₦airaland Forum

CHAPTER 11
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"Serena, wake up." She heard someone say.
She stirred in her sleep and opened her eyes.
"What?" She asked angrily.
"Daddy is calling you." Nate replied.
"Okay, I am coming." She replied without making any move to stand up.
"Be fast and lets go." He said.
"Nate, tell him I am coming." She said laying emphasis on each word.
"Just don't keep him waiting, you know he is travelling." He said before walking out angrily.
She knelt down beside her bed and mumbled a few words of prayer before walking out of the room. She got to the living room and saw no one, she then proceeded to her father's room.
"Good morning dad." she greeted as she joined her brothers. "Good morning Dave." She said.
"How are you?" Her father replied.
"Am fine sir. Thank you for yesterday."
"You have said that countless times. When will you stop thanking me?"
She smiled as her eyes fell on Nate who still wore the angry look from the previous evening. Whatever was making him angry, she didn't know and he couldn't talk to her despite their closeness.
"I am travelling this morning to Abuja and I won't be back until the weekend, Sunday to be precise." Their father began. "Dave, you know what to do, don't? The house is in your hands now, same with the office. You'll work alongside Mr Awe, he'll put you through some things that you should know." He said facing his first son. "Nathan, you are the one I am afraid of. When are you returning to school?" He asked.
"Friday." Nate replied with a frown.
"Which means, you have today and tomorrow. Please don't fight anybody, just keep your cool. I will be in Ilorin by next week, I will visit you, so we'll talk about whatever is bothering you. Okay?" Mr Thomas said patting Nate in the shoulder before walked towards his briefcase which lay just beside a small travelling bag.
"Dad, I am here too, any word for me?" Serena asked.
"Sorry mum, there is nothing for you. Just make sure your brothers are well fed." Mr Thomas replied.
"The maids can take care of that." She muttered.
"Sure, they can. But they will no longer work for us. They handed their resignation and I am paying them off. Everything now rests on you." Her father replied.
Serena opened her mouth is shock.
"Make do with five thousand naira. I know you can't spend it finish before sunday, but in case just have it."
"Thank you daddy." She jumped on him.
"In that case boys, Sunday it is." With this, their father left to join a chattered cabman who was waiting outside the gate.
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Fifty minutes later, Serena was seated legs crossed in the living room doing only God knows what on her phone.
"Tell Nate I am off to the office." Dave said as he made for the door.
"Wait up bro." Nathan called.
Dave gave his immediate younger brother an askance look.
"I am going to Womile hotel, hopefully, I'll meet her, then we will talk." He said.
"Fine, lets go so I can drop you at the bus stop." Dave said walking out of the house.
"And it is a taboo for me to know whatever it is that is going on in this house?" Serena asked, but got no reply.
Nate returned a changed man wearing an angry look, Dave who showed sign of becoming a sociable and likeable person days ago has returned to his former self.
"Anyways, their headache." She thought as she resumed pressing her phone.
-----------
Nate walked into the hotel premises and to his suprise, everywhere was silent, save for the sound coming from the genarating set.
"Where are these useless security men?" He asked himself as he approached the parking lot.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw a police vehicle parked amongst other cars and notably beside the vehicle was his Uncle Olu's car.
"Well, I am here to see my mum. Anybody standing on my way would be crushed." He thought as he removed his phone, stood in front of the security door which admitted him within seconds and he was walking towards the reception.
"That's the boy there." One of the security men who was sporting a bandage on his neck said and immediately two uniformed policemen pounced on him.
"We'll take him with us now just like Barrister Olu ordered." One of the policemen said.
"Mum, are you gonna watch them take me away?" He asked his mother who was looking like she had seen a ghost.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Adeola into the spacious compound of an uncompleted building despite the glowing sun that if a pot of raw bean was place under it, within minutes, the beans is ready to be served. The 5ft 4, light complexioned lady alighted from her yellow Honda Element, a car she was driving for the first time since Daniel got it for her four months ago. And even though she was still under admission in the hospital, she still felt the need to embark on this journey because this journey, but life they say is a risk, which was the reason behind her going out with the new car so that even if she came accross Daniel in town it would take a minute before registering the car, even though he would hardly notice it, since in his believe, she is still in the hospital.
She walked into the building tears in her eyes as she remembered her sister-in-law's(Daniel's sister) words the previous day which triggered her attempt to commit sucide.
[b] "Aunty Deola, I understand your plight. You want Daniel to be happy which is what every right thinking woman will do, but believe me, the moment Daniel reunites with his boy, you have lost Dan for good." The young lady had said.
"Its like you don't understand." Adeola replied.
"I know, I don't understand and I probably would not understand, because I am twenty three. But Aunty, Daniel is my blood brother, forget the love he has for you, if that boy steps his feet into this house, you are in trouble. Forget the fact that the boy will see you as a mother figure. He is thirteen for crying out loud. He might not even regard you and trust these type of children, he will work his way into reuniting his mother and Daniel." The young lady explained.
Adeola shuddered at the thought of Daniel taking Christopher as his best friend and within months, they began working their way into reuniting Christina with Daniel. "So, I will be relegated? No way."
"I don't think my Daniel will let that happen. He loves me beyond that." Adeola argued weakly.
"Aunty Adeola, this is Nigeria. You claimed Daniel loves you and he impregnated your bestfriend then. Believe me, with the intervention of our parents, all they need to say is Tina gave him a child while you couldn't. Aunty Adeola, don't let someone take your place." [/b]
Those were the words of Daniel's younger sister the previous day and since then, she had made up her mind to destroy everything. If Daniel's reunity with his son will destroy her happiness and make Daniel happy and his son happy, it is better everyone remain sad for the rest of their lives.
"Who be you?" A thick baritone voice asked.
"I am Adeola." She replied foolishly.
"I don't know you. You get appointment? This one wey you dey cry like person wey im pikin die." The owner of the voice came out to face her.
"Good afternoon sir." She greeted.
"Yes? Who you wan see?" The guy asked.
"Major." She replied.
"Mayor you want to say?" The guy asked.
"Yes sir."
The guy walked away and returned a minute later with two plastic chairs and a table.
"You get appointment with Lord Mayor?" He asked.
"No sir, but I was made to understand that I will see him once I get to this place." Adeola replied using the opportunity to scan through the room they were in, it looked more like a conventional living room and despite the building being a bungalow, she still fell in love with the structural plan and the architectural work of the house.
"You can't see my Lord now. He is busy in his chamber and will be out in the next five hours. Can you wait?"
Adeola shook her head in the negative.
"Well, if you can't wait you can discuss whatever you have for him with me."
"Can I trust you?" Adeola asked.
"Trust no one but God. Tell me what brought you here and lets settle everything." The guy replied with irritation.
Adeola gently unzipped her handbag, removed an envelope which she handed to the man with shaky hands. As much as she hated evil, she still felt the need to do this one, even if it will be her first and last.
She carefully explained her story to the man without leaving anything behind, even though she carefully avoided saying anything about her pregnancy and abortion for Jimmy.
"Men wicked pass that level my sister. So what do we do with the boy and his mother?" The guy asked.
"I don't know." She replied.
"Fine, we will kidnapp the boy, then send for you to come and pass your judgement."
"Okay." Adeola said as she dipped her hand into her bag removed a cheque and also another packed wads of naira notes.
"We don't accept cheques." The guy said.
"So?"
"Go to the bank, make a cash deposit in this account, when the job is done to your satisfaction, pay your balance." He scribbled out an account number and name.

