As Ayana gazed out the window, watching the hustle and bustle of the city unfold before her, she felt a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. The streets were alive with activity, each passerby a potential admirer of her art, and each storefront a potential venue for her next exhibition. The city was a canvas, waiting to be explored and transformed by her creativity, and she couldn't wait to dive in headfirst.But amidst the excitement, there was a sense of calm that settled over her—a quiet confidence born from knowing that she wasn't alone in this journey. Beside her sat Adam, his presence a steady anchor in the swirling sea of possibilities. He had been with her every step of the way, offering unwavering support and encouragement when she needed it most. He had believed in her when she doubted herself, lifting her up with his words of affirmation and love.As she stole a glance at him, Ayana couldn't help but marvel at the depth of their connection. Adam wasn't just her p

Ayana counted in shock and confusion. Was she that poor charging that the woman had to overpay?“1200$ for these,” the woman spoke, and Ayana looked at her. “And 800$ as a down payment for the order that I will give you. Our house is a bungalow, and we want it filled with more of these.Ayana felt like screaming her lungs out, thanking the heavens for favoring her that way. “I don’t know what to say, ma'am. Thank you so much for trusting in me. I promise to do a good job for you.” She said.“You don’t need to promise anything. Your good and hardworks is speaking for yourself. So, can I have your card for communication purposes? I might also need to describe what I need next to blend with these. I hope you can work according to my needs. And I am not saying I don’t like what you have made. I could buy them all if I could. Just that…”“It is okay, ma'am! I make whatever you like. I understand what you mean, honestly. As for the card, I can only give you my number for now. But next time,

That night, Adam and Ayana settled in bed after seeing Lyana go to bed as usual. They were practically living together in Adam’s luxurious home. Her house was still there, and they could sometimes go there together and spend time there. But most of the time, they were at his house. The nights were much sweeter and more tranquil in his house. Since none of them had any complaints, his house had served as a beacon every night. They lay side by side in the dark, waiting for a nap or a spark. But the night seemed to be on the run, and the spark was nowhere near them. Each was lost in the events that had folded into the exhibition, wondering what the morning would bring for them. Did the world already know of Adam’s secret? Was the world already judging him? Judging them? How far had the news gone? Was it something that would rip them apart? “Can’t sleep?” Adam asked, flipping Ayana over to him. He could sense it. She was as troubled as he was. The most mesmerizing thing was that none of

As Ayana and Adam approached her home, tension crackled in the air like static electricity. Ayana's steps were purposeful, and her resolve was firm as she prepared to confront her family, mostly Grace, for what she had done. Yet, as they entered the familiar surroundings, Ayana sensed an undercurrent of hostility brewing beneath the surface. Well, it was something she had gotten used to, so it did not surprise her much. She knew she was so unwelcome, but who said she needed to be? She was there to make a point, and she would do it no matter the reception.Jumping out of the car, she did not have to walk further. She could see the bunch of her oppressors basking in the morning sun as if they had not committed any crimes. Actually, she seemed to have interrupted their peace the moment her car with Adam drove into the compound, as they all stopped what they were debating about to see who had visited them. And their expressions changed the moment they saw her face, with Adam hugging her h

As Ayana and Adam stepped out of the confines of her family's compound, a wave of emotions washed over them, each sensation a symphony of relief and liberation. For Ayana, the weight of years of deception and suppression lifted from her shoulders, leaving her feeling as though she could finally breathe freely for the first time in what felt like an eternity.Every step away from that oppressive environment seemed to fuel Ayana's sense of empowerment. She felt the pulse of her own heartbeat reverberating through her veins, a steady rhythm of defiance against the forces that had sought to control her. It was a feeling of exhilaration mixed with apprehension; the thrill of breaking free from the chains of her past mingled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.For so long, Ayana had been confined by the expectations and manipulations of her family, but now, as she walked beside Adam, she felt a newfound sense of agency coursing through her being. She was no longer bound by their dictate