21stcenturybelle – Page 3 – 21stcenturybelle

The Dice #33

Dunni slipped back into her four-inch heels, discarding the comfortable ballerina flats she’d worn for her lunch break. As she sank deep into her chair, the urge to scream clawed at her throat. Tade’s deception gnawed at her, a raw wound she couldn’t ignore. Why did he feel the need to hide his family’s wealth? Was it some kind of twisted test? The thought that she was on the verge of calling off their engagement was no longer just a fleeting notion; it was a real possibility. Trust was sacred to her, a non-negotiable foundation, and he had shattered it. Maybe he’d hidden his wealth because he was tired of being pursued by women only interested in his money, but that was no excuse. Not for her.

She paced across her office, momentarily forgetting that the walls were glass. The world outside could see her turmoil, but she didn’t care. The tension inside her was boiling over.

Grace walked in, breaking Dunni’s spiralling thoughts. “I just sent your presentation for the Abuja trip,” she said.

Dunni halted in her tracks, trying to shift her focus back to work. “Thanks, Grace. I’ll go through it.”

But as Grace left, Dunni found herself standing there, unable to shake the frustration gnawing at her. When had her life become so complicated that even her work, once her sanctuary, was now under threat? She had always prided herself on keeping her personal life separate from her work, but here she was, embroiled in a lover’s spat in the middle of a Monday afternoon. She rolled her eyes at herself, feeling the weight of her tangled emotions pressing down on her.

“Are you good?” Moses strolled in, his voice casual, but his eyes searched her face with concern. He was just as he’d always been, her steady rock, but something between them had shifted. The friendship they once shared felt distant now, almost foreign.

“It’s…” Dunni began, but the words stuck in her throat. She and Moses were no longer in that space where she could pour her heart out to him. “Never mind. It’s just something silly, but I’ll be fine.”

Moses nodded, but his eyes didn’t leave her. “I came to get you for the strategic meeting. You’re 15 minutes late.”

“Oh dear.” Dunni’s heart sank further. No wonder Moses was concerned—she was never late. Ever. It just didn’t happen. She wanted to crawl somewhere and cry. Nothing was the same anymore. She couldn’t share her frustrations with Moses, couldn’t let him tease her until she felt better, couldn’t let him reassure her that she was just overthinking things.

“I’ll be right behind you,” she said, grabbing her laptop. She hurried to the meeting room, pausing just outside the door to take a deep breath, pull her shoulders back, and force a calm she didn’t feel.

“You’re just in time for the Kakawa Housing update,” Ola said as she entered.

Dunni forced a smile and began her presentation. The project was on track, despite a few setbacks, and the team was working hard to meet the deadline. Her words were crisp, professional, but her mind was far from the task at hand. She threw a grateful glance at her assistant for ensuring the presentation ran smoothly, even as her own thoughts were in chaos. Dunni prided herself on her work ethic. Being a partner in the firm wasn’t a license to slack off; it was a call to excel. But today, everything felt off balance.

As the meeting wrapped up, Ola cleared his throat. “We have an announcement to make. One of us is leaving Architex.”

The room fell silent. The staff exchanged confused glances. With an attrition rate of zero over the last year, the news hit hard.

“Moses, one of our senior partners, is leaving us,” Ola continued. “Tomorrow will be his last day in the office, though he’ll work remotely to close out his projects and hand over responsibilities within the next month.”

The shock rippled through the room, a collective gasp followed by Dupe, the receptionist, bursting into tears. But Dunni felt paralysed. Moses… leaving? She turned to look at him, but he avoided her gaze, staring at anything but her. The revelation slammed into her like a freight train. She had thought about leaving, sure, but she had never imagined Moses would be the one to go first. The thought twisted her insides, leaving her breathless.

“Moses is relocating to the US for a new role,” Ola added, his voice a distant echo in Dunni’s ears.

A pain settled in her stomach, sharp and unrelenting. It wasn’t just a colleague leaving; it was like losing a part of herself. She remembered the first day they all met, their National Youth Service year, the shared dreams that led to the birth of Architex, the late nights and hours of unending work that brough Architex to the outstanding company that it was. It has always been the three of them. But Moses had been her anchor, her closest friend, the one constant in a life full of change. How could she imagine a life without him? Every memory she had of the company, of her growth, was intertwined with Moses. He was the common thread in the tapestry of her life.

The staff began to share their memories of Moses, each one more emotional than the last. Dunni barely heard them, her thoughts a blur. When Ola had made the announcement, Moses had finally looked at her, and the raw pain in his eyes mirrored her own. But then he quickly looked away, and she could feel the distance between them grow even wider. Moses loved Dunni with a depth he knew he could never feel for anyone else. He was certain that no one would ever come close to stirring his heart the way she did. He would carry the regret of not seizing the moment 16 years ago—or even just two years ago—when he had the chance to tell her. Instead, he let her slip away, hidden in the fog of their friendship

Finally, it was Dunni’s turn to speak. She stood, her hands trembling as she faced the room, but her eyes sought out Moses. “We all will miss Moses,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wish you only the best.”

The words were simple, but they carried the weight of everything she couldn’t say. Moses and Ola knew she wasn’t taking it well. But Dunni would never admit just how much she would miss Moses. In another world, in another life, she might have told him the truth, but here, all she could do was put on a brave face and hide the storm raging inside her.

As she listened to others recount stories of Moses’ kindness—the cinema tickets that saved a marriage, the lunches he bought for his team, the quiet acts of generosity she had never known about—Dunni felt her heart break a little more. How could she live without him? Moses was her confidant, her true friend, the one person who understood her better than anyone else. The last two weeks had been difficult, but this… this was unbearable. She was drowning in a pain she had never known.

When the meeting ended, the staff left the room slowly, leaving Dunni, Moses, and Ola behind. Ola quickly explained that he had only found out that afternoon and then excused himself. Ola knew what Dunni needed without her saying a word. knowing they needed this time. They had been in each other’s lives for so long.

Moses and Dunni stood there, the silence between them thick with all the words they couldn’t say. Ola watched them, puzzled that Dunni couldn’t see it—that Moses was her lifeline, the air she unknowingly depended on. Their connection was so seamless that everyone else just assumed they were together. Yet, life had its own way of twisting their paths, leaving Dunni too stubborn, or perhaps too scared, to admit that her feelings for Moses went beyond mere friendship. Some bonds, no matter how deep, were simply not destined to be anything more.

She had so much she wanted to say, but instead, the words tumbled out almost carelessly, “When did you know you were leaving?”

“Does it matter?” he replied, his voice steady, his gaze fixed on her, hands buried deep in his pockets as if to anchor himself.

“Were you planning this when you visited my place two weeks ago?” she asked, her voice quivering with the weight of everything left unsaid. She didn’t want to revisit the painful memories, the way their once unbreakable friendship had vanished like smoke in the wind.

