Chapter 15
1269 Words
Tracy sat cross-legged on her bed, scrolling mindlessly through her phone, trying to shake off the emotional heaviness that had been sitting on her chest for days. Her mom had been checking on her constantly, her siblings had noticed she was quieter than usual, and even the little things that used to bring her comfort—her scented candles, her favorite snacks—did nothing to lift her spirits.
Then her phone rang.
Ray.
Her heart flipped, and her breath caught for a moment. She stared at the screen before answering.
“Hey, babe,” his familiar voice came through, warm and full of affection. It felt like home.
“Hey…” she replied, her tone softer, quieter than usual.
“I’ve missed you like crazy, Tracy,” he said. “I’ve been counting down the days.”
A bittersweet smile touched her lips. “I’ve missed you too…”
“I’ve got good news,” Ray continued, his voice brighter now. “I took time off work—I’m coming back to Nigeria next week.”
Tracy froze.
“You’re what?”
“I’m coming home,” he said again, laughing at her stunned silence. “I want to spend time with you, with your family, with everyone. I just… I miss everything. You most of all.”
Her heart ached. It was what she had wanted for so long, wasn’t it? But now with Richard in the picture, everything felt like tangled wires in her chest. She still loved Ray—she was sure of it. But she couldn’t lie to herself anymore… the things she felt around Richard were just as intense.
“That’s… wow, that’s great, Ray. I’m happy.”
“You don’t sound happy,” he teased gently. “Come on, babe. I know you. Talk to me.”
“No, I am,” she said quickly, forcing her tone lighter. “I’ve just been overwhelmed with… everything.”
“Well, not for long,” Ray said. “Soon I’ll be there. And I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Her lips trembled with a smile, even as her heart twisted in confusion. “I can’t wait to see you.”
They exchanged a few more soft words, and after he hung up, she sat still—silent, breathless, caught in the web of her own emotions.
Just then, her phone lit up again.
Richard.
She stared at the screen. He’d been calling. She’d been ignoring him for two days now. But this time, something in her chest pulled her hand to the screen, and she swiped to answer.
“Tracy.”
His voice was deep. Direct.
“Hi…” she breathed, unsure what else to say.
“Why have you been ignoring my calls?” he asked bluntly.
She swallowed. “I just… needed time.”
“You were on a call when I called earlier. Who were you talking to?”
His tone was tight, jealousy thinly veiled.
She didn’t respond.
He went quiet for a second. Then, suddenly, “Come out.”
“What?” she asked, startled.
“I’m outside your house.”
She sat up straight. “What do you mean—how do you know where I live?”
“I said, come out,” he said firmly. Then he ended the call.
Her heartbeat thundered as she moved to the window. And there he was—Richard—standing outside the compound gate beside a sleek black SUV. His posture was relaxed, but the tension in his jaw and the way his eyes scanned the street told her he wasn’t here for casual conversation.
Still wearing her shorts and a baggy shirt, she slipped on her oversized slippers and tied her bun a bit tighter. No makeup, no pretenses. Just herself.
She stepped out.
⸻
Richard’s POV
Surulere was different.
Not in a bad way—just different. He watched a couple of kids ride bicycles barefooted down the street. A woman selling akara was laughing with someone in a nearby stall. The air was warm, fragrant with street food and life. Real life. Simple, loud, and full of color.
This wasn’t the manicured calm of the Island. It wasn’t the gated silence of his mother’s estate. But somehow, he found it… grounding.
He watched the gate open and saw her.
Tracy.
No makeup. Her shorts barely reaching mid-thigh, baggy shirt hanging off one shoulder, oversized slippers shuffling across the concrete. Her Afro bun was messy, wild even, but she looked… perfect. So her.
She walked toward him slowly, eyes focused on anything but him. She couldn’t even look him in the eye.
He smirked faintly. Can’t still look me in the eye.
“You didn’t think I’d find you, did you?” he asked, voice low, unreadable.
She shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d try.”
He stepped closer, his scent surrounding her instantly—woodsy, expensive, familiar.
“I’ve been calling,” he said. “You’ve been ignoring.”
“I needed space.”
“I didn’t.”
She blinked, finally meeting his gaze. “You can’t just show up at my house, my mom could have home Richard.”
“Am not scared of your mom, would let her know I want to marry her daughter. That I love her.”
A beat of silence passed between them.
“You don’t belong here,” she whispered, ignoring what he just said. “You look so out of place.”
He looked around, taking in the neighborhood again.
“Maybe,” he said. “But I came anyway. Because you didn’t give me a choice.”
“Why?” she asked softly.
His eyes searched hers. “Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Because I haven’t slept properly since you left. Because you kissed me and then ran.”
“You kissed me.”
“And you didn’t stop me.”
The air between them grew thick. Charged.
“I can’t do this.” she murmured to herself .
“Tell me to leave then,” he said, taking a daring step forward. “Tell me to leave, Tracy. Right now. And I will.”
She opened her mouth. Closed it.
“You can’t,” he said, his voice softer now. “Because you don’t want to.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “You’re making things harder for me.”
He exhaled, looking down. “That’s not my intention. I just… I needed to see you. Hear your voice. Know that I didn’t imagine everything we shared.”
Her fingers twisted the edge of her shirt nervously. “It’s not that simple, Richard.”
“I know it’s not. But I’m not going to lie and pretend I’m okay with how things are right now. I miss you.”
She looked up at him then—really looked at him—and the sincerity in his eyes nearly broke her.
“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” she confessed, voice shaking.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “That makes two of us.”
For a while, they stood like that—suspended between desire and confusion, caught between two worlds.
“I should go back inside,” she whispered.
He nodded, reluctantly letting his hand drop. “Okay.”
She turned to leave.
“Tracy.”
She paused.
“You look so beautiful.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She didn’t reply, just opened the gate and slipped back inside, her heart slamming against her ribs.
- Writer
