I've never successfully written a full story..it always fizzles out I just had an idea to try out short series..pls try it out...Jah bless!

#NOTE#
This work is purely fiction,any likeness of character to anyone dead or alive is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved no part of this work sld be re written in any form electronic or manual,without the consent of the author.
#

This was no stranger! I had seen that face before..sometime that week..I blinked,shook my head and risked looking g up again and I ran straight into his stare. Impeccably dressed he was, u could smell class on the man I'm very sure I wldnt have given him a passing thought had it not been for the eyes. One white and one bloodshot I cld feel a nagging in my brain something Important, something that made my hand stop in the process of returning the cash book to the customer I was attending to..the red eyed man was in between both lines..although funmi's line was shorter than mine I cld sense him edging my way. I made a show of checking the cash book again then pressing several keys on my desktop with a frown on my face as tho there was a slight problem i was immersed with..but as soon as i felt Fumi stamp a teller nd signal for d nxt..i hurriedly released my customer with a hasty : "tnx for banking with us". This charade wld go on with my brain racing in all directions was it possible this man knew about the money? But that was absurd or was it? Did Chief send this man? Where had I seen that face before or those disturbing eyes. The few times I glanced up he was watching me..no expression on his face once or twice he glanced at his watch and seemed to be in a hurry. Finally I had managed in delaying my queue that when Fumi called for the next customer Mr. Strange eyes had to step forward lest risk strange and wondering looks in his direction. I tried to listen in on their exchange but he said really little and just handed over a slip. I glanced over nonchalantly and caught him looking dead at me with a sly smile on his lips. Suddenly it hit me that was the very same mechanic I had handed my keys to less than 24 hours..my heart literally stopped as d possibilities began to take root if this man was in anyway linked with chief then I had just handed every thing in my car ( personal details,about family everything ) to the very last person who sld see anything like that. The weight was crushing I had to rest my head in my hands for a moment I closed my eyes and saw it clearly, the 3 piece suit exchanged with the stained jumpsuit..the clean nails for the black oil smeared one. even the clean shaven jaw line for the scraggle beard of old. His pidgin english and iliterate look exchanged with the air of sophistication. The only thing he cldnt change was d eyes..and dat had woken me up.
I heard a customer clear his throat in impatience and when I looked up hurriedly strange eyes was gone. I looked sideways and caught Fumi looking at me strangely.
I hurried on with my duties a bit embarrassed as to what fumi myt be thinking.
It was no secret dat ever since fome' called of the engagement I had gone thru a rilli bad phase..I still heard whispers here and there but ignored most of it..and had been doing fine and not even pretending until that very week....

****************************************
I have succeeded only in painting a small portrait something like a passport. for u to see d bigger picture however,u need to understand my frame of mind, to understand what drove my actions cos they were not pretty nor wild be d repercussions as it wld turn out..but that's
Getting ahead of the story...
My name is obasi. Rex obasi..usually just Rex..but my post office days it was oba.
I'm the only son with 3 sisters i guess my father was prepared to keep trying for a boy had I not come along when I did..and so my mother cld 'hang her.....' (Boots doesn't quite apply) finally and thus became my journey in life..typing these words I swore to be honest to the letter and I plan to keep to that word..cos the truth is all I have..if only I had used it while the blade was sharp.. Now I have learnt not being blunt cuts d deepest and I want no more cuts..
I was brought up in an environment with a mentality dat most feminists fight against today...call it misogyny, elitism whatever it was..was probably ingrained into me by my dad..who was also brought up dat way. My parents were not one to display affections of love or even closeness.they always came about as a necessity.. As something that had to be they ran d house smoothly with my father working (as a physical labourer) and my mother running the house smoothly always in her 'wrapper' which my immediate elder sisterReferred to as her uniform.uniform
My dad had a formidable physical appearance but save for some disturbing memories of him beating my mother he was almost jovial always having a good story to share with his 'son' anytime he came back from his toils he wld bounce me on his knee (when I was little and even when I began to get older)
"Pappy u know wot I did today.." He would den begin a story. Thinking back I know Dat was the highlight of his day and mine as well.he was always tired usually and he said very little until my mum had served his food(whuch was always a gigantic heap) after which the first sign of a smile wld enter his eye and he wld regard me with interest..other times he'd shout for any of my sisters to tend to me.
*************************************
I'm in a haste to rush thru my teenage years but this road back is bitter sweet, a nostalgia i must indulge. My sisters Cynthia,nyesom,utebo during my early years growing up were already late in their teens my immediate elder, utebo whom I related with the most (as she was always d one to look after me) was five years my senior, the first two was 11 and 9 respectively.. It wouldn't be until later that I would learn my mother sufferd from multiple miscarriages durin the years in between.
Back in my neighborhood which was quite urban..I was always on the receiving end of jests as to my sisters names from my peers. After one too many ribbing a particular day I asked my mother: "mama why is it that Cynthia has an English name..even me but how come nyesom and utebo.Are we not all siblings?"
My mother who had been folding clothes in a big basket paused smiled..a bit sadly "my dear they are ur sisters its is ur father's aunty and grand mothers name that we gave to the both of them that's all"
"Mama what of your own aunty and grandmother's name?"
My mother burst out laughing,dropped d basket and enveloped me in a bear hug..at that point I think I was eight plus and actually expected an answer
Anoda significant event from my teen years was when my father got in a fight or rather beat up the father of my classmate which soured dat relationship terribly. At that time there was buzz of a new railway being considered and all the contract workers in our community were on the lookout for d slightest opening for a job. the man in question,father to a class mate of mine had "apparently" gone behind my fathers back and accepted the deal and proceeded the work d following day after which my father had confronted him and a fight had ensured. However the 'word on the street' was that the reason for the fight was a gambling debt after which my father had collected his due proceeds from the work. As a matter of fact, there were different things i heard and i'm sure my sisters heard also but if we paid any attention to them it was only in private. But the funny thing was, my father brought about that reaction in us not by excess violence..from my father once was enof and he knew it.
By the time i was fifteen my two eldest sisters,Cynthia and Nyesom had married. The first, even three years prior to my fifteenth birthday. Utebo was already fiiling my ears with how she cldnt wait the one year my mom requested of her before bringing her "beloved paul" to see my father on the issue of marriage.
My father had been quite insistent i study accounting but was satisfied enof when I got admission in nsukka to study banking and finance.. This provided a breathe of fresh air to me and I cld see a life beyond the fore walls of my previous life.
It was during my 2nd year in school I came across fome' . To be frank she shattered d image I previously held(due to my upbringing). So it was only fitting that when I fell it wld be hard..she was..(my bruised ego and battered heart won't allow me sing her praises or list her wonderful traits..but she was wonderful in one word). Rememba dat potrait picture I mentioned before? Fome' is a significant splatter of paint on it..I'd say red cos when it comes right down to it all this bloodshed might have been avoided if I had somehow avoided her although that wld have been bad as well cos I wild have still had my previous ideals..and live a life d exact replicate of my father.(altho when comparing the outcomes d latter wouldnt seem so bad)
As it would turn out i would date Fome for almost eight years deep into my late twenties..and given by how totally taken by her i was and she by me (or so i thot) marriage was on the cards. The day i breached d topic to her was the day I set things in motion albeit unknowingly. I remember our dialogue that day. I had talked and talked trying out one liners and romantic quotes I had been reading about. When I asked her "will you marry me?"
All I heard was d first word of her reply: "yes.but there is someone I'd like you to meet".
This is a delicate part of this story talking about Chief. So delicate I think I need to expound on the gravity of the situation a little more.

