More please

An idea came to his mind. 'Sorry, when did you see him last?'

'This morning,' came the prompt answer.

Now, Guba was dismayed. If indeed what this lady was saying was true, then Sam was alive! He had known that his life was threatened and had bolted.

There was no need Guba wasted further time there. He had confirmed what he came to confirm. He turned to go.

'Thank you, sister for your time. I'll keep on trying to reach him. Good night.'

'Good night.'

She watched as he left the compound. The sudden interest in Sam and the fact Sam himself had to leave hurriedly meant there was trouble somewhere.

She too tried to reach his lines again but could not reach any of them. That had been the situation since morning. Apart from when Sam called her to let her know that he had travelled out of Lagos, she could not reach him. Definitely, there was something sinister about the whole episode. She could only watch, wait and see.

* * *

The following morning, as early as six in the morning, Bisi received a call from Chief Kashi.

'Good morning, Bisi. How are you?'

It was quite odd that he was calling her so early, but she tried to sound normally. 'Good morning, uncle. I'm hale and hearty.'

'Thank God for that. Sorry I'm calling you so early.'

'It's okay, sir.'

'There's something I need to let you know.'

'What is that, uncle?'

'Sam has committed some fraud in the office, that's why he's on the run.'

'What?!'

'Yes, that's the fact. He has stolen money from the office running into millions of naira.'

She was stupefied and short of words.

'There's something you must do for me,' he continued. 'If you get to know when he's back in the house or in Lagos, alert me. Don’t confront him or let him know that I’ve revealed this secret to you. Just pick your phone and let me know he’s around. Do you understand?'

'Yes ... yes, sir.'

'Alright, have a nice day.'

'Yes, sir. Have a nice day too.'

She dropped the phone, feeling giddy. Was that true that the reason Sam bolted away was because he committed fraud? What was all this about? But what was the relevance of that to the fact that Sam was poisoned the day before yesterday?

If Sam had indeed committed fraud, how come Chief Kashi did not mention anything like that the previous evening when he had come around?

Certainly, something sinister was going.



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Nice update

Thanks for the update

Still following

Nice

Nice work

Go on.

She dropped the phone, feeling giddy. Was that true that the reason Sam bolted away was because he committed fraud? What was all this about?

But what was the relevance of that to the fact that Sam was poisoned the day before yesterday? If Sam had indeed committed fraud, how come Chief Kashi did not mention anything like that the previous evening when he had come around?

Certainly, something sinister was going.




After his friend, Michael, had gone to work, Sam was left in the house alone. He suddenly realized that he did not have a place of work to go. If he did not do something exigent to change the situation, he would remain like this for a long time.

His mind recoiled at the thought of this present situation. He hated idleness. He might not be the best of worker, but he detested indolence.

He would have to do something. There was no way every other person would go to work and he would be loafing around! He decided to call Bisi and tried to find out what had happened in his absence.

He would have to use his old sim card, ant then stored her number on the phone.
It was as if she was standing by to receive his call, as she picked it after the second ring.

'Hello, love,' she said anxiously. 'God, I've been trying to call you.'

'Good morning, darling, how're you?'

'I'm fine. What about you? Where exactly are you?'

The alarm bell went off in his head. 'Don't you worry about me,' he replied. 'Just know that I'm fine.'

'But I'm worried. I'm worried that different people have been coming to ask after you. I'm worried that you're incommunicado. I'm worried that your boss too is looking for you.'

Sam became alert. 'Chief Kashi was looking for me?'

'Yes, he came to the house yesterday to look for you. This morning, he has called to inform me that I should let him know any time you come back. Tell me, Sam, what is the real reason you took off?'

He breathed in deeply. Just how much did she know?

'You don't believe the reason I gave you?' he parried.

'Your boss said you stole money running into millions of naira from the company.' Her uncle had told her not to disclose this to him, but in a moment like this, she was thinking with her heart.

That was not funny, although he felt like laughing. 'I did not such thing,' he said vehemently. 'There was no way I could have done that.'

