"Mommy, is it true God created the universe?"
Ada's expression dropped into a deep frown.
"And where did you hear that?"
"My teacher told me in school."
Ada gave a sharp, dry laugh and crouched beside her daughter.
"Listen to me, honey. Your teacher is lying. Anything she tells you about God is a lie. That god she mentioned?" She pointed upward. "He doesn't exist. Understand?"
Golden hesitated, her innocent eyes wide.
"Okay, Mommy…"
"Good. Now go inside and take off your clothes. Quickly."
Golden obeyed, dashing inside with her small feet pattering against the tiled floor.
The next morning, Ada stormed into the school.
She stormed into the office and slammed the door "Headmaster!"
He looked up, startled. "Mama Golden, what happened."
"When I enrolled my daughter, I gave a specific instruction that if religion is being discussed, Golden should be sent to the library. Did I not?"
The headmaster cleared his throat nervously. "Yes… yes you did, Mama Golden."
"So tell me," she said, voice low and dangerous, "why my daughter came home asking me about someone who doesn't exist?"
He shifted uncomfortably. "I—I'm not sure how that happened, but I promise to make sure it won't happen again."
She scoffed, "It better not. Because if I come back here for the same issue, I swear, you won't like what I'll do."
She slammed her palm on the table and walked out.
The headmaster wiped the sweat off his forehead and picked up his phone.
"Hello? Come into my office. Now."
Moments later, there was a knock. "Sir, Chidera here."
"Come in."
Chidera stepped in cautiously.
"I thought I warned you about the situation with Golden."
"Yes, sir, but I thought—"
"Thought what?!" His voice echoed.
"Golden is only six. She needs to learn—"
He snapped, "Learn what? Is she your daughter?! Look, you're new to this community, but I'm not. You don't know what that woman is capable of. I do. Stick to instructions, Chidera. I won't say it again."
She exhaled slowly. "Yes, sir."
"That will be all."
Chidera left silently, the warning clear.
From that day onward, Golden was raised under strict rules—no religion, no church, no mention of God. Every curious question she asked was met with carefully crafted denials, cold logic, and fiery warnings. And she listened. Obedient. Respectful. Diligent.
Years passed. Golden became a teenager… then a young woman. Ada's teachings were rooted deep.
Golden, All Grown Up
The office buzzed with typical lunchtime chatter…
"Guys, have you seen the Chairman's son?!"
"Chairman's son? I thought he was in Lagos."
"Well, Chima, he's back—and let me tell you, he's a full-grown man now. Tall, light-skinned, long fingers, perfectly shaped lips, broad shoulders… my type, exactly!"
"Ah, Favour! You really stared hard to know all this."
She smirked "Of course I did. I've crushed on him since we were kids. Now that he's back? I'm going to shoot my shot."
"How do you even know he's staying long?"
"Please, he hasn't been home in over a decade. He has to stay a while."
From the corner of the room, Golden rolled her eyes and cut in.
"Could you all stop gossiping and get back to work? You're disturbing me with all this nonsense."
Favour's smile dropped.
"Hey, you! You know I've never liked you. Always acting like you're better than everyone."
Golden didn't even look up from her laptop.
"Of course I am. And if you don't have anything useful to say about me, kindly zip it. Thanks." She hissed and resumed typing.
Favour began to rise, but one of the others gently held her back.
[Later in the Chairman's Office]
Knock knock.
"Come in. Who is it?"
"Golden, sir." She stepped in and handed over a file. "The documents you requested."
The Chairman glanced through it and nodded.
"Well-organized. Excellent work, Golden."
"Thank you, sir."
But Golden could feel someone staring. She glanced to the side and saw a young man—handsome, confident, and smiling directly at her.
"Is something on my face?" she asked sharply.
"Yes… beauty." he said smoothly.
Golden rolled her eyes and turned back to the Chairman. "I'll take my leave, sir."
She left without another word.
The young man chuckled.
"Dad, you didn't tell me you had angels working in this office."
The Chairman laughed. "So now you're hitting on a woman in my office?"
"Come on, Dad. Tell me about her."
"Nope. Not revealing employee details." He smirked. "And why are you so interested?"
"Because she's an angel, Dad. An angel from heaven."
******
It was raining again.
Golden stood beneath the office awning, arms folded, watching the heavy droplets hammer the pavement like a warning. Her umbrella had broken that morning, and she had no intention of ruining her shoes over a last-minute dash to the bus stop.
"Forgot your umbrella too?" came a voice beside her—smooth, calm, laced with amusement.
She turned and saw him—Xavier, the Chairman's son. His white shirt sleeves were rolled to the elbows, his tie loosened slightly. His umbrella was big enough for two, and he held it casually at his side.
Golden raised an eyebrow. "I didn't forget it. It broke."
"Tragic," he said, mock solemn. "An umbrella dying on a rainy day. That's betrayal."
She didn't respond. Just looked back at the rain.
"I could offer you a ride," Xavier continued, undeterred. "But I've been warned you don't accept anything from anyone. Something about being... too independent for your own good."
She turned to him now, curious. "People in this office talk too much."
"True. I prefer to get my facts firsthand." He gave a soft grin. "I'm Xavier, by the way. I figured you already knew, but I still wanted to say it myself."
"I know who you are." She looked him over—his confidence, his presence. "The office princesses haven't stopped talking about you."
He laughed. "And here I was, hoping for a more mysterious reputation."
A silence fell between them as the rain slowed to a drizzle. Golden glanced at his umbrella.
He noticed. "Still not accepting the ride?"
"No thank you" she snapped and ran into the rain to catch a cab