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STATE OF THE ECONOMY by Karo Oforofuo

"Pree pre prepreprepreeeee" Air escaped from her back side, not quietly though.

"Don't you hear English?" John got up from the bed and covered his nose, while looking for something, anything, to throw at Rose..

Rose made a face at him before returning her attention to my books. She had assignments to finish and his ranting or discomfort wasn't going to stop her.

"Ah!" She cried, shortly after, as she felt something strong and heavy hit her hard on the back. "John what's the meaning of this?" She sat up, looking at the small metal borris he used to stone her.

"Its a warning." John sounded fulfilled.

"If the atmosphere isn't conducive for you, won't you carry your assignment and go to the dinning?"

"This room belongs to both of us. You can't chase me out. Either you stop polluting the air, or you go out."

"John," She said calmly."Are you aware that we have been eating beans since on Monday and today is Friday already?"

"Yes. But its no excuse."

"Why?"

"Because I have been eating beans too and I've never spoilt the air for you or chased you from the room with it."

"You what? Ha!" Rose burst into serious laughter. "Do you hear or perceive the bomb you release every night? I hear it, I inhale it and I don't even wake you up, why? Because I understand what constant beans can do to our system."

"I never did anything while I was asleep. You're just covering up for your own mischief."

"Oh, OK."

"Preeeeeeeeeeee" Rose let it go again.

"I just pity you." John covered his nose. And you're supposed to be a lady." Giving up on Rose as a hopeless case, he packed his books and carried his school bag before heading for the dinning table, all the while muttering insults.

"Mtchewww." Rose hissed. "As if he doesn't pollute the air. Why did God put a hole behind us? Is it not to let out gas? Lady kor lady ni"

The rest of the morning went well and Rose was finally able to finish her assignment, visit the toilet before heading out to play with the neighbour's children. They played, gossiped, went on errands together and finally said their goodbyes at about 6:00pm.

At exactly 6:10pm, Rose was home. A few minutes later, her dad returned from work- a polythene bag in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Rose and her mum welcomed him and took the bag and briefcase from him. The briefcase went to her parents' bedroom while the polythene bag went to the kitchen. One after the other, they brought out the items from the bag: Beans, Maggi, palm oil, crayfish, onions, pepper and 10 fingers of unripe plantain.

Rose looked at her mum, her mum looked back at her. Together, they sighed. It was the fifth day at a stretch they were eating beans. Her dad had refused to buy anything else. He insisted that because of the state of the economy, beans was the cheapest meal one could afford.

"Imagine cooking rice." He said once. "Rice costs so much, tomatoes has become gold, so how exactly do you want us to eat rice?"

"We don't have to eat it morning, afternoon and night of everyday." Her mum countered. "Give me the money next time, I'll know how to manage it and still give us variety."

Her dad didn't. He insisted on buying beans, everyday. In the mornings, they eat akara balls made from the remaining beans and in the afternoon they ate bread. At night, beans was it again. That was their routine.

"Isn't he purging? Or is his stomach not grumbling? I'm tired of bean already." Rose grumbled, lowering her voice so her dad doesn't hear her.

"Aren't you happy you are seeing the beans to eat?" Her mother asked, after managing to get her morale back. "Supposing you had nothing at all."

"At least I won't be gassing around and John won't be calling me names."

"You're just being naughty." She concluded.

That night, she closed her eyes as she drove the first spoon full of beans and plantain porridge into her mouth. Rose had expected to get irritated and throw up all over the place. But it was not so. Her mum really worked her magic and she enjoyed every bit of the porridge. Afterwards, she packed all the plates to the kitchen and washed up.

"Rose will soon start gassing o! Just watch and see." John announced after his sister had returned to the sitting room. The 8 o,clock news was on and their dad was watching it, at least, until John interrupted him with his accusation against Rose.

"Even if she is gassing, leave her alone. What did God give us a hole for?" Their father asked, taking Rose's side.

"Can't she control it?" Their mum frowned. "And you're supporting her. She's a girl. She should learn to control it."

"You sef, don't you release gas?" Her dad turned on her mum, making the children chuckle. "My friend will you be quiet?" He yelled at them. "You think its funny to laugh at your mother?"

"Its you that's encouraging them now. And besides have you ever seen me do what you're accusing me of? I control myself, always."

"Me too." John added. It was then their dad burst into serious laughter. In the process, they heard the sound-, loud, like a bomb "booom!"

Silence followed, shortly. The expression on the children's faces were priceless as they covered their nose, stifling a laugh.

"Oh!" Their mum exclaimed with mouth opened and hands covering it. "In the presence of the kids?"

"My dear, its a free world. After all we are inside the house."

"Ah, ah, papa Rose...!"

" What? Don't you do your own? He cut her short.

"I don't" her lips were set.

"When you sleep at night, do you know how many bombs you send to me?"

If it happened when I was asleep, then it was a mistake, not on purpose."

"John does the same." Rose said, laughing.

"Oh, you see? Her dad joined the laughter.

During this time, Rose's tommy had started to rumble and pressure had started to gather in her waist. The pressure intensified, all thanks to laughing. And because she didn't care or try to control her self, she let it out- loud "Preeeeeeeeeeeeee"

"Jesus!" John exclaimed and ran out of the sitting room already holding his nose.

"Where is he running to?" Their dad asked. "Its not even smelling and ... Jesus!" He covered his nose and turned to Rose, angry. "What is this?"

The stench in the sitting room was past bearing. How her parents managed to remain in it was a miracle.

"Your brother doesn't do this sort of thing." Her mum said, shooting angry eyes at her. "You who is a girl, have no control."

"Ah ah, its the beans I ate now."

"So?" Her dad barked. "Didn't I eat the same beans? Why didn't mine smell like this?" He was hand fanning the air around him, apparently the rotating ceiling fan wasn't enough.

"Daddy I thought you supported nature's call."

Ehen? So? Does it give you license to release what you just released? No wonder John already ran out."

"Sorry daddy, sorry mummy." She apologized, her head hanging low. "Its just that its beans we have been eating and my stomach doesn't take it well. Mummy lost her job, you haven't been paid in five months. John and I are just JSS 2 students and we really don't know how to make money yet, that's why we are not supporting the house."

"Its no reason why you can't control yourself." Her mother said, mildly, understanding her situation.

"Don't worry my dear." Her father added. "I got a cheque for an old job I did. I'll catch the money tomorrow and we will eat something different for a change."

Rose smiled. She was really happy her experience with everyday beans was about to be over for good.

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Thanks guys, more updates coming up later today but you can follow the link and visit the site to read up before I get around to posting it here.

