Delayed Diagnosis Episode 4
Written by Kingsley Olanrewaju Efughi
We got into the car and strange eyes showed me a picture of a very massive house. Cake like in shape and an architectural masterpiece. “This is the house. Chiefs wife,his two children and two maids live there”
“Its too big” I marveled at the house. I suddenly remembered something and turned to strange eyes “how many houses does the chief have?”
“Two.why?”
“About three weeks ago he pumped me with drinks and I woke up in a strange house..that was where I took the papers”
“You mean stole the papers.how was the house?where was it?”
“I was having the worst case of hang over ever I didn’t really pay attention..it was when I saw the papers I came quite alive”
strange eyes looked at me with 100% concentration “think back..Rex tell me everything”
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I moved closer to the table and what i saw cleared my eyes and my head. I shook my head and picked up the documents my mouth opening in shock. It was like a child finding candy..then finding instructions on how to eat the candy.in my hand was directions to a foreign account in Switzerland containing approximately 250 million naira…my hands where shaking…my red eyes were now white..my
head was clear and my mind was racing. There’s always a point before every decision in ones life..where one consideres the possibilities and repercussions of any action..but all I could think of was 250 million. I had never even dreamt of that kind of money in my life. My modest salary was more than enough to sustain my bachelor life (married bachelor
as my mother would say) and I had a little over a million naira in my account..but 250 million!!! For a minute I forgot where I was as I greedily leafed through the pages..the banking statements and everything needed to transfer the money to any where in the world with just internet service. I let out a whistle as I thought of only possibilities and not repercussions. I could change my family life..take my mother to see the world,settle my father..no more stressful life for him I would be paying him pension. My sisters would be settled with all my nieces and nephews. I was a banker I could triple this amount in a couple of years and Fome….it seemed mentioning her name in my subconsious brought my head out of the cloud. I looked around the room and remembered the chief..he had gone upstairs 20 minutes ago..I put down the papers and hurried out of the room. I spaced around the parlour and started up the stairs more than once. It seemed I had two little versions of myself on each shoulder wearing white and black with a halo and a pair of horns I remained indecisive until I heard the chief the chief call my name from upstairs “Rex I’ll be with you in a minute!”
(Now that I think about it..if the chief truly wanted me to find those papers he had called me on purpose to alert me he was coming down) hearing his voice seemed to tell my brain that the window was closing..i hurried back to the room and grabbed the papers..folding it neatly and placing it in my jacket pocket which i hung on my arm.
The chief was an extra 10 minutes in arriving and he offered no explanation. I was fidgeting badly consumed by guilt…but i was beginning to look at the chief in a different light….just what was he involved in that gave him such a large amount of money??..we drove out in his range back to his bungalow where i was treated to a massive meal prepared by Ndidi…she looked at me strangely with something like pity in her eyes..i thought to myself about the night before and wondered just how drunk i was the night before and if i had made a fool of myself….
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Strange eyes interrupted me as i recounted the details…”i said you should describe the neighborhood..where was the house located?”
My mind was blank…I thought hard..”I swear I don’t know…my mind was on 250 mil. And I was apprehensive and afraid and my mind was cutting”
Strange eyes rubbed his face…” My God..okay like how many minutes or hours before you got back to his other place?”
I thought hard “like an hour..although we stopped at a filling station and spent time “
Strange eyes looked at me..”you see what your lack of attention to detail is costing us? We need to locate that place…but first we need to head to Chief’s wife boutique..I need you in contact with his daughter asap.
As we approached lekki I asked strange eyes ” so what is the plan exactly..?”
He squinted his eyes ahead before replying with his eyes still on the road “your story is that you are a fashion magazine editor and you want to check out her styles..and carry it in your next months issue.”
“But I don’t know anything about that…I’m a banker for God’s sake “
“You’ll have to wing it…remember you are not doing this for fun,but for Fome..the earlier you establish an easy rapport between you two..the better”
I nodded slowly…still unsure “what is the magazines name..where is the previous issue…I have nothing on me to support that claim”
“You’ll have to find a solution till I contact you…I already have someone working on a suitable design for a magazine…but I can’t get it till tomorrow..the name is voltage trends”
“Nice..” I was impressed again “who is working on it”
“That’s classified.” He said..then when I frowned, added “we have agents everywhere…now you need to start getting into character…practice the lines on me”
In less than an hour strange eyes parked beside a massive 2 story building with an outrageous design. the place spoke of wealth..and the look warned you from not entering if your pockets were not deep enough.”i need to make some calls..we need to find out about that house what is he using it for?”
