Mr. Justice, two men are here to see you,"
his secretary informed him.
"Let them in," he said, barely looking
up.
"Gentlemen, you're welcome," he said
gesturing to a chair. The three men lowered themselves on the settee.
He stood up and came to stand in front of them.
"You all understand the procedures, no fucking up please," he said.
"Is he in the office?" Dayo, one of the
men asked. "Yes. Lets go."
They filed out of the office. Tamie was waiting
for them, he'd been duly informed by Justice that some people were interested
in prospecting oil on some lands in the west He was interested. He hoped the
business would yield a good development. He wanted to go into oil and he was
happy with Justice for helping him get these men.
They walked in looking impressive in suits. The
meeting lasted for an hour with Tamie finally agreeing to release some millions
for the prospecting to start. They'd agreed on N500 million although Tamie felt
it was much, but he looked at the future.
After the men had gone, Justice came back beaming
with smiles.
"When are you releasing the funds? You know
these people could sell the land to another prospector."
Tamie smiled. "Don't worry Justice, they
won't. I'll release the fund on a gradual note, you know N500 million is
much."
"Well, yes ... yes," Justice replied, a
thoughtful expression appearing on his face, which he quickly masked.
"Your marrying that girl is a blessing," he said.
"Thanks Justice. You'll be my best man. You
know this is October, April isn't too far away," he said.
"That's true," Justice replied, his
mind thinking of how he would ravish Latie after getting rid of Tamie. That
pretty bitch, he'd thought. Tamie had brought her to his place to introduce
her. He'd heard her father was a former chief judge. He stood up making for the
door.
"Man, I'd better get back to the office, there
are some documents I need to check out."
"Okay, see you later," Tamie said. He
would be having dinner at Latie's t parent's house. The old man had taken a
likening to him, when he found out who his father had been. He told him that
his father had been a very brilliant student and
they'd been friends abroad. They began planning for their wedding.
************************************
The death of Julie was a big, shock.
The news said that the plane's engine had failed
and it had plunged into the ocean. There was suspected foul play but no one was
sure. For the Orjakwus, their death of their daughter was a blow to them.
They wished it were dream they could awaken from.
Ella sat in her room crying, hours after Emeka had left after breaking the news
to her. She couldn't believe it.
What a waste! She clutched a framed
picture of Julie, which they'd taken together the last time she was, in
Nigeria. She intended to go for the wake keeping, inspite their snobbish mother
to pay her last respect.
Three days Iater, she, went there. As she made to
press the bell, a car I drove up to the gate. It was Mrs. Orjakwu and her
driver. She wound as down her glasses and beckoned to her.
"Young lady, can I help you? Ella stared at
her, surprised at the questions. "Madam …I. ... wanted to see Emeka and
also
“Really?” she replied' smiling; a chilling smile
that didn't reach her eyes. "You want to see Emeka. I've been meaning to
tell you this, perhaps this is a good time. My son is responsible, he's also
from a good home. He has a background and a root, which is traceable, and I
know you've got none of that.
So if you don't mind, you and my son are from two
different worlds that don't belong together. Leave him alone! You hear
me?"
Ella was filled with rage and shame. But she felt
pity for this woman who, instead of mourning her daughter, was fighting her
background.
"It's a pity madam, that you're Emeka and
Julie's mother. If I didn't know them well enough, I'd think probably they were
adopted!"
Mrs. Orjiakwu gasped, her mouth opened. "How
dare you say such ... "
"Yes Madam, Ella said. "But thanks be
to God, they're not as nasty as you are. They're the nicest people I've ever
met. Good day!" she hissed, walking off, tears almost blinding her as she
stumbled to the road and hailed a cab. What a horrible woman.
She thought as she flopped on the bed in her
room. She decided to attend the memorial service and damn her. She was going to
relocate to another place and break her relationship with Emeka.
CHAPTER 7
TO BE CONT.
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