*******************************************
That day, after Mr. Strange eyes had taken his leave I kept on replaying our previous meeting over and over in my head: I had been running late for work and my car had been jerking and making strange noises I had opted to leave it at home and on my way back I had stopped at the road side garage I usually used and informed 'Sule' the mechanic whose services I used previously..he had been to my house severally and usually used to bring my car home after working on it and at times like that faithful day I had given him d key instructing him to come pick it up the following day. I gave him d keys the day before on occasion when I wld be leaving early d next morning usually for work. If I remember correctly I had given him my car keys late into the night with every where pitch dark as he also sleeps in a shack in d garage.
I had proceeded home with my mind in d cloud feeling elated. Money they say is the root of all evil, in my case it wld turn out to be the seed. All that had occupied my mind since the day before had been an extremely large sum of money which i hadcome into very illegally indeed.(the means of which can only be explained after I explain the chief) suffice to say I had been in a terrific mood ever since.
That night, I was suprised when I heard my engine start, the unmistakable cough and wheez of my engine is hard to miss.
I had been looking at the mirror where I had spaced out for seconds with thoughts of riches glamour and sadly, getting Fome' back utmost in my mind. Hearing my engine, I was snapped out of the night 'day dream and hurried downstairs..."ah ah...what is Sule doing by this time. I wondered to myself as I put on a shirt and headed outside
********************************************

Hmmm mind captivatin,i kinda love it.

My Nigga! My Nigga! You turned the literature into a rap
You tried, still need a little brushing, you know what I mean. *Thumbs Up*

Becky5152:
Hmmm mind captivatin,i kinda love it.

Tnx a lot..I'm still working out the angle I confess.
P.s: when u write do u have a planned story line dat u follow or u just let the words lead(I always seem to get carried away)

souloho19:


Tnx a lot..I'm still working out the angle I confess.
P.s: when u write do u have a planned story line dat u follow or u just let the words lead(I always seem to get carried away)

well i do have a planned story line before i write but at some point in time i change the story line to make it more intresting.i like you ego.thumbs up.;-)

Suspense was well captured.
The beginnin was a little rowdy, almost confusing.
Nice plot...

Justdulla:
Suspense was well captured.
The beginnin was a little rowdy, almost confusing.
Nice plot...

I Appreciate ur thots..wld work on it..

souloho19:


I Appreciate ur thots..wld work on it..

uw sire

Soulho, my fellow lazy head... Was here to read ur piece... Twas really nice... Keep more coming

BREATHTAKING

****************************
The light from my neighbour's balcony altho quite far was aided by d strong beam of the moon. As I hurried outside,I cld make out two figures...one was closing the bonnet, the second was behind the wheel.
"Sule!" For a moment I thought I was being robbed. "Sule!"
He stuck his head out of the window I cld see the three tribal marks on the side of his face, from ear to chin. Sule.
"Oga Rex you never sleep? I no wan disturb you"
I had covered the short distance to the car with surprising speed and had to catch my breath for a moment.
I looked at the second person while Sule rambled on just a cursory glance.
"Tomorrow early morning I have to go to Ikorodu..E get one work wey I forget to tell u about."
"You for done call me now..or at least you for knock" but I was already nodding.
The second 'mechanic' who I didn't know was strange eyes joined in "oga no vex, na me even tell am say u fit dey sleep..no vex oga"
I blinked at him as i wondered about his eyes. "No wahala".
I looked at Sule as strange eyes retreated to the car.
"E go fit reach garage like this?"
"Why. E go reach I go just dey careful with the clutch.my boys go fit bring am tomorrow"
I stepped back "as long as sey e go dey work fine"
"No problem bross" he shook his head and looked at me. "This job ehn...we no dey sleep tomorrow na anoda one go start" he put the car in gear "oya now..good night" he looked at me a minute longer then drove off.
I entered the house considering what brand I sld change d car with.
"Maybe a mercedes" I said to my self. I broke into a tune as I locked my door. Whistling the tune to the song "singing in a rain"
If only I knew then a rain was truly coming.

But all that had happened less than 24 hours ago and sitting down at my desk in the bank, after closing hours staring at my screen and moving the cursor everywhere...I was hit by a realization:
The car it always hissed and wheezed every time it was started but Sule had been my mechanic for close to two years..since I relocated tho the area and he had shown me a way of starting the car with next to no noise..after complaining that the sound cold "fall my hand" one day. The trick was to pump the clutch vigorously as much as 18 times before turning the key fully. He was always reminding me and always made a show of
Starting the car that way after I complained the exercise was tiring. But that day he had started it once..it cldnt be a coincidence becos he had said he didn't want to wake me..my heart began to race as I tried to remember what else he had said that night, had he tried to tell me something in any way? he had mentioned going to Ikorodu said something about his work being stressful and about onoda one which i assymed was work abi onoda what?
It seems i was turning my brain inside out and it must have been reflecting on my face because Funmi snapped fingers in front of my face all of a sudden. I blinked and and was suprised to see her sitting on my desk, shaking her head "oga welcome back. I'v been talking to myself since abi" I looked down in question at the stack of papers she had dropped on my key board.
"Ariyo said you sld link those accounts like now"
"Me or you" I narrowed my eyes at her.
"You can go and ask him na" she put her hand on my arm.
"Rex" she was the only one in the office who called me that. "Few days ago you had been laughing to the point of annoying me but I was glad.you were okay..don't let d fome' depress you again you're better than that." If you only knew...I thot to myself.
"I'm fine fumi serious you wldn't believe me when I say its always you or Andy dat always even make me remember fome' - by mentioning her everytime" Andy was my goofy co worker and friend he worked customer services section.
She stood up but left her hand on my shoulder looking unconvinced "first run those accounts for Ariyo then we'll close together and go to my place. Rex you need to let your friends help lighten your burden".
I started to tell her another time, Fumi was the queen of mixed signals.. Sometimes she appeared not even to like me, other times I don't know.....
I was going to find an excuse when I thought to what Sule had said before driving off.."anoda one sef dey tomorrow"
Did he mean anoda visit from strange eyes and God knows who else...
"You know what..you're right" I tried to fix the best puppy eyed look I cld muster "I cld use some lighter burdens"

JUST ONE WORD"AWESOME" RIDE ON BRO.

*****************
Funmi was 29, just months older than me although that fact was hidden fromm her and as a matter of fact she believed me to be older than her. I used to call her cat woman because her eyes were cat like,it always gave her face a sultry look she was also armed with full lips which she always pouted when she was in her 'like me' mode i always had the impression of her spending hours in front of the mirror practicing the look till she attained the devastating effect She was average height and her body was actually very very there! (Mischievous grin).
Apart from her mixed signal i had never come on to her and she had never seemed bothered by it..not until about three weeks ago when things with Fome' went south that I felt her open up more and was actually surprised with her caring attitude which although still rare seemed genuine. I never considered my self as a particularly private person but I found out the one thing I loathed was the attention from the office, being a topic of discussion was not a warm feeling. Hearing things like: "his fiancé follow anoda man go" is d exact image of a man being kicked repeatedly when he is down. (And yes I tried to delay it but it had to come out sooner or later..anoda man).
Back to that night..my brain multi tasked a lot one section paying attention to Fumi, answering her questions and basically trying to keep up as she self yseemed to be in a nervous rush talking all thru the cab ride to her place. The other part of my brain was thinking things through. Sule was he in danger or was he a part of this operation but he had tried to warn me or had he? My instinct told me that sule was a friend in the 18 plus months I had known him we had developed an easy friendship or pretty close to it and moreover I sensed he was in danger, that was the hard part to contemplate: the danger..the possibility that Sule myt have been coerced by strange eyes was looking more plausible by the second. Now you may wonder who the Bleep is this strange eyes forming James Bond that Sule can't alert me if he was indeed coerced at least two grown men should be able to take down one right? Wrong strange eyes was merely a henchman of the chief and when the chief meant business violence wasn't the immediate threat..not to you anyway..you see the Chief is all about games, controland mamanipulation i knew this first hand and if sule was coerced it wasn't physically. Also the most nagging thing on my mind was the information my car held..i had recently (after coming into money suddenly) opened accounts for all my nieces and nephews every single detail from their adress to next of kin....i felt my eyes drift close as the weight overwhelmed me...it seemed I had put my hand in a pot of soup and it turned to acid..beside me Fumi droned on obviouslyequating my demeanor to depression over Fome' (like i was the first person to go through a break-up) i thot of my present safety...despite my claims of chief being prone to mind games and power plays..when it came down to it he was highly unstable..not when money was a factor. I opened an eye lid and looked at Fumi...whatever she meant when she had invited me over..be it impulse or not..i had no plans of going home that night.