I nodded in agreement and made to come down but strange eyes stopped me “if you don’t have a car the cover is good as blown.” He got down “My number is on speed dial in your phone and I have yours..we’ll communicate pls don’t blow the cover..and don’t blow the girl.”
With that he ran across the road and as I stretched in my seat and lost sight of him…I marveled at his quickness…I sat in the car for minutes..till I decided I was postponing the inevitable..I got down and headed for the entrance..
I observed the building as I got closer and was surprised that the boutique had no name on the outside..the walls were transparent glass and through it I could make out the various clothing designs on different mannequins… It was really impressive indeed and I observed the cars
In the lot..all were outrageously expensive indeed. A part of me was about getting intimidated but I remembered less than 24 hours ago I had looked death in the eye and survived even though I blinked..remembering the round nuzzle of the gun and the sound of gun shots gave me renewed confidence. I made up my mind to play the part to the fullest…with refreshed confidence I swaggered into the building and took it all in..it was like a mini airport or a mall even with an escalator..I looked around and was really impressed with the interior design..on one side was a picture of a beautiful lady dressed in a short black gown with heels..she wore a triumphant smile and behind her..her wings were spread wide..underneath was the caption: ‘AngelsWearPradaToo’ the air condition was on full blast and the place was busy with people (mostly females) moving fromssection to section..some dragging unwilling boyfriends behind. I took all this in and continued stating like a lost idiot until a sales girl approached me..”Good afternoon sir, how can I help you?”
“G-good afternoon” I stammered, then gave myself a mental kick…if I was this way in front of hired help..how would I face the ‘ice queen’?
I raised my head and put authority in my voice..”I’d like to see your madam….” Heeey what was her first name again oo
The girl sized me up and was obviously not impressed..but she helped me out unknowingly..”Madam Benita? Is she expecting you?” Her voice was not unpolite but her expression was…
I stared down the barrel you b!tch..inches away! Inches…
“Listen to me carefully I’m here regarding her daughter and I’m in a position to makeher actualise her dreams of being a designer so swallow your attitude and point me in the right direction and face your real job of recommending underwear to girls like yourself “
I tell you if looks could kill I wouldn’t be here writing this today…she shot me daggers and bared her teeth…she looked like one of those girls who could give a verbal killing but just as she was about to let rip a voice carried through the air…”Bisi what is the problem… Is there a problem young man?”
I turned around and saw Chiefs wife approaching me..she wore a long strapless gown with a shawl draped around her shoulders…something about her approach seemed to challenge me to rise to the challenge. “Madam good day toyou…your staff here was just pointing me to your office but in a very rude manner” I looked back when I said ‘your staff’ and was surprised that she had taken off..I guessed the madam really struck fear into her employees minds.
She reached where I stood also sizing me up and not bothering to hide it..” I’m sorry about that..you are a potential customer” she said it as a statement..(and if I had a hundred thousand in cash I would have burnt it right there…her marketing skills were exceptional) but I was in my ‘James bond’ mode so I smiled my most charming…”actually I’m more than a customer…I’m an editor of Voltage magazine..the number one fashion magazine in the country…and rising rapidly to number one in Africa”
She narrowed her eyes at me then looked at my shoes in contemplation (I curled my toes in my boot..wishing I had the chance to put on one of my impressive footwear) “voltage magazine..how come I never heard of it”
“Believe me that would change with what Ihave pplanned for your daughter’s design in our next issue.”
