Teni Johnson

THREE

Emotan Hotel,
Central Road,
G.R.A.,
Benin City,
Edo Sate,
Nigeria.
Teni moved as fast as her hands could. She had to leave Lagos that morning, she could not miss her flight. She didn't mind leaving finger prints, daddy's people will come to clean the room up as soon as she left. It was Ose on duty again when she got to the lobby. She saw the way he had been starring at her and she hated it.
"Are you leaving?"
Obviously.
She walked out of the door without a word and left him gawking at her.

__________________________________________________________________________

Kankarofi Enterprises,

Lekki,
Lagos,
Nigeria.
When Teni got to Alhaji's office, he was on the phone. He rose his index and middle finger to indicate he needed two minutes more and by the time he was done, a warm smile creeped on his face.
"He's dead?"
"He?"
Her father became agitated. What had she done back there?
"Yes he. Ohi Ohiwerei. Who did
you erase?"
"The girl in the picture in the file,
just like I was asked to"
He laughed a deep, throaty laugh and went to sit at his desk.
"Then you did do the right thing"
She gave a confused look and sat on his desk to face him and Alhaji began explaining.
"he can't be assassinated, it will cause too much drama and the people
who employed us don't want that. So by killing his daughter, he had a
heart attack. That is less suspicious."
Teni's confusion was even more now. She did not get it. Why go through all that stress and even risk being caught? There were easier and better ways such erases could have been done. This was just being over dramatic.
"Why didn't we just use that drug? I don't
remember what it is called but getting it
into his system would have been the only
thing to worry about. After a few hours it
disappears into the blood stream without
a trace and makes it look like it was a heart
attack"
He thought for a moment. Impressive.
"very good. Leo will take you home. Abdul is waiting.
You have boxing lessons."
She got up and walked out the door in obedience. There was something important she wanted to discuss with him but orders were orders. She would have to wait till he got home, if he had time to listen to her. He might be too busy with business or better put, Fejiro.
Leo was waiting downstairs with the black BMW ready when came out of the building. He was a very tall and built man. He had been around for as long as teni could remember but she didn't even know his age.he was a fellow eraser, they had the same job but they had never worked together before. She hardly heard him speak or smile. He kept a poker face all the time and he was one of Alhaji's personal details.
"Hi."
He turned to look at her slowly.
. "Hi."
A flat, dead reply.
"You don't talk much or smile"
"I only smile when necessary"
"Why?"
No answer. How rude.
"Stop staring. It's rude and a bad habit"
Talk about being rude.
That was when she turned fully in her seat to look at him.
"Stop it"
"Why?"
No answer. She began poking him.
"It makes me uncomfortable"
"Why?"
She was still poking him. She was annoying him. In one moment he swerved off the road and parked. Was she supposed to be afraid now?
"Look, I was just asked to drop you home. So just sit in one place and shut up"
She was quiet but just for a moment. Nobody had ever told her to shut up before. He had guts. Maybe too much.
"Don't tell me that ever again"
No answer. She was getting pissed now but she was just trying to be friendly and now she was getting a shut up. When she realized he was not going to answer she began poking him. He swerved of the road again.
"The fuck is wrong with you Teniola?"
"The fuck is wrong with me? The fuck is wrong with me. Ok I'll tell you. You."
Leo laughed. "You are one crazy girl ok?"
"I am not" she spat.
"Ten I I don't need a girlfriend so please just stop all of this"
Her eyes widened instantly. Did he really think that she thought of him that way? Why would he think she was on to him? Was she sending the wrong message? Maybe he was the one who liked her but didn't know how to put it. Definitely she didn't feel anything for him but then he did have a nice body; what would he look like without clothes? And his lips, those beautiful, beautiful lips and his...
"I'm not asking to be your girlfriend. I just want to know why you always have to act so stuck up. I mean, Frank is more fun than you are"
He turned back on to the road and was quiet for what seemed like forever then he spoke.
"That, Teniola is frank. I am my own person. I chose to be what I want. You are beautiful, sexy, hot, strong, intelligent, whatever. But I honestly don't need someone right now. And please enough with the talking. I need to concentrate"
The rest of the ride home was quiet. Did she truly feel something for him? No. She was sure of it. He was just proud, pompous, and over confident that's all. When they reached the mighty, automatic black gates of her father's compound, she saw him steal a look at her. Was he worried he hurt her with his words? Did he care about her? Why she even worried about all theses unnecessary thoughts and feelings?
She muttered a thank you when the car came to a halt at the front door. He didn't say anything, didn't even look at her, not even a nod. He just drove off. Why was he acting like this? Did he hate her for something she didn't even know she had done? Everyone in the organization loved her. Maybe because she was the owners daughter but definitely he -
"I waited long enough"
She turned around and met her boxing tutor behind her. She had known him since she was eight. He was seventeen when he began training her and she always enjoyed his company. He always made her laugh and they always talked about anything and everything; was like her best friend.
"Hi Abdulahi" she murmured, silently cursing him for disturbing her train of thought. He moved in closer for a hug and stopped mid way, examining her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Just got back from Benin. I'm a little tired is all" she said as they walked into the dark house.
"Where did all the maids go?"
"Dad said all the helping hands should go on vacation. Switch on the lights if it's too dark for you. I'll be in the basement in a few. And oh except Fejiro. Dad eats only her food."
As she jogged up the stairs, she heard Abdulahi laugh quietly; she smiled knowing he got the joke and understood what she meant.
__________________________________________________________________________

"Follow my voice"
A blindfolded teni stood still, boxing gloves clenched to her fists, taking deep, cautious breaths and trying to focus on the echo of Abdulahi's voice in the huge basement gym.
"My voice. Just focus on my voice. Only"
She calmed her nerves and began to hear just herself breathing. One more time she thought.
"My voice"
She began moving. Slowly at first, then faster, taking wider steps and moving closer.
"Good"
He made to punch her but she blocked it. He made to punch her again but this time she squatted as fast as she could and tackled him. He fell with a thud but jumped up as fast as he got to the ground.
"I must say teni, I'm impressed but this is not the marshal arts babe"
She took off her blindfold in frustration and hit the nearest punching bag to her.
"Teni"
No answer. She punched again. Then again and again and agin.
"Teni" he held onto her fits and hugged her.
"I'm sorry. I'm just a little stressed and tired. It's been a long day."
"You know you can always tell me anything"
"Yes I know but honestly there is nothing wrong. Just a little bout of stress. I'll be ok. I'll call you later tonight"
Abdulahi knew not to push any further. He stood and watched after her as she climbed the stairs up to the main house.