Peterdrumz:
Nice story pls more update

Royal58:
interesting story,........oya continue

babydecency2:
Nice story dear keep it up

evemeshma:
nice story, following u all thee way

MEETING UP STANDARDS BY AKINTAYO AKINJIDE

‘I need a new necklace’.
He cocked his head to the side, and frowned. ‘What? You don’t need a necklace. What is wrong with you? Others wouldn’t not be coming for you’.
‘I’m not going. I didn’t want to go o. You were the one that insisted that I go. am I bothering you about a necklace? It’s just that I can’t go without a better necklace. ‘
‘I don’t know what you want us to do. I’m tired. I’m tired. If not that Chibuzor insisted I bring you along, I would have asked you to forget it’.
‘Tell him anything. Tell him I fell sick that I can’t come.’ I said and crumbled on the bed, frustrated. He came to me and rubbed my hair. I sniffed. I just can’t go to the get-together without being fully dressed.
‘I can’t buy necklace at this time. Can’t you borrow it?’
My head pounded with joy. I have totally forgotten the necklace, my desire. I sighed.
‘Yes… Yes… I will meet Rasheedat. She will borrow me’.
I need not disturb you with the details but I must emphasise that Rasheedat, despite being my friend warned me not to allow anything happen to the necklace. The necklace was rare. Maybe, that was the reason I fell in love with it. It’s type was rarely found anywhere else. Of all the jewelleries shops I’ve searched, it’s type wasn’t there.
Of course, at the party, my joy knew no bound. I was the queen of the day. Chibuzor-my best friend- kept taking me about despite the presence of his beautiful wife, Kike, that humble woman. She was the one with my husband and I loved that. The party went as planned. Ireti was side-lined. All the women in the room wanted to know where I got the dress and the necklace. It was just too beautiful for any normal Goldsmith to have made. I laughed throughout the party, and drank more than normal. I was tipsy. I really enjoyed the day. And I couldn’t stop thanking my husband even as we headed outside. He was also tipsy, so we left his car at his friend’s place and opted for a cab. It took us a long time to get one especially as we are in Nigeria and the only available vehicles were personal ones, busses and bikes. After a long search, we found one and headed home. Even the driver knew how happy I was.
In fact, the happiness was supposed to meet the next day but my real problem started when we got to the door. I touched my neck and the necklace was gone. I shook my head. I was definitely still tipsy. I touched it again. It wasn’t there.
‘No. No’. I muttered.
My husband halted on his track. He stirred towards me’ What’s it honey?’
‘Oh God! Oh God! The necklace’
My husband stiffened. He nodded severally. ‘What happened to it? He looked at himself and switched on the torch of his phone. ‘What happened to it? Where did you put it?’
‘I don’t know’ I shouted. My hands were shaking right like a leaf in the wind. ‘What have I done? The necklace is not here.’
He pointed the torchlight everywhere; I was so fretful that I couldn’t search for it myself.
‘What have I done’?
‘Don’t worry I’ll find it’.
I crouched on the floor, not minding how expensive the cloth was. He was gone and the whole place was dark. I cried as I repeatedly checked my neck, hoping an invisible hand would return it there. The necklace can’t be lost. It mustn’t get lost. I don’t know the price. The prices of everything had skyrocketed, how will we get it? I looked at myself and knew I was done for.
After an hour, my husband returned dejected. The necklace was gone. I cried. At first, my husband consoled me. Then he blamed me but I didn’t reply; instead, I kept crying my heart and eyes out. He slept off, but I didn’t. I cried into the night, then into the morning and into the next night. I fell sick and worried a lot.
After few days of my worry, my husband couldn’t take it anymore.
‘Okay we will get a new one’.
‘Thank you. Rasheedat must not know about this because she would cause a big trouble for us. She hated people misplacing things that belonged to her.’
He stared at me. I don’t know how I looked but I’m sure it was one of those appearances he detested. He moved nearer and cuddled me.
‘It will be alright. I will get a new one no matter what it cost’.
‘Are you sure?’
‘You know me. I fulfil my promises no matter how small they are. And, luckily we still have the picture of it on the phone’.
I tried nodding but my head was fixed between his hand and his body.
Therefore, he set to work on it. It took him two days to get a shop abroad that sold it. But, no matter what he thought of it before, when he returned, I saw him dragging the shadow of himself back home. He sighed and shook his head.
‘The jewellery is sold for … ‘He said and shook his head dejectedly and lowered into his hands.
‘How much is it? I said with fear striking chords in my body.
He shook his head. I edged forward on the seat.
‘They described that the jewellery was gotten from a rare gem and the workmanship was expensive’.
‘So?’
‘ Six fifty hundred thousand minus shipment fees’.
‘What? Didn’t you bring down the price?’
‘ Sorry, I couldn’t. It’s a fixed price. You know they sell to very wealthy people who don’t haggle prices.’.
I knew I was done for. Rasheedat can lock up her friends because of her possession, even my husband was a witness to one of such events.
‘I’ll face the consequences, no matter what it is’
‘I promised already and I’ll do everything possible to get it’.
‘Don’t be stubborn about this. I’ll bear the brunt.
‘I said no’ He said, stomping the floor. I could only sigh now.
The first thing to suffer my husband’s stubbornness was his car. He sold it for 200000 naira. Then we went into borrowing spree. After which I returned the jewellery to Rasheedat. Luckily, she didn’t notice the difference.
At that time, I, who was just a housewife had to get a job. My husband was now cold towards me and I myself withdrawn. We lived like neighbours. Even neighbours have conversation, but we didn’t.
After five years, we were able to pay the money to the people that lent us. By the time which I was older than I looked, uglier than I looked and my husband rarely had time to fancy everything he did in me again. Although, he still loved me. I know from his talks and from his little acts. But, his mind was always on how to regain his status.
I also had the thought of meeting up to standard, and I kept planning and planning until I ran into someone in the market one Saturday evening. I looked up from my worries.
‘Oh Mama, face where you’re going?’
I was transfix with mixed feelings- should I avoid her or should I tell her everything because I still felt like making her know she was the cause of my woe.
‘Rasheedat, it’s me’.
She stopped in her track. Her perfume met my nose lapping at its scent. I controlled myself because there was nothing I could use to show superiority.
‘It is you … who?’
‘Me … Me’ I said and hit my chest.
‘Tife?’
I nodded.
‘Tife! Tife!’ She shouted in the market and hugged me.’ What happened to you? How are you like…?’ Her look hovered on my body. I cringed. ‘I came to your house and they said you people had left the place. Why? What happened?’
‘Is it not you?’
‘Me?’
‘Yes’ I said emphasising the yes.
She stiffened and bit her lower lip.’ What did I do?’
‘The necklace’.
‘The necklace?’
‘Yes. The necklace I misplaced it’
She blinked severally and pouted. ‘But you returned it then’.
‘That was not it’.
‘What’ Her face had the same fierceness of a lioness. She looked about her as though people were already seeing the anger pouring through her. She moved nearer and her voice was lowered ‘Where’s my damn Necklace. Which necklace did you give me’?
I brushed off her imaginary attack. ‘The deed has been done. God! That necklace was expensive. I bought it for five hundred k’.
Her eyes widened. I knew the price would be the higher but I was lucky enough to have gotten the exact one for her.
‘What?’ I said in fury and my anger blared like a siren. ‘Is it not the same thing? Have you forgotten that I have eyes for things like that? I made sure the specs are correct and you yourself can attest to it that they are the same’.
Her mouth was widely apart. I was happy I still had the upper hand. Rasheedat was speechless for the first time. Normally, the best form of showing superiority was to say the word and leave but I couldn’t.
‘But… But ,… I bought the fake. It’s just 12500 naira’.e He What happened to itWhat

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For Better For Worse by Akintayo Akinjide

Looking back through the years, I knew it was time I left my husband’s house.

I glanced at the picture on my table and slammed it on the table. The memory was sickening. My hand trembled as I touched my swollen eyes.

The pain from last night’s beating was enough to kill any woman. Only God knew how I got the strength to withstand such beating from my husband. Maybe, it was an accumulation of the strength I got from Kunmi’s, my husband’s, incessant beating.

It was high time I got a divorce. But before I did that, I would first leave his house.

The season for becoming blind to love had arrived, and I would conform to it. My heart was made up.
‘Shadiat’,I shouted after I took my car key and headed for the door.

‘Shadiat…’ I shouted again.

A short plump girl came running towards me. I sized her. She looked just like two Ghana-must-go bags placed on themselves. Her face was laced with tribal marks like the line on my travelling bag. I hissed.

‘I’m going home, take care of my shop’, I said.

‘Yes ma’.

‘And make sure you are here when I return, no matter the time I return’.

Shadiat nodded warily as though she just been given a task beyond her.
My mind dashed from one thought to another. I dragged my thoughts away from the love we shared and dumped them into the vehicle-of-forgotten.

I just didn’t know the cause of Kunmi’s behaviour. At least, after three years of a childless marriage, he ought to have learnt how to take care of a lady. He ought to know that my belly would yearn desperately for a baby. That my heart would be clogged with sorrow.

I was deaf to the gateman’s greeting. My eyes couldn’t just help it. Every now and then, it moved to the mirror to see the black spot on my eyes.

