Thank you for the updates

Captivating

EPISODE 19

I turned to the driver and sympathetically placed a hand on his back. " bro. How can we fix this?"
He sat up, whipped his face and said in tears. " how... How will I survive? These guys are dangerous. This is my only means of livelihood. How am I take care for my aged mother in the village and my five siblings in school...ohhh! I'm ruined! " then he wept bitterly.
" it's okay. drop me at the hotel, come check on me by 12 noon, I love lengthy sleep. I'll see what I can do for you".
He stopped abruptly and stared at me unbelievably. " are you serious?"
I nodded. He grabbed my hand, kissed it thanking me. I just nodded feeling irritated. He was such a good actor, no wonder he has been ripping the poor girl of her money.
Driver: jackpot! Jude you're good!
We got to the hotel and he offered to walk me to my room. I didn't stop him. He followed me to my room and sat on my bed looking around admiring the furniture and the things in the room.
Driver: wow! This is an executive suite oh. chai! This place is fine!
I went to the fridge, got a bottle of brandy and handed it to him. " take. Come back by 12 tomorrow, I want to rest".
His eyes almost popped out from the socket when he saw the drink.
Driver: wow! 501! Original one! This guy is rich oh!
I stood infront of him and said. " go please I want to sleep"
He stood up and thanked me. As he was going out I heard him saying.
Driver: I'll be here by 7 am. I can't afford stories.
Immediately he left, I locked the door and moved to the bathroom window to ensure he left.
After 4 minutes, he surfaced by his car still looking at the hotel. I stayed in the shadows watching him. He seem to be contemplating something, then he entered the car and drove off.
I turned around the room, picked up my bag and my other belongings, headed downstairs.
At the reception, i met a plumpy light skinned lady.
" I'm checking out " I said to her.
Lady: where is he going this late? I hope he hasn't killed someone in that room. Let me alert the security to check the room.
The lady checked her computer
Lady: Ha!, who drinks 70,000 worth of drink?
And she said to me. "You owe us 70,000 for drinks".
I handed her two notes.
Lady: wow... Rich kid. No wonder
Then she took the money and handed me about 20 local notes as change. I handed her five notes from the change as tip. She was so happy to receive it.
" I need a cab. Can you find me one?". I asked.
She nodded, took up the phone and dailed a number, waited briefly before she said. " please get me connected to the driver a client needs one... Okay... Thanks". She turned to me " kindly wait he's coming"
I smiled and nodded then sat down waiting for the cab man to come around.
Few minutes later, an elderly dark skinned man in black worn-out suit and brown shoes that has seen the test of time walked in, he was slighly bent as he dragged his feet to the counter to meet the receptionist. He wore large reading glasses, full mustache and clean shaven hair and jaws and his round face was quite wrinkled from stress than age.
" you call driver?" He asked the receptionist taking his words slowly.
" yes. He's over there!". She replied pointing at me.
The man turned slowly and adjusted his oversized trouser's waist. Then started dragging his feet towards me.
" good evening sir. You wan a driver?" He asked.
I nodded wandering why such an old man who should be at home sleeping and receiving money from the government should be allowed to work.
" come, my car is in the yard". The driver said and slowly led the way.
As we walked, his thoughts were something in his dialet, he sounded bitter, but since I didn't know what it was, i channelled my mind to going home to grandma's place.
The got to a clean yellow and green camery. The old man opened the front door neglecting me. I had to help myself to the backseat.
" where you go?". He asked looking at me from the rear mirror.
" em...zik road!" I said.
" here is a zik road. Where in the zik road you go?". He asked in his careful tone.
" em...". I said checking the note. " royal estate, beside..." Then I paused, palmgroove was beside my grandma's house!"
" where sir!". The old man asked impatiently.
" em... Beside palmgroove". I found myself saying.
The old man engaged the engine and drove off.
We drove in silence for few minutes when I spotted a bright torchlight shining on us in front by some group of people blocking the road. I was scared, so I asked.
" are they armed robbers?".
" they worse than arm robber". The old man replied with a hint of contempt.
He slowed down. I was very frightened but my encouragement was the old man's calmness. One of the men walked to us shining his torch in the car. He pointed it at me and I saw he was putting on a uniform, what a relief!
The police man moved to the driver and asked. " where are you coming from and who is that man in the backseat?"
The driver explained that I'm a guest in a hotel and I'm headed home. The police moved to the trunk and shouted. " open your boot! "
The old man stepped down murmuring and went to open the boot for him. I checked my time, it was 11:23 pm, hunger had started eating into my intestines. I slowly adjusted in my seat trying to listen to their conversation that was now more of murmuring.
The police shone the light in my side and said in a harsh tone. " oh boy step down!"
I obeyed. Then I heard him saying.
Police: This boy looks rich. How do I get something off him?
" where's your bag?". The police man asked.
I pointed it to him so I don't say a word. I didn't want him to know I'm a foreigner from my ascent.
