Word spread quickly through the small, buzzing community of Apu. By Monday morning, the story had taken on a life of its own. At the market, women gathered around heaps of tomatoes and smoked fish, whispering and laughing.
"You've heard, abi? Golden and Xavier!"
"Ahh, that girl caught a big fish o!"
In the barbershop, men debated over the hum of clippers.
"That girl sharp well-well," one said.
"She play her cards smart," another replied, chuckling.
At the beauty shop, girls pretended to be uninterested, but their eyes glinted with envy.
"So it's her now, abi? The one dating the son of the richest man in Apu."
"She should enjoy it while it lasts," someone sneered.
Golden had hoped to keep the relationship private, at least until things settled—but Xavier had other plans. He was affectionate, openly so, always showing up at her desk with lunch or waiting outside just to walk her home. It wasn't arrogance—it was love. But in a place like Apu, love could easily turn into gossip fuel.
At the office, things weren't better. Some colleagues suddenly became friendlier—offering help she didn't ask for, laughing too loudly at her jokes. Others, like Favour, couldn't hide their resentment.
"Is she the only beautiful woman in this office?"
"Maybe she's using Xavier for promotion."
"Gold digger. I heard she refused Mr. Philip, and now she's targeting the boss's son."
The words never reached her directly—but the stares did. Chima remained her only safe space. Favour, on the other hand, hissed whenever Golden walked past, eyes laced with bitterness.
⸻
Golden's Home…
Saturday morning. The sky was soft and clear, sunlight spilling across the compound. Golden hummed quietly, bent over her laundry, sleeves rolled, soap foaming over her fingers. Her phone still lay beside the basin, the last call from Xavier ending only minutes ago.
Then came the sound of sandals scraping against the cement floor. Ada, her mother, stepped into the compound, her wrapper tied neatly, her face unreadable. She sat on the old wooden chair and cleared her throat.
"Golden."
Golden froze mid-rinse. That tone. That name. She turned, half smiling.
"Mom, when was the last time you even called me by my name?"
Ada smiled faintly, " My ears are full, my dear. Gossip everywhere. Market, farm, even Mama Chioma's shop. But you know me—I'd rather hear the truth from your mouth."
Golden's hands trembled slightly as she set the wet cloth aside. Her heartbeat quickened. She'd dreaded this moment.
"I actually planned to tell you during dinner," she muttered.
"Well, I'm free now," Ada replied calmly. "So talk to me."
Golden inhaled deeply, forcing a smile.
"Okay. As you might have heard… the guy I'm seeing—it's Xavier. He's a good guy, Mom. Really."
Ada's silence was heavier than words. Golden looked up anxiously.
"Mom? You're not saying anything."
Ada sighed, " A good guy, you say? Hmm. Does this good guy know your stance on religion? His mother's a strong church woman, right?"
Golden stammered, " Ye-yes, I told him. And he's fine with it. He's not that religious himself. Besides… I'm dating him, not his mom."
Ada leaned forward, eyes soft but firm.
"Golden, I know you're not a child. I can't control your heart, but I want you to end things with that—"
"Mom, please!" Golden's voice broke as she dropped to her knees, soap still clinging to her hands. "Mom, please, I love him. I can't leave him. You don't have to worry about anything—"
"I said no, Golden!" Ada snapped. "You'll find another person."
"No, Mom, I won't! I can't love anyone the way I love him. If you force me to do this, I'll stay single my whole life!"
Ada folded her arms, " Is that a threat?"
Golden shook her head, tears spilling freely.
"It's not. I'm just telling you how much I love him. Please. You've always chosen for me—my school, my course, my job. Please, let me choose this one thing for myself."
Ada stood, staring at her daughter—her obedient, quiet daughter—now kneeling, begging. Her chest rose and fell heavily.
"I don't know what to say," she said finally. "But I'm not changing my mind. I don't want you with that boy."
And with that, she turned and walked into the house.
"Mom, please! Mom!"
Golden's voice cracked, but Ada didn't stop. The compound fell silent except for the drip of water from the laundry bucket.
Golden sat there, tears rolling, shoulders shaking.
⸻
The rest of the day was slow and heavy. Golden stayed locked in her room, face buried in her pillow. When Xavier called that night, she wiped her tears quickly, forcing cheer into her voice.
"Hey, you sound tired," he said.
"Just work," she lied softly. "I'm fine."
He believed her. And for days, she carried the pain quietly—pretending everything was fine, while her mother's words echoed in her head.
She begged again the following week. Ada refused. Golden refused food for two days, even faked sickness. Nothing worked. Her mother was unmoved.
At least Xavier was distracted with his new business project—so she could hide the storm in her heart.
At work, she wore her brightest smile, replying emails, leading meetings—but every quiet moment, her thoughts drifted back to Ada's rejection.
⸻
Friday Evening…
The sun was already dipping low when Golden left the office. Her heels clicked softly against the pavement. Her eyes were swollen from silent tears. She decided to take the shorter route home—through the back street, quieter, less crowded.
Halfway through, a familiar voice sliced through the evening air.
"Well, well, well… who do we have here? Miss Better-Than-Everyone."
Golden froze. Favour. Standing with two other women, leaning against the wall like a villain waiting for her cue.
Golden exhaled slowly.
"Favour, please. I don't have the strength for drama this evening. Didn't you call in sick today? You look perfectly healthy to me."
