Raymond

Everything about my first date with Eva was perfect. From the moment I saw her standing at the door, radiant in her black cocktail dress, to the way her eyes lit up as she admired my new car and complimented my outfit - it all felt like a dream come true. Her elegance and grace captivated me more than ever, and as the evening unfolded, I couldn't help but marvel at the effortless connection between us.

The atmosphere at the restaurant was serene, the warm lighting and gentle hum of soft music providing the perfect backdrop for our time together. Our conversation flowed freely, unguarded and sincere, as if there were no walls between us. It was as though we had known each other on a deeper level for years, and any pretense or awkwardness was nowhere to be found.

Eva shared her journey of reinvention, and as she spoke, I felt nothing but admiration for her determination and resilience. She told me how she had taken charge of her life, filing for divorce to reclaim her independence. She had enrolled in a sex therapy course, begun exercising regularly, eaten healthier meals, read novels to broaden her mind, and played her favorite music to relax and soothe her soul. Her voice carried pride and strength, and her eyes sparkled as she recounted these changes.

"I decided it was time to put myself first," she said, her voice steady but reflective. "I needed to find the Eva I lost somewhere along the way. And now, I'm starting to love myself again."

Her words struck a chord in me, and I couldn't help but be deeply impressed. "You've done an incredible job," I said earnestly, leaning forward slightly. "I can see it in everything about you. You're stronger, more confident, and more radiant than ever. You inspire me, Eva."

She smiled, a touch of shyness flickering across her face, but she accepted my praise gracefully. "Thank you, Ray. That means a lot coming from you."

She shifted the focus to me, asking about my life and work since the divorce. For the first time, I opened up to her about how I had ventured into real estate, thanks to an old friend from Abuja who believed in my potential. I shared my successes, the challenges I had overcome, and the current project that had brought me to Lagos.

Her delight at hearing my story was palpable. "Ray, that's amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with genuine pride. "I always knew you had it in you. Look at how far you've come! I'm so proud of you."

Her words filled me with a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Eva," I said, my voice steady but filled with emotion. "It hasn't been easy, but hearing that from you makes it all worth it."

She reached out, her hand lightly brushing mine. "You deserve every bit of success, Ray. God's been good to you, and I pray He continues to guide you."

Her touch, brief as it was, sent a surge of electricity through me, but I kept my composure. The evening continued with light-hearted banter and shared laughter. The ease between us was undeniable, and I found myself wishing the night would never end.

As I dined with Eva at the Chinese restaurant, my phone vibrated a few times, but I ignored it, refusing to let anything disrupt the moment. This time with her was special - something I didn't want to taint with distractions. Her laughter, her smile, and the light in her eyes held my full attention.

When I walked her back to her door later that night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment I hadn't known in years. Eva wasn't just a woman I admired - she was someone I was coming to cherish deeply. And as I bid her goodnight, the thought lingered in my mind: What would it take to make her a permanent part of my life?

Later that night, after I returned to my hotel room and slipped out of my clothes, I finally picked up my phone. I scrolled through the missed calls and messages, and my eyes froze when I saw Tessy's name. Three missed calls.

I frowned, both concerned and confused. Tessy had never called me directly since the divorce. Any communication we had was strictly about Angel and always handled through intermediaries - our lawyers, her teachers, or the nanny. Why now? Why three times?

I checked the time. It was well past Angel's bedtime. Instinctively, I worried. Was something wrong with my daughter? If there was an emergency, surely the nanny would have called me. I dialed her number, but it rang out with no answer. She was probably asleep.

I sat on the edge of the bed, debating whether to return Tessy's call. A part of me wanted to know why she had reached out, but another part of me hesitated. Calling her back would mean opening a door I had firmly shut. My mind wrestled with scenarios - was this about Angel, or was Tessy trying to find some excuse to reach out to me?

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Angel was fine. If anything serious had happened, I would have been notified by now. I convinced myself not to overthink it and decided against calling Tessy back. Whatever it was, it could wait until morning.

With that settled, I lay back on the bed, allowing the memories of the evening to wash over me. Eva's smile, her soft laugh, the way her eyes lit up when I spoke - it was all on replay in my mind. It brought a smile to my lips and warmth to my chest.

I fell asleep with her on my mind, pushing Tessy's calls into the far corners of my thoughts, where they belonged for now.

I woke up to the soft light of the morning streaming through the curtains and instinctively reached for my phone on the nightstand. There it was - a text message from Tessy.

Good morning, Raymond. It's about our daughter Angel. Please call me back. Thank you. Tessy.

The message sent a jolt through me. My mind raced, wondering if something had happened to Angel. My heart pounded as I got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess, and brushed my teeth hurriedly.

With my phone in hand, I decided to call Angel's nanny first. It was 9 a.m., and Angel should already be at school. I needed to confirm that everything was fine before contacting Tessy.

The call barely rang before the nanny picked up.

"Good morning, sir!" her cheerful voice came through the line.

"Good morning," I replied briskly, trying to keep my tone even. "Is anything wrong with my daughter? Has there been any issue I need to be aware of?"

"No, sir," she replied quickly. "Angel is fine. She left for school on time this morning as usual."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me but pressed further. "Are you sure there's nothing I need to handle regarding her welfare or her school? Anything unusual at all?"

"No, sir, everything is fine," the nanny assured me.

"Alright. Thank you," I said before hanging up.

Reassured that Angel was safe, I leaned against the desk in my room, staring at the text from Tessy again. Why was she reaching out to me directly after all this time? Her tone was polite, but it carried an urgency that made me uneasy. Was she trying to reconnect under the guise of Angel's welfare?

Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, I texted Eva.

Good morning, Eva. I hope you slept well. Thank you again for last night - it was such a special time for me. By the way, I received some strange calls from Tessy yesterday. She texted this morning, too. Just thought I'd share that with you.

I hesitated before hitting send but decided Eva deserved transparency. I didn't want to hide anything from her, especially as our bond was deepening.

After sending the message, I sat down to consider my next move. Should I call Tessy now or let her wait a little longer? Something about her sudden interest felt off, and I needed to tread carefully.