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course, my dear. I didn’t handle any big cash in the office. And I was not the one in charge of accounts.'

Somehow, she believed him.


Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

She was thinking with her heart

That was not funny, although he felt like laughing. 'I did not such thing,' he said vehemently. 'There was no way I could have done that.'

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course, my dear. I didn’t handle any big cash in the office. And I was not the one in charge of accounts.’

Somehow, she believed him.

'So, tell me, what is the real reason why you left? Why did they poison you? Why did they want you dead?'

He realized that she already knew much. But should he trust her? The image of Guba came to his mind. Guba was supposed to be his friend and partner. No, he must not trust anyone again.

'Calm down,' he said, stalling. 'Your questions are not what could be answered now. It's not what we can discuss on the phone. When we meet physically, I'll tell you everything.'

'Oh God, I'm so afraid for you, Sam. I love you and I miss you.'

He grinned. 'Don't worry. All these will soon end. I'll be okay. I love you and miss you too.'

She nodded and tried to assure herself that indeed, all would be well. 'Okay, if you say so.'

'Yes, I say so. I think it's better you don't let people know that I've been contacting you. I think it's better that if chief or anyone asks about me, pretend that you've lost contact completely with me. I'll be contacting you again. For now, bye.'

'Take care of yourself, please. Bye.'

A part of his mind told him that she was genuinely concerned about him, but he just had to be careful. After he disengaged the line, he was back to loathing the state of idleness that he found himself.

He went through the phonebook on his phone, thinking of who he could contact that might be of help. The way Chief Kashi was seriously looking for him showed that he just had to steer clear of him, at least for now, if not for ever.

While going through his phone book, he came across the number of an old pally, Kayode, also known as Kayus. Kayode was also based in Lagos before but had relocated to Ado-Ekiti to work for a prominent politician. Sam decided to call him.

'Kayus baba,' he started. 'Long time. How're you, and how're the people of Ekiti? Ekiti kete!'

'Fine. Sorry, who's on the line?'

Sam chuckled. 'Kayode, don't tell me you've lost my number. If you would lose anyone's number, it shouldn't be your old pally.'

'I'm sorry,' Kayus said. 'I've actually lost many numbers. Who's on the phone?'

'This is Sam on the line. Sam Olufemi.'

'Sam! Oh, boy, how are you?'

'Well, Sam dey and is trying to confront the challenges of life.'

'Samuel Olufemi! It's very good to hear from you. What are you doing with yourself right now?'

Sam grinned. 'Ah, it's not easy. I was employed until yesterday when I lost the job. Right now, Sam is at home doing nothing. Can you imagine that? Sam is in the labor market.'

'Is that so?’

‘Na so, my brother.

There was a short silence.

‘If you don't mind, why don't you come over to Ado-Ekiti? Let's discuss. I'm sure there's something we can offer you.'

Sam was delighted. 'Really, are you sure there's something for me?'

'Sure. Come over, Sam. What are old friends for?'
Sam nodded. 'Where do you say? How do I get in touch with you?'



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Good one.

Sam was delighted. 'Really, are you sure there's something for me?'

'Sure. Come over, Sam. What are old friends for?'

Sam nodded. 'Where do you say? How do I get in touch with you?'

'Come to the state secretariat here in Ado. Ask for me at the Ministry Transportation. I’m working at the Ministry of Transportation, office of the Honorable Commissioner. There’s a team in the Ministry that gives tricycles and motorcycles to some deserving members of the public. I’ll put in words for you to the Commissioner, so that you can be part of the coordinating team. I'll have to introduce you as a friend and as a staunch supporter of our party. The project is the state government own. Are you ready for this?'

Sam smiled. Of course he was ready for it. Why else would he travel all the way from Lagos?

'Yes, I'm ready. And I'm very grateful for asking me in on this.'

Kayode nodded. 'But then, that's what friends are for.'

'Kayus, baba! You know what? I'll be in Ado-Ekiti before 1 p.m. Be expecting me.'

