Room 304

Amara stood in front of the hotel.

Her heart was beating so loud, it felt like people around her could hear it.

The building wasn’t even that big.

Just a quiet, slightly fancy place tucked off the main road.

Nothing dramatic.

Nothing suspicious.

And somehow…

That made it worse.

Because everything about it looked normal.

Too normal.

Her phone buzzed.

Tobi.

Tobi:
I’m inside already.

Amara exhaled slowly.

At least that part was real.

Where are you? she typed quickly.

Three dots appeared.

Second floor. Don’t look for me. Just go straight.

Amara swallowed.

You sure this is safe?

A few seconds passed.

Then:

No. But I’m here.

That answer didn’t comfort her.

But it was honest.

And somehow… she preferred that.

She locked her phone.

Looked up at the building again.

“This is madness,” she whispered.

Then she walked in.

The air conditioning hit her immediately.

Cool.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

The receptionist barely looked up.

“Good afternoon.”

Amara forced a small smile.

“Hi.”

“Room?”

Her throat went dry.

“304.”

The receptionist nodded like it was nothing.

“Third floor. Left.”

Just like that.

No questions.

No suspicion.

Amara turned toward the stairs.

Each step felt heavier.

Her heels clicking softly against the floor.

Her chest tightening with every movement.

Second floor.

She slowed slightly.

Her eyes moved around.

Looking for Tobi.

But she didn’t see him.

That made her nervous again.

“You said you’re here,” she muttered under her breath.

No answer.

Of course.

He told her not to look for him.

Still…

It felt strange.

She continued.

Third floor.

The moment she stepped out, her heart rate doubled.

The hallway was quiet.

Empty.

Just a long stretch of doors.

And somewhere in that silence…

Room 304.

Amara walked slowly.

Her eyes scanning the numbers.

She stopped.

Right in front of her.

Her chest rose and fell.

Fast.

Too fast.

“This is it,” she whispered.

Her hand lifted slightly.

Then paused.

What if this was a mistake?

What if Tobi was wrong?

What if she was walking into something she couldn’t come out of?

Her phone buzzed again.

Tobi.

I can see you. You’re fine. Go in.

Amara’s eyes widened slightly.

“You can see me?”

She looked around again.

Still nothing.

That was both reassuring…

And scary.

She took a deep breath.

Then knocked.

Once.

Twice.

Silence.

Then…

The door opened.

Femi stood there.

Same face.

Same calm expression.

Like nothing ever happened.

Like he didn’t just destroy her.

Like today wasn’t the day she found out everything.

“Amara,” he said softly.

Her chest tightened instantly.

But she held herself together.

“Hi.”

He stepped aside.

“Come in.”

Amara hesitated for just a second.

Then she walked in.

The door closed behind her.

And just like that…

She was inside.

Alone.

With him.

The room was simple.

Bed.

Chair.

Small table.

Nothing unusual.

But the tension?

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

Femi leaned against the table, watching her.

“You look good,” he said.

Amara almost laughed.

“Don’t start.”

He raised his hands slightly.

“Okay.”

Silence.

Then she spoke.

“Why am I here?”

Straight.

No games.

Femi nodded slowly.

“I like that. Straight to the point.”

“I’m not here for small talk.”

“I know.”

“Then talk.”

Femi studied her for a few seconds.

Then sighed.

“I messed up.”

Amara blinked.

That was not what she expected.

“You think?” she said.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

Another pause.

Then Femi continued.

“What happened between us…”

He hesitated.

Amara’s eyes narrowed.

“Say it.”

“I regret it.”

Silence.

Amara stared at him.

Trying to read him.

Trying to understand if this was real…

Or another lie.

“You regret cheating?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“You regret lying?”

“Yes.”

“You regret humiliating me?”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“…yes.”

Amara let out a short laugh.

“That’s nice.”

Femi frowned.

“You don’t believe me.”

“Should I?”

Silence.

He didn’t answer.

That alone said enough.

Amara crossed her arms.

“So why am I really here?”

Femi exhaled slowly.

Then said something that made her heart skip.

“I need your help.”

Amara froze.

“What?”

“I need your help,” he repeated.

Her chest tightened again.

“With what?”

Femi stepped closer.

Not too close.

But enough to make the air feel different.

“There are things going on,” he said. “Things you don’t understand.”

Amara’s stomach twisted.

“Then explain.”

“I will. But first…”

He paused.

Amara’s heart started pounding again.

“First what?”

Femi looked at her directly.

“I need to know if I can trust you.”

Silence.

That word again.

Trust.

After everything?

Amara almost laughed.

“You’re asking me that?”

“Yes.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Amara shook her head slowly.

“This is crazy.”

“I know how it sounds.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I do.”

“Then you’ll know the answer is no.”

Femi didn’t react immediately.

Then he said quietly,

“If you say no… you’re putting yourself in danger.”

Amara froze.

“What?”

Femi’s expression changed slightly.

Less soft.

More serious.

“There are things connected to you now,” he said. “Things you don’t even know about.”

Her heart started racing again.

That sounded too familiar.

Too close to what Tobi said.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

Femi didn’t answer directly.

Instead, he stepped closer again.

Lowered his voice.

“You’ve been involved longer than you think.”

Amara’s breath caught.

“What does that mean?”

Femi held her gaze.

Then said the one thing that made everything worse.

“Your office…”

Her chest tightened.

“What about it?”

Femi’s voice dropped even lower.

“They’re already watching you.”

Silence.

Pure silence.

Because that sentence…

Changed everything.

Amara’s heart pounded hard.

“…who is watching me?”

Femi didn’t hesitate this time.

“The same people you think are trying to help you.”

Amara’s eyes widened.

Instantly.

Because there was only one person that could mean.

Tobi.

“No…” she whispered.

Femi leaned closer.

“You really think that guy just showed up randomly?”

Her stomach dropped.

Her mind started spinning.

Fast.

Confused.

Dangerous.

“Who is he to you?” Femi asked.

Amara couldn’t speak.

Because suddenly…

She didn’t know.

And that was the scariest part.

To be continued…