Jidenna sat at his keyboard in his home studio, lost in the melody of a new song. Music had become his refuge—a way to channel his emotions, to process the whirlwind of events that had overtaken his life in recent months. The notes flowed effortlessly, a mix of triumph and vulnerability that reflected his journey.

  He had come far since the trial ended. His album, Phoenix Rising, had broken records, and his fanbase had grown exponentially. Endorsements poured in, cementing his status as one of the most influential artists of the decade. Yet, despite his success, a lingering unease clung to him.

  His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was his manager, Bayo, holding a stack of documents. "We've got the final contracts for the tour," Bayo said with a grin. "This is going to be massive, Jidenna. A worldwide tour—50 cities in six months."

  Jidenna nodded, scanning the papers. The idea of the tour excited him, but a small part of him hesitated. He had been through so much, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to leave the safety of his home just yet.

  "Let me think about it," he said, setting the documents aside.

  Bayo's brow furrowed. "You okay, man? You've been a little... off lately."

  Jidenna forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just trying to take it all in."

  Bayo nodded but didn't press further. "Alright. Just let me know."

  Meanwhile, across town, Amaka was in the midst of her preparations. Her vision board had expanded, now including detailed plans and strategies. She had followed Jidenna's every move since the trial, learning his routines, his preferences, and even his vulnerabilities.

  Her obsession had grown, consuming her every waking moment. She was determined to reclaim what she believed was hers, no matter the cost.

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  She sat at her desk, typing furiously on her laptop. Her latest scheme was complex but meticulously planned. If executed correctly, it would bring Jidenna back to her—or at least ruin his newfound happiness.

  A knock on her door startled her. It was Ngozi, standing in the doorway with a look of concern.

  "You're still at this?" Ngozi asked, her voice laced with frustration. "Amaka, when will you let this go? He's moved on. You should too."

  Amaka glared at her. "You don't understand, Ngozi. He's mine. He always has been. I just need to remind him of that."

  Ngozi sighed, shaking her head. "This isn't healthy. You're only hurting yourself."

  "Leave, if you're not here to help me," Amaka snapped, her tone icy.

  Ngozi hesitated but eventually turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her. Amaka's hands trembled as she returned to her laptop. She didn't need Ngozi or anyone else. She could do this on her own.

  The next day, Jidenna decided to step out for some fresh air. He visited a quiet café he often frequented before his rise to fame. Sitting by the window, he sipped his coffee and observed the world outside. It felt good to blend into the background, away from the cameras and the spotlight.

  But even here, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.

  A woman in a hooded sweatshirt sat a few tables away, her face partially obscured. She seemed familiar, but he couldn't place her. She glanced in his direction once or twice but quickly averted her gaze.

  Jidenna brushed off his unease and focused on his coffee. But when he got up to leave, he noticed the woman following him at a distance.

  He quickened his pace, weaving through the streets until he reached the safety of his car. As he drove away, he couldn't help but glance in the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see her again.

  Back at home, he called Bayo. "I'm ready for the tour," he said, his voice firm.

  "Great! I'll finalize everything," Bayo replied.

  Jidenna hung up, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe getting away for a while was exactly what he needed.

  Unbeknownst to him, Amaka had overheard the call. She smirked as she returned to her apartment, her mind racing with possibilities.

  "A tour," she murmured to herself. "This is perfect."

  Her obsession had reached a dangerous peak, and as she added new details to her plan, it became clear that she was willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure that Jidenna would never escape her grasp.

  Amaka pinning a new photograph to her vision board—a picture of Jidenna's upcoming tour schedule.