Chapter 22

The last straw

Beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead as Kojo opens his mouth to speak.

“With all my years as a lawyer, I cannot talk myself out of this one. Its clear that I’m at fault and there’s nothing I can say to assuage this situation. But, I’m so sorry Tade. Please I beg you in the name of God. Forgive me…” He looked pleadingly at his wife.

She sighed deeply. She looked at her husband who was now on his knees.

“I have counselled women who have been in this kind of mess. I have prayed for them. I have even had to help bring some couples back together. Who would have known that I would have to face the same situation myself? What am I supposed to do?” She said looking at him.

“I’m so sorry. I would do everything in my power to turn back the hands of time if I could…”

“Kojo, I prayed hard about this. If it’s within my power, I will walk away from this relationship and not look back. You broke my heart so much so I can barely breathe. I trusted you. I believed in you. I boasted of you before all my friends… Now, I look back and just laugh at myself…”

“I feel terrible about what I did…”

“Do you?”

“Yes I do.”

“It did not seem like you did earlier before I played the conversation of your phone calls.”

“I have prayed that this would not get to you. I have cut all links with this woman. I promise you, this is the truth.”

“The truth eventually wins. You often always say that… You remember.”

Kojo nodded.

“So is this a case of practice what you preach…?”

“I made a terrible mistake that I regret a great deal and there’s no telling how much I will have to do to earn your trust again but…”

“I don’t know what to say right now. When I listened to that conversation, I froze for the most part. I could not believe my ears. Kojo…? Jennifer? Right now I hope I wake up from this dream… I prayed really hard after a while I fell asleep.”

Kojo just stared at her helplessly.

“And you know the most painful part…?”

He just stared.

“After you saw the pictures, you were going to lie your way out of it. Right?”

“No.”

“No? You said it was all blackmail if I remember correctly.”

She was right and Kojo knew he had no chance against the prosecution. Her evidence was glaring and undisputable. He leaned back on the chair with his face hidden in his palm.

“I’m so sorry” He said under his breathe.

Tadeke wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at the painting of a happy woman on the wall. The picture often helped her get out of a bad mood. But this time, the face of the woman began to look like it was mocking her.

She looked away.

“I was obviously gullible. Imagine what my friends will say if this go out…?” She shook her head in disbelieve.

“It doesn’t have to go out Tade. How…” He wanted to ask her how she got it but he thought otherwise.

“How what? How did I get this? Is that what you were going to ask me…?”

He nodded.

“I’m surprised at you Kojo. You don’t seem to know the gravity of your action. I’m not surprised. When you lawyers have won cases so much whether honest or otherwise, nothing becomes a serious case anymore. You assume you can always argue your way out of everything…”

“Why are you talking like this…? I know I have committed a grave sin but don’t tell me I don’t regret it…”

“Do you?”

“With every blood vessel in my body.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’m still dreaming.”

He placed his hand on her lap. She pushed it away.

“Do you know how many opportunities I had to cheat on you? Do you know how many men were making passes at me? Some of them were your friends. And not once did I give any of them as much as a hello. I could want to revenge and do the same but who looses? I will not stoop so low. I am a woman of virtue. I will not do such… Never. ”

Kojo was speechless. He just looked at his wife in amazement. She had never spoken of any attempts of men at her. Not even once. He knew she would have men dolling over her but she was someone a man can count on.

“I thought of walking out of the house and going to get my head straight but what testimony would I have? What would I say to women I told to stay and fight for their marriages inspite of their husbands’ inadequacies?”

“I have put you in a position of great discomfort and I understand so well how hurting you feel about this. I cover my eyes in shame and I honestly would love us to move past this…”

Tadeke looked at here husband. There was a surprise glare on her.

“Just like that…?”

“I know it’s not easy but I would love you to find a place in your heart to forgive me… so that we can move on…”

“Let me ask you Kojo, what would you do if I was the one in your position now?”

He looked away. He could not bring himself to bare the thought.

“Answer me Kojo…”

“I don’t know what to say…”

“I know what you would do. You would ignore me in the house and continue with your work as usual. I would be to you as one other furniture. All my pleas would go unattended to…”

“Tade, am I such a mean person?”

“The problem is you men expect us to forgive you for sleeping around but you find it ten times harder to forgive us when it happens.”

“I will be terribly hurt but I will forgive you eventually. You are my wife.”

