You are really doing too much,” Azuka said.
Muna looked at her. “What do you mean?”
Azuka crossed her arms.
“Why are you so attached to that construction worker? He is just an ordinary man.”
Muna stayed calm.
“I only gave him food because he helped me before. That is all.”
Azuka let out a small sound of disbelief.
“You are wasting your time with a poor guy.”
Muna did not reply. She just walked away to continue her work.
Days passed. Something small began to change. Muna and Chibuike started seeing each other more often. Not every day, but sometimes after work or during short breaks. When they met, they would greet each other. Sometimes they would talk for a few minutes before going their separate ways. Nothing too serious. But something was slowly building.
Azuka noticed it, and each time she saw them, she would say the same thing.
“Muna, why are you so unambitious?”
But Muna never argued. She just stayed quiet. And Chibuike, he also said nothing. But the way he looked at Muna when they met, it was starting to change something neither of them was ready to talk about yet.
Months passed and finally the building at the construction site was completed. It was huge. The glass building stood tall above the other buildings around it. Even from far away, people stopped to look at it. Soon, news started spreading across Enugu. The building was the new headquarters of a popular real estate company.
The company was already well known across the country, and many people talked about how beautiful the new headquarters looked. Then the day of the official opening finally arrived. Important people filled the event ground. Businessmen, government officials, rich men and women, television reporters, luxury cars lined up outside the building as cameras moved around recording everything.
That same day happened to be Muna and Azuka’s off day from work. Both of them were at home. The television was on inside their sitting room. Azuka sat on the couch watching the live event with interest after she recognized the building immediately.
“Isn’t that the building opposite our supermarket?” she whispered.
At that moment, Muna walked past the television and stopped. She looked at the screen carefully.
“That’s the same building where Chibuike worked,” she said.
Azuka kept looking at the television.
“That building is really fine,” she replied.
Then the event anchor stepped forward with a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the man announced. “It is now time to invite the founder and CEO of this great company to give his speech. Please welcome Mr. Chibuike Solomon.”
The name caught Azuka’s attention immediately. Her face changed a little. She had heard that name before many times. Chibuike Solomon, owner of one of the biggest real estate companies in the country, but she had never seen his face before. Very few people even knew what he looked like.
Then a man stepped forward toward the podium. The moment Azuka saw his face clearly on the television screen, her body became still. Muna also froze. It was Chibuike.
The same Chibuike from the construction site. The same Chibuike Azuka poured water on in the supermarket. The same Chibuike she insulted in front of the site workers.
For a moment, nobody inside the room spoke. Only the sound of the television could be heard. Muna slowly sat down. Her eyes remained fixed on the screen.
“I don’t understand,” she said quietly.
On the television, Chibuike adjusted the microphone and began speaking calmly.
“Good afternoon everyone. Thank you all for being here today. This building means a lot to me and to my company. As the CEO of this company and also a civil engineer, I wanted to personally supervise this project from beginning to end alongside my team. This headquarters represents our standard and the kind of quality we believe in.
“Site engineering has always been my passion. Long before the company became successful, I started by taking small contracts and working directly on projects myself. I worked on sites like many other workers you see every day. Step by step, I grew the company into what it is today.
“Even now, after all these years, I still enjoy being directly involved in some projects personally. When the design for this headquarters was approved, I decided I would work closely with my team on the site until the project was completed.”
The room where Azuka and Muna were seated remained silent. Everything suddenly started making sense. Muna now understood why Chibuike had worked at the site like an ordinary worker, why he never behaved proudly, why he stayed calm no matter how people treated him.
Slowly, Muna turned and looked at Azuka. Azuka’s face had completely changed. The confidence she always carried was gone. Her eyes stayed fixed on the television screen, and for the first time in a very long time, Azuka looked ashamed. She looked like she had lost something very dear to her.
She slowly turned and saw Muna already looking at her quietly. Neither of them spoke. There was nothing left to say at that moment. Azuka remembered every insult, every harsh word, every time she called him poor. And now the truth stood right in front of her on national television.
That day, Azuka learned a lesson she would never forget for the rest of her life.
The next evening, Chibuike arrived at Muna’s apartment. He came in a luxury car. The car stopped outside the house and the driver stayed inside. Chibuike stepped out and walked to the door. He knocked.
A few seconds later, Muna opened the door. She looked surprised.
“Good evening, sir,” she said politely, like she always did.
