JAPHETH

Japheth leaned back after parking the car, smiled, and looked at Kaweme.

“You know,” he said, “if I’d known that being in a relationship was this sweet, I would’ve jumped in a long time ago.”

Kaweme smirked, unbuckling her seatbelt. “Duh. It’s sweet because it’s me. Try someone else and let’s see if it’ll taste the same.”

Japheth laughed. “Okay, okay, don’t be angry. I agree.” He reached for her hand. “Having my first relationship at almost thirty-five… I feel like I’ve been missing out all along. You’re sweet, Kaweme. You’re an angel. Have you always been like this?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I think the right person just brings out the best in you. So… maybe it’s you.”

“No,” he said, eyes softening. “I think you’ve always been special. But yes, I’ll take the credit for being the right person. I deserve some glory.”

She chuckled. “You are moving fast with getting ready for the wedding. I still can’t believe your suit measurement is done, when I have not even picked a dress style.”

“That’s because I know your household is already getting to work. Probably interviewing fifty wedding planners as we speak.”

“I doubt they’ve done anything yet,” she said, laughing. “But they’ll figure it out.”

“Well, Luyando and I don’t have a household. So we’re sorting out our suits and everything by ourselves.”

“Fair enough, just do it my way.” She tilted her head. “I love cream on a man. Not the usual black. Cream will suit you. Especially with blush pink, our colour for the day.”

“Blush pink?” Japheth blinked. “Pink? Seriously?”

“Excuse me, it’s my wedding.”

They burst into laughter, the kind that came easily when two hearts were at rest.

Just then, a knock came.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Shem said, standing by the door.

Japheth turned. “No, no. Come in.”

He did, and said, “I have an update, and I think Kaweme should hear it.”

Kaweme sat up. “Finally. Someone not trying to babysit me. Thank you, Shem.”

Japheth sighed. “Babe, you know I’m just trying to protect you.”

Shem nodded solemnly. “They’ve killed your former driver. My men found his body tonight.”

Kaweme gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my God.” Tears filled her eyes.

Japheth grabbed her hands. “See? This is why I didn’t want to tell you these kinds of things.”

“No,” she said, trembling. “I should know. I deserve to know how dangerous this is.”

“I agree,” Shem said gently. “But please don’t blame yourself. That man made his choices. We discovered he’s been on their payroll for over a year.”

Japheth’s eyes darkened.

Shem continued, “We’re also opening an investigation into your father’s last trip. We’ve hired a private investigator. I’ve stretched every military connection I have, but now we’ll need money.”

“I’ll pay,” Japheth said quickly.

“No,” Kaweme said, sitting up straighter. “My father’s head of security will handle it. I’ll call them now.”

“Don’t,” Japheth said firmly. “We don’t know who’s involved. We can’t trust anyone outside this circle.”

“Then I’ll pay,” she said quietly.

“Okay,” Japheth replied. “But let’s not rush. Let’s plan.”

Shem nodded. “One more thing, I recommend Kaweme stays indoors for at least a week. This place is secure. We don’t know their next move, and until we understand their motive, we have to be careful. We’re working to flip one of them, but until then…”

“You want me to be a prisoner in my own house?” she asked, voice tight.

“It’s just my recommendation,” Shem said calmly. “I’ll leave the decision to you both.”

“Thank you, brother,” Japheth said.

Shem gave a small nod and left the car quietly.

The door clicked shut.

Kaweme’s tears returned. “They’ve killed my father. They killed my mother. My sister. Now me? This place scares me. I want to leave and never come back.”

Japheth leaned closer, cupping her. “Then let’s leave. I will rather, we stay and fight this, but if you are scared, we’ll leave all of this. I have enough. We can go start over in the U.S.”

Kaweme blinked. “You mean it?”

He nodded. “I just want you to be happy.”

She took a breath. “Remind me of the scripture… the one I told you came to me last night.”

“‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,’” he whispered, “‘I will fear no evil…’”

She finished it with him. “For Thou art with me.”

