Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Theophilus offered his face to be manipulated upon by Alex. He lay on his back for the past one and a half hour, not knowing what would become of his face. Knives, scissors, mixtures of chemicals, false tissues, plasticine, anaesthetics, analgesics, plasters, bandages, and whatnot were laid out on a table, and with them Alex gave Theo’s face some little cuts and fillings here and there. It was indeed scary for Theophilus. Alex had to take precision in whatever calculation he was making on Theo’s face. One little mistake could jeopardize the whole operation.

Theo's fear intensified as he endured the on-going process, and at a point he wondered if the plastic surgery was worth it. But he had Alex to encourage him in his pursuit. Whichever way, the operation was going to be successful and would soon be over. But there was one more thing he needed Alex to assure him of.

“Is this reversible?” he managed to ask Alex.

“Sure," Alex said. "But it will take much the same pain.”

Alex was no doubt an expert in what he was doing. He was more qualified than Osas had explained to Theo. Not only was he a cosmetic dermatologist, he was also a qualified surgeon. Alex had studied in France and had been practicing for the past six years. Theo had the privilege to know the man’s profile when they had a briefing at the bar after his arrival. Alex Okoligwe was his full name. He hailed from Ibusa, a town bordered by Asaba and Ogwashi-uku.

In no time, Alex was through with Theo's transformation. But Theo could not get to see himself because his face was bandaged like an Egyptian mummy. He would carry the bandages for the next couple of days, for his face to heal properly. The sample Alex had used in carrying out the operation on Theo was found in the newspaper Theo had bought on his trip. The entire exercise gulped more than half a million. Fifty thousand had been spent to hire a private theatre, while the medical materials gulped the sum of fifty thousand. Alex made more than three hundred thousand on a single operation.

Theo came out of a deep sleep after a successful operation. He was dizzy and could still feel a peppery strain along the lines of the cuts on his face. He tried to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror. All he could see was a bandaged face. Only his eyes were exposed.

Alex sat behind him, smoking and drinking with his legs crossed on the desk. “Don’t worry; the bandages will go off in a couple of days.”

“But I still feel pain all over.”

“It will disappear by tomorrow.”

“I didn’t feel this much pain before now.”

“Yes. It was because of the anaesthetics. The pain would have been worse without anaesthesia.”

“It itches as well.”

“It is the plasticine; it will stop soon.”

Alex seemed to have answers to all Theo’s complaints, and that made Theo feel better and less apprehensive.

When the bandages eventually went off Theo’s face the third day, he was frightened. He saw a stranger in the mirror, and it took a few moments before he realized the stranger was his new image.

“Alex, what have you done to me?” he asked.

“It is your new image,” Alex said, smiling.

Theo battled with regrets at his action. He lay in bed, but could not find sleep. His conscience pricked him badly, but he encouraged himself with Alex's words and soon got over the dissonance.

“He said it is reversible. He said this madness of mine is damn reversible."

Theo stood before the mirror in his hotel lodge. He had his towel strapped around his waist, and a glass of drink in his hand.

“Everything seems to have changed," he said. "But what about the voice, what can I do about the voice?”

While he was ruminating, he heard a knock at the door. He walked to the door and opened it.

A hostess stood in front of him, holding a tray of food. “Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning," he replied. "Breakfast is ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

He allowed the damsel walk in with the meal. “You can set it on the table.”

The damsel did accordingly. He watched her leave the room.

Paula Isang was a marketing executive at the bank where she worked. She had had a bad spell meeting up with her targets in recent times. She considered her targets too outrageous. The development did not go down well with her boss. The man was beginning to doubt her future with the bank.

Paula left for her boss’ office to answer his call. Each time the man called, it only conjured the fear of being laid off because she feared she was spending borrowed time in the organisation. She knocked, and walked in through the door. She stood behind the man who was busy searching his cabinet for a file.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“Good afternoon,” the man said without looking in her direction.

“You called me, sir.”

“Yes, I did. I have a client you are expected to meet.”

He turned in her direction and handed her a file.

She flipped through the file “This address is a hotel.”

“Yes. I am giving you another chance to prove yourself by redeeming your targets for the past months. You are going to the hotel for business. Close the deal and return with the cheque. The man you are to meet is worth over a billion. If you can convince him to deposit a hundred million in our bank, your reward will be great and all your shortcomings will be forgiven.”

