Chapter Ten

It had been a long day, and yet Funmi couldn’t sleep. It was past midnight. Two hours since she returned from work, still, her mind would not settle. She was hungry, but the thought of food made her nauseous. Her body ached with exhaustion, but her heart refused to rest.

She had walked away from Kayode.

Again.

And for what?

Pride?

Fear?

Control?

She hated that her silence and sudden withdrawal had hurt him. She needed him, needed his grounding presence, his perspective, his warmth. But she also needed to maintain a sense of control in a world that was slipping from her grasp.

Two major contracts had been lost that day. The first was the food bank project, the one Kayode was currently running with her team. Their international funders had pulled the plug. With the lockdown easing in Lagos, the food bank crowds were becoming chaotic and could potentially become super-spreaders. The funders didn’t want the liability.

The second blow came from across the Atlantic. Their North American crayfish partner cancelled all orders for the rest of the year. Their margins were crushed. Her projections, worthless. And her staff? Still being paid monthly salaries, despite very low operations.

Her birthday was in two days, and though she was used to uneventful celebrations, she had thought this one would be special because of Kayode in her life.

Yet, she had called him five times since the news broke at 6:00 p.m. Not once had he picked.

The silence hurt. But more than that, it scared her. Had she finally pushed him too far?

The worst part? She couldn’t even blame him. She had walked away from him when he needed her closeness. Again. Treated him like an option when he had only ever treated her like a priority.

Kayode was a good man. A rare man. And despite the attention he no doubt attracted, he had never once made her feel like she had to compete. He gave her his heart, and all she had done lately was guard hers.

She tried his number again.

This time, he declined the call.

Her chest tightened. She tried to get angry. But what right did she have?

Instead, she sent him a message.

He didn’t reply.

She waited.

Still nothing.

————————————————————————

Kayode lay sprawled on his bed, muscles aching from the intense workout he had just endured. The gym had become his refuge, a place to channel the day’s frustrations. The NGO contract negotiations had been taxing, with Bimbo and the team striving to convince stakeholders of the continued importance of their mass feeding programme. Despite their efforts, the discussions had ended inconclusively. Seeking solace, Kayode had pushed his body to its limits, hoping physical exhaustion would quiet his restless mind.

Even with that, sleep remained elusive and he kept staring at the ceiling. The memory of Funmi’s call during his workout lingered. He hadn’t answered, unsure of what to say without starting a fight.

Two message alerts broke the silence. One from Funmi, accusing him of immaturity and childishness; the other from Bimbo, requesting his presence at an urgent 8:00 a.m meeting.

Kayode stared at both messages, the word ‘childish’ echoing in his mind.

‘I may be younger than you’, he thought bitterly, ‘but that doesn’t make me a child. I will not be forced to speak in annoyance’.

He deleted Funmi’s message, the act offering little relief. Her choice of words only made things worse, intertwining with the day’s unresolved tensions.

Sleep remained out of reach. Setting his alarm for the morning meeting, Kayode closed his eyes, Funmi’s words replaying in his mind, a bitter chorus that refused to fade.

————————————————————————

Kayode woke up early, determined to prepare for the 8:00 a.m meeting at Good Experiences. He felt a sense of optimism, having prayed that the contract issues would be resolved favourably. Even if they didn’t, he reassured himself that he would be okay.

In the kitchen, as he began blending a smoothie, he noticed Tade by the fridge, sipping water. Tade had recently returned after initially leaving due to concerns about Kayode bringing home Funmi, who might have had COVID-19. With the lockdown lifted and no health issues arising, Tade felt comfortable coming back, and so he did.

“Ah, this smoothie looks better than water,” Tade remarked, eyeing the blender. “Can I have a cup?”

Typically, Kayode would tease him before sharing, but today, he silently poured a cup and handed it over.

Tade took a sip, then observed, “Something’s bothering you, man. What’s up?”

“I’m fine,” Kayode replied, his tone subdued. “Just have a lot on my mind.”

“Care to share?”

Kayode hesitated. “I don’t know… It’s complicated.”

Tade chuckled, “Sounds like relationship troubles. I can see it all over you.”

“How do you know?”

“Experience, my friend. Do you know how long I’ve been in a relationship?”

Kayode sighed, “I can’t talk about it.”

“Come on, talk to me.”

“You won’t understand. You might judge her, and I don’t want that.”

“Try me.”

Kayode took a deep breath. “I know she’s busy, doing a lot, but she shuts me out. Sometimes, it makes me feel small.”

Tade nodded thoughtfully.

“Don’t tell me to leave her,” Kayode added quickly. “If you’re about to say it’s better not to be with her, forget it. I love her.”

“Relax, man,” Tade said.

