(Later that evening. The black luxury SUV glides through the grand gates of the Charles Mansion, a magnificent estate tucked away in one of London's most exclusive neighborhoods. The vehicle comes to a gentle stop beneath the illuminated entrance. Hannah steps out, visibly exhausted after a long day. Despite the fatigue in her eyes, there is a quiet satisfaction on her face. For the first time in a long while, things seem to be unfolding exactly as she planned.)
(Paula steps out behind her, holding a tablet and a few documents.)
Hannah: (calmly) Paula... you've had a long day too. Go home and get some rest. We'll continue tomorrow.
Paula: (slightly hesitant) Are you sure, ma'am?
Hannah: (gives a faint nod) I'll be fine.
Paula: Very well, ma'am. Good night.
Hannah: Good night, Paula.
(Paula walks away as the vehicle drives off. Hannah takes a slow breath before walking into the mansion.)
(The doors are opened by the butler. The maids and servants respectfully bow their heads.)
Maid: Welcome home, Miss Hannah.
(Hannah simply nods and continues upstairs. Halfway up the staircase, voices drift from the dining room.)
(She pauses.)
(Curious, she slowly turns toward the dining room.)
(Inside, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Charles are seated across from one another, engaged in a heated discussion. Their dinner remains untouched.)
Mrs. Charles: (furious) I still cannot believe she had the audacity to interfere after everything we planned!
Mr. Charles: Lower your voice.
Mrs. Charles: No! She ruined everything! Sophia was supposed to be the one marrying into the Badmus family!
(Hannah remains quietly at the entrance, listening.)
Mrs. Charles: All our negotiations... all our efforts... destroyed because of her selfishness!
(She finally notices Hannah standing there.)
Mrs. Charles: (pointing angrily) There she is... the very person I've been talking about.
(Mr. Charles turns around.)
Mr. Charles: Hannah.
(He gestures gently.)
Mr. Charles: Come. Join us.
(Hannah remains still for a brief moment.)
Hannah: (thinking) This is it... I suppose it's finally time they know.
(She walks toward the dining table gracefully and takes her seat. An uncomfortable silence settles over the room.)
Mrs. Charles: (folding her arms) Well... what exactly are you doing here?
(Before anyone else can speak, Hannah breaks the silence.)
Hannah: I have something important to announce.
(Mrs. Charles rolls her eyes in annoyance.)
Mrs. Charles: What now?
Mr. Charles: (calmly) We're listening.
(Hannah looks at both of them before speaking.)
Hannah: I'm getting married...
(She pauses deliberately.)
Hannah: ...to Ridwan Badmus.
(Silence.)
(Mrs. Charles freezes. Mr. Charles stares at Hannah without saying a word.)
Hannah: The Badmus family will be visiting soon for the formal introduction.
Hannah: I would appreciate it if both of you welcomed them as my parents so we can conclude the wedding preparations properly.
(She maintains eye contact.)
Hannah: I know this marriage benefits everyone in different ways.
Hannah: You'll get the alliance you've always wanted...
Hannah: ...and I'll finally be out of your lives sooner than you imagined.
(Mrs. Charles suddenly slams both palms on the dining table.)
Mrs. Charles: (roaring) Absolutely not!
(She rises from her chair.)
Mrs. Charles: Not while I'm alive!
Mrs. Charles: If anyone is marrying Ridwan Badmus...
(She points toward the staircase.)
Mrs. Charles: ...it should be Sophia!
Mrs. Charles: Never you!
(She storms out of the dining room in anger.)
Mrs. Charles: This conversation is over!
(A loud slam echoes through the mansion as she exits.)
(Silence fills the dining room.)
(Hannah slowly gets to her feet.)
Hannah: That was all I wanted to say.
(She turns to leave.)
Mr. Charles: Hannah.
(She stops but doesn't turn immediately.)
Mr. Charles: Come here.
(She slowly turns to face him.)
Mr. Charles: (softly) I know I haven't always been there for you...
(He pauses, searching for the right words.)
Mr. Charles: But I want you to know that I'm proud of the woman you've become.
(Hannah says nothing.)
Mr. Charles: Everything you've achieved... you achieved through your own strength.
Mr. Charles: That isn't easy.
(A gentle smile appears on his face.)
