₦airaland Forum

damosky12:
You are looking for big bawo? When I have been signaling since...

Na Gori go come from grave hunt you
Kwontinue

Stumbling from thread to thread and I stumbled on a gold mine. Rachelfst I'm following this great piece like it was Moses ...more grace and wisdom to you.

nastynic come and see what I found bro

When strange eyes had said 'I'd be with you every step of the way' he had really meant it.
Presently he kept asking me how the food looked like, what the food was and how it tasted like.
The setup was mouth watering, there was fruits, native and continental dishes, drinks all spread out on countless tables and the m.o was serve yourself.
Mrs Benita said a short general prayer and the feeding commenced.
Soft opera music played from overhead speakers and was a nice soft background to the contented chatter of the widows and their partners as they all went about their business.
It took me some minutes but I noticed the lawyer. He was talking to a pretty woman who was no doubt a widow and I just had the feeling he was making some kind of promise that the initiative was going to accept her...the kind of promise that came with a condition.
I was beginning to dislike the man more and more.
"Rex...are you there?" Strange eyes interrupted my thoughts again
"What is it?"
"I said what are you eating?"
I didn't answer. I had located Olivia and I quickly hurried to her side and took the handle from the hands of the young usher who had taken them downstairs.
"How are you?" I asked her.
"I'm..fine...it went well I think..I don't think I would be selected..because of that picture incident"
"It doesn't matter...that would be for the best"
"She said she wanted to meet you
..the founder"
"Yes I heard her...let's get something to eat first"
"So Olivia what are you planning to eat?" Strange eyes turned his attention to her.
She just laughed "I don't know..something light...I'm not really hungry"
"Well there's a lot to choose from" I added.

She settled on grilled fish with salad and a cup of juice. She waited for me at the table we had chosen while I really took my time and served myself. I really needed my energy and only God knows when next I would be chanced to eat again..so I didn't hold back.
Finally I settled beside her with the mountain in front of me and was just about to start levelling it when she nudged me.
"The founder...I think she's coming this way"
True enough Mrs Benita was making her way to our table. She had a disposable plate in her hands and when she settled down across from me, I saw it was fruit salad she was eating.
"Good afternoon Sir" she greeted me with no sign of recognition.
I wondered about this her new humble attitude...the first and last time I had met her in her boutique she had been a classic peacock then,proud and so sure of herself.
I tried my hoarse old man voice. "Afternoon....I'm glad to finally meet you in person"
"Me too...I met your sister earlier...she's a wonderful person"
I nodded and stuffed my mouth...I couldn't talk when food was in my mouth.
"How did you come...would you need a lift..I can arrange for my driver to take you"
"Actually Timothy drove" Olivia told her. She must have made the name up on the spot...and so Timothy it was!
"How do you cope with Lagos drivers? They're very rough I tell you"
"What does this bitch want?" Strange eyes asked irritatedly and I almost choked on my food.
"Sorry...have some more water" she urged when I disguised it with a cough.
I gulped water then decided to be straight forward.
"My dear..." I sounded old and wise "I hope there is no problem?"
"No there isn't...lemme let you get back to your food..." She looked at Olivia "expect to receive a mail of acceptance in the next few days...I don't know but something just draws me to you...you remind me of my mother..." She looked at me thoughtfully and for a minute my heart hammered "and you sir..your eyes...something familiar about them..." She continued looking at me as if deep in thought but then there was a loud popping sound from across the hall. It was the lawyer, he had just popped the cork of a champagne bottle and was currently pouring the contents into a glass.
Mrs Benita shook her head then stood up.."please enjoy your meal...don't forget to try our new drink..its from one of our major sponsors and he's putting it into the market very soon" (ammunition was no longer exclusively whiskey, but now champagne also)
I nodded, not trusting my self to speak..she had looked like she almost recognized me for a minute.
We watched her walk away in silence.
"She doesn't seem so bad" Olivia commented
"That's because she's a terrific actor" strange eyes replied.
I nodded, but my eyes were still on the lawyer. It seemed things were moving smoothly between him and the widow....infact it seemed things were moving too smoothly...there was a little delayed touch here and there, fluttering of the eyelashes and flirtatious smiles...I could smell trouble.
"We may have a problem" I announced.
"What is it?" Strange eyes replied immediately.
"I think the lawyer might have seen someone to take home already"
"what do you mean?" Agent Tonye asked.
"He's hitting it off with someone else right now...a widow"
"So? It might just be harmless flirting" strange eyes concluded.
"You're not here...I'm telling you what I'm seeing with my eyes Bami"
"That's true...they're definitely getting cozy" Olivia also observed after watching them for some few seconds.
"What manner of dog is this? Has he no respect for widows again?" Strange eyes sounded frustrated. "Look Rex..this plan must not fall apart...you must do something...anything but this man must not leave there with anybody today!"
I scratched my head tiredly... My food had lost appeal now and I drank water deep in thought.
As if in reply to the prayer I was yet to make, the widow Olivia had been talking to downstairs, who had given her name as Lola approached our table.
"Can I join you ma..sir?" She asked politely looking at thr both of us.Olivia smiled and I gestured to the empty chair in a 'its a free world' movement.
"I've been looking for you..I've finished eating already, you need to try the fried rice...its really tasty..they really tried..."
While she chattered away, I studied her idly still keeping an eye on the lawyer and the widow who were still in their own little World. She had her hand on his arm and from my position I could see under their table clearly, when I saw her leg travelling up his trouser seductively I knew I had to do something.

I retrieved the pen from Olivia, it was still recording(one click) and the ink was down she spared me a glance but she was focused on Lola who was quite the chatterbox.
There was no piece of paper anywhere and I looked around for some seconds, but then I saw the saviette (tissue) attached to my food tray.
I tried to make my writing legible.

you better run from that man! He goes after widows that are going to be accepted then uses his position as the lawyer to hijack the funds meant for them, he did it to me and I've been coming back for interviews for the last 4 years!
I was out of space so I scribbled on the little room left p.t.o I turned the paper carefully then scribbled what I hoped was the nail in the coffin. and he gave me crabs!

