Ripples, Season Finale

The evening wind picked up and chased dead leaves along the partly muddy road as Kene tried to figure out what just happened but his brain refused to process the events surrounding him that evening. 

I am probably drunk and must have dozed off somewhere after last night’s birthday parte; a part of him analyzed.

But I stopped taking alcoholic beverages a long time ago after... he suddenly halted that trail of thought. He didn't feel the need to rouse the ghosts from his past after the emotionally draining evening. 

I am certainly not drunk and the pain in my chest from that brutes elbow was too real to be a dream. That guy nearly killed me for nothi...

“Congratulations sir.”

A husky voice startled him back to reality. It was one of Sade's men. Kene stared at the man who was beaming at him as if he had just won a betting game. He had assumed the man had left with Sade. How come he didn't feel his presence earlier?

“My name is Brendan. We will get to know each other better once you resume. Here is my card,” 

He pulled a slim and fancy business card out of a card holder and extended it towards Kene.

"Call me the moment you get to the office tomorrow. I will take you to the HR myself."

Kene took the card from him. His eyes scanned it and his lips suddenly unglued;

“Ehmmm I think there is a mix up somewhere. I never applied for any position at your office. Please call Sade and she will confirm that I...”

“Please sir, eight in the morning means EIGHT ON THE DOT IN THE MORNING.” 

Brendan emphasized and took a step backwards; “Bam Bam hates it when employees are tardy." 

Who is Bam Bam? Is Sade not the boss? Kene asked himself while Brendan pulled out a white envelope from  his inside pocket and handed it over to Kene who reluctantly took it from him as if he was being given a letter bomb. Brendan chuckled. 

"That is for your troubles. Her orders by the way. So get a new suit, fix your car, do whatever you like. The content is yours and you can call me if it is not enough."

 Kene felt as if he was in a trance. He didn't need a soothsayer to tell him the white envelope in his grip contained money. What he needed to know was why she would give him money when he was supposed to be indebted to her?

Brendan smiled, turned away and walked over to Sade’s car, the one that was the cause of all the day's adventure. The car engine came alive and revved. 

"Dont' forget the hair. Get rid of it." 

Brendan called out on a chuckle and waved briefly before shutting the drivers door and speeding off. 

Kene stared on at the disappearing tail lights of the car. The bumper which they must have tied up probably during the drama still hung awkwardly at an angle that made it seem like a detached limb. 

Was that not exactly what I wanted to do earlier? I would have even done a better job than her boys and all the drama could have been avoided if only Ice...Sade had agreed to my plan.

He sighed and eyed the card and envelope in his hand. To say he was confused would be an understatement. Several unanswered questions raced  through his cloudy mind. Yes, he was in desperate need of a job, ANY PAYING JOB, but he knew that accepting Sade's offer would no doubt infuriate Dapo and he was not ready to be slaughtered for anyone's amusement. 

There was also something suspicious about Sade, her offer and now the gift in his hand. It felt like a trap and Kene suddenly had the feeling he was being cornered. The woman and her unstable wealthy boyfriend should be avoided and only a fool would place a burning coal next to his heart, Kene concluded.

That girl get mind sha. Imagine the nerve, ordering me to shave because I look like a cave man? I don’t blame her. Even if she is the president’s daughter I will never work for her, NEVER! If they feel they can walk over anyone just because they are wealthy, then they must be dumb. Nonsense! 

Kene could not remember at what point he stopped being angry that night but now his fury boiled. He wanted to throw the envelope and card away but a second look at the crispy notes changed his mind. He decided to keep them as a reminder of the days events.

Stalking over to his old car which was still glistening from the earlier rain, he peered through the window and sighed. His car key was still stuck to the ignition and he knew that meant he had locked himself out of his car. Dropping the card and envelope on the bonnet, he pulled the driver's door handle. The door refused to budge. Frustrated, Kene  cursed under his breath and grabbed the handle with both hands. Leaning into the door he started forcefully pulling it towards him.

He was consumed with forcing the door open and failed to see a car headed in his direction until it screeched to a halt beside him. Kene turned in time to see the doors of a white SUV burst open and two strapping tall men in dark night suits jump out. They looked his way and Kene's heart stopped for a second before accelerating at an irregular pace. He slowly inched backwards. 

RUN! A voice shouted in his mystified head. He took another step backwards but bumped into his car. The chill from the cold metal of the car seeped into his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt as he leaned further backwards against it. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead when the strange men strode over to his side as if they knew he was about to flee;

"Are you Mr. Kenechukwu?"

Who did I wrong? I am dead. God please; he silently prayed while his eyes darted around for any sign of an approaching vehicle but the road was deserted. Just then, the lightening flashed followed by the deafening roar of thunder as if the heavens were angry at the fierce looking men who were watching his every move with cold impatient eyes. 

A single drop of perspiration trailed down Kene's back as the cold fingers of fear gripped his heart. If only he could fly.

***********

Thank you for reading RIPPLES. I made the finale long enough but I have to end the season here. I know its a cliffhanger and you are wondering who the men are and what they want from Kene. 

If I get more encouragement from you all, I might get on with the season 2 lol. Right now, it's time to enjoy the holiday. 

HaPpY HoLiDaY and Merry Christmas from all of us at NIB!! 😍