Adaora, a brilliant yet self-doubting programmer from Ifo, Nigeria, faces the harsh realities of life when her mother falls ill. Armed with exceptional tech skills but struggling with low self-esteem, she ventures to a city in Lagos seeking for job...
Adeola had always been an early riser, but today was different. By 4:30 am, she was already up, her thoughts occupied by something-or rather, someone. Tunde. She had noticed how much he enjoyed her cooking, and it filled her with a quiet joy. Determined to surprise him with a warm, comforting meal, she decided to make semo and egusi soup, one of his favorites.
Still in her nightgown, Adeola moved silently around the kitchen. She started by heating some palm oil in a pot, the vibrant red hue of the oil reflecting the dim kitchen light. She added a blend of ground pepper and locust beans, letting the fragrant aroma fill the room as it sizzled. Next came the fish and stock fish, which she had soaked overnight to soften. She tossed them into the pot, followed by pieces of ponmo and chunks of tender meat, stirring gently as the ingredients melded together.
As the rich, earthy scent of the simmering egusi filled the kitchen, Adeola reached for the efo, washing the leafy greens before adding them to the pot. She sprinkled in some ground crayfish for an extra layer of flavor and seasoned the soup with Maggi cubes, tasting as she went, ensuring the balance was just right. Her movements were precise, practiced-she had done this countless times before, but today it felt special.
By the time dawn broke, the egusi soup was ready, thick and fragrant, with the semo prepared and neatly shaped into round mounds. She set the table, placing the dishes with care, then took a moment to step back and admire her work. The kitchen was warm, the air rich with the smell of freshly cooked food.
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Meanwhile, upstairs, Tunde was already awake. The events of the past few days had weighed heavily on him, but this morning, for the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope. Today was the day he would begin to change things at Spark Technologies. Determined, he rose from bed, took a quick shower, and dressed in his favorite black, ribbed knit sweater-a thick, wool-blend fabric that provided warmth and a sense of comfort. The turtleneck design added a touch of sophistication, and as he fastened his watch, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Sam, his right-hand man, met him downstairs, dressed and ready. "Ready for today?" Sam asked, a note of optimism in his voice.
"More than ever," Tunde replied, glancing at the table set with breakfast.
They both looked up as Adeola emerged from the kitchen, her hair still slightly damp from her quick shower. She had changed into a taupe-colored, knee-length dress that hugged her figure elegantly. The dress featured a stylish asymmetrical design with a shoulder cutout, a draped waist tie enhancing her silhouette. As she greeted them with a warm "Good morning," there was a certain glow about her, a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before.
Tunde smiled, appreciating the effort she had put into the meal. "You've outdone yourself, Adeola," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you," she replied, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she excused herself to finish getting ready.
As they ate, the atmosphere was different-lighter, more hopeful. The food was delicious, and for a moment, it felt like they were just three people sharing a simple meal, without the weight of the world on their shoulders.
After breakfast, Tunde and Sam left for Spark Technologies. Tunde was dressed impeccably, his sweater paired with tailored pants and polished shoes, exuding a calm authority. The drive to the office was quiet, each man lost in his thoughts, preparing for the day ahead.
Meanwhile, across town, Adaora was also getting ready for work. As she was about to hop into her car, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Tunde: *"Good morning, Ada. I hope you have a great day ahead."* The simple text made her smile, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she replied with a quick, cheerful response.
As she drove to Paystack, the morning was a blur of activity. The office was bustling as usual, but there was an extra edge to the day, a sense of urgency. Adaora slipped into her office, her mind still replaying Tunde's message, but she quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the tasks ahead.
At Spark Technologies, Tunde and Adeola arrived early, ready to face the challenges of the day. They had called a meeting with some of the trusted shareholders, determined to rally support and solidify Tunde's position as CEO. The shareholders had been wary, but Tunde's resolve was clear. He spoke passionately, outlining his vision for the company, his plans to turn things around, and the innovations they could achieve together.
One by one, the shareholders voiced their support, recognizing Tunde's capability to lead Spark Technologies through the crisis. When the vote was finally cast, it was unanimous-Tunde was reinstated as the Chief Executive Officer.
With that victory in hand, Tunde wasted no time. He immediately called for a meeting with the developers, diving straight into the issues with the Smoke Payment System crash. Tunde joined the team personally, rolling up his sleeves and working alongside them, his hands on the keyboard, his mind fully engaged. The work was intense, but there was a sense of camaraderie, a shared belief that they could fix this.
But even as he worked, a part of Tunde's mind was already planning the next step-establishing a branch company to handle the manufacturing process for their new gas measurement system. He knew that Spark Technologies was in a tough financial spot, with many shareholders having withdrawn their support, but he was determined to find a way through.
Meanwhile, back at Paystack, Chidi was growing increasingly anxious about Adaora. She had been distant lately, avoiding him, and it gnawed at him. He knew pressing her too hard might push her away, but he couldn't stand the uncertainty.
Finally, he decided to confront her. Walking into her office, he greeted her casually, trying to mask his frustration. "You've been avoiding me lately, right?" he asked, his tone deceptively light as he leaned against her desk.
"Uh... no, Chidi, it's not like that," Adaora stammered, her eyes darting away.
"So what is it like then, Ada?" Chidi pressed, his voice soft but insistent.
"Can we talk about this later, please?" Adaora pleaded, her voice wavering.
"No, let's talk about it now," Chidi insisted, his gaze unwavering.
Adaora hesitated, then sighed deeply. "Okay... I'm sorry. I have a boyfriend now," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Chidi laughed, a sharp, almost mocking sound. "Tunde, right?" he guessed, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Does Tunde know we went to the club together? Hung out, had fun?" he added, watching as Adaora's face paled, her heart pounding in her chest.
Before she could respond, Chidi interrupted, his tone suddenly light again. "I'm just kidding," he said, flashing her a grin. "We'll talk about it after the company closes." And with that, he turned and left, leaving Adaora feeling more conflicted than ever.