I nudged Lola who was now back to talking about how her late husband brother had tried to sleep with her in exchange for financial help.
I tried my old man voice "Lola dear...I'm an old man and you know how these palpitations used to be..I would like a bottle of wine for my feeble heart..my doctor is always encouraging me to drink it more and now i have the opportunity I need to use it...I'd go myself but my legs are really feeling weak, and I'm saving my strength for the drive back home"
She got up immediately "of course...no problem"
"Please could you help me drop this tray..please drop it next to the bottles..I'd love to pick it up later"
If she thought it odd that I wanted to drop the half finished food I still had plans for on another table, she didn't say anything but I saw her raise an eyebrow.
I had placed the paper napkin under a spoon on the tray and I watched eagerly as she carried it away. It was a big risk I was taking, there was no guarantee that the woman was going to see it. The only hope I had was that the wine table was next to hers and if she placed the tray well, the widow could see the note from where she sat.
"What did you do..you're up to something" Olivia said after watching me for some seconds.
"We'll have to wait and see...." But I was beginning to feel foolish...the least I could have done was take it myself and look for a way to pass the note to her or think of another means entirely...but the deed was done now...nothing I could do but wait.

Lola walked past the lawyer's table and his eyes were immediately on her, I could see him feasting on her hungrily with his sharp predator eyes. The slutty widow he was with noticed and must have felt threatened because she craned her neck to check out the person who had arrested his attention.
Lola was at the wine table now and she had placed the tray down but was busy checking the bottles...probably looking for one that was non alcoholic.
Suddenly I knew I had messed up, I was watching the lawyer closely and I could see intent on his face as he made to stand up. He was going to approach Lola and he was sure to see the napkin I had left on the tray...
It happened in slow motion, he tried to stand up but the widow held him back. She had tightened her hold on his arm. He nodded towards the wine table..I could almost read his lips: 'I need to get a bottle' and he was about to shrug her hands away. But then a miracle happened, the woman said something, he shook his head still bent on going, but then she whispered something in his ear and he looked at her,licked his lips and settled back like a good boy.
The woman now got up instead and sashayed to the table, giving the lawyer a nice view of her round rotating hips. By this time Lola was already returning with a bottle in hand and the lawyer didn't even check her out again...only God knows what had been whispered to him seconds before but I could guess it was x rated.

Miracles do happen, and at first she paid no attention to the tray, and selected the champagne bottle but then she glanced at the half finished food like I knew she would. All manner of protein was still on the plate and its only natural that one look and wonder who would waste food in such manner.
When she stopped by the tray and picked up the napkin, I released the breath I didn't know I had been holding.
She glanced at it, glanced at the retreating back of Lola who was almost at our table by now, glanced back at the note then she turned it over.......
Her eyes went wide and her skin almost turned white. Without even glancing at the Lawyer(who was still licking his lips and drumming his fingers on the table) she turned and hurried away from the hall.
Mr Bright's mouth hung open in surprise as she hurried away and Olivia was equally surprised too. She looked at me. "What did you do?"
I just smiled "Bami...Tonye get ready...we're back in busimess"


I could tell the lawyer was upset and instinct told me he would be on the move any minute from now.
I thanked Lola for the wine, and Olivia exchanged numbers with her. We had become friends in a way and now more than ever we had to stop the initiative. It wasn't just widows anymore...but it was people like Lola...they were people now...individuals, we knew their story and it was personal,it wasn't just a general term.
"We're on stand-by don't worry....what did you do... Olivia what did he do?"
"I don't even know..he wrote something...I don't know but whatever it is it worked..the lawyer is alone and he's looking really pissed and restless"
We were making our way to the stairs and the lawyer was talking to the Social Miss Sofia Annette and the Chief's wife. I had the feeling they were condemning him for his public display with the widow. I couldn't see big mummy and hoped to keep it that way...hers was not a face I was eager to see.

•°•°•°•°•°•
My instincts might have been wrong about the lawyer being in a hurry to leave. It was quarter past 6 now and still no sign of him. We were strapped in the car, waiting patiently. Most of the cars had driven off and only a hand few remained. We had been waiting for close to an hour and still no sign of him. I let my mind wander to the shadows of the sunset as I had come to call them. Strange eye's report had said within 3 days after the interview the widows started disappearing which meant the clock was ticking. I kept on praying Olivia would be rejected but something in the way big mummy had spoken to her gave me the chilling feeling that she had been selected for the worst.

We watched Mrs Benita quietly as she walked to her car. She was on the phone and giggling like a school girl and I just knew it was her young lover, whoever he was that she was talking to.
It wasn't Ada that had driven her car after all but she herself and she entered the car but remained stationary for some minutes as she talked on the phone. The minute her call was done, she started up the engine and zoomed off.

Fifteen minutes later and Bright Edidion the lawyer stumped to his vehicle.
I could tell he was grumpy and angry. If I were him I would be angry to, it was the worst thing to think you were going to score,only for the lady to disappear into thin air. I gave myself a mental congratulatory pat.
He got into the car and I held my breath, hoping the car would start up. It didn't disappoint and he put his jeep in gear and drove off. I waited for like ten seconds then followed him.
"Strange-Bami...the target's on the move"
"Copy that"

