Stephanie's voice trembled as she tried to explain what would happen if her parents ever found out she was pregnant. The shame. The consequences. The rejection she feared.
Samuel sat in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable. Just then, the waiter arrived with her order. Samuel leaned forward gently.
"I think you should eat first," he said in a calm, steady voice. "Then decide on your next move."
Stephanie's eyes widened, panic creeping in.
"What do you mean, 'next move'?" she snapped. "I just told you—I have nowhere to go!"
Samuel didn't flinch. He kept his voice even.
"Just eat first," he repeated, "then we go figure am together."
The waiter quietly placed the steaming plate of food before her, along with the bill. Stephanie didn't waste a second. She unwrapped the cutlery and began eating—her hunger overpowering her worry.
"Mmm… this is really good," she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips. "This is my favorite food, you know?"
Samuel picked up the bill and glanced at the total—₦15,800. He blinked in quiet surprise. That was the most he had ever spent on a single meal. But he didn't let it show.
"At least you're eating something you like," he said with a chuckle. "That's a good first step."
Stephanie looked up at him, her smile a little more genuine—the first sign of relief since they'd met.
Samuel leaned back in his chair.
"No worry. I go talk to my friend. You fit stay with us tonight."
Her eyes lit up with cautious hope.
"You'd really do that for me?"
"Just eat your food," he replied with a half-smile. "Give me small time. I go come back."
As he stood to leave, Stephanie's voice followed him in a near whisper.
"Please… don't leave me here."
He paused, turned briefly.
"I'll be back soon, I promise."
The door closed behind him.
Time passed. Stephanie's initial relief began to fade into unease. Minutes ticked by. She glanced at the door again. And again. But Samuel didn't return. A cold weight settled in her chest. She stood, walked to the glass wall, and peered into the night, desperate to spot him.
At the far end of the street, Samuel found Simon—his closest friend, roommate, and business partner. They had been living together for the past two weeks since Simon returned from a trip. Although Samuel had a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment in a more upscale part of the city, he preferred staying at Simon's modest place for now. It was closer to their soon-to-open pizza restaurant, making it easier to finish the setup and train Simon on business operations.
Samuel spotted Simon at their usual hangout bar, seated on a high stool, nursing a drink.
"Finally," Simon said, slightly slurred. "I was about to leave. I don drink more than I suppose, just dey wait for you."
Samuel chuckled, pulling out a stool beside him.
"Then have another. I might need you more drunk for this favor I wan ask."
Simon raised a brow.
"Favor? No tell me say you finally decide bring babe come. E don reach time, my guy. You too dey serious."
Samuel let out a short laugh.
"I meet one girl… for barbershop, actually. She dey stranded. I wan make she crash for our place tonight."
Simon's face lit up with amusement.
"Ohh! Now we're talking! So na wetin be this. Guy, you no even need ask. Bring am. You know say the place na your own. Besides, I never see you run after any girl since I know you. She gats special."
Samuel gave a tired smile.
"Simon, no be wetin you think. She no be babe wey I carry pick. She… dey pregnant."
The smile faded from Simon's face. He stared.
"Wait… wetin?"
"She dey pregnant," Samuel repeated. "She no really get where to go. The family wey she suppose stay with push her out. I see am outside the shop—crying, hungry, exhausted… I no fit just waka comot."
Simon exhaled loudly and turned away.
"Ah, Samuel. So no even fun. You wan carry wahala enter our house?"
"Na just for one night," Samuel said gently. "She needs a place to rest. Tomorrow I go find another solution."
Simon shook his head, clearly torn.
"Bro, I know say your heart dey big. But this one no be your problem. Pregnant girl? Wetin if she get complication? Wetin if something happen?"
Samuel placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know e sound crazy. But I no fit ignore am. Just one night. Na all I dey ask."
Simon groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"One night, Samuel. Just one. By tomorrow morning, we find another way. Deal?"
"Deal," Samuel said, rising to his feet.
Simon gave him a narrow look.
"You go regret this."
"I go take that risk."
Back at the restaurant, Stephanie had started pacing. Nervous. Restless. Her face was tight with fear, drawing curious glances from nearby diners. But no one approached her.
Across town, Samuel reached the apartment. He moved quickly—tidying the small living room, folding clothes, clearing the bed. He made sure everything looked welcoming, or at least decent.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed.
"I'm going to get her. I'll let you know when we're back." He ended the call without waiting for a reply.
Moments later, he was back on the street, moving with purpose.
Samuel returned to the restaurant on Allen Avenue faster than he'd meant to, weaving through the light traffic with an uneasy urgency in his chest. The moment he pushed open the glass door, the bell above chimed softly.
Everything inside was the same—warm lighting, quiet jazz, the faint aroma of grilled meat—but he wasn't the same as when he left. His eyes swept the room until they found her.
Stephanie was still at the table, her head bowed low, resting on her folded arms. She looked drained—physically, emotionally, barely holding on.
Samuel took a deep breath… and walked toward her.
He had made a promise. And now, it was time to keep it.