The days following her conversation with Daniel and Markus felt like a blur. Ada went through the motions of her daily life, but her mind never strayed far from what they had told her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Daniel's face—his plea for help, his burden that now seemed like her own. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she couldn't walk away.
She was already too deep.
The park where they had met was still on her mind, the shadows of the trees now symbolizing everything she was afraid to face. But that night, after a long shift at the restaurant, Ada found herself unable to sleep. She had to know more. She needed to understand what Daniel had been involved in, and why Markus seemed so sure that she was now part of it.
So, she made her decision. She needed to meet Daniel again. She needed answers.
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when she received the message: "Meet me. Alone."
She didn't hesitate. The old warehouse on the outskirts of the city, the one Daniel had told her about, was where he wanted to meet.
Ada knew it was dangerous. She knew she was walking into a situation that could spiral out of control. But the need to confront him, to finally get the full story, overpowered her fear.
As she approached the warehouse, her heartbeat quickened. The area was desolate—an industrial zone abandoned long ago. The crumbling walls and rusted metal gates seemed to reflect the darkness of the situation she had stepped into.
When she reached the entrance, the heavy door creaked open, revealing Daniel standing in the dim light of the warehouse. His figure seemed smaller in the shadows, but his presence still filled the space. He looked both relieved and tense, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting someone else to show up.
"Ada, you came," he said, his voice low, almost guarded.
"I'm here," she replied, her tone firm, though her nerves were fraying. "Now, tell me everything."
He motioned for her to follow him deeper into the warehouse. The air was thick with dust, the remnants of forgotten work scattered around them—old machinery, rusting tools, and empty crates. It was the perfect place to hide from the world.
"You shouldn't be here, Ada," Daniel said as they walked, his voice strained. "I've tried to keep you out of this."
She stopped, turning to face him. "But I'm already involved, Daniel. I can't just walk away after everything you've told me. What is going on? What have you gotten yourself into?"
Daniel hesitated, then sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "It's not what I wanted. I never wanted to bring you into this life, but when I came back to Lagos, I realized that I couldn't hide from my past anymore."
Ada stepped closer, her voice softer now. "You said you were working for dangerous people. What kind of people?"
Daniel's eyes flickered with hesitation. "They're part of something much bigger, Ada. They have connections everywhere—government, business, even the underground world. I thought I could keep a low profile, work for them, and get out. But it's not that simple. They never let you leave once you're in."
Ada took a deep breath, trying to process his words. "But why come back? Why risk everything just to find me?"
Daniel looked away, the guilt on his face evident. "Because there's something I never told you. I wasn't just working for them—I was involved in their operations. The money, the deals... everything. But when I realized what it really meant, I tried to walk away. I thought I could. But they don't let you go so easily. And now, they want me to finish what I started."
Ada's mind raced. "What do they want you to do? And why does it involve me?"
He stepped closer to her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "They want something you have, Ada. Something from your past that they believe will give them the leverage they need. And I can't protect you if they come after you."
Ada froze, her pulse hammering in her chest. "What are you talking about? I don't have anything they want."
Daniel's face was filled with regret. "I didn't want to tell you this, but it's the truth. You don't remember it, but you were involved in something much bigger than you realized. And they've been looking for you ever since."
Ada's mind spun. "I don't understand. What could I have possibly been involved in?"
Daniel stepped back, his eyes filled with conflict. "I wasn't just a friend to you, Ada. I was... part of your past in a way I never told you. And the people I worked for—they know about it. They know about you. And now they want you to be part of their operation, whether you like it or not."
Ada's breath hitched. "What are you saying, Daniel? Are you saying I was involved in something criminal?"
He shook his head. "No, not exactly. But you were connected to something that could have dangerous consequences now. And I don't know how to protect you from them."
Ada stood there, in the dim light of the warehouse, her mind a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and disbelief. She had always known there was something about her past that didn't quite add up, but she never imagined it could be tied to something so dark.
Daniel stepped toward her, his voice earnest. "Ada, I'm asking you to trust me. I'm doing everything I can to protect you, but I need your help. If we don't act fast, they'll come for you—and they won't stop until they get what they want."
She swallowed hard, her heart racing. She was standing at a crossroads, and there was no turning back. The danger was real, the stakes higher than she had ever imagined. But one question still lingered in her mind.
What did they want from her?