The morning light barely peeked through the curtains when Audrey jumped out of bed. Today, the usual calming ritual of a long soak in her luxurious bathroom was out of the question. Anxiety gnawed at her stomach, a far more pressing concern than a leisurely morning routine. She threw off the covers and made a beeline for the bathroom. Stepping through the grand double doors, she was enveloped by a cloud of steam scented with rose petals and bergamot essential oil. Crystal clear water swirled in the oversized, clawfoot tub, adorned with clusters of floating jasmine flowers. But there was no time to indulge. A quick blast of cool water from the rainfall showerhead was all she allowed herself.
Emerging, she wrapped a plush towel around herself, the worry etched on her face contrasting sharply with the opulent marble surroundings. Today, there wasn't the usual meticulous attention to detail in her appearance. She hastily donned a white turtleneck dress and layered a crisp white coat over it for a touch of formality. An olive clutch and matching pumps completed the monochrome ensemble, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Skipping a glance in the mirror, Audrey's thoughts were entirely consumed by Chioma's plight.
Descending the grand staircase, she made her way towards the opulent dining room to grab a quick bite before going to the hospital to visit Chioma. The sight of the long, luxurious table laden with a variety of dishes did little to tempt her appetite. There was her favourite pineapple rice, glistening fried rice, and fluffy golden eggs, but worry sat heavy in her stomach. All she could think about was Chioma who was lying in a hospital bed.
'Mum, I'm starving already. Can we eat now?' Celine, dressed in her smart school uniform, turned to her mother, Isabelle.
Isabelle smiled. 'Not yet. Your dad and brother aren't here,' she replied, looking elegant in her forest green skirt suit and a string of pearls. She carried a black Prada handbag, which was being held by one of the waiting maids.
'Big brother Felix isn't going to eat, for sure,' Celine mumbled, rolling her eyes. 'I'm sure he's fasting for his girlfriend.'
Just then, Nicholas walked into the dining room, dressed in a navy blue suit, matching shoes, and gold-rimmed glasses that gave him an air of scholarly elegance.
'Dad, you're finally here! I'm starving,' Celine exclaimed.
'Dad, let's dig in. I need to visit my friend,' Audrey's voice was soft, but Nicholas still heard her.
'Felix left already,' Nicholas informed them, removing his glasses. He looked at Audrey intently. 'Are you all right?'
Audrey shook her head. 'No. My friend is in the hospital,' she said, picking up a spoon from a fancy tray. She took a few bites of the pineapple rice in front of her, then took a brief sip of her watermelon juice but it did nothing for the sick feeling in her stomach. 'I have to go,' she said, pushing back her chair.
Celine whined, 'But I haven't had enough...'
'It's okay. I'll take you to school,' Nicholas offered.
Celine's face lit up. She walked over and gave her dad a big hug. 'Wow, this is the first time you're offering to bring me to school. Who would imagine that the Senate President would bring me to school? Audrey, do you have your phone? Please, help me record this moment.'
'There will always be a next time. I'm in a hurry to leave,' Audrey replied, already at the door.
Ignoring her sister, Celine took out her phone from her limited edition Dior rucksack and handed it to Isabelle. 'Mum, take a picture of us.'
'What about me?' Isabelle asked with a chuckle, taking the phone. She walked over to stand beside Nicholas, not wanting to miss the opportunity. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she asked a maid to take the picture for them instead. They all smiled as Celine held her mother's arm, making a peace sign with her free hand, and the picture was taken. Then, they resumed eating.
Meanwhile, Audrey selected a black Maserati from the garage and drove to City Hospital where Chioma was admitted. On the way, she messaged Michael, 'Big brother Michael, Felix's girlfriend is in the hospital. She was attacked by unknown men.'
Michael received the message during a meeting with the Lagos branch executives and paused the proceedings, causing those in attendance to exchange surprised glances. As a person of great influence, he disregarded their reactions and quickly replied to Audrey, 'Is she the girl you found for Felix?'
