Chapter 28: Chapter 28

~Third person's POV~

"Where are you going? We aren't done yet." He says trapping her tighter as he places his hands closer beside her.

"That...That was em..." Kemi trails off as she stammers.

Lexis leans down to her ear and whispers. “That was what?” He asks as he smirks. Then he moves away from her putting his hands back into his pockets.

“You might die if you do this next time, scaredy cat." He says turning away.

"I wasn't trying to get your attention!" Kemi says loudly making him to stop and turn around.

He narrows his brows, “Oh really?”

Kemi bit her lips before standing up from the sofa. "I...I simply fell into the pool by accident. I..." She looks pass him. “I wasn't trying to get your attention.”

Lexis twitch his lips and shrugs, "If you say so.” With that, he exits the room same time Rose walks in.She stares at Lexis leaves in widen eyes before running over to where Kemi stands.

“Did...Did the boss came to see you?" She asks Kemi in disbelief.

Kemi sighs and goes over to the sofa to sit. "Obviously Rose.” Kemi answers as folds her arms across her chest.

Rose sits beside her placing the cup of tea in her hand on the table before stretching out a dress to Kemi. Kemi stares at the white dress in her hand puzzled.

"I saw them in your wardrobe." Rose says with her hands still in the air stretching out the dress to her.

Kemi sighs, “Why did you bring it Rose?”

Rose shrugs, “Well because you can't remain in that wet dress and you also lots of clothes in your wardrobe..."

She pauses as if realizing something before continuing. "Those clothes are new Kemi, did you buy them recently?”

Kemi collects the dress from her. "I still don't know what to do with them Rose."

Rose looks at her confused, “You don't know what to do with them? Are clothes not meant to be worn?”

Kemi shakes her head with a frustrated look on her face. "They are too classy and expensive Rose."

"Were you not the one that bought it yourself?”

Kemi shakes her head.

Rose's brows narrows at her. “Then who did?”

Kemi sighs, "I just don't want to be more indebted to anyone."

“Who bought it from you then?" Rose presses on.

“Just someone. I have a feeling the clothes are not free. Nothing is free in this life anyway."

Rose purses her lips, "So you want to throw them away?”

Kemi sighs again,“I just don't know."

"It would be a waste leaving the clothes you know.And besides..." She looks at Kemi from head to toe."Do you have other clothes? Aren't you tired if wearing this?"She points at the gown Kemi has been washing and wearing over again for days.

Kemi sighs without saying anything.

“It won't hurt to wear good things Kemi. How much debt would you owe for wearing those dresses?God forbid but what if you had died today. Would you have the chance to wear such nice things?" Rose places her hands on Kemi's. "Try them."

Kemi sighs, “They are very plenty, would you like to have some?"

Rose's eyes widen, “Really?”

Kemi nods,"They would look good on you."

Rose smiles, “Okay then, cool.” She winks at Kemi making her chuckle lightly.

*****

AT THE FAMILY MANSION

8:30 AM MONDAY 2022

Lexis sits at the right hand side of their father while William sits at the left side facing him. He is staring at William in disbelief and surprise. Their father had called William regarding the report that he gave about the supplies but surprisingly, William claims he never had any intention of messing with the supplies and that he was only trying to help.

The most shocking part is that he even provided a video of his men returning the supplies and making correct counts of them. Now, their father had called to tell him that he was wrong of saying his brother was messing with the supplies.

“You don't ever trust me, little brother..." William says feigning a hurtful face. “I was simply trying to help you but in return, you concluded I was replacing the supplies with fakes.." William pushes his phone closer to him. “Haven't you seen for yourself that I only asked my men to replace the supplies because l found out they were messed with?"

Lexis didn't bother looking at the video again because he had already watched it. What went wrong? He had clearly sent his men to watch over William's movements and they reported and even showed him a video of William's men taking out the supplies and replacing it with fakes. So why on earth is there a video of William's men putting back the supplies?

He had particularly instructed his men to watch his every move. Is it that William found that he knows about it and then he quickly pretended to correctly check the supplies instead?

“Lexis!"

His father's voice jolts him out of his thoughts and hevturns to him.

"Yes father?"He answers.

"I understand that you were being cautious Lexis but l think you were a little rash this time..." Richard starts to say and Lexus twitches the side his lips clenching his fist.

“You should trust your brother a little.”

William smiles hearing his father say that. For so long, this is the first time to their father is taking his side. It feels so nice seeing Lexis at the losing end. Kemi hasvreally done well. He smiles.

Lexis sighs, “I'm sorry father, I thought he was up to something...as usual.”

William frowns at Lexis's words but didn't say anything.

