CHAPTER ONE

It was a Thursday morning. The city of Lagos was unusually quiet without any apparent reason. Even as Anabel wasn't a lousy person, she was uncomfortable with the extreme quietness in a boisterous city. It looked like a bad omen, especially as the day was significant to her.

There were two critical issues ahead of her that day, and the unusual quietness of the city was making her nervous. Kofo had called her earlier in the day and informed her that she was back in the country. Before Kofo left the country, she told Anabel that there was an important issue to discuss. So, as soon as Stallone informed Annabel of Kofo's return, she had been expecting her call. But she didn't expect Kofo to call and start ordering her around. With the bit of thing Annabel knew about Kofo, she is a lady that would always ask you to jump and expect you only to ask how high. As Anabel explained to her that she had a very important court case to attend that day, Kofo insisted that she must come to her place and come between 9 a.m and 10 a.m.

The time was 8:45. Annabel knew that if she stayed for 30 minutes longer in Lekki, she wouldn't be able to meet the judge's verdict on the murder case of her friend. The more her mind went to the case, the more she became afraid. Precious had already pleaded guilty, so she would be sentenced. Everybody's concern was how long the jail term would be.

The cab that took her from Yaba stopped in front of a beautiful estate, and she alighted. She paid the taxi man and then went towards the security agents of the estate.

"Good morning. I'm going to flat 128."

The uniform man nodded slightly in response to her greeting and then dialed a number.

"Hello ma, somebody is at the gate. She said ...," the man then turned to Annabel and asked, "What is your name?"

"Annabel."

"She said her name is Annabel ... okay," The security man put down the intercom and pointed to a register.

"Fill that," he said and then asked, "Do you know the place?"

"No," she replied as she was filling the form.

"Just go straight, then turn to the right at the first turning—the third street.

Annabel didn't understand the description, but it did not take a long time before she located flat 128. Kofo was already outside the flat, waiting for her.

"Good morning ma," Annabel greeted.

"Good morning how are you?"

Annabel wasn't fine, but she replied, "I am fine, and you ma?"

Kofo didn't reply. She turned back and led Annabel to her lounge.

"Do you girls advise one another at all? Kofo asked and then offered Annabel a seat.

Kofo's sitting room was lavishly decorated. She was definitely a lover of luxury, art, and precious stones. Almost everything in her apartment was big and gigantic. Two giant cheetah sculptures stood at the entrance, probably welcoming people into the magnificently decorated living room. The room is spacious with a lot of furniture, all big and of high quality. A 65 inches TV stood on a white gold plated adjustable stand. The frame is lined with glittering diamonds, and the base of the stand has some stones neatly displayed. The sound system beside the TV stand is tall and elegant and didn't look like anything you see in most homes. The cushion chairs were big, and anyone can feel their softness from a glance. The walls had many art paintings that looked so good with the design of the room. Also, the breakfast area has another giant white statue of the Greek-inspired Apolo, blended perfectly with the room's modern design. The bar was specially constructed with exotic stones and stocked with expensive wines. The lighting was glamorous, and the room painting was perfect. Annabel was amazed by the display of wealth and luxury.

"We do talk ma," Annabel replied.

"It doesn't seem so to me. Tell me, how much do you know about Stallone?"

Annabel wasn't sure of what Kofo wanted her to say.

"I know she is very religious ma,"

"Do you know that she had never dated a man before? Do you know that she is still a virgin? Do you know that she planned to remain a virgin for the whole of her life?"

"She told me," Annabel replied.

"And what did you tell her about it?"

Annabel had never given any opinion about Stallone's religious position. She believed everybody has the right to his religious belief. However, she knew she couldn't tell Kofo that. So, she kept quiet for a few seconds.

"Em ..... We have not actually discussed it much ma."

"Are you also a virgin?" Kofo asked.

The question sounded weird to Annabel.

"No ma," she replied.

"At what age did you loose your virginity?"

That was weirder. Annabel decided not to answer.

"What exactly do you want me to do ma?"

"Get a man for my daughter," Kofo said, paused, and continued.

"A man that will change her way of reasoning. A man that will show her what love is. A man that will do to her everything lovers do. She is my only child and I cannot allow any religion to bind her eyes."

"Okay ma. I will speak with her," Annabel replied.

"Can you hear what I said. I didn't ask you to speak with her. I said get her a man."

Annabel got confused.

"I don't understand how you expect me to do that without her consent."

"Let me explain to you. I am ready to pay any man that can find his way to Stallone's heart any amount of money as long as he can use his manly charm to attract her. You look for the man, and I will take care of all expenses. And it is important that she knows nothing about the plan.

"Now, I understand. I will think about it."

"Don't think about it. Do it," Kofo ordered.