The Black Sheep Xv

Some have. Some have not. A reality that can not be changed. While we are at liberty to talk about making money and being rich, a few well bred consider it an unnecessary public discussion.
Bragging about money was not exactly Ada's thing but one look at her told of a wealthy background, no gain-saying. One would expect such a person to be arrogant, rude and obnoxious. Yet, she was polite, friendly and in the least case of not liking the person, she deals with curtsy and ethics. This has earned reputation as an easy going person. But regardless how much easy going one is, someone somewhere will think otherwise . Mercy had thought her otherwise. And had found solace with a like mind, Mr Sanya.
Mr Sanya was the type of ostentatious colleague who wants you to notice his new expensive wristwatch. When there was a social function to attend, a wedding, naming ceremony of end of year events, he was all in flashy gold jewelry. He talked about the neighborhood he stays, announcing it as being 'strictly for the rich'. He had his own clique and seemed to dole out cash leisurely.
Of course, most people who live such lifestyles always seek other ways of making money to maintain their fathom 'affluence'. While I was friendly with most of the members of staff, Mr Sanya was never really the kind of person I felt very free with.
One thing I have come to realize over time and meeting people is this: Those with wealthy backgrounds do not talk about money outside. Maybe one might call that 'proper upbringing' or 'home training' or because they just don't see anything about the fuss created around having money.

Bad belle is allowed. But there are a set of people who just automatically hates you because you seem to be a bit more than them. This was Ada's crime, the unfairness with the world. Some have a rethink and when some have this rethink, it solves the complex whole. As Mercy did.

Enough of that. But there's a link to this concluding part of the story. As to motives and affiliations. Mercy was taken to Mr Sanya in mutual dislike for Ada. Efe was the free minded guy who mingled freely with everyone, made everyone laugh. Not much is known to me about how Isa fits until I found out.

The next day at the office, the news about Isa spread like wild fire. Some felt pity for him, some did not. He paid the price for putting his hand into devious things. You get paid just for covering the lens of a security camera? How can you not know that something is wrong?
Well, people had their points but RIP to the dead.

I was at my table when absurdities began to turn into weirdness. I felt someone approaching my and looked. I was shocked!
"Good morning stag" Mercy said
"Good morning ma"
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay. And you?"
"If I tell you I'm doing just great, what would my face tell you?"
I couldn't answer. I just looked on. Mercy's face looked unattended to, somewhat unkempt. I wondered if she had been crying because her eyes looked so. She managed a smile and said
"Do you have the time for a word?"
Mercy? Wants a word with me? What's happening here? What's all these about? There's only one way to find out...
"I could manage to have a minute" clearly telling her I'm not so much as to be wasteful with time, talking. Let alone to her.

Less than a minute later, we were outside. Once we were out..
"I know these past couple of days have been stressful for all of us..."
Is this really Mercy giving me a sermon? Or...
"...and I know you have a direct contact with that police officer in charge..."
"Detective James?"
"Yes, Detective James. Can we go see him?"
Okay, at this point I had to ask
"What's all these about?"
She wouldn't say anything. Well, I had to oblige her cos there had better been an explanation to all these.

An hour later, we were in the office of the detective. The first question she asked the officer amazed me. She asked to know how a voluntary witness will be protected if the person willingly comes forward. Or if the witness would need a separate lawyer.
I was taken aback. Has someone come out to Mercy and confessed or is she about to trick us into something...
Then in a rather strong and resolute way, she began with the finality of a speech well thought over and rehearsed...
"I will be a witness in the prosecution of Mr Sanya for all the charges against him."

Shocked! Shocked!! Shocked was I!!! Was I hearing right? Or I thought I was until I heard her next words...
"And for the death of Isa" she added after a brief pause.
The detective was a shocked as I was.
How rational was this? By this move, she saying she is not guilty but knows something in a case of attempted murder and murder. I was wowed!
Then she turned to me
"For my personal reasons, I came to you first. I could have come to the station by myself. So I'm sure what I've said here remains as confidential as it is to the officers in charge. That is, if you really want the perpetrator put behind bar."

Indeed, absurdities were turning the day into one of the weirdest yet.

She left me with the detective at the station after exchanging direct contacts et al. She always said she has made her confessions on being approached by Mr Sanya...

When I returned to the office, more shocking news greeted me.

Before coming to me in the morning, she had gone to the MD's office and submitted a letter. Resignation letter.

Mercy had resigned.





 Mercy had resigned on personal grounds. The news took many of us unaware.

The next day went by. Other colleagues felt she ought to have been humiliated out of the company, given an inglorious exit. I didn't think much of that so I rather didn't comment much because people definitely would be looking forward to my opinion. Much more, to Ada's. Ada too spoke less about it, except of course, that the decision to quit was solely hers. No doubt everyone would expect her to have some relief, even Mercy would.

Efe hadn't been much of himself lately. I guess to an extent, he felt guilty of so many things. But he had been very useful in all these.

That morning, Detective James called and asked if we could see. I left for his office about forty-five minutes later.
In his office I met two other officers in mufti.
"Normally, we do not give out details of an investigation while its going on but you have been part of this all along..." The detective was saying. I had no response so I kept mute and he continued
"Mercy escaped being attacked last night. She went to buy domestic stuff in her neighborhood mart when some masked gunmen visited her apartment. Her neighbors saw these men clothed in black"
I was shocked. Mercy too was attacked? I did a double check and I asked myself
'Or was it staged?'

Hmmm... Anyway, Mercy had been moved to a different location and given two guards. Well, Mercy seemed to know more incriminating things than I thought. Obvious from the fact that someone would have her go the way of Isa. And can two guards save her? Except of course no one knows where she's been hid away.

Ironically, members of a clique haunting and hunting themselves! If you pledge your allegiance to a deadly group, you are automatically up for same.
Detective James' words jolted me back to the present.
"You were the only one who knew that Mercy wants to be witness"
"What?!" I blurted out!
"Its funny but all along you had been a suspect" he paused while I just starred blankly at the man
"But now we have case. A solid one that would more than a tough defense counsel to counter"
I relaxed a bit. Yeah, we were all suspects at some point I guess
"I called you here to say thank you" he said
"And to let you know you have been of tremendous help in this case. Thank you."
For a minute it sounded like I was being given an award for something. I mean, it felt good but the formality of it just made it a bit awkward.
It was nice being a civilian, unpaid volunteer detective. You know, like I was working undercover and stuff but until now I never really thought about some of the consequences. I could have been a target too, being part of the investigation.

I left there feeling really good and got to the office at about 1:45pm. Just as I sat down, I saw Detective James enter with the two other officers. The look on his face was strict and professional. It kind of baffled and unsettled me. What were they here for?

With a precision of purpose, they headed to the accounts section. Feeling like a part of the strike team or something, I followed. Just as I was arriving there I heard...
"Mr Sanya Olu, you are under arrest for the murder of one Mr Isa. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You are entitled to your legal counsel and in the case that you are not able to have one, one will be available to you."
Mr Sanya just stood there, not saying anything. The two other detectives with Detective James held and cuffed him. He was walked out of the office suite in a matter of few minutes, even before people realized what was going on. Before the MD was even informed of developments, Mr Sanya was seated in the police car headed out to cool off his heels in jail.





Epilogue
Mercy and Isa had come from same hometown. In fact, it was through Mercy that Mr Isa was employed. She happened to know his family well. His wife and herself even attend their tribe's social meetings here in Lagos every last sunday of the month. All the while, maybe only Efe knew how close they were.
So, it had happened that through Mercy, Mr Sanya and Isa had been even any close at all.

When Mr Sanya had things planned out, Mercy had declined the extreme measures he wanted to use. She was against harming her physically. Mercy had preferred things to be done on the job. So, after being rude to Ada, it was clear that Mr Sanya hadn't much power over affairs that much.

Since she would not play ball, Isa was the next sure bet to keep things discreet hinging on his loyalty to Mercy. He agreed. And was paid that same morning after covering the camera.
Mercy had told Mr Sanya she wouldn't be in the office that day for health reasons, Mr Sanya saw an opportunity. He told Isa to send his colleague to Ada that she had a visitor downstairs. Soon as Ada left to see who it was, the camera got covered and the contents of a rolled piece of paper was sprinkled into Ada food flask. In a rush, same paper was squeezed and thrown into the trash can. Mission accomplished.


Well, he was a loose end that could break under keen scrutiny. The mastermind had to act quickly. And eliminating traces was paramount. Isa was a trace.
Unfortunate, but he was an accomplice to attempted murder. What if the person they had poisoned had died? He would have just gone about his normal business, enjoying a good life out of the cash. The boomerang came back to ricochet off him.


Mercy had started to feel guilty in all of these. And broke finally when Isa died. So I ask, if Isa had not died, would she have felt sober enough to come out?

Well, I don't know how the layers would argue her out of any blames because knowing of a plan doesn't necessary make you part of the plan. Or she could argue she thought the plan was a joke initially during cross-examination.

Either way, Mr Sanya was in for one hell of a ride beyond jail to prison. The best his lawyers can do is shield him from being on death row. He had been running and his heels must really ache bad. Time to cool it off presently, in jail.

The Black Sheep XIv

My head began to work. I pondered over the clues long and hard. Poison is a woman's weapon. Cowardly for a man. And for some reasons, I think Mercy could have done this. A man would rather send assassins to eliminate their target or device other means that are more physical in approach and be done with it.

Although a number of this weren't connecting yet, I now see a motive. A rather strong motive. Unemployment in this country is a tale that even rural rats in far away Australia hear about. And the rate of this unemployment must be frightening for these graduates who schooled abroad and must return home after their academic stay there. Everyone would like to return home and hit the ground running. So it seems logical that some people might be making a few quids off these set of job seekers. And in the black market, everything sells as commodities. Maybe a few thousand dollars? Quite some money if you ask me.

But again, while Efe spoke he mentioned something like "...much like a story you've heard before." I could feel there was more than just the money. Mr Sanya. An odd fish in the kettle.
He once dated a lady in the office. It was his case that began the policy of no dating among colleagues in the firm. But what has that got to do with anything?

