Office Backstab

Tuesday morning hit Ezi like a danfo bus.

Her eyes were swollen from crying and lack of sleep. The anointing oil from the vigil still smelled faintly on her skin even after two baths. She dragged herself to the office in VI, wearing her best corporate power suit — the grey one that always made her look like she had her life together.

But today, she didn’t.

The marketing team was buzzing when she walked in. Their boss, Mr. Adeyemi, had called an emergency meeting. Big client. Big campaign. Big promotion attached to whoever crushed it.

“People, the Pitch for Zenith Bank is in two weeks,” Mr. Adeyemi announced. “The person who delivers this will automatically step into the Senior Brand Manager role. No more stories.”

Eyes turned to Ezi. Normally, this would be her moment. She was the best on the team — creative, sharp, and hungry. But today her mind was somewhere inside a church side room with Obi and Sister Divine.

Tosin slid into the seat next to her during the meeting and whispered, “You dey okay? You look like person wey fight spiritual battle.”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t. When it was her turn to present ideas, her voice cracked. She forgot one major point. Mr. Adeyemi frowned but said nothing. The meeting ended with “Ezi, see me in my office after lunch.”

Her stomach turned.

---

During lunch, alone in the pantry, memories flooded her.

She remembered how she and Obi met. University of Lagos, 2015. She was a final year Mass Comm student running for faculty president. Obi was the quiet, serious Accounting student who came to her campaign rally and later told her, “Your fire is too much. But you need balance.”

They started dating after he helped her with her project when her group members abandoned her. He was the steady one. She was the dreamer. Six months later, he proposed in front of her hostel with a small ring and plenty of hope. Everyone said they were a perfect match — Igbo power couple.

Where did that couple go?

Her phone rang. Obi.

She picked quickly. “Hello?”

“Babe, how is work?” His voice sounded normal. Too normal.

“Fine. How was the morning prayer?”

“Good. Very powerful. I’m at the bank now.”

Ezi wanted to ask if he slept there. If Sister Divine was there with him till morning. Instead she said, “Okay. See you at home.”

She ended the call and stared at her cold noodles. Something was dying inside her.

Mr. Adeyemi’s office was cold. The AC was on full blast.

“Ezinne, you’re one of my best. But what happened in that meeting? You were distracted. This promotion is not for people fighting personal battles in the office. Sort yourself out or Tosin will take the lead. He has been very consistent lately.”

The words landed like slap. Tosin? The same one always looking for her attention?

She left the office feeling small. As she packed her bag to leave early, Tosin stopped by her desk again.

“Ezi, sorry about the meeting. But… can I advise you as a friend?”

She nodded.

“People are talking. I heard your husband has been seen with that prophetess woman. Not just in church. Someone saw them at a hotel in Ikeja last week. Short time thing.”

Ezi froze. “Who told you?”

“My guy. He went there for meeting. Said they were entering a room together. The woman was wearing white.”

Her legs nearly buckled. Hotel. Not church. Not prayer house. Hotel.

Tosin touched her arm lightly. “If you need anything… anything at all, I’m here. No judgement.”

She pulled her arm away gently. “Thank you.”

The drive home was a blur. Lagos traffic mocked her — slow, choking, full of horns and anger. By the time she reached the house, Obi’s car was already parked outside.

She entered and met him eating rice and watching news like a man without worries.

“Welcome,” he said without looking up.

Ezi stood at the door, bag still on her shoulder, heart hammering.

“Obi,” she said quietly, “did you go to a hotel with Sister Divine?”

He paused, spoon halfway to his mouth. The silence stretched.

Then he laughed. A short, tired laugh.

“So now you’re listening to office gossip? Ezi, when did you become like this?”

He stood up and walked toward her.

“Baby, these are the tactics the enemy is using. To scatter us. Don’t let them win.”

But for the first time, Ezi didn’t believe him.

Because his eyes… his eyes couldn’t lie the way his mouth was trying to.

To be continued…