The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the garden as Omolola settled in her room, trying to distract herself with a novel. But no matter how engrossing the story was meant to be, her thoughts kept circling back to the growing unease she felt about Adekunle. Something about his recent behavior didn't sit right with her—his smooth charm, his ability to defuse her concerns, and the strange way he seemed to have every answer ready.
Her parents, thrilled by his every move, only made matters worse. They insisted that Adekunle was perfect for her—a man of ambition, intellect, and resources who could elevate their family's status. Omolola, however, was beginning to see cracks in the perfect image Adekunle had cultivated.
The faint sound of his voice broke through her thoughts. From her window, she saw him pacing in the garden below, a phone pressed to his ear. His body language was tense, and his voice, though hushed, carried an urgency that piqued her curiosity.
She crept closer to the window, her instincts telling her to listen.
"You assured me this wouldn't be an issue," Adekunle said, his voice sharp but measured. "The family's influence is non-negotiable. I don't care how you handle it, but this must be finalized before the next meeting."
Omolola's stomach tightened. He paused as the person on the other end spoke, his face darkening.
"No, they don't suspect a thing," he continued. "Her parents are easy to manipulate. The girl, though... she's proving more stubborn than expected. But I'll handle her."
Her heart raced. The girl? Was he talking about her? And what deal involved her family's influence?
"Relax," he said, his tone softening as he laughed. "They'll come around. Everything is under control."
As he ended the call, Omolola quickly backed away from the window, her mind reeling. Every alarm bell in her head was ringing. Adekunle's words were calculated, and they hinted at something far more sinister than she had imagined.
Gathering her courage, she decided to confront him. She couldn't ignore this.
---
Adekunle was startled to see her approaching as he slipped his phone into his pocket. His initial surprise quickly melted into a disarming smile.
"Omolola, what a pleasant surprise," he said, his tone warm and inviting.
"What were you talking about just now?" she asked, cutting straight to the point.
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Talking about? I don't understand."
"I heard you," she said, crossing her arms. "You were on the phone, talking about my family and some deal. What's going on?"
Adekunle's expression shifted ever so slightly, a flicker of something dark passing over his face before he composed himself. "Oh, that," he said, chuckling. "You must have misunderstood. It's nothing serious, I assure you. Just business."
"Business?" Omolola pressed, refusing to let him off the hook. "What kind of business involves my family's influence?"
He sighed, placing a hand over his heart. "I should have known you'd be worried. It's nothing to be alarmed about, my dear. I was discussing a potential project that could benefit everyone. Your family's reputation is impeccable, and I merely mentioned them as an example of the kind of people I want to align with."
She narrowed her eyes. His explanation was smooth, too smooth. "Why wouldn't you tell me about this? Why keep it a secret?"
"I wasn't keeping it a secret," he said, his voice steady. "I just didn't want to burden you with the details. You already have so much on your plate, and I didn't think it was worth troubling you over something so trivial."
Omolola stared at him, her instincts screaming that he was lying. But his calm demeanor and the way he looked at her with such sincerity made it difficult to argue.
"You mean so much to me, Omolola," he continued, stepping closer. "I would never do anything to hurt you or your family. Please, trust me."
Her resolve wavered as he took her hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. But the words she had overheard replayed in her mind, keeping her from fully accepting his explanation.
"I need some time to think," she said finally, pulling her hand away.
"Of course," Adekunle said, his smile unwavering. "Take all the time you need. I'm here for you."
---
That evening, Omolola sat alone in her room, replaying the conversation in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that Adekunle was hiding something. But when she tried to make sense of his motives, the pieces didn't fit.
She decided to confide in her parents, hoping they would take her concerns seriously.
---
The next morning, Omolola found her parents in the living room. Her father was reading the newspaper, and her mother was busy arranging flowers in a vase.
"Mama, Papa, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice steady but nervous.
Her parents looked up, their expressions curious.
"What is it, Omolola?" her mother asked.
"It's about Adekunle," she said, sitting down. "I overheard him on the phone yesterday, and I think he's using us—using our family—for some kind of scheme."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "Using us? That's a serious accusation, Omolola. What exactly did you hear?"
She recounted the conversation, leaving out no details. By the time she finished, her parents' expressions had shifted from curiosity to skepticism.
"Omolola," her mother said, shaking her head. "You must have misunderstood. Adekunle is a good man. He's ambitious, yes, but that's what makes him a strong match for you."
"I didn't misunderstand," Omolola insisted. "He's hiding something. He even said you were easy to manipulate!"
Her father frowned. "That doesn't sound like Adekunle. Are you sure you're not overthinking this? He's been nothing but respectful and kind to us."
"I know what I heard," she said, her frustration mounting. "Why won't you believe me?"
"Because you're looking for problems where there are none," her mother replied. "Adekunle is everything a parent could wish for their daughter. Don't let your imagination ruin something so promising."
Her father nodded. "You should focus on building a future with him, not tearing him down over a misunderstanding."
Omolola's heart sank. Their unwavering support for Adekunle blinded them to the possibility that he might not be what he seemed.
---
Later that day, Adekunle arrived at the house, his usual confident self. Omolola watched him interact with her parents, his charm on full display. He laughed at her father's jokes, complimented her mother's cooking, and spoke passionately about his "plans" for the future.
It was infuriating to see how easily he won them over. But as she observed him, she noticed something else—a flicker of triumph in his eyes, as if he knew he had them wrapped around his finger.
Omolola felt a surge of determination. She wouldn't let herself be manipulated like her parents. If Adekunle was hiding something, she would find out what it was.
As the evening wore on, she excused herself and went to her room. She needed to think, to plan her next move. One thing was certain: Adekunle wasn't the man he pretended to be, and she wasn't going to let him control her life.