I recalled Isa. Suddenly bought himself a new okada. And the clothes he wore looked new too. Signs of money. Everything new at the same time. Sudden money. It occurred to me that he probably got paid for his role by his 'contractor'. Can his account tell anything sinister? How possible is it that the detectives get a print of his account details? Hmmm...

Connecting the dots was pulsating. The permutations and combinations of events juxtaposed with intentions and motives seemed like something I needed to ruminate over with someone. I should have to see the officers in charge.

I went to Ada's that evening but didn't mention my encounter with the masked text sender. We had some fun that evening and I was glad Ada was back to her real self. But of course, the shock of the incident has no totally left her. We played and kissed. After a while, I asked her to tell me about Mr Sanya and the lady he was dating. She did. And at the end of it, I saw another motive. Vengeance.
The lady had been sacked. And Mr Sanya had taken it very personal and blamed Ada for being on the MD's side.
Yet, in my view and although I can not be a judge in my own case, I thought the circumstances aren't exactly the same. They both connived and defrauded the company.
And for a moment I wondered why the MD kept a man with a bitter blood against him around him. Well, I guess same reasons as he preferred Ada stayed and I left. One of reasons being the company's investments on the senior staff. Trainings, conferences, seminars, professional bodies affiliations, many of which the company was responsible for. Gaining and retaining knowledge.

And so, Ada has become guilty of same crime and although he was ironically part of the disciplinary committee, he watched as I and Ada were being given options. Unlike his case where they had no options. And perhaps, this infuriated him more.
Vengeance and money is a bloody motive to kill for. Well, except I heard his side of the story, that vengeance part is what I really do not grasp.

I called Detective James that night when I got home and...

The next morning I left the office to see him. He was excited to see me for some reason. Then I got to know, Isa was co-operating. He has presently been released.

We settled down to ruminate over what I had gathered. He listened to me first and agreed to some suggestions.
He arranged to have a copy of Isa's statement of account. First, to ascertain if he had received any suspicious money recently, how much and who paid it in.

By afternoon, he called. Isa had received one hundred and fifty thousand naira the same day Ada had been poisoned. He had paid it in by himself around 3:30pm. Well, at least that money could explain the sudden acquisition of a bike and clothes.
This prompted my next question: Was such an amount paid for just covering a camera lens? I think not. Isa may be more into this than he is making it look.

The detective thought it was time the next moved was made. I was in the office when he arrived with two of his colleagues. They had come to 'invite' Mr Sanya over for a chat.
This sent shock across the office. Mr Sanya looked as far away from all these as possible. His name never came up anywhere close to the entire story. Nobody would think him a suspect.
Yet underground fingers pointed to clever sly man who plots but executes by proxy. A mastermind. Playing his foot soldiers like pawns on a chess board.

At the station, Isa had been lured back on the promise of having his statement torn. This was to accomplish a purpose: let two of them see that they are being interrogated at the same time in two different rooms. Each of them being promised reduced punishment or no punishment at all if he tells what he knew about the other person's involvement.
Mr Sanya was calm and looked a very calculated man. He wasn't a man that much much but looked a man with enough venom to poison obstacles to his plans.

At the end of the day, both were released.

The next day was the deciding day when precise arrests will be made and suspects charged with specific crimes.

But that same night, I my phone rang, I checked to see the caller. Detective James
"Good evening sir" I greeted him
"Stag something has happened. Isa is dead.

The Black Sheep XIII

I picked up my phone to see it was Ada calling. She went on to tell me she had just received a similar sms from an unfamiliar number, signed by Zoro.
A masked helper?
But why does Zoro not just come out and say what he knows, I thought to myself. Well, some times interests are delicately interwoven in such a way things that should be just straightforward end up being a jukebox of confusion.
This Zoro comes across to me like someone who knows something but stands to benefit something too. Or scared of something. Maybe the masked sender was the key to unraveling these mysteries that lay at the alter of my curiosity.

After I dropped the call, I turned to Detective James and asked if he really thinks Mercy is the culprit.
"No" he replied.
Continuing, he said
"She's either a good pretender or she knows absolutely nothing about it"
And he went on to add that Mercy is really feeble minded. She was thoroughly shaken at questioning. In my years of interrogating suspect, I have come to recognize true innocence.
We talked a bit more and I left. But as I turned to leave, he called me. I turned around to face him. He looked at me for a second and said
"The Commissioner is personally interested in this case. Ada's father is his bossom friend. And it was he who suggested to my Oga that you can help. That said, you should understand your limits around here."
"I understand my limits sir. If I in any way undermine or disrespect your authority, please call me to order."
I left.

I wondered a bit at what he meant. Was he just setting boundaries straight or did he feel threatened in any way?
The video we just went through had shown something he had overlooked. No face was captured. Nothing else but fingers. And one thing gave the hint.
The person who covered the camera had come from behind, underneath. When one enters through the door, there's a grey area to the left of the door, two footsteps away from the camera.
One, only someone who was very conversant with the cameras could know this. Or was given the detailed information by someone who knows on how to move discreetly along this grey area without being captured.
And on the left little finger of this person was a ring. A silver ring, not big. But a big shiny. And I could think of only one person I think I knew who wore odd looking jewelry on odd fingers.

This was bringing the detective over the next morning.


Thoughts of Ada filled my head. Such kind heart, intelligent and beautiful. Our conversations were enlightening and thought provoking. One could feel the power behind Ada's brain when she articulated her points in an argument. She was one never to make conclusions based on invalid premises. And when we debated thought provoking issues, there was always something to learn. Her comments on social media left me filled with pride.
She matched my areas of interest with the balance of someone who knows. When we talked philosophy, culture, history and other topics of mutual interests, she was always admirable.
Now laying helplessly on a sick bed having narrowly escaped death!
Memories flooded my mind. Our jokes, fun, hanging out, and most mind blowing love making. Oh! My Ada. Ada'm.
The beautiful angel she is! The gifts she bought for me were just a s beautiful and classy as she was. Even on a hospital bed, she still looked just as beautiful.

As I thought about all these, anger became to overwhelm me. Why would anyone try to hurt the one I love.
They say love is the singular most important fact that makes a man want to avenge.
But my rational mind engaged. Are you thoroughly sure she hadn't done anything to warrant it? Can you absolutely vouch for her? Hmmm...
Food for thought.

Yes, food for thought for anyone who didn't trust his lover. I trust Ada. I bet my coin on her. She's not Mercy's crude type. Rather, a sharp contrast. The incidence of the girl hawker that was involved in a hit and run and her strong convictions are enough deeds to want to make me rooster-sure she couldn't have done anything to warrant such evil thing as being poisoned befall her.

The MD. Mr Williams. Mercy. Efe. Mr Sanya. Tope... Wait a minute, Efe is close to almost everyone regardless imperfections. But there's an odd kind of office relationship between him and Mr Sanya.
Tope is the girl Ada had seem me with one day at the restaurant. We got employed about same time and went through training together.

Sometime ago, as I had been told, there a case of two lovebirds, one in Accounts and the other in Admin, I think. I tried hard to recollect the story as I had heard it. Questions came to mind.

Soon as I got to the office the next day, and settle in for the day, I looked for a way to get Mr Williams to tell me about that story. Well, he did. Somehow, something had felt similar in that story and the story of my love with Ada.
The guy in Accounts department was head over heals in love with the lady in Admin. So much so that he wanted to take her as a second wife. And she loved him in return. But there were other things. Shady. The lady in Admin had been blinded by the love for her man in Accounts and they both manipulated figures and defrauded the company. He had needed her to pull it off, and when it blew, she fell the scapegoat but didn't escape. She was prosecuted. Tales behind the scenes had it that she took the fall for the guy and so no charges were brought against him whatsoever as he claimed or rather, feigned total ignorant of what was going on. She went down for love. Not bad at all, it happens all the time, the world over.

But the thing there is...

The other guy in Accounts was Mr Sanya!



 Bile built up lump in my throat. Somehow, my instinct stung me so hard, Mr Williams looked at me and asked
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine" but I think I am getting sick.
I stood and excused myself.
I hurried across the office to Efe's desk. As I approached I saw him seated at his computer.
I devised a calm diplomatic means to approach this heculian task I was going at. I was after someone and somehow Zoro could help me find the bandits...

Smiling from chin to chin in what is best described as fake smile, I warmly greeted Efe with a bait, fervently hoping he took the bait
"Good morning Zoro! How are you doing today?" With all the seeming charm I could muster
Efe looked up at me. He looked at me for a moment. I had began to wonder if I was wrong because I couldn't make out the expression on his face. Since I ever knew Efe, I have never seen such blank, expressionless and cold face.
Finally, he replied
"When Zoro is unmasked, he is no longer Zoro. I am Efe."
And with a finality he added
"Good morning Stag"
His reaction shocked me but in the next instant, I understood why while he had subtly admitted to being Zoro, he wouldn't admit it openly
"Good morning Mr James" he said as I turned back to see Detective James coming right behind me, in mufti.
"Good morning sir" I greeted him
We exchanged greetings and he left almost immediately.
I turned back to Efe.
"Little good deeds is what keeps the world going round. A world awaits the mask of Zoro to help find the bandit."
Efe just stared back at me. Agreeing to nothing. Disagreeing with nothing.
I went away.

All the while, Efe was Zoro.


I was back at my desk, surprised at the suddenly unexpected discoveries this morning. I hadn't sat 10 minutes when my phone rang and it was Detective James asking me to come down to the security post at the gate. I left for downstairs immediately. As I approached, I saw him with two security men and I wondered why he would ask me to come down to meet two security guys.
As he was about to say something, a bike rode up to the gate. I recognized the guy on the bike to be one of the security men. He wasn't dressed for duty and he's late. He horned and one of his colleagues went to open the gate for him, he rode in. He stopped where we were to greet us
"Good morning Mr Stag"
"Good morning Isa"
He greeted his boss too.
"You don buy okada?" His boss asked excitedly, with bewildered eyes.
"No so ooo Oga" he replied
And in a bid to show off his new acquisition, he raised he engine of his new machine. But as he turned the handle of the bike while raising it, my eyes caught something at his hand.