*****************************************
When fome' said to me "I'd like you to meet somebody"
I had no idea who this 'somebody' was and I didn't care, at that moment I was just happy she said yes.
Days went by and I had even forgotten she had mentioned anything. We had decided not to set a date and rush a wedding which I readily agreed to.its funny but its like u think of the question(marry me?) u think of events leading up to the moment,u think of the reply even think of marriage and how married life would be like. But the moment she says "yes" the first thought that enters your head is "the wedding" which means money.
I had a 3 bedroom apartment but had furniture only in a room,the parlour and the kitchen. Since I moved from a previous self contain two years ago. In fact that was a living arrangement I had been content with had it not been for my mother calling me all the time urging me to settle down..i would always say.."but Mama
I am settled na" at which she would respond with a stinging vibe that always got me thinking. "Which kind settle...(sigh)Living like a married bachelor you say you're settled"
However, landlord palava would make me consider and yearn for a change of scene.
Fome' was 26, three years my junior..she had just turned eighteen when we had started dating. Its funny that we dated for so long and I had never met Chief or heard her talk about him. Fome's mom had died just two years after I had met her,(when she was 20) her dad had died when she was very little and her mother had raised her (being the only child) and worked several jobs to send her to schools "My mother always said I had to be educated. She had been cheated off things severally and vowed that I must not be illiterate" she had told me one day while in my arms. (fome' used to like to talkafter sex, she was a cuddler and would just lie, head resting on my shoulder staring at the ceiline and she'd talk about anything that happened that day..other times if no particular gist was forthcoming or sweet enough, she'd plunge into a soliloquy about her childhood or infant life..with me trying not to doze and failing...don't judge me Fome was a tigress in bed) Her mother had been the one steady person in a tough life and I guess part of d reason our relationship grew and was able to be sustained was because I was literally the only one she could turn to after her mother's death and i was there for her to lean on the death also had an impact on me because although we never met,I had heard a lot about her and her comitment and love for her daughter...yes all bedroom stories (sly wink).
All the years I knew Fome' no other relatives came to sight..she had a couple uncles from her father's side..but they had all been invisible all thru her life. Her Mother had a younger sister who was unmarried and I know they saw each other on occasion. Anyway, to backtrack to what I was saying before I digressed, Fome had practically been 'living with me' only goingback to the flat she shared with a friend.
It was on a Sunday afternoon, I was in oneof the empty rooms where I kept a a very large screen t.v and played FIFA with friends from work(mostly Andy). I had just been loading up the game when Fome had burst in.
She was not her usually bouncy self.. Instead she sat down quietly on the second plastic chair which completed d entire furnishing in the room. I took no notice my mind on the game,thinking wot tactics to play Dortmund with..I had switched of the console several times after losing the game time after time and my biggest problem on earth at that second was winning that game. But then Fome said the words that would bring newer meaning to the definition of problem to me.
"I'd like you to meet someone." She said this with her voice low and eyes averted. I had started the match.."Babe........someone abi" I asked my eyes attempting to leave the screen but not succeeding.
"Yes its very important to me I have told you before remember".
"Eeeh...mark na idiot!" I shouted at the screen.
"Rex!"
"Yea yea I remember" I had a goal kick and used the opportunity to look at her "who isthe person"
"One of my mothers old friends.. he took care of me all thru my school days" iindeed Fome' had been quite well to do during our university days..my first impression of her had been that her parents must be rich.
"Have i met him before?" I asked her all eyes now in the screen.
"No but he wants to meet you he has been pressuring me since that he wanted to see you he really insisted and he doesnt take no for an answer."
For real? Why does he want to see me? Who or what exactly is he to you.....would all have been very appropriate and needful questions..but instead: "Goooaaaallll!!!!...no problem babe we'll see your friend."

*******************************
The chief had two houses but had moved to surulere few years ago when he and his wife began having problems, he had 3 kids who stayed with his wife. He was a very kind man and had done a lot for her in the past and......Fome' rambled on as I drove through traffic at Eric Moore, it was on a Saturday and what was worse I was missing out on an el classico match. But Saturday was the day the Chief had "requested" to see us because he was a very busy man (I'm a very busy man don't mess with my football!) but I could feel Fome' overworking her self and I thought to myself.."this man must have been a father figure"
So here I was on Saturday parked outside a bungalow, Fome who had given the directions looked to me. "Thats it" she made to come down but looked at me a second time "rex the chief...." She smiled "indulge him..he's eccentric..okay" she kissed me as if to cement the deal then got down. I put my phone in silent because it wasn't possible for Andy not to call me especially on a match day. He would always call and shout "Oba you see that goal? Oba this ref they cheat? Oba una coach dull i swear!" Thats Andy for you,once he starts with the bottles his mouth hardly closes. I silenced my phone and locked the car Fome was ahead holding the gate open with a gate man who obviously knew her. For the umpteenth time I wondered why i had never heard about this Chief when obviously they were quite close. I nodded in reply to the gateman's greeting as I entered the compound and studied the house surprised at the plainness of it. It looked unattractive and I wondered because I had come to think of the Chief as wealthy. Fome led the way but as she passed me I held her hand "when last were you here?"
"I come here like once a month Rex, the chief is like my father." I released her hand but as we walked I said lowering my voice "why am i just learning about this person?"
"Because you only just asked me to marry you" she replied with a sweet smile. My reply was cut off by the opening of the net door I looked up to see a man of about 50 actually slim in build, with a bald head..picture lex luthor(the real one) but this man was thin but with a smart look about him. I didn't expect this man to be the Chief because he didn't look "chief-like" but then he started smiling then opened his arms for fome who hugged him while greeting him in an urhobo dialect. They exchanged some words I had no hope of deciphering and then The chief turned to me "welcome my son, such a good looking young man"
He offered his hand which I shook quite vigorously because he had that energetic aura which seemed to be contagious. "Good day sir"
"Its a good day indeed, Fome had been telling me about you" he glanced at fome then back at me "please come in come in..I've waited for this for too long already"

P.s: for those following the story I'd like you to bear with me if the updates are a bit late I just got into nysc camp and its quite hectic.

********************
Chief led us into his house and my mouth hung open, if the outside had looked plain and ugly, the inside was sophisticated and very beautiful, marble floors,chandeliers, polished wood..although the furniture was sparse it was richly decorated. I began to find the man very interesting.
" Fome had been telling me about you for years" he was saying "but I didn't mind her, you know how you young men are" he
Laughed loudly with me joining him..already in my ass kissing mode.
He led us to the living room which had one of the biggest television I had seen. He motioned for me to sit. I was surprised to find out Fome wasn't with me. Reading my thoughts he said "don't mind Fofo she is in her father's house". I smiled from ear to ear (but in my mind I was like Fofo?)looking round the parlour. The walls
were not painted but instead splashed all round with grafitti. Faces of Nelson Mandela, Fela, Bob Marley and even the chief looked down at me from the wall. It was very artfully done and the splash of colours gave the parlour a very appealing and youthfull look.
"But when she told me you had proposed" the chief droned on " i knew this day must come"(if only i knew the double meaning in that statement.
The chief sat down on a bean bag chair beside me. "Ndidi! Ndidi!" The bass in his voice shocked me and almost made me jump.
A smallish girl hurried into the room. "Yes oga"
The chief's eyes grew hard "ive told you time after time that i dont want to hear any pidgin english in this house."
"No vex og- i'm very sorry oga"
"Correct yourself" the tone of his voice warned she may not get a second time to do so again
"Im very sorry SAH!" She replied placing emphasis on the sah.
The chief nodded briskly. " bring one ammunition and two glasses"
"Yes sir" she retreated quickly.
I had been watching their exchange and beginning to question the mental balance of the chief. When i heard the word 'ammunition' something began telling me not to get too comfortable with the chief.
"That one eh" the chief said referring to Ndidi as she hurried out of the living room. "I for done pursue am since o but her ofe' nsala is just too much"
I nodded politely with a faint smile, wondering at the Chief's change of mood and him crucifying his house girl for not speaking good English when obviously she didn't know how then turning around and blasting pidgin seconds after..but he was the boss.
Ndidi returned with a peculiar bottle I had never seen before very long and shaped like a bullet with a very eye catching label and packaging. The word 'ammunition pure rum' was sprawled across the bottle and it was very cold and looked really impressive. Ndidi set the bottle down gently then hurried to a mini bar at the end of the room to retrieve glass cups. The chief had been watching me with interest and seeing my fascination with the bottle said: "my company produces that, its named after me- Amunike"
I nodded really impressed "this is my first time seeing it"
He frowned at that "then you're not really the drinking type"
" beer is all I drink.except on occasion" I added hastily not wanting to offend plus I really wanted to try it out.
I had been eyeing the t.v and decoder wondering how to ask him about the el classico match(which was still on my mind- free booze and t.v maybe my Saturday could be saved after all)
The chief poured a very generous amount of 'ammunition' into my cup and very little for himself.
" Mr. Rex Obasi I need your undivided attention, Fome' is my daughter and I place her above anything else" he said this with all seriousness that I had to sit up "sir, I understand and I only wish I had the privilege of meeting you long before now. But I love Fine very much sir and I also place her above everything else."
The chief broke into a smile pleased with my reply "very well,drink up my man I have a feeling this is the beginning of a very fruitful relationship.we have a lot to talk about"

