Whispers of anger reached her ears, and she knew she couldn't hide forever.
Sade approached her cautiously. "Madam, maybe you should talk to them," she suggested.
Bola shook her head. "What will I say? They've already made up their minds.
As the noise outside grew louder, Bola realized she had two choices: deny everything and hope the storm passed or take responsibility for her actions. The latter option terrified her, but deep down, she knew it was the only way forward.
Taking a deep breath, Bola stepped outside. The crowd quieted as she emerged, their eyes fixed on her.
"I know you're all angry," Bola began, her voice trembling. "And you have every right to be. What you've seen…what Fumi has exposed…it's true."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Bola continued, her eyes glistening with tears. "I never meant to harm anyone. I thought… I thought the taste of my food would make up for everything else. I see now that I was wrong. I failed you all, and for that, I am deeply sorry."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity.
The crowd's reaction was divided. Some people softened, moved by her apology.
"Well, at least she's admitting it," one woman said quietly.
But others were less forgiving. "Sorry doesn't fix the damage you've done!" a man shouted angrily.
Bola nodded, accepting the criticism. "You're right," she said. "I can't undo the harm, but I promise to do better. I will shut down this restaurant and work on improving myself. When I come back—if I come back—it will be with a clean kitchen and a clean conscience."
With that, she turned and walked back inside, leaving the crowd to disperse.
Over the next few days, Bola's Kitchen remained closed. The once-vibrant restaurant was now a ghost town, its doors locked and windows shuttered. The scandal left a lasting impact on the community, sparking conversations about food hygiene and accountability.