Five years ago…

I’ve always hated NYSC. Right from the moment I got into university and understood what it actually meant.

While people around me were moved by the khaki or the supposedly special treatment from being a corper, I wasn’t. It had no meaning for me.

When it was my turn, I was posted to Delta state. I had never been there, or crossed the boundaries of Lagos state. But a few course mates of mine shared the same fate, one having family who stayed there, so a strand of relief kept me anchored.

Three days into the whole ordeal felt like three years. Time crawled like a baby in its curiosity stage and I was peeved.

I had joined the Red Cross to make my life a tiny bit easier and judge people for fainting in the middle of parade practice. Almost every single one of them was dramatic and if they kept it up, I was sure the soldiers would notice and there’ll probably be trouble.

Out of our little department of Zoology circle, Lola and Kunle were in Platoon 7, Winnifred in Platoon 2 and I, thrown into the dens of Platoon 10. Even our hostel arrangements spared me no luck. Lola and Winnifred were in a different building from me.

My social battery was always in need of charging and the little social skills I had seemed to be insufficient for life in camp. All I wanted to do was go home. I had already called my father by day four, wanting to relocate back to Lagos.

My mood in the evenings were good because I could hang out with my friends. That was until today.

“Everybody is to sit according to their Platoons! Oya, move. Platoon 1 on that side, Platoon 2…”

I glared at the director as she stood on the stage, her shrill voice vibrating through the PA system as she gave out directions, pointing to the different sections of the hall like a traffic warden.

“This camp likes to separate somebody eh,” Lola complained.

“When they threw you to Delta, you didn’t know abi?” Kunle, the only guy among us, jested.

I hissed. I didn’t need to move from where I sat since this was Platoon 10’s designated spot. But I had to watch my friends go and settle down at theirs.

“Stupid NYSC,” I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms over my chest.

Somehow, I made it through the night. And as I closed my eyes, I crossed off another day from my mental calendar.

The next day was Friday, but there was nothing to be thankful for. It was just like any other. By social night, I had met up with Lola and as soon as we entered, the same director was there, making sure her new rules were being met.

“Na wa o.”

Lola waved me bye while I pouted for her to not leave me. Was this a sign to talk to more people especially those in my platoon? I only ever talked to two ladies because they were in Red Cross with me.

I sighed.

Just as I made a turn, a guy bumped into me. It’s not hard enough for me to lose my balance, but it’s enough to add to my frustration.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” he asked.

I barely glanced at him. “I’m fine,” I answered with a dismissive wave, before going to take a seat.

The whole hall was rowdy which didn’t make sense cause where was this energy coming from? I opened my phone and began to scroll mindlessly on Instagram.

It was in the process of this and when the social night was about to begin, that I felt a presence descend into the chair beside me. My thumb paused over the screen. The person was talking to a guy who was standing on his other side, telling him they’ll see later.

I shouldn’t have been aware. I should not have cared. Yet a strange prickle of curiosity turned my chin.

It was the guy who bumped into me. But staring one more second, I realized it was someone I didn’t have a choice in knowing.

Michael. Our platoon leader.

He turned his head to me and flashed a small smile. “Good evening.”

“Evening,” I muttered before returning to my phone.

Why was this socialite sitting beside me?

***

It was now day eight, same social night, and once again, Michael, was beside me. I bit the corner of my lips.

This boy has been consistent, and never says a word to me. I appreciated that a lot, but what I didn’t appreciate was the magnetic pull of every human he knew to him, which in a way equals me.

When I felt like catching a brief nap, I would hear the greeting of a loud-mouthed guy and shoulder claps. Or when I tried to read an e-book, a girl with similar energy would engage Michael in a conversation that was clearly flirting.

The point is this man was a threat to my peace.

Today was the same thing. He was talking with two very loud guys, who stood by his side about a football match. I turned to Michael, letting my squinted eyes bore a hole into the back of his head.

He must have felt it, because it didn’t take a second for him to face me.

“Go away.”

Michael’s eyes widened, his brows lifting in surprise. “I should…go away?”

“Yes. You’re disturbing me.”

His lips pulled up in a smile. “So, if I don’t disturb you again, I can stay.”

It sounded like a question, but something tells me he wasn’t actually asking.

“That’s not—”

“Okay.”

He turned to wave the boys goodbye and leaned against his chair, focusing on the social night. My mouth hung open. My brain couldn’t even process what just happened.

I let out a huff and tried to enjoy the night. P.S—I failed.

The next morning, as I strolled to the parade ground for devotion, a familiar figure materialized beside me.

“Good morning, Victoria.”

My head snapped to him. Why was he talking to me? How did he even know my name? I spun on my heels and hastened my steps toward my Red Cross people.

I thought that was the end of it. Until one hour later. He appeared before me again, acting like we’re best friends. I avoided him.

By the time social night came up, I was frustrated. That boy appeared in my life like a million times in just one day, smiling and waving at me like a fool.

As usual, he sat beside me. I pivoted in my seat, glaring at him.

“What’s your problem?”

He blinked. “Problem?”

“Yes. You must have one. It’s only a person with problems that will torment me the way you did today.”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, completely unbothered by my hostility. “I didn’t torment you. I greeted you.”

“Same thing.”

He tilted his head, resting his chin lightly on his fist. The humor in his eyes sharpened into something I couldn’t name, as he steadily watched me.

“I just want to know you. That’s all.”

Eh?

I had no excuse. Nothing to say. Not even an insult. What kind of answer is that? But behind the confusion that was clouding my mind, was the awareness of a heavy rhythm against my ribs. The sudden shake that could be the beginning of something unknown.

So this is how Michael and Victoria met? Nice to know Michael has always been weird like that😂

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Catch up on Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three here

“It’s been a long time, Victoria. I miss you.”

I don’t waste any time. I slam the door in his face.

I stand there staring at the wooden surface, yet seeing Michael. I miss you? The audacity to tell me that when he appears out of nowhere, after five whole years, as my sister’s boyfriend.

“Victoria?”

His voice, muffled and annoyingly calm, brings a scowl to my face. “Why are you still there?” I snap.

He ignores my question. “You should take the medicine.”

“I don’t need it.”

He pauses for a second. “And the food? Are you not hungry?”

I’m about to reply as the strongheaded human being that I am, when my stomach vibrates, sharing its disapproval. I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting to remain steady in my refusal. I mean, the highest that will happen is that I don’t eat till the next two or three hours. I’m an expert in fasting.

Except temptation is just on the other side of the door and fasting has always failed when I know food is in close proximity.

My stomach growls, louder this time that I’m afraid Michael can hear it, and I have no choice but to listen.

I wrench the door open, preparing myself to seize the tray from him. The operation is meant to be swift and easy. But when I lock eyes with him, I find myself getting cuffed to the past by the intensity of his stare.

I shake my head, breaking out of the trance and resume my operation. Just as I’m about to emerge victorious, the tray in my hand, Michael slides effortlessly past me into my room.

“W-w-what do you think you’re doing?” I nearly shout.

Once again, he ignores me. Michael’s eyes roam across the room, the bookshelves, the baby blue duvet, the framed sketches on the wall. All the while, a small soft smile playing on his lips.

“So, this is what your room looks like.”

My mouth opens and closes. I try to say something, but fail. Again, and again. I blow out a short breath and place the tray onto the vanity, my hands slightly trembling as I do so. When I turn to face him, he’s leaning against the wall, hands in his pocket, eyes on me. I hate that despite how casual he is right now, in my space, he’s the one dominating.

I cross my arms over my chest, hoping the frown on my face intimidates him.

“You should leave.”

“You said your stomach was in pain.”

“And so?”

His eyes scan me from head to toe. “It sure doesn’t look like it.”

“Leave.”

“You’re not going to eat?”

“I will. After you leave.”

He raises his chin. “Now that I’ve seen you…I really don’t want to leave.”

“Are you insane?” I hiss, taking a furious step towards him. “YOUR GIRLFRIEND, who happens to be MY SISTER, is downstairs.”

I let the words drift in the quiet air, the implication of our current circumstances clear. Michael exhales a ragged breath, and that cool mask of his dissolves into distress. He rubs the back of his neck, deep tension lines carving between his brows.

“I know,” he mutters with a hint of sadness, which has no business hitting me right in the chest.

I feel a part of my insides break off and sink into a cold, endless pit. It was one thing for my sister to say they were dating, and another thing for him to say it. Apparently, the difference was more than just who was saying it.

“If you know, then—”

“I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a moment with you. Alone.”

I dig the heels of my hands against my temples and squeeze my eyes shut, willing this moment to be a dream.

“Stop saying things like that.”

“Why should I when it’s true?”

“Lord have mercy,” I mutter under my breath.

“Let’s meet up tomorrow.”

I raise my head to look at him. I want to believe he is joking, but that look on his face tells me otherwise.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Do you not have any sense?” I pause, a few memories coming to mind. “Right. You actually don’t.”

A spark of familiar mischief flickers in his eyes. “Surely you’re not using my immature, playful moments as criteria for my intellect?”

I smirk. “It’s a supporting factor to the biggest one which is this situation.”

He folds his lips and squints at me. I realize—too late—that for a second, I had allowed us to revert to our past selves. I hiss to myself.

In two swift strides and the blink of an eye, Michael appears in front of me.

“Let’s see each other tomorrow, Victoria.”

“We have no reason to.”

He takes a step closer, as if the few inches between us was a bother that needed out. “We do. We haven’t seen each other in years. We have a lot of things to talk about.”

“True. But I don’t want to.” I enunciate each word, hoping the annoyance in my tone reaches him.

Michael tilts his head to the side. I’ve been trying not to, but right now, it’s hard not to ignore how handsome he is. He always was, but now the boyish charm was all gone and replaced by a sharp jawline, broad shoulders, more intense eyes and solid masculinity.

“Are you afraid of something happening?” he murmurs.

I scowl. “Don’t try that nonsense with me, Michael. It won’t work.”

“It was worth a try.”

I find the strength to step out of his magnetic orbit, marching straight over to yank the door wide open. Michael watches me for a moment before walking towards it. He stops short, and then turns to me.

“Will you not meet me even if I say I want to plan a surprise proposal for Hannah?”

Air becomes nonexistent and my lungs useless. “What?”

He looks at me for a second, searching through my expression, and opens his mouth to speak but—

“Michael?”

Hannah’s cheerful voice floats between us, shattering the heavy tension. Michael winces, closing his eyes for a fraction of a second.

“Make sure to eat,” he says before stepping out into the corridor.

Once I close the door, my legs give out and I slide straight down against the wood to the cold floor. Life likes to throw curveballs at people for no reason. But of all people…Michael?

Happy new month everyone!❤️I don’t know the color of Michael’s problem but what I do know is…it’s time for a flashback.

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Read Chapter One, Chapter Two here

“Vic—toria?”

The name scrapes against his throat, rough and disbelieving.

The imagination I assumed I had made out of thin air just spoke in that voice that I would recognize even if I were deep in sleep. I blame Hannah and my mother for talking about boyfriends. I hadn’t thought or conjured this man in five whole years, and was happy not to.

Now this.

His brows furrow, lips parted and moving, yet unable to produce another sound as he shifts his weight, unsure. I blink. Why…

He moves again, this time taking a step toward me, crossing the threshold. The movement crosses off at least two meters distance, leaving something less and uncomfortable between us. My eyes widen. This imagination is too real to be one.

“I’m right. You are Victoria,” he says as a matter of fact.

It’s my turn to be speechless and immobile. My delusion has finally worn off, leaving the bitter taste of reality that I don’t want to face.

“Michael.”

The name comes out of a mouth that isn’t mine, even though I had intended to do just that. The first thing that comes to my mind is that it was indeed Michael and he really did stand in front of me. The second is that my sister, who had called out to him, knows him.

I don’t get the chance to turn toward her. Hannah sticks herself in the small space between us, her entire focus on Michael.

“You’re here!” She falls into his arms that welcome her like a familiar place. I stay, awkwardly, as they hug each other for five seconds before walking to the side.

Thankfully, the hug ends and Hannah interlocks her arm with his, pulling him deep into the compound.

“My parents are inside waiting,” she gushes, like a child.

“Oh really?” Michael presses a hand against his chest. “I hope they like me.”

“I’m sure they will.”

Michael throws one sharp, lingering glance at me, and I’m reminded of the fact that we do know each other. In ways I’m sure no one other than the two of us knows.

I turn to lock the gate, hands shaking, using the metallic clack to anchor myself. I brace my palms against the gate, drawing in slow breaths, forcing myself to stay steady. When I’m done, my sister and Michael are nowhere to be found. My shoulders relax.

When I enter, my father is still on his seat, but this time, he’s seated like the intimidating chairman of a conglomerate. The sight has me pressing on my mouth, hoping the force will be enough to shut down the bubbling laugh. The one time you’re sure your father is a girl dad is when another man wants to take her away in the name of marriage.

My mother, on the other hand, is the opposite of her husband. Her excitement is palpable, enough that you can pour into a cup and drink.

“Mummy, Daddy.” Hannah calls out, then faces the man she’s with. “This is Michael. My boyfriend.”

The air around me turns thin. It’s not like I didn’t see this coming the moment Hannah showed up at the gate. But it still didn’t stop the blood rush in my ears and the spots in my vision.

Michael is Hannah’s boyfriend.

And since she’s introducing him to the family, her future fiancé and husband.

“You are welcome my dear!” mum says, with a grin. She glances sideways at my father who just grunts. She gives him a light slap on his arm, pointing her shoulder in Michael’s direction.

My father stares at her before relenting like the peaceful husband that he is and looking at Michael.

“You’re welcome,” he says gruffly.

Michael bows his head, his posture dripping with respect. “Thank you sir. Thank you ma.”

“Sit. Sit.” My mother gestures to the love seat for them, clearing away a cushion.

“Oh!” Hannah suddenly exclaims, turning to me. “This is my older sister, Victoria.”

Right. Introductions. I lift a hand and give a small, awkward wave. “Hi,” I say softly, the word nearly catching in my throat.

Michael steps toward me and offers a hand for a shake. “Hello, nice to meet you.”

I look at his outstretched palm like it’s deformed. Remembering my parents and sister are watching, I smooth my face into a mask of politeness and place my fingers into his grip.

For a second, as soon as we make contact, the smile on my face slips. Feeling Michael’s touch after five years should not have the effect that it does. That electrifying feel, laced with distant memories.

I take my hand back almost immediately, acting like everything is fine. My mother ushers Michael to the seat and this time, they settle down. My eyes dart to the stairs, my brain cooking up an escape plan.

“Vic?”

“Huh?”

I look and realize everyone’s looking at me. My mother uses her eyes to tell me to sit and I comply. Never go against the message behind your mother’s eyes, no matter how old you are.

I sit there and listen to my mother ask the couple questions. How did you meet? Who pursued who? How long have you been together?

I zone out. Mostly because I’m still finding this situation hard to comprehend and accept. Sometimes, I glance at Michael to confirm that he is indeed here, flesh and blood. What is my past doing in my family house trying to find its way into my future?

My father is also zoned out, but for very different reasons. All the while, he’s been shifting in his seat, laser focused on his phone that I can bet has nothing of interest. Eventually, he stands to his feet, as if about to leave. But then he looks down at Michael, tilting his head.

“Why do you like my daughter?”

I raise a brow and then glance at my sister who’s sharing the same thought as me. My mother is momentarily occupied in the kitchen while her husband somehow takes the wheel. I look at Michael, who’s seated upright, eyes blinking as the wheels in his head turn to give an acceptable answer.

“I don’t think there’s a reason that can justify why I like Hannah. I just do. I like her and everything she embodies and represents.”

My father lifts his head, as if to nod but stops himself. He thinks better of it, and actually nods. A stamp of approval. Hannah quietly squeals while I suppress the bundle of unexplainable, mixed emotions in the pit of my stomach.

“I’m going up to rest,” my father announces.

“No o!” My mother appears, stopping him. “Food is ready. Let’s all go to the dining and eat.”

I wait for the couple among us to rise and go ahead before standing up. But when I do, discomfort stabs me in a way that’s impossible to ignore.

“Uhh. I need to go to my room.” I hold my stomach, squeezing my face. “I have some…bad cramps and need to rest a bit.”

“Really?” Hannah is by my side in a jiffy, worry written all over her face. “Oya nau. I’ll tell mummy.”

“Thanks,” I mutter and turn to the stairs.

As soon as I step into my bedroom, the discomfort eases by more than half. I drop to my bed, lying down and relishing in the softness of the sheets. A sigh leaves my lips. Can this day end already?

A knock pulls me out of my mind’s prayer. Oh, that must be mummy. I stand up to open the door and when I do, I realize how stupid it was of me to think it was my mother on the other side. A woman who barely understands the meaning of privacy—almost never knocks and the few times she does, she gives herself entrance pass.

“Why are you here?”

Michael stands before me, a small tray with a covered plate of food that assaults my nose and water in in one hand. A pack of relief medicine sits in the corner, trying to hide its presence.

“I told your mum that I would bring this to you.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to,” he answers back with no hesitation. He breaths deeply before giving me a smile I recognize, one that once held me captive.

“It’s been a long time, Victoria.”

Who do you think Michael is to Victoria?

Please continue to like and engage with my new story!❤️

Read Chapter One here.

The rich aroma of fried onions and simmering jollof paste drifts from its factory into every corner of the house.

“Mummy, hope the food you’re cooking is plenty o,” Hannah shouts as she descends the stairs in a rush.

