Episode TWO
“Dakore, why are you crying?”
She didn’t notice her mother had woken up and seen her in
tears. Dakore was sitting on a white plastic chair at the right side of the
bed. She quickly cleaned her face and smiled.
“I am not crying mom.”
“Don’t lie to me. I have been awake for the past two minutes.
You didn’t notice.” She said in a softened tone. She appeared weak and compared
to her former figure, she had reduced a small amount of weight. There was drip in her left hand.
Dakore swallowed and adjusted the cover cloth on her mother’s
body. “You should rest.”
“I have been resting Dakore. What is going on?”
“Nothing is going on. I just want you to stop talking and
relax. Have the doctor seen you today?”
“You don’t want me to talk and you are asking me a question.”
She smiled weakly. “That’s smart.”
Dakore smiled and rose up on her tired feet. “I will speak
with the nurse.” She strolled to the door.
“Why were you crying?”
She looked over at her sick mother and that broke her heart.
She couldn’t hold the tears for long, it rained and she covered her face. “Mom,
I’m coming.”
Mrs. Robert stared in shock. Something was wrong. Her daughter
always told her anything that disturbed her, Even when she called off the
engagement between her and the fiancé, Dakore told her. Why was this difficult
to say? What could have happened? Was Silas okay? Wasn’t Dakore expecting her
goods? That ought to make her happy. She closed her eyes and took a deep
breathe. She would wait for Dakore to return and there was no way her daughter
won’t tell her what was bothering her.
Dakore went to the restroom to cry more. Before she decided to lodge in a motel, she called a close friend who told her she and her husband were attacked
by armed robbers on their way to Abuja. They were traumatized by the incident
and couldn’t help at the moment. One of her friends said she did not have the
resources to assist her and her husband would not be able to accommodate anyone
that wasn’t a relative.
The relatives she had had abandoned them after her mother fell
sick. The only person that crossed her mind that would willingly help was out
of reach. She had lost his contact nearly two years ago after she misplaced one
of her phones. They were very close before he relocated abroad three years ago because
of his sexuality. The last time Dakore spoke with him was a few days before her
father’s burial. He sent her money, one million naira. It was a contribution
for the burial occasion.
Dakore had no clue what happened to Harrison. Even if she lost
his number, he had hers and sometimes it bothered her if he was okay wherever
he was. He wasn’t a social person. He had no Facebook or Instagram account.
She washed her face and hands in the bathroom. She spoke with a nurse about
the condition of her mother. The nurse advised her to see the doctor. Dakore
went outside, saw a bench and sat down.
What was she going to do next? Her mother would not forgive
her if she agreed to get pregnant for one of her wealthy customers who
mentioned he was ready to give her the exact money for the operation if she
gave birth to his child.
Growing up wasn’t easy. Her parents were poor especially her
dad who worked as a gateman for a company that always delayed his salary. Her
mother mostly assisted her father to cater for her and Silas.
When Silas turned fifteen, on his birthday, their parents came
home happy. Her mother said someone that owned her huge amount of money paid
her after many years. They never disclosed the amount, but their father bought
a land, changed their school and opened two businesses. As his businesses grew,
he started to build the house that Silas eventually sold.
Dakore still wondered how her mother got that money. One day,
she would demand answers. Since that day, they were rich. She and her brother
went to the university and graduated with good grades. Silas got a very good
job in a marketing company and Dakore started her own business with the help of
her father. His own businesses closed down when he was diagnosed with
diabetics. He chose not to disclose the poor state of his businesses until it
was already too late. His wife had retired and had become a housewife. When Mr.
Roberts died, their lively mother was never the same.
Dakore thought. Maybe she should get her certificate and
search for a job. No matter how small the salary, she would use it for other expenses
until she was able to find another strategy to get the money for the main
operation. It hasn’t gotten worse, for the main time, her mother could still breathe
on her own.
***
After satisfying the accountant with a blowjob, Caroline went
to her office to check her mails and left to see Bruno again. He was already
coming out from his office with his Louis Vuitton briefcase. It contained few
documents, gadgets, wallet and a pack of condom.
“Going home already?” She asked as she enthused closer to him.
He looked at his secretary. “Send a mail to everyone informing
them about a meeting next tomorrow by 8am.”
“Okay sir.” The agile young man said.
“I am likely to employ a new P.A tomorrow. When Miss Uchenna
brings her, direct her straight to my office.”
Jimoh and Caroline acted surprised.
“Yes sir. Sir, is it a male or a female I am expecting?”
Bruno gave him a displeasure look.
Jimoh looked down. “Sorry sir. I will bring her straight to
your office.”
“Why don’t you take her to your house,” He hissed and
muttered. “Idiot.”
“Sorry sir.”