Still looking through the file, Paula said, “I will do my best.”

“You have to be aggressive. If other girls your age can make it, you can. You are beautiful; use everything within your means to get the account. Tomorrow is the D-day. Good luck.”

She nodded before leaving the office. The man returned to other businesses as soon as she walked out of his office.

Alice sat busily in her office, keying in facts and figures into the computer on her desk. While her fingers sped across the keyboard, she raised her head to catch a glimpse of Paula who had just walked in.

With stress written all over her face, Paula took her seat, panting.

Alice was a secretary at the bank, and a close friend of Paula. She was the one Paula confided in whenever she was heavy with burden, especially the ones related to her job.

Alice paused what she was doing to have a word with her friend. She noticed her sad mood and sighed. “What is it this time, pal?”

“It is the boss again.”

“What has the man done this time?”

“Look at what he gave me.” She threw the file in her hand at Alice.

Alice glanced at it without paying any attention to its details. “What is it about?”

“Didn’t you look at it? Read it through.”

“You have a meeting with a client.” Alice stared back at Paula. She could still not get the basis for her friend’s frustration.

“Alice, that is not all. This client will be waiting for me in a hotel lodge. I told you this man hate me.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“I heard from a grapevine that the client specifically mentioned my name to the boss.”

“Who is this client?”

“I have no idea until I see him.”

Alice was beginning to get a clearer picture of her friend’s plight. She sighed. “What are your plans now?”

“Alice, I need your advice because I am fed up with this job. It is too demanding.”

“Pal, what advice can I give now? You know quite well this man hates you.”

“He keeps threatening me for not meeting my targets. All he cares about is for me to go about the hotels prostituting with those ungodly clients; those men who are worse than infidels and care less about their wives and families. I cannot keep sacrificing my body for the bank to remain in business."

Paula broke into a sob. Alice could hardly proffer a solution to her dilemma. She offered her a handkerchief to wipe the tears in eyes.

Theo was cooling off at the bar with a drink late in the evening. He nodded his head to the song playing at the background, and observed the activities going on at the bar. Soon, Justina walked in. She was the damsel he and Osas had come across the last time at the bar.

“Justina,” Theo could not resist the temptation of calling her.

She turned in response to the call.

He waved at her. “Over here.”

The damsel cast him a gaze that spelt she didn't recognize him. Theo wondered how an event of two weeks or thereabout had blurred from Justina’s mind. He took the initiative and walked up to her.

“Pardon me," she said. "I don't remember meeting you before.”

Justina’s statement amused Theo. He broke into a chuckle. “You mean you don’t know Theophilus?”

“Who is Theophilus?”

“Do you remember Osas?”

“Yes, I do remember Osas. You know him?”

“It was I and Osas you met here the last time.”

She folded her arms to her chest and studied him closely. Although Theo sounded convincing, she found it hard to believe he was the same man she'd seen the other time with Osas.

“I am afraid you don’t look like the person I saw the other time,” she said.

Theo had forgotten he had a face surgery. He had to tell Justina a believable lie, otherwise the damsel would doubt his intentions and could create a scene.

“I had a corrective surgery on my face," he said.

She gasped. “My God! What happened?”

Justina soon came to terms with Theo’s make believe story.

“Everything is okay now,” he said.

“Your voice is still striking,” she said, smiling.

“You can order for anything, I will foot the bill.”

“Thank you.”

She walked away, while Theo returned to his seated position. The incident with Justina was indeed the confirmation of his changed identity. He kept pondering over his encounter with Justina. He was beginning to feel the bite of his own futility already. Justina came over to his table while he was pondering over a drink. She took him for a dance against his will. She was already drunk, thus she acted seductively on the dance floor. Theo had to cope with what he did not bargain for.

He returned to his lodge, looking exhausted. The activity at the bar had indeed sapped him of his energy, no thanks to Justina. He undressed and had a quick shower. Moments later, he stood in front of the mirror, looking at his image.

“Theophilus Nzeribe, hence forth you cease to bear that name. You are now Morris Herbert. Get it into your head."

