Golden's phone buzzes against the table. She glances at the screen, already smiling before she answers.
"Xavier," she says, pretending to sound bored.
"Golden," his voice comes warm and teasing through the receiver. "So you're telling me you haven't missed me? Not even a little?"
Golden chuckles, stretching her legs under the table. "Miss who? You? Please. Since you left, my life's been so peaceful."
He gasps dramatically. "Ouch! That hurt."
"Good. Maybe you'll stop disturbing me every morning with your long voice notes."
Both laugh, the kind that comes from two people too familiar with each other's habits.
"Alright, Xav," she says, still giggling. "I need to get back to work."
"Oops—so when next will I get lucky?"
She teases back, "Hmm… tonight?"
"Wait, really? I can call you tonight and you'll actually pick up?" he grins through the phone. "The Ice Princess is melting."
Golden laughs. "Keep talking, I'll change my mind."
"No, no—don't do that! Talk to you later."
"Bye, Xav." She smiles softly.
"Bye, Gold."
The call ends, but her smile lingers.
⸻
For a whole year, they stayed in constant touch—calls, messages, random photos, shared laughter across miles. They talked about everything—work, family, their dreams, and disappointments.
What started as casual friendship had grown into something deeper, though neither dared to say it out loud.
Then, just like that, Xavier came home.
AT THE OFFICE
The office buzzed with end-of-week chatter, printers humming, keyboards clicking. Golden was bent over her system, focused on an invoice, when Chima tapped her shoulder.
"Golden…" she whispered. "Look behind you."
Golden frowned. "What is it?"
Chima clicked her tongue. "Just turn first."
Golden turned—and froze.
Standing a few steps away, in a crisp navy shirt and a grin that could light up the entire office, was Xavier.
"Oh my goodness—Xavier!!" she gasped, rushing into his arms before she even realized it.
"Hey, pretty." He hugged her tightly, the smell of his cologne flooding back memories of laughter and calls that lasted till 2 a.m.
Pulling back, she hit his shoulder playfully. "We literally spoke this morning, and you didn't mention you were coming!"
Xavier chuckled, hands in pockets. "It was meant to be a surprise."
Golden shook her head, smiling. "You're not serious, you know that, right?"
"Got you this." He handed her a small gift bag.
"What is it?" She peeked inside—and gasped. "Xavier! You didn't have to… this is too much."
He winked. "You deserve it."
Before she could respond, Mr. Adebayo's voice came from behind them. "Hey, son. Is your girlfriend more important than your father now?"
Golden nearly dropped the gift bag.
Xavier laughed and hugged his father. "Dad!"
Golden stammered, "Oh—he's not my boyfriend, sir…"
Mr. Adebayo smirked. "Yet."
"Excuse me, sir?" she said, confusion written all over her face.
Mr. Adebayo laughed. "Anyway, come on, son. Tell me all about your trip. How's work been?"
The two men walked out together, leaving Golden standing there, cheeks warm and heart pounding.
Chima leaned in immediately, grinning. "Hey, Golden, you're really enjoying life these days o."
"Stupid girl," Favor hissed from her desk.
Chima turned. "Ah ah, Favour! What's your problem?"
Golden's voice rose slightly. "Leave her—she's clearly jealous." She gave Favour a side-eye.
Favour shot up from her chair. "You little witch!" She raised her hand to slap Golden, but two colleagues quickly grabbed her wrist.
Golden's eyes darkened. "You really want to slap me, ehn, Favour? I dare you!"
"And if I do?" Favour shouted.
Other staff gathered around—some excited to watch, some trying to stop the fight.
Golden stepped closer, anger trembling in her voice. "Seems you've forgotten how I beat you blue-black back in secondary school. Should I give you part two now?"
"That was then, Golden! Not anymore. You can't do anything to me!"
"Just try me!" Golden snapped.
Before things got worse, Chima jumped between them. "Office rules, guys! Don't forget—no fighting on company grounds."
