The years that followed saw Nneka lead a very peaceful life. There was no ghost to deal with anymore. Chike's soul had been assuaged and he had rested in peace. Nneka had really bounced back to life. The family business she managed had suffered a major setback during her doomsdays but now that she was back to life, the business had started picking up once again. And judging by the rate of growth, they would soon outdo their former peak.
Her husband was equally doing well in his insurance business. It seemed all the big companies in town wanted to do business with Pacific insurance. The company's clientele had grown astronomically and Nneka could attribute it to the new wave of popularity her husband enjoyed. His profile started soaring when Chike's case was reopened and blossomed when Chike got justice. Sam played a very big role in the case. At a time, he carried on as though it was his own case. At last chike got justice albeit posthumously but it was Sam that won the popularity.
The fact that Sam built a foundation in Chike's honour with the compensation the family received, further portrayed him as a humanitarian. He had suggested to Nneka that it would be nice to honour Chike by building a foundation in his name. Nneka had jumped at the idea and within a year, the foundation was commissioned by Mr. President. The foundation was aimed at ensuring justice for all since that was what Chike stood for.
Sam reasoned that the best way to ensure people got justice was to give them quality education. An educated man would always fight for his right. The current government had done a lot in the educational sector but government could not do it alone. So the foundation was designed to award scholarships to indigent but brilliant and enthusiastic students. So far one hundred students from all parts of the country were benefitting and many more would benefit with time. There was no discrimination or favoritism in selecting the beneficiaries. Merit was the watchword.
Apart from securing justice for Chike and building a foundation in his memory, people were also impressed that Sam adopted chike's parents as his own and took care of them till they died. He equally gave them befitting burials. Even his enemies would agree that Sam had a heart of gold. There was no doubt that he was a trustworthy man. And only trustworthy men could succeed in the insurance industry.
Ikem and Princess had grown into adulthood and Nneka couldn't be happier. They were now more mature and responsible unlike during their teenage days. Teenage period was the most difficult for parents to handle. Teenagers were very inquisitive. They were adventurous. They would want to walk, run, swim and fly, all at the same time. They would want to climb the mountain tops and descend into the valleys. They were ready to explore and exploit. Nothing was out of bounds as far as they were concerned.
Nneka was happy that her children had grown past this sensitive age group. But she was frightened by the fact that her son had grown to be every inch like Chike. In fact he was Chike's carbon copy. Anyone that knew Chike wouldn't think twice before believing that Ikem was a product of his wild oat. She hated that her secret was staring her in the face on daily basis. Even though tongues weren't wagging anymore, her conscience was torturing her terribly. Wouldn't it be better to confide in Sam? That would heal her conscience but she was mindful of the calamity such a move would bring to her family. It would definitely shatter her family.
"Oh my God!" she cried aloud. "Why did Chike put me in this difficult situation?"
"Are you talking to me, honey?" Sam asked as he walked into the bedroom. He had been in his study since morning. His company would be having her annual general meeting, this time, in Nigeria instead of Ghana. So, he was saddled with the responsibility of organizing the event. That was the first time he would organize an event of such magnitude and it hadn't been easy for him. Though he hired an event planner, he still had to supervise her every move. Apart from organizing the event, he had to prepare an annual report of the company's business activities in Nigeria for the past one year. Pacific insurance company had expanded impressively in Nigeria. It started with a branch located in Lagos but now there were branches across the thirty-six states including Abuja, the federal capital territory. In fact, there were more than five branches in Lagos alone. Preparing an annual report for the Nigerian company was therefore no longer an easy task. Nneka and Ikem were helping but uneasy laid the head that wore the crown.
Nneka raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Did I talk now?" she knew she talked aloud but was shocked that it was loud enough for Sam to hear. She just hoped that he didn't understand what she said.
Sam walked across the room to the bed where she sat with her laptop on her laps and squatted before her. "Are you alright?" he asked in a voice filled with concern.
"Yes? Why?" she tried to smile but her facial muscles failed her. She was apprehensive. No doubts about that.
"Because you look worried," Sam said softly. "And you now talk to yourself a lot and also speak in your sleep."
"I talk in my sleep?" Nneka panicked. Who knew what she said in her sleep? What if she had leaked her secret and Sam was only pretending, waiting for more details? Even as she considered that possibility, her instinct told her that Sam didn't know anything. If he heard something and wanted more details, he wouldn't have mentioned that she spoke in her sleep. That would make her more cautious and Sam wasn't a fool. She heaved a sigh of relief after convincing herself that her secret was safe.
"Yes," he nodded severally. "It has happened about three times."
"Really? What did I say?" she wanted to confirm that she hadn't let out her secret.
"The words were always difficult to decipher but on one occasion I heard you mention Chike's name," Sam said with a smile and Nneka's heart skipped a beat because what she saw on Sam's face wasn't a smile but a sneer. Did Sam actually sneer at her or was it her imagination? If Sam actually sneered at her, then there was trouble but she quickly realized that it was her mind's eye that saw a sneer. What was on Sam's face was a genuine smile.
"I think you need some rest," Sam said, breaking into her thought. "We will go on vacation the moment this AGM is over. But in the meantime, you need to stay off work for now, please."
Nneka answered with a nod. Vacation wouldn't be a bad idea. Apart from according her the rest and recreation she deserved, it would also take her son out of sight. And that would somehow reduce her anxiety because if she saw less of him, she would think less of her past.
