Chapter 65 — Beneath The Glittering Lights
The flash of cameras continued endlessly.
"Everybody look here!"
The photographer sounded close to losing his sanity.
Which was understandable.
Because the Collins family pictures had turned into complete chaos.
Faridat kept dragging Ridwan closer each time he attempted creating distance.
Folakemi refused to stand at the back.
Balkis remained distracted.
And Seifullah—
Poor Seifullah had not successfully looked away from Rayyan for more than thirty seconds since the pictures began.
"Smile naturally," the photographer instructed.
"I am smiling naturally," Folakemi argued immediately.
"No ma'am… that one looks threatening."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Even Mr. Collins laughed deeply.
Rihannat leaned slightly against her grandmother while laughing softly, and for a moment Mrs. Collins simply stared at her quietly with emotional eyes.
Like she still could not believe this child truly returned to them.
The old woman gently touched her cheek.
"My granddaughter."
The words were barely above whisper.
Yet Rihannat heard them clearly.
And suddenly her breath paused.
Because no matter how strong she tried acting lately…
A part of her still mourned the years they lost.
Mrs. Collins noticed immediately.
So she simply squeezed her hand gently.
No more words.
Just warmth.
Just presence.
And that comforted her more.
—
Meanwhile downstairs near the drinks section—
Ridwan was actively looking for escape routes.
Unfortunately Faridat noticed everything.
"Where are you going?"
"To breathe."
"You have been breathing since."
Ridwan closed his eyes briefly.
This girl would finish him one day.
Faridat crossed her arms stubbornly.
"You avoided me for almost one month."
"I was busy."
"You're lying again."
"I'm not."
"You changed places. You didn't follow basit home anymore and you live in the same compound. Why?"
Ridwan froze.
Basit, who stood nearby sipping juice peacefully, almost sprayed it out immediately.
Faridat pointed dramatically.
"Aha!"
Ridwan glared at Basit like betrayal had occurred on national television.
"You told her?"
Basit raised both hands innocently. "I said nothing."
"You reacted yourself," Faridat replied proudly.
Ridwan sighed deeply.
This was exactly why he stayed away from her.
Faridat was too observant.
Too persistent.
Too… attached.
And the dangerous part?
A small part of him liked it.
Which was precisely the problem.
"Why are you avoiding me?" she asked again quietly this time.
The playful tone disappeared slightly.
Ridwan's expression softened briefly.
Before he could answer—
A voice interrupted.
"Basit."
The three turned immediately.
Rihannat stood there now beside Rayyan.
Beautiful and elegant.
Glowing softly beneath the golden lights.
Ridwan smiled faintly. "You survived."
"Barely," she admitted.
Basit moved closer immediately.
"How are you feeling?"
His voice carried that familiar gentleness only reserved for her.
—
Segun noticed it from upstairs.
Interestingly captivated with their conversations.
So the boy truly loved her that deeply.
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Love made people weak.
Predictable.
Easy to destroy.
—
Elsewhere in the hall, Sulaimon Whitney finally cornered Balkis properly.
Not intentionally.
At least that was what he told himself.
Balkis had escaped temporarily toward one quieter hallway leading to the garden area outside.
She needed air.
Too many rich people.
Too much attention.
Too many emotions.
And unluckily for her—
Sulaimon appeared again.
"You keep running away from me."
Balkis nearly jumped.
"Ha! You scared me."
His lips twitched slightly.
"That wasn't my intention."
Silence settled briefly between them.
The night breeze moved softly through the open hallway while distant music floated from the main hall.
Balkis looked away first.
"Thank you."
Sulaimon studied her quietly.
"For what?"
"For that night."
"You already thanked me."
"Not properly."
He leaned slightly against the wall calmly.
"You don't owe me gratitude for basic decency."
Again.
That sentence.
That calm honesty.
Balkis hated how it affected her.
"You're different," she found herself saying suddenly.
One brow lifted slightly.
"Different from?"
"The men I've met."
For a moment, something unreadable flickered through his eyes.
Not arrogance.
Not amusement.
Something quieter.
Then softly—
"And you're different from the women I've met too."
Balkis immediately looked away again.
Ya Allah.
Why was this man speaking calmly yet dangerously at the same time?
Before she could recover—
Voices approached from nearby.
Two older businessmen entered the hallway discussing loudly before pausing immediately after recognizing Sulaimon.
"Whitney!"
The men greeted warmly.
Sulaimon nodded politely.
One of them laughed lightly while glancing at Balkis.
"Ah… now we understand why the young heir disappeared from the hall."
Balkis nearly choked.
Sulaimon however remained calm.
"She's a friend."
The businessmen exchanged knowing smiles that clearly said we don't believe you.
Balkis wanted the earth to swallow her instantly.
—
Back inside the grand hall—
Rayyan stood quietly near one of the large windows sipping water slowly.
The night outside looked peaceful compared to the overwhelming luxury indoors.
"You look uncomfortable."
She turned immediately.
Seifullah.
Not again.
Rayyan inhaled slowly.
"No… just tired."
His gaze softened slightly.
"You dislike crowded places?"
"I got used to avoiding them."
The answer came naturally before she realized it.
Seifullah studied her carefully.
There was sadness hidden behind her calm composure.
Not weakness.
Not fragility.
Just someone who had survived difficult things quietly.
And somehow—
That drew him even more.
"I'm sorry if my staring made you uncomfortable earlier," he admitted suddenly.
Rayyan nearly blinked in surprise.
At least he was honest.
"You noticed?"
A faint embarrassed smile appeared briefly on his face.
"Unfortunately."
For the first time since tonight began—
Rayyan laughed freely.
And honestly?
The sound hit Seifullah harder than expected.
Because suddenly the luxurious hall, the guests, the conversations—
Everything faded temporarily.
Leaving only her.
From a distance, the girls watched shamelessly.
Folakemi nearly screamed into Balkis' shoulder after returning.
"He's gone!"
Faridat nodded seriously.
"Finished completely."
Rihannat laughed helplessly.
Helpless at her brother's stunned look.
But beneath the laughter—
She felt relieved.
Because for the first time in a very long while…
Rayyan looked genuinely relaxed around a man.
No fear.
No guarded expression.
Just calm conversation.
Maybe healing truly came slowly.
—
High above them on the balcony—
Segun watched quietly.
His fingers tapped lazily against the glass railing.
Everywhere tonight carried warmth.
Love.
Connection.
Hope.
How beautiful.
How temporary.
Then suddenly—
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
"Everything is ready."
Segun's faint smile returned slowly.
Finally.
Now things could become interesting again.
@OlukoyaZainab