Binary Hearts

110 | Melody

The cool evening breeze in Singapore added a layer of enchantment to Tunde and Adeola's outing. They had spent the past few days exploring the city, marveling at its vibrant streets and hidden treasures. Tonight, they strolled hand in hand to The White Rabbit, a renowned romantic restaurant. Known for its cozy ambiance and picturesque gardens, the venue was brimming with couples sharing tender moments under soft, dim lighting.

Adeola's hand remained intertwined with Tunde's as they entered the restaurant. Tunde, though initially hesitant about public displays of affection, had grown increasingly comfortable with her warmth. They found a quaint corner table, the perfect spot to immerse themselves in the romantic atmosphere. They ordered a delightful spread of local and international dishes, their laughter blending with the gentle hum of conversations around them.

As they finished their meal, applause erupted. A guest had just concluded a soulful song on stage. The restaurant's host, a charismatic man with a cheerful demeanor, stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

"This next session is dedicated to couples," he announced. "Anyone who wants to serenade their partner is welcome on stage!" His words were met with enthusiastic applause, and Adeola immediately turned to Tunde, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Go sing for me!" she whispered excitedly, nudging him.

"I can't sing," Tunde protested, shaking his head. But Adeola wasn't one to back down. Standing up, she boldly declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, my partner Tunde wants to sing for me, but he's a little shy!"

Tunde's jaw dropped in disbelief as the entire room erupted in cheers, all eyes now on him. "Adeola!" he muttered under his breath, glaring at her. With a resigned sigh, he rose from his seat and trudged toward the stage.

Sitting at the piano, he hesitated briefly before letting his fingers dance across the keys. His rich voice filled the room as he performed a heartfelt melody about connection and love. Before he could even finish, the audience erupted into applause, moved by his vulnerability and talent.

Returning to Adeola, Tunde handed her a single flower he had picked up from the décor on stage. Adeola's face lit up, and she blushed deeply, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.

Back in Lagos, however, the mood was far from celebratory. News broke that Spark Technologies had been temporarily shut down, following protests and allegations against the company. The governor's involvement heightened the gravity of the situation, and Adaora was left reeling. "Chidi!" she exclaimed in horror, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.

She immediately called the police, tipping them off about Chidi's possible involvement. Days passed without feedback, and her frustration grew. When she dialed again, a familiar voice answered.

"My sweetheart," came Chidi's taunting tone.

Adaora froze. "Why are you with the DPO's phone?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Chidi laughed darkly. "Because I am the police."

Adaora's heart sank, but she forced herself to remain composed. "We need to talk," she said, masking her fear.

"No problem," he replied, sending her a location.

Meanwhile, Tunde and Adeola had returned from Singapore, their laughter echoing in the hallway as they unpacked. Adeola showed him a video she had recorded of his performance.

"You recorded it?" Tunde exclaimed, reaching for her phone.

"Of course! It was too good not to," she teased, keeping the phone out of his reach.

"Fine," Tunde relented with a grin. "I won't delete it. Just let me watch it."

After some playful resistance, Adeola handed over the phone. As Tunde watched, a notification popped up on his phone, reminding him of the upcoming anniversary of Adaora's mother's death. Melancholy crept in as he opened his cloud storage and browsed old photos, lingering on one of Adaora at the hospital. Her sadness was palpable, even in the frozen image.

"Tunde!" Adeola's voice snapped him back to the present. Panicking, he closed the app and set the phone aside.

"Is the food ready?" he called out.

"Yes, come get it!" Adeola replied.

Rushing to the kitchen, Tunde found the food still cooking. "You said it was ready!" he exclaimed, feigning annoyance.

Adeola laughed, turning around and playfully swaying her hips. "Isn't it almost ready?"

Tunde smirked, giving her a light spank before stepping back. Adeola blushed furiously, her heart racing at the brief contact. She hurriedly finished preparing the meal—a delicious plate of macaroni with a medley of vegetables and rabbit laps—and they sat down to eat, savoring both the food and each other's company.

Adaora arrived at the location Chidi had sent her, her heart pounding. "Why are you doing this, Chidi?" she demanded as she entered. "Take it easy on Spark Technologies. People are getting hurt!"

Chidi leaned back in his chair, his smirk infuriatingly calm. "After that letter you wrote me? You've got some nerve coming here."

"So that's all you have to say?" Adaora shot back. "You're killing people, Chidi."

As she turned to leave, a bodyguard stepped in her path.

"Where do you think you're going?" Chidi sneered.