Chapter 66

When Brains arrived Africa, he had few more days of his leave to enjoy, but because of all that had happened to him, he decided to lay low. He had all planned out before leaving Paris. He bought few things he could over there. When he got to his house, he had to disguise himself, went to the mall and got the much groceries that would last him for a month. He had made several efforts to reach out to Mira, but from all indications, it looked like his call was blocked. A lot of things were on his mind, and he kept questioning why he was bent on her. There were options for him, when it come to women. He could have as many as he wanted in just a minute if he so desired. He thought of many of the women that had come into his life and how many of them left, he was quite a player and the women complained alot about it. He mostly use them and dump them. His mind was beginning to take him through the journey and making him think their was a possibility that Karma had visited him with a commensurate payback from his past. Somehow also, he felt there was a probability that Mira would have met any of his ex or ladies he had dumped, thereby getting some negative story about him. This was the only explanation he could think of for the sudden cut off from him without signal. He remembered Lucy, and felt he would have stick to her, although she was into that dirty deal, but she had qualities that he wanted. While he sat on the high stool in the bar section of his sitting room smoking and drinking, few calls came in from some ladies, but he ignores them. Messages followed, some from his pals while some cane from the ladies who complained that he was keeping them away from himself and how unfair that was. 

He thought of Philip and Mike, he hadn't reached them since he came back, he wasn't ready to tell his bitter story yet, especially when he knew he wouldn't be able to explain why he was jilted. He could imagine what would be their response, in fact he knew the would laugh at him, cos the hunter has become the hunted. They were always telling him that one day he would be in love and that it was only then he would understand how these ladies feel for him. Now he could understand what that meant, as he was always seeing those ladies as fools who could not see the handwriting on the wall, that is seeing that he wasn't ready for love and relationships. Here he was, deeply in love and not able to see the disappointment coming. He was just abandoned without notice. He summoned courage and called Philip, his line wasn't available, he tried it again and got same response, so he sent him a message. Then he tried Mike's line too, he got a voice message asking that he drop a message, that he would get back to him. He did as the voice prompted. By this time, the drink was getting on him, and his views over the issue was beginning to change, he decided that the best thing was to revert to whom he was, as the relationship and love things were possibly not meant for him and his kind. Brains next move was not with clear eyes, he had wanted calling Lucy, but eventually, he called one of the ladies he met a little time ago at mall. He had gone to restock his groceries that day, and the lady was having issues with her car, so he offered to help and few touches worked like a miracle. They exchanged numbers, and while he was about saving it, he asked for her name and she said Lucy. She added that incase he had Lucy on his phone, he should add Lucy Mandy to it. This she said with a wink. They hanged out once and they were with Mike and Philip. When Brains dialled the number, the phone rang once and Lucymang picked. She shouted in excitement, and asked what happened to his line. Mike was tipsy to the point that his response was confusing to her. He asked if she could come over to his place immediately so he would explain. Lucymang accepted immediately and the call ended. The truth was that Brains felt he was talking to Lucy in Paris, he also felt he was still in Paris, meanwhile Lucymang who already knew his house address, felt she owe him appreciation, hence her quick positive response. When Lucymang arrived, the entrance door was still open, she turned the knob and pushed, the door gave in. She entered the house, the first thing she caught was the smell of alcohol, she got closer and there he was seated on the high stool, with half cup of drink in his hand, while a bottle was almost down. She sensed that he may be troubled and immediately she took the drink and kept it far from him. It was then Brains noticed he called the wrong person, he didn't know what next to do, there was no way he could ask her to leave, he took his phone and checked the dialled numbers, there it was clearly saved, Lucymang. What was he thinking he asked himself, he didn't look at the number twice before he dialled. Lucymang asked him to get down the stool, that he sounded disturbed on the phone and that she would love to be of help. Brains came down and both of them sat side by side on the two seater leather seat in the sitting room.

When the American airline from Heathrow touched down JFK airport in the US, Lucy was excited, she had heard alot about the beautiful country, and here she was about to step her feet on the soil. It was her first time, but she was not alone. Mike also was visiting America for the first time too. Although he could afford it, but there was nothing that would take him there. Olivia was the only one amongst them who had visited the country, not even once, she had been there o and over, she began the visit when she was still a little girl, and from her body language Mike and Lucy could see she wasn't moved by the sorrounding and the ambience of the airport, unlike the that were looking around and taking some snapshots for memory sake. They were almost the first to get down as they went through the process of immigration, checking of passport and identification, then the long wait for their luggages. It took them some few hours before they finally got out of the airport to where the Hotel cab was waiting. He was carrying a placard, on it was boldly written Olivia Hart. It was Mike who spotted him, and they pulled the luggages towards him. The man quickly took over the trolley and lead the way to where he parked the Ford Explorer. He unlocked the doors, and while they entered the car, he helped load their luggages into the trunk. They ride to the hotel was a smooth one, Lucy fed her eyes with the beautiful view of the city. She quest to know about few things she saw, was readily satisfied by the river who was always on time to give answer and that he did in details. After a long ride from the airport and through the city, they finally arrived the magnificent five star hotel building, Trump Towers. There wasn't much delay at the reception desk, one of the staff was immediately designated to take them to their rooms. Mike and Olivia were taken to room 20, while Lucy was in room 8. Although, to Lucy the receptionist explained to them that those were few rooms that were available as at he time they called for reservation, and that the choice of 8 and 20 was because those were also the closest at that time. She promised to move Lucy closer if any client within 15 to 19 left. Mike wasn't comfortable with it, he suspected that Olivia may have done t on purpose, he always believed his instinct. From the moment he began to see the level of power Olivia possess as regards the high and mighty in the society, especially the one hat broke the camel's back, which was moving Pat, and the couple out from a country with a private jet; he decided never to underestimate her. Sometimes, he felt Olivia knew something was going on between him and Lucy, but decided to keep mute about it, or maybe she was waiting and planning to get them red handed. He made up his mind not to make any smart moves around her. True to his instinct, when they got into the room, and after shower and settling down, Olivia opened up to him that she was becoming uncomfortable having Lucy around him, hence her decision to make her stay a little distance from their room. She told him, they would only meet at dinner after the days business, but only at dinner on days they wouldn't be going for business. While they lay down chatting and laughing, Pat's message came in on Wassap. Olivia took the phone, read the message and replied immediately. 

