I hadn't planned for things to unfold the way they did. Tracking Eva to find out how she was doing was born out of genuine concern. But everything that happened afterward - the shopping mall encounter, following her to her apartment, sharing dinner, and seeing her smile - was entirely unplanned. It all felt so natural, like the universe had aligned events to create this unexpected reunion.
As I stood under the cold shower back in my hotel room, the moments replayed vividly in my mind. Eva's graceful movements in the kitchen, the warmth in her eyes, her kind smiles, and the way she made me feel at ease - it was almost intoxicating. And her cooking... it was heavenly, just as I remembered it. Tessy, my ex-wife, had inherited little of her mother's kindness or grace, and certainly not her culinary skills. It was strange how two women so intimately connected could be so vastly different. Tessy was all sharp edges, while Eva was a comforting balm.
I lay on the bed, eyes closed, waiting for sleep to come, though I wasn't tired. My mind refused to let go of Eva. Her face, her laughter, the stolen glances she thought I hadn't noticed - all these danced before me like scenes from a cherished memory. The time we spent in her small apartment had felt so familiar, so comforting. It stirred something deep within me, something I hadn't felt in years. It was like being on an unplanned date, one that left me yearning for more.
Suddenly, I was taken back to a memory from years ago. Tessy had just given birth, and Eva had come to our house to help out. She'd sent me a shopping list: white yam, dried fish, goat meat, and some special local spices. I remember driving to the market, ensuring I got everything just as she had requested. She arrived at the house just as I returned, and I helped her carry the bags into the kitchen.
I can still see her now, moving gracefully around the kitchen, her every action purposeful and elegant. I'd offered to help, but she'd waved me off, insisting it wasn't a big deal. "Go sit and rest, Ray," she'd said with a gentle laugh. But I couldn't stay away. Every few minutes, I found myself back in the kitchen, watching her as she worked. She hadn't noticed me at first, or perhaps she pretended not to. When the meal was ready, she called me over and insisted I taste it right there in the kitchen.
I remember the burst of flavor that hit my tongue -rich, spicy, and utterly perfect. She'd laughed as I widened my eyes in surprise, and then she fed me another bite, teasing me for my dramatic reaction. It was one of the warmest, most genuine moments I'd ever shared with her. After we packed Tessy's portion, we hurried off to the hospital, but that experience stayed with me. It was rare, intimate, and unforgettable.
Now, lying in bed, I couldn't help but wonder if tonight had stirred the same feelings as that day. Was it maternal admiration? Or something deeper, something I didn't dare to name? Whatever it was, it left me restless, longing for more time in her presence. There was a light in Eva that had drawn me in all those years ago, and now it was pulling me in again, stronger than ever.
I woke up late the next morning, feeling oddly refreshed despite the emotional whirlwind of the previous day. After grabbing a quick cup of coffee, I connected with my office in Abuja via Zoom for an extensive meeting with my realtor associate, Mr. Adebayo. He had been managing the sale of my estate, which had been on the market for a while.
"Good morning, Mr. Adebayo," I greeted as his face filled my laptop screen. His usual bright demeanor was evident.
"Good morning, Mr. Raymond," he replied, smiling warmly. "I hope you're having a good morning. Now, let's get straight to it - the estate is practically flying off the shelves!"
I raised a brow. "That's great to hear. What's the current status?"
"Well," he said, leaning forward, "as of this morning, 85% of the units are sold. The remaining 15%? We already have interested buyers. They're just finalizing their finances. Honestly, it's a matter of weeks before we close out entirely."
"Wildfire, indeed," I said, unable to hide my satisfaction. "Your team is doing an excellent job, Mr. Adebayo. This project has been my pride, and you've exceeded my expectations."
"We're just doing our job, sir," he replied humbly. "But I must say, the project itself is brilliant. A gated estate with that level of detail and affordable luxury - people can't resist. By the way, I heard you're in Lagos at the moment?"
"Yes," I said, nodding. "I needed a change of pace and some time to myself."
"Perfect timing, sir!" he exclaimed. "Lagos is ripe for the same kind of development. Imagine replicating this exact project here - a similar plot size, same number of units, and the same premium design. I can guarantee you the market will devour it."
