Chapter 3

        "Knock knock knock, I'm home !" chirped Olushola into the apartment she'd just entered.

        She stepped through the large carved oak doors of her family home, a stately manor nestled in the heart of a large estate. Inside, the entrance hall opened onto a grandiose space adorned with gold-veined white marble, reflecting the light from the crystal chandeliers that hung majestically from the vaulted ceiling.

        Imposing, finely sculpted columns supported the second-floor balcony, adding a touch of grandeur to the whole. Luxurious Persian rugs covered the floor, and on either side, large wooden doors led to the different rooms of the house.

        Footsteps echoed up the marble staircases, each step adorned with a delicate motif. The banisters were made of finely wrought iron, with floral motifs and elegant scrolls. The subdued light from the chandeliers diffused a warm glow over the first-floor landing.

        As Olushola walked down a corridor, the soft sound of her footsteps on the floor echoed faintly.

        Her sister Adoukè had just come down the stairs, and she crossed paths with her in the corridor, right at the bottom of the stairs.

        "At last, Sleeping Beauty has returned !" cried Adoukè. Olushola laughed and put her handbag on the floor while she took off her shoes.

- Adoukè: Did your internship today lead to a romantic dinner with your boss or what?

        Olushola burst out laughing before replying, "He gave me a diamond ring, and I told him I deserved one made of stardust, so he promised to bring it back to me at the next dinner. And guess what, I saw your boyfriend over there with a beautiful young girl. I think it's his little sister, but no wait, they were holding hands..."

        "Tchrummm ! Blah blah blah blah..." replied Adoukè sharply, before continuing towards the kitchen. The two sisters used to bicker like that. Adoukè was Olushola's younger sister, and between the two sisters, there was an incredible bond. Their father, Mr. Fassassi, was upstairs and it would be a few minutes before he came down to watch the evening news.

        Olushola had just earned her bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and was interning at a large local company. Every day, she faced the stress from her employers, and once she returned home in the evening, there was a whole different story with her father.

        Indeed, her father was a great businessman. It's true that he shouldn't be put in the past tense in business, since his companies were still thriving, but he did his best to retire from the business, just waiting to pass the baton. At some point, he relaxed a lot more to better nurture his relationship with his family. Mr. Fassassi was already an accomplished man, and like other personalities, he had nothing left to prove. His focus was on the education of his children, especially his daughter Olushola. 

        Unfortunately, the two didn't have the same vision for the future. Mr. Fassassi wanted his daughter to do a Master's degree, and then he would place her in one of his many companies. As for Olushola, she had no desire to continue her studies after the bachelor’s degree. Instead, she had a passion for drawing, art and sewing. Which, alas, her father didn't approve of at all.

        Every evening, she would have long discussions with her father, which usually ended in a tangle, as no one wanted to agree with the other. That's why Olushola had stayed in the park tonight, to avoid the pressure she felt every time she came face to face with her father.

        "You're not short of air, you, only a few minutes late and you're acting as if I were missing," Olushola threw in her sister's direction. She chased her into the kitchen and continued, "Have you even made the sauce yet ?" 

- Adoukè: You know Dad doesn't like any other sauce than the one you make, especially when it comes to vegetables. And why should I cook for you ? Do you pay me for that ?

        Adoukè opened the fridge and took out a bottle of fresh water, took a few sips, then closed the fridge.

        The two sisters continued to tease each other and cooked together.

Olushola was the second-born of her family. She had her little sister Adoukè and an older brother who was traveling out of the country. 

        They ate dinner together as usual that evening, then she went up to her room. A few minutes later, Olushola got out of the shower and was heading for her wardrobe when her phone, which was lying on the bed, signaled a notification. She approached it reassuringly. It was a message from Olufèmi. The two exchanged text messages for the rest of the evening.

        It was the beginning of a fragile but precious friendship. In the days that followed their encounter in the park, Fèmi (Olufèmi) and Shola (Olushola) slowly grew closer. Fèmi couldn't stop thinking about Shola. Her smile, her look, her voice, everything about her occupied his thoughts. Every morning, he repeated to himself that he had to be braver, but anxiety tightened his throat at every attempt. He knew he mustn't rush into anything, or it could turn out differently.

        Although Fèmi had stood out on their first meeting, he was still as shy as ever. The only difference was that he was no longer dealing with a stranger, but rather with someone who had taken an important place in his heart over the course of the exchanges.

        Shola often took the initiative of inviting Fèmi to join her in their little Garden of Eden, breaking the ice multiple times. Each meeting was another step towards Fèmi's self-confidence.

        When they met in the park, they shared conversations about everything from literature to nature, from dreams to fears. Every moment spent together was a treasure for Fèmi, as he discovered in Shola a soul as beautiful as her outward appearance. He overcame his shyness thanks to Shola's kindness and patience. She gently pushed him to come out of his shell, to share his thoughts and talk about his passions.

        Shola, for her part, sensed Fèmi's kindness and sensitivity. She found in him an attentive listener, someone with whom she could share her deepest thoughts. Their friendship grew, woven together by simple moments and shared confidences. However, dark clouds were gradually creeping into their beautiful picture.