Chapter 4: Glances, Goodbyes, and Beginnings
1901 Words
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The evening breeze carried the soft scent of stew and laughter through the Daniel mansion. The plates were empty now, the table littered with the joyful mess of family dinner — laughter still echoing faintly from the living room.
Tonia sat quietly beside her eldest brother, Bidex, leaning her head lightly on his shoulder while he scrolled through his phone. Across the room, Collins sat with the other guests, a calm smile on his lips but his mind far from the conversation. His eyes, sharp and thoughtful, often flicked toward the young girl chatting animatedly with her brother.
She didn’t notice — or perhaps she pretended not to — too lost in stories, her voice light and musical.
“Ah, Tonia, you still remember that puppy I bought you years ago?” Bidex teased.
She laughed. “Of course! But you carried it back to Abuja after two days!”
Their mother smiled, watching her children. It was rare to have everyone under one roof again — Segun with his calm maturity, Kunle’s endless humor, and now Bidex back from the city. It felt like the house had regained its heartbeat.
By the time the laughter softened into yawns, the night had grown deeper. Outside, Lagos glowed in the distance, a quilt of headlights and soft city noise.
Tonia’s father arrived home, his presence filling the house like sunlight breaking into a quiet morning. He smiled as he stepped in, greeted by the warm chaos.
“Daddy!” Tonia’s squeal cut through the chatter as she ran to hug him tightly.
He chuckled, lifting her gently. “Ah, my princess. You’re still awake?”
Bidex stood and shook his father’s hand firmly, warmth in his eyes. “Welcome, sir.”
“Good to see you, my son,” his father replied, patting his shoulder. “So you’re the reason my wife cooked half the market today.”
Everyone laughed. It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.
---
The Goodbyes
After the refreshment, and with Mr. Daniel settled comfortably on the couch, Bidex stood.
“Dad, we’ll be heading out soon. It’s late, and my friends need to rest. We’ll be staying at my apartment on the Island for the next two weeks.”
Mrs. Daniel nodded approvingly. “That’s fine, dear. Just make sure you all eat something before you go.”
Tonia, sitting at the corner of the couch, pouted. “You’re not staying tonight?”
Bidex smiled and pulled her close. “No, baby. But I’m not far. I’ll be here almost every day. You’ll get tired of seeing me.”
She grinned, hugging him tight.
As they all began to say their goodbyes, Bidex’s friends gathered their things. Loveth smiled warmly at everyone, thanking Mrs. Daniel for the food.
But in the middle of all the cheerful exchanges, Collins’s eyes found Tonia again. Something about her — her laughter, the brightness in her eyes — seemed to pull him in. He didn’t speak, just watched quietly.
Bidex noticed. The flicker of a look between them didn’t escape his sharp eyes. As they stepped outside toward the cars, he slowed his pace, letting Collins catch up.
“Collins,” he said quietly, his tone changing.
Collins looked up. “Yeah, bro?”
Bidex’s voice stayed calm but firm. “I saw the way you were looking at my sister.”
Collins didn’t deny it. He smiled faintly, unbothered. “She’s… different.”
“Listen,” Bidex interrupted, his expression tightening. “I don’t joke with Tonia. She’s my baby sister. Whatever thought you’re having, cancel it. Right now.”
But Collins only sighed, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’m not joking, Bidex. I’m serious about her.”
That made Bidex stop walking. He stared at him, disbelief written all over his face. “Serious? She’s still in school. You’re a businessman, for crying out loud. Don’t cross that line.”
Collins held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded slightly. “Alright. I hear you.”
But as he turned away, his thoughts were louder than his words.
She’s special. You’ll see.
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The Weekend Passes
The next few days rolled by in flashes of music and color. The wedding Bidex came for turned out grand — a Lagos celebration full of gold lights, lace dresses, and laughter.
Only Bidex, Loveth, and their friends attended, leaving the Daniel mansion calm and quiet again. Tonia spent most of the weekend at home, helping her mother with chores, chatting with Aunt Dora on video calls, and sometimes teasing Kunle while he worked on his laptop.
By Monday morning, the house was back to its usual rhythm. The golden sunlight streamed through the curtains as Tonia’s father prepared for work.
“Daddy, you’re leaving already?” she asked, still in her robe, hugging him at the door.
“Yes, princess,” he said, smoothing her hair. “But I’ll buy something nice for you on my way home.”
She laughed, still holding him tightly. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
Segun was pressing his phone while Kunle sat in the living room, tapping away on his phone — his Industrial Training report spread across the table.
Tonia, now free for the morning, loosened her hair in front of the mirror, humming to herself. She planned to go to the salon later that afternoon.
Downstairs, Mrs. Daniel prepared for work, her perfume filling the air as she moved around. Just as she picked her bag, her phone rang.
“Bidex!” she said, smiling as she answered. “How are you?”