************************************
-present day-

" home sweet home" Fumi said as she opened the door to her apartment. " no light o..our transformer blew since like two weeks ago and trust nepa na"
She seemed nervous, rushing through her words "I've been using generator since..most times its just to charge my phone before I sleep and early morning before work"
"Don't worry lemme put it on..shey there's fuel sha?"
"Yes enof..the gen is in the balcony..I need to shower and change this weather is soo hot"
"No qualms" I said heading to the balcony thinking what was on her mind and hoping it was sex because tho my life was in danger I was still very potent and had been celibate for over three weeks now.

I put on the gen and closed the sliding door,shutting out the noise I paced around her parlour picking up a photo here and there just thinking, the police was out of the question because the whole situation was messy and there was every possibility that I'd be the one to get slapped with handcuffs. Foremost on my mind was Sule, I knew I had to come up with a plan. I wondered at his whereabouts..I thought of my nieces and nephews Cynthia had three
kids two boys and a girl, nyesom had four two of each and utebo had twins: two boys. I thought of calling to alert them of the possible danger I had foolishly put them in and was considering this..I thought of calling utebo first because we had that easy rapport and if there was someone I could talk to about everything it was her.
I actually brought out my phone then decided against it..I needed privacy if I was to bare my soul out. Just as I returned the phone, Fumi came out in just a bathrobe which was loose and left nothing to the imagination..my mouth went dry at the sight of her and I just stared. She came closer "Rex are you ready to let me lighten your mood?" She pouted those lips
aagain. I nodded like a fool licking my lips like a starved child. She placed her hand on my cheek and whispered in my ear "after tonight there would be no Fome for you again."
Something was nagging my brain but my testosterone level was going off the charts and I couldn't think straight I grabbed her and she kissed me with passion.but just as my hands were beginning to get busy..she danced playfully out of my reach.."Rex I have a problem" more pouting of the lips.
"What is it?" I asked weakly. I had something the size of the Eiffel tower below my belt and that was enough problem for the both of us.
"I haven't been with a real man in years..one who can make me come(cum)" she said this sulkingly and I felt as if I could lose it in a second.
"Fumi you are about to feel something real..." I moved. Closer overpowered by lust " I promise you after tonight you'll feel like an over comer"
She laughed then seemed to brighten up. "Okay Rex I can't wait..go to my room and get really comfortable I'm coming" I laughed at that although she had said it innocently. I retreated to her room with the calm confidence of someone who knows he is going to get laid. Her room was spacious and girlish with splashes of pink and light blue. I took of my tie which I had since loosened and my shirt, went to her bathroom and used her mouthwash. I thought of going stark naked but decided against it..no need rushing her to see the package. I settled on her bed in just my boxers at this time all my previous worries had totally escaped my mind and all I could think of was her luscious body and full lips. I leaned back and closed my eyes with a smile on my lips..when I heard the door the smile grew wider.."so are you ready for the ride of your life?"
"That depends on who is riding"
I opened my eyes in horror at the voice and almost fainted.....
It was strange eyes!

I looked at strange eyes in silence as my hard on deflated like a 'pricked' balloon.
"Get up you idiot" he said with a cruel smile obviously enjoying the situation. Now I've never been much of a fighter and I've always believed in the philosophy of running away to fight another day or in my case to keep on running and never have to fight again. But at that moment I was overcome with rage all of a sudden and I jumped from the bed and charged at strange eyes "what did you do to her?" I said referring to fumi. Strange eyes was very agile and quick and must have had some form of military training because with equally speed he brought his knee to my face and dragged me back refusing to let me fall. "You are more stupid than I thought" I could hardly hear a word he said because my ears were ringing like it was break time..and indeed I felt my face could break.
"Believe it or not but I'm not your enemy. That lady outside however..." He lowered his voice "betrayed you for thirty pieces of silver" he finally released his choke hold on me I sat on the bed trying to regain my breathe..."what do you mean betrayed me...who are you..what do you want from me...where is Fumi??"
"Put some clothes on I'm taking you to thecchief and I'd advice you to forget about girls in general because you have a habit of picking ones who get you in trouble"
I stood up having regained my full balance although I didn't believe a word he was saying I was not ready for another physical confrontation.
"So you want me to see the chief..look if its about the money I haven't even touched it..you can even keep my car but please don't harm my family"
He picked up my trouser from the floor and threw it at me.." Get dressed you fool..none of your precious documents made it to the chief he believes the car was empty"
I was putting one leg in the trouser when he said this and the relief was almost paralyzing tho I wasn't fully convinced.."who are you?"
"I'd explain all in the car now hurry up"
"What about fumi hope you didn't hurt her"
"Your middle name must be stupid.." He shook his head as he paced the room "remember today in the bank...the teller I gave her had instructions and a check of 200 thousand naira..that was how much it took for her to set you up..and I saw you lying in her bed like an idiot and I felt like breaking your nose..I'm sorry for that by the way"
I put on the rest of my clothes in silence..dumbfounded by what I was hearing..Fumi?? I thought of the way she had invited me over of how she had led me on..I thought back to the bank the way she had looked at me strangely when I had seen strange eyes...I had thought it was concern for me..was I wrong?..but where was she now..
As if reading my thoughts strange eyes replied "she was gone the moment you brought your agro self into her room. Now wear your shirt we need to get going."
I put on my shirt in silence..thinking thinking thinking ....strange eyes...friend or foe??