" are you pointing the bag for me to bring it for you?". He bellowed.
I whispered sorry and brought it out for him. He opened it and searched it, then he saw my passport. He opened it and perused through it.
Police: ha! He just came into the country. Good fish. How do I get money from him oh...
Then he said to me. " this passport looks forged!"
I was surprised how he came up with that so fast.
" how?". I asked.
" Bright!" he called his colleague. " please come and take a look at this passport, it looks funny".
Bright happens to be a tall heavily built man with a fat tummy, he hung his gun on his shoulder walking lazily.
When he came closer, the first police man asked him handing the passport to him. " look, is this picture supposed to be here?".
Bright looked at the picture carefully.
Bright: Dan this racket is not going to work oh, there's nothing wrong with this passport. Why not put weed in his bag. Your brain is slow oh...
Then he handed the passport to Dan and said. " I think the passport is okay. Have you searched that bag?"
Before Dan could reply he had moved towards my bag. I watched him dipped his hand in his pocket before moving towards my bag so I blocked his way. He was shocked to see me standing on his way.
" are you mad? What's wrong with you?". Dan yelled at me.
" let me see your hands?". I demanded from Bright.
" what? What? Is something wrong with you? My hands for what?" Bright yelled at me
" I don't want anyone framing me with weed gimmicks". I said still blocking my bag.
The old man whispered in my ears. " no argue with the people oh. Give them money we go".
Officer Dan bent in front of me and picked up something, sniffed it and turned to officer Bright." weed!''
Officer Bright then slapped me and forced me to seat on the floor.
" no wonder he was shining his eyes and stopping us from searching his bag! Drug peddler! Your own has finished. Shoot his leg!". Officer Dan commanded.
I thought they were joking until Bright corked his gun.
Bright: let me scare him a little first to know if he has good money, moreover, i don't know whose son is this oh. But if we kill him thé way officer Dan killed that boy last week, we can always say armed rubbers did it. At least take his foreign currency.
The old man moved in front of me begging them.
" old man, leave the way!" Dan barked
" please let we settle it, he just a boy. You know how this boys be. Please!". The old man begged
I was surprised and confused. They changed it right I'm front of me. Brights thought scared me. So they had the ability to shoot and cover it up? I still could not believe I was made to seat on the floor like a common criminal. I remembered Africans are very religious and superstitious. So I tried my luck.
" I'm a seer. I see doom around your destinies" I shouted angrily.
They all turned to me, including two other officers who just joined in.
I stood up and repeated what I said.
" what kind of madness! Go down! You see your father small dick! Go down or I kill you!". Officer Bright yelled wielding his gun at me.
" stop!" I yelled. ' the spirit told me you have weed in your pocket, precisely your left pocket. You planned to put it in my bag before Dan played his role"
They all exchanged glances. I heard Dan asking another officer: " how did he know my name?"
" and! ...Officer Dan! ...You killed a boy last week! Yes I see doom clearly!". I shouted and began shaking like I see them do in the movies.
They were cold and began murmuring among themselves. I needed to play it right. I was actually fighting for my life here.
" I can avert this doom hovering around your heads! Not long, one of you will die!"
One of the officers who just joined in, a younger officer was thinking: I have never been in support of thier evil deeds oh...
" you!" I pointed at the young officer who was startled by my yell.
" me?" He asked.
" yes you! You are not in support of thier evil deeds. But you still share their evil loot with them why?... Why?...".
Bright: let me kill this boy before he exposes us.
I heard this and was scared. Maybe I played the wrong card. He was shaking and restless, threatening to pull his gun up. I quckly turned to Bright .
" the spirit says you are thinking of killing me so I don't expose you!".
I could see his shoulder dropped and his eyes filled with wonder.
" why are you so blood thirsty? Before the sun comes out, five armed men will attack you guys and you!" I said pointing to Bright "shall be dead!".
Bright: it's a lie! He's lying! I can't die!
" Dont doubt the spirits Bright!" I said and he slowly dropped his gun completely surprised.
Dan who has been silent all the while came to me and asked.
" who are you?"
I had to sell myself right and get the hell out of their midst before I overdo it and mess the whole thing up.
" I was invited secretly by the Able Democratic Party members for cleansing to succeed in the forthcoming election. I forgive you people. Get me water and I'll wash the doom off your heads". I said averting the question and striking their weak points.
Dan stood looking at me.
Dan: could this kid could be fooling us? No! How did he know I killed someone? How did he know about the weed? He's true. I need the cleansing.
Then Dan turned to the young officer and yelled. "get us water!". The boy did. I washed their heads chanting gibberish , all five of them except Bright who refused to believe my stunt. He was aching to shoot me and bury their secret but Dan who fell head over heels stopped him.
I finished and they thanked me for washing the doom off their heads and officer Dan precisely begged me not to report them. I agreed and they allowed us to leave.


