Chapter 142: An Unexpected Offer
The evening settled gently over Lagos, painting the sky in shades of fading orange and deep blue.
Jessica let out a tired sigh as she climbed down from the crowded bus.
Her entire body ached.
The construction site had been unusually busy that day. From late morning until late afternoon she had spent hours measuring walls, checking plumbing layouts, arguing with suppliers over missing materials, and helping workers choose finishes for the restaurant she and Jennifer had rented.
Dust still clung stubbornly to the legs of her jeans.
The collar of her simple cream blouse was stained with sweat, while the toes of her work boots carried dried patches of cement.
She stretched her sore shoulders.
"My whole body feels like it belongs to someone else..."
It had taken another thirty-nine frustrating minutes to reach Jennifer's apartment.
Not because she lived far away.
But because she had deliberately taken a longer route.
She was avoiding someone.
Henry.
Her annoying ex-boyfriend had practically turned into a security guard outside her apartment.
Every evening in two days he somehow managed to appear near her building—sometimes pretending to buy snacks, sometimes sitting inside his car, other times chatting with neighbours as though he belonged there.
Jessica had completely run out of excuses.
She rubbed her forehead.
"Maybe... I really should move."
"A fresh neighbourhood."
"No gossip."
"No familiar faces."
"And definitely no Henry."
The thought alone sounded peaceful.
She climbed the familiar staircase toward Jennifer's one-bedroom apartment.
The hallway smelled faintly of detergent from someone washing clothes downstairs while the distant aroma of fried plantain drifted in through an open window.
Jessica knocked twice.
Silence.
She waited another minute.
Still nothing.
"Hmm..."
"She probably stayed back at her parents house."
Jennifer had been excited and nervous about meeting her family.
Jessica smiled unconsciously before digging inside her handbag.
A small silver spare key appeared.
Jennifer had insisted she keep one months ago.
"In case one of us gets stranded."
Jessica unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Click.
The apartment welcomed her with comforting silence.
Everything was exactly where Jennifer usually left it.
The small bookshelf stood neatly against one wall.
The light purple curtains swayed gently beneath the ceiling fan.
Several shopping catalogues and decoration magazines were scattered across the tiny coffee table.
Jennifer had clearly been researching restaurant decorations again.
Jessica laughed softly.
"That woman really dreams with both eyes open."
She slipped off her shoes and stretched lazily.
Her stomach growled almost immediately.
"So hungry..."
She opened the refrigerator.
A container of rice.
A bowl of rich tomato stew.
Cold bottled water.
Luckily she had cook extra that morning.
"You deserve a raise."
She whispered to the absent owner before placing the food inside the microwave.
Just then—
Her phone vibrated.
Buzz...
Buzz...
Thinking Jennifer was calling, Jessica answered without looking.
Instead...
Henry Calling
Her relaxed expression disappeared.
Her eyebrows immediately knitted together.
"What does he want now?"
She almost rejected the call.
Almost.
Instead, she answered with visible irritation.
"What is it you want?"
Her voice was cold enough to freeze water.
Henry chuckled awkwardly.
"Straight to the point as always."
"I'm not calling to disturb you."
"And don't worry..."
"I'm not asking about makeup."
"I'm not desperate."
Jessica rolled her eyes so hard they almost hurt.
"You have exactly thirty seconds."
"So talk."
Henry cleared his throat.
"I know you're a good cook."
"So I'll make this simple."
Jessica leaned against the kitchen counter without replying.
"A close friend of mine is organizing his elder brother's wedding."
"The guest list is huge."
"They want five professional cooks handling both the wedding reception and the evening banquet."
"I already have four guys working under me."
"I need one more."
"You."
Jessica's annoyance eased slightly.
Money...
That word always made people listen.
She glanced toward the microwave timer.
"How much?"
Henry answered immediately.
"One million naira."
Jessica's eyes widened.
"What?"
Henry laughed.
"Relax."
"Not for one person."
"The entire cooking team."
"We'll divide it equally."
"Everyone receives the same share."
"There'll be no cheating."
Jessica silently calculated.
It still wasn't bad.
For one event, the amount each person would receive could cover several expenses for the restaurant.
"When is the wedding?"
She asked more calmly.
"One week from today."
"We're meeting at my restaurant around twelve fifty-two in the afternoon."
"We'll plan the menu."
"Assign responsibilities."
"Every dish goes to whoever cooks it best."
"We'll also estimate ingredients, equipment and cooking time."
Jessica appreciated how organized the arrangement sounded.
Professional.
Not rushed.
She nodded unconsciously despite knowing Henry couldn't see her.
"I'm in."
"Good."
"Don't be late."
Click.
The call ended before she could respond.
Jessica stared at her screen.
"...Still as rude as ever."
She clicked her tongue.
"One day I'll throw a cooking pot at that man."
Despite the complaint...
A small smile escaped.
Business was business.
Money was money.
She couldn't afford to reject good opportunities anymore.
Especially now.
The restaurant still needed furniture.
Cooking equipment.
Plates.
Freezers.
Gas burners.
Tables.
Licences.
Every naira mattered.
The microwave beeped softly.
She ignored it.
Instead she walked toward the bathroom.
"I need a bath first."
Warm water washed away the dust and exhaustion from her body.
Steam slowly filled the small bathroom while she stood beneath the shower longer than necessary.
By the time she changed into loose cotton shorts and an oversized T-shirt, her shoulders finally felt lighter.
She reheated the rice and stew properly, adding a freshly fried egg on top before carrying everything to the living room.
The aroma alone lifted her mood.
She curled comfortably on Jennifer's couch, eating slowly while scrolling through her phone.
News articles.
Restaurant ideas.
Interior designs.
Fashion updates.
Cooking videos.
Then—
One headline immediately caught her attention.
"Twinkle Twinkle Premieres Tonight — Adaptation of John Bello's Bestselling Novel Finally Airs."
Jessica paused.
"So today's the day..."
She remembered how excited Jennifer had been.
Every conversation somehow circled back to John Bello.
His novels.
His writing style.
His interviews.
His mysterious personality.
Jessica wasn't exactly a fan.
But...
Jennifer's enthusiasm had become infectious.
Curiosity slowly replaced indifference.
She searched for the streaming platform.
The thumbnail appeared.
Professional.
Beautiful.
High production quality.
She smiled.
"Let's see what all the noise is about."
Before pressing play, another thought crossed her mind.
"I should check on Jennifer first."
She quickly tapped Jennifer's contact.
The phone barely rang once.
Click.
Jennifer answered immediately.
"Jess?"
Jessica smiled unconsciously upon hearing her cheerful voice.
"You sound happy."
"I am!"
Jennifer laughed brightly.
"You won't believe how today went."
Jessica relaxed deeper into the couch.
Outside, the evening breeze rustled through the trees beyond the apartment window.
Inside, warm food filled her stomach.
For the first time that day...
The weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.
Perhaps tomorrow would still be difficult.
Perhaps the restaurant would demand even more work.
Perhaps Henry would continue being a nuisance.
But tonight...
She simply wanted to enjoy dinner, talk with her best friend, and finally watch the story that Jennifer had spent months praising.
Sometimes...
Peace arrived quietly, hidden inside the smallest moments.