a mother's warning
895 Words
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A Mother’s Warning
The weekend passed quietly.
For the first time since returning to Nigeria, Agatha found herself avoiding everyone.
She ignored Jeffrey's calls.
She declined two invitations from business associates.
Even Daniela noticed that something had changed.
Instead of fighting her feelings, Agatha had begun running from them.
Unfortunately, memories had a way of following wherever she went.
---
Monday morning arrived with a busy schedule.
Peacup Nigeria's executive board had gathered to discuss the Switzerland expansion project.
Mr. Anthony Clayton joined the meeting through a video conference from London.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, sir," the board members replied.
Mr. Clayton smiled warmly when he saw Agatha.
"It's wonderful having you back in Nigeria."
"Thank you, sir."
"I'll get straight to the point."
He shared several charts on the presentation screen.
"Our Switzerland headquarters is no longer just an idea. Construction begins in four months."
The room erupted into excited murmurs.
Mr. Clayton continued.
"And after discussing it with the board..."
He looked directly at Agatha.
"...we unanimously agreed that you are the best person to lead the project."
Everyone applauded.
Agatha managed a polite smile.
"Thank you for your confidence."
"I'll need your final answer by the end of this week."
"I understand."
When the meeting ended, the board members congratulated her one after another.
Only Daniela noticed that Agatha didn't seem excited.
---
That evening, Madam Ebele invited Agatha to the garden for tea.
The flowers were in full bloom, and the fading sunlight painted the sky with shades of orange and pink.
"You've been thinking about Switzerland."
Agatha nodded.
"I have."
"What is stopping you?"
Agatha looked down at her teacup.
"I don't know."
Madam Ebele reached across the table.
"My dear..."
"You came home carrying old wounds."
"I know."
"But if staying in Nigeria means reopening those wounds..."
She squeezed Agatha's hand gently.
"...then perhaps leaving again is the wiser choice."
Agatha was silent for a long time.
Finally, she asked the question that had been living in her heart.
"Mum..."
"If Jeffrey came to you and told you he had never betrayed me..."
"Would you believe him?"
Madam Ebele's expression changed.
She carefully placed her teacup on the table.
"No."
Agatha looked surprised.
"Why?"
"Because trust is not built with words."
She sighed deeply.
"It is built with actions."
"He had every opportunity to explain himself before you left."
"He remained silent."
She looked lovingly at her daughter.
"I watched you cry yourself to sleep for months."
"I watched you blame yourself."
"I watched you leave this country with a broken heart."
Her voice trembled.
"As your mother..."
"I cannot easily forget that."
Agatha lowered her eyes.
She understood.
Even if she someday forgave Jeffrey...
Her mother wasn't ready to.
---
At the same time, Jeffrey stood outside the gates of the Williams Mansion.
He had been there for nearly fifteen minutes.
In his hand was a small paper bag from Agatha's favorite bakery.
Inside were the chocolate croissants she used to love in university.
He smiled faintly.
"Some things never change."
Before he could approach the gate, another vehicle arrived.
It was Unduka.
The two men looked at each other.
Unduka stepped out first.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
Jeffrey smiled politely.
"Neither did I."
An awkward silence followed.
Unduka noticed the bakery bag.
"You remembered."
Jeffrey looked down at it.
"She used to ask me to bring these every Monday morning."
Unduka nodded.
"She still likes them."
Jeffrey chuckled softly.
"I thought so."
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Finally, Unduka broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you still love her?"
Jeffrey didn't hesitate.
"With everything I have."
Unduka studied his face carefully.
"You didn't even think before answering."
"I never need to."
Unduka smiled sadly.
"I was hoping you'd say something different."
Jeffrey looked at him.
"You love her too."
It wasn't a question.
Unduka nodded honestly.
"I do."
"And if she chooses you..."
Jeffrey's voice remained calm.
"...I'll respect her decision."
Unduka was surprised.
"You wouldn't fight for her?"
"I'll fight for her happiness."
He looked toward the mansion.
"If that happiness is with you..."
He forced a smile.
"...then I'll let her go."
Unduka stared at him in silence.
For the first time...
He understood why Agatha had found it impossible to erase Jeffrey from her heart.
---
Unknown to both men, someone had been watching the entire conversation from a black SUV parked across the street.
Chief Clement lowered his binoculars.
"They're becoming civilized."
His assistant frowned.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"No."
Chief Clement's voice turned cold.
"If Jeffrey and Unduka stop seeing each other as rivals..."
"My plans become much more difficult."
He picked up his phone.
"Call Beatrice."
"I think it's time she paid Agatha another visit."
As the SUV pulled away from the curb, a faint smile crossed Chief Clement's face.
The game was changing.
And he intended to stay several moves ahead.
Far inside the Williams Mansion, Agatha stood at her bedroom window.
She hadn't seen Jeffrey outside the gate.
She hadn't seen Unduka either.
She simply looked toward the setting sun and whispered a quiet prayer.
"God..."
"If the truth has been hidden from me..."
"Please..."
"Give me the courage to face it."
Little did she know...
The answer to that prayer was already on its way.
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