When I entered, the first thing that attracted me was the empty space on the table, which once housed a beautiful vase that was a gift from John. He gave me the vase when he returned from Dubai. I swallowed hard as I remembered on whose head the vase broke- mine.

The pain struck at me again.

‘Ah!’ I said, moaning. I knelt in the parlour. And, at last, after holding myself since yesternight, I cried. The chair, my consoler, screeched as I strengthened myself with it.

The pain that surged through my body as he slapped me yesterday came again. The memory of the agony from his iron-fist that hit my eyes, and the noise that erupted from my mouth as he pulled my hair flooded my thought.

All I did was to be late in bringing a napkin, which he rarely used. So, when he asked for it I was taken aback that I wasted some seconds wondering what he wanted to do with it.

After crying for ten minutes, I rose from my blood-like rug, and climbed the stairs that looked like the evil path I took into this marriage. If that stupid John had proposed to me earlier, I would have a son to call my own. I would be in the hand of the man that loved me; one I loved dearly.

‘John’, I cried.

I pushed myself up the stairs and packed my load. Kunmi wouldn’t return till late in the night, when I would be gone, far away from the cold hand of death-Kunmi’s hand.

On my last trip to my car, I stared at the wall, at the frame, at the picture of Kunmi and me. I hated the day I said ‘Yes’.

I rushed to the wall, and pulled down the frame, cutting every tie they had.

‘Never again’ I cried and jumped severally on the frame. ‘Never again.’

I cried. The glass pierced my skin. I wasn’t concerned. I looked at the other frames and broke them.

Just then, the door opened. Kunmi came in. Cold air rushed to me as I awaited beating from him. Instead, he went down on his knee.

‘I’m sorry baby’, he said. His face was contoured. His eyes were squinted as he crawled nearer.’ I don’t know what got over me’.

I shifted back. He moved nearer. Tears poured down my face. I stared at him. He was right. I just can’t lose him. I limped forward, hugged his head, and cried over him. And for the 18th time in that marriage, I accepted him, for better for worse.


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FIVE


I woke up on a big bed in a room that was much bigger than the one I was before. The rays of sunlight pouring in from the window revealed that the furnishing was of real quality and more tasteful than that of my former room. I wondered whose room I was in as different scary thoughts started to creep into my mind. Was I abducted? Or was I dead?

I was still thinking about it when I heard noise from the bathroom; like someone was showering. My senses immediately became alert and since I didn’t want to wait around to find out who it was, I simply pushed myself up to a sitting position with an aim to escape but the sharp pain I felt in my abdomen stopped me from taking further action. I used one hand to cover the spot that was hurting and tried to sooth it. When the pain came down a bit, I moved gradually to the edge of the big bed. At this time, the shower had stopped flowing, like the person had finished bathing. I noticed as the door knob gradually turned. It was almost like the person was taking his/her precious time to come out and launch an attack. I couldn’t live with the suspense anymore so I hastened my movement to the edge of the bed but as I tried to get up, my knees buckled and I fell. In the process, my hand hit a tray on the side cabinet containing a glass of water. so when I hit the floor face down, the whole thing poured on me. The noise must have caught the attention of the person in the bathroom because the door quickly opened and I heard quick steps running towards me. Although I was weak, I made up my mind that if the person came close enough, the glass would be my weapon and I will not hesitate to use it. So as the person came forward, I grabbed the glass and waited. When he bent over to pick me up, I raised my hand to strike but he quickly noticed and grabbed the glass from me.

“What? Are you trying to kill me?” The man asked.

I looked up from where I was into the worried eyes of William Avero. Once again he was bare chested and wet. The only difference this time was that he was tying only a towel. It was obvious he was taking a shower. I tried not to concentrate on his body because of the effect it was having on me so I looked away. William briefly left my side to get a towel which he used dry the water off my body.

“You are yet to recover from a very serious injury” He said. “Jumping into action is actually not a wise decision.

“Well I didn’t know you were the one in the bathroom, and by the way, why don’t you put on some clothes? You are practically naked in that towel and its embarrassing.”

William looked at his well built form and then looked back at me. “Embarrassing for me or for you?” He asked chuckling.

“I don’t care what you think. Just stand back.” I pushed him off and tried to get up by myself but William was not having any of that. He quickly stood up and scooped me over his shoulder like a sack of garri.

“Oh put me down or I’ll kick and scream.” I threatened.

“Scream all you want, Miss, but I am not letting you walk by yourself.”

William gently put me on the bed and asked me to relax. “You struggle too much” he accused. “You haven’t fully recovered you know, you still need to rest.”

“Says who?”

“Says the doctor and I” He replied.

“Well, I wouldn’t struggle if you weren’t half naked.”

“Why does it bother you anyway? After all it was because of your fall that I rushed out of the bathroom, I was about to put on my clothes.”

“Okay fine! I’m safe now so please you can go and get dressed?”

“Yes mummy.” He scoffed before walking away.

“Phew!!!” I sighed after he had gone. Its not like I didn’t appreciate his help, I did. But the problem was I couldn’t stop myself from reacting to him the way I did, especially since he was bare chested. The best way to not get affected was to act angry and yell at him.

Why is he even here? I thought. This is supposed to be my ro… wait, it wasn’t my room. So whose room was I in and whose bed was I lying on?

I looked round the room again but all I saw were both female and male clothes and shoes. There was even a make up table at one end of the room.

Maybe its his sister’s room, I thought. And maybe she’s sharing it with her husband. Or maybe this is William’s room, he shares it with his girlfriend.

I didn’t hold on to that thought for long because the room door opened and Mrs. Hope walked in. At the same time the bathroom door opened and William stepped out in a plain white t-shirt and a blue jeans trouser.

“Thank goodness you are here” William said in relief. “Our patient obviously doesn’t want me around. The sight of me irritates her.”

“That’s not true.” I protested. “I fell and he came out from the bathroom naked to help me. Any woman in her right senses will be paranoid.”

“Yes I agree” Mrs. Hope said, giving William a look that asked, “what in God’s name were you thinking?

“Okay.” William said in resignation. “You both win so, I will just leave and be out of your faces.”

He immediately left the room and Mrs. Hope attended to me. She helped me to the bathroom, helped me to bath and also to change into some clean clothes. After that she ordered catfish pepper soup from the kitchen. I frowned at it because I was very hungry and I wanted something solid but Mrs. Hope assured me that I will eat something solid after about an hour’s interval.

“But can’t I eat it right away?”

“No dear. You have been out of consciousness for almost two days and you haven’t eaten any…”

“Wait! Please wait.” I held up one hand. “You mean I have been asleep for two days?” I asked with raised brows.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t anyone wake me up?” I queried.

“Because it is not as easy as that. You don’t just wake someone up from a unconsciousness. You were in a brief comma.”

The news really shocked me. I didn’t know I slept for so long let alone being in a comma. I remained quiet and drank the soup, slowly. Mrs. Hope fed me. After a while I asked the one question that had been on my mind.

“Whose room is this?”

“Its mine.” She answered.

“Really?” I asked with my brows shooting up again. “Then why did William bathe here?”

“Because his room is a mess and its still under construction. William regards me as his mother, that’s why he felt free to move in here with me temporarily since the spare rooms have been occupied by guests.

“Guest?” I scoffed. “What kind of guest does he have now?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll see.”

I wondered why William allowed guests stay in every room in his house. Supposing one of his numerous girl friends came, how would he bed her without anyone’s disturbance. At least I was sure that was what he was used to. Anyway, for starters, I was sure Mrs. Hope wouldn’t agree to it and since he regarded her as his mother, he wouldn’t want to do anything that was disrespectful to her.

“So where is he going to keep his female guests?” I asked. I couldn’t contain myself anymore, I really wanted to know.

“What female guests are you talking about?” Mrs. Hope asked with squeezed brows.

“Oh! I meant his concubines. You know, the ones he usually satisfies his loins with.”