Dad is in the living room, slouched in his favorite recliner, watching the news and complaining about the country to whoever is willing to listen as usual. I’m sprawled across the three-seater, positioned where the standing fan can reach me as I scroll through WhatsApp status. A secondary school classmate just got engaged and I enter her DM to congratulate her.

Mum comes out of the kitchen, meeting Hannah with a side eye.

“For what?”

“So that she can eat like the glutton that she is,” I reply for her, not looking up.

“Glutton? Me?” Hannah gasps, clutching her chest like the drama queen that she sometimes can be.

“You do eat more food than any of us in this house,” Dad adds, before frowning at the words of a guest speaker.

Hannah crosses her arms over her chest, quirking a brow. “Daddy, you of all people should not be saying that.”

Our father does a slow turn of his head toward her, his mouth falling open in a wounded look. I snicker, burying my face in my phone.

“That’s what you get for putting your mouth in this kind of business that will backfire,” our mother shakes her head, before turning back to Hannah. “I hope it’s sha not because of your stomach that you’re asking me that question.”

Hannah giggles, and the sound is enough for me to stop the movement of my fingers across my phone keypad and look at her. What is that mischievous giggle for?

“Nope. We’re expecting someone,” she says, her face shining like a peacock spreading his feathers.

“Someone?” I ask.

“Mhm. My boyfriend’s coming over.”

The only sound that dominates the four walls around us is the discussion of the panel about the flooding in Lagos state. We all fix our gazes on Hannah, who just smiles at us like she didn’t drop a nuclear bomb as if it were a pin.

“Hello?” She waves her manicured fingers at us, taking the silence with it. “I said my boyfriend is coming. I’m going to use this chance to introduce you to him.”

“You’re serious.” Mum takes a step towards her.

“Of course! I wouldn’t play like this.”

Our mother rushes to her and pulls her in for a hug that seems to deprive Hannah of all forms of breathing.

“Heh!!! This is wonderful. Hannah bringing a man home? God is answering my prayers.”

“Mummy, she said boyfriend,” I sit upright. “Not future husband,” I say, trying to bring her back from the future she has created in her head.

“If she’s introducing us, it means they’re going to get married one day!”

I purse my lips. Mum turns her attention to me, which is good for Hannah who pats her chest, swallowing as much air as she can, but bad for me because I can tell what words are going to come out of her mouth.

“Your younger sister is already bringing a man home. What about you? Shey you will not date ni?” Her hands find the dip of her hips and settle there, turning her into the typical African mother.

“Oh God.” I massage the side of my head.

“Abi you don’t want to get married? That one cannot happen o. Not under my roof.”

“Kehinde, calm down,” Dad says calmly, somewhat detached from the whole conversation. Mum whirls on him.

“I should calm down on top your older daughter’s matter? Never have I smelled relationship from this girl.”

“Rude much?” I grumble.

“Rude kill you there,” she fires back and I pout, slouching into my chair. Our mother hisses, clicks her tongue and begins muttering some prayers that have God forbid as she goes back to the kitchen.

Well, today’s turn of events was not expected. I came back home for the weekend to chill and be pampered by mother dearest who’s obsessed with her daughters. The much needed energy for unwinding after a lot of time being a responsible lady in her late twenties in the wonderful city of Lagos.

I’d love to have a talk with the person who threw a wrench in my plans of relaxation. Just a talk.

I look at Hannah, who’s skipping to me. Skipping. With a grin plastered on her face. Girl’s got it bad.

“Boyfriend huh?”

She shrugs as she plants herself on the arm of the chair. Now that it’s been revealed, some things make sense. Spending three days to choose an outfit all the while torturing me for my opinion, which at the end does not matter. Huddling in the corner of the sofa, a soft smile as she tucks her knees closer, while on a call. Sometimes, going as far as running away from me when she notices I’m in the room.

She’s always been a bubbly oddball, but that’s just my sister for you.

I scoff lightly, and go back to my phone. A friend posts a picture of herself on a dinner date and it’s clear she’s with her boyfriend, even though it’s a solo picture. Love seems to be moving in the air as if someone sprayed it out of a bottle.

My mother’s words about me and relationships ring in my head. I’ve had a fair share of talking stages that never went anywhere. Not my fault that the fishes in the sea are not to my liking. Love…my heart swells like it recognizes the feeling. I’m about to disagree but then my brain digs up a memory that makes me accept defeat instantly.

Right. I once experienced the kind of happiness everyone is having now.

I shake my head, throwing the memory into the recycle bin and locking it up. Nope. I’m not revisiting that past.

A vibration steals my attention and I check my phone. I scowl. It’s not mine.

“Oh!” Hannah shoots up. “He’s here!”

“Already?”

“Uhh…” She scratches her head, averting her eyes. “I left out the part where he was already on his way?”

I stare at her. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“Thank you,” she sings. “Help me open the gate for him.” She begins to head for the stairs.

“Wait. Why?”

“I need to make sure I look presentable!”

My mouth is left agape and I turn towards our father, pointing a finger at the empty staircase.

“Are you seeing your daughter?”

“Oh, she’s no longer your sister abi?”

I roll my eyes and trudge to the gate. The afternoon heat hits me immediately I step out of the house, and I just want to run back in. The distant barking of dogs and unrhythmic sound from the neighbor’s generator makes it worse.

Hannah should be the one welcoming her boyfriend into the house. I let out a sigh. What’s done is done, I think as unlock the bolt and open the iron gate.

The smile I prepared for my sister’s boyfriend slowly deflates when I come face to face with the man on the other side.

“Vic—toria?”

Hi! I’m back again with a new story🤭I wrote a short version on Instagram and thought why not write something longer with more turns and depth for my favorite Susbstack people. And viola!

I hope you’ll read and enjoy this story and show it love.❤️Thank you!

Soma wakes to the loud ping of her phone. She releases a groan, ignoring the device. But the damage’s been done and her brain is awake.

She rolls on the bed, picking up the phone and only looking after she had unlocked it with her fingerprint. She opens the message app and her eyes turn to saucers when she sees who had texted.

Remi: Good morning, darling. Text me when you wake up.

She sits up on her bed, her back straighter than ever, sleep all forgotten. Her fingers fly across her keyboard.

Soma: I’m up.

A second later, her phone rings. She swipes, answering it with a huge grin. Remi sure doesn’t waste time, she thinks.

“Good morning, darling.”

It takes her a lot to not squeal like a child that was given her favorite candy. He was repeating what he sent in his text, but with his morning voice, deeper and lower than usual, it was ten million times better.

“Good morning boss,” she greets playfully.

“You know very well that’s not what I am right now.”

“Oh? Weren’t you the one always saying I wasn’t respecting you?”

“And now is when you decide to listen to me? When we’re together?” His voice holds his disbelief.

Soma’s smile widens. “I say better late than never.”

The other side of the line goes quiet. She removes the phone from her ear, checking if the call is still ongoing which it is. “Soma baby,” he calls out in a low, intimate tone.

That gets her heart rate doubling. “Yes, Remi?”

“Mhm. That sounds better. So you like when I call you Soma baby?”

Soma plays with the hem of her gown, pouting her lips. “I feel like you’re going to be saying that a lot.”

“I will, especially when things don’t go my way.”

“Flattery can only get you so far.”

“Coupled with my good looks and body and the way I intend to spoil you as my woman, I’m sure it will suffice.”

Soma drops her phone, buries her face into her pillow and screams into it.

“Hello?”

She picks it back up. “Sorry. I uhh…had to deal with something real quick,” she tells him, done with her self-control exercise.

“I see. I hope you haven’t forgotten our date.”

“So yesterday was what?”

After they had kissed passionately, with Soma ending it because she was shy about her environment, they had gone to a classy restaurant. They had eaten to their heart content, talked about everything they could, all the while, making googly eyes at each other.

But they had to go back to work, so it came to an end. Which led to the promise of a proper date the next day. With no need to be time conscious.

“Yesterday we only got lunch.”

“Ha! That was lunch? Do I want to know what a date means in your dictionary, Remi?”

He lets out a light chuckle, the prospect of taking her on dates that will blow her mind, exciting. “You’ll find out later today.”

“Fine. Keep it a surprise and don’t tell me,” she sulks.

“I’ll do that. Thank you very much.”

Soma huffs and he laughs. “We’re going to have fun, and then eat.”

“That simple?”

“Yes.” No, it wasn’t, but she didn’t need to know that. “I’ll come pick you by 11. Is that alright?”

“Perfect.”

“Okay. See you later, baby.”

Soma jumps out of bed and begins to freshen up. She needed all the hours and minutes to get ready for her date. Her first proper date ever. After all, this was her first proper date with someone. Who would have thought dear Soma, single since birth and almost anti-romantic, would be this over the moon because of man?

Well, it depends on the type of man. In her case, he’s worth it.

Just as she closes her room door, entering the living room, she sees Lilith who was in the kitchen, drinking a bottle of water. She locks eyes with her roommate, then stares her up and down.

“Ahah! Abi I’m dreaming ni?”

“Dreaming how?”

“Wait first.” She walks up to Soma. Stands still, her eyes moving and then pokes her in the cheek. Once. Twice. A couple more times like she’s a clown.

“Are you done now?” Soma asks, completely over her joke.

“Wow.” Lilith places her hands on her waist. “So this is you, Soma? Unbelievable.”

Soma furrows her brows. “I don’t understand. Do I look different or something?” She looks down on herself, checking for anything.

“Not at all.” Lilith gives a dismissive wave. “Your look for that gala is even better than this.”

“Well, that one was luxurious and overboard. Of course, it was.”

“My point is if somebody had told me Soma would have a boyfriend or go on a date, I would bet my entire fortune and say no. Could never.”

“And you’d becomes bankrupt.”

Lilith snaps her fingers. “Exactly. You’re no longer somebody that I can bet money on and make triple from it.”

“You don’t even do those things.”

“Let me look at you,” she says, ignoring Soma as she grabs her arms, twisting her to the sides. “Hm. All good. That man shouldn’t be able to keep himself.”

“Lilith!”

She lifts her hands in surrender. Soma’s phone rings and she checks it.

“He’s here.”

“Go for it, babe.”

With Lilith’s support, she leaves the apartment. Leaning against the side of his car, hands in his pocket, is Remi. He clearly put in effort in his appearance. For once, he wasn’t wearing dark colored clothes like he usually did at work.

As soon as Soma opens the gate, Remi looks up and the sight of her leaves him speechless. She wasn’t wearing anything too flashy or unlike herself. Just a red shirt dress with long puff sleeves.

“Wow. You look beautiful.” His eyes keep tracking her until she reaches him.

“Thank you.”

He takes her hand and gently strokes it. “Red is your color.”

“Really? I just wore the next best thing I had.”

“Hm. I have this urge to get you many things in red.”

She raises an eyebrow at him and he chuckles, shaking his head. He guides her to the passenger seat before settling in and driving away.

Soma turns to face him. “Still not going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Patience Soma baby.”

She groans. “Don’t placate me with that pet name! It’s not fair,” she whines.

“Then you could give me an annoying, cute one as well.”

The idea adds some shine to her face. “Oh, let me think. Hmm.” She scowls, holding her chin. “Remi bun.”

Remi turns to her with a grimace that makes her burst into laughter. “What on earth is that?”

“You should have seen your face!” she continues laughing, pointing at him.

“You’re lucky I’m driving, Somadina.”

“Oh. Full name,” she sings.

The car stops at a place that Soma hadn’t been to but had heard of.

“Isn’t this…the Mediana Center?” she asks when she steps out.

“It is.” He takes her hand in his and leads her in. She couldn’t understand why they were here, but the second she stepped into the area, her jaw dropped to the floor.

Visual designs and optical illusions stare back at her. They spent the date with her leading the way, even though she didn’t know where to go. Remi let her, satisfied with the excitement and bliss that was running wild from her.

There was even a show featuring some moving designs and with guests in it, it feels like being in a cinematic movie.

“Oh my God! What did I even experience in there?” she exclaims when they walk out.

“The first of its kind artistic display.”

She squints her eyes at him. “You had a hand in it, didn’t you?”

He smiles, not surprised that she guessed that. “I won’t deny it.”

Once again, Soma is struck by how talented and awesome Remi is. She returns her focus to the pathway and scowls.

“This isn’t how we came in.”

“I know.” He looks at her, his smile looking cryptic. “We’re going somewhere else from here.”

He continues to lead her until they reach a park, where lanterns decorate the walkway. She looks at him, but he just looks ahead, not wanting to spill anything till they got to their destination.

When they do arrive, Soma gasps out loud, before covering her mouth. The lanterns had led to a flower garden, balloons hanging onto shrubs and some in the few trees around. There was a huge red and white blanket at the center, with foods of different kinds laid out. A wine bottle with two glasses, a cake in its transparent packaging, with the writing “Remi❤️Soma.”

“Isn’t this too much?” she asks, turning to him.

He pulls her closer, lifting her chin with a finger. “This is just the beginning, Soma.”

At this point, she didn’t care if he felt the harsh drumming of her heart. She stands on her toes and kisses him. It’s supposed to be short, sweet, one of gratitude, but Remi didn’t waste a second, wrapping his arm around her waist and deepening the kiss.

Soma didn’t fight it. She liked this man way more than she thought. A man who remembered her love for gardens and set up a romantic date like this. Film tricks do happen in real life, she thinks before pulling away from him.

Remi gives her one last kiss before resting his forehead on hers. She lets out a breathy laugh, and caresses his cheek.

“We should enjoy the date you prepared.”

“Or we can just remain like this. change the agenda.” He kisses her softly on the lips, before moving to her cheek, then neck.

Soma shudders. “As tempting as that is,” she manages to turn his head to her, “No.”

Remi sighs. “Fine. Anything my girlfriend wants.” He takes her to the blanket.

Soma grins, over the moon at being called girlfriend, especially Remi’s.

By the time they end their date, stomachs filled, lips satisfied with a couple more kisses, Soma begins craving for ice cream. Remi makes a stop and she orders for them both. Just as they’re leaving, they lock eyes with a couple that’s seated and about to feed each other.

“Emmanuel? Lilith?”

“Soma!” Lilith drops her spoon, clearing her throat and trying to pretend nothing was happening.

Emmanuel’s eyes bounce between Soma and Remi. “I’m sorry, but is that…Mr. Remi?”

Soma turns to Remi, and it’s clear she never thought about them being caught.

“Yes.” Remi holds her hands, refusing to keep their relationship a secret. “We’re dating.”

Emmanuel stares at them for a beat and then shakes his head. “I knew this would happen.”

“How?” Soma asks.

“What else could happen when our boss keeps monitoring you from the glass walls of his office and calling you?”

Soma turns to Remi, who looks away, suddenly embarrassed by his behavior. She decides to pity him and not say anything. For now.

“That makes sense.” She looks between Emmanuel and Lilith. “The two of you…” she lets her words hang, waiting for them to fill the gap.

They begin speaking, but nothing comprehensible can be made out of their jumbled up words.

“We should leave them to their date,” Remi says, interrupting them.

“It’s not like—”

“Bye!” Soma tells them, waving as they leave. She faces Remi once they step outside. “They make a good couple, don’t they?”

“Not better than us, but yeah.”

“So you’ve been eyeing me since, eh?”

Remi groans. “At least wait ten minutes before you tease me.”

“Nope.”

First date after becoming a couple! Too cute🤭🥲

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Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Remi straightens, his face unchanging. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Lara takes that as a sign that her plan is going well. The thought of Remi shouting at Soma and abandoning her right there in the midst of people, has her chuckling. “It’s exactly as I said. Soma has been lying to you.”

Remi turns his head and cast a glance at Soma, who just bites her lips. He sighs, changing his focus back to Lara.

“Look, Lara. I really don’t have time for all your nonsense.”

That wipes the smile off her face. How could he talk to her like that?

“Because you’re going on a date?” She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Are you being for real right now? You rejected me, time and time again, and ended up with her? A nobody?”

“Watch your words, Lara.” Remi’s tone spreads fear into Lara, enough for her to back down from her approach. Even when he had scolded her the last time she was at Obsidian, he didn’t speak to her like this.

It didn’t matter. What she knew was going to open Remi’s eyes and he’d come begging for forgiveness.

She clears her throat. “But I’m right. You deserve someone of your class. And we’ve known each other for years. I have liked you and done everything possible to be with you and you’re just throwing it all away.”

“I didn’t ask you to do any of those things.”

“You don’t need to ask. That’s what liking someone is about.”

“Just because you like someone doesn’t mean you should impose your feelings on them. Or have a right to what they do,” Soma speaks up, removing her hands from Remi’s.

Lara stares at Soma, contempt floating in her eyes as she tilts her head slightly. “Look at you, finally growing a spine because Remi is protecting you.”

Soma rolls her eyes, walking towards her. “Lara, you and I both know that our workplace is the only reason why I never retaliated.”

Lara takes a few steps too, wanting to prove she’s in control. “Really? Oh, I’m scared!” She mocks her.

“You should be.” In the blink of an eye, Soma grabs Lara’s hair, pulling her head to the side. “Because I have a lot of pent up frustration from months back and you stupidly broke the jar that I stored them in when you started running your mouth.”

Lara shrieks from the pain, her braids very close to tearing away from her scalp, but Soma doesn’t let go. Remi just watches it, a fist covering his mouth as he battles between stepping in and staying out of the business of irritated women.

He thought of it. If he butted in, Soma could pass on the aggression to him. He shakes his head. The second option was sounding like the better one, even though there would be a victim.

