Binary Hearts

55| A Taste Of Complexity 😵‍💫👾

Adeola returned to the living room, settling into the soft cushions of the couch as the scent of Tunde's cooking wafted through the air. She could hear the faint clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen, followed by silence as Tunde finished whatever he was preparing. Five minutes later, he called out to her from the kitchen, "Adeola, do you mind eating?"

Her playful side emerged as she responded, "I don't mind at all. Dish my food, please."

Tunde chuckled softly but walked into the sitting room instead, taking a seat opposite her. With a raised brow, he gestured toward the kitchen. "You want to eat, you dish it," he said with a teasing grin.

Adeola laughed, standing up and striding toward the kitchen, completely unbothered. She hummed to herself as she picked up the plates and began serving the food. As she lifted the lid off the stew pot, she froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the strange sight: slices of raw pepper and onions floated in the stew, beef chunks were half-cooked, and sardines were thrown in haphazardly. She couldn't help but laugh at how peculiar it looked, but curiosity got the better of her.

Taking a spoonful, she tasted the stew and was shocked by its flavor. "Wow, this is... delicious," she muttered, still baffled by how good it tasted despite its appearance. She quickly dished the rice and stew onto their plates, shaking her head in amusement as she brought the food to the sitting room.

She placed a plate in front of Tunde and one for herself, sitting down across from him. With a playful smirk, she teased, "Mr. Chef, I must say, it seems you'll need to teach me your cooking skills. I've never tasted anything like this."

Tunde didn't respond immediately, his focus on the food in front of him. His silence only intrigued Adeola more. She was charmed by his reserved nature, something about his quiet confidence pulling her in. "This is the first time I've seen a grown man with such perfect table manners," she added, trying to spark conversation.

Still, no response from Tunde.

Adeola, a bit frustrated but fascinated nonetheless, started eating her food. She cherished every bite, savoring the rich flavors, all while stealing glances at Tunde, who remained composed, eating methodically.

After a few minutes, Tunde finally broke his silence. "So, how's Paul?" he asked casually. "Send my regards to him."

Adeola paused, remembering the reason she was here. "Oh, that reminds me," she said, setting her fork down. "My brother doesn't seem to know you personally. He's a fan, but he's never mentioned meeting you."

Tunde nodded thoughtfully. "It's been a long time. We never met in person, but he helped me get Adaora into Paystack," he explained.

Adeola was about to ask another question, her curiosity piqued, but Tunde interrupted. "And about the job you're seeking..." he began, his tone more serious now. "I wouldn't advise you to come to me for help."

She frowned, her confusion growing. "Why not?"

Tunde sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Paul should have told you by now, Spark Technologies has been facing some challenges. The company is stable now, but I'm not. I'm no longer the CEO, though I'm still the chairman. But I'm losing control. My stepmother's partnership... it's complicated." He hesitated before adding, "I've also been going through a rough patch in my personal life. My... my close friend and I broke up, and everything feels like it's falling apart."

Adeola's heart sank as she listened. She could see the pain in his eyes, the vulnerability he tried to mask with his usual stoic demeanor. She didn't know why, but she felt connected to his struggle. It was as though his pain resonated with something deep inside her.

"I'm sorry," Adeola said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "I didn't know you were going through all this... But," she added with a small smile, "you could still employ me, you know?"

Tunde sighed again, shaking his head slightly. "You just want to stay close to me, don't you?" He said leaving Adeola speechless.

Unable to think of a comeback, Adeola simply watched as Tunde stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. She gathered her things, leaving the house without the job she had hoped for, but with a new understanding of Tunde and the weight he carried. His struggles lingered in her mind, and despite her initial goal, she found herself wanting to help him in some way.

Later that day, at her office, Adaora was busy wrapping up some paperwork when Chidi Okoye approached her. "Hey, any plans for Saturday?" he asked casually.

Adaora glanced up from her desk, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Planning a date for me?" she teased.

Chidi chuckled, shaking his head. "Not really, but I was wondering if you'd be free."

After a moment's thought, Adaora shrugged. "No plans yet, I guess."

"Great," Chidi replied. "Expect me at 9 tomorrow," he added before walking off, leaving her curious about what he had planned.

Back at home, Paul noticed the sudden change in Adeola's mood. She hadn't given him any feedback about her meeting with Tunde, and she seemed distant, pressing away on her laptop without a word.

"Adeola," Paul called out gently, but she didn't respond. He could sense that something hadn't gone well. "Don't worry. I promise I'll help you find a job," he assured her, trying to lift her spirits.

Finally, she broke her silence, her voice firm. "Make sure it's from Tunde. Apart from that, I want no other job."

Paul blinked in surprise, not expecting such a specific demand. He realized then how much Tunde had impacted his sister, and he knew he had to reach out to the man. After three failed attempts to contact Tunde, Paul finally managed to meet him at a hotel for a private discussion.

"Paul, thanks for helping Adaora with that job," Tunde said, recalling how Paul had assisted Adaora.

Paul nodded. "I remember. And now I need your help please" he said.

Paul sighed before proceeding. "It's about Adeola. I don't know what you did, but she's now obsessed with working for you. The sister I know, the talkative one, has gone quiet. She doesn't even party anymore."

Tunde sighed, rubbing his temples. "Say less. Tell her to come and see me tomorrow."

When Paul returned home with the news, Adeola couldn't contain her joy. She hugged her brother tightly, her mind filled with thoughts of seeing Tunde again. The excitement was evident, and for the first time in a while, her energy felt restored.