--to be continued--

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Serena walked out of her father's study with the feeling of the happiest girl in the world. She was now a proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy mobile device.
"Where are these guys?" She asked as she entered the living room where the game they were playing was still on.
She headed to Nathan's room where she saw the two boys engrossed in whatever they are discussing, but the moment Nate saw her he kept quiet signalling Dave who did the same.
"Hey." Nathan said.
She ignored him and dropped the bag she was holding on Dave's laps.
"What's inside?" Dave asked.
"Check it." She replied happily.
"Oh! Your phone?" He said.
"Yes, how did you know?" She asked.
"I am dad's PA. Actually, I bought the phone." He replied.
"So, you can't buy me a Iphone?" She asked with a smile as she jumped on Nathan's bed, much to his annoyance.
"Can't you see I just made my bed?" Nate asked angrily.
"I saw it. That was why I am on it." she replied with a smile. Afterall, he has been acting up since he returned from school with cuts and wounds. If he was trying to be crazy, she definitely would dish it out to him, by making him angry, afterall, he remained her favourite sibling and vice versa, so the chances of him raising his hands on her is next to zero, given the advantage of being a woman.
"And you can't use your brain? Can't you see that the sheet will become ruffled?" He asked angrily.
"Oga, calm down jor. If you sleep on it, won't it become ruffled?" Serena asked playfully, but Nate was having none of that.
"As you can see, when you came in I was discussing with Dave, can you please excuse us?" He asked.
"Definitely, I can excuse you guys, provided Dave asked me to, because I no longer understand you guys. The last time I checked, you are not friends, you rarely discuss and even when you do, it is always in the open where a third party can listen and be a part of the discussion."
"So, what are you insinuation. Is he not my brother? Are we little kids?" Dave cuts in.
"That's not what I mean bro..." She was saying.
"Say nothing more. Please excuse us." Dave cut her short.
"Okay, but I..." She was saying when Nathan's phone rang.
"She is the one calling." He had said to Dave before answering the call.
"Hello, good evening." He said.
He listened for a minute or two as he exchanged meaningful glances with Dave.
"Listen to me mu..." He was saying but kept quiet immediately he noticed Serena's presence.
"There is nothing to talk about. This has been your long term aim isn't it?" He asked. "Oh yeah, it is. And to say I felt like a fool right now, like I have been used. I mean, who does this? You left less than two months ago and you are hanging out with men aready and this time, not just anyman, but..." He voice trailed off.
Dave stood up, stood beside his brother and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"He is here with me." Nate said before giving the phone to his brother who took it happily.
"Good evening." He said calmly.
He listened for a few seconds before replying.
"Serena is fine too." He replied.
He looked from a visibly angry Nate to a confused Serena.
"Yes, he told me about it, but I was suprised and deeply disappointed."
He removed the phone from his ear and faced Nate.
"She don cut."
With Serena still on her feet, Dave and Nate resumed their discussion, only that this tume they spoke inaudibly and while Dave did the talking, Nate replied in monosyllables and gestures.
"Will you guys tell me who you just spoke with?" She asked.
The two of them ignored her and stood up to walk out of the room.
"Dave, who is that person that asked after me? What's the matter?" She asked holding him tightly.
"Am sorry, I can't tell you now. Maybe later." Dave replied removing her hand off his shirt.
"Should I inform dad?" Nate asked.
"Not yet." Dave replied.


