Wrong Injection

CHAPTER 8

"Sure, I will appreciate that," I said to Gabby on the phone, grateful that he had offered to attend a meeting on my behalf. I had been experiencing a severe headache throughout the day and couldn't make it to the meeting myself.

I settled back into my chair, feeling a bit more relaxed after my conversation with Gabby. Because he assured me that he would take care of things, but mentioned that he might be late and wouldn't be able to drive me home.

As I leaned back in my chair, my secretary walked in. "Sir, the Chancellor of New York University is here to see you," she announced and I nodded, slightly surprised by the unexpected visit.

"Send him in," I said, trying to compose myself.

Shortly after, the Chancellor walked in, and we exchanged a firm handshake before he took a seat. "I wasn't expecting you," I said, trying to recall if we had any scheduled meetings. "We don't have an appointment, do we?"

"I'm sorry about that Mr. West, but it was very important that I come to see you," he began, his tone apologetic but determined. "New York University would be sending some of our students to Africa, Ghana, for a tour in the Kakum National Park. It's actually our first time visiting Africa, and we know of no better and more spacious hotel in Ghana than King's Hotel."

I nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by the proposal. "I think I know where you're heading to," I said, a hint of a smile on my face, then the Chancellor smiled back, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

"Please, take our students in at your hotel. It's only going to be a short stay," he requested, his tone polite but persuasive.

I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers together as I considered the proposal. "If New York University is willing and ready to pay for their stay, why not?" I said, a smile spreading across my face. And the  Chancellor's face lit up with relief, and he nodded confidently.

"Of course, we are ready to pay any amount, Mr. West," he assured me, his voice firm and resolute. I nodded, clearing my throat to signal that the discussion was far from over.

"I see, so how many students are we talking about when are they leaving?"

"Twenty students, three professors, myself, and we would be leaving on Monday." I nodded, processing the information. That was just two days from now.

"I see, uh, for the well-being of the students, I will personally be in Ghana," I said, firmly and reassuring. Then I stood up, a sense of responsibility settling in. The Chancellor's face lit up with appreciation, and I could sense his relief. I extended my hand, and the Chancellor shook it firmly. "See you in two days' time, Mr. Chancellor," I said, smiling politely. With that, our meeting came to a close, and I watched as the he departed, feeling a sense of anticipation for the upcoming trip to Ghana.
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My phone rang shrill and insistent, as soon as I walked into my home. I looked at the screen and saw Veronica's name flashing on it. I let out a sigh and answered, my voice dull and unenthusiastic. "Yeah."

"Hey Sultan, how are you? Are you home already? I wanna come over," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. And I chuckled, a dry, humorless sound.

"No, Veronica, I want to be alone," I said, trying to convey my exhaustion and lack of interest in her company. But Veronica was not one to take no for an answer. She scoffed, her tone turning sharp and accusatory. "Wow, Sultan, wow. You are pushing me away because I'm not able to get pregnant, right? You complained I don't make time for you, and now that I'm trying to make it up to you, you are pushing me away. Crazy," she said, her words dripping with venom.

I paused, unsure of how to respond. I was too tired to think, too tired to care. All I wanted was sleep. "Veronica, I... um..." I trailed off, my words hanging in the air like a challenge.

"Sultan, are you seeing someone else? Are you back to having numerous girlfriends?" she asked, her tone demanding an answer. But I stayed quiet, knowing that I couldn't deny the truth. I had always had a reputation for having multiple girlfriends, and Veronica was well aware of it. Despite my efforts to make her my main woman, I couldn't resist the temptation of other girls.

"Or you've always had them around and now you want me out of your life completely. So you could have even more?" Her voice rose and I tried to intervene, to explain myself, but Veronica wasn't having it.

"Veronica, can you just listen to me," I said, but she hung up before I could get another word in. I scoffed, tossing my phone onto the bed. "Attitude," I muttered, shaking my head. I wasn't bothered by her reaction, though. To me, Veronica was just one of many girls, my favorite, perhaps, but not someone I was deeply invested in.

My goal was to have a child with her, someone to carry on my legacy. I didn't believe in love, but I wanted a successor, someone to inherit my wealth and power. And once the baby was born, I planned to take custody, pay Veronica off, and be done with her. She would be out of my life, and I would be free to move on to the next girl.