Breaking Point

I struggled the whole night with the decision. Should I meet the mystery caller or just block everything and move on with my life? By 6:30pm the next day, curiosity won again. I dressed in simple jeans and top, took one small pepper spray I bought years ago, and headed to the cafe near the estate gate.

The cafe was quiet. Only few people sitting outside. I ordered coffee and waited. At exactly 7pm, a man in his late thirties wearing black polo and cap sat opposite me. He looked around before speaking.

“You are brave to come. My name is Chinedu. I used to work with Emmy as his accountant before I resigned last year.”

He brought out his phone and showed me some documents. Bank transfers. Fake invoices. Money moved from the company to private accounts in different names.

“Emmy is not clean, Ada. The real estate business is just a cover. Him and one big politician dey run fraud together. Adanna found out and that was why she left. They paid her to keep quiet. Now, the politician wants more money and Emmy is under pressure. Ifeoma knows everything. She is not just a wife — she helps cover the tracks.”

My head was spinning. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I see the way you are moving close to him. And because they are planning to use you as scapegoat if anything goes wrong. One big deal is coming. If it fails, they need someone to blame.”

Before I could ask more questions, Chinedu stood up suddenly.

“I have to go. They are watching me too. Be very careful. Don’t trust anyone in that estate.”

He left quickly. I sat there for some minutes trying to process everything. When I finally stood up to leave, I noticed one black SUV parked across the road. The driver was looking in my direction.

I walked fast back to the estate. My heart was pounding. As I reached my block, Emmy was standing at my door waiting.

“Where are you coming from?” he asked. His voice was not as gentle as before.

“Out. Why?”

He stepped closer. “Ada, I heard you met someone. Listen to me. Chinedu is a liar. He stole money from my company and I fired him. He is the one trying to destroy me.”

I was shocked. How did he know I met Chinedu?

“Emmy, I need time to think. Everything is too much.”

He held my arm. “Don’t leave me now. I love you, Ada. I can fix this.”

His touch no longer felt sweet. It felt heavy. I pulled away and entered my house. That night, I cried. I cried for the mistake I made, for the man I thought I knew, and for my own foolish curiosity.

The next morning, my boss called me.

“Ada, there is a problem. One big client just pulled out because of some rumours about your personal life affecting the campaign. We need to talk when you come to the office.”

My heart sank. Ifeoma had started.

Later that day, my mother called from Surulere.

“Ada, some men came to the shop today. They said they are from tax office but they were asking plenty questions about you. Wetin dey happen?”

I couldn’t hold it anymore. I broke down on the phone.

Everything was falling apart.

As I was trying to calm myself, a new video entered my phone. This time it was me and Chinedu at the cafe. The message attached:

“You have 48 hours to leave the estate and stop all contact with Emmy. Or the next video goes to your office, your family, and the police.”

To be continued…