“Who is ‘Thou’?” Japheth asked her, his hands still in hers, but he had leaned away now.

“God.”

“Exactly,” he said, eyes locked on hers. “When God is with you, you don’t run. You watch and wait. Even if thousands fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, nothing will touch you.”

She let out a shaky breath, then nodded.

He kissed her forehead gently. “Now, let’s get back to picking a suit colour, that is not blush pink.”

She laughed through her tears. “I still can’t believe he’s dead. He betrayed me.”

“I’m sorry,” Japheth said. “But you’re alive, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  SHEM

When Shem stepped out of the car, he walked into the garden, exhaling into the cool night air. His head was already plotting how to crack this case.

I don’t know how not to work, he thought to himself. I don’t know how to just… switch off.

But he was grateful to be here. To serve Japheth. To protect Kaweme. He looked up at the stars and muttered, “God, please don’t let me mess this up. Let nothing evil happen on my watch. Please… protect her. Protect them. Let this couple live to enjoy their beginning. My brother deserves this happiness, let the evil people plotting not win. Lord, give me the intelligence to make this go away.”

He took a seat on one of the garden benches and continued to pray, softly, then more intently, words turning into tongues. Until he opened his eyes…

And saw her.

Malaika.

Standing there. Unmoving. Watching him.

He blinked. Did I imagine her? But no, she was real.

She took a few cautious steps forward. “Shem? You’re Japheth’s brother?”

He straightened, unsure of how much she had heard. “How much of my prayer did you catch?”

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I was looking for my bracelet and I… stumbled on you, and I couldn’t walk away.”

He gave a small shrug, not as upset as he probably should’ve been. “That was careless of me. I guess I got a little too open.” Then, quieter, “It protects you not to know how bad things are.”

She folded her arms. “So… it’s that bad?”

“Yes,” he said. “And it means that even being here isn’t entirely safe. Something could happen.”

Her brows furrowed. “So, you’re here to protect Kaweme. Who’s protecting me?”

Shem stared at her, amused. Wow, he thought. Spoiled. Self-centered. But… somehow still funny.

He chuckled. “Maybe it’s a good idea for you to leave.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m not leaving Kaweme. I’m going to be here for her. But… protect me too. Don’t protect only her.”

Shem burst into laughter, he couldn’t help it.

She frowned. “Why are you laughing? It’s not funny.”

Still smiling, he found himself shifting on the bench. “Come. Sit.”

She hesitated. Then sat beside him.

“Don’t worry,” he said gently. “God will take care of us. He’s the only one who can truly protect.”

“I know,” she said. “But I’m scared.”

He nodded, understanding. “And… about this morning, I’m sorry I tried to order you around,” she added. “I had an arrangement with the other driver. I just assumed.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “If I didn’t have an assignment, I’d have driven you. I wouldn’t mind helping a beautiful lady run her errand.”

He said it lightly, but something in the tone made her glance at him.

“Are you flirting with me?” she asked.

“Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong person,” he said, smirking.

She blinked. “What does that even mean?”

“Don’t worry,” he added. “I won’t flirt with you.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t.”

Shem blinked. This girl.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold bracelet. “You were looking for this?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh my God! You had it all along?”

“Found it this evening near the car. I thought it belonged to Kaweme.”

“Thank you!” she exclaimed, and before he could react, she threw her arms around him.

The hug knocked the wind out of him. He hugged her back, tight, protective, involuntary.

He felt something, too much something.

Before he could process it, she pulled away. “Sorry,” she said, cheeks flushed. “I’m just happy, and scared, all at the same time.”

He held her gaze. “Don’t be scared. Just pray. Are you a Christian?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Then don’t be random. Don’t coast. Have a strong relationship with God. Talk to Him. Tell Him you’re afraid.”

She looked down. “It’s just that… sometimes, I feel like God doesn’t answer. Bad things still happen. So what’s the point?”

Shem’s face softened. “I get it. Trust me, I do. But what other hope do we have? We have to believe that He means well. Even when life doesn’t.”