“No,” he said, his tone flat, almost distant. “I had the offer months ago but turned it down. I only reconsidered yesterday when Solutions Experts contacted Ola, questioning if our company was in trouble because one of our partners was seeking work with them.” His words were matter of fact, but they hit her like a blow.

Dunni felt a pang of guilt and looked down. “I was upset,” she admitted quietly. “It had become difficult to work together, and I thought it would be easier for everyone if I found somewhere else.”

“You don’t have to anymore,” he replied, his voice softer but tinged with finality. “I won’t be around to bother you. I have to go—I have a lot to do before my flight leaves tomorrow night.”

Dunni’s heart raced with everything she wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come. She wanted to plead with him to stay, to promise she’d end her engagement if that’s what it took—anything to make him change his mind. She wanted to cry, to run into his arms and find comfort in the safety of his embrace. But she did none of those things.

Moses gazed at Dunni, his eyes lingering as if trying to capture every detail, every expression, to carry with him for the rest of his life. The thought of never seeing her again tore at him, a pain he could barely contain. But the moment shattered as Dunni whispered, “I have to go,” her voice trembling. She turned and quickly walked out, desperate to escape before her emotions betrayed her.

The Dice #32

By lunchtime, Moses had signed the paperwork, officially committing to start with the American firm in two weeks. However, he was leaving the following evening, with plans to work from the US and return later to sort out his house and other belongings. The weight of this decision hung heavily on him, a bittersweet mix of anticipation and sorrow that gnawed at his insides.

He dropped by Ola’s office, trying to keep his composure. “All done, boss.”

“Who is your boss? You’re leaving me because of a woman.” Ola’s voice was tinged with a hint of playful reproach, but his eyes betrayed concern.

Moses managed a small smile, one that barely touched his eyes. “It’s for the best, and you know it.”

“That’s why I’m not making your life more miserable and going easy on you,” Ola replied, more concerned about betraying his features than he wanted to admit.

“I’m willing to offer my shares to you and Dunni,” Moses said, his voice tight with the strain of holding himself together. He could feel the weight of his decision pressing down on him, threatening to crush the fragile control he was desperately clinging to. “If we call in the lawyer, we can get that sorted.” He tried to sound businesslike, but the words came out uneven, the pain he was drowning in clawing at the edges of his resolve.

“Not so fast, bro,” Ola cut in sharply, his tone a mixture of firmness and concern. “You may not be working for us, but you’re still a part of us—and a shareholder too. Resignation, yes, but no selling of your stake in the company.”

Moses shrugged, his gaze drifting to the window. “You’re the boss,” he muttered, staring out at the sprawling city of Lagos. He had never imagined living outside the country, but it was either that or drowning in the despair and pain that threatened to consume him. This resulted from waiting too long for the perfect moment to propose to Dunni instead of seizing the moment many years ago.

A knock on the glass door startled him. Dunni peeked through, her face bright with a smile. “Can we come in? I have someone to introduce to you guys.”

The man with her was clearly visible through the glass. “Finally, we become worthy to meet the mystery man,” Ola commented dryly, his tone masking the underlying tension.

Moses shot Ola inquisitively, then walked over to Tade and extended his hand. “Moses Akale, soon to be ex-partner at the firm. Pleased to meet you.” His voice was steady, but inside, a storm raged.

Dunni glanced at Moses, puzzled by his introduction. The last she knew, he was simply a partner, nothing more. She tried to catch his gaze, but Moses refused to meet her eyes, focusing all his attention on Tade.

“Pleased to meet you,” Tade responded politely, unaware of the undercurrents in the room.

Ola stood up to greet Tade. “We finally meet the mystery man. Happy for someone to take her off our hands.”

Moses shot Ola a death glare, but Ola merely shrugged, unperturbed. “You must be used to all the publicity with the recent blog posts.”

Moses observed a shift in Tade’s demeanour, noticing the discomfort that flickered across his face when the blogs were mentioned. Moses made a mental note to find out more about this man.

“Don’t tell me you read those blogs,” Dunni interjected, her tone light as she tried to defuse the situation. “Miriam sent it to me—our girl moving in billionaire circles.”

“You wish,” Dunni teased. “If Tade is a billionaire, I’m a zillionaire, and you all are zillionaire-plus.”

“I’ll see you guys later. I’m off for lunch.” Dunni’s tone was casual, but inside, she was determined. She wasn’t about to let Ola and Moses have their way, not with Tade. She didn’t trust them—no guy who’d ever come near her had met their impossible standards. “Do you want me to get you anything?” she added, her eyes already on the door.

Both men declined, and without another word, Dunni grabbed Tade’s hand and led him out, leaving an uneasy silence in their wake.

“Pleased to meet you, Dr. Tade Braithwaite. We hope to see you around,” Ola called out, his voice echoing in the room as the door closed behind Tade and Dunni.

Once outside, Moses quickly googled Tade Braithwaite. What he found made his heart sink further: Son of the richest woman in Africa, Molade Thomas. Lost his wife early this year to cervical cancer. Rumoured to have been engaged to Made Brown, a family friend, but the engagement was broken off. Made is still unmarried, and they hope they’ll get back together. Tade is a doctor who works solely for Lekki Consultants Hospital and is not involved in the family business run by his mother.

“Wow, our girl snagged a billionaire,” Moses muttered to himself, the words laced with bitterness. “Maybe that’s why I never stood a chance. I don’t have that kind of money.”

“You’re being a dickhead now,” Ola snapped, cutting through Moses’s self-pity. “Dunni’s never been about money, and you know it.”

Moses chuckled, though the sound was hollow. “You better not repeat that nonsense to Dunni. You’ll never be forgiven.”

“Yes, boss,” Ola replied, his tone softening. “When are you telling her you’re leaving?”

“I don’t know,” Moses admitted, his voice thick with uncertainty. “Don’t we have the strategy meeting later today? We can announce it to the team.”

Meanwhile, Dunni and Tade made their way to the car park. “There’s a decent restaurant within walking distance. Let’s try that,” Dunni suggested, her tone light, though she was secretly relieved they wouldn’t have to deal with Lagos traffic.

“Not expecting us to drive somewhere due to traffic?” Tade teased, raising an eyebrow.

Dunni smiled, though her mind was elsewhere, weighed down by the workload she could barely manage. She also had a conference in Abuja where she was a speaker, and the preparation was looming over her. She hesitated to mention work as an excuse, feeling guilty knowing how often she’d chided Tade for working too hard and not taking enough time to rest. “It’ll be easier for you to get back to work quicker without having to bring me back and then find your way,” she said instead, which wasn’t a lie.

Tade raised his hands in surrender. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Adesida. Warn me not to negotiate with you in the future. Any hope to win is dead on arrival.”