Exactly ten minutes later and I could tell his vehicle was starting to misbehave.
"Bami...he's slowing down...the car is slowing down..prepare to intercept" I said excitedly.
"I'm with you bro...I'm a couple of cars behind.."
True enough the car was almost crawling..making jerky movements I could tell it was going to die any minute from now.
He pulled over to the shoulder of the road and I slowed down completely and also pulled over. There was no way I was going to miss the show. I was a safe distance behind him but I had a clear view.
The lawyer obviously knew next to nothing about automobiles because he got down angrily and kicked his tire.
"You're having a bad day aren't you...well its going to get worse" I muttered as I killed the engine.
Olivia was looking back anxiously "where's the agent?"
"Strange eyes where are you..he's out now..the car is dead!"
"You'll see me in a minute...I'm on foot already"
True enough I could see him from the rearview. He looked every bit a mechanic. The very same look he had used to get my car from under my nose once upon a time...
He was walking or half running to be precise and he was rolling/pushing a very big tire. One would get the impression that he was a mechanic on an errand and probably on his way back to the garage. That was indeed his excuse, should he be asked, he was working on a truck and had gone to a nearby vulcanizer to pump the tire but was returning now to work on it.
He passed our car and continued with his skipping as he rolled the tire further down the road.
"Now its up to the dog to stop you.." I squinted my eyes and watched closely.
The lawyer had opened his bonnet and was looking at the engine helplessly, when he saw strange eyes, who was prepared to pass him without showing the slightest interest, he couldn't believe his luck, he hailed him immediately, stopping him in his tracks.
As strange eyes walked over I smiled..."perfect...perfect...agent Tonye..do you copy....you're up!""

"What's your date of birth madam?
How long have you been a widow?
How were you widowed?
Just answer everything as provided"

Big mummy fired these questions and I waited to hear Olivia's reply but I didn't hear anything.
"What's happening?" I asked, not really expecting her to answer.
"I think the interview is a written one..." Strange eyes replied.
"But how come we never heard of it being written before?"
"That's what surprises me...I think its something they just started now"
I didn't like what I was hearing at all...not one bit, and I was about to say something to that effect before big mummy spoke up again.
"So, Miss Olivia...no children...car accident...hmmmm...(the way she spoke, I could tell she was reading off something) well I'm supposed to tell you to keep your fingers crossed but I can assure you that you have been selected...(in a lower voice) congratulations...now please move on to the next exco"
The same peculiar sound again that had to be the wheels turning, but I wasn't really focusing...I was stuck on what the woman had said, "you have been selected" selected for what? The initiative..the helpful part or the human trafficking part?

"Rex...are you there?" Olivia asked me over the earphone jerking me back to reality.
"Yes yes..I'm here..you're doing good"

At another table now.
"Welcome to the initiative..I'm Annette..Sofia Annette and I handle all social related events of the initiative..
How did you learn about the initiative?"
"A friend of mine told me about it, after we buried my late husband"
"I'm so sorry about that..may his soul rest in peace"
"Amen" Olivia replied.
This Sofia of a person seemed very jovial and for the next few minutes she talked about the initiative and how it was important to maintain a tight lid on the operations.
"We have a verified social media account and I try to keep everything to a minimum because we have had a lot of cases of bad publicity...in a situation where a widow is rejected..they always try to tarnish the image of the initiative"
"I understand.." Olivia replied. I was glad to hear her voice was stable now and not as uncertain or shaky as it had been before.
She surprised me by asking. "The widows that get rejected...why? What is the criteria?"
Over the headphone I could sense the socials Exco was surprised. She cleared her throat before replying "well...the priority of the initiative is to help women who have absolutely no where to go..so we have a grading system..the grade 1 basically is widows who have children but don't have any one at all...no brothers or sisters or parents to assist them. Grade 2 is for widows without kids and also without anyone at all to render assistance..Grade 3 is for widows who have family members and kids...we have grades 4,5 and 6 you understand?"
Olivia must have nodded because she continued.
"So basically our focus is always on Grade 1 and 2..every other Grade is always on another waiting list, so if a widow gets rejected..she might still be recalled later on depending on the traffic of the 1st and 2nd grade"
(I wondered if there was pun intended with her use of the word 'traffic')

This was followed by few seconds of silence before she said. "Okay..I would like your social media accounts so we can follow you..the initiative always keeps a good relationship with its members..especially over the internet"
I knew the main reason was to monitor the accounts of the women and to make sure they didn't draw unecessary online attention to the initiative.

Half a dozen years of bank job under my belt and I could recognise the tapping of keyboard keys anywhere. Even over the earphone. I heard it now and wondered what they were doing.
"She must be adding her up" strange eyes answered my unspoken question.

Over the earphone Sofia said "awwww your profile picture is so cute..and very young...you look soo young here" she sounded baffled.
Olivia(bless her) was quick on her feet. "That's my daughter...I had her when I was quite young"
Sofia: with a frown(I could hear it in her voice) "but you didn't specify that you had a daughter when you registered to the portal"
Olivia: "I know...I had her out of wedlock...I hope it won't spoil my chances or disqualify me?"
Sofia: "I don't think so..I'd just add it to my report"

The sound of rotating tires again, the chair was in motion ...for a longer period this time around, the next exco must have been at the end of the hall.
This time a deep male voice I knew had to be the lawyer.
"Good day madam..welcome..I'm Bright...Bright Edidion I handle all legal activities for the initiative and I have a questionnaire for you to fill up"
The opening of a zip, then shuffling of papers.
"Do you have a written will? Next of kin? Any assets...please identify in the spaces provided"

Strange eyes chipped in: "Olivia try your best to observe this lawyer man as much as possible...anything peculiar about him...anything at all you notice would be helpful"
"But don't let him suspect anything...just be natural" I added.
Of course she couldn't reply us but I knew she had heard us.
For the next few minutes there was no sound, just the scribbling of pen on paper and then.
"Okay...that should be all...wait you mean you don't have any lawyer?" Bright asked
"No..not really...apart from the estate agent that helped me and my late husband find a place...should I include him?" She asked innocently.
Mr Bright laughed "no need...a lawyer that does nor litigate...is that one a lawyer? All these men that have never seen the inside of a courtroom but still claim our profession"
She humored him with a laugh
"What a bastard" strange eyes muttered over the earphone. I wasn't really sure, the man seemed nice but his next statement would make me agree totally with strange eyes.
"So...it says on your bio that you're 56..you're still a very beautiful lady...you must have been a looker in your time"
Olivia made a noncommittal sound and he fired on. "What do you say I give you a call later on and help you with some real lawyer stuffs?"