“Let go of me!”

“Why? Because I shouldn’t be doing this to a person?” Soma says calmly. “Maybe you should have thought like that every time you picked on me in the office.”

Lara looks at her, holding onto Soma’s hands. “When have I ever done that?” she grits out.

“Oh, you have memory loss?” Soma clicks her tongue. “Such a shame this attitude of yours didn’t go as well.”

“You common thing!” Lara spits out. “It’s not like anything I said was wrong.”

“That’s what you think.”

Soma sighs and pulling the braids for the last time for good measure, lets go. By now, a small crowd has started to gather and Soma did not want to be the one providing them entertainment. Lara doesn’t notice and shrieks again, hissing at the pain as she presses into her scalp.

She remembers that Remi should be here and looks for him. When she sees him, still in the same position, but his head turned to the side and trying not to laugh, she bursts, stomping her feet like a child.

“Remi! How could you just stand there and let her do that to me?”

He clears his throat and faces her. “You wanted me to help you?”

“Of course! Do I not mean something to you?”

“No,” he answers with no hesitation. Soma snorts, covering her mouth to hold back her laughter.

“Sorry. It’s just…I’m good.” She lifts her hands at Lara. “Carry on.”

Lara has a dark complexion, but even that did not hide the red fury that had settled on her face. “You think this is funny?”

“There’s a reason why they say You reap what you sow.”

Lara bobs her head. “Fine.” She stares straight at Soma, and the chill that passed through her body was more than the air conditioning in the mall. She didn’t have time to question it because Lara was already opening her mouth to deliver her blow.

“She was at the gala, using another person’s identity.”

Oh my God. Soma closes her eyes.

“Gala?”

Lara turns her stare to Remi. “The one my uncle and aunt hosted months back! The luxury wing? She was there, assuming the identity of Lilith Adebayo.” She glances back at Soma, giving her a nasty eye. “I bet you stole the card and everything from her just so that you could belong in a world that doesn’t fit you.”

“I did not steal it,” Soma fires back.

“Of course you’d say that.”

“How do you know she was there?” Remi asks. “Everyone was wearing masks.”

“True. But some people can recognize you even with the mask. For example, Charles.” Lara smirks at Soma. “Remember him?”

Charles… “Who’s that?”

“Don’t act dumb with me. The guy who had a thing with Lilith?”

“They did not have a thing.”

“Oh, I thought you didn’t know who he was?”

Soma kisses her teeth. She walked into that one. It’s only in situations like this that Lara would be smart.

“You know, Charles and I are friends.”

“Of course you are. Two peas in a pod,” Soma comments under her breath.

“He told me how you didn’t seem to remember him and acted different from usual when you guys met. Almost like it wasn’t you. He became sure because Lilith would never talk to him the way you did and act like she was taken.”

Remi raises a brow. “So that’s why?”

“No.” She wags a finger. “I thought only someone who was close to Lilith would be capable of such. So I checked her socials and found you. And luck would have it, you could pass off for Lilith if the only thing you had to do was wear a mask and keep your presence barely there.”

Remi pivots on his heels, facing Soma completely. “Is that true, Somadina?”

Damn Lara for being such a busybody and terrible person to reveal this right now. All Soma’s plans had been rendered useless. There was no point lying, but with the way Remi was looking at her, it wasn’t going to end well. “Yes. But I was only helping Lilith out.”

Remi nods once, his face unreadable but to Lara, it looked like he was angry at being deceived. She grins at the success of her plan, looking so much like a villainess.

“See? I was right? And you wanted to date her.” she scoffs.

“That’s none of your business.”

Lara’s expression turns into a frown. Why is he still being hostile to her even though she had opened his eyes?

Remi takes Soma by the hand, and until they step outside the mall, stopping by his car, he doesn’t release her. He cages her between his arms, her back resting on the side of his car.

“I’m really sorry for keeping it from you,” Soma says immediately. She tries to read the look on Remi’s face but it’s blank. She sighs.

“I was going to tell you today. That we already met and at the time, I was using my friend’s identity per her request.”

“Why today?”

She pauses. “I had decided to give in to you. But we can’t start any relationship if I’m not honest with you. So I wanted to wait till the project was done and dusted, tell you and depending on that, we can either begin something or…forget it.”

Remi scowls. “You’re being melodramatic. It’s unlike you.”

The words replay in her head and she frowns. “What does that mean?”

He lets out a sigh, rubbing at his temple. “I already knew.”

Soma blinks. Once. Twice. “What?”

“Did you really think I just sat in my office, seeing you every day and developing feelings for you? I told you the day we met again. You were familiar.”

“You didn’t see my face though…”

“You’re not listening to me.” He takes a step closer, nearly canceling all distance between them. “You were familiar. Not look familiar.”

Soma furrows her brows, still very much confused, and he continues. “Everything about you was the same as that night. Even a mask, fancy clothes and makeup is not enough to hide your authentic self. In fact, it’s impossible to.”

“How long have you known?” she asks in a quiet voice.

“It was just suspicion, until you described the exact thing that happened between us in the garden.”

“I did?” She points to herself, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. “So…I gave myself away?”

“Yes. Though after I realized it, I remembered the encounter with Charles. He had called you Lilith. It didn’t take long to put two and two together.”

Soma covers her face, embarrassed at herself “Wow. See me thinking I hadn’t been found out the entire time.”

“You only have yourself to blame for that.”

She removes her hands. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

He shrugs. “It’s not like it’s a big deal. If anything, I’m glad you both were the same person. It just proved that we were meant to be.”

“It’s crazy how you reached that conclusion.”

“I fell for you that night, Somadina.” He cradles the side of her face. “I really did. That’s why I said you might be a problem.”

“Oh. And also why you were flirting with me!”

He chuckles. “So you knew I was. Yet you ran away.”

“I wasn’t going to run away with some handsome stranger that I just met.”

“You just admitted to feeling me that night.”

She pauses. “You’re reading too much into things.”

“Am I really?” He leans forward, waiting. “Now’s the time to stop me, Somadina.”

Her eyes were locked on his, unable to escape. And as she stares, the more she wanted what they had. “I don’t want to,” she whispers.

“Very well.”

He closed the inches between their faces and their lips met. Soft, warm, and at last. What started out as tentative, gave room to desire. Remi’s grip on her tightens, and Soma let herself fall, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He pulls away after God knows how long and he rests his forehead on hers.

“Finally,” he breathes out.

“You say that like you’ve been dreaming about this.”

His lips pull up in a slow smile. “I have.” And he goes back to kissing her.

We’ve come to the end! But…we’ll have a bonus chapter. Or two?👀Just as the spirit leads.

Please continue to like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t❤️

You can also check out my Instagram for short stories as well: HERE

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

The first thing that takes the focus of anybody’s eyes is the five mannequins mounted on a slightly elevated circular podium. The clothes on them are breathtaking, that even if you’re a passerby, you’d be charmed into giving the store a minute of your time.

Ambient lights, decorate the ceiling, giving more shine to the aqua blue walls mixed in with off white. A lounge sits at a distance close to the three fitting rooms. By the sides are a bunch of clothing racks, all arranged according to the collection they belong. And on shelves beside them, complimentary bags and shoes.

Soma stands rooted in place, watching the flow of people and the unveiling of her plan. When she drew the design, she had no idea it would look like this or that it would come through.

Her eyes begin to water and she shakes her head, rubbing at her eyes.

“No. You cannot cry.”

“Why would you even cry?”

Soma turns her head to Remi who appears beside her. She gives him a small smile.

“Didn’t you feel like this the first time you saw your plan being brought to life?”

“Oh, that.” He puts his hands in his pocket and looks ahead, thinking about it. “I did. It didn’t last long though. My father called it child’s play and I was fueled to do a lot more.”

“What does he think now?”

“That he has hit the jackpot with me.”

Soma scoffs, rolling her eyes with the small shake of her head “Typical,” she murmurs.

“I know right? Which is why I have decided to ignore the old man.” He glances at her, taking her in. “Your parents?”

“I’m planning to take lots of pictures and videos and spam their DMs,” she declares with pumped fists. Her face beams with excitement. “I’ll probably hear the lecture of my life but it will be worth it.”

“Good luck with that. But make sure to enjoy yourself.”

“I will.”

He narrows his eyes at her. “I’m serious. You already look like someone who’s noting ways she can do better mentally.”

“Ugh. I’ve been shot,” she says dryly, clutching her chest like a dramatic wounded warrior. She straightens and continues, “Don’t worry. I’ll hang out with the team and have fun.”

“The team…” His face twists as he struggles to act normal, and Soma stares at him.

“Wait. Did you forget about them being here?”

Remi scratches the side of his head, looking anywhere but her. “You can’t expect me to remember anything else when you’re right in front of me.”

Her lips try to pull up in a smile, but she folds them instead, refusing to let him know how happy his words make her feel.

“I want to walk around holding your hands, and when I get tired, hug you just to feel you against me,” he says, lowering his voice into a seductive tone.

“You can’t do that!” she whisper shouts, her eyes widening.

“Yet. And not here anyway.”

He walks away, leaving Soma to bury her surely blushing face in her hands. Was Remi always this smooth with words? The way he was going, she would have to take extra precautions against a heart attack.

Luckily for her, her team mates were mingling with people, enjoying the light refreshment. The buzz for the store was beyond anything Soma could have imagined.

She goes to take a candy from the large table when a voice whispers into her ear, “Boo.”

She nearly jumps out of her skin. When she hears the out of place laughter, she slowly turns to the culprit. “You.”

Soma raises a fist at Lilith and she retreats, her laughter softening. “Sorry, sorry. Bad joke, but good results.”

It wasn’t surprising of Lilith to do that. In fact, it was her hobby to catch Soma unawares. There was something addicting about ruffling the feathers of a rational person, she would say.

“I didn’t think you would come.”

“I decided to drop by and see my girl’s handwork, of course.” There’s a hint of pride in her words. “And girl, this is gold. How is it your first project? It feels like someone’s fifth work or something.”

“Thank you.” She rubs at her ear, bashful at the compliment. “I didn’t do it alone, obviously. It was team play.”

“Is Emmanuel here?” she asks, her eyes unable to hide its hope.

Soma puts her hands on her hips as she squints at her best friend. “You came here for Emmanuel, didn’t you?”

“No. But I thought…maybe…I’d kill two birds with one stone?” Lilith plays with her fingers.

Soma suppresses the urge to roll her eyes. “He’ll be here soon. He has some work to do at the office.”

Lilith giggles, her face sharing all the excitement her body cannot contain. Soma couldn’t help the light scoff that leaves her lips. Her friend was crushing on her work friend, big time, and probably already imagining their wedding as they speak. But she’d allow it. Emmanuel liked her just as much, if not more, and among all the guys Lilith had liked, he was the only one she approved.

“So where’s your man?” Lilith nudges her arm with her pointy elbow.

“He’s not my man.” Then her voice quietens. “Not until I tell him about the gala.”

“Why bother? He didn’t recognize you and nobody even knows.”

“I just don’t feel right about it. Sometimes, I remember he’s not aware and I feel guilty somewhat.”

Lilith groans. “Valid, I suppose.”

“Oh! Is that Lilith Adebayo?”

Soma and Lilith lock eyes, confused someone recognizes her. And when they turn, they’re met with Lara.

Lilith squints at her. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

Lara smiles and something about it doesn’t sit right with Soma. “Lara Maxwell.”

Lilith moves closer to Soma and whispers, “Why does the name sound familiar?”

“She’s the second problem I told you about back then. The niece of the Vanguard Hotel owners.”

Even with that information, it still takes Lilith a beat to remember. “Oh!” She claps her hands. “I saw your uncle and aunt at the gala they hosted. It was them right?”

“Exactly. I don’t think I saw you though.”

“It was mask themed. Besides, I don’t remember meeting you to be able to recognize you,” Lilith says sweetly.

“I see.” She turns to Soma, barely hiding her contempt. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Hm. I’ll be going now. I have plans.” The two of them watch as Lara disappears into the crowd.

“She’s so weird,” Lilith comments.

“I know right?”

“Did I just see Lara?” Remi asks, coming out of nowhere.

“Yes you did. She just came to say congratulations and…see the store, I guess.” Soma gives a dismissive wave.

“You must be the famous Remi Williams,” Lilith interjects, taking his hand. “Wow. You’re a lot more handsome than the pictures and I am appalled that I was not made aware.”

Soma lets out an awkward laugh and disentangles Lilith’s unnecessarily strong hands from his. “Please forgive my friend. She is high on something invisible and unknown.”

He smiles, focusing on Lilith. “You must be Lilith.”

“Yes. The best friend slash roommate.” She taps him on the shoulder. “You’re doing well.”

Remi’s mouth opens and then closes. “Thank you?”

“Okay. No,” Soma speaks. “We are not doing this. At least not here when he is my boss.”

“What a joy kill.”

Soma turns Remi around and begins to push him out of the store. “See you later!” she tells Lilith who waves.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Away from that traitor who will divulge every embarrassing information about me if we spend another second with her.”

Remi releases a hearty laugh. “But that sounds heavenly.”

“Seems like you’re not interested in our date later today.”

“I don’t like how you’re threatening your boss, but I’ll let it go since I like you a lot.”

Soma doesn’t have anything to say to that. She stops pushing him and he turns to her, taking her hand in his.

He stares at her for a while before speaking. “Should we just go now?”

“We’ve been here for less than an hour.”

“I’d rather spend time with you.”

Soma hits him lightly on the shoulder and he chuckles. “Stop being so smooth.”

They begin walking down the corridor of the mall, hand in hand, as they point at various stores and talk about everything. They’re so focused on each other that they don’t see Lara waiting for them.

“Oh! Remi.” She waves at him and hastens her steps.

Soma tries to remove her hand, but Remi’s grip is too strong. She gives him a look, which he blatantly ignores.

The sight draws Lara’s attention when she reaches them. “Wow. You’re holding hands.”

“Is anything the matter?”

“Yes.” She points at Soma. “I just wanted to let you know that she’s a liar and a fraud.”

Soma’s heart drops to her stomach. As she looks at Lara, the realization dawns on her. Lara knows everything.

Dun dun dun. We knew this was going to happen right? But what will Remi’s reaction be?👀

We go again next week! Please continue to show love to this story with your likes, comments, shares and if you haven’t subscribed, here’s your chance!❤️

You can also check out my Instagram for short stories as well: HERE

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

In the one month to the pop-up store design and opening, everything has been moving well for Soma. The project itself, from which she had gained so much exposure and praises from her team leader. Her relationship with her coworkers, which was stronger than ever.

If she were to draw the graph of her life, she’d be at the point approaching the peak.

Everything was wonderful. Including her relationship with Remi, as much as she didn’t want to admit.

They were still staying back after work hours. Everyone understood Soma’s drive and admired it, but didn’t feel motivated to join. Emmanuel included. Which was good. Or else they’d find out Remi was involved, and there’s no way in any reality that it would look good.

She knew she should stop entertaining him, stop staying back. But deep down within her, she didn’t want to. She told herself that she just wanted to enjoy his company and learn from him and would never end up liking him.

Most times, Remi would distract her with random facts. Like how no number before 100 has the letter A when it is spelt. Somehow, it would lead to her opening up to him, feeding the knowledge bank that had her name on it that he had created in his head.

His ulterior motives were clear as day, yet she always fell for them.

However, she wasn’t the only one opening up. Remi told her about his family, separated parents and him being the oldest of three children. His siblings, Morenike and Monife, were twins, in their final year.

The revelation had raised the question of his age. He quirked his brow at her as he sat on the edge of the table, she on her regular chair beside him.

“Why? Think I’m too old or something?”

Soma shrugged, looking away in a teasing manner. “You could be. Looks are deceiving.”

He grabbed the arm of her chair, pulling it to him. Her carefree hands suddenly began to dampen.

He cocked his head to the side. “I’m only five years older than you, Somadina.”

“Four?” She breathed out.

“What?” His eyes had dropped to her lips, but like the few times it had happened, he dragged it back to her eyes. That was safer. “Too much for you?” He whispered.

“No. It’s okay.” She shook her head, realizing something. “Stop doing that.” She smacked his thigh and he let out a boisterous laugh, The sound was one she was getting familiar with, and also trying to gain immunity against.

“I’m not doing anything,” he said, taking her hand in his gently.

“You just tried to pull me into that imagination of yours where we could be…something.”

“Imagination…I’m sure we can turn that to reality.” He laced their fingers together, placing it on his lap. Her eyes had stayed on the perfect combination a bit longer than necessary.

Back at home, Soma lets out an exhausted groan as she laid down on the sofa. Remi was doing too good of a job destroying their boundaries.

Lilith strolls in from her room and stops when she sees her. She sighs. “Why are you looking like a depressed puppy?

Soma turns her head to her before sitting up. She opens her mouth to speak but Lilith stops her with an outstretched finger.

“Wait. Let me guess. Your boss.”

“If you know, then why ask?”

Lilith comes to sit down in front of her on the floor, cross legged. “In case there was a plot twist. But I should have known better. So. What did he do this time?”

Soma thought back to a few hours back. Remi had the habit of delivering snacks to her during work, and during their alone time, dinner. For only her. She’d share it with him, but Remi wasn’t a big eater and would only take a few spoons.

Just yesterday, she had given him the ultimatum to bring something for himself, or she’d go home straight. Today, he brought a larger bowl of what he usually ordered for her.

She pointed to the food as she craned her neck to see him. “I can’t finish this.”