When they arrived at the restaurant, Dunni sank into the soft chair, savouring the cool air from the air conditioner and the soothing classical music playing in the background. The calming decor, with its mix of browns and greens and the lively presence of plants, made the space feel almost like an oasis. The wide windows let in natural light, softened by the draperies to avoid any harsh glare from the sun.

A waiter soon approached, and Dunni ordered a Chapman while Tade opted for water. The vibration of her phone pulled her attention away. “One second,” she said, her eyes pleading as she glanced at Tade, who excused himself, mouthing “gents” as he left the table.

It was Emma on the other end. “Hey, girl, not a good time to talk,” Dunni said, trying to keep her voice light.

“Check your phone,” Emma insisted. “You’re trending.”

“I know,” Emma responded drily, tired of people referring to the blog post. “Don’t pay attention to all the lies.”

“What lies? What are you talking about?” Emma asked, confused.

“Read the link I sent you. It makes sense now that you choosing Tade over Moses. The lie in being the son of the richest woman in Africa.”

Dunni’s heart pounded as confusion turned to dread. “I don’t know what you’re saying. I’ll get back to you,” she replied, her voice shaky. When the call ended, she opened the link Emma had sent.

Her eyes widened in shock as she saw a picture of herself taken from her company’s website, accompanied by a profile. “Latest love interest to Tade Braithwaite, son to Molade Thomas, the richest woman in Africa,” the headline blared. Hurt, anger, and disappointment twisted into a knot in her stomach. Betrayal sank deep, cold and heavy. Tade had hidden this from her. They’d been engaged for two weeks, and he hadn’t thought to tell her this crucial piece of his identity. She couldn’t understand why he had kept something so significant from her.

Tade returned, immediately noticing the change in Dunni’s expression. Her face was a mask, devoid of the warmth he was used to. “Who is Molade Thomas?” she asked, her voice cold, almost unrecognisable.

“My mother,” Tade answered without hesitation, though he felt his heart sink. There was no point in denying it or trying to downplay the situation. It was time to come clean.

“When was I going to be told?” Dunni’s voice trembled with restrained fury. “Did you enjoy fooling me? Why did you hide that important fact from me?”

“It’s complicated,” Tade began, but Dunni cut him off.

“Please, uncomplicate it for me.” She kept her voice low, not wanting to cause a scene but barely holding back her rising anger.

“I didn’t want to be judged by my family’s wealth. I’ve worked hard for everything I have today—my degree, the hospital, my career—without relying on my family’s wealth or influence.”

“You lied to me, Tade. By not telling me, you lied. You took me for a ride,” Dunni’s voice wavered, but her resolve remained firm. “I joked so many times in the last 24 hours about becoming a zillionaire if you were a billionaire, and not once did you set me straight. You had all the time in the world, Tade, but you chose to keep me in the dark.”

“I was going to tell you today.”

“Was that why you said I shouldn’t read anything online? You had no plan to tell me and were only doing so because the news was out there. Was our engagement a lie, too?”

Dunni grabbed her bag, standing abruptly. “I’ve lost my appetite. I can head back to the office. You don’t need to miss your lunch on my account.”

Tade reached for her hand, desperation seeping into his voice. “Dunni, please don’t go. Let’s talk.”

But Dunni was resolute. “I’m not in the mood right now to talk. There’s nothing to say. Your actions have said it all.”

Tade let his hand drop to his side, his heart heavy with regret. The laughter of two young girls passing by only deepened his misery. “You should run after her,” the shorter one offered sympathetically, trying hard to stifle her laughter. The other old back burst into merciless giggles and nodded in agreement.

He sat down, needing a moment to breathe and gather himself. The last thing he wanted was advice from anyone, let alone two young girls who knew nothing about the complexities of life. Dunni had never been one to mince words or speak in riddles. When she said yes, she meant it with every fibre of her being. He would give her the time she needed.

The Dice #31

Returning to work, Dunni felt she was stepping onto a battlefield, and her power dressing was the armour she needed. She chose a white three-quarter sleeve, flowery Hawes and Curtis shirt, perfectly tucked into a black pencil skirt that hugged her curves. Her eye makeup was flawless, with kohl-lined eyes that made her gaze sharp and commanding. A final touch of plum lip gloss, and she was ready. Satisfied with her reflection, she knew she needed her confidence at its peak to face, Moses, after what had happened two weeks ago.

She didn’t know what to expect but had already decided to inform them she would be leaving at the end of the month. It was the best decision for everyone. She doubted they could ever work together as smoothly as before, and she wasn’t sure their relationship could return to the easy banter and seamless collaboration they had once enjoyed. “I can do this,” she told the woman, staring back at her in the mirror. Nothing was holding her back now, not Moses, not even Tade.

Slipping into her four-inch black Louboutin heels—though she wished they were six-inch so she could tower over everyone—she grabbed her phone, checked her messages, and headed out, driving into the usual Lekki-VI traffic. Tade had sent a reminder about meeting her for lunch, which brought a small smile to her face. He had never visited her office before, always picking her up and having her car sent home. But today, she was glad he would be there. Introducing him to Moses and Ola seemed like a good idea, a subtle way of showing Moses that she was serious about her relationship with Tade.

Parking in her reserved spot, Dunni gathered her Michael Kors bag, laptop bag, and a thermos flask of tea, juggling them all as she locked her car and walked up the stairs to the reception. Sarah, the receptionist, greeted her with a broad smile, gushing with congratulations on her engagement. Dunni noticed a slight shift in Sarah’s demeanor, almost like she was dealing with a celebrity. She brushed it off, thinking it was just her paranoia after being away from the office. Even the security guard was more attentive than usual, making her wonder if her absence had caused this.

Her heels echoed in the hallway as the elevator doors opened on the first floor. She walked to her office, setting down her bags and debating whether to change into flats, but decided to keep the heels on for the extra height she felt she needed today. Instead of turning on the air conditioning, she opted to open the windows, craving the freshness of natural air.

She called Gladys, the junior architect assigned to her, who appeared in her office almost before she had finished dialling.

“Welcome back, ma!” Gladys greeted her, again showering her with congratulations.
Dunni looked at her, puzzled. “Was my engagement circulated in the weekly update on the intranet? Why does everyone know I got engaged?”
Gladys looked equally puzzled. “It wasn’t on the intranet, ma’am.”
“Then why does everyone know about it?”
Gladys hesitated before answering, “The blog.” A triumphant smile spread across her face as she said it.
“Oh, that,” Dunni replied dismissively. “Don’t believe everything you see there.” But the look on Gladys’s face made Dunni pause. “You don’t know, do you?” Gladys asked, her voice laced with disbelief as the reality of the situation dawned on her.
“Know what?” Dunni waved her hand dismissively. “Let’s focus on work and ignore those bloggers who make a living off lies. If Tade is a billionaire, then I’m a zillionaire,” she joked, laughing as she turned to her laptop and began the day’s work.