I looked around “this is a very impressive place ma’am…first class..in fact I’d like to get my camera man in here to cover all angles with your permission”
That seemed to crack her iciness to some extent…she smiled thinly..”thank you..let’s go to my office and discuss”
She led the way..stopping here and there to coo at a customer. I marveled at her skills at flowing with customers I saw one man smile at her as if expecting a pat on the back from her when judging by the bags at his feet he had spent a small fortune. We took the escalator up with me standing behind her..observing her from behind and wondering how her relationship with the chief had gone south. She opened a glass door and gestured for me to enter inside..the room was at freezing temperature and I was immediately cold,yet she seemed to be alright despite the strapless she had on. her office was exactly how a boss’s should be with different clothes designs on the wall which were actually quite good and innovative. She caught me staring and said “those are my daughter’s” the affection in her voice was unmistakable and I knew the way to crack through the remaining ice was to show genuine interest in her daughter’s work..”wow” I stood up as though I was totally taken by it (in reality I had always been indifferent to fashion designs..and models were the only interesting aspect of fashion to me)
I studied it intently “ma’am your daughter has a real gift..the world needs to see this..it has to be shared with the world” I raised my hands in excited exaggeration then turned back to Mrs Amunike who was watching me contentedly with her smile becoming wider.
I sat back down careful not to over do it “ma’am voltage trends is the perfect platform for her work..with talent like this she is going places no doubt..I just want my magazine to help her get there”
She leaned back in her chair and studied me intently that I almost broke out in a sweat despite the freezing conditions. But then she said “what’s all this ma’am nonsense..please call me Benita” I knew I was in and gave myself a mental pat..oh boy..I was going to exaggerate this to strange eyes..
‘You have a copy of the magazine here I expect”
I opened my mouth..shut it again..then opened it without knowing what was going to come out…”yes ma- Benita..”
There was silence..”well?” She asked impatiently
“Its in my car..lemme run down and get it”
She nodded..then picked up the desk phone “hope you can find your way back” she asked as I stood up slowly.
“Yes of course”
As I exited her office I heard her say into the phone “Ada come up..I have a big surprise for you”
I was so lost in thought that I climed down the escalator instead of standing still. Which kind wahala be this? What now? Strange eyes had said ‘wing it’…see his mouth like wing it. I headed to the exit and
noticed Bisi the rude sales girl watching me curiously..I thought of giving her the finger but decided against it..not yet..the spot wasn’t sure yet. I headed to my car and dialed strange eyes number before I opened the door. He picked on the first ring “Rex..what’s your status?”
“My status? I have Chiefs wife waiting to have a look at the previous editions of an imaginary magazine..and no idea of what to do..that’s my status?”
“how did it get to that stage..you should have found an excuse now”
“What kind of excuse?..why didn’t we wait till tomorrow when you could give me the necessary materials but instead..its wing it..now I don’t know what to do o”
“Rex take it easy..you’re not in control…don’t be intimidated by that woman..she may be in the boss’ sit but she’s just a piece on the chess board which you control..now go back in there and control the situation”
The line went dead.
“What a bastard” I muttered in disbelief. But he had hit home..I returned back to the boutique..with no idea of what to say but there was a spring in my step
I entered the office for the second time and found Ada standing beside her mother..they were staring excitedly at the laptop screen which the mother was operating. When I stepped in Benita looked up and smiled in a genuine way she hadn’t before. I glanced at the daughter and caught her studying me intently..I looked held out my hand to her..”its really nice to finally meet such a promising talent..I don’t know if your mom has filled you in but-“
She interrupted me while shaking my hand vigorously “yes yes..I’m so happy..we were just browsing on your magazine and it is really nice..and very classy”
I had been admiring her yards of fresh legs with one eye and her cleavage which threatened to jump out of her little dress with the other..what she said stopped my roving eyes i looked at her face and noticed she had on blue contacts and a tongue ring as well “okaay…our website…” Website
?? I nodded going with the flow..”im glad you liked it”
“Oh mum he is soo cute!!…im soo happy..a magazine just for me!!..come let me show you around..i have a lot of designs on display”
She was already pulling my hand towards the door. I looked at her mother..”you wanted to see the mag-“
“Don’t worry about that for now go and look around.. You are our guest now..I’d just busy myself with the website…voltage trends..” She smiled at her screen ” what an electrifying name!”
I didn’t know what kind of magic strange eyes had performed but I was glad and my respect for him had gone up another notch.