He paused, then added with a half-smile, “I sound like a pastor now, don’t I? But just a few weeks ago, I was begging God to rescue me from blowing hot and cold.”

He sighed. “We all need connection. And I choose Jesus.”

She smiled, for real this time. “This conversation is… soothing.”

He raised a brow. “That’s a first. No one’s ever described a talk with me as soothing.”

She laughed softly. “Well, thank you. For finding my bracelet.”

She fiddled with it, trying to clasp it back on.

“May I?” he asked.

She nodded. “Please.”

He took it gently, fastened it around her wrist. It fit perfectly.

“Beautiful,” he said.

She glanced at the bracelet. “Yes. It is.”

“I meant you,” Shem said.

She smiled, shy, cheeks tingling. “Good night, Shem.”

“Good night.”

He watched her walk away, her scent still lingering, her laugh echoing faintly in his mind.

He remained in the garden, sitting in silence.

Smiling.

Praying.

And wondering what exactly he was stepping into.

—————————————————————————————————————————-

 KAWEME

Kaweme sat at her dressing table, facing the bed. She dabbed her moisturizer on slowly, trying to make peace with the fact that everything that had started to feel right was now spiraling again.

Just a few days ago, she thought she’d be getting married in three weeks. Now? She and Japheth had agreed to push it back. Maybe three months. Give things time to blow over. Time for the fear to lose its edge.

She understood why. But it didn’t mean she liked it.

As she reached for her serum, Malaika barged in.

“Kaweme! Why have you been keeping secrets from me?”

Kaweme blinked. “Malaika, what now?”

“I know everything,” Malaika said, breathless. “Shem told me.”

Kaweme froze. “Wait, what? Shem told you?”

“Okay… technically, he didn’t tell me. I stumbled on him praying in the garden. I overheard him. And yes, he confirmed it.”

Kaweme exhaled, setting the serum aside. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hide it out of distrust. I just… I didn’t want you to panic. Or run.”

Malaika’s expression softened. “Run? I could never run from you. You’re my best friend. But knowing the truth helps me know how to actually be there for you.”

Kaweme nodded. “We’re postponing the wedding.”

“What? Why?” Malaika’s face was drained of color.

“Mr. Matthew is dead.”

Malaika gasped. “Oh my God. Your driver? What? But, we just saw him! This is serious. Kaweme, this is scary.”

“That’s why it may be better for you to stay away…”

“Postpone the wedding? No. No no no. That’s horrible. But I’m not leaving. Shem is here to protect you, right? Well, he’ll protect me too. Your brother-in-law-to-be will be our security detail now.”

Kaweme squinted. “Okay, what exactly did you and Shem talk about?”

Malaika blushed. “He found my bracelet.”

“The one from Dubai?”

She nodded. “And… he called me beautiful.”

“Wait. Shem called you what?” Kaweme turned fully toward her.

“I know, right?” Malaika said, grinning. “He doesn’t seem like the type, but tonight… it was different. He looked at me like I was… I don’t know. Important.”

Kaweme raised an eyebrow. “Please don’t fall for a man that was nice to you mid-prayer. You probably caught him in a spiritual haze.”

Malaika laughed. “I hugged him.”

“You what? Malaika!”

“I couldn’t help it. It was the bracelet. I panicked, I found it, and then I was grateful…”

Kaweme folded her arms. “You hugged him because of a bracelet? Or because of his arms?”

“Okay, fine, the man is built. He’s like a wall. And I’m tiny. It’s like he could carry me in his pocket.”

“True,” Kaweme said dryly. “You’re bite-sized.”

“I know! And I don’t know… I just feel safe around him.”

“Please, don’t start catching feelings for my brother-in-law. It’ll be awkward.”

“If he likes me, I’ll like him back,” Malaika said simply.

Kaweme groaned. “Malaika!”

“Most guys can’t stand me. They think I’m too dramatic and spoiled. If Shem gets to know me and still sticks around? I’m not letting that go.”

“And I suppose you’ve told him to protect you too?”

“Of course. Equal opportunity protection.”

