Chapter Thirty-Four

The Saturday Peter had asked Stella to meet him at Millennium Park finally arrived. The days leading up to it had crawled by, but now the much-anticipated moment was here. Morning quickly dissolved into evening, as though the day had been eager to make way for the magic of this moment. The sky blushed with streaks of orange and pink, as if nature had been waiting for this day. Millennium Park was already brimming with life. Laughter mingled with the rustling of leaves, and children's joyful shrieks pierced the calm evening air. Couples wandered hand in hand, their whispers and shared glances weaving an air of intimacy. Families gathered on blankets, the aroma of fresh food wafting through the park as they exchanged stories and smiles.

Stella arrived early. She stood at the park's entrance, momentarily still, letting the scene soak into her senses. The sharp, earthy scent of freshly cut grass filled her lungs as her eyes followed the vibrant flowers that swayed gently with the breeze. It was as if the world slowed just for her, but beneath her calm exterior, a quiet storm brewed, an unsettling mix of excitement and doubt. Her white dress fluttered slightly with the wind, a delicate contrast to her dark hair, which framed her face like a soft curtain. The park's beauty calmed her, but her heart beat faster with each passing second, knowing Peter was on his way.

She sat by the fountain, the steady sound of the water almost calming, but it couldn't stop her mind from racing. Her fingers glided over the smooth surface of the stone bench, helping her focus on the present moment. She wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting, but her heart ached with the hope of finding clarity.

When Peter finally appeared, her breath caught in her throat. His casual black shirt and jeans were nothing special, but the way he carried himself, confident and exuding a sexy allure, sent her mind spinning. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to blur.

'Stella,' he breathed, relief washing over his face. 'I'm glad you came.' His bright, genuine smile tugged at something deep inside her, igniting a desire to believe in second chances. He had feared she might turn him down, but now, seeing her, he felt an overwhelming urge to hug and kiss her, though he restrained himself.

She forced herself to look away for a moment, steadying the flutter in her chest. 'I wouldn't miss it,' she replied, her voice betraying none of the turmoil she felt inside.

As they walked side by side, the cheerful sounds of the park faded, replaced by the palpable tension between them. Peter reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. 'I still can't believe you're my secretary,' he said with a chuckle, though the joke fell flat against the weight of their unresolved issues.

Stella shot him a look, her eyes narrowing slightly, and he immediately backtracked, his expression softening.

'Can we talk about everything?' he asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper. He wanted her to listen to every detail of why he had hidden his identity, but she wasn't ready to hear it, not just yet.

She paused, turning to face him fully. 'I'm not ready to hear your excuses, Peter. I didn't come here for that.' Her words were firm, but inside, she was torn. She had come because the thought of not seeing him was unbearable, yet she wasn't ready to forgive him. Not yet.

As they continued walking, the sunlight wrapped around them like a warm embrace, casting long shadows that stretched across the path. The air between them buzzed with unspoken words, the kind that could mend or shatter what they had left. Peter tried to lighten the mood, but the gravity of their conversation lingered.

As they strolled through Millennium Park, Peter paused by a vendor offering sizzling suya skewers. The smoky aroma teased their senses.

'Fancy some suya?' he asked, already pulling out his wallet.

Stella hesitated for a moment, then smiled. 'Why not? Let's see if you still remember how to pick the spicy ones.'

Peter grinned, turning to the vendor. 'Four skewers, please. Extra spicy.'

The vendor gave him a knowing smile. 'You sure about the extra spice, oga? It's not for the faint-hearted.'

Peter chuckled. 'We can handle it.'

Moments later, they walked away with the suya wrapped in brown paper, the heat radiating through the package. Stella took one skewer, inspecting it with a playful glint in her eyes. 'I hope you didn't forget how much I love the challenge,' she teased, taking a bite. The fiery spice hit her tongue immediately, making her eyes widen for a second before she composed herself. 'Still as spicy as ever,' she said, nodding approvingly.

Peter laughed, taking a bite of his own skewer. His eyes watered slightly from the heat, but he hid it well. 'Of course. I wouldn't dare forget,' he said, his voice slightly hoarse from the spice.

When they reached a bench, Peter sat beside her, leaning forward, his hands clasped together. He exhaled softly, staring at the ground as if searching for the right words.

'I've been thinking about this for a while…' His voice was low, uncertain, as he stole a glance at Stella. 'I don't want you to see me as your boss anymore.'

He paused, the weight of his emotions evident in the way his hands fidgeted and his breathing quickened. A nervous chuckle escaped him, as though he was bracing for rejection.

'I want you to see me as… your man.'

His words hung in the air, vulnerable and raw, as if he had laid his heart bare. His eyes searched hers, hopeful yet anxious, waiting for a response that could either shatter or uplift him.

