Chapter 52b

Chapter 52b


Some hours later, Andy lands in Lagos and collects the envelope from Zubar. He opens it and found a CD inside it. He played it and was dumbfounded, he started pacing, waiting for the same call he almost rejected the day before....)

ANDY : that bastard....he thinks he can make a fool of me....after all the money he has been collecting from me....(As he was thinking of what to do, his phone rings)...hello? You bastard! You have started again? All the money you collected from me isn't enough?....
CALLER : (laughing)....Andy Silva...
ANDY : what do you want this time? How much?....
CALLER : hmm....
ANDY : and this time around, you and I will have to meet, you must make an agreement with me that you will not blackmail me again.
CALLER : fine.
ANDY : what is your price?
CALLER : 5 billion dollars...
ANDY : (shocked)...what! You must be going out of your mind! Where do you expect me to get such a money from?
CALLER : that is entirely none of my business. You get it or I bring that video out on TV stations and on the internet.
ANDY : hmm....(Thinking of what to do)...
CALLER : and oh, I want the money in cash.
ANDY : what! Cash! Are you in Nigeria at all, didn't you hear that money laundering is now highly prohibited and no one is allowed to withdraw huge amounts of money anymore?
CALLER : that's entirely your problem not mine. Just get the money not later than one week from now....that means it has to be ready by next Sunday...
ANDY : but....(The line went dead)....hello! Hello!....that bastard!.....this time around, I don't care what happens, you're going down!




(Jordin is about leaving for the UK in a few days, so he shows up at Bukola's residence for a chat.

After getting him a drink they both settle down to talk...)

JORDIN : Bukola, we really need to talk...
BUKOLA : hmm...(Sitting down opposite him)
JORDIN : for the past few days after your reunion party, you've been acting really weird. In fact, I'd say since the reunion. You don't even call me anymore, knowing I'm here in Nigeria just because of you...
BUKOLA : I'm sorry, I've been quite busy...
JORDIN : even with the public hols?
BUKOLA : em....
JORDIN : (cuts in)....anyway, that's just by the way, I wanted us to talk seriously about us...
BUKOLA : us?
JORDIN : yes...I think it’s time we took this relationship to the next level...
BUKOLA : (surprised)...next level?
JORDIN : yes, the next level...
BUKOLA : but...we've only been dating for about six months...
JORDIN : is that not enough to get more serious?
BUKOLA : em...well...it’s not that...(Stands up and walks towards the window)...
JORDIN : then what is it?
BUKOLA : em....(Thinking of what to say)....you know, you are there and I am here...
JORDIN : why not come over there then.... we have to be in the same Country....and moreover you can practice over there...
BUKOLA : em....(Looking skeptical)
JORDIN : or don't you want to come there?
BUKOLA : not come, settle...
JORDIN : (surprised)...you don't want to settle there?
BUKOLA : (turns to look at him)....look Jordin, it’s the UK, a white man's land, practicing there can't be the same as being here, my father land...
JORDIN : but you're a citizen, things will be easy for you.
BUKOLA : why don't you come here? You're an Architect, you can work anywhere.
JORDIN : not here. I don't like it here, moreover this country is not safe, bombing everywhere...
BUKOLA : Lagos is safe...
JORDIN : who says? No one knows when it will start here...
BUKOLA : no, it won't, God forbid...
JORDIN : that's not the issue...you're supposed to be where your husband is.
BUKOLA : (coming back to sit down) where would we live?
JORDIN : where else? My house.
BUKOLA : but Jordin, you are staying with your Mum and you know both of us don't get along fine...
JORDIN : you'll have to work things out with her.
BUKOLA : (stands up again)....what? You know she doesn't want you to marry a black girl, so how do you think we can work things out? I've tried so many times to appease her, bought her gifts, try being a daughter but she told me out rightly that she doesn't want me and she can never like me, no matter what I do. So then how can we work things out?
JORDIN : look Bukola, all these are excuses just for you not to come there. I can't come here for you, I can't leave my Mum over there and be here, she doesn't even like this place, that's why she left my Dad in the first place. You have to be the one to come over there if you really love me...
BUKOLA : alright then, can we stay somewhere else? Like Hampshire for example...
JORDIN : (stands up)...what! How can you say that? It takes almost four hours to get to Manchester from Hampshire! I can't do that to Mum, I'm the only one she's got and you want me to leave her staying all alone?
BUKOLA : Jordin...(Moves closer to him)....I'm just saying this in order to ensure there's peace. If we stay in the same house with your Mum, even you won't have peace of my mind. She'll always complain about me, even if I ignore whatever she does...look, if your Mum and I are in good terms, there won't be a problem even if we decide to stay in a room.
JORDIN : Bukola, Mum's not as bad as you're making this sound. I don't know why you can't try to accommodate her, knowing she's all I've got...
BUKOLA : (Takes a deep breath)....and if I don't want to?
JORDIN : to do what?
BUKOLA : to live in the same house with your Mum...?
JORDIN : then I'm afraid we're heading nowhere...
BUKOLA : nowhere?
JORDIN : yes, nowhere. (Standing up)...I'll give you some time to think about it...I'll be leaving in a few days. Let me have my answer then...(He leaves Bukola's house angrily)

