SHADES OF LUST Episode 1-20

[Edoman]

SHADES OF LUST Episode 1-20


Episode 1

In front of an uncompleted one storey building, stood a boy of about twenty three years old. He was standing in front of a fresh grave, holding a candle with his right hand as tears fell from his eyes.

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My name is Jude Ibeh, a half Nigerian, and half American. Yes I used the term because my mother was a white American while my father was a Nigerian, however I never got to know my mum because she died when I was two years old leaving me solely under my dad’s care who did a good job raising me up. All I inherited from my mother was her skin color and smile.
I grew to love my dad with all my heart even though we disagreed on many things because he was so traditional and had a sort of old school mentality. He believed a lot in tradition and wanted me to accept all his beliefs which never went down well with me.
I was forced to return to Nigerian for my university education after high school without caring for my feelings. Yes Nigeria is a great country but the temperature, attitude of the people and everything about the country never suited my lifestyle.

I was admitted into Imo state university to study industrial chemistry and it really was hell for me. The lecture rush, the intonation of lecturers, the overcrowding of lecture halls, the noise and the struggles really left a sore taste in my mouth. I simply managed to pass over to my second year with lots of carryovers and yes the second year was equally stressful but much better because I was slowly adapting much to my dad’s pleasure.

But on my third year when I was finally about becoming a full time Igbo boy, my dad left me all alone in the world. He returned to Nigeria on March 1st 2012 for a little business but never lived to see the next day. You can’t imagine the shock I had when I got a call from one of my uncles that my father was dead. That he died in his sleep.
I simply couldn’t believe my ears. It sounded so unreal and unbelievable but on getting home I found out that the only person I had in the world was gone. My life instantly came to a standstill. I just felt like killing myself and leaving the world as well.

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My dad’s burial was quickly organized by my uncles who didn’t give me any say in the matter since I wasn’t yet recognized as a man. I knew my dad was murdered but I had no evidence. I had no money. I equally wasn’t man enough to challenge anyone.
I simply was in a tight corner and all I did was observe and cry out my heart.

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After the burial, I was left all alone to manage and cater for myself. I just didn’t know what to think or where to start reorganizing my life. I wasn’t good at any type of hustling. Menial jobs just weren’t for me and my uncles never seemed to care.
My dad equally never left much for me apart from the uncompleted building at home and the little he had left in his bank account after the burial ceremony.

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As I stood before my father’s grave, crying out my heart. I was at lost. I was so empty and alone. I never knew life could be so difficult and mean. I badly had the urge to abandon my studies and return to America but none of the options before me looked easy.

I felt a strong hand land on my shoulder. I turned to see one of my senior cousins smiling at me. I looked at him and swallowed hard. Kelvin was the only person who cared of my well-being during the course of my father’s burial but then his father was equally one of my uncles that I was suspecting over my father’s strange death which made me not to trust his kind gestures towards me.

Kelvin was around twenty eight years old. He looked quite rich and had two expensive cars that rolled people’s eyes but then no one could say exactly the business he was into and he never cared what people felt about his source of wealth.

‘’I know how you feel right now. I know you think the world is nothing but hell. I’m here to help you. I’m here to turn you into something you never imagined you would be. Stop crying for your dad. He is already done. It’s now left for you to continue his legacy. You are going back with me to the city and I will teach you how to survive in a Nigerian way.’’ He said with a smile while I curiously stared at him a bit confused over his words.

‘’How to survive in a Nigerian way’’ I muttered over and over to myself as I stared at him.

Episode 2

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.

Episode 3

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’So how about I arrange a girl to cheer you up?’’ Kelvin suddenly suggested, putting a tempting offer before me. I quickly shook my head.

‘’I just buried my father. No I don’t need a woman now’’ I breathed with a frown.

‘’that’s cool, but you should learn how to put aside your grief and move on with life’’ he advised softly. I sipped my drink, kept quiet for a while before throwing him a very curious look.

‘’my father was murdered. Do you have any idea who could be responsible?’’ I asked, leaving him extremely surprised with my question. At first he looked quite shocked but quickly composed himself.

‘’actually I have no idea of what exactly led to your father’s death but supposing I have something about that, I won’t tell you because you are in no position to do anything about it. You have to first relax, face your life, survive before asking questions unless you wish to die at a young age’’ he answered guardedly , leaving me shrugging with resignation.

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‘’I really want you to join my line of business. That’s the only way you can survive, make enough money to pay your bills and live a much fulfilled life. You see I run a string of networks that cut across multimillion Naira scams, forgery, gambling and so on. I have been doing it for years and yes I currently have everything I want in life. I shouldn’t be telling you all these but I think it’s my responsibility to open a good road for you. Your dad helped me when everyone turned against me. I have to reciprocate that gesture but I don’t know how strong you are’’ he breathed as we headed home minutes later.
I threw him a quick look, unable to say a word. Of course crime is something that always sends a chill through an innocent man’s heart. I felt suddenly cold.

‘’apart from the car your dad left behind, how much money do you have left?’’ he asked. I shrugged and breathed deeply.