"What a bastard!" I muttered.
"That's better...if he loves females so much the easier for our plan" strange eyes said.
I had forgotten agent Tonye was connected till she added "leave him to me...I'd grind his balls to sawdust"

"Thanks...but I'm still mourning the death of my husband..and I'm older than you" Olivia replied
"I understand..but if you need a shoulder to cry on...mine is very broad"
I could bet all the dollars in the briefcase that he winked at her when he said that and I gritted my teeth.

The chair was in motion again and this time I heard the Chief's wife's voice. Mrs Benita.
" ma..you broke your leg...what happened now?"
"It was a car accident...I lost my husband in the accident but somehow I survived with just the broken leg"
"Eeyah....accept my sympathy..I understand how you feel..I'm also a widow..at first it would seem like the world is about to end..but life goes on and with time it would get better"
I shook my head...she...a widow??
"This woman can lie for planet Earth!" Strange eyes exclaimed over the ear phone.
I shushed him "shhh...don't distract Olivia please"

Mrs Benita didn't really ask any questions, rather they talked about life as a widow, where Olivia lived, how she was able to carry her duties every morning...if she felt suicidal, what business she was into..they talked for some minutes and I was already losing interest but then she said "who did you come here with?"
"My elder brother came with me" Olivia replied
"Okay..that's nice...I'd like to meet him during the luncheon"
"No problem..I'm sure he would like that" she replied without missing a beat.

Olivia was through with the interview and the widows trooping in for theirs were at number 140-160. If I could guess I'd say there were 200 women in all, so the interview was almost done.

None of the women had returned from the interview and I would have killed myself with worry but thank God for the earphones. I could hear Olivia talking to about two widows, the lady who had introduced herself before as Lola and another woman who had quite a deep baritone voice that itched my ear every time she spoke. They were all talking about the interview and they all had one thing in common: the lawyer had hit on each of them!

I could smell something wonderful, probably coming from upstairs and I noticed a catering team moving about, carrying stainless trays and spoons from a van outside and up the stairs at the entrance of the hall.
"What's happening now Rex?" Strange eyes asked.
"The interview is winding down..they're preparing for the luncheon..can't you smell it?"
He sighed. "Mr sharp mouth...that reminds me, the breakfast we had have expired since..I need to get something to eat...I'd be right back"

By 3pm the interview was done, and the same young man who I considered the m.c of the occasion returned to the stage to announce that the women were upstairs, helping themselves to a wonderful meal and we were all invited to join them.
Both men and women who had been in the hall and had been quiet and gentle, murmuring within themselves all sprang to their feet. It seems I wasn't the only one who had been perceiving the wonderful aroma from above.
We all tried to maintain order as we filed up the stairs and if anyone noticed how an old man likely in his seventies jumped stairs two at a time, I didn't care. I needed to be with Olivia and I didn't plan to leave her side again.

rachealfst:
Hmmm......ride on bro. You are the best. God bless you.
#Team Olirex

Rachealfst..I can trust you to always comment...thanks God bless.
#Team OliR-

yommy20:
We r waiting for next updates o abeg #teamolirex#

Yommy...I hope you find it yummy
Thanks for keeping up

queenitee:
Today niyen o Olirex

Lol...sorry for the delay, na Chelsea fault..hope u enjoy

dimssy:
So souloho19.....
I dey gbadun you....when is the next update.....
Greater heights in your creativity.

Tnx bro..it sld be ready by tomorrow,stay blessed

The venue of the interview was at an events hall. As I pulled into the parking lot, I had a feeling of déjà vu and could remember coming here for a wedding reception sometime in the past.
"It makes perfect sense..they use places like these for their so called interviews..how can anything be tracked back to them?" Olivia asked. Her voice was somehow...it wasn't full of confidence like earlier and I couldn't blame her.
I held her hands "Olivia.. Listen its not too late..we can drive away now..we don't need to go through with this"
But she shook her head like I knew she would "no..I'm ready let's do this"
Over the earphone strange eyes said "the funny thing is the official address for the initiative is the boutique owned by the Chief's wife..just imagine"
Tonye added "how does the place look?"
Me: "we're still at the parking lot...but there are a lot of cars here"
"Okay...we're with you don't forget" strange eyes reminded us.

I could see women, both young and old...all widows no doubt heading towards the entrance, some lingered outside to speak to each other. I could count the number of men I saw, it seems most women had come alone or with another woman, probably a friend or sister.
I was overcome with a sudden urge to shout at the top of my voice and warn them all of the impending doom they were unknowingly stepping into but I struggled for control, that would be a big error because no one would be saved that way, they would probably look at me like a senile old man. So instead I played the part of an elderly man wheeling his sister towards the interview like everyone else.

The entrance was decorated with banners of the initiative and their various sponsors.
When I saw the banner with the heading: Sunrise Steel proud sponsor, my blood went cold...I knew the affiliation between sunrise and sunset, one was the sponsor...but the other dealt with the widows being sponsored..dealt them a very harsh card....I shook my head and gritted my teeth....no way..I was going to change and stop that somehow, I had to.
"This way please...whats your registration number sir?" A young man in a 'widows initiative' polo shirt asked
"Number 60" I responded with a croaky voice.
"Okay..welcome sir..good luck with the interview" he handed me a tag with the number 60, but when I proceeded to pocket it, he said "no...actually sir..she's meant to clip it on her shirt...somewhere visible"
So I helped Olivia clip the tag to the lapel of her blouse as I did so I couldn't help wondering if the young man knew about the trafficking scheme...probably not..but one couldn't be too sure.