“She’s the only one for me. I feel things for her I’ve never felt for anyone else.”

“Then you have to understand her,” Tade advised. “React based on her motives more than her words. Sometimes, women don’t say what they mean, but they express how they feel. Judge her heart, not just her words.”

Kayode managed a small smile. “I didn’t know I was living with a therapist all along.”

Tade laughed, finishing his smoothie.

“Thanks, man,” Kayode said, grabbing his cup. “I’ve got to get ready. I have a meeting this morning.”

“All the best,” Tade replied.

When Funmi walked into the meeting room the next morning, Kayode blinked.

She wasn’t expected. Even her team looked startled.

Did she come… for him?

The idea stirred something hopeful in his chest, but the joy was quickly clouded by her tired eyes and pained expression. She hadn’t slept, he could see it.

Bimbo, however, was all sunshine and sparkles. Touching Kayode’s arm unnecessarily. Smiling like every sentence was private between them.

Funmi gritted her teeth.

“You are not jealous”, she told herself. “You’re just observant”.

But when Bimbo laughed a little too loudly at something Kayode said, Funmi nearly lost her patience.

“Thank you, everyone,” Funmi said coolly, taking her place at the head of the room. “I wasn’t scheduled to lead this session, but given the situation, I thought it best to speak directly.”

She got straight to the point. Funding had been pulled. All vendor contracts would be terminated, effective immediately.

The room shifted with tension.

But Kayode? He didn’t flinch.

While the other affected vendor voiced her frustration, Kayode remained calm. Collected. Professional.

If he weren’t on the receiving end of this blow, Funmi might have admired his composure. Instead, it stung.

When he politely demanded compensation for already-purchased ingredients, citing contractual clauses, Bimbo tried to downplay the request. But Kayode countered her arguments effortlessly, and after a short negotiation, a compromise was reached.

Everyone began to leave. But Funmi stayed.

So did Kayode and Bimbo.

They chatted lightly by the door. Funmi lingered, pretending to type.

Then she saw her opening.

“Kayode, please stay behind,” she said, eyes fixed on her screen. “I need to review your scope of service.”

Bimbo turned, confused. “I’ve already compiled that. I can email it once I’m back at my desk.”

Funmi clenched her jaw.

Kayode was already turning to leave when she spoke again, louder this time.

“I’d rather discuss it in person… with my fiancée.”

The silence in the room was deafening.

Bimbo blinked. “Oh.” She looked at Kayode, then back at Funmi. “Got it.”

She left quietly.

“I am your fiancée?” Kayode asked, shocked by the declaration.

Alone now, Funmi faced him. “You didn’t have to ghost me yesterday.”

Kayode shrugged. “You didn’t have to dismiss me either.”

She sighed. “I wasn’t dismissing you. I was falling apart.”

He studied her face, finally seeing past the surface.

“You didn’t sleep,” he murmured.

She looked away.

“Are you okay?” he asked, voice softening.

“What does it matter?” she whispered, blinking fast.

And that was all it took.

Kayode moved. Gently pulled her chair toward his. Allowing their knees touch. Then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, the action carried more emotions than words could say.

She clung to him like he was oxygen. Like she had been underwater and only just came up for air.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered..

He smiled, brushing hair from her face. “We are in your office.”

“I know. I don’t care.”

She sat back down, breathing steadier. “You won’t be able to flirt with my staff anymore once they all know you’re mine.”

“I was flirting?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s insulting that you even have to ask. I see everything, you are deliberately trying to hurt me, using Bimbo.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re the one who called me childish.”

“And you acted like it!” she fired back, then softened. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

“I am an auto-focus guy, I don’t even see Bimbo. I can’t see any other woman. You own the entire real estate of my heart.”

“Kayode, I love you.”

The words hit him differently this time.

She continued. “I’m not used to sharing my fears and my worries with anyone. But I’m learning to rely on you more. I am sorry for shutting you out. Yesterday, I lost two major contracts. I was shaken. But the thought of losing you felt even worse.”

He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I am never going to leave you,” he whispered.

She smacked his chest playfully. “So, are you my fiancé.”

They both laughed.

“Are you asking me to marry you?” he confirmed jokingly.

“The next time you ask me that, better have a ring.” she echoed. “My life is better with you in it.”

Kayode held her gaze for a moment then pulled her into his arms gently again. “Jesus is Lord, and He gives the best gifts. I am a lucky man.”

“Make no mistake Kayode, you are the gift. The gift I prayed for.”

Lord, bring good things to me, unplanned, pleasant surprises that make my life better, in Jesus’ name.

And Jesus did!

————————————————————————

The next day, her birthday, Funmi woke up rested but unexcited.

