Kaweme stirred awake, blinking against the soft stream of morning light seeping through the curtains. For a second, she wasn’t sure where she was. But then it all came rushing back, the note, the fear, the comfort of Japheth’s arms, and finally, the quiet of this unfamiliar but strangely calming space.

She was in Japheth’s room.

The realization settled over her like a warm blanket. She looked around slowly, her eyes taking in the details: everything was neat. No stray clothes on the floor, no haphazard clutter. Just clean sheets, carefully arranged books, and the faint scent of something woodsy and warm. She almost laughed, his room was more put-together than hers on most days.

When he’d offered his room last night, she’d thought it was just kindness. But now, seeing how tidy it was, she realized, it wasn’t just kindness. It was intentional. This man… was thoughtful. There was no way Luyando’s room could have been this put together.

She sat up just as she heard a soft knock.

“Come in,” she said, quickly smoothing down her shirt.

The door creaked open and Japheth stepped in, carrying a mug. “Morning, sleeping beauty.”

She smiled, rubbing her eyes. “So… you think I’m beautiful?”

He grinned. “I know you’re beautiful. Everybody does, isn’t that what you told me on our first day?”

“I said Kaweme means beautiful.” She bit her lip, tempted to say more, but something held her back. Not now. Not yet.

“Where’s Luyando?”

“He had to run off. Golf match with his dad. Some weekly ritual. I was supposed to go too, but…” He shrugged playfully. “Someone had to play babysitter.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not your baby.”

He met her gaze. “Maybe not. But I’ll still take care of you.”

Her breath caught. “Japheth… don’t say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s confusing.”

“What’s confusing?”

“You make me think you have feelings for me.”

There was a beat of silence. Then he said quietly, “You’re Luyando’s cousin. That makes you my sister now.”

She straightened. “I don’t mind being your family. But not your sister.”

Japheth ran a hand through his hair, visibly struggling. “Kaweme… things are messy right now. You’re grieving. You’re under pressure. What you need from me isn’t romance. It’s stability. Friendship.”

She leaned forward, eyes locked on him. “Don’t patronize me. I know what I feel. I know the way you looked at me yesterday. The way you held me.”

“Of course I care about you,” he admitted, his voice low. “But I’ve never dated anyone before. Not seriously. I’m not built for that kind of thing. I’m messed up. I’ve carried too much for too long. I’m not going to drag someone into that.”

“But I’m not ‘someone,’” she whispered. “I’m me. And I feel safe with you in a way I’ve never felt with anyone else.”

He looked away.

“I want you in my life, Japheth. Not as a brother. Kalo is my brother. Luyando is my brother. You… I want you to be more.”

He laughed then, not mocking, but soft. Almost wistful. “You see me as boyfriend material?”

She smiled. “No. Husband material.”

He groaned, rubbing his temples. “You’re saying all this because of what’s happened. It’s too much emotion. You’re vulnerable.”

“I’m also grown,” she said firmly. “And self-aware. Don’t tell me how I feel. If you don’t like me, say that. If you don’t want to be with a woman, say that. But don’t reduce this to trauma. Don’t reduce me to confusion.”

He looked at her then. Really looked.

And instead of answering, he said, “I made you breakfast. Come out once you’ve freshened up. We’ll eat. Talk about what happened yesterday. The note. The hit. Everything.”

She stood. “I’m happy to talk about yesterday.”

Then, with a glint in her eye, she added, “Because we have all the time in the future to talk about me and you.”

He chuckled, that warm, helpless laugh of someone trying, and failing, not to be charmed.

The smell of vitumbuwa (fried banana fritters) and boiled sweet potatoes filled the air, wafting out from the kitchen into the small dining space. Japheth had even made a pot of strong Zambian milk tea, steeped with cardamom and cloves.

Kaweme walked barefoot, still in her oversized t-shirt and pajama pants from Luyando, her hair loosely tied. The sight of the table made her pause, eyes widening.

“You made all this?” she asked, smiling despite herself.

Japheth nodded, pouring her a cup of tea. “Saturday breakfast. Simple. Sweet. Comforting.”

She picked up a warm vitumbuwa, bit into it, and closed her eyes. “Wow. Japheth, this is… this is dangerously good.”

“I cook better than I code,” he teased.

“I don’t even know how to fry an egg,” she admitted with a laugh, then reached for another fritter. “You’ll make a great husband, you know.”

