Episode 20 : A New Beginning
Before we could finish up with the meeting it was already past 11p.m.
“Alright mum enough with the chitchat already, and allow me take beverly home its already very late”I said to my mum.
“What did you just say”beverly asked as she looked through her phone to ascertain if I was telling the truth.
“Crap,our security will not let me into the compound this late”she lamented.
1 felt really sorry for keeping her out so late..”I got a better idea”I said after thinking for an alternative, but I dont know if she will be open to the idea.
“Which is”she asked staring at me and immediately I felt really uncomfortable saying it.
“Why dont you spend the night here,with your dad and i,its a big mansion afterall, dont you think so derek”my mum chipped in.
“Ofcus its a big mansion mum,but I was thinking maybe she should sleep over in my house”I said keeping a straight face.
“But its already too late to drive to your house at this ungodly hour,and also given the current situation,its not safe for you derek”my mum said.
“Back me up here darling”my mum said staring at my dad.
“Listen to your mum son”my dad said.
“Mum,dad the bodyguards that are detailed for my safety and security are not for fancy,so please allow them do their job”I said as I kissed them goodnight and left with beverly.
I was super quiet on our way to my house,I couldnt digest the thought of beverly going back to that psychopath,what if something bad happen to her in the process,I will never forgive my self..I was still deep in thought when beverly intertwined her fingers with mine…she must have read my mind and saw how worried I was as I stared at her beautiful face.
“Its okay derek,am gonna be fine”she said.
“But I cant stop wondering,what if something goes wrong,promise me that if he suspects anything,run,run as far away as possible,even if you hadn’t gotten the evidence,leave it and run,please”I said staring into her eyes….she held my face with her other hand”I promise”she said and kissed me…I was aroused instantly…I kept my cool so she wouldnt know.
We got to my house around 11:30 pm.
“Welcome to my humble abode,would you like to sleep in a room on the first or second floor”I asked while she smiled.
“There is nothing humble about your mansion derek,and I would like to sleep anywhere you think is best”she replied.
“Ofcus”I said and took her to her room in the second floor,which was actually opposite mine.
“Uhmmm,I will go and shower in my room,when am done I will bring you some cloths to change into”I said and left.
I took my time in the shower during my bath,alot where going on in my mind especially the fact that beverly is gonna spend her night here for the first time and i have no idea how to behave around her,I was so uneasy and I think she was beginning to notice.
I came from the shower few minutes later,put on some cloth and wore my deodorant..which I think was being too excessive..and its freaking me out..
I took my shirt and my joggers and headed to her room given that I dont live with any female so she will have to manage mine.
I knocked on the door,she opened it a few minutes later,she was outing on a white towel,and it was obvious she was just coming out of the bathroom..my eyes ran through her body unconsciously and I just froze.
“Well come on in”she said.
“I uhm,I hope you manage these cloths,I dont really have any female cloths with me….”I said trying so hard not go stutter while she turned and stared at me.
“I mean,its not that am supposed to have any female cloths right”I said again..this time she laughed at me,as she came close to where I stood..
“Why are you laughing,do I have something on my face” I said touching my face.
“Aww,you are so adorable when you stutter”she said and kissed me on the cheek as she collected the cloths the cloths from me and kept it on the bed..
“I will be going then”I said as I turned to leave.
“Leaving so soon”she said coming closer to me smiling….she smelled like lavender.
“If you are trying to seduce me,then I must say its officially working”I said trying to avoid eye contact.
“Well its only fair given you yourself tried to seduce me when we were in spain”she said confidently.
“What,thats not……ok maybe your right but its not my fault that you are an exquisite beauty and I a helpless romantic”I said staring at her dreamingly ,she blushed repeatedly,as she put her arms around my neck,I felt a cold shiver ran down my spine.
“You know you always make me happy right”she said calmly while I nodded.
Just then she removed her arms from around my neck…”I will like to dress up now”she said backing me.
