Episode 9
Minutes after Jack left, Omolara was being dragged towards her bedroom by her two rascal friends. Despite her arguments, her father had placed a call to the familyâs doctor who promised to arrive as soon as he can. She had asked after her mother and been told that she was in the bathroom. Her father also seemed fazed that she wasnât out yet.
Lara sighed as her friends talked endlessly like parrots but strangely, she couldnât hear a thing. Too many thoughts were running through her mind like tiny butterflies, refusing to go away. Jack clung to her brain like a background paint. His attitude was as puzzling as it was worrisome. Apart from the time she had seen him at the boutique, she had only spent a few hours with him in the car and few minutes with him in her house, but all in all, he continued to puzzle her the more. She remembered his âdestinyâ reference and frowned the more. What a strange man! She thought. Then she remembered the smile he gave her father; in fact, everything about his brief discussion with her father hung over her head like the canopy of a parachute. She knew that others might not have noticed it, but then, she was always known for seeing beyond the ordinary and reading more meaning to everything. Jack had stood before her father and unlike other men; he had been fairly calm, looking straight at her father without jittering. She had been greatly impressed and judging from her fatherâs smile, she knew he was too. But there was something elseâŠ
Not only had her father given Jack his private pass card, which was something so unusual â it still puzzled her that he did -, Jack had broken into the first sincere smile as he collected it. Her breath had been knocked out as she watched his eyes dance with humor and his lips curl up in the telltale smile.
The hard edges of his face had softened and for some seconds, Lara thought about the beautiful man before her, but then, as she continued to stare at him, she had shivered.
Is it possible that the smile made him look more dangerous? His eyes had caught a fire that she couldnât understand, like he had just been presented with a box of his favorite candy. Surely she was over-thinking things, she thought to herself as Teresa and Bolaâs voice floated back to her ears. They were talking about her, there was no doubt about it, she thought with a smile, but again, she couldnât join in on the conversation.
She was yet to see her mother! Should she check on her in her room? God forbid something had happened to her in the bathroom. She was about to turn to do just that when Teresa yanked open the door of her bedroom and her eyes fell on the form on her bed.
She frowned deeply. âMum?â she gasped out as she left the side of her friends, dashing across the room, despite the ache in her body.
Sewa pulled up on the bed to a sitting position, her eyes swollen from tears. âOh⊠Omolaraâ she m0aned as she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand like a little child. Teresa and Bola were glued to the ground, staring with wide eyes. Even Lara was stunned. This had to be the very first time she would see her mother in tears.
âMuuumâŠâ she drawled, overcome with emotions as she moved closer to her mum, but Sewa shrank away.
âNo, donât come near meâ she gasped out, sobbing. âI am a terrible motherâ
Lara frowned. What is going on here? âWhat are you talking about mum? Of course not, you are the best mother I could ever pray forâ
Sewaâs tears seemed to increase. âNo. No, donât say that. I am horrible; very horribleâ
Lara was in a state of confusion. She couldnât understand anything anymore. Maybe it was because she was terribly tired, terribly hungry and in need of good sleep but right now, her brain couldnât process what was going on. Doing the only sensible thing, she lowered herself onto the mattress slowly and watched as her friends also took their places on the bed. She had never seen them so sober except maybe in a funeral and she might have laughed but then, the situation at hand wasnât hilarious even in the least.
âMumâ she murmured softly. âHow can you say a thing like that? You are the best woman I know. I wouldnât wish for any other woman in the world to be my motherâ
âIt is trueâ Teresa backed up. âMany times, I wished you were my mother. Lara is such a lucky Bytch, she always gets the best of everythingâ
Despite the foul language Teresa used, Lara was grateful that her friends were here, if she had to face her crying mother by herself, coupled with the confusion she already felt, she might have just gone crazy.
âBut, how can I be a good mother?â Sewa continued. âMy own daughter was kidnapped and I couldnât do anything to stop it. I couldnât save my daughter; I couldnât even do anything to get her back! I was helpless. I couldnât help my own childâ
This was the first time that Bola and Teresa would hear plainly that she was kidnapped, but thankfully the two didnât look too stunned. They obviously have deduced that fact from the various innuendos they had been hearing and now, they all looked at Mrs Banks with compassion.
âOh mumâ Lara said and hugged her mother. She just loved this woman. âHow can this be your fault?â She murmured into Sewaâs shoulder. Drawing back a bit, she looked her mother in the eye. âYou couldnât have done anything, even dad, despite his power and authority could not do anything. Stop torturing yourself! I am fine, you can see that right?â she said smiling. âBut you donât look like my mother! My mother doesnât cry, in fact, she would be fussing over me right nowâ
she said grinning.
Finally, a small smile broke on Sewaâs face.
âExactly, that is the woman I knowâ Bola seconded and Sewa finally giggled softly and the giggle became infectious because all the three women soon started grinning.
Sewa looked at her daughter. âWell, you do look a messâ she murmured. âLook at your hairâ she promptly started fishing out twigs from Laraâs hair, doing her best to rectify the hair with her hands. The three friends erupted in laughter at Sewaâs predictable attitude.
âYes! That is the mother I knowâ
With the emotional tension out, Teresa and Bola were themselves again. âDonât worry mumâ Teresa said, jumping to her feet. She would be as good as new in no time.â She declared.
âYou can count on itâ Bola said too, then frowned as she looked at Sewa.
