Tangled Web

The video of me and Emmy kissing in the garden changed everything. I watched it three times with my heart beating like drum. How did they get it? Who was following us? I felt exposed and stupid at the same time. All the warnings I ignored were now staring me in the face.

I called in sick to work the next day. I stayed indoors, thinking of what to do. Delete the video? Report to police? Talk to Emmy? None of the options felt safe. Around 11am, Emmy called me.

“Ada, I’m so sorry. Ifeoma is very angry but I have spoken with her. She won’t do anything rash. Please let’s meet and talk.”

“I can’t right now, Emmy. This is getting too much.”

He sounded desperate. “Please. I need you on my side. There are things happening in my business. Someone inside is trying to bring me down and they are using you to get to me.”

His words made me pause. Was I just a tool in a bigger game?

Later that afternoon, Tolu came to my house with food. She was not smiling.

“Ada, pack some of your things and come stay with me for few days. This estate is no longer safe for you.”

I refused. “I can’t run. I need to understand what is happening.”

That was when I made my biggest mistake. I decided to confront Ifeoma.

I went to their house in the evening. Emmy’s car was not there. Only Ifeoma’s white Mercedes was parked outside. She opened the door herself, wearing a long house gown, looking calm but dangerous.

“Come in,” she said.

We sat in their beautiful living room. She offered me juice but I refused.

“Ifeoma, I’m sorry about what you saw. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

She laughed softly. “Mistake? My dear, you are not the first girl Emmy has used this ‘I’m lonely’ story on. But you are the first one foolish enough to dig into his past. Adanna was smart. She took the money and left the country. You… you are still here asking questions.”

She stood up and brought out a file. Inside were printed screenshots of my searches, my calls to estate people, and even my conversation with Aunty Bose.

“I know everything, Ada. And I know about your family. Your mother’s shop. Your younger brother wey dey do NYSC. It would be sad if something happens to their peace because of your curiosity.”

My blood ran cold. “Are you threatening my family?”

“I am protecting my marriage,” she replied. “Stay away from my husband. Stop digging. Or I will make sure you lose everything you have worked for.”

I left their house shaking. As I was walking back to my apartment, Emmy’s car drove in. He saw me and quickly parked.

“Ada, what happened? Did you go to my house?”

I told him everything Ifeoma said. For the first time, I saw real fear in his eyes.

“She is capable of anything when she is angry. Her father has connections. Ada, I think we need to be very careful. But I don’t want to lose you.”

He tried to hold me but I stepped back. “Emmy, this is too much. I need space.”

That night, as I was trying to sleep, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. When I picked, a man’s voice spoke.

“Miss Ada Okoro, if you want to know the real truth about Chief Emeka Nwosu, meet me at the small cafe near the estate gate tomorrow by 7pm. Come alone. And delete this call from your log.”

The line went dead.

My curiosity, even with all the fear, was still burning.

To be continued…