Chapter Twenty-Three

The long awaited day was finally here. It was the 40th anniversary of Welling Fam Heights, and dignitaries and popular business owners were present at the 5,000-seater hall in the company's headquarters, all dressed so lavishly. While some came with a good intention to join in the company's celebrations, some only came because they were invited and didn't want to look bad for not coming, while some others just wanted to be there if something went wrong, so, they'll have something to talk about. The hall was magnificent and was designed so beautifully well, in gold and cream colours and furniture, with a good number of fascinating chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, adding to the beauty of the venue. There had been clothing materials given with the invitation cards for an amount of money, which they were expected to sew, so everyone could look in sync, in their own preferable styles. Bukunmi had sewn a gown with the green lace material that had been given to the workers of the company. It was an off-shoulder dress, which was long and went beyond her ankle. The dress was adorned with shiny stones and it had a slit from her thigh down to the very end of the length of the dress. She wore silver heels, and on her neck, was a simple tiny silver necklace with a crystal diamond pendant, which Tade had given to her when he dropped by at her house the previous day. Silver earrings hung to her earlobes, and the smile which was plastered on her face gave her look its final touch. Bukunmi had just entered the hall and looked around, trying to see if there was anywhere she could sit with people she was already familiar with. Her joy knew no bounds when she saw Itohan wave to her, beckoning on her to come sit with them at a table, which was situated in the middle of the room, directly under a chandelier. Beaming excitedly, she walked with poise up to the table, and was really glad they had saved a seat for her. Eyeing the chandelier which was above their heads, she looked around, and seeing that she really did not have a choice, just sat down on the chair that had been reserved for her, tossing her diamond encrusted silver purse, courtesy of Tade again, on the table. 'Hey, what if this chandelier falls on our heads?" She asked, in a whisper. Kate and Itohan chuckled lightly. 'Relax, nothing will fall. That only happens, either in movies or in novels," Kate said. Glancing at the chandelier one more time, Bukunmi shrugged off her fears and mentally prepared herself for how she was going to escape should the chandelier start falling. 'You guys look really good," She said, admiring their outfits and their makeup, although she didn't have any makeup on, since Tade had told her that he preferred her without makeup, after they had settled their issue a few weeks ago, at the time when she had been acting sour towards him, and wearing tight clothes and makeup. 'You also look great. I'm in love with your dress," Itohan said. 'Forget the dress. Your necklace is so freaking simple and stunning. It looks really expensive. Where did you get it from?" Kate asked. 'Er..." Bukunmi stuttered, unsure of the answer to give. 'How could you afford something this expensive with your salary?" Itohan asked. 'Or, did you borrow it? Sorry if I sound rude. It's just that I remember how you looked when I first you. You weren't dressed so well at all, but after collecting one pay check, you're wearing such an expensive necklace. Your salary can't afford that, and we both know it," Kate said. Bukunmi smiled. 'Well, you're right. I don't have the money for this, and even if I did, this would never be my priority right now," She said. 'Can we all, please, stand up for the opening prayers?" The MC called out with his loud microphone. They all stood up, and instead of closing their eyes to pray, continued their discussion instead. 'You were saying?" Kate pressed on, not letting go of the issue just yet. 'Well, someone gave it to me as a present," She disclosed. 'What? OM...freaking G!" Itohan exclaimed in surprise, making a few eyes swing to their direction. 'Wow! Who's this person? Is he single?' Kate asked, being the opportunist that she was. 'How are you sure it's a he? What if it's a she, and even if it was actually a guy, what gives you the impression that a random person, or just a friend would have gotten something so beautiful and expensive for her?" Itohan retorted. 'That's true. I'm sorry, Bukunmi. Is he your boyfriend?" Kate asked. 'You may all sit down," The MC announced, as the prayers were done with. 'He's...um..." Bukunmi thought of what to say. Over the last few weeks, she and Tade had grown so close. They'd spend hours talking on the phone, discussing in the office, making out in his secret room, eating together, and had gone on two dates at an eatery on the mainland where she stayed. She woke up to his message every morning, and slept at night while still on the phone with him. Sometimes, when coming to work, she brought along pancakes, moi-moi or akara for him, depending on the one her mother decided to make that day. There were some disagreements between them at times, but they always made up that same day, because they were so much attached to each other. 'I hope we are all having a good time. I want you all to remove your earplugs, avoid all forms of distraction, because it's time for the one and only son of the founder of this company, Tade Wellington, to give us all a welcome speech," The MC announced, and rounds of applause wafted through the air, as Tade mounted the podium, looking ravishing as ever, with a smile adorning his face, increasing the screams and claps the audience gave to him. He was dressed in a dark green agbada, with black velvety shoes, and a green fila cap. It was the first time Bukunmi was seeing him dressed in a native attire, and it really did suit him, and she felt he even looked better in it. He looked amazing in whatever he wore, and as the reporters and cameramen kept taking pictures of him, with other people doing the same too and hailing him, their eyes met, and he smiled even more broadly, making her smile too. 