A shiny silver ring on his left little finger...


I think I was even slow to notice it because after seeing it, I looked up at Detective James to make an eye contact and direct his gaze there, I saw him smiling. Obviously, he too had seen it.

In committing crimes, people take great precautions to hide traces. But at every crime scene, there is always a clue. Little, insignificant and seemingly inconsequential details give the greatest leads. A shoddy job he did, if you ask me. He should have worn a glove.
If not that around here, there are no infrastructure to deal with issues, the crime scene could easily have been dusted and finger prints taken. Investigation would be far easier and faster with forensics. Finger prints on the camera and even in Ada's office would have gotten us this far much earlier.

Now, we have a lead. Isa the security man.

Whatever it was that Detective James wanted to say before, he ditched. Instead he said excitedly
"Ah! I was waiting for you to arrive. Thank God you are here now. Mr Stag sorry to have disturbed you, you may go back to your work."
I turned and left.

Minutes later, the two other security men had returned to their post while Isa the rider was still with Detective James. The detective had come alone without vehicle. So I guess he must have called for his colleagues because about forty-five minutes later, a van arrived with two policemen in uniform.
Isa was taken away for 'interrogation'.


Mercy had been quiet these few days at the office. People's body languages told her the was not wanted. And not many people tried to disguise this. The atmosphere was vehemently against her. The general opinion is that whatever her ambitions were, resulting to such low-life, callous and dirty way of eliminating a boss from her position was totally unacceptable. Word had gone round, beyond the office and people in various other offices around had heard. In times like this, people seem united against evil like this. And it gave some sense of belonging to a sane society. Without uttering a word, word was for her resign.
She hadn't been indicted so the MD couldn't immediately sack her.

Ada was now okay. Her system had cleaned out and she wasn't looking sick anymore and was feeding well. Though she was to be resting, she said she wanted to leave the hospital. I reasoned with her. Not everyone like hospitals. For some, the hospital odour is sickening. She said she would rest better at home, so she was discharged the next day.

The following day, Ada dressed up for work. Once she resumed in the morning, the MD gave Mercy a memo. She was suspended for "...complicity..." in the recent incidence in the office for which investigations were still on going and had not been formally de-listed as prime suspect. Being around the office would interfere and possibly tamper with evidences and other processes. She was however, to receive salary pending further overcome and actions.
No doubt, this was a smart way within confines of legality the MD handled the situation.
One thing I am sure of is this, regardless the outcome of the investigations, Mercy will be sacked eventually. One day while I was talking with the MD over my relationship with Ada, he had said no business manager would take a worker who snitches on her boss seriously. Because, given the right advantage for her, she snitch on him and even snitch on the company to a rival company.
He was never to promote her into that seat. That would be rewarding a beast, he argued. And sure enough, he'd have gotten good points to lay her off, if she doesn't get arrested and charged with all kinds of felonies.
A clever boss.

Detective James called to narrate how Isa had been begging in the cell. When they first interrogated him, he denied and was ranting that he be released else he would sue. But when the video was shown to him, while he still wore the ring on his finger, he looked like a bucket of ice-chilled water from the Antartica was poured over him.
He had admitted it being him, but denies being part of any plans. Yet, has no reason for covering the camera.
Not very smart, maybe even dumb.

I received a text from an unknown number. It read:
"The bus-stop at Planet-One, Maryland. 7pm"


I arrived 30minutes ahead of time. I sat far across the road in a small corner, attracting no attention to myself but taken a vantage point to have clear view of that Onigbongbo bus-stop and everyone hanging around or passing by. Nothing raised a flag. I observed it under close watch until it was almost time, then I walked towards it. And was standing there 2 minutes before 7. Why would anyone choose such a place for a meeting. But what made me feel easy was the fact that it was in the open, and well illuminated at night. A minute past 7pm, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned.
Efe.
Without any greeting and without much ado...
"There's a racket. Many graduates finish school in the US and want to come back home to work. They don't want to come and stay idle not even for a month. These people are the ripe ones to be picked dry of some cash. So a non-existent recruiting firm gets paid in dollars to be employed into companies here, majority prefer the consulting firms. This is where the shepard comes in. Ada would never play ball, so an 'in-house' is needed on that seat. The silly girl was only playing someone's scripts. Much like a story you have heard before. Money is what drives. For a brief period the HR HOD was on leave, the lady tasted the power that seat had to play and felt the effect in her account. I do not know how much those spoilt brats pay for the non existent jobs so don't ask me. If you are what and whom I think you are, then you have yourself a name already."
I just stood there listening. And in less than 2 minutes, the turned to leave, then stopped. He took a breath, shook his head and said
"Sorry about what happened to her. Tell her Zoro sends his warm regards"
With that, he left.
I just realized throughout the brief but singular most revealing encounter, I never said a word.
I was too shocked at these revelations to utter any word.


And so, a yeye porrn addict that nobody took serious would be privy to such intel. in the office place, some know everything going on underneath. Info that's far from even the owner of the firm lies in the hands of an ordinary worker. Nobody is useless, be friendly to everyone and never underestimate anyone...

Let alone Zoro.

The Black Sheep XII

The fox could not get close to and catch the hare. Instead he says to the cheetah: "look at that lovely meal called hare. If you can catch him, he's yours for lunch". Off went the cheetah in the fury of his legs into a blast of speed. The hare turned a meal. But the chase had weakened his strength so that he could not even as much as have his meal. Just then the fox strolls down the path whistling excitedly. Seeing an exhausted cheetah laying helplessly with his meal. Here he settled down to feast. First, the cheetah himself turns a meal. And after picking their bones, he continued on his journey, satisfied.



I had been shocked to my bones and frightened out of my skin when I heard the doctor. It was unbelievable!
Within minutes the MD had called her next of kin, to formally say that Ada was not feeling well at work and needed urgent attention.
By the time I saw his call, quite a number of things had happened. First, it was difficult to suspect where she may have taken anything that dangerous because possibly, it could have been anywhere before she came to work. Or considering the heated atmosphere around the office, and as was everyone's thoughts, it could have been in the office. And there was one suspect, in fact the only suspect!

Yes, I thought there was only one suspect until the police arrived only to learn there was another suspect with a motive. Me!
"How can you even insinuate that officer?" I fired at the interrogating officer
"But its a possibility, don't you agree?"
"That's absurd! No quarrels whatsoever, not even in the least married to even have a anything reasonable to contend with her"
"I understand both of you are well known lovers" he said
I said nothing but stare
He continued
"And its against company policy for both of you to remain. You want to be the one to remain"
At this point, I saw through this guy. He was probably just digging, waiting for me to say something very suspicious.
So, knowing I had every right not to answer any more of his questions and wanting to remain polite, I asked him
"If I was in love and one person had to go. Would you think wanting to remain is solid motive to want to kill her?"
He was quiet. I was getting angered because I thought his questions were going to be about how best I could tell of where she went and/or what she ate. But since the conversation tilted to interrogations tainted with suspicions, I would rephrased my last statement like this:
"Officer, in all your years of service and with due respect to that, have you ever for once come across any sane man who attempted to kill his lover over who remains at work?"
But I'd rather not enter his black book because when the police around here decide to be vindictive, one could end up in jail for killing a housefly. 'Police is your friend' under the animal protection could nail you.

With the last question I put to him, he looked at me sternly, then I stood up and said
"Sir, when you strike my name off the suspect's list and need me to input something worthwhile, we should be in touch"
I turned and left.
I hadn't taken two steps, I heard him laughing in an attempt to soften the atmosphere
Hahahaha "Mr Stag, take it easy. You know how this works."
"I know. Of course, everyone automatically becomes a suspect and you need to strike names off one by one."
"You're smart"
"Well, I need to go know how she's doing"
"Of course. We'd have a word again soon"
I left.
Ada's office was locked and sealed off.

Well, by end of that day at work, everyone's has been questioned except one person:

Mercy.

Interestingly, Mercy was not at work that day. Her name was not signed in for work in the register, neither had the security guys seen her. Odd. Ada's rival at work is no where to be found on the day she was poisoned. Interesting!
The MD called her and asked that she should be around the next day. This she agreed to.
The office had been sober. This wasn't a thing to smile off. It could have been anyone. People were genuinely interested and want to see something done about this. A proper, conclusive investigation with a culprit. And as it happened, the MD would not want his company's name to be in the news for something this terrible. He had called a few friends that pull strings.

At the hospital, Ada had been stabilized. Ada's sister and three other family member were around. I had seen her once and have talked with her on phone couple of times. Just saying hi. We talked a bit and tried to calm them down. It was possibly food poisoning that occurs with spoilt or expired food items and maybe not what they thought.
Presently, we could only pray for Ada's quick recovery.

Later that evening, someone called me. I was surprised to know it was Ada's mother. Given the circumstance, it wasn't odd. I greeted and after talking briefly, she said her husband wanted to have a word. I greeted him and with everyone I talked with, they all wanted to know about the devilishly little wicked witch called Mercy.
I didn't need to blow Ada and Mercy's unpleasant work relationship out of proportion. I just tried to reassure them that since Ada is stabilized, we best pray for her quick recovery. But although her dada couldn't agree more, I could perceive some fury from the controlled way he spoke.
In the morning, before going to work, I headed to the hospital. I had to beg a nurse there to allow me see her. Ada was still sleeping. Different pipes, needles, hoses and wires going into her nostrils, veins and so on. She looked pale.
Drop by drop, the drips flowed into her veins and I prayed by every drop of it, she got stronger.
I left for the office.

Indeed an interesting day at the office. I was some minutes late. While signing in, I saw Mercy's name. Signed in at 6:40! Over an hour before resumption. Quite unlike her!
Apparently, she had heard what had transpired the day before. Needless to say won't find it any easy.
There were whispers and concerns. On Efe's face I could see some real concern.
A meeting was called by the MD and when I saw Mercy, I saw a scared face behind her make-up.

