Playing Spy

Thank God school dismisses at one o'clock, at least for this first week. Immediately the bell rang, I gathered up my things as quickly as possible. I have a date to keep by two o'clock.

People may think I'm too nosy but I'm just trying to safeguard my future. If aunty has a secret lover, I'll find out who it is and in the future, if they try to boot me out of my own house, at least I'll have a leverage to blackmail her and ensure it never happens. My future is not something I play with.

As I was walking out of the door, I almost collided with two junior students. The juniors dress in black pinafore underneath white shirt for the girls and white shirt on black shorts for the boys. Both outfit is completed with a bow tie.

The junior girl apologized immediately, moving away from the door.

"Good afternoon senior. Please, we are looking for Uzodigwe Somtochukwu. An SS2 prefect asked us to call her."

My heart skipped a beat. Why on earth does a prefect want to see me?

"There are two girls in this class with that name," I replied, referring to my cousin. I know she answers her English name, Isabella in school but I hope she's the one they want.

The girls exchanged looks then the second said, "the prefect said she's a new girl."

Definitely me. "That's me. Who is this prefect?"

Seriously, I have no time for prefects. I have an appointment for crying out loud.

"She is the games prefect in SS2D science class."

"Tell her I'm coming."

The two girls, whom I suspect are in JSS1 walked away. Immediately they were out of sight, I headed home. Prefects can wait, my future doesn't have that privilege.

*

When I got home, it was already 1:40 pm. Thankfully, Kanyira is not back from school yet. They usually have music class after school on Thursdays so she comes home by three o'clock. The twins are not yet back.

Since their dad travelled, they'll take the bus home. I wonder what they are still doing in school.

When I was done changing, I headed out to my dad's company which is a twenty minute walk from my house. Uncle Ben usually goes there to supervise on Tuesdays while he visits other companies periodically. But the place is more or less like my aunt's main base. I don't know if she will meet this guy here but this is my only shot.

I thought of a plan but my mind drew a blank. I decided to go with the flow when I see my aunty.

After greeting the doorman, I made for the elevator. A guy stepped out of a corner and joined me as we waited for the elevator. I turned to look at him. Surprisingly, it is Esomchi, my childhood friend whose dad works in the company.

"Esom!" I called, smiling in surprise.

He turned towards me, his eyes widening in surprise. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here. Miss stranger, what are you doing here?"

I rolled my eyes dramatically, "Duh! My relatives work here so why should I not be

here?"

"You have been scarce nowadays. And you haven't returned my novel. Wait till I come to your house myself to collect it. You will see pepper."

"As if..."

The elevator slided open, cutting me short. We went in and he keyed in fifth floor. My stop is at the eight floor.

"Seriously, when was the last time I saw you dude?"

I raised my brow. He sometimes calls me dude but doesn't like it when I return the favour. This guy, "I think that was last month, that period pal was missing."

"Yeah, I think so."

Pal is his dog and best friend. He went missing few months back and would have died had I not found him in a ditch just in time.

The elevator stopped, "My stop. Bring back my book," he said as a farewell. 

I shook my head.

When I got to my aunty's office, she was not around. I asked the secretary, Martha where she went to but she said she had no idea.

Just great.

I was about to leave when a thought crossed my mind. I turned back.

"Umm, please don't tell her I came. I just recalled that Sommy told me I was not to come today," I lied with a sweet smile.

Martha is more of my friend than not. I've known her right from when she was working for my parents.

She smiled conspiratorially, "I got you."

I smiled in relief, then went out of the company. I am beginning to feel super frustrated now and whenever that happens, hunger comes in. The long nailed, ugly hands of frustrated hunger set in, tightening my stomach. 

To be fair, I've had only burger since today. There had been no time to eat in the morning. Everyone ate of course, except the one doing all the work. And after taking Kanyira to school, I was more concerned with rushing off to school than eating. No one likes to be late on the first week of school.

I deliberated using the money I brought for taking the bus home to buy a snack. In the end, hunger won. I walked towards an eatery tucked away beside the company to buy there famous meat pie. I opened the door and made to enter, then froze. 

Quickly, I went out, then stood by the glass wall where I could get the perfect view of the people inside, among whom are my aunty and a tall, lanky man sitting opposite her. I don't know whether this is the man but they did say they were meeting by two. But I'm not about to take any chances.

If only I'm with a camera or something. What should I do now?

I turned around, frantically thinking of an idea. It was all I could do not to dance with joy when I saw Esomchi emerging from the company.

I quickly moved away from the door, calling him when I was out of my aunty's hearing range.

"Guy, have you seen this beautiful glass eatery before? It's so amazing!" I exclaimed as I took his hand and led him in front of the shop. I spy a phone in his pocket. Just perfect.

"Uh...this place has always been here."

"I know right? You have to take my picture with this background. Imagine how rad I'll look."

"How will you have the picture since it's my phone?" But he's already bringing out his phone.

I posed, he snapped and it was done.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt if you print out the picture for me," I deliberately slipped into the prim and proper voice of my aunt, hoping it would get me want I want.

He looked at me and huffed sarcastically.

"Yeah, sure."

I did not press the point but if he thought I was done, then he did not know Uzodigwe Somto well enough. We walked down the street together and I tried to hatch a plan.

Like a snap, I figured out what to do.

Chuckling innocently, I started, "remember Pal?"

"Well duh, he's my dog," he replied, eyes on his phone. 

"I remember how lost and sad he looked the day I found him. Poor guy, it could have been instant transition to dog heaven if he had spent another day in that ditch."

Esomchi laughed out loud shaking his head at me, "why do I feel like you are reminding me that I owe you one?"

"Huh?" Batting my lashes coyly, I replied, "I have no idea of what you are talking about."

"Okay miss saviour, I'll print out the picture for you. Any other request your ladyship?" He asked with a mock bow, a silly grin on his face.

"Crocodile head." I laughed, slapping him playfully at the back, "when I think of one, I'll let you know."

We parted ways at the bus stop. All in all, not a bad day.

*

If only there's a way of transferring the message I saw in my aunty's phone to another phone. Having a picture of her and a guy having lunch is not enough evidence.

Anyway, when I got a chance to use her phone, I saw that the message had been deleted already. Guess I just have to find a way of getting more evidence.

I also need to work more in the silencer's case. Even though I suspect Jennifer, I know others should not be left out. Too bad I didn't start with them from JSS1. That way, I would have had more info. Oh well, guess I just have to study the ones in my class for now.

Uncle Ben returned this evening. The children were happy to see him especially since he bought a whole lot of goodies for them. I have to give him some credit, he loves his kids a lot. He could have been a great dad except that he is as wicked as the rest of them.

Perhaps the way he treats me is even worse than the rest. I always feel like a nuisance in front of him. He will never shout at you or even speak unkindly. Nope, he is our perfect gentleman.

He always acts like I'm an irritating disturbance he has been assigned to by fate. A disturbance he has gallantly learnt to bear with. So annoying.

As I watched him distribute the items he bought, I couldn't help but feel he deserves his wife's infidelity. Moron.

I went back to the kitchen wondering what tomorrow has in stock for me, what with the games prefect and all. 

I also wondered for the umpteenth time why Prince Liam had been staring at me.