Ebuka was waiting for her at a quiet bar in Wuse, far from the bustling streets of central Abuja. When she walked in, their eyes met immediately, and the unspoken tension between them crackled in the air.
"Adanna," he said, standing as she approached the table. His smile was warm, but there was a darkness in his eyes that she couldn't ignore.
"Ebuka," she replied, sitting down across from him. "What's this about?"
He leaned forward, his voice low and sincere. "I've been thinking about you. I know we're supposed to keep things professional, but I can't pretend anymore. There's something here, Adanna. And I think you feel it too."
Her heart raced at his words, but she kept her face calm, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Ebuka, we can't—"
"I know it's complicated," he interrupted, his eyes searching hers. "But life is complicated. All I know is that when I'm with you, everything makes sense."
Adanna's breath hitched, and for a moment, the world seemed to blur around them. She knew she should walk away, that nothing good could come from this. But as Ebuka reached across the table and took her hand in his, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn't want to.
The air in the bar felt heavier as Adanna sat across from Ebuka, his hand still resting on hers. Her thoughts raced. She knew she should pull away, leave before things got any more complicated. But something in his touch grounded her in a way she hadn't expected.
"We can't keep doing this," Adanna whispered, her voice barely audible above the din of the bar. Yet, even as she said the words, she didn't pull her hand away.
Ebuka's gaze didn't waver. "Doing what, Adanna? We haven't even begun."
Adanna swallowed hard, her mind darting to Damilola. He didn't deserve this—the lies, the deceit. But there was something about Ebuka that stirred something inside her that had long been dormant. Something wild and reckless.
"You have a boyfriend," Ebuka said, his voice low, but not accusing. "I know. I've known for a while. But that doesn't change how I feel."
Adanna finally pulled her hand back, folding it tightly in her lap. "I care about Damilola."
"But you're here with me."
The truth of his words hit her like a wave. She had spent years building a life with Damilola—a relationship filled with stability and love. But lately, their love had become routine, like a well-oiled machine that lacked the spark it once had.
With Ebuka, there was no routine. There was only passion, danger, and the constant thrill of what if.
She looked at him, her voice soft. "I don't know what to do, Ebuka."
"Then don't think," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's just… see where this goes."
For a long moment, neither of them said anything. The tension between them thickened, a silent acknowledgment that they were standing on the edge of something that could destroy everything.
Finally, Adanna stood up, her decision made, at least for now. "I have to go."
Ebuka stood as well, his expression unreadable. "This isn't over, Adanna."
She didn't reply. As she turned to leave, she could feel his eyes on her, burning into her back. And though she knew she was walking away, something told her that Ebuka was right—this wasn't over.
The next day, Adanna found herself back at her apartment, pacing the floor as she waited for Damilola to arrive. They had agreed to talk, but she wasn't sure what she was going to say. How could she explain the growing distance between them? How could she tell him that she had feelings for someone else?
Her phone buzzed, and her heart sank when she saw Ebuka's name light up the screen.
Are you okay?
She stared at the message for a moment before typing a quick reply: I'm fine. I'll talk to you later.
As soon as she hit send, there was a knock on the door. Damilola had arrived.
He walked in, his usual warm smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, though Adanna could see the worry etched into his features. "Hey," he said, stepping forward to kiss her on the cheek.
"Hey," she replied, stepping back, trying to keep the conversation light despite the heaviness in the air.
They sat down on the couch, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Damilola broke the silence.
"Adanna… I feel like something's changed between us."
Adanna's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know… it's like you're not really here anymore. Even when we're together, you're somewhere else."
She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. How could she tell him the truth? That everything he said was right. That her heart had been wandering, looking for something she wasn't even sure she wanted.
"I've just been busy," she said finally, her voice weak. "Work has been… overwhelming."
Damilola frowned, his eyes searching hers for something she couldn't give. "It's more than that, Adanna. I can feel it. Is there someone else?"
The question hit her like a punch to the gut. She hadn't expected him to be so direct, to see through her so clearly. But then again, this was Damilola. He knew her better than anyone.
Her silence was enough of an answer.
Damilola's face fell, the hurt in his eyes cutting through her. "Who is it?"
Adanna's voice trembled. "It's not like that, Dami. I… I haven't done anything. I just—"
"Who is it, Adanna?" he repeated, his voice firmer this time.
She looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "Ebuka."
The room fell deathly silent. Adanna could feel the weight of the words hanging in the air, suffocating her.
Damilola stood up, his fists clenched at his sides. "I knew it. I knew something was off when you started working with him."
"It's not like that," Adanna said, standing as well, desperate to make him understand. "Nothing has happened between us."
"But you wanted it to."
The accusation hit her hard because it was true. She had wanted something to happen, even if she hadn't admitted it to herself until now.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
Damilola shook his head, his face a mask of pain and betrayal. "I don't even know what to say to you right now."
Adanna stepped forward, reaching for him, but he pulled away. "Dami, please…"
He backed up toward the door, his expression unreadable. "I need some time to think."
And then he was gone, leaving Adanna standing in the middle of her apartment, her heart breaking in two.