‘’it’s not much. It won’t even last up to five months’’ I answered. He smiled.

‘’I easily could pay your school fees and support your education but after that what next?. Having a university education is no longer a guarantee of getting a good job. Most graduates now end up working at factories and workshops of school drop outs like me. Believe me, if you can be a part of my network, you will have a company of your own within four years’’ he said seriously.

‘’but why are you telling me all these bro?. You know we are not that close for you to be opening up to me this way?’’ I asked curiously. He smiled.

‘’yes I know but I always follow my heart and this time it led me to you’’ he answered.

‘’but what truly are the chances of being caught?’’ I asked.

‘’hmmm well I sincerely can’t say because no one in my network has ever been caught. We don’t pull any deal without first making sure it’s safe. We have people in every key country and bank. You have nothing to fear bro’’ he answered, leaving me totally convinced. I breathed deeply and nodded.

‘’fine I’m good to go” I breathed, leaving a very big smile on his face.

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I ended up spending three weeks at his house and what a hectic three weeks it was. I learnt a lot. I learnt that social networks just weren’t there for chatting alone, but also a very good fishing ground for scam victims. I learnt the act of fishing, profiling, packaging and presentation. I learnt to assume many identities. I even learnt some foreign ways of communicating. I learnt a whole lot with Kelvin who used the first three weeks I spent with him to teach me the secret behind online scamming.

At the end of three weeks I returned to my hostel to see if I could continue with my university education from where I abandoned it months earlier.
I returned to school a different person. I returned to school with a different mindset.

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My hostel mates all rushed into my room the moment they learnt I was back to pay their condolences. I had lots of questions to answer and no matter how hard I tried to be free with them; they all noticed that I was changed.

One after the other they soon left, finally leaving Tracy and I alone in my room.

Tracy was my course mate and someone very dear to me. She really helped me a lot in my first year and equally was very helpful in my second year.
I had to move over to my current hostel earlier in the year just to be closer to her. But my feelings for her were simply pure and harmless. I saw her as a very innocent girl who never deserved to be harmed and I never for once had any strange or bad ideas for her.
Even when I had sharp quickies with other girls, I made sure she never got to know about it. She was the only girl that understood me. But for the first time in my life, I was very uncomfortable being alone with her.

‘’you lost your dad and you never invited anyone to his burial, including me. I only got to hear about it from a course mate. And now you are acting so strange and different. What’s really going on?. You can still confide in me’’ she demanded, drawing close to hold my hand. I looked away, avoiding her gaze for no just reason. Her presence made me feel totally uncomfortable.

‘’I lost my dad. He was killed. I have no one else. I’m all alone in a country that is still a bit foreign to me. I have bills to pay. My school fees, hostel rent, test book, feeding and everything. Why won’t I look different with such problems bugging me?’’ I asked breathlessly.

‘’I understand. That’s why you should always confide in me. I’m not from a poor family. We can always find a way out, just like we did in our first year. ‘’ she said tightening her grip on me. I quickly broke free from her, stood up and breathed deeply.

‘’never mind, I already have found a way out. I have a new means of taking care of myself’’ I said without thinking, leaving her staring at me with great astonishment.

‘’what in the world are you talking about. Can you put me through please?’’ she demanded like a caring wife, leaving speechless as I instantly searched for a lie to cover my outburst but couldn’t find any.

I really liked Tracy but I had to keep some things from her to retain her respect.

Episode 4

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’listen Tracy. I’m no longer the spoilt good for nothing rich dude you used to know. I’m now nothing. I’m now nobody. I can’t even afford to take you out or buy lunch for you like I used to do in the past’’ I confessed for no reason, leaving the young girl totally shocked with my comment.

‘’are you trying to insult me or what?. Are you trying to say that I have been your friend all these while for your money or what?. I see you have nothing to talk about. You know where to find me when you get a grip of yourself’’ she replied with great energy, hissed and headed to the door. I instantly regretted every word I said to her.
It really was the first time she was getting angry with me. I kind of felt it.

‘’I’m so sorry for attacking you. I just haven’t been myself since I lost my dad and returning to the hostel really disorganized my head. I’m sorry’’ I apologized.. She stopped, turned and faced me.

‘’sharing your feelings, confiding in someone you trust can be helpful in your present condition. I suggest you talk to me. Open your heart to me. Share your feelings with me’’ she demanded soothingly, drawing close to me once again. I bit my lips and stared at her for some seconds.

‘’You won’t understand how I feel right now’’ I breathed, staring deep into her eyes.

‘’My dad was murdered. I was told he died in his sleep but that’s a mystery I’m so eager to unravel. My uncles all teamed up and organized a quick burial without considering my feelings with the pretence of cutting costs. My dad was in the country for a business he told me he was setting up the last time we talked. He equally had plans of completing his house in the village and marrying a new wife. No one has been able to give account of how his money grew winds or why he died so mysteriously. Now out of nowhere, one of my cousins is offering to help me stand on my feet. But I don’t trust him. I feel there is more to his help. I was with him for three weeks and he taught me stuffs that I never knew were real, Stuffs that I’m so ashamed to talk about. Here I’m so confused, so empty and so tired of life’’ I poured out solemnly, covering my face with my palms. Tracy drew closer, took down my hands and searched my eyes for a while before surprising me with a hug. And yes I badly needed the hug.

