Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’are you for real?’’ I asked breathlessly as a new kind of relief filled my entire being. I wasn’t expecting such generosity. It really came as a great surprise to me.
‘’we will leave for the city in two days. You will stay with me until you get your spirit back’’ he answered, tapped my shoulder and left with a smile. And that was how I became very close to Kelvin.
We left the village two days later and headed to his house as he promised. He owned a very cute bungalow, well furnished and designed with superior taste.
‘’this is my house. I pay no rent to anyone’’ he revealed as we walked into the plush apartment, leaving me gasping with disbelief as I imagined how much he’s worth.
‘’this is not only my home but yours as well. In no time you will understand a lot. You will get answers to the questions I know running through your young mind’’ he said with a savvy smile. I shrugged and smiled at him.
Kelvin’s side of the story
My uncle’s death really came as a great blow to me. He was the only uncle that encouraged and regularly sent me money when I dropped out of school due to my stupidity years ago.
Before his death, he confided in me that he planned returning permanently to Nigeria to run a business. He never told me the details of the business or who was helping him with it. Hence my great surprise to learn of his death, just a day after his arrival to the country.
Yes it definitely looked like murder to me even though the medical report obtained said he died of natural causes. I was just so helpless and couldn’t do a thing than to observe as my father and uncles speedily buried the unfortunate man, leaving his young son who really didn’t know much about life or Nigeria to fend on his own.
Jude was more of an American than a Nigerian. The color of his skin, his voice, his behavior, the way he walked and everything about him was just American. I took pity on him and had to offer him a life even though what I was offering was a life of crime but then with it he could maintain his rich lifestyle, finish his education and be a good man.
So what exactly do I mean by a life of crime?? Hmmmm
Yes having dropped out of school, my parents cursed and left me on my own. I had to survive. I had to do everything to make money and of course I succeeded.
I had to join some friends in yahoo scam, we lied, we duped, we robbed unfortunate victims but it never stopped there. We upgraded to kidnapping and oil theft. In two years I had a house in Owerri where I based, plus a very fat bank account. The easiest way to make real money was through crime but it equally was the easiest to die.
Young Jude had the looks, the charms and the brain for business. Everything about him was good for business and as his new guardian, my job was to take care of him and help him to the top via any means.
Nevertheless I still had my doubts. Jude looked so tender and gentle. Somehow I was scared if he could really live up to expectation.
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HOURS LATER;
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’Thanks Kelvin for everything. You are the last person I expected to help me’’ I said to him with a heart filled with gratitude as we enjoyed an evening meal in a very plush fast food joint. He smiled and nodded.
‘’so tell me, are you a virgin?’’ he suddenly asked, leaving me totally embarrassed. I almost choked with embarrassment.
‘’come on be free with me” he urged with a short laugh. I shrugged with hesitation as my school life flashed back to my head. I never had a girlfriend but my affluent lifestyle and look really left a dozen girls on my speed dial.
‘’no, I’m no virgin’’ I stammered softly. He laughed and offered his hand for a handshake.
‘’that’s good’’ he surprisingly said, leaving me wondering what he asked the uncomfortable question for.
I had my doubts about Kelvin but he was a very likeable parson and the only one that offered me what no one else cared to offer me. I had to be strong and focused to survive and dig out those behind my father’s death.
To be continued