I expected a straight reply but when Mrs. Hope started to chuckle, I frowned and wondered if my question was funny.

“Did I say something funny?” I asked.

“Oh! Sorry dear” She said, trying to stifle her chuckling. “I just couldn’t help myself.”

“It is a simple question.”

“I know. Its just that most people see William as a spoilt child who posses with his father’s wealth and changes women like clothes but the truth is, William hardly goes into relationships.”

“He doesn’t need to go into or keep a relationship ma, all he has to do is sleep with all the willing prostitutes and pay them off.”

“You’re wrong again dear. On the contrary, William hates the site of prostitutes.”

“What about runs girls?”

“They are all the same to him, Charity.” Mrs. Hope said with all seriousness. “If he gets involved with a girl, he actually wants to keep her but it seems he doesn’t know how to choose good girls. He always picks cheaters and gold diggers.”

“Oh! Too bad.” I descended on the fish as I spoke. “He should stop showing off too much money, then maybe the right girl will come along.”

“Well, maybe, but I don’t think too much money is responsible for it.” Mrs. Hope remained silent and was temporarily in deep thoughts. When she got out of it the first question she asked was “Why does it interest you anyway?”

“What? As in? What are you talking about?”

“Why does William and whatever woman he moves with interest you?”

“Nothing. I was just having an innocent thought and so I asked.”

“Hmmm…. Charity, I am an elderly woman, I have dealt with different kinds of people and I know when someone is telling lies or trying to hide something. So tell me the truth. Are you attracted to William?”

To be continued…..

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FOUR


Throughout the night I was restlessly drifting in and out of sleep. The dreams I had were a replay of the interview, the only difference was that I killed all the mask men and was sent to jail afterwards.

Funny, right?

However, I finally managed to sleep during the early hours of the morning; I totally slept like a baby. By the time I woke up, it was 11:15 AM. I sat up briefly on the bed and said a quiet ‘Thank you’ to God for a safe night. After that, I got out of bed and went straight to the window, I pulled back the curtains and looked out. I wasn’t shocked, I was only surprised to see a lot of cars in the compound. The guards as well as patrol team were already in their positions. They directed other cars that were coming in to spots where they could park. Although I didn’t know what the occasion was, everything seemed to be going on just fine.

“They are perfect.” I said out loud.”They simply don’t need me here.”

But still, I was reluctant to leave. Deep within, I wanted to be part of them, I wanted to be part of a team that was so organized and also shared brotherly love. A team that had safety primary imprinted in their hearts. But I also knew I wouldn’t like the risks involved. Anyone could die at anytime. If I died, my brother would be a lone in the whole world.

“Phew!!!” I sighed and then walked away from the window. I knew that no matter what, it was time to go.

Within the next hour, I took my bath, got dressed and left the room with the file containing my credentials; Mrs. Hope must have dropped it on the table while I was asleep.

I got down the stairs and entered a narrow passage. I was already half way to Mrs. Hope’s study when I walked past an open room where a man was holding a gun to William’s head and asking him to lead the way.

“Oh God!” I thought, rolling my eyes. “Aren’t these people tired of interviewing me the wrong way?” I smiled at both of them and asked. “What’s this again? An interview?”

“Stand back!” The man with the gun warned me.

“And if I don’t?” I asked, hands on hips.

“I will blow your brains out.”

“Story. Or should I say tales by moon light. Excuse me.” I hissed and walked past them. I wasn’t interested in passing another interview even though I noticed how serious William’s expression was. His method of interviewing was still very unacceptable to me so for all I cared, he could just go to hell if he thought playing another trick on me was going to make me accept the job. If anything, it would make me go far away. I left them and continued on my way. When I got to the study, no one was in. Going back the way I came, William and the gun man were no where to be found. I hissed again while making my way to the sitting room. It was then it dawned on me that a quiet get together party was actually on-going. It was the reason for the many cars parked outside.
The sitting room was filled with celebrities and other important people, politicians, CEOs and MDs. I was still engaged with looking at the people around as well as their beautiful and expensive attire, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Mrs. Hope looking so serious and worried at the same time. Five of the men who acted as gun men the day before stood behind her with shot guns and double barrels. They were all dressed in dark blue combat uniforms and so was Mrs. Hope. For her age, she really looked good in it and I would have complimented her but her facial expression took the compliments away from my lips and replaced it with a question.

“Did someone die?”

“No, but someone is missing. Have you seem William?”

“Hmmmm…. What is this? Another interview?”

“Charity I’m serious here. This is not an interview. William is supposed to be at the party but he is not. I have checked his room, study and even the training room. He is just nowhere.”

“That doesn’t mean something bad has happened. Maybe he is busy setting up another interview.” I insisted.

“Charity this is serious. I think he is in danger because he sent me an SOS code before his phone went off. I have been calling back but its not connecting.”

“Ops.” I said as reality dawned on me. ” I saw him just now.”

“Where?” Mrs. Hope asked with so much relief.

“A man had a gun pointed at him. They were at the passage that leads to your study. I don’t know where they went. I didn’t care at the time because I thought it was just another interview.”

“Thanks. That’s all we need. You stay here, If you see anything let us know.”

“But I want to come with you.”

“No, you’re not trained for things like this yet.”

She handed me a radio receiver for contact before going with the other men.

“Gosh! You are such an idiot” I said to myself as I mentally knocked my head three times. “How could I not have seen what was happening? If that weird guy hurt William and got away with it, it would be because of my stupidity.”

I was so restless where I stood and I knew I couldn’t just remain there and do nothing about what was happening. Even the party no longer interested me, all I could think about was what to do. I looked at my file and the room key I was about to hand over to Mrs. Hope.

“I still need to hold on to this” I said before turning back the way I came. I needed to get back to my room, drop the file and join in the search for William.

I had already climbed the stair case and was well on my way to the room I slept the night before when I heard voices in one of the rooms. At first I didn’t pay any attention to it but when I heard

“You are really a spoilt brat William Avero. How can you even do what you are doing to your father right now?”

My eyes widened as I realized that William was in that room with his abductor. I took off my shoes as quietly as I could and tip toed to the door.

“So why don’t you just shoot me and get things over with?” I heard William reply the man.

“Believe me Willie, I want to do it. But your father gave me very strict instructions and that is the only reason why you are still standing. I will take you to him and after your discussion, he will decide whether you live or not.”

“You and my father are just the same. You are both cowards. My guards will be here soon. You should run away before they get you.”

“Are you trying to threaten me?”

“No. I’m only advising you, and for your own good you should take it.”

“The only advise I have for you Willie boy, is to make sure you carry the correct and complete documents your father asked for. Its time to give up the land.”

I moved away from the door as quietly as I could. I didn’t understand what the man meant by ‘Its time to give up the land’ and at that moment, I didn’t really care. For the next few minutes I thought of what to do to help but nothing concrete came to mind. I then decided to get something, anything, as long as it could serve as a weapon. I looked around but found nothing. I tried to access the rooms close by but all of them were locked except one. I went inside that one and looked around but still I found nothing. I went back to the door of the room where William was and just stood in front of it while trying to come up with a plan. I thought of going to get Mrs. Hope but I was scared that something bad might happen before I get back. I looked at the radio receiver in my hand but I knew that talking into it would give away my position. Due to too much thinking and less concentration, I didn’t know when the door knob turned and the door, pulled open. William came out with some documents in one hand and a gun still pointed at the back of his head. For a brief moment, we stared at each other, confused. I didn’t expect to be caught and I am sure he didn’t expect to see me around.

“So you decided not to back off, right?” The gun man asked as soon as he saw me.

I wanted to say something but my receiver chose that moment to beep. I knew it was Mrs. Hope wanting to confirm if I had seen William or not. I held the receiver close to my mouth but before I could say anything, the man pushed William aside and pointed his gun at me.

“If you say one word,” He threatened with a very low but dangerous tone. “I will not hesitate.”