“Yeah,sure…just let me know if you need anything”I said and left.
I turned on my bed as I couldnt sleep…I was just hoping beverly will give me call that she needs something,anything even if its just drinking water,so I could use that as an excuse to see her once more..my mind was telling me to get my ass from the bed and go see her in her room…as I was about getting up..I heard a knock on the door,I was instantly excited.
“Yes come on in”I said as beverly opened the door and walked in wearing just the shirt that only covered her thigh.
“Can I come inside,I couldnt sleep”she said as she walked in and came around the bed and sat on it,and covered her legs with the duvet..while I stared astonished by her crazy curvy body.
“I couldnt sleep and given that you too is blatantly awake that means you too couldnt sleep,why dont we play a game”she said.
“What game”i asked as I put my legs too under the duvet.
“Truth or dare game”she said smiling…while I shrugged off the idea.
“Dont tell me you are scared that I would dare you to make love to me”she teased me…while I laughed.
“Well am not scared”I said.
“Well then I choose Truth”she said.
“What is your greatest fear”I asked.
“The thought of losing you is my worst nightmare”she answered solemnly…..I smiled.
“Ok I will go for truth”I said.
“When did you find out that what you felt for me was love and not infatuation”she asked.
“Every minute I spent with you,inside and outside the office,I always knew,I was always sure” I said.
“Your turn”I said.
“I choose Truth”she said.
“Are you scared of what I will dare you to do if you choose Dare,….its not part of the question actually,I just wanna know”i said.
“No am not scared at all”she said.
“Ok tell me , has kelvin ever made love to you…you know what,never mind dont answer it…thats a stupid and insensitive question….am sorry”I said feeling ao stupid.
“Its ok,I will answer you” she said.
“Well No he hasn’t because i’ve not really given him any chance to be honest”she said as she gave a subtle laugh.
“I’ve never spent a night in his house ,even though he’s asked me severally…..I just couldnt get myself to,…. actually this is the first time am sleeping outside my apartment”she said calmly.
I stared at her , at this point I wanted to kiss her badly,…”your turn “i said.
“Ok I choose Dare,…what’s the worst that would happen”I said as I saw her eyes lit up.
“I dare you to…….kiss me”she said as though she read my mind,I bend over and kissed her passionately,I felt my manhood harden,I tried to control my libido but the more I kissed her the more I was losing it…so I got my self to stop for a while as I stared into her eyes.
“I love you so much that I cant live with out you beverly”I confessed as tears ran down my cheeks,I was so emotional that I didnt know when it happened.
“I know you do”she said and wiped my face with her palms.
She lay on my chest afterwards and slept off few minutes later….I love the way I loved her.
I went to the police station two days later with my lawyer,and we requested to have some words with the ring leader of the criminals…the police warden and the DPO led me to the interrogation room as they went to bring him.
Seeing the bastard I remembered how he hit me with planks and iron rod,but this is not time to get angry and throw tantrum,its time for me to get answers.
“We have a proposition for you,if you cooperate,we will let the court know ,and you will get a lesser sentence given the magnitude of your crimes in the past”my lawyer said.
“Am listening “the criminal said.
“We got an intel that you keep pictures of your meetings with your employers an benefactors as an insurance, to blackmail them and protect your criminal organisation ,give up the pictures that you took of kelvin and I will let the judge know and show leniency”my lawyer said confidently…..he immediately looked up at us as we could see the shock and suprise on his face.
“How did you get that intel”the DPO asked.
“We’ve been busy”I replied.
“Alright I will cooperate,I’ll need a paper and pen,so I can write the address of the apartment where you can fine the pictures”he said while the warden rushed to get the writing material…he wrote it down and handed it our lawyer. ?”why dont I have that ” the DPO said and collected the piece..
“We will be raiding his apartment tomorrow”the DPO said.
“Why not today”I asked.
“Our anti robbery squad are actually on an operation at the moment,so we will leave it tomorrow “he said.
