The reception was already pulsing with energy. The garden had transformed under the night sky, fairy lights twinkling above like stars scattered across a velvet canvas. The scent of local flowers and spices danced with the soft evening breeze as drums rolled in the background and the MC's voice crackled over the speakers.
Then the music changed.
A popular Afrobeat track thumped through the speakers, bass shaking the ground just enough to stir the excitement in the air. Out came the bridal party, the bridesmaids dressed in glittering asorbi dresses ,each pair matching the groomsmen in finely tailored suits attire with hints of maroon and deep black.
They didn't walk in, they owned the space.
Dija led the crew with confident hip movements, tossing her hair while Thomas spun her around and caught her on beat. Zainab strutted with her groomsman, laughing at his exaggerated dance moves, while the other brides maids, adorable in their own coordinated outfits, marched behind them, clapping and dancing with the rhythm rehearsed for days.
Cheers erupted from the guests.
Phones flashed. Aunties ululated. Even Lady Bell couldn't help but clap to the beat, swaying from her seat.
Then came the moment everyone waited for.
The music shifted again, soft, soulful, and unmistakable. The lights dimmed slightly, and a gentle hush swept over the crowd. Then came the warm, honeyed voice of Johnny Drille himself, singing the opening lines of "Bad Dancer." But this wasn't a recording. No, it was live.
A soft gasp escaped Esther's lips as the spotlight fell on the small stage, revealing the artist she adored standing with a mic in hand, flown in all the way from Nigeria.
She turned to Daniel, eyes wide in disbelief. "You didn't…"
"I did," he murmured, smiling. "Happy wedding day, my love."
Emotion welled in her chest. Johnny Drille was her favorite artist, Bad Dancer her favorite song. And now, he was here, singing just for them.
The MC's voice echoed gently over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen… please rise for the bride and groom."
As the crowd stood and watched, Daniel extended a hand. Esther took it, her fingers trembling slightly in his. Together, they stepped onto the dance floor.
The soft melody wrapped around them like a cocoon. Daniel held her close, their movements slow and unhurried, matching the rhythm of the song. They swayed, forehead to forehead, as Johnny's voice filled the room, every lyric seeming to speak directly to their hearts.
In that moment, there were no guests, no cameras, no distractions. Just Daniel, Esther, and a love song come to life.
"Ladies and gentlemen! A round of applause for our beautiful bride and groom!"
The applause was deafening. Esther blushed and gave a small wave. Daniel simply nodded, his arm never leaving her waist.
"Now, before we feast and party the night away," the MC continued, "let's hear from the people who know them best. Bridesmaids, best men, get ready, it's speech time!"
Dija was the first to grab the mic, of course. She strutted forward like she was walking a runway, winked at the couple, and grinned wide.
"Well, what can I say?, Esther is just a friend, she's my sister from another mother. Am her biggest headache" she said laughing "she's my biggest blessing," Dija began, turning to Esther. "When you first told me you had feelings for that quiet cold boss of yours, I laughed. But look at you now… Mrs. Lewis."
The crowd clapped.
"And Uncle D" Dija continued, pointing dramatically. "If you ever, ever, make her cry again, just know I have your address, and I know where you keep your snacks."
Laughter echoed around the garden.
She closed her speech with a wink. "May your marriage be as sweet as Esther's wan-pot cassava-leaf rice, and as lasting as Uncle Daniel's brooding silence."
Esther laughed, glancing toward her friend, amusement lighting up her face.
Next came Sankoh, racing to snatch the microphone from another eager guest. He beat them to it, clutching the mic with triumph. The MC stepped aside, clearly used to this sort of chaos, while Daniel sighed in resignation, he already knew exactly where the night was headed.
"Good evening, beautiful ladies and gentlemen," Sankoh began, flashing a grin. "And a very special hello to my future woman, Zianab, you look absolutely stunning tonight."
The crowd burst into laughter and scattered applause, while Zianab groaned and sank lower in her seat, already regretting ever crossing paths with him. He just wouldn't let her breathe in peace.
"Now, where do I start?" Sankoh began, adjusting the mic with a dramatic flair. "Daniel Lewis and I go way back. Whether he admits it or not, we're old buddies. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the only real friend he has," he added, earning a few chuckles from the crowd.
"And believe me when I say, I never thought I'd see a day like this. The man used to be a walking brick wall. Cold, serious, impossible to crack. But somehow, Esther managed to melt that stone heart of his."
Daniel smiled and shook his head, unsurprised by Sankoh's antics.
"But in all seriousness," Sankoh continued, his tone softening, "he's been through a lot. You both have. And seeing him like this today, with you, Esther, it's clear he's finally found peace."
He lifted his glass. "To love, to second chances, and to the woman who brought our Daniel back to life."
Applause followed his toast, laughter and clinking glasses filling the garden air. And just as the cheer softened, the cake was wheeled in, commanding attention like royalty.