I leaned back in my chair, intrigued. "That's an interesting proposition. Lagos does have the population and the demand. But wouldn't the cost of land acquisition be significantly higher here compared to Abuja?"
"True," he admitted, "but the potential returns are much higher as well. Lagos has a booming real estate market, especially in the right locations. With the reputation of your Abuja estate, buyers here will trust the quality immediately. Plus, we could tweak a few things to fit Lagos tastes - perhaps more duplexes or penthouses."
I nodded slowly, considering the idea. "I'll need to think about this, Mr. Adebayo. Scaling up isn't something I take lightly."
"Of course, sir," he said with a grin. "But when you do decide, you know we'll make it happen seamlessly. In the meantime, I'll start scouting potential locations and prepare a market analysis for you to review."
"Sounds good. I'll await your report," I said. "Let's keep riding this wave of success."
As the call ended, I leaned back in my chair, the thought of a Lagos project lingering in my mind. It was bold, ambitious, and entirely possible - a combination I thrived on. This could be the beginning of something even bigger.
I waited patiently for Angel to return from school before giving her a call. As soon as she answered, her cheerful voice filled my heart with warmth. We exchanged sweet father-and-daughter talks, laughing over her school stories and planning to spend the weekend together. I promised to take her out, and her excitement was infectious. It was a brief yet fulfilling call, the kind that always left me feeling connected to my little girl even from afar.
Despite my urge, I had resisted the temptation to call Eva earlier in the morning. Something about it didn't feel right. Calling her directly felt too intrusive, too forward. Instead, I decided to show up and check on her in person.
That evening, I arrived at Eva's Airbnb apartment carrying a large shopping bag. When I knocked, the door opened, and her face lit up with pleasant surprise as her eyes shifted between me and the bag I carried.
"Good evening, Mom! How are you doing today?" I greeted, stepping inside.
"Good evening, Ray. I'm very well, thank you!" She smiled warmly before eyeing the bag. "What is this you're carrying?"
"I went shopping and decided to get this for you," I explained as I headed into the kitchen to unpack the items.
As I emptied the bag onto the counter, I explained further. "I noticed there weren't things like green tea bags or coffee from yesterday's shopping, so I thought I'd get those. I also included some extras - snacks, fruits, and, well, vodka for myself."
Her gasp was audible. "My God, Ray! This is a whole lot. You shouldn't have."
I turned and shot her a look. "Please don't say that again, Mom. I wanted to do this, and I don't see why I shouldn't."
She opened her mouth as if to protest further, but her phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the air, and she hesitated before answering.
From her responses, it became clear that Tessy was on the other end. As Eva moved into the sitting area, her tone shifted to irritation and then to anger. While I quietly continued unpacking the groceries, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation.
"I made it clear to him in the note that I was done and done for good," she said firmly, her voice rising. "Why can't he accept my decision?"
A moment of silence followed, then her tone grew sharper. "No! I'm not going to tell you where I am. Why do you even want to know? You asked me to leave, Tessy, and I did. So what's your business where I am now? Please stay in your comfort zone and let me be!"
The finality in her tone was unmistakable as she ended the call abruptly. She remained frozen for a moment before turning toward me. Our eyes met, and I could see the distress etched into her features. She knew I had overheard everything.
Her shoulders slumped as she sighed deeply. "Ray, I..."
I approached her calmly and gently took her hands, leading her to sit on the couch. "Don't let that call bother you so much, Mom," I said softly, my voice steady and reassuring. "You don't owe anyone an explanation anymore. You made your choice, and everyone should respect that."
She nodded slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, you're right."
Her posture softened as she relaxed into the cushions, but I could tell the call had left her shaken. Wanting to ease her tension, I smiled and said, "Can I get you something, Mom? I think the green tea I bought might be perfect for you right now."
Her lips curled into a faint smile, and she gave a small nod.
I dashed into the kitchen, quickly preparing a steaming cup of green tea. When I returned, I handed it to her, and she accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you, Ray," she said, taking a sip.
"Anything for you, Mom," I replied.
I sat beside her in companionable silence, giving her the space to regain her composure. As she sipped her tea, the tension in her face gradually eased, and a sense of calm began to settle over her. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of protectiveness toward this remarkable woman, who carried so much grace even in the face of