Chapter 3— The Viral Moment
717 Words
Jenna had survived many things in life – Lagos traffic, NEPA outages mid-zoom call, and Mide’s tragic karaoke renditions of Mariah Carey. But she was not ready for what happened next.
By 3pm, her “engagement announcement” had spread through her office like free jollof rice at a wedding. People she barely spoke to had suddenly appeared with smiles, hugs, and unnecessary advice.
“Congratulations, Jenna!”
“Aww, let me see the ring!”
“When is the introduction?”
“Is he Yoruba or Igbo? We need to know for food planning.”
Jenna kept repeating, “Thank you, thank you,” while hiding her bare fingers like criminal hiding evidence.
Aisha trailed behind her, whispering, “This is getting out of hand”
“No kidding”, Jenna whispered back. “If anyone asks what my fiancé’s name is, I’ll fake a coughing fit and run”.
But the universe had other plans.
At 3:17pm, everything changed.
She was in the break room, microwaving her leftover rice that smelled suspiciously like regret, when she heard two junior staff whispering at the door.
“Did you see the post?”
“Which post?”
“Someone from the meeting posted her engagement clip!”
“What? Already?! Lagos people can’t mind their business.”
Jenna froze.
She slowly walked out, heart thudding.
A crowd was forming near the elevators, all staring at their phones.
She tapped Aisha’s shoulder “Send me the link. Now.”
Aisha checked her phone, eyes widening “Oh. My. God.”
“What?” Jenna hissed.
Aisha turned her screen.
There it was.
A 12-second video.
Posted anonymously on a gossip page. Captioned:
“Marketing Lady Just Announced Engagement During Work Tension Nigerians, Come And See Dramatic Love oh!”
The video had everything;
■ Her panicked face
■ The moment she blurted “I’M ENGAGED!”
■ Aisha choking
■ The client blinking in confusion
Worst of it all? It was already at eight thousand views.
Jenna covered her face “I’m going to die.”
“Look at the comments…” Aisha whispered.
Jenna peeked:
@nenechops: She’s definitely marrying for peace of mind.
@lagosboy22: Where’s the lucky guy? We need to see him.
@thatgirlada: Why do I feel like she’s lying?
@oyibopepper: Congrats sis! Love will find the rest of us.
@theofficegist: Someone said they’ll investigate the fiancé by evening.
Jenna nearly fainted.
“Why is this my life?” she whimpered.
“Okay, calm down,” Aisha said, grabbing her shoulders. “People will forget by tomorrow.”
But right then, Lawrence appeared, phone in hand, grin smug enough to power a small generator.
“So,” he said loudly, “this is how you announce an engagement? During a budget meeting?”
The crowd snickered.
In response – and out of pure panic – Jenna said the first thing her terrified brain could produce, “My fiancé doesn’t like publicity!”
Silence.
Then whispers.
Then someone said, “Wow, he must be very private.”
Lawrence raised a brow, “is that so?”
“Yes,” Jenna said confidently. Too confidently. “He hates cameras. He… he’s shy.”
She had never met a shy Nigerian man in her life, but here they were.
Before Lawrence could grill her further, the elevator dinged – and out stepped Samuel.
He held a folder, looking slightly confused at the crowd.
People turned.
And then someone – bless their chaotic soul – whispered loudly,
“Is that him?”
Jenna choked on air.
Samuel walked towards them, unaware of the spotlight suddenly on him. Aisha whispered, “don’t panic.” Jenna whispered back, “I AM PANIC.”
Samuel reached them.
“Oh, hey,” he said with that calm smile “Everything okay?”
Everyone watched.
Cameras subtly lifted.
Phones recorded.
Lawrence folded his arms, waiting.
Jenna’s stomach twisted.
This was it – the moment her lie would explode.
Samuel looked at her, curious, “Why is everyone staring?”
She opened her mouth, ready to confess – but someone behind her screamed; “OMG THEY MATCH! He even looks like the quiet type!”
And just like that…
The internet decided Samuel was the fiancé.
Jenna’s fate?
Sealed.
And Samuel?
Still completely clueless.
- Writer