“Fine, Mom,” came his cheerful voice. “We’re coming over to the house today. Just to chill and see everyone.”
“That’s good. Tonia’s around. She’ll be happy,” her mother replied.
Tonia, overhearing from the staircase, brightened instantly. “He’s coming? I’ll wait before I go to the salon!”
Her mother smiled. “Alright, but make sure you still go, hmm? Don’t keep your friend waiting.”
Before leaving, she called out to Madam CJ, the housekeeper. “Please cook something nice for the house before I return.”
“Yes, ma,” the older woman replied, already busy in the kitchen.
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Arrival
The sun was tilting west when Bidex and his friends arrived. The front gate opened to reveal a small convoy of sleek cars — one black Benz at the front, another trailing close behind.
Segun and Kunle came out to greet them, smiling.
“Big bro!” Kunle called out, grinning widely.
“Ah, my boys!” Bidex said, hugging them both. Loveth followed closely behind, waving, while the rest of the group filled the compound with chatter.
As usual, the first thing Bidex asked was, “Where’s Tonia?”
Kunle laughed. “She’s upstairs. I’ll call her.”
Moments later, light footsteps sounded on the stairs. Tonia descended gracefully, her short denim gown hugging her figure modestly, a pair of white sneakers on her feet, and her hair tied up with a pink bow.
“Big bro!” she said brightly, rushing into his arms.
“Ah, see my princess!” Bidex laughed, holding her close.
She greeted Loveth and the others politely, her smile genuine, then waved at the rest of the group.
Madam CJ appeared at the doorway, announcing, “Food is ready, sir.”
Bidex nodded. “Thank you.”
Tonia checked her phone and turned to her brother. “I’ll be going to the salon soon with my friend.”
“Eat first before you go,” Bidex said.
She smiled, shaking her head. “I packed some snacks already. I’ll eat there.”
Bidex chuckled and handed her his phone. “Here, take this. I just sent you some money.”
“Ah! Bro!” she exclaimed, surprised.
Segun laughed and pulled out his own phone. “Me too. Check your alerts.”
Tonia blinked. “You people won’t let me rest with money today.”
“Take it as love,” Bidex said.
She grinned. “Fine. Thank you both!”
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The Encounter (Dual POV)
As she stepped outside, waving goodbye, Collins excused himself from the group, pretending to answer a phone call.
The afternoon light brushed across her face as she stood by the car, talking to the driver.
“Tonia, right?”
She turned slightly. “Yeah?”
He smiled, his tone calm, confident. “I’m Collins.”
“I know,” she replied softly.
He chuckled. “You’re very beautiful, you know. Sorry if this sounds forward… but can I have your number?”
Tonia hesitated, fingers playing with the edge of her phone case. “Um…” She wanted to say no — truly. But something about the moment, his calmness, the way he looked at her with respect rather than arrogance, made her pause.
Finally, she nodded. “Alright.” She told him her number.
Collins typed it carefully, his smile faint. “Thank you, Tonia.”
She nodded, already stepping into the car. “You’re welcome.”
“Take care,” he said as she closed the door.
As the car rolled out of the compound, Collins stood still, watching the taillights fade beyond the gate.
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Collins’s POV
He slipped his phone into his pocket, his mind replaying every second of that brief conversation. Her voice still echoed faintly in his head — soft, unguarded.
He wasn’t sure what exactly drew him in — her innocence, her honesty, or the way she looked at him as if she could see right through his smooth exterior.
“Collins,” Bidex called from the balcony. “We’re leaving soon!”
He looked up, nodding. “Yeah, coming.”
But as he walked toward the car, his thoughts whispered quietly to themselves.
I’ll take it slow. She’s not like anyone I’ve met before.
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Tonia’s POV
Inside the car, Tonia leaned back against the seat, exhaling softly. Her phone buzzed with new credit alerts, making her smile. Her brothers always spoiled her.
But her thoughts drifted briefly — to that short encounter by the gate. Collins.
She frowned a little, trying to shake off the feeling. “Why did I even give him my number?” she muttered, then laughed at herself.
Her driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Madam, did you say something?”
She waved it off. “No, nothing. Just thinking.”
Outside, Lagos rolled past in colors and sounds — buses honking, hawkers calling out, music spilling from roadside speakers.
Tonia turned her face toward the window, watching the blur of the city with a smile that she couldn’t quite explain.
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As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky orange and gold, the Daniel mansion settled into another quiet evening.
Inside his apartment miles away, Collins sat on his balcony, scrolling through his phone — stopping once at her number, saving it under a name he typed slowly: Tonia D.
He didn’t call. Not yet. He just looked at the screen, thoughtful, his heart strangely calm.
Down in the city, Tonia’s laughter filled the salon as her friend joked beside her, the memory of the day still warm in her chest.
Neither of them knew what tomorrow would bring.
But something had begun.
Something that neither time, distance, nor reason could easily explain.
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- Writer