The Lagos branch executives had heard that during meetings, Michael had enforced a rule requiring all mobile phones to be set to silent mode. Whenever a phone vibrated, it caused everyone in the meeting or conference room to exchange glances and attempt to locate the source of the sound. The person responsible for the disruption would face consequences. Because of this strict policy, everyone became cautious, as they didn't want to incur Michael's disapproval. Therefore, before any meeting with Michael, each executive would ensure their phones were turned off, eliminating any potential distractions.
This practice was meant to maintain a focused and productive meeting environment. Moreover, employees at Moon Corporation enjoyed exceptional benefits compared to those in other companies. Many of them had prior experience working elsewhere and knew that Moon Corporation's treatment was unmatched. Losing their jobs at Moon Corporation would be a significant setback, as finding comparable opportunities elsewhere would be challenging. Furthermore, the reputation of being dismissed from Moon Corporation could negatively impact their future employability.
However, recently, it appeared that Michael was no longer adhering to these strict rules. His decision to read messages during meetings had left everyone perplexed, leading to various speculations and thoughts. Some wondered if these rules had never existed, while others questioned if Michael had a specific reason for breaking them. Perhaps the message he received was essential for the company's well-being, which is why he couldn't ignore it.
Nonetheless, since Michael's arrival in Lagos, he had remained on alert, always ready to assist Chioma whenever she might need help. When he received Audrey's message, he did so under the assumption that it was from Chioma. Audrey was fortunate that Michael read her message during a crucial meeting. However, Michael had read the message because he believed it was from Chioma. Upon realising that the message had come from Audrey and that Felix's girlfriend was in some kind of trouble, he couldn't help but feel concerned for his cousin, even though he initially saw the message as a distraction.
Would he have seen the message as a distraction if it had come from Chioma? Of course not, because, to him, Chioma was the most important person in his life.
'Yup,' Audrey replied.
'Don't worry; those bad guys will pay severely for torturing my brother's woman.'
Michael's words brought a sense of relief to Audrey. Arriving at the hospital, she carried the basket of fruits and flowers she had bought on the way and headed inside, wrinkling her nose at the usual unpleasant smell of hospitals. She met Chisom at the entrance and immediately embraced her, offering reassurance that Chioma would be fine.
'How could this happen to my friend? Who could be the mastermind?' Audrey's voice quivered as tears filled her eyes. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, 'But don't worry, Chioma will get justice. I will make sure that those gunmen, no, unknown gunmen, are punished for their crimes.' Audrey felt heaviness in her heart.
'They could have killed her if your brother hadn't arrived. Chioma is my best friend, and I love her very much...' Chisom's voice trailed off, her eyes welling up with tears.
'Don't cry. I'm here for Chioma too. I consider her my friend as well. Her hospital bill and medication will be taken care of,' Audrey reassured her.
'Miss Audrey, you're very kind and generous. Before, I used to think you were a scheming person, but now I see how good you truly are.' Chisom's emotions overwhelmed her as she witnessed Audrey's kindness.
'Let's not talk about that for now. I'm desperate to see Chioma,' Audrey suggested, wanting to focus on their friend's well-being.
Chisom had never expected Audrey to come and visit Chioma, but to her surprise, Audrey remained loyal to their friendship by arriving early in the morning. Together, they made their way towards Chioma's room. As they walked upstairs, nurses and patients who recognised Audrey warmly greeted her.
Felix had secured a VIP ward for Chioma, even though her mother and brother felt uneasy about it. They had no choice but to let Felix have his way, knowing they couldn't stop him. Chioma stayed in a luxurious suite, reserved only for those who could afford such extravagance. Four or five bodyguards, dressed in elegant suits, stood outside the room, creating an impression that a wealthy patient or high-ranking government official resided inside. Felix didn't care what people would think or say; his priority was protecting Chioma.