END OF CHAPTER 10

MzNelly:
I'm sorry.

But I think your stories are too good to be written on Nairaland

I don't know what to say, but all the same, thanks for the compliment.
But you know, Nairaland is where I started showing my stories to a large audience. So, as I grow and develop in writing, I keep posting them here, so that people who knew when I started as a wack writer(LogoDWhiz and others) will have the opportunity to see me grow and correct if need be.
But I am making plans underground.

Onemansquad:
oboy u bad oo u catch oga seun dy peep abi

I catch am red handed ni walahi

Paradise163(f), Seun(m) and 1 guest(s)
Oga Seun, you dey read so? Oya make barman give him a carton of orijin

I am forty minutes late. One more update to drop before the end of today.
#busySundayAfternoon.

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The time was 10:50pm when Serena woke up from her sleep.
"Wow! So I slept for over four hours?" She asked herself as she got out of bed, switched on her bedside lamp.
She walked into the bathroom, washed her face and returned a few minutes later. The event of the day came flashing in her mind. She remembered how Nathan had flung her away like a piece of paper. Remembering how she came crashing, she chuckled. The worms in her stomach gave her a last warning as she dragged herself out of the room into the brightly lit corridor.
"So, the gen is on?" She asked rhetorically as she entered the living room where Nate was holding a game pad as well as Dave.
"What's going on here?" She asked as she walked over and sat beside Dave on the floor.
"You are awake?" Dave asked.
"No, I am still sleeping." She replied and they all bursted into laughter. "Don't tell me you guys are playing game."
"Well, on the other hand, the game is playing us." Nate replied with a straight face. Only Dave gave a short laugh to his joke.
"Dad demands that you see him once you are awake." Nate said as he paused the game and walked out of the living room.
"What's wrong with him?" Serena asked picking up his abandoned game pad and resumed the game.
"Dad wants to see you." Dave rememinded her.
"I will go." She replied.
"Serena, why not now?" Dave asked.
"He could be busy or asleep." She replied.
"He asked to see you, so, he'll stop whatever he is doing to attend to you and no, he is still awake. Now run." Dave said and Serena ran out of the living room, but once she got to the corridor which connects to their parent's room, their father's study, the guest room, she stopped running, and slowly, but steadily walked towards her father's study.
Her mind was filled with questions as she approached the study. One was the reason why he asked her to see him. Is it because she slept for four hours, two days after failing her exam woefully? Certainly not, he had asked her to see him right from the time she returned from her outing with Dave.
"Come in." He said and she turned the door knob with a shaky hand.
"Good evening daddy." She greeted as she walked into the room which is as big as her bedroom, if not bigger.
"How are you?" He asked without removing his eyes from his computer screen.
"Am fine." she replied.
"I sent for you." He said and silence prevailed once again save for the sound from the standing fan which stood just beside his chair.
After about a minute in which no one said a thing, her father spoke again.
"Get me Dave."
She curtly excused herself and walked out of the room. A minute later, she returned to the study with her eldest brother.
"Dad, you sent for me." He said confidently as he sat on the chair opposite his father's.
"Take a look at this boy." His father replied pushing the laptop computer over to him.
Dave turned it to himself and browsed through with a smile on his face.
"This is beautiful. How much are they offering?" He asked.
"We can't say that now." Oluwole Thomas replied nodding towards Serena.
"Oh! I forgot, strangers are not allowed to know about our dealings."
"Exactly. Work on a perfect breakdown of the estimate, send it to the Finance director." His father said as he made to leave.
"Okay sir."
A minute later, when Dave had left the study, Serena was still standing without knowing what to do.
"Another contract?" She asked.
"Yeah." Her father replied.
"Thank you Jesus." She muttered.
"We'll celebrate it won't we?" Her father asked.
She could only smile.
"Now, the reason why I sent for you is to ask you about your plans. Dave spoke to me already, but Dave is Dave and Serena is Serena."
"I am thinking maybe.... Change of institution form." she stammered.
"You want to drop UI?" Her father asked.
"I have no choice. 191 is relatively low." She replied.
"How much is the form? Is it out yet?"
"I don't know." she replied.
"I know you'll become serious one day."
"Am sorry sir." she said.
"Let me know when the form is out and any other thing you might need. Okay?"
she nodded her head in the affirmative.
"Open that drawer. The yellow bag inside is yours."
Serena fearfully approached a table on top which books lay and pulled out the drawer. She fished out the yellow bag and inside it lay a brand new Samsung Galaxy S 4.
"Waoh! Dad, this is for me?" She asked.
"Yes. I got it for you hoping you'll score 400 in your exam, but since you decided to give JAMB some of your marks, I realised that there is not point keeping it."
"Thank you very much sir." She said as she hugged him happily.

