The Accountant episode 14

The Accountant –

EPISODE 14

After paying for the phone and getting the receipt, Peter walked her to the car.

As she got to the car, Mrs Williams slid in the driver’s seat, dipped her hand into her bag on the passenger’s seat and brought out a card.

‘’This is an invitation to my Pre-Xmas party. You should come.’’ She wound up and drove off without getting

a response from Peter.

He dipped he card into his front pocket and headed to Wale’s office. He was alarmed when he met Pa Tewotegbo lying on the floor.

As Pa Tewotegbo lie on the hospital bed, he knew it was time to meet his ancestors. He couldn’t pacify his son into taking him home instead of wasting money here in the hospital. He told his son it was time he meet his ancestors and these doctors cannot save his life. His son disagreed.

He sighted Peter at the outer window and gestured him to come in. His son excused them.

‘’How are you feeling now, Baba?’’ Peter asked calmly.

‘’Well, my dear, when it’s time, it’s time.’’ He said, half sat-up. ‘’How about the girl?’’

‘’I couldn’t talk to her in person, but the woman she came in with said her name was Nike. She grew up in Ife.’’

Peter declared. ‘’What about this girl, baba?’’

‘’You know Peter, that’s your ticket to becoming the most powerful man in the Yoruba land.’’

‘’What do I need to do?’’ Peter asked with his eyebrows raised.

‘’Firstly, you need to quit online scamming. Secondly, get this girl to marry you. I’m sure you can do that, you’re a sweet talker.’’ He said showing a weak smile.

There was silence for a moment.

‘’I’ll work on that, Baba.’’ Peter stated.

‘’You should go. Get me my son, it’s safer I take my last breath with him by my side. You don’t want any trouble.’’

‘’Sure. Thank you, Baba.’’ Peter said as he side hugged Pa Tewotegbo.

Ten minutes after his son and some of his children walked in, Pa Tewotegbo gave up the ghost.

Now, at the back of a ride not his, but that of Ikeja Police Department, he pondered on how the sweet

Marry-Nike-Plan went soar.

Perhaps the mysterious four hundred and fifty thousand naira credit into his account played the lead role. He thought of how Nike was falling for him until the news of the money came into the picture.

Amanda didn’t keep her end of the bargain after all.

Pa Tewotegbo had really helped, leading him to her, but he had messed it all up on his own.

Perhaps if he gets out this kidnapping allegation, he will change his course. He had held Nike against her will. He had wanted to take her to a safe location where he could think of what to do with her, since winning her over seems unobtainable anymore. His car engine refused to start on time, and when it finally powered up, before he could get to the room where he had tied her and also gagged her mouth, the cops were already keeping them company.

When did the Nigerian Police become this effective? He asked himself.

One thing he was definitely sure of was going back to his old life.

He took a sigh of relief at the thought of going back to his online scamming. ‘’D–n these whites, I’m

coming for you.’’

Nike walked aimlessly in her room pondering on the information that just got to her. She had dreamt of being the wife of a prince back then when her affair with Deji was as hot as hell. Becoming a queen of an Ooni was something she had never thought of. She knew how the Ife Kingship title works due to her relationship with Deji. Unlike some other Yoruba kingship titles where the son of a demised king automatically inherits the throne, the Ooni of ife was rotated among the four Ruling Houses.

This setup has made it almost impossible for the son of a ruling king to become a king.

Now, she was going to be a queen. She needed to get married also. She chuckled at the thought of

matrimony. She wasn’t going to marry herself and there was no man in the picture. Guess the Ife throne has to be on hold for now.

She heard a knock on the door. Turning the door knob to open it, she saw Deji Adelowo standing at the doorway.

‘’I know you asked to be left alone, but that was over an hour ago. We need to talk and it can’t wait.’’ He said with a gesture for her to step outside.

What could it be this time? She thought. Today was going to be the most memorable day of her life. She

was held hostage by her boyfriend. Well, almost boyfriend. She got to know the woman she cherished

the most in her life wasn’t her biological mother. She got to know the birth mark beside her belly button was only unique to the members of the Adekanbi Ruling House.

