11th September, 2024…
In a certain 5-star hotel room in Maitama, Abuja, Kayla Banks woke up.
Rustle!
The soft rustle of curtains stirred her awake as sunlight filtered through sheer fabric, painting golden stripes across the crisp white sheets of the bed.
The room smelled faintly of fresh linen and a hint of something floral, perhaps the bouquet on the desk by the window. She stretched lazily, the plush duvet sliding off her as she blinked into the glowing light of morning.
The bed was a cocoon of comfort, its pillows still holding the delicate imprint of her sleep, but she could not help but feel that something was missing.
A distant hum of life outside filtered through the double-paned glass; a blend of city sounds muffled by the sanctuary of the hotel room.
She sat up, her long black hair tumbling in loose waves over her shoulders, catching the golden morning rays as she finally realized what was missing.