The aroma of hot soup fills the small sitting room, mingling with the faint hum of the ceiling fan. Ada and Golden sit cross-legged on a woven mat, two plates of steaming pounded yam before them. Outside, rain threatens in the distance — thunder rolling softly like an old drum.
Ada watches her daughter closely, amused by the way she rolls each morsel of yam before dipping it neatly into the soup.
"Nwa m, how's work? You don't even fill me in on your daily activities these days," Ada said, smiling, eyes glimmering with mischief.
Golden looks up, her lips curving faintly. "Mom, I'm no longer a child. I've got my own things going on too."
Ada bursts into laughter, a warm sound that fills the room. "Things like what, biko? Or… is it about a man?"
Golden nearly chokes, pounding yam stuck halfway down her throat. "Man?!! Nnem, please! Stop!"
Ada raises her hands dramatically. "Ahh, okay oh! Just tell me—how old are you now?"
Golden narrows her eyes suspiciously. "Mom… you seriously don't know how old I am?"
"Of course I do!" Ada says, feigning confusion. "Just want to hear it from your own mouth, ehn?"
Golden chuckles. "You and your tricks. Fine—23."
Ada claps her hands joyfully. "Ahh, thank you! So a 23-year-old fine girl like you, with all this beauty, doesn't have a man? Or at least a small crush?"
Golden groans, pushing her plate away. "This is exactly why I hate weekends. You always find new ways to bug me!" She stands abruptly, wiping her hands.
"What about your food?" Ada calls after her.
"I lost my appetite!" Golden yells from her room, slamming the door.
Ada laughs softly to herself. "These children of nowadays… no patience at all." She shakes her head, still smiling.
⸻
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE – AFTERNOON
The sun sits high, casting long shadows on the concrete path as workers spill out of the building. Golden clutches a stack of files in one hand, tote bag in the other, her ID card swaying as she walks briskly toward the gate.
"Hey, pretty, let me help with that," Xavier's voice cuts through the air.
Golden doesn't even glance at him. "No thank you. I'm not a weakling."
He jogs lightly to match her pace, his grin playful. "C'mon, don't be a tough girl."
Golden stops abruptly, turning to face him, eyes blazing. "I said thank you! Jeez—would you just leave me alone?"
She storms off, her heels clicking against the pavement. Xavier watches her go, lips curling into a lopsided smile — the kind of smile of a man too enchanted to be discouraged.
Inside the office, Favour's eyes follow Golden until she disappears outside. She folds her arms, muttering, "I so dislike that girl. Why is she always with Xavier?"
Chima, typing lazily beside her, doesn't even look up. "Apparently, Xavier is the one trailing her like perfume. Even a blind man can see she's avoiding him."
"Mschew." Favour hisses, her fingers suddenly flying across the keyboard like they're guilty.
Chima chuckles under his breath. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Favour."
"Abeg, shift!" she snaps, but her cheeks flush pink.
⸻
EVENING – ADA'S COMPOUND
Ada steps out of the kitchen, hands glistening with palm oil. "Golden, biko, help me buy some vegetables from Mama Ijeoma!"
Golden appears at the doorway, tying her scarf. "Alright, Mama—but you'll give me the biggest piece of meat o!"
Ada bursts into laughter. "Deal! But no haggling too much, ehn?"
Golden waves and heads down the dusty road, plastic bag in hand. The late sun paints the street in a warm gold. Children chase each other barefoot. Women gossip over buckets of garri.
She buys the vegetables, haggling playfully with Mama Ijeoma over the price of the ugu leaves. With the bag of greens swinging in her hand, she walks a short distance down the dusty road—until a strange feeling crawls up her spine. Someone's following her.
She slows down, then turns sharply. Her breath catches.
Xavier stands a few steps away, hands tucked into his pockets, wearing that same careless smile.
"Xavier?! What are you doing here?" Her voice comes out sharper than she intends.
"I saw you walking through Nath Mall," he says, his grin widening, "and I decided to follow you."