'That's my man," She said, aloud, regretting the words the moment they came out. 'Who?" Kate and Itohan chorused. 'Um... You asked me who...who got me this necklace, so I was telling you that it's my man who got it for me," She said. 'Liar," Her subconscious said. In her defence, it wasn't entirely a lie. She and Tade had a thing, and he could as well be called her man. She didn't say he was her boyfriend after all, even though she knew deep down that there was no difference between calling him her boyfriend or her man. 'Wow. He must be very rich then, I'm happy for you," Kate said. 'Me, too. Introduce us to him sometime?" Itohan asked. Bukunmi faked a smile. 'Sure, when the time is right." 'Does anyone else find it surprising that many people love Tade, when he's such a pain in the ass, and enjoys making our lives miserable? Just see how they're applauding him and taking pictures of him. It's annoying to see," Kate said. Itohan shrugged. 'His looks make up for all his other bad qualities," She opined. 'Touché," Bukunmi said, chewing on a spring roll from the plate of small chops, which had just arrived at their table. 'You guys are wrong. Being good-looking isn't a leeway for having a bad character," Kate said. 'Well, to me, he isn't an entirely bad person," Bukunmi said. 'You think?" Kate asked. 'Who are you to argue with someone who stays with him everyday? If he was bad to her, she'd have quit by now, or even if she hadn't, she'd have been badmouthing him to you now," Itohan said. 'Again, you're on point," Bukunmi said. 'First things first, I'd like to thank my Personal Assistant for writing this speech. Bukunmi, can you wave your hands, so they can see you?" Tade said, finally being able to speak since the audience had gradually kept quiet. Bukunmi smiled, and waved her hands, and the audience began to applaud her. 'I hate having to write speeches, you can then imagine how my grades would have been in English Language and Literature-in-English," He said, which erupted sounds of laughter from the audience. 'Enough of the chitchatting, I'd just go straight to reading it out loud, and hope the other events of today go by fast, so we can all eat and go to our various houses," Tade said, making the audience shake with laughter again. Bukunmi chuckled lightly. 'Kate, I told you he wasn't an entirely bad person," She said, on noticing her laugh as well. 'I guess his looks aren't all that there is to him," Itohan added. 'Someone who can acknowledge truthfully to have not written a speech by himself in the presence of honourable men like this...is truly not a bad person. I think I've been misjudging him all along. Maybe he just wants to get work done, and does not intend on hurting people," Kate said, admitting the truth. Bukunmi smiled. It was true that Tade wasn't an entirely bad person, but what if his good sides weren't enough to cover up for the bad sides? Tade really seemed nicer as the days went by; it would be a pity for her worst fears about him to be confirmed, and she truly prayed that his bad sides weren't that bad. When he was done with reading the speech, a thunderous applause filled the air. People looked really impressed, and as Bukunmi clapped enthusiastically, smiling really broadly and happy that people liked what she had written, her eyes met Tade's eyes, and he winked at her, which sent her heart melting. He then left the podium, and went back to sitting at the high-table, reserved for special dignitaries and first class CEOs, adjusting his agbada before sitting down, and shaking hands with some of the guests that had just arrived. Bukunmi couldn't help but stare at him in admiration. He had spoken with eloquence, and had been able to carry the crowd along, making them laugh, and not boring them. She finally understood why he wanted something sweet that could shake up the world, and would be remembered for a long time. It wasn't like the usual kind of speeches. It was like this: Once, long ago, not really long, just forty years to be honest, a man thought to himself that the fashion industry was worth investing in. Why? Because we all need clothes. And why do we need clothes? Yeah, you guessed right. To cover up our nakedness...so, from the thoughts of one man sprang this company, which has been, and will forever be a household name. On and on, the speech had gone. She was impressed with herself for writing something so unique, beautiful, and different. People had been awed, curious, and had laughed. That was the power of a good speech, and she was thankful to Tade for giving her the push she needed to write something so good. It was as though she was getting to know and understand him more with each passing moment. What if she had been wrong about him all along? He was probably a good man, and didn't deserve to be called a jerk. Her phone chimed, and she picked it up, thinking she'd see a message from MTN as usual, only for her to see a message from Tade, which was a single word. 'Bored?" She smiled at the text, then responded in the affirmative: 'Yeah. I think I'm going to suffocate from boredom if I remain here." 'Wanna get out of here?", was his next message to her. 'I'll do anything to get out of here." 'Why are you smiling so sheepishly? What are you up to?" Kate asked, craning her neck. Bukunmi quickly locked her phone. 'Um...Nothing." 'Looks like something to me," Kate said, looking at her suspiciously. Bukunmi chuckled nervously. 'It's just my man I'm texting," She said. 'Oh. Well then, make it less obvious. We all know we're tired deep down, but don't let it show that if we had a choice, we wouldn't have been here. Apart from the speech, the remaining events have been boring. Just different people from different companies saying the same thing, which I'm fed up of hearing," Kate said, with a loud hiss. 'I've known Chief Alade Wellington for over twenty years. He's industrious, hardworking and committed. This company has come so far, and I'm proud to be present today to join in its celebration," Itohan mimicked. 'It's like they all planned on making the same statements," Bukunmi added, and they all laughed. Her phone chimed again, and she stopped laughing, as the message she saw this time struck her hard. 