The Deal

Author: Diamond Udechukwu

Her restaurant was booked to host an event for one of the most prestigious organizations in Lekki. It was a huge deal for the restaurant, so they decided no one could take a leave on that day. Unfortunately, it was the same day Ariel had planned her day off to attend her brother's graduation as his only relative. She tried everything possible to get her manager to excuse her, but it wasn’t approved.

On the day of the party, Ariel wore a long face; her brother had refused to talk to her all night before. She understood his feelings—he was likely feeling lonely on a day like this, receiving an award for outstanding performance with no family there to cheer him on. Her absentmindedness caused her to spill drinks on the CEO, who, ironically, was also trying to escape his mother’s matchmaking at the party.

Joel wasn’t angry, but he felt he wanted more than the endless apologies Ariel poured out. Rudely, he threw his address at her, asking her to pick up the suit for laundry at her own expense. Ariel felt more heartbroken than ever. She went home, devastated, her body sore from exhaustion, and soon fell asleep.

She woke up later than usual, as it was her day off, and promised herself she would make it up to her brother. But she couldn’t find him anywhere. She realized he hadn’t made it home; everything in the house was as she had left it, including the door she had accidentally left ajar. Worried, she reached for her phone and noticed several missed calls. Ignoring those, she called her brother’s number, but it wasn’t going through. Desperately, she prayerfully dialed one of the missed call numbers. The voice on the other end informed her that her brother had been admitted to the hospital. Without hesitation, she rushed to the address.

The doctors assured her that Michael would wake up, but he needed surgery to ensure he could walk again. The cost? A staggering 2.3 million naira. Ariel had no idea how to come up with such an amount. She called everyone she could think of, but the funds were still far out of reach.

Three days later, Ariel went to work, but the security personnel wouldn’t let her in. They handed her a termination letter for missing work. She tried to explain, but her pleas fell on deaf ears; they believed she was making excuses. Jobless and depressed, Ariel walked home, her eyes brimming with tears. The moment she closed her door behind her, she broke down.

While searching through her bag for any money she could gather for her brother’s treatment, she found Joel’s address. She decided she needed to resolve her issue with him. If there was one thing Ariel hated, it was leaving matters unsettled—especially with wealthy people, whom she viewed as rude and full of pride.

Days passed, and Michael regained consciousness but was unable to speak properly or stand. One morning, while Ariel was preparing to visit the hospital, there was a knock at her door. Standing outside was a tall, muscular man. When he turned, her heart skipped a beat—it was Joel. She had completely forgotten to take his suit to the cleaners.

Joel tried to maintain a stern expression but found it difficult. He hadn’t come just for the laundry—he wanted to see her. After hearing her pleas, he told her to bring the suit the next day and left.

The next day, Ariel left home earlier than usual to pick up the suit and drop it off at the cleaners on her way to the hospital. At Joel’s house, she encountered a rude, wealthy girl who seemed intent on bullying her. Thankfully, Joel intervened before things escalated. Ariel quickly picked up the suit and left, leaving Joel disappointed—he had hoped to speak with her.

When she returned the suit, she overheard an argument between Joel and his mother, Mrs. Joy. As they stepped outside, Ariel waited a few meters away. Joel spotted her and, in a bid to end his mother’s nagging, declared, “I’ll bring my girlfriend to dinner next weekend. Can I have peace now?” His mother relented and left.

Joel collected the suit and asked Ariel why she hadn’t been at work the past few days. She explained her termination, and he offered her a job as a carer at his house. Joel doubled her previous salary to ensure she wouldn’t refuse, and she reluctantly accepted.

Ariel kept her distance from Joel and performed her duties diligently. However, one evening after work, Joel revealed his plan to rent her as his girlfriend for a dinner at his mother’s house. If successful, the arrangement would continue for eight months. After some thought, Ariel agreed, on the condition that falling in love was off the table. Joel promised to pay her five million naira—half up-front and the rest at the end of the deal. He drafted a contract, and they both signed.

Ariel didn’t know whether to feel relieved or anxious. The five million naira was a godsend; it would cover her brother’s surgery. The operation was successful, and Michael began his recovery.

Blending into Joel’s world was challenging, but Ariel was a quick learner. She eventually convinced Mrs. Joy and others that she was better than they had imagined.

By the end of the eight months, Joel realized he had fallen deeply in love with Ariel. But she took her payment and distanced herself from anything that reminded her of him, determined to avoid further heartbreak.

Unable to watch his sister suffer in silence, Michael reached out to Joel, reuniting the two. Ariel and Joel eventually reconciled and lived happily ever after.