True to his word fumi was nowhere to be found, we left the house in silence.
"This way" strange eyes directed me to a car parked in a corner..everywhere was very dark but I could recognize my car anywhere.
"Get in" strange eyes said as he got into the driver's seat. I entered the car "what about Sule?"
"Who is that?"
"The mechanic you came with to take my car?"
"Oh that guy..he is alright..in fact he is doing very well..but you won't be seeing him for a while"
I started to reply but had to be silent as strange eyes started the car with the asthmatic wheezing of the engine drowning my thoughts for a moment. But as he put the car in gear I asked "where is he?"
That's classified" he slowed down then brought a cigarette from his breast pocket which he lit before driving on again.
"I don't allow smoking in my car"
He laughed at that then dragged deeply and in response blew the smoke in my face. I said nothing for minutes just staring out the window into the darkness which was sprinkled by the occasional light bulb reflecting from road side shops.
Strange eyes seemed to sober up because he focused on blowing the smoke out the window and after a while.."the chief is one if the most evil men in the world..believe me and the most evil in this country..he is involved in arms dealing,drug trafficking and even human trafficking..just to mention a few"
I said nothing. I had known about the drugs and infact had an insanely large amount of money that could only be drug money..but the rest was news.
"As a matter of fact the chief arranged to make it possible for you to take that money and put you in his debt because he needs you..for what I don't know but it seems you are the one who can get close enough to him" he threw the ciggar out the window.
"So he knew all along that I took the money?..wait first who are you? Don't you work for the chief?"
"Yes I do. But I'm an agent I work with the department of state service internal investigations. My name is...you can call me John."
"I prefer strange eyes." I muttered
"What was that?" He asked sharply his voice going hard.
I didn't bother to reply instead looked out the window..what had I gotten myself into? DSS? Chai...
"So where are we going now?" I asked
"To the chief" he replied
"But he wants to kill me!"
"Believe me if the chief wanted you dead you would be in hell a long time ago"
"So what does he want I'd give him his money I swear"
"Young man..I myself don't know I believe he may need your services as you are a banker but Im in the dark about this"
"But if you are an agent why don't you just arrest him"
"It has been tried countless times..he always gets away..me I've been with him for close to a year but I still have nothing on him...I tell you that Chief is the smartest criminal I've come across"
More silence
Strange eyes looked at me "I believe you are the only one who can pierce that shield he surrounds himself with"
"Look I'm really tired,can you just drop me home..I haven't slept since..you can come by tomorrow and we'll do this" that's if you see my brake light you strange eyed Bleep..
"What if I tell you Fome' never left you for another man..what if I tell you her life is in danger as we speak?"

*********************************
about 3 weeks ago-

"What do you mean you don't want to get married? Are you losing your mind!"
The scene was an ugly one..shouting to and fro even some throwing of plates and furniture (all from her I swear). She had just walked in and dropped the bomb that she was in love with someone else and had to leave me. I couldn't believe it "I no go gree oo...not after eight years...why didn't you fall in love since..it is now abi...no way..you hear me!!"
But save for tying her to my bed post(which crossed my mind) there wasnt anything I could do..after hours of shouting,begging,yelling, treathening,pleading I kept quiet and watched her pack her bags..tears in her eyes..she looked at me as she left "please don't look for me and please stay away from the chief that was a stupid mistake I beg you let me go and find happiness"
",I thought you were happy" I said weakly
"Shows how you know me..I repeat rex please stay away from the chief" and she was gone.
That night I drove out,bought two bottles of ammunition different flavors then returned home to get drunk..I was well into the first bottle and already feeling tanked out when my phone rang.
"H-h-hello"
"Rex my man! What's going on". It was the chief.
"Fome just left me" I took a long drink "left me..imagine!! chief this your strawberry ammunition make brain oo"
There was a long silence. Then "don't drink alone my son come over..or better still hold on my driver will come and pick you"

I woke up the next morning with the worst case of hangover I ever had in my life. All my few visits to the chief in the past had always ended in the parlour. So I was surprised to find my self in a very comfortable room, spacious and richly furnished. The headache was blinding and my head was pounding, I got out of the bed and washed my face which did little to help. I stepped out of the room,admiring the wall paper as I headed downstairs, I was halfway down the stairs when it occurred to me that the Chief's house had no stairs...it was a bungalow. So where was I? I tried to remember the events of the previous night but the headache made me stop. I quietly descended with my thoughts turning back to Fome which seemed to amplify my headache.
It seemed the house was empty and I found out it was literally so when I got downstairs and couldn't find one piece of furniture.
"Chief" the echo was almost deafening I held my head and was heading for a door which looked like the most likely exit when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
I turned to see Chief as he rounded the stairs.
"Rex my man" he shouted "don't mind the echo I'm in the process of renovating this whole floor"
I looked around in confusion..the place didn't look like somewhere any form of renovation was taking place.
"Where is this chief?.good morning"
"This is where I run my operations"
I nodded "OK you mean ammunition"
The chief laughed crazily and the echo was disturbing.
"You can say that my boy"
I looked at my wrist,didn't see my watch.."chief I'm very late for work..I don't have my car my head is killing me..I'm hungry and very scattered right now-"
He interrupted me "thats all right my boy, before you passed out lqst night Ndidi was preparing dinner..lets take a drive to eat from there id drop you home"
"That reminds me chief i remember going to your house last night..but where is this? How did i get here"
The chief didnt reply but turned and headed upatairs "lemme get my car keys..give me few minutes"
I was beginning to feel annoyed and wasnt really comfortable with the way he kept calling me 'my boy'. I kept on feeling i was missing a very important point but once again my mind was on fome. The chief was the only one who could help me get her back after all he was her 'father'.
Till today i dont know the devil that pushed me to that door..but the chief had been taking too much time and i moved about the house, feeling my headache reduce. I admired the strong tiles and fine wallpaper "renovations my foot...this man is very strange.."
I stepped into a door that seemed out of proportion with the rest of the house to discover a room which was as empty as the rest of the house save for a small table at the center of the room which had some papers scattered on it..the table looked like some kind of offering and seemed to beckon to me...I shut the door and took the first step to my problems.

********************************
(Present)

What do you mean she's in danger..she's obviously frolicking around with somebody as we speak" I sounded angry but inside I was thinking...not knowing what to believe any more..my brain had been screwed right,front and center and I was tired of over thinking..what I needed was a drink. "God I'm turning to an alcoholic" I muttered to myself.
I looked out the window then saw familiar buildings "this is my street, we are no longer going to see the chief again?" I couldn't disguise the hope in my voice. The chief was the last person I felt like seeing.
"I need you to get those documents you used to embezzle from the chief"
I started to worry and was about to say I didn't have it.
"Its for official use, that might be enough to hold the chief down..if I can get it to my superiors maybe our team can get something out of it"
I shut my mouth then wondered again if I should be trusting strange eyes so foolishly.
"No problem..it won't take time"...I Wonderer if I could ditch him by climbing out the bathroom and running..but that annoying voice in everyone's head: the voice of reason asked me "then what? Run to where? What about work? What about your family?"
I got down from the car "I won't be long..just gimme a minute"
"My friend you are not going anywhere without me"
I shook my head and started toward my house hearing the door slam as strange eyes also got down.
We entered the house and it was eerily quiet..I switched on lights and shook my head at the back of strange eyes as he had his gun out and was moving room to room checking with his arms stretched in front of him.."this one think say na action movie....my God when did my life become an action movie?" I thought to myself as I opened my room door.
Suddenly the lights went out leaving the room in darkness..all was quiet and my fear was renewed. "Strange eyes...John?"
Nothing but silence. Instinctively I got down on my knees
BOOM!!!
That had to be a gun shot...I rolled under my bed...drawing the sign of the cross vigorously..
Sule had said 'another one sef dey tomorrow' and I had thought I escaped it but thanks to fumi's back stabbing and strange eyes manipulation I was back in the thick of things...I stayed still trying to calm my beating heart and wondering if strange eyes had tricked me.

