"Human greatest scars are not the physical ones, seen be all and sundry, before the healing process, during the healing process and after the healing process, then we believe all is well. No, the greatest scar is the emotional scar, goes beyond the physical, it affects everything psychological. It runs deeper than a knife wound. It takes forever to heal, even time is not a friend of an emotional scar. What is man without emotions???"
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"Christian Oreoluwa Judge. A fine ass young man, your typical classic man. The kind of man Lagos girls will refer to as "the better catch" at 30 he is the legal owner of chains of hotels and suites, both home and abroad, owns a Logistics company, the biggest modelling firm in the country, shopping malls scattered everywhere. Just name it. He has is hands and legs deep into any and all kind of businesses. Christian is very well single but doesn't seem to be seriously searching for anything that's going to last for more than 10 minutes, if you get the drill. He is seen in the tabloids with different shades, sizes and colors of women, every night. He doesn't keep one long enough to pop the big question. Keeps the public wondering, if he is yet to find that which his hearts desires, or if he is merely playing the games popular among the rich and wealthy guys in the upper east side.
Well, if you asked me, I would say OREOLUWA CHRISTIAN, is like every other spoilt rich kid, woken up to old money, he doesn't have to strive for anything he wants, he gets them at the snap of his fingers, hence, his playboy attitudes. The kind of guy that thinks, money makes them bow and lick his feet. But since you didn't ask, I will keep my opinion to myself"
Christian's Best friend, dropped The Vogue Magazine with evident anger.
"Chris, what's your deal with this reporter? Did you steal her honey in its bee hive?? She is always making good use of any opportunity she gets to throw your name in the dirt, "George complained.
He sat down opposite his friend in the living room of his duplexed mansion at Ikoyi.
The living room is painted dove gray combined with a polka dot wallpaper. The living room, large enough to contain a whole house from the slums of Ajegunle is fully and exquisitely furnished, with a 5 inches' chandelier right in the middle of the room, a fur rug covers half the room and glassy tiles finished the rest. There are different paintings in the room and sculptors, most definitely a prized souvenir from his different journey across the globe.
Chris sat on the cushion chair, while his friend takes the Love seat, opposite him. He doesn't seem quite bothered about the news George just read out to him.
"Why are you so unbothered about this news, Chris?"
''you really don't have to concern yourself over spilled milk, she's only trying to make her magazine stay long enough in the market, 'sides, she gives the people what they want, who am I to stop her job''
Chris stood up to the bar, a few distance from the room, at the right-hand corner, his mini bar is fully furnished with variety of drinks both spirit and brandy of different brand. He picked a wine glass and his 1948 scotch to pour himself a drink.
''I did not request you to leave her jobless, just stop her from writing these stuffs about you, it's not going to look well on business and my plan of getting you settled down will be wasted. Only if you want a Gold digger."
''is there a lie in whatever she has written?? NO! let her be George, we have better things to do than worry about a struggling reporter trying to make a name for herself''.
''well, if you put it that way, I guess there's no point worrying too much'.
''I want you to cancel all this notion of ever getting me married, why don't you try to keep a girlfriend down to yourself for six months before you find me a wife, since you can't give what you don't have"
George chuckled at his friend's nonchalant delivery of insults at his unfortunate situation. He has always known Chris to be saucy and rude, but still, he is yet to be immune to Chris's not so nice words.
''Guy! You and this your bad mouth ehn! Babe sef no fit stay... idiot''
Christian smiled at his friend change of tone, it never ceases to amaze him, how his friend can switch from his American accent to his Warri language.
''Ha come your house this early morning, ordinary Coffee you cannot offer a brother, but you sabi drink better Scotch, com pour insult put for me abi, no! no be your fault, na me fuck up, na me no fit stay my house jejely, they poke nose for your matter''
He got up, walked to his friend from behind and spanked his head
"what's that for?" Chris whined 'while rubbing the affected area.
"For having no manners, bloody Marlians"
They both laughed out loud at George's attempt of a joke.
"Chris! Sup? How's the deal?? What's Mr. Makinwa saying about the acquisition, is he selling it now or what??
Chris smiled evilly "Don't worry yourself too much, you should know me by now, when I want something, I get it at all cost, no matter what it will cost me."
"you see, I don't like it when you smile that way, something bad always happen to the other parties involve"
"can you explain the plans to me. I hate been left in the dark"
"come, let's talk in the car,' he checked his Patek Philippe leather Wrist watch, 'I might be running late for an interestingly important meeting I would hate to miss" he revealed his signature smile.
He got up, George followed suits, picked up the car keys to his 2020 Black Mercedes Benz C class sedan in the table tray on the table. George dropped the car keys to his 2020 Audi Q5, and they both left in Christian's car.
Christian drove out of the compound.
George couldn't sit still; he was hell bent on pestering Christian and wants to be kept in the loops about what is really happening.