After showering, Paula stood before her mirror. While she combed her hair, her thoughts rested on her plight at the office.

“Chief Morris Albert," she uttered. "I have to meet this man. I have to close the account or else my job will be at stake. I will have to offer my body; I will have to defile my body to please a client. Why am I passing through this vicious cycle of life? God!"

Walking away from the mirror, she clad herself in casual clothes and settled for dinner at the dining table. She tried to eat, but her sad disposition made her lose her appetite although she was hungry. She abandoned her meal and walked to the balcony. She stared at the enveloping darkness dotted with spectra of light from the neighbouring blocks. She was yet to figure out how to handle her client the next day. The soothing night breeze aided her retrospection

Paula was in a hotel lodge with a client—a man old enough to be her father—trying to convince him to deposit in her bank.

“Young lady," he started, "you don’t need much talking. I know your bank is big and reliable. First thing tomorrow, I will transfer a huge sum of twenty million to your bank.”

The news gladdened Paula. She could not hide her excitement. “Thank you, sir.”

“But you will have to fulfil one condition.”

Paula was curious. “What condition, sir?”

The man was putting on an agbada and a cap. Paula watched him set his cap on one side, and strip off his agbada. He was undressing right before Paula, to her dismay.

“Chief, what are doing?”

“Getting ready for love making.”

“Love making? How do you mean?”

“That’s the only condition.”

He grabbed Paula by the wrist, but she broke off from his grip.

“Chief, this is insane!” she protested.

“Don’t tell me you are going to let this deal flop,” the man said.

“Sorry, you are old enough to be my father.”

“Insult!”

“How would you feel if I were your daughter?”

“Consider the deal cancelled.”

The man picked up his clothes, put them back on, and walked out on Paula, leaving her alone in the room.

Hours later, Paula stood before her boss, shivering as he yelled at her. The man was mad at her for failing to close the deal for the bank.

“How could you allow twenty million to slip away like that?”

“Sir, I did my best.”

“Keep quiet! You allowed twenty million to slip through your fingers over a flimsy excuse!”

“I am sorry, sir.”

“I will ensure your salary is delayed; not only that, I will personally supervise your removal from this bank."

It was difficult for her to turn in a resignation letter when she didn’t know where the next employment would come from. Mass unemployment in the country had crippled the labour market, leaving many roaming the streets with their certificates, hoping for manna to fall from Heaven. She returned to the dining room and cleared the table before going to bed. She turned off the light after she had said her prayer.

Paula woke up the next morning with exuberance and a renewed spirit. She was determined to close the account come what may. She started her day at the office in Alice's company. The two friends could never do without having a talk, even for a minute.

“Hello pal," Alice said. "Did you sleep well?”

“I didn’t sleep too well,” Paula said.

“I hope you didn’t allow yesterday’s issue bother you?”

“It did a little, but I have gotten over it now.”

The two friends, after exchanging pleasantries went their separate ways. Paula, in her office, settled to check her mailbox on the system for any message. Her boss had sent her a mail, and a couple other mails had entered her mailbox too. She read through and replied them all. She checked on her present performance on her portal. She grimaced.

Yetunde, a colleague seated at the opposite desk, caught her gesture. She was busy making-up. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Paula replied.

Yetunde had seen the mail because she had a copy as well. Some marketers had been placed on probation and Paula’s name was on the list.

“You are on probation,” she said.

“Yeah,” Paula replied.

“I know it’s because of the probation you are looking so awful this morning.” Yetunde would always try to get a word from Paula, especially when she was sad, not really because she cared, but because of their perceived rivalry at the office. All the pressures on the targets Paula was getting were due to Yetunde. Yetunde had no issue with the bank management because she was delivering her targets. She had a friend, a married man with three children, whom she followed about on his various trips and would ensure he made available all credit facilities to boost her cabal, and she would in turn satisfy his urge.

Yetunde had volunteered to help Paula, but she turned it down because she was not ready to compromise her belief because of money. Paula picked up her cell phone after Yetunde had left, and called Chief Albert to confirm the meeting for the day.

The chief had just finished showering. He had his towel strapped to his waist. He gulped down a glass of wine before answering the call. “Hello.”

“Hello, good morning chief. My name is Paula.”

“Paula, how can I help you?”

