Hidden Motive

ChapterThree

Unravelling a Truth

Mma was crouched in her jumbled sedan parked outside Zuma, gripping the steering wheel with sweaty palms. The restaurant emblazoned golden lights over the Lagos night while an expensive collection of cars was lined up at the valet parking.

Eze had ordered her to this place away from the office – the pristinely arranged structures they purposely maintained. It was different, and here, she couldn't tell whether she was able to meter it inside her.

After sighing deeply, she stepped out of her vehicle and handed her keys to the valet. The evening breeze bit not that much inside her throbbing heart, but as she made her way into the restaurant, the maitre d' called her immediately.

"Miss Chukwuma, this way, please."

He ushered her through the magnificent dining arena where tables boasted of influential personalities of the Lagos elite. At the far end of the room stood a sharply cut private booth, with Eze waiting. With a drink of whisky in his hand, he wore a dark navy suit. Mma could feel his eyes hooking and drawing her in as soon as they locked sight.

"You are now in our presence," he said, standing as she came closer in sight.

She slid herself into a chair directly across from him and said, "Well, actually, I wasn't sure." Fully focused now, Eze called the waiter to bring them wine. "You should always trust your instincts, Mma."

She exhaled loudly, worn out from the games. "Why did you want me here, Eze?"

A flash of amusement crossed his face. "Straight to the point. I enjoy that. His brow was suddenly serious as he leaned forward. "I need you to understand something, which is why I called you here. Kainos is bigger than just business. There are forces at play, and you're unaware of them."

Mma narrowed her eyes. "Forces? What the hell are you talking about?"

Eze took a long sip before speaking. "My company – actually my empire – was built with more than just contracts and negotiations. I have allies, and I have enemies. And now that you step into higher shoes, you are bound to face its inevitables."

A shiver ran down her spine. "Are you saying I am in danger?"

Eze paused before answering. Reaching under his coat, he slipped a tiny envelope across the table. "See for yourself."

Hesitated but firm, Mma picked it up and opened it. Inside it were photographs—of her. Pictures of her leaving work, having dinner at some restaurant, and even walking through her apartment complex. Someone had been following her.

"It tightened her throat. Who did this?"

"His jaw tightened. "I want to know that first."

Mma stared at those pics, and she felt her head whirring. She had known that she would have to enter a power-influencing world once she started working for Eze, but she wasn't expecting anything like this.

"What on earth prevented you from telling me this earlier?"

"Because I needed to identify the true culprit first." He began tapping lightly on the surface with his fingers. "And I needed to be completely sure of you."

“Sure of me? You believe that I am complicit in this?”

"No. However, those who are observing you believe that you are important to me.

Silence settled over them, thick with unspoken truths. And Mma felt an indignation about being observed or about the insinuation that she 'mattered' to Eze in a way unrelated to business.

She placed the envelope flat on the table. "What now?"

Eze's expression showed no change. "Now it's time to get to the bottom of who is behind this and finish it once and for all."

Everything blew by in a haze on an unforgettable drive back home. Upon entering her house, Mma locked the door behind her and pressed herself hard against it, trying to catch her breath.

Someone was watching her.

Perhaps someone out there thought she was a threat or herself a pawn. Except for these watching ones, the one connection that made any sense to that probably was the one that linked her to Eze.

Withdrawing her phone from her purse, she paused for a fractional instant before dialling.

"You're still up," Eze had elicited almost as soon as he answered the call.

"How did you know I was going to give you a call?" she finally asked, sinking into her couch.

"I know you."

That particular tone sent icy waves down her spine, and with a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes. "I'm completely, totally defenceless when faced with that, Eze!"

"Of course, you needn't be. Allow me."

Naturally, you don't have to. "I will."

She frowned. "You can't fix everything. This is my life too."

There was a brief pause before he said, "Then stay close to me, Mma."

Her breath caught. Was it something said because of the threat, or was it something more?

"I- " Her lips pressed tight. She was not willing to cross that line yet.