'Wanna make out? Let's meet in the secret room. You can leave first, I'll leave a little later, so no one suspects anything." She didn't know the way she was supposed to react. It was the first time he clearly told her he wanted to have a make out session with her. Other times they had made out, it just happened naturally. At the end, she smiled, and sent him a message, replying in the affirmative. 'I think I need to use the toilet," Bukunmi suddenly said. It was the only excuse she could think of, and she really did hope it worked. 'Okay. Don't spend all day there though," Itohan said, playfully. Bukunmi shot a small smile in her direction, and after taking a sip from the glass of wine on the table, she left the hall, walking gracefully. Outside, she walked with much more relaxation, and headed for the elevator to go up to the office, making sure to check if she was being followed. With the way reporters got information on Tade and his escapades even though he tried to leave them as secrets, one couldn't really be sure about anything. A muscular man of average height, wearing a grey suit, walked past her, obviously leaving the elevator, and probably an aide of one of the dignitaries that had shown up for the anniversary. He may have been just anybody at all, but something about him didn't quite sit well with Bukunmi. On impulse, they both turned around to see who had just walked past. While he had turned around because he thought she looked amazing, she had turned around because she had detected something strange about him; something she didn't know at the time. As their eyes met, memories flooded through their heads. It couldn't be...Could it be that it was the same man who had threatened her father years ago, and had probably been the one to pull the trigger to release the bullet that killed her father eleven years ago, that was standing right there before her? Was it the exact replica of Thomas Jibawo Ketu that was standing before him? He shuddered, and he rarely got scared. There was no way his daughter would be working there, it just wasn't possible. Tade might be an overbearing nutcase he had to tolerate every now and then because of his father, but he wasn't stupid enough to employ the child of his former boss and his own once-upon-a-time lesson teacher. It just wasn't possible. Bukunmi never forgot a face, and had the memory of a computer. It was he...the very person who had taunted her father, and had shown him no pity or any form of remorse. If that were true, as she was so confident about where she had seen his face, what then was he doing here? He was even dressed in an expensive-looking suit, and looked well fed and taken care of. If he wasn't an assassin who did odd jobs for people all the time, did it mean that he was still involved with Tade? He already knew she was the daughter of the man he had always hated for being Tade's favourite in a few weeks of knowing him when, when he had tried for years to get Tade to warm up to him. It had made Chief like him so much, and he had treated him better than the rest of them. He had been offended and had harboured hatred against him, so, when the opportunity came for him to erase his sorry existence, he had gladly taken it. What he didn't know was what his daughter was looking for in Welling Fam Heights, and he could tell from her outfit that she was attending the event. 'Drago!" He heard someone call his name. Drago... That name was familiar, and then, she remembered. It was the name she had seen on Tade's phone screen the day his phone had been ringing, and he had collected the phone angrily from her. Before he could turn around again and probably bombard her with questions, she took the opportunity presented to her as he was talking to the young lad who had called him, and walked stealthily to the elevator, which she entered, and started thinking hard as the doors closed. Drago, on the other hand, turned around, and didn't find the girl there again, to his great disappointment. He knew what he had seen hadn't been a figment of his imagination. The girl was real, and he knew he had seen her clearly. He was not delusional, and he was sure of what he had seen with his very eyes. As he took out his phone to place a call to one of his subordinates, he remembered being told by one of Chief's aides that Chief had acted up during the recent conference at Ogun State, claiming to have seen Jibawo Ketu's offspring, who had made a silent threat to kill him. There was no way in the world that what had happened was a coincidence. Chief hadn't been imagining things. Jibawo Ketu had had a daughter he was so fond off, and that little girl had grown up to be a beautiful young woman, who obviously wanted something from Welling Fam Heights, seeing that not only had she been present at the conference, but had also been present at the company's 40th anniversary. 'Yes, Ali, remember Ketu?" Drago asked, as soon as the call went through. The person who was receiving the call on the other end responded, 'Of course. How could I ever forget?" 'Get me information on every member of his family, and give me a detailed report on where they are, and what they are doing right now. Understood?" 'Yes, boss." Drago then hung up. Soon, everything will become crystal clear, and there would be no doubt as to who the girl was, and her motive behind being at the conference and at the anniversary. As she was still in the elevator, her heart thumped in fear. Somehow, she knew the so-called Drago was ruthless, and certainly wasn't going to let her be. There was something still going on between him and Tade, and there could be answers which she needed that were in Tade's secret room. He never left her there alone, and always went in first to look around before letting her in. She didn't have any more time, and Drago might be running a background check on her at that moment. Whatever she had to do, she knew she needed to do it as soon as possible. It'd be a shame to not have achieved anything at all if Drago caught hold on who she was and why she was presently working in Welling Fam Heights. Enough with joking around; it was time to get real already.