“Easy to say… Should I go out there and find one handsome dude who has been after me for years and tell him we can share a bed tonight…?”

“God forbid! You won’t do that… Please Tade, you know this is not me…”

“I would never have known… You would have kept it from me forever.”

“Yes, I would have kept it away from you. I’d rather live with the regret alone than live with the regret of loosing you. It would kill me. God used you to make me who I am today. I can’t loose you Tade. Please I plead.”

She stood up from the bed and walked to the bathroom.

Kojo stood up and sat of the chair. He leaned over with his head in his hands.

Tade came out. She had washed her face.

“You know sometimes, being a born again Christian could be very hard. Right now I just want to leave you alone. I want to be all by myself. But… I prayed for grace. I am not a fool Kojo. I’m not a woman you can toy with and you know that.”

“I know…”

“I don’t know why you men think you need to sleep with more than one woman to be men.  It’s a big shame. And it’s so bad that it’s alright for you to do it but it’s shameful for a woman to do the same…”

“Tade, all I ask for is your forgiveness.”

“So if I forgive you now, what about trusting you again…?”

“I will have to earn that.”

She smiled. “Everything seems like a defined roadmap to you.”

“No, but that’s the truth.”

“It’s funny that it’s the same girl Mitchel’s husband slept with. Are you men passing her around...?”

“No. Tade I didn’t even know Patrick knew who she was…”

“God help me. I don’t even know if she has transmitted something to you…”

“I regularly perform blood test and check up and you know that. My last result is on the table in my office. I’m clean Tade.”

“I am clean. That’s like a lauret. Jesus! Why am I still here?”

She sat down on the bed and started to sob.

Kojo watched her helplessly.

After a few minutes, she cleaned her face and looked at him.

“I would be leaving the country in a couple of days. I need to breathe Kojo.”

“Where are you going to?”

“I don’t think you should concern yourself with that.”

“Tade, please don’t leave me. I would be broken beyond repair. I am not complete without you.”

She said nothing. She just leaned back on the bed and covered herself with the Duve.

“Tade, please don’t do this… I’m on my knees begging you from the bottom of my heart… Please, I’m sorry.”

The words fell on deaf ears.

Kojo walked to the bed and sat beside her. He wanted to touch her. Hold her. Kiss her. But he knew he would only make things worse.

He leaned over and whispered in her ears.

“You have every reason to be mad at me and to walk away but I plead with you. I regret what I did and I hope there’s a place in that beautiful heart of yours that you can find to forgive me. I love you. I’ve always done and will never stop doing as long as I live…”

She did not move nor say anything.

He wanted to touch her hair but she was mad at him.

He stood up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom.

“If you love me that much, why would you break my heart? Why would you do such a thing…? You obviously do not love me” Tadeke said gently.

Her words were piercing through as she spoke them.

He turned to look at her. She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at the picture on the wall.

Kojo did not say anything. He walked into the bathroom.

He turned on the shower. The water came out in torrent and covered him in seconds. He leaned his hands on the wall and his thoughts began to wander.

One act in defiance to discipline is not worth the consequence that follows.

“God, I’m so sorry for this terrible act of infidelity. My wife is mad at me now and I regret the action. But please God, I don’t want to loose this woman. You know she means the world to me. Please help me. Give her the grace and strength at this time. Help her to love and trust me again. I will never allow myself into this mess ever again. Never again. I’m so sorry. Jesus please help me find my wife again. Please help her find me a loving husband again. Please Lord…”

He prayed in the shower.

*           *           *

Three ladies sat at a small white table. Each had a glass of iced Chapman.

They all looked happy.

“There was a story I heard. It is a very touching one…”

“Really?” Chibuzo Kingsley said amused.

“You always have gist sha. Oya spoke it.” Yvonne Williams added.

“Ok…” Susan took a sip from her drink.

She had invited her friends over.

They sat outside on the balcony on the top floor of their magnificent house. Uche had travelled for a job as usual and Susan hated to be alone without her husband. So she called her friends and they willingly came. Everyone loved to visit their house. It was built with excellent taste in mind.

