The Past Returns

The message “Ifeoma knows” made me panic the whole night. I couldn’t sleep. Every small sound for my apartment made me jump. By morning, I decided to reduce my contact with Emmy. I replied his good morning message with one short “Busy day, talk later.” But my mind was not at rest.

Work was crazy that week. The campaign was moving fast and Emmy’s company kept sending new requests. During one virtual meeting, I saw Ifeoma’s name on the CC list. My stomach turned. Did she know about the garden? Was she watching me?

On Friday evening, as I was cooking small indomie, my doorbell rang. It was Aunty Bose from the estate.

“My dear, can I come in?” she asked with serious face.

She sat down and went straight to the point.

“Ada, I like you. That is why I come. People are talking. They say you and Chief Emmy dey get something. Ifeoma is not happy. That woman get power o. Her father na big man for Abuja. Be careful.”

I tried to deny it. “Nothing like that ma. We only talk about work.”

Aunty Bose shake her head. “Work for garden at night? My sister, open your eyes. This kind thing no end well.”

After she left, I sat down and thought hard. Maybe Tolu and Aunty Bose were right. I needed to stop.

But the past refused to stay buried.

The next day, Saturday, I received a big brown envelope under my door. No name. Inside were old documents and photos. One photo showed Emmy and Adanna on their engagement day. Another document looked like a court paper — Adanna had filed for something before she travelled. There was also one transfer receipt of thirty-five million naira from Emmy’s company to Adanna’s account with the note “Settlement.”

My hands were shaking. Was this blackmail money? What exactly happened between them?

I called Tolu immediately.

“Babe, this thing is deeper than I thought. I just received some documents.”

Tolu sounded worried. “Ada, burn those papers. Delete everything. This is not your fight. You are playing with fire.”

But I couldn’t let it go. That evening, Emmy called me.

“Ada, I need to see you. It’s important. My house. Ifeoma travelled again.”

Against all the warnings in my head, I went.

When I entered his sitting room, the place was beautiful but cold. Emmy looked stressed. He poured me wine and started talking.

“Someone is trying to destroy me, Ada. They are digging up my past with Adanna. She left because she found out some things about my business. I had to pay her to keep quiet. But now, the same people are coming after me again.”

He moved closer and held me. “I feel safe with you. Please don’t leave me now.”

We ended up in each other’s arms again. The kiss was more urgent this time. For a moment, I forgot all the warnings. But as we were on the couch, my eyes caught something on his centre table — a small frame with Ifeoma’s picture. Guilt hit me hard.

I pulled back. “Emmy, we can’t keep doing this.”

Before he could reply, we heard the sound of the front door opening. Ifeoma walked in with two bags.

She stopped when she saw us. The look on her face was pure ice.

“So it’s true,” she said quietly, her voice shaking with anger. “In my own house, Emeka?”

Emmy stood up quickly. “Ifeoma, it’s not what you think—”

I grabbed my bag and tried to leave, but Ifeoma blocked the way.

“Ada, you think you are the first?” she laughed bitterly. “You will regret this. I promise you.”

She stepped aside. I rushed out of their house with my heart in my mouth.

That night, around 2am, I received another message. This time it was a video. It showed me and Emmy kissing in the garden.

The text attached simply said:

“Game over.”

To be continued…