By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Late in the night, Sharon was in her bedroom watching a movie with her tablet when her phone began to ring.
‘I kept calling you Barrister Ambrose, but you didn’t pick.’
‘I was having my shower…is anything the matter?’
‘Ambrose, Jessica told me that you sent for the reporter that would defame Chioma. I don’t want that to happen.’
Ambrose sighed. ‘I don’t want it either but my boss wants me to do it…’ ‘Before the reporter start spreading the fake rumours about Chioma got in bed with another man, would you do me the favour of intercepting him before it becomes too late.’
‘Okay, I will ask him to meet you…send me the location, where you would want to meet him.’
‘Thanks,’
Ambrose hung up and Sharon put her phone down. Shortly after, Sharon received the profile of the reporter on her phone. She read it before sending her location to Ambrose.
The following morning, Sharon
wore a camel coat over her black athleisure outfit that she paired with a
black baseball cap, matching sneakers and a bag, as she left for the convenience
store in a remote area to meet with the reporter. She had chosen this remote
area because there were no surveillance cameras anywhere seen and she had also
Chosen this place, because she knew that the owner wouldn’t say a word about
seeing her here.
The man was Louis Njoku. He was dressed in a tidy brown suit, his hair neatly cut, and his shoes matching his outfit. He had a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched atop his nose. Sitting before Sharon, he thought that Ambrose had brought him here for a blind date. Upon seeing how beautiful Sharon looked, he revealed a pleasing smile.
‘What have you called me out here for? Are we on a blind date?’ Sharon smiled and said, ‘We are here for a serious business and not for any kind of date.’
‘Then, what could it be?’
‘You’re paid to release a scandal about Chioma Chima, right?’
‘Yes, the governor of Imo State paid me enough.’Louis removed his glasses and raised his eyebrows.
‘What if I offer you more money, will you kill the fake scandal?’
Louis laughed, thinking that Sharon was a joke. ‘How much can you pay to surpass the governor of Imo State? I’m sure that you are still looking for a job. Maybe your boyfriend might be a bank manager, but that won’t still make him fork out money that would surpass that of my governor.’
Sharon forced a smile but didn’t respond.
‘I have a business card and connections; I could help you get a job.’ Louis took out his wallet and pulled out his business card. ‘Call me anytime you need a job. I will help you.’ He placed the card before Sharon, but she didn’t even glance at it.
After a moment, Sharon said, ‘The governor gave you money, what if the president’s daughter has a money-making offer for you… I am Sharon Ojukwu, the daughter of President Obinna Ojukwu. I am ordering you right now to kill that news else, your family will be ruined for good.’
‘How much money are we talking about?’ Louis put on his glasses back.
After hearing Sharon’s words, he knew that she wasn’t just an ordinary girl but the daughter of the president, which meant that the governor was behind President Obinna. ‘To tell you the truth, I didn’t agree to do this at first, but my sister needs money for her kidney transplant, so I had no other choice than to collect this job. The governor wanted me to release a scandal about Chioma Chima. I was planning to use a photoshoped photo to claim that it is a photo of Chioma and a guy in bed. If not for Ambrose who asked me to meet you first, I would have release the scandal this morning, and Chioma would already be the hottest topic again.’
Sharon sighed, looking at Louis. ‘Have someone ever told you that you are stupid? If you publish the fake photo, someone will definitely expose the photo as fake sooner or later. Michael would make you pay. I wonder how much Jessica’s father paid you to do such a despicable thing.’
‘Five million naira…’
‘I definitely won’t be giving you money, but I will give you ten million for your sister’s kidney transplant.’
Hearing this, Louis was very happy.
‘I need to remind you, Louis, if anyone is willing to offer you money in the future to defame anyone, don’t be too greedy to accept. Otherwise, going against you is like stepping on an ant. If you lose your licence to be a reporter, it wouldn’t be beneficial for you.’
‘I understand…’
‘To be on a safe side, return back the money through Ambrose and never appear in Imo State again until this is all over…I will give you a job at Ojukwu Corporation, so that you wouldn’t have to suffer for doing this.’
Sharon had wanted to use the method of deflecting the danger on Emmanuel Nnaji, by asking Michael to send her Emmanuel’s corruption and criminal bribery, but she felt that this would keep her bestie heart broken. So, she didn’t move forward with that method. She went straight to tell Louis to kill the scandal.
After they have come to agreement, Sharon gave him a cheque of ten million naira. Also, she gave him her complimentary card. ‘You will get a job once you come.’ After speaking, she put on her sunglasses and left the convenience store.
An hour later, Sharon returned home. She reported her meeting with Louis Njoku to Nathan who was at the balcony, playing chess with Erica.
‘Thank you,’ Nathan said to Sharon.
‘Hope you didn’t leave anything for them to hold against you later?’ Erica looked up at Sharon, worried.
Sharon chuckled. ‘I was able to break his bones…Louis won’t fight back.’
‘Then I can relax.’
‘Yes, enjoy your game of chess with
your fake husband,’ Sharon teased as she smiled.
Inside the governor of Imo State office, Emmanuel relaxed on his sofa as he turned on the TV. It was already 6PM and most of the workers were slowly making their way home.
Emmanuel watched the six o’clock news as the broadcaster read the news about the projects he had commissioned today.
Just then, Barrister Ambrose walked inside, carrying a briefcase. It seemed he was ready to go home for the day.
‘His excellency, Louis refused to defame Chioma,’ Ambrose said. Emmanuel turned to Ambrose. ‘Did he say why?’
‘No.’
‘Did he return the money?’
‘Yes, Sir. I have sent it into your account.’
‘Good. You may go.’
Ambrose turned to leave.
Emmanuel
seemed not to be bothered about what Ambrose told him as he continued watching
the TV.
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