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 evening quiet settled around Paystack’s office as the last few employees gathered their things, ready to leave for the day. Adaora sat by herself in her cubicle, tapping intently on her keyboard as she worked through the details of a complex project. Ever since Hannah’s sudden arrival, Adaora had quietly returned to her old habit of staying late, wanting to be doubly sure that her work was flawless. Tonight, she didn’t want to give Hannah or anyone else a reason to question her dedication.
As the office cleared out, a familiar sound echoed through the empty corridors—the steady footsteps of Chidi. He walked through the dimly lit space, finally spotting Adaora’s form hunched over her desk. Shaking his head with a knowing smile, he knocked softly on her doorframe.
“Why are you working overtime at my company again?” Chidi’s voice was soft, but his words carried a playful edge.
Startled, Adaora looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to warmth. Before she could reply, Chidi moved forward, scooping her up in a sudden sweep. For a moment, she felt weightless in his arms, but almost as quickly, he gently set her down, his hand lingering on hers. She grinned at him, eyes dancing with a spark of mischief.
“Is that all you've got, Chidi?” she teased, leaning into the moment. “Can’t even lift me for more than a second?” Her laughter filled the room, and soon enough, he joined in.
“Oh, so I don’t have strength now?” he said, feigning offense. “You’ll see strength soon.” They both laughed, letting the easy humor between them dissolve the stresses of the day.
In no rush to end the moment, Chidi insisted on driving her home. They made their way down to her car, and he slipped behind the wheel, glancing over at her with a wink as they set off into the night. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter spilling over as they recounted moments from the week. The drive was quick, but it felt like a world apart from the chaos of work.
When they finally pulled up at her apartment, both were still in high spirits, trading jokes as they lingered in the car. But the mood shifted subtly when Chidi’s phone buzzed, the name "Bolanle" lighting up the screen. He ignored it without a second thought, but Adaora couldn’t help noticing.
“Why aren’t you answering that?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She already had her suspicions, and the thought of Bam Bam calling him at this hour gnawed at her.
Chidi glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, trying to play it cool. “Why, are you jealous, Miss Adaora?”
She crossed her arms, giving him a serious look. “Stop teasing, Chidi. I’m asking a real question.”
Chidi sighed, letting his hand fall to his side before slipping back into his usual composed expression. “Alright, if you really want to know—she’s been pushing for more responsibilities around here. I’m considering making her my personal secretary, mostly to keep her off my back. Besides, she’s diligent, punctual, and hardworking. She seems like a perfect fit for the role, and you know how much Bam Bam loves working.”
His answer was light and casual, and Adaora felt a wave of relief wash over her. She’d been bracing herself for something worse, and his response seemed almost anticlimactic.
Later that night, in a different part of the city, Hannah was on the phone. “I need everything you can find on Adaora Eze Okafor. All the details, even the smallest things.” Her voice was icy, and her gaze was steely as she planned her next move. She wasn’t here to play games, and she was determined to make Adaora’s life difficult.
Meanwhile, Tunde, Adeola, and Sam were unwinding, choosing to watch a movie together. Adeola had picked Fifty Shades of Grey without realizing what she’d gotten them into. They laughed nervously as the movie began, but as things got more intense, Sam cleared his throat, pretending to focus on his phone. The air was thick with a mix of curiosity and awkwardness, especially since Tunde, oblivious at first, dozed off just as the film was getting steamy.
The next morning brought a fresh start. Tunde prepared to leave for Abuja, where he had meetings planned with his new company, as well as a quick check-in with Spark Technologies to discuss the upcoming award ceremony. He left Spark in Adeola’s capable hands, instructing her to hold down the fort in his absence.
As he was about to drive out, Adeola rushed up, waving her hand to catch his attention. She held up a small food flask, smiling warmly. “Here, so you don’t skip a meal. Make sure to eat before it gets cold,” she said, passing it to him through the car window. Tunde accepted it gratefully, touched by her thoughtfulness.
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Back at Paystack, the air was buzzing with whispers as Bam Bam’s name flashed across emails and conversations. Chidi had just promoted her to the role of personal secretary, solidifying the lie he’d told Adaora the previous night. Bam Bam’s joy was visible as she strutted through the office, her confidence visibly boosted. The new desk space set up right outside Chidi’s office made her feel even closer to him, like he had real plans for her.
In her mind, the promotion was a promise of more, and she saw it as a sign of Chidi’s trust in her. She was already picturing herself beside him, more a partner than an employee, and her confidence soared. Bam Bam’s anticipation was clear, and she couldn’t help but wonder what else Chidi had in mind.
