Heart Fire.

Chapter Eighteen: "Influencer + Pastor?"

SOLAPE’S P.O.V:

Solape had been nominated before.

She had attended events, walked carpets, smiled for cameras, done the whole Lagos influencer celebrity scene with the ease of a woman who knew how to look like she wasn’t trying.

But this one felt different because of who was coming with her.

She and Korede had settled into something steady. They had found a rhythm. They knew how to talk without turning every conversation into a debate. They knew how to apologize without losing dignity. They even knew how to manage desire without pretending it wasn’t there.

And it was definitely still there.

Korede still made her heart beat faster. He was tall, dark, handsome, caring and gentle. The kind of man that looked at you like you were the only thing in his world, even when he had a million responsibilities sitting on his head.

But she’d grown better at not letting her body drive the car.

At least… most days.

Truthfully, she couldn’t wait to marry this man. And it was beyond desire… though that one was valid. Very valid.

But because she wanted to belong in his life properly. To wake up next to him. To build a home that felt like peace and laughter. To take care of him the way her heart naturally wanted to… without needing to pretend she wasn’t soft.

To have him take care of her too.

She could almost scream from impatience.

Look at you, Oluwasolamipe… lover girl.

They had been dating ten months. Known each other a little over a year. Was it too soon to expect a proposal?

With another man, she might have said yes. Too soon.

But with Korede? It didn’t feel far-fetched. He had been clear from day one, he dated with marriage in mind.

So… fingers crossed.

This was their first public outing as a couple, and even though she told herself it was “just awards,” she knew it was a milestone.

She’d been nominated for Social Media Content Creator of the Year. She didn’t even care about the plaque.

She just wanted to show her man off.

She stood in front of her mirror longer than necessary, admiring herself. She looked good. Her dress was perfect. It was modest. It was elegant… clean lines, soft shimmer, the effect was undeniable.

Miriam and NJ were on video call while she got ready.

Miriam’s face filled the screen first, eyes bright, already dramatic.

“Ah-ah! Look at you! This outfit is a statement.”

NJ adjusted her glasses. “It’s a strong look. A very expensive look.”

Solape rolled her eyes. “Please. It’s an awards show. Let me breathe.”

Miriam grinned. “Is PK picking you up?”

Solape’s mouth twitched. “Yes.”

NJ’s brow lifted slightly. “This is the your first time out officially as a couple in the public eye.”

Solape shrugged. “Yeah. It’s not a big deal.”

Miriam made a face. “Omo. PK of Christ Collective and his influencer girlfriend. You guys are going to break the internet”

Solape laughed despite herself. “Abeg.”

The doorbell rang downstairs.

Solape froze.

Miriam clapped. “AH! He’s here!”

NJ’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Go. And behave.”

Solape pointed at the phone. “Both of you. Don’t start.”

**********

PK was waiting outside when she came down.

Of course he was.

He wore a dark suit that was tailored to the nines. The look was clean. Intentional. Once again, the man was fine!

Solape stepped out and he turned. His eyes landed on her and stayed there for a second too long.

“Wow. Wow. Wow”

She laughed, “Are you an ambulance?”

He laughed, took her hand and twirled her around.

“My love, you are beautiful,” he said quietly.

Solape’s chest tightened. She forced her voice to stay normal.

“Thank you,” she replied, then added quickly, “You too. You are extremely handsome in your suit. You look like a proper man of God.”

PK’s mouth twitched. “As opposed to what?”

Solape waved her hand. “As opposed to the PK that wears polo and chinos and is deceiving us to think he is one of the guys… until the evangelism hits you in the face.”

He laughed softly as he opened the door for her. Solape slid into the passenger seat, careful not to let her dress fight her dignity. PK got in, started the car, and pulled out.

They drove for a minute in comfortable silence.

Then Solape’s eyes flicked toward him.

“Your quietness is silent,” she said.

PK glanced at her. “What does that even mean?.”

Solape narrowed her eyes. “You are usually quiet. Which is okay, cos I can talk for both of us. But now, it’s the kind of quiet that shows something is on your mind.”

PK chuckled under his breath. “This woman. This your analysis”

“Yes I am a woman” she agreed. “Yes, I analyse. Yes, I am also very right.”

PK sighed softly, then looked at her again.

“I’m okay,” he said, gentler. “I’m just… aware.”

“Aware of what?”

He hesitated. “Tonight is public.”

Solape blinked. “So?”

PK’s jaw tightened slightly. “So people will see.”

Solape stared at him for a moment, then her voice softened.

“Oh,” she said. “You’re thinking about talk.”

PK nodded once.

Solape leaned back in her seat, then shrugged like she didn’t care.

“Let them talk,” she said.

PK’s eyes stayed on the road. “Mm.”

But Solape heard it… the quiet tension underneath his “mm.”

*************

The venue was agog with the festivities that accompanied the awards circuit. Lights. Cameras. Red carpet. Media stands. PR people whispering into phones like they were coordinating a heist. The smell of perfume and ambition was thick in the air.

Solape stepped out of the car and the world shifted… like it always did when she entered public spaces.

People turned.

Some recognized her instantly.

“Solape Serves!”

Phones lifted.

Someone waved.

She smiled easily, warmed by the familiarity.

Then PK stepped out behind her.

And the air changed again.

He was a popular pastor, at least on social media and amongst the younger generation: Millennials and Gen Z.

But the stillness in the air was more specific. This was a response to anointing. He was a pastor… and he looked like one tonight. Beyond the clothing, the aura. Calm. Grounded. Unmoved.