"I'll arrange for security to be placed around your apartment," Eze stated briskly, all business again. "If you sense anything strange, you call me. Right away."

After a moment of hesitation, Mma finally nodded her agreement even though he was not able to see her. "Alright."

"Good." He paused. "Goodnight, Mma."

"Goodnight, Eze."

After hanging up, in the blur of thoughts, it struck her – Eze was protecting her not only out of duty. He protected her because, whether said or not, she meant something to him.

That fact was more frightening to her than any unknown enemy.

She was startled, her heart beating quickly. It was 2:47 AM by the bedside clock. All lights had gone out—mind aside, something swoon and particular. A rearrange. A squeak. Holding her breath, she smiled at her ears. Precisely how this commotion had come from the exterior world seemed to be known in the stillness of the city that was still wakeful. The light signals were not brilliant tonight.

Before making the call to Eze, the sound nearer than that froze her blood. There was somebody else with her inside the house.

Sluggishly and precisely moving, she managed to sit upright. The door of her bedroom was slightly open, and faintly shining light from the living room cast strange shadows on the walls.

Mma’s racing mind backtracked to the envelope of photos at Zuma, Eze’s warning, and the way he had said, “We find out who is behind this. And we end it.” Had they come for her just now?

Breathing deep, she clutched her phone in hand and pressed the emergency dial for Eze; it rang twice before answering.

"Mma?" His voice was alert and sharp; he was already awake.

"Someone’s inside, in my apartment," she whispered; with a pounding heart, her voice was almost drowned out.

Then a great, great silence ensued. "Stay on the line with me," he finally added. Lock the door if you can. My men are on their way."

Mma’s fingers fumbled as she reached for the lock. A floorboard creaked just outside her room.

The lamp. The glass vase. That heavy hardcover book is on her nightstand. If they got in here, she wasn't going down without a fight.

"Eze," she breathed. "I'm here." A gentle tap on the door of the bedroom. Not aggressive, not forceful, just purposeful. Then a voice. Low. Easy. "Miss Chukwuma."

Mma froze. She didn't recognise it. "Who are you?" she managed, forcing steel into her voice. A pause. Then, "A friend. Open the door. We need to talk."

Her grip on the cell phone tightened. "You should have never broken into my apartment like this if you were my friend."

A soft chuckle. "Fair point." Her pulse thundered at the echoing sound along with another creak.

"This is bigger than you, Miss Chukwuma. But you already know that."

Then, a loud knock on the front door. A loud voice – this time familiar. "Security! Step away from the door!"

A split-second silence, then a rush of movement – footsteps retreating fast, the sound of a window being slid open. A crash. Eze’s men had arrived.

Mma held her breath, listening as more voices filled her apartment. Heavy boots, orders are being shouted. A scuffle, then silence. Then – a knock. "Miss Chukwuma?" a deep voice called. "It's safe now. Mr Okoye is on his way."

It wasn't over. Not even close. Exhaled sharply. The knees buckled.

Mma was burying herself in some thick throw and sipping some tea when Eze arrived. His men cleared the apartment; the intruder was gone.

The instant Eze walked in, his presence filled the space. He looked at her, measured, and for the first time since this had started, Mma felt safe.

He knelt beside her couch. "Are you hurt?"

No. Just... shaken," she murmured.

Eze's jaw tightened. "They left a message for you."

Mma stiffened. "What message?"

Wordlessly, he stood there with a small folded note in his pocket, handing it to her, which she opened with trembling hands: Walk away. No name or signature. Just a warning.

Her eyes peered into Eze’s. "What does this mean?" It means "You're getting too close," he said, voice dark. "And they know it." Mma swallowed hard. "I’m completely bereft of what in the world I'm close to," Eze exhaled, running a hand over his jaw. "And that bothers me." A heavy silence settled between them. Then he said softly, "You can't stay here." Mma blinked. "What?" He stood erect, towering above her. "You are coming with me." Her heart stuttered. "To where?" Eze’s eyes, dark and piercing, held hers. "To somewhere safe.”