Torn by love - by Shedrach Ojodomo Tijani

A Sweet Beginning The late afternoon sun dipped beneath the city skyline, casting long golden shadows across the high-rises of downtown. Inside the Harper & Lane architectural firm, the atmosphere was abuzz with celebration. The firm had just secured a prestigious international contract, and the partners had decided to host a private exhibit in collaboration with a local art gallery. For Ava Newell, it was her first real glimpse into the glamorous side of the architecture world. She stood quietly near a tall window, a flute of sparkling wine in her hand, watching people circulate through the modern gallery space. Art installations, abstract models, and bold concept sketches lined the walls. She tugged at the edge of her pale green dress, feeling slightly out of place amidst the confident professionals and their sophisticated conversation. “You’re Ava, right? The new intern?” a voice asked. Ava turned, startled. Standing beside her was a tall, well-dressed young man with a soft smile and kind eyes. He had a boyish charm, but his presence was calm, like he didn’t feel the need to impress anyone. “Yes. That’s me,” she said, trying to keep her tone even. “Ava Newell.” “I’m Daniel,” he said, offering a handshake. “Friend of the gallery’s owner. She ropes me into these events with the promise of wine and free canapés.” Ava laughed. “Not the worst deal.” He grinned. “So, what’s your role here? Architect? Artist? Or both?” “I’m an intern at Harper & Lane. Still figuring things out.” She paused, then added, “Though I’ve always wanted to design buildings that feel like they tell a story.” “That’s poetic,” Daniel said. “I like that. Stories that people can walk through.” They found themselves drifting into conversation easily. Daniel had a curious mind, asking her about her studies, her favorite architectural era (Victorian), and her least favorite design trend (glass boxes everywhere). He was charming without being pushy, and listened like he genuinely cared about her answers. Ava felt herself relaxing in his presence, a rare thing when meeting new people. “So what do you do, Daniel?” she asked. He paused for a fraction of a second—just long enough for Ava to notice. “Freelance design consulting,” he replied. “Small stuff. I’m trying to break away from the corporate world. Create something... cleaner, I guess.” “That sounds vague but noble,” she teased. “I’m a man of mystery,” he said with a mock bow. “You’ll find I grow more intriguing by the hour.” Ava smiled, shaking her head. “Well, color me curious.” As the evening wore on, they made their way around the exhibit together. Ava found herself opening up more than she expected—talking about her childhood in a small town upstate, how her father used to design houses before his company went under, and how the fall had forced them to move into a tiny apartment and start over. She didn’t usually mention those things. Not to strangers. But Daniel didn’t look at her with pity. Just… understanding. “Your dad still designs?” he asked gently. “No,” she said, her smile fading. “He lost everything. There were some shady deals, some betrayals. He just… walked away from it all.” “I’m sorry.” “Thanks,” she said quietly. “It was a long time ago, but it’s part of why I’m here. I want to build a future that can’t be taken from me.” Daniel didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he looked at her with something deeper in his gaze. “I think you will.” Over the next few weeks, they kept in touch. What started with a few texts turned into daily conversations, late-night calls, and impromptu meetups after Ava’s long internship hours. Daniel was funny, patient, and attentive. He never pressured her or played games. He learned how she liked her coffee (black, with honey), remembered the name of her childhood dog (Milo), and asked about her designs like they were masterpieces in progress. They wandered through bookstores, got lost in hidden city parks, and tried every food truck within a five-mile radius. Their favorite date was an old museum with creaky wood floors and dusty exhibits that no one visited anymore. Ava loved it for its stillness. Daniel loved it because she did. She started to forget about the hesitation she'd felt when he paused before saying his last name.One rainy Saturday, Ava invited Daniel to her apartment. It was modest—two rooms, mismatched furniture, and a small balcony filled with her plants. She cooked spaghetti, and they ate while a jazz playlist hummed in the background. Daniel watched her as she talked about her latest internship project. “You light up when you talk about this,” he said. She laughed. “That’s probably the garlic fumes.” “No,” he said softly. “It’s passion. It’s beautiful.” She looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his eyes. At that moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them. “I like you, Ava.” “I like you too,” she said. Her voice was barely a whisper. Their first kiss was soft, hesitant, and slow. But it held the promise of something more. Despite her growing feelings, Ava never quite stopped wondering about Daniel’s family. Every time she asked, he deflected with humor or changed the subject. He’d told her he was estranged from his father, but never explained why. One afternoon, she tried again. “You never talk about your parents.” Daniel’s gaze darkened slightly. “There’s not much to say. My father is... complicated.” “That sounds like an understatement.” He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “He and I have different ideas of how the world works. That’s why I left.” Ava reached for his hand. “You don’t have to tell me everything now.” “Thank you,” he said, his voice low. “I just don’t want the past to ruin what we have.” It should have been enough. But the cracks were there. Subtle. Small. And growing. One evening, she caught a glimpse of a luxury car pulling away as she stepped out of his apartment building. The driver wore a tailored black suit and dark glasses. Ava thought nothing of it—until she noticed the way Daniel stiffened when she mentioned it. “Just someone checking in on me,” he said quickly. “Checking in?” He waved it off. “Old habits. My father used to keep tabs on everything. I guess some things don’t change.” Ava frowned but let it go. For now. By the end of the month, she was falling—hard. Daniel had become a constant in her life, the person she called first when something went wrong and the one she wanted to share every win with. Her friends noticed how happy she looked. Even her father, ever cautious, smiled when she mentioned Daniel’s name. “I haven’t seen you this bright in a while,” Thomas said one night, over dinner. “He’s... different,” Ava replied, her heart fluttering. “Just be careful,” her father said gently. “The right man will always tell you the truth.”But the truth was still hiding. Waiting. And Ava had no idea how close it really was.

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