NEXT UPDATE WILL BE ON TUESDAY

Interesting

Nice one Topher052, you are good

God bless your IQ

Hahahaha!!! I can't stop laughing at this police and mike encounter. Mike welcome to Africa

Mr Mike welcome to Africa where everything goes lawlessly !Topher 052 the guy with the magic pen,higher higher you will go in life .!

Ah swear dis one got me laughing real hard

Abeg I dey find BankyGee ooo. Who help me see am, tell am say, this family is missing him ooo.

Bruv, hope all's well with you, sha?

Show abeg.


Cc: Topher052

BankyGee:

Thanks bro, all's well with me, I've been busy, that's all, but I'll try to be consistent again. God will bless you for me

Ghost-readers, I'm back!

BankyGee you don almost live your job o!!!! The town has turned into a ghost town. Vampires everywhere!!!
Mike Jnr go beat Frozen record o!!!
I wish there could be meeting and connecting point between late SANDRA...the name that rings bell and Mike Jnr.
Greetings all!

Topher052, today's Tuesday. I've been checking since morning. Please drop the updates. I'm expecting like 5 lengthy posts. Great story. Kudos.

BankyGee:

Thanks bro, all's well with me, I've been busy, that's all, but I'll try to be consistent again. God will bless you for me

Ghost-readers, I'm back!

Ekabo, bruv.

I am happy you're good and well.
Amin. God bless you too.
Let's keep on supporting Our Topher052.

