Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

30~Reconciliatory

"Yes I saw the dancer, now can we move on?" Kachi groaned after minutes of his friends ribbing him.

Azu held his chest as he laughed then finally quieted down enough to speak. "Fine, fine. Lets free the guy." He nodded at Kachi. "I came to see you about what happened the other day."

"And?" Kachi frowned, sitting up and folding his hands on the table.

"I want to ask you a question. We're guys so just answer me eh. Whatever your answer is, I'll drop the matter."

Now he was getting curious. Azu was rarely ever serious about anything, watching how stiffly he held his body and how straight his face was, Kachi wanted to hear him out. "What is it?" he asked.

"We know you're the cleanest of us all, but your business is not all that clean. There was still some mago mago in starting the bank."

Kachi was frowning now but he refused to say anything, wanting to know just where he was going with this. Chike cleared his throat to warn his friend that he was close to crossing some boundaries. They all knew Kachi was not the type to share and go into details about his business and personal life.

Azu ignored him. "Why did you refuse letting my client hide his money at your bank? Is it because you just want to be clean and righteous or is it because he's a politician?"

Kachi gritted his teeth and Chike nudged Azu's knee. "Guy stop na, what's this one?" Chike eyed his friend.

"We're guys right? Gwam biko,"  he said in Igbo, their native language. "You know me, I don't break promises. Answer me and I promise to drop this matter. The client doesn't mean as much as our friendship, you know."

"If it was another person, maybe I would have considered it. But politicians? Big no. I can't tell you exactly why I am saying this, but remember my father is one and he's planning to run for president. Any mistakes on my part reflects badly on him. I can't jeopardize his electoral race." He hoped it was enough to get his friends to back off. Contrary to what they might believe, he also valued their friendship and the rift between him, Bode and Azu had left him feeling off.

The other two men exchanged glances. It was the first time Kachi was talking to them like this. He didn't go into details but still, it was something.

"Fine. I'll let Bode and my client know that we can't help. As promised I won't bring it up again," Azu said, his gaze on Kachi. The two men stared at each other for a few seconds, seeming to be conversing with just their eyes. Kachi nodded and Chike exhaled in relief.

"Okay guys, now that you're done kissing and making up, can we go drinking?" Chike stood up and stretched his lean body.

"Why?" Kachi grinned. "Is Ada playing with your heart again?" he teased. Chike shot him a dark look and he was sure that was exactly the reason. His friend had been in love with his childhood friend for almost his entire life and Ada had permanently friend zoned him. It was only her that could push him to suggesting day drinking.

"Abeg leave those two people," Azu hissed loudly. "so we'll be chanting Obiagu for president next year?" He changed the topic because he knew Chike's mood will soon turn sour.

"Yes, I hope you guys support him," Kachi said, standing and grabbing his phone. He wasn't going to be at the forefront of this race this time around, but he could still be a supportive son.

"Drinks are on you," Chike patted his back as they walked towards the door. "Azu call your boy and tell him to meet us up."

"Already dialing," Azu laughed, waving his phone.

***

Pete was waiting for her in front of her apartment when Usman dropped her off. His eyes narrowed as she approached him and his lips tightened in a frown as she got to him and stopped.

"Good morning love," she greeted, pulling him in for a hug.

He patted her back before pulling back. "Who's that? I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw you get into the car with that man from the other day."

She walked past him towards the stairs and he followed. "what man?"

"Don't act dumb. The one you were lusting over in front of your apartment complex."

"Kachi?"

"Is that his name?"

"Yes. You should know him, his name is Onyekachi Obiagu. His friends are quite popular."

"Obiagu? I'll check online later, now back to what we were saying. Did you follow him home last night?"

She unlocked her door and pushed it open. Pete walked past her and made himself comfortable on her couch. "I did." There was no use lying to him, besides she never planned to keep it from him. She'd been waiting for the right time to talk about Kachi. She guessed that time was now.

"You slept with him?" Pete's mouth was hanging open as he stared at her.

Aria kicked off her shoes and dropped her purse before settling down beside him. "Yes, I did."

"Oh my God! This girl! What's it been? A week since you met him? Two? Do you even know anything about him?"

"Chill baby. Its not like I'm dating him," she sighed and then rested her head on his shoulder.

"What do you mean? You're fucking him when you guys are not dating? What happened to my friend? Who's this stranger?"

"Its like a friends with benefit situation," she replied. Pete immediately pushed up from the chair and began pacing.

"So what? He's paying you to fuck him? What's the difference between that and prostitution?" He looked and sounded horrified, she couldn't blame him. "Why would you even agree to that?"

"I need the money," she said simply. She had never really talked to him about how hard life was hitting her.

"For what? Is it because of the three million you're owing Okocha? In a few years you could have cleared it off."

She sighed then launched into the story of how power changed hands and what Big Mike did to her house and her mother. By the time she was done, Pete was beside her again looking sympathetic.

"Ok. So one million left, if you do this for one more month you can stop right? I'll help with anything else you need," he said. "I'm not comfortable with you seeing this man."

"Its not all. I owe the bank about seven million too. Remember the loan I took years back to start a business? Then the warehouse got burnt with all my goods inside? Well its grown to a huge amount and I have to pay up. The collateral is mum's house."

"Fuck!" He dropped his hands in his head. "How come I don't know this dear? Why would you keep something like this from me?"

She kept mute and listened to him complain about how she was a terrible friend who had no trust in him. After a few minutes he pulled her into a hug and patted her back.

"It will be fine. You'll be fine," he reassured her.

***

Translations:

*Mago mago: funny business. Usually referring to something illegal or unacceptable.

*Gwam biko: Tell me please.

If there's any other term I missed, please let me know.

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Thanks for reading ❤️