“If you say so…hope to get some goodnews tomorrow “I said and left with my lawyer.
Something was not right I could feel it,..but i just cant place it.
I got to the office the following day and was waiting patiently for the DPO’s call..I saw a news on the television in my office of a burning building,I increased the volume to listen to the news as I wait…to my shock and suprise the building burning was the exact same building that the police was suppose to raid today and get the evidence, immediately my phone rang..I looked it was the DPO.
“What the heck happened”I asked angrily.
“Am sorry Mr derek,but we couldnt retrieve the evidence as the building and the evidence burnt to ashes,yesterday night”he said and hung up…..i was speechless, I was still trying to recover from the news when another call came in this time it was my private investigator..”tell me you have some goodnews”I asked.
“You better rush to Lagos university teaching hospital, the ring leader of the criminal is been taken there,I think he was poisoned by someone in the police department..whatever that is happening is a clean up of a sabotage, rush now before they declare him dead”he said and hung up..
I picked up my keys and rushed to the elevator.
I got to the hospital simultaneously with the police car, he was put on a stretcher and was wheeled immediately into the hospital…I was beside him as he was still alive but breathing heavily..he saw me and held my hand while he squeezed something that looked like a piece of paper inside my hands..
“Its a sabotage, the DPO” he managed to say.
“The DPO did what”I asked.
“A mole,find the cemetery ,find the name in this paper on the headstone,beside it ,dig a little deeper you will find your answer”he said finally in a whisper,before they wheeled him inside the emergency ward.
I was right all along, it was a indeed a sabotage and the DPO was in the center of it..I put the piece of paper inside my pocket and left the hospital…
I got to the office angry that I trusted a snake to investigate my case…I should have known better,…I phoned my P.I and asked him to meet me in my office.
I browsed the name written on the piece of paper given to me by the criminal and found out it was a cemetery in Ajegunle.
I went with my private investigator to the cemetery,we searched it for days before we found the exact grave..he helped me dig around the headstone as I was instructed,we found a small box ..we took it to my car and opened it..we found a flash drive inside it, I accessed the flash on my system and to our shock and suprise because we did not only find kelvin picture there where he met up with the criminals…we saw that the picture of the DPO,some members of the Senate, some governors,the Chief of staff,some ministers,and even the picture of the vise president was there..this is unthinkable…they were assassins that carried out jobs for the top men in nigeria…this is unbelievable.
I had to call beverly to tell her the goodnews atleast.
“Baby,we did it,we finally found the evidence”I said excitedly.
“And i’ve got your girl”the voice on the other end said.
“Who’s this”I asked fearing the obvious answer.
“Find your girl if you can”he said and hung up.
Episode 21 (Finale) : The Truth Comes Out – Exposing the Real Villains
I spaced out,couldnt say anything and didnt even know how to process this horrible news…
“Who was that”the private investigator asked…I stared at him for a while,felt numb as tears rolled down my cheeks cause my greatest fear had come to pass..
“I think kelvin has kidnapped beverly”I managed to say.
“Are you sure that that was the case”the P.I asked.
“He said and I quote ‘i’ve got your girl,find her if you can’ then he hung,plus he answered beverly’s phone,and if there was any person that hated me for with passion for loving beverly then its certainly kelvin”I said fearfully.
“Alright since we’ve established who the kidnapper is,dont worry we wil catch him this time,I promise you that” he said confidently..
“Alright let me call my dad and give him update on the latest development”I said as I drove off from the cemetery..
I called my dad on our way,to know if I should go straight to his office or wait for him at home only to be told that he was in abuja for the National assembly meeting.
“So when are you coming back dad” I asked.
“Tomorrow or next,is everything alright,you sound worried”he said,he was always sensitive to every smallest thing.
“Oh dad something terrible happened” I said.
“What happened, is my wife and daughter okay”he asked worried.
“They are all fine dad,its beverly,I think kelvin found out about the plan and kidnapped her”I said lamenting.
