Chapter 2

Those eyes held emotions that no one else could see but me. She had put up a wall of confidence around her but instead, I could tell she was shaking in fear on the inside.

And then, I almost lost it when she began to sing, leaving goose bumps in her wake on our skins. In the most canorous voice I had ever heard, she sang softly and elegantly. It was almost as if a bubble had formed around me, consisting of her, her voice and I. The moment was magical and I would never forget the feeling in my life.

Her song was a visiting mystery of distant words and subtle meanings. It spoke of grave mistakes made, in which the person wished to reverse by all means. It told the tale of regret and sad endings, the song had gripped all of us and caused some kind of reflection and examination of our emotions and feelings.

Finally, it ended in a cliffhanger as the words of the person telling the story were cut off by a dagger to their mouth. The performance was so beautiful that in the end, it had people in tears and the resounding claps and hoots weren't enough to justify the mesmerising act she had just done.

My eyes were still on the girl as she left the stage and all my thoughts centred on knowing who she was and putting a face to the magnificence I had just witnessed. I was about to begin my journey on following her when a man stopped me.

"Evening, Jacob," the man said and I had no time for exchanging words as the girl was already disappearing from my peripheral vision.

"Hello, It's unfortunate but I'm not disposed to talk right now," I replied in haste but he intercepted me again as I was about to proceed. I glared at the man who was a little below my height and his actions had made me wonder what part of 'I can't talk' he didn't understand.

"Your father wishes to see you," he spoke up and the glare on my face fell immediately. At the mention of 'father', the girl and the hunt was forgotten, if I was meant to meet her, then I would in the near future.

"Where is he?" I asked and the man gestured for me to follow him.

We walked to the end of the hall and eventually, I was met with the sight of my father entangled in a deep and serious looking conversation with another man I hadn't seen before.

"Ah! Jacob, you're finally here," my father called out when he noticed my presence and I walked up to him in turn, offering a half hug with a pat on the back—typical bromance affection.

When I was done with the greeting, I waited for him to introduce me to the two unfamiliar men before us, the latter exuding an intimidating presence.

"Jacob, this is Rashid Daran and Rashid, this is my son, Jacob Cross," he introduced and the both of us shook hands curtly. I had heard so much of the high rising North-Eastern company, the Daran Empire and I never thought I would have the pleasure of meeting the brains behind it in person. My father must have a plan and I couldn't wait to see it.

"Nice to meet you sir, your name doesn't ever go unnoticed. I have heard so much about the success of your empire, congratulations!" I commended and the man just smiled, basking in the flattering meaning behind my praises.

It was now time for the introduction of the other man who had brought me here. He looked around my age and also, he had a prim and proper aura around him, exuding utmost elegance and suavity.

"This is my son, Tijani Daran," Rashid informed, gesturing to the other man and I was to say the least, surprised.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob," he voiced as we shook hands but the little squeeze told me his smile was just a facade and on the inside, he wasn't all that thrilled at the meeting.

Pleasantries had been exchanged and now, it was time to get down to business, how was Rashid and his company going to help ours?

"The Daran's have invited us to their lovely home for dinner this Weekend," my father disclosed just as an illuminating smile crept its way onto his face.

"It's our pleasure," I replied whilst nodding in consent, anticipating the big fish to be caught.

"Do well to bring your Shibkans," Tijani added and my father and I looked completely caught off guard. What the hell was a Shibkan?.

"Forgive our lack of knowledge but what exactly is that supposed to be?" I asked in curiosity with a faint squint of my eye afterwards, trying my ardent best to keep up the smile on my face while the two men just laughed at our expense.

"The Shibkan is a Hausa saying for 'seeds for the harvest', meaning don't forget to bring your part of the bargain," Tijani explained adding sternly the last words.

I didn't like him at all, how disrespectful! He must have thought that because we were almost bankrupt, he could step all over us but he was wrong, no one could walk over the Cross', never!

The both men turned to leave and when my father and I were finally alone, he spoke up right away.

"Such Arrogant fools!" He exclaimed and I seconded that. If we were to do business with them at all then we were In for a long assed period.

"What bargain do they speak of? Have you already made a deal?" I queried and he went silent right after, filling me with ample dread.

"Meet me at home after the party." He answered vaguely and thereafter, launched himself straight into the discordant mix of the crowds. His actions were undeniably strange but what could be so serious that he couldn't just tell me now...