Bruno said nothing to him and glanced at Caroline. “Yes, you
were saying?”
Deep down, she felt embarrassed and belittled in front of a secretary
that highly respected her. What she had planned for him, Bruno would never know
it came from her unless she revealed her true color. Caroline heaved a sigh and
smiled. “I wanted to check on you.”
“Why?”
“It’s because of what happened. I am surprised you are leaving
the office now.”
“I am going to see my father.”
“Oh. How is his condition?”
“He won’t die tomorrow. Do you have anything else to say?”
“Not really. I will walk you to your car.”
“I don’t need a babysitter Caroline. I know what happened
today is sad and unfortunate but if you want to walk with me to my car, no
problem. Let’s go.”
***
After a short period of reasoning about how to overcome her
challenges, Dakore went back to the room and met her mother seated on the bed.
“Mom!” Dakore sauntered towards her. “You should be resting.”
“Tell me why you were crying. You better tell me now.”
“It’s nothing to worry about and besides your situation makes
me cry.”
“This is not only about my predicament. Something is wrong.
What is it? Is Silas okay?”
Dakore could hardly hide the scornful expression surrounding
her face.
“Did Silas do anything wrong?”
She heaved an audible sigh and sat beside her mother. “I am
having financial issues. It will be hard for me to come up with the money for
the surgery. The goods I was expecting and the money in my account has
disappeared. Going into details about it will only make me cry more. I am tired
of crying.”
“Then let’s sell the house!”
Dakore was stunned.
“If you are going through such a thing, sell it. We should
have sold it after we buried your father. That house reminds me of him. We will
rent a smaller apartment, you will use the money to stand on your feet, give
Silas some and if the remaining balance is enough, I will do the surgery. It’s
not as if I will die tonight or tomorrow, we will overcome this.”
“Mom, this is a heart problem. I know the medication given to
us for now is sustaining you, but for how long? Are we going to allow your
condition get worse than this before doing the right thing? That is not what I
want for you.”
“I know what you want. You want me to have a successful
surgery and return home. I am getting older and you and your brother are still
young. Don’t allow my health weigh you down. I know you are strong and smart
and no one can ride on your intelligence. If no one is willingly to help without
getting into your pants, sell the house.”
“I have sold the car.”
Mrs. Roberts widened
her eyes. “Why?”
“I don’t have money and I will have to pay for your drugs and
other hospital bills.”
“You didn’t have to sell the car.”
“It is the right thing to do now.”
“You would have convinced Silas to sell his power bike instead
of that car.”
“I think he has sold it.”
She shook her head and asked. “By the way, where is Silas?”
Dakore kept her mouth shut.
“Dakore, is Silas sick? Is he in danger? Did something happen
to him? Please, talk to me. Was he involved in an accident?”
“Mom!” Dakore uttered and stood in front of her. “Silas is
hale and healthy!” She burst into tears.
Her mother took her hands and held them tight. “If he is fine,
tell me what is making you to cry.”
She released her hands and turned her back. “Silas sold the
house and left the country with the money.”
Dakore
heard a thump and turned back to see her mother fallen on the bed. Fear gripped
her as she called out her mother without getting any reply. She ran to a nurse
and another raced to call the doctor. Dakore was left alone outside the room as
her mother was attended to.
***
Bruno drove into his father’s mansion. The gateman welcomed
him and Bruno promised to see him before leaving. He entered into an amazing
and beautiful private living room of his father. Mr. Kingston, tall and slim,
was eating diced pineapple and watching a Hollywood movie. Bruno didn’t greet,
he sat down at the right side with a frown on his face.
Mr. Kingston took the remote beside him and lowered the volume
of the gigantic television. “Someone is in a bad mood.”
“Good evening dad.”
“I don’t think the evening is good to you. What is it?”
“Gabby is dead.”
He made a face and wore an uncertain look. “Who is Gabby?”
“Gabriel my personal assistant.”
“What! How did it happen?”
“He died in an accident.”
“You couldn’t get him a plane ticket?”
“Do you want to blame me for his death?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You should have allowed me to finish. He went to his village
and yes, I sent him an amount of money that could get him a plane ticket. I
don’t want to talk about him. I just came here to check on you.”
“I won’t die tomorrow.”
“I know. Caroline sends her regards or do I have to explain
who she is.”
“I don’t have amnesia, son. I know her. I know you have always
wanted a sister, I could adopt her for you.”
“I believe she has a family. When I wanted a sister was a long
time ago. I no longer need one. I already treat Caroline as one except when I
am not in a good mood. Is mom at home?”
“No.” His father replied. “She is on her way home. Don’t tell
her Gabriel is dead.”
“Why?”
“I said don’t tell her. It will be a mistake if you do.”
