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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

Her mind went to Doctor Joe Sabada. Thank God he had stopped disturbing her. But wait a minute, why didn't she report his sexual harassment to her father?

Eddie was a lawyer and could have easily taken up her case. Inwardly, she shrugged. Perhaps, God wanted Nelson to be the one to fight for her.

She was about to make a retreat from the bedroom when Eddie called her back.

'Sit down,' he said and pointed at one of the plastic chairs in the bedroom. He too sat up on the bed. That meant there was a serious matter to discuss.

She sat down and looked at him expectantly.

'Yes, there's this thing I've noticed about you in the last couple of weeks,' he started.

He looked at her intently. 'Take a look at yourself and tell me what's going on.'

She looked at herself from the bust down to her feet and shook her head. 'Daddy, I don't understand.'

'Really?' He raised an eyebrow. 'Let's start from your neck. That necklace you're wearing is solid gold. Then, your wrist. That wristwatch, Rolex or something, is very expensive. Look at the dress you're putting. I can bet that the perfume you're wearing is exotic. Where are you getting the money to buy all these?'

Agatha smiled. She was not surprised he was saying this. She had actually thought that sooner or later, he would say it.

Unconsciously, her eyes went to her left fingers. She had removed the diamond studded engagement ring Nelson had given her.

If she had not removed it, Eddie would have mentioned the item among the list that he just mentioned. Agatha smiled again. It was time to tell her father the truth.

'Actually, daddy, I've been meaning to tell you. There's this man I met who has been taking care of me.'

He nodded meaningfully. 'I knew it. I knew that a man or men would be behind this. Have you started prostituting your body or what?'

'Daddy, it's not as you think. And it's not men, but a man that is responsible for these changes. His name is Nelson Ovie. He has his own company and he's into clean business. Although he was married before, he wants to marry me. He's the one behind all these.'

Eddie opened his mouth. 'What? You mean you want to marry a papa all because he's doling out money on you?'

Agatha chuckled. 'He is not papa. Nelson looks young and energetic. I believe he's serious. I've told him about you and he is even eager to meet with you.’

Eddie looked at her for a while. 'How could you be sure that he is genuine and serious? How could you tell that he's really in love with you, and he's not a fraudster or a yahoo guy? How could you be sure he's not a ritualist?'

'He's serious, daddy. He really wants to marry me, as he said. He's not that young. He was married before and he's presently close to fifty. He said he would like to meet you. He has even given me engagement ring.'

‘What! Is that one not too old for you to marry?’

‘I think – believe – that he’s okay for me. He really wants to meet with you, dad.’

'I want to meet him too. I want to know details about him - where he works, where he lives, what he does for a living, and so on. I want you to bring him to this house as soon as possible. You're still very young, Agatha, and I don't want you to fall into the wrong hands.'

She thought briefly. 'I will have to contact him. If it is possible, he will come around tomorrow, Saturday.'

Eddie nodded. 'That is okay by me. That is very okay.'




Lust City: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/lust-city-18/27928

Nice story.

Interesting story.

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

Just then, the phone beeped to announce the coming of a text message. In the same audacious spirit, Clara picked up his phone to read the message.

'This message can't be from a niece,' she said in acrimony. 'The message from your Princess reads: 'I've just called to say hello. From Sade (Princess), your future wife.' Now, how can this so-called Princess be your niece?'

Manu was dumb-founded. What kind of silly joke was Princess playing? How could she write such a message and call herself his future wife?

'Princess is playing pranks,' he managed to say. 'She likes to play pranks.'

'I think you're the one playing pranks,' Clara said heatedly. 'You said the Princess' real name was Bola, but it turned out that she is Sade. Why did you tell me about marriage, when you've already got a lady?'

'Oh, no, no!' he said quickly and vehemently.

'Believe me, I never promised Princess, or any other lady, anything marriage. In truth, she's not a niece, but a friend. She likes to play pranks, and she's in the act, right now.'

Clara still made a face and he had say more to disabuse her mind.

'It cannot be,' he said pointedly. 'I stand before almighty God to proclaim that the only lady I've promised to marry is you, Clara. Let no call or message from anybody give you doubt.'

With his avowed declaration, she decided to believe him.




'You can stop the car here,' Agatha said. The driver did as he was told. Agatha got down from the car.

'Okay, goodnight,' she said.

'Goodnight,' the driver replied. It was a few meters to the gate of her father's residence, but she would walk the rest of the distance. Agatha didn't want her daddy to know about Nelson yet.

To avoid being asked about the owner of the posh car that came to drop her, she opted for getting down before getting to the house. The time was few minutes to eight in the evening.

The three children and daddy were at home.
Her sisters were glad to see her, as usual.

'Sister Agatha, good evening,' Nnena greeted.

The other two joined in the greeting.

'How're you all?' Agatha asked. The party answer was in the affirmative.

'How about daddy? Is he at home?'

'Yes, daddy's in his bedroom,' the youngest of the girls answered.

Agatha opened her bag to bring out niceties. There was a little something for everybody.

Nnena took her valise to the second bedroom, the one the girls used. After a while, Agatha decided to go and greet Eddie in his bedroom. She knocked at his door.

'Yes?' his voice called from inside.

She opened the door and went inside. 'Good evening, daddy.'

He looked up from the laptop he was working on by his bedside.

'Agatha. How're you?'

'Fine. How was wok?'

'We thank God. How was school too?'

