Zara stood across the street from Crestline Media, her phone in her hand. The sun was already high, and the heat had begun to settle into the afternoon.
She adjusted the strap of her bag and looked up at the building again.
This was it.
Her heart was beating fast enough to remind her this mattered.
She opened her phone and typed.
"Good afternoon sir. I'm outside."
The reply came almost instantly.
"Don't come in. Walk straight down. You'll see an eatery. Wait there."
Zara frowned slightly.
She read the message again.
"Don't come in."
That part confused her.
If he wanted to see her, why not inside the office?
But she didn't question it. Maybe he didn't want to be seen. Maybe he was busy. Maybe this was normal.
She slipped her phone into her hand and began walking.
The sun hit her lightly as she moved down the road. Shops lined the street. A few roadside vendors called out to passersby.
She walked slowly, scanning ahead until she saw it — a small eatery with plastic chairs and tables arranged under a shade.
She paused, then stepped in.
The smell of food filled the air immediately.
Fried rice, stew, something grilled. Plates clinked softly as people ate. A woman behind the counter called out an order.
Zara picked a seat near the edge and sat down.
She placed her bag on her lap and looked around.
People were eating comfortably, talking casually. A man beside her focused on his phone while scooping rice. Two women at another table laughed quietly.
Her stomach growled.
She realized she hadn't eaten that morning.
For a moment, she imagined herself ordering food. Sitting peacefully. Eating without thinking about anything else.
Maybe after the meeting, she thought.
If everything goes well.
She glanced at her phone.
No new message.
She locked it.
Then unlocked it again after a few seconds.
Still nothing.
Time passed slowly.
The fan above rotated lazily. The sun shifted slightly. People came and went.
Zara checked her phone again.
Nothing.
She inhaled.
Maybe he was on his way.
She adjusted her posture and waited.
After what felt like a long time, she heard a car slow down in front of the eatery.
She didn't look up immediately.
Then she noticed the shadow.
A black Lexus had stopped just ahead.
The tinted window rolled down slowly.
"Zara."
She looked up.
It was him.
Mr. Adeyemi.
She stood quickly, slightly surprised.
"Good afternoon, sir."
He smiled casually. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"It's okay, sir."
He gestured lightly.
"Get in."
Zara hesitated.
She glanced at the empty seat inside the car, then back at him.
She had assumed they would talk at the eatery.
But he was already waiting for her to enter.
She opened the door and stepped in.
The air conditioning hit her immediately, cool against her skin. She adjusted her bag and closed the door gently.
"Thank you for coming,"
he said as he began to drive.
"You're welcome, sir."
The car moved away from the eatery.
Zara looked outside, then back at him.
She was confused.
"Aren't we talking there?"
she asked softly.
He shook his head lightly.
"No. Somewhere more comfortable."
She nodded slowly.
Her fingers tightened around her bag.
The car moved steadily through the road.
Zara watched buildings pass. Shops, pedestrians, cars. Everything felt normal outside, but something inside her felt uncertain.
She glanced at him.
He seemed calm. Focused on the road.
No urgency or explanation.
Just quiet.
She looked back outside.
Maybe he just wanted privacy.
Maybe he didn't want anyone from the office seeing them.
She tried to settle her thoughts.
Across the city, Sophie's phone rang.
She was in her room, standing in front of her wardrobe, scanning through options. A few dresses hung neatly. Shoes arranged below. Bags placed carefully on the side.
Her phone vibrated on the bed.
She picked it up.
It was her boutique assistant.
"Good afternoon, ma."
"Good afternoon. What's up?"
"A client just called. She wants to come for consultation. She says she needs something urgently."
Sophie paused.
"What kind of consultation?"
"I have no idea. She didn't say"
Sophie glanced at the time.
"That's fine. I'll come to the shop."
"Okay. She said she'll be there in about thirty minutes."
"I'm on my way."
She ended the call.
As she turned, her mother appeared by the door.
"You're going out?"
"Yes, mummy. Client at the shop."
Her mother nodded, then added,
"Don't forget your meeting later."
Sophie exhaled softly.
"I haven't forgotten."
Her mother stepped inside.
"You should prepare well. This one is not something you should take lightly."
Sophie smiled, holding back her frustration.
"I'm just meeting him, not marrying him today."
Her mother shook her head.
"Just go and see first."
Sophie picked up her bag.
"I'll attend to the client and head there from the shop."
Her mother nodded.
"Alright."
Sophie adjusted her hair and walked toward the door.
Saturday had started.
Back in the car, Zara shifted slightly.
They had been driving for some time now.
She didn't recognize the area.
Her phone rested in her hand. She checked the time again.
Still early afternoon.
She cleared her throat.
"Sir…"
"Yes?"
"Is it still far?"
"Not really," he replied.
She nodded again. What else could she do.
The silence returned.
Her thoughts grew louder.
Why not the office?
Why not the eatery?
Why somewhere else?
She tried not to overthink.
Maybe he wanted to discuss something sensitive.
Maybe this was how senior people handled things.
The car slowed slightly.
Zara looked ahead.
Then Mr. Adeyemi spoke.
"We're here."
The car turned into the driveway.
Zara's eyes followed the building.
She blinked once.
Then again.
It was a hotel.
Her fingers tightened around her bag.
She didn't speak.
The car stopped gently.
Zara stared at the building in front of her, confusion settling inside her.
Something didn't feel right.
But she didn't move.
The engine went silent.