Chapter 13: Under the Luminous Moon
1302words
"So," I finally said, breaking the silence, "we're doing this?"
Dapo let out a shaky breath. "We are," he confirmed, his voice showing a mix of nervousness and relief. "The Board say yes to what you ask – full creative control, a ten-year deal, and true info about original work. But..." he stopped talking for a moment, looking a bit worried.
"But?" I echoed, my stomach clenching.
"There are... other plans," he said in a low voice. "They have their ideas for this area." Luxury condos, business spots... they want culture centre to be the main draw, attracting a certain type of customers."
I start to feel frustration inside. The Board's plan seems too restrictive, not like the community-focused centre I was thinking about. But then I remembered the worried expression in Dapo's eyes, his fear that the project could be stopped entirely.
"We can make it work," I finally say, my voice sounding more confident than how I feel inside. "We can design the centre to keep its artistic value and still fit nicely with everything around."
Dapo showed a grateful smile, and his eyes seemed hopeful once more. We shook hands on the agreement, understanding that this act held great meaning in our decision. When I write my name, a little concern starts to trouble me. Did I just reveal myself to the big companies?
Just then, my phone buzzed and brought me back to the present. It was a message from Ayo, who is my best friend and also an architect like me. His message was short and clear: "Congrats on the Moonlight Glow! I heard you got the Olumide project." Big win!"
I typed out a quick reply, "Thanks, Ayo! It's a big one." However, the words felt without meaning. The excitement I expected did not come; instead, it was replaced by ongoing worry.
At the same time, in other parts of the city, inside a modern tall office building with a view of the Lagos skyline, something very different was happening. A woman with a strong face and silver hair like a lion's mane shut file loudly, her eyes full of anger.
"The Moonlight Lease is back to us?" she said, voice full of doubt. "And this Eki Bassey… she managed to wrest control from the Olumide boy?"
A man in a well-fitted suit standing beside her nodded, his face not showing any feeling. "Yes, Ms." Abeni." She negotiated a ten-year contract with full creative control."
Abeni's lips curled into a sneer. "Creative control, huh? We will see. The Board has its plan for the area, and that centre will be built according to our needs, not some architect's fantasy ideas."
The man did not talk, but a small hint of something like pity appeared on his face. He knew Abeni would continue trying and never stop. This was not just about the Moonlight Lease; it was also a personal revenge, an anger that had been building up for many years.
The Next Day
News about my involvement in the Moonlight Glow project spread very quickly. Many calls came to my phone, with people saying congratulations but also having some doubts. Inside the Olumide firm, things felt very different. Dapo, who usually is a confident and charming person, seemed quiet and uneasy this time. His actions looked like he had some worries on his mind.
"Is everything alright?" I asked him during a tense meeting with the firm's engineers.
He offered a weak smile. "Just… adjusting to the new reality. The Board isn't exactly known for its collaborative approach."
My smile faltered. Dapo's words echoed my growing concerns. Did we make a deal with the devil to save the project? The contract in my briefcase felt so heavy, always reminding me of difficult challenges waiting for us.
That evening, while Eki Bassey was going through some old drawings, she discovered an old photo hidden in a dusty corner. The picture showed several young architects with big smiles full of energy and excitement from their younger days. In the centre, holding a prize for "Best Sustainable Design," was a lady with a very happy smile like Eki's. Her name is written on the back in familiar handwriting: Abeni Olumide. **
A jolt of recognition shot through Eki. Abeni Olumide. The woman from the news article. Dapo's grandmother. The architect who designed the first Moonlight Glow project. Pieces of this puzzle were starting to come together, but a new and troubling question appeared.
Abeni Olumide's name links to Eki's past because they have an important shared history, maybe from going to the same school or living in the same neighbourhood while growing up. Their paths crossed at key moments, and these times left strong memories for both of them. Abeni may have had a big impact during important times in Eki's young life, helping him decide things and become who he is now. Today, with the Moonlight Glow project happening, their bond comes back because of surprising events. Maybe Abeni has become an important person or specialist linked to a big project for making energy sustainable with moonlight technology. This situation makes them meet again after many years of being apart from each other. Their past relationship affects today's issues with the project's success or problems it has now—their trust needs to be fixed again in new work situations while handling different ideas and outside pressures impacting both personal connections and shared goals about advanced technology shown by "Moonlight Glow". Eki felt a chill run through her body as she gripped the photo tightly. Her mind was quickly thinking of many possibilities.
The Next Day - Abeni's Office
The air in Abeni Olumide's office felt very thick, and Eki stood there gripping the photograph tightly. Abeni's hair turned into a respectful silver colour as she sat behind a large desk made from mahogany wood. Her eyes were just like diamonds on her fingers: sharp and full of power.
"You have something that belongs to me," Abeni stated, her voice cold and clipped.
Eki saw the picture, and his mind became more firm. "But it makes more questions than giving answers, Ms. Olumide." Why is your name on it?"
Abeni's face had a small sign of feeling, a brief moment of pain that she quickly covered with strong resolve.
"That," she said, her voice laced with bitterness, "is a story best left buried."
Eki did not want to retreat. "Past events sometimes return, Ms. Olumide." Particularly if it is linked with a scheme such as the Moonlight Glow."
Abeni's lips turned into a thin, straight line. Silence stayed for a while, holding many things not said out loud. After that, with a big sigh, Abeni leaned forward. In her eyes, there was both anger and sadness together.
"Okay, Eki Bassey," she said softly. "Maybe you care more about this project than you thought at the beginning." "Maybe now is a good time for you to learn the true story of Moonlight Glow... and also know your family history."
Eki's heart pounded in her chest. Family history? What did Abeni mean? Suddenly, she began to feel dizzy; the stress from not understanding was making her anxious. As Abeni started speaking, her voice held a mix of sadness and determination. Eki realized this was only the start of a new journey that would transform the future for Moonlight Glow and uncover unknown secrets from her past she never imagined were there.
