Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

56~Mystery man

He heard the ruckus way before he saw them, still Kachi's brows furrowed in confusion as Rose pushed his office door open, Tope hot on her heels.

"Sir, I tried to stop her but she just wouldn't listen. I will call security to take her out."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it. " He waved her away. If Rose had tracked him here then she was way past the point of listening to reason. Tope eyed the taller woman before silently closing the door before her. He watched as Rose hissed then made her way further into the office, coming to a stop in front of his desk.

She dropped her bag and then her red painted nails trailed the desk slowly, her gaze unwavering from his face. "I've been hearing a lot about you recently. It seems like you've been really busy."

He didn't say anything, wanting her to spill first.

"You promised me, Kachi." She smiled, one that pricked him. "You've been taking her around the city and introducing her as your girlfriend. My friends are mocking me because of that small girl."

"Rose, please relax—"

"Relax?" She lost it, flinging her hand out and sweeping away the content of his desk. He stared at his laptop, pens and papers scattered on the floor for a few seconds before looking at her. She was breathing heavily, her fair skin now red from anger. "How dare you tell me to fucking relax?"

He counted to ten in his head. There was no point in allowing himself to get worked up, this would only make this a much longer discussion. He let out a breath then stood. "What do you want? Asking me to break up with her is out of the question."

Rose inhaled and exhaled, then smoothed down her dress before grinning at him as if she'd not just lost it a few minutes ago. "Dad wants to see you tomorrow evening. We'll be having a family dinner by seven. You can't be late."

"Fine. You can go, I have to work." He pointed to the door and she grinned at him again before picking up her bag and turning to the door. "Rose?" he called out once her fingers covered the door handle.

"Yes?" She turned back to look at him, that worrisome smile still playing on her lips.

"Don't ever barge in here again. I mean it, Rose. The next time you try it, you'll hate me." She stared at him some more before she left and he knew she got the message, he could only hope she'd be wise enough to adhere to his barely veiled threat.

Maybe it was time he put this madness to an end once and for all. He should come clean about what Rose did years ago and officially end things. It wouldn't be so hard to even manufacture more proof that she'd never been faithful. In a country like theirs, the men could be forgiven for cheating but it wasn't the same for the women. He felt horrible for thinking about taking advantage of this horrible practice but there wasn't much he could do about it. He wouldn't risk his relationship with Zariah, not again.

***

"I didn't think our man had it in him," Azu said. "Like he's fucking whipped. I've never seen him so furious before. I was low-key scared that he would kill the guy."

Bode roared with laughter and Azu frowned. "I'm serious," he continued. "Bode you should have seen the look my man had in his eyes. If Chike hadn't gone with him, I'd have been really worried."

"For real?" Bode looked between the other two guys.

Azu slapped Chike's leg, dragging his attention back to the conversation. The man had seemed out of it since they'd gotten to the lounge. "Why are you not saying anything? Tell Bode how Kachi looked when he stormed out of the house."

Chike blinked a few times before nodding. "He looked like he was about to kill someone and not in a fun way."

"There's no fun way when talking about killing someone." Bode laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day that the bastard would be so whipped. I've never even seen him in like."

"I'm just so happy for him, you know? Kachi had it rough as a kid so I'm grateful for whatever bit of happiness he can find," Chike said. He'd known Kachi the longest. They'd been friends since primary school before they'd met Azu in secondary and then Bode in uni.

"Yeah," Azu intoned and Bode looked between the two, wondering what they meant. From what he could see, no one had it as rough as he had. These men were all from rich families who gave them everything, what pain had Kachi gone through hadn't he experienced in double? If it was Chike, he would understand because he knew the guy's family didn't have it so well until Chike finished university. Still, none of them could compare with what he had suffered.

"I need to use the bathroom," Azu said, stood and then stretched his body before leaving.

***

"I think I finally have it. If we play our parts right, we'll have Kachi in the palm of our hands."

"Finally!" Excitement could be heard from the older man's voice. "I was almost starting to lose hope in you. If you had delayed a few more days, I would have done something drastic."

He swallowed in fear. What was the use of all his power and riches when all that mattered to him were at stake? He'd made the biggest mistake of his life when he'd promised the Governor he would help him hide his money and now, no matter how much he wanted to back out, there was no way out for him.

"How are my mother and sisters?" he asked, keeping his voice low. He couldn't afford to offend the old man in any way.

"They're fine," he said and then laughed. "At least for now. You have just one week to move the money or they die. I've been lenient enough."

"Sir, I think this is it. I finally know what his weakness is. I can hit him where it would hurt the most that Kachi would risk his own life to protect this his weakness."

"Good, good." The older man hung up and he was left with his thoughts again. What he was about to do was unforgivable but he'd brought this on himself and it was too late to back down now. Better it be someone else than for him to lose his family. His friends would never forgive him but at least his family would be safe.

***
Sorry for the late update guys. Along with being busy, I've been suffering major writer's block. I was trying to figure out the sequence of incidents in my mind. I've figured it out now so the next update wouldn't be that far from now.

I think this is the second time this mystery guy is coming up. Who do you think he is and what do you think he's planning?

Don't forget the dinner with Rose's family. How would it go?

Please vote and comment biko.