“You should be more careful next time Lexus.You don't want to put someone in big problems because of little mistake." Richard says playing with the dice on the table.

Lexis nods, “I understand father.” He turns to William.

"I'm...I'm sorry for the misunderstanding brother." He says between his teeth.

William smiles, "It's fine little brother, we a make mistake."

Lexis lick his lower lips turning to his father. "I have to be at work now father, may l go now?"

Richard nods, “Of course."

Lexis stands up and starts walking away.

“Oh Lexis!" Richard calls out.

Lexis turns around."Yes father?”

"Jayson submitted himself, handle him."

Lexis bows, “Sure thing father." He gives William one last look before exiting the room.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Ella runs a fashion designing company called, ELLA'S LUXURY. Most of her clients are celebrities and her products are also sold outside the country. Although most of the money she uses in financing her business is her father's but she's also talented and knows very how the right designs to produce. She works very hard and most times end up overworking herself. Since her husband does not always there for her, she either drowns herself in alcohol or her job.

It's already past 6pm and she's still buried in her work. There would be nothing to do in the house anyway. Khloe, her PA walks into the office holding a file in her hand.

“Mrs. Ella, it's already past 6pm, I think it's time you go home.”

Ella sighs and relaxes her head on the seat before turning to Khloe who has a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry Khloe, you can go home. I will go home once I'm done."

Khloe sighs as she stares at her boss. She knows very well that Ella would not leave the office until very late hour and the worst part is that she didn't come with her guards.

“Please Mrs. Ella, I'm always worried to death when l leave you here. I won't leave here as well until you leave." She folds her arms across her chest.

Ella smiles, "I'm good Khloe, do not wait for me."

Khloe sighs knowing no matter how much she tries to argue with Ella, her no means no. She nods and drops the file on the table before leaving the office.

After about 4 hours, she finally wraps up with what her work. There was no employee left in the company as everyone has already gone home. She makes her way to the garage with her bag in her hands. She reaches were she parks her white BMW and brings out her key to open the car door. As she brings out the key, she hears footsteps and she quickly turns see around wondering who is it but there's no one.

She shrugs and turns back around to open the car door but then, a black polythene bag slides over her head. Ella's eyes widen as alIl she could see is black before huge hands grip her tightly holding down the polythene bag so she can't take it off. She struggles with whoever the person is but couldn't.

His grips are way too strong. She tries to scream but the bag is obstructing her mouth.

The person brings out a gun and cracks it before pointing it on her head. She freezes as she heard the sound of the cracked gun and then her body trembles when she feels the cold tip of the gun touch her head through the polythene bag. The person removes the bag from her head.

“What...What do you want? Is it...Is it money? I...I will give it to you.." She says stammering in fear.

"Shut up." A feel voice that belongs to the person says. "I want to..."He couldn't finish what he's saying before a loud gunshot is heard across the garage and the next thing Ella hears, is a loud scream from the unknownbperson.

His grip on her loosens and she turns around to see him on the ground holding his legs. The person is wearing a mask on his face so she couldn't see his face. Her eyes trails down to his leg and she sees he's bleeding. Surprised andconfused,she turns around to the direction of where the gun shot came from and her eyes widen when she sees George walking towards her with her PA, Khloe by his side.

The guy on the ground that has been shot tries to stand up but George pulls the trigger again shooting him on the same spot he has shot him before. Ella finches as she turns around to see the unknown person yelling out in pain.

George walks over to Ella and places his hands on her shoulders making her to look up at his face.

"George?”

"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?" George asks as his eyes travel around her body.

Ella's eyes move over to Khloe who stands looking at her with worried eyes.

"How...How did...How come you're here?" She asks George.

George sighs biting his lips before he says gritting his teeth, “Why the f**k.."He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Why are you still working at this time Ella? It's not safe!"

Ella looks away as she wraps her body with her arms. "I was working." She says.

George sighs licking his bottom lip, "If I hadn't met Khloe on the road, what could have happened to you?”

Ella sighs before turning to Khloe, “I told you to go home Khloe."

George grips her arm forcing her to look him in the eye. “Do you enjoy making people worry about you? You had a man pointing a gun at your head Ella!" He yells at her unable to contain his anger as he looks at her.

Tears start to roll down her cheeks, “I was only trying to make myself busy George. I didn't ask for any armed person to point a gun at my head!"

George lets go of her and runs his hands over his hair before heaving a sigh. He dips his hand into his pocket and brings out his phone.

“Come clean up a mess in here." He says to the receiver before hanging up.

He turns to Ella,“You should go around with your bodyguards Ella.”

