As Feire drove back to her apartment, she sipped from the bottle of Pepsi in her left hand. Her mind was blank, and the sound system became her rescue as songs filled the car, distracting her from thoughts she didn’t want to entertain.
She wasn’t sure she was ready for any of it anymore. Or maybe… at least not that day.
It had been one full year now. One year in a relationship only herself and Desmond knew about.
Deep down, she believed Desmond had no other woman apart from her, but everything surrounding her at that moment was not enough to stand as proof of his sincerity. She was getting confused, and she hadn’t hidden it from him. He would usually calm her down, take her out, reassure her that nothing would go wrong, and somehow she would return home lighter, convinced again that Desmond could never lie to her.
But here she was.
Not one person had defended relationships kept in secrecy since the radio show started. Everyone believed men like Desmond were scum.
Was she really ready to go home, or should she stop somewhere first and clear her head before returning to that house?
She had only moved into the apartment three months ago. A two-bedroom flat. Desmond had gotten the place for her and furnished it exactly to her taste because she refused to return to her parents’ house.
Those people were another set of characters entirely.
They never treated her like a twenty-six-year-old woman. They still acted as though she were a little girl who had just returned from secondary school and needed help writing assignments, guidance about life, and constant reminders to read her books.
She was exhausted.
They monitored when she went out, when she returned, how long she stayed outside, and even imposed curfews.
She wanted freedom.
And now, she finally had it.
She glanced at the dashboard clock. Five-thirty.
She muttered under her breath as she pressed the brake again. The traffic was terrible, and she had been stuck in it for over thirty minutes already.
Desmond hadn’t called her since the radio show ended.
Could that mean something?
Was he offended that she brought the issue up publicly? Or was he upset because she ignored his call after realizing it was him?
As tired as she was of the emotional drama she had dragged herself into, letting Desmond slip away felt impossible.
The man was solid.
He would randomly text her that he wanted to take her out, or ask her to visit his place since he lived alone and she had still been staying with her parents back then. In fact, that was one of the major reasons he took it upon himself to get her an apartment.
Still, from the very beginning, he had begged her to keep the relationship away from everyone. If anyone saw them together or teased them, they were to insist they were just friends.
At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal.
Now it did.
None of her friends knew about him, and none of his friends seemed to know about her either.
She picked up her phone and stared at it for a while, unsure whether to call him or remain quiet. She didn’t know what she would hear from him or what she would even say in return.
Truthfully, she loved him deeply and didn’t want him slipping out of her life.
But this secrecy?
She inhaled slowly and dialed his number.
“Hey.”
“The radio presenter,” he teased lightly. “What’s up?”
She tittered softly. “I’m not good. Where are you?”
“I’m around Ikeja,” he replied.
“Really? Me too. Can we go out? I want to see you.”
“Okay, since you’re the one asking to see me, it’s on you.”
“Fine. Let’s meet at Mega Chicken. I’m close already.”
“Alright, dear. I’ll be there shortly.”
She ended the call and squeezed her eyes shut briefly, bracing herself for something unexpected.
At least he didn’t sound angry.
Maybe he truly wasn’t.
Feire sat down and placed her purse and phone on the table before her. She wasn’t sure whether to order food before Desmond arrived. What if he came upset and ruined both her mood and appetite?
Her phone buzzed.
She reached for it immediately, hoping it was a bank alert. At that point, only a credit alert could push her excitement level upward.
But it was just a text message.
“Why is Mosun coming again?” she muttered with a chuckle.
Mosun.
Another major character in her life aside from Desmond and her parents.
They had been friends for almost six years, right from the day they met during their university entrance examination.
Mosun’s outspoken nature drew Feire to her instantly.
Both of them had arrived at an unfamiliar school to write the exam, but Mosun moved around like someone who had lived there all her life. Ask her where any venue was, and she would point you there confidently.
Ironically, she almost made Feire miss her exam because she spent time strolling around the school like a seasoned student, directing others to their venues and wishing them success.
After Feire finished writing, she found Mosun sitting under a tree with the same calculator candidates were given for the exam. That was when she realized Mosun was also a JAMB candidate.
The friendship started there and grew into something that felt like sisterhood.
“Boo.”
Desmond gently pulled her cheek as he stood before her.
She had been so absorbed in her phone that she didn’t notice him approaching.
She startled and nearly dropped the device.
“Hey, dear.”
He had thick black hair, lustrous and neatly trimmed. His face was sharp and defined, with dark brows that naturally gave him a serious look. Yet, when he smiled, every hardness melted away.
His strong hand wrapped around her gently as he pulled her into a hug.
“How are you?” he whispered near her ear.
“Er… fine, dear.”
He didn’t even look angry.
Or maybe he was simply hiding it.
“Are you fine too?” she asked carefully.
“Sure. Sit down.”
He pulled out the chair opposite hers and sat down too.
“You haven’t ordered anything?”
“I was waiting for you.”
He smirked. “I hope that’s not another way of saying I’m footing the bill.”
“I’m not poor, man.”
“Oshey, rich woman.”
She laughed softly.
“What would you love to eat?” she asked.
But Desmond barely answered immediately. He simply stared at her.
There was always something soft about Feire. A hesitation in her movements. A shyness hidden beneath her confidence.
Her blue crisscross blouse, brown hair, soft hands, smooth skin, and effortless beauty made him feel as though he was seeing her for the first time again.
“You’re beautiful, my darling,” he whispered.
“Stop making me feel uneasy, Des.”
She blushed.
That was one thing she loved endlessly about him — the way he looked at her and complimented her every chance he got.
Everything about him felt amazing.
Yet somehow… incomplete.
It was strange loving someone this much, feeling this seen and appreciated, yet still feeling hidden.
Like a princess given everything she ever wanted, only to discover she was trapped inside the castle.
“See how she’s blushing,” he teased. “Let’s order shawarma and ice cream. Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”
“You don’t have to pay, gentleman. I’m handling it today.”
He shrugged dramatically. “Here comes pride again.”
Then his face softened.
“Anyways, what’s wrong? You said you weren’t fine.”
Her eyes drifted upward.
“Feire?” he called again.
“Oh… I’m fine,” she lied with a weak smile.
“Unserious lady. Or do you think I’m angry because you brought us up on your radio show?”
She shook her head slowly.
“I’m just scared, Desmond. We’re already one year into this relationship, and it feels like we’re not moving anywhere. I still don’t understand why you’re hiding me. How long are we supposed to do this before marriage? What exactly are—”
“Feire,” he interrupted gently. “I’m coming. Let me place the order first.”
He stood up, leaving her to bury her face briefly in her palms.
Soon, he returned.
“They’ll bring it shortly,” he said softly, pulling lightly at her hair. “I’m not playing you, my love. You know that.”
“Then tell me why I’m hidden.”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right.” He smiled. “And when did you start sounding like our parents with all this marriage talk?”
“Maybe there’s another woman somewhere,” she muttered. “Didn’t you hear what people said this morning?”
“It’s normal for people to think that way. Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I probably would too.” He leaned back slightly. “But can we skip this topic for now and discuss something lighter?”
“Mosun texted me. She said she’s coming.”
Desmond laughed softly. “I’d actually love to meet her. At least, gradually you’ll meet my friends too, and I’ll meet yours. So you won’t think I have skeletons hidden somewhere.”
Feire’s eyes brightened immediately.
“Really?”
“Sure.”
He winked again.