‘’you have every reason to be suspicious and concerned. You have every reason to seek for the truth but you are not yet ready for such because if indeed your dad was murdered, it means the murderer is still out there observing your movements. You have to let it go for now at least until you finish your education’’ she advised softly.

‘’you said your cousin is teaching you stuffs?. What exactly is he teaching you?’’ she suddenly demanded, throwing me off balance with her question.

‘’Tracy please don’t ask me that question. I beg of you. Let’s just forget about all I said to you’’ I begged softly. She stared at me suspiciously before shrugging with resignation.

‘’you have to be careful Jude. I hope no one is trying to manipulate or put you in trouble after murdering your father’’ she breathed, leaving the idea embedded in my heart as we stared at each other.

‘’perhaps Kelvin could really be behind my father’s death’’ I wondered for the umpteenth time as Tracy’s eyes met mine.
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meanwhile @joe’s Gym, works layout,
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
(Inside the gym; Kelvin and his friend Joe are seen having a heated discussion. The two guys have been friends for a long time)

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‘’so I hope your young cousin is learning very fast?’’ Joe asked me.

‘’yes the boy is a quick learner. He has the brain. But seriously I do feel guilty for his father’s death. You can’t believe the man called me to be with him the day he arrived town but I couldn’t honor his invitation because I was busy with Cynthia. I feel the man was murdered and perhaps I would have prevented it supposing I honored his invitation to be with him’’ I confessed with great guilt.

‘’jeez’’ Joe breathed.

‘’I feel so responsible. You can’t believe that the man’s money and everything just disappeared without a trace. He confided in me before coming to the country that he was setting up a business in Nigeria. I don’t have details of the business or names of his partners. His death was just so clean and untraceable’’ I added, shaking my head.

‘’he died in the village?’’ Joe asked. I nodded.

‘’yes and that’s the most confusing thing. The man always spent the night in the city whenever he was in the country but I was surprised that he spent the night in his small old house in the village. You know the old house behind the new building?’’ I explained to Joe who nodded silently.

‘’whoever killed him will have me to battle. Tomorrow I will be going to the village to confront my father. I feel he is hiding something with his brothers’’ I resolved while my friend shrugged.

‘’you are not good at playing the good guy. I hope you don’t fail in this new quest of yours’’ he grinned, lighting up a cigarette as I looked down with great worry.
 To be continued 
Episode 5

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Early the next morning, I headed to the village to confront my dad. Deep down I was extremely anxious. A part of me needed the truth while another part of me was scared of what the truth could reveal. I prayed for my dad not to be involved in the silly scandal. Of courses his involvement would affect my plans and everything I stood for.

I just wasn’t myself as I drove into our compound that early morning. I arrived home quite on time to join my parents on breakfast. Dad was of course so surprised with my unannounced visit and as soon as we were alone, he threw the first serious question.

‘’I know you aren’t here for breakfast, so what brought you home this early?’’ he asked curiously. I smiled, studying him keenly.
My old man really was a nice man who had the best plans for me. He wanted me to be a medical doctor. He wanted me to be the first doctor in the family and when I dropped out of school, he was so totally devastated, to the extent of washing his hands off me.
However when I left for the city and started making my money, he was forced to tolerate me once again, even though the pain of disappointment was still very much in him.

‘’it’s because of Jude that I’m here dad’’ I breathed while he drew back with concern.

‘’how about him?. Don’t tell me something happened to him?. You know I was glad when you took him to the city’’ he muttered anxiously.

‘’the boy is fine but I just want to know how his father really died and why you guys hurriedly buried him?’’ I asked curiously.

‘’oh not again’’ he breathed looking down.

‘’you know the boy’s father was a brother i cherished the most. He never kept anything from me till his death. I was with him the evening before his death. He spoke of many things. He told me about a shipping business he was about starting in the country. He equally told me about the lady he planned marrying. Yes the lady was with him that evening. He introduced her to me but I really didn’t pay a very close attention to her because of my bad eyesight. But she’s very pretty and a bit advanced in age. She looked about thirty to thirty three years old. Things played out so fast my son. In the morning we discovered my brother dead and all alone. The woman wasn’t there and there wasn’t any way to find her and you know leaving my brother’s body in the morgue for such investigation could drag on to a year. Who would foot the bills?. Moreover the hospital we took him to said he died of natural causes. We had no choice than to bury him’’ he explained while I shook my head with anger.

‘’dad I’m totally disappointed. You and your brothers just buried one of your own like a dog just because of this silly excuse. Can I have the keys to my uncle’s house?. I know you still have the spare?’’ I demanded with a raised tone, leaving him indecisive for some seconds. He finally rose up, went to his room and returned with the keys.