The gods couldn’t be wrong, they had chosen her to be the queen. She had always loved and respected the Ife tradition. Her mother, no, her guardian had always encouraged her to get accustomed to the tradition.

These thoughts were running through her mind as they made their way to the balcony.

‘’Before you start. I need to apologize for not listening to you when you asked me to stay away from Peter.’’ Nike expressed in an aw shucks manner. ‘’I didn’t know he was like that.’’

‘’Of course you didn’t, but you need not to apologize for that. I’m the one that should be apologizing.”

‘’Why would you do that?’’

Deji suspired, then said, ‘’I’m sorry I didn’t believe you all this time. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the opportunity to explain your side of the story.’’

‘’What do you mean? I’m confused.’’ She uttered with a puzzled grimace.

‘’I just found out you were set-up with Alani. My mother was the master planner.’’

‘’Oh.’’ Nike’s eyes widened.

‘’I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry. I knew she didn’t approve our affair back then, but I never knew she could go that length to end it. I agreed to studying abroad after the incident. I had no better way of surviving the heartbreak I felt than to stay far away from Ife.

He paused and moved closer to Nike who was now resting her head on her arms which were placed on the balustrade. Tears rolling down her cheek.

She raised up head. ‘’I helped my mother with her plantain chips business. I had to hawk several times,

although she didn’t want me to. I needed to help her in order to raise some money for me to continue my

studies. Going to the university was my dream. I had to do all I could to make it happen. Things were

worse when I lost my mother.’’

‘’Your mother. What happened to her? You didn’t have any one back then except her. How did you cope after you lost her?’’

‘’She suffered from cancer. We had no money to continue treating her. ‘’ she sobbed. Her expression

clouded with sadness at the memory of that time. Deji’s eyes was now filled with tears. He could no

longer control it.

‘’Few days before my mother gave up the ghost she saw Mrs Williams on the T.V, then she was still the

Commissioner of Women affairs in Lagos. She told me was her twin sister. No doubt. They looked so much alike. I did all I could to get in contact with her, maybe she could have helped with mother’s condition. The effort was fruitless. I only got to meet her few months ago. She was shocked when she saw my mother’s picture.’’

“I’m so sorry for all that you have went through. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I wish you can forgive me.’’’

‘’There’s a lot to forgive.’’

’I know.’’ He suspired. ‘’I’ve never been able to love any woman after you. My mother figured it out, that was the reason she set me up with Theresa…’’ He paused and continued, ‘’…Theresa have been trying to keep up with me, but I knew she can’t continue to do that for long. Though I’ve tried to hide it, but the Unclad

truth is I’m stuck in love with you. ‘’ He said, meaning every single word.

Nike took a deep breath. Her gaze fixed on her first love. She could swear never to have seen him look this defeated. The reflex motion of her eyebrows revealed her surprise.

‘’I know you don’t have to feel the same way, not after all this time. You still need to hear it from me.’’ He made a motion to leave the balcony, but before he could vanish from her presence, she spoke up.

‘’Deji, please wait.’’ She said and walked towards him. ‘’I never thought this day would come, that you’ll realize how wrong you’ve been about me. It’s better later than never. The truth is I’ve never stopped loving you either. Matter-of-factly, I don’t want to be a queen if you, Adedeji, are not my king.’’ She confessed.

He pulled her close to him. They kissed like royals for several minutes. After breaking the kiss, she asked with a grimace of joy, ‘’when are we going to Ife, my love?’’

‘’Whenever you’re ready, Queen. But first, there is someone we need to see.’’

Since the news of Ife title got to her, Ireti had been pacing nervously in her living room. How in the world will Nike become a queen? From where to where? Has the prestigious Ife title began to been extended to foreigners? To hell with the Adekanbi’s birthmark she has. Since when does that count?

She knew Ifarotimi was responsible for the revelation. Perhaps it was high time they have him replaced. Old age was starting to affect his consultations. She thought.