Meanwhile, down the hall, Ola shared the blog link his wife had sent him with Moses. Moses was unprepared for the wave of pain that hit him when he saw the picture of Dunni in her fiancé’s arms. Something about it felt wrong, tearing at him in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Mystery woman revealed. Lagos billionaire bachelor Tade Braithwaite, son of Molade Thomas, is set to tie the knot for a second time after the devastating loss of his wife,” the blog read.

Moses handed the phone back to Ola, trying to mask his emotions. “You can’t believe everything these blogs say. They peddle lies for clicks. At least now we have a name for the mystery guy. Dunni’s been keeping this from us—makes you wonder if she had something to hide.” He tried to smile, but it was forced. “I guess we’ve been too hard on her in the past. She’s always complained that we scare off her suitors before they even get a chance, and now, the one she keeps secret proposes.”
Moses smiled ruefully. “Man, I’m seriously considering that offer in America. I don’t think I can keep working like this. Seeing her daily will constantly remind me of what I’ve lost.”

Ola looked at his friend, understanding the depth of his pain. As much as he wanted Moses to stay, he knew the daily grind of seeing Dunni would tear him apart. “You have my blessing,” Ola said softly.
“Some companies have already reached out, asking if we were in trouble,” Ola admitted. “Why?” Moses asked, concern lining his voice.

“Dunni’s been applying elsewhere,” Ola said, the reality sinking in.
“That’s not good for us,” Moses agreed. “Let me call to accept the US offer and start the paperwork. I’ll try to arrange for an immediate start if possible. That way, Dunni does not have to leave.”

The Dice #30

Dunni knew she had to return to work, but the mere thought of facing Moses overwhelmed her with dread. She’d taken a week off, and in the second week of her self-imposed exile, she desperately sent out her CV to architectural firms across the country—firms far smaller than hers. But at this point, size didn’t matter. She just needed to be somewhere, anywhere, that put a safe distance between her and Moses. The idea of being around him, of continuing in the same space, was unbearable.

Meanwhile, she had told Tade she couldn’t agree to the December wedding dates he had suggested. The decision, she insisted, had to be mutual. Their first real argument followed soon after. She accused him of disregarding her feelings, as though he still wanted his late wife to have a presence in their marriage, and she wasn’t willing to enter a marriage where the ghost of another person lingered. It wasn’t just about the wedding anymore—it was about asserting herself, about not losing her voice in the process of planning her future. She realised with a jolt that she had almost allowed Tade to make the decisions without her input.

Tade had apologised sincerely, explaining that his fixation on the original wedding date was due to his terrible memory, not a lack of respect for her opinions. He promised they would pick a date that worked for both of them and together, they decided to push any wedding plans to the following year. They barely knew each other in the midst of their hectic lives and needed more time to meet each other’s friends and family. Yet, despite the compromise, doubts gnawed at Dunni, although she kept them hidden from Tade.

Tade was disappointed by the delay but was willing to go along with Dunni’s wishes. After all, she had said yes to his proposal, and that had to mean something. But he hadn’t introduced her to his mother yet—a meeting he dreaded, worried that it might cause Dunni to rethink everything. His mother wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, and he knew the introduction needed to happen soon before Dunni started wondering why it hadn’t already.

When Dunni booked her flight to Johannesburg, she told Tade she needed a few days away and would return by Sunday. She accepted his offer to drive her to the airport. She also informed Ola and Moses that she’d return to the office the following week. Her time in Johannesburg was quiet, but she appreciated the solitude. She barely left her hotel room, burying herself in work. Talking to Tade every night kept her grounded, reaffirming her decision to marry him, even as a persistent voice whispered that she still had time to change her mind. She kept contact with her partners to a minimum, only responding to essential emails.

When Dunni finally returned to Lagos, she felt a sense of relief, though she wouldn’t call it rest. The distance had given her clarity about what she needed to do next. She’d received offers from smaller firms she would never have considered but knew she couldn’t afford to be choosy now. Tade didn’t understand why she was so eager to leave her position as a partner and a core part of the business to become just another employee elsewhere. She couldn’t bring herself to explain the situation with Moses—she didn’t want to burden him with that part of her life. In the early days of their relationship, Tade had asked many questions about her partners, especially Moses, whom she frequently mentioned. He had noticed the history they shared, but the fact that Ola was also part of the mix seemed to ease his concerns. Still, he was more curious about Moses than Ola, and with Moses away for six months, his questions had lessened. Dunni had become more cautious, almost evasive, when talking about Moses, sensing Tade’s discomfort. She hadn’t even mentioned to Tade that Moses was back.

When Dunni’s plane touched down, and her phone reconnected to the network, she was inundated with messages. One caught her eye—a link to a blog. Her heart nearly stopped when she opened it and saw her picture, taken that morning as she was leaving Lagos. The headline blared: “Mystery Woman Spotted with Lagos Billionaire Bachelor.” The photo showed her back, with Tade’s face clearly visible in a warm embrace. The article speculated about Tade’s new love interest, suggesting that other women vying for his attention should step aside. There was even a promise to reveal the “mystery woman” identity soon.

“Lagos billionaire, indeed,” Dunni muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. These blogs were notorious for their inaccuracies. But a small part of her couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity—they had at least gotten the “wife” part right. If Tade was a billionaire, then she must be a zillionaire. Laughing, she forwarded the link to Tade with a message: “You’ve got some publicity here. You’re a billionaire? Guess that makes me a zillionaire.” She took a taxi home, turning down Tade’s offer to send a driver since he was busy with work.

Tade, about to head into surgery, nearly dropped his phone when he saw Dunni’s message. Panic surged through him—he needed to talk to her before she found out things from others that he should have told her himself. He had to fix this before it spiraled out of control. “Don’t go online, please. We need to talk. I’ll come by the house tonight if I can, or I’ll see you at the office tomorrow morning,” he texted back, urgency bleeding through the words.

Dunni laughed at his response, quickly typing back, “Calm down. I’m definitely not going down this rabbit hole of lies from some blogger, though I do like the sound of it. It’s your face out there, not mine—maybe you should watch your back on the streets unless you want to get mobbed by people thinking you’re a billionaire. Oh, and please send my Maserati first thing tomorrow. LOL.”

Tade ended up finishing surgery late that night and sent her a quick text, asking if they could meet for lunch at her office the next day, urging her once more to stay away from the blogs.

The Dice#29b

Molade was overwhelmed—a storm of emotions crashing over her as she stood there, her legs trembling. Shock, disbelief, anger. What she saw before her was impossible. How could this be? How could he be alive? No, it couldn’t be true. She collapsed into a chair, eyes locked on him, and whispered his name.

“How can it be? You are alive.”

He stared back, confused, as if she had lost her mind. “What do you mean, I’m alive? I’ve always been alive.”

