Chapter 3
766 Words
Two days after the awkward introduction, Tola was seated at her desk, scribbling notes into a patient’s chart, when she heard the door creak open. Without looking up, she called out, "Come in."
The silence that followed wasn’t unusual as patients often hesitated, unsure whether they were in the right office. Still focused on her writing, she added, "You’re welcome to speak. I don’t bite."
"I hope not. You were always kind to me."
Her pen stilled.
That voice.
Tola looked up, and there he was—Muna, leaning against the doorframe like he owned the room, arms folded, one brow slightly arched. He had on a navy blue sweater on black ripped jeans. His hair was neatly trimmed to a low cut. His skin was still as radiant as she had remembered. She internally groaned.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, rising to her feet slowly, her heartbeat drumming in her ears.
"I figured showing up in person would be better than passing my message through a text, don't you think?"
"This is my place of work," she said coldly. "You can’t just show up here."
"Why not? You showed up at my house. With my brother."
Tola inhaled sharply, folding her arms. "You have no right to do that."
"Do what? You think I’m going to pretend like it’s normal that the woman I haven’t seen in four years is suddenly engaged to my brother?"
"Oh believe me I didn’t know he was your brother. If I did I would've ran the other way and never looked back."
"And now that you do know, what happens? Or are you in love?" He mocked.
Tola’s expression hardened. "What do you want, Muna?"
He walked in, shutting the door gently behind him. "I want the truth."
"About what?"
"Why him? Of all people?"
"Easy," she chuckled. "Because he doesn’t vanish when I need him. Because he sees me. Because he’s not you!"
The jab landed. Muna’s smile faltered. He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I vanished? Tola I—"
"Don’t," she interrupted. "Don’t give me recycled excuses. You made your choice, Muna. You left. You moved on. So did I."
"To my brother."
"Coincidence. Not planned. Get over it."
He stepped closer. Too close. "You never answered my question. Are you in love with him?"
Tola held her ground. "Yes. I am."
His eyes searched her face. "Liar."
"You're an egoist. Of course everything's a lie when it's not what you want."
He smirked. "Still got that sharp tongue, huh?"
"Still standing in my office, huh?" Tola retorted. "Leave."
The silence that followed wasn’t peaceful. It crackled.
Then he whispered, like it physically hurt to ask: "Why are you marrying my brother, Tola? Is this some kind of revenge plan, huh?"
Her eyes didn’t waver. "Revenge plan? Muna you're not that important to me. Not anymore."
His jaw clenched.
She added, quieter this time, "You should go."
He lingered for a beat too long, then turned and walked out without another word.
The door clicked shut.
Tola sat down slowly, chest heavy, hands trembling in her lap.
She hated that she was shaking.
But what she hated more was the fact that he still had the power to make her tremble.
Ronke took a sip of her water before taking a spoonful of rice to her mouth. She chewed slowly, keeping her expectant eyes on Tola, who sat across from the dining table, twirling her ring.
"Just like that?"
"Yeah. He also asked if this was a revenge plan against him." Tola sighed.
"That guy has some nerves. First he disgraced you then he accuses you. What next?" Ronke itched her head.
"I hope he doesn't do anything to affect the wedding."
"What right does he have to do that?"
"I don't know. I just—"
"Hold on babe," Ronke interrupted, dropping her spoon to show focus. "Does Dylan know about you and Muna?"
"Of course not!" Tola snapped.
"What do you mean? Two days later and you still haven't spoken to him about this?!"
"He doesn't have to know, okay? I mean how in the world do I tell my fianceè that the ex who I constantly ranted about that ruined me from dating is his brother?" She raised her brows, "it's not an everyday issue, Ronke."
"You have to tell him. He's going to be your husband."
"I know. And I will. Soon." She groaned.
Tola went back to gnawing on her food while Tola stared out to space. How was she going to tell Dylan about this?
- Writer