“Good evening, Muna,” Chibuike replied with a calm smile.
Before anything else could happen, Azuka heard his voice inside the room. She quickly rushed out. The moment she saw him, her face changed.
“Chibuike,” she said quickly, her voice now sweet. “Good evening, sir.”
She moved closer to him, trying to act friendly.
“I’m really sorry for everything that happened before,” she said fast. “Please forgive me.”
Chibuike looked at her quietly. He already knew she had seen the news. He stayed calm.
“It is fine,” he said.
Then he turned to Muna.
“Muna,” he said, “will you go out with me today? A date.”
Muna froze for a moment. She did not expect that. Then slowly a small smile appeared on her face.
“Yes,” she said softly.
Chibuike smiled. “Get ready,” he said.
Muna quickly turned and went inside to change. Azuka stood there watching her leave, her face tightened. She said nothing, but her eyes followed every step. Inside the room, Azuka’s thoughts started to change again.
Muna came out later wearing simple but neat clothes. Chibuike opened the car door for her. She entered. Then he entered too. The driver started the car and they drove away.
Azuka stood outside the house watching the car leave. Her face was no longer just shocked. It was now mixed with something else. Jealousy.
Inside the car, the ride was quiet at first. Muna looked out the window. Many questions were in her mind, but she did not know where to start. Chibuike turned and looked at her. He smiled a little.
“I know you have questions,” he said. “You can ask me anything when we get there.”
Muna looked at him and stayed quiet. Soon the car stopped. They arrived at a beautiful restaurant. It looked expensive. Soft lights, clean tables, calm music. A worker opened the door for them.
As they walked in, Muna looked around slowly. Everything looked prepared. Their table was already set. She turned to Chibuike.
“Did you book this?” she asked quietly.
He smiled. “Yes,” he said.
They sat down as their food was served and started eating. For a while, they ate in silence. Then Muna finally spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me who you are?” she asked. “And why were you working at the site yourself when you have engineers in your company?”
Chibuike placed his spoon down. He looked at her calmly.
“At first, I did not plan to work there myself,” he said. “The engineer in charge was making serious mistakes. It could have affected the whole building.”
He paused a little.
“But more than that, I love construction work. I studied civil engineering because I enjoy building things. That is why I went there myself. I wanted to be part of it.”
He looked down for a moment, then back at her.
“I’m sorry I did not tell you who I am.”
Muna listened carefully. Chibuike continued.
“We never really had time to talk properly. Every time we met, it was always short.”
Then he added, “And the way Azuka treated me that day made me think a lot. It showed me how people can treat others just because they think they are poor.”
He looked at Muna.
“But you were different. You never treated me badly. Even when I had cement stains on my clothes, you still spoke to me with respect. That made me see your heart.”
Muna stayed quiet for a moment. Then she said, “Being poor does not make someone less human.”
She looked at him.
“I saw you as a good man, respectful, calm, hardworking. That is why I got close to you.”
Chibuike smiled. Hearing that made him quiet for a moment. No one had spoken to him like that in a long time.
After they finished eating, they left the restaurant. They entered the car again.
“Let’s drive around the city,” Chibuike told the driver.
The car moved. The city lights passed slowly outside. Inside the car, they talked more and more. They laughed a little. They shared stories. Time passed without them noticing.
Then Chibuike became quiet. He looked at Muna.
“I need to tell you something,” he said softly.
Muna turned to him.
He continued, “I like you, Muna. I want us to be together.”
Muna froze. She looked at him carefully. She could see he was serious. No joke, no confusion. Just truth. Her heart beat slowly. Then she spoke.
“I like you too,” she said quietly. “I have liked you for a long time.”
Chibuike looked surprised. Muna smiled a little.
“I just did not know it was this strong.”
The tension between them broke. They moved closer and held each other. For a moment, everything felt calm.
Chibuike spoke again. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
Muna answered. “Yes.”
The car continued moving through the city, but everything had changed. 2 lives had quietly connected.
Later that night, Chibuike dropped Muna at her house. She stepped out of the car slowly. Before going in, she turned back.
“Thank you for today,” she said softly.
Chibuike smiled. “Don’t mention,” he replied.
The car drove away. Muna entered the house. Inside, Azuka was sitting. Her arms were folded. She had been waiting. Muna greeted her.
“Hi.”
