LOVE BY BARTER
By Nexus Samuel
Chapter 1 – A Love That Felt Pure
Grace was a young woman who lived a quiet life. Though she was surrounded by people every day, she often felt a strange emptiness inside her heart. What she longed for most was someone who would truly love her and make her feel special.
One day, life introduced her to Desmond.
Desmond was not the richest man around, but he had something more valuable—kindness and sincerity. Their first conversations were simple, but they quickly discovered how comfortable they felt around each other. Soon, friendship turned into love.
For the first time in a long while, Grace felt happy.
Months later, Desmond's birthday arrived. Grace wanted to show him how much he meant to her, so she went to the market and bought him a simple watch. It wasn't expensive, but she chose it carefully.
When Desmond received the gift, his reaction surprised her. His face lit up with joy as if she had given him something priceless.
"No one has ever done something like this for me before," he said with deep appreciation.
Grace felt proud that such a small gesture had made him so happy.
Time passed peacefully until Grace's birthday came. That day, Desmond also surprised her. He bought her a golden watch and a beautiful purse.
Grace smiled and thanked him, thinking nothing unusual about it.
But someone else had noticed something she had not.