The screeching sound of a car brought her back to reality. It was evident she has company.

Shortly, Deji stepped into her living room. Ireti’s stare was already frigid, but when Nike walked in beside her son, it became hyper-frigid.

‘’Good evening, mom.’’ Deji stated calmly.

‘Good eve….’’ Nike wanted to say but Rachael quickly cut her off.

‘’Eh! Eh!’’ she uttered disgustingly at Nike, ‘’just because my son brought you here doesn’t mean you’re welcome.’’ To her son, she said, ‘’what’s the meaning of this?’’

’Mother, please take it easy,’’ Deji beseeched.

Deji stepped few feets closer to Ireti. Nike stood right where she was, close to the door.

‘’This attitude will only get you into more problems with me.’’ Deji said.

‘’Problems? We’ve always had that whenever you’re with this social climber.’’ Ireti stated nonchalantly, sharing a quick glance between her son and Nike.

‘’This one’s different, mother.’’ He paused. Stealing a quick glance at Nike and back to her mother. ‘’Why did you have to separate us back then at Ife by setting her up with Alani?’’

There was silence in the room. Ireti could see their faces expressionless. This girl has influenced her son.

She sighed. ‘’It was all for you, son.’’ Ireti said in an usual soft tone.

‘’How was your evil act done because of me?’’ he demanded.

Noticing the unpleasant stern in his son’s tone. She said, ‘’you were blinded by your infatuation for her and were going to deny yourself quality education. I couldn’t let that happen.’’

‘’Mother, did you know what she went through before she could get through school?’’

‘’I wouldn’t care. I just wanted the best for my son…’’ She stated deadpan. ‘’I didn’t regret the act. Look at you now, son, you’re a branch manager in a bank at a young age.’

‘’Oh, mom. You just don’t get it. Do you?’’ Deji uttered disgustingly. ‘’Most of my colleagues that are branch managers studied here in Nigeria. So what’s the big deal?’’

‘’De…’’ Ireti wanted to speak but was cut short by her only child.

‘’No, mom. I don’t want to hear it.’’ He motioned for her mother to stop talking, ‘’the next thing I want to hear from you is an apology to Nike. You owe her at least that. Just so you know, we’re getting married.’’

Ireti could swear her son had never spoken to her in this cruel manner. The little witch from Ife had turned her son against her. Apologies her foot. She had done all what her ungrateful son had tagged evil for his own good. ‘’No way.’ Ireti shook her head.

‘’Then you’ve lost me forever.’’ He turned to Nike. ‘’Please let’s go.’’

He moved quickly to the door and twisted the knob. He motioned for Nike to lead the way, but before she disappeared from the room a voice said, ‘’I’m sorry.’’

Nike and Deji then looked back to confirm whose voice it was.

‘’I’m very sorry for all have put you through, Nike. Adedeji is the only one I have in this world, and I’ll be damned if I lose him.’’ Ireti said softly with gaze fixed on the next Queen of Ife.

If settling with Nike was the price she was going to pay for being the Ooni’s mother, so be it.
Ireti promised Doyin she would see to her promotion. In response to that, Doyin agreed to let go of the Ladies’ incident. That wouldn’t be good for the royal’s image.

Theresa accepted her fate. Perhaps she and Deji were not meant to be. She continued to be a family-friend to the royals.

Amanda was promoted to the level of a branch manager after Deji’s resignation. She became the Queen of Ife’s best friend.

Bunmi was shocked when Nike made her the bridesmaid. She automatically fell in love with Nike after the announcement.

Peter lost the kidnapping case and was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.

Nike and Deji got married two weeks later. Although the notice was short, but the wedding was a huge success. Mrs Williams, the maestro of party planning was at her best.

The king’s coronation took place few weeks after the wedding. Adedeji Adelowo became the fifteenth Ooni of Ife, taking the regnal name Olukosu II.

He and his queen were madly in love with each other. He later became the only Ooni in history to practise monogamy.

THE END

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