“Ok, hear is the gist. A guy resigned his banking job in Nigeria and travelled out of the country. I’m not sure where exactly. Whether UK or the US but he travelled sha. So this guy hustled between four jobs. After sometime, he started sending things home to his family to sell and make some money. He would send them money to help him invest in real estate and also send them goods that they can sell. He did this for 8years. Hustling between four jobs everyday just to make sure he could gather some wealth. One day he was at the grocery store, shopping. He just collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital because he passed out. When they revived him, he was told he was in coma for four hours. The first question the doctor asked him was what kind of job does he do? He said he was doing four jobs. The doctor told him he would have to reduce the amount of stress he put himself through. Hmmm.”

“What now…?” Yvonne pushed. She gave Susan all her attention.

“Ok, so this guy came back home. I mean back to Nigeria after 8 years to visit his family. Anyway, he got to Nigeria only to find out that all he had worked for for the past 8 years was no where to be found. His family squandered all the money he sent back home. All the goods he sent them to sell and the money to invest for him were squandered. Eight years of hard work and sleepless night just went with the wind…”

“Jesus!” Chibuzo exclaimed.

“Oh my God.” Yvonne covered her mouth, puzzled.

“It’s just a mad world out here. This guy called on the radio and was sharing his experience… I felt for him. He was literarily crying on the radio. He said he could not believe that his family could betray him. He said right now, he couldn’t even gather fund to travel back. He eats indomie now. It is a very painful story…”

“Family of all people on the earth…?”

“That would have been the toughest thing to deal with. I will just stay away from the family if I were in his shoes. How can people be so wicked?” Yvonne asked.

“My sister, I was shocked.  Eight years of hard work? Just like that? What kind of words can you use to console a guy like that?”

“Honestly, I’m speechless. If your family who are supposed to be your world could treat you like this, who would you then turn to?”

“Yvonne, the guy said they do not even feel remorse for his situation…”

“Woow, this is humbling…”

“I tell you.”

“I’m still speechless.”

“Since I heard that gist, I haven’t stopped thinking about what kind of life the guy would be leaving. I mean, he was crying on radio. You can feel the depth of the pain as he spoke. He sounded like someone who had given up on life…”

“Painful…” Chibuzo looked sullen.

“So guys what do you think?”

“About?”

“About this story?”

“Well, if my family did that to me, I will kill them all. Imagine, after all the hard work for 8 years? That’s really wicked. I will kill them all…” Yvonne said.

“Its hard to tell how anyone will react. I won’t go as far as killing them, but I may cut myself off from them… in short, my mother won’t do that even if everyone else wants to try it. I know the mother that I have. ”

“But its tough. And you can imagine how many Nigerians are outside this country doing menial works to survive. They work two to three jobs to survive. They send the hard earned money home, only for family members to squander the money on lavish lifestyle. I just felt for the guy. Honestly.”

“He should try to put this behind him and try to pick himself up and learn from this. Its hard how he’d do that but he can pull through and move on. When he gets out of this country, he would be smarter.” Chibuzo said placing her empty glass on the table.

“I would advise that he goes for counselling so that he has people who can stand by him till he gets back on his feet again. He would not be able to handle this alone. It’s too much to swallow. Your family? Do you sue them or what?” Susan asked.

“Sue them ke? How? On what ground?” Chibuzo quipped.

“I need more of this chapman ooo. I’m just loving the view from this place.” Yvonne stood up and walked towards the barrier.  She looked down to see the blue swimming pool. It was crystal clear. Very inviting.

She turned around to face her friends. Chibuzo was coming towards her.

“This is beautiful” She said.

“Thank you guys.”

“Your husband did not leave any detail to chance. Your crib is really breathetaking.”

“Come on stop exaggerating. I’ve seen your house too now…”

“It’s not anything like this my dear.”

Chibuzo left the ladies. She went in for a refill of her glass.

“My dear, a beautiful house without kids to share with is not as beautiful as we often imagine…”

Yvonne rubbed her friend at the back. “God will do a miracle soonest.”

“I know. Sometimes, I imagine my kids running around the house. You know, just throwing things all over the place and I have to clean the place up after correcting them. I dream about it a lot.”

“The God we serve does not forget to give good gifts to His children. You will take in soon, I believe God for you darling.”

Chibuzo joined them. She had held her refill.

“Let me go and get myself another glass of this chapman. Love it like crazy.”

Yvonne left the two.

“So how’s your husband?”

“He’s fine. He took the kids out today. I told him t o please drop them off at my friend’s place that I’d pick them on my way back.”

