Binary Hearts

62| In the Eye of the Storm 🌪️☁️

The morning sun, veiled by thick clouds, cast a dim glow over the room as Tunde stood in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting his black blazer. His reflection stared back at him, sharp and imposing in the perfectly tailored suit. His crisp white shirt, partially hidden beneath the dark fabric, only enhanced the gleam of his silver wristwatch—a subtle contrast to the overall mood. He reached for his cologne, spraying a light mist that filled the room with a sophisticated, intoxicating scent.

From the corner of the room, Adeola observed him in silence. Her breath hitched, not just at the sight of his freshly groomed appearance but at the aura of purpose he exuded. It was as if the day held something significant, something powerful. She broke the silence, her voice tinged with curiosity as she asked, “Did you get a haircut? You look… different. Almost like you’ve been waiting for today.”

Tunde chuckled softly, his deep voice reverberating in the stillness. “I went to the barber yesterday. Thought I’d freshen up for the week,” he replied, the smile never leaving his face. Adeola's gaze lingered on him, a quiet admiration blooming within her.

As she slipped into her own black suit, she felt a shift inside herself, a feeling she hadn’t noticed before. There was a harmony in how they looked together, dressed in dark, professional attire, exuding confidence and control. The Phoenix embroidery on her suit shimmered under the soft light, golden threads forming an elegant pattern across the front. For a brief moment, a vision crossed her mind—of her standing beside Tunde, not just as his business partner but as something more.

Tunde turned to her, his eyes drawn to the intricate design of her suit. “You look incredible,” he said, his tone more sincere than ever. The compliment sent a rush of heat to her cheeks, though she brushed it off quickly. This wasn’t the time to dwell on feelings. Not yet.

They stepped out of the house together, their movements in sync, and slid into Tunde’s Audi Q7. The SUV roared to life, carrying them through the bustling city streets toward Spark Technologies. As they approached the company, however, something felt off. The crowd outside the building was unusually large, and the closer they got, the more unsettling it became.

The entrance was a chaotic sea of reporters and onlookers, cameras flashing incessantly. Tunde’s phone had been buzzing for hours, but it remained in silent mode, leaving him oblivious to the storm that awaited him. Adeola glanced nervously at him as they pulled up.

“Tunde, what’s happening?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a cold dread beginning to creep over her.

The moment the Audi came into view, the crowd surged toward it, shouting questions, waving microphones, and thrusting cameras forward. The air was thick with tension as Tunde stepped out, immediately shielded by his imposing presence. He quickly circled the car to Adeola’s side, offering her his hand. She took it, though her mind was racing, barely able to keep up with the commotion unfolding before her.

“Mr. Tunde! What’s your response to the app crash again? Smoke Payment users are demanding answers! Millions are missing from their accounts!”

“How do you plan to recover from this disaster?”

“Who’s the woman with you? Is she part of the executive team?”

Their voices overlapped in a cacophony of accusations, speculations, and blame. Adeola shrank slightly under the intensity of the flashing lights and the aggressive tone of the questions, but Tunde’s firm hand on her back kept her grounded. His expression remained calm, his face a mask of unflinching composure, though she could feel the tension radiating from him.

Within minutes, the security team from Spark Technologies descended upon the scene, pushing through the throng of reporters to escort them inside. The heavy glass doors closed behind them with a soft thud, sealing off the chaos outside.

But inside, the atmosphere wasn’t much better.

The boardroom was charged with frustration, voices raised in heated debate. As soon as Tunde and Adeola stepped in, all eyes turned toward them, the room falling into an uncomfortable silence for a brief moment before erupting again.

“Tunde, this is a complete disaster!” one of the board members shouted, slamming his fist onto the table with enough force to make the documents on it jump. “The Smoke Payment app crashing again has cost us millions! Our reputation is crumbling!”

“And where were you when all of this was happening?” another board member chimed in, his tone dripping with accusation. “People are walking out! We’re losing key personnel from engineering and marketing. This isn’t just about money anymore—it’s about our credibility!”

Tunde remained quiet, his jaw clenched as he listened to the barrage of complaints. Adeola, standing beside him, could feel the tension in the air thickening with each word. The pressure was mounting, and though she was accustomed to high-stakes situations, this felt different. This felt personal.

The criticisms continued, each word sharper than the last. “We were the leading innovators in the market,” someone said bitterly. “But now, our competitors are laughing at us. And to top it all off, the public scandal is just the final nail in the coffin.”

Adeola stole a glance at Tunde, noticing the way his shoulders stiffened ever so slightly. He was holding it together, but she knew it was only a matter of time before the weight of it all would become too much. Yet, she remained silent, knowing that stepping in would only make things worse. This was Tunde’s battle to fight, and she could only watch from the sidelines, for now.

As the meeting dragged on, it became clear that this wasn’t just about a glitch in the system. This was about leadership, trust, and the future of Spark Technologies. By the time it finally ended, Tunde and Adeola were exhausted, both emotionally and physically. They left the boardroom without a word, the silence between them heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Elsewhere, Adaora sat on her couch, scrolling through her phone with growing concern. The news about the Smoke Payment crash had spread like wildfire, and Tunde was at the center of it all. Headlines screamed for his accountability, and the comments from the public were relentless, each one harsher than the last.

“Tunde Adeyemi is finished.”

“Spark Technologies is a sinking ship, and Tunde’s steering it straight into the ground but what about the new CEO?”

Adaora’s heart ached as she read through the posts. Despite everything that had happened between them, she couldn’t help but feel worried. She knew Tunde well enough to know that this would be eating him alive. The thought of him going through this alone made her chest tighten.

She tossed her phone aside and stood by the window, staring out at the busy street below. A part of her wanted to reach out to him, to offer some sort of comfort. But another part of her hesitated. Their relationship was complicated, and things between them had been strained ever since they decided to take a break.

But deep down, she knew that break was the last thing she wanted.