Chapter 9: A Test of Trust

The days after the café incident were different.

David and Amanda spent more time together.

Sometimes they had lunch after Amanda's classes.

Other times, David waited outside Crown Supermarket until her shift ended, and they would take a walk before heading home.

They still hadn't called what they had a relationship.

But everyone around them could see it.

One evening, Tobi caught David smiling at his phone again.

"My guy," he said, nudging him. "When una go finally stop pretending say una be just friends?"

David laughed.

"I don't know."

Tobi shook his head.

"You don't know? If another guy asks her out tomorrow, you'll know."

David's smile faded.

For the first time, he realized Tobi had a point.

The following evening, David and Amanda sat on a bench in a quiet park.

Children played nearby while the setting sun painted the sky orange.

Amanda broke the silence.

"Can I tell you something?"

David smiled.

"You still start every serious conversation with that line."

She laughed softly.

"I guess I do."

Her smile slowly faded.

"I'm scared."

"Of what?"

She looked down at her hands.

"I'm scared of trusting someone again."

David didn't interrupt.

"I know Kelvin is in the past," she continued, "but sometimes I still wonder... what if history repeats itself?"

David thought carefully before answering.

"I can't promise we'll never have misunderstandings."

Amanda looked up.

"I can't promise I'll always know the right thing to say."

He smiled gently.

"But I can promise this..."

He held her gaze.

"I'll never make you wonder where you stand with me."

Amanda's eyes became misty.

"That's all I've ever wanted."

Just then, David's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

It was his manager.

After a brief conversation, he ended the call.

Amanda noticed the change in his expression.

"What happened?"

David sighed.

"I've been assigned to help at our Port Harcourt branch for two weeks."

Amanda forced a smile.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"So soon?"

He nodded.

"I'm sorry."

Amanda looked away for a moment before smiling again.

"It's only two weeks."

David reached for her hand.

"I'll call every day."

She squeezed his hand gently.

"I'll hold you to that."

As they stood to leave, neither of them said what they were really thinking.

Two weeks wasn't forever.

But when two people had become part of each other's everyday life...

Even fourteen days could feel like a lifetime.