‘’find the woman and perhaps, you would get all the answers you seek’’ he said with a solemn tone as he handed the keys over to me.

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I quickly headed to my late uncle’s old house to see if I could find anything that would lead me to the mystery woman. I made my way to his room and calmly searched every bit of it. All I could find was his suitcase which had many documents inside. I couldn’t go through the documents that minute, instead I grabbed the suitcase and left the house with it. My plan was to take my time in going through the documents in my house.

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I returned to the city two hours later, so anxious to go through the documents. The first thing that greeted my eyes as I opened the first envelope I saw inside the suitcase was a signed Cheque meant for a lady with the name ‘’JESSICA SIMON”. My hands shook as I stared at the paper, trying to come out with an idea. But I barely had the time to think out anything when I got a phone call from Cynthia that she was being detained at a police station.

‘’please come bail me dear. I can’t stand this place’’ she begged, leaving me with no choice than to abandon all I was doing and head over to the station to bail her a-s out.

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That very same day,
Jude’s side of the story

I stared at the huge lecture notes before me, clueless on how to photocopy all of them. I really missed a lot of tests and assignments even though Tracy did her best in covering some for me.

‘’I don’t how this semester will be. I give up’’ I breathed to an astonished Tracy.

‘’you just have to relax; little by little you will cover everything. Tomorrow we can start by meeting the lecturers you missed their tests to explain your situation.’’ She suggested.

‘’I have to go. I have to go cool off’’ I breathed, standing up.

‘’don’t tell me you are leaving the class?. It’s barely 12pm and we have lecture by 12:30pm’’ she reminded me but my mind was already made up to leave the class.

‘’we will see in the hostel. Just take care’’ I said to her, walked out of the class and headed to my dad’s car, where I relaxed for some seconds before driving away. I headed straight to Kelvin’s house to cool off.

On getting to the house, I found it locked, but I had the spare keys he gave me. I easily let myself in, fetched a can of coke from his fridge, switched on the TV and settled down to rest. When I tried changing the channel, I couldn’t find the remote and had to go over to his room to see if he left it there. But on getting to the room, a strange sight greeted me.
‘’I FOUND MY DAD’S SUITCASE AND DOCUMENTS SCATTERED OVER HIS BED’’ I couldn’t believe my eyes as my imaginations ran wild.

‘’how could I be so stupid to believe his friendly gestures?. Of course he killed my dad. This is strong evidence’’ I shook with great rage as I backed out of his room and headed to the kitchen to grab a knife.

To be continued.

 


 

Episode 6

Jude’s side of the story continues

After grabbing a small knife at the kitchen, I slowly calmed down to weigh the consequences of my decision. Yes I was determined to stab Kelvin. I was determined to kill him like he did to my dad but after killing him what next?, I asked myself over and over.

Of course I knew killing him won’t be any easy and covering the crime equally won’t be an easy thing. Then living with such deed in my conscience equally could kill me. I wasn’t a killer. It wasn’t in my blood. But I just couldn’t let him get away so easily. I so was totally convinced that he killed my dad for money. The suitcase and documents in his room were enough evidence to seal my mind.

I slowly went back to the bedroom, packed up the documents and headed to the sitting with the suitcase in my left hand. I really was confused. I just was in a hopeless state.
Luckily, I didn’t wait long before Kelvin walked into his apartment with a well built lady. His reaction on seeing me with the suitcase was so revealing. He simply froze with great surprise as his eyes fell on the suitcase. He couldn’t say a word. Of course what was there to say?. He wasn’t expecting to see me and so had nothing prepared to tell me.

It was my chance to strike him dead with the knife. It was the opportunity I needed to avenge my father’s death but as the opportunity stared at me on the face, I realized that it wasn’t easy to take a man’s life. My hand trembled but I held onto the knife strongly with my right hand while the suitcase rested strongly in my left hand.

The lady with him stared at me suspiciously, too stunned or perhaps confused to say a word.

I hissed, threw down the knife and walked out of the apartment without saying a word to anyone.

‘’Jude, please wait. I have to explain’’ I heard Kelvin beg as he ran after me but I wasn’t ready to listen to him. I wasn’t ready to listen to his explanation. I couldn’t bear listening to his reason on why he killed my father.

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Kelvin’s side of the story

I really wasn’t pleased going to the police station to bail out Cynthia but it was something I had to do in order to continue enjoying the numerous benefits I had with her. Cynthia was a seamstress and a big time trouble maker. A no nonsense lady who was scared of no one, but then she equally was as strong as a tiger on bed which made her very precious to me. Anytime we had s-x, it was nothing but a competition on who would get tired first. She really was very valuable to me and her sexual prowess made me blinded to her faults even though sometimes I was forced to meddle in to her business just like I was being forced to come bail her out from police custody.

On getting to the police station, I learnt she was involved in a fight with a neighbor who threw dirty water in front of her shop. It really was a little issue which dragged into a fight, forcing a police team passing by to cash in on the opportunity to make some money by detaining the two women.