Japheth didn’t answer. He had already pulled out his laptop and was typing furiously.

Kaweme frowned. “Hey… why are you not eating?”

He didn’t look up. “Because someone threatened your life last night. And I’m trying to figure out who.”

She paused mid-bite. “It was just a letter, Japheth. A stupid one at that. Someone telling me to back off and go enjoy my money. It’s probably just a coward.”

“There was another letter,” he said, slowly lifting his gaze to meet hers. “I didn’t want to tell you until you were done eating.”

She set the fritter down. “Another?”

He closed the laptop and pulled out a folded sheet from the inside of his notebook. “This one had what looked like blood. And it said: Don’t be next.”

Her hands trembled. “Oh my God…”

Kaweme clutched the edge of the table. “This… this means someone actually killed my parents, doesn’t it?”

Japheth nodded slowly. “Or wants you to believe that. But either way, we take it seriously.

“It’s reckless to be threatening me like this.”

“That kind of recklessness is how we’ll catch whoever is behind this.”

Just then, her phone rang. She picked up and immediately recognized Nanny’s voice, breathless and urgent.

“There was an attempt to break into the house this morning,” Nanny said. “I triggered the alarm. I think they wanted Kalo.”

Kaweme stood so quickly her chair nearly toppled. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. I’ve taken him to a friend’s house in the barracks. We’re safe. But something is very wrong, Kaweme.”

Her voice cracked. “Nanny, thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“You don’t need to. I love him like my own. I’ll keep him safe.”

When the call ended, Kaweme dropped the phone and broke down. Japheth stood, walked around the table, and held her hand tightly.

“You’re safe,” he whispered. “He’s safe. But we can’t let this go unchecked anymore.”

That was when the front door opened and Luyando walked in, looking furious and winded.

“Have you seen the blogs?” he said, holding up his phone. “They’re dragging you, Kaweme. News outlets, anonymous blogs, even social media trolls. They’re calling you incompetent, spoiled, unqualified… and the board is panicking. Share prices dropped 12% in two weeks.”

She pulled back from Japheth and sat down, eyes glazed. “They’re going to vote me out.”

Japheth grabbed his laptop. “No, not if we act fast.”

Another ping. Kaweme picked up her phone.

Message from Chief of Staff: URGENT—Board Meeting today, 2:00 PM.

She sighed. “I have to go home. Get dressed. Prepare for battle.”

“I’m coming with you,” Japheth said.

She looked at him. “No. You’re already too involved. If this gets bloody… I don’t want you hurt.”

Luyando stepped in. “Then I’ll come.”

Kaweme shook her head. “Luyando, your mother just buried her sister and niece. You’re the only child she has. I can’t be the reason something happens to you.”

Japheth nodded. “She’s right.”

Luyando clenched his jaw. “And what about you, Japheth? You’re made of blood too.”

Japheth looked at him. Then looked at her.

“I don’t have a mother,” he said, voice even. “My father lost me years ago. I’ve been on my own since I was 13. I’m from the streets, Kaweme. I’ve seen worse. I’m built for this.”

She turned to him, eyes glistening. “But I’m not.”

He stepped closer, steady. “That’s why I’ll stand in front. We’ll walk through it. And I’ll make sure you’re still standing on the other side.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

Luyando, quieter now, pulled her into a hug. “We’ll get through this, cousin.”

Japheth nodded. “Together.”

———————————————————————————————————————

By the time they arrived at the company, the building was still quiet, too quiet for a day like this.

Kaweme had gone home to change, and Japheth had driven her in. She looked pristine in a soft grey pantsuit and minimal makeup, her eyes betraying the turmoil still swirling beneath. Japheth, as always, wore calm like an armor.

They both headed straight into her office.

“I think you should stay here until the Chief of Staff comes to get you,” Japheth said gently. “The boardroom will still be settling.”

Kaweme nodded and sank into her seat, staring at nothing. Japheth paced slowly, glancing through his phone, then over at her.

“Don’t worry. It will end well.”

“How do you know for sure?”

“Because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Kaweme smiled, “You are speaking in scriptures now?”

“The weakness of God is stronger than human strength. The only way to win, when the odds are stacked against you, is to completely hide in God and leave him to take over. So yes, I am speaking in scriptures because the word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and we need this fight to be completely his.”

Kaweme nodded in clarity, even though scared.

Five minutes later, the door creaked open.

