The first Strike

Finally, the long-awaited day has come. The whole house was in serious uproar, everyone was busy getting ready for the Crowned. The process is long but definite. I think Daniella should be brushing by now and my mom in the shower, They wake early to prepare for this event but end up being the last to get ready.

I don't have to be sluggish, I quickly got up from bed and went into the bathroom. Just stepping out I heard a knock on the door, I wondered who would have amble of time.....

'Diane opens the door', Daniella yelled.

I quickly opened up and she rushed in like someone was after her. She grabbed me and put me on the chair facing my dressing mirror.

'It's time to hide this ugly face', she blurted not mind the irritated look on my face.

This time is only the period I get close to my sister the rest days are trash. This is even possible because my parents won't let me make myself up thinking that I have no skills.

It wasn't long before another knock again, it was my mom. This time she came with a glittering dress that made me wonder where I fell from. The dress I picked for the party is nowhere to be compared to what my mom brought, she also came with a makeup artist this time.

'Wow...mom', Daniella cackled happily, leaving me with the half work she had done.

'Mom why makeup artist this time?', I said looking at her in the mirror.

'This time we are hitting it hard', she declared leaving with my sister not minding what I had to say.

'Get to work'.

The makeup artist briskly unboxed her stuff and started afresh. She was really good and I could see how beautifully she had transformed me. My mom has the skill truly, she never disappoints.

'What's your name', I demanded focusing on the beautiful work.

'Stella ma'

'You are good',  I praised standing from the chair. She quickly packed her stuff and headed to my sister's room for her service.

The day truly felt different and glamorous, everyone was well-packaged. We fully understand what it means to attend the Crowned now.

Arriving at the Adelekes, the place was fully loaded. Light was everywhere, the beauty was unspeakable, and flowers were placed at every single table with drinks served in glasses. People were arriving already, it was time to show off. We went off greeting the elders and showing how respectfully brought up we were.

My mom was with her friends already and we were at different tables, the party doesn't support families sharing the same table.

'It is not a family reunion', Alinko will always say.

Just then my mom signalled to me, so I left my table and headed to where she and her friends were seated.

'This is Diane, my last fruit', she said smiling beautifully at me, it really felt odd but I had to put on the act as well.

I bowed in greeting to the women.

' Wow, she looks so much like you, you distributed your beauty to your children truly', one of the women said, touching my head.

'Thank you ma', I responded respectfully.

I guess I'm giving my mom the vibe she always needed.

'She is so respectful, sure I will hook her up with one of my boys', another said laughing so hard.

The rest joined her and I wasn't left out even as it sounded off.

'Tell me Diane, what do you do?'

What's this, from the look of things she should be the Jennifer. I looked at her confused while her friends gazed at me with expectancy.

'She is still busy with her studies'. My mom cut in putting off the odd silence.

'Ohh.....', she laughed in total amazement.

'I never knew you still had a daughter still busy with her education', she said again with a mischievous smile.

She didn't even let my mom speak,

'You and your husband. .... ', she said winking.

They all laughed looking at me, I knew my mom was pissed already same as I, I just left pretending to be needed somewhere else.

As annoying as the whole situation was, I didn't want to spoil my mood, I brushed off the thought and went to my table. Everyone was busy with their friends, Daniella and her friends were not left out. The main reason for packs here is to show off and reduce the effort of others.

Still lost in my thoughts, I heard my name from behind, it was Chris and Gina.

Hugging me, 'Where have you been girl', she said smiling.

'We've been looking for you', taking a good look. 'Oh my God...you look stunning', Chris admired almost shouting.

'Awwwn..thank you so much. You both don't look bad yourself', I said blushing.

The party was going great and everyone was having fun. I then saw Peter following a guy to the bathroom, I wanted to check the situation out but stopped. Lighter was watching from where he was, he glared from corner to corner watching the whole family like a hawk. He must have stationed some of his boys in some angles too.

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Peter has healed, he stood from a corner watching the Dares intensively he got distracted by an usher. He took a closer look, monitoring his steps and the way he served the guests.

'This must be Kachi', he muttered to himself.

Just that moment, he headed to the rest room and Peter followed him immediately leaving no space behind.