Azuka did not reply. Her eyes followed Muna closely. She had seen the car. She had seen the smile, and she already knew something had changed. But she said nothing. Inside her mind, thoughts began to fight.
What if that was me?
He chose her.
Then her face slowly changed. The jealousy came back stronger. Her voice came out low.
“If I cannot have him,” she paused, “then no one can.”
Days passed. Chibuike and Muna became very close. Almost every evening after work, Chibuike would come to pick Muna up from the supermarket. Sometimes they would go out to eat. Sometimes he would take her to buy clothes. Other times they would just sit and talk for a long time before he drove her back home.
But unknown to Muna, Chibuike was planning something special for her. At the same time, Azuka was planning something very different.
One afternoon, Chibuike was in his office. He was working on his computer. Then he heard his phone buzz. A message came in. It was a voice message from an unknown number. He paused. For a moment, he thought of ignoring it, but he opened it anyway.
A voice came on.
“Good afternoon, sir. This is Azuka.”
Chibuike’s face changed immediately. He almost stopped the message, almost blocked the number, but he stayed still and listened.
Azuka continued, “I know you may never want to speak to me again, and I understand, but I need to tell you something about Muna.”
Chibuike’s hand paused on the phone. He listened more carefully now.
Azuka went on. “Did Muna ever tell you she has a daughter?”
Chibuike froze.
“A daughter?” he whispered.
The voice message continued.
“She has a little girl about 5 years old. Chibuike sat back slowly. His eyes did not leave the screen. When I first stayed with Muna, the child was living with her. Later she said she sent the child to her parents.”
Then she added, “You may not believe me, but I have proof.”
A moment later, files came in. Pictures, screenshots, short videos. Chibuike started opening them one by one. One picture showed Muna holding a little girl in her arms. The child smiled. They looked very much alike. Another picture showed the little girl with Muna and her parents in the same photo.
Then he saw a post, a birthday post of the same girl in a screenshot of Muna’s WhatsApp status. The caption read, “I love you so much, my baby, my angel.”
Chibuike stared at it. He did not blink for a moment. More images came in. More videos. The more he saw, the more real it started to feel. His heart felt heavy. He leaned back in his chair. Everything inside him started to break slowly.
He had already fallen deeply for Muna. He trusted her. But now his mind was full of questions.
Why did she never tell me?
Why hide something like this?
He felt hurt. Deeply hurt. In that moment of pain and confusion, he made a decision he did not think through. He picked up his phone. He blocked Muna. Then he blocked every way she could reach him.
Later that evening, he left his office. As his car reached the company gate, he stopped. He called the security guards. His voice was cold.
“From today, do not allow Muna into this company. Not even once.”
The guards looked surprised, but they replied quickly.
“Yes, sir.”
The car drove away.
That night, Muna waited. She kept checking her phone, but Chibuike did not come. Not even a message. Something felt wrong, very wrong. And she did not yet know that her world was about to change again.
The next morning, Muna picked up her phone. She dialed Chibuike’s number, but it did not go through. She tried again. Still nothing. She opened WhatsApp. She sent him a message. It did not deliver. She stared at her phone for a long time.
Something felt wrong. Her chest became tight. She tried to calm herself.
“Maybe he is busy,” she thought. “Maybe he is just in a meeting.”
But deep inside, she was not sure.
At work, Muna could not focus. She kept checking her phone again and again. No message, no call, nothing. Hours passed like that. By evening, she was already tired in her mind. Still, there was no word from him.
As she closed from work, she walked slowly out of the supermarket. Then she saw something. Chibuike’s car. It was driving out of the company gate. Her heart jumped. She quickly raised her hand and tried to wave.
“Chibuike,” she called out softly.
But the car did not stop. It kept moving and then it was gone. Muna stood still. Confusion filled her face.
“Why didn’t he stop?” she asked herself.
She started walking home slowly. Different thoughts came into her mind.
Did I do something wrong?
Did I say something bad?
Why is he avoiding me?
She could not find any answer.
That night, Muna lay on her bed, but she did not sleep. She kept turning from side to side. Her phone stayed in her hand, but there was still no message.
Across the room, Azuka lay quietly on her own bed. She had been watching Muna all day. She noticed the sadness. She noticed the silence. And inside her, something strange happened. A small smile formed on her face.
“So it is working,” she whispered to herself.
She turned away slowly, pretending to sleep. But inside her heart, she felt happy.