“No,” she breathed, “you were dead. I was told you were dead. They said you were dead.”

“Did you see my grave?” His voice was cold. “You accepted it because it was easier for you to move on. To forget me. Your family never liked me anyway. You wanted to believe I was dead to fit the life you were used to.”

“You’re wrong,” she protested, voice breaking.

He shrugged, indifferent. “What can I do for you today?”

Molade stared at him, incredulous. “I didn’t come here because I was sick. I came because I saw a document with your name on it, dated three years after you were supposed to be dead. I had to see for myself.”

“You’re in luck then,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now that you know I’m alive, are you ready to leave?”

How could he be so callous? Where was the man she had loved, the man she had married? His coldness cut deeper than any wound. “I see I mean nothing to you,” she said, her voice trembling. “The day I walked out of your life, you were dead to me. I don’t know you anymore. I feel nothing for you. I have moved on.”

Molade shook her head, tears brimming. He would never know the truth now. She was dead to him, and dead she would remain. Rising with the last shreds of her dignity, she whispered, “I’m sorry for wasting your time, doctor.” And with that, she walked out of his office, each step a painful echo of the life and love she had lost, found and lost again within a twinkling of an eye. He would never know the only chance he had to know—gone, just like that. She was dead to him

The Dice#29a

Clad in a simple leaf-patterned navy blue and white kaftan made from traditional adire fabric, Molade watched the cars speeding by on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway. Her thoughts drifted to another time when she made a similar trip. The road wasn’t this terrible back then; it took just a little over an hour to get to Ibadan from Lagos. Just like now, Jamiu was driving, as he had since her teenage years. Molade’s brow furrowed in thought as they journeyed toward the ancient city. Despite its proximity to Lagos, she could count the times she had travelled this road.

Her musings were interrupted when the car swerved off the main road onto a muddy path, dodging deep potholes. She jerked forward, saved by her seatbelt from hitting the headrest in front of her.

“Sorry, madam,” Jamiu apologised.

She waved him off, knowing it wasn’t his fault. A little effort from the government could fix the road, she thought, glancing around. Her mind wandered to the reason for her trip today, wondering if her findings would confirm her fears sparked by a document she had seen that morning.

Jamiu slowed the car beside a woman roasting fresh corn to ask for directions. As he prepared to drive off, Molade handed him a few thousand naira notes to give to the woman. The joyous woman quickly wrapped some roasted corn in newspaper to give them, but Jamiu declined and drove away. Molade watched in the rearview mirror as the woman danced with joy; the money would cover her sales for the day and more.

They arrived at what appeared to be a hospital. Molade gazed at the small building; its white paint had faded to grey and peeled off, and some broken windows were replaced with wood. A queue of people spilled out from the entrance, making her wonder how much busier it would be on a weekday.

“Do you want me to go in for you?” Jamiu asked, his voice filled with concern.

Molade offered a small smile. Jamiu knew her well, but why wouldn’t he? He’d been her driver since she turned sixteen, becoming more like family over the years. She had built a house for him, sent his children to school, and seen them graduate and secure jobs. To Molade, Jamiu was more than a driver; he was a father figure. Her friends often remarked on his long tenure, but Molade felt lucky to have him by her side. She trusted him like no one else.

“No, thank you. I’ll do this on my own.”

Molade stepped out of the car and joined the queue at the hospital entrance. A woman with a baby asked her in Yoruba, “Madam seti gba kadi yin wanni dayin loun laisi kadi”, meaning if she’d gotten a card yet and she would not be attended to without one, then kindly directed her to where she could get one. Molade was grateful; she was used to seeing her personal physician by appointment and wasn’t familiar with the public hospital’s protocols.

At the registration desk, she gave a false address and registered under a pseudonym, “Bimbo Jimoh,” wanting to remain inconspicuous. The young lady behind the desk eyed her sceptically, commenting that she didn’t look sick and the doctor was busy with patients. Molade grimaced, noting the abundance of unsolicited opinions in this place. She nodded politely, holding back a retort, and took her place in the waiting area, her mind racing with the potential revelations ahead.

Molade must have sat there for over two hours, the minutes ticking by with excruciating slowness. The air was thick with the murmur of conversations, the occasional cough, and the rustle of paper. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed when her pseudonym, “Bimbo Jimoh,” was called. It took a moment to register that it was her turn.

As she stood up, a mix of anxiety and anticipation washed over her. She walked into the doctor’s office, the door closing behind her with a soft click. What she saw next left her stunned, a cold shock settling in her stomach.

The Dice#28

She’d barely been at her place for ten minutes when she heard her doorbell ring. Whoever it was, it must have been someone close to her gateman to allow the person in. She could guess it may be Ola, Moses, or Emma, and she was not up to receiving anyone; she should have told Sule he was not to let anyone in, even the list she had given him.

Dunni opened the door and was not surprised to see Emma, her long-time friend and confidante. “Who asked you to come?” she asked, although she could guess that Moses, her childhood friend, must have put her up to it.

“It does not matter who put me up to it. Emma replied, walking past her and dropping her bag on the sofa. She made a beeline to the fridge to help herself with a glass of cold water. Typical of Emma to walk in like she owned the place.

“It is so hot; this global warming is genuine and not some scam by the world out there.

Dunni followed her without saying a word. She was sure Emma had not come all the way to talk about the weather and was not in the mood for any discussion.

“I hear congratulations are in place—engaged and with a daughter, too!” said Emma, gazing at her pointedly.

Dunni waved her hand in denial, giving a small smile.

“So, when is the wedding?”

“Three months from now.”

“What! Who gives three months to plan a wedding? Does this guy know you have a whole community of friends and family who have been waiting for this day, and you both want to rush it like that?”

Dunni swallowed hard. She did not want to tell her friend that Tade had fixed the date without consulting her. He wanted the wedding to be before the end of the year, the same date as his previous marriage. Tade had already decided to use his church. He did not want the wedding to be in the month of his daughter’s and late wife’s birthday, which was also her birth month. Dunni had always dreamed of a June wedding and hated the idea of a wedding around Christmas. The season was too festive to add to the burden of planning a wedding.

“Tade did not see any reason to wait longer, and we both know what we wanted,” she said, hating herself for lying to her friend. How was she to explain how pathetic she had become to her friend going ahead to marry a guy who thought more about himself, his daughter and his dead wife over her, or at least it came across as that to her?

“Or he thinks you may change your mind.”

“Emma!”

“Don’t Emma me. I may be called many things, but I won’t keep my mouth shut when I see you making a huge mistake. Leaving a guy who’s loved you all his life for someone looking for a mother for his child and a wife to keep his home.”

“That’s enough, Emma! Dunni shouted and regretted doing so immediately.

“Who are you talking about that has loved me all his life?” Dunni asked, more upset with Emma than she had ever been in all their years of friendship.

“Do you seriously not know, or are you playing games with me?”