“Oh my boy,are you alright”he inquirer.
“Am not alright was,am devastated and terrified for her,I dont know what he will do to her” I said.
“Calm down son,just phone the DPO and report this new development, I will be back very early tomorrow” he said.
“Well thats another problem,I cant do that” I said.
“Why”he asked.
“Dad,its a long story and and I would tell you everything when you coma back tomorrow, but bottom line is we cant trust the DPO and his entire precinct any more”I said.
“Alright then,I will have a sit down with your uncle in the Army headquarters today,to see if he will give us some military backup that will take over this case,so dont worry son,everything will be alright”he said.
“Alright dad”I said and hung up.
My uncle is the Commander General of the Nigerian Army,and if I had looped him in on this case before, it wouldnt have gotten this out of hand….
I dropped the P.I at the hotel where he was lodged,and drove right home.
I felt horrible all through the afternoon,i was gradually losing my mind as I kept failing Beverly’s number over and over again even when it was reportedly switched off.
I called my friends over to the house,as I needed someone to talk to.
“Thanks guys for showing up so quickly”I said as I ushered them inside the living room.
“Ofcus man,you sounded worried,are you ok”tony asked as he made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Am not ok,as a matter of fact am freaking out”I said as I sat quietly on the couch looking depressed.
“what’s going on man”jude asked.
“I think beverly has been kidnapped”I said.
“What did you just say,how is that even remotely possible” Stefan asked as I narrated everything that has happened with the case.
“Damn,so have you reported this to the DPO incharge of your case”tony suggested,exactly what my dad said.
“He is compromised,and I will politely request that he and his station stop handling my case”I said.
“Pause right there,what are you even saying”jude asked.
“Its better I showed you guys”I said to them as I handed my system to them.
They went through all the images and videos,and were astonished as they stared at me in disbelief.
“Is this not the ring leader of the criminal organisation that attacked you, here having a private meeting with the vise president,look at the date that this video was made,it was two days before the ex vice president was murdered…..even the DPO and some of the senators met with him some times in the past,this is very bad”tony said very shocked.
They are not just a criminal organisation, but professional assassins hired by top dogs in Nigeria to carry out their dirty works”I said..
“If this pictures and video gets out,it will shake Nigeria as we know it”Stefan said.
“So what are you gonna do now”tony asked.
“I will hand this flash drive to my uncle personally if he makes the trip,he is a man of integrity, he will know how to handle this other case,cause this one is way over our head,but if he doesn’t and sends his subordinate then I would copy some pictures and video of kelvin meeting with the assassins to show to them in another laptop…I can only give the flash drive to my uncle”I said.
“You know am a very wicked hacker,I can help you with some of the encrypted files”jude suggested.
“Trust me man I know,but lets just wait till tomorrow”I said.
“Ok,how about I help with tracking beverly’s number”jude said again,and on hearing this my eyes lit up.
“How is that possible,since her number is switched off”I asked.
“Why dont you leave it to me” he said while I handed him beverly’s contact information.
My best friends stayed till 6pm,and I was alone again as the thought of what beverly might be going through haunted me..
I went upstairs to my room,stood and stared at my well dressed bed,and the memories of the day beverly slept in my room flood my mind,it was overwhelming, I said on the bed and pulled out a drawer and brought out a small black box that contained a diamond ring,I was planning to propose to her after everything.
I drove off around 7:30 to beverly’s new apartment,she has given me a spare key.
I entered her apartment which smaller like her,lavender.
Her living room was neat and kept,I went into her room for the first time,it was beautiful, a typical female room,and just then I looked beside her bed,on her night stand I saw my picture framed and kept beside her bed,I stood there as tears ran down my cheeks….it was the picture that was taken when I received my African entrepreneur of the year award in Madrid..I wanted to reach and grab the frame but I didnt cause I didnt want to upset any future investigation that might take place there.
I left few minutes later as I couldnt handle the pain anymore.