'Geez! Can you calm down for a sec.' he eyed him Awkwardly; 'Sometimes, you really don't act like a multi-millionaire, you forget all about your status and behave like a kid, Chris shook his head concernedly; 'well, I seriously don't blame you. When you still secretly watch nickelodeon'
He continued driving and stopped at the red sign of the traffic light.
"Oh! Because I'm all grown now, I can't go down memory lane again abi?? Sorry oh! Elderly man.
"Lol! You're an idiot, but I'm less concerned, will you calm down enough to listen to me"
The light turned green and he continued driving.
"Alright! I'm calm" George seemed genuinely relaxed and willing to listen, all trace of playfulness Absent from his face.
Chris took a glance at his friend and realized he was sincerely serious and ready to listen.
"You know" Chris started; "as a chess player, you really need to learn how to plan your moves few steps before your opponents. And never wear your emotions on your sleeve" Chris warned.
"George! I have Mr. Makinwa under wraps, he is wrapped around my little finger."
"what do you mean?"
"well! He is trying to play smart with me, he has forgotten that has a master chess player, I know how to effectively use my pawn."
"Is it about the loan he took from you to save his company from bankrupt?"
"Well, not exactly. . . he tried selling the company to my competitors after crying to me for help, I was not even bothered, but then, he had the nerve to tell it to my face that there is nothing I can do to him or his company' he smiled calmly;
"I will have so much fun with proving him wrong"
"What exactly have you done Chris? In situations like this, when you smile calmly like you just did, I sincerely fear the actions you might have taken' George was evidently disturbed; 'What did you do then?"
"Nothing out of the book, dear friend; he held George's eyes with an intense look and continued driving,
"presently, I am the biggest shareholder of Makinwa sons & co. With a 75% share of the company"
George gasped at the new information; "Are you for real? How did you go about it?"
"I told you to learn chess, you're just so annoyingly stubborn, now you are asking for my moves, I will give you a hint"
Chris continued; "the company I took over few months ago. My ownership of the company is not yet revealed to the public. I used that same company to purchase the major shares of his company. He had a meeting with the managing director I had just appointed. I've had this all planned out since I decided to enter a business deal with him. I have heard of his deviousness, so, I came prepared for him. If he thinks he is the devil right hand man, I will let him know, I am the devil himself. He has no idea what is about to hit him. I will give him an earth shattering blow he will never recover from"
"wow! My respect for you in the business world just doubled over"
George seemed so amazed about this turn of event. Mr. Makinwa deserves whatever treatment is friend has melted out to him. The man is sly, devious, slimy and a real bastard. There's no blood of honesty in his body.
'I really can't wait to see the expression on the bastard's face when he gets the news'
"That's not all of it" Chris stated.
"there is still more??" George shouted out totally awed
"most definitely" he grinned,
"Shuu! Na boss you be oh! What else is there? Give me the full gist na"
"You remember The Vogue magazine from this morning?"
"yes now! The same paper that seem to always find fault in every and anything you do, What about it"
"Guess who the new Owner is?"
George looked astound at his friends. He seemed to be speaking a foreign a language all of a sudden.
He bowed his head for a minute in deep thoughts and then it dawned on him.
"Are you shitting me right now??? Christian Oreoluwa Judge??"
"Okay! Now you sound like that writer form the Magazine. . . Lol!" Christian couldn't seem to hide the sincere laugh that escaped his lips at his friend's expression
"How did you go about it" George couldn't help but ask
Christian had to park his car to really go into details.
"On my way back from Mr. Makinwa's Office two weeks ago, I saw him hug a lady at the office Garage. I actually thought it was one of his many mistresses. I did need something sharp to cut of his devious claws. Well! I put a call through to my P.I, with a picture of them both. I couldn't believe my ears and eyes with the outcome of the news."
"Oh! The man likes them young also??"
Christian looked at his friend with an absurd look and eyed him in a funny manner.
"Of course not, idiot! She is the man's daughter and he used Her Company the Vogue Magazine to collect a loan from Me"
"Oh My God! That's so fucked. . . what kind of man is that?? So! Wait, both the father and the daughter hate your guts?? Mad oh! "
He couldn't hold the wicked laughter that erupted deep from his belly.
"this is sure getting more interesting by the minute. Guy! No wonder you were so nonchalant about the news report this morning. Imagine me, reporting your staff to you. . . Lol! I finally agree, I'm stupid"
Christian laughed at his friend's declaration of acceptance of his Stupidness.
"You're really sick, it is only someone like you that will concur to been stupid" Christian Laughed
"But the thing is, she is not aware that I'm the new owner yet. If she does know, she would not have spoken so badly about her new boss" he smirked
"Guy! After series of insults and bad words by that reporter lady, not that I'm bothered by the words of qualification she gave me. It's quite true."
"Yeah! You said that much before' George replied;
"But ehn. . . Boy! Dey there make pant dey wear you. . . from what have heard of that girl ehn! She is rude and pompous. She has this deep hatred for the male gender, he added with deep conviction"
He signified for his friend to move closer, like he is about to reveal a secret "Rumor has it that" he looked left and right and whispered "She is a Lesbian"
He dropped the news looked all serious expectantly at his friend.