Ur tryin wel good

EPISODE 20

As we drove, the old man who also fell for my stunt kept telling his own problems; how his five children are in the university, two dropped out for the other three, how he needs cleansing from witchcrafts and ancestors and seeking for prayers from me.
When he dropped me in front of my house. I counted 10 foreign currencies amounting to over 200,000 in the local denomination and handed to him. He was paralyzed in shock and soon began crying.
" that's how God answers prayers. Use the money well". I said to him.
" thank you seer! Thank you seer!". He said amidst tears.
Then he waited as I knocked on the gate of the estate. It was past 3 am by the time. I knocked severely before the security man responded. The old man waited in the car looking at me.
" who ris rat!". A funny ascent stormed as though he was fighting with the person knocking across the gate.
I turned to the old man as if to seek his approval before I answered. The old man nodded and motioned me to go on.
" I'm asking after Mrs Margaret! I'm her grandson". I said in an uncertain tone.
" who?" The voice asked.
I reasoned if that's the name they know her by before I went on. " Mrs. Margaret".
" deriz nno bori answer ra nname hia! ". The voice said.
I thought of other names they could know her by, so I mentioned by uncles name. " Steves Mother!"
" I ron nno any bori oh!" Mpliz, atink you av a terephone! Cur ram!"
I turned to the old man in the car blinking his eyes at me and moved towards him.
" please sir, can i make use of your phone?".
Old man: I have only 50 left. what if somebody enter trouble....( native dialect )
" em...I no have airtime. What we go do now oooh. And you need this phone, chai!" The old man said, filled with concern.
I was shocked to my marrow, someone I gave a huge amount to to help his family?! I was highly disappointed!
" chai! And it is night oooh. If I have airtime, I for gave you, what is airtime? Please ask them if you fit to use him phone call..."
The old man was still talking I walked out on him to the gate.
" sorry bro. I got no phone here with me. Can I borrow yours. I'll pay you, a thousand bucks!".
The voice on the otherside went mute. Then a smaller opening on the gate opened. An eye was seen looking at me and the driver, after which he said. " cur ram! "
" the number?" I asked.
" nyes"
I called the number and he dialed it. Few seconds later he said. " e nno picking ooh. Nlet me try ram argain!". He dialed the number two more times and then shouted. " haro! Nderiz a man hia. He nsay he is rooking nfor Magnet!" He turned to me and asked. " your nname!"
"Mike!"
" he nsay he name is Mike! Are you nsure? Okay!". Then he opened the gate
The drive engaged his engine and waved me goodbye. I didn't respond as I entered.
The estate was impressive. Houses laid in a single file facing each other, all one storey building painted in yellow had flowers in front and street lights making the place look like afternoon.
Beside the gate was a yellow security house with two windows and a door in the middle.
" wait hia!". The security man said pointing at a plastic chair in front of the security house.
I looked at the man in his late thirties under the security light. He looked bleached with cream reactions on his fat face; clean shaven, in a yellow top and blue pants with a funny looking blue cap on his head, I wondered why he wore it at night.
" thank you very much. I'm grateful!" I said to the man as I sat down.
He didn't respond, he was looking down at the estate grudgingly.
security man: reez ma njust rizturb my sleep nah.
" who is that?". A taller dark guy in same uniform came out of the security house without the cap on looking sleepy.
" reez Oga! He nsay he rook nfor Magnet. I ncal ram, she nsay, she is ncuming" the first security man explained.
The second security man looked at me and stepped down from the house. " you're welcome sir. Mrs Margret at Plot 10?".
I shook my head and said. " I don't know which plot she lives in".
Just then I saw a lady putting on native; material top and wrapper around her waist with two guys behind her. She was literally running than walking.
" I think she's the one!". I said standing to my feet.
" my son! My son ooohhhhh!" She shouted as she running to meet me.
I moved towards her and met her halfway. She embraced me like I would disappear once she let go. When she broke the embrace, she began scanning through me and asked.
" where's that your nonsense hair and stupid beards?"
I smiled and before I could say a word, she added. " you now look handsome! Chai! You look so like your father! My son! Is that really you? I'm tired of video calls and pictures, now I see you and feel you! Live! That Phila of a lady held you back but god pass her!"
She was over joy with my presence that her wrapper fell and she didn't bother to raise it up, one of the boys with her helped her with it and she thanked him and tied it recklessly.
" Mike my son! I thought you said you were coming tomorrow? what happened? Mike! Night journey is not good in this country oh. Why! Are there no hotels! Please oh, don't kill me earlier than I should oh!" Then she turned to the boys of about 17 and 15. " meet your cousins".
Before I could shake hands with them, she began talking pulling me towards the house talking and talking. I suddenly remembered the money I promised the gate man. I dug my hand into my pocket and brought out the change from the hotel, ran to him and was giving it to him, to my surprise he refused.
security man: ha! Wariz diz na? Becos of small cur? Nnoo"
" Oga, ntank you. ayam nfine!". He said putting his hands behind him smiling.
The first honest man I met since I returned. I winced in surprise looking at him before grandma shouted my name. I thanked the man specially and ran to meet up with her. Already one of the boys was helping out with the bag.
That night, grandma talked and talked. She made me our native food which I couldn't remember what it tasted like anymore. She told me she filled the refrigerator with all kinds of native food. Even as chubby as I looked she complained of me looking slim and promised to get me fat.
We talked till it was morning. My cousins had left I and grandma in the seating room. When I checked the time it was past seven. That was when she yawned and stood up. " my son, we will continue later, let me rest my old bones a little". Then she turned towards the staircase and then to me. " ha! These boys didn't show you to your room. Follow me, let me show you to your room"
They actually spent time to fix the very large room; beautiful wall papers, air conditioner, big refrigerator, 72" television, high definition sound system, window blinds, huge bed, glass dinning, sculptures, paintings, shelves and a mini empty bar.
I wondered who pimped the room, apparently, not grandma. The room was way better than the so called executive suite I lodged earlier.
I slept for hours and eventually woke up around 2 pm, staggered downstairs to the sitting room and met grandma cutting vegetables.