--to be continued--

Sorry guys for the delay. I might update before 12noon today, but if it happens that I couldn't, that means we'll get two quick updates before 2pm.
But, first things first. #charging

bigwig97:
FTC.
welcome back,dee

Thanks boss

--continuation--
Clara walked into Tina's office twenty minutes later with a smile plastered on her face.
"Hi." She said.
Tina who was sitting, head bent on the table looked up and smiled.
"Hey sis." She replied.
Clara carefully walked towards her table and sat down without being invited.
"You know, I was thinking maybe we could have a few minutes discussion. I have a few questions concerning you keycard and its relation with Ben's death." Clara began.
"There is nothing to talk about. Can't you see that she is a bit unstable? Come back later." Mark said as he walked into the office from the restroom adjoined to the office.
"Mark, how are you? Never knew you'd be here. I checked your office." Clara said with a smile.
"Well, I am everywhere since I don't have my own office. So, in case there is a next time, call me so I can tell you where I am." Mark replied sitting on the second chair.
"So, shall we start?" Clara asked.
"Its like you don't get it. She is not in a position to answer questions now, I can't stand her putting herself into trouble. When she is stable, you can come back." Mark replied.
"Mark, if you'll please let me do my job." Clara said with a raised voice.
Mark stood up angrily glaring at Clara.
Tina sensing the intending outburst.
"Mark, please. I'll answer her questions." She said.
Mark looked at her with suprise before he angrily sat down. Clara scoffed.
"Will you please excuse us?" She asked.
"No way. He is staying." Tina replied.
As much as she tried to read their minds, she couldn't understand the reason for the bad blood between them. Just over twelve hours ago, Clara was playing the role of the perfect girlfriend, driving him to his hotel room from the hospital. What could have been the cause of the sudden tension between them?
"Tina, am sorry I am doing this. But you know I have no choice." Clara pleaded with a sober look.
Tina smiled. "I understand. Lets do this."
"Your keycard was used over an hour ago, who do you reckon could have used it? Or better still, did you enter the questioning room during that period?"
"You saw me when I left for the discplinary over an hour ago. So, how could I have gone to questioning room?" Tina replied.
"Am just asking." Clara said calmly.
"You know, we could get whoever is behind this recent killing." Mark said.
"How do you mean?" Clara asked.
"Ben wasn't shot, neither was he stabbed or poisoned. He obviously was strangled to death, so we check for the fingerprint on his neck and moreso, Tina's keycard has been presented to the lab to check for the fingerprint on it and also, I have a computer analyst working on getting me the footage of the corridor which connects with the questioning room, from the moment Tina and I left an hour and a half ago to when Tina's keycard was used an hour ago." Mark explained.
Tina's face lit in joy. Even if the fingerprint of Ben's body might not be helpful, she was sure that the footage and the fingerprint of the card would go a long way.
"That's not necessary." Clara stammered.
"What make you think so?" Mark asked bringing out his phone.
"Yes, Station thirteen. Please speed up the download, I need the footage in ten minutes." Mark said and hung up.
"Yeah. I said what makes you think these measures are unecessary?" He asked.
"We have a suspect already. We should try to get words from her and take it up from there." Clara replied.
Mark looked at Tina with a I-told-you look.
"But, why are you so desperate? Are you hiding something?" Mark asked.
"What makes you think so?" She replied.
"You know you can keep questioning Tina, while I work on the footage and other things." Mark explained.
"Okay, go ahead." Clara said closing her notepad. She faced Tina who was watching the mind games between the two detectives.
"I think I'll come back later when you are alone and out privacy guaranteed." With this, Clara scurried out of the office.
-------
"I told you she has a skeleton in her shelf." Mark said.
"I am getting convinced, but...." Tina replied.
"No buts. I am on this." Mark cut her short.
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Clara descended the stairs from Tina's office approached an unoccupied table. She sat down, picked the intercom.
"Station 13, see me in the control room." She said and walked out of the ICT hall towards the unmonitored control room.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Tina walked up to Mark who was discussing with some uniformed security agents.
"One second please." She said dragging him away from them to a more secluded part of the hall.
"How did it happen?" She asked, fear written all over her face.
"I cannot categorically tell you how, but I can tell you that we met Ben dead when we entered." Mark replied.
"Oh my God!" Tina cried.
"This is getting a lot more trickish. I mean, why will anybody decide to kill Ben. First it was Idris, an insider and now Ben who was brough in less than five hours ago. Tina, something is wrong." He concluded.