The MD announced that the police had commenced a thorough investigation the day before and would be continuing today. They would arrive shortly.
Everyone had eyes on Mercy. She must have felt really uncomfortable that day.
Not long after the meeting, the police arrived.
We gathered again in the meeting room as they requested to see the video footages of at least, from two days ago. The MD was willing to give everything they wanted. I wondered if Efe would have a good story with the cameras. We were all asked to return to our duties except, Mercy. Mercy was asked to stay behind.
"Stag, will you be leaving the office?"
"No sir, I'd be at my desk"
"Ok, please let me find you at your desk in 30, if that's okay with you?"
"No problem sir. In 30 minutes then" I replied.
As it turned out, the police had discovered a suspicious piece of paper in Ada's dustbin with powdery stuff on it, white as granulated sugar. As the saying with detectives goes: One man's dustbin is another detective's evidence box.

Thirty-five minutes later, Detective Kayode met me at my desk.
"Let's take a walk, if you may?"
"I'd have to take permission from my boss though"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his mobile phone. And punched a few buttons, waited a while and said
"Please, do you mind to borrow me Mr Stag for sometime? We need to chat"
He had called the MD straight.
"Well, I meant the Head around here" I said politely and before I could turn
"Go on Stag. We all need this mystery solved and resolved once and for all" my HOD said. Always the cool guy he is.

A moment later, myself and the detective were in a fast food joint biting on meat-pie and coke.
We chatted about Ada, most of her dealings I knew of, who I suspected and why, who Ada complained bitterly of, thing like that.
"Stag, you're a key to all these. She's not here to speak because she needs her rest at this moment, so you're next best person to help here. Her family may not know about her and any other private things as you do."
I described her type of person as much as I could. And yes, mentioned Mercy as an official menace.
On who or why anyone might go that far to have Ada away, I hadn't any idea.
He looked at me for a moment and shot me a question
"Among her belongings we inspected was her phone. Do you know who Zoro might be?"
I thought about it a bit and remembered the mysterious sms she had told me about from 'Zoro'.
"I don't know sir."

An hour later, I was back to the office. Of course, Efe hears whispers and I needed to hear those inaudible yet loaded sounds. So I went to him.
This time, sh*t just hit the fan so I'm not going to press with a carrot. He didn't have much to say except of course, that he was waiting patiently for the outcome of the investigation because he suspected Mercy would at the heart of it but it beats him how she wasn't in the office of the day it happened.

I went away having 50 shades of thoughts in my head, not knowing what to believe anymore...

Could it be Efe? Was he expecting Mercy to be in the office that day and fall the easy suspect? I didn't know what to think anymore.

I was confused, could it really have been Mercy? Why would she do a dumb thing like that when she knows all fingers would be point to all? Or could Efe be the evil, devilish mastermind behind it all?

I was about to find out...


 Security cameras do a good job of capturing every visible thing within its range. Within its range. Unfortunately, there are grey areas security cameras' lens can not capture. One is directly below it. And someone who knew how cameras work had come from under it and wrapped it with a cloth, covering the lens. Detective James Iyara couldn't make much out of it.

But one thing he seemed to be sure of is that I could lead them to the culprit. That if I thought well and hard enough, I could make a good guess. I wondered how he thought I could pull out a name out of thin air and then they go arrest the person and 'interrogate' the person with gadgets in a locked room till the person confesses?
He had given me his private number that if anything came up, I should waste no time in letting him know.

I go to the hospital once in the morning, then go after work and stay till night.
Today, she was doing well at recovery. Her family and friends were always around and colleagues at work too always came by both formally and unofficially. Her church members and neighbours. Sometimes, I'd just stay away, but within the hospital.
Ada's consciousness was returning to normal now. And of course she could recollect things but I didn't want to start bugging with questions. Yet, this mystery was eating away at me. Because I remember we were together the evening before the incident. We ate dinner and she had gone home to sleep. In the morning it happened, she called me immediately she woke up, as was norm, and when she was leaving the house, we spoke again. She hadn't eaten at home, so I knew that whatever it was she ate was in the office.

While Ada was receiving visitors, I left the hospital and went across the street to a mallam's kiosk. He had a bench and sold drinks too. I sat there with a bottle of pepsi.
The street was busy and I watch on to keep my mind busy. People passed by and went their normal businesses. Hawkers passed by with their wares, truck pusher pushed by with his omolanke. And NEPA task force were busy climbing pole to pole cutting people off electricity for defaults in payments.
As the van came to the next pole and stopped, two men brought down the ladder and set it properly on the pole, then one of them climbed and continued his work. For a moment, I wondered the height of the pole from the ground. Then I wondered why the other guy had to hold the ladder while he worked, was the ladder not good? Or so his colleague doesn't fall? I wondered.., I wondered.., my mind just kept moving from one thing to another, blankly.
One thought leads to another until a question popped in my head:
'What did that person climb to have been able to reach the camera and cover it?'

Like a driver abruptly stepping on the brake, my mind screeched to a stop right there. Then a rush of questions bombarded my head.
'Was the person working alone?', 'what did the person use if it wasn't a ladder?', 'what's the person's height?', and on and on the questions came.
Just maybe a clue might pop out from there...

I pulled out my mobile phone and dialed James Iyara as saved on the phone. A moment later, the detective picked up.
"This stag."
"Yes, I know"
"Good evening"
"You got something for me?"
"I was wondering if I could see a replay of that video from the camera?"
"I was wondering if a few things that could help slipped the eyes"
He paused for what seemed like eternity. But enough for me to reflect on the words I had just spoken.
"Well sir, I only meant for things like the timing on the camera to be noted, maybe when she recovers, she might be able to tell..."
"Look, I do not have the patience for all these"
"I know but I was wondering what this person climbed on and perhaps how tall or short..."
He seemed a bit quiet again.
"Where are you?"
I told him
"Can you come over now?"
I jumped up and got on my way.

I really missed Ada a lot. Its been days now without her with me. It broke my heart to see her on sick bed. I loved her and realized I nearly just lost her. I was going to make sure a name came up. Whoever did this wasn't about to get away with it.



An hour later I was viewing the video footage. While at it, my phone rang...

The Black Sheep XI

Trouble brews, an old beer
Drank from the cup of mischief
Sly as the fox, strolling down the path
Whistling an old song, of trouble.




As it turned out, the new year had new twists and turns and new beasts were created in the name of ambitions.

Everyone had resumed to work and as it is custom in this parts, people also drew list of things they want to have accomplished by the end of the year. New year resolutions.
Just after resumption, in the second week, a shocker happened.

The MD had asked to see him in his office. My mind raced as to the possible reason(s) why. It couldn't have been as regards the end of year party. He had called me to thank me early the next morning, and indeed he sounded very grateful. Well, the last time he called me into his office privately, there was some good news, and I silently prayed that this too was good news.
I sat as he offered me a seat at his table and first he asked
"Are you very familiar with the rules and regulations of this company?"
With that, I broke a sweat. Starting a conversation like this was scary and much more, threatening.
I slowly nodded.
"Fairly, sir" not knowing where he was going and didn't want to lay my own trap.
He then went straight to point with a hit
"You are dating, aren't you?"
Attempting to remain formal and not give away too much of my private life, I remained quiet. Neither saying a word nor nodding.
He continued.
"You very well know romance and work do not go together"
I sat motionless, looking blankly at him.

Apparently, the MD had caught wind. But how? I kept wondering.
Moments later, I stepped out of his office a lot relieved of the interrogations I just went through. Through it all, the MD never mentioned Ada. Although, very obviously he now knows.
Back at my desk, I was more or less distracted. Sometimes, I slipped into a soliloquy. Then an idea hit me! Efe!
The next minute found me by Efe's desk on a friendly visit. Of course, this time around I had come to squeeze some information out of him. Although I intend to speak softly to him to tell me what he knows, I also came with a big stick. And will not hesistate to use it. I had a good measure of power against Efe, even more than that I hoped to count on his loyalty to Ada.
"Ahhh! What's up naw?!"
"Stag my guy, how far" Efe replied heartily, grinning from ear to ear.
I just chatted generally with him at first, knowing that somewhere along the line he will get around to his love. The one I intend to use to my advantage for what I need to know.
We hadn't talked two minutes, Efe asked
"Stag, I been noh wan disturb you o, abeg help me with that stuff nau"
"Oh! I thought your new year resolution will be to stop viewing porn?"
He laughed like he was laughing at me
"New year ko, old year resolution ni. Abegi free me jor. We just resumed, I didn't want to rush you before but since you're new now, just help do am sharp-sharp now"
True to himself, the leopard can not change his skin.
Hmmm
"But what if I'm no longer here again"
"Why won't you? You be MD boy nau, he sees you as a kool person, so who born anybody well wan sack you"
"So you know say person dey attempt something and you no hint me?"
"No no no, no be like that nah"
"But of course, you suppose don know who nah"
"That your yansh?"
Efe nodded slowly.
But continued
"Its not about you. The battle is between them"
"But how did she know?"
"On the evening of the end of year event, she had invited a cousin of hers and everyone got introduced to everyone"
He paused for a second, and continued
"This her cousin went to visit her friend one day when she saw both of you together on their street. She had commented to her friend that she recognized both of you from the event. It was this friend who had told her much about how both of you were always seen together. Sometimes coming late together at night and at other times, leaving very early together, indicating someone sleeps over."
What a coincidence! I just couldn't phantom it all. Really funny how stuff works sometimes. And how much Amebo neighbours can engage in.
"I guess she had just added one to one from the gossip. But let me ask: is the 1+1=1? Or is it equals 2?"
"Do the math and tell me what the result is" I said as I turned around to leave
"The configurations nko?" She quickly asked as I made to leave
"Later." I signaled him.

As I was getting to my desk, a text message came in. It was Ada.
"At 2. Out."
I perfectly understood the message. Lunch at 2 o'clock. Outside restaurant, usual place."

