Love’s Crossroads

Chapter 18

Tracy stood in front of the mirror in her room, lightly adjusting the open-back crop top she had picked out. The black fabric was sleek and elegant, hugging her frame just right. The sleeveless top tied delicately at the back with slim silk strings, leaving her smooth back bare, save for the small knot near her lower spine. She paired it with high-waisted, vintage-wash baggy jeans that sat snug on her waist and flowed effortlessly down to her ankles. On her feet, she wore a pair of simple nude flats, and she held a denim jacket in case the evening got chilly. Her afro hair was brushed up into a neat, tight bun, and even without makeup, her skin glowed with a natural radiance.

She checked the time—it was five minutes to six. Her heart fluttered in anticipation.

Outside the gate, Ray leaned against the cab, wearing a black tee and dark jeans. His frame was broader than before, more defined, and his smile—oh, that smile—still had the power to melt her heart. Tracy stepped out of the gate, and their eyes locked.

She didn’t walk—she ran.

“Ray!” she exclaimed, her voice soft but full of longing.

He opened his arms wide just as she flung herself into his embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

“I missed you,” she whispered against his shoulder.

“I missed you more,” he murmured, holding her as if afraid she might disappear again.

Without saying a word, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was long, tender, and filled with a thousand emotions—relief, longing, love. People passed by, but they didn’t care. In that moment, it was just the two of them, lost in the comfort of each other.

After a few seconds, they pulled apart, breathless but grinning.

“Come on,” Ray said, opening the cab door for her.

Tracy giggled and slid in, and they took off through the familiar streets. She guided the driver to a cozy restaurant on the Island—the same one Richard had taken her to. As they stepped into the softly lit ambiance, the smell of spices and grilled seafood wafted through the air.

“Nice place,” Ray said, pulling out a chair for her.

“I knew you’d like it,” she replied, settling in.

When the waiter took their order and left, Ray leaned back and studied her face.

“Omg! Baby you’ve changed,” he said.

She blinked. “In a good way?”

“In the best way,” he smiled. “You’ve grown… you’re glowing, Tracy.”

She lowered her gaze, shyly smiling. “It’s been a lot. But I’m doing okay.”

Ray reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m proud of you, you know. School, work… holding it all down like a champ.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thanks for always supporting me. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Babe.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t do anything special. I love you. That’s what love does.”

There was a pause, and Tracy could feel his sincerity. The way his eyes softened, the way he looked at her like she was his entire world—it warmed her heart.

“So tell me, what’s new?” he asked. “How’s work? You enjoying being with Mrs. Regina?”

Tracy nodded. “She’s amazing. Honestly, she treats me more like family than a worker. Her house is peaceful… well, most of the time.”

Ray chuckled. “Let me guess, her son gives you a hard time?”

Tracy froze slightly, but masked it quickly. “He’s… interesting.”

Ray arched a brow, amused. “Interesting how?”

She shrugged, trying to keep her tone casual. “Let’s not talk about him.”

Ray didn’t push. Instead, he changed the subject.

“So… any plans for the weekend? I want to take you out. Maybe catch a movie, visit the beach?”

“I’d love that,” Tracy said, her voice light and cheerful. “We should go to Elegushi.”

Ray grinned. “That’s my girl.”

They laughed, joked, and reminisced about their childhood. He reminded her of how she used to sell groundnuts at her mother’s shop and how he pretended to forget things just so he could keep buying more and stay longer. Tracy laughed so hard she nearly cried.

————

Richard’s POV

He hadn’t planned to be there.

After giving Tracy space for the past week, Richard had taken Stephanie’s offer to grab dinner just to satisfy her, she has been bugging him about it. He told himself it was just a casual evening out with a familiar face. But the universe had other plans.

The moment they walked in—Tracy and that guy—his breath hitched.

They didn’t see him.

How could they? They were too caught up in their own little world. Tracy was radiant, dressed in a sleeveless crop top, her back was almost bare, her glowing skin and wide smile stealing the attention of more than just him. But what cut deepest wasn’t how beautiful she looked—it was how happy she looked.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The way she laughed—free, loud, unrestrained. The way she leaned into the guy with such ease, like every inch of her trusted him. Like they belonged. Like he was home.

Is that him? The boyfriend?

Richard’s heart clenched. He had imagined their reunion a hundred different ways, hoped she would come back with clarity, that maybe—just maybe—she would come back for him. But now… watching her so full of light, he realized he had never truly seen her like this before. Not with him. With him, she had been shy, guarded… like she was trying not to fall too deep.

But here, with this man, she had already fallen.

His jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists beneath the table. Across from him, Stephanie had been talking nonstop about a patient of hers at the hospital, but her words were now just a buzz in the background. He didn’t even realize she’d stopped until she snapped her fingers in his face.

“Richard! Earth to Richard!” she snapped, clearly annoyed. “I’ve been talking for five minutes. What are you even staring at?”

He blinked, dragging his eyes away from Tracy. “Nothing. I— I’m not really hungry anymore.”

Stephanie followed his gaze and saw them. The spark of recognition in her eyes darkened instantly into envy.

“Oh,” she muttered, voice low and biting. “Her.”

She didn’t need to ask. She knew. Of course she did. And judging from the venom in her eyes, her tolerance was wearing thin.

Richard stood abruptly, grabbing his wallet and tossing a few naira notes on the table. “I’ll see you around, Stephanie.”

“Wait—what? You’re leaving? Just like that?” she hissed, rising to her feet.

But he was already walking away, his long strides filled with frustration and heartache. Stephanie followed, heels clicking angrily behind him.

“You’re seriously walking out on me because of her?” she snapped as they exited the restaurant. “You think she’s some saint, huh? Just look at her, giggling like a schoolgirl while stringing you along like a fool.”

Richard didn’t answer. He just kept walking, trying to put distance between himself and that damn image—Tracy’s bright eyes, her soft smile, the way she looked at him.

Stephanie stopped a few steps behind, glaring back at Tracy with pure spite. How? she thought. How does a girl like that get a guy like him?

The jealousy festered like a wound.

Inside the restaurant, Tracy and Ray were completely oblivious to the scene that had just unfolded.

They were lost in laughter and shared memories, exchanging stories over steaming plates of food. Every now and then, Ray would brush her hand with his, and Tracy’s eyes would sparkle. Their connection was effortless, pure, and unmistakable.

It was as though they were wrapped in their own little world, and no one else existed.

And for Richard, that was the hardest part to walk away from.