The office lights feel colder tonight. The usual hum of the city is distant like it's holding its breath with me.
Gloria arrives early, papers in hand, already organizing files and pulling up employee records. The tension in the room is thick. Everyone senses it, even if they don't know the full story.
I take a deep breath and stand at the head of the long mahogany table.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," I begin. "I have reason to believe we have a serious security breach."
A few heads turn sharply. Eyes widen.
"Our driver, Kola, has been… less than truthful about his identity."
I watch the reactions carefully. Some skeptical, some shocked.
"I've hired a private investigator. The findings are clear—this man is Kolade Akinola, an ex-con with a history of fraud and impersonation."
Murmurs ripple through the room. Someone clears their throat.
"I want every financial transaction, every withdrawal, every unusual expense traced immediately. We cannot afford leaks."
Gloria hands me a folder. "I've started the audit on your accounts. There are discrepancies already."
I nod, fighting the urge to pace.
"This is personal," I say, voice softer now, "but also professional. This man was in my life, in my company, and I need to know what he took, what he's hiding, and why."
One of my senior managers, Tunde, raises his hand.
"Ma, do you think this is connected to Nse Ikpe? The ex-wife?"
I glance at Gloria, who nods subtly.
"Yes. And I've just spoken with her. She says she wants to help. She's willing to meet."
Tunde frowns. "You trust her?"
I look at the faces around the table. "Right now, I don't know who to trust. But I will meet her. Because she might hold the key to this."
The meeting stretches late into the night. We go through accounts, employee lists, security footage, and vendor contracts. Every tiny detail is examined. Every loose thread is noted.
But beneath it all, I feel a growing storm inside me. Anger, yes. Betrayal, definitely. But also… sadness.
How do you fight someone who wore your heart like a mask?
When Gloria walks me to the elevator, she breaks the silence.
"Rita, whatever happens, you're not alone in this."
Her words hit home. I lean into them.
"I'll need you, Gloria. More than ever."
The elevator dings softly, and I step out into the night.
Outside, the Lagos skyline glitters unforgiving, relentless.
I walk to my car, fingers tightening around my phone.
The message I send is short:
> Meeting with Nse tomorrow. Need to know everything.
And beneath the surface of this sprawling city, a war is beginning one fought in shadows, secrets, and hearts.