" good morning ". I greeted.
She turned to me. " my son, are you sure you won't go back to sleep? Remember you slept late after a stressful journey".
" I'm fine ma". I said, seating on a couch.
She dropped her tray of vegetables on a stool beside her and turned to me. " are you hungry?"
" I'm not sure. Not after eating that heavy meal this morning".
" I am preparing lunch for you. I thought of making something new "
" what about the ones in the refrigerator?". I asked.
" they're not fresh. I want you to eat fresh food, not microwaved "
I smiled and turned to the drama showing on tv.
" i want you to drive me to the mall after you have rested ". she said, picking up the tray and began her slicing.
I agreed.
Later that day, at about 5 pm, I was in the steering and she was beside me. We had our first stop at a tailoring store.
" I want you to meet a friend of mine!". She said excitedly as she unbuckled her seat belt.
We entered a very big tailoring shop with lots of sawing machines and female staff, everyone seem to be overly engrossed with work.
Grandma seem to be popular there as everyone greeted us with a smile and she never failed to introduce me as her grandson to all the workers.
" good evening, my grandson, he just came into the country ". She would say to anyone who greeted her with a smile
Then we went to the table of a young slim girlie man. He tied a pink scalf, wore a gray saggy singlet with a wide collar up to his nipples region with tattoos across his chest and shoulders. He carved his brows very slim and wore a girlie makeup.
Grandma seem not to like him.
Grandma: I wonder why Jane insist on putting this thing here to attend to customers.
" good afternoon Madam Margaret. How are you this afternoon? ". He said chewing gum.
" hello. Is Jane in?" Grandma asked looking at the door behind him.
" yes ma". He said eyeing me with a smile.
Girlie man: who is this fine creature she brought? I bet our girls are drooling already.
I looked away and turned to a pretty girl cutting a material on a table.
" yes! Let me call her. A minute!". He took up the phone and said after a moment. " Madam Margaret is here...okay ma". He finished and turned to grandma. " go in ma" then he turned again to me and winked.
I looked away and followed grandma from behind. As we passed his table, I heard him saying.
Girlie man: oh lawd! He thinks I'm gay! Hahahaha... That's how they all think".
I turned to him, he was now smiling and winked again at me. Grandma caught me looking and said before she opened the door.
" that boy is possessed. I pity his parents who abandoned him here and travelled abroad".
Madam Jane's office was big with pictures of models on every wall. Some already made clothes hung on hangers and mannequins. She had some huge framed pictures of herself and celebrities. The Windows covered with huge brown curtains, a chandelier hung in the center roof, two big orange cushions facing each other.
A beautiful chubby light skin, classy lady with her face professionally made-up, in her early fifties sat across a magnificent table. Her long hair hung on her shoulders. She smiled as we came in.
" Maggie Maggie! Long time! I hope I am safe?". Jane said grinning.
" Jane! You are a bad friend! Your son graduated abroad you didn't tell me!". Grandma said moving over to a chair in front of her table.
" that's my last boy! It was nothing serious,". She said defensively and turned to me. " who is this fine young man with you?'
Grandma face lightened and she wanted to introduce me...
" wait! wait! Is this little Mike?". Jane asked standing to her feet and moving towards me.
Grandma nodded excitedly. " he's not so little anymore".
Madam Jane: he looks good. Heard he works in a nice company with good pay. I'll hook him up with my daughter before it's too late.
Madam Jane came closer and hugged me. When she broke the hug she asked. " do you remember me?"
I shook my head.
Madam Jane: He looks just like my secret sweet sugar boy, same age. But finer!
She hugged me again, pressing my head in her soft boobs. " my little boy has turned a man!" Madam Jane giggled.
Madam Jane: this boy is fine! I feel like leaving his face here.
Then she broke the embrace and went back to her seat. I saw her big round butts shaking from her mini green African fabric gown and her fat fair legs, I began considering her as I took my seat. Then I turned to my grandma who was completely oblivious who her friend really was.
They spent an hour talking partly about family , the new design grandma planned on making, before Madam Jane began boasting of her escapades with celebrities and her exhibitions outside the country. All the while they spoke , she kept glancing at me harmlessly, but her thoughts betrayed her innocence.
We got to the mall, I went to the a phone shop nearby to buy a phone. The place was busy with customers and sales persons in black t-shirts attending to some prospects. I moved to section and was looking at the collections they had, a teenage boy in grey jacket and his friend in red t-shirt were standing beside me checking some phones out. Then I over heard one of the boys saying in his thought.
Boy One: we need to get out of here. Once this sales man looks away now, I will move.
I turned to him, his eyes was busy surveying the area. His other friend whispered something to him, he nodded and looked behind him at girl attending to a lady and her husband. Then he said something to his friend and his friend nodded.
The boy was walking pass me and I held his hand.
" drop that phone! " I said to him.
He looked so surprised and immediately pulled a phone that was already out of its pack stylishly from his inner jacket and whisppered to me.
" please, I'll drop it!"
I watched him whisper to his friend and they replaced it in its pack and walked away. I got the phone I wanted and walked to the cashier, made payment and stepped out.
On my way to the mall I saw four teenagers following me. I turned and recognized the two boys with them, their faces where menacing and I knew they meant no good. One of them; a fat average hight boy called arrogantly." hey! My friend said you stole his phone, where's his phone?"
I turned looking for a security to intervene but found non on sight. So I summoned courage and replied him.
" you better get out of here before I get you arrested!"
" you think we are joking? Go and get the phone from him!" The fat boy commanded.
The teenage boy I held in the phone shop walked up to me and held my hand.
" where's my phone! " he sounded determined to attack.
I pulled my hand off him and looked around if grandma was in view and then for any security personnel. Passersby walked passed minding their business.
" what is wrong with you? Because I did not report you? " I said trying to intimidate him with my tone.
The fat one came to me and wanted snatch the phone I just bought from my hand, I was fast to swerve his hand. Then he attached me and others followed; they were now hitting me on every side and dragging the phone from me.