“Those lovely twins. You should have brought them with you.”

“I just wanted us to have a nice time without kids getting in the way.”

“You know I love having kids around…”

“Yes I do. Next time I will bring them.”

“What about after church service tomorrow?”

“That would be fine. I’d tell them we are going to Aunty Sandra’s house.”

Yvonne joined them.

“So ladies I have something to share.” She said rolling her eyes.

“What is it?”

“It’s very personal. So you ladies should keep it shush.”

“Ok.” Susan and Chibuzo nodded.

“You guys know Lanre and I separated about two years ago?”

They nodded.

“He wants to come back.”

“What?” The two ladies chorused.

Their faces registered disbelief.

“Yeah.  He called me last week.”

“Wait I don’t get it. He called you after two years…?”

“Yes he did.”

“Two years is a long time my dear. What came over him? All of a sudden, he has realized he threw away a precious woman? You will need to be careful.”

“I know. But…”

“You are considering him…?”

“Yes…”

“Come on, this is interesting. Let’s go and sit down.” Susan held her friend by the hand.

When all three were seated, Susan said, “So what exactly did he say and what made him come out of hiding out of the blues…?”

“The first time he called me was September last year. One night after my prayer, my phone rang. It wasn’t a number I recognized but I picked it anyway. And viola, it was my ex husband. It was Lanre. He had a lot to say. At first, I wanted to drop the call but I just thought to myself, let me hear what he had to say. He obviously had met with the Lord. He said a lot of tings but one of the things he said that struck a chord was, ‘I have no right to come home as your husband because what I did was terrible but I want to be the father of our children.’ He sounded very sober and sincere. My ex husband, Lanre, was never sober on any occasion. I was touched. He shared with me how he met with the Lord and how he got saved. Honestly I was touched. I would not lie to you, I was overwhelmed with emotions. So when he ended the call that night, I could not sleep until 4am in the morning….”

“Wooow. That’s something. It’s even written all over you that you’ve been thinking so much about getting back together with him.”

“Yes. I know what he did was terrible and no woman in her right senses should ever consider a man like that but… he is still the father of our children whether I like it or not…”

“Yeah, I agree with you that no woman in her right senses will consider a man like that. This guy almost beat you into coma, remember?”

“I do but…”

“So ever since then he has been calling you?”

“Yes. And the more we talk, the more I want to be with him.”

“I think you shouldn’t rush into taking him back as your husband.”

“I know.”

“So here’s what I would suggest. You guys should sit down and talk without you giving him any clue as to what you have decided. Ask him questions and ask as many as you can. Find out what he had been doing for the past two years. You should involve Pastor Johnson as well. Make sure you protect yourself as much as you can. It’s possible he is broke and he wants to get back to you to rip you off.”

“I understand.”

Susan rubbed her back with the flat of her palm.

“Two years is no joke. Having to raise two kids all by yourself isn’t a joke.” Chibuzo said.

“It’s no joke at all. Many times they would ask me about their father and I will say he travelled to Italy. Then, they would ask why he doesn’t call them and all that and I will explain to them that he is a busy man and was always engaged but he would call them to say hello. Sometimes I would buy them gifts when I travel and say their father asked me to give it to them. I will even have to write them notes and say their father wrote it.”

“Ehya. It’s so sad. When men cannot control their anger, we are always at the receiving end unfortunately. I just hope that he is what he says he is.” Chibuzo added.

“You love him and he loves you. It’s worth trying. You haven’t settled with another man since you guys got separated. That should mean a lot.” Susan said looking at her friend in the eyes

“Abi.” Chibuzo agreed.

“I just couldn’t bring myself to seeing another man. I loved my husband so much. You know, you guys remember Lanre way back in school now? He was the warmest human being on earth. Who would have believed he would turn to be a wife beater?”

“Yeah I remember. Lanre was so nice. He was a gentleman indeed. It’s just unbelievable how he changed.” Susan said.

“Men are so unpredictable. We just have to keep praying for them.” Chibuzo added.

“When I remember some experience we had when we started dating, I just break down sometimes. We loved each other a lot…”

“We understand Yvonne. It would just be good for you to take it one step at a time.”

“I will. I guess we would just have to sit down and talk.”

“So is he in town now?”

“No. But he said he would be coming in next week.”

“And that’s to see you?”

