3RD OCTOBER 1997
EP 14
Greed burn a man’s soul, turning it into an empty shell. When a man wants to owns it all, he continually chases shadows until he’s lost in his own darkness. Donald was a good child, responsible and kind but he was also a child who was crossedbred with a seed of greediness. From childhood, he was made to believes that, he was going to become the chairman of BEICO CONSTRUCTION LIMITED chairman. His conscience, his reasoning was tilted sentimentally towards this expectations that he deemed himself the only one deserving of the position. Donald could be rational about many things but for the position of the chairmanships, he wouldn’t tolerate a competitor no matter who the person was. He knew about Richard but to him, Richard was just a wasteful useless adopted child deserving of no such position.
It was on a monday morning and the general shareholders meeting was scheduled the next day. It was a very crucial meeting that would determine the solidness of Donald’s position as the only qualifying candidate for this position. Mr Jege, through his political abilities had lobbied with many top directors and large shareholders to cast their support for Donald should in case any unexpected competitor came up.
The office was busy and lively, the tension could be seen on almost everyone’s faces. Workers gossiped silently between each other anywhere possible. “I heard the chairman want to enthrone his son Donald tomorrow” one person said secretly in the dressing counter. “Imagine, i heard Richard is the real son of the owner of the company o but was chased away by the current chairman” another chipped in. “Ssshhhhh!!!” Another warned as she heard a footsteps approaching.
Richard sat quietly in the cafeteria munching on his snacks, two pieces of gala and a chilled bottle of coke. He gnawed at it like it wrecked of awful taste. His mind was in great turbulent flow of thoughts. Tomorrow will soon arrives and he needs to stand up right before that carnivorous Jege to declare his intention to be the chairman of the company. He was quite aware of the mocking looks people threw at him for being an imbecile of a child. He ate his food silently and walked out, hundreds of eyes threw scornful looks at him. “That man wasted his resources on such a child” one man said as he walked past them. He heard him but he pretended to be deaf and walked ahead.
Richard had really camouflaged himself so well that Mr Jege never suspected such ambitious intention from him. Mr Jege knew he had several enemies but Richard was the least of his worries as he was always answering loyally to him. Few weeks ago, Mr Jege had called Richard to his house informing him of his intention to relinquish his position to Donald in the upcoming meetings, Richard was calmed and pledged allegiance to him. “Sir, I’m actually grateful that you have helped grown the company to this level, my father would be proud of you from beyond too. You don’t have to be bothered, Donald has proven himself severally to be worthy of the position of the chairmanships. With my little shares, i will support him to the position” Richard assured him calmly like a lion waiting in ambush for its unsuspecting prey. When a man is stronger than you, the only strategy to have a chance of winning against him is calmness and silent preparations. Richard laughed sarcastically in his heart as he made the pledges that day. Now, the day was just few hours ahead and the tension was everywhere, Richard was almost melting into thin air as he worried about the outcome of tomorrows event. He knew ultimately that his life would come to a total abrupt ends if he looses, the eyes of the people won’t let him lived further but it was a fight he must tried.
A week ago at the hotel, Samuel was kidnappedd and blindfolded in the car. His hands were tightly tied, his legs bonded and he could feel the cold month of a gunn pressed hard against his stomach. “May i know what exactly is my offence, if this is about money, let’s talk about it” Samuel said calmly though his face showing fears. All his life, he had lived in the absence of great fear of deathd, what he really feared was dying without avenging his parents. “Hahaha!! Young man, you’re funny, you think we’re some hungry men looking for a few millions?. No! We’re not here for money but your life” the one holding the gunn told him plainly. He could hear his own stomach growling from uncontrolled trepidation, though he pretended to be calm but they was a great river of worries rummaging his system. He knew what a gunn could do if it was fired so he began to cry just to look pitiful to control their emotions. “Please do not killl me at this young age please, i beg you” Samuel pleaded crying profusely like a child. They laughed at him and taunted him, calling him a weak man. “We’re sorry but it’s unfortunate that today will be your last day on earth, you offended someone you shouldn’t have stepped on his toes” the driver told him as he zoomed off.
Samuel knew Nickolas would risked his life to save him but the question was, would Nikolas be fast enough to get to the only junction that would give them a safe chance on time?. Samuel worried about what would happen next but he had to think positively so he breathed in heavily and closed his eyes waiting patiently for the future.
Nickolas was loosing it already, few years ago in Canada, Samuel picked him from the lowest point of his life. He bought his life by paying a debt that almost claimed his life. Samuel did that without asking for a payback so Nikolas had pledged his life to Samuel without coercion. In Canada, Nikolas had lived s life of jails, a life of lawlessnessa and his body had different marks memorizing some of his ugly encounters. Though Samuel persuaded him from actively engaging in lawless activities but they still had their gunss for personal uses.
Immediately he received Samuel message and decoded it. He instructed his three men and instantly they rushed out all prepared for the worst and best situations. Nikolas was a very smart criminall, he had many cunny ways of disguising during operations. Him, with the three guys dressed up in a neatly iron pressed police uniforms. From their looks, they was nothing suspicious about their impersonation as they looked a little more neater than the real officers.
At the junction, with boldness, comportment and calmness, Nikolas and his boys stood with their gunss pretending to be police officers. They lightly check cars and never made troubles to avoid escalation before their desires was achieved”Good morning sir, good morning madam, this is the Nigeria police force, can you please show us your driver’s license?” They politely requested from drivers. “wow, i never knew our police could be this nice and welcoming” many road users remarked. Nikolas was becoming too troubled when they waited fruitlessly for over twenty minutes, he could only hope Samuel was still alive.
“Boss, i think they are police officers at the junction” the one driving announced immediately he sighted the police from afar. “hahaha, they’re always a joke ! a joke!!. Nothing to fear, just squeeze few thousands of naira into their hands and we’re good” the boss snorted. “Any reckless move from you and i will blow off your head” the other warned.
Samuel breathed in heavily with a sense of relief when he heard them talking about police. He knew who those police might be so he felt rest assured of his safety now.
“Good morning sir, this is the police force, may i see your driver’s license please?” Nikolas requested with a deceitful smile on his face. “Officer officer, i have my driver license” the driver replied with a friendly smile and handed him the driver’s license. “Sir, can you please park well beside the road here?” Nikolas commanded as his boys pulled up their gunss pointing at them immediately they rushed to open the remaining car doors.
TBC