Ada was a chatter box..it took a matter of minutes and she was flirting with me..I actually enjoyed her company and freed myself a little bit. By the time we had finished touring the entire two story boutique I had learnt that she was 19(which I already knew), was single and ‘not really searching but maybe just for fun’,loved dogs and had 3 back at home.
I almost forgot about the chief entirely until I asked her..”so what’s your plan for the immediate future?”
We had been heading towards the escalator she had turned to me “I just want to do what I love..I love fashion design..I don’t see why I have to go to school..its my father that is pushing me..seriously. We struck a deal that he’d give me a year to practice what I love..that’s why its like you’re a God send”
For a minute I felt guilty..for all her appealing outlook and slutty vibes..there was an innocence about her..
“I think parents should listen more to their children..especially about the future of the child”
Her eyes widened “right?..that’s how I feel..you’re so easy to talk to Rex”.(yup first name basis so fast).
She spun around suddenly..”let’s go to lunch..you need to tell me about you and besides I haven’t eaten anything”
The heavy beans since morning was still guaged in my stomach “I’d love that..but your mother would be expecting me back I’m sure”
“Are you always this polite?” She asked with a smile “that’s not a problem” she took out her phone dialed a number “mum Rex and I are going to lunch..we’ll be back a little later” a pause “OK..yes im with my keys..alryt”
She looked at me and smiled sweetly that I almost forgot about Fome’ “case solved..now let’s go I’m starving and I guess you are too”
Babe you want to suffer your toilet ooo….But I nodded in agreement and smiled as she hooked her arm in mine and we headed to the exit. This time I gave Bisi the finger and her face got red in anger
I was about to lead her to my car..and was thinking of how I would pump the clutch so as not to fall my hand when she pressed the remote on the car keys she held..a shiny black two door Mercedes convertible blinked in response..”wow” I admired the car “sweet ride” I ran my fingers lovingly along the body as she was opened the drivers door. She looked at me over the car “this is my baby..I call him Bruce..I just love batman soon much..I only let dear people to me drive him…” She paused then “maybe you might drive him back” she laughed a care free laugh and got in. I looked at the clouds before entering and wondered how a tortoise like Chief could birth someone so simple and uncalculating and free.
She backed into the road and I was observing her driving skills when my phone rang I checked the I.d and almost sighed out loud when I saw strange eyes name. I was about to put it on silent but then I felt her glance questioningly in my direction. I swore in my mind as I picked the call. “Hello”
“Say mum good afternoon”
“Ehn?”
“I’m following you,now say mum good afternoon”
“Mum..good afternoon”
“Good” I could hear the laughter in his voice and wondered how he was following us..probably in one of the many cars behind us “now..everything is working according to plan..so far so good”
“Yes mom I know”
“But we need something to push you into the house..you need to be welcome by the entire family..they need to be free with you”
“I thought of that mom..but I won’t be free to visit you” I glanced at Ada..she was focusing on the road but smiling softly
“Now pay attention…a gala seller would approach you..when you get down from the car..are you following?”
“Yes mom..how about next Saturday?”
“Good.fool” he laughed softly “now he would grab her purse and everything handy..but that’s your chance to be the hero..you would take him down and give him a beating…and save the day.”
“That would be perfect mom”
“Not soo fast..in the process you would break something…in order to have sympathy on your side?”
“What? I’m not sure that would work mom..maybe another time”
“Remember a gala seller..he is a trained agent so just remember that..he won’t hurt you to much..now bye my son” I could hear him laughing as the line went dead..
“No wait! Mom! Mom!….” I put down the phone and scratched my head..what kind of problem was this..break something? Strange eyes thought this was play station abi what??
“Hope you are okay” Ada said glancing at me
“Yes I’m fine.” Had to think of something fast…..”my mom just booked a family dinner with my elder brother and we don’t see eye to eye”
“Eeyah..thank God my own elder bro’s are really close with me..we hardly fight..but when we do..its deadly..”
I said nothing just staring at the open road watching for any gala hawker
“Cheer up now” she placed a hand on mine..”we’d be there soon..in about ten minutes tops..I bet some good food will put you in a better mood”
I nodded gloomly…ten minutes? Chai…
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