“Yes.”

“Ok. Cool.”

“We’d pray with you.”

“I would really appreciate that.”

“What are friends for? We have to keep praying for each other. That’s how we can hold our homes together.”

“Yeah.”

“Please you guys should be praying for me specially too ooo.” Susan said.

“Don’t worry Sussie love, you miracle is on the way. It would be triplets.”

“Amennnnnnnn.”

“I’m sure your husband would not mind.”

“He would be super excited about it indeed.”

Chibuzo looked at her wristwatch.

“Ladies, I have to leave now. I need to go and pick up my kids.”

“Ok. Send them my love.”

“I will. And Yvy, make sure you keep me posted, ok?”

“Sure will.”

They exchanged hugs and Chibuzo left.

*           *           *

Jennifer woke up at about 4am. The young man beside her was fast asleep. She sat up and held the pillow to her chest. He moved a little bit but just to get back to sleep.

She looked up at the ceiling and all around the room. She had not had the chance to take a look at the room.

There were studs of unfinished cigarettes on the small table beside the bed. The young man’s underwear was lying on the floor. His shirt and pant were scattered on the floor close to the door.

She looked at him again. He was flat out; sleeping deeply.

She stood and walked to his wardrobe. She pulled on the handle on the left door. There were clothes scattered everywhere. He had many packs of condoms too. On the right side was where he kept his vanish. There were three different colognes and four body sprays. He had a body lotion and some hair treatment.

The lower section was where he had his shoes. And he had lots of them.

She started to move the clothes around. At the left corner, there was a stash of 1000 Naira notes. They were clean bills.

She turned to look at him. He had not even moved. He was completely naked.

She pulled out the stash and started to count.

When she had counted the amount, she just pulled out a bunch and counted it. It was twenty four thousand naira. She looked at him again. He had moved this time but only his left leg had changed position.

She returned the rest of the stash and arranged the clothes back.

She picked up her pants and put the money in the right pocket. She took her pant and placed it close to the bed on the side she slept. She walked to the door and picked up his pants. She pulled out his wallet and looked into it. He had some dollar notes tucked in behind the naira notes. She pulled out the dollar notes and counted. He had six hundred dollars. She pulled two 100 dollar bills and returned his wallet. She put the two dollar bills in her left pocket and placed the pants close to her.

She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep.

Helen walked quickly past the second shop.

 Jennifer’s eye caught a lady walking quickly past the shops but she wasn’t interested in the person’s business so she looked away. But on a second thought, the person looked familiar from a distance. So, she looked again.

The lady walked into the fourth shop and was there for a minute or two. She stepped out again.

Helen! Helen?

She was not sure if she was guessing correctly so she walked quickly so she could get closer. She kept a distance so she wouldn’t be spotted.

Helen went into the fifth shop. Jennifer moved closer. She peeped through the glass to get a good look at the face.

Half of the face was covered with her long hair. It was difficult to spot her face properly. But the shape of her body wasn’t mistaken. Helen had a lovely body and all her friends knew it. Even, Jennifer jealoused her.

Helen also had a tattoo on her right hand. Jennifer tried to catch a glimpse of it but to no avail. She decided to walk into the shop.

The lady at the counter saw her walk in.

“Good evening madam. How may we help you?”

Helen turned to stand face to face with Jennifer.

Both ladies were startled.

“Hello Jenny. Long time.” Helenm said. A sinister smile crossed her face.

“Really? Hello?”

“Its been a long time. Hasn’t it?”

“Don’t play with me. Where’s my money?”

“Don’t cause a scene here. Let’s go outside.”

“You and who?”

Helen turned to the attendant at the counter.

“How much is my money?”

“Twenty five thousand naira, thirteen kobo.”

Helen handed her her debit card. Then she turned to Jennifer. Jennifer was already fuming.

“Relax my dear…”

The words had barely left her mouth before she got a hard slap on the face. It was so hard, Helen spurn round and tripped. The bags she was carrying fell on the ground. She held her face for a second before she lounged forward at Jennifer.

Jennifer was ready and waiting so she saw Helen’s attack. She dodged it. Helen stumbled at the miss. Jennifer grabbed Helen by the hair. Helen squealed.

“Stupid bitch!” She started pushing her around. Her grip was still hard on Helen’s hair. Helen was reaching out her hands to grab at Jennifer helplessly. Jennifer gave her a jab.