I ended up spending five thousand naira I never planned spending.

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‘’I’m so sorry dear. I’m sorry for making you spend your hard earned money this afternoon. It’s just that the silly girl refused listening to my pleas to stop throwing dirty water in front of my shop. Imagine after washing her plates and cleaning up her restaurant every morning she would throw the water in front of my shop because she comes very early in the morning when no one will see her. I just couldn’t take it anymore and had to slap her’’ Cynthia apologized and explained as we left the police station but my mind wasn’t on her explanation. All I wanted was to go home and get done with the documents I was in the process of checking out before I was invited to the police station.

‘’I know you are very angry with me?. I’m very sorry. How about we go to your house and see who has the strongest appetite for s-x today?’’ she pushed on, arousing me with her words as her left hand slowly reached for my trouser zip, putting a smile over my face.

‘’hmmmmm, let’s get home first’’ I breathed and softly pushed off her hand from my trouser.

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The joy on my face however disappeared the moment I walked into my apartment to see Jude holding the suitcase with one hand and a kitchen knife with another hand. I simply was at lost on what to say or do. I wasn’t expecting him; I wasn’t prepared in any way.
I knew I was wrong to go through his father’s things without first consulting him. I knew he had every reason to feel bad and suspicious but then all I did was done out of good faith, moreover he was too young to understand. I tried to talk but just couldn’t.

Luckily, he threw down the knife and ran out of the apartment with the suitcase which had the evidence I needed in investigating his father’s death, forcing me to run after him with no success. I returned to my sitting room to face Cynthia who had a thousand and one questions to ask me but I was in no mood to speak to her.

Jude really was spoiling things without realizing it.

Episode 7

Jude’s side of the story continues

I returned to my hostel to cry out my heart. I couldn’t believe all I just discovered were real. Kelvin was the only family I had left and discovering his deceit really left a great hollow in my heart. I was beginning to grow fond of him. I was beginning to feel at peace with him only to discover that he wasn’t clean after all. I felt all alone. I felt empty. I felt so sad. My heart yearned for vengeance but I was too scared and weak to confront him like a man.

‘’dear lord, you are all I got now’’ I prayed earnestly.

Tracy walked into my room an hour later with a frown on her face. It was very obvious she wasn’t pleased with the way I left school earlier in the day and the last thing I wanted that afternoon was a scolding from her. I quickly closed my eyes to avoid her gaze. She sat beside me on the bed, hesitated for some seconds before shaking me violently.

‘’so you left school just to come here and sleep?. That’s a very silly attitude. I’m far from happy with you’’ she breathed fiercely. I opened my eyes, stared at her for a while before sitting up.

‘’I went to my cousin’s house to relax , only to find my dad’s documents on his bed’’ I slowly said to her, pointing to the suitcase which was under my reading table. She gasped with surprise, reached forward and grabbed the suitcase.

‘’I couldn’t believe it. I felt he killed my dad for the contents of that suitcase and then tried to befriend me for a reason best known only to him. The painful thing is that I can’t do anything to him. I can’t report him to the police because I lack strong evidence. But I still believe he will come here with a story to convince me on letting go of the suitcase.’’ I slowly opened up to her.

‘’this is serious. I can’t believe this’’ she breathed.

‘’take the bag to your room. Hide it for me. I will figure out something soon’’ I breathed. She nodded, stood up and disappeared to her room with the suitcase. I fell back on my bed with tears in my eyes.

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Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’I know you won’t tell me what the scene I just witnessed was all about?’’ Cynthia asked, sitting on my laps. I shook my head and closed my eyes. My head just was filled up. I wasn’t myself after the incredible scene with Jude.

‘’sometimes you treat me as if I’m nothing but a call girl to you. I can tolerate anything but not being ignored. Very well, I’m leaving and don’t ever come looking for me again’’ she threatened, jumped off my body , grabbed her bag and headed to the door.

‘’I’m sorry my love. Don’t go away please’’ I forced myself to apologize, standing to meet her. She stopped, stared at me and smiled.

‘’the boy found his late father’s documents in my room and just over-reacted’ I explained. She nodded.

‘’I was investigating the man’s death and had to take some of his things without the boy’s knowledge which he found in my room. I guess he’s mind is running wild right now’’ I explained, while she came forward and threw her hands around my neck.

‘’you have to let him cool down first before explaining to him. By tomorrow, you can find a way to talk to him’’ she advised and kissed me. I licked my lips and unbuttoned her shirt.

‘’how about we play the match right here, right now. No holds barred’’ I suggested with a short laugh, taking off my shirt. She laughed and rolled her eyes.

‘’naughty boy, you want no holds by this time of the day?. I have my business to run jare. Let’s just do a quickie and that’s it’’ she muttered, taking off the rest of her clothes while I positioned myself for a quick d—-e quickie.

——————————————————

Jude’s side of the story continues

By 9pm, Tracy and I were all alone in her room. We lay beside each other like happy lovers and it just looked as if we just had a great s-x even though we never kissed for once.

