by Eu Aristos
"Aside meeting and spending ample time with you, business."
"Oh, is there any specific aspect or just business generally?"
"I'm a stocks person. You should know we are always in for the money." Basil Bragged
"Uhm... I see..." That sounded weird to her.
"Yea, I was hoping we could talk business too."
"Sure... Who doesn't need to talk business?"
"Smart... That's my girl.
Chapter 12
Looking at him, all the emotions he ignited in her was fresh. She had fallen for him in the university but he was in a relationship and wasn't available. Now she could do whatever she wants to do with him.
∞∞∞
Sitting with the boys that night, Vicky could not help but be worried about Nk. To think she was with the little boy was even more traumatic. But then something struck her. She noticed Nelson stepped out occasionally since he came, to answer some calls. But she didn't think it was anything considering he was a busy business man and the realtor business was one of calls and communication. So she waved it away. Her mind went back to Harry who just returned from a trip and to the joy she noticed on his face when he saw her. Seems he wasn't cheating but busy as he claimed. Cause when he hugged her... There was a synchronous harmony in their heartbeat. She smiled.
“What are you thinking about and staring at me?” Harry disrupted her thought. Then she noticed she was staring at him absentmindedly. "Nothing, just random thoughts" She said.
"Where's Nk? Thought you said she was coming?"
"Yea, she is. Guess she's stuck in traffic or something." She defended.
"Uhm…" He sipped his wine.
There was relative silence as the breaking news came up on the TV about the police shootout with suspected kidnappers. Again her mind was lost in thought but this time to Kunle. Could it be he was held by same kidnappers that had this shootout? She decided to call NK.
"Hey baby... Where are you na?" she raised her hands in wonder as she asked.
"We are about moving. The moment the detective drove in, the car drove away immediately. I think he noticed we were unto him. We are coming back in a jiffy." Nk said with a relaxed voice.
True to her words, they were at Vicky's place 15 minutes later. By the time they were back, Harry and Nelson had left. Vicky hugged her and carried Frankie who was already sleeping.
"How's the woman at the hospital."
"She is out of Coma."
"Oh praise God!"
"Did you get the cloths for the boy?"
"Yea... They are in his room." Vicky sounded eager.
"Thanks baby." Nk said. They lay Frankie on the bed and made their way to Vicky's room.
"What did Nelson come here to do?" Nk asked meanly.
"He came with his friend na, should I have questioned him?" Nk removed her shoes and all she was wearing and went in to take a shower without saying anything. In minutes she was done.
"I don't trust that guy." She said when she walked out.
"Trust can be built. At least he's better than that your Basil guy."
"Don't say that. You know Basil from way back..."
"…this is why I don’t like him..! He's from way back... A time we shouldn't try to remember. You forgot how that guy snubbed you? You've forgotten how he embarrassed you in front of everyone? He called you cheap and smelling! I was your friend then, I helped you work through the shame. I can't watch you date that scumbag. At least not while I'm still your friend..!"
NK was silent. Holding on to her towel, she sat on the bed recalling the event of that day. Basil really embarrassed her after she showed interest in him. But now he's the one showing interest. She still felt something for him though. "But he seems to have changed now." Nk defended absentmindedly.
"And so..? A scumbag is always a scumbag." Vicky said as she turned to the other side of the bed to sleep. Nk was soon on the bed too. What a day it had been. She wondered.
∞∞∞
By morning the news was everywhere that a kidnapped victim was rescued by the police. Nk called Kola from her office and he confirmed that it was Kunle. And that he had been admitted into the same hospital as Mama. Nk was delighted. She took her pen and wrote to the company president that she needed the rest of the week off for some personal reasons. She figured she needed it to get a hold of all that was happening. Surely her request would be granted immediately considering she was not the type to skip work.