I went to the club to drown my sorrow, and ended up drinking myself to stupor,I couldnt even remember how I got back to my house..
I woke up the following day around 11a.m with the mother of all hangovers, I had this brain splitting migraine ,I rushed to my drawer to get some aspirin that I gulped down with a glass of wine..I was still trying to recover when my phone rang..it was my dad.
“Goodmorning dad”I said sobering up immediately.
“I’ve been calling your line for the past one hour,I had to call your bodyguard to know if you were at home,are you ok son”my dad asked.
“Am fine sir,was just sleeping,are you back already”I asked.
“Yes ofcourse ,and as a matter of fact I came back with your uncle,some colonels and some military police that will take over the case,so hurry and come over to the house,make sure you come with the flash drive”my dad said and hung up.
I got up immediately rushed to the bathroom,took a quick bath ,and fifteen minutes later I was already at my dads’.
I had called jude on my way,to meet me at my dad’s house…..we came in simultaneously.
“Uncle fred”I said as I gave him a hug..he was my favorite uncle.
“My boy,how are you”he asked.
“Am very fine sir” I replied,I was really happy to see him.
“Your dad told me that the same guy that wanted you dead ,kidnapped your girlfriend”he said in the hearing of everyone in the room..
“Yes sir”I said bluntly.
“Thats a pretty big accusation,do you have any evidence to back up this claim”he said..while me,my lawyer and the P.I filled them in on everything that has happened with some evidence..while my uncle and other military personal listened attentively..
“Are you with the flash drive”my uncle asked.
“Yes,I have it here,but with all due respect uncle,but do you trust this people you came with,because the contents here might be a threat to national security”I said biding my words.
“They wouldn’t be here if I didnt trust them”he replied without taking offense on what I just said..so I handed them my system and the flash,while I went through the images and videos,I could see the disbelief ,shock on their faces as they stared at eachother.
“Who did you say gave you this flash drive”one of the colonels asked.
“The leader of the assassins that was poisoned,during his struggles for his life,he gave me the direction on where to get it”I said..
“Some of the files here are encrypted”my uncle said.
“Yes,thats where my friend here comes in,he is a very good hacker,he can help decrypt the file and I trust him with my life”I said..
“Very well then,how long is it gonna take”my uncle asked.
“One hour tops”jude replied with an air of confidence.
“Alright then,let me know when you are done”my uncle said as he and his subordinate went in into my father’s study to probably have an emergency meeting regarding this new information.
I was hovering around Jude when I received a video call from Beverly.
“Its beverly”I said to jude as I shower him my phone..he took my phone immediately and plugged it to his system..
“Now you can answer it”he said.
I picked the call fearing what I could see.
“Where is beverly, you son of a bitch”I shouted as I saw kelvins face…he laughed hysterically at me..
“Aee look at how worried you are lover boy,anyway here is she”he said as he turned the camera to where beverly was tied to an armchair, with her mouth sealed and tears running down her face,I could literally feel my blood boil..
“If you touch her,am gonna kill you,you bastard”I swore as tears ran down my cheeks..
“You will do absolutely nothing,bitch”he said as he hit her hard on the face..I couldnt take it anymore..
“Please stop,am begging you okay,what do you want”I managed to ask..
“What do I want,its simple,I want you to suffer,to feel helpless, I want you to cry like a baby and feel the pain I felt when I found out that beverly was betraying me for you”he said..
“Ok just stop hitting her please,I promise to drop all the charges against,just let beverly go”I pleaded..
“Let her go,not gonna happen,this bitch never allowed me to touch her,not for once all because of the stupid feeling she had for you,do you even know that she was a virgin, well ofcourse not….thats why am gonna taste every bit of her by force and I promise to send you the video”he said and hung up…my uncle,my parents and everyone in the room heard everything..
I sat on the tiles and wept bitterly,my mum came and consoled me..
“don’t cry derek,we will find that bastard and your lady friend”my uncle said with an air of authority..