Muna lay awake the whole night. Her eyes stayed open. Her mind stayed heavy, and somewhere far away, Chibuike had already made a decision that would change everything.
The next morning, Muna was already on her way to work. Azuka had left the house earlier. In the past, they used to talk a lot. They used to share literally everything, but now everything had changed. They barely spoke to each other anymore.
As Muna walked, her mind was heavy. She kept thinking about Chibuike.
Why is he avoiding me?
She kept asking herself.
When she reached near the company building, she slowed down. She looked across the road. The big company gate was right there. The security man was standing by the gate. Muna stopped for a moment. Then she made a decision.
“I will go and see him,” she said softly to herself.
She crossed the road and walked to the gate. The security man saw her coming. He stepped forward quickly.
“Stop there,” he said.
Muna paused.
“I want to see Chibuike,” she said.
The guard shook his head.
“You cannot enter. I was instructed not to let you in.”
Muna looked confused.
“Who told you that?”
The guard replied, “I’m only following orders.”
Muna tried again. “Please, I just need to speak with him.”
But the guard stood firm. He did not allow her inside. Muna stood there confused and worried.
Just then, a car came toward the gate. The horn sounded. The guard turned quickly. Muna also turned. Her eyes widened. It was Chibuike. He was the one driving. The gate opened immediately. The car entered. Muna raised her hand fast.
“Chibuike,” she called out.
But the car did not stop. It passed right in front of her. He did not even look at her. Not even once.
Muna stood still. She could see his face clearly through the glass. Cold. No emotion, no reaction. He parked the car, got out, and walked straight into the building.
Muna felt something break inside her.
She whispered, “What’s going on?”
Slowly, she turned and walked back. Her steps were slow. Her mind was full. When she got to the supermarket, the manager was waiting at the door.
“You’re late,” the manager said sharply.
Muna quickly looked at her watch. Her eyes widened. She did not even realize the time.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry, ma,” she said quickly. “I lost track of time.”
The manager was not impressed.
“You will be punished,” she said.
That day, part of Muna’s salary was deducted, but Muna did not even argue. Her mind was somewhere else. Chibuike, his silence, his cold eyes. That was all she could think about.
That night, she lay on her bed, but sleep did not come. Across the room, Azuka lay quietly, but she was not asleep. She had seen everything, and slowly a small smile formed on her face.
“It is working,” she whispered to herself.
Outside, the night stayed quiet. But inside Muna’s heart, something was starting to fall apart.
The next morning, she made a decision.
“I will go early,” she said softly. “I will wait for him outside the company until he talks to me.”
The next morning, Muna woke up very early. She got ready quickly and left for the company. It was so early that the sun had not come out yet. Muna walked fast. She did not want to miss Chibuike.
When she reached the company gate, she sat on the curb outside. She kept waiting. After a while, the security man noticed her. He walked out.
“Remember, you’re not allowed into the company premises,” he said.
Muna looked at him calmly.
“I know,” she replied.
The man looked at her for a moment, but said nothing more. Time passed slowly. Then a car drove toward the gate. Muna stood up immediately. Her heartbeat faster. It was Chibuike. Before the car could pass, she ran in front of it and blocked the gate.
The car stopped suddenly. The horn sounded again and again, but Muna did not move.
“Chibuike, please talk to me,” she shouted. “Tell me what I did wrong.”
Her voice carried across the gate. The security man rushed forward.
“Move,” he said, trying to pull her away.
But Muna sat down on the ground.
“I will not move until he talks to me,” she said loudly.
Inside the car, Chibuike stayed silent for a moment. Then he rolled down the window.
“Let her in,” he said coldly.
The security man quickly opened the gate. Muna stood up and ran in behind the car. Chibuike parked and stepped out. Without looking at her, he walked straight into the building. Muna quickly followed him.
“Chibuike, please wait,” she called.
They entered his office. He pointed to a chair.
“Sit,” he said.
Muna shook her head.
“No, I will stand. Just tell me what I did.”
Chibuike looked at her for a long time. Then he picked up his phone. He showed her pictures, videos, screenshots. Muna looked at them. Her face changed. Then Chibuike said, “Why didn’t you tell me you have a daughter? I trusted you.”
Muna stared at him. Then she suddenly let out a breath.
“Wait, is this why you have been acting like this?”
Chibuike frowned. “What do you mean?”