Christian hit is head immediately with force
"Guy! Why now?" wetin I do you?"
"Now, I truly believe you're stupid" he seems exasperated; "I could care less if she is a sex worker or a stripper, how is that even any of my business"
"Uncle, you don vex? No vex sir! Na me fuck up. . . I suppose don shut up" He bowed his head in mock apology "His royal Highness Christian, Biko, I will learn to keep my lips sealed"
Chris chuckled; "Swears, you're a clown. . . "
Chris started the engine of the car again to get back on the move
"we are running late already. Let's get going"
#
"Daddy, what in God's name have you done this time?? Why would you let that man fool you?? How could you have been so blind to his plans from the onset?? I thought you were smarter than all this?" She wailed badly
"that is no way to talk to your father, young woman! I deserve some respect"
"You lost those respects, the day you decided to use my company has a collateral without my consents" she fumed. "How could you??" she demanded "how could you stoop so low as to throw me under the train for your benefits?? You" she pointed fingers at him "don't have any right to do so. I strived and worked to get my company to this level, without your help" she moved from her position while pacing back and forth.
"I will not sit back and watch you ruin me, dad. . . Never!'
Mr. Makinwa bowed his head in mock pity. It seemed obvious he looked sincerely pained for his actions but his daughter knew better. He has always been the kind of man to do things for self-gain not thinking of whoever is caught in the cross fire.
VANESSA OLUWANIMODUROTI MAKINWA, Mr. Makinwa's only surviving child. A beautiful melanin dripping lady. At the age of 28, single, self-established and no daddy's girl. She is mostly referred to as 'the ice queen' with her no-nonsense attitude.
"Mo, we can still save your company."
"'how father?? You know Christian takes over every establishment he gets his slimy fingers on"
"Calm down dear, I sold some of the company shares to settle some previous debts. I will pay him half of the loan with the remaining balance, then you can have your company back. . . see, so easy"
"it is not easy dad!" she shouted "do you think Christian is that stupid? He obviously has this all planned out. If anything should happen to my company, I swear on mother's grave I will NEVER forgive you" she declared.
Mo. Stormed out of her father's office with a volcanic emotion.
'How could he be so wicked and heartless?? What rights does he have to use my baby, my company has a collateral for a loan?? The company I started from scratch with my time and sweats?? Oh, God! I can't deal with all this right now. It's just not now, not when I . . . 'She collided with someone "Are you blind?? Can't you watch where you are headed?? She hissed and moved past the person.
The man pulled her back with her arm "Have you no manners at all?? Or probably, mama taught you but you refused to learn" he smiled
Mo. Stepped back and had a glaring contest with him, then it dawned on her, who the fellow was.
"Well, well, well! Look who the cat dragged in." Not breaking eye contact with him. "If it's not the infamous president of the playboy association"
"Such accolades" he smiled dangerously "I can't believe I would see the day something good will flow out of your lips" he stared at her lips for few seconds and held her eyes again. "I thought you made a living from soiling my reputation".
She seemed uncomfortable with the action "what are you doing here?? What business do you have with my father?"
"haven't you heard yet??"
"I'm no mood to have a chit chat with you, just head straight to the point, if there's any."
"for once, you seem to have real sense. I have no business with you. . . yet"
That got her attention. 'What does he mean by yet?? Hope it's not what I'm thinking?? I swear on my life; he would regret ever crossing path with me if he toys with my baby'
'why is her face turning all shades of red?? Is that anger or hatred?? Who really cares?? Definitely not me. Why I'm I staring at her eyes?? Why is her pupil so chocolate?? Oh! Get a grip Chris.
"The cat got your tongue or what?? Anyways, I have no business with you. I've come to meet your father for an important meeting"
He made an attempt to move "Why do you always have to feel like the next most important thing after Sliced bread??" he glanced back at her words and moved closer to her, leaned down a bit and whispered into her ears "Three days to this time, you would come back to me, go down on your knees and beg for mercy, I do hope you keep the same energy like you do now" he felt her stiffened at his words and relaxed immediately.
She pushed him back and stormed out in anger.
'how dare the bastard? What rights does he have to lecture me? Me? OLUWANIMODUROTI, beg for mercy from him, I would rather die than live to see it happen. He won't see the end of this'.
She moved down outside the car park, got into a black Mercedes Benz and drove off in anger.
"phew! This lady is one heck of a trouble" George thought
"I need to head up. . . Chris might be waiting and besides, I'm so giddy with joy with just imagining that man's face when he drops the bomb, he won't know what hit him" he laughed out loud.
YOU ARE READING
Scars
Romance"Scarred by childhood abuse, Christian struggles to comprehend love's healing power. Enters Mo, a mysterious force drawing him in. As danger looms, Christian must confront his past to save her. Will he embrace his scars as symbols of strength, not w...
