Chapter 2 The Encounter

When Jessica got to the house, she walked up the steps and rang the doorbell twice. After about five minutes of silence, she rang it again, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Come on, hurry up..." she muttered under her breath. "I need to get back for another delivery."

Finally, after what felt like forever, the door creaked open. A tall, muscular man appeared, looking completely unbothered. Jessica opened her mouth, ready to scold him for keeping her waiting, but the words got stuck in her throat.

He was shirtless, wearing only joggers, his chiseled abs and chest hair fully on display. She blinked, trying not to stare.

'Okay... he's cute. But really? You open the door to a stranger like that?'

He gave her a blank look. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes-surprise? Recognition?

"You the one delivering the pizza?" he asked casually.

Jessica quickly shook herself back to reality and nodded. "Yes sir, I'm the courier." She handed him the box, still a little awkward from being caught staring.

To her surprise, he handed her some money in return.

"Here," he said, flashing a small smile that revealed sparkling white teeth. "That's for keeping you waiting. I was in the shower when you rang."

Jessica's smile grew. "Oh wow, thank you, sir. I really appreciate it! And... Thank you for choosing us. We appreciate your patronage."

The man nodded and began to close the door. Jessica walked back to her bike, but before starting it, curiosity got the better of her. She looked down at the money he'd given her-and her eyes widened.

"Over a hundred dollars?!"

Her heart fluttered. That one tip was more than she'd earned from her last fifteen deliveries combined.

"God bless you, handsome stranger," she whispered, grinning as she slipped the bills into her pocket.

She hopped on her bike and sped off, not even glancing at the security guard, who was still watching her ride away. Her cheeks hurt from smiling by the time she reached the pizza shop.

"Madam, I'm back!" she called out as she entered, heading straight for the counter.

Her boss raised a brow. "Hmm. Why are you grinning like you just won the lottery?"

Jessica tried to hide her excitement. "Oh nothing, ma. Just happy my first delivery went smoothly."

The woman chuckled. "Good job. That was fast! Drop your number-we'll call you when another order comes in. And trust me, there'll be many."

Jessica grabbed a pen. "Sure, madam." She scribbled down her number, went to change out of her uniform, and left the shop.

She boarded a cab headed straight to the hospital. It had been over two days since she'd seen her grandmother, and her heart ached with longing. She'd stayed away intentionally because the drugs were almost finished, and she didn't have enough to buy more.

"I can't lose her. She's all I have left."

The moment she arrived, she paid the cabman and headed toward the hospital entrance.

"Jessica, right?" a nurse passing by asked, stopping her.

Jessica's heart jumped. "Yes, nurse! Is something wrong? Is my grandma okay?" Her voice was laced with panic. "Did something happen? Did she ask for me? Is she worse? Tell me!"

The nurse laughed softly. "Relax, Jessica. She's fine. She's been asking after you, though. You should go in-she'll be relieved to see you. Poor woman thought something had happened to you."

Jessica let out a long breath. "Thank God..."

She smiled at the nurse. "Thank you for taking care of her. I really mean it."

"No problem at all," the nurse replied. "I have to check on other patients, but once you're done seeing her, go by the doctor's office, okay?"

Jessica nodded. "I will. Thank you again."

They parted ways, and Jessica headed straight to her grandmother's ward. She gently pushed the door open and saw her lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Grandma!" she rushed in, beaming. "I've missed you so much!"

Her grandmother's eyes lit up immediately. "Jessica, my beautiful baby! Where have you been?" She pulled her into a tight embrace, her hands running over Jessica like she needed proof she was still in one piece. "I've missed you so much."

Jessica laughed softly. "I've told you not to worry so much, Grandma. I'm a big girl now. I've just been busy with work-I'm sorry for not coming sooner."

"It's okay, my dear. I'm just happy you came," her grandmother said, her voice filled with love. "So, how's work?"

Jessica's eyes sparkled. "Amazing! I got a new job as a pizza delivery agent... and Grandma, guess what?"

"What?"

"I made a hundred and twenty dollars just in tip!"

Her grandmother's eyes widened. "Wow, that's excellent news, dear! But-"

Jessica interrupted. "But what, Grandma?"

Her grandmother sighed, voice lower now. "Don't you think you should invest that money in yourself instead? I'm just... I'm just dead weight, Jessica. I've lived my life. You're young and beautiful, just like your mother. Maybe it's time you think about settling down with someone. You shouldn't be alone. Let me go, Jessica."

Jessica's smile vanished. "No! I will not let you go. You're all I have left in this world. I won't allow it!"

Her voice cracked as she clutched her grandmother tightly. "You always taught me to never give up... to always have faith. Remember that?"

"Yes, Jessica," the old woman replied gently, "but a hundred dollars won't get you half a million."

Jessica pulled back slightly. "I have more than a hundred, Grandma."

Her grandmother gave her a sad look. "Yes, but you don't have five hundred. Listen to me. My son-your father-was murdered because he stood up against fraud. They pinned everything on him. I know you're trying, but spending all this money on me... it's foolishness."

Jessica's eyes welled up again.

"Even if the surgery succeeds, what if I die in my sleep the next day? You're so smart, Jessica. Use that money to go back to school. Find a good man, build a family. I'm a lost cause."

Jessica's voice shook. "No, Nana. I will never let you go. I'll do everything I need to do. Everything. I love you too much, Nana."

She kissed her grandmother's forehead. "Get some rest. I have to get back to work."

After staying with her for a while longer, Jessica stepped out of the ward and headed for the doctor's office. Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind.

Half a million dollars...

It still felt impossible.

Lost in thought, she didn't see the elderly woman walking toward her until they collided.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry, dear. I should've looked where I was going," the woman said, startled.

Jessica's phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor, her bag's contents scattering across the hallway.

"It's okay, ma'am," Jessica said quickly, crouching to gather her things. "We were both distracted."

The woman tried to help, but Jessica gently stopped her.

She forced a smile, even as her heart sank at the sight of her cracked phone screen. Another expense...

"How am I ever going to do this?"

She was already eating once a day. Every naira she had gone to her grandmother's pills. She couldn't afford repairs-let alone a new phone.

Jessica walked home slowly, her shoulders sagging like someone returning from a funeral.

The doctor had only confirmed what she already feared: time was running out.

Her Nana was fine-for now. But relapse was coming, and Jessica needed money fast. Every delay brought her closer to losing everything.

She held back her sobs at first, but when she turned into her street, she let go.

She sighed deeply... and let the tears fall.