"Oh, you still have mouth," Favour sneered. "Big talk for someone being cornered in a quiet street."
Golden smirked faintly.
"So you're admitting you waylaid me?"
"Did you just smile?" Favour snapped. "You always act like you're better than everyone—"
"Because I am." Golden's tone was calm but cold.
Favour blinked, startled.
Golden stepped closer, eyes steady.
"Come on, Favour. You know it. I got the head prefect post in school—you didn't. I got promoted before you, even though you joined the company first. So yes, I'm better than you."
Favour's face twisted in fury. The two girls beside her exchanged nervous looks.
Golden sighed softly.
"But you know what? I've never wanted to hurt you. I'm sorry if everything you wanted came to me—it wasn't planned. I worked hard for my life too."
"Oh yeah?" Favour scoffed. "You worked hard to date Xavier too, right? Acting like you're not interested when it's all strategy."
"Just let me go, Favour. I've got enough going on right now."
"You're just a whore, Golden. A whore who uses her body to get what she wants."
Golden stopped. The word burned deep. Her jaw tightened.
She turned slowly, eyes darkening.
"Favour," she said quietly, "do yourself a favour—take these handbags," she pointed at the other two, "and leave."
"And if we don't?" one girl said.
"You're just full of yourself," the other added.
Golden's lips curved in a slow, dangerous smile.
"As adults, I suggest we walk away."
"Of course not," Favour snapped. "Not until I destroy that pretty face of yours."
"You must be—"
The slap came fast.
Golden staggered back, stunned. Then her eyes blazed. She dropped her bag on the ground.
"You shouldn't have done that."
And she lunged.
Three against one. Screams filled the narrow lane as they struggled. Golden fought like a storm—wild, fast, unstoppable. Fists flew, curses echoed. By the time the women nearby rushed to separate them, all four were battered and breathless.
Golden's shirt was torn at the sleeve, a small cut bleeding on her lip. She limped slightly as she made her way home, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
She slipped quietly into her room, avoiding her mother. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The pain from the fight mixed with the ache in her heart.
"Maybe I should just let him go," she whispered to herself.
Tears pooled again. She didn't even hear Ada's footsteps until her door creaked open.
"Golden—what happened to you?" Ada gasped.
Golden sat up quickly.
"Me? Oh… uh… we had this little competition at work, I fell and—yeah, that's it."
Ada raised an eyebrow, " Golden?"
Golden forced a laugh, " Mom, really. I'm not the fighting type."
Ada's tone softened, " I didn't say anything about fighting."
Golden froze, " Oh… uh…"
Ada sighed, sitting beside her.
"Who did this to you?"
Golden looked down, her voice barely a whisper.
"It's nothing, Mom. Just a… girly thing. Don't stress. Why are you in my room?"
Ada exhaled deeply, her expression shifting.
"I thought about what you said," she murmured. "And I realized maybe I shouldn't stop you from getting what you want for the first time."
Golden looked up, confused.
"Mom?"
Ada smiled faintly.
"So, this Xavier… you said he isn't too religious, right?"
Golden's eyes brightened.
"Yes, Mom. He isn't."
"Even if he was, you wouldn't throw away what you believe just like that, right?"
"Of course not," Golden said quickly.
Ada nodded slowly.
"Then it's settled. Do what you want. Just—stand your ground. Don't let anyone change your mind."
Golden gasped, then smiled through tears.
"Mom… thank you!"
She hugged her tightly. For the first time in weeks, her chest felt light.
That night, laughter filled their home again. They ate dinner together, and for a few hours, it felt like everything was right in the world.
The bruises still ached—but her heart didn't.
Later that night, Golden lay in bed, still smiling faintly from dinner. The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the room.
Her phone buzzed. Xavier.
She hesitated, then answered, her voice calm, almost glowing.
"Hey, Xav."
"Hey, angel," he replied, a little surprised by how light she sounded. "You sound… different tonight."
"Do I?" she teased softly. "Maybe because I finally ate real food instead of snacks."
"No, no, it's more than that." He chuckled, the warmth in her tone making him pause. "You sound happy. Like… actually happy."
Golden smiled into the phone, tracing invisible lines on her pillow.
"Maybe I am."
"Did something happen? Or did I just suddenly become funnier?"
She laughed quietly, " Don't flatter yourself. Let's just say things are better."
"Better?" He sat up, curious. "Golden, for weeks you've sounded distant, like your mind was somewhere else. I kept thinking I'd done something wrong."
Golden was quiet for a moment, her heart softening at his concern.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Xav. It was just… life being life. But tonight—it feels like a fresh start."
He smiled, " Then that's all that matters. I've missed hearing you laugh like this."
"I've missed feeling this way," she said honestly.
There was a comfortable silence between them—gentle, full, like the quiet hum before dawn.
"You know what?" Xavier said finally. "You don't even need to tell me what changed. I can hear it in your voice. My Golden's back."
Golden chuckled, cheeks warm.
"I never left, Xav. I just needed time to sort some things out."
"Well," he whispered, "welcome back, my angel."
Golden smiled again, closing her eyes.
"Goodnight, Xav."
"Goodnight, Gold."
The call ended, but this time, instead of tears, Golden drifted to sleep with a quiet peace in her heart—and a faint smile on her lips.