George's men runs into the garage and quickly starts moving the guy out of the garage as he continues to make painful sounds.

Ella nods, "Thanks for your help.”

George turns to Khloe, “You shouldn't leave the company until your boss do." And then he starts walking away.

Khloe goes over to Ella's side. “I will drive you Mrs Ella.”

Ella only nods as she stares at George leaves.

ITALY-

11 PM MONDAY 2022

PABLO CASSANO'S HOUSE

“Vieni qui Lorenzo.(Come here Lorenzo.)” Pablo says to his one of his men, Lorenzo, and he walks to him at once.

"Si (Yes) don."He bows before Pablo.

“Lexis,Lexis..." He mutters to himself. "in realtà sono rimasto colpito. (I was actually impressed.)" He giggles before turning to Lorenzo.

“dovrebbe essere ricoverato in ospedale per mesi. (He should at least be hospitalized for months.)" He says to Lorenzo who bows to him.

“Consideralo fatto don(Consider it done boss)"Lorenzo says before walking away.

Pablo takes out a cigar and lights it. Then, a tall well built man walks up to him and bows before him.

"Ciao don.(Hello boss.)” He says standing beside Pablo.

Pablo inhales cigar and curls out smoke from his mouth before turning to him. "è bello vederti Matteo.” (It's nice to see you Matteo).” Pablo says to him.

Matteo nods before sighing.

"c'è un problema? (Is there a problem?)" Pablo asks as he hears him sigh.

Pablo shakes his head. “Mi chiedevo, non sembrerebbe che tu stia iniziando una guerra se mandi uomini ad attaccare Lexis? (I was wondering, wouldn't it look like you're starting a war if you send men after Lexis?") Matteo shrugs his shoulders. “Voglio dire, sei amico di Richard da anni e inoltre, questa volta ci siamo sbagliati. ("I mean, you have been friends with Richard for years and besides,we were wrong this time.")

Pablo scoffs curling smoke from his nose and mouth before turning to Matteo.

“Matteo..." He takes up the bottle of wine on the table and pours himself a drink. “Quel moccioso ha ucciso un uomo importante della famiglia..." ("That brat killed an important man in the family...") He looks at Matteo in disbelief. “E vuoi che non faccia niente? ("And you want me to do nothing?")

Matteo sighs pursing his lips without saying anything more.

Pablo takes a sip from the glass of wine. “Avrei lasciato perdere dopo che Richard aveva chiesto la pace, ma..." (I would have let it go after Richard asked for peace but...) His face changes into a deep frown. “L'audacia e la mancanza di rispetto di quel moccioso, mi irrita." (The boldness and disrespect of that brat, irks me.)

Matteo nods, "Capisco Don, è solo che attaccarlo potrebbe portare a..." ("I understand boss, it's just that attacking him could lead to...")

Pablo waves his hand in the air stopping Matteo. "rilassati Matteo, voglio solo fargli vedere il suo posto.” ( "Relax Matteo, I only want to show him him place.") Pablo smirks after saying that and Matteo shrugs.

NIGERIA-

TUESDAY 3 PM 2022

Lexis steps out of his car as his guard opens the door for him.Erica comes out from the other side and walks over to him. They are standing in front of Alhaji Bawa's house. His father had forced him to visit the man and he is left with no choice even if he loathes the man. He had thought since his father haven't mentioned the marriage thing to him again that he had forgotten about it but he was wrong because that's what he has been saying in his ears like music for the past few days now.

He had asked him to come and see Alhaji Bawa and try to get him firmly on his side in terms of business. He sighs staring at the huge gate of the mansion contemplating whether to go inside or not.

"Should we just return?” Erica asks as she stares at his conflicted face.

Lexis shakes his head, “No, I'm already here.”

Just as they move closer to the gate with Lexis leading and both Erica and Robert by his sides, Erica spots and unfamiliar black car parked beside the road.She had noticed that the car was following them but she also isn't sure because the movement of the car is unsure.

As the gate opens,the sound of a gunshot is heard making Lexis turn around. Erica quickly pushes him out of the way bringing out her gun from her pockets.Robert quickly covers Lexis as he points gun at the whomever the gunshot came from. No one comes out from the black car nor did another gunshot.

"I will go check the car Robert, stay with the underboss.” She says to Robert who nods quickly.

Lexis stares intently at car wondering what is going on in a broad day light. He knows very well that whoever the people are, they aren't here to kill him but to warn him.

Just as Erica moves closer, the car starts and drives away.

Erica walks back to Lexis. “I will investigate whose people they are." She says to him. I have noticed them following us since, I apologize for not telling you underboss."

Lexis didn't says anything but only nods.

Xoxo