•°•°••°•°•°°•

The hall was set up with chairs, neatly arranged and there was a low murmur of voices as the potential 'trafickees' talked within themselves, probably sharing life stories.
I wheeled Olivia and settled beside her in a comfortable foam chair.
"Are you in yet? How does the place look?" Strange eyes asked me over the headphone
"There are lots of women here...about 200 if I should guess"
He whistled and the shrill sound from the earphone made Olivia and I jerk.
As if he knew he apologised immediately "sorry...sorry about that...have you seen the target yet?"
The 'target' in question was the lawyer: Mr Bright.
I answered..trying to limit the movement of my lips as much as possible "no...nothing yet..its just us for now in the hall"

"Excuse me..good morning ma"
A young woman seated next to Olivia spoke up
"Good morning dear" Olivia responded
"You're a widow?" The woman asked
"Yes I am..how about you?"
The lady nodded sadly "my husband was killed...poisoned by his own brother...and everything he worked for was snatched by his brothers...so here I am...just thank God for this initiative...I don't know how else I can take care of the four children I have left"
Olivia shook her head "that's so bad..are you here alone?"
"No, I'm here with my eldest daughter..she should be here somewhere" she looked round the hall but didn't see her.
"What's your name ma?" The woman asked Olivia "you sound so young"
"I'm Olivia...thank you..and you?"
"I'm Lola" the woman replied
"What of your husband..what happened?"
I didn't think Olivia would be comfortable talking about her dead husband but she surprised me
"He died in an accident...we were in the car together when a trailer ran into us..that was how I sustained this injury"
The woman made cooing noises and my mind drifted from their conversation although I could hear Olivia clearly through the ear phone.
I looked around at the faces of strange women I hoped to save and I was lost in thought when strange eye's voice jerked me back.
"Rex...are you there..what do you see?"
Before I could answer him a young man came on stage. He held a microphone and he tapped it, resulting in a high pitched sound that immediately ushered decorum in the hall.
"Good morning beautiful women and gentlemen, we're here because you all meet the requirement for the initiative and at the end of the day I hope each of you would leave here with a big smile and a big check"

"Who's that...who's speaking?" Strange eyes asked eagerly over the phone
"Maybe you should have arranged for the camera bow tie like I requested, but you laughed it off...and now you're the one disturbing me" I replied him and a woman to my left looked at me strangely. I gave her a mean old smile and she looked away hurriedly.
The man on the podium continued "now...you all know why we're here...and the procedure of the interview..but what you don't know is the history behind the initiative...how did this noble organisation come into being?"

For the next 10 minutes, the man droned on like a machine, with a history no doubt as fake as his accent about how the initiative came to be, about how the founder, one Mrs Rosalyn Benita had been raised up by a widow and had promised to grow up and render help to all widows like her mother, to benefit children like she and provide for them in ways she never had.

I actually spaced out while the man rambled on, as I tried to take in every face in the hall, but then everyone broke into a round of applause suddenly and I was brought back to reality as the Chief's wife herself, the honourable Mrs Benita took the stage.
She looked every bit like the last time I had seen her, still like a queen but the only difference was the iciness was replaced with some kind of warmth, although I knew it was probably fake, still she did a good job. She was dressed in some kind of suit and I must say she did look very elegant.
she took the mike gracefully and introduced herself to the crowd as a 'sister,daughter and mother' of all widows. She spent some few minutes talking about her past and how life had been without a father...for a minute I started to believe it...why not? It was actually possible her mother had been a widow and she had been brought up by a single parent and grew up with a noble and beautiful dream, but somewhere along the line the chief changed her values and added the extra branch consisting of the sunset shadows...I shook the thoughts out of my head.
".....so my friends and sisters please the interview is a very important aspect because it may sound crazy but believe me there have been some scam cases where women pretend to be widows all for the sole purpose of benefiting from the initiative"
The crowd gasped and she went on "yes...my friends..it is hard to believe but it is very true...so you must bear with the excos and try to answer all questions you would be asked...no matter how it may seem"
She then proceeded to give the format of the interview.
Apparently, the excos would be seated at a table and each women moved from one to the other, that way the initiative moved swiftly and everyone was attended to in no time.
She urged family and friends to be patient and wait in the main hall or in the car park outside.
She rounded up by saying a very delicious lunch was waiting for everyone immediately after the interview.

Olivia looked at me and I looked at her. She would be going alone for the interview....I had thought it would be the both of us, but this new piece of information shook me badly..I told myself it didn't matter but it did...I didn't want her out of my sight and I could see something that resembled fear creep into her eyes.

Mrs Benita ended her speech by declaring the interview 'officially open' and she disappeared into a doorway that only seemed to appear now.
The young man took the mike immediately and announced for widows within the tag range 1-20 to please move to the next hall.
There was a shuffle as the widows all complied.
We stared at each other I held her hands trying to reassure her but it seems I was the one who needed it.
I was about to tell her I wasn't comfortable with the interview after all, we had to leave we could think of something else..there would be another way to take down the initiative without having to risk any of our lives. Strange eyes voice burst through the earphone just as I opened my mouth.
"Okay...Rex...the important part of the plan has to be now...you need to go to the parking lot and locate a Toyota Venza jeep, colour grey with plate number Fst-654q21"
I was silent.
"Rex...can you hear me...this was your plan..you better not develop cold feet!"
"I know...but I can't leave Olivia alone now...not yet"
"Believe me Rex...now is the time...you heard the announcement...you wouldn't be allowed into the interview anyway...you need to do this like we planned now!"
I still hesitated. Olivia squeezed my hand "Rex...it would be fine..go"
"Rex...you saw the report...nothing have ever happened to any widow at the venue of the interview..that is where they are most safe...don't let this opportunity pass by!"

I finally let go of Olivia's hand and I wobbled outside, taking my time. People greeted me showing respect to who they perceived as a very elderly man. I waved in reply but didn't speak. My eyes were travelling everywhere...resting on everything at once.
Once I was outside, I quickened my pace. The parking lot was still quite filled up, people were talking, taking pictures, there were snack sellers, ice cream sellers and even photographers. They all whistled at me sensing a potential customer but I frowned and awarded them with the mean old smile I had come to master in a short while.

