Tola lay against Chief Job's chest, her fingers tracing slow circles.
"Baby girl," he murmured, "did you do what I asked you?"
"What's that?"
"Lose some more weight."
"I started gym and slim tea, Chief."
He smiled.
"Good. I like what I see but I don't want to see more than this."
Tola pulled away sharply.
"So why you with me if you prefer your skinny wife?" she snapped.
"Do you know what I went through to achieve this body? Gym analysts said there's nothing wrong with me that there's no fat to burn off. I'm thick, not fat!"
Anger flared.
"If you don't like me this way, stop seeing me."
She sprang up, wearing her robe, grabbed her keys, and stormed out.
Chief Job sat speechless.
As Tola drove, relief washed over her.
For the first time in a long while, she felt light proud of herself for choosing dignity over comfort.
She pulled into Francis's compound. The gate man grinned.
"Madam welcome oh!"
"Abu, how you dey?"
"I dey fine. See as you fine this morning!"
She laughed.
At the door, a stranger opened.
Darl.
The moment he saw her, he froze stunned by her regal beauty.
"Uh… hi?"
"Hey…" he blurted, still staring. "You look good."
"Thanks… I guess. I'm Tola."
"Oh! Francis' girl—sorry please come in."
He called out, "Francis your girl don come!"
Francis rushed out surprised.
"Baby! You didn't tell me you were coming. Are you okay?"
She hesitated.
"Yeah… I just need to stay for a few days. Avoiding some… inconveniences."
"Of course," he said, embracing her.
Later, they laughed when Francis explained Darl's identity.
"You mean the international model?" Tola gasped.
Francis grinned proudly.
"Yeah that stubborn guy is famous everywhere."
She shook her head playfully.
"Don't tell him I'm impressed."
Francis laughed.
"I'm jealous already."
She kissed him gently.
"Don't be."
"I'll take a shower now," she added. "Meet you downstairs."
Francis nodded and headed toward the living room to meet Darl as invisible threads of destiny quietly tightened around all four lives…