Muna looked at the phone again.
“Where did you get this from?”
Chibuike replied, “Your roommate.”
Muna closed her eyes for a moment. Then she spoke calmly.
“That is not my daughter.”
Chibuike froze. He did not speak. Muna continued.
“She is my brother’s child.”
Chibuike listened closely now. Muna explained everything slowly.
“My brother went abroad years ago. The family helped him go. But when he got there, life was not easy for him. His girlfriend discovered she was pregnant for him just as he left. When the baby was born, she could not take care of her alone.
“She struggled with the child for about a year. Then one morning, she brought the child to my parents. She said she could no longer feed herself and the child. My brother was still struggling abroad at the time.”
Muna’s voice stayed steady.
“I became very close to her. She felt like my own child because I cared for her every day. That is why people think she is mine.”
She looked at Chibuike.
“But she is not my daughter.”
Silence filled the room. Chibuike looked down for a moment, then back at her. Muna continued.
“Most people never even asked me. They just assumed. And Azuka, she never asked too. She just guessed.”
Chibuike stayed still. Slowly, everything started making sense to him.
Muna stepped closer.
“I would never hide something like that from you,” she said. “If I had a child, I would tell you.”
Her eyes became a little wet.
“I was hurting when you ignored me. I did not understand why you suddenly changed.”
Chibuike closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his voice was low.
“I’m sorry. I should have asked you directly.”
Muna stayed quiet. Then she said, “It hurt me, but I understand now.”
Chibuike looked at her.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
He kept repeating it. After a while, Muna finally spoke.
“I forgive you.”
Chibuike relaxed a little. Then he said, “But you cannot stay in that house anymore.”
Muna looked surprised. “What?”
He continued, “It is not safe for you there anymore. If Azuka could plan this against you, then you can never tell what her next plan would be.”
He paused.
“After work today, wait for me. I have something for you.”
Muna looked confused. “What is it?”
Chibuike smiled slightly. “You will see.”
Muna left the office slowly, still thinking about his words. That day at work, she could not stop smiling. Even while working, she kept thinking about him.
In the evening, Chibuike came to pick her up. When Azuka saw them together again, her face changed. She could not believe it. They were close again and happy. But she said nothing. She only watched.
Later, Chibuike drove Muna to one of his company estates. He stopped in front of a beautiful apartment building. Muna looked confused.
“Where are we?” she asked.
Chibuike stepped out and walked to her side. Then he handed her a key. Muna froze.
“What is this?” she asked softly.
“This is your new home,” he said.
Muna could not speak for a moment. She looked at the building, then at him, then back at the key.
“This is for me?” she finally asked.
“Yes,” he said.
Tears filled her eyes. She hugged him tightly.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Chibuike smiled.
“You deserve safety,” he said, “not stress.”
They walked inside together. The apartment was beautiful, clean, fully furnished. Everything was already arranged. Even new clothes that Chibuike had bought for her were inside the wardrobe.
Muna covered her mouth in shock. She could not believe it.
That night, Chibuike drove her back to the old apartment so she could pack her things. When they entered, Azuka was sitting inside. She saw them. She saw the bags. She saw Muna packing, but she said nothing. She just sat there quietly, watching.
Muna did not argue. She did not shout. She simply packed her things. Then she looked at Azuka one last time and walked out. Azuka stayed silent.
On the way to the new apartment, Chibuike spoke.
“I will get you a better job soon,” he said. “At the new headquarters. For now, just rest.”
Muna smiled softly. “Thank you,” she said.
That night, Muna lay in her new room. The bed was soft. The room was quiet. No stress, no fear. For the first time in days, she slept peacefully.
From that night onward, everything changed for Muna and Chibuike. They became very close. Not just close, but deeply connected. They spent more time together. They went out together. They talked about everything. Slowly, Chibuike began to know Muna more and more. And Muna also started to understand him better.
One weekend, they visited Muna’s parents. It was there Chibuike finally saw the little girl properly. He smiled when he saw her. The child was happy to see Muna too. After that day, nothing stood between them again.
Chibuike kept his promise. He gave Muna a good job at the company headquarters. Now they saw each other even more. Every day felt better than the last.
But one evening, something different happened. Chibuike called Muna out for dinner again, just like always. Nothing looked strange. They sat at their reserved table. They ate together. They talked. They laughed softly. But then Chibuike went quiet.