Helen screamed. But this time her hand caught Jennifer’s hair too. She pulled hard. Jennifer let go of Helen’s hair out of the pain that the attack made. When Helen realized she was free, she reached forward and grabbed Jennifer by her clothe and started to rain blows on her. Jennifer fought back. They both began to tear at each others clothes.

At this point the shop owner was so agitated she started to scream.

“Make una come help me ooo.”

Before long, some men rushed in and separated the two women. Half of Helen’s shirt was torn off. Her hair was in disarray. Jennifer held on to her breasts. Helen had hit her many times on her chest and it hurt badly.

Both ladies were breathing heavily.

“Wetin happen? Abeg make una go fight outside.”

Helen wriggled herself free and went to pick her bags.  She collected her ATM card from the lady at the counter and was about to walk out of the shop when Jennifer broke free from the grip and went after Helen.

Helen saw her coming so she swinged her bag at Jennifer. It hit Jennifer on the face making her loose her balance. She did not fall. She continued to reach out. When she was able to grab Helen’s shirt, she pulled hard. The rest of the buttons came off exposing the underwear underneath. By this time, they were both out of the shop. A small crowd was beginning to gather.

“Thief! Foolish idiot! Thief!” Jennifer ranted as she threw blows at Helen. Helen threw her punches back.  

Jennifer’s shirt had no buttin so it was hard to rip apart. But Helen continued to tug at it at every moment she could. People just watched them fight in amusement.

Some young boys were beginning to get excited seeing two women stripping each other in a brawl.

Two elderly women were calling for people to stop them.

Helen kicked Jennifer hard. The impact made Jennifer fall. Helen did not hesitate to sit on her and started to slap and punch. Helen was a little bigger than Jennifer. Jennifer turned and was able to reach out. She grabbed at the straps of Helen’s bra and tried to pull it off. Helen slapped her hands off. She dug her fingernail into Jennifer’s arm. Jennifer squealed under the pain.

“Who you dey call thief? You this stupid ashewo. Stupid fool. Na me you dey call thief. Who be thief inside me… and you?”

Jennifer pushed and kicked.

“You this witch! No be my blood you go drink today you hear me…” She began to say.

She grabbed Helen’s hair and pulled. It made Helen fall back. She jumped back to her feet and kicked hard. The kick met Helen on her left thigh. It did not make much impact. Helen grabbed her leg and began to pull. She wanted to throw Jennifer off her feet. Jennifer grabbed one of her bags. The other bag seemed to have disappeared. She smacked Helen hard on the face with it. Helen went hysterical. She jumped to her feet and reached for Jennifer’s throat. She grabbed her by the throat with her two hands and squeezed hard. Jennifer raised her right knee high enough to hit her on the belly. Helen lost her grip and fell on her knees. She held her stomach squirming in pain.

Jennifer was about to hit her again in the face with her palm when out of no where, a hand grabbed her hand and said, “Jennifer stop. That’s enough!”

It was Martins.

Jennifer froze to her toes. He noticed it and smiled.

 There was another guy in a black jacket who reached out to Helen and carried her on his shoulder. Almost effortlessly. Helen could not struggle because she was in pain.

The crowd began to murmur.

Martins grip was strong on Jennifer’s arm. He turned her so quickly her head spun.

“Follow me now!” Martins ordered.

She wanted to ask how he found her but she could not find her words, all she was thinking was what would happen to her next.

Martins turned to face her.

“You this stupid fool. You think you can betray me and get away with it? You can run but you can’t hide. I have been following you since morning. I told my guys no to pursue you but just follow you that you will either lead us to the money or you will do something foolish… and I was right. I know you too well.”

“Whatever.” Jennifer tried to fight back.

She tried to wrestle her arms. But he had both of her arms held backwards behind her, she became calm.

It was less painful to be calm. The struggle was just inflicting more pain on her arms.

“You know what I’m going to do to you? First, I will allow all my guys to have sex with you in turn until you go sour. Then, I will deal you nasty blows after which I will hand you over to the Chief.” Martins thundered as they walked to the black Pajero that was parked not far away from shop 5.

One of the guys with Martins heard what was said and looked at Jennifer. He licked his lips while devouring her with his eyes. Obviously, the guy had always wanted to have her. She ignored his glare.