While I was still trying to decide what to and what not to do, William ceased the opportunity to attack his abductor from the side but things didn’t go well. In fact, it went very bad in a twinkle of an eye. What happened was this. While William made a strong move on the man and tried to cease his gun and render him powerless, the man pulled the trigger. I heard the bang. But all I felt at that moment was the unbearable pain of hot metal piercing into my flesh, and then blood; warm blood flowed out. I cried out in pain and after a while, the last thing I saw before I blanked out was William getting even with his abductor.

To be continued…

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THREE


William took out his phone and made a quick call. He ordered some people to come to the room. At first, I thought he called his cooks and cleaners or gardeners and I wondered what truth they had to tell me. Anyway, I didn’t wait for long before I got the shock of my life. The masked men who stormed the place earlier came into the room one after the other and this time, they were without masks. I knew it was them because they were still dressed in their black uniform.

“What is this?” I asked, a little scared.

I thought William had brought them in to deal with me. With every passing seconds my fear rose, my heart beat tripled and the room suddenly became too hot. What was happening? Why was he so calm with the same men that almost killed him? Seeing the questions in my eyes, William spoke up.

“Charity” He called. “These men are my workers and sometimes, they play the role of body guards too.”

“I still don’t get it.” I fired at him. “What has that got to do with the fact that they stormed this place, killed someone and even blew up your car? And they work for you?”

“The position of a house keeper isn’t what you thought it to be at all, Charity. We want someone who will take care of the house and everyone in it. It is the duty of the house keeper to monitor guests and strangers who visit this house, to make sure attacks against this house do not succeed. Our safety will lie almost completely in your hands if you accept this position. The interview was to see who amongst the others will be determined to get what he or she wants as well as the one who will do everything possible to save the life of another person. We found both in you. You stayed till late this evening, you didn’t give up and also you were willing to save our lives.”

“But it wasn’t only me.” I frowned, my eyes narrowing to a slit. “Last time I checked there were five of us left for the interview. Maybe the boys escaped but the girl came into your home after she was almost raped and the woman, she was killed by your so called workers.”

“Really?” William asked with amusement in his eyes. I could tell he was having fun with what I was saying and I wondered why.

“You are having fun with this, right?” I queried.

“Not really, but there are people I will like to introduce to you.”

He then called out “Mrs. Hope, Tina, Fred, please come in.”

So you see, I got another serious shock of my life when the three of them came in. I looked from Mrs. Hope to the other two, Fred and Tina.

“I saw your dead body.” I said to Mrs. Hope, my voice was shaky. “How come you are standing there?”

“No dear” She countered. “You saw me pretending to be dead.”

“But the gunshot wa…”

“Was fake.” She said, cutting me short. “Even the blood was fake.”

“You are one of them?” I asked her.

Mrs. Hope stepped forward and held me by the shoulder. “Yes I am dear.”

“You deceived me.” I withdrew from her hold. “So what about all that talk of your children and money for their university education?”

“Actually Charity, these are my children” She said referring to Tina and Fred.

“I thought you said you had two boys and a girl?” I asked again.

“Yes. My second boy, Jerry, is recovering from the injury he sustained. You hit him very hard you know.”

“I didn’t touch him. I didn’t hit anyone.”

“Yes you did, but without knowing.”

It was then I recalled the masked man who was bent on raping the teenage girl, Tina. I knew it was him they were referring to because he was the only one I dealt with. I was so shocked and confused. This was entirely new to me. What if I had killed him? I thought. Will they still say it was an interview? Will they forgive me? How can they even do such a thing? When I got tired of thinking, I put my thoughts aside and looked up at Mrs. Hope as well as everyone in the room like I was seeing ghosts and aliens. They expected me to say something but I had nothing to say. Mrs. Hope saw how confused I was, she then asked the others to leave so she could talk with me alone. They obeyed and left, even the almighty William Avero left too and that surprised me. I didn’t know he could be obedient to his own worker

For the next one hour after we were left alone, Mrs. Hope tried to make me understand by explaining things to me. She said when they placed the vacancy advert, they knew they were looking for an honest person who cared about others more than him/her self. They were looking for such a person because their own lives, as well as that of William’s were constantly threatened. They needed someone trust worthy to have their backs and also the position was a very sensitive one. They delayed the interview because they wanted to know who amongst the applicants will be patient enough to wait for the employer and also who will assist to fight if there was an attack. Everyone left except me. At the time, I thought we were five left but I was really the only one left. Mrs. Hope was already a worker in the house and so were the girl and the two young men, Mrs. Hope’s children. They were only out there to see what would happen, how I would react to the situation. According to Mrs. Hope, she was the first house keeper and she knew that the task being given to me was no child’s play. Everyone was going to have to put their trust in me.

“But why all of this?” I asked. “Why do you people need protection? If you aren’t doing anything bad then you don’t need protection.”

“We are not doing anything bad dear and really, what we do is not as easy as you think. We train on a daily basis because of the work we do” Mrs. Hope said.

“I hope you people are not asking me to be a thug for William or his father? Fighting their battles and protecting them from the people they’ve hurt?”

“Its far from that Charity. You see, William is a celebrity, yes. But that is just a cover to hide what he is really doing. He is actually a crusader with a mission to dis-stabilize greedy politicians and help the common man. He never one day liked his father’s role in politics and this is his way of rebelling against it. We have all suffered one way or the other and so we had good reasons to join him. When you get to know William, I assure you, you will see him differently.”

“Okay” I said, still wondering about everything. “So what exactly is my job description like?”

“You will supervise the cleaning of the house, you will monitor guests and strangers and sometimes you will attend to them on behalf of William. You will make sure the CCTV cameras in every part of the house are in working condition. You will be part of the patrol team, only you will watch the house while others watch the compound. The idea is to make sure intruders don’t get into the compound and the house. You will be trained on how to use weapons and hand combat for battles. Als……”

“Hold on please.” I interrupted her. “I’m I being recruited into a military base? Or something similar to it?”

“No dear. You are only being recruited as a house keeper” She said with a smile. “But you will need the training.”

“Look ma, this is too much to take.” I said truthfully. “I will have to think about it. I don’t really know if I want to do this.”

“I know its not an easy decision. It was same for most of the employees but they have not regretted joining our team. I’m sure you won’t either.”

We talked a little more and when we were done, I promised to think about everything I had been told.

“I need to go home now.” I said to her. I was feeling tired and I needed to rest.

“Its late.” She prevailed on me. “At least feel free to pass the night here. You can use the opportunity to get to know the others. It will help with the decision you make.”

“Okay” I said after a brief thought. Its not like anyone would get worried about me since I was staying alone. As for my brother, we could always talk over the phone. “Will you show me around? I really want to know something more about how things work around her” I said.

“Sure.” She agreed.

We got up from the bed and walked towards the door. Mrs. Hope suddenly held me by the shoulders and I turned to face her.

“Thank you.” She said, with a smile.

“Why are you thanking me?” I asked, confused

“I am thanking you because if what happened outside was real and not just an interview, I am sure you will stand with me and do all you can for me.”

“I was only doing what I thought was right” I replied.

“I know my dear” She said, rubbing the back of her hand against my cheeks. “That is why you are so special. I hope you wouldn’t reject our offer?”

“I don’t know yet. I can’t say”

“Its okay, I understand.”

We left the room together and walked around the house but I wasn’t allowed into any room that had the inscription ‘Private or Off limits.’ The mansion was a very spacious one and full of helps who did the normal cleaning and workers who were both patrol and combat teams. They were very nice to me and I felt like part of them already. I was invited to have dinner with them and it was there I saw how happy, mischievous, funny and friendly they were. Although it was fun, I didn’t see William that night, he didn’t join them at the table.

Maybe he doesn’t want to mix, I thought. Employers always have a way of separating themselves from their employees. I quickly put the thought out of my mind. I just wanted to enjoy the meal and the company of the workers.

