CHAPTER EIGHT: The Trap Is Set
The day felt unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
Chidimma sat at her desk, trying to focus on her work, but something didn't feel right.
Ever since Julian's father showed up, the atmosphere had changed completely.
It was like a storm was coming.
And she was right in the middle of it.
"Miss Chidimma, there's a delivery for you," a staff member said, placing a small envelope on her desk.
Chidimma frowned.
"For me?"
"Yes."
The staff walked away.
She stared at the envelope for a moment before slowly picking it up.
No name.
No sender.
Just her.
Her heart beat a little faster as she opened it.
Inside was a single note.
Meet me alone if you want to protect what matters to you.
Her breath caught.
"What does that even mean?" she whispered.
A second line was written below.
Don't tell Julian.
Her grip tightened.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't safe.
"Chidimma."
She quickly looked up.
Julian.
Standing in front of her.
Watching her.
"What's that?" he asked.
She hesitated.
The note burned in her hand.
Don't tell Julian.
"It's nothing," she said quickly, folding it.
Julian frowned.
"You're a bad liar."
"I said it's nothing," she replied, forcing a calm tone.
He didn't look convinced.
But before he could push further—
"I need you to prepare the 3pm meeting," he said.
"Okay."
He walked away.
But not without glancing back at her.
Suspicious.
Concerned.
Hours later…
Chidimma stood in front of the address written on the note.
An empty-looking building.
Quiet.
Isolated.
Her instincts told her to leave.
To walk away.
But something deeper pushed her forward.
What if this is about him?
What if this is about Julian?
Or worse…
Her family.
She swallowed hard and stepped inside.
The place was dim.
Silent.
Her footsteps echoed as she walked further in.
"Hello?" she called out.
No response.
Her heart pounded harder.
"Who asked me to come here?" she demanded.
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
Then—
A figure stepped forward.
Vanessa.
"I knew you'd come," she said with a smile.
Chidimma's eyes widened.
"You?" she said. "What is this?"
Vanessa tilted her head slightly.
"A conversation," she replied calmly.
"This isn't normal," Chidimma said. "You could have just talked to me at the office."
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Where's the fun in that?"
Chidimma's expression hardened.
"You told me not to tell Julian," she said. "Why?"
Vanessa stepped closer.
"Because he would try to protect you," she said. "And I didn't want that."
A chill ran down Chidimma's spine.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Vanessa's smile faded.
"I want you out of his life," she said simply.
"I already told you—"
"No," Vanessa interrupted sharply. "You're not listening."
Her voice had changed.
Colder.
More dangerous.
"You think this is just about jealousy?" she continued. "No. This is bigger than you."
Chidimma frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Vanessa leaned in slightly.
"Julian's father is already making moves," she said. "And trust me… you don't want to be caught in them."
Chidimma's heart skipped.
"So this is his doing?" she asked.
Vanessa smirked.
"Let's just say… I'm helping things move faster."
Anger rose inside Chidimma.
"You're working with him?" she asked.
"I'm protecting my future," Vanessa replied.
"And destroying mine?" Chidimma shot back.
Vanessa shrugged slightly.
"If that's what it takes."
Suddenly—
A loud noise echoed from outside.
A car door slammed.
Both of them froze.
Then footsteps.
Fast.
Approaching.
Vanessa's expression changed.
"He wasn't supposed to find out," she muttered.
The door burst open.
Julian.
Breathing hard.
Eyes filled with anger.
"Chidimma!"
He rushed toward her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, checking her quickly.
"I'm fine," she said, still shocked.
Julian turned slowly.
His gaze landing on Vanessa.
And in that moment—
The anger in his eyes turned cold.
Dangerous.
"What is this?" he asked.
Vanessa straightened, trying to regain control.
"It's not what you think—"
"Don't lie to me," he snapped.
Silence.
Heavy.
Tense.
Julian stepped forward.
"If anything had happened to her…" he said quietly, "you wouldn't like what comes next."
Vanessa's expression faltered.
For the first time—
She looked unsure.
Julian turned to Chidimma.
"We're leaving," he said firmly.
This time—
She didn't argue.
As they walked out together, Chidimma felt something shift.
This wasn't just about the past anymore.
Or love.
Or jealousy.
This was a game.
A dangerous one.
And now—
Everyone was playing for real.