Episode 19
THE UNDERCOVER🎭
My eyes widened in stunned silence after the manager made that statement about Stella.
“What do you mean she doesn’t work here?. Did you even see the person I was talking about? The one on a green t-shirt”. I said, pointing at Stella in the picture.
“The fat one? Yes. I saw her. We’ve never employed anyone like that in our agency”. The young man replied, seemingly unfazed.
My mind reeled as I stared at the picture once again. Stella had always talked/complained about her work during dining conversations(the only true conversation we have as a family). I’d even dropped her off at the agency gate several times on my way to the station, so I was certain I was at the right place. And the images on the phone were clear enough; if he knew her, he would have recognized her. Or…
I looked up from my phone.”
“How long have you worked here?”. I asked, staring at him suspiciously.
“I have been here for over five years. I was made the manager last December”. He replied, feeling proud of himself.
I stared at the photos again..
“Judith and Stella?. These two are hiding a lot of things”. I muttered, still staring at the photos.
My grip on the phone tightened. I needed to rethink my investigation, re-examine every assumption.
As I was still trying to process my thoughts, the office door swung open and a pot bellied middle-aged man walked in.
His presence commanded attention, and I instinctively straightened my posture. The manager stood up.
“Good morning, sir”. He greeted the pot bellied man.
I didn’t need to be informed.. he was the director of the company.
“Good morning, sir”. I greeted him too and stood up to take my leave.
His piercing gaze swept the room, lingering on me before settling on the manager.
“What’s the situation here?’. He asked, his deep voice authoritative.
The manager hesitated, glancing at me nervously.
‘Hmm, this is Sergeant Patrick. He is here.. He said he seeks the data of one Mrs……”.
“Miss Stella Williams”. I quickly added.
“Stella Williams?. What happened to Stella? What has she done?”. The director asked, leaving me in confusion.
The manager frowned.
“Sir, the lady in question doesn’t work here. He has shown me her pictures already. She is not our staff”. The manager explained.
“What n0nsense are you talking about?. Let me see the pictures”. The director demanded.
I opened my phone and handed it to him. He took one glance at the picture, and handed it back to me.
“Stella Williams is the chief administrative officer. But she is currently on leave”. He said.
I was quick to notice the surprise on the Manager’s face. He opened his mouth to speak, but words seemed to fail him. He sank back into the seat, silence enveloping him. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya
I stood frozen from the director’s behavior. My mind raced with questions and doubts.
I glanced at the manager again, expecting him to correct the director, but he remained silent, his eyes avoiding mine.
Something is not right here. I thought.
“May I see her file, please?”. I requested from the director.
“One minute”. He said, and dashed out of the office. And he was back almost immediately with a white file in his hand.
I felt a surge of anger as he entered.
“Stella Williams is one of our top employees”. He said with a straight face, offering me the documents..
The manager shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearing his throat.
Well I took the file from him, though I knew I did not need it anymore. I had gotten all the information I needed from the manager.
I feigned a smile.
“There is no cause for alarm, sir. I’m Stella’s in law. I’m only checking up on her as a caring father would”. I said, skimming through the documents.
“It’s alright, sir”. He said, a satisfied smile playing across his face…he thought he had f00led me.
I closed the file and handed it back to him, shook hands with him and walked out of the office.
As I stepped out of the gate of the agency, the morning sunlight cast on my bald, penetrating my troubled brain.
I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. My mind raced with questions and doubts as it replayed the conversation with the director, searching for any hidden meaning or clue.
Who are Stella and Judith? How were they able to get that man by their side? Who are those women really?. I wondered.
“Oh! Patrick!See how just one night has turned your life upside down”. I muttered to myself.
I started walking, my feet carrying me away from the agency without a clear destination. My eyes scanned the crowded streets, but I was seeing nothing.
Why did it take me this long to realize this?. I wondered.
Just then, a thought struck my mind.
The way that director hurried into the office and the way he was busy defending Stella. It looks suspicious. It seems someone was giving him information.
Is someone f0llowing me? I quickly scanned my environment.
Then, Madam Mary’s last words to me echoed in my head👇
“They are everywhere. They are everywhere”.
“Someone may be watching me from afar”. I muttered under my breath. And without a second thought, I crossed over to the other side of the road, and hurried into the busy market, blending with the crowd. I knew by doing so I would have given whoever was f0llowing me a tough time finding me.
Taking a lot of crooked corners, I burst out onto a side street. I looked around, a vacant taxi caught my eye.I sprinted toward it, jerked the door open and dived inside.
“Take me to… anywhere”. I urged the driver, gasping for breath.”
The driver wasted no time, his hands moving swiftly over the controls. The engine roared to life beneath us, and with a j**k, the taxi lurched forward, peeling away from the curb. We merged into the flow of traffic, weaving through the crowded streets with a newfound sense of urgency..
On second thought, I decided to go to Judith and Stella’s family house to confirm something. The last I visited my in-laws was before the court marriage. … I just hope it’s not what I’m thinking
“Drive me to Maryland”. I commanded the driver.
The old man nodded obediently.
As the car navigated the familiar streets, memories of how Judith and I first met flooded my mind. Back then, I was under pressure from my family, especially my mother, to settle down. One evening, I treated myself to dinner at a restaurant not far from my house. Few minutes after I had placed my order, this elegant woman walked in and sat down at the table next to mine. She ordered only a bottle of water and a straw.
I found myself captivated by the way she sipped water from a bottle. Curiosity got the better of me.
“Why just water?”. I asked.
She smiled.
“I’m saving for my transportation home”. She replied.
Moved by her honesty, I offered to help.
“Go ahead and order whatever you like. I’m going to pay”. I said.
I couldn’t forget her show of gratitude.
“Thank you so much, sir”. She said.
She ordered rice and beef, and when her food arrived, she joined me at my table.
We had a great evening together and after our meals, we exchanged contacts and went our separate ways.
She called later that night and the next morning to thank me for the meal. And before I knew it, it became a habit. That was how the relationship kicked off. The traditional marriage, the court wedding.. Everything happened so fast.
Patrick, you have fμcked up.
My thoughts were distracted by my phone ringing in my pocket. I brought it out and glanced at the screen, it was Judith calling…