'Good. Sam, I'll be expecting you.'

It didn't take him long to pack up his belongings in the house. It was just few minutes past eight in the morning. If he set out immediately he would get to Ekiti before 1 p.m.

But he had to tell Michael the he was on the move again. He would have to thank him and hand over the keys of the house to him.

* * *

Guba was in a distressed mood. That morning in his room, he counted the money remaining from what Chief Kashi had given him. He was surprised everything was just N96,680!

If he chose the option of declaring the task given to him as unrealizable, then he would have to return the two hundred thousand naira. That meant he would need to add about N104,000 to the money. Right now, he simply didn't have that kind of money.

What about the option of going after Sam and completing the task? It sounded as a good option, but how would he carry that out? Sam had left for only God knows where?

Even if he knew the place, would he just go and meet him, and shoot him, or what? It was obvious he alone could not execute the task. Then the money he was paid was too little to carry out a successful assassination.

He would have to raise some money between now and the expiration of the time chief gave. Even if it was half of the money he could raise, chief should accept it and take it that he had done his best. It should be as simple as that.


* * *


About five hours later, Sam was in the government secretariat in Ado-Ekiti. At the Ministry of Transportation, he was directed to an office on the first floor. He met a lady behind a computer monitor in the ante office.

'Good afternoon. I'm here to see Mr. Kayode Adeoye.'

'Good afternoon, sir. Are you on appointment?'
'Sort of. He is expecting me.'

She regarded him and nodded. 'Please, have your seat.'

'Thank you.'

He sat himself comfortably. He had to wait for many minutes before the visitors that were with Kayode came out.



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Nice update

Interesting.

He met a lady behind a computer monitor in the ante office.

'Good afternoon. I'm here to see Mr. Kayode Adeoye.'

'Good afternoon, sir. Are you on appointment?'

'Sort of. He is expecting me.'

She regarded him and nodded. 'Please, have your seat.'

'Thank you.'

He sat himself comfortably. He had to wait for many minutes before the visitors that were with Kayode came out.

'You can go in now,' the lady said.

He thanked her and went inside the inner office.

'Kayuucee!' he hailed his friend.

Kayode looked up from the file he was holding and smiled.

'Sam! The only Samuel in town.’

He got up to briefly hug his friend.

'Na wa o,' Sam said. 'See how much you've put on weight. Ekiti is really rosy for you.'

Kayode beamed in smiles. 'We thank God. You too have put on beef!'

'Ah, na God o. But I must confess to you that it's not easy.'

They sat down and for the next fifteen minutes, they talked about old friends and what they were doing presently. Finally, Sam dwelt on his own
matter.

'I'm out of job, right now,' he said. 'I was going through my phone, when I saw your number and decided to call. Here we are.'

'You've come at a very good time. As you know, I'm working for the Honorable Commissioner of Transport. Just like I said, there's this project
going on in which we give keke and motorcycles to deserving people. I'll take you to him.’

* * *

It was a day to the expiration of the ultimatum given to Guba. He had been able to get N100,000 ready. He would take the money to Chief
Kashi and he would plead that the chief should forgive him for failing to deliver. He was sure the chief would understand. Sam was out of reach.
The fact was Guba did not even know where he was. How could you go after somebody you didn't know the where about? Till this very
moment, Guba had not been able to even speak with Sam.

He put the money in a black nylon, wrapped the nylon and put it in a small bag. The money was in two hundred naira denomination, so it was a
bit bulky. Guba took the bag and walked to Ojota bus stop. From there, he took a bike to Ketu bus stop. Within minutes, he was at the office of
Chief Kashi. The chief was in the office but he intended to go out and attend a function soon. When the secretary asked Guba to go inside the
boss office, Guba looked like the most penitent person on earth.

He prostrated for the chief.

'Where is Sam?' Chief Kashi asked.

'To be honest, I don't know,' Guba replied. 'That's why I'm here to beg for failing in the task. I'm sorry, chief.' He still remained prostrated.

