Their faces were close.
Closer than before.
Her breathing slowed.
So did his.
“Why do you keep catching me?” she whispered.
“Maybe you like falling,” he replied softly.
She let out a small laugh, but didn’t move.
Their eyes locked.
No chicken. No market. No distractions.
Just them.
Slowly, carefully, Namdi lifted his hand slightly to her cheek.
He hesitated, giving her time. Giving her the chance to pull away.
She didn’t.
And then he kissed her.
Soft.
Gentle.
Unrushed.
For a second, Amara froze.
Then slowly, she responded.
When they finally pulled apart, the world felt different.
Quieter.
Deeper.
Real.
Amara stepped back slightly, touching her lips unconsciously.
“You…” she started, then stopped.
Namdi watched her, unsure for the first time. “Was that okay?”
She looked at him. Really looked at him.
Then shook her head slightly, smiling.
“You’re trouble.”
He exhaled, relieved. “Good trouble?”
She turned away, hiding her smile. “We’ll see.”
The sun began to set, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and gold.
And in that quiet garden, something had begun.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
But real.
As they walked out together, Amara glanced at him.
“So, Mr. Level Three…”
He looked at her. “Yes?”
She smiled. “You passed.”
He grinned. “What’s level four?”
She walked slightly ahead.
“Come tomorrow,” she said, then added without looking back, “if you’re brave enough.”
Namdi did not sleep well that night.
Not because of stress. Not because of work.
But because every time he closed his eyes, he saw her.
The way she looked at him in the garden. The way her voice softened. The way she didn’t pull away.
He turned on his bed, exhaling.
“This is new,” he muttered.
For a man who controlled billion-naira deals without blinking, this—whatever this was—felt far more unpredictable.
And strangely, he liked it.
Morning came faster than expected.
This time, he didn’t stand in front of his wardrobe for long.
He already knew what to wear.
Simple.
Because with Amara, anything else felt unnecessary.
When he stepped outside, the village already buzzed with life. But today something felt different.
Or maybe it was him that had changed.
Amara was waiting.
Not at the market. Not on the road.
But near his gate, leaning casually like she had always belonged there.
Namdi paused for a second, surprised.
“You’re early,” he said, walking toward her.
She shrugged. “I didn’t feel like going to the market today.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Because of me?”
She smirked. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He smiled. “Too late.”
There was a brief silence.
Leave a Comment