'Fine. All is well.' Her mind went to Doctor Joe Sabada. Thank God he had stopped disturbing her. But wait a minute, why didn't she report his harassment to her father?



Lust City: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/lust-city-18/27928

She was not surprised to hear this from him. Actually, she saw it coming. In the last few days, he had told her a lot about his previous marriage and how things had not worked out. Helen, his first wife, had sought and got divorce on the ground that their differences were irreconcilable.

He had three children aged nineteen, seventeen and fourteen respectively. At forty-nine, he was a handsome, well-to-do guy with things at his beck and call. What had been a source of concern for her was why did he choose her.

Yes, among all the ladies out there, why would he choose a twenty-years old girl he met dancing naked at the club? Why should he think that a lady like her was a wife material?

Now, the situation had gone beyond wondering? If Nelson Ovie thought she was good enough to be a wife material, then so be it. He was
asking her if she would marry him, did he expect a negative answer?

'Yes,' she answered. 'Yes, I will marry you.'

'Oh, that's my darling young Princess.' He put the ring on her left third finger. There was a bear hug and a kiss.

'You've made my day,' he said. 'From now on, I'm going to show that despite the numbers of years between us, I've got so much love to offer
you.'

She smiled at his sweet words and hoped he really meant every word he had spoken.



* * *

The lady popularly called ‘Princess’ was one of the ladies that did 'runs' at one of the night hang outs frequented by Manu. She was actually a
favorite of Manu and had enjoyed some intimacy with him. For the past two weeks, Princess, whose real name was Sade, had not been involved
in any 'runs'. She had been very sick and had only managed to come out of the sickness in one piece. On the third day of her illness, she had a
dream in which she was warned against doing the 'runs' business again. In the dream, she was shown that she would be a highly successful
person, but it would never be through commercial sex trading.

When she recovered from the illness, she had vowed never to go back to doing 'runs' again. At twenty-four, she still had a whole long life ahead
of her. Truly, she had only 'ordinary' level certificate, but she was once a hairdresser, and she might as well go back to doing the hair-dressing
job, or even working for somebody in a saloon.

As bad as Sade might be, she believed she was special and had a special gift. Her dreams were always very significant and she had learnt to
always take them seriously. Last night, she had another significant dream. In the dream, Manu was revealed to her as her husband!

Manu? Was that not the carefree, jolly man that patronized her when she was in the sex-trade business? How many such equally care-free and
lecherous ladies had he bedded? Of all reasonable and responsible men in the world, why would Manu be her husband? But Sade knew it was
better she did not question the authenticity of the claims made by the dream. As difficult and as far-fetched the situation appeared to be, if
Manu had been designed by providence to be her husband, she believed no force on earth could alter it.

She still had the number of the man on her line and she wondered if she should call him. What would be the purpose of calling him? Would it
be to inform him that she would be his wife? Don't be ridiculous, she told herself. If you don't want to be laughed at and be ridiculed, you
better don't say anything like that to him.

But another voice asked her why not. If indeed she believed in her dreams, why couldn't she give him at least a hint? It was not as if she would
propose to him, but perhaps there was nothing wrong in subtly letting him know.

She had been a bad girl, but she must drop that toga; and in the last few days, she had. Her father was late, and her nonchalant mother had not
noticed the changes in her. All the older woman could see was that Sade was sick but was recuperating. She was the only child. Her mother had
refused to marry when she lost her husband about five years ago. But she knew there were many men in her life, a line Sade was towing, until
now.

Alone at home, Sade decided that she would look for a saloon around by tomorrow morning to see where she could eke out a living. On
impulse, she brought out her phone and scrolled through the numbers saved on it. When she got to where Manu's number was, she stopped.
She didn't even know much about him apart from the fact that he used to be her 'regular customer'. She had however been to his residence on

two occasions when he invited her over to the place.

Still acting on impulse, she dialed his number.

'Hello.' It was a female voice that picked the call.

'Hello. Can I be on to Manu?' Sade asked.

'He's in the toilet. What d'you want?'

'Tell him Princess called.'

She cut the line. Who was the person that picked his call? A sister? A relative? A girlfriend? Sade wondered. She knew that for a person like him,
a girlfriend would not be far away.

She decided to do something: she would send him a text message.

A moment later, Manu came out of the toilet back to the sitting-room when Clara confronted him.

'Who is Princess?' she asked. He had stored the name of the caller as Princess and Clara had wondered who Princess was.

'Huh?'

'A lady just called your number now, and you stored her number as Princess. Who is she?'

Manu managed a wan smile. To start with, he did not like the action of Clara picking up his call. She shouldn't have done that. Then, the way she asked was more like a demand. He however bottled his annoyance.

'Princess? Oh, that should be one of my nieces.'

'Really?' The way Clara made her face showed that she did not believe him.

'Come on, Princess is the nickname I gave to Bola, a niece of mine.'

Just then, the phone beeped to announce the coming of a text message. In the same audacious spirit, Clara picked up his phone to read the message.

'This message can't be from a niece,' she said in acrimony. 'The message from your Princess reads: 'I've just called to say hello. From Sade
(Princess), your future wife.' Now, how can this so-called Princess be your niece?'

Manu was dumb-founded. What kind of silly joke was Princess playing? How could she write such a message and call herself his future wife?




Lust City: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/lust-city-18/27928

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

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

Go on.

Ride on.

Ride on.