Jamaica

Chapter 59

The Port Harcourt Civic center was about to host a press conference. Shedrach along with a few close collaborators, had organized this meeting. The press conference came at a time when the CEO of Shedrach Malls, had been questioned by journalists concerning his on-going battle with Chief Badmos.

The papers had written it as the battle between two giants who were feeding the nation with their supermarket chains. Shedrach was the dominant player in Rivers State having no other competitor. But he wanted to expand his supermarket business into other states with his main focus being Lagos.

The vibrant and commercial nature of Lagos had always attracted him. However he had to contend with the dominant player, there. This was Chief Felix Badmos owner of the supermarket chain which he called Marla's Inn. Badmos in Lagos alone had about forty supermarkets covering every area of Lagos State. In this situation there was no spot left for another player to set up shop and compete with him.

Shedrach thought he had an opportunity since he knew Lagos first lady, through his friendship with Gbenga. All three had attended the University of Lagos. But while he was very good friends with Gbenga, he would only occasionally greet and shake hands with the governor.

He knew she and Gbenga were very close, and had always wondered if they were intimate. However, he was a man who never poked his nose into other people's private affairs. And so he never bothered to ask Gbenga, if there was anything between him and the governor.

After their graduation they all went their separate ways in life, Shedrach moved back to Port Harcourt. But he and Gbenga occasionally got in touch with each other. Then one day, Gbenga called him to ask if he would like to come down to Lagos.

"And what is the occasion?" He had asked.
"Aha, my good friend Miriam is now the governor." Shedrach couldn't believe his ears after hearing that. He had heard about Miriam becoming the newly elected governor of Lagos State. But he had no idea that she and Gbenga were still in touch.

"You mean Miriam your friend?" He said.
"Na she, o."Gbenga replied.
"But...I thought that after graduation you people lost contact?"

"We've been in touch ever since, just like I kept in touch with you since then." Shedrach sighed his satisfaction. "So do you want to come and join me in congratulating your Excellency, the newly elected first lady of Lagos State?"

Shedrach couldn't refuse such an invitation. He knew that he could use his friendship with Gbenga to come closer to the governor. There was so much to gain he reasoned, and so he readily accepted the invitation. He took a flight to Lagos and booked himself into a Hotel and went down to the venue. However, he got there just as the reception party started.

" Shedrach you are welcome. How was your trip?" Gbenga had come to welcome him into the reception hall, as it was an invitation only party.

"Good." Shedrach responded.
"Then, let's get you something to drink." Shedrach looked around the hall and was awed by the number of personalities that had attended the reception. But what surprised him the most was the excitement he saw on Gbenga's face.

"Gbenga you look like the happiest man on earth. In fact it is as if you won the election."
"Well as long as Miriam is up there, I'm close by."
"Abi?" Comment Shedrach.
"Look, Shedrach this is a once in lifetime opportunity if you know what I mean."

"New doors are being opened, abi?" Said, Shedrach.
"They have already opened." As they were talking, the governor passed by and stopped to greet them.

"Gbenga so finally your friend is here?"
"Meet Shedrach in person. He said he had to come at all cost." The governor shook hands with Shedrach and said,