That night, after I got back to my room, I didn’t feel the way I felt before. I was more comfortable and relaxed. Tina gave me her nightie. After showering I changed into it and jumped on the big bed. It was very soft and comfortable but it didn’t help to remove the question in my mind. “Can I do this? Can I handle this job?” I knew it wouldn’t be easy to decide immediately so I simply turned the other way and closed my eyes. After all, the next day was another day.

To be continued
************************

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THE PROMISE Written by Oluwafunminiyi Komolafe

A car pulled over opposite a super market and Bassy came down with three of his goons armed with baseball bat, machete and all sort of dangerous weapons. The moment he saw Bassy and his goons entered, Micheal smelt something sinister in the air so he came down from his car which was parked at a safe distance from the supermarket. Not leaving his camera behind he proceeded cautiously toward the building.

It was late in the evening, Mr Joshua was already packing up his goods when he saw them enter. Fear got hold of him and he quickly went to Bassy knelt before him and begged.

“Please Bassy, I know I owe you. please give me more time. I will pay up” the man begged.

“Mr Joshua chill out, am not here for the money, I’m only here to see how you are doing” Bassy said pulling him up, smiling. “I can see business is going fine” Bassy said strolling around; staring at the goods neatly arranged on the shelf.


“Which of these goods will you like to have?” the owner asked in fear as he followed him.

“Do you know what I hate most? Lying. My boys came here last week for the protection money and you told them market is not moving but here I am seeing your store well stuck with goods. I think you are playing me for a fool Mr Joshua” Bassy said.

“No I dare not, I borrowed the money to buy these goods from a friend of mine” The man answered pleading.

Bassy signaled to his boys and they held the man down as he picked up a keg of hypo and poured it down the man’s throat.

Micheal was standing by the window snapping the whole incident with his camera. One of the goons caught sight of him and a serious chased was the result. Micheal ran furiously down the street while Bassy and his goons pursued. He ran into an abandon kiosk and hid. From there, he watched as the people on his trail ran past the kiosk, thinking he was far ahead of them.

A few minutes later, Micheal got out of the kiosk and proceeded to where his car was parked. He had only taken a few steps when something suddenly hit his leg and he fell down. Bassy and his boys came at him, first they broke his camera before they descended upon him and rained punches on him. After he was satisfied, Bassy ordered them to stop and pulled the battered Micheal up. They searched him but found nothing, save for the cash tucked in his wallet.

“Who do you work for? Are you a cop?” Bassy asked but he got no answer.

“Wait boss I recognize him, he was the guy who sneered at you at the court that day” one of his boys said.

“Oh so you are the one? I remember you swore on the grave of your late wife to bring me down, is this how you plan on doing it? You know what my friend, no one can bring me down because am a lion, I rule the town” After saying this, he collected the bat from one of his goons and bash Micheal’s skull with it.

* * * * * * * * * * *
Tayo stood watching the corpse of his stubborn brother. Ever since his wife had been murdered by Bassy, he had promised to bring Bassy to Justice. They had Bassy arrested and taken to court but the case was dismissed owing to lack of substantial evidence because the key witness never showed up. Since then, Micheal had been bent on getting the evidence to put Bassy away. He resigned from where he worked and bought a camera to keep tailing him. Tayo had tried talking him out of his madness and advised him on focusing on taking care of the little girl his wife left behind but he was too stubborn to listen. Tayo took the responsibility of caring for the five years old girl while his father went on trying to get the criminal booked.

The ambulance came and a stretcher was brought out to wheel the corpse. The body was placed on it and while they were moving it, something dropped from the corpse’s shoe. Tayo looked at it and realized that it was a memory card ; the memory card from the camera which Micheal had kept inside his shoe while hiding in the kiosk. When he later checked the content of the memory card, he discovered that his brother had died trying to fulfil his promise. Tayo gave the info to the cops and Bassy together with his gang were brought to book.

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TWO

While the gun men moved towards the mansion, I grabbed Mrs. Hope by the hand and together we ducked behind some flowers in the garden and watched them. From the position we stood a while ago, I knew the masked men were yet to see us.

“What do we do now?” Mrs. Hope asked, scared. I could see that she was already trembling.

“We have to leave this place” I answered.

“We cannot just leave” She argued. “We should do something to help first.”

“Something like what?” I asked. “I’m not a police or army officer you know”

I had already decided that the best thing to do was to quickly get out of the compound with Mrs. Hope as quickly, safely and as quietly as possible but there was just one problem. At the gate, there were two armed men standing guard. Surprisingly, they wore no mask and I could see how very serious their facial expressions were.

“Ma” I called to Mrs. Hope. “Do you think you will be able to run when the time comes?” I asked.

“I don’t know” She replied. “You know I’m not getting any younger.”

“But this looks like a matter of life and death. Seriously, think about your children. Don’t you want to see them again?”

“Yes I do want to see them” She replied.

“Okay. So when its time, just run off, don’t even look back.”

“But what about you?” She asked.

“Don’t worry about me, just run when I ask you too. Is that okay?”

She nodded her head in agreement and then we turned our attention back to the gate. I was still trying to come up with an escape plan for both of us when we suddenly heard screaming in front of the mansion. I looked and saw the other girl, the one who came for the interview with the two young men. She was being pulled away by one of the masked men to the side of the mansion’s main entrance. I wondered how she got caught. Since the commotion started I didn’t even for once think about the men and their sister, or should I say relative. I thought they would be able to take care of themselves especially since they were vibrant young people. I looked around the premises but couldn’t find the boys anywhere. By the time I looked back at the screaming girl, I saw that she had been pushed to the ground and a stupid man was trying to get her jeans off. Now if there is one thing I hate so much, its a man trying to force himself on a woman. For crying out loud, its dehumanizing to force yourself on a person. If he has so much energy and he wants to spend some of it, then he should feel free to talk to a sex worker. I was really angry at what I was seeing, so much so that without thinking straight, I stood up and started towards them but Mrs. Hope quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me back behind the flowers.

“What do you think you are doing?” She queried.

“I’m going to get that man off her” I answered. “Can’t you see he is about to rape her?”

“So what are you going to do? Fight a strong and heavily armed man?”

“I don’t mind if he beats me to a pulp, as long as he doesn’t have his way” I argued.

“At this rate, you will only end up getting yourself raped too. At least come up with a plan first”

“But what can I come up with before that man succeeds?” I grumbled. “I have limited time”

I looked back at the duo and not for the last time, I wondered where her relations were. Since they were men, I reasoned that they were strong enough to fight for her but I couldn’t see them anywhere and the masked man was already almost getting the poor girl’s jeans off. Since I couldn’t come up with another plan, I quickly stood up again and this time I didn’t allow Mrs. Hope hold me back.

The other masked men were already inside the house and so it was easy for me to move without being noticed by any of them. I knew I had to stop the poor girl from being rapped and I was ready to do anything to make sure the tweed didn’t succeed. As I went along, I picked up a big sick which was lying on the ground but when I got to where they were, something weird happened. As I came up behind the man and raised the stick up to strike, the girl suddenly screamed a loud ‘No!!!’ Well, the ‘no’ wouldn’t have bothered me if she wasn’t saying it to me and also alerting the man who was about to rape her. But I was quick enough. I brought down the stick on his head before he realized what was going on. The man fell flat and passed out immediately. The girl, who was now left with just her under wear, quickly pulled up her jeans. She didn’t completely zip it up before she ran to the man’s side and began to shake his body and beg him to wake up. I was even more surprised to see tears flowing out of her eyes.

Again, I wondered what was really going on. How can someone care so much about the person that almost raped her? I tried to pull her off him and run away with her but she slapped me on the face and pushed me away before turning to face the man on the ground again. The slap was hard, the type only a soldier would give to you.

I was still trying to understand the situation when the other armed men suddenly came out from the mansion with William, Chief Avero’s son, as their captive. I was confused about what to do to help, I didn’t even know if I should help but as soon as the men saw the other girl by the side of the man I had hit, two of them went over to help and I noticed that the rest where confused. Even William Avero looked shaken by the issue but he tried to hide his emotions. I was surprised about that too because he was supposed to be a captive. Why then was he feeling sad for the man?.