‘’you know you are the only person I now have. The only person I trust. I used to have my suspicions about Kelvin but I had to push everything aside and hope for the best. I really feel bad’’ I muttered with all my heart while she smiled and embraced me with great care, warming my heart with such wonderful gesture. I felt like making love to her there and then. I felt like caressing her hair and licking her dry but something stronger than passion held me back. Perhaps it was respect, perhaps it was the fear of hurting her. I simply swallowed the sexual hunger in me and closed my eyes.

‘’you just have to forget about Kelvin and sleep. We have lectures tomorrow’’ she added softly.

—–
Early the next morning, Tracy woke me up to inform me that a man was waiting for me outside her room.
‘’he said his name is Kelvin. I guess someone directed him to my room when he checked yours’’ she explained softly, leaving me indecisive on whether to ignore him or confront him.

‘’I think the best thing is to hear what he has to say. You can still leave the suitcase with me’’ she suggested like a caring wife and I had no choice than to follow her suggestion, even though deep down I had a little strange fear in me.

‘’I hope involving Tracy in my mess won’t harm her in future’’ I said to myself as I went out to confront Kelvin over again.

Episode 8

Jude’s side of the story continues

I walked out of Tracy’s room to meet Kelvin who was patiently waiting for me. He smiled at me while I looked down with a frown.

‘’listen Jude. You have to quit behaving like a baby and act like a man. If there is anything you wish to say to me, better say it now’’ he demanded with a strong voice. I looked up at him, breathing heavily.

‘’what are my father’s documents doing in your room?. You said you knew nothing about his death but it doesn’t look so’’ I poured out bravely. He drew closer and touched my left shoulder.

‘’listen Jude, supposing I killed your dad, I wouldn’t need you for anything and you wouldn’t be alive today to question my integrity. You just need to think deeply. Why would I give you my house keys if I’m actually guilty like you think? Boy I’m just trying to help you get to the root of your father’s death. If he was actually killed, then you have to know that the murderer is still free out there and you can’t find the person without my help. Inside the suitcase, there is a signed cheque in there. That’s the lead I’m currently following. You have to give me back the suitcase’’ he explained and demanded seriously. I shook my head and staggered back.
Yes his words were totally convincing, his motive seemed genuine but I still had my reservations. I wasn’t willing to give him back the suitcase so easily. I had to study the contents of the suitcase first and I was yet to do it thoroughly.

‘’I will give it back to you but not now’’ I breathed. He shrugged with resignation.

‘’suit yourself. But how about the deals we stopped halfway the other time?. The money is supposed to come in by Monday and we still have a lot to do. You have to come over to my place for us to get done with it or are you no longer interested?’’ he asked curiously while I nodded.

‘’yes, let’s go to my room. I will freshen up and we will go to your house together’’ I answered, leaving him with a sigh of relief.

‘’a friend of mine is among sponsors of a beauty pageant going down this coming Sunday in Abuja. He gave me two VIP tickets and I know you will love to go with me’’ he offered as we walked to my room, leaving an innocent smile over my face.
———————————–

I spent the next three days in Kelvin’s house where we worked tirelessly to close a fraud deal worth 15million naira. Yes it wasn’t an easy deal, and the cost of even pulling it was close to 5million naira, not to talk of the percentage his partners were to take out of the deal.
By Saturday evening we flew to Abuja where we were hosted by one of Kelvin’s rich friends.

‘’Edu is now a big time car dealer. You can’t believe two years ago, he had nothing but two shirts and a trouser but now look at him. He has up to twenty graduates in his payroll’’ Kelvin whispered to me with a proud smile.
Yes I was totally impressed by everything he was opening my eyes to.

——————————-

Sunday evening, we found ourselves inside an exquisite hotel in the heart of the capital city. The whole environment looked like an entirely different world. I just felt so small in the midst of celebrities, business moguls, fashion designers, TV presenters and politicians. The whole place was just amazing. The show was yet to start when we arrived.

‘’you have to act like you belong here. You have your American upbringing with you. This is the place to showcase it well’’ Kelvin whispered to me with a smile of accomplishment.

For no reason he chose a table already occupied by a very beautiful light skinned lady, who sat alone, with her eyes glued to her phone. However as we approached the table, she raised her eyes to meet my stare and the moment our eyes met, it was as if the world suddenly stopped revolving. She looked so gracious, so charming and so beautiful. She looked quite older than me but it never stopped me from getting greatly attracted to her that instant.

The lady on her own part left her eyes on me longer than necessary, as if she recognized me from somewhere.

Deep down I knew my story was about to change, but what I didn’t know was if it was changing for good or for bad.

TO be continued

Episode 9

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’hi hope you won’t mind us joining you?’’ Kelvin asked the young lady politely. She smiled, throwing him a quick look.

‘’nope I won’t mind sitting with two handsome young men. I’m all alone’’ she answered pleasantly, throwing another quick look at me.

