Afloat Season 4 

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice                     - Montesquieu _______________________ Ituron community- Who would have guessed that the mysterious stranger in Maurice's home was his long-lost blood uncle? Why did he decide to come back now? Eric thought as suspicion crept into his mind. Though his head told him Uncle Ambrose had always been a sincere man and should not be doubted, his gut still had reservations—and over the years, he had learned never to ignore it. " I think your long absence made my men assume you were a stranger," Eric explained carefully.   "A stranger? But I am a son of the soil." Ambrose exclaimed with a loud laugh.

At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.                     - Plato ________________________________ Maitama, Abuja (Alex's Mansion) - David settled into the comfortable leather sofa and took a sip of his drink as his gaze took in the lavishly furnished living room. The cool air seeping in from the wall vents relaxed his frayed nerves. The maid must have turned on the AC the moment they arrived, he guessed. A very diligent woman, David thought as he gulped down his drink and grinned with satisfaction. Glancing at the wall clock, he realized it was ten minutes to midnight. He wondered if Tricia had fallen asleep as his mind slowly replayed the events of the evening. Crazy, but beautiful woman. She should be asleep by now, he thought with a slight frown as he placed the bottle and his cup on the side stool before unbuttoning his shirt halfway. The peaceful, quiet atmosphere pulled on the strings of his private thoughts, a...

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped                     - African proverb ------------------------ Ituron community - "Uncle Ambrose! I am still surprised. The last time anyone saw you was three or five years ago? This is indeed strange!" Ambrose grunted. They were in Maurice's small sitting room after the brawl at the cottage. Eric had a confused look on his face as he eyed Maurice and his uncle suspiciously. He was leaning against the wall facing Maurice and Ambrose who were seated in the only two available chairs. Ambrose shook his head slowly and met Eric's gaze; "You are correct. I left three years ago. Exactly some days after Maurice was incarcerated for abducting and ruining that girls life." "I was falsely accused!" Maurice interjected, "she willingly followed me to my house and gave herself to me. Yet nobody believed me!" [Don't forget to subscribe to NIB so you can get daily updates of this story and mor...

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.                     - Oprah Winfrey _______________________ Maitama, Abuja  The moment the gatemen let them in, Tricia disappeared into the house. She had ignored him on the way back, so he sensed she had probably gone to lock herself up in her room upstairs. He could guess she was secretly plotting her revenge, so there was no way he was letting her out of his sight. David instantly made up his mind to spend the night in Alex's home since he could not afford to pay the bodyguards for twenty-four-hour service. It was not part of the birthday plan, and he had spent almost all the money Alex transferred to him on the failed evening with Tricia. Of course, Alex would definitely refund him when he returned, but his funds were tied up somewhere so he had no extra to spare on bodyguards. Don't forget to subscribe to NIB so you can get daily updates o...

A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.                - Maya Angelou,  Letter to My Daughter ------------------------   Ituron community - The quivering man managed to plead while his teeth chattered as if he was freezing. "Is this the man?" Eric queried Boma "Y—yes. He is our guest. My husband brought him here." She was no longer crying but her voice was hoarse. "Oga! Wetin carry you come our community? What is your business here?" Eric's clear voice boomed as he took steps towards the strange man. [Don't forget to subscribe to NIB so you can get daily updates of this story and more]

When you know what you want, and want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to get it                 - Jim Rohn ____________________________ Ituron community - "He is in there." Boma pointed at the door of a small locally remodeled cottage. A single light bulb was carelessly attached to the wall above the door. It's weak light fought against the pitch darkness of the night which seemed to be edging closer to the mud walls plastered with cement. The men flanked the building. "Are you sure?" Eric's right hand man questioned aggressively while they all glared at the wooden door as if a criminal awaited behind it. "Yes sir! I'm very sure." Boma wiped her running nose with the end of her wrapper. Eric signalled to his men and two of them rushed over and effortlessly broke down the door.  They dove into the house and before long angry and hight pitched voices were heard followed by the noise of struggling.

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing           — George Bernhard Shaw ______________________________ Exclusive Restaurant / Abuja "You must apologize to me this minute! David, I demand an apology right now!" Tricia bawled. The room was soundproof, so her shrill voice bounced off the walls. She was not accustomed to being scolded, and being disrespected by David awakened alien emotions. She suddenly felt like hurting him just to put him in his place—right beneath her! The man was just a cheap wannabe who was being assisted by Alex. How he had suddenly grown wings was a mystery her imagination could not comprehend.

Pleasure of love lasts but a moment. Pain of love lasts a lifetime           – Bette Davis ______________________ Location: An Exclusive Restaurant /Abuja  David stared at her with unconcealed disappointment. Why would a mature woman behave like a bitter teenager? So this was what Alex had been enduring? There was no way he was going to let this slide. In fact, she would be considered sick in the brain if she ever thought he was going to ignore her attitude tonight. He slowly went over to the switchboard and flipped the light switch on. The room instantly came alive as bright light flooded in from the designed ceiling and walls. Tricia blinked as her brow creased with a deep frown.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope           - Martin Luther King, Jr. ------------------------- Ituron community - "Please don't take my husband away. I beg you in the name of God. I know where the man is... I - I will take you there... please please!" Maurices wife wailed and pleaded with Eric "Boma I forbid you! Eric you can't do anything. You're just a boy!"  Maurice yelled louder while trying to fight off the men clutching onto him. A dog could be heard barking in the distance as the light in some houses nearby came on but nobody dared to come outside. They all viewed them from their windows. "Are you lying to me?" Eric's eyes burned red as he glared at Boma.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.                —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ____________________________________ Ituron community -  One thing Eric had learned over the years was that hastily unleashing his anger always had a bizarre ending. But, like his father before him, patience was a virtue the gods of their ancestors had kept beyond his strong grasp, especially when his job and the people he respected were involved. "Maurice I will ask you one last time, where is the stranger?"

Life is a long lesson in humility.                                     -James M. Barrie _______________________________ Location: An Exclusive Restaurant / Abuja "Tricia." David's deep voice intruded on her thoughts, and she turned cold eyes on him. Staring at his face all night was never the plan. Being forced to eat with him instead of with friends and colleagues was a nightmare, just like the low-budget array of intercontinental and local dishes she would never touch even in the next life. Her dietitian would be alarmed at the tragedy she was being exposed to. Her stomach rumbled distastefully as the aroma suddenly made her feel like throwing up. She wanted to scream at David for being part of the plan to hold her against her will. She felt like dumping the stupid cake on his head, but held back her anger. Getting mad at a messenger would not assuage her rage. Alex, you will ...