'I knew it was you', he said moving closer to Kachi. 'What are you doing here?', he questioned.

He laughed suddenly, removing the musk, 'Doing my Job of cause.....the way you are so dedicated, I don't think you are ready to work with me', he said changing his dress to suit '

'Of cause I do', Peter said almost whispering, looking hastily at the place.

'What are you so scared of, hope you won't betray me?', he questioned pulling out a gun from his bag.

This doesn't look good to Peter but he has two masters now and he has made a favourable choice. He snatched the gun from him and made to leave.

'It shouldn't be just anyone', Kachi warned patting his shoulder.

He fully got changed and left Peter there. This was so difficult for Peter as the operation came so soon without enough time to think it through. He thought hard for some time and decided to hit one of the Dares without hesitation.

Getting to the party floor, he could smell the murderous air, Kachi and his boys dressed in different disguises were fully prepared and were waiting for a signal to strike. Lighter noticed how the men were glaring at each other, communicating with signals. He quickly called Peter and some of his boys, messaging them to keep a closer watch over the Dares. They quietly moved closer to each family member maintaining a closer distance.

Unexpectedly, one of Kachi's men was caught with a gun. He was trying to hide the weapon in the tray covered with a napkin. That wasn't a good sign for Kachi and he signaled to his men to strike.

The target was on the family again and the strong men standing behind Dickson to make his dream come true.

It was a good opportunity for Peter, he waited for things to get more intense. Despite the uproar, Kachi kept looking at Peter to make sure he was trustworthy. Penetrating wasn't easy, Kachi fired first but Dickson wasn't an easy target. When the firing was too much, Lighter took off with Dickson making sure his boys covered the remaining family members. He waited at the entrance to get the whole everyone covered and Peter seized the opportunity, he brought out the gun and shot Dickson in the stomach.

Kachi saw this, and they both exchanged gazes, Peter quickly hid the gun and got on his knees holding the spot and applying pressure. When everyone was at the spot, we rushed out of the place.

It was fierce, and everyone ran out of the hall not minding how funny they looked, but the craziest thing now is my dad's condition.

He was losing blood and everyone was afraid it could be seen on their faces. Daniel quickly moved from the back seat and sat with my dad pressing a cloth on the spot where he was shot.

'Dad look at me', he said bravely

'I can't breathe son', my dad shuddered holding Daniel's hand tightly.

My mom was already crying and Daniella was restless praying nothing happened to my dad. Lighter stepped on it, speeding and overtaking vehicles. The pain of my dad and the speed are capable of putting someone on a sick bed one had to focus.

Still in the car, Daniel couldn't wait to get to the hospital. The process was too slow as we hit serious traffic, seems the devil was at work.  Douglas pulled out the first aid box from the back, he beckoned on David and he hurried to my dad's head, holding his head steadily as directed by Daniel.

Daniella was in tears in no time, but I had to watch even with tearful eyes, David moved forward holding my Dad's hand tightly consoling him as much as possible with his eyes.

'You are going to be just fine,..... hang in there please', He said signalling to Daniel to move on.

Looking at Douglas to make sure he held my dad properly he cut open the spot, blood oozed out, splashing on their faces. My dad was groaning in pain and I could feel it too.

My heart was panting and I could hardly breathe, the operation was getting intense and I couldn't hold it any more. I burst into tears, my brothers were shaking in their eyes but men had to be men.

Daniel was explaining some heart and blood flow shit, intending to go deeper to open up a spot for free flow. I couldn't hold it and my mom took me from there putting my face in her chest and holding Daniella so tight. We cried like the worst had happened still praying that the worst didn't happen.

We could hear my dad groaning in pain and I guess the bullet had been removed, just then Lighter pulled over, and we were in the hospital already. David jumped out of the car covered in blood, he called out for an emergency and in no time they were at our service. My dad was rushed to a ward for confirmation before stitching.

David followed from behind holding my dad's hand the rest of us weren't allowed to go in, making the situation more dreadful. We waited outside pacing from one edge to another.

25 minutes later, David walked out, At first he looked distressed which created fear in us. He nodded in affirmation.

'Thank God', I said sitting on the chair.

My mom got on her knees praising God not minding if people were looking, It was a miracle indeed.

PG 7