Well done topher ....e-hugs

EMPEROR48:
I keep longing for update this story is making me be more alert about things of life and love in general... Thanks bro we gat your back.

Emperor.
Your moniker reminds me of someone.

Clint02:
Emperor.
Your moniker reminds me of someone.

really? Then who must that be?

EPISODE 21

Something whispered to me: why are you allowing these kids oppress you? Can't you do something?

Immediately, I gave one of them that was dragging my shirt a head butt on his mouth, and pushed two away from me, then I moved backwards. The fat one attacked with swings of blow, one hit me across the face and the other in my stomach but not too strong a punch to inflict pain. I retaliated, ensuring I made mine count; a very strong blow in the middle of his face and another on his chest, he moved backwards clinging to his nose.

Two attacked with a blows and kicks, I moved backwards and they missed. They came again with a third following them from behind. The first that came close, I pushed so hard he fell on his butt and rolled over his head. The second threw a punch, I held his hand and retaliated with a straight blow on his neck, he bent holding his neck and coughing. The third was being careful, he monitored his next move, I was being observant too. Then he threw a kick, I grabbed his leg so hard he fell and my phone fell also from me, I ignored it as pulled the boys leg, dragging his back on the floor.

In a reflex, I caught a hand holding a knife aiming for my neck and left the boy's leg I was still pulling. When I looked, it was the fat boy. I held the hand so strong we began struggling. The boy held my neck digging his finger into it while dragging his hand off me, I swung my head to his face so hard I felt the pain in my brain from the impact and pushed him off me, then followed with a kick on his chest. He moved backwards and stood looking at me holding the knife and his other hand on the side of his head where I headbutt. The other three stood behind the fat boy hesitating to attack.

When I looked around I noticed a little crowd watching the fight excitedly. Then my eyes fell on a sharp rod attached to a fence, I rushed to it, broke it off and chased after the fat boy and his boys, they ran as though I had a machete. When they were far away, I stopped chasing after them. Then the fat boy began shouting on top of his voice pointing at me as he was going:

" I know you!, in this town? You're dead!" You!, you!". He continued until he left with his boys.

I went to pick up my phone and noticed the crowd were now smiling at me. I was disappointed at their level of immaturity. I looked around for grandma she wasn't in the crowd, then I decided to check for her in the mall. She was just coming out when I met her at the entrance.

" sir, you tried, that is how they disturb people in this area". The door man said to me.

Grandma turned to him questioningly and handed me her shopping bags.

" where have you been? I heard they were fighting, I was praying it wasn't you because your father was a 'fighter the fight', i had to rush out!". Then she examined my sweaty face and rumpled shirt and asked as we strode to the car. "What was he talking about?"

I wanted to lie when a familiar voice called from behind.

" Mike! Mike!"

I turned and my stomach clinched in shock. Guess who? Maria! She was just coming out of the mall with two bags in her hands. She wore a white handless gown reaching her at her knee level, a red and green summer hat with her white braided hair dangling beside her face and dropped behind her. And pair of green flat shoes. She was looking descent unlike how I knew her.

" is she based abroad? " grandma asked looking at her smiling.

I wanted to dodge her and hurriedly enter the car but she was already running towards us.

" no, just a girl I met ". I replied grandma feeling uncomfortable.

When she came closer, I had to fake a smile.

" Mike! Is this you?" She asked smiling, turned to grandma and greeted with her knees on the ground.

" my daughter how are you?". Grandma asked heartily.

" fine ma. is she your mother?" Maria asked.

" his grandma". Grandma chipped in.

Maria knelt and bowed in front of grandma and grandma placed a hand on her back.

Maria: Mike, I have seen you today, I won't let you off my sight.

I heard it and became worried. Grandma had already taken a liking to her. She was just smiling at the girl and nodding at everything she said. I on the other hand only nodded and faked a smile when needed.

" which area are you people going to Mike?" Mary asked.

I was going to ask her where she was going so as to tell her we weren't going that way but grandma told her: " royal estate!". I almost fainted! Now Jude is going to know where I live and disturb my life!

" wow! That's where I'm headed! What a coincidence?" Mary said joyfully looking at grandma

Mary: So he actually lives around my area? Wow! Mike lives around my area!

The next thing I saw was me on the steering driving while grandma and Mary getting pretty close as Mary cracked her rips with silly dry jokes and talked about whatsoever grandma loves. She was really a hustler, she hustled grandma to get to me.

I stopped Mary where she was supposed to find her way, she turned to me and asked. " Mike, you didn't invite me for a drink, you don't want me to know where you live?"

I turned to her beaming my fake smile and wanted to tell her some other time but grandma snatched the words from my mouth. I tried to signal grandma but she seemed to have been taken by likeness for Mary to even notice me.