“I am the bank marketer you are expecting to close a deal with today. What time can we meet?”

“You are right, Paula. The appointment is fixed for 12 noon.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I will be waiting.”

“I will be there at the said time.”

Theo was going out for a morning walk. His wallet dropped to the floor unnoticed as he made his way through the entrance gate.

“Excuse me,” a voice called his attention.

He stopped as a hand touched his shoulder.

“Your wallet; it dropped, and you didn’t notice.” The Good Samaritan handed over the wallet to Theo.

“Thank you very much, sir,” Theo said.

“Don’t mention. I am Chief Albert Morris.”

“I am Theophilus Nzeribe.”

“I think I saw you once at the bar.”

“Really?” Theo asked

“Yeah.”

The men shook hands, and Chief Albert handed Theo his complementary card before they parted ways. Theo stared at the man and then at the card in his hand. He was shocked at the coincidence.

“He is Albert Morris."

Soon, Theo sat at the bar, drinking. He had not gotten over the shock of knowing that there was somebody bearing the same name he had falsified for himself, and the person lodged in the same hotel as he. Herbert Morris was the name he'd used to book his lodge.

“What if this man is a criminal? I could be apprehended in error, and I have booked the lodge for a year.” Theo was aware of the potential danger of not finding a solution to the new development. Gemini Hotel was not a very prominent hotel, but was located in a very serene environment. Theo had come with the intention to hide away from his family. To him, Gemini Hotel was the ideal place with its unsuspecting ambiance.

Paula drove to a halt at the hotel premises in the sunny afternoon. The sun was at about 600; the effect of global warming could not be wished away. She hopped out of the car and headed straight for the reception because she was late already.

Paula looked smart in her two-piece suit. She was a pretty, tall lady in her mid-twenties. With her model-like gait, her carriage was a delight to watch. She approached a young lady at the reception desk.

“Good afternoon,” Paula greeted, momentarily setting her file on the desk.

The lady who was not looking in Paula's direction soon got her attention. “Good afternoon, madam. How may I help you?”

“I have an appointment with Chief Morris Albert.”

“A second, please.”

The receptionist opened the visitors’ register for Paula to fill. She did that. The young lady looked through her computer for the data of the man Paula wanted to see. Paula waited patiently while the receptionist called the man on the phone.

“Please, madam, take the lift to room one-twenty-two on the first floor.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Paula picked up her file and walked away. The lady at the desk stared at Paula in admiration until she was out of sight, before she returned to the task on her desk.

Theo sat in his lodge reading a magazine, with a half-drunken glass of wine on his side-stool, and a soft song playing from the play system. The atmosphere of the room's interior was indeed cosy.

Hearing a knock at the door, he stood up to open the door, expecting to see one of the service girls bearing his lunch. Instead he found a stranger at the door. She was a pretty lady in a two-piece suit, with a welcoming smile on her face.

“Good day, chief.”

She did not wait to be welcomed before she walked inside. She tossed her file on the bed, and took off her suit, to Theo’s surprise.

“I am sorry I am late," she said. "The traffic was just much today.”

“Excuse me. How may I be of help to you?” Theo’s pulse had already ceased, and he could sense the temptation which was a work-in-progress.

“I am Paula, the bank representative.” She gulped down Theo's glass of wine and picked up the complementary card Theo had collected from Chief Morris. “You are Chief Morris Albert.”

“No—yes.” Theo was confused at the moment. No one knew him by that name. He was not sure what to do or say. Everything at the moment suggested he was the person she was looking for. He felt it was too early for him to get into trouble. No one knew him or his whereabouts.

Paula poured more wine for herself. “I am here to close the account. I am willing to play to the rule so everything can go smoothly.”

Theo watched her empty the glass again. She unbuckled her wristwatch and set it aside. She took off her shoes and unbuttoned her shirt.

Nkiru visited her parents in Delta State to inform them about the new development in her marriage. Theo’s sudden disappearance had left her desolate, coupled with her mother-in-law's many troubles. She needed to inform her parents of her plan to walk out of the marriage. She walked to the living room and advanced to a seat. Her mother who was already seated noticed her mood.

“Nkiru," the woman called. "You don’t look too good, and you are emaciating. What is the matter?”