The two masked men carried the passed out man into the mansion and the girl followed them in. To me, that was another shocker.

“Is she okay? Or is she crazy?” I thought.

As soon as they were out of sight, the remaining men asked William and I to go on our knees. We obeyed and not long after another masked man showed up from the garden with Mrs. Hope. She screamed and kicked as he pulled her by the hair to where we were. I wondered how she was caught and instantly felt guilty. At that moment, I knew that it would have been better to find an escape rout for both of us than to help out a girl who was about to be raped but didn’t appreciate my help. I knew I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to her. The poor woman only wanted to raise money for her children’s education. That was why she came for the interview in the first place. Now it looked like she was not going to see her children ever again.

Mrs. Hope was brought to kneel down beside us and then guns where pointed at our heads. I closed my eyes and not for the last time, I thought of my brother. How was he doing at Abuja? How would he cope with the news of my death? These and more ran through my mind but not for long. I was seriously shocked and snapped out of my thoughts by a loud gun shot. My eyes instantly flew open and the first thing it rested on was Mrs. Hope lying lifeless on the ground. Blood flowed endlessly from her stomach. At that moment my emotions broke loose. I began to cry and scream at the masked men.

“You people are mad!” I shouted at them. “What did the poor woman ever do to you? How could you do this? How would her children take the news? She was a harmless woman, why?” I continued ranting for a while but then, one of the men stepped forward and gave me the slap of my life.

He then turned to William. “Your turn to reach hell Mr. William” He said before pointing his gun at William’s fore head. “Any last wishes?”

“Not really” William replied. “But I do have one last thing to say.”

“Hurry up then.”

“You and your entire team are the most biggest cowards I have ever seen. If you must kill a man, fight him head on and throw down those weapons of yours”

“Really?” The man laughed. ” The almighty William wants to fight? Let us grant his wish then”

The men, four of them in number surrounded William and started to give him the beating of his life. It was a very bad situation but at the same time, the distraction was what I needed. I quickly left my position, picked up one of the short guns the men threw down and pointed it at the man that stood as their leader.

“Leave him alone or I will shoot you” I threatened them.

The men stopped what they were doing and turned to face me. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?” The leader asked.

“None of your business. You have already killed my friend, I won’t allow you kill another person.”

“Why would anyone want to help William Avero?” their leader asked, “Do you even know who he is? Orwhat an idiot he is?”

“That’s none of your business. Just leave him alone. I don’t care if he is a jerk, he doesn’t have to die.”

“But we do?” The leader asked.

“No. For everything you’ve done, you deserve more than death. So believe me when I say death is the best option you have.”

They looked at me seriously for a while and then suddenly burst into laughter. They then urged me to shoot since I was with a gun and was determined to kill them. I was surprised at this because they were not scared that anything bad could happen to them.

Anyway, to cut long story short, I didn’t get to shoot the gun. I have never even handled a gun in my life before but that was not the issue. Before I could attempt pulling the trigger, someone came up from behind me and covered my face with something that had a very strong odor. I didn’t last after that, I simply passed out.

By the time I woke up, I found myself lying on a big bed in a very large but tastefully furnished room. The place was a little dark because the curtains were down but still, I knew it was a large room. While on the bed, I got scared because in most films I have watched, when a woman is suddenly abducted and finds herself on a bed, its either her abductors have already raped her, wanted to rape her or wanted to collect ransom. Unfortunately for them, I have no money so it could only mean that who ever brought me here wanted to get in-between my legs. I jumped up from the bed and was already heading to the door.

“Escape!” That was all that rang in my head even though I didn’t know where to start.

When I got to the door and was about to take the knob, I paused because I saw it turn and then the door suddenly flew open. Within seconds, William Avero stepped into the room. His bare chest was well built and his tall features hovered above me. His body was wet. Either he had just taken a shower or he went swimming.

“Hello Charity” He greeted with a smile.

To me, that was weird. I never was a celebrity and I never told him my name. We didn’t even talk to each other. So one question that bugged me was how he knew my name.

I took two steps back and looked at him thoroughly before speaking. “How do you know my name? And what are you doing here?” I asked

“First, this is my house” He replied. “So I have every right to be here. Second, I looked through your CV. After all you came for the interview, right?”

That was true. I forgot I came along with my CV and photocopies of my certificates. When I first saw the vacancy advert, I wondered why one should be asked for CVs and credentials even when the position was only for a house keeper. Anyway, that was the least of my worries, I had other questions bugging me so I concentrated on them.

“Okay. So tell me exactly what happened? How did you manage to get rid of those men?”

“I didn’t get rid of them. They are my workers but I prefer to call them my family.”

“I don’t understand. They are your workers? That means they revolted against you, right?”

“No. The important thing you should know is that you passed the interview, but the real question is, are you ready and willing to be part of us?”

I stared at him for a while as if I was looking at a clown. I consider clowns as confused people so I was very sure William Avero was being a clown.

“What are you even talking about? I and a whole lot of people came to your house since around 8:00AM for an interview that was never conducted. Those of us who refused to give up got attacked by the men who came to beat you. I was unconscious and now you are here telling me what? If you had just conducted the interview in time and let us go home, that poor woman, Mrs. Hope, she would have still been alive and I will not be here.

William smiled at my outburst but he said nothing immediately. It was like he was thinking of what to say as he moved closer to the window and pulled the curtains aside. It was getting dark outside but I refused to let it bother me, it couldn’t even bother me because I was carried away by the gorgeous body in front of me. William was dark complexioned, tall, had the body of a model and warrior put together. His hair was short and his beards were well shaped and trimmed. While he moved about, I couldn’t help but notice his biceps. They looked strong and very masculine, just the way I like them. I felt really attracted to his open body but I kept myself from feeling dazed. It wasn’t easy to do but I knew I had to try to ignore his dominating presence. After pulling the curtains aside, he turned back to me and spoke.

“I think its time to let you in on what really happened.”

TO BE CONTINUED.....

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THE HOUSEKEEPER BY KARO OFOROFUO


Chapter One

I have learnt two important things in life and they are 1. Living in the city is hard and 2. Living in the city without a job is very hard. Life is never a bed of roses but it smiles on anyone who is ready to work hard and smart.

My name is Charity Efete, the first child of late Mr. and Mrs. Efete who died in a robbery attack. I have a kid brother, Jeffery Efete is his name. Things were really hard for my brother and I since we were little because the early passing of our parents. We practically moved from one aunty’s house to another as well as one uncle’s house to another. The good part in all our suffering was that we were both able to finish school. We would have loved to go for our masters degree but that was not just going to be possible because of our poor financial situation and we didn’t want to continue troubling our uncles and aunties for help. Long since we finished school, we both went around looking for jobs but we had to manage the menial ones we got. My brother got tired and decided to try his luck at Abuja. Its been well over a year since he left and although we talk over the phone everyday, I still miss him so dearly. However, I know that the hustling must go on. As for me, I stopped hustling after I got a job at a big mansion as a house keeper. Surprising right? Why should being a house keeper be enough for me? Well, its not as simple as that. The name house keeper was only my cover but the real job was something else. Here, let me tell you how it started and what really happened.
Back then when I was hustling, I was still working as sales girl for a woman who felt she could step on anyone at anytime when I saw a vacancy for house keeper at one of the mansions owned by the Averos. The Averos are very rich people who have influence all over the country. Their father, Chief Luke Avero, is a member of the house of representatives at the federal level. His wife and two daughters also held different political offices but his crazy son was a celebrity. He was into movies, modeling and anything entertainment.
This family lived large and since I knew some people who worked with them, I knew they paid very well, no matter the position one occupied in their home or company. Of course I am a graduate but in a country where good employment with good pay is gold, I decided to take what was available and go for the interview.