Mr. Charles: You have my blessing.
Mr. Charles: And when the Badmus family arrives...
Mr. Charles: ...I'll welcome them with open arms.
(Hannah's expression softens slightly.)
Mr. Charles: Congratulations, my daughter.
Mr. Charles: I sincerely wish you a happy marriage.
(Hannah walks away from the dining room without looking back. Her father's words linger in the air, but they fail to soften her expression. She has spent too many years questioning whether she truly belonged in that family. Love was something she had learned to live without.)
(She climbs the grand staircase in silence. The hallway is quiet. Reaching her bedroom door, she reaches for the handle.)
(The moment the door opens...)
(Thick black smoke rushes out.)
Hannah: (staggers back, shocked) What the hell?!
(Within seconds, flames burst through the room, swallowing the expensive furniture, silk curtains and priceless artwork. The fire spreads with terrifying speed.)
Maid: (screaming downstairs) Fire! Fire!
(The entire mansion erupts into chaos. Servants rush for extinguishers while others call the emergency services.)
(Mr. Charles hurries upstairs.)
Mr. Charles: Hannah!
(Mrs. Charles and a few servants follow behind.)
(Everyone watches helplessly as the luxurious bedroom is consumed by flames. The heat forces them backwards.)
(Minutes later, firefighters arrive and finally bring the fire under control.)
(The room is completely destroyed. Nothing is left except burnt walls and ashes.)
(The officers begin examining the scene.)
Officer: (confused) This is strange...
(He looks around carefully.)
Officer: There are no signs of forced entry.
(Another officer shakes his head.)
Officer: We can't determine how the fire started.
(Hannah stands quietly, staring at what used to be her room. Her face is expressionless, but her eyes remain fixed on the ashes.)
(No one says another word.)
-------------------
(Nigeria... Later that same evening.)
(The Badmus family mansion glows beneath the warm evening lights. Elegant yet modest, the home reflects wealth built over generations rather than extravagance. Inside, the dining room is peaceful. Chief Badmus and Mrs. Badmus are enjoying dinner together while exchanging light conversation.)
(The front door opens.)
Ridwan: (walking in) Assalamu Alaikum.
Maids: Wa Alaikumus Salam, sir.
(The servants smile respectfully as Ridwan walks past them.)
(He enters the dining room.)
Mrs. Badmus: (her face brightens) Wa Alaikumus Salam, my son.
Chief Badmus: Ah... our Alfa is finally home.
(Ridwan smiles faintly before taking a seat.)
Mrs. Badmus: We've missed you.
Ridwan: Alhamdulillah. It's good to be home.
Mrs. Badmus: (playfully) Sometimes I wonder how you managed to remain this devoted. In a world filled with luxury and distractions, you still hold firmly to your deen.
Chief Badmus: (chuckles) Leave the young man alone. You praise him every chance you get.
Mrs. Badmus: Am I wrong? He's a blessing to this family.
Ridwan: (smiling shyly) Mother... please.
Mrs. Badmus: Alright... alright. I'll stop.
(A brief silence follows.)
(Chief Badmus notices Ridwan's unusually serious expression.)
Chief Badmus: There's something on your mind.
(Ridwan takes a deep breath.)
Ridwan: I've thought about everything.
(He pauses.)
Ridwan: I know both of you believe this marriage is necessary.
(He looks at his parents.)
Ridwan: I also know neither of you would truly find peace until I agreed.
(He lowers his gaze briefly.)
Ridwan: So... I've decided to do it.
(Mrs. Badmus exchanges an excited glance with her husband.)
Ridwan: Hannah and I are getting married.
(Silence.)
Ridwan: I expect we should begin the preparations immediately. By next week, we should be ready to visit her family for the formal introduction before fixing the wedding date.
(His expression hardens.)
Ridwan: But I need both of you to understand something.
(He speaks calmly.)
Ridwan: This is nothing more than a contract.
Ridwan: I will not be living with her as husband and wife.
Ridwan: I have no intention of building a family with her.
Ridwan: There are no emotions attached to this arrangement.
(Before he can continue...)
(Mrs. Badmus stands and embraces him tightly.)
Mrs. Badmus: Alhamdulillah...
(Her eyes become moist.)
Mrs. Badmus: I knew my son would never disappoint us.