'Well, you know the option. Return the money I handed to you.'

'Yes, sir, I have the money here, but it's only half of it.'

The chief scowled at him. 'How could you bring half?'

'That's why I'm begging. I'm sorry I've spent part of it.'

Chief Kashi scoffed. 'Just look at you. It was easy for you to spend money, but very difficult to carry out a simple task.'

'I'm sorry, sir. I used the powder and in my presence he ate the suya meats I mixed with the substance. What I expected to hear the following
morning was that he had died, not that he had bolted out of Lagos.'

Kashi looked at Guba. The man was quite right, he thought. He remembered Bisi said Sam was treated of food poisoning. That mean Guba did
use that poison, but Sam was lucky to survive it. That guy must be a very lucky bastard!

'Alright, stand up,' he told Guba.

Gratefully, the latter stood up. 'Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.'

'Listen.' Kashi raised a finger to stop Guba. 'Listen. It is not over. Keep that money you brought, but you must complete your task. It doesn't matter whether it is completed today, next week or next month. The important thing is that it must be completed. You must still watch out for

Sam and eliminate him by whatever means you could use. When you complete that task, come and meet me. I'll give you additional two
hundred thousand naira for a job well done.'

Guba's face lit up in excitement. 'Really? I should keep the money? In addition, I will get additional two hundred k when the task is completed?

Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you for giving me another chance.'

'Now, you can go,' Chief Kashi said. 'Next time you call me, it must be for the news that you have finally succeeded in your task.'

'Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.'

Guba left the office a man neither happy nor sad. It was quite true he had the money and had been promised more upon completing the task,
but how realistic was it that the task would be completed? Would Sam just come back to live in that same house or work with chief, knowing that his life was in danger? It was not likely. So, how would he, Guba, have the opportunity to complete the task? He could only go after Sam if he knew where he was, but where was Sam?



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Thanks for the update. Keep it coming.

Odoogu:
Jenni is of the opinion that chief is diabolic... and now this?
in all sincerity I think he should inform Jenni.

you are right, buh d oath part is another reason not to.

Nice story



I rate this 6/10

Melancholy:
Haa...! Bisi no go work nii? I'm loving this story the more.

Op said hours later after kashi closed from work, bisi fit don come back from work too na

Nice update.

Waiting for more.

Just another neglected story.

Too bad

Guba left the office a man neither happy nor sad. It was quite true he had the money and had been promised more upon completing the task, but how realistic was it that the task would be completed?

Would Sam just come back to live in that same house or work with chief, knowing that his life was in danger? It was not likely.

So, how would he, Guba, have the opportunity to complete the task? He could only go after Sam if he knew where he was, but where was Sam?


* * *

Two weeks after Sam had settled down in Ado-Ekiti, he called Bisi.

'Hello, dear. How're you?'

'Oh, my God, I've been worried about you,' she interjected. 'Are you alright?'

'I'm okay. How is Lagos?'

'Lagos is fine, but I terribly miss you.'

He chuckled. 'I miss you too, but the circumstance at hand has forced this separation on us.'

'I miss you,' she repeated. 'Where are you? Can't I come and visit you?'

Would he trust her enough to disclose where he was? The matter was complicated by the fact that she was related to Chief Kashi.

'I'm sorry, I can't disclose where I am to you yet.'

'You don't trust me?' she asked, dismayed. 'I thought you love me!'

'I love you,' he said quickly.

'And you won't allow the lady that you love to know where you are?'

There was a slight pause. 'It's not as easy as you think. 'That your uncle, or whatever, Chief Kashi, wants me dead.'

'Why? Why would he want you dead?'

Again, there was a brief silence.

‘Dear, why will he want you dead?’ she reiterated.

'It's not something that I can easily disclose like that. But be rest assured that I did not commit any fraud, neither did I commit any crime that would warrant my death.'

She sighed. 'This is serious.'