By 8:00 AM on the morning of the interview, I was set and soon on my way to the Averos’ mansion which was located somewhere in the Lagos Metropolis. When I got there I was very surprised to see a lot of people, especially young guys and aged women. I always thought young men wanted only white collar jobs; I guess I was mistaken. As for the aged women, I guess the hustling wasn’t over for them, not yet.
While waiting, we stood outside in the sun for so long and I wondered if the interview would still hold or if we were in the wrong place. We weren’t given a place to stay so we gathered under the trees in the garden and sat on the trimmed grasses. Out of boredom and frustration, we started to converse with each other so as to make friends and also while away time but still, we were getting fed up. I arrived at the venue at about 8:45 AM but as at 12noon, we still had heard nothing from the employers. They didn’t even come out to talk to us or even see us. Some of the aged women hissed and cursed before picking up their bags and going home, some of the young men and ladies also left. With every passing hour our number reduced drastically and by 4:00 PM, there were just five of us left. Me, an aged woman in her early fifties, Two men and a teenage girl. The woman looked really tired and hungry. She was a little light complexioned, chubby, had gray hairs that were really long and beautiful for her age. She wore a brown blouse over very long skirt that got to her ankle. She was quiet almost throughout. The men and the teenage girl seemed to get along well and I wondered at it but after a few minutes of eavesdropping on their conversation, I found out that they were somehow related but I wasn’t too sure how.
No wonder they were still around. I thought. They were together so I was guessing that if one decided to go home, the others will follow.
I turned my attention back to the aged woman, she looked lonely and very tired so I decided to keep her company for a while and then persuade her to go home. Now don’t get me wrong, its not like I didn’t want her to get the job okay, I just felt she should not go through so much stress because of people who treated others shabbily all because they lived in a mansion. Anyway, she didn’t listen to me. She told me she couldn’t go back home empty handed because she was a widow with two boys and a girl who needed financial assistance for their university education. She was able to get part of the money needed but she needed ways to raise the other half. In her own words:
“I’d rather stay here until midnight and get the job, than walk away now and loose out. I have nowhere else to go”
I understood her situation perfectly and so I stopped trying to make her leave. We put the issue behind us and talked about other things. It was then I discovered how nice a woman she was. I was getting along really good with her and I enjoyed her company. Oh! Before I forget, her name is Mrs. Hope Ujete.
After we had stayed a little longer and no one still came out to meet us, I decided that it was time to eat, so, I offered to buy both of us food and a bottle of malt. She thanked me as I stood up and got ready to leave the compound. I wanted to quickly buy the food and get back. I was still walking towards the large gate when one of the vehicles parked in the second garage built away from the main mansion suddenly exploded. Unfortunately, I was close to it. The force picked me off the ground and threw me backwards. I landed hard on my back. The sudden explosion really shook me and the pains I felt from landing so hard were terrible. Fortunately, I lived seven years of my life close to an army barrack where I had lots of friends. My friends and I formed a scout group in the barracks and we were constantly given combat training by some of the soldiers. Although the scout group was used for some security jobs, it was nothing too serious. The training helped me so many times later in my life and I am still grateful for it. While lying on the ground after the explosion, I remembered what our scout instructors told us about sudden attacks and how to survive it. Refusing to waste more time, I quickly got to my feet and staggered to the others who were equally surprised and shocked by the blast. While we were wondering what was going on, especially since no one came out from the mansion to ask what happened and also take in the damages, we saw some masked men walk into the compound. They held the security man at gun point and pulled him along. The sight frightened us and I was sure I was really in the wrong place.

TO BE CONTINUED.....

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Rukkydelta:
Following

Aw... That's the end

slyIsaac:


















OMG tis thing hard o

aw awn thanks...

Cc seun tosyne2much lalasticlala mynd44, obinau

Tega climbed down the Black maria and wished she had controlled her anger that evening. At least if she had controlled it, she won’t be serving her life in prison for her inability to control her anger. The cold air stiffened her body and opened her eyes clearly to see she would face for the rest of my life.

Men had called her beautiful. Many had told her she looked like an angel, that her presence in their life would help them get to a higher ground. But she refused. Not that she was proud. It wasn’t also because she was rich. Yes, she was rich very wealthy. Both of her rich parents were dead and that automatically placed her in wealth she never worked for. Moreso, she herself was hardworking. It wasn’t also because she hadn’t seen the man of her dream. In fact, about three men had made her longlist. But she couldn’t double date. Rather, she couldn’t double love. She had fallen in love with Jensimi. He was dangerously handsome. His height was just what she always wished. He was all for her.

And so on the day her problem occurred she was daydreaming about him, expecting him. He wasn’t rich. But she had covered that vacuum. She gave him car, house, everything. And, he, as she expected was a great and lovely man of the word of God. He was grounded, rooted and rewarded through this same word. He was the exact person she wanted as the father of her unborn children.

They were both Christians and she had prayed. She made sure she prayed and that she got confirmation about him being the one.

And that was their sixth year of being friend. Yet, he had said nothing, much to her chagrin. She met him on her 28th birthday after one of the sisters in church introduced him to her as her nephew. When she meant sister in church, she meant sisters- adults and younger ones. But this person was old.

He came in, looking elegant. Her body warmed and her face brightened with smile, the type babies gives, that evoke smiles from others. She sat straight.

She had been hoping for this day. Every thing pointed to the fact that he did love her.

After they had exchange pleasantries, talked generally, and eaten she decided to voice out. She had ordered one of favourite their wines. She decided not to open it so that they could use it to celebrate the great reply.

‘ Jen-?’
‘ Do you-‘

She swallowed hard. Maybe he was going to
say it.
‘ You go first’, he said.
‘ No you…’

‘ I just wanted to know if you are enjoying the
meal’.
She knew it. He was shy.

‘ Ok…Jen, what’s happening between us?’
He looked up, his fork hanging from his mouth. She looked at his hand. He was a fast learner. She had never seen such a man who was humble, who could stoop so low to learn from a lady, from her. And he was all she wanted.

‘ What? What’s on your mind? I see you only
as a younger sister’.

Her heart felt like falling out through her mouth. She needed something to hold as she blinked severally and her mouth opened like the opening of caves which had no hope of ever closing. She held the wine bottle, to strengthen herself through his words that hit
like arrow.

‘ Yes. You’re just a younger sister’.
‘ You are mad’ She shouted and smashed his head with the wine bottle. He fell. She smashed again. And again. Until she controlled her anger. By the time she stopped his skull had melted.

The feeling came again. Joseph looked at his co-workers and took his eyes away when one of them wanted to look at him. ‘Mr. Joe…’ A lady said and touched his cloth. ‘What?’ He shouted. He pulled back in his seat. Her touch was like an ember. He knew she touched him every time she came around. But he didn’t want that day. He looked at her eyes to be sure she had not seen it. ‘What’s wrong with you?’ The lady said as she shifted back. Her elegance could pass her as a model. And that’s what she can be. She can’t be what he wanted. Nothing in this world can be. And the only person that could be what he wanted was very far away from him. Or should he say he’s the one far from this person. ‘Leave me… Ah! I’ve been telling you over the week, you people should leave me’. The pure fear reflected on her face was a pure reflection of what was on his mind. He stood and headed for the toilet. His hair raised like warriors who had been given the go-ahead by their leaders to invade another village. They were watching, he knew. If only he had the ability to move at the speed of light. The moment he closed the door, Joseph repeatedly hit the wall with his fist. He had been cranky over little things the week. And he just couldn’t help it. He slapped his wife for the first time in his five years of marriage with her. He went to the basin. If he had a gun, he would end everything now. He swallowed hard. Tears poured down his face. He was just 33 years old. He washed his face. The mirror called his attention. His breathe came out faster than normal but he wasn’t concerned. The hair of his head was cutting off. He shook his head. He perspired. The water from the tap kept running. He shook his head. He should wash his face again. ‘Ah… God…’ He screamed and hit the basin.


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