06- FOUNDATIONS
The air at Elegushi Beach still lingers in my mind—the scent of saltwater, the hum of music in the background, and the weight of the paper the man had handed me. A name. A number. ₦10,000,000 on the line.
This was it. My first true step into the underworld.
Back in my apartment, I pace. The room feels smaller than ever, the fan rattling as it struggles against the heat. My phone rests on the table, the number staring back at me.
"Ava, analyze the name," I say.
> Processing…
Subject: Kamal Musa
Affiliation: Financial Broker (Front for Money Laundering & Private Investments)
Connections: Political Elites, Underground Networks
Risk Level: High
I exhale. The kind of people who need certainty in financial markets are either running from the law or trying to stay ahead of it.
"Call the number."
The line connects almost instantly. A deep voice answers, smooth yet edged with calculation.
"Kamal speaking."
"You were expecting my call," I say, keeping my tone even.
A short pause. "The boss you met at the beach says you have information."
"Not just infomation, I have certainty," I correct. "And I don't share that for free."
A chuckle. "Of course. Give me something. A preview."
I expected this. Even though I don't know this clique, I'm sure no sane man will put down ₦10 million without proof. I open Ava's interface and scan through my forex predictions. The upcoming week has a major shift—one I can use.
"The naira will depreciate sharply against the dollar within 72 hours. The CBN will intervene, but it'll be too late. If you move quickly, you'll double your investment before the week is over."
Silence. Then—
"You're sure?"
"I don't deal in guesses."
Another pause, then a quiet laugh. "Interesting. Alright, let's see if you're as good as they say. I'll be in touch."
The line goes dead.
Now, I wait.
----
Three days later, my phone vibrates.
> Bank Transfer: +₦10,000,000
I stare at the screen, my heart pounding.
It worked.
The money is real. The stakes are real.
And I'm deeper in the game than ever.
I don't have time to celebrate. Every move forward means more risk, more people watching me. I need to secure myself, and this should help Prepare more.
"Ava, what's my best investment for long-term security?"
> Recommendation: Real Estate Acquisition
Objective: Establish a fortified base for future survival
Projected Cost: ₦8,000,000 - ₦15,000,000
I nod. A property isn't just an investment—it's security. And I know exactly where to start looking.
Acquiring the Safehouse
Lagos is a city of extremes. You have glass towers and slums side by side, wealth and poverty interwoven like two sides of the same coin.
I spend the next few days scouting. I need something discreet, something I can modify. Then, I find it—a rundown apartment building in a quiet area, half-abandoned, owned by a man desperate to sell.
A meeting is set. The seller, a middle-aged man named Chief Bode, wipes sweat from his brow as he hands me the documents.
"₦9 million," he says. "No negotiations."
I act like I'm considering, but I already know I'll take it
"Deal," I say, transferring the money on the spot.
Chief Bode's eyes widen. He wasn't expecting me to have that kind of cash.
"Pleasure doing business," I say, pocketing the keys.
As I walk away, the weight of ownership settles in.
I don't just have money now.
I have territory.
Reinforcements Begin
The building is a mess—cracked walls, leaking pipes, weak doors. But that's fine.
I didn't buy it for what it is.
I bought it for what it will become.
"Ava, show me what I can do to fortify this place."
> Available Upgrades:
Reinforced Steel Doors (₦500,000)
Bulletproof Window Panels (₦750,000)
Solar Backup Power (₦1,200,000)
Underground Storage (₦2,000,000)
Panic Room Installation (₦3,500,000)
I scan through the options, my mind racing. I can't afford everything, not yet.
For now, I focus on essentials—reinforced doors, a backup power system, and bulletproof windows.
> Transaction Confirmed.
Delivery in Progress…
The work begins immediately. Over the next few days, trucks arrive, workers install reinforcements, and slowly, the building transforms.
I'm not just making money anymore.
I'm building an empire.
The Shadows Grow Deeper
One night, as I inspect the upgrades, my phone buzzes.
Unknown Number. Again.
I answer.
"You've been busy," the voice says. It's Kamal.
I stay silent.
"I have another job for you," he continues. "Bigger stakes. Bigger reward."
I exhale slowly. "How big?"
"₦50 million."
I grip the phone tighter. The deeper I go, the harder it will be to climb back out.
But I already know my answer.
"I'm listening."
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