💔 NEVER LET GO – EPISODE THIRTY EIGHT: “Across Miles and Memories”
Stanley left the station with a new fire in his chest. It felt like hot air expanding inside him, pushing against his ribs with every breath he took. It was a strange mixture of rage finally satisfied and hope finally awakened. Cindy’s call replayed in his mind like a sweet tune he could not stop hearing.
Be prepared. We will soon be leaving for Lagos today.
Those words felt like medicine poured into a wounded heart. His steps quickened. His thoughts raced. Everything inside him whispered one single name, Ivy.
He got home quicker than he expected. When he entered the compound, he was surprised to see Brad’s car in the driveway. He frowned slightly. Brad never showed up without calling first. Unless something had gone wrong.
Stanley walked into the living room and saw Brad pacing with a thick brown file in his hands. Brad looked up the moment he heard footsteps. His face brightened with obvious relief.
“Stan. Thank God. I have been waiting.”
Stanley blinked once. “You did not call to say you were coming.”
“I am sorry,” Brad said quickly. “It was urgent. I wanted to bring the documents myself.”
He stretched the file toward him. “The auditors sent the corrected contracts for the expansion. They need your original signature before they can implement the new budget controls. I already fixed the error I made last time but they will not accept photocopies anymore. They need your direct approval.”
Stanley accepted the file and opened it. His eyes scanned the pages. Everything looked orderly. Every figure properly placed. Every correction done with precision. He reached for a pen, signed them with a swift movement, then closed the file and handed it back.
But before Brad could step back, Stanley looked at him gently and the silence stretched between them. It was not an empty silence. It was a thoughtful one. Something sat heavy in Stanley’s chest, something he had ignored for too long.
The softness in his eyes made Brad blink.
“Brad,” Stanley began, his voice steady but gentle. “I owe you an apology.”
Brad froze. “For what?”
Stanley sighed and his voice softened. “I have been very harsh on you. Too harsh. Especially after that mistake with the expenses. I yelled at you. I insulted you. I acted like the world was ending.”
Brad swallowed slowly. His eyes widened in disbelief.
“I was not angry at you,” Stanley continued.
“Not truly. I was pouring my frustration on the wrong person. You did not deserve that. Not after everything you have been doing for me. I see your effort. I appreciate it. I just did not know how to show it.”
Brad stared at him, stunned. His lips parted slightly as if he could not understand what he was hearing.
“Stan,” he whispered. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” Stanley said with a small smile. “I am.”
Brad blinked, still trying to understand the shift in Stanley’s tone.
“I cannot remember the last time I heard you talk like this,” he admitted.
“I know,” Stanley said.
There was a brief silence before Stanley added, “I have not been myself. But I promise to try. I will work on my anger issues. It will not be easy, but I will try, for everyone around me.”
Brad laughed in pure disbelief, wiping the corner of his eye. “I missed this you. The Stan that drove me around when we were younger. The Stan that fought anyone who tried to bully me.”
Stanley chuckled lightly. “We were troublesome.”
“You were protective,” Brad corrected. “And I have missed that Stanley.”
“That Stan is still here,” Stanley said, patting his shoulder. “I am trying to come back. It might be difficult, but I will work on my anger issues. I promise.”
Brad’s eyes glistened. His smile was full and bright. “Thank you. This means more than you know.”
He left the mansion almost skipping. Happiness lit his entire expression. It had been a long time since he saw Stanley this calm, this soft, this human.
Inside the dining room, Nkechi was setting plates on the table. “Oh, thank God the maid is coming back tomorrow,” she said dramatically. “This house chore stress is too much. My back is even crying.”
She turned and smiled brightly. “Brother welcome. Food is ready. Come and eat before it gets cold.”
“I am not hungry,” Stanley replied without glancing at the food and was already walking toward the staircase.
“You never eat,” Nkechi replied dramatically. “One day you will disappear and it will be because of hunger.”
He ignored her and continued.