(After Jordin left, Bukola seem to be in a dilema, not knowing what to do. She decided to call Susan for an advice...)

BUKOLA : Suz
RECEIVER : hey Bukola...what's up?
BUKOLA : I need your advice Suz...
RECEIVER : hope there's no problem?
BUKOLA : Suz, Jordin just left now he said he wants us to take our relationship to the next level.
RECEIVER : oh really? That's cool...but why do you need an advice on that? Don't tell me you're still thinking of Jide...
BUKOLA : no it’s not that. He wants me to move to the UK with him. And you know how his Mum can be...
RECEIVER : yeah you told me. But you guys don't have to stay in the same house with her.
BUKOLA : I also suggested that but that's what he wants. He wants us to stay with her.
RECEIVER : haha....doesn't he know his Mum's reservations about you?
BUKOLA : he sure does.
RECEIVER : and yet he wants you to stay together with her?
BUKOLA : yes, since he's her only child.
RECEIVER : but that's ridiculous...making a mother-in-law stay with you, especially when you two don't get along...
BUKOLA : actually, if we were getting along, it would have been fine but we don't.
RECEIVER : so what do you want to do?
BUKOLA : sincerely, I don't even know.
RECEIVER : hmm...Bukola?
BUKOLA : yes?
RECEIVER : is that the only reason why you don't want to go or there's another reason....Jide for instance...
BUKOLA : oh Suz, I don't even know.
RECEIVER : Okay come over and let's talk.
BUKOLA : alright.





(Andy has been very worried about the call he received. He kept thinking of what to do when he remembered his sponsor....)

ANDY : yes. How come I didn't remember that....I saw fake dollars with him...I could use that....(Thinks for a while)...but wait, what if this bastard finds out I gave him fake dollars?....let me call Adebayo up first, there may be a solution...(Brings out his phone and dials his number)....hello?
RECEIVER : hello sir...
ANDY : hello...how are you?
RECEIVER : very well sir.
ANDY : that's good...em...please I need your help on something very delicate. Please can we see?
RECEIVER : em....when sir? Because I'll be leaving for the US soon.
ANDY : oh...can we make it today or tomorrow then? It’s really urgent.
RECEIVER : okay sir. Should I come over to the house?
ANDY : yes please, I'll prefer that.
RECEIVER : no problem, I'll be there briefly tomorrow.
ANDY : I'll appreciate that.
RECEIVER : alright sir.
ANDY : thank you...(hangs up)...I seriously need a second opinion on this issue....




(Tunji Adebayo shows up at Andy Silva's house the following day. Andy was really very glad when he saw him...)