The Chief of Staff, her father’s long-time right-hand man, entered with a small smile. “Good. You came early.”

“Uncle,” Kaweme said, rising quickly. “What is happening? Why are the blogs saying all this? That I’ve ruined the company? That I’m… incompetent?”

“Calm down, Kaweme,” he said, hands raised in reassurance. “Everyone understands. You’re still adjusting. You’ve been through too much. No one is out to get you.”

“That’s not true,” she said, her voice shaking. “They’ll criticize me. They’ll eat me alive.”

“No, my dear. They loved your father. Most of them are here today because they want to stand by you. Now let me go usher them in. A few of the board members, including the chairman, just arrived. I’ll be back to get you in fifteen minutes.”

He left quietly.

As the door closed, Kaweme turned to Japheth. “I feel like I’m a student who failed her exams and is now waiting for her parents to come and beat her.”

Japheth chuckled lightly. “It doesn’t work that way. These people are very busy. If they came in person, it’s likely because they care. If they wanted to scold you, they’d send emails and threats, not show up. Trust me.”

Kaweme sighed. “Now someone is trying to kill me. Or ruin my father’s name. Maybe both.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Japheth said. “We’ll get through this. Together. Jesus is on our side.”

“Japheth,” she whispered, “I don’t think God likes me. I don’t think He likes my family at all. We weren’t serious Christians. We just attended church. We didn’t fast… maybe this is punishment.”

Japheth walked to her and held her hands. “No. God isn’t like that. He’s not the devil. He’s a Father. You were preserved, Kaweme. You and Kalo should have been on that flight. But you weren’t. That’s grace. That’s protection.”

Kaweme blinked away tears.

“This is your moment to build,” Japheth said. “To rise. You will not die. Not on my watch.”

She moved forward and hugged him. “If you weren’t here, Japheth, I wouldn’t be able to do this. I would have collapsed. You give me a reason to keep going.”

He pulled back slightly. “You give me too much credit. You’re stronger than you know. Now, let’s pray.”

And he prayed. Short, clear, powerful. When he said amen, she whispered hers, lips trembling with emotion.

Her phone buzzed. “It’s Nanny,” she said, eyes wide. “Oh no… I hope nothing’s wrong.”

She picked up, dread tightening her chest. “Hello?”

“Kaweme,” Nanny said, her voice oddly soft. “I’m sorry. I raised a false alarm.”

“What?”

“I’ve been paranoid. The man who came to the house this morning wasn’t an intruder. It was the gardener. He didn’t realize anyone had moved in. He left his keys and was trying to get into the lawn. I panicked. I thought—” she sighed. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry for scaring you.”

Kaweme exhaled. “It’s okay. Better safe than sorry. Please don’t beat yourself up.”

“We’re going back home now,” Nanny said. “We’re okay.”

After she cut the call, she turned to Japheth and relayed everything.

“At least now we know Kalo isn’t under any direct attack, but let the security detail remain, for now,” Japheth said, visibly relieved and Kaweme nodded. “That narrows things down. If it’s a local threat, it’s easier to investigate. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He met her eyes. “Always.”

A soft knock came at the door. The Chief of Staff again.

“They’re ready,” he said.

Kaweme straightened her jacket.

Japheth walked her to the door. “I’ll be right here when you’re done.”

She lingered for a second, held his gaze, and said, “Thank you.”

Then she stepped into the hallway, head held high.

Japheth had gone back to his office the moment Kaweme stepped into the boardroom. He sat at his desk, his mind spinning. Whoever was behind the threats, his instincts screamed it had to be someone from inside the company.

Going to the police was the right move, but it came with its risks. One leak to the press, and the entire situation would explode out of proportion. The headlines would devour her: “Incompetent Heiress Under Siege.” He couldn’t let that happen.

Just then, he heard a knock. Luyando stepped in.

“Man,” Luyando said, walking straight to the window. “This is killing me. I just couldn’t sit still. I’m scared for her.”

Japheth nodded, eyes still on his screen. “Good news, Kalo is safe. Nanny called us earlier.”

“She called us or she called her?” Luyando smirked.

Japheth raised a brow. “Don’t be ridiculous. She called Kaweme, and I was there. She said it was a false alarm, just her paranoia acting up.”

Luyando sighed in relief. “Whew. Okay. That’s something.” He pulled a chair and sat. “This feels like inside work.”