As soon as her request was granted, Nk cleared her pending work and called Vicky and gave her the news of Kunle's release. They had insisted that Frankie must go to school to avoid his missing out from the school term and to protect him from the effects of the dramas. Downstairs she called Babatunde and released him for the rest of the week. He was grateful and after he had driven her to the hospital, he went on his way. The people of the press were at the hospital so she had to be careful not to get their attention.
"Good morning Detective.” She greeted him from behind.
"Morning Ms. NK" He smiled with his well shaved chin.
"Can I see Kunle?" Nk asked.
"No not now. The doctors are still staying to fix him up."
"Was he that badly hurt?"
"Yea he needs some stitches to the face, not to mention, the pain to the body and some psychological therapy. Seems he was thrown out of a moving car…" Nk waved her head.
"Where's the little boy?" Kola asked
"School” Nk smiled “had to make sure he went there today. You know..."
"Yea... You take care of him so well like your son." Kola said with his hand inside his pocket.
"I'm a woman, detective..." She smiled.
"Oh that’s true." Kola smiled. He has always been one who loved women who were up and doing; women who took responsibility. Nk looked at her write watch. It was past 12pm.
"Let me see Mama." She spoke, bringing back from his little timeout and excusing herself. "OK.” He said as he made way for her to pass. She walked past the security men and straight to mama's room. Mama was happy to see her.
"They said they found my Kunle..." She said happily as soon as she saw her. "Yes... Ma. Good morning." Nk responded smiling. "Morning my daughter... Please help me sit up." She stretched her hand and Nk, on grabbing it, help her change her position.
"Thank you..."
"You said 'my Kunle' Nk observed. “Is Kunle your son?"
"Adopted, but still, yes. He's my son." Mama said proudly.
NK smiled. But soon her smile was replaced by an ink of sadness..."What's it my daughter?" Mama asked, after noticing the change in countenance. "Oh... Nothing... Just remembered something.” Nk said while trying to smile again. “Have you eaten your food?"
"Yes oo. It was really good. Did you prepare that?"
"No ma... my friend Vicky did."
"Oh I see... Vicky... That name sounds familiar though."
"Uhm… It’s just a popular name mama." Nk bluffed.
Her phone rang. It was Basil. She excused herself. "Hello Basil..." Nk said smiling.
"Hello sweetheart. How are you?" He sounded all cozy and romantic.
"I'm fine, you?" She looked out the window.
"I'm fine too. So I was wondering... Since you do not have time to sit for pleasure talks, why don't we have lunch today to talk business?"
"What business?" Nk said.
"Remember what we talked about yesterday?" She remembered she wasn't paying attention.
"Ooh... That... I am hoping you'll have to speak more about it."
"Lunch then..?" Basil asked as she looked at her wristwatch. It was already 12:35. She turned and looked at mama who wasn't paying attention.
"A and B restaurant… You know the place right..? I could send you directions and an address" Nk offered.
"Don't worry... I know the place... You forgot this is my city right?" Basil bragged.
"Uhm" Nk smiled. “1pm then?" She asked.
"Sure." Basil said
"See you
soon then."
"See you soon love..."
∞∞∞
After His encounter with Basil, Nelson knew he was in for serious competition. He liked Nk and wouldn't want anyone to stand in his way. "For long I've been taken for granted by some ladies and guys. So I'll use my powers this time." He said on phone
"What do you want me to do sir?" The voice from the other side said.
"Find me anything to nail that guy. His name is Basil Johnson. From Facebook I've been able to locate a bit about him. I just forwarded you screenshots of that."
"Owk sir, I'll get back to you soon" The voice from the other end said.
"I need it ASAP…" Nelson said and dropped the call. Almost immediately, his dad called.
"Hello chief Bawa!" He hailed him as he fondly called him.
"I'm pastor now. Don't mistake that son." Bawa spoke in a deep voice.
"I don't. Good day sir."
"How are you doing my son?"
"I'm fine sir."
"Now I want your company to champion the construction of a new multipurpose complex and plaza somewhere in town."
