I've always been a person who thinks a lot and converse with myself when am alone, in a way; all my life I've been alone and when you are alone like I am all you do is think, even about things ordinary people will never think about. When you have no one to share these ideas with you just start talking to yourself and eventually you see yourself as someone wise or in some cases, someone who has lost his sanity.
The insides of the hall have changed a lot from the way it appears some days ago, most of the chairs have been replaced, these new ones look very expensive but things like these goes unnoticed on occasions like this. The bar was still open but no one was sitting there, only a few people had arrived and some of them knew each other while some just sat in their sits enjoying their win and the soft music playing.
The atmosphere is calm, too calm for someone to feel comfortable, no one of importance to me had arrived so all I have to do is wait. I walked to the bar and sat there to think and pass time. Slowly the party was coming to life and all of a sudden the aura in the hall was intense, it was as if everything stopped for some few seconds. Everyone's eyes were at the girl coming from the elevator and she looked strange, no one can tell if she was angry or sad, but one thing she was not is normal. She walked past everyone greeting only a few people and to the bar, she is coming in my direction, although this was exactly what I wanted but, it was too good to be true.
She sat there at my right and ordered a glass of whiskey. Getting strangers to talk was one of my specialties but she looked devastated like someone just died or she lost something close to her. I could always tell by the look in ones eye and that was the same look on her face.
You know the whiskey will not give you the comfort you need right? I asked.
Pardon? Are you talking to me? she asked.
Why do people use the word "pardon" when they think they are offended?
Because you shouldn't judge people you don't know Mr. man, and who do you think you are?
Do you really want to know or you are just angry?
Wow, now you think am angry, this proves my point, you are judgmental and you can't even hide it for at least today she said.
Sorry for my assumption, forgive me if I'm wrong, you just lost something or discovered something very painful but either way it has to do with Loss, am I wrong?
And what makes you think I will answer your question?
Because your tone is no longer intense like before and I believe you are curious, and if it's of any consolation my name is John. I don't want to talk about it if you don't mind please, if you continue to talk to me I will just leave so please leave me alone. She looked at me with regret as the last words came out from her mouth but I was sharp enough to see it.
There is nowhere to go for I believe you are avoiding most of the people here which is why you chose the most excluded place in the party. And I like to think you enjoy my company.
Do you always think this highly of yourself Mr John? No. Do you know what I hate the most? I ignored the question. People who think they know me just because they have business with my father.
Again am very sorry to be in that category of people in your life but come to think about it no one can know you if you keep telling them to fuck off.
You have your way with words don't you Mr. _ who again? John. Yes.
So my assumptions were I right?
Yes, she said. So where are you from?
My parents are from Delta state but I spent most of my life in Europe.
Wow, where in Europe?
Scotland.
I've never met someone from Nigeria who went to Europe and decides to live in Scotland, so how was life there in the highlands?
It's a beautiful country with a great landscape, and the people are not as different as we are, perhaps that was one of the reasons I never wanted to leave.
So your family is filthy rich?
Not as yours but yes, there is no need denying it because I believe you already know me.
As a matter of fact, I do not which is why I came here believing I would not be disturbed.
I believe am not disturbing you, if I may ask, what is your name?
Is that you asking or it's just your pick up line?
So am suppose to know your name? Affirmative.
I would be lying if I told you I know your name.
Wow, if you don't know me then how did you get an invitation? I was not the one invited but my father, he had business elsewhere so for the first time I came to fill his shoes and learn the business.
Shouldn't you be conversing with people instead of sitting down in one place?
The best deals in business are the ones where you are the one needed and I believe the one's in need of me will be the ones to come to me.
Since you are new get up let me introduce you to some very very important and powerful people.
My parent taught me not to walk around with strangers.
I believe am no longer a stranger she said.
But we are not acquainted.
That again, My name is Mary.
Pleased to meet you, Mary. She smiled.
She got up and locked her hand on my elbow and we walked to some few people. She seems to have forgotten why she was angry in the first place and for some reason, she was relaxed, but I, on the other hand, was not. My eyes were searching everywhere for the target. Time was slow, and the party is fully alive and it's just a matter of minutes before the target is on sight. The big boss himself was here and that was unusual, he has been talking to some men and they appear to be responsible people. If the big boss is talking to them it only means either they are the clients or they are new clients, there is always business and someone to be killed.
The elevator opened one more time and the target and two guards came out as expected. That's my father, he's such a showoff, he likes to be noticed which was why he purposely came late. Let me introduce you to him she said.
How could a person this good be wanted dead? Not that I know the man but from my research, he was not bad. He is a very tall man despite his age, and judging from his looks he must be in his mid-seventies. He is also well dressed in a black suit and a walking stick to match, he looked pleased as he looked to our directions and there was also a question on his face, he approached us. Hello dad, let me introduce you to Mr John, he's been telling me fascinating things about Scotland.
Hello sir, it's an honour to finally meet you, I reached out my hand for a handshake, his grip was firm for someone his age but I didn't mind.
I use to think I know everyone but it's obvious I do not, so what do you do Mr John?
I am an architect.
Is that your family business or you are a stray sheep?
More like the black sheep in the family.
That's exactly what I thought, so what do your family do?
They own a fashion company back in Scotland and here we own a shipping company, and of cause some other small businesses all around the country. I expected all these questions and I believe I have an answer for every question if I stick to the answer they want to hear, if I let their guess about me become true to some extent, then the conversation will never likely end.
How long have you been in Nigeria?
Two weeks. