CHAPTER THREE: Double Life
1164 Words
Vanessa did not text Adrian the next morning.
Or the next.
Or the next.
At first, she told herself it was necessary.
Smart.
Safe.
But by the fourth day, even she knew the truth.
She missed him.
The realization annoyed her more than it should have.
Sunday morning sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the church while the choir sang softly in the background. Vanessa sat in the front row beside her mother, dressed in a modest white gown, her hair neatly tied back.
The perfect pastor’s daughter.
Pure.
Graceful.
Untouchable.
Exactly the image everyone expected.
Her father stood confidently behind the pulpit, his deep voice echoing through the sanctuary.
“Temptation often arrives dressed beautifully,” Pastor Daniel preached. “The enemy rarely appears ugly.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes immediately.
Guilt curled tightly inside her chest.
If only he knew where she had been Friday night.
If only he knew about the rooftop parties, hidden dresses stuffed inside her backpack, late-night rides through Lagos, stolen kisses near the waterfront…
If only he knew about Adrian.
“Vanessa?” her mother whispered softly. “Are you alright?”
She forced a smile instantly. “Yes, Mum.”
But she wasn’t.
Because every word from the sermon felt aimed directly at her.
That evening, Vanessa locked her bedroom door before pulling a small box from beneath her bed.
Inside were pieces of the girl nobody at church knew existed.
Dark lipstick.
Short dresses.
Perfume.
High heels.
A second phone.
Her secret life.
Vanessa stared at the phone for several seconds before finally switching it on.
Messages flooded the screen immediately.
Mostly from Adrian.
You disappeared.
Did I do something wrong?
Vanessa, at least tell me you’re okay.
Her chest tightened painfully.
She typed a response three different times before deleting each one.
Because what could she even say?
Sorry. I vanished because my father is one of the most respected pastors in Lagos and if anyone discovers I sneak into clubs under fake names, my entire life could collapse.
Impossible.
Instead, she turned the phone off again.
Coward.
The word echoed painfully in her mind.
By Friday night, temptation won.
Again.
Vanessa stood in front of the mirror inside a small public restroom downtown, transforming carefully.
The innocent church girl disappeared piece by piece.
Hair loosened.
Lip gloss darkened.
Dress tightened.
Confidence returned.
Tonight, she was not Pastor Daniel’s daughter.
Tonight, she was simply “Nessa.”
That was the name people at the clubs knew her by.
No church.
No family reputation.
No expectations.
Just freedom.
Tara whistled when Vanessa stepped outside.
“There she is,” she laughed. “The city’s favorite bad decision.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes playfully, though nervousness still lingered beneath her confidence.
“Let’s just survive tonight without drama.”
Tara smirked knowingly. “Too late for that.”
Music thundered through the underground lounge as they entered. Colored lights flashed across crowded bodies while laughter and alcohol blurred together in the smoky air.
Normally, nightlife made Vanessa feel alive.
Tonight, it only made her restless.
Because part of her kept searching the room for Adrian.
Even though she knew he wouldn’t be there.
Or at least…
she hoped he wouldn’t.
“Relax,” Tara shouted over the music. “You look like somebody’s chasing you.”
Vanessa forced a laugh.
“You watch too many movies.”
Still, unease crawled across her skin.
And then she saw him.
Across the room.
Adrian.
Her breath vanished instantly.
He stood near the bar in a black shirt with one hand in his pocket, staring directly at her.
Not confused.
Not shocked.
Just intensely focused.
Like he had finally solved a mystery.
Vanessa’s stomach dropped.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
The music faded into the background.
The crowd disappeared.
There was only Adrian’s gaze pinning her in place.
Then slowly…
he started walking toward her.
Vanessa panicked.
“Move,” she whispered quickly to Tarai.
“What?”
“Now.”
She turned immediately, disappearing into the crowd before Adrian could reach her.
Her heart pounded violently as she pushed through dancing strangers toward the back exit.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
She burst outside into the humid Lagos night, breathing hard.
Footsteps followed seconds later.
“Vanessa.”
His voice stopped her instantly.
She closed her eyes briefly before turning around slowly.
Adrian stood several feet away, chest rising heavily, frustration visible in his expression.
“So this is what you do?” he asked quietly. “You disappear for days and pretend I imagined everything between us?”
Vanessa folded her arms defensively.
“You shouldn’t have followed me.”
A humorless laugh escaped him.
“You vanished.”
She looked away.
“That was the point.”
Pain flickered briefly across his face before hardening into confusion.
“Why?”
Vanessa hesitated.
Because telling the truth meant risking everything.
But Adrian stepped closer carefully, his voice softer now.
“Talk to me.”
The concern in his tone weakened her defenses immediately.
Vanessa swallowed hard.
“You don’t understand my life.”
“Then help me understand it.”
Silence stretched between them while distant music vibrated through the walls behind them.
Finally, Vanessa spoke quietly.
“My father is a pastor.”
Adrian blinked once.
“That’s what you’re afraid of?”
“You don’t get it,” she said quickly. “People know my family. Respect my family. If anybody sees me out here like this it becomes scandal.”
Adrian studied her expression carefully.
“So the girl at church and the girl at the club are two different people?”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
For the first time since chasing after her, Adrian’s expression softened completely.
“You know,” he murmured, “I was starting to think you just regretted me.”
Vanessa finally looked at him again.
“That would’ve been easier.”
Something shifted in Adrian’s eyes at that answer.
Something deeper.
More dangerous.
He stepped closer slowly until only inches separated them again.
“You keep running from me,” he said softly.
Vanessa’s heartbeat stumbled.
“Maybe because you make me forget how careful I’m supposed to be.”
The tension between them returned instantly warm, emotional, irresistible.
But this time it carried vulnerability too.
Not just attraction.
Truth.
Adrian lifted a hand gently toward her face before pausing, silently asking permission.
Vanessa nodded once.
His fingers brushed against her cheek softly.
And somehow that tenderness affected her more than their kiss had.
“You don’t have to pretend around me,” he whispered.
“And you have to do what makes you happy, it's your life..you don't have to shrink yourself to fit expectations” he added.
Vanessa’s eyes lowered briefly.
That terrified her most of all.
Because she was beginning to realize something dangerous:
Adrian was becoming the only place where both versions of herself could exist at once.
- Writer