It wasn't easy spotting the vehicle. Strange eyes kept on repeating the description for me, and I took my time walking round, checking out each car that remotely resembled the colour.
The sun was out already and I used my hand to shield my eyes as I looked around. Thankfully, no one really spared me a glance. Finally I saw the jeep. It was parked to one side, away from the rest beside a car I had come to know very well. The Mercedes convertible...Ada's ride. I looked around and wondered if she was also in this place...as a matter of fact I had first seen the Mercedes and was admiring and wondering (and remembering)before I noticed the jeep beside it was indeed a venza and the plate number matched the one strange eyes was constantly repeating in my ear.
I took my time, not rushing, walking slowly then stopping every now and then for the benefit of anyone watching me.
I was beside the jeep now, in between the Jeep and the Mercedes and I made a show of checking my reflection in the window but then I thought it would look like I was peering into the car and so I hurried quickly to the back of the car and located the exhaust pipe.
Strange eyes was busy asking "are you there yet? Are you there yet?" But I ignored him.
I brought out the rolled up muffler from my wide pants pocket. I looked around nonchalantly and in the blink of an eye I squatted down with much youthful vigor and stuffed the muffler into the exhaust pipe, successfully blocking the silencer.

For an Engine to Run, both Air Filter and Exhaust must be Ventilated! If not, it might not stop immediately but after running a few minutes, The Exhaust fills up and stops the Engine from running then on!
This was what I was hoping for...and I hoped I had stuffed the exhaust properly...it would be the worst luck if the lawyer drove his car home today without experiencing any car trouble on the road.
I turned to leave and I was about to assure strange eyes the deed was done, but then I asked myself "did I stuff it well? What if I had left a little space?"
I looked around again and bent down and re stuffed the scarf. I was sure it was okay now...I was 100% sure that-
"Excuse me...can I help you?" I jerked and almost hit my head on the bumper as I struggled to my feet. I don't know where the man had come from..he had on the initiative polo shirt, so he was a worker.
"Excuse me?" I asked him as if I had trouble hearing but my mind was racing...searching for an excuse...
"Is there any problem?"
"Don't panic...don't panic..." Strange eyes was saying in the earphone and suddenly I didn't see any reason to panic...I had faced what this young man couldn't stand and here I was..so he wasn't half the man to make me panic....not anymore.
I cleared my throat like a very old man..."yes problem...very big problem..my sister...I can't see her...I leave her in that building" I pointed towards the hall. "But I can't see her again...I don't know where she's hiding...I don't know..."
The man couldn't believe what he was hearing "so you're checking under the car?" He sounded incredulous!
"Ah...yes o...yes...she used to do it every time..one time she hide under Pa Gregory car and I didn't see her..but I need to see her now...mummy said its time for dinner!"
It took all my willpower to keep a straight face as the man's eyes grew wider...tgey almost bulged out of his face...he was sure he was talking to a nut job! This man had gotten so old that his brain must have expired! Must have been his very thought.
He put a hand on my shoulder. "Its okay sir..lemme lead you to your sister" I could just hear him say 'poor old man' in his mind and I was laughing in mine.
He led me back towards the entrance and was probably about to take me somewhere else before I shouted: "look at her...see my sister! She wasn't hiding..she was here all along!"
He still seemed bent on leading me wherever but I showed him the old man's bones weren't totally dried up yet, by shrugging out of his old easily and hurrying to Olivia's side.

"Is it done?" She asked me.
"Yes..yes...check the entrance is any young man coming this way?"
She looked over my shoulder "no...but he's looking at us.." She waved cheerfully "okay...he's gone now..." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why was he looking at us like two crazy people?" She asked me
"That's because Rex is a fucking genius!...that was a very nice one mate! I was very impressed!" Strange eyes replied.
"Is this how you're going to be interrupting us anyhow?" I asked him trying to steady my pulse.
"Don't mind his manners" Tonye replied from the earphone.
I was about to say the same goes for her too but then the announcer came back on the stage.
"Okay...ladies...wonderful ladies...please..from tag numbers 40-60...let's move to the interview hall!"

I wheeled Olivia slowly after the women, the other lady who gave her nane as 'Lola' must have fallen within the previous number when I was outside, probably 20-40..my heart was hammering....I could almost hear it...if I listened closely.
I handed her the pen.
"It may come in handy...who knows?...one click it starts...don't bother to stop it...don't forget I'm with you all the way"
She nodded and I continued wheeling her in silence.
I was beginning to think there might be an exception in our case and I might be allowed into the interview so I could continue Wheeling her from table to table but just as I nursed the thought, an usher in an initiative shirt emerged from nowhere to take the reigns. My hands seemed glued to the handles and he offered me a reassuring smile as he pried my fingers loose.

°•°•°•°•°•
I settled on the very first seat in the hall and put my head in my hands...one might think I was sleeping, but I was focused intently on the voices coming through the earphone.

A kind of peculiar noise that had to be the wheels of the chair turning(the signal sas indeed very sharp)and then,
welcome to the interview for the widows initiative batch D-6001-17...I'm simply Uduak by name..but you can call me 'big mommy'

I had been listening closely and trying to decipher the number 6001-17..17 should mean the year 2017...but what about 6,001? Could it be the number of the widows so fat that have been trafficked out and was in the process of being trafficked out?..these were my thoughts until I heard the voice introduce herself as 'big mummy' the woman from my dream...the Chief's alleged mother and the person in charge of selecting the widows that got trafficked out....my throat went dry immediately.
Oh boy....
I absently drew the sign of the cross and focused on listening to every sound coming from the earphone."

Maryclaire1:
Mind blowing as usual thanks for the dedication and happy new month.

Uwc..and thanks for commenting.. Happy new month

donkelz:
Ok. That's nice, Am from Afikpo, but reside in Abakaliki.
How about we hook-up when you come into town?

Is that ur number on ur siggy??..I'd give you a call bro!

Next update wld either be late tonyt or very early tomorrow...the journey is entering the closing phase..dear readers keep ur glasses on..Jah bless

Countrygirl:
love you too,
Wish you well at your PPA

Tnx country

honourable356:
How did you come about this kind if story??
Is it from a novel or your genetic gift of creativity at work??