He wanted to talk when the Chief cook came to salute him and
brought a plate of chicken salad, pineapple juice and two apples. They heard
the sound of a car.
“Thank you Mrs. Edet.” Bruno said.
“You are welcome sir.”
Mr. Kingston pointed at her. “Tell Jerry to get me the green
file in my office. It is on the left side on the table.”
“Yes sir.” She strolled away.
Bruno ate and drank from the juice. Mrs. Mosun Kingston walked
inside. A young lady carried some bags, greeted the Kingston’s family and went
inside the house. Bruno rose and pecked his mother on her cheek. She smiled at
him. Seeing Bruno always made her happy. They sat down together.
“How was your day?” He asked her.
“Lovely. You didn’t call to inform me you were coming, I would
have returned early and prepared something nice for you.”
“It’s whenever Bruno comes here you enter into that kitchen.”
Mr. Kingston said. “You didn’t even look my way when you came in.”
“Don’t be jealous dad,” Bruno said. “You live with mom, I
don’t anymore.”
“Don’t listen to your father,” Mosun said. “We will settle
after you leave. Is Gabriel not yet back from the village he travelled to?”
He quickly glimpsed at his father who shook his head and
focused on his fruit.
Bruno rubbed his laps and sighed. “Mom, Gabby died in an
accident.”
The news robbed her of speaking. She could only open her mouth
wide. It took her almost a minute for her to speak.
“Oh my God! Why would such a thing happen to him? He was a
good man who treated you like a king. He never wanted anything bad to happen to
you. I really liked him. Who is going to look after you?”
“Mom, I will take care of myself.”
“When you moved out, I never got worried because Gabriel was
there to monitor everything around you. Who will do that now?” She briskly
lifted herself. “You will have to move back into this house.”
“Mom!” Bruno’s eyes travelled to his dad. Mr. Kingston looked
another direction.
“Don’t mom me! Gabriel is no longer here to look after you on
my behalf. Move in or I and your father will move into your house.”
“I am not going anywhere.” Her husband said. “He is welcome
back here.”
“Dad!”
“I warned you.”
“Bruno Kingston,” His mother called his name. He gazed at her
with a frown. “I am your mother and you will listen to me. Move back in until
you find someone like Gabriel. I will not be able to sleep at night if you are
alone in that house.”
“I’m not alone. My chef and housekeeper stays with me.”
“For three times in a week! The two of them looks like people
with no strength. I wonder where you got them from.”
“Gabriel was not even living with me so what’s the fuss about
me not being safe because he is dead.”
“That is not the issue here. Move in and find another personal
assistant.”
“The office assistant is already looking for a good applicant
for the job. I am sure she will get a good lady from a good home that won’t
steal from me. Don’t worry, I will get someone.”
His statement got the attention of Mr. Kingston. “A female
P.A?”
“You better don’t sleep with her.” Mrs. Mosun said.
“Mom!” Bruno spat out. “Come on! I cannot downgrade myself to
that level. I have taste and sleeping with my personal assistant is off limit.
It has never crossed my mind to do such. I like being professional.”
“I know that you like being professional,” his father said. “But
employing a female assistant to do what Gabriel did for you will change you.
Women are fragile. They become emotional especially when you are harsh on them.
You might act as if you don’t care about people, I believe, there is somewhere
in your heart that is soft. I would have advised you to get someone that is
married, but your passion for calling people in the middle of the night to do
something for you will not be accepted by the spouse.”
“I don’t need a married woman. Uchenna will not disappoint me.
She has been trying to impress me because I don’t like her. Caroline might get
one for me too.”
“I have told you what I want,” Mrs. Mosun said to him. “Don’t
make me come to your office and drag you here.” She didn’t wait for him to
speak. She quickly walked out on them.
“Is mother actually serious?” Bruno asked his dad.
“She is serious. Didn’t I warn you?”
“You didn’t tell me why and I wanted to find out her reaction
in case you were exaggerating. I am no longer a baby. I can take care of
myself. Maybe she is doing this because she misses Bayomi.”
“I doubt that. You are her favorite.”
“I’m not. She loves Bayomi and myself equally.”
“I don’t have the urge to argue. Where is Jerry?”
“I’m here sir.” Jerry came out from inside.
He had been waiting for them to finish their conversation
before walking to meet his boss. He gave him the document, greeted Bruno and
left. Mr. Kingston extended the document
to Bruno. He took it from him.
“What is the document all about?”
“Will you read it and stop asking me a stupid question.”
Bruno grunted and read the document. He stared at Mr. Kingston
dazed. “You want to start an NGO?”
“Yes. I want you to register it, do the necessary requirements
and get people to work for you.”
“Dad, I have a lot on my table and you want to add another
one? I don’t have time to have fun anymore. Sometimes I work on Sunday. Focus
on getting another kidney.”