There was silence that seemed to stretch for hours..the only sound in my ears was my beating heart. I was 100% ready to remain under the bed for the rest of my life. You see I normally wouldn't call myself a coward just someone who holds life very dear and doesn't want to lose it prematurely. But circumstance would later on man me up when I refused to man up.. But on that faithful night my knees were shaking and I was as close to the floor as possible and grateful that I had changed my bed and put a wooden frame underneath it.
The silence still stretched, and I was beginning to feel I was alone in my house when I heard another deafening gun shot which had to be just inches away from the bed. BOOM! This was accompanied with some strange noises and grunts which I knew had to be combat..there was a tussle in the darkness, strange eyes was fighting with someone. All the books on my table went down,the mirror and almost
ecevery thing else. Finally a body landed on the bed..and I heard strange eyes call to me "Rex..Rex..where are you, we need to get out of here now"
I remained quiet as I contemplated If I should answer him or not..my mind was still divided when it came to strange eyes.
"Rex you coward come out we need to-"
He never got to finish his sentence cos for the third time I heard a gun shot..although not as loud the silence that followed seemed to be louder. Then finally I heard a strange voice.. "Jumbo get up..how you go let this guy take you down..where the other one dey?'
I felt movement on the bed as the 'jumbo' moaned obviously in pain then I felt him sit up slowly. "I no know o..aaargh..I dey bleed o..my head"
"I no know which kind partner you be..upon say we watch dem enter house, I go change over I still meet you for bed..that guy for done kill you troway"
"No be you go off the light fast..I never even count reach 10 I still dey 7..u know say timing na everything for this---aaagh e be like say my skull don crack o"
"You better celotape am you know say the rules don't change..since chief find out say this guy na government boy..we suppose kill both of them trowey"
When I heard 'kill both of them' my heart stopped beating for a moment I was calm as I reflected on my situation: so strange eyes was the real deal after all..but now he was dead, and I would probably see him in a few minutes..then the heart started beating crazily as if a psychopathic d.j was spinning and scratching with it..I kept
my lips gummed together..when I was discovered it wasn't going to be by a stupid sound I made..I had watched countless horror films and always hated that part when the killer is about to go away but the victim whimpers and draws attention to his hiding place..
Jumbo got up from the bed and his partner said "make I go change over..when I come we go find the fool..if you like make your head open...no be say anything go commit"
Jumbo was silent obviously the inferior in the two man operation. I counted the steps his partner would take in my mind..from the room through the corridor, to the living room then the balcony where the change over was..and as I counted I saw my loved ones in my minds eye from Fome, my sisters, my father and lastly my mother..I thought of the life she had lived knowing her children were her only joy in a loveless marriage, of how happy she had been when she found out I was engaged( I
ddidn't have the courage to tell her it was called off) and I prayed the short prayer I always said when my life was in danger cos I believed hell was real and I had suffered enough in this life to continue suffering in the next "God please forgive me all my sins..if I die let me make it to heaven amen"
Jumbo had been whimpering and groaning complaining about his head to himself..and I estimated his position to be just in front the window to my right.
I rolled out from under the bed..silent at first but as I left The safety of the bed I thought it wise to be fast and maintain whatever surprise I could..I got up and was surprised Jumbo hadn't heard any movement because I stood behind him for
about a full second as I got my bearings. I slammed into him from behind catching the back of his head perfectly in my palm and slamming his face into the window..the glass shattered and he shouted in pain. I had planned to use him to smash the window then jump out and run since my room was on the ground floor but it seemed in my adrenalines rush I had failed to calculate the buglary.Now I had Jumbo's head stuck between the bars as he howled in pain..seeming to slip into unconsciousness.."sh!t" I hissed and immediately the light came on...his partner would be coming back..I had like ten to fifteen seconds I ran around the room madly..not seeing anything in particular. I spotted strange eyes body at an akward angle and noticed his gun still in his hand..I ran to him and tried to pry the gun from his hand but it won't budge..it seemed he had held the gun in truly a 'death' grip. "This can't be rigamortis...its just minutes ago...' I looked around widely then saw Jumbo's gun where it had falling after I had rammed him..by now he was unconscious and it seemed his head inbetween the burglary was what was still holding his body upright I ran to his gun and picked it up..it was cold and heavy..I had never fired a gun before but hell, I was ready to squize that trigger and keep my hand steady although my heart wasn't. I took a kneeling stance and pointed the gun just as the shadow got closer to the door...

Jumbo's partner entered the room. "Jumbo report here immediately..," his eyes passed over my head and rested on his his partner's body which was slumped and held in place by the bars which were hooked around his neck..all this took a couple of seconds and I watched his eyes widen in shock as our eyes met.I squeezed the trigger twice..but being my first time firing a gun, I didn't put enough grip on the weapon and the recoil jerked my arm upwards..as a matter of fact the second shot struck the ceiline. The sound was deafening and the gun powder residue had an effect on me which seemed to trigger an allergic reaction. I was disoriented and in a matter of seconds I was staring at the round nuzzle of the gun which Jumbo's partner had levelled at me. He crossed over strange eyes body keeping his hand steady and unwavering..."I would love to torture you..but my orders are to kill you...no one would miss you..even your neighbours don't like you" he stopped few feet from me..,"say hello to the devil for me"
I closed my eyes and wondered how it would be like..would I see shining light, or feel the heat...my mind went blank when I heard the gunshot. It took me almost ten seconds to realize I didn't feel any pain..'that was quick' I thought to myself..but heaven wasn't supposed to be this dark?..oh my God..I didn't make it..I didn't-
"Open your eyes idiot" it was strange eyes' voice
I opened my eyes and lay on the floor relief choking me..it was a miracle it could only be a miracle..I got up feeling like a new man
", I thought you were dead"
He pointed at his chest where I saw the outline of a bullet proof vest for the first time. "I never go anywhere without this..it has saved me too many times to count"
"That was why you didn't release the gun...you BASTARD! I could have been killed"
"Operations is all about timing,it takes q second to decide life and death..you are an amateur but I admire your courage" his eyes drifted to jumbo's body still at thewindow "we need to leave here, get the papers and let's move"
"Okay" I looked down at jumbos partner whom strange eyes had shot dead..'that could have been me' I thought to myself.."what about them?" If your neighbours care about you at all they should have called the police..which means its till morning before the snails get here" he laughed wickedly and winced touching his chest.."I never get used to this pain...now hurry the fvck up we need to move..I need to think!"
I hurried to my wadrope..strange eyes was my hero..and I owed him my life..I brought out the suitcase and hurriedly put the combination..the room was messed up and was beginning to stink of death I needed to be outside..I opened the suitcase and my mouth fell open...it was empty!
"What is it?" Strange eyes asked impatiently
"The papers..they're they're gone" I stammered
"Sh!t" strange eyes punched the wall so violently I expected either the wall or his fist to crack..
'We need to leave NOW..we're not safe here at all"
I hurried after strange eyes as we quickly left the house..when we got to the balcony..he put the change over in neutral..putting the house in darkness..,"fvcking neighbours" he hissed as we ran out the house to the car..."fvck! Fvck!fvck!!" He shouted repeatedly obviously in a bad mood...I was in a daze as we got into my car..how did the documents get missing?no one knew where they were...my mind was like a maze and my thoughts kept on running into walls and confusing me more..
"Pump the clutch well" I instructed strange eyes as he put the keys in the ignition "all my neighbours know that sound..it would tie me to what happened in there"
"Fvck that..is it not your house?" He started the engine once and the car coughed loudly.."see your mouth" he said mimicking me in a girly voice as he put the car in gear "my neighbours know that sound"
"Fvck you and fvck your weird eyeballs" I wanted to scream but then I remembered few minutes ago..kneeling on the floor and waiting for death..I owed this moody animal my life..instead I looked out the window and tuned out as he continued with his angry cursing and whining.

Damn!

Solo
u did not even mention me?? Nice one bro following ASAP!

nastynic:
Damn!


Solo

u did not even mention me??
Nice one bro
following ASAP!