" off course, you can come. I already like you, I would love to use your company often, I really get bored sometimes". Grandma said to her.

" really?" Mary's voice went on high octave.

" yes!''

" I'm honored ma!"

" you're welcome dear". Grandma said wholeheartedly.

That was how Mary was invited to my house a day after I met her as a hooker.

As soon as we got into the house, I told grandma to help me with something In my room while we left Mary in the sitting room watching television.

As soon as we got to my room, I shut the door and said to grandma fighting back the fury in my anger that was threatening to erupt.

" do you know who that girl is?! Do you know anything about who she is?"

She looked into my face questioningly and asked. " is she not your friend?"

" I just met her yesterday!" I said in frustration.

" okay... So?" Grandma asked carefully.

" so I don't know her! For all I know, she could be a serial killer or worse! You don't just invite anyone into your house, it's wrong!". I said half raising my voice.

" you know she may hear you" grandma reminded me cautiously.

I took some in air, moved to a wall and rested my back on it.

Grandma gently moved to the bed and sat on it.

" my son". She called looking at me with a smerk. " I may not know her, but I know both of you had something yesterday".

I was caught off guard by her statement and fought within myself to sound neutral.

" what...what do you mean". I stuttered.

" you know what I mean". She smiled and continue. ' that young lady is beautiful, a true beauty she is. I know she will not do anything to harm you; yes, she maybe a hustler, I saw how she was hustling me. But I understood something, she was after you. She has feelings for you, genuine one, if not she won't pass through me to get to you just meeting me for the first time, that's why I invited her over, to see if could if I was wrong about her. I'm never wrong about character. I also know she's not after your money because i saw something else in her, a good spirit. Something she does not even know she has. And you have it too...". She paused and looked at me momentarily.

Grandma: just like your father and Ruth, but he would'nt listen.

Then she continued " you need to believe me. She's not going to harm you "

I was surprised she was able to suspect that much about our previous day's encounter. I wanted to tell her that she was a prostitute and about her boyfriend, how she's very relevant to him monetarily, but I couldn't.

Grandma: children of this generation will look at older people and think we were not young once. They always amuse me. Please let me go and meet our guest, she will be wondering where we went.

Then she stood up and said. " I'm going to meet her, join us later".

I nodded and sat on the bed unpacking my new phone after she left, I activated it and was checking the fuctions when someone knocked on the door, I looked up and asked who it was, my 15 year old cousin came in gentle and slowly made his way into the room. He was tall for his his age, about 5.9, slim, handsome with a reading glass on and a full afro hair.

I smiled and beckoned him in. He slowly entered and stood nervously looking at me.

Cousin: he looks very fresh, what makes them fresh abroad? I don't like his haircut, the other was better. This haircut reduced his handsomeness... Hmm fresh skin, not even a spot

" how are you?" I asked, smiling at him for what I heard him thinking.

" I'm fine". Then his eyes fell on the phone. " you got this phone today?" Moving closer to me.

" yes. I just activated it now".

He smiled and asked. " can I see it?"

" sure! " I handed the phone to him.

He began operating it with a smile on his face, he seem too engross with the phone.

Cousin: all they said about it online is true. When am I going to get a phone like this ooh, heard it's expensive. Wow...3000MP, you can x-ray? Wow! Car remote? Wow! Look at memory space INFINITO! A month battery life capacity? This is just unbelievable!

He finished and handed the phone to me still looking at it.

" who fixed this room ?" I asked trying to forget all he was thinking that was now making me laugh.

" I and Tony did! ". He said proudly. " we got the concept online. It was expensive though, but we love class" I smiled satisfactorily. " grandma opposed it initially, saying we were spending too much money fixing common room. But when we were done, she wanted to move in". He laughed.

A knock on the door called our attention.

" who?.". I asked.

" it's Tony".

I turned to him and said. " Your brother! "

He nodded.

" come in !" I called.

The door slowly opened and Tony looked at me and his brother. " Henry, grandma asked you to call uncle since and you're here!

I smiled and said to the slim 6.1 feet tall boy with a striking resemblance with his younger brother but darker. " tell grandma I'm coming".

Tony wasn't really happy seeing his brother with me as he nodded and walked away.

I stood up and Henry escorted me downstairs. Mary was really making grandma laugh too hard she was in tears. Mary stopped talking when she saw me coming down the stairs.

I walked passed them to a seat beside grandma and Henry beside me with Mary on a couch by our left. She was still looking at me, grandma stylishly pinched me to call my attention on her gaze on me.

Henry: blood of lizard! This chick is fine! Oh my sweet penis! See fine Punana! Damn! Give me this fine chick and I will fvck all week till my sperm runs dry! Sweet lizard!