“I know. It’s for both of us.” He didn’t even spare her a glance as he removed the cutlery.

Soma squinted her eyes, head tilting as she tried to make sense of his words. “Weren’t you supposed to bring your own?” She had asked, her words coming out slowly.

“You wanted me to bring food for myself.” He gestured to it. “It just so happened to be in the same bowl as yours.”

Soma’s jaw dropped and when the situation dawned, a scoff left her.

“Oh.” He spoke before she could try to argue. “I’ve already compromised on the food issue. So we should be good.”

The idea didn’t annoy her. If anything, she was impressed by his effort. And very aware of how close she was to really catching feelings.

She had sucked her lower lip between her teeth, while her hooded eyes locked on his frame. When he turned on his heel, facing her, he stilled for a second before walked up to her.

He lifted his hand to her face, his fingers freeing her lip, startling her. “You look like you’re swearing for me.”

She blinked, the physical contact robbing her of all air. “I might as well do that,” she somehow managed to say.

He nodded with a small smile. “Go ahead. It won’t change the fact that you’ll be the one by my side while I suffer.”

Soma narrates the whole incident to Lilith—who interrupts at almost every turn to squeal—not missing a single detail.

“Can you guys just date already?” she asks, her face glimmering with excitement.

“What? No!”

“Why not? From everything I’ve been hearing since you began working on that project of yours, the man clearly likes you.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.” Soma shakes her head. “He’s still my boss. It doesn’t look right for a boss and his employee to date.”

“The man doesn’t care. He owns the company for God’s sake. And there isn’t a non-fraternization rule is there?”

“There isn’t.”

“I see no problem.”

“I do. I’m not going to have people talking behind my back and saying things like I only got certain projects because of it.”

Lilith watches Soma. “So…apart from people’s perception, there’s nothing else?”

“No…what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you’ve said a bunch of nonsense that I suppose is valid, but I haven’t heard you say you don’t like him.”

Soma freezes, her eyes locked with Lilith’s searching ones. “I don’t.”

“Hm. You sure took your sweet time with that stupid answer of yours.”

“I-I…Remi is a good guy. He’s handsome, nice when he’s not trying to bully me—”

“That is entirely because of your bad attitude,” Lilith murmurs.

“—he listens to me, probably hangs up every word I say like he’s placing a star in the sky. He notices things about me and before I say Jack, it’s taken care of or provided for.” She pauses. “I mean, of course, I feel a type of way. I’d be a robot if I don’t, right?” She lets out an awkward laugh. “But, nothing more. I…don’t like him in that big way.”

“So what you’re saying is if Remi does these things to another woman, you won’t—”

Lilith stops talking and slowly smiles. She takes her phone out and snaps a quick picture of Soma, making her nearly jump out of her skin.

“What’s that for?”

“You said you don’t like him. But just look at this.” She pushes the phone into Soma’s face. “That’s how you looked when I was talking about Remi and other women.”

Soma’s lips part slightly as she stares at the photo. Her face is twisted in a glare and she knew what thought was roaming in her head.

How dare he abandon me for someone else? Am I joke to him?

She sighs, covering her face with both hands. So much for thinking she wouldn’t end up liking him for real.

A week to the store opening, staying back after work had changed meaning. There was no use pretending that it was for work. Soma had resigned herself to her fate. She liked Remi. That was it.

The day before the opening, Remi calls her into his office. It had been a long while since that happened. Soma chuckles at the memories.

Just as she raises her hand to knock, the door opens. Remi stands there, wearing those glasses of his and looking more divine than usual. Or maybe that was just her.

“Come in.”

She enters and waits for him to close the door and turn to her. “How can I help you sir?”

“I didn’t call you for work, Somadina.” He takes her by the hand and pulls her closer to him. “I wanted to see your face.”

“We’re still seeing each other later today.”

“About that. The Aqua Store opening is tomorrow. So when we close from work today, let me take you straight home. You should rest up.”

“True.” She bobs her head. “Let’s do that.”

They stay quiet, entering an unspoken staring contest, which makes Remi narrow his eyes.

“There’s something different about you today.”

“Really?”

He closes the little distance between them, his hand travelling along her arm. “You’re not resisting or complaining.”

She keeps quiet for a beat, considering something she had been thinking about for the past week. “After the opening, should we…go somewhere?”

“Somadina.” He lifts his second hand to cup the side of her face, staring intently at her. “If you don’t want me to assume, then be specific with your words,” he tells her, his voice low and intimate.

She swallows roughly. “Let’s go on a date.”

“Have you given up on making excuses?”

“No.” She leans into the touch of his palm. “It’s just that my defenses are down right now.”

“I’ll pray that they remain that way forever.”

A giggle leaves her lips. “I should go now. See you later.”

Remi stares at her a beat longer, before letting out a controlled sigh and dropping his hand. “Fine. Later.”

Since she had finally decided to accept whatever this was with Remi, she was going to do it right.

She was going to tell him about the gala.

Tomorrow.

So Soma with all her mouth has fallen. And she wants to reveal herself. Will it go well?👀

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Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

A week later, someone new had joined the Obsidian team, replacing Soma at the front desk. Remi had taken it upon himself to make sure it happened as soon as possible. She was finally relieved of the tasks and officially a part of Team 3 as a Junior Designer.

Despite the official position she had achieved, she continued staying after work hours. Her teammates, she had noticed, were capable people. Far better in terms of knowledge and experience. If she didn’t want to be dead weight, she needed to be at the top of her game.

This was clearly divine opportunity. Knowing the future ahead of her, she would be foolish to waste this.

However, she was still human and thus, only stayed an hour.

Accompanied by her boss, Remi Williams.

At first, she had dropped her two cents about his unnecessary presence and he had ignored her like she was saying complete rubbish. After three days of doing that, she gave up. She was stubborn, but nobody deserved the crown and throne more than Remi.

To her it didn’t make sense. He stayed back, helped her, taught her things she didn’t know, brought food and snacks for them to eat and when they were done, drove her home. As in to her gate. Made sure she entered as well before leaving.

They were all wonderful benefits, but still.

Why was he being this nice?

Like now.

She opens the door to the meeting room, her eyes landing on Remi. He’s settled in one of the chairs, looking every bit like a CEO. His jacket is draped over on the next chair, which leaves him in his sky blue shirt. A packaged box sits on the table, an opened laptop and some files in the space between him and the chair she usually sits.

“You’re here,” she says with a sigh, closing the door. “Again.”

Remi raises a brow at her as she steps in, drags her chair backward and settles in.

“Hello, Somadina. How was your day? Stressful I believe. Since that’s the only reason you’d talk to your boss the way you just did.”

She turns on her chair, facing him, and forces her lips to smile. “It was indeed stressful. But the kind that I’ll keep quiet about because I know my future is bright.”

Remi’s eye twitches. “You’re going to ignore the last part of what I said, aren’t you?”

“I am very sorry, Mr. Remi Williams, my dear wonderful boss that takes extra care of me.”

A scoff leaves him, and he turns away for a second, trying to hide the smile that’s threatening to break out.

“Flattery doesn’t suit you, Somadina dear,”’ he manages to say.

Soma freezes. “Dear?”

Ah. How did that slip out? Remi thinks. Instead, he nods, accepting his fate. “Should I have said darling? Oh. You’re a tout. Sorry my bad.”

Soma narrows her eyes at him, mentally cursing him. Remi was really good at doing paybacks, she had noticed, and they always stung.

“I’ll just forget that the last two minutes happened.”

Remi leans into his chair, watching her open one of her files and her other hand rub the back of her neck. She rolls her shoulders, trying to ease the discomfort. He takes out the neck pillow that his jacket was covering and hands it to her. “Here.”

She looks at it before taking it. “Thank you.”

She puts it on, instantly feeling better. “Have anything on your curriculum for me?” she asks him.

He jerks his chin towards the box. “You should eat first.”

When she doesn’t take the box, he shifts forward, unboxing it and revealing the pack of native spaghetti with a big piece of chicken. Soma’s mouth waters at the sight.

“You didn’t eat properly today,” he drops while removing the fork.

She turns her head to him. “How do you know that?”

He uncaps a bottle of water for her, without looking at her. “It was a hunch that you just confirmed.”

“Nobody says hunches with that level of certainty.”

“Have you met me?” He tilts his head before glancing at the food. “Eat.”

Soma stares at him a second longer before focusing on the food, which honestly is irresistible. The plating, the aroma, everything. She takes a bite of the food. Her eyes slightly widen at how good it tastes.

“You’re not eating?”

“Are you offering?”

“I feel guilty that I’m eating and you’re just looking,” she murmurs. “Especially since you got it for me.”

“Huh. Who knew you had a conscience?”

“I’ll stop being nice now.” She wraps the fork full, ready to continue her feast. A hand grabs her wrists, putting a stop to her plan. As she turns her head, Remi’s face comes into view, his mouth opening and stealing the food for himself.

They lock eyes and he holds her gaze in place, chewing the food. Soma swallows roughly. She could feel the irrational movement of her pulse. She has tried her best to not be this close to her boss, but with him doing things like this, it was impossible.

And the aftermath? Worse.

With the way things were going—him looking at her with sincere, searching eyes in need of something, eyes that seemed to record every part of her face—she was going to catch feelings.

Which is not part of her plans.

Not when she’s still withholding the fact that they met at the gala. Using her friend’s identity.

She manages to break eye contact, turning her head away while her wrist is still in Remi’s hold.

Remi still keeps his eyes on her. He had been dropping hints for almost two weeks. Everything he was doing was clearly not what a boss would do for his employee. There’s no way she didn’t understand his actual intention here.

Especially now.

But as he sees the downcast look in her eyes, he drops her arm. Even if she understood, what was she supposed to do? Fall into his arms? Risk her job that she just began for something with him?

No. Soma would never do that even if she liked him. That’s if she did.

It’s at this moment that he realizes he truly likes her. He had thought it was an infatuation with someone who wasn’t ordinary. A girl with a sharp mouth. An attitude that gets her in trouble. A mind that’s as beautiful as her looks.

Never did he expect to actually care about her feelings or that his might not be reciprocated at all. The thought of it stings. A rejection that’s not exactly one.

He closes his eyes, keeping his groan buried deep down. “I’m sorry.” His words come out softly. “Let’s focus on your work today.”

Soma blinks. It surprises her that he doesn’t say anything after making such a bold move. Was he trying to play with her or what?

But in a way, she was happy he didn’t push. Because if he did, he’d be increasing the percentage of her crush meter by a percent or more depending on what he does.

In the next thirty-five minutes, they were done. She packs her things while Remi waits by the door, holding it for her. Still the man of chivalry, she notes.

“Good night sir,” she says, trying to run away once they get outside the building.

Remi hold her by the neck of her blouse, not too roughly but enough to get her to stop and reconsider her next move.

“Where are you going?”

She looks at him. “Home?”

“Have you forgotten how we’ve been doing it?”

“No? I just thought…you know…”

“What?” He releases her blouse, pocketing his hands. She gulps, the look and posture Remi is assuming very intimidating to her.

“Well, there was that moment earlier. And you shut it down. So.” Her eyes focus on anything that’s not him.

“Why do you think I shut it down?”

“Because you’re my boss. And you’re professional. And not the type to do anything with his employee?”

He squints at her, biting his bottom lip. He looks to the side, annoyed that she knew his intention and yet gives nothing away about her reaction or feelings. She really doesn’t like him, he realizes.

“You’re right. I am all of the things that you have mentioned. But I have just decided,” He takes a step closer to her, “that I don’t care. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing while keeping you and your position in mind.”

Soma scowls, trying to make sense of his words. “What?”

“You already know the walls between us. I’m going to shatter them.” He shrugs.

“Why would you do that?”

Remi lets his eyes take her in, head to toe and back. He takes her by the hand, walking her to his car.

“I’m asking a question!”

He opens the door to the passenger seat which he has been doing for her ever since he started driving her home.

“I’m not telling you.”

Soma scoffs. “That’s petty of you.”

“Well you’ve done worse to me, your boss.”

She pouts. “Petty,” she repeats.

He moves closer to her, their faces inches apart as he rests one arm on the roof of the car. “This petty man wants to take you home, Somadina. So get in the car.”

“And if I don’t?”

“We’ll sleep here because the only way you’re getting home is if I drive you.”

She inhales deeply before giving up. It’s pointless arguing. “Fine.”

Remi watches as she enters the car before leaning down to pat her head. “Good girl.”

Before Soma could react, he retreats and closes the door, smiling to himself as he walks to his side of the car. Soma touches the spot on her head that he patted, before catching herself.

As cute as their moment is, someone had been watching the entire time.

“What the hell?”

We’re back! Remi has declared his intentions? Kind of. And someone has been watching our couple. What do you think will happen?👀

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Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

I don’t think I knew what I was getting into.

That’s the thought that has invaded Soma’s head every day since she joined Team three for the pop-up store project. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but her lack of experience made itself obvious at every turn.

Luckily for her, her team head, Shalom, and the rest of the team were understanding. It may have a lot to do with the fact that she was a lot better and preferable to Lara who was on the team.

One of the aftereffects of the contest was Lara being demoted to the front desk. She never knew about it until later that day, when Soma had to join the team for a meeting.

“Why are you here?” Lara had asked, the frown on her face deepening at the sight of her.

“For the meeting?” Soma answered slowly.

Lara burst out laughing like it was some kind of award winning joke.

“Which meeting? Since when did you start having meetings? Or do you mean you’re helping with refreshments and all?”

“She means she’s part of the team for the pop-up store project,” Ruth said, with narrowed eyes that carried her dislike for Lara. The remaining two members of the team murmured in agreement.

“That’s nonsense.” Lara waved it aside, going back to scrolling on her phone.

At that moment, Shalom came in to the room and took one look at the very balanced Lara.

“Lara, you’re not meant to be here.”

Lara slowly turned her head to him, unable to believe the words she had heard. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Shalom reached for his chair and dropped the files he was carrying on the table. “Don’t you check your emails? Well, I don’t have the right to complain anymore since you’ve now been replaced by Soma here who won the contest.”

“What?!” she shouted, standing to her feet abruptly, mouth hanging open.

Shalom ignored her. “Everyone’s here right? Let’s begin our meeting.”

The team members began to settle into their seats. When she noticed no one was paying her any attention, she stormed out, the room’s tension disappearing along with her.

It was only when they had finished and were back to their workstations that they found out Lara had gone straight to Remi’s office. However, she was only in there for two minutes before she was thrown out. And when she appeared, she walked out of the building.

It was already a week and Soma was still at the front desk. Lara, who should have been there, never returned after that day. Because of this, Soma had to juggle two different roles at the firm.

Today was a busy day for her. She had her front desk duties that weren’t a lot, thankfully, and a number of tasks she was meant to do, all of which were related to the layout and drafts of the plan. They were given to her two days ago and were nowhere near being finished.

While her plan was brilliant, she needed to do more research on Aqua Fashion and integrate their brand presence and quality into the plan.

She needed to finish her tasks on time so that they could meet up with the deadline assigned to them. There was no way she was going to be the reason why they got delayed. Not after she finally got on the starting line she had prayed for.

“You’re really staying back?” Emmanuel confirms, stepping into view.

Soma gives him a small smile. “I’ve told you, yes. I’m not giving my team reasons to kick me out or demote me.”

“Understandable.” Emmanuel nods. “But still…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I did it yesterday and see me here.” She gestures to herself. “I’ll take care of myself and won’t stay long.”

Emmanuel sighs, giving in. “If you say so.”

“Bye.” She waves at him as he leaves.

She tidies up her space and moves to the meeting room to set up. The place has become her temporary office when no one’s around.

She puts an alarm for an hour, to monitor her timing. She then begins to go through the papers, check where she stopped in her progress. And for the next hour, her research and layout revisions continue.

When her alarm rings, she puts it off and then does a few stretches.

“I need to rest my head for a while,” she tells herself, rubbing at her temples.

She decides to rest for fifteen minutes, setting a timer. And after that, she’d get back to work for one more hour before clocking out for the day finally. At the rate she was going, she was bound to finish up today.

The second she sinks into the leather seat, shoulders relaxed, her eyes close and sleep takes over. It has always been easy for her to fall asleep.

And it’s at this moment, all unknowing and peaceful, that Remi chooses to leave his office, having also stayed back.

As soon as he closes the door to his office and looks to the side, he notices the bright light from the meeting room. Quietly, he makes his way to the room to see what’s going on. But nothing could have prepared him for the sight he would see as he opens the door.

Of all things, a sleeping, peaceful Soma was not one of them.

He closes the door slowly, afraid to wake her up and walks to the table, scattered with the evidence of her hard work. He looks at them, picking the papers up and examining them. Each one makes him nod his head in approval.

He turns his head to her, and for once, he’s able to stare at her face, with no disturbances. As he stares, her face overlaps with their memories together. Times where she narrowed her eyes at him, gave him a fake smile, sneered at him, ran her mouth at him. All of which she somehow forgets he’s her boss.

A smile makes its way to his face when he remembers the night at the gala. The garden. The smile that radiated a beauty and genuine happiness that he hasn’t seen since she started working here.

His hand moves on its own, fingers lightly stroking her cheek.

“Smart, witty, strong and beautiful. The full package.”

She stirs and he removes his hand, but still leaves his gaze on her. The solemn atmosphere gets ruined though, by the sudden ring of a phone.

Soma startles and Remi clears his throat, turning his attention back to her papers. She puts the alarm off, sliding to the side while releasing a yawn that begs for more sleep.