When we met later that afternoon, she let me know the MD had called her and had been asking the implications of her actions. He couldn't afford to loose her, yet he couldn't flout his company's policy so he doesn't set a bad precedence. More like he was in a dilemma, knowing he didn't have any rights to tell anybody who to date or not.
The most he could do is enforce his rules and regulations and penalties prescribed for those who break them.
Finally he had proposed if one of the lovers would leave for the other, and that could be settled between the lovers.
Meanwhile, certain caucus want the rules enforced. As it seemed, it was what they want.
Both of the lovers must leave.

A tough decision here. Should I quit the company for ada? But mehnn! Hunger is real out there o.
When we saw later in the evening, Ada suggested she wanted to quit. I wouldn't have any of that, we would both rather quit.
But then again, are we being rational here?

The next day, the MD said he had talked to one of his friends and one of us would be absolved into one of the major banks within the next six weeks. I could see he was trying his best for us. Trying to settle things amicably. He had powerful friends and could muster such moves in so short a time.

Yet, it wasn't the last we had heard of this. When the mastermind's Plan A failed, Plan B was a shocker to us all.


Even Efe was outraged!

 

 

 

As it turned out, everyone had known about me and Ada. Although she didn't seem to care much about it, it thought the focus on us was unnecessary. Some sympathized with out dilemma, some were just neutral and a hidden number were happy.

Happiness is relative. And in this case one person's fall seemed to appease certain people who wanted the power Ada's position wielded.
Quite a number of things were going on underneath and an unwilling mole was caught up in the scheme of things.

The MD had stretched an offer of truce but somehow, the had an undertone. Accepting it felt like running with your tail between your legs. Or so Ada thought. If she'd leave, she would not be accepting the MD's offer. He didn't want to loose her because of the company's investments in her. Trainings, conferences, etc. And he liked her amiable persona.
But there are consequences to bear when you mix romance with work. Well, that is one argument. But then, we never talked much in the office nor played any love cards around work. Dating Ada and enjoying the MD's goodwill did not in any way make me begin to take things for granted.
Well, the die has been cast.

At this time, I had uncovered the spearhead, Mercy. Maybe the envy, or maybe ambitiousness was her drive. But one thing that seemed to occur to me was the fact no one fights so boldly, alone. I figured there had to be some other behind her, supporting and pushing her. But was only a guess.
When I later saw Ada later in the evening, I told her of my suspicions. She didn't say anything but simply pulled out her phone, scrolled to a text message and showed me one. It read:

Strike the shepard and the sheep will scatter. Zoro

Short but worrying the message was.
"Who sent the message" I asked
"I don't know the person"
"Did you call to speak with the person?"
"I dialed the number but it has been switched off ever since I received it" she said.
An unknown person giving hints. So somebody somewhere knows something we didn't know.

That night my mind kept rolling over events and sequence of things. I had always thought Mercy wanted the position so she sought ways to overthrow her boss. I guess she must've been planning the coup long enough. But something kept bugging me. There was something just beneath the surface. And my curious mind was beginning to scrap the surface. Perhaps, I could dig deep enough to find something. If nothing at all, I was determined to find out those in her camp.

But for a minute I wondered how the MD thought about things. He didn't have any other choices in a situation that is categorically stated out.
But surely, a wise leader knows that one must follow before one can lead. Mercy isn't ready to follow, yet wants to lead. And any boss that knows the machiavelian principles knows that a subordinate who betrays her boss to get to take over her seat can betray his entire company and sell out when offered a price.

Me and Ada had made up our minds to leave. So every other thing we were doing was formality. Ada's niceness to Mercy had earned yielded nothing else but scorn and disdain. And it was especially disheartening for Ada to know her subordinate had been scheming to overthrow her in a ruthless way and take over the seat. At some point at home, she had even been emotional about it and almost cried. I calmed her and told her to leave her be.
"She who rules by the sword will one day die by her own sword."

The disciplinary committee sat the next monday. I had been given memo the week before. Me, Ada and unexpectedly Mercy was also there waiting to go in after me and Ada. I was surprised to see her there though.
Minutes later in the board room, I was seated. Ada took her seat too.
"Mr Stag, without mincing words, do you know why you are here?" Began one of the members of the committee.
"Although I received the memo, I'd appreciate if the offenses can be read out again, sir."
"You are accused of being in an unprofessional relationship with a colleague who's a member of staff here. What do you have to say?"
"I do not deny it. But I might want to chip in that the level of relationship I had with her has not in any way hindered nor interfered in any way with our duties, sir"
"Interference with duty is not the contention here, mr stag. In the first place, such relationship is not allowed between two colleagues here." Another one cut in
Then the MD spoke up but directed his words to Ada.
"Do you deny or have anything contrary to say?"
She slowly shook her head
"No."
"If you do bot deny it nor have anything contrary, then you are excused if you may. You are a senior staff here and I do not think you should be interrogated in a condescending manner" the MD said.
"I'm okay sir, if questions remain objective and limited to how the relationship affects my professional duties. I do not think I would have any problems."
"Very well then"

On and on but smoothly it went and we eventually left the board room together. Even the MD and his disciplinary committee looked really impressed that we stood by each other throughout.

Next in line was Mercy for whatever reasons she was invited. If it had anything to do with Ada and I, I'd like to know how many Heads of Department would like the idea of their subordinates turning them in.
It was later I got to hear the reason for the invitation.
Sometime ago, Ada had been on her annual leave when some phony document was signed by the 'Head of Department' bearing her signature. Ada had come back and took responsibility for it knowing well that Mercy must have done it. The MD had raised an eyebrow but eventually let go. For this, so long later, she was to answer for it.
Ada had been called back there again for that purpose. It must have really been a tough day for her.

That day ended. The next day came with a lot of speculations as the committee was to come up with their recommendations. I and Ada spent the evening together, finding comfort and solace with each other.

The next day at the office, we had arrived at about same time because I saw when she parked into a space and alighted with her 'usuals'. File of papers, food flask etc. She brought food from home on many days and only ate in the restaurant when she didn't come with hers.
Also, in what came to me as a shock, Mercy was nailed on forgery and she had to go! Wonderful!!!
Even more was recommended that juxtaposing company's interests, individual years of experience etc I should choose to be transferred to the other branch.

This seemed like a triumph but what was about to happen that afternoon was not expected at all.

It was around 3:pm when there was a little commotion in the office. There were people rushing around. I headed towards them to see what was going on, only to see Ada being carried in a hurry by two people and MD was running behind them. It was an emergency.
Instantly, my flight or fight response activated as I was thrown into panic, I ran towards them. I held Ada asking her what was happening to her but she could barely talk. I bet she couldn't even tell who was holding or talking to her. We all rushed her downstairs and the MD's driver had swung the car around as we carried her into the back seat. I sat there with her and we all headed to the hospital. All the while Ada was clutching her stomach.

The SUV screeched to a stop in front of the emergency unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, two nurses ran towards us and in the next instant, they were wheeling Ada on a stretcher down the hallway and before we knew it, she was in emergency hall.
We weren't allowed in.

None of us knew what happened until about 30minutes later when the doctors came out.


Ada had been poisoned!..

The Black Sheep X

Talk with talk, friendship develops
Hand in hand, friendship blossoms
Heart to heart, love begins.
The fun in loving, is in being loved.


Ada and I had, perhaps, one of the most symbiotic of relationships. She didn't take me for granted, neither did I take her for granted.
Over the next days that followed that night, I could see where we were leaning to. And I was so impressed at the new kind of relationship I had never experienced before. And a rather keen eyes thought me things about women through Ada.
In a relationship, a lady wants to know that she is loved by being part of decisions. In doing this, Ada's calls increased sporadically after that night because she always felt the need to let me in to anything she wanted to do and anywhere she wanted to go. And even when under no obligation to tell everything nor anything I am doing including reporting my exact geographic location at every call, I knew she wasn't trying to be possessive.
Most ladies like her are misunderstood. It may just be a case of obsession. A lady that is obsessed with her lover will always act in ways that might misinterpret her as being 'too possessive' when in fact she is only expressing love the way she understands it. Sometimes being clingy. Other being just straight up

Ada wanted us to see everyday. Talk on phone every minute. She was never tired of buying gifts. And she loved to make love! Damn, she was a real lady who knew what she wanted. A real lover. She didn't hold back. She rather gave her all.

I'd take her out saturday evenings, and sometimes we just have an indoor picnic at her place. The other room in her apartment was converted to a picnic room. Lol.
We'd just spread duvette in the center of the room under the fan and always had beside is a basket of foods and drinks she arranges for. Chicken laps, Ketch-up, syrup, slices of bread spread with chocolate, shortbread, sometimes salad, wines or creams like Baileys. And two glass cup. So we spend ours indoors playing board games like scrabble and even ludo, eating, drinking, making jokes and laughing. And of course, it always ends in very hot sex. And those kpomo chopping sessions were always wonderful. Play, eat, drink and Bleep on same spot, in the center of the room. I call it ecstatic fun, she calls it romantic! Whatever that means though.

That christmas was a christmas to remember.

We spent what looked like more time outdoors than indoors. Went to beaches, malls, cinemas, live plays, concerts and many other social events. 25th December was different though. She went to her folks. While she was away at her folk's, I missed her terribly. I felt bored in an empty world.
Being without her for two days was hell. We talked on phone most of the time though. But it gave us ample time to appreciate each other and realize how much really we meant to each other.
Her parents had asked her to stay till New Year but she would have none of that. By 27th, I guess she couldn't stand it anymore, she returned!

She looked dazzling! Each time I saw Ada, it always felt like I had never seen her before, always a sight to behold. Still awed by her beauty, I had to snap her with my phone.
That night, we made sweet steamy and passionate love. Quite fulfilling making love to the one you love.

