Lexie made his plans quietly and carefully to ensure the
success of the 'deal'. To him, there was no room for failure. It was a 'do or
die' affair as he knew the implication of not succeeding.
With the assistance
of a banker friend, he was able to secure an offshore account where the money
totally about five hundred million naira would be paid into. His travel
documents were ready. All that was left was for his father to go abroad for his
annual vacation and medical check up before making his move.
There was only one
hitch in the carefully laid out plans. His father wanted Selina to accompany
him on the trip stating that he would miss her too much if they were separated.
"That's
impossible. There's no way you can go with him. It will spoil our plans,"
Lexie protested when she informed him about his father's request some days
later.
Selina nodded.
"I know. But
what can I do? He has already made all the travel arrangements. If I refuse to
go with him, he might think I want to stay back in Nigeria because of another
man. You know how jealous your Dad can be," she pointed out.
"Don't worry
about it. I will think of something," he said.
Two days before Chief
and Selina were to travel, he sat in his private sitting room and study going
through some files. He wanted to put his business affairs in order before
leaving. That way, he would not have to worry too much about work while he was
away.
The one month vacation he took yearly was the only time he had for
himself, when he could get away from the hassles of running his large business
empire which kept growing by the day.
He removed his
reading glasses, yawned and flexed his arms to loosen his shoulder muscles
which felt stiff. Just then, Selina came into the room. She wore a short blue
night-gown with a matching blue wrap wrapped round her shoulders to ward off
the chill night air.
"Ah! Chief! You
are still working! Do you know what time it is? It's nearly midnight! Leave the
rest for tomorrow and come to bed!" she said. She went to the table, and
closing the file he had been reading, took his arm.
He stood up, then
hugged and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then cupping her face in his hands
said:
"You are so
caring. That's one of the things I like about you...you are always concerned
about me."
"I have to
Chief. Your wellbeing is important to me. You work so hard. I don't want
anything bad to happen to you. Remember what the doctor said, that you need to
reduce your workload, take things easy a bit because of your health..."
she said.
"I know, my
dear. That's why I want you with me on my vacation. I know you will help me
unwind," he said. Then noticing her outfit, he added: "You are
looking very sweet tonight, Selly baby. Are you planning to keep me awake all
night?" he asked teasingly.
"No o! You need rest.
I will sleep in my room tonight," she said.
"Says who? We
are going to my room. Come," and holding her by the shoulder, they walked
out of the study...
***
The following
morning, they were having breakfast when Selina's mobile phone rang. Picking it
up, she listened to the voice at the other end.
"What? Papa? In
the hospital? What happened?"she exclaimed.
Chief stopped eating
when he saw the worried expression on her face.
"What's wrong,
dear?" he enquired when the call ended.
"That was my
younger brother. He said my father collapsed early this morning and is in
a coma. He's in the hospital right now," she said in a worried tone.
"I'm sorry to
hear that. I hope he will be alright," Chief said. He reached across the
table and took her hand in his.
"I pray so. He
has been having these health problems lately...something to do with his
heart," Selina said. Then getting up she announced:
"Chief, I may have to go home and see how he's doing.
And also give my mother moral support. I know she will be so worried."
"Ok, dear. I
will call David to book a flight for you and make other arrangements,"
Chief said, getting up from his seat.
About two hours
later, Selina was ready to go to the airport to catch her flight to Benin where
her parents lived.
"Call me as soon
as you arrive," Chief told her. They were outside at the large courtyard
of his home. They stood watching as one of his drivers who was taking her to
the airport placed her small traveling bag in the boot of the sleek, black SUV
that she used whenever she was in his house.
"I will do that,
Chief. Thanks for your concern," said Selina. She hugged him close and
gave him a peck on the cheek before entering the car.
She waved as they
drove towards the gate of the large compound. As soon as they were on the main
road outside the gates, Selina brought her cell phone from her bag and quickly
sent a text message to Lexie.
After the driver had
dropped her at the departure lounge of the airport and left, Selina stood at
the entrance and scanned the throng of travelers in the hall. She spied Lexie
standing in a long queue of people waiting to buy tickets at the counter of a
popular airline.
He smiled when he saw
her.
"The plan
worked. I told you not to worry," he said as they made their way outside.
"You are right.
Chief believed the story and he even made all the arrangements for me to
travel to Benin. He just wasted his money booking a flight I won't take," she
said with a wry grin.
The truth was that
there was nothing wrong with Selina's father. He was neither sick nor in the
hospital. It was Lexie who had called her during breakfast pretending to be her
brother. It was all a ruse, a lie planned by Lexie so that Selina would not be
able to travel with his father for his vacation.
In the cab they took
into town from the airport, they finalized their arrangements for the next few
days which were crucial to their 'project'.
"You have to lie
low until my dad leaves town. You are supposed to be in Benin so you must not
be seen around town," he told her.
He had booked
accommodation for her in a very secluded hotel where she would stay for a few
days. Lexie left after dropping her off, promising to call her later in the
day.
***
"I'm sorry
Chief. I was really looking forward to being with you on your vacation. But
with the way things are..." Selina said. She had just told Chief on the
phone about her father's 'condition' which she said was critical. "Though
he has regained consciousness, the doctor said, they need to observe him for
sometime as his situation is still critical," she added.
Chief was
sympathetic, telling her to ensure he was in a good hospital where he could get
the best medical care.
"Don't worry
about money. I will take care of all medical expenses," he told her.
It was later agreed
that he would still proceed on his trip as planned while she could travel to
join him later.
"I promise to
join you once my father's condition stabilizes a bit," she said before
hanging up.
"Alright dear.
Love you," said Chief.
"Love you,
too," Selina responded.
'Travel to join who?
I will be far far away in a place where you can't reach me in some days time.
Yeye man!' she said with a smile after the call with her rich lover ended.
The following day,
Chief travelled out and Selina was able to move about freely. She went to her
apartment and packed all her belongings. She got a safe place where she moved
them to, leaving the few bags she would be traveling with out of the country
with Lexie once their scheme had been concluded.
Some days later,
early in the morning, Lexie and Selina went to the bank and paid in one of the
forged cheques from his father worth about N200m. He had earlier opened an
account specially for that in one of the new generation banks.
From there, they
moved to another branch and paid in the second cheque. While Selina worried
incessantly while they waited for the cheques to clear, Lexie was calm. He
trusted the man who had forged the cheques, though he still prayed silently
that all would go well.
His prayers were
answered for a few days later, the two cheques were cleared.
"Wow! We did
it! We are rich!" Lexie exclaimed. They were in her hotel room where she
planned staying till they jetted out of the country in a few days.
"Yes! The plan
worked. Congrats for such a brilliant plan," Selina enthused, hugging him tightly.
Lexie cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the mouth.
"Now you belong to me and not that old fool that calls himself my father!"
Selina laughed happily and went to the fridge. She brought out some
chilled bottles of wine and they sat toasting and drinking till very late,
celebrating their success and making plans for their bright and happy future
abroad...
What next? Join us for the concluding part of the story coming soon! Don't miss it!!
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