Gold was explaining all the work to the workers when she met a man who was the head of event management. The grand hall of the Adeyemi estate was buzzing with activity. Decorators were hanging elegant drapes, caterers were arranging tables, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Gold moved from one group of workers to another, giving clear instructions and making sure everything was going according to plan. She had been working tirelessly for days, ensuring that Olamide’s engagement ceremony would be nothing short of perfect. It was during this busy moment that she suddenly came face to face with a man she had not seen in years.

That man’s name was Raymond.

Raymond said to her, “Gold, you here?? And where have you been all this time?”

Gold replied, “Life suddenly took such a turn that I didn’t even understand what I should do, whom I should ask.”

Gold and Raymond studied at the same college. They couldn’t exactly be called good friends, but since they were in the same batch, they used to talk occasionally. Raymond had always been a familiar face in the corridors, someone she would greet politely but never really confide in. However, after college Gold never met him again because Raymond’s home and family were in Japan. He had returned there after graduation, and she had assumed he would stay there forever.

So, when they suddenly met again today, Gold was a little surprised, wondering how Raymond was here in Nigeria. The coincidence felt almost too strange to be true. But then she found out that Raymond was the head of event management and was going to manage all the functions of Olamide’s wedding. He had built an impressive reputation for himself, and the Adeyemi family had hired him specifically for this grand occasion.

When Raymond mentioned that apart from AK Industries, he had worked for many big companies, Gold felt very happy that Raymond had advanced so much in his career and had made a big name for himself in event management. She remembered how he used to struggle in college, always worried about his future. Now, seeing him so successful, she felt genuinely proud.

Congratulations him, she said: “Wow Raymond, you’ve built a great career! Finally, your hard work has paid off. I’m really happy for you.”

Raymond smiled, “Thanks a lot for the compliment. But perhaps you haven’t focused on your career… why?”

Gold was confused, “What do you mean?”

Raymond said, “Oh, that’s quite evident. First, you suddenly left college and stopped your further studies, then you disappeared completely. No one knew where you went or what happened to you. And now you’re working in the Adeyemi family’s house, that too as a normal worker… Do you have a permanent job here? How much salary do they pay you?”

Hearing Raymond’s words, Gold started laughing. She couldn’t help it. The irony of his assumption was too amusing.

“What happened?? Why are you laughing? Is your salary not even worth mentioning?”

“Oh hello, she doesn’t work here to earn a salary, nor is she a worker in our house. She is my dear sister-in-law and the daughter-in-law of this family.”

Bukola said this as she came in and hugged Gold from behind. Then she stood in front of Raymond, smiling. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, enjoying the confusion on the manager’s face.

Both Gold and Bukola were laughing a lot at this moment, but Raymond was utterly shocked. He couldn’t understand how to react to this revelation. And the reason was… Actually, Raymond had liked Gold a lot since their college days. He always tried to stay around her and wanted to get closer to her. But Gold had nothing to do with all this; she was always busy with her studies.

However, Raymond’s obsession with Gold kept increasing. If he ever found out that some other boy had feelings for Gold, he would go with his friends and beat that boy so badly that he wouldn’t be seen anywhere in the entire college from the next day. His jealousy was fierce and uncontrolled, though he hid it behind a calm exterior. But Gold was completely unaware of all this. She never noticed the way he watched her from across the room, nor did she realize the extent of his obsession.

Yes, once Raymond had tried to find out Gold’s feelings through one of his female friends—whether she felt anything for him. But Gold had clearly refused, saying that she didn’t have any feelings for any boy. She was there only to study and build her career. Knowing that Gold had no feelings for him, Raymond did feel bad but he still wanted to have her at any cost. So, he took the path of friendship and tried to become a very good friend of hers. But Gold only spoke to him about work-related matters and didn’t interact much otherwise.

She hadn’t even given him her number. And because of this, when Gold left college, she never met Raymond again. For some reason, Raymond also never tried to contact Gold or maybe he just couldn’t. And today, when he suddenly met Gold here, he was extremely happy that he had finally found her. Now, he wanted to confess his feelings to her very soon—he didn’t want to delay it any longer. But perhaps he didn’t know about Gold’s marriage.

When he heard Bukola call Gold sister-in-law and say that she was the daughter-in-law of this house, he was completely shocked. He couldn’t believe that Gold was married and that she could never be his. Seeing Raymond lost in deep thought for a long time, Bukola snapped her fingers in front of him and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Manager? What happened? Where are you lost? Ohh, I understand! My sister-in-law is so lovely and is working so hard here with everyone that seeing her like this, anyone would find it hard to believe that she is the daughter-in-law of the Adeyemi family. But this is the truth.”

And she started laughing again. Raymond’s eyes reflected a mix of shock and pain, a strange smile appeared on his face. He said, “You got married, Gold? And that too in the Adeyemi family… But you didn’t tell any of us about it. Did you marry Mr. Tunde Adeyemi?”

“Yes, you are right. Tunde is my husband” Gold said with a smile.

Raymond asked sadly, “Was it a love marriage?”

Gold tried refused, “No, no… it’s…”

Gold was just about to say something when Mother’s voice came from inside, calling both Bukola and Gold. So, Gold told Raymond that they would talk later and left with Bukola. But here, Raymond’s eyes were filled with extreme anger. He felt like breaking everything right there, but he knew that no matter how strong his career was, he was nothing in front of Tunde Adeyemi. So with great difficulty, he calmed himself down and tried to focus on his work for the moment.

However, his attention kept drifting toward Gold, but he somehow controlled himself. The day passes and night falls. Tunde and Olamide return home from the office and look around. Most of the preparations were already done and everyone was sitting in the hall, waiting for them to arrive. Father, who had gone for an important meeting had also returned.

Asking everyone to wait for a while, Tunde and Olamide both go to their rooms to freshen up. Gold stops Tunde and says, “I had given your clothes for washing, so you won’t find them. Just wait a minute, I’ll bring them.” Tunde nodded and started going upstairs.

After setting all the food on the dining table, Gold also followed him upstairs. Tunde sat on the bed, waiting for Gold to come. She quickly went to the wardrobe and started taking out his clothes.

As soon as Gold opened the wardrobe door and took out the clothes, an envelope kept under those clothes fell near her feet. She picked it up and opened it to see that it contained pictures from their wedding day. Though Gold’s face wasn’t clearly visible in them, her eyes sparkled as she remembered the moments of their marriage.

She slowly placed them back inside the envelope, but one photo slipped out and fell to the ground, which Tunde noticed. Gold was about to pick up the photo when Tunde walked up to her and picked up the fallen picture.

He looked at the picture carefully. Tunde was standing in Gold’s direction. He slowly moved forward and took the remaining pictures.

A strange smile appeared on Gold’s face.

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