The next day, I took the picture I had casually snapped to a studio where they added some effects to her look. And then I asked for it to be printed. A full picture of her, head to feet, was printed. Same day, I took a bus to Ikeja. At a busstop named 'National' where there's a Con-Oil filling station, there's an artist that draws. He charged quite a bit to draw her. But only down to her upper torso. It was ready in two weeks. So I presented it to her.
That evening she had come over to my place and we had made some madt love. And then, while she was still laying on the bed, I slipped on my boxers and brought out the surprise.
When she saw a three feet tall portrait of herself, looking so very much exactly like her, she was beyond excited! It was a surprise she had not anticipated nor ever thought of, quite rare a gift. And she loved it. And never stopped talking about it. By the next day I visited, it was already standing in her living room.

It was like the portrait gift I gave her triggered her libido to a new level, an all-time high. One evening, I arrived at her place. After dinner she had made, she prepared a hot bath for me. She brought out pyjamas. She got one permanently for whenever I stay over, I have one to sleep with. See me oo, me wey no dey sleep with pyjamas for my crib o. But where I started suspecting there was something up was when I started to perceive some fragrance in the air.
I would step out of the bath into the room to meet a candle lit room. Many scented candles lined up orderly and there was Ada glowing in the dimly lit room in a red colored night gown. Smooth night gown but as expect, someone with Ada's kind of asss would score additional points in that. The gown captured the delicate curve her waist, hips and asss gave the gown.

She cat-walked over to me, wrapped her arms round my neck and planted a kiss on my lips seductively. My shaft roared alive!
I kissed back, but with only towel wrapped around my waist, bare back and nothing underneath it was an easy flowing evening.
She broke the kiss, walked to her CD player and pushed a bottle. A smooth voice came on. Soft, easy and soulful, Anita Baker's voice began to render a gentle piece. Ada slowly walked back to me and gently pushed me gesturing that I sat on the chair behind me. When she took a step forward, I took a step back. Two steps later and I was sitting on the chair.
The room were lit by red scented candles and it gave a very romantic ambience to the room. Ada stepped and slowly she began to dance to the slow rythm of soul music. It was beatiful to behold, Ada was dancing for me. In a red night gown, I swear, that lady was killing moi! Choi!! Na so my John-Thomas begin dey nod him head o.
Ada danced delicately, seductively as I looked on. The whole sense was sensual. I now desired Ada more than ever! Her yansh was appealing every time she twisted and turned, I yearned. She didn't wear bra, her full boobs were looking ever so beautiful! Yellow and virgin. I could see the Tips waving hi to my mouth. What an invitation! One to be well honoured.
The revealing night gown added some flavour to it all.
As if I was dreaming awake. After giving me a show of sexy dance, she started to walk towards me like a fox, she held my eyes as she walked to me. I was beginning to anticipate. I swallowed air. Lol. That type of swallowing you do when you're hungry and you see a sumptuous meal being brought to you. Yes, I was salivating. Ada was it. My mouth was getting we the way I'm sure her Kitty-Cat was getting wet at what was about to get down. I held her laps, feeling the fullness, my hand went upwards reaching across every expanse of flesh on her body.
I slid my hand under her short night gown and pulled down the super thin pant. Red also. Hmmmm... She had really prepared for me.
She sat on my laps facing me with her hands wrapped round my neck. She sat, her left leg on my right leg and her right leg on my left leg. I loosened the towel and slipped it down. Then I gently parted my legs, as I did this, her legs too parted and underneath the door to bliss parted too. My rod was rock hard. Hard like steel. But not yet, I slid my fingers under, between her legs, she was wet already. I began to handle her clittoris. As I did this, her wetness increased so I slid in my middle finger as she let out a moan. She leaned forward and planted a wet kiss on me. Her mouth was warm and wet too.
I started to finger her gently, allowing her feel the effect. And she did feel it. Because no long later, her breathing changed. It was heavier now.
Spit served to lubricate my shaft especially the rooster as I pulled her closer unto my pelvic region and positioned her to so my rod could slid into her from under. And by the time I slid into Ada wet Well, it was so warm, it felt like home.

Ada's Kitty-Cat felt like the closest thing to paradise!

She let out a soft moan as she sat and the entire length of my shaft went deeper into her
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhh" she let out
I held her two sides by the waist, I was about to begin a thorough work that will see it executed in stages that will see it through different phases until the moment of explosion.
I allowed her the fun of screwing herself with my rod. I just sat back and enjoy the thrill than ran through my body as she began to ride my rooster. It was really beautiful just sitting there for some 5 to 10 minutes while she screwed herself out, moaning
"Ahhhhhhhh Uuhhhhhhhhhhh"
Of course, she could bend and Bleep however she pleased so my rod could fvck all nook and cranny of the honeypot. Indeed Ada's own had real honey there. She was so wet that her honey was dripping down my shaft while she moaned
"Uhhhhhhhh ooooohhhhhhhhhh"
After riding me for about 15minutes, her pace reduced, the effect was getting into her seriously that she became weaker, she then came down and held me by the hand as she dragged me gently to the bed. But just as she was about to climb into the bed, I stopped her there by the edge and bent her over. Instinctively, without much ado, she part her legs to reveal that blissful paradise. Looking back and remembering the sight again is making me get a hard on as I type this sef.
Ada's Kitty-Cat was pretty looking. Beautiful looking Well, I swear! Red, warm and wet! All three prerequisites for a wholesome fvck.
A Kitty-Cat is only ready for work and be work upon when it is red, warm and thoroughly wet, this was the perfect state of Ada's Kitty-Cat!

I parted her two heavy butts and slid in! Jeeezzzzz!!! Additionally, hers was tight. So sliding in from the back was out of this world, this time around I think it was me that was moaning sef!
It got to a stage that I forgot myself. My eyes were closed and all I could feel, think of and see was the soft caresses Ada's luscious Kitty-Cat was giving my dicck. I began to pound Ada from the back. Ramming her tightly with a rooster as hard as steel. With every thrust I gave her steadily, I could see ripples on her massive batty as it vibrated to the effect of the bang. I bang and bang Ada. Chei!
I screwed Ada like no tomorrow. She was feeling it every step of the way as I bleeped her into heavenly bliss
"Yesssssss uuuhhhhhhhh uuuhhhhh"
She moaned, panting heavily and even though the room was cooled by air conditioning system, I could see perspirations. Dogggy style is a classic!
Many thing evolve in the bedroom but I don't think this style can ever become outdated. The style of first choice since 0000BC!

Anyone who's never had it, needs to experience its magic!

I continued to fvck Ada from the back as more and more juice flowed out of her. I noh fit lie, womanliness sweet o. And this particular type dey scatter head. At this moment, I felt more high than having vodka + Albanian SK or Afghan Kush. This punnie got me higher than high.
Whenever, I come down from this high, I will have to relive this experience again.

After about another 15-20 minutes in this position, she turned over and laid back down. I climb over her and positioned properly. I slid in as she continued the enjoyment of the special rod. A special rod is one that does a good job.
I bleeped Ada to stupor that night and by the time her punny tightened, I could feel the cream coming.
With all I muster, I exploded with the roar of a lion, king of...

The evening was refreshing. We laid there tired. She turned and laid her head on my chest and I put a hand over her. She touched my cockk and I looked at her, she said...
"This is my beloved **** in whom I am well pleased." I smiled at her as she patted my rod.


Truly, Ada was the nearest thing that I have felt to paradise.

The Black Sheep IX

Outside, she hadn't parked too far from me. We backed out into the road, I was in front and without much ado, we headed to my place...



Once we turned into the road, my phone rang. It was Ada. We started talking about things relevant and irrelevant. She was driving behind me in what seemed like a convoy. And we were talking all the way home. One needn't be told either of us or both of us were tipsy. Once, two lovers were walking on the pavement hand in hand and she had drawn my attention to them and asked what I thought of them.
Oh well! Never really been the PDA type. Public Display of Affection is utterly hypocritical to me. If you think its okay for lovers to hold hands while walking on the street or kiss in public or other attention seeking love-plays, I hope you'd still think it okay for lovers to scold and yell at each other on the road when they are angry.
Or they can only do that when they get home in their privacy. So why show love publicly but reserve your displeasure to be shown only in private?

Ada thought they looked cute anyway.
"So you like to hold her in private?"
"Absolutely. Love is most beautiful in privacy" I answered.
Then her trick hit me
"Ermm, who exactly did you mean by 'she'?" I asked, looking unsure.
She laughed hard
"But you already answered. Who did you refer to in mind when you answered?"
Hmmmm
We were beginning to flirt a bit.
"Same person I'm talking with now"
There was a brief silence at her end. I thought I had spoilt the fun, in fact I didn't know what to think again when she busted out in laughter.
"Tell me, what her name?"
"Adder is her name"
"But that's a snake. Or some white guy trying to pronounce the name of a first girl child"
"Tell me which"
"I've heard a lot of white guys pronounce my namesake like that"
"Stop twisting my head"
"Then stag just tell me who you meant"
" D-A-D is her name"
"Is that some kind of an anagram?"
"Maybe" I laughed at how serious she was about knowing who I was refering to.
We kept talking and talking all the way till we got to my place.
Since there was only one parking space left inside the compound, she parked in there while I parked out on the street.

We got in accompanied by the bottle of wine I took off the table and as I stepped in and turned on the light, I went straight to the fridge, opened the freezer and slid it in. Returning to the room, Ada sat on the chair and asked for water.
But before I went for the water, I switched on the DVD and the CD I left in there automatically started. 'To All The Girls I've Loved Before' began to play.
But the song seemed somehow awkward for the moment, so I sought to change it and she resisted and asked I left it.
"A true gentleman will not disturb a duet with Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias delivering a flawless music."
I was shocked.
Ever such an awesome experience with a lady who knows good music. We got talking some good ol' music. By the time the 'Love Songs' album got to the fourth song, I really needed that bottle in the freezer. True to LG, the freezer had done the bottle some chills. I pulled it out and grabbed two cups.
'Vicent (Starry Starry Night)' played and by the time I had poured us some, track 5 had started. A song any man in love should listen to. Title 'And I Love Her'.
A perfect album for the right person. Playing at a perfect time.
The only thing imperfect about this mood was the lights. I put on the computer on the table to provide some illumination while I switched off the bulb. I was feeling romantic. Lol.
Ada was moving her head with rhythm to the song that played. Obviously, she appreciated such legendary music. I stretch one hand and reached to her. She took it and I pulled her up. Not saying anything, our bodies began to move in rhythm.
While I held my drink with my right hand, I held Ada with my left, round her waist and pulled her closer to me in an embrace. We danced slowly to the melody as we drank.
When 'Feelings' played, she sang softly under her breath. I was impressed.
We were so close, our bodies touched while we swayed side to side in unison. We were calmly dancing and sipping our drinks but apparently, our minds were preoccupied with perhaps, where we were leading ourselves. The mood had began to enter us very deeply now.
I loved that song 'If You Go Away' and yes, I couldn't hold back when it played, I sang to her. With all sincerity of the promises in that song and the same emotions the artist's voice sang with.