Kayode had sent a simple message:

Happy Birthday, my love. Please free your evening. Dinner’s on me.

One minute of conversation. A text saying he was in a client meeting. Nothing more.

No flowers. No songs. No presence.

She had cleared her schedule for him. Ignored every other call. Waited for more.

By 4:00 p.m, a handmade pizza arrived with a note:

Wear your red lipstick tonight. And a dress that says The Queen is Here.

She blushed, despite herself.

Still, no address came until 6:00 p.m.

And he didn’t come to pick her up?

Unacceptable, she muttered, grabbing her keys.

She wasn’t going to pretend to be thrilled.

But when she walked into the restaurant, everything changed.

Ten voices shouted, “SURPRISE!”

Her jaw dropped. A soft gasp escaped her lips.

Kayode stood in the center, looking so proud and so in love, she nearly melted on the spot.

There were only ten guests: close family, a few colleagues, his siblings. Everyone wore masks, spaced out, respectful. But the love in the room was unmissable.

She felt… chosen.

Safe.

Kayode drew her close, his eyes shining. He looked at her like she was the only woman on earth.

And then, to her utter shock, he dropped to one knee.

The room stilled.

Her heart raced.

He brought out a small jewelry box.

Tears welled in her eyes.

‘We are not ready’, her brain screamed.

But before she could panic—

“Gotcha,” he grinned.

Laughter erupted, and Kayode stood.

He opened the box, not a ring, but a necklace. Gold. Interlocking hearts with both their initials.

He fastened it around her neck, then turned to the room.

“Oluwafunmilayo Adesina,” he said, “You’ve brought joy into my life like no one else. Your strength, your heart, your faith… it’s everything I prayed for. If it were up to me, I would marry you tonight. But I know we are still learning about each other. Still becoming. So this isn’t a proposal. Not yet. But before this year ends, I’ll be back on one knee. I love you completely. And by this time next year, if you’ll let me, I want you to carry my last name.”

The applause was thunderous.

Funmi wept.

She didn’t see this coming at all.

Kayode pulled her into his arms. And they felt joy.

Pure, God-ordained joy.

Author’s Note

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God gives amazing gifts. Sometimes, we’re not even wise enough to pray for the best outcomes for our lives, but He knows what we need. That’s why one of the most powerful prayers you can pray, just like Funmi did in this story, is:

Lord, bring good things to me, unplanned, pleasant surprises that make my life better, in Jesus’ name.

I hope you enjoyed reading ‘Her Chef His Crush A Chance’. I originally wrote this story in 2020, in the middle of the global pandemic. Like many others, I was tired and confused, and on top of that, I was pregnant. Life felt uncertain, and I wanted to do something different, something that would bring me joy.

At the time, I had written only one novel, ‘Behind the Veil’, a deeply spiritual, evangelistic love story. But when this idea came to me, I decided to try something new. I wasn’t trying to preach or teach, I just wanted to tell a love story. And so I wrote ‘Her Chef His Crush A Chance’ as pure romance, no altar calls, no sermons, just feelings, food, and a little bit of fire.

To be honest, it was my quiet rebellion. I thought, ‘why must every story I write sound like a sermon?’ I love romance, I enjoy relatable fiction, and I wanted to create something that could sit in that space.

But God, in His mercy, chased me down. He reminded me that I am His minister, His apostle, His voice in fiction. And since then, I’ve grown. Now, I’ve written almost 40 novels, and every single one carries the message He’s placed in my heart.

Yet, there’s always been a soft spot in me for this story. People still say it’s their favorite, that they love it, and while I know I’ve written stronger stories since, there’s something about this one that lingers. So this April, for my birthday and for Easter, I decided to redeem it. To bring this story back, re-written and layered with the light of my calling and rooted in the same love that inspired it. 

I hope this story made you smile, made you sigh, and more than anything, reminded you that God gives beautiful gifts. He answers prayers we haven’t even prayed yet, and surprises us with the goodness we didn’t know to ask for.

As we move forward into the year, I have many more stories to share, some heavier, some more spiritually intense, but each one designed to secure the heart of a generation for Christ. But before we get there, I wanted to give you something light. A gentle exhale.

We are working on a lot right now, rebranding our website for better reach and accessibility, covering editing and publishing costs, building email automation systems, and most importantly, preparing to print and distribute these books for free, so that no one is left out because of finances.

If this story blessed you and you’d like to support the work we’re doing, we would be so grateful. Every donation, every seed, helps us spread these stories farther than we can imagine. Kindly use the account details below:

1305932519

Oaks of Righteousness

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Thank you for reading, thank you for believing, and thank you for being part of this journey.

I’ll see you in the next story.

With Jesus’ love in every line,

Bolanle Olosunde-Jenrola