Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

I’m.. I’m home” I stuttered my reply, just as my mood changed immediately from that of calmness to worry and fright as I sat up on the bed. At this point, I didn’t even know the “home” I was referring to or would tell her to meet me if she decided to.
“Diamond or Eta-Agbor?” She asked wanting to know my actual location
“Diamond….” I replied dragging the diamond word as I immediately remembered I had never mentioned this new apartment to her. How then did she find out?
“Ok. See you tomorrow. Just stay indoors” She said and ended the call Just as I tried asking her a question
“Wait wait Vivi.. Which of your…” The line was already dead before I could complete my sentence. I wanted to call her back but decided against it.

While I wasn’t exactly surprised she had knowledge of my Diamond apartment, the question on my mind was for how long had she known? But then again, I immediately remembered what she had just said about her boys being gunned down and the need for me to remain indoors until the following day when she’ll meet me. If the Cartel was actually after us like she insinuated, then I’ll be a fool to spend the night here. This location was already compromised as far as I was concerned.

Grabbing my shuttle bag, I took my laptop, wallet and some clothes and left my apartment for a hotel around the area. Even with the high presence of security personnel in the area, I just safer outside my home.

Finally in the safety of my hotel room, I put a call to some contacts I had in Calabar south who confirmed the attack to me. I had no plans getting back to Lagos for the Easter celebration, but with this news, I was beginning to consider that option. I slept off worrying about the while situation I found myself in.

****

Having paid for three nights, the following day I remained in my hotel room until around some minutes past 2pm. I intended to stay lodged in the hotel while I got the situation report to decide whether I’ll leave town or not. Rather than call Vivi, I waited for her call which she eventually did around 2pm. I was skeptical about telling her my actual location when she asked, so I told her to tell me where I should meet her instead.
“We need to talk, seriously Fury. Where are you?” She had insisted
I then told her the hotel i was lodged in and she said she was on her way since she was already in the area.

About fifteen minutes later, the receptionist called my room to tell me someone was at the reception to see me and i told her send her over after confirming it was Vivian.

****

“Funny you don’t trust me again, and now hide things from me” She replied when I opened the door for her
“Just being careful. Besides, I learnt that from you” I replied closing the door behind her after she stepped in.
“I hate you” She said walking towards and finally sitting on the bed.
“I love you” I replied laughing as I locked the door
“You used to, until you started lying and hiding things from me. Least I forget, screwing your landlady’s daughter also” Though it was funny to me that she had always known what I felt was hidden, I could feel the sadness in her voice. It was had to believe she loved me that much to be jealous, but the look in her eyes confirmed she wasn’t happy. So I stopped smiling
“Say something” She demanded when I remained silent and kept staring at her
“What should I say?” I replied feeling remorseful
“Start by telling me why you went against your promise to stop selling after your exhausted what I gave you. Then you can also tell me about your Abuja trips, where I presume you are getting your stock from. After which you can tell me why you felt you could hide your apartment from me” She said without breaking eye contact
I remained silent and weak in my knees. I left the door and went over to the chair by the dressing table in the room.
“I’m sorry Vivi” I said sounding defeated
“That’s because you just realized I’ve been aware not necessarily because you actually are” She said
“I don’t know what else you want me to say then” I retorted
“I have a question Fury, and I need you to be honest with me this time around since everything between us have been a lie from day one” She said regretfully
“You know that’s not true Vivi. Agreed I screwed up big time keeping things from you, but you can’t say I never really cared about you” I said defensively
“I didn’t say that. Don’t change my words” She said, indicating that I was trying to misconstrue her.
“I understand English perfectly Vivi” I said indicating I knew what she meant.
“I was going to ask you a question” She said changing the topic
“Of course you were, carry on” I replied not ready for a fight
“Why with all the options at your disposal, did you choose this life?” She asked.
“I don’t get your question” I replied sincerely wondering what she was driving at.
“Is this really the kind of life you want? Living in the shadows when ever you hear someone you know has been killed? Always looking behind you or over your shoulders? Always scared?” She explained her earlier question indicating if I truly wanted the life of illicit drug trade.
“Hmmmmm” I heaved deeply, just as her message sunk into my head. “I don’t know Vivi. Maybe it’s fate”
“Thanks for being honest. I just feel a sense of guilt for what you’ve become” She said
“What I’ve become?” I replied wondering what she meant by that statement.
“Yes.” She said not actually explaining the question on what I’d become.
“About yesterday…” I began after about ten seconds of silence between us.
“I think She’s after us” She said calmly not letting me finish my statement.
“Who?” I asked
“The goddaughter” She answered
“Who’s that?” I asked
“She controls the Cartel and is gradually taking out her opposition. She’s coming for me next” She replied
“How did you come about that information?” I asked her
“It was an error letting that girl go that night” She said ignoring my question on how she knew a certain goddaughter was after us or responsible for the murders so far
“But you regretted the other one?” I asked trying to reconcile her regrets in killing one girl that same night, at the same time wishing she had killed another.




Again she ignored my question but said “Come away with me Fury”
“To where?” I asked stretching out on the seat.
“I’m leaving Nigeria for Canada” She said shocking me.
“Huh” I muttered surprised “When?”
“By the end of this month” She said looking away from me.
“That’s in two weeks time. When and why was this decision made? You just have a year left in school?” I asked confusedly
“We’ll start afresh over there. I have a feeling I won’t live to celebrate my next birthday if i choose to stay in Nigeria” She answered forcing back tears.
“And when were you gonna tell me about this? When you were about boarding for your flight?” I asked. She could feel the anger and disappointment in my voice and tone
“It was the only way I could think of paying you back for hiding all you thought you had hidden from me” She said amidst sobs after about ten seconds of silence
“I’m hurt Vivi” I said sincerely looking away from her
“I am too. But we can still do this together you know. You can still leave with me. You’ve made alot of money to start a decent life over there devoid of crime or violence. We can get your papers ready in three weeks”
“I’m not sure if I’ll be willing to do that now” I said honestly. I didn’t know if it was the money I thought I was making that was clouding my sense of judgment or just the anger i felt towards her for keeping this away from me.
“Fair enough” She said calmly
We sat quiet for about two or so minutes before she stood up to leave after picking her purse from the bed.
“You’ve operated successfully due to my protection on you even though you crossed me severally. But I’m afraid I can’t guarantee that again” She said in matter of fact way
“What are you talking about?” I asked confused as hell
“I was being serious when i said i was tired of this lifestyle and I’m leaving it behind. I can’t go back to this life fury and I’m not going to ask you to leave anymore. I realized this is want you want but I’m just saying you’re now on your own” She replied indicating she was cutting ties with me
But i wanted to avoid further misconceptions by asking her “Are you saying goodbye to me Vivi?”


She looked outside the window for a moment before calmly saying “I wish I could Fury. Only we’re now bonded by…” She started but ended halfway looking at her tummy as she sat back down on the bed and began to sob.
I looked at her and I could make out only one meaning from what she just said and that gesture. “You’re pregnant Vivi?” I asked shocked and confused
She closed her eyes and heaved deeply while nodding in affirmation before saying amidst sobs “Six weeks”.
I felt a mixture of fear, shock, surprise, anger, happiness and disappointment at her revelation. But before i knew what i was doing, i was knelt between her legs hugging her and promising never to leave her. I also promised and agreed to leave with her so we could raise our child together.

But it was never to be.