ANIKE
By: Toyin Taiwo
Episode 33.
After NYSC , I told him to get me a job but he refused, he said I don’t need one, that I have
everything I wanted. But I’ve learnt from my mum’s mistake never allow any man deprive me
from working.
“What exactly do you need the job for, you have everything at your disposal” he said.
“I can’t sit around doing nothing” “Fine, if you want to work. I’ll open a boutique,
depot, supermarket or any business of your choice, just name it and I’ll get it done”
“I don’t like buying and selling. I prefer an office
work. An organization where I’ll be relevant. I want an enviroment where I’ll know what’s going on in the world. Not sit in one store throughout
the day.
“Office work? Have you seen anyone who became wealthy through salary alone. Business
and investments is the key”
“I know, I love investments too but buying and selling is not just my thing” I explained.
Prince knew nothing about my investments. He knew nothing about my landed property and
shopping complexes. He never monitored my personal life. He doesn’t keep tabs on me nor
ask questions on how I spend my money.
After so much plea he agreed. He got me a job for me at the House of Assembly in Abuja. The pay made sense and I have a very fine office to myself. I’ve always wanted that. And he also
bought me a new ride that suits my new job.
Prince insisted I move in with him but I objected to the idea. I got my own apartment in Abuja
instead. He came down to my apartment one day and started complaining again.
“You don’t listen to me, you choose to do whatever you wish” he said.
“Prince I’m not your wife, please stop treating
me as one. I still have the right to my freedom” I told him.
“Why did you refuse to move in with me?”
“Simple, I’m not your wife”
“Then let’s get married”
“And I said NO”
“Anike stop been selfish”
“So I’m the selfish one here, you’re been selfish too” I stood arms akimbo
“Do you consider my feelings at all”
“Some times it takes more than feeling. I can’t be tagged a gold digger”
“After all it’s my gold mine and I’m not complaining. I don’t get why you are so much interested in other people opinions. Who cares”
“I care, Prince there are lots of women out there who are dying to marry you, go for them and
stop pestering me”
“Anike, I thought you’ve grown to love me?”
“I do, but this love can’t lead to marriage. I’m just 25”
He walked up to me and pulled me into an embrace.
“I don’t like the way we fight this days” he said softly
“I don’t like it too”
“Is there someone” he asked still hugging me
“No” I replied.
“Then I still have hope” He smiled and k!ssed me on the lips. I made Dinner for the two of us since he decided to sleep over.
“I woke in his arms, he was already awake. Good
morning….”I yawned.
“Morning my princess”
“When did you wake up”
“Not too long”
“Something on your mind?”
“I want a baby?”
“Adopt one, or more you have the resources”
“I want a baby from you”
“From who? Not again, Prince don’t start” I sat up. “It’s baby again this time. I no longer understand you this days. From Marriage to baby?”
“Anike if you can’t marry me at least give me a child. I want something that will come out from you, like the fruit of our relationship. The product
of our love”
“What did I get myself into for God sake” I said aloud. I will not be a baby mama, I reject it. I refuse to be one” I said and left the room.
I was at Prince’s house, we are in his sitting room relaxing. I wore a pink tank top on a blue
bump short. One of the staff came and informed him that he had an August visitor, cos he wasn’t expecting anyone.
It was his opponent, Admiral Odigwe. They are both running for same post in the Navy. He
stormed in with his hefty bodyguards without been authorized to do so.
“Get inside now!” Prince ordered me. I made to leave but one of the bodyguards blocked me from moving.
“Where did you think you are going, Come back here” His opponent said and I obeyed. I stood behind Prince.
“How dare you, You have guts you know, first you barge into my house, then you start ordering people around here” he lashed at him.
“Admiral Gabriel Alawode I came just for one reason. I came to warn you, leave that post for
me or else”
“Or else what”
“Alawode…. You don’t want to find out, do you?”
“Are you seriously threatening me in my own house”
“If you call it a threat so be with but don’t say I
didn’t warn you”
“Why are you so insecure Odigwe, why can’t you
just let the best man win” Prince said calmly this time.