“I’ve located them”jude interrupted.
“They are in ogun state,in ajeokuta north l.g.a, at Adele avenue”jude said.
“Very good,time for actuall action”my uncle said as he gave directives and command to colonel and the military police on how to carry out the operation.
“Am going with them”i said as I got ready.
“No derek,you are a civilian and might get hurt during any cross fire”my uncle said.
“I know but the bastard holding beverly hostage is also a civilian not a terrorists so please let me go”I pleaded.
“Very well then”my uncle said and commanded one of the military police to keep me safe.
We got to ogun state and the exact location at around 4:15pm..before we could reach the abandoned warehouse,they were no longer there,I guess he suspected that we where tracking them.
“Follow me”the colonel commanded as we followed him from behind as he tracked a trail into the Bush,therr was a clearing at the center and just there we saw beverly,tied to a chair,alone in the middle of nowhere..I ran towards her against the order from the colonel who suggested that it was a trap….I couldnt care less..I was going to take my chances.
I got to her,removed the blindfold from her face..”its me,its me baby”I said as I tried losing her hand from the rope.
“Thank God you are alive”I said as I wrapped her in my arms.
“Oh derek,its a trap,run for your life”she said weakly..I was trying to re assure her that I wasnt going anywhere when she pushed me off with all her might as the first and second bullet fired.
I was on the floor as I saw beverly fall on the ground in a pool of blood.
I rushed to her “hey,am right here baby,stay with me”I said as I carried her in my arm..I heard several gunshot, this time it was kelvin thay was gunned down by the soldiers.
She touched my face and smiled..”am glad you are ok”she said as I tried to hold back tears.
“Please baby stay with me”I said crying.
“Help me,help me please”I shouted to the soldiers, immediately a chopper flew in and took us to the nearest hospital…she was rushed to the theater for operation, while I paced the ward with blood all over me.
I tried to be positive but each time i tried tears rolled down my cheeks.
I looked for a chapel or sanctuary in the hospital…I found one and went in to talk to God,but each time I opened my mouth I ended up crying my heart out.
I went back into the hospital few minutes later and coincidentally the head surgeon was coming out of the theater..
“How is she “I asked.
“The surgery was a success but she is not out of the wood yet so we will be observing her” he said.
“Can I see her now”I enquired.
“No one is allowed to see her untill she regains consciousness to avoid contaminating”the doctor said.
“Ok”I said and sat down in one of the chairs there and slept off.
I woke up the following day,…lodged in a hotel and had a change of cloths…I was taking my breakfast at the hotel when my phone ringed..
“Am I speaking with Mr derek”the voice on the other end asked.
“Yes this is he”I said.
“This is doctor Ferdinand,the lady you brought un yesterday is awake,she gave us your number”he was still talking when I cut the call…
I left the food there and zoomed off to the hospital.
I ran into the ICU,and there she was resting…I couldnt contain my joy as tears of joy ran down my face..
“Hello stranger”she said smiling.
“I’ve missed you”she said again..I was speechless…I came and sat around her.
“Hi,i’ve missed you too”I said laughing.
We talked and and talked about a lot of things…I didnt even know when I knelt on my feet and proposed to her..I didnt even know that i’ve been carring the ring all this while.
“Sweetheart will you do me the honour of being my wife”I said tearfully.
“Yes ofcause”she said and I kissed her.
“I love you”I said….while she giggled…
THE END
Last Words
After all the twists and turns, Derek finally finds clarity in his life. He realizes that true love requires courage, honesty, and a willingness to fight for what matters. Beverly, who initially seemed out of reach due to her past with Kelvin, proves that she’s the right one for Derek. Despite Eva’s attempts to rekindle their past romance, Derek’s heart belongs to Beverly. With the support of his family and friends, Derek learns to balance his professional ambitions with his personal desires. In the end, he and Beverly build a future together, filled with love and mutual respect. Ah, the sweet victory of finding true love and achieving one’s dreams!