Felix also implemented strict security measures, subjecting any unfamiliar faces to thorough scanning before granting access. A smile formed on Audrey's face as she observed the effort her brother had put into ensuring Chioma's safety. Chisom remained silent, wondering how Audrey and Felix would react if they discovered Chioma already had a beau. It wasn't Chioma's fault; although she had loved Michael from the first day she met him, he had forcefully claimed her as his. Felix, on the other hand, never gave Chioma a chance to discuss her relationship status. He assumed Chioma was his because she didn't have a boyfriend, which was true when she first met Audrey. Chisom hoped that everything would turn out well.
As Audrey and Chisom were about to enter the room, they bumped into Felix, who was almost at the door, dressed in a stylish green wool blend suit adorned with a pocket square. He wore a diamond-studded Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, which was definitely very costly
'How is she?' Audrey asked Felix, concern etched on her face.
'She's absolutely fine now... Once she fully recovers, I'll ensure she has comprehensive insurance coverage. Currently, she's still under observation,' Felix replied.
Chisom offered a faint smile. 'I'm glad you're thinking about this, but please don't proceed without Chioma's consent.' She noticed several bags piled up on the coffee table and one of the sofas. They contained all sorts of expensive supplements. The flowers in the ward were the freshest bouquets. Chisom knew that Felix truly cared for Chioma, but she felt saddened by the thought that Felix might be hurt when he found out that Chioma was in love with someone else. Anyway, she didn't blame Chioma; instead, she blamed Felix for being too bossy and domineering, and for not giving Chioma the chance to tell him about her relationship with Michael.
'Do you think I'll listen to you?' Felix's voice was defiant.
Chisom hesitated for a moment before responding, 'Uhm... fine. But sir, just this once, ask her if she would like it. Please, don't exert control over her, because she might...' Chisom paused, searching for the right words.
'She might do what?' Felix raised an eyebrow, curious.
'She might not appreciate the excessive display of wealth,' Chisom wanted to say that Chioma might not like it because she was seeing someone else, but she chose to say something else.
Felix didn't engage further with Chisom. He glanced at Audrey and said, 'Call me if she needs anything.'
Audrey nodded, offering a reassuring smile. Felix left the room while Chisom and Audrey walked inside. A nurse, dressed in a pristine white robe, elegantly documented information in the file she held. Once the nurse had completed her check on Chioma, she turned to leave. Shortly after, another nurse entered, bearing a breakfast tray. After setting it on the table, she exited the room, leaving Audrey, Chisom, Chioma, and Louisa. Louisa had spent the night at the hospital.
Since Chioma was sleeping, they decided not to disturb her. Instead, they sat quietly, hoping Chioma would wake up soon and engage in cheerful conversation with them.
Meanwhile, as Felix was about to board his car, he received a call from Peter. With his efficiency as a former soldier, Peter had managed to apprehend the men who had attacked Chioma. He had also worked closely with the police, making it easier to capture the culprits. Instead of heading to Moon Corporation, Felix drove straight to the Nigeria Police Force.
Upon arriving at the police station, Felix spotted Peter engaged in conversation with Stanley. Peter's face immediately lit up with joy at the sight of Felix.
'Sir Felix, you are free to torture them however you want,' Peter said, a tone of satisfaction in his voice.
Felix remained expressionless as he glanced at Stanley. 'Did they confess who sent them?'
'No, sir,' Stanley replied. 'But they have previous records. Some of them were involved in abduction and rape cases...' His voice trailed off under Felix's icy stare.
Felix cut him off with a dismissive wave. 'Take me to them. I need to extract the truth from them.'
Confined in the station's grim detention cell, the men sweated, their trial date a distant thought compared to the fear gnawing at them. Every creak of the metal door sent a jolt through them, a grim reminder of the reckoning awaiting them with Felix.
Felix strode into the cell. His entrance was like a thunderclap in the stale air of the cell, his presence emanating authority and danger. The scent of sweat and regret hung heavy as he confronted them. 'Who sent you to hurt my woman?' His voice rumbled like distant thunder, sending shivers down their spines.
They exchanged panicked glances, realising the gravity of their situation. Jessica's instructions to 'teach Chioma a lesson' now seemed like a childish prank in the face of Felix's imposing figure and icy gaze, promising swift retribution.