The tension hung thick for a moment before they both stepped back, unwilling but cautious. Gradually, the air eased, and everyone drifted back to their desks—though the murmurs and side glances refused to die down.
Favour sat back down, her hand trembling with anger, eyes burning holes into Golden's back.
⸻
FLASHBACK — YEARS AGO
It was lunchtime at St. Mary's High School. The sun was blazing, and students crowded under the mango tree, chattering and laughing.
Favour had "borrowed" Golden's notebook again—without asking—and when Golden asked for it back, Favour smirked.
"You always act like you're better than everyone," Favour said loudly, drawing attention. "What's even special about you?"
Golden frowned. "Just give me my book, Favour. Don't start."
Favour tossed the book on the floor. "There! Go and pick it like the princess you think you are!"
The small crowd around them gasped. Golden clenched her jaw, walked over, picked the book—and then, calmly, slapped Favour across the face.
Gasps rippled through the air.
Before anyone could react, Favour lunged forward, and both girls fell to the ground, fists flying. Teachers rushed in minutes later, dragging them apart.
But everyone in school remembered that day—because it was Favour who started the fight, and Golden who ended it.
BACK TO PRESENT — OFFICE
Favour grips her pen so hard it almost snaps. She mutters under her breath, "She embarrassed me then. She won't do it again."
Golden glances at her from across the office, expression unreadable.
LATER AT HOME
Ada's voice came from the kitchen. "Nwa m, who have you been talking to all these months? And lately you're always coming home late. Is it… a man?"
Golden groaned, dropping her bag on the couch. "Mom, you've started again."
"Started what? Can't I ask my own daughter a question?"
Golden smiled, trying not to blush. "I'll tell you when I'm ready." She went to the dining table.
"Aha! So it is a man!" Ada giggled, spoon in hand.
"Mom! Can I eat my food in peace?"
"Okay, okay. You're always so defensive."
"You're always so inquisitive," Golden shot back.
"I'm just trying to protect you."
"I'm not a kid, Mom. I'm twenty-four."
Ada chuckled. "Alright, I've heard you—my twenty-four-year-old daughter."
They both laughed, and the warmth of home filled the air.
⸻
AT THE OFFICE
The next morning smelled of coffee and printer ink. Xavier stood at the office coffee stand, stirring sugar into his cup. Golden walked in, files in hand, and he smiled.
"Morning, Gold," he said.
She tried not to smile too much. "Morning, Xav. You're early today."
"Couldn't sleep," he said casually. "Thought I'd wait for my favorite person."
Golden rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
They talked about work, about Xavier's dad new project, about random things—just the way they always did. But every few minutes, she could feel eyes on them. Colleagues stealing glances, whispering.
Golden lowered her voice. "Xav, people are staring."
"Let them," he said easily, sipping his coffee.
"I should go back to my desk."
He leaned closer, voice soft. "Stay a little. Please?"
She hesitated—then stayed.
They laughed quietly over shared jokes until the tension in the air melted away.
Then, as she reached for her mug, Xavier spoke, "Gold… can I ask you something?"
She looked up. "What is it?"
"Will you go on a walk with me this evening? There's something important I want to tell you."
Golden tilted her head, curious. "You can't say it now?"
He smiled. "Later. If you say yes."
She studied his face for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Yes."
⸻
EVENING – WALKING DOWN THE STREET
The air was cool, the street quiet except for distant laughter and chirping crickets.
"Xavier…"
"Yes, angel?"
She smiled faintly. "You've been around for two months now—unlike last time. Is everything okay?"
He nodded, hands in pockets. "Yeah, everything's fine. The company I worked with went under. That's why I'm back for now. But honestly, I'd already started working on my own business, so now I just have more time to focus on it."
"Oh wow. So how long are you staying?"
"Six months in total. Four left now. Got an email this morning—some investors are finally showing interest." He chuckled.
