The Secret Affair
896 Words
The first time became the hardest.
The second time became easier.
By the third time, silence had replaced guilt.
Weeks passed, and the hidden relationship between Agnes and Alicia grew deeper inside the shadows of the apartment in Toronto.
What began as one forbidden kiss slowly transformed into something neither of them could deny anymore.
Late-night conversations.
Secret touches in public.
Long embraces after Bob’s phone calls ended.
And eventually…
Love-making that no longer felt accidental.
At first Alicia cried afterward.
Every single time.
She would sit quietly at the edge of the bed with tears running down her face while Agnes watched her carefully.
“We can stop,” Agnes would whisper.
But they never stopped.
Because Alicia was trapped between two different kinds of love.
The loyal love she once had for Bob.
And the consuming, dangerous affection growing between her and Agnes.
Meanwhile in Lagos, Bob continued fighting a battle he could not see.
Every morning started the same way.
Emails.
Immigration websites.
Agents.
Phone calls.
False hope.
Then disappointment.
Again and again.
The rejection letters became so frequent that Bob stopped reacting emotionally whenever they arrived.
Sometimes he simply stared at the screen blankly for several minutes before locking his phone and pretending he was okay.
But he wasn’t okay.
His savings were nearly gone.
His friends had started mocking him.
“You sure say your wife still dey wait for you?” one of them joked carelessly one evening.
Bob nearly punched him.
Instead, he walked away silently.
Because deep down…
Fear had already started entering his mind.
Long-distance relationships rarely survived.
Especially not this long.
Still, Bob trusted Alicia completely.
And he trusted his mother even more.
That trust would become the knife that destroyed him.
One snowy evening, Alicia and Agnes attended a formal charity event together.
The ballroom glowed with golden lights while soft music floated through the air.
Agnes wore a deep wine-colored gown that turned heads immediately.
Alicia looked breathtaking in black silk.
People admired them openly.
“You two are beautiful together.”
“Perfect couple.”
“Relationship goals.”
Each compliment tightened something painfully inside Alicia’s chest.
Because the lies were no longer just for immigration.
The feelings had become real.
Terrifyingly real.
During dinner, Agnes gently held Alicia’s hand beneath the tablecloth.
Small movement.
Hidden from everybody else.
But Alicia’s entire body reacted immediately.
Agnes leaned closer.
“You’re nervous.”
“People are watching.”
“Let them.”
Alicia turned slightly toward her.
“You’re becoming reckless.”
Agnes smiled faintly.
“No. I’m becoming honest.”
Those words stayed in Alicia’s mind all night.
Back at the apartment later, snowstorm winds rattled against the windows while Alicia removed her earrings near the mirror.
Agnes entered quietly behind her.
“You were beautiful tonight.”
Alicia smiled weakly. “Thank you.”
Agnes stood behind her reflection.
“Do you know what scares you the most?”
Alicia met her eyes through the mirror.
“What?”
“That you’re happy with me.”
The room fell silent instantly.
Alicia looked away.
Because it was true.
And truth can be terrifying.
That same night, Bob video-called unexpectedly.
Alicia quickly adjusted herself before answering.
“Baby!”
Bob smiled warmly from his small apartment in Lagos.
“I miss you.”
The guilt hit Alicia so hard she nearly looked away.
“I miss you too.”
Bob noticed the makeup still on her face.
“Where did you go?”
“Just an event with Mama Agnes.”
“How’s she?”
Alicia hesitated briefly.
“She’s fine.”
Agnes entered the room right then holding two cups of tea.
Bob grinned immediately.
“Mama!”
Agnes smiled naturally, almost too naturally.
“My son.”
Bob laughed. “You people are enjoying yourselves there while I’m suffering here.”
Neither woman responded immediately.
Bob continued talking excitedly about another immigration pathway he discovered online, completely unaware that Agnes’ fingers were gently brushing Alicia’s shoulder while he spoke.
Alicia almost broke down during the call.
Because she suddenly realized something horrifying.
She was lying to her husband effortlessly now.
After the call ended, Alicia pulled away immediately.
“We need to stop.”
Agnes’ expression darkened slightly.
“You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then why are you shaking?”
Alicia wrapped her arms around herself tightly.
“Because this is destroying me.”
Agnes stepped closer slowly.
“No,” she whispered.
“What’s destroying you is pretending you don’t feel this.”
Alicia’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m married to your son.”
“And yet you’re here with me.”
“That’s the problem!”
Agnes touched her face gently.
“No, Alicia…”
Her voice became softer.
“That’s the truth.”
Days later, Agnes traveled briefly to Nigeria for business.
Before leaving, she kissed Alicia at the airport parking lot.
Passionately.
Fearlessly.
And Alicia kissed her back without hesitation.
Neither noticed the older Nigerian couple nearby staring at them in shock.
By the time Agnes boarded her flight to Lagos, she had already made a decision.
She was done hiding her feelings.
Done pretending.
Done sharing Alicia emotionally with her son.
And for the first time…
Agnes was ready to tell Bob the truth.
Even if it destroyed him.
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