Chapter 9

Dankani Resort was truly a delightful sight. The inside was impressive and posh with contemporary designs and textures. It had unique leisure activities like a spa section, an elegant bar and a large swimming pool.

On the outside, it held a wildlife reserve, a large parking lot and a central business district for auxiliary services.

I was impressed with all I was seeing and I couldn't wait to try out the restaurant foods when I had seen their guest chef was Nita Olusola.

She was a big league chef and to think she had once run her own mama put shop but look at where she was today and all she had achieved.

That's the thing about life, vision is a directory and it gives us the determination and push to continue. She had the vision and that's why she was where she was today. I thought about all these things as we took a tour around the hotel while our bags had already been sent to our rooms.

Most people around greeted in hausa and we just nodded like we understood their words while we were totally lost. What fascinated me the most was the sight of the little prayer ground they had set up for morning prayers and for other Muslim traditions. It was admirable how they took their culture and religion seriously that one could almost see them as role models.

"Sannu," a male voice said from behind me and I turned and saw a lean looking man with his hands outstretched.

I took the hand without replying as I hadn't understood what he had said.

"Ya ke kake?" He said again with a huge smile and in a furtive glance, I darted my eyes to look at Bankole who just shrugged off and returned my silent question with an 'I have no idea' look.

"Sorry but I'm not fluent in Hausa, do you speak English Sir?" I asked politely while putting on a smile that matched the man's own.

"Ohh my bad, I'm used to normally meeting locals around. I had asked ``how are you?" The man explained while gesturing for me to come along, excusing me from my friends.

"No problem, Sir and I'm doing just fine," I replied trying to think of what the message he had to deliver that was so important was that he also needed to even call me out.

"If you would excuse us gentlemen," he addressed referring to Osaze and Bankole and they agreed, motioning for us to take our leave.

"Welcome to Dankani resorts, I'm the General Manager and I do hope you're pleased so far," he said, continuing to beat around the bush after we had moved further away from the group.

If he was the Manager why did he have to call me out instead of addressing and hearing our comments all together, rather than me alone? He must have had something else to say other than pleasantries and he also looked older than me, at least a maximum of 10 years as I assessed.

"Yes, I can already taste the luxury life here, it's really alluring," I praised to soothe the man's ego, so he could get to the point straight away.

"And again it's really a pleasure to receive and have you, Mr. Cross," he added and I just offered a kind smile while he continued. I wasn't surprised that he knew who I was, we were public figures so...

"Your father, Matthias didn't join you on your visit?"

When he said that I looked at him strangely, we were no more treading on formal lines, he had crossed it.

"I'm not trying to be nosey or trespassing, my question was purely based on innocent curiosity," he clarified when he noticed my changed expression.

I kept a stoic face to read the man and discern exactly what his aims were as one could never let his guard down in my world. He didn't look like he had some ulterior motive or was a stalker, it was just the extra concern intent in his words that was a little off.

"Well my father's whereabouts isn't anyone's business."

"Duly Noted but, I must say I have a proposal, if you could spare a few more minutes," he disclosed after realizing that he was about losing my interest which he had just luckily regained fully with his last words. The bomb was finally out from its shell but should it be detonated or cut off?

He was a little tense and I decided to put him out of his misery by following him to hear his offer that might favour me.

The man's office was further away from the reception but still on the ground floor. The inside was plain with no extra decorations or photos, just a desk and a lounge area, which was strange. There was nothing significant to show that this was inhabited by a person, something was wrong, I had to be careful.

"So Mr.?" I asked when I settled on one of the sofa's.

"Erik Ibrahim," he replied completing my words immediately.

"Mr. Ibrahim, how may I help you?" I continued, relaxing into the chair as he folded his hands, readying himself to make a selling deal.

"Well I've heard so much about Ovia Magazines and it would be an honour if your company would have the time to cover our Charity Auction Gala on their headlines, upcoming in two days," he said dropping his point finally.

I thought about what he said for some time as this could be an opportunity for me as well, I needed to deal astutely.

"It's not that simple," I said vaguely, giving him room to explain further before I made my decision.

"This is an opportunity for both our businesses. The Auction Gala consists of a pool of members from other countries and it would give you a widened scope of greater popularity, even possible investors," he urged and then I began to rack my head, putting things together, outcomes and risks.

"We don't need the popularity, we already have a world wide recognition," I said confidently but then he surprised me completely because his demeanor changed.

"But you need the investments, cover the gala and we partner up," he countered, relaxing back into his chair, more confident than he was a few seconds ago, so sure that I would take the deal...out of desperation maybe.

"What if I tell you you're wrong," I said cautiously but he didn't back down and silence reigned for a few seconds before he spoke up after contemplating seriously on his next words.

"What if I tell you I know," he declared with intended meanings and I didn't know which of them to look for. His eyes never left mine and I refused to let him break through my wall of confidence and see that on the inside everything was in turmoil. What did he know?