"I know and I believe whoever was behind Idris death knew about this too." Tina replied.
"You have a point." Mark said. He glanced over her shoulder to see Collins discussing with Clara.
"I am suspecting them." He muttered.
"what? Who...?" She stuttered.
Mark nodded his head towards the two of them and Tina's eyes bulged out of their sockets.
"I know what I am saying. Clara is the main suspect, Collins is covering for her." Mark said before walking over to the duo of Collins and Clara.
Tina stood transfixed on the spot, deep in thoughts, even though she was still conscious of her environment. Her mind wandered to Mark's revelation, how could he suspect Collins the charismatic director of an Anti terror agency be a mole to his efforts? Certainly, Mark's detective instinct is wearing off, probably because of the weather. She had concluded with a smile. Her mind wandered off to Clara whom she has known for almost a decade, if not more, and the level of trust she has for her even if they weren't on good terms, she could still trust her.
"Hi." Collins walked up to her.
"Hey." She replied.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"Sincerly speaking, I don't know what to say to this." She replied giving him a searching look.
"Why looking at me like that?"
She scoffed. "You know, I have a feeling that an insider is behind this killings."
"That's what everyone thinks. But drastic steps has been taken, an insider has been taken to investigate between now and the weekend." Collins replied.
"Clara?" She asked.
"Yeah." He said before walking away.
Tina quietly followed him towards the front of the door where a small crowd was gathered.
"Whose key card is this?" Collins asked just when Tina got there and saw the card lying on the floor.
"Let me use the card reader." A uniformed security man bent down beside the card, placed the gadget above the card, touched the screen a few times and a full stretch bio-data came into view.
"Christina..." He was saying.
"What?" Tina's heart flew out to only God knows where.
"Are you sure?" Collins asked.
"Of course I am. Last used, Fifty minutes ago."
All eyes turned to Tina who was dumbstruck as a result of the new revelation. How would she get out of this one? As at the time the card was used, Tina was in discplinary panel briefing, but who would listen to her? When everyone's priority to catch whoever was behind these evil acts quick and without struggle.
"This is not happening. Tina couldn't have entered this place by that time." Collins said.
"So, who did enter?" The head of the disciplinary panel asked.
"She was in with the panel fifty minutes ago." Collins replied.
"That means she didn't carry out the act, but sent someone to do it."
"And what if someone is doing this to put her in trouble?" Mark asked starring at Clara who once her eyes met his looked away, he smiled.
"Why would someone decide to put Miss Tina in trouble?"
"Don't ask me." Mark replied.
Silence enveloped the room. Each of them to his/her own thoughts.
"Security, take Miss Tina into holding." The head of the disciplinary panel said with a tone of finality.
Tina gasped. Why would she be locked up before the start of investigation?
"If you dare touch her, you'll have yourself to belame." Mark warned the security as he dragged Tina to his side.
"What's the meaning of that?"
"Well, the meaning is that, Only the director can order her arrest this minute. And since he is saying nothing, Miss Tina remains innocent until investigation proves her guilty." Mark explained.
"Says who?"
"Says Agent Mark. You can't put her into holding, simple. Conclude all investigation and if proven guilty, I will personally lock her up." Mark explained calmly. "Even in America, the CIA to be precise, you can only lock up a guilty suspect."
"This is not America, and this is not CIA."
"Big boss, Nigeria looks up to America in everything they do. And until Miss Clara concludes her investigation, Miss Tina's is always available for questioning." He said bowing his head to the angry man. "Good day." He dragged Tina out of the hall.

--to be continued--

Guys, thank God I am back. Update resumes tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me.

Neephemie, Olanireti, Harjibolar10, LogoDWhiz.

Thanks for showing concern.

Sorry guys, I couldnt update today. I am deeply sorry.
Lets meet tomorrow abeg!

For the records, Nate had no idea of the latest development in the house(the reconcilation) so, its nw up to him to spill it out to someone. Certainly, Dave is out of the picture(they ar nt on good terms) their father is out also, wich leaves the Serena option. But if I were to be in his shoes(even tho I dnt wear other pple's shoes) I won't tell anyone about it, but to avoid problems, I will do everything possible to ensure that Anita doesn't return to the house. Yes, I love my mum nd I love my dad. A cheating partner cud kill, so I'll save my popsy's life while as mumc's favourite, I let her be, so she can explore the world some more.
Stuff46, what do you think?