‘’my name is Kelvin and he is Jude, my cousin who just arrived from the states. I’m trying to show him around the country’’ Kelvin said with a smile, trying to start a conversation with her but then her attention was more on me and after Kelvin introduced me, her eyes kind of brightened more.

‘’are you from Colorado?’’ she asked me curiously. I shook my head nervously.

‘’no I grew up in Arlington Virginia’’ I answered nervously. Her eyes instantly fell.

‘’oh I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else. You resembled an old friend of mine’’ she said with a smile while Kelvin looked on silently.

‘’anyway I’m Mrs. Pamela, wife of a serving senator’’ she introduced herself, leaving me shocked with the revelation. Yes I knew she was very sophisticated and rich but I never imagined her to be the wife of a serving senator, moreover she looked quite young to have a serving senator as a husband. Nevertheless she was a very friendly lady and I kind of had a very strange desire to be with her.

‘’why do you look so surprised?’’ she asked me.

‘’no nothing, just that your husband is a very lucky man’’ I replied softly. She laughed and said nothing else.

The event soon started, capturing our attention. We didn’t say much to each other until she got up to leave three hours later.

‘’I can’t stay any longer. I have to leave now. You can call me up later’’ she said with a smile, offering a business card to me before walking away. I threw a quick look at Kelvin who stared at me with an open mouth.

‘’I guess she has something for small boys. Imagine ignoring me and paying every attention to you’’ he joked as I took a quick look at the business card.

‘’I like her very much and I just feel like being with her. I don’t know why I’m feeling this way’’ I confessed.

‘’you feel nothing but lust. She has a great body but she’s married. She’s married to a senator. Get that into your head’’ he advised and changed the topic without knowing that deep down I had plans for the beautiful lady.

‘’how old do you think she could be?’’ I heard myself ask Kelvin as we left the event hours later. He stared at me suspiciously before shrugging.

‘’Between twenty six to twenty eight years old. She’s quite young’’ he answered with lack of interest, but for me Pamela’s image stuck in my head and refused to leave. It really was my first time of having such strong desire to be with a woman.

We returned to Owerri the next day and yea I returned with Pamela’s image in my head. If not for one thing, I would have thought what I felt was love but perhaps Kelvin was right. What I felt was lust instead.

——————————————————

Tuesday afternoon, Kelvin transferred one million naira to my account.
‘’that’s your share for a well done job. The money got in yesterday and you know we have to work harder for another pay. Please use the money wisely. And save as much as you can’’ he advised me with a smile.
I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe myself. I couldn’t believe I could make so much money by only by sitting at home, working with a computer. I felt on top of the world. It was the first money I ever earned with my sweat.

I quickly rushed to the bank, withdrew thirty thousand naira and headed straight to a boutique where I bought a fancy gown and necklace for Tracy. I equally bought fried rice, chicken and ice cream from a fast food joint close by. My plan was to surprise her with the gifts and equally make use of the opportunity to apologize to her. Because all through the weekend I ignored her calls and messages due to the fact that I had no tangible excuse to give her on why i was away from school and I still badly needed her friendship and help.

I headed straight to the hostel with all I bought, hoping to buy her with the gifts. But it was a miscalculated effort because she shut the door on my face the moment she noticed I was the person knocking on her door.

‘’listen Jude, I don’t know what is going on with you anymore and I don’t associate with any guy who doesn’t take his future seriously. You just have to forget about our friendship. We have nothing in common any longer’’ she shouted from her room, leaving me stunned.

‘’this isn’t the way to treat a friend. At least you should have offered a listening ear to me first before concluding things in your mind’’ I shouted back, banging on her door. She opened the door once again, this time holding the suitcase I left in her care.

‘’you have to take your dad’s stuff. I don’t want it in my room anymore’’ she breathed as her eyes fell on the things I bought for her.

‘’I know you are angry. And you have every right to be angry with me. But please leave my dad’s stuff out of this. I left it in your care for a reason’’ I begged.

‘’just get out of here please’’ she muttered, sighed and shut her door again. Her action r4eally annoyed me in a way because she wasn’t my girlfriend even though we shared many things in common. I simply turned and returned to my room with all the stuffs I bought for her, regretting ever spending my money on them.

————————————-

The next day, Tracy carried on with her attitude of the previous day. She simply ignored me even though I prepared for school very early because of her and without her company in school I felt out of place and had to leave before the second lecture of the day.

The next few days would have been extremely boring for me if not for Pamela who turned out to be a very free and jovial lady. After reaching her on phone where I introduced myself all over again, she kind of became very free with me, to the extent of adding me up on her social media accounts. She was mostly active on bbm.

In no time we developed a very strong bond. I told her almost everything about myself, though I lied about my age by claiming to be twenty six years old.

‘’and what are you still doing in the university. Hmmm I really thought you were within the age range of twenty two to twenty four’’ she had asked when I lied to her about my age.

‘’my dad wanted me to study in Nigeria by all means, something I kicked against and had to spend two idle years at home before succumbing to his wish’’ I lied further.

