LOVE AND SECRETS

a ghost from yesterday

CHAPTER THREE

A Ghost from Yesterday

The drive back to the Williams Mansion was unusually quiet.

Daniela stole a glance at Agatha, who sat by the window with her eyes fixed on the passing streets. Since leaving Chima Energy Group, she hadn't spoken a single word.

"You don't have to pretend with me," Daniela said gently.

Agatha forced a faint smile.

"I'm not pretending."

"You've been holding your breath ever since you walked out of that conference room."

Agatha let out a slow sigh.

"I thought seeing him again would make me angry."

"And?"

"It didn't."

Daniela waited.

"It made me remember."

The words hung heavily in the air.

Agatha closed her eyes as memories threatened to overwhelm her—the late-night phone calls, the laughter they shared, the promises they made, and the day everything fell apart.

"I hate that he still has this effect on me," she whispered.

Daniela reached across the seat and squeezed her hand.

"He was your first love."

"And my greatest heartbreak."

...

Jeffrey remained in the conference room long after everyone else had left.

Tony eventually found him standing by the window.

"You let her walk away."

Jeffrey smiled sadly.

"I had no choice."

"You had plenty of chances three years ago."

Jeffrey lowered his head.

"I know."

Tony walked beside him.

"Are you finally going to tell her what really happened?"

"I want to."

"Then what's stopping you?"

Jeffrey stared out at the city.

"Because the truth won't just hurt Agatha."

He paused.

"It will destroy people she loves."

Tony's expression changed.

"Are you still protecting them?"

"I'm keeping a promise."

"And that promise is costing you your future."

Jeffrey didn't answer.

For the first time, even he wondered whether silence had become a prison of his own making.

...

That evening, the Williams family gathered for dinner.

Madam Ebele noticed immediately that Agatha was unusually quiet.

"How was your meeting?"

"It went well."

"Did you sign the partnership?"

"Not yet."

Madam Ebele nodded.

"We'll discuss it later."

Before anyone could continue, one of the housekeepers entered the dining room.

"Madam, there's a visitor asking to see Miss Agatha."

Agatha looked up.

"A visitor?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"He says his name is Unduka."

Daniela smiled knowingly.

"I remember him."

Agatha frowned slightly.

"Unduka?"

The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't immediately place it.

She excused herself from the table and walked into the sitting room.

Standing near the entrance was a tall, well-dressed young man holding a bouquet of white lilies.

The moment he saw her, he smiled warmly.

"Welcome home, Agatha."

She looked at him for a few seconds before recognition finally dawned.

"Unduka?"

He laughed softly.

"So you do remember me."

"Of course. It's been years."

They shook hands warmly.

"I heard you were back in Nigeria," Unduka said. "I couldn't stay away without welcoming an old friend."

Agatha accepted the flowers with a grateful smile.

"Thank you. That was thoughtful."

Unknown to both of them, Madam Ebele had been watching from the staircase above.

A smile slowly spread across her face.

Unlike Jeffrey...

Unduka came from a respected family, had an excellent reputation, and carried himself with kindness.

Perhaps, she thought, fate had brought the right man into her daughter's life.

...

Elsewhere in Lagos, Beatrice sat alone inside an upscale café.

Across from her sat Chief Clement Eze.

"I saw them together today," Beatrice said.

Chief Clement leaned back calmly.

"And?"

"Jeffrey is still in love with her."

"I expected as much."

Beatrice clenched her jaw.

"If Agatha learns the truth, she'll forgive him."

Chief Clement's eyes narrowed.

"Then we make sure she never learns it."

Beatrice looked at him.

"What exactly are you planning?"

A slow smile crossed his face.

"Sometimes the easiest way to bury the truth..."

He took a sip of his coffee.

"...is to give people a more convincing lie."

Beatrice nodded slowly.

"What do you need me to do?"

Chief Clement placed a sealed envelope on the table.

"Deliver this to Agatha."

She picked it up.

"What's inside?"

"Something that will remind her why she should never trust Jeffrey Chima again."

Beatrice stared at the envelope, unaware that the lies it contained would set off a chain of events none of them could control.

Outside the café, dark clouds gathered over the city.

The storm was coming.

And with it...

The first c***k in the fragile wall protecting the truth.