“Who is it?” Dunni asked, exasperated.

“Moses.”

“What are you talking about? Moses never had feelings for me. It has always been a joke on his part ever since he used his useless dice.”

“Yeah,” Emma retorted drily. “I am sorry to inform you that it appears you were the only one who did not see this guy staying by your side and playing the role of a fiancé, which you found very convenient.”

“Did you know about Moses’ supposed feelings for me?” Dunni asked quietly, afraid of what she might hear.

Emma laughed in derision. “Are you serious? I have been your friend all these years, and I thought you knew. Can you remember the day you walked in on Moses and me having a conversation about some mystery girl in our final semester? You said if he loved the girl badly and she wasn’t reciprocating, she did not deserve him, and he should move on.”

“Yes, I do, but what does that have to do with me?” Dunni rubbed her temples, frustrated by the unending circles to their conversation.

“Since you have decided to act clueless where Moses is concerned, you were the girl in that conversation. We have been waiting for your eyes to be opened, but it was not only your eyes that were closed; your heart was closed, too.”

“No way!” she did not want to believe Emma. There must be a mistake somewhere.

“Yes, way! Sleeping beauty. Moses has loved you all these 16 years. 16 years, this guy has stayed by your side, loving you in many ways some girls will only dream of, but you have been so blind. I hope you know what you are doing. I married Greg, who I love to the moon and back, and some days, I’m wondering what I got myself into. Now, think of what would happen if I had married some guy who I felt a maternal pull to his daughter. I’ll be out of the marriage now.

Emma stood up and slipped her bag over her shoulders. “I’ll see myself out,” she said, hugging Dunni. You are in a difficult situation, but I hope you think of yourself and that little girl and that you are doing your best for her in the long run. Should you be unhappy in that marriage, there would be little you can do for her.”

Dunni was left in tears. She did not think she had any more tears left. All she had been doing in the last couple of days was crying. Her misery increased when she thought of all the ways Moses had been trying to tell her of his love, and she had bluffed all of them, thinking he was teasing and just running with his dice prediction.

She missed Moses if what she was going through did not involve him. She would have gone to him to talk it through so she could run her thoughts by him. Moses had a way of breaking up situations and helping you see the bigger picture.

She grabbed her keys and drove to Ola’s place. She needed to figure out what she was searching for. If what Emma said was true, then Ola must have known all this while.

When she got to Ola’s house, she was so glad Ola opened the door instead of his wife. Dunni knew she looked a mess and wasn’t sure she could face Miriam right now with all the questions she could not answer. Dunni politely asked for his wife as Ola led her to his study. She could guess she was crashing on family time.

“Is it true?” she asked.

“What,” Ola asked, scratching his head obliviously at what she was talking about.

“Is it true that Moses has loved me for the last 16 years?” Dunni knew she must sound pathetic, but she needed to know. “Ola, please tell me. For the sake of all the years we have been friends,” Dunni pleaded.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Go to Moses and talk this over with him. You don’t need me; I am a third party.”

“You can’t, or you won’t?” It appeared that Ola would talk for a fraction of a second, and then it was gone. He shook his head. “I am sorry, Dunni. You need to talk to Moses.”

Fine!” she stormed out of his study, smacking into someone. She did not need to look at the face to know it was Moses. She could recognize the woodsy and aromatic smell of his cologne anywhere.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, looking up at his face and being shocked. It had been only 24 hours, and Moses had never looked this worse. His hair was uncombed. She felt terrible that she was the one hurting and causing him pain.

After this blew over, Dunni promised to start looking for another job. It was too obvious that things could never go back to what they used to be. The friendship and usual banter would be gone, replaced with a strained relationship.

Ola followed her out. He did not appear surprised to see Moses. “A good thing you are here. Dunni came to ask me a question only you could answer. I will leave you both here. Please close the door behind you.”

Moses tucked his hands into his pocket, not without sending a silent thank you to his friend. He had come to talk to Ola. Just the thought of Dunni going ahead with the wedding was driving him crazy.

Dunni cast an evil look at Ola. “Fine!” Such an irony is the word she used when everything was far from being ‘fine’ in her life. Would discovering Moses’ feelings for her have been since they were teenagers make any difference to her? Was she trying to assuage the pain and hurt she felt? How could something you have wished for so long fall within your reach, and you could not take it?

Dunni returned to the study while Moses followed her, shutting the door behind them.

“Is there something you wanted to ask me?” Dunni could hear his voice, dejected and defeated, breaking her heart. Her upbeat friend, who would bring the moon down if need be, now appeared to have lost his zest for life.

She cleared her voice. Is it true about that day with Emma on campus that you were referring to me?”

“What difference would it make,” he asked gruffly, his hands still in his pocket as he walked over, closing the distance between them.

“No difference,” she lied. “I just need to know.”

“I won’t answer your question,” he said, holding her gaze as he moved towards her, closing the distance between them and entirely in her personal space. They had been this close before, and she had not bothered, but all her senses were up this time.

Dunni was the first to blink, “We have nothing else to say on this issue, and we can all go forward with our lives.

If that’s what you want.

She was sick and tired of Moses acting as if she had dumped the burden of the revelation on them instead of him. He should have kept whatever feelings he had to himself. The guilt was slowly eating at her, and she was looking for anything to get her out of this mess. It was supposed to be simple: She got engaged and moved on like Ola and Moses would one day. It was not something to be this complicated, a love triangle.

The Dice#27

Moses stared at Dunni pretending he was hearing what she was saying. Nodding at each interjection while his mind was far away. Last night was the most miserable for him and Dunni coming today was the final thrust onto his bruised heart.

Completely lost in thoughts, he was brought back to the present when he felt Dunni tapping him or the electrifying sensation from her touch. ” You were not listening”, she reprimanded. He tried a small smile with the lame excuse of his body telling him to call it a day. He had thought she was here to let him know she had changed her mind and was ready for a relationship with him but she was still stuck in the best friend status bla bla that he was not prepared to hear.

Moses smiled at Dunni’s cute pout that always disarmed him. “You can stay and let yourself out. I have to go upstairs.” He could see the drop on her shoulders but was impressed with the front she put up, a brave smile and forced excitement. “Sure, I will let myself out. You go and have the much-needed rest.”

Dunni watched him go sadly and wondered if this was the beginning of the end of their friendship. She shuddered and willed that it was not real, and she would just wake up and find that she was in a dream and all the thoughts about the death of the beautiful friendship they had shared were simply what it was, just a dream.

The sound of a text coming through her phone was enough to convince her this was happening and not a dream. She could tell it was from Tade from the ringtone. She sighed she’d told him she was dealing with an emergency and would not be available this weekend. She liked that he was so understanding and did not pressure her into the details, which she was not ready to give at this stage. What good will come out of sharing the details when the problem persists.