“I don’t need another kidney.”
“This NGO will be on hold.” He looked at the document again
and glanced back at his father. “Who gave you such idea? The organization will
focus on people with heart conditions. Such ailment is extremely expensive. We
can focus on malaria, fever and headache.”
Mr. Kingston laughed. “I think that is a joke.”
“It is father, but I am not cut out on spending huge sum of
money on people with heart conditions, especially sick patients I don’t know
personally. If we know anyone, we can help, but putting all our attention on
more than one person will require millions of naira or even dollars.”
“We have money and wealthy and influential people will also
donate. I want to be remembered for this and you are the only one that can do
that for me. I have you, but your mom has no one.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “What does that mean?”
“You think your mother isn’t tired of working? It’s just that
she is scared to handover her business to someone she doesn’t trust. If only
she had a daughter to pass the business to.”
“Is that why you want to adopt a grown woman? You and mom
should have adopted a girl when I asked. I was seven years old when I started
begging for a younger sister.”
“Your mother tried to get pregnant but it didn’t happen.”
“Like I said before, both of you should have adopted and I
would have loved her like my own blood.”
“I know.”
“As for the NGO, I will think about it.”
“It’s a good thing, Bruno.”
“I know. I will think about it.”
“If you had a wife, probably she would advise you on what to
do. Your mother could even give her the business.”
With the file in his hand, Bruno stood up and adjusted his
jacket. “I didn’t come here for lecture on marriage.”
“Your mother and I are old enough to have grandchildren. You
are not getting any younger. Your mom does not want to discuss about it because
she does not want to get you upset. As for me, I will tell you the truth. Get
married before it is too late.”
“I will get married when I am ready.” His dad was beginning to
piss him off.
“You are leaving. Won’t you finish your meal?”
He peeped at the food and took one of the apples. “I am
satisfied with the little I managed to eat. Tell mom I had to leave. I will
call you.” Bruno marched to the door.
An idea came up as Mr. Kingston thought of his son. “I think
it’s a good idea making an effort to employ a female personal assistant. “
He opened the door and turned back. “Thanks dad.”
“If you think she is perfect for the job, bring her home for inspection.”
“No problem.”
Bruno walked away and closed the door gently. As
he stepped outside, he felt relieved. He was definitely going to get married
someday but surely not soon. Few years ago, he was ready to be a father when
his past girlfriend, Nancy, a top model in South Africa revealed she was
pregnant. He begged her to keep the pregnancy, that he would do anything for
the child. She wanted more. Nancy didn’t want to be a baby-mama but his legally
wedded wife.
Marriage was off his list and because of that, she aborted the
pregnancy without the consent of Bruno. When he found out, he ended the
relationship and told her never to ever contact him again. She never knew he
had ordered an engagement ring he wanted to use to engage her. He told Nancy,
she cried and begged him to take her back. He refused. Not that he really
desired to wed her, he planned to deceive her with it and when she gave birth,
he would cancel the engagement.
Six months ago, she called him she was in Nigeria for a runway
show. Bruno said he was busy and he had a jealous fiancée. She cried on the
phone, revealing she still loved him and was ready to do anything for him to
take her back. Bruno told her he was getting married soon.
When the ring he ordered from Dubai arrived, he kept it in his
pigeonhole and whenever his parents sat together and talked about marriage, he
showed it to them and revealed he would engage his girlfriend soon. He was
lying. It was a plot for them to back off for a while and whenever they asked
if he had engaged his girlfriend, he normally gave them excuses. The last
excuse, he told them he engaged her but she died in a plane crash. Ever since
that day, they stopped asking.
Bruno got into the car and opened the pigeonhole. He removed
some books for him to get through to the small black box. He took it, opened it
and the diamond stone glittered on the white gold ring. He didn’t need it
anymore, he wondered why he has not sold it. Perhaps, it might be useful to him
someday. Although, it certainly would not be the ring that he would use to
engage his wife even though it happened to be expensive.
The woman that was going to be his wife must be special, very
special to his heart. The soft spot in his heart his father talked about was
meant for his missing rib. He believed in love. Bruno was scared he might not
get someone who would love him for who he was and not what he had. He put the
ring and the books back and prepared to drive away. When Mr. Kingston heard the
sound of the car, he smiled naughtily. What he had planned for his first son,
Bruno would never see it coming.
Waoooh, I can't wait for Bruno and dakore,to met
ReplyDeleteWaooh I can't wait for bruno,and dakore,to meet, nice one carina j
ReplyDeleteBn long u saw me!! Compliments of the season to all CKJReaders and Kike herself.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this story and can't wait for Bruno to meet Dakore��
Bn long you saw me!!! Compliments of the season to all CKJReaders and kike herself. Finally able to leave a comment😓
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the next episode.