Chapter 16
804 Words
After Richard left that night, Tracy stood at the doorway for a long time, watching his car disappear into the quiet of the Surulere street. The air felt heavier than usual, and her chest ached with confusion.
Back inside, she closed the door softly and leaned against it, her eyes closing as a wave of guilt washed over her.
“What am I even doing?” she whispered to herself.
Ray. Ray had always been there. From the moment they met, he treated her like she was the most precious thing in the world. He saw her worth even when she didn’t. He supported her dreams, celebrated her wins, and held her through her losses.
He was the one who stayed on video call the whole night when she was sick and alone. He sent money for her upkeep, made sure she lacked nothing. He always reminded her how much he loved her—how much he wanted her.
They’d been through so much. They had history.
How could she betray that?
Richard is just a distraction.
He had a way of getting under her skin, of making her forget where she came from. His intensity, his touch, the kiss—they all clouded her mind, making her question things she shouldn’t.
“No. This isn’t love. It can’t be,” she told herself again as if repetition would make the lie stick.
If she had to, she’d quit her job just to get him out of her head. He was a billionaire’s son with the world at his feet. He could have any woman he wanted. Women like Stephanie who belonged to his world. Women who were polished, classy, sophisticated—everything Tracy wasn’t.
She wasn’t going to let herself fall deeper into a fantasy she couldn’t afford. Her loyalty was with Ray.
She picked up her phone to distract herself, but a notification blinked across her screen.
Richard: I meant what I said tonight. I’m not giving up on us.
Her stomach twisted. Her chest tightened.
Us?
Her fingers hovered over the screen, her eyes fixed on the message.
She didn’t reply.
⸻
A week passed like a blur.
Tracy stayed home, drowning herself in chores, reading books she couldn’t finish, and binge-watching old sitcoms just to avoid thinking. But it was no use. Richard’s words haunted her like a melody stuck on repeat.
Ray was returning tomorrow. And that alone brought a smile to her face—real and genuine. The thought of being wrapped in his arms again brought a little warmth to her chest.
She was going to focus on Ray.
She had to.
Tracy stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the scarf on her head as she prepared to return to work. She had planned to call Mrs. Regina and quit, but each time she tried, her heart failed her.
Mrs. Regina had been nothing but kind to her. A woman of class and elegance who treated her with affection and grace. Leaving without a proper explanation felt wrong.
So she decided she’d resume work… just for a little while longer.
And she would do everything possible to avoid Richard.
She arrived at the mansion that morning, keeping her head down as the gates opened. Nana, the maid, welcomed her with a warm hug.
“Ah, Tracy! We missed you o,” Nana said, her smile wide. “Madam has been talking about you every day. Welcome back.”
Tracy offered a small smile. “I missed you guys too.”
Mrs. Regina was in the garden when Tracy approached. The older woman turned, beaming.
“Oh, my dear, you’re back! I was getting worried,” she said, standing to embrace her gently. “You look refreshed.”
“I’m feeling much better now, ma’am,” Tracy lied politely. “Thank you for allowing me some time off.”
“Nonsense, you needed it,” Mrs. Regina said, brushing her off. “Come, let’s have tea in the sun. You’ll tell me all about how your family is doing.”
They walked toward the patio together, and for a moment, it almost felt normal again.
But her peace didn’t last long.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement from the balcony above. Her eyes instinctively lifted.
It was Richard.
He was standing there with a coffee mug in one hand, his eyes locked on her. No expression. No smile.
Just silence.
Tracy’s breath hitched. Her heart betrayed her again, doing that annoying flip it always did around him.
She looked away quickly.
The rest of the day was a dance of avoidance—deliberately walking opposite directions, dodging eye contact, and staying close to Mrs. Regina. She wasn’t ready to face him. Not yet.
Ray was coming home tomorrow and that’s all that matters.
- Writer