As planned, the annual general meeting held on the 15th of December. It was a huge success. In fact, it succeeded beyond expectations and Sam couldn't be more excited and impressed. The guests were equally impressed not just with the organization of the event but also with the quality of services provided by Pacific Insurance Company. The company was recently declared the best insurance company in Nigeria by the regulatory body. Quality services meant more customers and more customers meant more income. And that was evident in the profit after tax declared by the company. And more profit meant more dividends for investors. Pacific Insurance was a public liability company with many shareholders. Nonetheless, Mr. Ado and Sam owned over sixty percent of the company's shares. Therefore the company technically belonged to the duo. Sam managed the company in Nigeria while Mr. Ado managed the one in Ghana. They knew that the only way to grow the business was to provide quality services which would in turn bring in more profit. This way, shareholders would smile to the bank just as they would, shortly.
With the meeting over, Sam felt so relieved. He was relaxing in his bar, sipping a brandy and chatting with his business partner. He had invited Mr. Ado, his wife and children for a dinner the day after the AGM. Mrs. Ado and her children unlike Mr. Ado were visiting Nigeria for the first time and Sam felt it would be nice to host them to a dinner. They had just finished with their meals, so the old men sat at the bar for a chat while sipping brandy.
"I think we should split the company," Mr. Ado said suddenly. "Remember that we went into this partnership because you needed some level of support to succeed. You have not only succeeded, you have taken over the insurance industry in Nigeria. In fact, you are doing better than the parent company in Ghana." He paused for a while and then sighed. "I am planning to retire. I think I have paid my dues. My children can continue from where I stopped. They have mastered the business even better than I." He paused again, as he sipped his brandy. He coughed briefly and then continued. "It would have been nice to continue to run the companies in Nigeria and Ghana as one but I fear that our children might not enjoy the kind of understanding we shared. They might not understand that the bond between us is beyond business partnership. So, to prevent future misunderstanding with its attendant squabbles, it would be better to spilt now that we are still alive. I will take the company in Ghana and you will take the one here." He finished and turned to face Sam. The surprise he saw on Sam's face was unequivocal. Sam wasn't disappointed. He was only astonished at how their minds worked together. Mr. Ado practically took those words out of his mouth.
His son, Ikem had been working as his deputy for the past five years. He joined the company upon returning from the United Kingdom where he obtained Master's Degree in Accounting, having bagged a Bachelor's Degree in the same discipline In a Nigerian University earlier. Ever since he joined the company, Sam had had little or nothing to do. Ikem knew the insurance business like the back of his hand. He was a very dedicated, hardworking and efficient deputy. With him at the helm of affairs, Pacific Insurance Nigeria PLC would be in better hands. So, why would Sam continue to work? He had paid his dues just as Mr. Ado and therefore deserved some rest now that age wasn't on his side anymore. He would be sixty-six the next year. It had always been his dream to retire at six-five but couldn't because he wanted the Nigerian company to be independent of that in Ghana before quitting. He had nursed the fear that his children and Mr. Ado's children might not enjoy the kind of understanding and maturity that existed between Mr. Ado and him. He dreaded spending his retirement settling rifts that were sure to set in with time if the company was allowed to continue the way it was. He had been having difficulty broaching the splitting idea but had decided to summon up courage and discuss it during the dinner he hosted for the Ados. But just like in a dream, Mr. Ado preempted him. Sam couldn't be happier. Both of them wanted the company to split.
"Thanks a lot for bringing this issue up," Sam said, heaving a noisy sigh. "I must say that I have been thinking in that direction. Thanks again." Sam's heart brimmed over with happiness and he couldn't hide it.
For the rest of the evening, the old men went down memory lane, relishing each moment they shared together.
Meanwhile, Ikem and Dofi were at the balcony chatting away. There was no hiding the fact that the two youngsters liked each other dearly. It was love at first sight. Ikem had gone to the airport in the company of his father to receive the Ados the day they arrived in Nigeria. From the moment Mr. Ado introduced that gorgeous lady to Ikem and they shook hands, Ikem had refused to let go. And it was the same for Dofi. Throughout their stay in Nigeria, Ikem visited their hotel on daily basis. He couldn't stand a day without seeing her. Dofi for her part was full of life, a delight to be with. She was very beautiful and intelligent, a combination of beauty and brain. Ikem had learnt a lot from her, especially about Ghana. He had learnt that the Ados were from the ewe tribe. Apart from Ghana, Ewe people were also found in good number in Togo and Benin Republic.
Her name was derived from Ewe language. A baby girl was named Dofi if she was the second child after a set of twins.
Meeting Dofi was the best thing that happened to Ikem in years. The Ados would go back to Ghana the next day and he was truly going to miss her. In fact, he had started missing her already. Though Ikem had eyes for good things, he was never a womanizer. He had had only one relationship which lasted about six months and that was back in the university. Ever since, he hadn't considered another relationship until he met Dofi. She actually swept him off his feet and the feeling was mutual.
The next morning, Ikem was at the airport to say goodbye to the Ados but particularly to his new found love. They stood in a long embrace just before boarding. "I will miss you…, so much," he whispered.
"Same here," she said softly. "But not to worry, because I will come back to you as soon as possible."
Ikem quickly step from their embrace to look at her in the face. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am," She nodded and smiled
"Promise?"
"I promise!" she assured him.
He was excited to hear that and it was evident on his face. He hugged her one more time and kissed her goodbye. That was their first kiss and Dofi cherished it greatly. It was a special goodbye gift, more like a souvenir. Throughout the journey back to Ghana and even afterwards, she reminisced on that kiss, touching her lips and smiling. It was obvious that she loved Ikem. Her parents and brothers deduced that from the first day they arrived in Nigeria. They didn't disprove. Why would they? Ikem was a responsible, hardworking young man, from a good and successful home. He was very handsome, just a perfect match for Dofi.
As promised, six months after her departure, Dofi returned to where her heart belonged. This time, it was for good.