After packing my car far away from the mansion, I rested my head on the steering wheel thinking if I had seen it right.
Like I don't understand anymore!
How on earth was that possible? How did Henry end up being Jeremy? Because he was one. My boss, my lover.
I snorted and began crying. I was a total fool! Henry used me. Made me feel important while I was just a tool for him. I didn't understand how Henry managed to play Jeremy, but yeah, he did it well. Perfectly. No sign at all.
All my life I had always thought I wouldn't amount to anything, but being a gangster proved otherwise. Jeremy proved otherwise! Just when I had thought things were looking better for me. Knowing who my biological parents were, meeting my dad, justice for Joe, a confession made to Jeremy and a hope for good things to happen gradually, only for bad things to happen. Bisola's death, Henry's secret and now what again?
The pain of being used hurt me to the core that I cried out, hitting the steering wheel with my head in anguish. That idiot used me well. Both with assignments and sex! So all the true love I thought I saw in his eyes was fake? He wasn't even honey-eyed like I thought. Damn, I loved those fake eyes! How did his real eyes turn from black to honey? "Contact lenses! Scumbag!!"
How on earth didn't I see any sign?
Oh my, the security man was right. Henry was new to the house. He got a house for us. That also explained his reaction when I told him about me being a gangster! He was furious and yet he still forgave me. He even suggested I run away. Could he have meant that? No, not the Henry I knew. The ever-serious one. Charged with authority and duties. Just how many lies had he fed to me?
Well, that was it then. It was over. What more could I do? My life was messed up already, thanks to Henry. I had broken the rules already. Rule number eight, I had gone into the mansion that was prohibited for us. Rule number ten, I already revealed the secret to Henry himself because I thought he was someone else and right at the moment, I didn't think it was bad to break one more rule again. Rule number eleven, no backing out once in. But I would back out alive. I had to save myself. With all the rules I had broken already, I was sure I was going to get the consequences. Funny how I was the last gangster in the group and the first to back out alive.
I was tired of it. Ever since the day I killed my uncle myself, I hadn't been at peace with myself much. So no, I wouldn't allow any rule to take my joy away. Any little hope left in me.
I wiped my tears away and thought I had to stop pitying myself and toughen up. The pain had been caused and couldn't be reversed. The deed had been done. The next plan was to change my clothes to clean ones. And wash my face with a bottle of water I saw in my car.
I made sure I tried my best to look as clean as possible. Some minutes later, I took my bag with me and ditched my car with the key in it. It was just me and my clothes.
Walking long distances was something I was used to, not because I wanted to, but because I had no choice if I wanted to go to school.
I caught sight of Victoria's house and sighed. I had been a bad friend. Vicky had always wanted to stay in touch but I hadn't let that happen because of work and responsibilities and because I was having a hard time. I breathed in and out calmly, rang the bell and waited patiently. I had to make them think I was unbothered.
Could Mrs Bosco still be serving them? The door opened and a woman... Oh yeah, it was Mrs Bosco. She looked older. She opened the big gate and asked me who I wanted to see. She didn't recognise me a bit. "Hello, Mrs Bosco. I'm here to see Victoria's dad. I'm Tosin, Vicky's old friend from school." I gave her a quick hug.
"Oh my! You are so grown up. Look at you!" She smiled and hugged me.
"Is he home? Mr Phillip?"
"Of course, with his wife," Mrs Bosco said and led the way.
After meeting Phillip's parents, we exchanged pleasantries and I cut to the chase. I told them I needed their help.
"We were about to have lunch when we heard the doorbell ring, come join us, so we can discuss."
"Thank you, sir."
_________________
We served ourselves and settled to eat.
Manners first, don't devour like a hungry cow. I cautioned myself. I didn't want them to think I was suffering to have gone on hunger strike.
"So tell me, what can we help you with?"
I sipped my water and smiled fakely. I didn't know how my request was going to sound in their hearing, but it was better I knew on time to know where I stood and what the next plan was. "I need you to help me get to Vicky in your private jet, sir."
Vicky had told us during the time we spent together at school that her father owned a private jet and flew her to the sky by himself to look around. My besties and I couldn't believe it but she showed us pictures to prove us wrong.
The Phillips temporarily stared at me without a word and I suddenly lost my little hope left. "How..." Mrs Phillip was going to talk but closed her mouth. She hadn't aged much compared to how I first saw her when I was a teenager.