'Your woman?' one stammered, barely audible. The implication hit them like a sledgehammer—both Michael and Felix harboured feelings for Chioma.
The men exchanged incredulous looks, piecing together the puzzle before them. Jessica had instructed them to teach Chioma a lesson because she believed Chioma had taken Michael from her. However, now, Felix was referring to Chioma as 'his woman.' In that moment, the men connected the dots and realised that both Michael and Felix were in love with Chioma. This revelation left them shocked, and they stared at Felix in disbelief.
They couldn't comprehend what made Chioma so special that two remarkable men would fall in love with her. She wasn't a princess, nor was she wealthy in any way. In their eyes, she was just a plain-looking girl from a less privileged background. The situation seemed like a dramatic series, reminiscent of a show where two god-like personalities fall in love with an ordinary girl.
To these two men, Chioma appeared to be more exalted than a princess, given the impact she had on both Michael and Felix. Her qualities and personality must have captured their hearts deeply for them to feel such strong emotions for her. The situation was nothing short of an enthralling drama series, where love defied social expectations and background.
Felix fixed them with a piercing gaze, his expression icy. 'Answer my question, or I will ensure that you all vanish from this city. Who is behind this?'
Their leader, filled with a misplaced sense of pride, tilted his head slightly and replied defiantly, 'Even if you torture us to death, we won't tell you.'
Felix's resolve only grew stronger. 'I see how brave you've become. Then, you should consider your families ruined. I will uncover who is truly responsible for this, and I promise to send you straight to hell...'
A heavy silence enveloped the room as the gravity of Felix's words sank in. They knew he wasn't making idle threats.
'Felix is losing his patience,' Stanley interjected, breaking the silence. 'You know what will happen to you if you don't cooperate. The police won't show you any mercy either. So, do the right thing and receive a more lenient punishment.'
Stanley recognised Felix's power and authority and wouldn't dare to offend the Njemanzes. Even though he held a high position as a police officer, he understood the importance of not crossing the powerful Njemanzes. However, Stanley remained unaware of Felix's relationship with Chioma. He knew about Chioma's relationship with Michael but was in the dark about Felix's connection to her. Felix had referred to Chioma as his woman, which left Stanley pondering. Was it a slip of the tongue or a genuine claim? Why was Felix so protective of Chioma? Was it solely because she was his brother's girlfriend, or were there deeper feelings involved? Stanley turned to look at Felix, his thoughts racing.
'We were sent by...' one of the men started, voice cracking.
Felix's voice dipped to a dangerous tone. 'By who?' His dark eyes narrowed, pinning the man in place like a butterfly under glass. 'Who sent you?'
Felix's narrowed eyes held a storm, a storm brewing for the safety of someone precious. The man squirmed under the intensity, his bravado crumbling faster than a sandcastle in the tide.
The man hesitated for a moment before reluctantly revealing, 'Her last name is Nnaji, and she comes from a wealthy and influential family. That's all I can say.'
Felix questioned their credibility. 'Why should I believe you?'
The man bit his lips, realising he had spilled the truth unintentionally. 'Because it's the truth.'
'Ah, I see. It must be Jessica,' Felix muttered. 'But why would she send men after Chioma?' Before leaving, he turned back to the men and declared, 'There is one thing I can promise you all: you will not leave this place until the mastermind is caught!'
The men stood there in shock, trying to comprehend Felix's words. Did he really have no intention of setting them free? Was this some kind of twisted joke? They would only be released once the mastermind was caught? The mere thought of betraying Jessica, with her formidable background, sent shivers down their spines. They couldn't risk providing information about her to Felix or the police. Besides, there were countless Nnajis in the country, making it nearly impossible to identify the true culprit among them.
However, they couldn't ignore the fact that Felix had an extensive network of connections. If anyone could find the person they were looking for, it would be him. With a cold demeanour, Felix left the detention cell, making his way towards the side door. It was then that he spotted Andrew conversing with a police officer.
When Andrew saw Felix, he hurried over to him, filled with gratitude for what Felix had done. 'Thank you, Sir, for making sure those mobsters were caught,' he said gratefully.