Mrs Grace was coming down the stairs at that moment, carefully holding the railing. Stanley almost bumped into her.
“Stanley,” she said. “Where have you been since morning? Nkechi said you left the house in a hurry and did not answer when she asked where you were going.”
Stanley shot Nkechi a warning glare. It was that silent big brother stare that said, You talk too much.
Nkechi lifted her hands. “Brother na... I was asking you where you were going but you did not say anything. So I had to tell mum so she will not worry.”
Mrs Grace shook her head. “Enough, both of you. Stanley, what is going on?”
“I will explain later, Mum,” Stanley said. “I want to go upstairs and get ready. Cindy and I are going to Lagos. We are going to bring Ivy back.”
The joy that exploded on Mrs Grace’s face could light up the entire house.
“Oh God,” she whispered. “It is finally happening. I have been praying for this. My son, may this reunion bring peace back into your heart.”
Stanley only nodded and went up to prepare.
He hurried upstairs, entered his room, and stripped off his clothes. The cool water from the shower ran over his skin, washing away anger, fear, regret, and every heavy emotion that had chained his heart.
When he finished bathing, he opened his wardrobe and began searching. He stood there for a long moment. Then he began carefully selecting clothes. He changed his mind four times. Shirts piled on the bed. Trousers tossed aside. He adjusted collars. He checked colors. Nothing seemed perfect enough.
He wanted to look like the man Ivy remembered. The man she loved. The man she cried over. He wanted everything to be perfect.
After fifteen minutes of confusion and restlessness, he finally found it: a clean, soft blue shirt that complimented his skin and a pair of dark fitted trousers. He picked a warm but striking scent and sprayed lightly around his neck and chest. It was the same fragrance he used the day he took Ivy to the beach. A day he never forgot.
He stood before the mirror. Sharp. Clean. Bold. Very handsome. Ready to meet his long lost heartbeat.
His phone buzzed. It was Cindy.
“Mark has booked our tickets already,” she said. “He is driving me to the airport. Come straight there. Do not be late.”
Stanley carried his small travel bag and went downstairs. He called Bianca because she could drive. She came quickly with her keys.
Before he walked out, Mrs Grace stopped him again.
“Wait,” she said softly. “Let me pray for you.”
Normally Stanley would resist. But today he simply bowed his head. Her hand rested on his shoulder. She prayed for safety, for success, for divine reunion, for love to be restored, for Ivy’s heart and his to meet again without pain or fear.
Something warm filled Stanley’s chest. Something hopeful. Something peaceful.
“Thank you,” he said when she was done.
Bianca drove. On the road she kept glancing at him.
“You look excited,” she said. “And scared. Try to calm down. You will see her soon. Everything will fall back into place.”
Stanley nodded silently.
At the airport, Cindy and Mark were already waiting. When Stanley approached, Mark and Cindy were standing close, holding hands like two people who had reconnected with something precious. Bianca greeted them and left with the car.
When it was time for Cindy and Mark to say goodbye, the moment stretched. Mark held her face gently. Cindy’s eyes softened. Their foreheads touched. Stanley felt awkward watching, but he could not look away.
They kissed slowly. Deeply. With longing. A kiss of two souls that had missed each other for too long.
Stanley cleared his throat and said, “Mark, stop behaving like a baby deprived of milk. Let her breathe. I need her to take me to Ivy.”
Cindy laughed shyly. Mark grinned. “I pity you, Stanley. Once Ivy sees you, she will finish you with love.”
Then Mark touched her cheek one last time.
Cindy shook her head. “I will call you,” she said.
“We will chat every day,” she assured Mark.
“I will be waiting," Mark beamed, “You better do more than call me."
She smiled and held him tightly one last time. Soon, the flight took off to Lagos.