Kaweme shook her head, smiling despite still being shaken about her driver’s death and betrayal. “Leave my room.”

“Nope. I’m staying. With all that’s going on, I’m not sleeping alone. This bed is big. Our bodies won’t even touch.”

“God, where did I find you?”

“You didn’t find me,” Malaika said, settling on the bed. “God gave me to you. That’s why you love me.”

Kaweme sighed and turned off the light, grateful for Malaika.

 JAPHETH

Japheth woke up again.

It had been exactly 1:00 a.m,  just like it had been for the past six nights.

This was the seventh.

Though he’d barely gone to bed past midnight, exhausted from the day, his body obeyed the invisible pull that had been nudging him every night at the same time.

He no longer ignored it. He knew what it meant when heaven set a time, and when God calls, you show up.

Not doing so, he’d learned, could change the course of everything.

Quietly, he left his room and walked into the living room. It was still, silent, safe. He settled onto the couch and exhaled.

He almost didn’t pray.

Earlier that day, he, Luyando, and Kaweme had spent hours in prayer. Surely, God had heard.

But the nudge was still there.

So Japheth opened his mouth, and the Spirit gave him utterance.

He began to speak in tongues.

As the tongues poured, the Word dropped:

“Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, for I am with you.”

He paused, whispering, “Lord… is this for me too? Is this a Word for us?”

And suddenly, the Holy Spirit began to unfold the scripture like a scroll in his heart.

Even though you walk through…, there will be danger, yes.

But don’t stop walking.

Don’t freeze in fear.

Fear no evil… don’t delay your plans. Don’t cancel what I’ve ordained.

“Go ahead with the wedding,” the Spirit said. “I am with you.”

Japheth sat up straighter.

“I will prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies.”

That’s what this wedding would be. A declaration of victory.

A feast in the middle of a storm.

The revelation washed over him like rain. The rest of Psalm 23 began to rise in his spirit:

“Your cup runs over…”

“Surely, goodness and mercy will follow you…”

“You will dwell in the house of the Lord forever…”

Stay in My house.

Stay under My covering.

Don’t step out in fear.

Japheth began to weep and praise. His mouth mixed prayer with worship. He rose to his feet and chanted, danced lightly in place, groaned in tongues.

It was no longer duty, it was warfare. It was communion. It was obedience.

Suddenly, Luyando’s voice broke the moment.

“Ah, bro, you didn’t call me. There’s a prayer meeting tonight?”

Japheth turned, surprised and apologetic. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to wake you. I usually pray in my room, but I was feeling too tired. I needed to get out of bed to stay awake.”

Luyando smiled. “Well, the Holy Spirit woke me up too. And… He gave me a word for you. But I’ve been scared to say it.”

“Say it,” Japheth said gently.

“I kept hearing, ‘Go forth.’ Every time you talked about postponing the wedding last night, I hear it. I heard it again. Go forth.”

Japheth’s eyes welled. “That’s confirmation. That’s the exact word He gave me tonight. We’re not postponing anything. We will go forth.”

They embraced, a strong, quiet hug that said more than words ever could.

“I’ll miss you, bro,” Luyando said. “I don’t know how to live without you. We’ve been together all our lives.”

Japheth smiled. “A man leaves his father and mother… and becomes one with his wife.”

Luyando nodded. “Yeah. It’s time. And… I’m resigning tomorrow. I’m done with Nkandu. That man is poison. My heart is growing bitter, and I need peace. It’s a fresh start all round, because I am going to be house hunting too.”

Japheth frowned. “You’re leaving this house?”

“I got this place with you because you were starting your life,” Luyando said. “Now your wife is coming. It’s time for you to make it yours, a home. I’ll go find mine.”

“Luyando…”

“It’s time for both of us to begin again. Go forth. That’s God’s word for you. And maybe for me too.”

They hugged again.

“I love you, my brother,” Japheth said.

“Always,” Luyando replied, “forever.”

The two brothers continued to sing and praise,  hearts full, tears dry,  until they slowly drifted off to sleep, right there in the living room, side by side.