Finally, like she couldn't stand it anymore, she rested her head on me, held me back with a stronger grip and she let out a deep breath. I reached and kissed her. I kissed her once, and for a moment it seemed she was going to let my kiss free, then suddenly she kissed me back. And we began to kiss. Softly. Tenderly. With all the care we could, like it was delicate.
And that was the kind of kiss that stirs passions deep within.

Ada was the kind of lady that could get you intoxicated by just looking at her. And I knew I was getting intoxicated tonight. Yet not by the wine, but by Ada. I knew I was getting 'Crazy In Love'!
I kissed Ada back and the passion with which we kissed began to unlock the doors that led deeper into the abyss of mutual love that felt like elixir. Helplessly, we both kissed each other and let ourselves be swept away by the feelings of Love.
And somehow, everything around me faded except...

Ada.

I was floating in a world that had only one person in it. And at this time, all that mattered to me was Ada. She was all that seemed to have any meaning to me right now. And I became very expressive of this fact as my rooster had grown bigger. It was bulging and of course Ada could feel it except that she too wasn't in this world presently.
I kissed her neck and she turned her head to one side so I could kiss her deeply. By now we had dropped our cups and I felt Ada's hands on my button. I started to caress her. I rubbed against her niples, her back, her neck, her back. And when she had unbuttoned me, I took off the top. And moved her calmly, gently two steps to the bed. We both wanted to taste ourselves deep. Bare. And by the time I slid down the zip at the back of her gown and took it off, it was on.

In a quick movement, I took off my trouser. My rod was so hard it was pained me. I had no doubts all the blood in my body had rushed into that part of my anatomy. And my battery became fully charged, like steel. She had taken off off her inner wears while I was taking my trouser off. We were both bare, ready, longing...

But first, I needed to caress some sensations into her. I needed to suck those bobbi. Beautiful works of nature. I could see it. Though the lights were out, there was light from the computer screen. I went down and planted a kiss on one niple. I tended it with my tongue, sucking it deliciously. Alternating between the two niples, I sucked them well while my hand touched her round her body. Julio iglesias rendered some assistance with the mood his music provided. Himself, a master of women in his days...

The sucking was getting into her more, she held my head with both of her hands and rubbed my head tenderly. A language that said 'good job you are doing'. I worked on her some more, moving lower to her navel. I kiss and still caressed her bosoms with my hands. She was beginning to breathe heavily.
I switched into what I call the 3-Hits-Combo. While my left hand tickled her bosom, my tongue gave her navel some fantasy and my right hand went even lower. Working with a masterful precision to her cameltoe to discover a clean well shaven feel. Just beautiful! I touched her some more in this region while the effects all built up inside of her and by the time my right hand found the honeypot, it felt like she was about to explode. Her womanliness was warm and wet. Very wet! The pent up Intimate feeling began to manifest as I manipulated her. My finger began to go in and out of her punny with no rush. With care and easy I manipulated Ada's punny as her thoracic cavity rose and dropped in succession.
I finger her and she responded lovingly. I caressed her femalecore and played with the lips of her punny. Her Labia Majora was fleshy. So I romanced it, the femalecore and the opening of her punny. All these gave her some added sensation. As the manipulation was climaxing I took her a level higher. It was time. Her hot and wet punny had lubricated my right hand enough, so I rubbed the wetness on the General who stood so erect like he was going to way, standing at attention.

I parted her legs and properly positioned myself, supporting my weight on my two hands, my waist ready... Without friction, like a hot knife slicing through butter, I effortlessly slid into Ada...
"Staaaaaggggg" Ada let out my name in a soft gentle moan like she had been waiting and expecting this great entrance. For a moment I felt like a hero. I will never forget that first feeling, Ada's punny gave me. A memorable one. Sweet, beautiful and after so long I want to feel that way again.
I began to screw Ada in a very decent fvck. Ada's punny was hot, wet and tight!

It is said that when the light goes out, all women are the same. Not Ada. She was one of a kind. She was different. She was magical. She understood the very art of fusing in lovemaking. A wet punny is one turn on for guys. A tight one is the killer!
And I savoured every moment my rod went deep into her, caressing the inner walls of her vaginna, and that awesome feeling when my rod was sliding out and the hot wet walls gently curved round my rod and licked by her Labia minora while that flesh majora provided the feeling of the heavens, making my rod feel the bliss of Elysium.
A gallant gladiator, my fearless sword did wonders to the waists of Ada, not just her punny. She began to move her yansh in such a way that a certain sensation rippled round my body. I began to screw Ada harder and she began to moan more and more
"Ahhhhh Usssshhhh Stttaaaaaggg"
I continued to fork her well, with a calculated precision making sure that as I rammed her, my whole pelvic region communicated with her and making sure her femalecore wasn't left out of the whole feeling. When I smoothly rammed in slowly, I made sure there's contact with her clit. This brought her to a higher frequency faster. I banged and banged Ada. She moaned with sweet pleasure and the moans of "Sttaaagg Uhhhhh Ahhhhh" rent the air, greeted by the music on repeat.
Her eyes were half closed and I could see the white part of her eyeball like she was busy with the feeling of ecstasy. She held her own bosoms with both hands as I pounded her massively, without rush. Slow and steady the climax accumulates. She bit her lower lip in an expression that told she was in absolute bliss. At this point, I wished more than any thing to know what was going on in her mind and where her mind was. I had no doubt she was in cloud-9, floating effortlessly in a pool of heavenly feelings.
I banged Ada harder as her breathing heightened and she moaned
"Yessss Staaaaaag Yess Yesss Yesss Uhhh"
I continued to pound her. Sweet I tell ya! Imagine that wet, tight Well! Red, hot hole sweeter than all the pleasures of the universe!
As I screwed Ada thoroughly, she held the bedspread tightly and pulled at it as she moaned and I screwed her even harder
"Uhhhh Ahhhhh Staaaaagg"
Sweet honeypot. Very wet makes it sweeter, flowing with warm Kitty-Cat juice, it was just ecstatic. Yes, she continued to moan as her moans were even of a sweeter melody than the one that played in the background.
Just the a part of the song 'If You Go Away' played...
"...but if you stay, I'll make it a day like no day has been nor will be again..."

In what seemed like it had a dramatic effect on her as he raised his voice in the music, she suddenly raised her back from the bed for a second or two and landed right back as she gripped the bedspread even harder, I knew.
I leaned forward and kissed her ear, she jerked as the kiss was sensitive, her punny tightened.
I grabbed the pillow from under her head and pulled out of her, she was panting.
I put the pillow beneath her ass for support, raising her honeypot higher and closer to the General's penetration. I fired away.
Ada moaned out more and more as I yanshed her harder and harder
"Stagg Staaagg Staagg wait Staggg"
I knew it was here
I continued to screw her harder but not faster and when she said "faster...faster...faster" because she was about to cum. I maintained my flow and this made a profound effect because when her punny tightened a second time, I felt so wet, hot, and like her punny grabbed my rod, I pounded her and she suddenly grabbed me and clung to me as I began to say some sweet nothings into her eyes, she was here.
With an explosive climax, her punny ejected my rod and out came with it squirts of water splashing out!
'Yeah!' I said to myself.
Every guy loves it when he bursts a nut.

Ada laid panting on the bed, weak and weak, at my mercy. But an erect rod has no conscience. Lol.
As I slid in again, her body invigorated. I screwed her as she made all kinds of sweet moaning. I screwed her and more Kitty-Cat juice flowed out, just then I began to feel that sensation that I was a bout to arrive. Before I could arrived, Ada squirt again and as she was squirting a thrid time, I had an explosion of cum like nuclear bomb was dropped.

Ada and I lay there, wasted. By now, the computer screen had gone into stand-by as it had gone off.
We rested a while and went in for a shower, and when I came out, the computer screen back on, I saw Ada sipping more from her glass, calmly.

The Black Sheep VIII.

I pondered long and hard on the implications I just heard. How many more people would have noticed my closeness to Ada.
When I got home, Ada and I spoke very briefly and didn't talk again that night.

The next day at work turned out a little dramatic. Sometime in the afternoon, I had sent a BBM chat message to ask how the day fared. No response.
An hour later had gotten me wondering a bit. I was to later hear Ada was in a meeting with the MD and in a short while, heads of departments were in for a meeting. There had been an unusual case of in-subordination. Not very heard of in the relatively compact company.
Mercy had deliberately disobeyed an instruction from her boss.

I didn't get to read nor hear from Ada the whole day, so I stopped dialling. A few minutes to close of day, a message came in. It was from Ada, asking
"Are you busy this evening?"
"Not if you tell me why you went all AWOL on me"
"When we see"
"Where?"
"African Buka. 6."

I got there a bit earlier and got a drink. She would arrive minutes later, after 6. She looked stressed and a bit emotional. So I decided not to push because I know at some point we will get around to talking about it. Neither did I pretend not to have heard the whispers in the office.
We started off to a slow chat. She wasn't much fun and looked like there was really much on her mind.
"We could talk about it when you're ready" I said
She looked at me a few seconds and looked away. Then nodded.
"I feel like a drink. Do you mind?"
"No" I replied
I thought she really needed it bad.

