My Former Business Partner Walked Into My Office With the One Contract I Swore I’d Never Sign
THE MAN WHO HATED WOMEN
Episode 12
A month passed. The change in Adrian Cole became impossible to ignore.
He was still firm in his decisions and demanded excellence from every department, but the fear that once filled the office had been replaced by respect. Employees no longer panicked when they saw him walking through the corridors. Instead, they greeted him with genuine smiles, and to everyone’s surprise, he always greeted them back.
For Adrian, however, every day was still a battle.
There were moments when his old temper threatened to return. Sometimes a careless mistake or a delayed project stirred the anger he had lived with for years. But whenever he felt himself losing control, he remembered his mother’s words.
“Hatred is a prison that punishes the person living inside it.”
Those words became his anchor.
One Monday morning, Adrian and Bisola were reviewing documents for a multi-billion-naira housing project when a loud argument erupted outside his office.
“You can’t just walk in!” the receptionist protested.
“I don’t care who is inside!”
Before anyone could stop her, the office door flew open.
A glamorous woman in her early thirties strode into the office wearing an expensive red designer dress, dark sunglasses resting on her head, and carrying an air of entitlement.
She ignored Bisola completely.
Her eyes were fixed on Adrian.
“So… this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Adrian’s expression immediately changed.
His jaw tightened.
“Vanessa.”
Bisola looked from Adrian to the woman, sensing years of unresolved history between them.
Vanessa folded her arms and laughed bitterly.
“I’ve been calling you for weeks.”
“I changed my number.”
“I noticed.”
She glanced at Bisola before smirking.
“So you’ve already found another woman.”
Adrian’s voice remained calm.
“This is my executive assistant.”
“Oh?”
Vanessa said sarcastically.
“That’s what you’re calling her now?”
Bisola quietly gathered the files on the desk.
“I’ll excuse you both.”
“No,” Adrian said firmly.
“I’d rather you stay.”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“So she’s important enough to stay while we talk?”
Adrian looked directly at her.
“I have nothing to hide.”
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Finally, Vanessa removed a large envelope from her handbag and dropped it on Adrian’s desk.
“I came because my father is selling his shares in your company.”
Adrian looked at the envelope but didn’t touch it.
“What does that have to do with me?”
“He’ll only sell them to one person.”
“And?”
“You.”
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
“I already declined.”
Vanessa frowned.
“You didn’t even listen to the offer.”
“I don’t do business with your family anymore.”
Bisola could see the pain behind his composed face.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You still blame me for what happened?”
Adrian’s eyes met hers.
“No.”
His answer surprised both women.
“I blamed you for years.”
He paused before continuing.
“But I’ve learned that carrying bitterness only destroys the person holding it.”
Vanessa stared at him in disbelief.
“You’ve… forgiven me?”
“I’ve forgiven myself.”
The words hung in the air.
For the first time since entering the office, Vanessa’s confidence faded.
She realized the angry man she had always known no longer existed.
She quietly picked up the envelope.
“I’m sorry, Adrian.”
He gave a small nod.
“I know.”
Without another word, Vanessa turned and walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, she looked at Bisola.
“I hope you know how rare this man has become.”
Then she left.
The office fell silent.
Bisola slowly looked at Adrian.
“You knew her well.” He sighed deeply.
“She was the first woman I ever loved.” Bisola’s heart skipped.
Adrian walked to the window, staring out over the city.
“I thought she betrayed me.” He smiled sadly.
“Maybe she did… maybe she didn’t.”
“What matters now is that I’ve stopped allowing yesterday to control today.”
Bisola walked over and stood beside him.
“You handled that better than I expected.”
He chuckled softly.
“So did I.” They shared a quiet laugh.
For the first time, the silence between them wasn’t awkward.
It was comfortable. Peaceful.
Neither of them noticed the receptionist watching through the glass office walls with a knowing smile.
To be continued…