I am awed at the story...
The very first time I felt this way was when I read a story called "silent seduction" by fiyah.
I could not help it but fell in love with her and till this very day,I still remember that story like it was yesterday.

Fiyah can you hear me?? Your work is highly appreciated and your person loved.

Now this new dude doesn't seem like he is gonna disappoint...

What a story!
Actually it sounds foreign but I have a feeling that thus is gonna be a mind blowing blockbuster story...

Like I said before, I hope I am not disappointed.

You have my support!!!

It means a lot..thanks and be rest assured u won't be disappointed.. honourable....Kudos thanks bross!

donkelz:
Bro, your story is quite brillant and wonderful. This thriller looks like a James Hadley Chase piece!
Kudos!
By the way, am from Ebonyi State. Where is ur PPA?

Tnx bro...my ppa is @ ezza south

I didn't wake Olivia and when my phone rang, I went outside to pick it. It was my mother. "Rex...sorry about yesterday, immediately we got home we both slept off"
"No problem mum..how was your flight?"
"It was fine.....so what's going on now?"
"Nothing much we have that interview I told you off today..that's all"
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this interview?"
"Which interview?" I could hear my dad ask her over the line. In response age just have handed the phone over to him because I heard his voice next. "Boy..what's going on?"
"Nothing much..we just have this interview to attend..its an organisation that renders help to widows that's all"
"Hmmmm...the same organisation that you said kidnaps women?"
I couldn't remember telling him that, but I was sure I had at one point or the other.
"No...this is different, this is harmless"
"Where's Olivia now?"
"She's still asleep...once she wakes up I would call...or lemme wake her now"
It worked perfectly because he quickly rushed "no no no....leave her alone we'd call later"
I smiled as I returned the call. The phone was barely in my pocket when it rang again. This time it was Wendy.
"I've been waiting for your message since..its already morning..and if I'm to make it there on time I need to leave now"
The time was already 7:06am "wow..I totally forgot..my mind has been on a lot lately...I'd text the address to you right now"
"Okay..I'm waiting"

After I sent it, I wandered downstairs, after talking with the clerk and he directed me to the kitchen, I made enquiries on what they could serve for breakfast. They showed me a rather scanty menu. I selected bread and eggs.
"How would you want your eggs sir" the young girl in the chef's hat asked me.
"Eerrm..just sunny side up would be fine..two plates..where do you get your bread from..hope it would be fresh?"
"We bake it here ourselves"
"Okay wonderful...two cups of coffee and two cups of tea..you send it up to room 47 when you're done"
"No problem sir"

Olivia had woken up when I returned to the room.
I was shocked to see strange eyes seated in her wheelchair while she sat on the bed and they were talking.
She smiled immediately at me "good morning"
I smiled back, remembering the kiss "good morning..." But then I noticed strange eyes who was smiling mischievously and knowingly "Mr Bami...what are you doing here?...wait how did you know we were here?"
He smiled "Rex..Rex...I'm shocked you still ask me questions like that..what kind of agent would I be if I can't locate you when the need arises?"
I shook my head "its things like this that gives me doubt about you" I looked at Olivia "how was your night"
"It was fine"
I noticed she had her phone in her hands, the same phone we had left behind at the hospital the day she had smacked the shadow with it.
"Your phone...you got it back?"
"Yes..he brought it here this morning"
I looked at strange eyes and he smiled "you can thank me later boy..but that phone was pulling you both to the ugly incident that happened at the hospital as it was found at the crime scene"
I was grateful "thanks man...how did you-"
"Mister man..before you start with your questions again lemme teach you how to use the gadgets I brought"

The earphone was really small, fixable in the ear with no visible clamp whatsoever.
"The receiver is really sharp, and....wait lemme help you before you force it onto your head" I had been struggling with it and I allowed him to help me. I couldn't help bending my head and raising my shoulder reflexively as he fixed it in and Olivia laughed.
"Would you stay still for one minute?" Strange eyes asked
"It tickles..it tickles..."
Finally it was in and Bami fixed it for Olivia also.
"Now you people can converse with each other if you're far away...and also with me" he pointed at his ear, he had also fixed one.
"The thing is you have to be careful when talking unless people think you are talking to yourself..." he smiled "me myself I've been taken for a mad man countless times because of this very device"
We laughed but the sound was cut by a sharp knock on the door.
"Wendy was really fast.." I said as I opened the door. But it wasn't Wendy, it was room service pushing in a very inviting steaming tray.
"Breakfast is served" the young man announced as he entered.
Strange eyes whistled and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, he was devouring the food with his eyes.
I stopped the young man on his way out. "Please tell your chef to prepare another tray just like this one"
He nodded and closed the door.
"Bami I know you're hungry...yours is coming don't worry...but please don't covert my food anymore"
"Yes sir!" he gave a mock salute, but then he removed the pen from his breast pocket, clicked it then dismantled it, he brought out a small memory card and handed it to me. "Insert it in your phone" he instructed me.
I was setting up the tray..the bread smelled wonderful and was very soft..and still hot and my stomach was already making some kind of notice in anticipation but I stopped and collected it, I removed my own memory card then replaced it then powered on the phone.
I went straight to the recordings and selected the only file to play:

"Bami I know you're hungry..yours is coming don't worry...but please don't covert my food anymore........yes sir!....."

I looked at him impressed, "its really clear!"
"Of course it is..I only deal with the best of gadgets"
I nodded and he handed me the pen. It was quite a fancy pen, like a ball point pen but the ball came off to replace the memory card.
"So..two clicks it starts recording, one click it stops...got it"
I replaced the memory card and spread the tray immediately on the bed.
I looked at strange eyes "yours would be here soon"
"No problem...who worked on your hair? The both of you?"
As if in reply, there was a knock on the door.
"The room service is quite fast" said strange eyes in anticipation.
But it was Wendy this time, she wore a short gown, a big smile and a big backpack that no doubt housed her magic wand and everything else she would need.
I introduced her to strange eyes as the mastermind behind our altered appearance then when her eyes also lingered on the tray I playfully introduced her to the food also "food..meet Wendy..Wendy say hi to the food" she laughed but I also knew she hadn't had any breakfast also and thankfully the knock sounded again..this time the second tray was wheeled in and everyone had a plate.
For the next few minutes we didn't say much as everyone focused on the immediate problem before him/her.