“I think so too,” Japheth said. “And I plan to set traps, very subtle ones. Whoever it is won’t see it coming.”

Luyando reached across the table and gave him a firm handshake. “That’s my brother.”

Japheth gave a small smile. “We’ll get them.”

As Luyando stood, he glanced at the time. “How long’s the board meeting been?”

“Two hours,” Japheth replied.

“Two? I thought it was a quick update kind of thing. You don’t think they’re grilling her?”

“I hope not. I’d give anything to be a fly on that wall,” Japheth said. “But while she’s in there, I’m doing my part.”

They both turned at the sound of footsteps, board members quietly filing out of the meeting room.

Luyando said, “Let me go to her office, meet her there…”

But before he could finish, they spotted Kaweme through the glass window, walking directly toward Japheth’s office.

Luyando raised a brow. “Well, I guess that won’t be necessary. She’s coming to see her prince.”

Japheth gave him a look. “Stop. Don’t start. Just last week, you didn’t even want me near her.”

“Yeah, but I see the way she looks at you. She picked you.”

“And I told you, not everything between a man and a woman has to end in romance.”

Before Luyando could counter, Kaweme entered.

They both said at once, “Good news?”

She nodded, smiling, soft but genuine. “Not bad at all. Actually… they were kind.”

Relief washed over both men.

“They said they understand what I’m going through. They even praised my courage, but a few mentioned that I’m clearly inexperienced. So… they’ve decided to appoint an acting CEO, one of my dad’s oldest friends. I’m taking a one-year leave. I’ll be going for executive training, then spending some time with Kalo in the States.”

Luyando muttered, “There’s no timeline to grief…”

Kaweme nodded. “I know. But… I think this will help me get stronger. I actually feel good about it.”

Japheth was quiet for a beat. “So… you’re leaving.”

She looked at him and nodded. “Yes.”

Japheth stared at his screen. “Okay. Good idea.” And just like that, he returned to typing.

Luyando tried to break the silence. “I can drop you off, if he’s busy.”

But Japheth shut his laptop. “I’m not busy.”

Luyando’s brow lifted.

“I’ll drop her off,” Japheth insisted.

Luyando held his hands up. “Say no more. I’m leaving.”

The city passed by in a blur of headlights and neon signs as Japheth drove steadily toward Kaweme’s house. The silence between them wasn’t awkward; it was thick with meaning, like words hanging in the air, waiting to be chosen. Kaweme stared out the window for a while, then gently reached for the hand Japheth had resting on the gear stick.

“Thank you, Japheth,” she said quietly.

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “For nothing.”

“No,” she said, her voice firmer now. “For everything. For being here, for standing by me… for not letting me fall apart.”

He didn’t respond immediately. The sound of the engine filled the space between them.

“I guess you can breathe easy now,” she added with a dry smile. “I’ll be out of your hair. You won’t need to babysit me anymore.”

Japheth exhaled, eyes still on the road. “You were never a burden, Kaweme.”

“Really?” she asked, surprised. “Because it sure felt like I was forcing myself into your life.”

“No,” he said again. “You weren’t.”

“But you don’t like me.”

He turned briefly to look at her, his expression softening. “That’s what you think.”

She blinked. “So… you do?”

“I like you,” he said simply.

Her heart stumbled in her chest. She smiled, blushing as she looked down at their still-intertwined hands. “So you don’t want me to go?”

He hesitated, then shook his head. “You should go. I like that you’re taking this seriously. The training will do you good. And spending time with your brother, being away from all this chaos, it’s necessary. You’ll have space to grieve, and space to grow. You can even focus on your makeup brand. You’ve talked about it so many times. Start it now. Hire someone to help. Lay the foundation.”

She nodded slowly, impressed by how well he listened, but sad about how easy he was letting her go. “I want to leave as soon as possible. Maybe next week. Even though Nanny says Kalo is fine, I need to see him with my own eyes. It’ll help me rest easy.”

Japheth gave a small nod. “I’ll miss you.”

A smile spread slowly across her face. “Please do,” she whispered. “I’ll be happy if you miss me.”

Japheth chuckled, the kind of laugh that escapes before a man realizes he’s letting his guard down. He looked away, embarrassed, shaking his head.

“This girl…” he murmured.

And for a moment, neither of them said anything. The car rolled on through the quiet night, but something had shifted, gentle, unmistakable, and beautifully unresolved.