ANDY : thank you so much for coming...(Giving him a handshake)
TUNJI : it’s nothing sir. I owe you all I am today....(Taking his seat)
ANDY : em...(Sitting up)....please I have a problem and I think I'll need your help.
TUNJI : what's that sir?...(paying him more attention)…
ANDY : please I may need you to get me those fake dollars by next week.
TUNJI : (surprised)... fake dollars?....(Being skeptical)
ANDY : don't worry. I just need it for something very urgent.
TUNJI : em...okay.... Like how much?
ANDY : I need up to Five Billion worth...
TUNJI : (cuts in)...That much?
ANDY : yes.
TUNJI : when do you need it?
ANDY : By saturday.
TUNJI : saturday! ....but sir are you sure there's no problem?... Because I don't have up to that amount with me and the ones I have, I made them in china. Except I give you their contact, then you discuss with them if they can do it for you.
ANDY : em...(Thinking of what to do)...no please, can't you arrange it for me, somehow?...(Not wanting to be the culprit in case they get caught)
TUNJI : I could, but the time is too close. I should be in the US by next week...
ANDY : I understand, but please this thing is very important.
TUNJI : if I may ask, does it have to do with your election?
ANDY : yes. It may impede my election....
TUNJI : (sighs)....hmm...(Shaking his head)....isn't there something else we could do? Because it takes a week to do just five hundred million dollars. If you have to hurry them up the outcome won't be very good. It will be too vague and...although depending on what you want to use it for, if the receivers are good, they'll know....
ANDY : (takes a deep breath)...and I only have up to this saturday...
TUNJI : huh....but sir, why not tell me what the problem is, we may find another way out...
ANDY : hmmm......(Takes a deep breath again)....someone is blackmailing me and he's demanding for five billion dollars.
TUNJI : what! Five Billion! That's outrageous! Those bastards, they demand for money as if you've got it stashed away just for them....sir, if you ask me I'd say we think of something else.
ANDY : (happy he did not ask what he did)…I can't think of anything else. He said he has given copies to his friends and if anything happens to him, they will broadcast it immediately.
TUNJI : (starts laughing)....oh my God...
ANDY : you're laughing?
TUNJI : sir...it’s really funny because I can't believe you also believe that crap.
ANDY : but...
TUNJI : (cuts in)…it’s a lie...
ANDY : how could you be so sure?
TUNJI : (laughs again)....sir, let's be logical about it....if his friend really has the copy you're talking about, don't you think they would have been too inquisitive to wait till he dies or something happens to him first before checking it?
ANDY : (getting really confused)....em...
TUNJI : (cuts in)...sir....if I give you something now, telling you not to open it till something happens to me, do you really think you'll wait till something happens to me before you open it?
ANDY : ....hmmm.....(Nodding)
TUNJI : and if you finally open it and find out what's there, do you think you will sit still, knowing it’s something you can use to get money out of someone? Someone has rich as you are?
ANDY : (looks at him)....so you're saying it’s a lie?
TUNJI : of course it’s a lie...(Adjusts on the seat)....sir, the only probable thing is for him to keep it somewhere his friend can go only after his death.
ANDY : (thinking)...hmm...that's very logical.
TUNJI : sir, things like this are not new to me at all. I've had to deal with such criminals so many times. They get something on a mistake you made years ago and they want to use it to exhort you. I deal with them as they come and they've never been a serious problem for me....
ANDY : how can you help me then? I don't want this fool to broadcast this thing before the elections.
TUNJI : he won't. We'll deal with him...has he given you details of how he wants things done?
ANDY : actually, this is not the first time. He has been using it long before now.
TUNJI : and you've been afraid to deal with him because you feel his friends will broadcast it...(Shaking his head)...okay sir…(relaxes and decides to flow with Andy)… what plan do you have?
ANDY : my intention was to give him the fake dollars...
TUNJI : what if he finds out?
ANDY : the election may be over before he does and by then immunity will cover me.
TUNJI : and if he finds out before the election?
ANDY : (takes a deep breath)...hmmm...
TUNJI : then all our efforts will be futile.
ANDY : what do you suggest we do then?...I can't think of any other thing.
TUNJI : hmm....we could get rid of him...
ANDY : huh?...you mean we should kill him?
TUNJI : is that new to you sir?....(Moves closer to him)...haven't you had to do such a thing just to climb up?
ANDY : em...it’s not like I haven't but...
TUNJI : (cuts in)…then why is this a problem? At one time or the other we all had obstacles on our way forward and we've had to take them out, it’s not new...
ANDY : hmm...so how do you think we should do it?
TUNJI : simple, we give him the money...or make him think we've given him the money and then we strike.
ANDY : make him think?
TUNJI : yes. Since we can't get a fake five billion, we use what we have for now. I have about a million fake dollars, we can boost it and give him, then trace him to his house and take him out, either by fire accident or road accident...anyone of the two will do.
ANDY : hmm...(Thinking about it)....and you think nothing wrong will happen after that?
TUNJI : the worst that can happen is for someone else to start blackmailing you again afterwards...I don't think anyone would prefer to broadcast whatever it is they have against you when they can use it to get money out of you...
ANDY : hmm....I think I buy your idea....
TUNJI : it’s easier that way...except you want it to go your way.
ANDY : no, let's do it your way.



To be continued....