Binary Hearts

9| Silent Struggles and Unspoken Emotions 🙂

As Ada returned to the island, the night had already fallen into a quiet stillness. She made her way back to the company, feeling a deep emptiness settle in her heart. The absence of Tunde was palpable, and it left her feeling lonely and drained. She tried to sleep, but the silence of the empty office was too overwhelming. Restless, she found herself at Tunde's desk, turning on his desktop and playing games in an attempt to distract herself.

As the hours passed, the glow of the screen softened her tension, and eventually, she dozed off, her head resting on her folded arms atop the desk. The quiet hum of the computer filled the room, lulling her into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Ada was jolted awake by the loud horn of a bus outside the building. She rubbed her eyes, disoriented, and looked out the window. To her surprise, it was Tunde's bus. She quickly straightened herself up, feeling a mix of relief and excitement.

Tunde entered the office with a broad smile. "Good morning, Ada. I see you couldn't sleep well," he remarked, noticing her tired eyes.

Ada chuckled, embarrassed. "Yeah, it was a bit lonely without you here."

"I missed you too," Tunde said warmly. "I bought a bus to help with the product deliveries. Came to get everything ready for sale."

Ada's eyes widened in surprise. "A bus? That's amazing, Tunde! Let me help you pack the products."

They worked together, packing the boxes of products into the bus. The rhythm of their movements and the shared task brought a sense of normalcy back to Ada. She felt a renewed energy and purpose, knowing they were working towards something important.

Once they were done, Ada got dressed for the office. Tunde glanced at her, a proud smile on his face. "You look ready to conquer the world."

She laughed. "Well, I have to be. Let's go."

They both left, parting ways as Ada headed to Paystack. At the office, life seemed to move at a brisk pace. Ada immersed herself in her work, trying to push the morning's weariness aside. However, as she approached Paul's office to discuss the new project, she overheard a conversation that made her pause.

Mrs. Abosede's voice was sharp and insistent. "Paul, I heard you're considering making Ada the team lead for this project. I think that's a mistake. She's new here and doesn’t have the experience."

Paul responded calmly, "Ada has shown great potential. She has innovative ideas, and I believe she can handle it."

Ada's heart sank as she stood behind the door, listening to Mrs. Abosede’s objections. The unnecessary hatred pierced through her, leaving her heartbroken. She stepped away quietly, not wanting to confront them.

Back at her desk, Ada tried to shake off the hurt. She focused on her designs, pouring all her emotions into creating something special. She worked diligently, crafting designs for her team and even making a personal design for the same project, hoping to prove her worth.

The day passed in a blur of creativity and determination. Ada knew she had to rise above the negativity and show everyone what she was capable of. As the sun set and the office began to empty, she remained at her desk, perfecting her designs, driven by an inner fire to succeed.

The chapter of her life was changing, and Ada was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with or without the approval of Mrs. Abosede.

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

Late at night, Chidi Okoye sat in his office, the soft glow of his computer screen illuminating the room. He noticed lights still on in the workers' office area and decided to investigate. As he approached, he saw a figure hunched over a desk, absorbed in work.

"What are you still doing in the office at this time?" Chidi asked, his voice breaking the silence.

There was no reply. Moving closer, he realized it was Ada, the new girl, asleep at her desk. Curiosity piqued, Chidi leaned over to see what she had been working on. His eyes widened in surprise and admiration as he saw the design of the new version of the Paystack app.

"This is it," he murmured to himself, a heavy smile spreading across his face. He gently took off his classic suit, with his name embroidered on the collar, and draped it over Ada's shoulders. He left quietly, leaving her undisturbed.

The next morning, as workers began to resume, whispers filled the air. The sight of the CEO's suit covering Ada sparked curiosity and gossip.

"Did she sleep at the office?" one worker whispered to another.

Ada woke up, feeling awkward as all eyes were on her. She quickly composed herself, surprised by the suit draped over her. She looked around, confused by the situation.

"I think she's secretly dating the CEO," one worker speculated, causing others to exchange knowing glances.

Mrs. Abosede approached, her face stern. "So this is what you're here for?" she said harshly, addressing the group of workers gossiping.

"Good morning, Ma," everyone greeted in unison, sensing the tension.

"And you...!" Mrs. Abosede began, moving closer to Adaora, but she was interrupted.

"Good morning, everyone," the CEO, Chidi Okoye, interrupted, and everyone composed themselves, including Mrs. Abosede. "There will be a meeting with the UI/UX designer and Project Management team in one hour. So get yourselves prepared and finish your unfinished tasks."

He paused, then added with a smile, "And when are you going to return my suit?"

Everyone looked confused, but as Chidi moved closer to Adaora, many understood immediately. Mrs. Abosede's frustration was evident.

"Oh! Sorry, Sir. I was... still wondering how it got here," Ada replied shyly and nervously. "I'll wash it and return it to you immediately tomorrow."

"Don't sleep in the cold next time," Chidi said gently before leaving.

Ada could feel the stares and whispers following her as she made her way to her desk. She focused on her work, determined not to let the gossip affect her. Despite the awkward start to her day, she felt a newfound determination.