“Shouldn’t you be off work?” Remi asks, making his presence known.

Soma turns to him and blinks. When her brain comes to, she lets out a squeak. Cute. Remi bites down on his tongue to keep from smiling.

“What are you doing here?”

“You’re asking your boss why he’s at his company?” He tilts his head.

She laughs and then drags her chair forward. “Of course not. I’m not mad.”

“Hm. You’re not. But I’m sure your condition is a thing.”

She looks at him. “I’ll let that go because you do that for me on a daily basis.”

“I’m nice abi?”

“Very nice sir.” She gives him two thumbs up that he just glances at.

“And that’s why I’m here. Why are you still at work?”

Soma sighs. “To keep up? I’m way too busy, now that I’m multitasking.”

Remi keeps quiet for a beat. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Why?”

He drops the paper he was holding and sits on the edge of the table, facing her. “Lara quit.”

“Oh! So that’s why we haven’t seen her since.” She pauses. “Wait. Isn’t that going to cause problems with her family and yours?”

“No. I did what they wanted. It’s not my fault she couldn’t keep up and became a liability that I had no choice but to remove. At the end of the day, Obsidian is mine to control, not theirs.”

“Wow.” Soma gives him a round of applause, her eyes glimmering with appreciation. “You sounded really cool just now.”

Remi quirks a brow. “Only now?”

She snorts. “Of course not. During meetings, you carry this no nonsense energy that’s very admirable. There’s not a single person who looks at you while you’re being the designer that you are and doesn’t feel your presence.”

He leans forward slightly, but Soma doesn’t seem to notice. “Really?” His voice lowers.

“You think I’m lying? Have you not heard the ladies here swooning over you?”

“I haven’t.”

Soma clicks her tongue. “You really don’t care about what anything else except from what you want.”

“You know me well.”

She shakes her head, smiling. “That should not be an attractive feature, but maybe because it’s you, it works.”

Remi smiles. “So you think I’m attractive.”

Soma blinks. “Everybody does,” she answers carefully.

“I’m asking what you think, Somadina.”

“Why do you call me by my full name?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“You’re not answering my question.”

Remi raises his chin up. Calling her full name was a professional thing, but somewhere along the line it became something that made him different from everyone else. They all called her Soma, but he was different. And he liked that.

“I prefer to call you that. There. I’ve answered you.” He draws her chair closer to him, bringing their faces less than a meter apart.

“What do you think of me, Somadina?”

Soma stares at him, forcing down a swallow. This is just like the time in the garden, except she isn’t wearing a mask. She needed to look away, avoid whatever this is, but she knew Remi. He wasn’t going to let go without an answer.

She smiles at him. “Nothing. I think nothing of my boss.”

Then she turns to her papers and tries her best to concentrate. She’s failing, but he doesn’t know that.

Remi just watches her, before giving up. “I’ll help.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I don’t. But me helping you is like teaching you, making sure you finish your tasks faster and taking you home.”

Soma turns her head to him. “Taking me home?!” she shouts.

“I’m not letting you enter public transport or book a ride when I can drive you.”

“I’m sure we stay at very different locations.”

“Not a problem to me.” He picks one of her papers. “Let’s start with this one.”

Look at our couple having some alone time. In the office. At night🤭

Continue to like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t!❤️

You can also check out my Instagram for short stories as well: HERE

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Remi watches as Soma takes tentative steps to the long, leather chair. She sits, her shoulders squared, eyes looking straight ahead. All the while rubbing the smooth nails of her fingers idly. He tips his head sideways, his examining eyes still trained on her. She’s trying too hard to look composed, and the image amuses him.

He decides to put her put of her misery—or so he thinks—and in three long strides, plops himself onto the chair opposite her. Her eyes go round and he wonders if he’s done anything surprising.

A scowl makes its way to Soma’s face when he opens her folder and removes the papers in it.

“Should you be reviewing them?”

He spares her a glance before going back to the papers. “Why?”

“I thought it was to be judged and reviewed by three people.”

“So, I can’t look at yours?”

She opens her mouth and then closes it. “I’m just saying. For…fairness sake.”

Remi gives her a noncommittal hum. Knowing that all her words are going in one ear and coming out the other, makes one of her eyes twitch.

“Did you maybe do this with the others?” she asks, looking at the submissions.

“No. I’ll look at them when I need to.”

Soma turns her head back to him. “But you’ll look at mine now,” she says slowly and then pauses. “You’re not trying to disqualify me by yourself, are you?”

“Have you done anything to make me do that to you?”

“No.” She turns to the side and grumbles under her breath, “I don’t have to do anything for the boss to do me bad.”

Remi halts in his review, the words hitting him. He lifts his eyes to her, seeing her pursed lips and avoidant eyes that’s flickering with unease. Is she…talking about her job?

He puts the papers back into the folder. He had seen enough. Enough to know that she’s talented and worth an actual shot at the company. Enough that he had already placed her as a winner even though he hadn’t seen the other works.

That was him being biased. But he couldn’t help it. He had realized recently, that when it came to Soma, he always looked the other way. Nothing about her was wrong to him.

Fortunately for her, he was going to be fair and judge the contest properly with the other two members.

He places her folder on the pile, handling it with delicate gentleness, and then stations his eyes on her. She’s still looking to the side, somewhat sulking now if he dared say. It was…cute. If only he could capture the moment.

“I’ve had the role of junior design open for four months,” he starts. Soma turns her attention to him and he continues.

“Everyone who had an interview—not that they were many anyway—were incapable. In simple words. I didn’t mind the lack of experience, but what I minded was not being able to think, see errors, give me answers. And they didn’t have that.”

“And Lara does?” Soma couldn’t help but ask.

The corner of Remi’s lips inches up. Soma probably isn’t aware of how much her dislike for Lara bleeds through her words.

“That was a…compromise and mistake. Her uncle wanted her here from the beginning, taking advantage of our family closeness. I didn’t and eventually made a compromise. If we didn’t find anyone within three months, I’ll take her in. But even as at then, I still held on. Until…” He holds up his hand.

“I see.”

A part of Soma was glad it wasn’t a complete nepo baby case. If she was being honest, she liked Remi. As a boss. As. A. Boss. No other way.

God knows how many times she’s messed up in how she speaks to him, and yet she was still here. The only thing she didn’t like was the fact he hired Lara who from the gossip mill, she knew was one of those incapable people Remi didn’t like.

“So I was late,” she adds.

“If I was available to do your interview, it wouldn’t have mattered. I would have hired you.”

Remi’s words hold the same no-nonsense attitude that he has and she can’t help but smile. “That’s reassuring.”

“It’s not to say that you’re winning this contest though,” he teases. “This place is filled with people with more experience than you. Talents that haven’t bloomed yet.”

Soma stops herself from rolling her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Good.” He crosses his arms, leaning his back against his chair. “Tell me about yourself.”

Soma looks at him, the words from his mouth replaying in her head. “What?”

“Do you not hear properly or what?” he hisses, his forehead creasing with slight annoyance.

Soma pouts. “You don’t need to be that rude.”

“Then stop asking me what when I tell you something.”

“Sorry,” she murmurs.

“Why apologize when you don’t mean it?”

“Then what do you want me to do?” she asks, raising her voice. Remi stares at her pointedly and she realizes her mistake. She lets out an awkward chuckle, hoping that’s enough to hypnotize him into forgetting, which didn’t work.

“That was a slip of tongue and attitude. It will not happen again,” she apologizes.

Remi clears his throat. “Assure me it won’t by telling me about yourself.”

She scowls at him. “You have a way of getting people to do what you want.”

“That attitude of yours is slipping,” he tells her with a raised brow.

She takes a deep dramatic breath, like she’s doing some quiet meditation, and exhales. “Okay.” She pauses, thinking of what to say before giving up.

“I’m sorry but you’ll need to be a bit more specific about what you want to know. Because usually when people ask this question, the answer disappears into thin air like it never existed.”

“Fair enough.” He nods. “Hobbies. Likes. Dislikes. Friends. Family. Where you grew up. What school you went to. Dreams. Food. Music taste. Travel plans. Career plans. Relationship, previous and current—”

“Hold!!!” Soma stretches a hand in front of him, her eyes closed. When she opens them and looks at Remi, there’s that innocent, unbothered look on his face.

“What is it?” he asks.

She points to herself. “I should be asking that! Or something like it. What’s with that list you just gave me?”

“It’s not complete by the way.”

“I know, and I’m dreading allowing you finish it.” She pinches the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes briefly. “Also, those aren’t things you should know about your employee.”

“Says who?”

“It’s an unspoken law in the workforce.”

“None of my business,” he replies, with a shrug. “I want to know more about you, Somadina. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Soma fixes her searching gaze on him. Leaving out the distraction of his handsome face, this man, her boss, is serious. But then again, never has he uttered words and not mean them in the time she has known him.

The moment takes her back to that time in the garden. When he told her he liked her. And just like then, she could hear the unnecessary thundering of her heart.

Wait.

“Do you go around doing this to women?” As the thought came to her head, so her mouth opens and vomits it out.

“What makes you think that?”

She scoffs, crossing her arms like someone who just discovered the extent of their power as a mob boss. “I’m sure you tell them how you like them, listing what you like about them and finish with how they might be a problem for you,” she says, the memory playing in her head and sparking annoyance with each passing second.

Remi’s lips move on their own, curving upward. He covers his face with one hand, trying to hide the wide, victorious smile that has appeared. The movement catches Soma’s attention and she frowns.

“What is it?”

“Nothing at all,” he says when he has composed himself. He removes his hand and waves it at her. “You can go now.”

She blinks, surprise drowning out the noisy emotions in her. “Really? That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

She stands to her feet, eyes narrowing slightly at him. “You won’t call me back for something, will you?”

“Can’t make any promises.”

A groan leaves Soma’s lips. “Okay.”

Only when she’s out the door and he can no longer see her through the glass walls, does he break character and begin laughing. Anyone who saw him now would think he’d gone mad. Maybe that was the case.

“I’ve got you finally,” he mutters before going back to his work.

It took three days for the results to be announced. As much as Soma wanted to win, she didn’t put too much hope. Remi was right about the potential of everyone at Obsidian. This was a chance no one was passing by. And she was a first hand witness to how stoked the others were during the duration of the contest.

A bit past eleven, a notification for an email pings. She checks it, her work reflex kicking in, and reads the message.

Once. Twice.

By the third time, she’s squinting at the screen, not believing her eyes. “Abi I’m dreaming?”

“Dreaming about what?”

She looks up and sees Emmanuel, one arm leaning over her desk.

“Look at this.” She turns the desktop to face him.

He reads it, taking his time. And with each second that pass, the seriousness on his face gives way to a radiance of joy only good news can bring.

“You did it!” He glances at her. “You actually got chosen for the pop-up store project.”

“Oh my God.” She covers her mouth. Then squeals into it, her feet stomping the floor in a cute rhythm.

“Congratulations Soma. See?” He gives her a side eye. “If I didn’t push you now, that’s how you would have delayed your destiny.”

“Thank you so much.” She stands up and hugs him over the desk. “But…” She pulls back, “that means you…”

“Eh, don’t worry about that one,” he says waving his hand. “I may not have been chosen, but the boss called me up not long ago and told me to work with Mr. Solomon’s team.”

“Mr. Solomon? As in…Deputy?!”

“Exactly!” He snaps his finger.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. This contest kind of restructured some teams. A few of us got moved to a different one. Promotion, demotion. Something like that.”

“Wow.”

“Anyway,” He claps his hands. “I have to get back. I only came here to tell you my good news.”

Soma pouts in appreciation. “Thank you once again. And congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Once he leaves, Soma looks at the email again. It was like a dream come true. She looks up and for the first time, sees Remi by his glass walls, staring down at her.

She gives him a tiny wave with both hands and surprisingly, he gives her a thumbs up before turning away.

All the lines have finally fallen in place, she thinks.

Oh! So many things in this chapter👀🤭

Please continue to engage with my story and subscribe if you haven’t! And to all those who read my stories, thank you so much!❤️

You can also check out my Instagram for short stories as well: HERE

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Soma struts into the building, with the little confidence she had piled up since she left the apartment. She licks her lips, letting out a quiet swoosh of air as she draws near to her desk.

Everything about her was normal—the usual black handbag over one shoulder, twists tied in a bun with a few strands hanging, blue and white blouse paired with loose, black trousers, black pumps clicking on the tiles with each step.

Except that her other hand was held something.

A big, brown folder.

There were only papers in it, but its weight was twice that of everything Soma had on.

And it was all because of what happened after her unusual encounter with Remi. When she spoke about the error she had seen in one of the plans. It’s still a surprise that he never admonished her. Even went as far as asking for a solution. From her.

That had been her highlight and it had stuck to her like an invisible medal on her chest.

Two days after that, Mr. Hassan made a brief announcement, with everyone except Remi, present.

“Obsidian is going to be holding a contest for designers!”

The workstation began to fill up with murmurs that Soma couldn’t decipher. If anything, she was confused by the reaction. She looked over her shoulders, her gaze meeting a yawning Emmanuel.

“Why is everyone reacting like this?” she mused. “Isn’t it good news?”

He relaxed into his chair, his arms crossed behind his head as a gentle puff of a laugh left his lips. “It is. It’s just…we’re surprised. It has never happened before.”

Soma’s mouth formed an O shape as she bobbed her head in understanding.

“You’ll be drafting a plan for a pop up store for Aqua Fashions.”

“Wait.” Mariam raised a hand, putting a pause to Mr. Hassan’s announcement. “You mean the trendiest fashion brand right now?”

Lara let out a scoff from her recliner, her eyes never leaving her phone. “Do we have more than one Aqua Fashions in Lagos?”

Mr. Hassan took control before the mood got destroyed. “Yes. That one. They have a store on the island and want to open another on the mainland. Ikeja to be precise. You have two weeks to work on your plan and submit to the boss. There’s more details in the document which I’ll have sent to everyone. So if you’re interested, you can go for it.”

That got Soma’s attention. “There’s no restriction or requirements?” she wondered.

“None at all. Anyone can submit.”

“What is the prize for the winner?” Jennifer speaks up, all thrilled by the prospect. “Money? Like in those competitions where first place will be given that big check of millions of naira?”

“Omo. You should try to be calming down o,” Obasi said from his desk.

“It’s inside this our three year firm that you’re imaging millions of naira as prize money.” Mariam shook her head.

“Ahah. You never can tell nau.”

“I can tell you for a fact that that’s not it,” Mr. Hassan said, bursting her delusional bubble. “Dismissed.”

The day had gone by with a calmness and speed Soma wished her bank account to adopt. It was lunch break and Emmanuel had come to join Soma, opening the pack of Caribbean rice he had ordered from Chicken Republic.

“Have you gone through the file for the contest?” he asked, after taking a spoonful.

“I did.” Soma brought out her lunch which she had brought from home. “Briefly though.”

“You’re signing up, right?”

“Me?!” Soma pointed to herself before shaking her head. “No, no, no.”

“But why?” he asked in between bites. Then he started counting off his fingers. “You have the skills. It’s what you studied. And God knows this is the opportunity you need to get recognized here rightfully.”

Emmanuel was her closest friend at Obsidian. He was goofy at the right times and responsible and logical at other times. It didn’t take them long to bond and be as close as they were. And sometimes when Lara got in her way, he was there to help her.

She had told him how she got her job, and he’d assured her that for someone as talented as her, her time would come.

Which technically meant this.

“I mean…” She halted the fork full of spaghetti mid-air, her gaze going remote. “You’re right. But—”

“No buts.” He pointed his spoon at her. “There’s literally nothing holding you back. If you don’t get chosen, you at least know the reason why. Your plans will be assessed thoroughly by the boss, Charles, our senior guru, and an external designer.” He goes back to eating. “Best worst case scenario, if you ask me.”

“I know.” Soma folded her lips as she played with her food. Emmanuel opened a bottle of water, drank a huge gulp and continued speaking.

“And, if you get chosen, you get to work with the team!” He nudges her elbow playfully. “It’s an actual project so you get first row seat to everything.”

Soma blew out a long breath. “I guess I could try.”

“You will do it. In fact, I’ll let Lilith know.” Emmanuel brought out his phone from his pocket and unlocked it.

Soma narrowed her eyes at him, watching as his fingers flew across his keyboard. “Since when did you and Lilith start having conversations that I am not aware of?”

“Since you introduced us? We’re friends.” He didn’t even glance at her, just acted like she didn’t exist.

Emmanuel had met Lilith once. Just once. Sometime last month, she and Lilith had gone out and he happened to be there with his guys. He had spent some time with them, being a bit more than his usual self, before returning to his friends.

The small, gentle smile on his face told Soma that his ‘we’re friends’ was anything but that. But who was she to say anything?

Now, she was done with her final draft. There were lots of tired days and late nights, which Lilith helped through. She did her research, put what she knew plus the little she had gotten from her observances in the firm to use.

Emmanuel even helped with whatever she needed that she didn’t have. Despite him also making a submission of his own, he was still helping her and she was grateful for it. Maybe she could help him and Lilith get together? That would be something for another day.

Now, she needed to submit her draft to Remi.

She goes behind her desk, placing her bag at a corner. The folder snatches her full attention now, as she holds it in both hands. A trickle of anxiety pours into her the more she stares at it.

“We can do this,” she mutters to herself.

“Good morning, Soma!”

