Amelia arrived at Aunty Zoe's house, a place that had been her only real home since childhood.
It had been months since she last visited.
The grasses in the compound were tall, brushing against her knees as they swayed in the light breeze. She sighed. The whole place felt lonely… abandoned.
Inside, dust coated every surface, tables, chairs, even the picture frames. The air was stale, untouched.
She changed into her cleaning clothes and got to work.
For hours she swept, mopped, wiped, and aired out the rooms. She gathered the dirty clothes and curtains, washing them in the sunlight until her arms ached.
Still, it felt good like she was breathing life back into the house.
After hanging the last curtain, she grabbed a cutlass and headed for the overgrown grass.
She lifted her arm for the first strike…when a loud knock echoed from the gate.
Amelia froze.
"Who could that be?"
She wiped her forehead and approached the gate cautiously.
The moment she opened it, her eyes widened.
"Leo?"
Her childhood friend stood there with a familiar smile, hands in his pockets. He was taller now, more mature and undeniably handsome.
"Surprised to see me?" he asked, amusement tugging at his lips.
"Of course I am! When did you get back? You left for school abroad…" she said, still staring.
"Last month" he replied. "I've actually checked in a few times, but no one was ever home."
Amelia scratched her neck awkwardly. "Oh… well, how did you know someone was around today?"
He arched a brow like it was obvious. "The grasses in front were cut."
"Oh." She blinked. "Right."
Before she could respond, Leo gently took the cutlass from her hand.
"Let me help. You look worn out."
She opened her mouth to argue, then smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Leaving him outside, she went in to fold the dried clothes.
A while later, Leo stepped into the house, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Where's Aunty Zoe? She doing okay?"
"She's fine" Amelia answered quickly. "She'll be home today."
No way she was mentioning the illness, not with how fast stories spread.
"I'm heading to the shop" she added. "Lock the gate when you're done."
But he was beside her before she reached the road.
"I'll come with you" he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The shop had been closed since Aunty Zoe fell sick. Dust coated the shelves and counters. they cleaned side by side, sweeping, dusting, rearranging stock.
When they finished, they went to the supermarket to restock.
The sales girl glanced at Leo and instantly blushed. She leaned closer to Amelia, whispering, "Your boyfriend is really handsome."
Amelia almost choked.
"What? No! We're not dating. He's just a friend."
The girl's grin said she didn't believe a word.
Amelia reached for her wallet, but Leo stepped forward and handed over his card.
"Put everything on this."
The sales girl's smile widened, her eyes flicking between them knowingly.
Outside, Amelia shot him a look.
"You didn't have to pay. Now she thinks we're dating."
Leo shrugged. "So?"
"So?!" She immediately transferred the money back and marched ahead with the bags.
She didn't notice the quiet, unreadable expression that crossed his face as he followed behind.
Back at home, Amelia headed to the kitchen. Leo washed vegetables beside her, working quietly.
Then his phone rang.
He checked the caller ID and his expression changed.
"Hello… Yeah. I'm on my way," he said quickly.
He set the washed veggies aside. "Something came up at my company. I have to go. I'll stop by later."
Company?
Amelia blinked as he hurried to the door.
"Company? Leo, you own a company? Wait!"
But he was already outside the gate.
She exhaled, shook her head, and went back to the pot on the stove. After cooking and cleaning up, she washed her hands and got ready to leave.
Then she headed straight to the hospital.
Amelia arrived at the hospital just as the afternoon sun streamed through the glass doors.
She headed straight to the billing office, her steps brisk, heart steady.
"Good afternoon" she said, slightly out of breath. "I'm here to complete the payment for Zoe Opara."
The nurse typed quickly, eyes scanning the screen then she paused.
"Oh… ma'am, there's no balance left."
Amelia frowned. "I don't understand."
"The bills were cleared early this morning," the nurse explained. "Everything has already been paid."
Amelia stared at her, stunned.
"Someone paid it? Who was it? Can I at least get a name? I need to thank—"
"I'm really sorry" the nurse said gently. "We're not allowed to reveal third-party information."
"Oh…" Amelia's shoulders dropped.
She forced a small, polite smile. "Alright. Thank you."
She walked down the hallway slowly this time, her mind spinning.
Who would pay such a large bill without saying a word? Who cared enough to step in… quietly?
When she reached Aunty Zoe's ward and pushed the door open, she halted.
A bouquet sat on the bedside table, fresh, colorful, beautifully arranged. It brightened the entire room.
"Aunty… who brought these?" Amelia asked, moving closer.
Aunty Zoe smiled and brushed her fingers over one of the petals.
"A man and a young girl came by earlier. They said they were your friends."
"My… friends?" Amelia echoed.
"Yes" Zoe said with a nod. "The girl was so sweet. Very pretty. She had your eyes, Amelia. And your hair too. The resemblance was almost shocking."
Amelia's breath caught.
Her eyes.
Her hair.
Her mind jumped instantly to one little girl.
Irelia.
And if Irelia had been here…
Aldric had been here too.
Her heart gave a strange, uneven thud, confusion mixing with warmth she didn't know how to process.
Why would he come?
Why would he pay?
Why bring flowers?
Amelia stood there gripping the strap of her bag, speechless, unable to steady the flutter rising in her chest.