"I'm sorry, Vicky told me."
"No, it's fine. No problem. Is it important? With your friends?"
"Oh, no. Just me." I smiled. Okay, this was going to be good.
"Where are they? Both Bisola and Toyin?" Mrs Phillip asked.
"You remember their names?" I was quite impressed.
"Of course. Why not?" She laughed. "Whenever Victoria calls, she asks for your three. She missed you all. She came home one time like this and decided to check on you three. She said Toyin and Bisola moved, and that she didn't know where you lived. What's wrong with you all? Aren't you all communicating?"
"Honestly, I didn't allow Victoria to know my house because I didn't want her to know I had complications in my family. It wasn't just her, it was with everyone else. Except for Toyin and Bisola who knew from scratch what I was passing through. There were a lot of things I went through then and still going through."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Mrs Phillip touched my hand.
"Yeah. But we do communicate. Just not like before. I missed her."
"So what about Toyin and Bisola?" Victoria's dad asked.
"They are fine." I couldn't say something like Bisola was dead because I knew they were going to ask a lot of questions and then I would say what? She died of cancer? Heartbreak! Actually, I would say it was part of it. Her heart was probably weakened from all the pain. Physically she was getting strong, but emotionally, she was barely healing. A lot had happened to her too and I wondered how her parents were going to take the news.
"Where are they now?"
"Now?" I found myself asking unexpectedly. "Ugh... Toyin is at work. She worked in an NGO. An organisation that deals with helping abused women."
"That's amazing. And Bisola?" Mr Phillip asked.
"She writes stories." That was partially the truth, only that she used to, not anymore. And thinking about it now, Bisola was working on a story she wouldn't allow anyone to glimpse at. She had said she would show us when she was done writing, but that wouldn't be happening because someone had to finish the story for her.
Definitely not me, I could brainstorm, alright, but Toyin would write it. She was a songwriter and I didn't think she was going to find it hard to write a novella or novel, whichever one Bisola was working on.
But right now with the situation, I didn't think any of us would want to start writing to complete the story when we had our mess to take care of first. Especially mentally.
But I promise you, Bisola, we will do this to honour your bravery even till your death.
"And what about you?"
"Me," I smiled. How unfair to make up a sad story for my already sad life. "That's why I need your help, sir. I couldn't go further into college because of inadequate finance. And for years, I had been working for monthly salaries which were not paying me at all. There was a time I left my family to stay on my own, but living got hard.
Sometimes, I sell out my art for money that isn't worth the value of the art. Then I thought if I could get you to help fly abroad, my art would be recognised, if not, at least the money I get from selling would be sufficient enough to be sent home to my parents and siblings. Please, help me, sir. I need to work. I don't have much as a woman. My family is looking up to me to feed them."
Should I fake tears? No, I have cried enough. I just had to look desperate to get help.
"I understand your plight. I will help you. In fact, Victoria will be glad you are coming. I should tell her."
"No, sir! Let's surprise her."
"Oh, alright, hmm... Do you have a passport?"
"No, sir." Thank God! My hope was coming up gradually. I actually had a passport in existence but nah, that wouldn't work. I had to prevent myself from being tracked by the gangs.
Telling him I had a passport was going to show my travelling history of when I was abroad with the gangs for fun and I didn't want them to know, so a new one was all I needed.
"Oh, alright. You get one tomorrow then. That will be the first thing tomorrow morning. And possibly we will take our leave on that day with a friend of mine. He can help you get your passport ready for me, how about that?"
I bobbed my head in gratitude. "Perfect, sir. Thank you so much."
"It's nothing, honey. We are happy to do this for you. You guys made my Vicky so happy. But you know your going now wouldn't be for long. You have to go and come back before you can finally move there," Mrs Phillip said with a smile.
I nodded, smiling.
"We already planned on going to see a friend that just lost someone close to him after having lunch, I hope you wouldn't mind us leaving you here for a while," Mr Phillip said as he stood up with his wife.
"No problem, sir. Mrs Bosco is here."
"Feel free, honey," Mrs Phillip gave me a peck on the cheek before they took their leave.
Patiently with my ears strained, waited for the front door to close and the car roared to life before I exhaled heavily and devoured my food like a hungry cow.