“We already know who the best man is, but you won’t win this time around. Alawode the high
and mighty. You know all the favors you get from this government, even from the President. You get everything at the snap of your fingers,
so why can’t you just leave this post for people
like us who are not so lucky as you”
“Like I said earlier let the committee who are in
charge choose who ever they want”
“Spare me that my friend, we all know that post
will be assigned to you, even the President wants
you to have it”
“So what do you want from me when you know
that already?”
“I want you to step down, tell them you are no
longer interested”
“Man, I’ve you ever considered going into comedy as a profession. You’ll sure make a fine one. You want me to back down for you of all
people, a corrupt and wicked soul like you? Then you must be joking” “You have no choice here”
“Really! If you had come in peace, I would have
given it little consideration, but because of this
approach of yours, I’ll win and let’s see what you
do about it”
“What I’ll do about it? I’ll show you what I’m
capable of doing, you know you have just one
weakness”
Prince laughed. “I! Weakness! Odigwe stop
blabbing, I don’t have a weakness”
“Well, you may not know but you have one and
she’s standing right behind you”
Prince was shocked but he hid it well for him not
to notice.
“Like I said earlier, you’ll make a fine comedian.
You considered a call girl my weakness?”
“Quit the pretense Alawode, you and I know
she’s not a call girl”
“Then who is she if not a call girl”
“Anike Adams is the love of your life, you live
and breath her. If you really value her life, you’ll
do the right thing”
“You are bluffing, You think I’ll step down
because of that”
“77 ahmadu bello road, Wuse Zone 2 Abuja. Does
that address rings a bell?” He laughed wickedly.
“If you touch a single strand of hair on her head.
I swear on my Father’s throne, I’ll kill you with
my bare hands”
He laughed wickedly and left with his men.
I was scared, that man is sure dangerous. I could tell from the look on his face.
Prince was pacing up and down the room. He summoned all his security agents and gave them orders.
He also instructed his PA to put some things in place.
He called two of his staff. They came in quickly.
“Sir!” They chorused, all at attention.
“Go to Anike’s place and get all her things out of
that house this minute”
“What! The house I just rented?”
“Didn’t you hear him, he knows where you are staying”
“Where will I stay now?”
“Here of course”
“I’d rather go to Lagos”
“And endanger the life of your family or get
yourself killed? Are you thinking at all”
“Prince, I’m not staying here”
“I know you don’t like the idea but I can only
protect you here, out there is not safe for you”
“What about work”
“Leave work for now”
“Really!” I walked out on him in annoyance.
He followed me “ Anike, my Princess this is just
temporal”
“For how long”
“I’ll die if anything happens to you my princess,
just bear with me for now. I promise I’ll handle
everything”
He brought out his phone and called the
President. The President told him he’ll inform the
minister of defense to send secret service to his
house. They all know how dangerous Odigwe can
be when he wants something”.
Two weeks later, I walked up to him.
“I’m tired of staying indoor, I’m going back to work tomorrow”
That won’t happen, not under my watch”
“That won’t happen! what kind of punishment is this”
“I’m trying to protect you”
“Prince, I’m going to work tomorrow whether you
like it or not”
“OK secret service will exhort you to work and
bring you back”
I smiled at last. I had my plans and my plan is to
go to Lagos and not office in the real sense.
The next day, two escorts followed me to the office. I got to the office and changed my clothes. I already brought a change of clothes. I used a
veil to cover my body and put on a dark sunglasses.
I came out of the National Assembly building, I
saw the exhort and I trekked down the opposite
way. I flagged down a cab and off to the airport.
I planned to stay in an hotel when I get to Lagos,
since Prince said I could endanger the lives of
my family members.
Few meters away from the airport, a van double
crossed my cab. Two hefty men came out with
guns. I was about to open the door and run when
one of them caught up with him, he brought me out. While I was struggling with him, he hit me
with a banton and I passed out.
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