Golden blinks, confusion flickering across her face. "What—Nath Mall?"
"Yeah," he says lightly. "You passed through the untarred road to Mama Ijeoma's stall… even argued with her about the price of ugu leaves."
She gasps, eyes wide. "Are you crazy?"
He chuckles softly. "No. Just hopelessly obsessed."
"Obsessed?!" She steps closer. "What exactly do you plan to achieve with all this?"
"Nothing," he says quietly. "I just want to be near you. And maybe—someday—know where you live."
Golden shakes her head in disbelief. "For two weeks you've haunted my space! You followed me at work, made me the subject of gossip, and now this? Just because your father owns the company doesn't mean you can do whatever you like."
His smile fades. "I'm sorry. Truly."
Golden's voice drops low, trembling slightly. "The more you chase me, the more I'll hate you. Let me be."
She storms off, dust rising behind her. Xavier stands there, wounded but still watching until she disappears around the corner.
⸻
CONFERENCE ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
The room buzzes with soft chatter as workers relax after the meeting. Mr. Adebayo, dignified and calm, adjusts his glasses.
"I just want to say—I'm proud of the effort everyone put into this last project. The presentation was clean, the numbers were strong, and the client was impressed."
A ripple of applause follows.
"It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind," he continues, smiling, "but today reminded me that we have a solid team. Keep it up. More wins ahead."
As the clapping fades, people begin to gather their things, exchanging jokes.
⸻
MR. ADEBAYO'S OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER
Mr. Adebayo steps in, loosening his tie, but stops when he sees Xavier on the couch, elbows on his knees.
"Ah-ahn. Son, what's with the long face?"
"Nothing," Xavier mutters. "Just… thinking."
Mr. Adebayo chuckles and sits on the edge of the desk. "Ah yes. That kind of 'nothing' that has your shoulders slumped. Let me guess…" He leans forward. "Golden?"
Xavier's silence confirms it.
His father smiles knowingly. "I knew it. You've had that girl on your mind since the first day you saw her."
"I've tried everything, Dad," Xavier sighs. "Talking. Helping. Being nice. She won't even look at me without rolling her eyes."
"Maybe that's what you need," his father replies gently. "A woman who doesn't fall at your feet. One who makes you work, think, grow."
Xavier looks up, tired. "But I'm leaving tomorrow. Back to Lagos. If she won't even talk to me now…"
"Then talk again," Mr. Adebayo says, smiling. "You've got a few hours before sunset. Use them wisely. Don't just trail her like a lost puppy—speak. Be real."
"You think she'll listen?"
"That girl might not listen, but she notices everything. Trust me—she sees you."
Xavier nods slowly, a plan forming. His father's last words echo as he heads out the door.
"Go. Shoot your shot, before Lagos takes you away."
⸻
Work hours are over. Employees stream out of the building — some eager to get home, others lingering to finish pending tasks. Golden walks down the quiet street, tired but at peace. The orange sunset brushes her face with warmth. For a moment, the world feels still… until she hears footsteps behind her again.
She exhales sharply. "Xavier, I thought I told you to leave me the hell alone."
"I'm leaving tomorrow," he says, voice low.
She stops and turns. "Good. Maybe I'll finally get some peace."
"Can I at least have your number?"
Golden folds her arms. "And you think I'll give you that?"
"Just… maybe as friends?" he says, eyes pleading but sincere.
She studies him, silent. For once, he doesn't smile — he looks human. Tired. Real.
She sighs, stretching out her hand. "Gimme your phone."
His eyes widen. "You're serious?"
"Before I change my mind."
He scrambles for his phone and hands it over. She types her number and returns it.
"I'm only giving you this because you tried hard. And… being friends with you won't kill me."
He smiles, slow and genuine this time. "Nope. Definitely won't."
Golden nods once, turns, and walks away — but this time, her steps are softer, slower.
Xavier watches her fade into the golden dusk, phone still warm in his palm, heart lighter than it's been in weeks.