Pat had rested a little in her room, she decided to step out a bit, so she quickly changed her cloth and out on something more comfortable for her. She locked the room and walked to the lift. It didn't take time for her to get down to the ground floor lobby. She had wanted telling Nelly that she was steeping out, but she felt it wasn't necessary, Nellys attitude towards her has become suspicious already, not only on her involvement int the contract scam, but her booking separate rooms for them in the same Hotel. She suspected that it was either she was with another woman or she was done with her. So he moved on alone to where the cars for hire were packed and asked one of the driver to take her to a good cinema. She got into the rear seat and the man drive off. It took them about 15 to 20 minutes to arrive, she got down paid the driver and enquired of him how she would get back to the hotel afterwards, the driver pointed at the car hire section in the premise. She was about to enter the cinema when she saw her. She wanted to be sure her eyes weren't deceiving her, so she wakes faster and caught up with her as she was about to leave the door. The security details were strictly protecting her, so she made a quick decision and shouted Olivia!. Mira stopped,  turned and looked. Pat was now close enough;

If you are not Olivia, you must be the sister, she said.

And who are you? Mira asked.

My name is Pat Olivia's best friend.

Mira recalled that Olivia was always talking about Pat, it was a name that rang bell in their house back then. She asked what she was doing in Paris as she knew she wasn't based there. Pat told her she was on a mission and that she wouldn't want to discuss anything outside. She asked that she should call the sister, for a better explanation. Mira didn't want to take chances, she was seeing everyone as suspect, especially after the disappointment she got from Brains. So she stood aside and called her sisters family direct line. Olivia picked immediately she saw the call, she knew that only three people could call that line, her Dad, her Mom, and Mira. Mira didn't do into greetings, rather she went straight to the point.

Are you aware Pat was in Paris? She asked looking straight into Pat's eyes.

Yes I am aware, Olivia replied.

Olivia was surprised how the two met. She took few minutes to summarize the mission to the sister, Mira took a deep breath of relief. After the call, she asked Pat if she has bought ticket for the movie, when she responded on the negative, she asked her to join them and told her security to allow her. They got to where the Hilux was parked, Mira and Pat got in the back seat while one of the security entered the front. The driver jumped in and they sped off. When Pat looked behind, she saw that there was another Hilux following them with the same speed, Mira noticed and told her there was not cause for alarm, that the two cars were for her. Throughout the ride, Pat was dumbfounded, she knew Olivia was from a rich family, but she hadn't got close to her family to know the extent of wealth. Here she was experiencing something different from what she was used to with her friend. They arrived Harts guest house, and the gate was opened for them to drive in. They parked and got down, then Mira led the way while Pat followed. The security had gone to their duty post, so they were alone. Pat noticed that there were lot of cars and security men in the premises, and all were carrying guns. She wanted to ask but felt it would do her good to mind her business, moreover, it would have been better if Olivia was the one present. Mira took her to a private room where she was introduced to the Dad. Pat was welcome and given a seat. Drinks were also offered her before she was allowed to talk. She took time to narrate her story, taking them through her friendship with Olivia, how they met again in Africa, how she met Nelly and the contract  projects she had handled through her, she then got to the point where she became aware through Olivia that Nelly was with the same person that ordered the failed kidnapping attempt on her. Dad and daughters listened attentively without interruption. Olivia was connected via wassap video. After her story, they thanked her and asked that she thread with caution although they will assign some security details who would be working as staff in the hotel to keep an eye on her. It was during the briefing that she and Olivia got to know the reason Olivia was asked not to make any trip then. Pat was told that the plan was for her to plant some drugs unknown to her in Olivia's luggage thereby getting her arrested at the airport and that would destroy her image and that of the family. New strategies were planned and a dress with a security video and audio recorder as small as a shirt button was handed over to Pat to be warn when meeting with Senator. She was warned not to be around any member of the family nor call with her phone, as her phone may have already been bugged. It was then she recalled the essence of the thorough screening on her with a gimmick, and the taking of her phone before allowing her into the house. She was allowed to head back to the hotel quickly to void any suspicion. She went back on a booked Uber ride.