We left for the place around Afariogun street in her estate. It hadn't been much fun neither. So I suggested she went home and refreshed and could join me in about an hour. I would wait for her.
She agreed but when she got up to go, like a second thought, she asked a sarcastic humour
"Are you sending me off so you can meet with one of your numerous chicks?" She joked
I laughed
"Are you jealous?" I asked.
"I would expect a more civil way of telling me you want to meet with someone than attempting to trick me away" she said.
Some humour she got.
"Then by all means, you are welcomed to stay"
"If I went, what would you be doing?" She started again.
"Waiting for you"
"I don't want you waiting for me"
Women. Go, its wahala. Stay, still wahala.
Hmmm. So she wanted me to come along. To her house? Wow. Okay.

Her place was a bit cozy. She lived in a two bedroom. The furnishings were really warm and showed some taste. Expectedly.
She had a huge collection of movies. She asked what I'd take and went into what must be her kitchen. I went to the CDs and realised there were audio too.
She returned.
"Is the player okay?"
"Yes"
I push the 'Open' button and inserted Anita Baker's 'Rythm Of Love' album and the first song started. She handed me a canned Guiness and was drinking Smirnoff herself. We talked and laughed a bit. Clearly, she wasn't much of herself today. She didn't talk much. Nor laughed much. But she seemed relaxed. She had taken off her jacket.
But when the third song began, Ada seemed to be in rythm with it. Maybe the song meant something to her and out of nowhere when I wasn't expecting her to start
"Mercy is becoming a real menace. She getting too crude."
I didn't say a thing. I just allowed her pour her mind out.
She told me of how she had, up to a point, had to put up with Mercy's approach to doing things. She's either trying to cut corners or doing something outright silly. She told me of an issue when she had been on leave the previous year, Mercy had connived with someone in Accounts to defraud the company. When she returned and noticed it, she had asked but no satisfactory answer had been given. The MD had asked her for explanation as to the money and she had just said things that made her sound silly.

Mercy is ambitious. Over ambitious, actually. Very noticeable, she wasn't even doing a good job at masking it. But challenging one's boss isn't always a very wise thing to do because even if you were right and your boss goes away, your next boss will be suspicious of you and in fact, your subordinates will make you a victim of your own standard.

On this issue, two people had wanted the premiums they pay for life policies to be deducted from their salaries before it is being taxed. The Accounts section had forwarded it to HR to acknowledge. Ada had asked her to wait a bit and see if they could confirm details of the insurance policy and how if relates to the firm's employment and insurance policies. Instead, Mercy signed it on. She hadn't even known until the Head of Accounts had met her on the staircase and had noted that he had expected to see her own signature.
That was a silly move by Mercy, if you ask me.

Well, by the time she finished the story, I saw something in Ada that might hold true for most women in demanding positions of authority. They may act strong outside, really, inside they are still the emotional beings they are. A mixed feeling of anger and something else I couldn't place poured from Ada, and maybe she hadn't even noticed I had moved close to her by now. Because when I put my hands around her, she swallowed.
All I could whisper was
"Its alright... Its alright..."
And maybe that added to her emotions as Anita Baker rendered her music with so much soul.

I would hold her like that for the next five minutes. Just there, doing but else but holding her. After a while, the emotions seemed to have waned off, she gently and very calmly broke free from the cuddle.
"That was soothing, thanks" as she adjusted herself.
"I think you should have a shower, eat something and rest a little. We'd talk when I get home"
We chatted a little more and I got up to go. She led the way to open the door for me while I came behind her.
Mehnn!!! Oh boy!

Ada's asss needs to be commended. Viewing it from the back, it was round and thick. She had taken off her jacket so I could see the type of asss she had. You know, those types that start at the lower back. And I could sense it would even be bigger when seen in a tighter skirt than the loose fitting one Ada always wore.
Still, her hips shares some of those flesh, protruding. Sideways in a very sexy curve down her thighs. Full laps. This was not fat. No. This was pure raw meat. My Johnny-T began to rise at the sight. The analysis of the vision in my head was making my rod harden faster.
And she walked to the door, things got harder under my trousers. Her huge asss was rolling up and down in a very seductive manner. There was this urge to hold her from the back and feel the inspiration emanating from the rolling of the calabash.
Mehn! One needs to kabash not to fall into the temptations of this calabash.

Back home, my mind and the whole of my body was fixated on the visions I had seen on Ada. Ada had a very huge ikebe. No wonder she always wore loose fitting dresses. Even on friday, she'd not wear what will make eyes see.
I was turning and turning on my bed, restless. I thought to call her like I had said earlier but if I called Ada in this mood I am, I go dey jabo, dey yarn okpata. I go just dey mis-yarn. And I didn't want to furk-up and spoil my chances of hitting the core. But that heavy nyansh I saw was what an IT person might call 'Dual Core'. And yes, it was making my rod hardcore.

I didn't know when I drifted off to sleep. For all I know sef, by the time I was having all these thoughts, I was dreaming...




 Sex means different things to different people. For some who savour the beauty of this awesome activity as an expression of love, its love making. To the player, its only a recreational sport.
For Stag, its something special, something purifying. Imagine two bodies, mind and soul fused into one, communicating on a plane only the two can understand, the feeling is something incomprehensible except you have made love in that steamy passionate sense. Its uplifting, an art of the ingenuity of nature.
This was how on the day we made love, Ada redefined love making.


After that night, days rolled into weeks and then months. Ada and I grew into a tight bond. By now, I knew so much about her background, family, her growing up etc. Almost everything that went on in her life, I knew. Her neighbours, friends and even things that happen in her church. She had known my place and had come twice. Two short visits. She had grown very comfortable with me. We were close.

And yes, Mercy remained a menace.

Myself and the MD had a good relationship too. Very cordial and I was careful not to do something silly nor abuse the way he took me.
Mr Williams too was a great guy to work with. In no competition with anyone, we'd drink and hang out together. And while he had many of his lady-friends, I was never forward to want to lay any of them. Even when he introduced and urged me on, I declined. If I did, the way we related would become flawed. And over the time, he had come to develop some kind of respect for me, even though I was not his level. But he knew I had restraints. Same restraint I had noticed in him...
'Cos Real Recognise Real.

Work, work and Ada made my life some fun in those times. Ada showed care and love. She looked forward to me, I could see. We went out a lot. To beaches, malls, cinemas, sometimes as boring as public lectures she got invited to. Ada had some powerful friends too. Yet, her humility was profound.

Then came Christmas, then came the night...

The company always had series of events for Christmas. Sharing of gifts, end of the year party and awards night.
The sharing of gifts was a nice gesture to each other. Names are written on small folded pieces of paper and put in a bowl. Each person picks a name from the bowl, buys a gifts, wraps and puts it under the lit Christmas tree by a corner in the office. On the last day of work for the year, there's a little merry. And everyone goes to pick whichever has their names on it. Nobody knows who gave which gift.
At a later date, there's an end of year party and award night managed by events planners and held away from the office premises, at event centres. Clients, prospecting clients, acquaintances are invited. Members of staff also comes with their family and friends.
We all warmed up to that day and when the D-Day arrived, I wore a new black suit I had bought for the occasion.
The MD was looking great in a tuxedo, with his bow tie. He had come alone because his family went on vacation to Paris. He had even driven himself. Although he looked really nice, I just never understood that concept of a bow tie! Wtf?!
Well, it was his day so he had to look all nice to impress.
All eyes may have been on him until this stunning lady appeared at the entrance and all eyes glowed in her beauty! It was Ada!!!
Ada was smashing hot! She looked somewhat like a goddess. She was in a black gown. Her ears, neck and wrists were adorned with silver. In her characteristic light make up and natural hair, her skin glowed under the well illuminated room, this lady definitely stole the night! And she had come alone.
I smiled wit pride.
She took a seat among the Heads who sat by the MD.

The evening went on well. There was a lot of merry, eating, drinking, dancing and laughter. There was wine, canned beer and the MC was hilarious! After the serious part, people could be seen socialising, drinking, talking and laughing. I didn't drink alcohol at all. It was my first time at an event with this company and didn't want to misbehave at all. I could get high and go toast someone I shouldn't. Lol. Throughout the hall people were in circles, talking. Colleagues introduced their families and friends to one another and had small chats, standing in circles.
Ada had won an award. The best Head of Department. Worth celebrating and yes, it was well celebrated.

I was standing with Ada and two other people, having fun when a colleague came to tap me that the MD asked for me to come. I wondered what he wanted to see me for.
When I got to him, he asked if I could take him home. He explained he wasn't much of a drinker and the little he had taken was beginning to take a toll on him. One glance at him, clearly, he had had a bit too much to drink. Quietly, we left the hall, not telling anybody.
I didn't know where he lived, so he described. We got in. A Range Sport is definitely some beast on wheels. I drove him home. He sat in front with me, at least I wouldn't look like a driver. I was a bit uncomfortable though, not knowing what to say. But by the time I even left the event centre, he had dozed off. He was really exhausted and drunk!
By the time, I got to the gate of the estate he lived, the security guys would want to know where I was going before they opened the gate, but as I made to tap him, the gate began to open wide. I shrugged, they must know who it was by the SUV alone, I guess.
I had to tap him up, although drowsiness wasn't letting him be, he described the way to his house. Once the horn sounded, his gates opened and I dropped him. He got down and staggered to the door so I went to help him in. He had workers on duty to assist him so I decided to leave.
I had to walk all the way back to the estate gate, once out, I took a taxi back.

Ada had called when she noticed I wasn't anywhere to be found. So I explained to her and she waited for me. By the time I returned, the event was gradually winding down.
I met Ada with a glass of Chadonnay. She seemed excited when she saw me and we decided to leave.
"Just follow me, no questions"
"Yes His Imperial Majesty" she laughed
Tables had drinks on them, many still not opened. I grabbed a bottle of wine from a nearby table as we made to leave.
"You're using me to do yeye, abi?"
"Do yeye ke?, I'm a loyal subject o" she laughed hysterically.

Hmmm... Tonight, my Royal Wand of Wonders was ready for some action tonight!

Outside, she hadn't parked too far from me. We backed out into the road, I was in front and without much ado, we headed to my place...