Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

7~Infinite

"I can't believe we're here again, for the second time this week," Kachi sighed as Chike pulled into the parking lot of Infinite. When his friend had called and said they needed to talk, Kachi had agreed and let the man pick him up. Now that he was here, he was rethinking the whole talking thing.

"Relax man. They have a nice rooftop lounge. Azu and Bode should already be there."

"What is this thing you guys want to talk about that we can't discuss at my place or any of yours?"

"Let's just go inside. I'm not so sure about it either." Chike unfastened his seat belt then turned to his friend. "Azu just asked me to pick you up so I don't know much."

With a tired sigh, Kachi let himself out of the car and followed his friend inside. His gaze immediately went to the stage, as if Ria would still be there. He was disappointed to find it empty and then pissed at himself for feeling anything for the girl.

Chike was wondering what kept his friend behind and had turned to see him standing still and looking at the stage. "Ah, you miss the dancer? They don't have any shows during the day." He watched his friend shake his head and continued walking.

"I wasn't even thinking about her," Kachi said.

Chike refrained from letting him know that he had stopped for a full minute to stare at the exact spot the girl had been dancing. He also didn't want to tell his friend about the sadness that had crept into his eyes when he stared at the empty stage. He knew how stubborn his friend was and how much the man avoided woman talk, so Chike just nodded and led his friend towards the elevator. Whenever Kachi was ready to talk about it, he would make sure he was there to listen.

Kachi kept cursing himself for loose guarding. The man was very perceptive and very little happened without his knowledge. Now, Chike knew that he'd been looking at the stage because of Ria and even if he had dropped the topic, he knew his friend would eventually bring it up. It was only a matter of time.

The elevator door opened and they got in, with Chike pressing the button of the top floor. They got out almost immediately and true to what Chike said, their other friends were already seated. And from the looks of things, they'd been there for a while. Bottles crowded the table, along with empty plates and glasses.

"Boys, it's too early to be drinking," Chike admonished. "Don't you guys have to work?"

"Technically, they don't. Azu only goes to his law firm when he has to sort out dirty politicians and Bode doesn't have any new movies at the moment," Kachi stated as he pulled out an empty chair and sat down in between Azu and Bode.

"I thought you got a few scripts recently?" Chike took the seat beside Bode.

"I'm still considering it. I'm not sure if it's a good enough fit for me," Bode laughed.

"I'm working smart," Azu said. "my employees can handle the other cases. I'll handle the ones that pay better."

"You didn't go to law school so you could defend dirty politicians," Kachi said, then waved at one of the servers standing by the bar.

"Someone has to defend them." Azu shrugged.

"It doesn't have to be you though. And you can also take other cases."

"I do. I take cases for dirty business men too," Azu said and the guys roared with laughter, except Kachi.

"You won't change in this your life," Kachi sighed.

"Chill man. Your father is a politician too. I'm sure he didn't get to where he is without playing some dirty games," Bode said and Kachi gritted his teeth. His friends knew he hated talking about his father, yet they somehow found ways to bring him into their conversations.

"Let's order something, I'm hungry," Chike said in a bid to calm everyone down. He turned to the server that had been quietly standing beside them for about a minute. "Do you have rice?"

"Yes sir. There's jollof, fried and white rice."

"Get me jollof with salad and plantain. Then get me the peppered snails."

"I'll take the same," Kachi said. "don't bring snails. Add chicken to my rice. Then bring the same drinks you got for them."

"Okay sir." He noted down their order and hurried off.

"So why did you guys call me out? Unlike you two, Chike and I have to work." Kachi leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Chike barely works. He writes books and movie scripts at his leisure. You're the only workaholic," Bode snorted.

"Contrary to what you guys believe, I do work hard," Chike grinned. "I spend most of my day in front of my computer. Because I am always down to chill doesn't mean I don't work."

"So what do you guys want to talk about?" Kachi asked again.

Azu and Bode exchanged glances before Azu replied. "maybe you should eat first."

"Guy, just tell him," Chike groaned. "I have things to do."

The other two exchanged looks again and this time it was Bode that answered. "It's a huge business opportunity and I want you to think about it before giving us your answer."

"Spit it out. The more you delay, the more I'm inclined to say no."

"One of my clients needs a place to keep his money," Azu said.

"He should open an account na? What has that got to do with me?"

"He doesn't want anyone to know about this money and the account."

"You're still not telling me how it affects me, Azu."

"You're the only person we know that has enough authority to create an untraceable account for him. He just needs to keep the money there for a few years till he wins the election."

"No," Kachi said in a firm voice that left no room for argument.

"Kachi-" Bode tried to convince him.

"No. You guys already know I'd not agree to it. It's illegal and I'm sure that the money is not pure. Has he been embezzling government funds? I can't risk my reputation and the reputation of the bank if this gets out."

"Kachi, how would it get out? You own the bank and we would never say a word about this, neither will my client."

Kachi pushed his chair back and stood, his appetite already gone. "No matter how I look at it, my answer would still be no."

"Guy!" Azu was fuming now but Kachi didn't care. He couldn't believe this had been the reason for them dragging him out.

"No," he said again and then walked out.

***

Thoughts on this chapter? Please leave a comment.

Which of the guys is your favorite? I think Chike, then Kachi. Let me know who you prefer.

Thank you for reading. I'd really appreciate it if you can vote on this chapter. It would help the book get noticed 🙏

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