__________________________________________

Nate was being held at the security post after the drama he performed inside the hotel. He had vented his anger on his randy Uncle, at least if not to his satisfaction, he made sure he drew blood from the man even though he himself sustained a few injury.
"Oga, abeg let me go." Nate said to the security men who have vowed to hand him over to the police as instructed by the hotel manager and for the past four hours, no policeman had shown up.
"If you no keep your mouth shut their, I will suprise you." One of the three uniformed men replied.
"Oga, abeg free me na. I just dey come from school." He pleaded for the upteenth time.
"I don tell you sey if you wan go, drop your school ID card. Its like you don't know the gravity of the offence you committed. You left that man almost dead, because of what?" Another of the men replied.
"Oga, you no go understand. Just let me go." Nate said as he dipped his hand into his bagpack, fished out his wallet and removed wards of naira note.
"You wan bribe me abi? You think sey I be pauper? Go give your papa the money." The man said and this infuriated Nate who dropped his bag as well as his wallet and the naira notes.
"Do you want to beat me?"
"Oga, not dey mention my papa anyhow o. Him fit buy this hotel and everyone in it, including you three." Nate said angrily which earned him a slap.
"That your papa wey you dey talk na b.astard."
Nathan angrily walked to the extreme end of the spacious compound, picked up a plank and returned.
"You wan use still hit me abi?"
Immediately, the three men pounced on him, overpowered him and started giving him a second round of beating.
But this time, he refused to be overpowered. He forcefully hit one of the men in the groin, picked up the plank waved it and it hit the second man on the neck.
"If you move closer and I hit you with this stick, you'll regret the day you were born." He said to the third man, still holding the plank up in the air ready to bring it down.
He picked his wallet and his bag before walking out of the hotel still holding the stick.
"To where?" A bikeman stopped beside him.
"Gate." He replied mounting the bike.
"Na gate you dey go abi bus stop?" The bikeman asked as he drove off.
"No be your money you go collect? I will drop when I get to my destination." Nate replied angrily as he threw the plank he was holding away.
He was a total mess when he dropped at the junction, before walking the remaining distance to his father's house. His hair ruffled, his lips dripping with blood and a number of cuts on his face.
"Nathaniel the bad man." The gateman shouted happily as he opened the gate to let him in.
"How far?" He asked shaking hands with the man.
"I dey na. Wetin you bring come?" The gateman asked collecting his bag and searching through his things. "Na clothes full here na. Na cloth I go chop?" He raised his head up and saw the cuts on his face.
"Choi! Wetin do you face? You fight person ni?" He asked with concern as he left whatever he was doing with the bag.
"Na today? Abeg, gimme my bag jor." He collected his bag and walked towards the house.
"Good evening sir." He greeted his father the moment he entered the living room.
"How are you oga?" The elderly man replied extending his hand for a handshake.
"Am fine sir." Nate replied impatiently.
"What happened to your face?"
"Its nothing sir. I need to rest." He replied as he walked away. The image of his last visit playing in his mind. He remembered how he had stood up to his father that fateful morning, three days after the divorce.
"Best big brother." Serena threw her weight on Nate the moment he entered the hallway.
But, much to her chagrin, he yanked her off angrily and she fell to the ground. He fished out his key, unlocked the door and walked into his room, securing the lock, the second he entered.

