The Sweet Taboo - Episode 1

 

Ayo steered his partner to a table close to the window The eatery was busy. Many mouths were munching, chewing, sipping, drinking, licking, or just chatting. It was a cozy place Ayo liked to frequent.

   'Fried rice and chicken?' It was easy for Ayo to guess. Ore always asked for that. He smiled at her face as he awaited her response.

   Ore nodded and smiled back . She winked in the you-should-know manner.  He sighed and went to join the short queue. He stood behind a voluptuous but pretty lady who smiled at him hopefully. Ayo smiled back and turned to cast his glance at the direction where Ore was seated. The smile went off the chubby lady as she got the message.

   His gaze shifted to the flat screen t.v. A horror scene gazed back at him.  A suicide bomber had detonated explosives and had taken over thirty lives. The reporter was obviously agitated as he gave the mordant reports.  Ayo shuddered briefly. He wondered when peace would return to North East region. Has mind wandered from the scene to something else. The line moved fast. It was his turn to be attended to. The fair sales girl smiled at him in what she hoped was a patronizing one. She had tooth gap in her denture, which reminded Ayo of his mother's own

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. He gave her the order. In a jiffy, the hot, spicy and tantalizing meal was brought. He paid for it and took the tray to the table where Ore was waiting.

He sat down beside her, looking excited.

   She looked gusty too. 'I can't wait to eat.' The smile still danced on her cheeks as she looked at the food approvingly.

   'Well, here we are.' He patted her on the left shoulder. Spoons, knives and forks soon went to work. They sipped their orange juice intermittently. There was silence from the two.

   'Darling, I hope you've not forgotten my birthday.' She paused briefly to turn to him.

   He grinned. 'Of course, I've not. How would I forget it?'

   Indeed there was no way he would forget; not with her persistent reminder. Ayo had met her about six months ago. She was a final year undergraduate student at the Lagos University. Ayo had met her at the corridor of the office of the Dean of the faculty of Social Science, after he had just interviewed the dean.

  He had not wasted time in making his amorous intention known to her. Ayo was, of course, married with two children. At forty two, he still had a lot of zeal about life and his career. To him, Ore was one of the side attractions he needed to 'spice up' life. Ore did not mind his marital status.  He seemed to be handsome, kind and generous; and that was all that mattered.

   He munched his chicken rather noisily. It would be a big understatement to say that the food was not bad. He and Ore were truly satisfied after the delicious meal.

   'You enjoyed the food?' It was an unnecessary question but he still felt like asking it.

   Ore nodded. 'Sure I did. It was very delicious.'

   He nodded too and squeezed her hand.  Just then, his phone rang. It was Alfred Idowu, his publisher and employer calling.

   He winked at Ore. 'It's my oga patapata.' Then, he received the call.

   'Hello sir. Good day, sir.' Ayo listened to the caller for a moment.

   'I'm with a friend, sir.' He listened again for more seconds. His face became grave.

   'Alright, sir. I'll be there later this evening,' After few more seconds, he thanked the man again and hanged up.

   'My boss says he will like to see me in the office. Says it's rather urgent.'

   Ore's beautiful face knitted into a frown.  'But today is Saturday!' She glanced at her watch. 'And this is after five o'clock. You're still going to the office at this hour?'

   He nodded in understanding. 'That's the nature of my job, my dear. Journalism is one hell of a job, especially when one works for a daily tabloid and is holding the position that I hold.'

   He grinned to reassure her, even as she still made a face. The call he received meant further interaction with Ore would be suspended for now. He had hoped to take her to the small hotel where he normally took her. From all indications, that would have to wait till another time. Idowu wasn't a man to ignore. If he said he wanted to see you, so be it.

Raymond went on his knees. It was a few minutes to six p.m. and it was time he started his prayers. Since morning, he had been fasting. It was the sixth day of fasting.  Now, his purpose of doing that might be amusing to many people. He was not fasting to ask for anything from God; rather he was making the effort just to thank the almighty One.

   As usual, he would start with worship songs before graduating to praise songs. The prayers of thanksgiving would end it all. He felt glad as he observed all these.  He always felt gladdened to serve the Lord. Since he heard the call of God and started the ministry about five years ago, he had had a lot of challenges along the way, but there were fulfillment too. In fact, there were great fulfillment. He had risen from relative obscurity to fame, honor and reverence. Many people had come to know Pastor Raymond Olufemi as a young, fearless and powerful man of God.

   By ten after six, he rounded up his prayers and sat on the executive chair in his office. He could hear sound of music coming from the church auditorium. It was a Saturday and the choir was having rehearsals for the Sunday service.

   His wife had already brought the food he would take.  He opened the flask to eat his meal. He only ate a little. What he really needed was water. He closed the flask and brought a plastic water bottle out.

   He pressed the intercom button. Titi, his personal assistant came in.

   'Yes, sir?' Her voice sounded like a person much younger, almost like a teenager.  She was a short, slim and a delicate looking lady.

   'I'm ready now to receive any visitor.' He sipped little more water from the bottle.

   'Yes, sir. Actually, you have two visitors - a man and a woman.'

   He nodded. 'Let the first one come in.'

   'Yes, pastor.' Titi, the cool and efficient P.A went out of the office as smoothly as she had come. Few moments later, an important looking female visitor was ushered into the office.

   'Good evening, pastor.' She was reverent. The tall, big woman smiled at him courteously.

   'Good evening, madam. Sorry to have kept you waiting.'

   The woman's smile became widened. 'I can understand, pastor.'

   'Please, sit down.'

   The woman adjusted a seat before resting her big frame on it.

