Securing The Bag (The Lagos Hustle)

Inception

::::::::::::JECINCTA

Sometime around the second week of August Mr. Doings told me he'll be travelling for a week. "It's work related. I have to be in Edo state before Saturday. I'll be gone for a week tops. It might be sooner than that depending on how successful my find is"

"Edo state? what did you find?" I was more than a little curious this time around.

"Nothing yet and I'm almost certain it's nothing important, just another dead end, but I have to take a look anyway," he replied a little cautiously. "I'll miss you though, what will you do this weekend?"

I was not ready to change the topic yet. "Oh I don't know, maybe I'll go see a movie, or stay indoors and video-call with you. What you're traveling for is related to whatever it is your boss wants so bad isn't it? that's why you have to go yourself"

His eyes grew wide with shock. "What-how did you know that?"

"you told me before"

"Me? when was this? What else did I tell you about work?" He was genuinely surprised

"well it's about two years now, before I moved in here. You didn't tell me much, just that your boss was crazy and was obsessed with something that didn't exist"

He rubbed his face tiredly. "Oh my....when did I even- look Jessy," his eyes were very serious. "I love you and I don't want to stop seeing you, but you need to understand, my job is very sensitive and it's off limits, you need to stop thinking about it, talking about it or referencing it, please I'm actually begging you this time Jess....it's for your sake"

"wow...okay baby, I was only curious that's all. Trust me I don't even think about stuff like that"

"okay good"

But alarm bells were already going off in my head. Just what exactly did Mr D do for a living. I knew he was stinking rich, he might even be a billionaire with the way he spent money with reckless abandon. What if he was into something really evil? Oh my God, maybe he was trafficking humans, maybe children, what if he was a ritualist? what if he was a kidnapper or a murderer. And what exactly was he going after, what was it that didn't exist yet could make him travel hundreds of miles to search for?

A lot of 'what ifs' kept attacking my mind with different scenarios and I found myself thinking too much. Mr. Doings has always had an air of mystery about him, it was charming at first but now it was a little worrying and creepy.

"When I'm gone I want you to register at the driving school close to the children's park. They're really good teachers. When I get back we'll go car shopping. Whatever brand you want okay?" I squealed once more and all my troubles temporarily forgotten. "Oh baby you spoil me too much. Let me give you something tonight that will keep you warm all week." I smiled and sat on his lap, clasping both hands behind his neck.

::Mr D left Lagos on Friday morning. He called me later that night when he was settled to inform me we might not speak all day cause he was going to be very busy.

Looking for what? I almost asked, but I didn't. Instead I said, "I started the driving school today"

"Oh that's great. Have you made up your mind on a brand yet?"

"not yet boo"

"Okay I have to turn in early, talk to you later." A pause then, "tell me you're mine"

I guess he needed the assurance tonight, being so far away and all. "I'm yours baby" I purred

"I love you, goodnight" he sounded pleased.

"weirdo" I muttered when he had disconnected.

I knew sooner than later I'll need some clarity about Mr. D especially about his job. I didn't know if I could continue whatever it was we had going on without knowing for sure he wasn't into something sinister. I always thought when our affair ended Mr. D would be the one to call it off cause I couldn't imagine myself walking away from the frequent credit alerts and unexpected gifts and spontaneous trips he was always spoiling me with. But I guess I was more mature now, and I was far from broke. I owned a multi-million naira property, I had everything in my name, down to the C of O. And soon enough I'll have my own car. I didn't know if I was strong enough to walk away from the good life yet but the the inception of the idea had taken place already.