"That's good. But your family's rich, Xav. The richest around here. Why not just ask your dad for help?"
He shrugged. "So you're saying I should live off my father's money?"
"No, not like that," she said quickly. "I just mean… he could help out a little, you know?" She bit her lip.
Xavier chuckled. "He did invest a bit, and even offered to introduce me to his rich friends, but I said no. I want to build something on my own."
"That's really nice." She smiled.
"I'm cool, right?"
Golden smirked. "You wish."
They both laughed.
"Golden… you know I love kids, right?"
"Of course. Wasn't it just two days ago you were sulking because your football team lost? I tried to cheer you up, but no smile. Then that little girl crawled to you—you lit up like magic."
"Oh-oh, someone's jealous." He jumped in front of her playfully.
"Yes, I am! Not about the girl—but because you refused to smile for me."
"My angel is upset. Okay—mà bínú."
"What's that?"
"Yoruba. It means 'don't be upset.'"
Golden laughed, trying to pronounce it. "Ma… bi…"
"Abeg, don't spoil my language."
They both laughed again.
After a quiet pause, she asked, "So, what did you want to tell me?"
Xavier stopped, turned to face her, and gently took her hand.
Golden smiled softly. "What? Is anything wrong?"
But Xavier didn't smile. He looked straight into her eyes. "Be my lover."
Golden froze. "A-are you joking?"
"I'm not," he said simply. "I love you. And you know it. I can't keep pretending this is just friendship. I want to be more than that. I want you to be mine."
She blinked, unsure. "I don't think we should do that, Xav. We shouldn't ruin what we have."
"We're not ruining anything, Gold. I love you. And if you friendzone me, that means you're ruining me."
Golden burst out laughing. "Ruin you? Stop, don't be serious."
But he wasn't laughing. He only looked at her, eyes steady.
Golden swallowed. "A-are you really serious about it?"
"More than serious, Gold. I mean it."
"I don't know what to say," she whispered. "You know, you, me… people at work—"
"I don't care about people at work," he cut in gently. "They don't decide for us. Come on, Gold. Let's do this." He squeezed her hand softly.
"What about our families?"
"When we get to that bridge, we'll cross it. I just want you to love me back."
Silence settled between them. Golden's heart raced. She truly liked him—maybe even loved him—but fear held her back. Still, the look in his eyes melted her guard completely.
"Okay," she said finally, voice soft. "Let's do it."
Xavier's eyes widened. "Really?! Oh my God—oh my God, you don't mean it, do you?"
Golden smiled shyly. "Yes, I mean it."
He jumped, laughing out loud. "Oh my—this is a dream come true!"
Before she could react, he lifted her off the ground in excitement.
"Put me down, Xav! Put me down!" she giggled.
He set her down gently. They laughed—and then they kissed.
The world seemed to pause around them, the quiet street wrapped in gold from the setting sun.
Golden stepped back, heart pounding. "So… what happens now?" she asked softly.
Xavier smiled, still breathless. "Now? We take it one day at a time. Unless you want to run away screaming?"
Golden laughed. "I'm thinking about it."
"I still can't believe this is real," he said. "If it's a dream, pinch me."
Golden pinched him hard.
"Ouch! That hurts!" He laughed.
"You asked for it."
They both laughed again. He reached for her hand, and this time, she didn't pull away.
They walked in silence for a while, hand in hand. Children ran past, chasing a ball. One waved at Xavier—he waved back.
"They really like you," Golden said.
"You jealous again?" he teased.
"Maybe." She grinned.
"Good," he said. "Because I plan to give you all the attention now."
She tried to hide her smile but failed. The quiet between them felt full, not awkward.
When they reached her gate, she hesitated. "You want to come in?"
"If I say yes, will your mom interrogate me?"
Golden grinned. "Absolutely."
They both laughed. And for the first time in a long while, Golden didn't feel afraid of what came next.