   'Pastor, you don't know me, but I've heard a lot about you. I've heard about how God is using you for his mighty works. There have been many testimonies about you.'

   Raymond nodded modestly. 'To God be the glory. I'm just a vessel in his hands.'

   'Yes, we must indeed thank God.' She cleared her throat. 'I'm Chief Mrs. Gloria Meshaga. My husband is the famous politician, Chief Edwin Meshaga.'

   Raymond nodded. 'I see.'

   Chief Edwin Meshaga was indeed a famous man. He was the chairman of the board of trustees of the ruling political party. People knew him as a very crafty and smart politician.

   'You're welcome, madam. What can I do for you?'

Ayo drove his SUV into the premises of I-News building complex. The clock on the dashboard showed the time to be few minutes to seven o 'clock. He got down from the car, locked it and walked briskly into the building. He was the political editor of the national newspaper. He had joined the newspaper soon after his national graduate service. From a political reporter, he had risen to become the political desk editor. It was not easy but he had braved the odds.

   He took the staircase to the first floor where the publisher and the ebullient Chief Executive had his expansive office. Alfred Idowu was not just a publisher, he was a man of connections and great influence. He wined and dined with the mighty ones in the society, up to the President and Grand Commander of the armed forces.

   Ayo opened the anteroom of the Chief Executive office. The office was cold, courtesy of the split air-conditioner. The ever busy secretary was at work. She smiled up at him.

   'The chief has been expecting you.'  Her eyes searched him. She adjusted her glasses.

    Ayo's smile was apologetic.  'Is he in the office now?'

    She nodded and gestured towards the door to his office. 'He's expecting you.'

   When Ayo entered the office, Idowu was on the phone. Ayo curtsied. The man paused from listening on the phone and gestured that Ayo should sit down. Ayo nodded and sat comfortably. The office was colder than the anteroom. Ayo would have preferred that it should not be that cold. He searched the office with his eyes. Many plaques and trophies were on display. I-News was certainly hot in laurels.

   Idowu finished the conversation and cut the line.

   'Ayo Ariyo, how do you do?'

   'I'm fine, sir.' Ayo shook the hand that was extended to him.

   'How's our political beat?'

   Ayo nodded. 'It's getting more intriguing and interesting every day, sir. The ruling party affirms that good governance is going on, but the leading opposition party says the reverse is the case. It's a season of politicking.'

   Idowu nodded too. He looked at the young man intently. 'Let me start by saying that I've looked into your profile keenly. You have been a good journalist with keen nose for news. You have written many exposé. Your editing is thorough while your columns are incisive.'

   Ayo felt honored. 'Thank you, sir.'

   'I'm impressed by your sterling performance. I have a deal for you, Ayo.'

   Ayo sat upright. 'A deal?'

   Idowu breathed in deeply and smiled. 'Yes, a deal. It's a deal that will mutually benefit the two of us.'

   Ayo was curious. What kind of deal could that be? He braced himself.

   'My good friend, the Minister of Communications and IT wants a Special Assistant on mass and social media. I'm thinking of recommending you for the job.'

   Ayo was very attentive. The import of what his boss said hit him and he broke into a smile. 'That's a good deal, sir. I'm grateful.'

   Idowu raised his hand to stop him. 'That's not the deal. That's just the proposition.'

   Ayo stared at him. His mind raced in frenzy. Well, what was the deal?

   Idowu seemed to enjoy the keenness and anticipation of his employee. He smiled again. 'This is the deal. Upon your acceptance of the proposition, you will agree to remit forty percent of your income to me. Forty percent of all your earnings from that office. You will also protect my interests, including my business. That is the deal.'

   Ayo appeared to think over it. He mused briefly over the keywords  - remittance, forty percent, protect interests.

   'Perhaps you want to think over it.' Idowu opened his diary. 'I'll give you up till tomorrow afternoon. By Sunday noon, you must communicate your acceptance or rejection of the offer to me.'

   Ayo smiled warmly. 'There's nothing to think about, sir. I gladly accept the offer.'

   Idowu smiled knowingly. 'That's very smart of you.' He extended his hand for a handshake again. 'Congrats.'

   'Thank you, sir.'

   Idowu nodded. 'You're welcome. There's one more thing. When will you be available for the swearing?'

   'You mean the oath of office? As soon as possible, sir. Anytime. If I get the letter of employment from the Minister today, I will be ready to travel to Abuja right now.'

   Idowu broke into a laughter. Then, he became serious and looked sternly.  'I'm not talking about oath of office. I'm talking of oath of allegiance to me.' He touched his chest earnestly.

   Ayo stared briefly and blinked rapidly. 'Well, I didn't ...'

   Idowu butted in. 'There must be personal oath of allegiance to me.

Read " The Sugar Mum " by the same author ( LoveToRead )

. It's a precondition to the deal.'

   'I understand, sir.' Ayo nodded in agreement. If the man would need an oath before he could trust him, that should not be a problem or a barrier. Was  it not about averring that he would keep his own side of the bargain?

   Ayo smiled.  'That will not be a problem sir. I will be ready for the oath anytime.'

   'That's another smart thinking from you.' Idowu moved his head approvingly.  'You know my house, don't you?'

   'Yes, I do.'

   'Let's meet there tomorrow by ten p.m.'

   Ayo's brows went up. 'You mean ten, in the morning, sir?'

   The boss shook his head. 'No, I mean ten in the night.'

   He stood up. Ayo stood up too.

   'You must not fail to be there at the appointed time.' For the third time that evening, Idowu extended his hand for a handshake. 'Once again, congrats, Ayo. See you tomorrow.'

   Ayo was all smiles. 'Thank you, sir. God bless you.'