"Cake time!" the MC announced, his voice full of glee. "Let's get our bride and groom up here one more time!"
At the center of the reception stood a breathtaking six-tiered creation, dressed in smooth white fondant, delicate edible gold leaf, and cascading sugar roses. Each detail shimmered beneath the fairy lights strung across the canopy.
A soft gasp and a fresh round of cheers rose from the guests as the couple made their way forward. Esther blinked at the cake, visibly impressed.
"You really did go all out," she murmured, glancing at Daniel.
He gave a small smirk. "Only the best for my wife."
They walked to the table hand-in-hand, Esther's third dress for the night shimmering under the lights, hugging her in all the right places. Daniel's hand slid naturally to the small of her back, guiding her forward as they took hold of the silver knife, hands gently overlapping,
"One, two, three!" the crowd counted.
With a slow, graceful cut, they sliced through the bottom tier. Daniel offered her the first bite, and Esther laughed as he purposefully smeared just a little frosting on her cheek. She retaliated with a gentle nudge of her own, causing the guests to erupt into laughter and claps.
Cameras flashed, guests clapped, and the music picked up once again, but for Daniel and Esther, in that moment, there was just them. And the sweet taste of a beginning.
As the night came to a close, the music faded into softer tones. Guests gathered to say their goodbyes, hugging and sharing parting blessings.
Lady Bell wrapped Esther in a deep embrace. "You were perfect today, my dear. Just perfect."
Dija pouted playfully. "Don't forget to call me if he starts acting brand new. I'll fly down in heels and war paint."
Zainab kissed her cheek. "You looked beautiful, Essie. And happy. That's all we've ever wanted for you."
Betty threw her arms around Esther's waist. "Can I sleep over with you and dad tonight?" she whispered, half-joking.
Esther smiled through the emotion clogging her throat. "You can do that whenever you want, sunflower."
Finally, Musu stepped forward. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but her smile held firm. She adjusted Esther's veil one last time, gently brushing it from her daughter's shoulders.
"You're no longer just my little girl," she whispered. "You're a woman now. A wife. But never forget, you'll always be my child."
"I won't," Esther said, hugging her tightly.
Daniel's family stood nearby, ready to receive her. Thomas gave her a nod and a kind smile, while Betty clung to her side, excited to be going with them.
Daniel reached for her hand. "Ready, Mrs. Lewis?"
Esther glanced back one more time, at her mother, her friends, her childhood, before turning to the man who now carried her future.
"Let's go home," she said, her voice steady, her smile full.
The soft hum of the engine filled the silence as the car glided through the dimly lit streets. Esther leaned her head lightly against Daniel's shoulder, the weight of the night beginning to melt into calm. Her fingers played lazily with the fabric of his sleeve.
"Where's Betty?" she asked suddenly, lifting her head. "Shouldn't she be with us? I thought she'd want to ride along."
Daniel chuckled, his hand gently pulled her close "She's with Bella. They're heading home together."
Esther frowned slightly. "I should've made sure.."
"Relax," he interrupted gently. " your Sunflower is in good hands. Tonight, I need your thoughts elsewhere." His hand found hers and gave it a warm squeeze. "Starting with us."
She smiled, then narrowed her eyes playfully. "Okay, then where exactly are we going, if not your house?"
Daniel glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in that quiet, knowing way of his. "Our honeymoon."
Esther blinked. "Honeymoon? But we didn't plan one. I thought we were staying in the city for a few days."
"We're not," he said simply. "We're going to Greece."
Her mouth dropped open. "What?"
He finally turned to look at her fully, his smile now unmistakable. "Greece," he repeated. "I made sure everything was packed and arranged. Flight's tonight. Hotel's waiting."
Esther stared at him, utterly stunned. "How did you… I mean, how did you know Greece is my dream? I've never told you."
"You told Dija," he said, eyes gleaming. "About how you always wanted your honeymoon there. She told me months ago, said if I ever had sense, I'd remember it."
Esther laughed, shaking her head slowly, still in disbelief. "That girl…"
"I pay attention," Daniel added, more serious now. "To you. To what matters to you."
She didn't reply for a moment, just leaned in closer, resting her head on his shoulder again. "You really planned Greece?"
"Every detail," he said, his voice a soft promise in the quiet. "For us."
Esther closed her eyes with a smile.
Tonight, she was someone's wife.
And tomorrow, she'd wake up in Greece.
With him.
In an hour, car pulled up to a quiet, well-guarded tarmac. Esther looked out through the tinted window and gasped.
A private jet stood parked beneath the moonlight, its silver body gleaming against the shadows of the old terminal. There was no crowd, no noise, only soft lights, the breeze, and a few staff moving discreetly in the background.
"Is that… for us?" she asked, eyes wide as the door opened and Daniel stepped out.
