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...
The new coffee room at Paystack was buzzing with excitement as the smell of fresh espresso filled the air. It was one of the company’s recent additions—a sleek, modern space for employees to take a break from the fast-paced environment. Adaora sipped her latte, leaning against the countertop, her eyes drawn to an exchange between Bam Bam and Paul. There was a subtle tension between them that was hard to ignore.
Paul leaned in closer to Bam Bam, laughing at something she said, his hand lingering a bit too long on the counter near hers. Bam Bam, always confident and composed, smiled but quickly glanced away, avoiding eye contact for a moment too long. Adaora raised an eyebrow as she took another sip, noticing the way Bam Bam's hand twitched slightly as if she was resisting the urge to reach for Paul’s. The chemistry between them was palpable, and Adaora couldn't help but smirk to herself.
"Are you two going to pretend like there's nothing going on?" Adaora teased, walking over to Bam Bam immediately Paul left.
Bam Bam rolled her eyes playfully, trying to brush it off. "What are you talking about? Paul and I are just... colleagues."
"Yeah, sure," Adaora replied with a wink. She could see right through Bam Bam’s nonchalant attitude.
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Meanwhile, across town at Spark Technologies, the company was expanding rapidly. Tunde's office had recently been renovated, complete with a panoramic view of the city and a new, state-of-the-art workspace for his personal assistant, Adeola. She was efficient, dedicated, and always two steps ahead of him, a quality Tunde both admired and appreciated. Her long, fitted dress hugged her figure as she worked, the soft green fabric complementing her complexion, while her natural curls framed her face with elegance. Tunde, dressed in a tailored navy suit, watched her with admiration as she moved swiftly between tasks.
He paid her handsomely, recognizing the level of commitment she brought to the company. Adeola had quickly become an integral part of Spark Technologies, and Tunde couldn't imagine the company functioning as smoothly without her. As they exchanged a few words about the day’s meetings, there was a mutual respect and trust that had formed over the months.
But even amidst the company’s growth, there was a shadow hanging over the office—the news of Mide's betrayal had spread like wildfire. The staff whispered about it in hushed tones, the headlines already circulating across every media outlet. Tunde hadn’t even told anyone himself, but somehow the story had found its way into the public eye.
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Back in his apartment, Mide sat alone in front of his laptop, scrolling through the news articles about his alleged betrayal. The headline blazed on the screen: "Spark Technologies CFO in Scandal: Betrayal at Spark Technologies" His heart sank as he saw Tunde’s name in the articles, a reminder of the man he had once stood by, only to let down.
His hand shook slightly as he clicked on a video interview of Tunde. As it played, Mide’s chest tightened, his guilt overwhelming him. Tunde’s voice, calm but filled with emotion, echoed through the room.
“Mide has been a pillar for me,” Tunde said, his eyes misting over. “He invested in me multiple times, even when I didn’t have much to offer in return. He helped me secure the Spark Technologies building in Ojo, Lagos... I owe him so much.” Tunde paused, visibly holding back tears. “I don’t believe he betrayed me out of malice. I think he was in a tight spot, and I’m willing to hear him out. Mide will always have a place at Spark Technologies as our CFO, no matter what.”
As Tunde spoke those words, tears rolled down Mide's face. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t expected forgiveness.
The video ended, and Mide sat in silence, the weight of Tunde’s words heavy on his heart. He grabbed his phone, his hands trembling as he typed out a message to Tunde. But before he could hit send, there was a knock at the door.
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Later that evening, Mide stood face-to-face with Tunde. The air between them was thick with emotion as Mide rushed forward, embracing Tunde tightly. Tears streamed down both their faces, and for a moment, they were just two old friends, stripped of all the complications and betrayals that had come between them.
“I’m so sorry, Tunde,” Mide said, his voice cracking. “I know I messed up. I thought... I thought Spark Technologies was going under, and I panicked. I let myself get swayed...by others and by the Okoye Family. But the truth is, it was Mr. Okoye and Chidi. They set this whole thing up, and I’m sure they’re the reason I lost my job at Chevron.”
Tunde pulled back slightly, his expression hardening at the mention of Chidi and the Okoye family. His anger simmered just below the surface, but for now, his focus was on Mide.
“You should have discussed it with me, Mide, I told you I'll find a way to restore Spark Technologies” Tunde said, his voice low but firm. “But I’m willing to forgive you. Just don’t ever let this happen again.”
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As Tunde returned to home that evening, he picked up his phone and sent a quick text to Adaora: “Don’t forget what I said about leaving Paystack. Have you thought about it?”
Adaora’s phone buzzed as she sat at her desk, deep in thought. She read the message, feeling a mix of emotions. She immediately dialed Bam Bam, her confidante.
“He really wants me to leave Paystack,” Adaora said, her voice a bit shaky. “I don’t know what to do.”
Bam Bam sighed on the other end. “Look, Adaora, Paystack is doing well. You don’t need to leave. If you let Tunde control your career like this, he’ll never stop. And honestly... Chidi likes you. He’d treat you well. I think you should consider it.”
Adaora sat back, conflicted. Bam Bam’s words echoed in her mind. Was Tunde really trying to control her, or was he looking out for her? And what about Chidi?