She slams the folder on the desk without a second thought. Her colleagues come into view and she pastes on a smile she hopes isn’t awkward.

“Morning, Jennifer. Obasi.”

“How are you?” Jennifer closes the distance between them, leaning on her desk. “Remember that show you recommended for me? I was watching it yesterday.”

Jennifer engaged her in a conversation for almost thirty minutes. It had helped loosen the tightly wound up nerves in her, which was good. But it had also disrupted the momentum of confidence she had been building up.

And that is how she never got the opportunity to go to Remi’s office again. The whole morning went by in a blur. Usually, she hardly had tasks. But today? It was like her enemies were at work. Because why was she suddenly important and needed for something, a call or delivery?

Lara strolls by from her workstation, a drink in hand and comes to a stop at Soma’s desk. Sometimes, she does this. Appears for no reason but to fulfil her daily quest of putting Soma down, which she tends to fail ten out of ten times.

Soma doesn’t look up from her typing. Instead, she releases a tired sigh. “What now?” Soma speaks.

“Excuse me?” Lara recoils as if she heard the most shocking news of her life. “Is it me you’re talking to like that?”

“Lara,” Soma cuts her eyes to her. “You’re just a common worker like me here. Not the daughter of a billionaire with a trust fund attached.” Then she returns to her work like she never left.

“There is nothing common about me,” Lara defends. “And don’t go thinking me and you are the same because we’re not.”

“As long as we work in this place, we are.”

Lara rolls her eyes, before supporting herself with an elbow on her desk. “I’m sure it’s that contest stuff that’s making you think that way. Because they said anybody can submit.” She takes a long sip of her drink, the hiss enough to irritate even a child. s

Soma looked up at her. “You think the rules are just a decoration?”

“When I’m involved, they don’t even exist.”

“I’m guessing you submitted as well.”

“Of course.” She tips her cup like she’s giving a salute. “I’m not even supposed to be a junior here. So if that contest will take me higher, I’ll do it. And win.”

Soma nods. “Good luck to you,” she says, before concentrating on her desktop.

Lara watches her, looking for the slightest shred of frustration on her face. None. She turns away harshly and walks off, pissed that she couldn’t get Soma to act out.

Soma’s fingers on her keyboard come to a stop, Lara’s words playing in her head. Does that mean history will repeat itself?

She glances at Remi’s office before moving her eyes to the brown folder she had placed under her bag. If that’s the case, why bother to submit?

Before she could decide what she was going to do, the landline rang. She answers it, as if she were answering her personal call, letting her emotion bleed out.

“Why do you sound like that?”

Soma straightens at the sound of Remi’s voice. She had been too relaxed, forgetting to sound bright and professional. Thank God it wasn’t a client.

“It’s nothing,” she replies, quickly fixing her tone. “Do you need help with something sir?”

He remains quiet for a beat. “No. Don’t you have something to give me?”

Soma blinks, her eyes then widening as understanding dawns on her. There was nothing calm about her heart rate now that he had asked for her work. The morning anxiety had nothing on this new version, and still, a part of her flickered with hope.

“When will you be free sir?”

“Come to my office with your plan now, Somadina.” Then he hangs up.

She snorts. It was very much like him to be direct. Remi wasn’t going to even give her the chance to run away in the first place. And honestly? She was grateful for it. For her that had been going through unnecessary mental warfare, this was perfect.

She stands to her feet, sliding the folder off the table. After making sure everything is in order, she makes her way up the stairs, one at a time. She takes a glance at the workstation and locks eyes with Emmanuel who gives her a thumbs up.

A smile makes its way to her lips. Thank God for good friends.

She knocks on Remi’s door and instead of him telling her to come in, he opens the door himself. Soma tilts her head, her lips slightly parted at the action.

“Why’re you still standing there?” Remi asks, annoyance biting into his words.

“Nothing.” She steps into his office and he closes the door behind her.

As he walks to his desk, her eyes follow him. What’s with him opening the door for me? Her eyes takes in the cream buttoned up shirt with sleeves folded to his elbow and black slacks as well as that unreal face of his, as he turns, that is still gracing a pair of glasses.

Remi sits on the edge of his table and after a minute, raises a brow at her. She gives him an awkward smile and looks away. She nearly got caught checking him out at him. She really needed to stop doing that.

“Where is it?” he asks, bringing her attention back to him.

“Oh. Right.” She drifts nearer to him, very aware of the distance shortening with each step. “Here,” she says, handing the folder to him when she was a reasonable meters away.

He takes it from her. Soma let her eyes travel round the office. She sees the bunch of folders on his coffee table, that’s beside the library corner of his office.

“I should get going now.” Soma makes a turn to leave, but Remi’s voice that comes with no hesitation stops her.

“Stay.”

She looks back at him, her pace unhurried and confused. “I’m sorry?”

“I said you should stay.”

“Would that be alright?” she asks slowly.

Remi huffs a breath, shaking his head before staring back at her. “I’m the CEO. What do you think?”

Soma opens her mouth but no words could come out. Instead, something like a humorless laugh left her. “I seemed to have forgotten that tiny bit.”

“You forgot I’m your boss?”

“Not at all!” She waves her hands at him then steers the conversation away. “Since you said I should stay, I’ll do that.”

“Good.” He gestures to the seating area. “Have a seat.”

I have to sit down? She thought as she walks to one of the chairs.

God, let there be no mishaps, I beg you.

What do you think will happen next?👀

By the way, happy new month!

Please continue to like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t!❤️ And you can check out my Instagram for short stories as well: HERE

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

“There’s an error in the plan.”

Remi’s eyes remain on Soma. Of all the words he had expected her to utter, that was not one of them. Even though they barely knew each other, he knew enough to know she wasn’t joking.

She was sure about what she was saying.

He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Show me.”

Soma blinks, taken aback by his nonattacking attitude. “Okay. Uhh…”

She looks between the plan on the table and Remi, before settling on him.

“What is it?”

She jerks a thumb in the table’s direction. “I need you to come here. So that you can see what I want to show you.”

He doesn’t move immediately. He considers her for a beat, before walking toward her. As he approaches, she takes another look at the plan. It’s a floor plan for a duplex. A plan that had gone through some revisions, judging by the rough erasures she could see.

Despite it, the plan was beautiful. Probably more than she could produce herself. The proportions were generous, the rooms well-sized, and the overall layout had a clear logic to it. Ground floor for living, entertaining and service areas. Upper floor for the bedrooms and a study.

But like the first time she saw it, her eyes lands on the problem she had spotted.

“So?” Remi appears behind her, startling her.

She shifts to her right, creating some space between them and not caring how awkward she looks.

“First, I want to confirm. This is for a duplex building, right? On the island.”

Remi stares at the paper. She’s right. But what bugs him is the fact that the person who drew it didn’t put a title and somehow Soma was able to know what it was.

“Yes.”

“Okay.” She points at the staircase on the plan. “There.”

Remi squints at it. “The staircase?”

“It’s on the south wall.” She glances at him, looking for the permission to continue. He reaches for his glasses on the table, slides them on, and nods for her to go ahead.

“Since the building is on the island, this portion is where will receive the most natural light, at least during the day. Of all rooms in the house, the living room should be there. But that’s where the staircase is placed and the living room beside it like something secondary and unimportant.”

Remi leans forward, his palms on the table. His eyes scan the part Soma’s pointing out and when he sees it, he clicks his tongue.

Mariam had brought in the plan a few hours ago, but he hadn’t gotten to revising it yet. He had hoped that after correcting it three times, there wouldn’t be an error of this magnitude.

“You have good eyes,” he murmurs, turning to look at her.

Soma’s eyes dance around, her mouth suddenly dry. He only looked at her and said four words that count as a compliment. Yet here she was giddy like a lovesick fool. Well she only had that handsome face to blame.

“Thank you sir,” she manages to say.

“You must have spotted something else.” It was not a question.

She looks back at the plan.

“Well, the entry sequence is also off because of it. Someone comes in and the first thing they see is the staircase. Because it is a staircase, your eyes get pulled to what’s at the top, which happens to be the bedrooms. If we want privacy, which I’m sure we do, the staircase has to go.”

Remi nods. “Good.”

He straightens, giving her his full attention. “Now that you’ve pointed out the errors, give me a solution.”

“A solution?”

He tilts his head. “Were you trying to hit and run before?”

“Hit and run is very serious.”

Remi doesn’t blink at her words.

An awkward laugh leaves her lips. “Uh. Of course not.” She pauses for a beat. “We can move the staircase…to the wall between the living and dining zones. It still connects both floors, the structural load path isn’t dramatically different and the light issue gets resolved. Viola.”

“Not viola.” Soma’s smile almost dies at his words. “The structural wall still needs to be considered even when you move the staircase between the two areas. And the landing dimension will need to be checked against building control requirements.”

“Right.”

Remi stares at her. “But your idea works. The principle is sound.”

Soma’s smile comes back in full force, the sight stunning Remi. It’s full and unguarded, the kind that beams with quiet pride. He hadn’t seen her smile that brightly. And now that he did, he had to admit she’s beautiful.

He clears his throat, looking away.

“You can go now.”

“But you didn’t tell me what you wanted from me.”

He freezes, closing his eyes. Nothing was coming to mind. “Later. Just…go.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Only when she leaves, does he let out a sharp exhale.

No ‘sir.’ He couldn’t control the snort that leaves him. Soma tries really hard to be respectful to him since he’s her boss, but there are times like now when she slips.

But instead of it to be annoying, it’s…endearing.

He shakes his head. No more of that.

The plan on the table catches his attention. That’s when it dawns on him. Wait. That doesn’t make sense, he thought.

“Why is someone who works at front desk able to understand this?”

He goes back to his table, checking his computer and navigating to the HR files for a copy of Soma’s CV.

He reads it once. Then again, but slower.

“What the hell?” he quietly asks.

All he was seeing in it, no matter how many times he reads it, is a woman way too qualified for the role she was given. She didn’t have any experience or projects apart from her final year, but with the right questions, she would have answered in the way he wanted and gotten the Junior Design role.

He wasn’t available on the day of her interview because of the luxury wing he was dealing with, which was why he left Mr. Hassan in charge.

Before he could make a call, an image of Lara appeared.

“Of course.”

He had been coerced into doing a favor for the Maxwells. But he only agreed to it if no one qualified was hired. Obviously, the case was different.

Remi stands up and moves to the glass partition that looks out onto the main floor. He finds Soma immediately, as always, behind the desk with a focus so admirable.

Soma was too good for a mere front desk job.

He needed to come up with a plan. A plan that sets things right. One without flaws.

He goes back to his desk and opens a new document.

A plan that will bring you closer to me.

Puzzle pieces are shifting and moving. What next?

Continue to like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t❤️

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

This week made it almost three months since Soma started working at Obsidian. Not seeing Remi on Friday, just as the weekend started was a blessing, no disguise there.

For one day, she didn’t have to stand in front of the man like she was doing an oral exam.

But that bliss was over.

Monday was here.

As she settles behind her desk, the little energy she had woken up with had disappeared. The magic of Monday morning in the corporate space in Lagos.

Apart from seeing Lara’s annoying face, everything was going well. People hardly came in and she received a few calls. That was how it had been since she started here. So she had a lot of time to herself.

She hadn’t been summoned by the boss either—

The shrill beep-beep of the phone interrupts her peaceful solitude. For a second, she glares at the machine, her thoughts filled with the stubborn urge to ignore the call. She could say she didn’t hear it.

But as usual, that would be problematic, especially if it turns out to be a client. So she picks it up and places it by her ear.

“Obsidian Interiors. Good morning, how can I help you?”

“Come to my office,” Remi says and then hangs up.

Soma slowly turns her head to the receiver before glancing at the glass walls of her boss’s office.

Every time he calls, he lets her complete the greeting before revealing himself. It’s like he’s toying with her. Or testing her. Maybe testing her patience?

She lets out a sigh as she places the handset back into the console.

As she stands up, she mutters, “It’s all my fault. I’m the one to blame for my situation.”

Which is how she ends up crossing paths with Lara. She nearly walks into her, after ascending the stairs, but thank God for the stop button the Spirit pressed on time.

As soon as Soma realizes the being in front of her, she groans.

“Look. I don’t have the time or strength. Okay? Thank you.”

She side steps her, only for Lara to brush shoulders with her. Harshly. Soma winces form the pain, her hand latching onto the spot and gently massaging it.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Me? I didn’t do anything.”

“You just—”

Soma closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. In and out. In and out. Then, she opens her eyes.

“Bye.”

“You’re not going to apologize?”

A frown makes its way to Soma’s face, the sheer absurdity from Lara leaving her stunned.

“For what?”

“You just hit me!”

Soma’s jaw drops. “Am I being gaslighted here? Oh, I see. This is all just a bad dream. Okay.”

“Soma!”

“Don’t call my name like I’ve committed some kind of offense,” Soma grits out.

Lara takes a step closer to her, her head raised high with a confidence of a woman capable of destroying lives.

“I have had it enough with you in this place.”

“I should be the one saying that.”

“I’d like to add myself as number two to the list as well.”

Soma freezes. That was the voice of Remi. Her boss. The man she was supposed to meet.

And now he was behind her.

“Remi!” Lara whines. Soma lifts an eyebrow as a grimace appears on her face.

“This…girl you hired as a receptionist is rude!” She says in a voice that’s a 360 degree different from what Soma knew. To top it off, the sound was unpleasant for her eardrums.

Lara continues. “She just bumped into me and didn’t even say sorry.”

“I didn’t—” Soma pauses and does a quick review for her next words.

I didn’t touch you. Or do anything, you blind woman. Or maybe delusional suits you better since you have a habit of doing things and making it look like it never happened like some magic trick.

Something along those lines.

Which is bad. Worse since her boss is behind her.

Conclusion: Do not speak.

Soma grabs her face with her two hands and screams as loud as she can. Internally of course. Apart from a woman who can’t hold back on her sharp mouth, she didn’t want to look like a mad one too.

When she was done—she only needed five seconds—she removed her hands and sighed.

She turns to face the man behind her, who apparently had been watching her the entire time. A tight smile graces her lips as she speaks.

“I have no idea what she’s talking about.”

That’s better. Simple. Straight to the point. Blameless.

Lara scoffs. “Now, you’re just lying—”

“I believe the one lying here is you Lara,” Remi speaks up.

Soma’s eyes slightly widen and for a second, she thinks she may have misheard him.

“I’ve been outside my door for a while now. So I saw everything.” Remi’s eyes take a different form of intensity and sharpness, enough to make Lara cower and hide in a shell.

“Somadina, wait for me in my office.”

“Oh. Yes sir.”

Soma didn’t wait to hear it again. She just moved. While in his office, she couldn’t hear what he was saying. In the time, she had been here, Remi had never raised his voice.

Even when there was a huge mistake in one of the projects they were working on, courtesy of the team architect, he spoke calmly. And honestly, that was worse than shouting.

Soma was about to open the door when it opened. She scrambles back, acting like she didn’t make an attempt at eavesdropping, even though it was obvious.

Remi looks at her, still by the door. He shakes his head, deciding it’s better to ignore it, and closes the door.

“I’ve spoken to Lara. She won’t bully you again.”

Soma’s head snaps toward him so fast she could have gotten a whiplash.

“Bully?”

“Isn’t that what she’s been doing to you?”

Soma opens her mouth, but no words materialize. Remi walks to his table, then continues.

“I have eyes, Somadina. Though I’m ashamed to say I’ve noticed it only a few weeks ago.” His jaw tightens briefly. “And I asked the others here about it.”

Soma bobs her head, biting her bottom lip. “I see.” Thank God she didn’t resort to words and violence. “Thank you.”

“I only did what I was supposed to do.”

Before he can continue, his phone rings. He lifts his head to Soma and says, “Let me answer this and I’ll attend to you after. Just wait.”

“Okay sir.”

As he talks on the phone, her eyes wander about. Remi’s office never ceases to amaze her. She sees some drawings on the drafting table, and approaches them.

One of them piques her interest, that she picks it up, her brows twisting in a small frown. And that’s what Remi sees when his call ends.

“What are you doing?” he asks after watching her for a while.

She drops the paper with the speed of Flash, a speed she didn’t know she had in her. “Uhh…I’m sorry.”

“You’re always sorry.”

“Is that an observation or an insult?”

“Take it however you like.”

“An observation it is.”

The room goes quiet, that the only sound is that of her heartbeat. Soma points at the paper as a distraction. “You’re not the one who drew that right?”

Remi glances at the paper before returning his gaze back to her. “Junior. Why?”

She nods, somewhat relieved.

“There’s an error in the plan.”

Lara being Lara. Anyway, what next?

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Read previous chapters here

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• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Two months passes by. Somehow, Soma was able to keep her secret a secret. If somebody had told her that this would happen, she would never believe the person.

At this point, all she wanted to do was do a special thanksgiving on how by the grace of God she was not discovered by her boss and mortal enemy.

And when she says mortal enemy, she means Lara.

Lara was really a nepo baby, through and through. Which also meant she was useless. Every time Soma saw her, she couldn’t help but think ‘If it was me that they gave that role, they wouldn’t regret it. I’d make sure of that.’

But the only thing she could do was sigh and focus on her front desk duty.

Lara was either on her phone or trying to follow Remi around like some overly attached Chihuahua or terrorize Soma. The third being her favorite pastime.

Like three weeks ago when Soma was carrying a box of supplies and Lara bumped into her. The box fell to the floor with a slightly loud thud, with one of the corners landing on her toes.