"Wow that's amazing sir! I'm delighted at this offer sir!"
"Good. So draw up a plan ASAP and submit to my own company. I need that job to be beautiful. It’s worth million and the government is interested in it too. This could be your lucky break."
"Thank you so much sir. I'll not disappoint you."
He quickly sprang to work as soon as the call ended. He called his team in for a quick meeting and threw it to them. This was the big break he needed so he was up to give in all he had for it.
∞∞∞
1:33pm
"I almost thought you wouldn't be coming again." Basil stood, hugged and welcomed Nk.
"Well... I'm here now Basil."
"How are you?"
"As you can see, I'm fine." She winked at him.
"I called your office and I was told you were off so I had to call you directly. It’s my proposal for the company to participate in the inception of something great; a trans-global stock deal."
"So what's the deal?"
"You invest with as much as you want, with the UK stock for returns in 2-3 years."
"Oh... I don't know anything about the stock market. This will have to go through the accounts department of the company..."
"Sure... It will. But you know... A little word from their VP could facilitate things... Unless you want to tell me that you've got no effect on them... Which I know isn't possible. At least not with all this beauty and..."
"...why should I trust you?" She blocked his attempt at flattery. Basil was shocked by the question.
"I'm...am...am... Your guy...” He mumbled. “As in... You know me... We go all the way back."
"I do... But you remember you also embarrassed me all the way back then." She said meanly.
He was sober... "I know.... It was childishness... We are grown now. Imagine our lives in the future, the joy we can share." Nk stared at him as he spoke She liked him. Maybe he is changed after all. Maybe she should give him a chance.
"I'll patch this through to the office. Let's hope that your belief in me works. She put the file into her bag."
"Thank you... Thank you... Thank you..." Basil rejoiced.
"So what are we having for lunch???" She asked.
"Order what you want. It’s on me!" Basil said happily. As they ate, her phone rang. It was Vicky.
∞∞∞
"Hello babes"
"Hellooooo... Uhmmm... someone seems to be in a happy mood."
"Yea yea yea! Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!" Vicky said in quick succession.
"Just give me the info." Nk who had now stopped eating asked.
"Harry proposed to me!"
"Whaoooo!!!!" Nk exclaimed to the amazement of all around. "Hope you..?"
"Yes! I said yes!"
"Awesome!" Smiling... She stared at Basil.
After a brief conversation, Nk dropped the call but she didn’t drop her smile.
"Why are you smiling?" Basil asked.
"Oh... Nothing..." Lied NK
"But you exclaimed from your last call." They were done eating now.
"Oh... That was Vicky. Her boyfriend just proposed to her."
"Oh your Vicky..." He asked smiling sarcastically.
"Yeaa… My Vicky... " Nk said emphatically and basil was silent.
"What's it..?"
"Nothing... I'm cool." She said calmly. “Is there something I don't know about you both? Like when I mention you she's pensive… and I mention her now and you are pensive." Nk asked.
"Uhmmm, she was harsh to me sometime in the past. Cause I was course rep then."
"Oh... I see... I remember now. You caused her to have a carryover..." He was silent. "You were an asshole then... " Nk added
"Yea... I was... But I have changed now. I just want to build a new life; to turn a new leaf." Nk stared at him as he spoke. "I lived a bad life in the past Nk. I see you as that lady who can turn my tide for me, someone who can help me begin again. I have something..."
Her phone rang again.
It was Detective, so she picked up.
"Please where are you???" He asked
"I'm just around...." Nk replied.
"OK. Kunle is awake now and would like to see you.”
"OK. I'll be there with you soon." She responded hurriedly.
"Hey. I guess we'll continue this conversation some other time because I have to go." She excused herself.
"Can I at least.."
"Don't worry... We will talk about them all later..." She cut him off as she tried to stand. Basil relaxed back on his sit. Disappointed that he didn't get to say what he had in mind.
