THE BILLIONAIRE'S HIDDEN WIFE

An African Billionaire Romance ... CHAPTER ONE, THE GIRL NOBODY WANTED LAGOS, NIGERIA. The rain fell heavily over the streets of Ajegunle that evening. Inside a small, poorly furnished apartment, Chisom Okafor sat beside her mother's bed, staring at the unpaid medical bills scattered across her lap. At twenty-three, life had never been particularly kind to her. While other girls worried about relationships, parties and beautiful clothes, Chisom worried about hospital bills, house rent and how to put food on the table. "Mummy, please eat something," she whispered, holding out a spoon of pap. Her mother, Grace, slowly turned her head. "My daughter, you haven't eaten either." Chisom forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mummy." It was a lie. She hadn't eaten since the previous afternoon. Her mother gently held her hand. "Chisom, perhaps you should allow your uncle to help." Chisom immediately shook her head. "Uncle? The same man who abandoned us when Daddy died? Please, Mummy. Don't mention him." There was silence. Then Grace whispered something that made Chisom freeze. "Your father didn't die the way you think he did." Chisom turned towards her. "What do you mean?" Before her mother could explain, her phone rang. It was her employer. "Chisom, where are you? You were supposed to be at the restaurant two hours ago!" "I'm sorry, ma. My mother isn't feeling well." "Don't bother coming again. I've replaced you." The call ended. Chisom stared at her phone. She had just lost her only source of income. She lowered her head and began crying silently. --- THE MAN WHO OWNED LAGOS VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS At the other end of the city, inside a luxurious penthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a man stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows. His name was Alexander Dike. At thirty-two, he was one of Nigeria's youngest and most influential billionaires. His company, Dike Holdings, controlled investments in real estate, banking and international trade. He was handsome, wealthy and notoriously difficult to please. In business circles, people feared him. Women admired him, but very few people truly knew him. "Sir, your meeting with the board begins in twenty minutes," his personal assistant, Daniel, announced. Alexander adjusted his wristwatch. "Cancel it." Daniel hesitated. "Sir?" Alexander turned slowly. "Did I stutter?" "No, sir. I'll cancel it." Daniel quickly left. Alexander returned his attention to the city. His phone vibrated. An unknown number had sent a message. UNKNOWN NUMBER: You think your father's secrets died with him? You're wrong. The girl is alive. Alexander frowned. Another message arrived. Her name is Chisom Okafor. His expression changed. He walked towards his desk and opened a drawer. Inside was an old photograph of two men standing together. His father, Chief Richard Dike, and another man. Emmanuel Okafor. Chisom's father. Alexander stared at the photograph. "Daniel!" His assistant rushed back. "Yes, sir?" "Find this girl." Daniel glanced at the message. "Who is she, sir?" Alexander's jaw tightened. "That's exactly what I intend to find out." --- A MOTHER'S SECRET Later that afternoon, Chisom returned home. She had lost her job and had barely enough money to buy her mother's medication. She placed a small nylon bag on the table. "Mummy, I'm back." Grace looked at her. "How was work?" Chisom hesitated. "I lost the job." Her mother's face fell. "Oh, my child." "It's okay. I'll find another one." Grace began crying. "If I wasn't sick—" "Mummy, please don't say that. You're not a burden. You're my mother." Chisom sat beside her. After a moment, Grace pointed towards an old wooden wardrobe. "Your father's suitcase is inside." Chisom frowned. "What suitcase?" "There's something your father left behind. Something he wanted you to have when you were old enough." Chisom brought out the dusty brown suitcase. It was locked. "Mummy, what's inside?" Grace looked frightened. "A document. Your father told me to keep it safe." "Why didn't you tell me before?" "I was afraid." "Afraid of what?" Grace held her daughter's hand. "There are powerful people who would rather certain things remain buried." Chisom stared at her. Before she could ask another question, her mother became breathless. "Mummy!" Chisom hurried to get her medication. Her mother's final words before falling asleep were barely audible. "Don't let them take the suitcase." --- THE STRANGER IN THE RANGE ROVER The following morning, Chisom stood outside a small pharmacy, counting the money in her purse. It wasn't enough to buy all her mother's medications. She sighed and walked towards the main road. Suddenly, a black Range Rover stopped in front of her. The back door opened. A tall man wearing a black suit stepped out. "Miss Chisom Okafor?" She looked at him suspiciously. "Yes. Who are you?" "My name is Daniel. My employer would like to speak with you." "Your employer?" "Mr Alexander Dike." Chisom frowned. "I don't know anybody by that name." Daniel reached into his jacket and produced a small envelope. "Perhaps this will interest you." She collected it reluctantly. Inside was a photograph. Her father. Standing beside a younger man in an expensive suit. Chisom recognised her father immediately. She turned the photograph over. Five handwritten words were written at the back. YOUR FATHER STOLE HIS FUTURE. Her fingers began trembling. "What is this?" Daniel remained silent. "Who is the other man?" "Alexander Dike." Chisom looked at him in disbelief. "Why would a billionaire want to see me?" "That is something you will have to ask him yourself." She stepped backwards. "Please tell your employer I have nothing to do with whatever problem he has." Daniel nodded. "I'll pass your message along." Before entering the vehicle, he added: "My employer believes your father left something very important behind." Chisom's heart skipped. "What thing?" "That's what we're trying to find out." The Range Rover drove away. Chisom remained standing, staring at the photograph. Her father had secrets. And somehow, she had become part of them. --- THE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING That evening, Chisom returned home and showed her mother the photograph. The moment Grace saw it, her expression changed. "Where did you get that?" "Someone came looking for me. He said his employer was Alexander Dike." Grace grabbed her daughter's hand. "Did you go with him?" "No, Mummy. But why are you afraid?" Grace began crying. "Your father and Alexander's father were once business partners." Chisom frowned. "Then why does the photograph say Daddy stole something?" Grace looked away. "Your father was accused of stealing something that belonged to the Dike family." "What did he steal?" "I don't know everything." Chisom became frustrated. "Mummy, please. I deserve to know what is happening!" Grace looked directly into her eyes. "Listen carefully. If Alexander Dike comes looking for you again, don't trust him." Before Chisom could respond, her phone began ringing. Unknown number. She answered. "Hello?" A deep male voice responded. "Miss Chisom Okafor?" "Who is this?" "Alexander Dike." Her heart began beating faster. "What do you want from me?" "I want answers." "Then ask your questions." "Not over the telephone." "I'm sorry, but I don't know you." Alexander's voice became colder. "Your father left something behind. Something that belongs to my family." Chisom looked towards the old suitcase. "I don't know anything about your family." "Perhaps your mother does." Chisom's eyes moved towards Grace. Alexander continued. "I'll send a car for you tomorrow morning. Ten o'clock." "I never agreed to meet you!" "That wasn't a request." Chisom gathered her courage. "Mr Dike, I'm not one of your employees. You cannot order me around." There was silence. For the first time in a very long time, someone had spoken to Alexander without fear. "Interesting," he replied before ending the call. Chisom slowly lowered her phone. Her mother covered her face with both hands. "Chisom, there is something else your father never wanted you to know." Chisom turned towards her. "What?" Grace swallowed painfully. "Alexander Dike's father was the last person to see your father alive." Chisom froze. "What?" Grace's voice trembled. "And your father was blamed for his death." The photograph slipped from Chisom's fingers. For twenty-three years, she had believed her father died in an unfortunate accident. Now she was beginning to realise that everything she had been told might have been a lie. And somewhere across Lagos, Alexander Dike was preparing to uncover a secret that had been buried for years. A secret that could destroy both families. TO BE CONTINUED...