Helen was in the car already. Her eyes were teary. She was holding on to her abdomen. The impact of Jennifer’s knee gave her a hard time. Martins shoved Jennifer to the seat beside her.

“If you two as much as touch each other, I will just put a bullet in each head and that’s after my boys here are done with whatever is on their minds with you.”

Jennifer looked at Helen. Helen did not look back.  She was obviously in pain and helpless.

“I wish they had let me finish you. I would have killed you with my barehands… You hear me.” Jennifer said to Helen.

“Shut up there!” Martins yelled at her.

Helen said nothing. She just looked out of the window.

“Where did you keep the money? Where did you keep the dollars you this wretched idiot?” Jennifer fired at Helen.

Helen said nothing.

Martins turned and looked at Jennifer.

“You want me to kill you here right? Trust me; I will not hesitate to put a bullet in your head and probably one in your mouth…”

Jennifer held her peace.

The two ladies were dragged out of the car to an uncompleted building. They tried to fight but the men were stronger.

There was a room in the building that was finished. The walls were painted and there was a mattress in the room.

“You two can make yourselves comfortable.” Saheed said and they shoved the two of them into the room.

A few minutes later, Martins entered alone. He had a gun in his hand.

The two ladies froze when they saw it.

“Jesus! I don’t know anything about….” Helen was trying to plead.

“Shush!” Martin waved the gun in her direction.

Helen was quiet immediately.

Martins walked up to Jennifer.

“This discussion is between you and I. And I don’t want stories. Just go straight to the point. Where is the money?”

“She stole it from me.” Jennifer pointed in Helen’s direction.

“What?”

“That’s why we were fighting. She came to the hotel, deceived me and ran away with the money.”

“She’s a liar” Helen said.

Martins looked at both ladies in turn, and then he settled on Jennifer.

“I want to smack off all the teeth in your mouth, then unleash these hungry dudes on you. I want you to feel the wrath of what it means to betray me.”

“But Martins…”

“Shut up! Don’t Martins me now.”

“I swear to you, this girl stole the money. Why would I be picking a fight with her?”

Martins looked at Helen.

“Why were you guys fighting?”

“She stole one of my clients.”

Jennifer’s mouth dropped. Martins saw the look on Jennifer’s face. She couldn’t be trusted,

“Ok, this is what I would do. I would unleash those dogs outside on you two. As we speak, they are lining up outside, all I have to do is give them the go ahead.”

“I did not steal any money. I swear to you…”

“See this liar. You this motherfucker!  God will punish your generation. You no steal any money abi? Walahi, you go die for hell fire. Na moto go kill all your family…”

Helen was on her feet.

“Na you and your generation moto go kill for road. You hear me… You are a bastard. Foolish child.”

“Oh, I see you too are getting excited about what’s coming up…?”

“Wait Martins please hear me out. Please…” Jennifer pleaded.

Martins stopped at the door. “What do you have to say?”

“I will get you the money, I swear to you. Just leave me to handle this girl. Give me one day. I beg you.”

“Na me you dey talk about abi na another person? Na me you wan handle. See who dey talk? Na small remain I for kill your mama for that shop.”

Martins went out of the room.

“Helen, you know say na thunder go kill you for this life. For this lie wey you dey lie for me…”

“Na lightning go kill you…”

They started to brawl again. Each tearing out at the others clothes. Helens clothes were completely gone. Jennifer’s shirt was beginning to tear off at the seam. While they were still brawling, two dudes entered the room. They were big dudes.

The two left each other immediately.

The two dudes had nothing on safe their boxers.

Jennnifer began to beg.

“Please I beg you in the name of God, don’t do this to me. Martins! Martins!!” She began to shout hoping Martins would hear her from outside and ask the men to stop. But it was to no avail.

The men smiled.

One of the guys grabbed her and slapped her hard. The impact of the slap was so sudden, Jennifer was quiet in a second.

The other guy was unto Helen. Helen was on her knees begging.

“You ladies should just corprorate and we would be out if this place shortly.” One of the guys said. He was the taller one.

“Please. Please I beg you. I’m innocent.” Helen was saying.

The guy with Jennifer began to play with her hair.

“See I have no problems with you at all. I’m just here to have fun. No be ashewo una be? Una come dey fear? Na who una dey pretend for? If you guys corporate, we would be out of here in no time.”