Dunni let herself out, realising that this problem might eventually destroy her relationship with Moses. All previous optimism was lost. And with that realisation, she became angry with Moses for not understanding and for letting himself get carried away with feelings and complicating their relationship. By the time she got home, she was no better than before she left, and this made her sadder. She was angry that she could not be there for her friend at a time he needed her the most like he had always been for her.

She played about with the thought of breaking her engagement with Tade. Her engagement to Tade barely 48 hours ago was the best thing that had happened to her, she was still processing it and now Moses springs this on her. He was unfair and thoughtless to have pulled this stunt. How could he have done this to her just when Tade asked her to marry him? She knew she was not being rational but her thoughts were all over the place and nothing was making sense the way she wanted it to.

Tade was okay. He was easy on the eyes, a perfect gentleman who loved her. Maybe Moses and she would have had a chance, but she could not hurt Tade for something that could fail. If Moses and her were to happen they had 16 years to have done so. She had always compared most guys that came to her to Moses, he was the pedestal to which all men in her world had to live up to, even if she did not know it at the time, and they had always fallen short but with Tade, this was different. Moses was out of the country and there was no need to bounce things off him, to have carried him through the process of her relationship and not blindside him. Still, she was also the one who had guarded the relationship away from Ola and Moses, in the days he was known as, “Mr Flowers”. Her relationship with Tade was something real and she was not going to trade it for a whim, being away from her this long had clouded Moses’s judgment. If he was with her, he never would have pulled the stunt of proposing to her. Yes, she applauded herself for discovering the root of the problem, being away from her made Moses lose his senses. She would have reset it should he have been around like she had always done.

Dunni let herself into her house, exhausted. Her mind was a cacophony of what ifs, what shoulds, and should nots. She tumbled up the stairs crashing into her bed, curling into a ball and wept her heart out.

*** ***

Dunni’s eyes fluttered open, and she immediately felt puzzled, realizing she was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Her head throbbed as memories from the previous day came flooding back. Staggering into the bathroom, she could barely recognise the face with the bloodshot eyes, smudged mascara, and dishevelled hair staring back at her through the bathroom mirror, hardly recognising. “What do you really want?” She questioned the face staring back in the mirror trying to come to terms with the harsh reality of her life but was only rewarded with silence.

The thought of calling in sick and staying home from work crossed her mind. But she knew that if she did, her partners, Moses, and Ola, would come to her like Navy SEALs on a mission, worried about her well-being. Despite struggling to get ready for work, she decided she would go in late after calling her mother. Her mind was in turmoil, and no solution seemed to bring her peace.

On her way to work, Dunni made an impromptu decision to take a detour, leading her on a four-hour drive to her mother’s house in Ibadan.

She poured out her heart, seeking guidance. Her mother’s advice was straightforward and wise. Marriage was about love, respect, and a shared future. When the initial romance and butterflies faded away, the friendship between the couple would sustain the marriage. Dunni had to make the decision, as she would be the one living with her chosen partner.

Her mother shared her perspective on both Tade and Moses. While she didn’t know much about Tade, she emphasised that Moses had loved Dunni for a long time, and she had witnessed his dedication and affection. Dunni was surprised to learn that Moses had been visiting her mother regularly, even before he left for China and had asked her mum permission to ask Dunni to marry him when he returned from the trip.

Her mother cautioned Dunni against sacrificing herself for the sake of Tade’s daughter, as love for the child alone wouldn’t be enough to sustain the marriage. She reminded Dunni that she wasn’t marrying the child, but rather Tade, and if her feelings for someone else surpassed those for her chosen partner, she might regret her decision.

Dunni listened carefully to her mother’s words, her mind churning with thoughts and emotions. It was a difficult choice to make, and she knew that whatever decision she reached would shape her life and future happiness and some people would be hurt in the process. The road ahead was uncertain, but she understood that she needed to be honest with herself and choose a path that aligned with her heart and aspirations. Discovering that Moses had already resolved to propose before his departure for China left her in a state of emotional turmoil. Her initial belief that his prolonged absence was clouding his judgment faded away like a puff into the thin air.

The Dice #26a

Experiencing love and being loved in return is nothing short of a miracle.

“What about Becca?” Dunni asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

“What about Becca?” Moses responded, more confused than ever.

“I thought you were into her. I thought she was the one you were proposing to,” Dunni replied, attempting a small laugh as she wiped away the tears streaming down her face. Moses sighed with relief, finally feeling like he was getting through to her.

However, his relief was short-lived when Dunni asked brokenly, “Why now?”

“It’s not now; it has been forever,” Moses said, taking her hands in his, never breaking eye contact. He felt at a loss, unsure of how to convince her. “I have been telling you all my life, but you never took me seriously. Our story should be written into a book and made into a film. I bet it could win the Oscars.”

“Because you were not,” she screamed, hitting his chest with her small fists, crying uncontrollably.

Moses gazed at her with increasing worry. Dunni was becoming more distressed by the moment.

“Tade proposed last night, and I said yes,” she said, lifting her left hand to show him the sparkling solitaire diamond engagement ring adorning her index finger. However, she realised that the ring was not there. She left it on her dressing table. “The ring is upstairs,” she said lamely, not accustomed to wearing it.

Moses felt a pain in his heart unlike anything he had ever experienced. His heart momentarily stopped as he struggled to breathe. “The guy you met about six months ago?” Moses asked, disbelief evident in his voice. “Please tell me this is a joke,” he pleaded.

Dunni shook her head, tears falling involuntarily.

“Is that what you want?” he croaked, tears welling up in his eyes, his voice breaking with emotion as he swallowed hard. How had they reached this point? Was the universe playing tricks on him? Dunni was his world from the moment she entered his life. It had always been her and no one else. He had tried two other relationships, but they couldn’t compare to Dunni. And now, what? He ran his hands over his head and across his face. This couldn’t be happening. He needed to do something. He stared at her, unaware that the tears on her face mirrored his own.

Pulling her into a fierce embrace, he felt her offer little resistance. “If Tade will make you happy…” he began but couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence. He wasn’t ready to let her go. How could he ever survive without her? She was his breath, his oxygen, and this was not just a cliché or words from a romance book. This was his reality. He had no life outside of her. The house he built had her input because he had always envisioned their future together. He had insisted on bringing her on as a partner in their firm to ensure she wouldn’t be lured away by another company.

Dunni is an exceptionally gifted architect, and while her hard work had earned her a leadership position in the firm they had built together, it was her beauty, personality, drive and sense of humor that had captured and won his heart. It had always been Dunni, his entire life. His heart felt torn apart. The thought of her marrying someone else was unbearable. There had to be something he could do. He had to convince her to give them a chance. She couldn’t simply jump into a relationship with a guy she had only recently met and discard someone she had known almost her entire life. There must be something in her heart for him.