To Be Continued ✍️✍️✍️ #NeverLetGo #Episode38 #StanleyAndIvy #LoveReunion #CindyAndMark #EmotionalJourney #NigerianStories #HeartfeltFiction #RomanticDrama #StorySeries
Stanley left the station with a new fire in his chest. It felt like hot air expanding inside him, pushing against his ribs with every breath he took. It was a strange mixture of rage finally satisfied and hope finally awakened. Cindy’s call replayed in his mind like a sweet tune he could not stop hearing.
Be prepared. We will soon be leaving for Lagos today.
Those words felt like medicine poured into a wounded heart. His steps quickened. His thoughts raced. Everything inside him whispered one single name, Ivy.
He got home quicker than he expected. When he entered the compound, he was surprised to see Brad’s car in the driveway. He frowned slightly. Brad never showed up without calling first. Unless something had gone wrong.
Stanley walked into the living room and saw Brad pacing with a thick brown file in his hands. Brad looked up the moment he heard footsteps. His face brightened with obvious relief.
“Stan. Thank God. I have been waiting.”
Stanley blinked once. “You did not call to say you were coming.”
“I am sorry,” Brad said quickly. “It was urgent. I wanted to bring the documents myself.”
He stretched the file toward him. “The auditors sent the corrected contracts for the expansion. They need your original signature before they can implement the new budget controls. I already fixed the error I made last time but they will not accept photocopies anymore. They need your direct approval.”
Stanley accepted the file and opened it. His eyes scanned the pages. Everything looked orderly. Every figure properly placed. Every correction done with precision. He reached for a pen, signed them with a swift movement, then closed the file and handed it back.
But before Brad could step back, Stanley looked at him gently and the silence stretched between them. It was not an empty silence. It was a thoughtful one. Something sat heavy in Stanley’s chest, something he had ignored for too long.
The softness in his eyes made Brad blink.
“Brad,” Stanley began, his voice steady but gentle. “I owe you an apology.”
Brad froze. “For what?”
Stanley sighed and his voice softened. “I have been very harsh on you. Too harsh. Especially after that mistake with the expenses. I yelled at you. I insulted you. I acted like the world was ending.”
Brad swallowed slowly. His eyes widened in disbelief.
“I was not angry at you,” Stanley continued.
“Not truly. I was pouring my frustration on the wrong person. You did not deserve that. Not after everything you have been doing for me. I see your effort. I appreciate it. I just did not know how to show it.”
Brad stared at him, stunned. His lips parted slightly as if he could not understand what he was hearing.
“Stan,” he whispered. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” Stanley said with a small smile. “I am.”
Brad blinked, still trying to understand the shift in Stanley’s tone.
“I cannot remember the last time I heard you talk like this,” he admitted.
“I know,” Stanley said.
There was a brief silence before Stanley added, “I have not been myself. But I promise to try. I will work on my anger issues. It will not be easy, but I will try, for everyone around me.”
Brad laughed in pure disbelief, wiping the corner of his eye. “I missed this you. The Stan that drove me around when we were younger. The Stan that fought anyone who tried to bully me.”
Stanley chuckled lightly. “We were troublesome.”
“You were protective,” Brad corrected. “And I have missed that Stanley.”
“That Stan is still here,” Stanley said, patting his shoulder. “I am trying to come back. It might be difficult, but I will work on my anger issues. I promise.”
Brad’s eyes glistened. His smile was full and bright. “Thank you. This means more than you know.”
He left the mansion almost skipping. Happiness lit his entire expression. It had been a long time since he saw Stanley this calm, this soft, this human.
Inside the dining room, Nkechi was setting plates on the table. “Oh, thank God the maid is coming back tomorrow,” she said dramatically. “This house chore stress is too much. My back is even crying.”
She turned and smiled brightly. “Brother welcome. Food is ready. Come and eat before it gets cold.”
“I am not hungry,” Stanley replied without glancing at the food and was already walking toward the staircase.
“You never eat,” Nkechi replied dramatically. “One day you will disappear and it will be because of hunger.”
He ignored her and continued.
Mrs Grace was coming down the stairs at that moment, carefully holding the railing. Stanley almost bumped into her.