“Never!” Jennifer said.

“You say wetin?”

“I say never.”

The guy pushed her on the bed. She turned quickly to stand up but he pulled her legs. She fell back on the bed.

“Be like say you wan stubborn abi? You go cool down today. We reach like seven guys wey still dey outside, Instead make you corporate so I go do sharp sharp comot for here.”

Jennifer started to kick. One of her feet hit the guy in the groin. The guy cowered in pain. The other guy looked over at what was happening and saw his fellow guy on the floor holding unto his groin.

The guy stood to his feet almost immediately. He was vexed.

He pinned jennider down with his knees and slapped her face. Her face was already sore from all the slaps she had received.

She started to struggle but to no avail. She squirmed and turned but the guy held her still.

She continued to struggle; moving as much as she could. Trying to wriggle herself out of the guy’s grip.

“Hey Keisha. Keisha.”

Jennifer felt a tap on her shoulder. It wasn’t from the dream.

She opened her eyes to see Kingsley leaning over her.

“What’s the matter? You woke me up with you murmuring.”

Jennifer sat up quickly. She held the cover to her chest. She was breathing heavily.

“God! I had a nightmare.”

Kinglsey looked at her. He was irritated.

He looked at the time. It was 8:19am.

“I’m so sorry.” She said.

“It’s alright. Go and take a shower. It will help you cool down.”

Jennifer stood up like she was instructed and went into the shower.

Kingsley followed.

*           *           *

“Hello egbon.”

“Whats up?”

“No worries, its not money this time…”

“It better not be. What is it?”

“I just wanted you to speak with PJ. You remember PJ…?”

“Yeah I do and why?”

“So that you can see that I was speaking the truth.”

“Ok.”

“One minute please…”

About four seconds after, “Hello”, there was very soft voice on the other end of the call.

“Hello. Is this PJ?”

“Yes it is.”

“Oh nice to meet you. My younger brother can’t stop talking about his next work with you…”

There was a giggle on the other end. “That’s nice to hear.”

“I look forward to listen to your work.”

“I’m sure we would not disappoint you.”

“I look forward with my fingers crossed.”

“Thank you. I have to hurry off now. It was nice talking to you.”

“Ok. Same here.”

“Egbon that’s PJ. She’s the most sort after female artiste in the industry today… I’m so fortunate to have made her slot.”

“She has a nice voice. I saw one of her videos on Youtube. One of the technical guys in my company sent it to me. I requested for it though.”

“Wait till you meet her.”

“You really adore this chick oooo. Abi something else is going on…”

“No ooo. This chick is way out of my league. No jokes.”

“Way out of your league? You better change league.”

“When money starts to roll in, levels and league go change, egbon.”

“Ok. I wish you guys the best.”

“Thanks. How’s work?”

“We thank God.”

“Hope you haven’t forgotten I’d be going to Ghana today…?”

“Oh yeah that’s true. You mentioned to me yesterday. For your video shoot abi?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok. I wish you all the best.”

“Amen. Egbon, no small something seomthing?”

“That’s a joke eh?”

“Anything egbon. Anything…”

“I’m not giving you anything. Go and enjoy yourself in Ghana but not on my money.”

“Egbon to sure baje” (My brother that I can count on anytime.)

“You better drop this call before you start asking me for money for credit now.”

“Ok egbon, just send me 5K for credit.”

“But I gave you some money two days ago now…”

“Egbon that’s for recording. I have some sponsors paying for the video.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah. PJ is signed on as brand ambassador for many brands in Nigeria. And MTN has said they would sponsor all her videos this year.  She listed my videos as one. I was so happy. She said she likes the song and the flow and would love to shoot the video early. I told her I didn’t have the funds for the video but she told me that would be taken care of. Egbon, things are looking up oo.”

“I hear you.”

“You will love the song I promise you.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Ok egbon, I got to go. See you soon.”

“Make sure you call me as soon as you get to your destination. Se jeje ooo.” (Take thinsg easy)

“Yes sir.”

He ended the call and smiled to himself. Things are looking up.

He clicked on the youtube video sent to him. He was watching the video for the seventh time. He could now put a person to the face on the video after he had spoken to her on the phone. She looked real.

The video started to play.

He leaned back on his chair and savored it.

She isn’t bad looking too. He thought.

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CHAPTER 23 Coming Soon

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