Chapter 4
818 Words
Henry smiled as he shifted gears, slowly driving off after saying, "see you around, Radiance —and you too".
As he pulled away from tue curb, his eyes flicked once more to the rearview mirror where the two girls stood.
"Didn't expect to find someone who'd catch my attention so easily," he mused. "Maybe this will finally get Grandma off my back."
His grandmother had been relentless, introducing him to countless women who seemed more interested in his wealth than in him. Tired of the pretense, he had decided to take a break from it all. Nigeria, with its rich culture and vibrant life, seemed like the perfect escape. Enrolling at the University of Benin under a different identity allowed him the anonymity he craved.
Picking up his phone, he dialed a number.
“Ken,” he said as the line connected.
“Yes, boss?”
“I need you to access the university's student records. Find every student named Radiance.”
“Understood. Give me 24 hours.”
Henry ended the call, not even considering the possibility that she might have given a fake name. He was too intrigued to think otherwise.
As he drove on, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This unexpected encounter might just be the adventure he needed.
He snapped himself out of all those thoughts, realizing he had been smiling the entire drive. He cleared his throat, straightened his back, and focused on the road ahead.
The car glided smoothly through the streets, leaving the campus far behind. As the buzz of university life faded, he turned into a quieter area just off-campus—where his rented duplex sat tucked behind tall palms and high walls. Simple but private. Just the way he liked it.
He parked, stepped out, and took a deep breath. The warm Nigerian air hit him differently now, laced with a strange kind of excitement.
“Radiance,” he murmured to himself with a faint smirk, before heading inside. Whatever this was, he wasn’t letting it slip away that easily.
Back in her hostel room, Radiance stepped in, stretched a little, and let out a satisfied sigh. The match with Muizzah had been fun, but her body was craving a proper bath. She peeled off her tennis gear and headed to the bathroom. The cool water running over her skin was soothing, rinsing off the sweat and sun from the day.
After her shower, she rested for a while, scrolling aimlessly through her phone until her stomach growled loud enough to remind her it was time to eat. She got up and headed to the little corner where she kept her food supplies.
Within minutes, the aroma of rice and freshly made stew filled the room.
“Wow,” she smiled, plating her food. “Maybe I’d actually make a good chef.”
She giggled softly and sat down to eat. As she chewed, her eyes wandered around the quiet room.
“Strange,” she muttered. “Where are these girls?”
Her roommates had told her they were heading to a party the previous evening, but it seemed like they’d left quite early. She hadn’t seen them at all today.
“Well, let them have fun,” she shrugged. “At least the room’s peaceful.”
She finished her food, washed her plate, then climbed into bed with a content sigh. Picking up her phone, she opened the novel she had been following so intently—Married to the Devil’s Son—ready to lose herself again in its drama.
At precisely 5:00 PM, Henry's phone buzzed on the glass table beside him. He glanced at the screen—a message from Ken, his trusted secretary.
Ken: “Boss, I’ve compiled the list of all students named Radiance from the university records. Sending it now.”
Henry’s eyes lit up as he opened the attached file. Rows of names, departments, and profile pictures filled the screen. He began scrolling, his anticipation growing with each swipe.
“Come on, where are you?” he muttered, tapping impatiently.
Halfway through the list, frustration crept in. None of the faces matched the girl who had captivated him earlier. Just as he was about to call Ken for clarification, he spotted her.
“There you are,” he whispered, a grin spreading across his face.
He clicked on her profile:
- Name: Radiance Salem
- Age: 20
- Faculty: School Of Basic Medical Science
- Department: Anatomy
- Level: 200
- Hostel: Moremi Hall
- Room Number: B12
Henry leaned back, absorbing every detail. The excitement coursing through him was palpable. He stood up, walked to the kitchen, and poured himself a glass of water, trying to steady his racing thoughts.
Returning to his seat, he took a deep breath and whispered to himself, “Let the chase begin,” a devilish smirk playing on his lips.
- Writer