Tnx bro

We drove in silence for hours..our minds obviously far away. Strange eyes seemed to mellow down but kept on asking me questions which I was asking myself. Who knew about the documents? Did anybody come to my house recently? Is it possible Fome took it?
I told him I only came across the cash when fome left me. He wasn't satisfied with this and kept on asking all kinds of questions..I was tired,stressed out,sleepy and hadn't had this much excitement in my life before. Strange eyes kept glancing at the rearview mirror which got me nervous
"What is it.is anyone following us?"
"No its just habit' he replied but I wasn't convinced. He overtook a night truck and I checked the time on the dash board 11:33 fatigue was claiming me but I needed to clarify something first.
"What did you mean when you said fome was in danger'
"I never said that..what I said was what if I told you she was in danger"
"Please be straight with me..she's very important to me and I have to know"
He was silent for a long while and I was beginning to get restless and frustrated when he said "about a month ago..I interrupted the chief and Fome in an ugly fight..I dont know the details of the fight but I guess it was about you."
He kept quiet waiting for me to speak and I also kept quiet waiting for him to continue when the silence was unbearable I cursed him in my mind "and.." I prompted
He took his sweet time accelerating then putting on the radio but reducing it to the background. I glanced at the fuel gauge and was surprised to see the needle on full.
"I got the impression he wanted you for something but she refused..but the atmosphere..." He shook his head " I've been with the chief for almost a year and his anger has levels..that one was the final stage that day...but your fiancé she wasn't backing down she too sef stubborn o"
You have no idea..I thought to myself.
Fome had broken off with me about 3 weeks ago and prior to that she had been in a fight with the chief just the week before..I didn't believe in coincidences any more..not after the last 24 hours.
"You've been driving around for almost an hour now what's the plan..to keep on driving till eternity?"
"I need to make sure we're not being followed. Plus I really need to think about our next action"
" I don't know about you but my next action is to find Fome and protect her."
He was silent..."you need my help..you won't last a second without me"
"I might not last a second with you also...why don't we go see your superiors..you work for the Government..the DSS we should let them know and they'll handle it"
"How do you think the chief found about my job...trust no one if you want to stay alive"
"Including you?" I asked him trying to stiffle a yawn
"Especially me..it would keep you on your toes..and I wouldn't have to worry about saving u every time"
"No dey form superman...even if you had an s on your chest it would stand for strange eyes'
I laughed at my joke and I could hear him grinding his teeth...it seems he was sensitive when it came to his eyes.
We passed a comfortable looking hotel and I sat up "theres an hotel! Let's lodge there for the night in the morning we can plan"
He drove right past it "believe me..whenever you have a little head start on the chief use it to the fullest because that mad man is unpredictable."
"So where are we going now..the moon?" I asked going for sarcasm but it fell flat..I was just too tired.
"We need to be at lekki before dawn..you can sleep first..then I'd wake you later"
I was already slanting the chair and getting comfortable. "Lekki, is that where your safe house is?"
He laughed "no be only safe house,"
"So where are we going"
"We need to strategize against the chief" he over took a tipper carrying cement,
I was silent frowning "In what way?,"
"His family stays at lekki...and right now the way to pierce chief's shield is through his family"
"OK so we just knock on the door,form Jehovah's witness and stylishly ask about
the chief abi"
He looked at me.."this your mouth would put you in trouble one day...we'd plan well in the morning but I think the only way is through his daughter Ada...she's just 19 so you'd have to shave those whiskers and be very charming"
"How will his 19 year old daughter give me any useful evidence against him...or better yet help me with Fome's whereabouts?"
Strange eyes shook his head impatiently.."Mr man..go to sleep..investigation is one step at time..you'd be surprised at the knowledge you can get from unsuspecting persons"
"You just dey form batman for here" now I was the one in a b!itchy mood "because you are an agent it doesn't mean everything is as it is on TV..in fact you must be an agent...an agent of darkness"
He brought out a cigarette from his breast pocket in reply "continue you hear..you'll be taking over the driving in two hours"
That shut me up. I sank into the comfy seat and was asleep in seconds.

Strange eyes woke me up from sleep by shaking me roughly and bringing me from a sweet dream which I immediately had trouble remembering.
I opened my eyes and stared at the dash board the time said 4:30am I squinted at strange eyes as he killed the engine. "Is it my turn to drive?"
"No its alright I believe I lost the car that was following us..we can lodge in this hotel and get some sleep"
I looked to the right to see a moderate looking hotel with the sign: 'serenity suites' "you mean a car was following us? Why didn't you tell me?"
"And what would you have done? Continued with your incessant panicking" I had no reply to that I just wanted to get some sleep.

Strange eyes woke me for the second time that day by shaking me roughly and again invading a dream about Fome' which was just about to get x rated.
"You need to stop doing that" I yawned loudly stretching I felt relaxed and refreshed daylight poured through the window
"You can sleep for Africa, its almost 8:30 if
I didn't wake you, you wouldn't wake abi"
"Oga please please brush your mouth before you start whining again" he just frowned at that. He threw a bag on the bed which contained new clothes " I had to wake the whole neighbourhood to buy those so better hope it fits"
I was really impressed I mean this guy had slept barely 4 hours and had already thought ahead while I was entertaining dreams. I made up my mind to be less sarcastic and more serious.
"So what's the next step?" I got up and started tearing a Gillette blade to shave my beards.
"Just clean up first then we'd go and have breakfast then I'd tell you the plan"

Breakfast was at a 'mama put' in a bus garage. We found parking space not far from the shop and sat on a very long bench. Surrounded by mechanics and garage 'agberos'.
"This wasnt where i expected to have breakfast this morning" i said as i gathered a large portion of beans to follow the bread i had stuffed in my mouth.
"whenever im about to discuss sensitive material im always careful about my surroundings"
I shook my head..some times this guy's mentality seemed flawed to me but I was on good behavior so I made a sound of agreement. Plus the beans was hot the palm oil sauce was on point and the bread was soft (although probably bromate filled). Strange eyes was eating a giant heap of rice and beans so he used his left hand to scroll through pictures on his phone which he showed me as he spoke.
"This is the chiefs wife..Mrs Benita Amunike..they don't see eye to eye but are still legally married"
"Wow..coogar alert" I said inbetween chews ..the woman was fair in complexion and very striking..her brows seemed to be drawn together in annoyance but strangely that only gave her a more appealing look.
Strange eyes glanced at me and shook his head but he smiled "she has a boutique which she runs, she is very classy as the picture shows..her she is in her late forties and is something of an ice queen..very strict, buy my investigation indicates she has a few boy toys around"
I nodded then looked around "madam!"
"What is it again?" Strange eyes said
"Mehn I need more beans"
"How many times will I tell you never drawaattention to yourself especially when you're in the field"
"So I should deny my stomach abi?besides this is a garage not a field"(I tried my best but strange eyes always said things that begged for a sarcastic reply)
The madam in question who had served us returned to my side "yes oga?"
"Put 50 naira beans for me"
She nodded in reply and carried my plate..
"Now focus please" strange eyes said impatiently drawing my eyes away from the woman's ample behind.
"This is the Chiefs first son Emenike is his name" I looked at the picture and marveled at the build of the guy..he was very tall and you immediately made up your mind you wouldn't want to fight this man. Strange eyes had a lot of pictures of this one and scrolled "he models" he said in explanation when I arched my eyebrows at a picture of Emenike in briefs. He was a good looking lad..fair in complexion like his mother and with her facial features buthad his ffather's head shape and went for the same bald look like his dad. It worked well for him "he's the first son" strange eyes continued "would be 25 in a few months. He already has two baby mamas and the chief has no idea about the second child as a matter of fact."
He took a break from talking as the woman approached with my refilled plate and spooned like 6 spoons in succession. I continued with mine and waited for him to continue.
"This is Ambrose he is 22 years but in school outside the country so his involvement isn't really of importance to you"
I nodded. Ambrose was like a replica of his older brother but with a full afro hair and an intelligent look.probably because of the medicated glasses he had on.
Strange eyes was done with his food and finished a full bottle water which he hadnt touched since.."do you know its best to drink water once and a short while after eating? Not inbetween"
"Thanks for the knowledge abeg show me this Ada person'
He showed me her picture and confirmed my suspicion, she was gorgeous in one word very sexy in two..nose piercings black lipstick everything the result was intriguing.."you bloody dog, this is for the mission purpose and not for your fvcking libido"
I nodded " i know that..and Fome is my priority" i looked at the picture again " the person who first said all men were pigs was probably right...you said she's just nineteen?"
"Yes she's supposed to travel out for her studies but she has a full year to pursue her dream of being a fashion designer here first..it helps that her mother owns a successful boutique"
"OK..I'm following you..lemme guess she's the Apple of papa's eye right"
"Exactly..the chief, when I was with him gave me some missions to...let's just say 'break some bones' of boys who went afterher..but to be frank she's far from a saint"
I was beginning to feel like a spy..." So what's the mode of operation and when do we start"
Strange eyes smiled.." Time to change location first..let's go to my car"
I smiled at that "you mean my car"
He laughed then called for the woman.."madam come take money o"