A couple heads tilted.

A few stares sharpened.

Solape felt it immediately.

She glanced at him.

He offered his arm. She smiled and then she took it.

The intimacy of their exchange was not lost on the onlookers.

They walked toward the carpet.

A photographer called her name. “Solape! Over here!”

She turned, smiled, and posed quickly.

Then another voice called: PK!”

PK blinked, surprised.

Solape’s brows lifted. “They know you too?”

PK exhaled quietly. “Unfortunately.”

Solape smirked. “Ah. Celebrity pastor.”

PK shot her a look. “Behave.”

They reached the media wall.

Solape did her usual—pose, smile, shift angle. Clean. Confident.

PK stood beside her, polite smile, hands relaxed.

Then one interviewer stepped forward, mic up, eyes bright with mischief.

“Solape!” she gushed. “You look gorgeous! Quick one… who did you come with tonight?”

Solape’s smile didn’t falter.

Solape glanced at him. Then back at the mic.

“I came with a friend,” she said smoothly.

The interviewer’s eyes flicked to PK immediately. “A friend?”

Solape smiled. “Yes.”

The interviewer leaned in. “And are we allowed to know this friend?”

Solape’s eyes warmed.

“This is PK,” she said simply. “Pastor Korede Adeniyi.”

The interviewer’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. PK?”

PK nodded politely. “Good evening.”

The interviewer’s smile grew too big. “Wow. Okay. That’s… interesting.”

Solape’s brows rose. “Interesting?”

“No no… good interesting!” the woman recovered quickly. “We love to see… community.”

Solape held the smile. But her eyes sharpened slightly.

PK shifted subtly beside her… don’t fight.

Solape read it and relaxed her expression.

They moved on.

**********

The hall was loud. Gold lighting. Tables packed. People greeting and laughing and pretending not to network.

Solape and PK found their seats. He pulled out her chair. She sat. He sat beside her. Then someone approached… a popular lifestyle blogger, phone already in hand.

“Hi! I’m sorry to disturb you. Can I take a quick picture with you, Solape?”

Solape smiled. “Sure.”

The woman lifted her phone. “Can I get one with PK too! My mum and I listen your sermons! I was soooo shocked to see you here!”

PK blinked. “Ah.”

Solape laughed. “Come now.”

They stood side by side. The blogger angled the camera, snapped.

Solape smiled, bright, familiar.

PK smiled politely.

The flash went.

And in that tiny moment… barely a second… Solape’s hand brushed PK’s wrist, like an unconscious grounding.

PK’s eyes flicked down, then he held her hand, and his thumb moved up and down and skin. It was nothing. Those who stood by them did not even notice.

But the camera did. Because the second photo captured it clearly: the slight touch, the closeness, the ease. The kind of thing Lagos people could build ten narratives out of.

They sat back down. Solape didn’t think about it again. But somewhere across the room, someone was already posting.

**********

When Solape’s category was called, the hall brightened.

Her name came up on the screen.

Applause.

She sat in her seat and beamed with confidence. PK watched her like he was proud.

She didn’t win. Someone else did… tears, speech, applause.

Solape smiled and clapped. She even stood to hug the winner.

As she took her seat, PK leaned slightly toward her, with his hand across her shoulder and whispered in her ear, voice low.

“I’m proud of you.”

Solape blinked. Her throat tightened.

“Stop,” she looked at him and whispered. “You’ll make me soft.”

PK’s mouth tilted. “Too late.”

Solape laughed softly, then whispered back, “Thank you.”

The camera’s caught that too.

************

Outside, as they walked toward the car, Solape’s phone began to buzz.

Notifications stacking.

Mentions.

Tags.

Instagram stories.

She glanced down and stopped. Miriam had sent a screenshot.

@LagosGistRoom:
“Wait o. Isn’t that @solapeserves with PK?? 👀”

Another:

@KingdomWatchNaija:
“Influencer + Pastor? We are watching. 🧐”

Another:

@SoftLifeTea:
“PK? With that babe? Lagos is a movie.”

Solape stared at the screen.

Then she laughed once… short, disbelieving.

“Wow,” she muttered.

PK glanced at her. “What?”

Solape showed him her phone.

PK’s expression didn’t change dramatically.

But the shift was in his jaw.

The slight tightening.

The way he went quiet.

Solape watched him.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

PK nodded once. “I’m fine.”

Solape’s brows rose. “PK…”

He inhaled slowly, eyes on the road now, already moving into composure.

“It’s just noise,” he said. “It will pass.”

Solape nodded, but she could feel it: It had entered him. She could sense the change in his countenance. He was not panicking, no that wasn’t it. There was just... a weight…

And for the first time since their love started feeling safe, Solape felt a small tremor beneath the surface.

The kind that warned: This is about to get bigger than the two of them.

---

Author’s Note: Our ship is getting rocky, lol.

Witches and Wizards of social media have come with their horns.

Engage and get this post to 100 comments (Not one person commenting under everyone’s comment.😏) and over 100 likes and You will get a bonus chapter today.

To Catch up: Read Chapter one here, Chapter two here, Chapter three here, Chapter Four here, and Chapter Five here, Chapter Six here, Chapter Seven here, Chapter Eight here, Chapter Nine here, Chapter Ten here, Chapter Eleven here, Chapter Twelve here, Chapter Thirteen here, Chapter Fourteen here, Chapter Fifteen here, Chapter Sixteen here, and Chapter Seventeen here.

See you next week. (Probably)❤️