Chapter Nineteen

'Of course, that's why I'm here. If I didn't know how to help, I wouldn't have come,' Andrew reassured her.

'Did you rob a bank?' Dera playfully slipped her hand into his pocket. 'There's no money in your pocket. So how are you going to do it? Did your boss give you a raise? Are you now the head of the cleaning department in the restaurant where you work part-time? Don't tell me you've joined a group of scammers. If that's the solution, I'd rather not be involved. I want to earn money legitimately. Wait... are you into crypto currency?'

Andrew couldn't help but laugh. 'I'm not a criminal, nor am I involved in any scams. My boss didn't give me a raise, and I haven't started earning anything from crypto currency, even though I hope to in the future,' he replied, glancing at Dera. 'I'm a law student and your handsome elder brother. I know the law, so I won't do anything that could land me in jail.' He affectionately patted her head.

Meanwhile, Beatrice closed the shop early as soon as Andrew told her that he had a solution to help Dera clear her debts. She was eager to know what needed to be done.

'What is the solution, Andrew?' Beatrice asked eagerly as they arrived home.

'Mum...' Andrew turned around, a smile on his face. 'Let's hope it works.' He reached out and hugged his mother.

'I feel like my enthusiasm has dropped,' Dera frowned upon hearing Andrew's words.

'Andrew believes his solution will solve your problem. Let's hope it does,' Beatrice reassured her. She then looked at Andrew and asked, 'How's school?'

'School's fine. My lecturers all say that I'll make a good lawyer.'

'Goodness, imagine having a lawyer in the family! I'm the happiest person right now,' Beatrice exclaimed, pinching Andrew's cheek tenderly, and he laughed.

When Emeka arrived home after a futile journey, he was greeted with a scrumptious meal that made him forget the ridicule he had faced while begging for money for Dera's WASSCE. His appetite immediately spiked at the sight of the food, and everyone gathered around the kitchen table, ready to dig in. The white kitchen tiles, worn and chipped at the corners, were always scrubbed clean by Beatrice. Despite serving as the family's living room and dining room, the kitchen was cosy and welcoming, with warmth emanating from the gas stove.

As they sat down for dinner, everyone eagerly awaited the good news that Andrew had promised to share. Beatrice had prepared a delicious meal, filling the house with the aroma of the okra soup and garri she had cooked. The soup was rich with chunks of meat and dry fish.

'Andrew?' Emeka broke the silence.

'Hm?' Andrew replied, looking up.

'Could you please tell us what the solution is?' Emeka asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

'Goodwall,' Andrew replied, moulding his garri into a big ball with his long fingers. He dipped it into his soup and swallowed it before elaborating, 'Goodwall is an app. All Dera needs to do is download it, create an account, and start participating in the challenges available. Do you know what the winners of the challenges will receive?'

Emeka raised an eyebrow. 'Goodwall? What do you mean by that?'

Beatrice, intrigued, chimed in, 'Do you want us to repaint our peeling wall?'

Dera filled a cup of water and handed it over to Andrew. 'Goodwall represents qualities like ambition, independence, strength, reliability, determination, and professionalism,' she remarked. 'But I believe that may not directly relate to what Andrew is discussing, am I correct? Andrew, please enlighten us further.'

Andrew smiled profoundly and explained, 'I just told you that Goodwall is the answer. Dera, all you need to do is actively engage in the challenges available on the Goodwall app. The winners can receive different rewards depending on the challenge they choose.'

Emeka interjected skeptically, 'I think it'll be a fake scholarship to a fake school.'

'I think it'll be a scam,' Beatrice added.

Dera took Andrew's side, even though she wasn't entirely sure what Goodwall was about. 'What a terrible guess! That's so hurtful. Based on Andrew's conviction, I think the company would never stoop that low.'

Beatrice looked at Dera and asked, 'Fine... but do you have the right answer?'

Dera pondered for a moment and responded, 'Since it's about participating in a challenge, it must have something to do with money. I guess the final reward must be in American dollars or euros.' She happily dipped her garri into her soup bowl and scooped up meat chunks, savouring the flavours.