You love me (BETRAYAL)

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Chapter Two: Let the Past Be

The city was just beginning to stir.

Sunlight filtered through scattered clouds, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets as Menella stepped out of the taxi. The moment her feet touched the ground, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second longer than usual—almost as if trying to steady her heart before the day began.

She smiled faintly, not out of joy, but from determination. The kind that grows in a woman who has learned to walk through storms without letting the rain soak her spirit.

As she walked toward the building that housed Local Echo Press, her thoughts wandered—softly, unwillingly—into memories she had tried to bury. Her grandmother's voice echoed in her head, calm and prayerful:

She remembered her words and her prayers during breakfast.

 Just then her kind drift to 

That rainy day.

The truck rushing past. The wave of dirty water that should have drenched her. But instead—he appeared.

She didn't even see where he came from. All she remembered was a warm, solid presence. An arm wrapped around her just in time. A voice—steady, calm—and eyes that looked into hers as though they already knew her pain. And then… everything had gone dark.

She had fainted. Right there. Into the arms of a stranger.

And he had held her.

No name. No goodbye. Just a mystery that had taken up permanent space in her heart.

"I don't even know his name," she whispered to herself as she reached the steps to her workplace. "But I want to see him again."

---

Across town, the energy was very different. Outside the massive glass walls of Stock Firm, camera shutters snapped rapidly, voices clamored, and journalists leaned past barricades, hoping for a moment, a quote—anything.

The black limousine pulled to a slow, majestic stop. Out stepped Hoseas, confident and unreadable, followed closely by Beatrice, dressed in pristine white, eyes shielded by designer sunglasses.

As always, Beatrice walked two steps behind Hoseas.

Security blocked the media, and the two disappeared into the building with practiced ease. Inside, staff paused to bow slightly. Respect mixed with fear. Beatrice returned a single nod. Hoseas didn't even look.

---

Meanwhile, at Local Echo Press, the office smelled of fresh print, half-brewed coffee, and ideas still being born.

Menella pushed the door open and found Saira already seated at her desk, her headphones wrapped around her neck, typing furiously on her laptop.

"Morning, Saira," Menella greeted.

Saira looked up, her smile bright. "Hey, girl! You look like you've been daydreaming."

Menella chuckled. "Maybe I have

As they settled into their desks, Saira gave her a sly look. "By the way… I have a surprise for you."

Menella groaned. "You know I hate suspense. What is it?"

Saira grinned. "Not yet. Just wait till Friday."

Menella rolled her eyes. "Why do I even bother asking?"

Before Saira could answer, the front door opened, and a familiar voice drifted in like smoke—unwanted and suffocating.

"Hello, Menella. Saira."

She didn't have to look to know who it was. The voice still made her stomach turn.

Chris.

There he stood, as if nothing had happened. Clean-cut in a blue suit, his fake charm plastered across his face like an old habit. But Menella saw through it now. Every word from his mouth sounded like glass underfoot.

She turned away and walked toward the back office, Saira close behind. Chris followed a few steps, then stopped, sensing the rejection in the air.

---

Chris hadn't always been like this. Once upon a time, he was her everything. Her best friend. Her laughter on hard days. The one she had trusted most.

Until he betrayed her love.

"I can't believe he had the nerve to show up again," Saira muttered under her breath as they sat down.

"He thinks I'm still the same girl who forgave too easily," Menella said, staring at her notes but not seeing them.

"You're not," Saira said. "You're stronger now. Smarter. And way too good for him."

Menella gave a soft smile. "Thank you."

She tried to focus on her work—a feature piece about single mothers surviving in inner-city Lagos. The irony didn't escape her.

But deep down, she wasn't angry anymore. She was just tired of carrying stories that weren't hers anymore.

---

Later that afternoon, while she was reviewing an article draft, a memo came through the office email. It was about a major business event—a cross-sector economic summit hosted by Stock Firm—and Local Echo Press had been invited to send one representative.

Menella's name was already on the list.

Her editor had chosen her.

Heart racing, she looked up at Saira, who simply smirked.

"There's your surprise."

"You knew?" Menella gasped.

"I may have pushed your name a little."

"Saira!"

"Come on. You're the best we've got. You deserve this."

Menella stared at the screen. Her heart was a wild drumbeat in her chest.

This was more than just a news event.

This was a door.

A doorway into the very world that had seemed so far out of reach. With this if she got the job she can pay for her dad's medical bills and finally will have all the resources and influence to find the person she had been looking for, the person that room away her parents from her the person she wasn't the world to know and justice to be served.

---

After some hours of work, it was time for a break, menella and saira step out to get lush, but then Chris was waiting, he had been outside the building. Menella look to her friend "go without me, i will have a word with him" saira nude an walk away.

 Menella and Chris seat by the steps of the building. Menella was the first to break the silence "I guess you wanted to tell me something" Chris turn to her "yes menella, i wanted to explain…. Just then menella cut him short "good Chris i too want to know the truth, why i was not enough for why you decived me and betrayed me a… as she was still speak, with out worning Chris lean in and kiss her, menella gave no respond, then he continued he kiss her again.

 ----

Back at stock firm Mr Elizur stand at his office, he gaze down and smile, this was the life he dreamed of and now it was a reality, nothing was sure going to take it away from him.

 Beatrice and Hosea happen to be sharing the same office, Beatrice desk was some meter's away from Hosea for it was a big office. She suddenly got up from her seat walk to the door and lock it then walk to Hosea, he look up to her, she losen her zip "don't i look pretty" Hosea smile at her "you do" just then she lean in to kiss.