Solo
hi five abeg


enjoying this piece like sex... More ink to ur pen bro

We got into the car and strange eyes showed me a picture of a very massive house. Cake like in shape and an architectural masterpiece. "This is the house. Chiefs wife,his two children and two maids live there"
"Its too big" I marveled at the house. I suddenly remembered something and turned to strange eyes "how many houses does the chief have?"
"Two.why?"
"About three weeks ago he pumped me with drinks and I woke up in a strange house..that was where I took the papers"
"You mean stole the papers.how was the house?where was it?"
"I was having the worst case of hang over ever I didn't really pay attention..it was when I saw the papers I came quite alive"
strange eyes looked at me with 100% concentration "think back..Rex tell me everything"

******************************
I moved closer to the table and what i saw cleared my eyes and my head. I shook my head and picked up the documents my mouth opening in shock. It was like a child finding candy..then finding instructions on how to eat the candy.in my hand was directions to a foreign account in Switzerland containing approximately 250 million naira...my hands where shaking...my red eyes were now white..my
head was clear and my mind was racing. There's always a point before every decision in ones life..where one consideres the possibilities and repercussions of any action..but all I could think of was 250 million. I had never even dreamt of that kind of money in my life. My modest salary was more than enough to sustain my bachelor life (married bachelor
as my mother would say) and I had a little over a million naira in my account..but 250 million!!! For a minute I forgot where I was as I greedily leafed through the pages..the banking statements and everything needed to transfer the money to any where in the world with just internet service. I let out a whistle as I thought of only possibilities and not repercussions. I could change my family life..take my mother to see the world,settle my father..no more stressful life for him I would be paying him pension. My sisters would be settled with all my nieces and nephews. I was a banker I could triple this amount in a couple of years and Fome....it seemed mentioning her name in my subconsious brought my head out of the cloud. I looked around the room and remembered the chief..he had gone upstairs 20 minutes ago..I put down the papers and hurried out of the room. I spaced around the parlour and started up the stairs more than once. It seemed I had two little versions of myself on each shoulder wearing white and black with a halo and a pair of horns I remained indecisive until I heard the chief the chief call my name from upstairs "Rex I'll be with you in a minute!"
(Now that I think about it..if the chief truly wanted me to find those papers he had called me on purpose to alert me he was coming down) hearing his voice seemed to tell my brain that the window was closing..i hurried back to the room and grabbed the papers..folding it neatly and placing it in my jacket pocket which i hung on my arm.
The chief was an extra 10 minutes in arriving and he offered no explanation. I was fidgeting badly consumed by guilt...but i was beginning to look at the chief in a different light....just what was he involved in that gave him such a large amount of money??..we drove out in his range back to his bungalow where i was treated to a massive meal prepared by Ndidi...she looked at me strangely with something like pity in her eyes..i thought to myself about the night before and wondered just how drunk i was the night before and if i had made a fool of myself....
*****************************
Strange eyes interrupted me as i recounted the details..."i said you should describe the neighborhood..where was the house located?"
My mind was blank...I thought hard.."I swear I don't know...my mind was on 250 mil. And I was apprehensive and afraid and my mind was cutting"
Strange eyes rubbed his face..." My God..okay like how many minutes or hours before you got back to his other place?"
I thought hard "like an hour..although we stopped at a filling station and spent time "
Strange eyes looked at me.."you see what your lack of attention to detail is costing us? We need to locate that place...but first we need to head to Chief's wife boutique..I need you in contact with his daughter asap.

As we approached lekki I asked strange eyes " so what is the plan exactly..?"
He squinted his eyes ahead before replying with his eyes still on the road "your story is that you are a fashion magazine editor and you want to check out her styles..and carry it in your next months issue."
"But I don't know anything about that...I'm a banker for God's sake "
"You'll have to wing it...remember you are not doing this for fun,but for Fome..the earlier you establish an easy rapport between you two..the better"
I nodded slowly...still unsure "what is the magazines name..where is the previous issue...I have nothing on me to support that claim"
"You'll have to find a solution till I contact you...I already have someone working on a suitable design for a magazine...but I can't get it till tomorrow..the name is voltage trends"
"Nice.." I was impressed again "who is working on it"
"That's classified." He said..then when I frowned, added "we have agents everywhere...now you need to start getting into character...practice the lines on me"
In less than an hour strange eyes parked beside a massive 2 story building with an outrageous design. the place spoke of wealth..and the look warned you from not entering if your pockets were not deep enough."i need to make some calls..we need to find out about that house what is he using it for?"
I nodded in agreement and made to come down but strange eyes stopped me "if you don't have a car the cover is good as blown." He got down "My number is on speed dial in your phone and I have yours..we'll communicate pls don't blow the cover..and don't blow the girl."
With that he ran across the road and as I stretched in my seat and lost sight of him...I marveled at his quickness...I sat in the car for minutes..till I decided I was postponing the inevitable..I got down and headed for the entrance..
(P.s wld modify tomorrow....practically dozing)

Wow! In Falz's voice 'wehdone sah',I loved it and I'm glued.

forzarush:
Wow! In Falz's voice 'wehdone sah',I loved it and I'm glued.

Gracias ma'am...means a lot

I observed the building as I got closer and was surprised that the boutique had no name on the outside..the walls were transparent glass and through it I could make out the various clothing designs on different mannequins... It was really impressive indeed and I observed the cars
In the lot..all were outrageously expensive indeed. A part of me was about getting intimidated but I remembered less than 24 hours ago I had looked death in the eye and survived even though I blinked..remembering the round nuzzle of the gun and the sound of gun shots gave me renewed confidence. I made up my mind to play the part to the fullest...with refreshed confidence I swaggered into the building and took it all in..it was like a mini airport or a mall even with an escalator..I looked around and was really impressed with the interior design..on one side was a picture of a beautiful lady dressed in a short black gown with heels..she wore a triumphant smile and behind her..her wings were spread wide..underneath was the caption: 'AngelsWearPradaToo' the air condition was on full blast and the place was busy with people (mostly females) moving fromssection to section..some dragging unwilling boyfriends behind. I took all this in and continued stating like a lost idiot until a sales girl approached me.."Good afternoon sir, how can I help you?"
"G-good afternoon" I stammered, then gave myself a mental kick...if I was this way in front of hired help..how would I face the 'ice queen'?
I raised my head and put authority in my voice.."I'd like to see your madam...." Heeey what was her first name again oo
The girl sized me up and was obviously not impressed..but she helped me out unknowingly.."Madam Benita? Is she expecting you?" Her voice was not unpolite but her expression was...
I stared down the barrel you b!tch..inches away! Inches...
"Listen to me carefully I'm here regarding her daughter and I'm in a position to makeher actualise her dreams of being a designer so swallow your attitude and point me in the right direction and face your real job of recommending underwear to girls like yourself "
I tell you if looks could kill I wouldn't be here writing this today...she shot me daggers and bared her teeth...she looked like one of those girls who could give a verbal killing but just as she was about to let rip a voice carried through the air..."Bisi what is the problem... Is there a problem young man?"
I turned around and saw Chiefs wife approaching me..she wore a long strapless gown with a shawl draped around her shoulders...something about her approach seemed to challenge me to rise to the challenge. "Madam good day toyou...your staff here was just pointing me to your office but in a very rude manner" I looked back when I said 'your staff' and was surprised that she had taken off..I guessed the madam really struck fear into her employees minds.
She reached where I stood also sizing me up and not bothering to hide it.." I'm sorry about that..you are a potential customer" she said it as a statement..(and if I had a hundred thousand in cash I would have burnt it right there...her marketing skills were exceptional) but I was in my 'James bond' mode so I smiled my most charming..."actually I'm more than a customer...I'm an editor of Voltage magazine..the number one fashion magazine in the country...and rising rapidly to number one in Africa"
She narrowed her eyes at me then looked at my shoes in contemplation (I curled my toes in my boot..wishing I had the chance to put on one of my impressive footwear) "voltage magazine..how come I never heard of it"
"Believe me that would change with what Ihave pplanned for your daughter's design in our next issue."
I looked around "this is a very impressive place ma'am...first class..in fact I'd like to get my camera man in here to cover all angles with your permission"
That seemed to crack her iciness to some extent...she smiled thinly.."thank you..let's go to my office and discuss"