“Stanley,” she said. “Where have you been since morning? Nkechi said you left the house in a hurry and did not answer when she asked where you were going.”
Stanley shot Nkechi a warning glare. It was that silent big brother stare that said, You talk too much.
Nkechi lifted her hands. “Brother na... I was asking you where you were going but you did not say anything. So I had to tell mum so she will not worry.”
Mrs Grace shook her head. “Enough, both of you. Stanley, what is going on?”
“I will explain later, Mum,” Stanley said. “I want to go upstairs and get ready. Cindy and I are going to Lagos. We are going to bring Ivy back.”
The joy that exploded on Mrs Grace’s face could light up the entire house.
“Oh God,” she whispered. “It is finally happening. I have been praying for this. My son, may this reunion bring peace back into your heart.”
Stanley only nodded and went up to prepare.
He hurried upstairs, entered his room, and stripped off his clothes. The cool water from the shower ran over his skin, washing away anger, fear, regret, and every heavy emotion that had chained his heart.
When he finished bathing, he opened his wardrobe and began searching. He stood there for a long moment. Then he began carefully selecting clothes. He changed his mind four times. Shirts piled on the bed. Trousers tossed aside. He adjusted collars. He checked colors. Nothing seemed perfect enough.
He wanted to look like the man Ivy remembered. The man she loved. The man she cried over. He wanted everything to be perfect.
After fifteen minutes of confusion and restlessness, he finally found it: a clean, soft blue shirt that complimented his skin and a pair of dark fitted trousers. He picked a warm but striking scent and sprayed lightly around his neck and chest. It was the same fragrance he used the day he took Ivy to the beach. A day he never forgot.
He stood before the mirror. Sharp. Clean. Bold. Very handsome. Ready to meet his long lost heartbeat.
His phone buzzed. It was Cindy.
“Mark has booked our tickets already,” she said. “He is driving me to the airport. Come straight there. Do not be late.”
Stanley carried his small travel bag and went downstairs. He called Bianca because she could drive. She came quickly with her keys.
Before he walked out, Mrs Grace stopped him again.
“Wait,” she said softly. “Let me pray for you.”
Normally Stanley would resist. But today he simply bowed his head. Her hand rested on his shoulder. She prayed for safety, for success, for divine reunion, for love to be restored, for Ivy’s heart and his to meet again without pain or fear.
Something warm filled Stanley’s chest. Something hopeful. Something peaceful.
“Thank you,” he said when she was done.
Bianca drove. On the road she kept glancing at him.
“You look excited,” she said. “And scared. Try to calm down. You will see her soon. Everything will fall back into place.”
Stanley nodded silently.
At the airport, Cindy and Mark were already waiting. When Stanley approached, Mark and Cindy were standing close, holding hands like two people who had reconnected with something precious. Bianca greeted them and left with the car.
When it was time for Cindy and Mark to say goodbye, the moment stretched. Mark held her face gently. Cindy’s eyes softened. Their foreheads touched. Stanley felt awkward watching, but he could not look away.
They kissed slowly. Deeply. With longing. A kiss of two souls that had missed each other for too long.
Stanley cleared his throat and said, “Mark, stop behaving like a baby deprived of milk. Let her breathe. I need her to take me to Ivy.”
Cindy laughed shyly. Mark grinned. “I pity you, Stanley. Once Ivy sees you, she will finish you with love.”
Then Mark touched her cheek one last time.
Cindy shook her head. “I will call you,” she said.
“We will chat every day,” she assured Mark.
“I will be waiting," Mark beamed, “You better do more than call me."
She smiled and held him tightly one last time. Soon, the flight took off to Lagos.
To Be Continued ✍️✍️✍️ #NeverLetGo #Episode38 #StanleyAndIvy #LoveReunion #CindyAndMark #EmotionalJourney #NigerianStories #HeartfeltFiction #RomanticDrama #StorySeries
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