Chapter 1

JACOB...

"Thank you," I said into the microphone as I received the award. Another year, another plaque to add to the collection.

I didn't know what charm I had but each year, I was voted as the most pragmatic businessman in the country. Not to brag, I deserved it honestly, there was no one better than me but that was until now though, someone else had become a greater force to be reckoned with and my father and I had gotten the message.

The press hadn't found out yet, they didn't know that as of last month, Oviation International, had been reduced from its top position in the business world to 200th place. We were losing capital and investors, and only a miracle could save us from the impending liquidation.

But that was by the way, I was here tonight to receive an honour and not to sulk on my problems. So, even if it was just for tonight, I would pretend that the ship was still sailing smoothly.

"To think this would be the 6th year, I would never have expected it," I said, continuing my speech as all the crowd present at the gala listened attentively. Some had their phone's out, video taping this moment and I was pretty sure that by tomorrow, it would be all up on YouTube, Twitter and all other social media outlets.

"You know it feels like so long ago since my father pushed my stuck up arse out there," I paused to allow the sounds of laughter to die off at the little joke I had made.

"And honestly, I owe all this to him. If he hadn't given me that extra push, I don't know what I would have been today. A complete opposite of myself now maybe, but above all, I'm dedicating this award to the one and only, Matthias Cross," I said finally while pointing to where my ever lithe father sat in all his splendour.

The whole crowd began to cheer him as he stood to wave. The man was great, he had my full respect and it was to the extent that even younger generations looked up to him as their mentors while apprentices prayed daily to be a master of their arts similarly. He was a knight of his time and as long as time existed, I knew his name would never be forgotten. The proverb would say– no one was perfect but to me he was or so I thought.

"And let's give one last round of applause to the highly esteemed, Jacob Cross as we commemorate this joyous achievement today," the emcee declared some moments after I had completed my speech and had begun descending the stage. The cheers were another type of high for me as they made you feel big and so important. It was almost as though you were in that moment, soaring through clouds of glory.

The feeling lasted until the show had moved on and I was dropped back down, unceremoniously to the face of the earth with all my problems targeted head on at me.

"I wonder why they give you such flamboyant titles when they're forgetting the most essential and juicy ones." A voice stopped me in my tracks towards the reception of the venue.

I turned and to be expected, I saw Osaze walking towards me with Bankole. My two partners in crime, brothers from another mother, I trusted them even with my life.

"What ever do you mean Osaze?" I asked while retrieving a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by.

"Something like 'most eligible bachelor of the year' would be very much complacent," Bankole chipped in just as he and Osaze shared a high five at my expense.

The two of them were also known for ganging up against me but no hard feelings though. I often felt like a third wheel in our friendship but I still willed myself not to be bothered by it and besides, they were friends way before I joined the group.

I had met Osaze on a trip to Spain and we had happened to be on the same plane, sitting side by side in first class. I hated his snoring and he hated my lack of patience I always gave out by tapping repeatedly, in patterns, on the seat handle. Let's just say the plane ride was unforgettable and we came out of it as friends, though, I couldn't tell how it happened, it just did. Not to forget, I had also driven him the next day to the popular Estadio Stadium in Madrid, where he had a pending match to take on.

A professional footballer who played for top teams in the annual UEFA games alongside legendary veterans was my best friend, Osaze Kalu.

"That isn't my major concern right now," I voiced, spouting a weary sigh while taking ample sips from my drink and at the flick of a switch, the two exchanged a look that said more than words itself.

"Jacob, we've all settled down, hell I didn't think Osaze ever would but look at him now," Bankole repeated for the umpteenth time. He was the father figure amongst us, seeing as he always tried to fix our faults and ensure we never made stupid mistakes.

"Uhm, about that," Osaze responded immediately, scratching the back of his head flurriedly. I almost laughed out loud at the perception of what his words conveyed, I mean, Osaze could never settle down. It wasn't for us, it was more of a Bankole thing.

"What happened to Lilian Edwards? The award winning actress you've been swanking about for months," Bankole asked in shock whilst I just continued watching in amusement.

"We broke up a few weeks ago," Osaze delivered as a matter of fact and my other friend looked poleaxed.

"This is the 5th break up in the past year, what's going on?" I only queried now because their relationship had been on and off and honestly speaking, I actually thought they would end up together this time.

"Look, It's a long story and I don't wish to go down that road now, besides, we're at a party, no sullen moods, abi!?" Osaze dismissed, shrugging as he gulped down his fifth or eight glass.

Something serious had happened and it was eating him up rapidly on the inside. Bankole and I knew how much he loved Lilian, more than life itself. He could do anything for the woman but our friend was also known for royally messing up and sabotaging good situations.

"Would you stop trying to drown your sorrows in alcohol!" Bankole scolded while sharply pulling the glass out from his grip.

"Yeah, I'm not ready to have to carry your drunk self home. So, stop drinking and we will talk about the Lilian case later," I joined in reprimanding him for his actions and at least, he nodded reluctantly in agreement but not without a subtle eye roll afterwards.

"And You're not escaping my million dollar question this time, Jacob." Of course! Bankole had to just reverse things to me again, bringing us back to the first point of our conversation. At the same time, Osaze looked relatively relieved that all the attention had been shifted from him and I completely understood, it wasn't a thing of joy to be the topic of discussion.

Now, meet, Bankole Cardoso, a renowned neurosurgeon at St Leo's hospital, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. He was one of the best doctors in the country, with over 2 degrees in medicine, human anatomy and medical laboratory science. The guy was coordinated and planned and as at the age of 25 he had already settled down, scoring a genial wife alongside. A demi-decade later and he had been blessed with two wonderful children.

Did I want that? I don't know. Of all thoughts marriage had never crossed my mind, not even once.

"I'm not one for commitment, Bankole," I replied straightforwardly while watching some performances that had been going on at the stage.

"For God's sake it's the 21st century," he continued.

"The more reason why," I muttered, darting a glance his way before focusing intently on the next performer that had just ascended the stage. It was a girl in a mask, mysterious but yet intriguing and my attention was piqued as I waited to see what she would be performing.

"You're unbelievable," Bankole said finally, throwing his hands up in exasperation with deft knowledge that he couldn't convince me even if he tried from today till forever. I was a man of my words and I never went back on decisions and that was why I always made the best ones or so I thought.

The two had begun to converse on something different, while my sole focus was still centred on the strangely captivating performer on stage.

She had begun with a sway of her hips from left to right and I couldn't help my eyes from following the movement. I had moved away from them, now closer to the stage as her dancing pulled me in more and more like a magnetic force, metal to metal.

The girl was a bundle of unknowns that I seeked to discover but when I looked into her eyes that were dark brown like the rest of ours, I saw—fear!?