I almost exploded in laugher at Henry's exclamation. No one would believed he just reasoned that with his innocent stare at Mary.
" you this boy! You always like to stay with adults. Now follow me lets go make something in the kitchen". Grandma said to Henry.

Henry grumbled and stood up. Grandma turned to Mary. " my daughter, you will have dinner with us today"

" mummy no, I'm sorry, I'll be leaving soon".Mary protested.

" Queen my dear you're speaking French. If I come back here and I don't see you, I won't talk to you again". Grandma said walking to the kitchen with Henry behind her.

After grandma and Henry left I turned to Mary. " what about Jude?"

She seemed startled at my statement and looked at me thoughtfully.

Mary: did he investigate him? Why asking about him? I don't understand this guy.

" he's fine. why asking?" She asked.

I scuffed and asked. " Queen? "

She looked at me amiss and answered. " yes? "

" i mean, that's what my grandma called you. Is that really your name?". I was becoming pissed because she would also lie to an old lady who trusted her.

" that's my name!" She defended

Mary: what is he up to? What does he know?

I watched her body reaction to see if she was uneasy, she seem a little but more confused.

" is Queen your real name?" I finally asked after a brief moment of silence.

Mary: Mary don't lie to him again. You've lied enough, open up, he knows something.

Her shoulders dropped and she leaned closer on her chair. " my name is Mary. I changed it to Queen since I moved into this town".

" why did you change it?" I asked piercing an interrogative stare at her.

Mary: no lies, tell him the truth! Oh no I can't! I just can't!

" tell me the truth!". I said in a serious tone looking into her eyes.

Her pretty face turned into a sad one and was gradually moving to tears. I forced myself to be mean and needed not to budge into sentiment.

Mary: tell him the truth. No lies.

She heaved a sigh and began:

" two years ago, I got pregnant for a man. He was married and wanted me to abort the pregnancy. I refused, he threatened to kill me if I allowed my pregnancy bring him shame, yet I refused.

So one day, he asked me to meet him in an uncompleted building and promised to give me the abortion money. Let me tell you something". She said almost in tears " I have done things to survive, prostitution and even sold drugs. Worked in restaurants, bars. But I'm not a bad person. My dad died before I was born, my mum died giving birth to me". She looked away to wipe her tears and returned to me. " So I met him in the uncompleted building. Guess what? He tried to strangle me and my unborn baby. I struggled, but he was overly powerful. I was almost passing on when I picked up a stick and hit him hard beside his head, he fell and blood pumping out from where I hit, it was then I discovered their was a nail in the stick. I dropped it and ranaway.

Jude happened to be wooing me online. I called him and told him everything. He sent me money immediately, that was how I came to town. I had a stillbirth after a month. The baby died in my stomach and I wasn't aware. And after that, Jude told me I owed him. I have been paying him ever since. We live together, but he cares less about who I sleep with as long as I pay up at the end of the month. Then he made it daily".

I understood what she meant, I had had my own share of Judes indebtedness. So I asked.

" aren't you guys dating?".

She smiled . " we are because he can't allow me date someone else whereas he brings girls home and when I try to talk, he threatens to expose me and tell the police how I killed a man. I have been putting up with his drama, I don't have a choice".

I listened to her and all I heard her saying was: Mary what are you doing? Telling a stranger your secret? What if he's worse than Jude? Well, I would rather take the risk than lie to him again.

I felt pity for her. She was young, at about 20 or 21 at most, beautiful and charming. I just sat looking at her wondering what she must have gone through growing without parents.

" what?" She chuckled. " Please, I don't like pity"

" no no no!" That's not it. I was..." I wanted to say, I was just thinking how beautiful you are, but I decided to keep it to myself. " so where do you really live?".

" not too far from here" I asked trying to know how close Jude was.

" and you live with Jude?".

She nodded and turned to grandma who just brought dinner to the dinning.

"dinner is ready oh...Queen, please come and help with the dishes"

I and Mary exchange a glance as she went to assist grandma.

NEXT UPDATE IS ON FRIDAY.

EMPEROR48:
really? Then who must that be?

A friend. His name is Emperor.

Clint02:
A friend. His name is Emperor.

well, I happen to share a name with one of the character, but this is my Nick... Nice meeting you though..

EMPEROR48:
well, I happen to share a name with one of the character, but this is my Nick... Nice meeting you though..

K. Nice meeting you too.

Enjoying the twist to this story! Keep it up Nebechukwu Christopher.

pu7pl3:
Mary is the new Ruth

na so my brother. perfect connection and consistency.
well done Topher

Topher you are a skilled writer,never stop writing.���

Although ayam preparing for exams but can't stop reading this beautiful masterpiece
Nice update topher052