension that was between Harry and me, the strange dynamics that were between me and Lyon, my remaining doubts toward the OBI family. This was my moment. Or at least, it should have been.

"Not bad, huh?" Lyon's voice cut into my thoughts. He gave me a lopsided grin as we stepped out into the evening air, the golden hues of the setting sun streaking across the city skyline.

"Not bad?" I turned to him, incredulous. "That was incredible! They loved it. They… they actually trusted me.

Lyon smirked, his hands casually slipping into his pockets. "Of course they trusted you. You're Sommy Lanka, aren't you? Or have you forgotten who you are?"

His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I frowned, my earlier elation dimmed. "What's that supposed to mean?

It means you're more powerful than you give yourself credit for," he said, his tone lighter now, almost teasing. "But hey, if you're done doubting yourself, we've got bigger things to deal with."

"Bigger things?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Harry didn't come all the way here for some family reunion," Lyon said, his voice dropping an octave. "He has plans for you, Sommy. And trust me, they're not the kind you can walk away from."

My stomach twisted. "What kind of plans?

Lyon didn't answer immediately; instead, he dug his phone out of his pocket and scrolled over a few messages before swinging the screen toward me. It was an encrypted e-mail, one I couldn't fully read, but the words "OBI PROJECT" and "EXECUTIVE APPROVAL" stood out in bold. My heart plummeted.

"They. they are involving me in the family business, aren't they?" I whispered.

Lyon's expression relaxed somewhat, but his signature smugness was far from eradicated. "You knew this was a chance. They've been holding out for a show and display. And you've just obliged them."

I shook my head, retreating a step backward. "No. I didn't sign up for this. I just wanted to build something-something good. Not… not get dragged into their world.

"It's not a world you can escape from, Sommy," Lyon said quietly. "You're one of them, whether you like it or not."

Before I could reply, the black Mercedes drew up once more, and Harry got out. His presence was commanding as always, but today, there was something flickering in those eyes that wasn't. Determination. Or expectation.

"Sommy," he said, his tone even, but firm nevertheless. "We need to talk. Privately."

I looked sideways at Lyon, who nodded in encouragement, and then back at Harry. I followed him, a bit reluctantly, into a secluded corner near the car.

Harry's face was impassive as he turned to me. "You did well today. The Ministry is impressed. More importantly, I'm impressed.

"Thanks," I said with a caution. "But somehow, this doesn't seem to have anything to do with the project."

Harry's lips compressed into a thin line. "You're right it doesn't. The project was a test-one you passed with flying colors. But now, it's time for you to step up. The family needs you, Sommy."

"Needs me for what?" I asked, shaking a little.

"There… forces at play that threaten everything we've built," Harry said. "Enemies who want to see the OBI family fall. We need someone with your vision, your skill, to help secure our future."

I stared at him, my mind reeling. "You want me to fight your battles? To clean up your messes?"

Harry's eyes went flinty. "I want you to lead, Sommy. Take your rightful place in this family. You are strong and intelligent and have the heart. Don't let the fear hold you back.".

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come. Deep down, a part of me knew he was right. I'd spent so long running from the OBI family, trying to forge my own path, but maybe… maybe this was my path all along.

Harry put a firm but reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Think about it. But do not take too long. Time is not on our side."

As he walked away, I felt pride, fear, and confusion churning inside me. I turned to Lyon, leaning casually against the car, his eyes watching me with a knowing smile.

"Looks like you've got a lot to think about," he said.

"Yeah," I muttered, climbing into the car. "A lot."