Chapter 18: The Secret Vanessa Discovered
1344 Words
Ruth was still smiling when she returned to her desk after the meeting.
For the first time, she had spoken before important people without allowing fear to silence her. She knew she had made a few mistakes, but she had finished her presentation, and that mattered.
She opened her notebook and wrote at the top of a fresh page:
I can become somebody.
She read the words twice before closing the book.
“Ruth.”
She looked up and found David standing beside her desk.
“Yes, sir?”
“Mr. Adebayo wants a copy of your presentation. Please send it to his office before the end of the day.”
Ruth's eyes widened. “He wants my own presentation?”
“Yes. Apparently, he thinks it will be useful for the next planning meeting.”
A broad smile spread across her face.
“Thank you, sir!”
David laughed. “Why are you thanking me? You did the work.”
“Because you gave me the opportunity.”
“And I hope you will give yourself credit too.”
Ruth nodded, still smiling.
David returned to his office, but the happiness on her face followed him. He had spent years working with people who were interested mainly in money, status, and recognition. Ruth was different. Every small achievement meant something to her because she understood what it had taken to get there.
He was proud of her.
And increasingly, he was beginning to realise that his feelings went far beyond pride.
---
That afternoon, David received a call from his father, Chief Osayande.
“David, your mother and I are expecting you for dinner on Sunday,” his father said.
“I'll try to come, Dad.”
“Don't try. Come. We hardly see you these days.”
David smiled faintly. “All right. I'll be there.”
His father paused.
“And bring that young woman who has been helping with the scholarship programme. Your mother told me about her.”
David sat straighter.
“Ruth?”
“Yes, Ruth. I heard she has done good work in Ugonoba. I would like to meet her.”
David was surprised by the request.
“I'll speak to her, Dad.”
After the call, he sat quietly for a moment.
Taking Ruth to meet his parents would be a significant step. He had not even told her how he felt, and he did not want her to misunderstand the invitation.
He decided to explain everything to her first.
---
When Ruth came into his office later, David asked her to sit down.
“My father called me today,” he began.
“Is everything all right, sir?”
“Yes. He heard about the Ugonoba outreach and the presentation you made. He would like to meet you.”
Ruth blinked.
“Meet me?”
“Yes. My parents are having dinner on Sunday, and my father asked me to invite you.”
She immediately became nervous.
“But, sir, why would your parents want to meet me?”
“Because of your work with the scholarship programme. They want to hear more about it.”
Ruth looked down at her hands.
“I have never attended dinner in a big house like yours. What if I do something wrong?”
David smiled reassuringly.
“It's just dinner, Ruth. You don't have to pretend to be someone else. My parents are ordinary people when you get to know them.”
She looked at him doubtfully.
“Your father is Chief Osayande, sir.”
“And he still complains when my mother tells him to stop watching football during dinner.”
Ruth burst into laughter.
David watched her, pleased that he had eased her nervousness.
“So, will you come?”
Ruth thought for a moment before nodding.
“Yes, sir. I'll come.”
“Good. I'll let you know the details.”
As she left, David felt unexpectedly excited about Sunday. He wanted his parents to see the woman he had come to admire.
He also wondered whether his mother would notice what he had been trying so hard to understand himself.
---
Across Benin City, Vanessa was having lunch with a former acquaintance who worked in the same business circle as David.
She had not contacted David since their last argument, but she was still desperate to know what was happening in his life.
“So Ruth is doing well at the company?” Vanessa asked casually.
Her acquaintance nodded.
“Very well, from what I've heard. She has been helping with the scholarship programme, and Mr. Adebayo praised her presentation.”
Vanessa forced a smile.
“That's interesting.”
“There is also talk that David's family wants to meet her.”
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“His family?”
“That's what I heard. Apparently, his father invited her to dinner.”
Vanessa stared at her companion.
She had spent years imagining herself as the woman who would marry David Osayande. She had attended family events, met his relatives, and believed that their future together was settled.
Now Ruth, a woman who had only recently entered David's life, was being invited to meet his parents.
Vanessa struggled to hide her anger.
“Perhaps people are exaggerating,” she said.
“Perhaps. But everyone seems impressed by Ruth.”
After the woman left, Vanessa remained seated, unable to enjoy the rest of her meal.
This was no longer just about David being kind to Ruth.
The girl was becoming part of his world.
And Vanessa feared that once David's family accepted Ruth, there might be no place left for her.
She called Mama Nosa.
“Mama, I just heard something.”
“What is it?”
“David's parents want Ruth to come for dinner.”
Mama Nosa fell silent.
Then she said, “That means they are beginning to take her seriously.”
Vanessa gripped her phone.
“I cannot allow this to continue.”
“Be careful, Vanessa. Don't do anything foolish because you are angry.”
Vanessa ended the call without answering.
For now, she had no plan. But she was determined to find out what would happen at the dinner.
---
On Saturday evening, Ruth stood in front of the mirror in her room, wondering what she should wear the following day.
She owned only a few dresses, and none seemed good enough for a dinner at Chief Osayande's home.
Aunty Kate entered and found her holding two dresses against herself.
“What are you doing, my dear?”
Ruth sighed. “I'm supposed to have dinner with Oga David's parents tomorrow. I don't know what to wear.”
Aunty Kate looked at the dresses.
“You don't need to buy an expensive outfit to show respect. Wear something clean and neat. Your character matters more than the price of your clothes.”
Ruth considered that.
“You really think so?”
“Of course. And if you are worried about anything, ask David. He invited you because he wants you there.”
Ruth looked down, suddenly shy.
Aunty Kate noticed her expression but said nothing.
Instead, she helped Ruth choose a simple, elegant dress and encouraged her to get some rest.
Later, Ruth received a message from David.
Don't be nervous about tomorrow. My parents are looking forward to meeting you. Just be yourself.
Ruth read it twice before replying.
Thank you, sir. I will try my best.
David smiled when he received her message.
He wanted to tell her that she had nothing to prove to his family, but he decided he would say it in person.
As he prepared for bed, he realised that he was looking forward to Sunday for a reason he could no longer deny.
He wanted Ruth beside him.
Not as an employee he had helped.
Not as a poor village girl whose life had changed because of his money.
He wanted her there because she was Ruth.
And that realisation brought him one step closer to admitting the truth about his heart.
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