“Oops.” Lara covered her mouth like some dainty princess, her eyes similar to a deer caught in the headlights. Every part of her look screamed innocence, but Soma knew her well enough.

The sight had attracted a bit of attention, the wrong type for Lara. So she walked away. No apologies. No help.

One of the friends Soma had made, Emmanuel, an architect, had helped her with the box.

Or like last week when Lara mistakenly swatted the cup of coffee that was on her desk as she described her weekend to Soma, which she didn’t ask. Thankfully, there wasn’t any electronics or documents and Soma was able to wipe off the brown liquid.

Lara had gasped and sang a lame sorry, followed by, “Work started early for you. Shame.”

Or two days ago when Soma was going into Remi’s office and Lara stopped her.

“Hello. Can you be such a darling and get me something to drink? When you’re done with Remi of course.”

Remi? She calls him by name? Soma had thought.

She took in a long breath before staring straight into Lara’s eyes with a smile sharp enough to cut her into two.

“I’m not interested in being a darling, Lara. You have two hands and two legs. You’re perfectly capable of getting yourself a drink.”

The words had left Lara out of words of her own, her entire being like a doll that has found out it’s about to be discarded.

Eventually, she was able to scoff. No words, but it seemed enough.

“Why’re you being so hostile about it? It’s literally your work.”

Soma’s eye twitched at Lara’s use of the word literally. Sometimes, people just loved to use that word to feel important, know it all, not basic. Everything that they’re not. Like Lara over here. And it was nauseating.

“My work is to manage reception. And answer to Remi.” She put his name in air quotes. “Now, I have to go and do just that.”

She left Lara there and with each step, she could hear the faint whining and attitude she was giving.

Ah God.

Before she could knock, the door to the office opened and Remi stood there in all his six feet glory.

“Good morning sir.”

He scowled. “I asked for your presence seven minutes ago. You’re late.”

Soma’s lips thinned. It’s all because of that girl you hired, dummy. If she says those words, she might as well say goodbye to any possibility of employment anywhere.

She forced the corner of her lips to curve upward and her mood to not sound as bitter as it actually is.

“I’m sorry sir.”

Remi watched her for a beat before opening the door wider for her to enter, standing behind it like a doorman.

Once she had entered, he closed the door and walked ahead of her to behind his desk, settling into the cushioned seat Soma regularly dreamed of sleeping in.

“I have two tasks for you,” he started. He tilted his head, leaning it on his fist, his elbow propped against the table. He stared at her, like he had nothing else to do.

Every time he asked her into his office—which was like once a day—he always did that. Focus on her.

Soma was used to it. She stared back, only to look away, to a point behind him occasionally. She might be used to the routine, but she sure wasn’t immune to the intensity of his stare. But despite it, he never spoke about anything not work.

Which meant she was safe. Glory be to God.

“Okay sir.”

“One, I need you to prepare for a meeting with a client this afternoon.” He went ahead to give her the necessary details.

“And the second?”

“I have a conference in Abuja on Friday and Saturday. I’ll send the information to your email. Help me book flight tickets and hotel rooms.”

All these are things you could just tell me by mail. But no, you want to torture me and watch me go mad, she thought.

“Alright. I will get started.”

Remi was still staring. “Is there anything else sir?” she asked him.

His brows furrowed, as if offended by something she said. Soma didn’t have time to dwell on it though. He answered her, “No.”

She nodded, not waiting for his signal for her to leave before rushing out. It didn’t seem like it with how dignified and demure she was about leaving, but Remi felt it.

Soma was running away from him. If it wasn’t for her job, she’d have avoided him altogether.

The problem was why.

He had been calling her into his office, hoping the five minute encounter with just the two of them would trigger something. He had a good memory. He remembered every single thing. Well, except for her.

He felt Soma was similar to the woman he believed was his soulmate from the gala. In fact, they are the same. But that couldn’t be. He remembered that man who had no respect for boundaries calling her Lilith when he stepped in to rescue her.

Lilith and Soma. Not the same.

Or maybe there was something there….

He pushed the thought aside, promising to do some findings after he had finished his work.

Findings he completely forgot about until the next week.

What do you think is going to happen now?👀

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Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Part 12

Soma let herself into the apartment, her joints aching. Lilith isn’t back from her photography gig yet.

“That girl better show up today,” she mutters.

After she had sent the text, Lilith had replied her with a running away sticker before typing that she has a long shoot today. Whether it was an excuse, Soma had no idea.

Soma stretches her arms and groans. She had been a walking ball of anxiety all day, wondering when Remi would suddenly put two and two together. But thankfully, her panic had been uncalled for.

From what she noticed, that man was far too buried in his blueprints to be concerned with anything else, not to mention his receptionist. She didn’t have a lot of tasks and didn’t get called into his office.

It was only when she clocked out that she let out a long sigh of relief.

But there was one more troubling thing. Lara.

She didn’t have any direct ruin-ins with her for the rest of the day. Soma noticed Lara barely did anything and was roaming about. When she was about leaving—earlier than her seniors by the way—their eyes had met, like a meme. Lara had simply glared at her and mouthed,

“What are you looking at?”

Then she hissed and turned away. Soma had stood up from her chair, mouth agape. Was she going to fight her? Of course not. That would be the end of her job. So…what?

Knowing she couldn’t do anything—especially if you consider she had some sort of connection—she hit her head on her desk and begged God for the grace of self-control.

Remembering it now as she washed off the day’s sweat, a fresh spark of annoyance lit up in her chest. She throws on her oversized house clothes and steps into the living room just as the front door clicks open, revealing Lilith.

The two of them lock eyes and freeze. In a split second, Soma launches herself across the room, jumping on her best friend.

“Wait! Wait! Please!” Lilith shrieks.

“I’m going to kill you today,” Soma vows, not listening to her.

“I’m sorry na. I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry!” She fake cries and Soma relents, jumping off.

She points an accusing finger at her. “You…you…” She balls her fists, letting out a silent, internal scream.

Lilith seizes the moment to scurry over to the sofa, all the while avoiding eye contact with her like a wounded dog.

“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating?”

Soma turns to her.

“Me? I’m exaggerating?”

“Eh, it’s almost every day you want to kill me nau. So…”

“But today I mean it.”

“Ehen?” Lilith pauses. “What did I do?”

“That party—”

“I thought that one has passed nau. You already gave me hell for it, especially because of that fool, Charles.” She shifts forward, her expression turning sour. “Can you believe he tried chatting me on Instagram? I gave him a piece of my mind and blocked him!”

“Not that,” Soma says quietly.

“Then what?”

“Did I not tell you about the lady I bumped into? And the man I met because of it?”

“You did? So you’re withholding gist from me?”

“I told you! That’s beside the point. The point is, which is also the problem, the man.”

“Yes, the man.” Lilith brightens. “Who I believe is a fine man that matches you like mad.”

Soma ignores her. “He’s my boss.”

Lilith stares at her, blinks and then frowns. “Boss? As in…your oga.”

“Yes.”

Lilith pulls back. “Ehen? But…but you were wearing a mask so…”

“He nearly recognized me! If not for his phone ringing—bless Jesus—he would have casted me.”

“Okay. Okay.”

“And now that I think about it, he may be the one who was in charge of designing that luxury wing.”

That gets Lilith thinking. “What’s the name of your company again? And your boss?”

“Obsidian. Remi Williams.”

Lilith’s jaw drops. “Remi Williams? The renowned bachelor architect? Ha. Problem o. Problem.”

“And whose fault is it?”

“Me.” Lilith points at herself and goes on her knees. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry my love.”

Soma drops to the floor. “To make matters worse, that lady I bumped into? She’s there too. She’s the one they hired for the Junior Design role.”

Lilith stands up, her protective instincts flaring. “That’s not fair na. I don’t know her, but it’s not right.”

“You probably know her.” Soma looks up at her. “Lara Maxwell.”

Lilith searches her memory and shakes her head. “Nothing comes to mind.”

“She’s the niece of the hotel owners.”

Lilith’s mouth opens and then closes soundlessly. “So…I miscalculated.”

“You don’t say.”

Lilith walks over and drops to the floor beside Soma, wrapping her in a tight hug. “But they didn’t recognize you. So all you have to do is keep it that way. Avoid any encounters with them. Especially Remi Williams. I heard he’s smart so try not to be in that man’s presence for more than one minute.”

Soma gives her a deadpan look. “He’s my boss, Lilith.”

“Sucks to be you, my dear.”

Soma raises a threatening fist, and she quickly recoils. “Sorry.”

Right then, Lilith’s phone begins to vibrate on the sofa. But when she sees the number, she hisses and ends the call. Soma watches her quietly.

“Dare is still disturbing you?”

“I should even block him sef.” She takes the phone back and blocks his number.

When Soma came back from the gala, she found Lilith curled up on the sofa, weeping. She didn’t get to ask what happened; Lilith just launched into it.

“He cancelled on me again! Last minute for that matter.”

“Are they doing him or what?”

“I don’t know. But I went to his place so I could talk to him. And then I found him just outside with a woman. I thought maybe it’s not what I’m thinking. So I decided to approach him only to see him making out with her.” Then she continued sobbing.

Soma had spent the night comforting her and only the next day, did she get to tell her about the gala.

“You’ve sha broken up with him abi?” Soma asks gently.

“I sent the text. That’s why he’s been calling.”

Soma rubs a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll find someone better, I promise.”

“Thanks.”

Right on cue, Lilith’s stomach let out a loud growl, shattering the emotional moment. She rubs her belly.

“Wo. I’m hungry o.”

Soma rolls her eyes, pushing herself off the floor and going into the kitchen. “I resemble restaurant abi?”

“My favorite restaurant,” Lilith sings, joining her.

Do you think Soma can actually be lowkey in this her office?👀

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Read previous chapters here

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• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

“Or is it that…”

A phone rings, cutting through the tension. Remi’s eyes cut to his desk where he left his phone. He crosses the room in three long strides, answering before the second ring.

“Good morning Mr. John. How are you?” he says, his tone shifting into effortless professionalism.

Soma exhales slowly. She sneaks a glance at him, watching him pace as he speaks. She looks away before she gets caught staring at him.

Remi is saying something when he turns to face Soma. He’d find out who she was later. Right now, business calls. He waves a dismissive hand, shooing both her and Mr. Hassan out of the office.

Only when they step outside and the door clicks shut, does Soma finally remember how to breathe.

“What was that you were doing in there?” Mr. Hassan hisses, turning on her the second they hit the corridor.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You were talking to the boss as if you were his mate!”

“No, no, no.” She waves her hands frantically, shaking her head in denial. “I didn’t…I swear I didn’t know. It was not on purpose.”

Mr. Hassan sighs, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

“You’re lucky Mr. Williams didn’t think anything of it.”

“Yes sir.” She drops her gaze. I’m even luckier that he didn’t figure out I was the lady from the gala. The thought curdles in her stomach.

“Just don’t do that again. With him or any of the authorities here,” he warns.

“I won’t.”

“Good. Let’s go over what your tasks are.” He gestures for her to follow him back down to the reception area.

Soma falls into step beside him. “Uhh. Quick question, Mr. Hassan.”

“What is it?”

Soma glances at him as they continue to walk. “You had this look on your face back there. Like I’m going to suffer working for Mr. Williams.”

Mr. Hassan halts and turns to her. “Me?” He laughs, awkward as it is, and Soma follows as well, even though she can’t see what’s funny.

“No. You must be mistaken.”

“I know what I saw, sir.”

“Eh. You’ll survive.” He gives her an assuring tap on her arm and smiles. “I believe in you.” Then he walks away, leaving Soma stunned.

“I’ll survive?” she mutters before quickly following him.

He leads her back to the front desk, mapping out her daily routine. Visitor log, call directory, handling deliveries. Soma listens, taking notes as well. Just as he’s giving her final tips for survival reasons, the heavy glass entrance doors swing open.

The click-clack of sharp stiletto heels announces the presence of the lady walking in. Both Mr. Hassan and Soma turns to her, watching her strut to the front desk like she’s the owner.

She wore a dark green V-neck sweater paired with a high waist, palazzo trousers. To top it off, the wig on her head that cascaded flawlessly past her shoulders was definitely a bone straight and she was sporting massive designer shades.

She reaches the desk and that’s when Soma notices her bold makeup, if her red lipstick is any indication.

“Remi Williams is inside, right?”

Soma raises a brow. Wow. No greeting. No respect. No…anything.

The lady doesn’t even wait for a reply. She starts to bypass the desk, turning toward the stairs, like she knows her way.

“Who are you?” Soma asks, her voice tight.

The lady freezes. She turns around with agonizing slowness, pointing a manicured finger at her own chest.

“Are you talking to me?”

Is there any stranger here besides you? Soma wanted to fire back. But if she was going to not get fired on her first day, she had better learn to control her tongue.

“Yes,” she says simply.

The lady scoffs before removing her glasses, going as far as to shake her head, flaunting her hair. It’s not even your natural hair, Soma thinks.

“The name’s Lara Maxwell. My uncle and aunt owns The Vanguard Hotels.” She pauses, looking Soma up and down, her face twisted with scorn.

“Though I doubt you would even know the hotel.”

Soma blinks. The Vanguard. Why does that sound familiar?

She stares at Lara’s face, a sickening sense of déjà vu washing over her. There was no way she related with someone as condescending as this brat.

Except…

She halts. The lady she bumped into. The incident that started all her problems at the gala.

She wasn’t entirely sure, but it was highly possible they were the same person. And did she say her uncle and aunt owns the hotel?

Vanguard. The hotel with the luxury wing. The hotel for the gala. Uncle and aunt…Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell? The hosts?

Soma covers her face with her two hands, fighting the urge to hide under the desk and probably from the world. It’s official. The universe hates her. First, the man she insulted and then nearly fell for his charm was her boss. Now, the niece of the hotel owners she had lied to was working here?

God, did I kill someone and lose my memory or did you just forsake me?

“Oh!” Mr. Hassan chimes. “You must be the one for the Junior Design role.”

Soma’s head whips toward him so fast her neck almost pops. Junior Design? This one?

Lara flips her hair, a smug smirk settling on her red lips. “Good that you know.”

Soma’s mouth hangs open. Did she really lose the job she applied for to her? This was clearly nepotism at its finest.

Mr. Hassan appears by Lara’s side in a blink. “Let me show you to your desk.”

“Desk? Shouldn’t it be an office?”

“You’re not a director or senior here, Lara.”

Lara hisses. “Na wa sef.” She gives a dismissive wave. “I guess I’ll have to manage it.”

Soma watches as the two of them leave. She sits at the desk, arranging things and at the same time, looking at the work area.

The warm, friendly atmosphere she had experienced minutes ago vanishes the moment Lara steps into the room. Lara doesn’t even acknowledge them and Soma could see the judging looks on her colleagues’ faces.

“That’s what she gets for behaving like that,” she mutters. “Good for her.”

Lara doesn’t seem to care though. She leaves them and heads straight for the second floor, pushing right into Remi’s office without even bothering to knock. The whole scene leaves Soma shocked.

“Do they know each other?” she asks herself as she stares at the closed door.

It would make sense. A personal connection was probably the only way a personality like Lara’s could land a job at a firm like Obsidian. Soma sneers at the office before sighing. Maybe Lara was actually worth it?

Lilith always told her not to judge people, but Lara was making it exceptionally easy.

Lilith.

She needs to tell her all the crazy things she has experienced in the last hour.

She brings out her phone and shoots her a quick text.

I will kill you today. And this time, I mean it.

Soma has too many problems inside one building😭

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Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Soma takes her sweet time staring at him. Now that it was day time and everywhere was bright, she could see him better. She knew he was fine, but the morning sun pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows gives him a glow-up, as if it was a Snapchat filter.

Remi Williams had a lean, broad shouldered build that his fitted charcoal dress shirt did nothing to hide, the sleeves folded and adding to the allure. His skin was deep brown and even, and once more, Soma was sure that his jaw was sharp enough to cut through anything.

The glasses were a new and unnecessary addition. Everybody knows fine men plus glasses equals dangerous territory.

Remi leans against the edge of the table he had been working at. He adjusts his glasses before crossing his arms over his chest. Then he watches her.

A slight scowl appears at her reaction to seeing him. Why is she standing there like a statue?

Mr. Hassan notices the silence stretching thin and turns to Soma. Only then does he notice her dumbstruck face. He taps her sharply on the shoulder and she startles, a tiny yelp leaving her mouth before she could stop it.

Remi’s eyebrow shoots up.

Soma looks between her boss, who she’s sure has formed an F grade opinion about her, and Mr. Hassan, whose annoyance is written all over his face as if it was in bold font.

“Oh. I’m—I’m sorry,” she blurts out.

“For what?”

Soma stares at Remi, surprised he’s speaking. For a moment, she’s transported to the garden, the moment when he spoke to her in that low, deep voice of his. The distance between them almost zero.

She closes her eyes, slamming the memory behind the door of things to never come to light, and focuses.

“Sir?”

“What are you sorry for?”

Soma’s mouth opens, but even if she wanted to speak, she couldn’t. Her brain had taken a huge hit from this man’s presence in her new place of work, that she’s unable to think properly. All the pep talk she had given herself, plus Lilith’s, everything had evaporated.

Her mouth keeps opening and closing, working without a sound, like a fish that found itself on dry land.

“Soma, the boss is talking to you nau,” Mr. Hassan speaks, his voice laced with irritation as he nudges her.

