Monday morning came with its usual chaos, but for once, Nora didn't mind. As she moved through her morning routine, her thoughts wandered to Adrian's performance, their late-night conversation, and the way his eyes had lingered on hers. She hadn't felt this alive in years.
Still, as she walked into her office, her professional instincts took over. The resort project was nearing a critical phase, and she had no room for distractions. Nora buried herself in meetings, phone calls, and design revisions. By midday, she was back in her usual groove, her focus laser-sharp.
But Adrian wasn't one to be ignored.
Her phone buzzed during lunch, and she glanced at the screen.
Adrian: Good morning, Nora. Hope work isn't too hectic today. Thought I'd remind you to take a breather it's important.
She smiled, a small warmth spreading through her chest. He had a way of making her feel noticed, even from afar.
Nora: Thanks for the reminder. I'm swamped, but I'll try. How's your day going?
Adrian: A little songwriting, a lot of procrastinating. I might need one of your "organized professional" pep talks soon.
Nora laughed softly, earning a curious glance from her assistant as she typed back.
Nora: Deal. But only if you promise to play me one of those new songs when it's ready.
Adrian: Done. Let's call it inspiration.
Their messages continued through the day, short exchanges that broke up the monotony of work. By the time Nora left the office, she realized she had been smiling more than usual.
That evening, as Nora settled into her apartment, her mother called.
"Good evening, Mama," Nora said, already bracing herself for the usual barrage of questions.
"Good evening, my daughter. How are you?" her mother asked, her tone warm but probing.
"I'm fine, just busy with work."
"That's good. I was talking to Dapo's mother earlier. He's doing very well in Abuja, you know."
Nora closed her eyes, suppressing a sigh. Dapo was the childhood friend her family had been nudging her toward for years. He was everything they thought she should want: successful, stable, and from a good family. But for Nora, there had never been a spark.
"That's nice, Mama," she said, keeping her tone neutral.
"You should give him a chance, Nora. He's a good man. Your work is important, but it won't keep you warm at night."
"I know, Mama," she replied, her patience wearing thin. "But I'm not interested in Dapo."
Her mother sighed, the disappointment evident. "You're not getting any younger, my dear. Think about it."
After the call ended, Nora sat in silence, frustration bubbling under the surface. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her. They wanted her to have a life that looked perfect from the outside, but they never asked what she wanted.
Her thoughts drifted to Adrian. He was the opposite of everything her family considered "ideal." He was a musician with an unpredictable career, a free spirit who lived in the moment. And yet, he made her feel seen and valued in a way no one else had.
Later that night, as she lay in bed, her phone buzzed again.
Adrian: Random question: What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?
She stared at the message, her mind blank. Spontaneity wasn't her strong suit.
Nora: Probably accepting your invitation to the park concert.
Adrian: Ouch. We're going to work on that.
Nora: Oh, are we?
Adrian: Absolutely. Life's too short to always play it safe. How about dinner this Friday?
Her heart skipped a beat. A part of her wanted to say no, to keep her life neatly compartmentalized. But another part the one that had been smiling at his messages all day pushed her to take the leap.
Nora: Alright. But no wild adventures. Just dinner.
Adrian: Deal. But I can't promise it'll be boring.
As she set her phone down, Nora felt a mixture of excitement and fear. Adrian was pulling her out of her comfort zone, forcing her to confront parts of herself she had long ignored.
For the first time in years, she felt the pull of something uncertain and exciting. And though she didn't know where it would lead, she decided to let herself follow it, at least for now.