Jamaica

Chapter 18

The governor had slightly opened the door when Abisola told her that Jamaica might be related to her. She disregarded those words and opened the door wide.  Abisola stepped out when she saw that the governor had ignored her. She quickly added,

"I mean, it's what I think." The governor looked at her suspiciously, while Abisola tried her best to avoid the governor's gaze.

"Please, the next time you want to discuss personal issues,  go somewhere else. I do not mix the business of government with personal problems."
"Yes, ma and I'm sorry to disturb you. It will not happen again."

"Good." said the governor, forcing an unpleasant smiling. Abisola turned and was about to leave but stopped. She turned  and faced the governor.

"And what is it again?" Asked the governor looking quite perplexed.
"Ehm, I wanted to say one last thing, ma." She took a deep breath, as a way of preparing herself to tell the governor that, she the governor, and Jamaica, had the same surname. 

"Yes?"
"It is about, Agnes." The governor's eyes widened as she thoughtfully stared at Abisola.

"And what about her, again?" She asked.

"Her full name is Agnes Okafor." Without waiting for a response from the governor she immediately left. The governor closed the door and went to sit down. She then focused her mind on the image of the young woman in the photo Abisola had shown her. An air of familiarity surrounded the woman. Something about the woman reminded her of someone else. Agnes Okafor who are you, family?

 She opened her desk drawer and brought out an old photo she had taken with her sister, Abigail.  Looking at the picture she saw a striking resemblance between her sister and the young woman in the photo standing beside Abisola. The resemblance was disturbing to her. 

She didn't want to believe that Jamaica was her sister's daughter. If this was true, then it meant that she had to give up a part of her inheritance money to Jamaica.  It reminded her of the family lawyer, Mr. Felix. A few months after the Will was read, Mr. Felix had called her into his office. He was a man who fancied her so much and wanted to have a relationship with her. 

Those rare moments when they were alone in his office he would try to convince her to have a relationship with him. However she had always refused him and kept rejecting him. When he asked her why she kept refusing him, she simply told him,

"Felix, you are my father's lawyer, much like a family member. If you were an outsider, I might have given you a chance." But even though she had refused his advances, a friendship developed between them. And it was due to this friendship that he called her into his office one day. When she got there, he smiled at her with arms folded.

"Miriam, everyday I see you, I keep wondering what you do to remain so young and beautiful." Miriam knew he was onto her again. He always lavished praises at her the minute she stepped into his office.

"Mr. Felix I take good care of myself. That's all I do."

"I can see that. But I could also do my part as well." Miriam laughed and said,

"Felix we are friends."
"I know, but we could be more than just friends. Maybe get married, and live a comfortable life together."

"So is that why you told me to come?" Mr. Felix sighed, and sat down. 

"Please have a seat, Miriam." When she sat down, he stared at her. "Now, please listen very carefully to what I am about to tell you. This also concerns your brother and sister too. But due to our common friendship I called you in first."

"What is it about?" She asked, looking worried.

"It is about the Will."
"The Will?" The lawyer nodded. "And what about it?"
"Something I deliberately left out because I didn't want to upset you."