Mrs. Badmus: Thank you.
(Ridwan gently pats her shoulder.)
Ridwan: That's exactly the reaction I expected.
(She laughs softly through her emotions before returning to her seat.)
Ridwan: I only came to inform you both.
(He rises.)
Ridwan: Have a pleasant evening.
(He turns to leave.)
Chief Badmus: Ridwan.
(He stops.)
Chief Badmus: Sit down for a moment.
Ridwan: (sighs tiredly) Father... I've had a very long day.
(He loosens his wristwatch slightly.)
Ridwan: I only just returned from London.
Ridwan: Honestly, I don't have the strength for another conversation tonight.
Ridwan: If it were only to announce this, I could have done it over the phone.
Ridwan: Please... not tonight.
Chief Badmus: I know.
(He smiles gently.)
Chief Badmus: But sit with us... just for a minute.
(Ridwan hesitates before sitting again.)
(A servant immediately places another plate before him.)
Ridwan: I'm not hungry.
Chief Badmus: (looking at him affectionately) Thank you.
(Ridwan looks up.)
Chief Badmus: Thank you, my son.
(A brief silence fills the room.)
Chief Badmus: You have no idea how much this means to me.
Chief Badmus: I know this wasn't an easy decision.
Chief Badmus: But you've once again placed this family's peace before your own comfort.
Chief Badmus: That is a sacrifice only a noble son can make.
(Ridwan lowers his eyes.)
Chief Badmus: I am proud of you.
Chief Badmus: May Allah reward your sincerity and grant you ease in every step you take.
(Mrs. Badmus quietly wipes away a tear.)
Mrs. Badmus: Oh... please don't make me cry.
(She smiles warmly.)
Mrs. Badmus: Alhamdulillah. Allah truly blessed us with a wonderful son.
(Ridwan smiles gently.)
Ridwan: I only did what I believe is right.
(He pauses.)
Ridwan: If making my parents happy is an act of worship, then I pray Allah accepts it from me.
(Chief Badmus nods proudly.)
Chief Badmus: Ameen.
(He gestures toward the meal.)
Chief Badmus: Now... eat something before you leave.
Chief Badmus: Better still, spend the night here. Your room has remained exactly the way you left it.
Ridwan: (smiles politely) Thank you, Father.
Ridwan: But I should return to my apartment tonight.
Chief Badmus: Then at least honour us by sharing this meal.
(Ridwan finally nods.)
Ridwan: Alright.
(He picks up his cutlery and begins eating quietly while his parents exchange grateful smiles. For the first time that day, peace settles over the dining table.)
-----------'
(Unknown location... Same night.)
(A luxurious office sits in complete darkness. Only a single lamp illuminates an expensive mahogany desk.)
(A man sits with his back facing the room. His face remains hidden.)
(Several photographs are spread neatly across the desk.)
(Chief Badmus.)
(Mrs. Badmus.)
(Ridwan Badmus.)
(Hannah.)
(A pair of polished leather shoes approach the desk.)
Unknown Man: Boss...
(The seated man remains silent.)
Unknown Man: The marriage contract has finally been signed.
(A long silence follows.)
(The man slowly reaches for Ridwan's photograph.)
(His fingers run gently across it.)
Mysterious Man: (calmly) So...
(A faint smile appears.)
Mysterious Man: The heir has finally made his move.
Unknown Man: Should we begin?
(Another brief silence.)
Mysterious Man: No.
(He places Ridwan's photograph back on the desk.)
Mysterious Man: Let them enjoy this little victory.
Mysterious Man: Happiness has a way of making people careless.
(He picks up another file labeled: BADMUS HOLDINGS.)
(He smiles.)
Mysterious Man: Very soon...
Mysterious Man: Ridwan Badmus will become my first target.
(He slowly closes the file.)
Mysterious Man: And when he falls...
(He lightly taps the file with one finger.)
Mysterious Man: The entire Badmus empire will fall with him.
(The man standing before him lowers his head respectfully.)
Unknown Man: Understood, boss.
(The mysterious man leans back in his chair.)
Mysterious Man: No mistakes this time.
Mysterious Man: I have waited far too many years for this moment.
(The camera slowly moves behind the chair... but stops before revealing his face.)
(Fade to black.)
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