Finally after both trays had been cleaned out, Wendy stood up..."okay..you guys need to have your bath so I can get to work"
I dragged strange eyes outside, leaving the women inside to take care of their business.
"What of Tonye..where is she?"
"She's close by..still working on getting the call records"
"Okay...could she come here before we leave for the interview for a final briefing?"
"No problem..I'd buzz her...." His eyes went wide suddenly
"What is it again?" I asked him
"This your old man disguise...this isn't the first time...you've done it before at a restaurant...you sent me messages about the old killer woman and Mona and you were right in front of me weren't you?"
I just laughed and he looked at me. "Rex...you have my respect..that was a good one!"

Wendy called to say it was safe to come in and we went back in. "Olivia was almost unrecognizable, she had dressed up in the blouse and wrapper Wendy had selected the night before and She looked like somebody's grandmother.
I noticed she had removed the earphone, probably when she wanted to have her bath and it lay on the dresser. I removed mine also and retired to the bathroom.

Ten minutes later and I was decked out in the trouser that had been selected but I didn't have the native top on yet, I sat bare chested facing the mirror as Wendy coloured my teeth and worked on my face till it looked like a rumpled piece of cloth.
Strange eyes had been observing Olivia all along, marveling at the change in her look but now when he saw my face he exclaimed "wow!wow!wow!" He turned to Wendy "excuse me...where do you work?"
She smiled "its a makeup school, we teach the art as an entrepreneurial study but we also work in movies..mostly high budget movies"
His eyes were turning and I knew what he was thinking. I shook my head behind her back, signaling him not to offer her a job with the agency like I knew he was about to.
He seemed to catch my drift because he said instead "okay..you're really really good...the best I've come across...and I'd hope to use your services sometime in the nearest future"
She handed him the Jossy's makeup school card. "The address is on it and phone numbers...I don't usually do this private calls..I just made an exception for Mr Rex"
He nodded and took it.
"I must warn you..our prices are anything but cheap" she told him
"Believe me...I have a big enough budget" he responded with a sly smile.
It was ten minutes past 9 when she took her leave.
We waved her goodbye and she tucked the check I had written her securely in her purse.
"Take care Rex..and you too Olivia..let me know how the game show turns out..if you win the first prize" the tone of her voice said she didn't believe the cock and bull story I had fed her but I laughed as I saw her to the door.
"Thank you Wendy...take Care!"


Now I was fidgeting again..."I can't believe we'll be late for the interview"
"Calm down...is it not by ten?" Strange eyes asked
"But its 9:30!"
"Rex relax..this is not the time to freak out...believe me everything is African time..if you're late no big deal...maybe that's what would get you disqualified!"
I calmed down a bit...maybe he was right...but deep down I didn't believe it.

Agent Tonye turned up shortly after. She had trouble believing I was the same person she had met at the hospital the night before.
She handed Strange eyes a sheet of paper and he glanced through it.
"Okay Mr Obasi..so we're all here let's hear it"



The hotel clerk couldn't seem to close his mouth when we checked out...he kept on looking at Olivia then me, then Olivia...and I couldn't blame him, it seems we had aged overnight.

09:53am seven minutes to the interview...

"Okay so the four of us are a team..test the ear phones if you can hear properly" strange eyes announced as we left the hospital. We all spoke and the signal was next to perfect.
We had gone to check up on Andy quickly at the hospital and he had trouble recognizing the both of us, if not for the wheelchair and probably my voice. I was happy he was recovering faster, he talked more and his voice was stronger. He gave us his blessing when I told him we were going to the interview today and I knew he was thinking of Mona again. I assured him their deaths would be avenged and the initiative would fall and I made sure to hide the fear from my voice.

Now, Olivia was in the car and I was about getting into the driver seat.
Strange eyes was beside me and he was in his mechanic attire once more. The jumpsuit was back on, his nails were dirty with dried engine oil, and his footwear was a mess. "So...the important thing is to know that communication is key...we're with you every step of the way...every question you're asked..you have two extra pair of ears listening and we have your back"

We shook hands, "see you tonight then hopefully when we interrogate the bastard lawyer"
"Yes bro...take care..and don't be scared..Olivia take care"
I got in the car then drove off...with each signboard I passed showing the distance to the interview, my heart rate increased and Olivia was quiet too....we were both quiet thinking what the next few hours would hold.

AminatOpe247:
We kno u love us, we love u too(abi I lie?). Anyway enjoy ur stay at ur PPA

Lol..thanks a lot Aminat..I'm actually enjoying the ppa so far..

I just got back from the sun now ..here's the update

Fam...apart from the ban..I'm back at my ppa @ Ebonyi state and its been raining since Friday....the only time I saw anything like electricity was for like 5 minutes..as I'm typing this my phone is on 9%..but tomorrow even if I have to go to the sun to charge up I would and I promise a sumptuous update..thanks for following... love you all!

dview001:
soul u r d best ....I can picture Rex been played by majid Michel or frank Artus and Olivia been played by adesua .,..I love u scatter #teamRex

Tnx bro..u too much!

Dinabella:
Thank you so much ma'am for inviting me to this wonderful story.


Souloho19...

Thank you so much ma'am for inviting me to this wonderful story.


Souloho19...
I give it to you, you are good. This story is so dope. More inspiration to you.

Thanks and welcome aboard ma'am..Jah bless

arrestdarrester:
Happy New Month...Hope you're doing good. You created the suspense, raised the expectations and now I keep checking in for 'alert'.

Do you know that feeling alert creates?

Thanks arrester..happy new month too..sorry for the late updates I would make up for it tomorrow..that's a promise