--to be continued--

__________________________________________

For the first time in months, Serena could categorically boast of having a fun filled day. Even though the day started on a sour note, from her encounter with her angry father, to the unexpected arrival of Stephanie to the sisters heart to heart talk about their result and the way forward, to Jake's nightmar-ish call and the scornful laugh he gave when he learnt of her score. And until Dave showed up at around 11:40am, she locked herself up in her room.
"God bless you Dave." She thought with a smile.
"What's amusing you?" Dave asked.
That was when she remembered that he was still in the car with her.
"I remembered something funny." She replied still smiling.
"You care to share?" He asked.
"No. Its personal."
"Whatever." He said with a hiss.
Dave concentrated more on the road, looking out for men of the Federal road safety corps, because the last thing he wished for was being stopped by those men who would stop at nothing the moment they realise he was without his papers. Even though he couldn't help but throw occassional glances at his sister.
"You know, I love aunty Bolaji." Serena said breaking the silence.
"Oh! Am glad you do." He replied.
"Where did you meet and how did things get all lovey-dovey between you two?" She asked.
"I met her a year ago at the airport. I was travelling to Abuja with my oga and she according to our conversation was going to visit her uncle." Dave explained.
"Waoh! So, you mean you scoped a girl in dad's presence?" She asked.
"For where? I pulled some strings and managed to get a seat away from dad. I sat beside her all through the journey and we exchanged contact." Dave explained with a smile.
Serena couldn't help but smile too.
"You guys made it official when?" She asked.
"Late last month...."
"And slowly, he love changed you from Dave the bully and always serious to the jovial Dave who jokes with everything." She cut in. "You know, I still can't believe you left the office to be with your girlfriend. I mean, who does that? In Dave's world, his job comes first."
She continued chatting happily with him as he drove back home and five minutes before they arrived home, her heart started beating very fast.
"Will dad be home by now?" She asked checking the time.
"5pm. Dad should be home except if Mama Londoner delayed him." Dave replied pulling into a filling station.
"You want to buy fuel?" Serena asked.
"Of course, Dad is travelling tomorrow and no filling station would be opened by 5am." He replied.
"Melo(How much)?" The attendant asked.
"Two thousand." Dave replied.
He removed two naira notes from his wallet and gave it to the attendant. And just then, Serena saw someone she knew.
"Dave, I'll be right back." She said as she ran out of the car.
"Uncle Vincent." She called as she approached the white Micra which was parked inside the 'Lube bay.'
"Oh! Serena, how are you?" Vincent asked.
Ten minutes later, Dave drove out of the filling station.
"Who is that?" He asked.
"The cabman who was instructed by dad to drive me to where I purchased the CBT software." She replied.
"Oh!" Dave muttered, suprise written all over his face, but he said nothing more.
-------------
"Hello dad." Serena greeted as she walked into the living room where her father was seated.
"Good evening sir." Dave greeted.
"Hello boy." He replied before he turned to Serena.
"Where are you coming from?" He asked.
"Dave took me out." She replied with a shaky voice. Was she near tears? She couldn't say.
"And what is being celebrated? Is it your birthday?" Her father asked.
"I took her out so she can grow over her exam woes and put it behind to forge ahead." Dave came to her rescue.
"Someone who failed deserved no special treatment. A student with a good result deserves encouragement, not someone who failed." His father replied almost in anger.
"Dad, she needs to be encouraged no matter what." Dave said.
"No problem. Is she encouraged now?" He asked as he glanced at her to see her eyes welled up with tears. His anger reduced and he felt pity for her.
"Go to your room and freshen up. See me when you are done." He said.
And slowly she walked out of the living room.

--to be continued--

Neephemie:
D9ty7 hasn't told us wu d illegitimate child z o. It cud b Nathan........(i can imagine hw Olu 'll feel afta receiving d beating of his lyf frm his own son). Jez saying tho.......

This looks nice tho, or wah do you think?
Nathan will just become Olu's father, cos Olu will be afraid to even talk to him.

Hey guys! My nt updating since is as a result of sum personal issues nd I cudnt type in such mood. I will drop the days update on my stories at the same time. Currently typing.

Shebarh:
serzly dee ya juss the best... chop plenty kissss
muwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Returns d kiss gently. Chai! Dis one na grade A enjoyment.
Hope no one z lukin sha? The mods fit ban me for dis o. Those pple jealous ehn.
Missmossy: I see you.

Maryofficial:
Of course, am on my knees

Who asked u to kneel down. Come one, stand up jor. U can see me in my office later sha

adeh39:
Dee, I don't really know where to start, I'm short of words, u are 1 in a million of writers, u are one of d best nd hardworking writers in NL. more ink 2 ur pen and more grease to ur elbow, more wisdom nd knowledge to ur brain. but Dee, dis story is sumhw similar to ALL IN A CIRCLE, or am I just imagining it? though d twist and turns is diff but u know d Son and Father issue looks similar. all the same I love dis story and I'm sure it will be tougher than AIAC. thanks 4 d update, expecting more from u.

Is it really similar? Maybe yes. The Father-son factor. But there is more to the story than just Father-son.
All the same, I appreciate those accolades you just gave to me.