Her cheeks flushed at the sentiment, warmth spreading through her, but she wasn't ready to admit what she felt. 'I haven't accepted you as my man… yet,' she replied softly, her gaze dropping to her lap.

He smiled, that same hopeful smile that made her want to believe again. 'You don't need to say it. I can wait as long as it takes.'

They sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of the park coming back into focus as they enjoyed their suya, the gentle strum of a guitar, the laughter of children, the low murmur of families chatting under the trees. Somewhere nearby, a couple twirled in the grass, their bare feet dancing to the soft melody of a street guitarist, completely lost in their own world. Stella's heart stirred at the sight, and for a fleeting moment, she imagined herself and Peter in their place.

Millennium Park, the largest and most enchanting park in Abuja, felt like a haven for romance and joy. Spanning over 80 acres of lush greenery, the park boasted a shimmering fountain that sparkled under the sunlight, its gentle sprays adding to the soothing atmosphere. Children's laughter rang from the nearby playground as they played, their carefree joy blending seamlessly with the soft hum of nature. Couples lounged on checkered blankets, sharing intimate picnics, their soft giggles and whispered conversations dancing on the breeze. Some shared sweet kisses under the shade of blooming trees, while others leaned into one another, savouring the warmth of their closeness as they fed each other slices of fruit.

Nearby, a man in a black windbreaker leisurely walked his golden retriever, the dog's joyful energy adding to the park's vibrant atmosphere. Every few steps, the man paused to give his loyal companion a gentle scratch behind the ears, smiling as the dog wagged its tail in contentment. At one point, the dog bounded towards a couple on a picnic, receiving a playful pat before returning to its owner.

Not far from where Peter and Stella were, Richie was seen holding his son's hand, cheerfully chatting with him. He was dressed in a casual white suit with matching shoes. His wife, Night, in a pink floral dress with roses adorning her hair, laughed happily at something her husband said to their son, Wealth.

Spotting Peter and Stella, they stopped to greet them.

'Hi, Peter,' Richie said cheerfully.

'Richie, nice to see you! How was your family vacation in Dubai?' Peter asked with a smile.

'It was great,' Richie replied, his eyes sparkling with memories. 'But we've met a couple of times at Richie Corporation to discuss the drones and autonomous cars. How come you skipped asking about our vacation in Dubai? And since our return, you've even eaten the goodies we brought back from Dubai...'

Peter laughed. 'What's wrong with asking now?'

Richie shrugged his shoulders playfully.

Glancing at Stella, Night joked, 'I'm glad you two finally got together after Peter finished playing his poor role as a provision store owner.'

Laughter erupted among them, except for Wealth, who was now deep in conversation with a friend he had met in Dubai, and Stella, who hadn't completely forgiven Peter. Though only four years old, Wealth already exhibited signs of genius.

'Our little genius,' Peter said, looking down at Wealth after he ended his call.

'You'd make me happier if you dropped the 'little,' or else I'll ask Aboki to turn your skin into suya,' Wealth piped up, causing them to chuckle.

'Okay, our big genius,' Peter corrected playfully.

'Sounds better,' Wealth grinned.

As Richie and his family moved on, Peter's gaze fell on a group of children playing tag nearby, their laughter infectious. Peter paused, lost in thought. 'Do you ever think about having kids?' he asked softly, the question laced with uncertainty.

Surprise flickered in Stella's eyes. 'Kids? Wow, that's a big topic for our first casual date as CEO and Personal Secretary, don't you think?'

Peter chuckled nervously. 'I just… I see how happy the kids are, and I wonder if we could have that someday. And seeing how Wealth carries himself, I feel like we could make our own little genius.'

'Remove 'little' from the genius,' Stella mimicked Wealth, her tone turning serious. 'Of course, it's everyone's dream to have babies running around the house, but for now, I want to focus on my work. I don't want to rush into anything before I'm ready.'

'When the time is right, we'll create as many geniuses as we want. And since the body is yours, you can decide how many geniuses we'll have,' he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Stella nodded, appreciating his honesty. 'I agree. It's just that sometimes I think about how our lives could intertwine in the future. And for the record, deciding how many geniuses to carry should be something we think about together.' Then, remembering that she hadn't forgiven him yet, and they were not yet a couple, she quickly corrected herself, 'Not that we're going to have kids!'

'I know. I'm just teasing. No pressure, I promise,' Peter said, smiling.

As the sun dipped lower, casting everything in a warm, golden hue, Stella and Peter continued their walk, the tension between them slowly easing with each step. There was still much to mend, but as the last rays of sunlight bathed them in a soft glow, it felt like a small step towards healing.