LACES & STRINGS EPISODE THREE

LACES & STRINGS

Episode Three

I woke up to his text.

Dapo. My so-called “office boyfriend,” as he casually liked to call himself.

No Good morning, no How was your night?—just straight to the point.

“A babe, can you bring me food today?”

That was it.

I stared at my screen, and for the first time, a thought hit me—Are we even courting?

Why was I giving a man who didn’t even know what we were husband-level benefits?

I chuckled to myself, shaking my head. Not today. Not ever again.

I got up, dressed for work, and this time, I made a statement.

High-waisted palazzo pants, flowing effortlessly with each step. A vintage silk shirt tucked in just right. My shades sitting perfectly on my face. Hair neatly packed into a sleek bun. Confidence woven into every detail.

By the time I walked into the office, heads turned. Eyes trailed me, silent whispers filling the air. I could feel the shift—the way people were taking me in like they had never truly seen me before.

And then, he showed up.

Dapo.

His timing was impeccable, as always, arriving just in time for the food.

“Hey, babe,” he said, his usual smirk in place.

“Hi, Dapo.”

He blinked. A flicker of confusion crossed his face.

“Dapo?”

“Yeah, wasn’t that your name?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.

He let out a short laugh. “Though… you do call me babe.”

“Are you my babe?”

Silence.

For the first time since I had known him, he had nothing to say.

He cleared his throat. “Ohh, I came for the food.”

I leaned against my desk, arms crossed, and gave him a polite smile.

“Ohh, no food.”

His eyebrows lifted.

“I couldn’t combine dressing this good with cooking for a friend.” I let the last word sink in before adding, “Sorry, but not sorry.”

Another pause. A longer silence this time.

Then he finally asked, “What is going on?”

I smiled.

“Nothing.”

Dapo stood there for a moment, staring at me like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. He wasn’t used to this—me, standing my ground. Me, not playing along.

Then, with a small chuckle, he ran a hand over his beard and shrugged.

“Alright then,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “See you around.”

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

I watched him go, feeling something settle inside me. This was new. Different. And I liked it.

—

The workday moved by in a blur, and by the time closing hours rolled around, I had almost forgotten about Dapo. Almost.

He found me as I was packing up my things, leaning casually against the doorframe of my office.

“Témì, let’s talk.”

I sighed, zipping my bag shut. I could already guess where this was going.

“About?”

“About whatever is going on with you,” he said, giving me a look. “You’ve been acting… different.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yeah, you do.” His lips pressed into a thin line before he gestured toward the hallway. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”

I hesitated for a second, then nodded.

We walked in silence through the corridor, making our way outside to the office garden. It was quiet, the air cool against my skin. A few employees sat on benches, lost in their own conversations, but for the most part, it was just us.

Dapo stopped beside a trimmed hedge, turning to face me.

“So?” he prompted, crossing his arms. “What’s this all about?”

I arched a brow. “What’s what about?”

He exhaled, clearly trying to be patient. “Témì. One minute, we’re cool, and the next, you’re acting like I’m just some random guy. No ‘babe,’ no food, no nothing. What changed?”

“Nothing changed,” I said

He scoffed. “Come on.”

“I’m serious, Dapo. Nothing changed. I’m just… setting boundaries.”

His brows knitted together. “Boundaries? With me?”

“With everyone,” I corrected. “I’m realizing I’ve been giving too much of myself in ways I shouldn’t. And I need to stop. It’s not about you, it’s about me.”

He studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out if I was joking.

“So, what does that mean for us?” he asked eventually.

I gave him a small smile. “It means we can be friends. Real friends. No strings, no blurred lines, no expectations.”

Dapo let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Wow. Okay.”

“Yeah.”

He looked at me again, longer this time, then nodded slowly.

“Alright, Témì. If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

Another pause. Then, with a smirk, he took a step back.

“Damn. And here I was, thinking I’d be getting lunch every day for the rest of my life.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “Not aymore, Dapo. Not anymore.”

I knew I’m just finding my path. Loosing every laces & strings that had me bound.