"See you later..." She said as she picked up her bag.
"Yea... Later..." Was all Basil could say.
Chapter 13
Getting to the hospital amidst the commotion, Nk walked past Bawa whose car was parked just close to where she was parked. He noticed the beautiful woman as she passed but didn't want to raise any emotions.
∞∞∞
After speaking to his son, pastor Bawa decided to pay a visit to his old friend. He wasn't so much an expected guest, so getting to the hospital, he wasn't surprised that the security personnel on ground was not letting him in. With one call, every huddle gave way for him to see mama.
"Hello mama..." Bawa said as he walked in.
Mama smiled...
"I know you weren't expecting to see me..."
"Surely I wasn't. I knew you were a naughty boy but I didn't think you'd decide to be stupid too."
"Oooh... That hurt me. But hey, I'm not bothered. It’s still same old you with respect for your right hand man."
His presence oozed round the room.
"Hahahahah... You've tried to kill me three times and failed Bawa. I have no respect for cowards."
Bawa frowned as he stared at her.
"I'm not regretful of my decision to hand over to Bastion after I retired. You were a bad influence and things could have gone south with you in charge..." Mama spilled.
"Yet how do you feel now that things went north??? He grinned. Where's your Bastion??? I hope he's in heaven now. Cause he was so stupid to have come after me after my first attack on you."
"Uhmmm, I always knew you killed him. He didn't listen to me though; he didn't take my advice. If he did, you would be rotting in jail!"
"Shiiiisssshhh.... Don't speak too loudly... You know... You aren't so old to still go to jail for your atrocities..." Bawa threatened.
"Hahahahah... I am in jail already. Look outside... They are making sure I don't go out. But will you be able to stand the humiliation it will bring on your ego...?"
Bawa shrugged. "Well... I'm here to perform my religious duty as your pastor... So I pray for you today. That you get better... Mama!" He giggled wickedly.
"I'll leave you to your conscience monster." Mama caused.
"Ooh... I like the sound of tha
t from you. But I suggest you keep that title for the one who put you in this bed this time." Bawa taunted her.
"What are you saying..?" Mama asked surprised.
"Oooh... You thought I was the one who put you here..? Hahahahahaha” He laughed out loudly. “Sorry... To burst your bubble, I'm not. I could have just killed you off if I wanted to."
She was silent...
"So as I was saying... I think you have someone else to worry about now, friend. Goodbye..." He waved her.
Mama stared on as he left. If he isn't the one who attacked her then who did? It would probably be him somehow... Who else knew about the land if not Bawa and... Oooooh no!!! It’s him!" She seemed to have remembered someone who was once lost in her life.
"Hello mama, How are you doing?" A nurse interrupted her thought.
"I'm fine my daughter." Mama said with a fake smile.
"Just here to give you your next dosage." The nurse said calmly.
"But it’s not time yet." Mama protested.
"Yeaa... Doctors prescription..." Mama opened her hands for the drugs.
It was after she took the drugs that she recognized that the nurse was not the same that came in the morning. "Help..! Help..!" Mama shouted.
The nurse ran not immediately amidst a hot chase by the security men. She was an assassin and knew her way around. They didn't get her. Mama on the other hand, was passing out fast as the doctors tried to get her to the special emergency unit for the drug to be purged off her system.
Getting to the hospital amidst the commotion, Nk walked past Bawa whose car was parked just close to where she was parked. He noticed the beautiful woman as she passed but didn't want to raise any emotions. Once inside, she was walking towards Kunle's room when she saw Kola.
"What's happening?" She enquired.
"Someone just tried to poison mama!"
"What! Where's she..?"
"She's in intensive care unit."
"What about Kunle?"
"He's OK. Down at the male section."
"OK. I'll go see him now."
"Is there something mama told you the last time you spoke to her today?" Kola asked her again just as she tried to move. His question drew her back.