Nkiru was not quick at giving her mother a reply due to her heaviness of heart.

“Don’t tell me you had another fight with Theo,” the woman said, concerned about her daughter.

Nkiru’s father walked in; he'd overheard his wife.

“What is it about, Nkiru?” He took his seat.

“Look at the face she is keeping," her mother said. "I have been asking her what the problem is, but she has refused to say a word.”

“It is Theo," Nkiru finally said. "Theo has left the house for the past three weeks.”

“Ehen!" her mother exclaimed. "Theo left the house? Where is he now?”

“I have no idea of his whereabouts, and my mother-in-law is not helping matters. She blamed me for her son’s disappearance and was calling me names.” Nkiru broke into a sob. She had known this would happen, that was why she had initially stayed silent. Her mother tried to console her.

Paula, having unbuttoned her shirt, walked up to Theo who stood fixated and she began cuddling him. She reached to unbutton his shirt.

He broke out of his spell. “Excuse me, what—what are you trying to do?”

“I beg your pardon, chief.”

She noticed his weak disposition. “You are nervous. Okay, I will take it calmly with you.”

“No, I am okay,” Theo said, breaking in between words, “It’s just that I have to be sure of the person I am dealing with.”

His excuses amused her. She moved away from him and poured herself another drink. She waved the bottle in a gesture that suggested she wanted more of it. She drank from the glass in her hand and said to Theo, “The bottle is empty.”

“I should get you more drink?”

“That would be nice of you. Please, do.”

Theo ordered for more drink.

Nkiru was still sobbing. Sniffling, she tried to wipe the tears in her eyes. Her mother shook her head in disbelief at the strange happenings in her daughter’s marriage.

“Nkiru, I know how hurt you are now," her father said. "But I want you to be patient with the situation. Let us hope your husband will return soon.”

“Papa, I don’t think I am returning to that house,” Nkiru protested.

“No, Nkiru," her mother said. "It is not yet ripe for such a decision. What would people say if you abandoned your husband’s house just like that? It doesn’t speak well of you.”

“I don’t care what people would say. It’s my life.”

“Nkiru, your mother is right,” her father said.

“You people want me to stay?”

“Let us hope Theo returns soon," her father said. "Then we shall know what step to take.”

“Don’t let us occupy our minds with your mother-in-law," her mother said. "It will appear you have reported her to us. Let us trust God to help resolve the matter.”

Nkiru could not say anything further. Instead, she looked on.

The hostess stood at Theo's door with the ordered drink. She knocked a couple of times, distracting Paula and Theo who were busy in foreplay on the bed. Theo vacated the bed and attended to the person at the door. He allowed the hostess set the drink on the table. Paula curled herself under the covers, and Theo returned to her the moment the service girl left. The two settled for a drink.

“Shall we close the deal now, chief?” Paula asked.

“Oh yes," Theo said. "What is the deal?”

“Chief, you stand a huge chance of enjoying a benefit of 20% interest if you invest as much as 200 million in my bank.”

She handed over some documents to Theo, and he flipped through them.

“Two hundred million!” he exclaimed. He didn't have such an amount in his bank account. “Where am I going to get that from?”

“Come on, chief you are worth a billion. Besides, you are going to benefit also.”

He could not understand the kind of trouble he was roping himself into. He hoped things didn’t go out of hand. Paula mistook his silence for his consent.

After their affair, they dosed off under the covers. Paula passed the night at the lodge unnoticed. The wine had made her tipsy. She could not hide her shock when she came out of sleep and discovered it was already dawn. She hurriedly dressed up. Theo was actually the one who had woke her up.

“What about the deal, chief?” she asked.

“What deal?” Theo asked.

“You haven’t signed the document.”

Theo signed the document against his wish. He wasn’t sure he could honour the bargain.

Paula was glad to see him sign the document. “What about the cheque?”

“The cheque,” he muttered. He hadn't thought of it. “Tell your boss I will come to the bank with the cheque. I have misplaced the cheque.”

Paula left, but not without a grumble. Theo breathed a respite after she had left. He had to think fast to get himself out of the mess he had involved himself in, lest she came back when he did not show up at the bank. His affair with Paula was a major mark of infidelity he regretted.