LOVE AND SECRETS

dinner of secrets

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dinner of Secrets

The following morning, Agatha stood before the mirror in her bedroom, fastening the buttons of her emerald-green blouse.

She looked composed on the outside.

Inside, however, her thoughts were in complete disarray.

The Switzerland proposal.

Jeffrey's unexpected return into her life.

The mysterious photographs.

Nothing made sense anymore.

A knock came at her door.

"Come in."

Daniela entered with her usual cheerful smile.

"I hope you're dressed."

Agatha smiled faintly.

"I am."

"Good, because I have wonderful news."

Agatha folded her arms.

"I'm listening."

"Tony and I are hosting a small dinner tonight."

"A dinner?"

"Just close friends."

Agatha immediately sensed where this was going.

"Daniela..."

"I know what you're thinking."

"Does Jeffrey know about this dinner?"

Daniela hesitated.

"Yes."

Agatha sighed and walked toward the window.

"I'm not interested."

"Please."

Daniela gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It isn't about forcing the two of you back together."

"Then what is it about?"

"It's about giving everyone one peaceful evening."

Agatha remained silent.

After a long pause, she finally nodded.

"I'll come."

Daniela smiled brightly and hugged her.

"I promise you won't regret it."

But deep inside...

Daniela wasn't sure she believed her own promise.

...

Meanwhile, at Chima Energy Group, Jeffrey sat across from Tony.

"I don't think she'll come," Jeffrey said quietly.

Tony smiled.

"You underestimate Daniela."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Agatha has already agreed."

Jeffrey looked up in surprise.

"She did?"

Tony nodded.

"But don't get excited."

"This isn't your chance to win her back."

Jeffrey smiled sadly.

"I know."

"I just want one evening where she doesn't look at me with hatred."

...

That afternoon, Beatrice received a phone call from Chief Clement Eze.

"Good afternoon, Beatrice."

"Good afternoon, Chief."

"They're having dinner together tonight."

"I know."

"I need you there."

Beatrice frowned.

"They didn't invite me."

Chief Clement laughed softly.

"You won't need an invitation."

His voice became cold.

"By the end of tonight..."

"Jeffrey and Agatha must hate each other even more."

Beatrice looked out of her apartment window.

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Chief Clement smiled.

"I'll tell you when the time comes."

...

By seven o'clock that evening, Tony's home glowed warmly with lights.

Soft music played in the background as guests arrived one after another.

Daniela greeted everyone with a smile.

When Agatha stepped inside, the conversations briefly paused.

She wore a simple navy-blue evening gown that made her look effortlessly elegant.

Tony welcomed her warmly.

"You look beautiful."

She laughed.

"Careful. Daniela might get jealous."

Daniela rolled her eyes playfully.

"He tells everyone that."

Laughter filled the room.

For the first time since returning to Nigeria...

Agatha felt almost relaxed.

Then the front door opened again.

Jeffrey walked in.

Their eyes met immediately.

Neither smiled.

Neither looked away.

Tony quickly broke the silence.

"Everyone, dinner is ready."

The guests moved toward the dining room.

By pure coincidence...

Or perhaps Daniela's careful planning...

Jeffrey and Agatha found themselves seated opposite each other.

Throughout dinner, conversations flowed easily around the table.

Business.

Travel.

Old school memories.

Everything except the one topic everyone was avoiding.

Jeffrey occasionally glanced at Agatha.

Each time, she quietly looked away.

Finally, Tony raised his glass.

"I'd like to make a toast."

Everyone looked toward him.

"To second chances."

The words lingered in the air.

Agatha slowly lowered her glass.

Jeffrey remained completely still.

Before anyone could speak...

The doorbell rang.

Daniela frowned.

"I wasn't expecting anyone else."

A housekeeper hurried to answer the door.

Moments later...

Beatrice walked into the dining room.

The smiles around the table vanished instantly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Beatrice said sweetly.

"I just needed to return something to Jeffrey."

She placed a small velvet box on the table.

Jeffrey's face immediately changed.

His eyes widened in alarm.

Agatha noticed.

"So..."

She said quietly.

"What is it?"

Beatrice looked between them before answering.

"A ring."

Silence crashed over the room.

"The engagement ring Jeffrey once asked me to keep safe."

Agatha's heart skipped painfully.

She stared at Jeffrey.

His face had gone completely pale.

Jeffrey stood abruptly.

"Beatrice..."

But before he could explain, Agatha pushed back her chair.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

"I think I've had enough for one evening."

She picked up her handbag.

Daniela hurried after her.

"Agatha, wait!"

But Agatha didn't stop.

She walked out of the house without looking back.

Jeffrey remained frozen.

His eyes fixed on the velvet box lying on the dining table.

Tony looked at Beatrice in disbelief.

"What have you done?"

Beatrice simply smiled.

Exactly as Chief Clement had instructed.

Outside, rain began to fall once again.

As Agatha drove away into the night, one question echoed endlessly inside her mind.

If Jeffrey never loved Beatrice...

Why did she have his ring?