I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 17

I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 17

EPISODE 17: The Deeper Web

I couldn’t shake the unease that gripped me after the message. “He knows I met you. Be careful. He’s getting desperate.”

I had tried to push it out of my mind, to go on with my day, but everything felt off. The air around me was heavy. I couldn’t even bring myself to delete the message. It felt like a warning I needed to hold on to. A sign I needed to heed.

Later that day, my mind kept replaying Charles’s words: “You know, people make mistakes. But real love doesn’t walk away.” His voice, full of charm, almost made me question everything again. Had I made the wrong decision? Did I really know what I was walking away from?

But deep down, I knew the truth. I wasn’t just walking away from a relationship—I was walking away from something far darker.

As the day wore on, I couldn’t stop thinking about the warning. Who had sent it? And why? They clearly knew something I didn’t. Someone was watching Charles, and maybe even me. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

By evening, I found myself pacing in my room. The church was still fresh in my mind—the way Charles had looked at me during service, that smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He had been watching me closely, more intensely than usual. He had made his intentions clear. But what were those intentions? What was he hiding?

I jumped when my phone buzzed again. Another message from the same unknown number. My fingers shook as I opened it.

“I need to meet you. Tomorrow. Sade’s Café. 5 PM. You’ll understand everything then. Don’t trust anyone.”

A sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I’d been to Sade’s Café before, and I remembered Grace mentioning the same place. But this message didn’t feel like it was from her. The tone was different—more urgent, more desperate. Was this the same person who had warned me earlier?

I hesitated for a moment before texting back. “Who is this?” My pulse quickened as I waited for the reply.

Minutes passed. Then the phone buzzed again.

“Meet me tomorrow. And come alone.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Alone. That didn’t sound good. But what choice did I have? Something was coming to light, and I needed to be there to uncover the truth, no matter how dangerous it seemed.

I spent the rest of the evening torn between fear and determination. This wasn’t just about Charles anymore—it was about the game he was playing, and how far he was willing to go to manipulate those around him. I wasn’t going to let him win. I needed to understand what was really going on.

The next day, I dressed carefully, not because I wanted to impress anyone, but because I had to be alert. I didn’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t go in there unprepared.

When I arrived at Sade’s Café, the familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee and pastries filled the air, but it did little to calm my nerves. I sat at a corner table, trying to stay low-key, scanning the room. The minutes felt like hours.

5:10 PM.

I had almost given up when I saw her—Grace. She walked in, looking more serious than I had ever seen her. There was no warmth in her smile this time, no easy charm. It was like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

She sat across from me without a word. I could see the tension in her eyes, the look of someone who knew too much and couldn’t say it all.

“Grace…” I started, my voice tight. “What’s going on? Who’s behind all this? What does Charles have to do with all of this?”

She took a deep breath before answering, her gaze flickering around the café as if she was making sure no one could hear us.

“Chinaza, you don’t understand. Everything you’ve seen is part of a bigger game. Charles… he’s not who you think he is. And you’re not the first to fall for his act.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

She lowered her voice even further. “Charles didn’t just join the church because he wanted to be a part of the community. He came in for one reason only—to manipulate people. He’s part of something bigger. A game, a bet, something dangerous that you’re now caught in.”

I felt a chill creep down my spine. “What game? What bet?”

She looked around again, then leaned forward. “It’s a game with his friends. He was challenged to get a woman to fall in love with him in four weeks, sleep with her, and then dump her for a prize. The church was the perfect place to start. It’s a manipulation game, and you were his target.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You mean… he’s been playing me this whole time?”

Grace nodded gravely. “Yes. But there’s more. He’s not the only one in on it. You’ve seen the people who support him, the ones who admire him. They don’t know the full story, but they’re part of his game too. Charles has been using money, influence, and charm to get what he wants. And now, he’s trying to reel you back in. But it’s not because he loves you. It’s because you’re part of his game.”

My hands trembled as the weight of her words sank in. “So… what do I do now? How do I stop this?”

She looked me in the eyes. “You can’t stop him alone, but you can expose him. He won’t stop until he’s won the bet. But if you leave him behind, and let the truth come out, you can take back control. Don’t let him win, Chinaza. Don’t let him destroy you like he has with so many others.”

My breath caught in my throat. This wasn’t just about rejecting Charles’s proposal anymore. This was about exposing him for who he truly was. The man behind the smile, the charming persona. The manipulator.

I looked at Grace, a new sense of clarity dawning on me. I wasn’t going to let Charles get away with this. Not anymore.

To be continued…