"Femi, if what Fola said is really true, then it means she can't go. Rachel won't hesitate to kill her for what she did", Bolu remarked.
"We can't be so sure", Femi replied convincingly.
"Let's not risk her life if that is case. I will just have to accept my fate. Besides, we don't even have the ransom they requested for", Mrs. Balogun commented.
"Mummy, I will call my dad for help. The money isn't the problem but how to go about saving both Ire and Fola from those criminals", Bolu said picking up her phone and moving out.
"Tell him I am willing to sell the house to him if he can help us raise the money", Ire's mother shouted after Bolu who was already out of the room.
Her father picked at the second ring. "Daddy, how are you doing?"
"I am doing great", her father replied.
Fola laughed and said: "Dad, you and this your 'I am doing great.""
She noticed her father was fond of using the sentence: "I am doing great" in virtually all of his conversations ever since he joined the organization of the "Good Life Project".
She wondered if it was a cult and even voiced it out to her father who smilled and said it wasn't.
"No matter the challenges you are going through in life, you should always feel great my darling. Wahala no dey finish."
"Yes dad I love you for being strong for us."
"I love you more. Even if I don't want to be strong, I need to be strong for you and your brother", he replied.
"How is mummy doing?", Bolu asked.
"She is doing great too", her father answered.
"I'm sorry for walking out on you. I was mad at you for keeping everything away from me... From us", she apologized.
"I was considering your feelings. I want you to be strong for us and for Biodun too. You have been a mother figure to him ever since he was born. He needs you. Fola also played a big role in his life. I'm sure he sees you two like his mother since he barely sees his biological mother", her father said.
"That is even why I called", Bolu uttered.
"Why did you call?", he asked.
"Because of Fola. We are in need of 5 million naira for something urgent", she said.
"What! What do you need such a huge amount of money for?", her father asked her.
"A friend of Fola was kidnapped. The lady Fola had a fight with 3 years ago in her place of work is the prime suspect for the kidnap and they are asking for a ransom of 5 million naira", Bolu explained.
"Bolu, you know that money is much. Where do you want me to get it from?"
"Dad I know you have it. Your organization is pumping money into your pocket. Dad I know you can afford it."
"You know we need money for your mother's....."
"I know daddy, you are our only hope. Fola and the boy's mother are in a very bad shape", Bolu exaggerated.
"Alright I will think about it and see what I can do."
"Dad we don't have time. Fola will take the money to them tomorrow", she told her father.
He asked: "Have you informed the police about it? Don't let her go alone, it's risky."
"Yes, Femi is here with us. The guy's mother is willing to sell the house to raise the money. You can just buy the house instead."
"Alright. I will send you the money before nightfall."
"I love you Daddy, thank you and God bless you."
"My regards to Folake. Tell her to stay safe and that I love her too", he responded.
"Alright daddy, bye."
"Where is my son?", he inquired.
"He is at aunt's house."
"Ok bye", she ended the call and went back inside.
"Fola", Mrs. Obed sobbed as she called her daughter who was looking into space.
"Don't worry mummy Folake, she won't go. I know and understand your fears", Mrs. Balogun assured her.
"Femi, this is a trap. Rachel wants Fola to come for veageance and I am very sure she won't spare any of them. Even if she has to go, you need to go with her and the other police officers too to protect her", Bolu chipped in.
"She warned us from involving the police", Mrs. Balogun said.
"Femi say something", Bolu told him as she shook him.
"Fola", Femi called.
"Ire said they would kill him whether we pay or not, what do we do?", Fola said looking up.
"Do you know any of Rachel's relatives apart from her mother?", Femi asked her and she shook her head.
He quickly dip his hand into his pocket to bring out his phone as he stood to go out. He came back few minutes later and met them all seated in silence.
He broke the silence as they all raised their head.
"Fola will be going", he announced.
"No", Fola's mother responded.
"Mum I will go with her. But before then, we are going to take Rachel's mother into custody. I want to go and meet my colleagues so we can go to her house. I hope she hasn't absconded yet."
"Does it mean Mr. Garba is innocent", Fola's mother asked.
"We can't say for now. I need to go now. I will be back soon. Fola, stay the night here, we have a lot to discuss and do over night", he said picking up his carkeys.
"Alright", Fola responded in a low tone.
He pecked Bolu on the forehead and left.