Binary Hearts

65| A Taste of Change 😋

Mide sat across from Mr. Okoye's assistant in a dimly lit café, a somber expression on his face. He had rehearsed this conversation countless times, but now that it was happening, the weight of it hit him harder than he expected.

"I won't be withdrawing my shares from Spark Technologies," Mide said, his tone firm yet controlled. "Plans have changed."

The assistant raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. "Do you realize how Mr. Okoye will react to this? He’s expecting you to follow through with the agreement."

Mide shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't care," he replied, standing up as the assistant rose with him. They shook hands, albeit reluctantly, and Mide walked out of the café, his thoughts drifting back to Adeola. Her image lingered in his mind, the curves of her silhouette, the way she spoke, her confidence—it was intoxicating.

Back at Tunde's house, Adeola was in the kitchen, her fingers moving rhythmically as she prepared a meal of Indomie. She placed a pot of water on the stove, waiting for it to boil. Next, she meticulously chopped the vegetables—green peppers, carrots, lettuce, and green beans. Each slice was precise, as though she were creating a masterpiece. Once the water began to bubble, she added the noodles, stirring occasionally.

The aroma filled the kitchen, a rich mix of spices and fresh vegetables. She sautéed the green peppers and carrots, adding a dash of seasoning before tossing them into the pot. As the noodles softened, she added the green beans and lettuce, letting the mixture simmer for a few more minutes. It was vibrant, a colorful array of greens and orange mixing with the soft, golden strands of noodles.

Just as Adeola was reaching for the boiled eggs to slice, her phone rang. It was a video call from her parents. She quickly propped her phone up on a nearby wardrobe, careful to angle it so she could still tend to the stove while speaking.

"Bàwo nì òmó mí?" her mother asked, her face lighting up the screen.

"I'm fine, Mom. How are you? And Dad?" Adeola replied, glancing at the pot to ensure nothing was overcooking.

"We're good," her mother answered. "Your dad is right here."

Her father moved into the frame, smiling warmly. "I heard about your job...," he began, his voice low.

Before Adeola could respond, her mother interjected, "I've been telling her for months to leave that job. That boss of hers is no good, always taking advantage."

Adeola sighed, already used to these kinds of comments. "Mom, Dad, I've already gotten a new job. Didn't my brother Paul tell you?"

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And where are you now?"

"At my boss’s place," Adeola responded, stirring the noodles one final time before turning off the heat.

Her mother leaned closer to the screen, whispering, "Boss or boyfriend? Which is it? You can tell me; your father won’t hear."

"Mom!" Adeola exclaimed, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "There's something important I need to ask you both," she started, but before she could continue, she heard footsteps behind her.

Tunde had walked into the kitchen, a curious expression on his face. "I've been hearing you talking to yourself," he teased lightly.

"No, I was just on the phone with my mom," she said, quickly ending the call.

"Oh," Tunde replied, glancing around the kitchen. He stopped short, his eyes lighting up as the smell of Indomie hit him. "Is that... Indomie?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of hunger.

"Almost done," Adeola said, dishing the noodles onto a plate and expertly slicing the boiled eggs to lay on top.

Just as Adeola was finishing, Sam walked into the kitchen, his attention on Tunde. "I've been working on that project we talked about—" He stopped mid-sentence, the aroma of the noodles captivating him. He inhaled deeply, momentarily forgetting why he had come downstairs.

Adeola smiled to herself as she served both men. They moved to the dining room, where they sat around the table, eating and watching TV. The room was filled with comfortable silence, the only sound the clinking of forks on plates.

Halfway through the meal, Tunde suddenly remembered his promise to Adaora. He jumped up, grabbing his jacket. "I need to go," he muttered, heading towards the door.

"Where are you off to?" Sam asked, his fork still halfway to his mouth.

"I promised Adaora I'd be back," Tunde explained, rushing to his car and driving off.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Adeola picked up her phone and called her parents back. "Mom, Dad, there's something I need to discuss with you," she began.

Her father’s voice was serious. "What is it, Adeola?"

"It's about Spark Technologies... I’ve been working closely with the CEO, Tunde Adeyemi."

There was a brief pause before her father spoke again, his tone curious. "Tunde Adeyemi? I’ve heard that name before."

"I wanted to ask if you could invest in the company," Adeola continued, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her father didn't hesitate. "Of course. We'll help. We're coming back to Nigeria in two days. Make sure Tunde knows; we’ll meet with him."

Adeola's heart soared. She couldn't wait to tell Tunde the good news, but as the day passed, he didn't return. By the time evening fell, she found herself missing him more than she expected.

The house felt too quiet without him. She stood at the window, looking out into the night, wondering when he would come back.