âBut, you do need some rest mum; it looks like you havenât slept much latelyâ
âAnd you didnât have that bath dad talked aboutâ Lara supported, feeling overwhelmed that her mother had been so worried about her; damn that kidnapper! Her mother almost looked like a child! Even her dad had been terribly worried, she almost couldnât believe it.
âWell, how could i?â Sewa responded.
Bola went to Mrs Banks and pulled her up gently from the bed. âWhy donât I escort you to your room and get you a cup of steaming hot tea, so you can drink, take a bath and have a refreshingly restful sleep uhn?â
Teresa and Lara grinned at Bolaâs ploy. âYesâ they chorused
Sewa looked at them like they have lost their minds. âDo I look like a baby to you girls?â she queried, with a raise of her brow.
âNo, but we can pamper you, canât we?â Teresa answered.
Bola put her arm around Sewaâs shoulder and started walking towards the door with a bemused expression on Mrs Banks face.
âIs it tea you prefer or coffeeâ Lara heard Bola say, and was giggling uncontrollably to herself until the door closed behind them and Teresa turned to her with a straight face.
âWhat are you giggling about? It is your turn!â she declared and the smile slipped dramatically out of Laraâs face. âStrip out of that rag and get in the bathroomâ she ordered.
Jack put the second box into the boot of his car and Felix leaned against the door at the entrance of the apartment, watching him. Felix would never understand that man who was his friend. He flattered himself by telling himself that he knew Jack more than anyone else, but with each passing day, Felix had every reason to believe that he was just as clueless as everyone who had come in contact with Jack Andrews. He had thought living with Jack would make him more accessible but it seemed that Jack had even become more mysterious than ever.
âWhere are you going to Jack?â he asked the third time as Jack closed the trunk of the car. Exasperation never worked with Jack so he made sure his voice was still very controlled.
Finally, Jack looked at him as he climbed up the small stairs and entered the apartment. âThere are a few things I need to sort out and I need to be alone to do thatâ he answered simply.
âIs that all you are going to say?â now, frustration was setting in.
âWhat else do you expect me to say?â Jack returned as he grabbed his laptop bag and his camera.
Felix shook his head. âSo, since you need the privacy, why are you moving out? Why canât you just tell me to leave, besides, I am the one squatting, remember?â he pointed out. âAre you running away from something or someone?â
For the first time, Jack laughed. âRunning? Oh no, you know I can never run away from anythingâ
Felix had to admit that it was true.
He couldnât imagine the damned man running from anything, no matter how bad it is.
âYouâre just going to have to trust me Felix. I canât toss you out, I am not that cruel, but I do need some space, believe me, it is for your own good.â He said and walked out with the laptop and camera. He dumped them on the back seat of the car and closed the door. Before entering the car, he looked at Felix. âIâll keep in touch. You can stay here for as long as you like; call me if you have any problemâ he said, and with that, he entered the car and drove off.
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Jack sat at the far end of the darkened bar with a glass of wine in front of him. He took comfort in knowing that no one could see him where he was, as he waited for Sword. He would never understand why the man chose to call himself Sword. Is it because a sword had been used to damage his face? He wondered, not for the first time, but that wasnât his worry tonight. He had known Sword for a long time and he was someone he could trust. He saw him approach and leaned fully against the chair until he got to the table.
âSirâ he greeted shortly.
Even though Sword was obviously a few years older than him, he accorded him with due respect. âSit Sword, you have done a very good jobâ he murmured.
âThank you sir.â He answered.
âThe boys have the money already?â he asked
Sword nodded. âThree hundred million Naira. Countedâ he answered shortly.
âI see you increased it; that is goodâ he said as a small smile touched his lips. âGive the woman 200 million, be careful, she must not know about me, do you understand?â
Sword nodded.
âYou can take the remaining hundred, to be shared with your menâ
Sword sat up and his eyes grew round. âBut⊠what of you?â he gasped out.
Jackâs face drew up in distaste. âI donât want anything from that man! I already have what I needâ
âThank you so much sirâ
Sword could barely contain his delight. Hundred million for him and his men? That should settle him financially for a long time, if not forever! Jack smiled. âI know I donât have the right to question your motive sirâ Sword said hesitantly. âBut whatever it is, could you be gentle on the girl?â
Jack stared at Sword for some seconds. âShe hasnât softened you, has she?â he couldnât believe it.
Sword shook his head. âIt is just⊠she seems innocent despite her sharp mouth. Please forgive meâ
Jack said nothing for some seconds, then he stood up. âDonât worry, she is not my target, only the baitâ he said and walked away.
Sewa Banks pulled the shawl over her head, hoping it was enough to serve as a proper covering to prevent anyone from recognizing her. She walked through the dark passage and heaved a sigh when she got to the last door on the left. She knocked three times and the door was yanked open instantly. She entered the room instantly and the door immediately closed behind her. Instantly, she lowered the shawl and faced the man behind her angrily.
âI told you not to hurt her Sword, I saw bruisesâ she burst out.
He was silent for some seconds. âI didnât want to, but she spat on my faceâ he returned.
She opened her mouth to speak again and closed it. She had to get out here fast. âWhere is the money?â she said in a small voice.
âIt is with me. I would have it deposited bit by bit into your account by different people to avoid suspicionâ he said.
âOkayâ she said.
âIt was good doing business with youâ Sword said and stretched his hand out for a shake.
Sewa stared at the hand and turned away as tears sprung to her eyes. Without a backwards glance, she pulled up her shawl and walked out of the room. She had told Lara earlier. âI am a terrible motherâ.
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