But not only did I open up to her about myself, she equally opened up about her life to me.( Though, she never really told me everything about her life). However she told me of her fears, plans and dreams. She equally opened up about her marriage life by telling me that she was nothing but a second wife to a senator from the northern region.
‘’My dear it isn’t easy getting your life back after sacrificing a lot to get to the top.’’ Were the exact words she typed the evening she told me about her marriage life. I didn’t push further with the conversation but I knew she had lots of problems going on with her marriage and even though I had lots of questions to ask concerning her background, religion and so on, I kept them all aside because they were none of my business. All I wanted was a good time with her; A very risky adventure.

Yes and I kept my dealings with her away from Kelvin

Episode 10

Jude’s side of the story continues

As days passed by, the bond between Pamela and I grew stronger and the desire to be with her took control of my sense of reasoning and soul. In one of our late night phone calls, I finally popped the question.
‘’how do we see again?”
it was a question I used everything in me to ask. I couldn’t even breathe out of nervousness after asking the question.

‘’hmmmm why do you want us to see again?’’ she asked after keeping quiet for some seconds.

‘’we have a lot in common and I just want to spend a good time with you’’ I murmured, not sure if I gave the right answer.

‘’but we have been spending a lot of time with each other chatting and speaking daily on phone’’ she muttered, perhaps trying hard not to appear desperate or cheap.

‘’yes but that’s on phone. I want to see your face and be able to touch it’’ I answered, while she let out a short laugh.

‘’aren’t you scared of me?. Hope you still remember who I’m?’’ she asked softly.

‘’yes I very well do. You are a very charming, attractive and beautiful lady that I will do anything to be with’’ I replied quickly.

‘’hmmmm anything?’’ she asked.

‘’of course anything’’ I quickly breathed.

‘’I will be coming down to Asaba on Saturday for a wedding. Tomorrow I will send you a text message with the name of the hotel I will be lodging in after the event. All you have to do is book your own room at the hotel, when I get back from the event; I will invite you over to mine. Hope that’s okay for you?’’ she asked, leaving me extremely overjoyed.

‘’yes that’s very cool’’ I muttered with great passion. I couldn’t believe I was about having such a high class chick so effortlessly.

——————————-

I really couldn’t wait for Saturday to arrive. I was so nervous and anxious. I did a whole lot of shopping the next few days, buying new sets of clothes and Jewries. Yes I had the money to throw about, thanks to Kelvin.
However on Friday afternoon, Kelvin paid a visit to my hostel without even notifying me that he was coming. He came into my room unannounced, really surprising me with his presence.

‘’what’s up with you?. Are you still angry with me over the suitcase issue or what?. Imagine throughout the week you never bothered to check up on me or even call?’’ he asked suspiciously while I searched for a good reply to give him but found none.

‘’anyway I came to collect the suitcase to continue my investigation on what could have led to your father’s sudden demise. Yesterday morning, hoodlums broke into your father’s compound and ransacked his house. I believe they were looking for something and it could be the suitcase. So you better hand it over to me now unless you have a better plan’’ he demanded. I couldn’t believe my ears.

‘’’You mean my dad’s old house was ransacked yesterday?’’ I stammered the question. He nodded.

‘’Yes and that’s the more reason why you should trust me. Now get the suitcase’’ he demanded once again.

‘’but what do you plan doing with it?’’ I asked.

‘’I already told you that I had a lead I was following before you soiled my plans. I have the experience to decode the contents of that suitcase. It’s your property but you have to trust me’’ he answered convincingly. I breathed deeply and stood up.

‘’the suitcase is with a friend. Let me go get it’’ I answered to his surprise, quickly heading out to Tracy’s room with a fast pounding heart. It really was the first time I was going over to Tracy’s room after she shut the door on my face and equally refused granting me any attention in school days ago.
I really didn’t know what to expect from her and I prayed for her not to embarrass me again. I hate being embarrassed.

Tracy opened the door seconds after I knocked. She looked extremely surprised to see me. It very much showed on her face.

‘’hey’’ she greeted .

‘’I came to collect the suitcase’’ I said with a cold smile.

‘’what for?’’ she asked seriously, taking me by surprise with the question.

‘’I thought you no longer care?. Why ask?’’ I breathed seriously.

‘’is that what you think?. That I no longer care?. All I want you to be is a better man but you just don’t want to be the type of man I want you to be’’ she poured out, shaking her head.

‘’I cannot change who I’m because of you. You said I’m no longer worthy to be your friend and that’s fine by me. You can go find another guy you can mould into an idol’’ I said a bit harshly. She drew back, went into her room and returned with the suitcase.

‘’take it. You can go to hell for all I care’’ she breathed fiercely, throwing the suitcase into my hands but as I looked at her face, I saw that it was greatly colored up. I noticed that she was fighting hard to hold back tears from appearing in her eyes. My heart instantly softened. I couldn’t take seeing her hurt.

‘’why are you always being hard at me?. You always like to control my life?’’ I kind of stammered.

‘’because, because’’ she breathed, shook her head and shut her door on my face without completing the sentence.

To be continued