Three days had passed, and the world had righted itself for Tade. His joy was a palpable force, a boundless energy that had brought his signature shine back.
He was once again the commanding CEO, his authority as sharp and effortless as the tailored suits he wore. His mother, fulfilling her promise, had met with his uncles and cleared every rumor, every lingering doubt about his marriage to Aisha. The path to Anwana was now clear, and Tade's heart, once heavy with worry, felt light enough to soar.
Today, he was in his office, scrolling through the cascade of celebratory comments on his company's official website. They had just sold out their latest engine oil, a testament to his renewed focus and sharp business acumen.
The hum of productivity in the skyscraper was the only sound until a sharp knock on his door broke the silence.
The door opened just as he raised his head, dropping his polished Apple iPad onto the mahogany surface of his desk, his full attention now on his visitor.
It was his assistant, the lady with a keen eye for details. She had been among the first to notice the profound change in her boss. The heavy cloud that had followed him for weeks was gone, replaced by a radiant confidence.
He was back.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted, her voice a little shaky.
"Here's another proposal from our cafeteria. It's the Kitchen department." She kept her face carefully worried as she handed him a thick, brown rectangular envelope.
"Honestly, I don't know why they keep bringing proposals. This is the third in the last two weeks. I think you should do something about it, sir." She turned her face away after her sentence, her hands clasped tightly behind her back, bracing herself for the outcome of her boldness.
Tade's expression didn't change as he opened the envelope and read the contents with a swift, discerning gaze. He lowered the document and raised his head, his stare pinning her in place. "When proposals are brought, why don't you solve the issues on them at once, since you're now the boss here, huh?" he said, his voice low and authoritative. It was quiet, yet it carried a weight that made her gasp inwardly.
Her blue corporate gown, a sleek, fitted sheath, hugged her body so tightly she couldn't properly adjust it. Tade stole a fleeting glance at her dress, then sighed, a sound of pure frustration. "When it's from the kitchen department, tell them to take their proposal directly to the General Manager, not me. Don't they know this?" he asked, his disappointment a palpable pressure in the air.
"Next time, sir," she replied, her voice small, before turning to leave.
He read through the proposal again. "Optimization and Staffing Adjustment."
"How do his chefs not know how to manage workload and staff strain? What's the head chef even doing?" he muttered openly, talking to no one in particular. Hiring another person was too simple, a temporary fix for a foundational problem. He needed someone who was not only talented in the kitchen but also skilled in management. A person who could see beyond the immediate chaos and bring true order.
He called his assistant back immediately.
"Sir, you called for me?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Give this proposal to the GM. Tell him I've decided to hire a managerial-skilled Chef. He should let HR know about this vacancy so recruitment can start immediately. And it's a physical interview, not via any social media." She nodded, her face unreadable as she took the document.
Later that evening, Tade drove past the pristine streets of Ikoyi, his journey taking him straight to the bustling heart of the mainland, Ikorodu.
He pressed the doorbell, a familiar chime that made his own heart jump.
Anwana hurried to the door, Victor on her left hip.
Her simple blue polo shirt and flare skirt did justice to her small, slender frame, giving her the vibe of a petite, cute lady. Her eyes widened as she saw him.
"Ahah... Tade... you're here," she said, her voice filled with a genuine warmth that made the fatigue of the day melt away. She opened the door, letting him in as he dropped the gift bag he had brought with him.
"My love," he called, his masculine voice making those two words sound like the sweetest music in her ears. A smile bloomed on her face, and she felt a rush of affection. He took Victor from her, relieving her of the boy's weight and the dress she was holding.
"Baby Victor," he cooed, playing with the boy's hair, his face softening with pure love.
"Tade, what is it that you bought this time?" she asked, opening the bag. "Oh my god, I love this! Victor will love this, but please... don't spoil him with so many toys." Her lips formed a pout that made her look more adorable than ever. Tade's heart ached with affection, and he fell for her every time.
He stretched to kiss her, but Victor's little body was an impassable obstacle. Anwana laughed, a bright, clear sound, and gave him a soft peck on his cheek instead.
"You know, there was a proposal on my desk today," he started, her eyes widening to hear him speak so casually about his work. "I just thought of you after giving a solution to it. There will be a job opportunity on the company's website tomorrow, and I want you to try your luck. I know I can just tell HR to give it to you at once without an interview, but I know you don't want to feel I'm favoring you because you're my fiancée."
Anwana sighed, a soft, relieved sound. "Thank you, Tade. Thank you for not doing that. And thanks for the opportunity, too, and for thinking I'm suitable for it. I'll check the website and try my best, hmm?"
Tade's smile was genuine and full of pride. Anwana went to the kitchen and returned with a tray of delicious homemade food: Akara (bean cake) in one tray, and boiled yam with a rich egg sauce.
Tade felt himself relax completely as he devoured the food.
"Uncle... you eat too much," Victor said softly, his little face a mixture of amusement and concern as he watched Tade's hunger.
Tade chuckled.
"He's calling me uncle," he said to Anwana, his voice filled with a gentle longing. "I want him to call me dad soon." Anwana's smile in response was all the affirmation he needed.
***
Word had spread so fast within three days.
Of course, Aisha deserved to know her fate. Her mind was a battlefield of furious thoughts.
"How could he? This Tade guy thinks I'm a joke! I was so close. Ughhh, I'm so pained!" she screamed, her hands shaking, her nerves stretched to their breaking point.
Madam Remi Adebanjo had just informed her that she could no longer keep up with their scheme.
Remi had seen the light, realizing she had almost married her son to a manipulative and arrogant woman.
Aisha threw her mirror into pieces, the shattering glass a reflection of her broken plans. She threw her pillows in a fit of rage, her hair a wild, ruffled mess.
"I've never lost, no! I'm not giving up! Whether Miss Remi likes it or not, I'm getting married to Tade!" Her scream brought the attention of her dad and the house cleaner.
Her dad rushed to her room, his old body struggling to keep up with his panic.
"My baby!" he called, his big, round belly a physical barrier to the hug he wanted to give her.
"Don't! Do not touch me!" she yelled, her voice raw with fury. The house cleaner hurried to sweep up the shards of glass.
"You promised it would be Tade, so what's happening?!" she screamed at her father.
"If Tade has hurt you like this, my precious flower, I promise to give you another plaything to toy with, since this one is stubborn. I'll hurt him badly! I'll destroy that idiot! The Adebanjos will cry for mercy!" he roared, fire in his eyes.
Aisha still couldn't get a grip of herself. "No, Dad! Tade is mine! He's the only plaything I need!" she said, falling to the ground, sobbing through the
night, her father helpless to comfort her as her rage consumed her.