The late afternoon sun cast golden hues over Lagos, painting the city in warm tones as the streets of Ikoyi bustled with life. Honking cars, impatient commuters, and the ever-present vendors hawking goods at traffic stops created a familiar rhythm—one that Ada had grown accustomed to over the years.

She sat by the window of a quiet café, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup as she absentmindedly stared outside. Her long, dark curls fell over her shoulders, framing a face lost in thought. Today was supposed to be like any other day, but an unexpected message had changed everything.

— I'm back in Lagos. Let's meet up. —

The text had arrived that morning, stirring a mix of emotions she wasn't prepared for. It had been nearly seven years since she last saw Daniel. Back then, he was just a boy with dreams bigger than his circumstances, determined to carve a path for himself. Now, he was back—from Dubai, no less—and according to rumors, he had become wildly successful.

Ada sighed, tapping her phone against the wooden table. She should be excited. This was Daniel, after all—her closest friend from childhood. The one who knew all her secrets, her late-night fears, and her silly dreams of becoming a celebrated chef. But something about this reunion unsettled her. Would he still be the same Daniel she knew? Or had time changed him into someone unrecognizable?

The bell above the café door chimed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced up just as he stepped inside.

And there he was.

Dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, Daniel looked every bit the man success had embraced. His once-lean frame had filled out, his posture exuded confidence, and his face—sharper, more refined—still carried traces of the boy she used to know. But it was his eyes that made her heart stutter. Those deep brown eyes held something new—an intensity, a quiet power that hadn't been there before.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, his lips stretched into a slow smile. "Ada."

She swallowed, forcing a breath past the lump in her throat. "Daniel."

And just like that, the past came rushing back.