Chapter 5: Hidden Identity
613 Words
The next day, Ada tried her best to convince herself that Daniel was just another annoying customer who happened to appear twice in her life.
Coincidences happen.
That’s all.
She refused to think deeper about it.
But deep down… she was curious.
Who exactly was he?
Later that afternoon, while she was on break, her friend Tola rushed into the café holding her phone.
“Girl! Do you know who just moved into the new building near campus?”
Ada raised an eyebrow. “No. And I don’t care.”
Tola ignored her response and turned her phone toward her face.
“Look!”
On the screen was a news article with a picture.
Ada froze.
The image showed Daniel — standing confidently in a formal suit — shaking hands with a group of investors.
The headline read:
“Young Entrepreneur Daniel Kareem Expands Tech Startup with Major Investment Partnership.”
Ada’s eyes widened.
She grabbed the phone.
“This… this is him?”
Tola nodded excitedly. “Yes! Daniel Kareem. He’s one of the youngest startup founders in the city. His company is growing fast!”
Ada stared at the photo longer.
The man in the picture looked exactly like the guy who ordered coffee yesterday.
Same eyes.
Same posture.
Same calm expression.
But now… he looked powerful.
Important.
Successful.
She swallowed.
“So he really wasn’t lying,” she whispered.
Tola smirked. “Why? Did you meet him?”
Ada hesitated.
“…Maybe.”
Tola gasped dramatically. “YOU MET HIM?! And you didn’t tell me?!”
“It wasn’t planned!” Ada defended quickly.
She explained everything — the library accident, the coffee shop encounter, the brief conversations.
Tola listened carefully, her eyes getting wider with every detail.
“Girl…” Tola said slowly. “Do you know how lucky you are?”
“Lucky?” Ada repeated.
“Yes! He doesn’t usually interact with regular students. He’s always surrounded by business partners and assistants.”
Ada crossed her arms.
“He’s not that special.”
Tola raised one eyebrow.
“Really? Then why can’t you stop talking about him?”
Ada immediately opened her mouth to argue —
Then stopped.
She closed it.
Because she suddenly realized something uncomfortable.
She had been thinking about him.
More than she wanted to admit.
Meanwhile…
At his office, Daniel stood in front of large glass windows overlooking the city.
His assistant approached carefully.
“Sir, the partnership meeting is confirmed for tomorrow.”
Daniel nodded.
“Good.”
The assistant hesitated before speaking again.
“Also… the public noticed your recent appearance near the university café.”
Daniel turned slightly.
“And?”
“They’re speculating. Some people think you might be investing in a new campus project.”
He remained silent for a moment.
Then he said calmly:
“Let them speculate.”
His assistant nodded and left.
Daniel walked back to his desk.
His thoughts, however, weren’t on business.
They were on her.
The girl who treated him like an ordinary stranger.
The girl who argued with him.
The girl who didn’t care about his status.
He leaned back in his chair.
For the first time in a long time…
Someone interacted with him without expecting something in return.
And that felt refreshing.
His phone buzzed.
A message notification appeared.
Unknown Number:
“Your coffee was too bitter.”
Daniel stared at the message.
He recognized the tone immediately.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
He typed a reply.
“You made it.”
Seconds later —
Reply:
“Next time, I’m adding extra sugar.”
His smile widened slightly.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
This connection wasn’t accidental after all.
- Writer
