Love’s Crossroads

Chapter 6

Tracey’s POV

The moment I stepped into my room, I let out a long, tired sigh and dropped my tote bag on the bed. My scalp still tingled from the tightness of the fresh cornrows, and my nails felt smooth and glossy as I ran my fingers over them.

Before I could even sit down, my phone buzzed.

Ray Calling…

A small smile crept onto my lips as I swiped to answer.

“Hey, baby,” his deep, familiar voice filled my ears, warm and teasing. “You finally done?”

“Yes, I just got home,” I said, kicking off my slippers and stretching out on the couch.

“Good, now let me see,” he demanded playfully. “I need to witness my baby’s beauty firsthand.”

I giggled, already flipping my camera. “Hold on, hold on,” I said, angling the phone just right.

I snapped a selfie—one that caught the neatness of my cornrows, the subtle gloss of my nails, and just a hint of my tired but satisfied expression. Quickly, I sent it to him and waited.

There was a pause, then a dramatic inhale on the other end.

“Damn,” he murmured. “Look at my fine wine.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I buried my face in a throw pillow. “Stop,” I giggled.

“I mean it,” he insisted. “You look beautiful, Tracy. You always do.”

I exhaled, the butterflies in my stomach fluttering wildly.

“I love you, Ray,” I whispered, meaning every word.

His voice softened. “I love you too, baby. Always and forever.”

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of our breathing, the unspoken emotions stretching between us through the phone.

“So, tell me,” he said, snapping me out of the trance, “how was your day? Any gist for me?”

I hesitated, twirling a loose thread on the throw pillow “Oh, you know… just the usual salon drama,” I said lightly. “The hair took forever, and the nail tech nearly overcharged me, but I sorted it out.”

I kept my tone easy, casual. I didn’t mention Richard. Didn’t mention the ride, the restaurant, or the way my stomach had flipped when he had complimented my choice in food.

Some things were just better left unsaid.

Ray laughed. “See why I say Lagos businesses are just hustling us?”

I joined in, relieved that the conversation had flowed past dangerous waters. “Right? It’s a battlefield out here.”

We talked a little more, his voice familiar and comforting. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that today had been different. That today had shifted something.

And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

After my call with Ray ended, I lay on the bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling. My heart still felt warm from his compliments, but a strange restlessness settled over me. I shook it off, stretching as I got up.

I hadn’t checked in on Mrs. Regina since I got back, and she’d definitely want to see my new look.

Grabbing my phone, I made my way to her room and knocked gently.

“Come in,” her familiar voice called out.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Mrs. Regina sat by the window, flipping through a magazine. The moment she looked up and saw me, her face lit up with a smile.

“Ah! Just look at my beautiful girl,” she said warmly, waving me closer. “Come, let me see you properly.”

I walked up to her, spinning slightly so she could admire my hair. “What do you think?” I asked with a grin.

She nodded approvingly. “It’s perfect. You look stunning, Tracy. But then again, you’ve always been a beauty.”

I laughed softly. “You always know what to say, Mrs. Regina.”

She reached out and patted my hand affectionately. “You must be tired. Go and rest. We’ll be going out tomorrow.”

I blinked in surprise. “We?”

“Yes, we,” she confirmed. “We’re going to visit a dear friend of mine. Her daughter just returned from Canada—she’s a doctor, you know.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s impressive.”

“Very,” she agreed. “She’s a smart, beautiful young woman, and now she’s back home for good. It’s been a long time since I saw her, she and Richard used to be such close friends. childhood friends. I can still remember how close they were. We’ll be paying them a visit.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing the information. A doctor relocating from Canada? That wasn’t something you heard every day.

“Alright,” I said, curiosity piqued. “I’ll be ready.”

“Good,” Mrs. Regina said with a satisfied smile. “Now, go and rest. You had a long day.”

I bid her goodnight and left her room, my mind still lingering on our conversation.

I didn’t know why, but something about this visit felt… significant.

And I had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be more interesting than I expected.