Felix's eyes slightly twitched, and he let out a smirk. 'Young man, did you think I would let anyone bully my woman?' he replied confidently. He walked over to his sports car, opened the door, and then turned to Andrew. 'Get in,' he invited Andrew to join him in the car.
Andrew nodded, but deep down, he felt nervous and unsure about what to say to Felix. Thoughts raced through his head, My sister already has a beau. He grappled with the decision of whether to inform Felix about this or keep it to himself.
Felix settled into the driver's seat and swiftly exited the police station. Shortly after their departure, Felix phone buzzed. A small smile played on his lips as he saw the caller ID, and with a casual flick of his thumb, he tapped a sleek ear bud to answer.
'Felix, Audrey informed me about what happened. I'm returning this evening to assist in the search for the mastermind. I've also ordered them to bring the culprit to me personally,' Michael's captivating voice resonated from the other end of the line, filling Felix in on the latest developments. The conversation flowed, but Andrew stole glances at Felix, his brow furrowed in growing concern.
'Is Jessica still in Lagos?' Felix enquired.
Andrew's heart hammered in his chest. The mention of Jessica's name sent a jolt of unease through him.
'That woman followed me to Lagos,' Michael responded coldly. 'Why do you ask?'
'The men implicated the Nnaji name, but I doubt Jessica would stoop so low as to harm my woman. Maybe she sought revenge on me for not helping her win you over,' Felix contemplated.
'We'll discuss it further when I return. I promise to find evidence,' Michael assured him.
'I can handle it. Just focus on your tasks there,' Felix replied.
'By harming your woman, they've crossed the Njemanze family!' Michael declared.
'And they will undoubtedly pay for it,' Felix asserted. 'I'll let you get back to work. Please, don't rush back just yet. Finish what you need to do.'
'Okay,' Michael agreed, ending the call as he entered his study, clad in his army green cotton suit, his gaze fixed on the muted television displaying the latest financial news.
Andrew cleared his throat, finally mustering the courage to speak. 'Sir, may I ask you a question?' he blurted out, his voice laced with nervousness. Andrew turned to Felix as they stopped at a red light.
Felix raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering towards Andrew for a moment. 'No,' he said, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
Andrew's shoulders slumped slightly, but he persisted. 'I have a question that's been troubling me,' he continued, his voice calmer this time, but his eyes filled with apprehension. 'I'm afraid you might misunderstand and judge my sister unfairly.'
Felix arched an eyebrow, remaining silent for a moment before responding, 'If I were you, I would find a way to deal with those criminals using extreme measures.'
Andrew swallowed hard. 'I know I am angry but then, using extreme measures isn't my style.'
Felix shook his head, his expression resolute. 'Men like you will always remain trapped in poverty because you're afraid to confront and hurt those who stand in your way. And men like you will always lose in battles because you're afraid to eliminate your adversaries. Killing isn't my style, but I believe in never giving people the chance to repeatedly harm you.' The traffic light flickered green, and Felix pressed the gas pedal.
Andrew's worry etched itself deeper onto his face. 'But what if Chioma breaks your heart? How will you respond? Will you resort to extreme measures?' He anticipated Felix's reaction to be one of anger or offense. However, to his surprise, Felix smiled warmly at him.
'I don't believe so. I have come to know your sister through my sister,' Felix replied gently. 'Let me explain why I would never harm her. Chioma is a truly exceptional person. Anyway, you should go home and rest. It seems you're overthinking this situation. I will never allow Chioma to have the opportunity to hurt me.'
Andrew was taken aback by Felix's response. 'I thought you might say something like, 'I'll disfigure her face and blind her so that no man would ever desire her, preventing her from pursuing others.' Instead, you're still going to protect her...' he said, expressing his surprise and contrasting Felix's unexpected protective stance with the extreme measures he had imagined.
Felix turned to Andrew, who appeared worried. 'Don't you worry; my love story with your sister will be a perfect one. And anyone who tries to intervene must first understand their place...'