THE BLACK WIDOW

CHAPTER ONE

It was the 4th day of the month of June in 2010. A heavy rain had fallen the previous night, leaving behind an earthy scent and a cool atmosphere that would last for a moment; a moment before the competitive sun barges in. What about the roads? A nightmare. As if the Nigerian "tarred" pot-holed roads were not bad enough, the untarred ones were disastrous. Carefully, a young lady walked passed the dramatic pot holes, trying so hard not to get her brand - less sneakers into muddy water. With success she found a good spot to wait, albeit impatiently as she was running late for her lecture at the University of Lagos. She had only waited just five minutes when a car came running,

"Oh no!" 

Before she could complete the expression of her utter shock, the ignorant driver had splashed her with cold, germy, muddy water. She screamed in shock and despair before almost breaking down to tears.

"Oh God! What is this?" She screamed; this time in disgust. Totally overwhelmed with embarrassment, she looked at her body and how terrible she looked. The driver of the car had stopped a few meters away, probably to check on her and the damage he had caused. The unfortunate girl? She is Sonia Moses, a third year Business Administration at the University of Lagos. A girl from a humble background, brown skinned, smart and beautiful. Her virtues were not numerous but she is self- confident, caring, loving and ambitious.

"Just calm down Sonia. You can handle this like the Christian girl you are." 

She told herself with a fake smile plastered on her face as the driver of the car came out. She eyed him from the corner of her left eye. A tall and handsome biracial guy walked towards her with concern written all over his face.

Handsome but blind!

"I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I am totally at fault here."

What a voice! Rich and deep.

"I look terrible but, it's okay." Sonia replied.

"Please allow me to drive you to wherever you were supposed to go."

Are you kidding? Are you serious? I should go to school looking like this?

"No thanks. I'll wait here. I've missed my class automatically, so don't bother." Her anger was rising slowly as she gave him a tight smile.

"I'm sorry. Please let me help you."

"No, thank you!" She said firmly, trying to control her anger.

"Thank you. I am sorry once again."

"You've said that already. Please be on your way. I won't detain you any longer." She said and turned away from him. She took out her cell phone and made a call.

The guy was still hanging around.

"Oh David! Please come to the usual stop and get me o. I need an urgent lift back home." She ended the call and turned around to find the guy standing with arms akimbo. Sonia assessed him some more and found it amusing that he was looking so dumb and foolish.

"Mister, please go. I have a ride."

"You should have allowed me to take you home."

Sonia stole a look at his vehicle: a sleek black 20Toyota Hilux was glistening in the sun where he parked it.

Money ritual. He probably did this on purpose to get me inside his car. He has failed. Enemies of my destiny, you have failed!

He stretched out his right hand for a shake, "I'm Michael. I'm a student at UNILAG. I was rushing off to school too."