The S**tape - Episode 1

 

Behind every seemingly happy family in public lies their one too many struggles in the private. Suffice to say every family is only stage managing their problems as a lot of fights goes on in the background but in the midst of friends and family, they have to put the fights behind them and put up a show. Study has revealed and there is both scientific and spiritual biblical evidences backing it up.

  But the same could not be said for the Andersons, who seem to be fighting both in the public and behind the scene . A marriage of sixteen years which has produced three children has been facing a struggle of keeping the family together and they seem to be failing at it.

  Mr Robert Anderson, a forty five year old man is the current senior special assistant to the governor on media, a job he seemed destined and made for having spent the last two decades climbing the ranks, first as a columnist, a broadcaster, editor and editor in chief of one of the leading media house in the country. Therefore, three years ago when the state governor invited him to serve, he accepted without delay. And even though the perks of being the SSA to the governor makes it worth the while regardless of the stress and lack of personal time, nevertheless, he enjoys his job and he has always defended his principal to the best of his abilities.

 His wife on the other hand, Helen is a thirty five year old Deputy branch manager in one of the most popular new generation banks in the country. As an innovative bank leading in technology, the bank believes a lot in the youths and therefore, every vacancy is filled with fresh graduates who are knowledgeable in just about anything and everything

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-sextape

. But one question on the mind of everybody is the meteoric rise of Mrs Helen from a common cashier to an assistant branch manager within the space of a few years. Even though the banking sector in Nigeria since inception believes in a special power known as ‘bottom power’ where women trades their body in exchange for promotion and favours on the job and men are also said to be involved in buying their ways a few times. But everyone attributes Mrs Helen Anderson’s rise to her husband's position as an aide to the governor, and not just any aide, a top ranking one at that.

  The marriage was blessed with three children, fifteen year old twins;  Christopher and Christina and a ten year old Debra. Being a man of principle, Robert ensured that his children get the best education they could in top Nigerian schools as he believed that the system who made him can as well do the same to his children.

  A marriage of pure and peaceful bliss turned sour five years ago when Robert ventured into politics, a decision which his wife still found difficult to come to terms with, because according to her; as his partner, he should have seemed her opinion and not just throw away all his credibility as one of the most respected columnist in the country to take up a job in politics. After all, one thing is for sure, a columnist who gets involved in partisan politics will have his credibility questioned as it is believed that all his write up will be bias. The couple have weathered the storm for five years and now it seems impossible to go on with it. Even though divorce hasn't crossed their minds yet or maybe it has.

   It was Christmas and the children are back at home for the holidays. The twins who only have the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to write and Debra who has the common entrance examination to sit for.

     “Debby, call your brother for me.” Helen who is on leave from the office said to her youngest daughter who was playing a brick game on the family computer in the living room.

 The ten year old girl left the living room for upstairs where Christopher’s room is located.

    “Tina, set the table.” Helen said to her eldest daughter who was assisting her with the cooking.

    “Okay mum.” Tina replied.

Five minutes later, the table was set and everyone was sitting, waiting for lunch to be served.

   “Debra, pray.” Helen said to her last daughter who proceeded to say the prayer.

   “Amen!” They all chorused at the end.

 Christopher looked around as his mother shared the food. “Where is dad?” He asked.

     “In the living room.” Debra replied.

     “Won't he be joining us?” He asked again.

     “He will when he is ready.” His mother replied.

    “Oya, Deb go and tell him lunch is served.” Christopher said to his little sister who reluctantly stood up.

     “Sit down there!” Their mother thundered much to the delight of the little girl who wanted anything but to be separated from her food.

      “But Mum, why?” Chris asked. “We used to eat as a family before unless dad is not at home, why are we eating without him today even when he is at home?”

      “Don't worry my boy, dad is going out already.” Robert’s voice came on as he descended the stairs. “I told your mum not to include me in the settings.” He added as he came into view.

      “But why?” Tina spoke for the first time.

     “His Excellency just called me now, urgent state situation.” He replied.

     “But you said you will spend the whole day with us?”

     “Yeah, but this is work and I can't say no to my boss.” He replied.

     “At the expense of family?” Tina asked.

Of course not my princess. Job is temporary and family is permanent. Let me do the job now so that when our tenure ends, I will enjoy the permanence with my family.” He explained with a smile at the same time he bent down behind his wife, probably to give her a peck. As if waiting for him, Helen stood up at that moment, evading the peck at the sane time. “Alright see you guys later.” With this, he hurried out of the dining room into the living room where he grabbed his car key and off he left the house.

VENUE: Lagos state Governor's office

After passing through the security clearance, Robert was admitted into the complex which houses the office of the executive governor of Lagos state among other offices.

    “One word Mr Robert.” Reporters who flooded the state house on a daily basis quickly attacked him. “What is the state doing about the issue of flooding?” “I heard his excellency is going for a second term, how true is this?” “ In light of the recent kidnap of several Lagosians, what is the governor doing about this?”

 Robert who knows his job description starts immediately he enters the complex or even outside the complex set to work. “The ministry of environment have identified the cause of the flood and solutions have been proffered, work would start on the control of water before weeks end. And on your part, tell the people to keep their wastes away from water channels.” He replied and all the reporters laughed. “On the issue of a second term, I do not have information about his Excellency’s plans or ambition. And like I said, it is his ambition, for now it is personal. But if peradventure he is going to run, you guys will be informed.”

   “Has he done enough to make the people vote him for a second term?” Someone asked.

   “Trust me he has. You guys spend most of your days in this complex not on the street. I live on the streets, I know the feeling.” His response attracted another round of laughter.

    “And on the issue of kidnapping, we are on top of the situation and that is all I have for you. Thank you.” With this he made to leave the corridor as a police escort could be seen approaching with a smartly dressed secret service agent.

    “Mr Robert, can I have a one on one with the governor?” A voice asked.

 The entire corridor fell silent as all eyes turned to face the owner of the voice. There he is, a young man who could not be more than twenty five year old.

      “Who do you represent young man?” Robert asked.

      “Independent.” The young man replied confidently.

      “Okay I will see to that.” Robert replied.

      “No way Robert, you promised me an exclusive since two years ago,I still haven't gotten it.” One of the reporters said.

      “Hassan, you know your time will come soon, don't you?”

With this, Robert left the corridor with the security escort into the elevator where his secretary awaits him to debrief him on the agenda for the day.

Even though the job is a stressful one, how much he loved it.