--continuation--
Mark Anthony was lying on his king size bed and a young woman was attending to him.
"Here is the milk you requested for sir." The nurse said handling a glass cup filled with milk to him.
She helped him sit up, with his back rested on the pillow set astride the head board.
"What did you call it?" Anthony asked.
"Milk sir." She replied.
"I said whiskey not milk. Get me whiskey young lady." He barked.
The young lady took a step backward.
"Sir, the milk is what you need for now. Taking whiskey or any strong drink will only give us another set back concerning your recovery. Take the milk, it will replenish..." The nurse was saying.
"What the fvck did I tell you need to be replenished? Did I loose anything?" He asked angrily as he threw the cup at her.
The content of the cup spilled on her body, from chest down to the skirt of her blue attire.
"Am sorry sir. I don't mean to get you angry." She said.
The door into the room opened and Danny Lovato walked into the room.
"What's going on here nurse?" He asked in his not so fluent English.
"Am sorry sir." The nurse said to Danny.
"Fine, go change your cloth and do to him, whatever he wants." Danny ordered as he drew a chair closer to himself and sat on it.
The nurse dejectedly made her way to the door.
"And get me whiskey." Anthony said.
"But sir..." She wanted to protest.
"Don't dare. Get him whiskey." Danny commanded and the nurse walked out.
"This girl is overstepping her boundaries. She is begining to treat me like a baby. I think we need to scout for a replacement while we eliminate her." Anthony poured out angrily while Danny used the opportunity to laugh his lungs out.
"You sure you want a replacement?" He asked.
"Seriously, I want a replacement. Its just that, whoever is going to replace might not be good in bed." Anthony replied.
"It is settled then. She stays, while I talk to her." Danny said.
"You had better do." Anthony replied.
"Yeah... You sent for me?"
"Yes. I want to know how far you've gone with the Mark Ashimolowo of a man." Anthony said and he could feel his heart skip a beat at the mention of the name.
"The boys have gotten quite a number of info about him. You wanna read them?"Danny asked.
"Not interested." Anthony replied.
Just then the nurse returned clad in an attire similar to the one soiled with milk, only that this time, the colour was white. She dropped a bottle of whiskey and two glass cups on the stood beside the bed.
Anthony reached out for her b**bs and squeezed it through the cloth. The nurse smile seductively once she felt the touch.
"I want Mark Ashimolowo in this chamber in the next twenty four hours." Anthony said as he beckoned on the nurse to join him on the bed.
"The boys will work on it." Danny replied rising up to his feet.
"I want him whole and healthy. Not even a scratch on his body." Anthony stressed.
"I will tell that to the boys." Danny said walking towards the door.
"Better do." Anthony enthused as he removed his shirt, thanks to the nurse who had gone shirtless.
"I will just excuse you two." With this, Danny turned the door knob and walked out.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Mark walked into the ICT hall forty minutes later and as instructed walked over to Clara's table.
"Hi." He said.
"Handsome." She said with a smile.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
"Of course. Just a minute and I'll join you." She replied.
"Sorry, I can't enter without a keycard and I don't have one yet." He said.
"Take this. I'll be there in a minute." She said handing her keycard to him.
A minute later, Mark was descending the stairs into the west wing of the buiding.
"Hi Mark." A young lady greeted.
"Hello Doc." He said stopping to chat with her.
"You seemed to have settled down real quick." The lady dressed in a medical overall coat said with a smile.
"Well, settling down is not really a problem, afterall, Nigeria is my home. But I have problem with your food." Mark replied.
The lady bursted into laughter.
"Well, it happens. The same way we have problem with the weather in America and even your foods with those green leaves." She said.
"You have a point. But, you said you once lived in the US."
"Yeah, I had my one year housemanship in the US." She replied.
"That's great." Mark enthused.
The lady kept quiet staring at Mike with a smile, they have ran out of things to discuss.
"What's you...." Mark was saying.
"Ha ha. There you are. Come on, stop hiding and come out here." The lady said cutting Mark short. He turned and saw Clara coming out of hiding.
"Why are you hiding?" The doctor asked.
"I thought you guys are gonna lock lips. So I want to take pictures." Clara stammered.
"Naughty Clara." The doctor said.
"I guess, I'll see you around later." Mark said.
"Okay." And she walked away.
"Have you entered the questioning room?" She asked.
"No." He replied.
"You mean you left your assignment undone and you were flirting with a lady." She said angrily.
"Was I flirting? Is there anything wrong in stopping to chat with a colleague?" Mark asked.
"That's the height of incompetency. You ought to have been inside the questioning room getting prepared." She raised her voice one volume higher.
"Look here woman, you can't boss me around. If I like, I may sit down all day with a female colleague and flirt, its none of your business. I don't work for you and you don't for me either. Keep your cool and steer clear of my issues. Okay?" He ranted on and on.
"Abeg, swipe the thing jor." She said to him, once they were at the door.
"The key card belongs to you. Do it." He replied handling the keycard over to her.
She snatched it angrily, swiped the edge of the card on the register and the next minute, they were walking into hall.
"Hey man, wake up." Mark said walking towards Ben who sat motionless on the chair he was tied to.
He shook him for fourth time without response.
"What's wrong with him?" Clara asked.
"What did you do to him?" Mark asked.
"Do to who?" Clara asked with a shaky voice.
"Get the medics." Mark commanded as he pulled out his gun. And searched from one cubicle to the other. "Alert the security, the building should be on a lockdown." He odered as he moved about at alert and Clara did as he said.
----------
Tina was sitting in front of the disciplinary panel which was chaired by Collins who was throwing series of questions at her. The expertly answered the question, even though the panelist were not convinced.
"Miss Tina, all accussing finigers were pointed at you. Being the first person to see Idris corpse, we think there is more to it." He said.
Tina scoffed while Collins quickly gave her and apologetic look.
"But..." She was saying before the alarm sounded.
"The building is on a temporary lockdown. You are advised to stay wherever you are, an assasin is in the building. Stay where you are until you are told to leave." The voice boomed.
Tina sat down perplexed.
"Hey! Mark, what's going on?" She asked.
"What? Oh my God!" She exclaimed. "Okay, am on it."
She stood up at once and raced out of the room with Collins closely behind her and a few other agents.

--to be continued--