Daniel smiled, offering her his hand. "Yes. One of my favorites."
She stepped out slowly, heels clicking on the pavement as she took in the scale and elegance of the aircraft. "You have favorites?"
"I have preferences," he corrected with a teasing smirk.
Esther chuckled, shaking her head. "Wait, this isn't the new airport…"
"It's not," he confirmed, leading her toward the steps. "This is the old one. I bought it."
Her head snapped toward him. "You did what?"
"The government put it up after the new terminal was completed. I value my privacy, and they offered a good deal," he said simply, as though he had just bought a coffee shop.
Esther stared at him. "So… that article was true?"
He glanced over with a soft grin. "Which one?"
"The one that said Daniel Lewis bought an entire airport for himself."
He laughed, then gently guided her up the stairs. "I don't like waiting in lines," he said. "And I like to fly when I want."
At the top, she paused just before entering. "How wealthy are you exactly?"
Daniel turned toward her, helped her inside the luxurious cabin, and as the door closed behind them, he leaned in with that subtle, signature smile of his.
"You'll have to discover that yourself," he whispered.
Esther's laugh was soft and incredulous as she stepped further into the cabin. Plush cream leather seats lined the interior, polished wood finishing gleamed under the soft lighting, and a chilled bottle of champagne waited in a silver bucket by the window.
"This is insane," she muttered, running her fingers over the fine embroidery stitched into the headrest. "I feel like I just walked into a dream."
Daniel unbuttoned his jacket and sat beside her, stretching one arm along the back of the seat. "Good. That's exactly how I want you to feel."
Esther smiled, leaning slightly toward him. "I'm going to have to write a book about you," she teased, adjusting herself comfortably in one of the wide leather seats.
He chuckled softly, "As long as it's not a horror novel."
Her laughter faded into a gentle hum, replaced by the calming silence that filled the luxury jet cabin. The low hum of the engines, the dimmed golden lights, and the occasional clink of glasses in the kitchenette felt like a lullaby in motion.
The seat gently reclined at her back as she turned toward him, her voice softer now. "Thank you, for everything"
He glanced down at her, his expression unreadable for a moment, then full of quiet warmth. "You deserve a story worth telling."
Her lips parted slightly, moved more than she expected to be. She shifted closer. Her head nestled perfectly into the crook of his shoulder, and his arm instinctively came around her, resting against her side.
"Sleep," he whispered against her hair. "We land soon."
And she did. The lull of the flight, his warmth, and the weight of a perfect day cradled her into a peaceful slumber.
The following morning, Esther woke slowly to the sound of waves crashing gently in the distance, soft, rhythmic, like the heartbeat of the earth. A sea breeze slipped through the sheer white curtains, fluttering them like the hem of a goddess's dress.
Her eyes blinked open to the glow of morning light seeping through arched windows, painting golden lines across the polished marble floor. The bed beneath her was large and plush, draped in linen as white as seafoam. She sat up, the silky sheet pooling around her waist, her eyes wide as she took in the room.
Stone walls met smooth, whitewashed plaster. Olive branches framed a hand-carved mirror. A bottle of chilled rosé rested on a tray nearby beside fresh figs, honeycomb, and still-warm pastries.
But it was the view beyond the terrace doors that stole her breath.
Esther slid out of bed and walked barefoot across the cool floor, pushing open the glass-paneled doors. And there it was, the Aegean Sea, vast and glittering, stretching endlessly into the morning horizon. Their villa was perched on a cliffside, tucked among soft hills dotted with windmills and tiny blue-domed chapels. Bougainvillea vines spilled over stone walls, adding splashes of pink and magenta to the sun-soaked palette.
Below, a private beach curved like a crescent moon, untouched, pristine, just for them.
Her heart fluttered with awe, joy, and something tender she couldn't name.
Then she felt warm hands slide gently around her waist.
"I was going to let you sleep longer," Daniel's voice murmured behind her, low and content, "but I couldn't resist."
Esther leaned back into him, smiling. "Where are we?"
"Naxos," he said, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. "A place that knows how to keep secrets… and lovers."
She laughed softly, letting the breeze catch her curls. "It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful," he whispered, brushing his lips against her temple. "I wanted you to wake up to something unforgettable."
She turned to face him, her hands sliding up his chest. "You really put lot of efforts, didn't you?"
"Every detail," he said. "From the moment you said 'I do'."
The sound of bells rang softly in the distance, perhaps from a nearby chapel or from a goat herder leading his flock along the hills. It didn't matter. Time slowed. The world faded.
Here, with him. in this hidden corner of Greece, it was just the two of them.
"Come," Daniel said, taking her hand and pulling her gently toward the terrace table. "Breakfast first. Then we explore."
She raised a brow. "Explore what?"
He gave her a grin full of mischief. "The island. Each other. Wherever the day leads."