'Yes. The fact that you're related to him portends danger. That's the truth. Let me appreciate all you have done, especially that night that you assisted me to the hospital. I really appreciate that gesture and will never forget.'

She was silent, wondering why he was saying this.

'I must also say there's no need I waste your time.'

She gasped. 'What are you saying, dear?'
'What I'm saying is, instead of wasting your time waiting for me, you can go ahead and get yourself another man.'

'Sam, you're ditching me!' she exclaimed.

'No, I'm not. But in the present circumstance, that's the most reasonable thing to do, isn't it?'

'No, it's not,' she said quickly. Why're you allowing whatever happened between you and your boss to affect our love life? Why must I be the one to pay for the schism between the two of you? Sam, that's not fair.'

He appeared to think over what she had said.

She was quite right, but his survival was paramount.

'I love you, Sam. I understand your point, but what do we do about the love I have for you?'
Her sentiments were beginning to sway his thinking. He couldn't believe himself.

Was he about to trust her? What happened in the case of trusting Guba? Where did that one lead him?

'I'll call you again,' he said. 'I've got to go now.'

He disconnected the line. Bisi was good to him. She seemed caring, considerate and innocent, but he must be careful. He had to make a choice between reasons and emotions.

Sam decided to choose the former. He therefore cut communication links with her.

For the next three months, he did not call her, neither could she call as she did not know his new number. Her WhatsApp messages to him were not replied.

So, were her Facebook messages. Sam faced his new life in Ekiti and tried to put everything Lagos behind him.

He was hard-working in his new job and it wasn't difficult for people to notice this. His belongings were still in his Lagos residence, but those things could remain there forever, for all he cared.




Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Nice update

Interesting story.

Thanks for the update.

Ride on.

Ride on.

Her WhatsApp messages to him were not replied. So, were her Facebook messages. Sam faced his new life in Ekiti and tried to put everything Lagos behind him.

He was hard-working in his new job and it wasn't difficult for people to notice this. His belongings were still in his Lagos residence, but those things could remain there forever, for all he cared.


* * *

Bisi was heartbroken. She found it difficult to accept that Sam was out of her life. The relationship was so sweet and so short-lived. How could it end even before it began?

She had found him to be so cute. But it went beyond cuteness. She had believed he was the future husband she was waiting for. How could the rift - whatever it was - between him and Chief Kashi be the one to terminate the relationship between her and her heart-throb?

No, she would not allow that to be and she would not give up.

She wanted to see Sam, to rekindle her relationship with him. She believed she was truly in love with him and wished he could love her the way she did.

It was unfortunate that he did not trust her. It was true her uncle wanted her to betray Sam, but she would never do that. If only Sam knew. She had been waiting for him to call her again, but he did not.

She sent messages through WhatsApp and Facebook, but she got no reply. How she wished they could at least be communicating by telephone or through any of the social media.

Four months after he had unceremoniously left, the communication bridge between them remained broken. She did not even know where he was. Was he in Lagos, or was he outside the state?

Could he have travelled outside Nigeria? It was unfortunate that she was yet to know or have the contact of any of his relatives during their short-lived relationship. Then, an idea came to her.

She opened her Facebook page on her laptop and clicked on her friends. She then clicked on Sam. He had not updated or sent any post for many months. She wanted a list of Sam's friends on his profile.

One of the names was a certain Bayo Adeoye, a brother of Sam. She decided to write a short message to him. In her message, she stated that she was a good friend of Sam, but had lost contact with him.

She would like to establish contact with him and hoped the brother would be kind enough to send Sam's numbers. She put her own number in the message.

About two days later, Bayo called her number.

'Is that Bisi?' he demanded.

'Yes. Who's on the line please?'

'Did you write a personal message to me on Facebook, asking for someone's number?'

Her heart raced in excitement. 'Yes. I sent a message to someone by the name Bayo about Sam.'

'I'm Bayo.'

'Oh, good to hear from you. Can you be kind enough to give me Sam's current number?'

'Who're you to him?'





Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Cool story.