“Yes. I know. I’m sorry. Uh…” She pulls herself upright, plasters on her most polite expression, and extends her hands toward Remi as if she were giving a presentation. “I was apologizing for spacing out. That was very unprofessional of me.”

Remi tilts his head, his gaze drilling into her with about the same focus he gives his work. The sheer concentration of his stare unnerves her so much that she shifts her eyes to the spot beside his head, wearing her best polite smile.

A trick her father had taught her. Look near them, not at them, and they’ll never know the difference. She just hoped it was working.

“Name?” Remi asks.

“Somadina Eze. Soma for short.”

“Somadina it is,” he says, without a second of hesitation.

The full name from his mouth lands differently than she expected. She gulps, telling herself to remain composed.

“Yes sir.”

“Since Hassan is the one who hired you, I believe you’re capable.”

“Yes I am.”

Remi nods slowly. “You won’t just be doing front desk work. I may need your assistance from time to time, but I assure you I won’t overwork you. If I do…” He pauses to think about it—at least that’s what Soma thinks—and then gives a dismissive wave. “I’ll compensate you, I guess.”

Soma blinks. There is absolutely nothing assuring in what he has just said.

“Okay sir,” she says anyway.

She glances at Mr. Hassan, just in time to see him widening his eyes and pressing his hand flat over his mouth. The gesture was fast but unmistakable.

A bolt of panic shoots straight down her spine. She turns to him fully, but Mr. Hassan looks away.

God, have I entered a place that will drain the small life I have abi what?

“But…”

Soma snaps her focus back to Remi who’s looking at her again. He uncrosses his arms and holds his chin between his thumb and forefinger. Then, begins to walk toward Soma.

The office is not small. The space between them is a lot. Yet each of his footsteps sound very much like the beat of her frantic heart, the closer they get.

She does her best to stay composed, even if her insides were screaming at her to run away. She had spent the past ten minutes in his presence without being found out. This can’t be the moment the universe decides to fail her.

Remi stops a mere few inches away, his forehead creasing into a deep frown. There was something familiar about Soma. He let his eyes take her in, head to toe, and back. Her relaxed hair tied in a neat, high bun. Brown eyes. Peach long sleeved blouse, tucked into a black, high waist skirt with black pumps. Hands clasped in front of her.

He had never seen her before. Yet he couldn’t shake the feeling.

“We’ve met.”

Soma’s eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets.

“W-w-w-what?” She breathes out a laugh, her fake composure shattering. “W-what do you…mean?” she splutters.

“I’m asking if we’ve met.”

Soma twists her face before she can stop herself. This is definitely the same man she met that night, alright.

“That was not a question.” The words leave her mouth before her brain signs off on them.

Remi blinks. “Really?”

“Yes.” Oh how she wanted to strangle him. She nearly had a heart attack because of his so-called question, but here he is looking casual about it.

“Anyways. Have we met?”

It’s just like him to focus on what he wants, she thought.

“No sir,” she answers, her voice landing smoother than she deserves credit for. Her lips hold their smile. “We have not.”

“You’re familiar though.”

“I assure you we have never met. It doesn’t even make any sense.”

“How so?”

“Well.” She spreads her hands slightly, like she’s stating the obvious. “Your social standing is way, way, way above mine. There is no way we could have been in the same room.”

“We’re in the same room now.”

“Apart from this one,” she quickly adds.

A beat passes. Remi hums, low and thoughtful, and then bobs his head slowly. “That makes sense.”

He kisses his teeth. “But for someone who knows we’re of two different standings, you keep speaking to me like we’re standing on the same ground.”

“We kind of are?” she says slowly.

Remi raises a brow. “You know I meant figuratively.”

Soma realizes, half a second too late, that she has walked directly into that one.

“Right!” She quickly lowers her head. “I’m sorry sir.”

Remi shakes his head. Not with anger, but with something that looks like suppressed amusement.

Mr. Hassan chooses this moment to speak, clearing his throat. “Is there a problem sir?”

Soma cuts him a sideway glance. Problem ke?

Remi waves his hand. “Not at all.”

Then he goes quiet for a moment, his eyes still on Soma. “It’s strange sha. Why do you remind of this lady I met recently?” he mutters. “The two of you even speak the same way.”

“Jesus,” Soma mutters under her breath. She feels the ground shifting beneath her.

It’s only a matter of time before her boss connects the dots. She mentally scolded herself. This big mouth of mine will not put me in trouble.

“Or is it that…”

Soma holds her breath, closing her eyes and praying. God, do this one for me. Just this one and I will surrender to you completely.

Abeg.

What do you think our boss man wants to say?👀

Please continue to like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven’t❤️

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love

Soma was genuinely grateful that the new week had begun. The weekend had felt unnecessarily long, her mind looping back to that night at the hotel like a broken record.

The garden. The fountain. The way he had looked at her as he told her he liked her.

She shakes her head on the bus. No, no. Let’s not go there.

The person seated beside her gives her a weird look. She notices and offers an awkward smile, before taking out her phone and burying her face in it. She scrolls through her WhatsApp mindlessly, not really reading anything, just needing somewhere to put her eyes.

There were messages from her parents wishing her luck at her first day at work. The corners of her lips pull up in a small, genuine smile. This morning, her mother had spent close to thirty minutes on the phone praying for her. Her father had chipped in too, his words brief the way it always was when he was trying not to show he cared.

Even with all that, she was still seeing a long paragraph in her DM. Well, she couldn’t blame them. This wasn’t a time to be without a job or means of income at all. Not in this economy. Now that she had found one, she had to do well.

Even though it wasn’t the one she applied for.

A sigh leaves her lips. She had applied for a junior design role at Obsidian Interiors. She had spent her evenings doing research, looking through possible questions, wanting to look very capable. She only had her final year project to speak for her so she needed to prepare in every other way.

But when she got there for her interview, the person in charge barely asked her questions concerning it. Just took one look at her CV, nodded and asked if she had experience in secretarial work.

She did, when she had written WAEC and JAMB back then. She had assisted the head admin at a local school, not wanting to sit at home and do nothing. Basically doing all the tasks of the woman who loved gossip and eating more than anything else.

But that was not what she had put on her CV.

“Excuse me, but your question doesn’t relate to the job I applied for?” she had asked.

The man chuckled, even though there was nothing funny about it. “I know. We actually had two openings. One for the design role and the other for front desk. Unfortunately, we already hired someone for the former.”

The disappointment that ran through Soma had been cold and specific. It settled somewhere within her and stayed there like it had paid rent.

“I see.”

“I know it’s hard, but I like you and I want to give you a chance at the company.”

“By working at the front desk.”

“The pay is actually good. With benefits too.”

She had sat with it for a day before calling him back.

Soma gets off the bus and strolls, adjusting her handbag on her shoulder. Obsidian Interiors is about five minutes away from the bus stop. The walk is quiet, safe for the hawkers setting up and the distant sound of a generator running somewhere.

She stops in front of the two-story building and takes it in properly for the first time.

From the outside, it didn’t look like the kind of place that handled building projects like the art museum she was obsessed with, that cost millions. Just clean lines, tall windows and a matte black plaque at the center that read Obsidian Interiors.

She straightens her shoulders.

She had been blindsided at that interview, but she was in need of something. Anything. Since it was still the same company, it worked.

No matter what, working as a front desk receptionist was better than nothing.

She greets the security as she steps inside the building. Her lips part as she takes in the place. The outside might have been basic, but the interior was cooler, classy, soft. The floors were warm, pale wood. The walls were a muted white with framed architectural sketches she immediately wanted to get closer to.

Everything was precise. The air was different, and it suddenly made sense why they had a reputation.

She didn’t have enough time to gawk. Not when Mr. Hassan, the man from her interview, was already moving toward her.

“Good morning sir.”

“Good morning Soma. You’re on time.”

“It’s my first day after all.”

He nods, impressed. “Good, good.” He rubs his hands together, glancing round. “Let me introduce you to everyone first, before I tell you the dos and don’ts. And what your job is.”

“Thank you.”

She follows him and he shows her the desk where she’ll be working. The reception area opens into the design studio, separated by a low divider that didn’t really block anything. From the desk, Soma could see almost everything—the people moving around, material samples spread across tables.

Mr. Hassan shows her the small waiting lounge, the pantry, sample library, meeting room before guiding her to the studio where everyone was. Mr. Hassan calls for their attention.

“Morning everyone.”

Greetings came back in a loose, overlapping wave, and then every pair of eyes shifted to Soma. They didn’t even bother to hide their curiosity.

“This is our new hire—”

“Junior design?” a lady interrupts, leaning forward with barely contained hope.

“Uh no,” Soma answers. She points to the reception. “Front desk.”

“Oh.” The lady sits back, her expression deflating.

“Jennifer, allow me to finish speaking before jumping to conclusion nau?” Mr. Hassan teases.

“Sorry sir.”

Mr. Hassan shakes his head. “Anyways, she’ll be working at the front desk. Please make her feel welcome.”

“Hello. I’m Somadina Eze. Just call me Soma.”

“Ooohhh, Igbo babe,” a young guy from the back says with a huge grin on his face. Soma chuckles.

They begin to introduce themselves. They’re not a lot of people. Just about nine of them. The team seemed friendly to Soma.

“So,” Mariam starts, facing Mr. Hassan. “If Soma is at the front desk, who’s the junior?”

“She hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Na wa o. By this time?” Wole, the guy from earlier, speaks, making a face.

“Toorh. She’ll sha hear it from the boss,” Emmanuel says.

“Mr. Williams is around?” Mr. Hassan asks.

“Since.”

Mr. Hassan turns to Soma. “Let’s go up. You didn’t get to see him during the virtual interview.”

She nods and follows him to the second floor, her heart fluttering with curiosity. What kind of man is her boss, Mr. Williams? The man behind Obsidian Interiors?

She had seen the projects. The residential complex in Lekki that delivered differently from others. The art museum in Ikoyi that opened recently.

To be able to do such amazing plans, unimaginable…he’d have to be extraordinary.

Mr. Hassan shows her the conference room. He then stops in front of a door, knocks three times and waits.

“Come in,” a deep, familiar voice calls out.

He opens and they both enter. Soma takes in the office in one sweep and something in her chest quietly rearranges itself. One wall was entirely glass, light pouring across his desk. Built in shelves lined the side. The arrangement of things wasn’t conventional.

Of course, his personal space will be no exception to his magic.

“Good morning sir.”

Soma returns back to reality and greets him just like Mr. Hassan. She looks at Mr. Williams but he’s hunched over his other table, reviewing papers. It’s as if she and Mr. Hassan were invisible.

“Uh. Should we come back another time, sir?”

That gets him to pause. “No need.” He straightens and sighs, cracking his neck. “Morning. What is it?”

“Oh. I just wanted to introduce the new front desk to you.”

He turns and the smile on Soma’s face vanishes.

He looks exactly the same as when she last saw him. The same composed, unbothered persona.

Mr. Hassan turns to Soma, oblivious to the drop in temperature around her. “That is the boss. Remi Williams.”

It takes everything to not let her jaw drop hit the floor. She just stands there, asking herself why the man she ran away from at the gala was in the place where she was now working.

Worse…he was her boss?

Dun dun dun. Let the fun begin!😂

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Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon's Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn't Do Love

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Soma turns back to him. “You said?”

The man straightens, walking toward her with a small, knowing smile. “Nothing. I just didn’t think anyone would notice…all of those things.”

Soma chuckles, settling onto the cool marble edge of the fountain. Beneath her palms, the stone was smooth. The water kept its steady, unhurried rhythm, unbothered by the happenings in the room.

“Right? The people here just want to see if their money was spent correctly.”

“Exactly.”

She tilts her head, watching him through the eye-slits of her mask. There was something about him she couldn’t quite place. The way he held himself, like a man who was used to rooms full of people but was never really in them.

“And you?”

“What about me?”

“Is there any difference between you and everyone else?”

“Hm.” The man looks up at the artificial stars, considering the question like an actual one. Then he sits beside her. “A bit.”

Soma narrows her eyes slightly. “You’re not going to explain.”

He smiles and then taps the surface of his own mask. “We’re supposed to be anonymous according to the theme, are we not?”

“Ah.” Soma blinks. “I forgot.”

Soma mentally scolded herself. Here she was, trying to peel back the layers of a stranger, while she was currently buried under her friend’s identity. Something must have come over her. blame the garden and its unreasonable, mind altering ambience.

“I could still tell you, though,” he says, his voice dropping an octave. “Everything you want to know about me.”

She looks at him, confused. “I don’t think you should,” she says slowly.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want it to be a vice-versa kind of thing. I like that we don’t know each other’s identities and all.”

He nods, mulling it over. “Understandable. But…” He reaches up, unlatches his mask in one quick motion. And then locks eyes with her. “You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to.”

Soma’s lips part, her breath hitching. The man beside her wasn’t just fine—he was devasting. Sharp jaw, steady, piercing eyes that make you feel and a face that had no business existing casually in the same room as other people.

Suddenly, she was cursing whoever thought of the masquerade theme because why would you make this man shield a face like that? What a waste.

“Hello? Are you there?” he asks, throwing her own words back at her with quiet amusement.

“Uhh…” She drags the syllable out until her senses return from the faraway land it drifted to. “Yes.” An awkward laugh leaves her. “Do you think my soul travelled somewhere like those village witches?”

“I didn’t, but now that you mention it, I am considering that may be the case.”

“Have I mentioned that you’re rude?”

“Yes. But that was before you saw my face.”

Soma blinks. “Okay…”

“Do you still think that after the face reveal?”

Soma laughs, clapping her hands in that unbelievable manner. “Wow. I have never in my entire life seen anybody with as much arrogance as you.”

He leans back, looking unbothered as usual. “I see you’re immune to my face.” He clicks his tongue. “Shame.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I wanted to seduce you with my looks, but the plan failed.” He looks at her again, this time, leaning in close enough for her to catch the scent of his cologne. “Now I have to find another way.”

Soma stares at him, robbed of her ability to speak. The proximity was enough to cut off her reasoning. She turns away, exhaling a long, shaky breath. Men are very dangerous people, she thought. Maybe this one is one of those Yoruba demons?

Soma didn’t have much experience with men. After the one boyfriend she had in university dumped her for a younger girl who better fit his ‘vibe’, she focused on building herself. Not that there were any who approached her seriously anyway.

The man tilts his head, his face drifting back into her line of sight with the patience of someone who had nowhere else to be. “Why are you looking away from me?”

Soma scowls, though he couldn’t see it behind the wine-colored silk. Thank God for the mask. “Why should I even look at you?”

“Oh. I see.”

Soma looks at him despite herself, refusing to give him a reply. It clearly disturbs him that she doesn’t speak, because he fills the silence almost immediately.

“You’ve gone quiet.”

“Hm. It’s either I keep quiet or I call you exactly what’s on my mind.”

“Which is?”

“Fool.”

The man bursts into laughter which only confuses her. A rich, full sound that had no business being so warm, echoing through the garden. It goes on just long enough that Soma finds herself watching him, committing the beautiful scene into memory. That’s the only reason why she was patient for that long.

“Oh my God,” he says finally, pressing a hand to his chest as he looks at her. “You really know how to hit someone where it hurts.”

“I do my best.” She stands up, smoothing the front of her gown. If she stays a minute longer, she didn’t know what she’d do. “I think the coast should be clear.”

The man rises as well, moving to stand in her path. “Wait. Your hair.”

He reaches out, his fingers gentle as he fixes the strands of her wig that has begun to go astray. Soma holds her breath. If she thought their closeness before was bad, then she had no words for this one.

He was close enough that she could have counted his eyelashes if she looked up, which she absolutely was not going to do. She stares instead at some neutral point just past his shoulder and focuses very hard on the sound of the fountain.

Maybe it was because he was attractive, or because in this moment, he looked very caring. Like he was handling something he didn’t want to break. Whatever the reason, Soma’s pulse had become someone else’s problem.

The man, on the other hand, had frozen in place. He wasn’t thinking when he offered to adjust her hair. Which was why that now he was in this position, their bodies barely inches apart and the garden impossibly quiet, something in him with no prior record of existence was taking over. And he let it.

His hand moves to her chin and gently tilts her face up to meet his. Soma’s eyes widen.

“Ah. What am I going to do?”

“What do you mean?” she asks quietly.

“I think I like you.”

“W-wh-wh-what?” she splutters. Her hands flutter nervously, with no clear destination, making him smile.

“I don’t mean it in a romantic way,” he whispers, though his eyes suggest otherwise. “I’d really be a fool if that were the case.”

“Then?”

“I just like you as a person,” he says plainly. “You’re fun. You don’t mince words. You understand architecture.” He pauses. “And you’re beautiful.” He says the last part like he’s admiring an ethereal piece of art.

“You haven’t seen my face.”

“I don’t need to see your face to know that.”

Soma opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Never in her life has a man rendered her speechless the number of times this one has.

“I also think,” he adds, almost like an afterthought, “you might be a problem for me.”

“A problem how?”

Before he can speak, loud shouts of excitement—laughter, music swelling, applause—erupts from the main hall, breaking their moment. Soma takes that as her cue to escape the magnetic pull of this stranger.

“I think I should go now.”

She doesn’t wait for a response. She spins around, pushes through the doors and vanishes into the crowd. Without looking back once.

Because if she does, she might stay.

Lots of things are happening sha🤭

Please continue to like, comment and share❤️

Read previous chapters here

Read my previous stories:

• The Deacon’s Daughter

• We Were Friends Once

• She Doesn’t Do Love