The days after Daniel's abrupt departure passed in a blur, but Ada couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. She replayed their conversation over and over in her head, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Closure? What closure? And what was he hiding?
The rest of her week had been a mix of work and distraction. She found herself staring out of the restaurant's window more than usual, as if expecting to see Daniel walking past, or perhaps to see the mysterious man who had entered the café.
But nothing happened. Life continued as it always did.
That is, until Thursday afternoon. Ada was just about to clock out when her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: "Meet me at the usual spot. It's time."
Her heart skipped a beat. The message was vague, but she knew exactly who it was from. Daniel.
For the first time in years, a mixture of excitement and anxiety churned in her stomach. She couldn't ignore it; she had to know. So, she grabbed her things, left the restaurant, and made her way to the old park they used to frequent during their school days. The place held memories of laughter, shared secrets, and moments of quiet connection. But it also held the unknown now.
As she walked through the park's winding paths, Ada's mind raced. What could Daniel want to talk about? What secret was he carrying, and why now?
When she reached their spot—a weathered bench under the large mango tree—she saw him. But he wasn't alone. A figure stood by his side, tall and imposing. Ada's pulse quickened as she approached.
Daniel looked different—his usual confidence now seemed strained. His posture was rigid, and his eyes avoided hers, as if he were guilty of something. The man next to him, however, gave her a chilling stare. He had the same unsettling gaze as the man in the café.
"Daniel?" Ada asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Ada, this is Kofi. He's... he's someone from my past. And someone who has a lot to do with why I disappeared." His voice was tight, like he was struggling with each word.
Ada didn't know what to say. The pieces were falling into place, but they made no sense. She turned to Kofi, studying his face, but there was nothing familiar about him. Still, she felt a connection—an unease that settled deep in her chest.
Kofi spoke next, his voice low and steady. "You've been looking for answers, Ada. I'm here to give them to you."
Ada's eyes flickered between the two men. "What is this about? What's going on?"
Kofi stepped closer, his gaze never leaving her. "There's more to Daniel's story than you think. And it's time you knew the truth."
Daniel winced at Kofi's words but didn't protest. Ada was about to ask him to elaborate when Kofi continued, his tone growing darker. "Daniel wasn't just a friend to you, Ada. He was a part of something bigger. Something that's been buried for years."
Ada felt the ground shift beneath her. The past, which she had thought was long behind her, was suddenly dragging her back into something she wasn't ready to face.
Kofi's next words sent a chill through her spine. "The truth is, Daniel's return isn't just about closure. It's about survival."
Ada's breath caught in her throat. Survival? What was going on?
And before she could ask anything more, Kofi turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the park.
Daniel looked at her then, his face torn. "Ada, I promise you, I'll tell you everything. But not here. Not now. It's not safe."
Ada stood there, frozen, as the weight of his words settled over her. The answers she had been longing for were now within reach, but they came with a price—one she wasn't sure she was ready to pay.