Binary Hearts

60| Echoes of Deception 😖

The sun had started to set as Adeola and Sam returned from the restaurant, both satisfied after a hearty meal. Adeola had barely spoken on their way back, her mind replaying the events of the morning. They walked into the house, and as soon as they did, they found Tunde on a call in the living room. His tone was serious, as though discussing something critical.

Tunde's voice cut through the air as they entered. "Yeah, Mide, I need more than that... all you found was that Dr. Lawson left for the UK?" he asked, pacing. "Oh! You also sent the pictures and his details to my Gmail? Good. Thanks." He ended the call, running a hand through his hair just as Sam greeted him.

Tunde gave Sam a nod, barely acknowledging his presence before walking away into his home office. Inside, he immediately sat down at his desk and opened his laptop to check the email Mide had sent him. His eyes skimmed through the pictures and scant information, frustration creeping in. He needed more. Dr. Lawson's sudden departure from the country wasn't enough to satisfy him.

He sighed heavily, pulling out his phone to call Adeola, "Adeola, come to the office now." He waited, but there was no response. With a frown, he called Sam.

Sam rushed in almost immediately, as though sensing the urgency in Tunde's tone. "Yes, sir?"

"Tell Adeola this is a business matter and she should come here immediately."

Sam nodded and ran off to relay the message. Not long after, Adeola appeared in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest, her face still guarded.

Tunde gestured toward the chair. "You can sit down."

"I'm fine standing," Adeola replied coolly.

Tunde cleared his throat, adjusting his posture as if preparing for a more formal conversation. "I heard you were a press personnel before. Is there any way you could get more information about this man?" He handed her a picture of Dr. Lawson. "I need as much as you can dig up."

Adeola's eyes flickered as she looked at the image. "I know him," she said softly.

"Ope oo! Please, tell me what you know," Tunde pressed, a rare excitement in his voice. He could already feel he was close to a breakthrough.

But Adeola didn't respond. She simply stood there, her expression unreadable.

"Look, you better reply. This is business-"

Adeola cut him off, her voice steely, "Today is Sunday. I have no right to be professional today."

Tunde blinked, realizing she was still upset from earlier. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry about what happened earlier." His tone was forced, but he tried to sound genuine.

"Apology not accepted," Adeola snapped, turning toward the door just as the doorbell rang.

With an annoyed sigh, Adeola left the office and headed to the front door. She opened it, only to come face-to-face with a woman she instantly recognized: Adaora.

Adaora stood at the threshold, scanning Adeola up and down with a look of mild disdain. Her light complexion practically glowed in the evening light, and her figure was curvaceous, a fact she made no attempt to hide.

"I want to meet Tunde," Adaora finally said, her voice smooth but cold. "Will you just let me in?"

Adeola raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What's your business with him?"

"I should be asking you that," Adaora retorted, folding her arms.

Tunde, hearing the commotion, came down the stairs, his brows furrowing as he saw the two women at the door. "Adeola, who's there?"

"Just some random girl," Adeola said dismissively. "Maybe she's here for Chidi."

The second Tunde saw her, realization hit. "Adaora!" he said softly, his voice dropping an octave. "Let her in."

Adeola moved aside reluctantly, shooting Adaora a glare as she walked in.

"Sorry about that..." Tunde said to Adaora as he led her to a seat. "She's... she's my personal assistant."

"Personal assistant?" Adaora echoed, her eyebrows raised. "I see."

"I wanted to thank you in person for the birthday gift," Adaora said after a pause, though her words seemed awkward, as though there was more she wanted to say but couldn't. The air between them was tense, heavy with unspoken words.

Tunde, sensing her discomfort, quickly changed the subject. "How's work? I heard you have a new office now."

Adaora perked up slightly at the question, though the tension in her shoulders remained. "Yes, the Bybit partnership is going well. Things are progressing positively, but I'm a lot more occupied now."

Tunde nodded, trying to keep the conversation light. "And... Your stepmom? Hope she isn't trying to take your place?" Adaora asked.

Tunde's smile was wry. "She hasn't made any moves yet" he replied.

"But be careful. I wouldn't trust anyone in that company if I were you." As Adaora spoke, her eyes flickered toward Adeola, who was quietly working in the kitchen. A memory flashed in Adaora's mind-Adeola, standing with her friends at a party months ago, the two of them humiliating her in front of everyone. How could Tunde be associating with someone like that? Is this some kind of revenge? she wondered.

Tunde's attention remained on Adaora, expecting her to bring up their past relationship. He anticipated that she might ask to rekindle what they once had, but the moment never came. Instead, Adaora stayed neutral, chatting politely before excusing herself.

"I'll be heading out now," she said, her tone casual, though something about her demeanor felt distant, as though she were holding back. Tunde escorted her to her car, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like a stranger in his presence.

After Adaora drove off, Tunde made his way back inside, his frustration from earlier bubbling up again. He found Adeola in the living room, still simmering with anger from their previous argument.

"What the hell was that about? Why would you block my visitor like that?" Tunde asked, his voice laced with irritation.

"Your visitor, huh?" Adeola spat back. "Do you even know who that girl is?"

"Of course I do! She's... she's my girlfriend!" Tunde said, his tone uncertain as if trying to convince himself.

Adeola laughed bitterly. "Girlfriend? Oh, also Chidi's girlfriend? Now I get it."

Tunde's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Adeola shrugged, her voice dripping with disdain. "Adaora... she's for the streets."

"How dare you!" Tunde snapped, his voice rising with anger. He took a step closer. "Tell me what's going on, Adeola, before I get too angry."

Adeola met his gaze, her expression defiant. "Maybe you've forgotten that I'm a proud Omo Yoruba not a gentle yet cunning igbo snake. If you want information from me, you better ask politely. In fact, you'll beg for it."

And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Tunde fuming and utterly confused.