Moses stepped back, lifting her chin with his fingers, looking deeply into her eyes, silently willing her to give their love a chance. He was devastated when she looked away. That was the answer he needed. If she couldn’t meet his gaze, she wasn’t ready to fight for them. He kissed her forehead, defeated, stood up and let himself out. His heart hurt so badly, and he struggled to breathe.

The Dice #24

Time will always tell, but it is the patience we all lack.

Moses was growing anxious. He had attempted to contact Dunni multiple times but was consistently unsuccessful. He decided he would have to drop by her house unexpectedly to retrieve his keys. Though exhausted from his long flight and craving the comfort of his bed, the anticipation of seeing Dunni outweighed his fatigue. The route from the mainland to the island was surprisingly clear on this Saturday morning, a relief after spending hours confined to an airplane.

As he felt the ring in his pocket, a smile tugged at his lips. Regardless of the odds and Dunni’s seeming obliviousness to their mutual attraction, he was determined to propose to her today. He no longer wished to postpone this moment. His prolonged absence had affirmed his deep-seated feelings for her, and he couldn’t imagine life without her. Their dance of ambiguous relationship status spanning over the years would end today. Moses planned to make his love known, breaking free from the “best friend” label that had concealed his true emotions.

Settling back into the cab seat, he closed his eyes, a vision of Dunni’s warm smile filling his mind. Today would mark the beginning of the rest of his life with the only woman he could ever truly love, the woman for whom he would willingly sacrifice everything. In this life and any others to come, he would do anything for Dunni.

The cab pulled up in front of Dunni’s gate, and he stepped out, paying the fare and dialing Dunni’s number one more time. The gatekeeper was already outside, ready to assist with his luggage. “Oga welcome, e don tey we see you for here. I bin think say you and madam don fight, I no know say you travel fa” Meaning it had been long he saw Moses and thought Dunni and he had a fall out.

Moses chuckled quietly to himself, keeping his thoughts private. He could always rely on Musa to say the most outrageous things while still managing to be amusing. He never ceased to be amazed by the man’s unfiltered audacity and wondered how Dunni, known for her short patience, managed to put up with him.

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

Dunni awoke, her vision blurred, struggling to discern whether the relentless throb in her head was a symptom of a migraine or the persistent knocking at her door. For a fleeting moment, her surroundings were unfamiliar. But soon, the memories of the previous night engulfed her. The dinner, the proposal, camera flashes, and Tade hurriedly leaving her at her doorstep with a promise to see her the following day.

Reflecting on the proposal gone awry, Dunni found herself with a barrage of unanswered questions. Tade, as always, had adeptly sidestepped her inquiries. The mystery that now shrouded her engagement seemed to cast a larger shadow than her initial excitement. She had believed she knew Tade well, but the enormity of her acceptance of his proposal has raised a lot of questions, perhaps she had been misled. Maybe she only knew as much as Tade had permitted.

She was in the dark about his friends, had never met his family, and the closest connection was a family friend she had encountered at the restaurant the previous night. With a goal to research the woman online, she tried to remember the name. It seemed it was time for her to seek out answers on the internet if they were not forthcoming from Tade himself.

Still half-asleep, Dunni fumbled under her pillow for her phone. The cold metal against her skin caused her to wince. The weather was still mild for the time of year, yet her air conditioner had the room feeling like mid-winter, requiring her to slip deeper under her warm duvet.

Blinking her eyes open, she gasped at the time displayed on her phone. It was 10:36 AM on Saturday and she had 22 missed calls! The constant banging was not in her head but from the door downstairs. She grumbled, reaching for her housecoat draped over the edge of the bed. Slipping into her house slippers, she shuffled her way downstairs. Moses was the only one audacious enough to barge into her home so early on a Saturday, but he was in China. Or was he due back this week? she pondered.

Peering through the peephole, Dunni squealed, realising who was at the door. She swung it open and launched herself at Moses with the force of a cannonball.

“Wow!” Moses chuckled. “Had I known I would receive such a welcome, I would’ve donned full body armor.” He pulled away to look at her. She appeared to have lost weight and seemed utterly exhausted. He could tell she was still overworking herself in her typical fashion, and he felt a pang of guilt for his extended absence and lack of support on their ongoing projects.

“You’ve been working yourself to the bone, haven’t you?” he observed.

“Says who?” Dunni retorted. “I’ve been slacking off and falling behind on all my deadlines.”

“You mean your self-imposed deadlines that are always a month ahead of the actual ones.”

“They’re still deadlines,” she argued.

“Can I sit down? I just got back from the airport and dropped by to pick up my keys,” Moses requested.

“I am so sorry,” she apologised leading the way to her living room.

“Why didn’t you tell me when you were coming? I could have had someone clean your place before your arrival. It was tidied up about two weeks ago and I sure the dust has built up again and not to mention the stale air.”

“That should be fine,” Moses responded nonchalantly, sinking into the sofa while Dunni looked on at him, realizing how much she had missed him and excited to share her engagement news.

“Why are you looking at me that way?” he asked Dunni.

“What way?” Dunni countered, grappling with whether to disclose her engagement news now. She would have preferred to, but he had just returned from a long journey and had numerous things to sort out after being away for six months.

“You have that look, when you’re about to burst with information and struggling to contain it. Your twitching right eye and pursed lips always give you away,” he pointed out.

Dunni chuckled. “You know me too well, but whatever I have to say can wait. I’ll call the cleaner to pick up the keys for your place while I whip up a quick breakfast for you. You still have some clothes in the guest room. You don’t need to go to your place yet, rest here and I’ll drop you off later.” She rattled in one breath.

Moses smiled, wondering how long it would take for Dunni to realize that they were meant for each other.

Hours later, they sat comfortably, engrossed in conversation. “I have something to say, and I think you do too. So, you go first,” Moses proposed, a serious expression shadowing his face that made Dunni raise her eyebrows in curiosity. “If you have something to say, you better go ahead. I’m sure your news will overshadow whatever I have to share.” She had a suspicion that Moses was going to announce that he had met someone and was thrilled that they both had good news to share.

“I think you should go first,” he insisted.

“Nope, you go first. Let’s give the man who just returned from the moon the honors,” Dunni joked. “You mean China?”

“It might as well have been the moon. We barely communicated while you were there. It felt like you were swallowed up by their world.”

“The word ‘busy’ doesn’t even begin to describe the work out there. We complain about work in Naija, but those guys are like slave drivers, putting in 14 hours and more like it’s nothing. Being a proud Nigerian, I had to show them that we’re up to the task. It nearly killed me, but my pride wouldn’t let me back down.”

“You were about to work yourself to death for nothing. Can you drop this national pride? After all, we’re all realizing that we’ve been scammed, and our dreams shattered by each new leadership.”

“Naija for life, and Naija to the world,” Moses chanted.

Dunni flung a pillow at him. “Says the man who’s been out of the country for nearly half the year.”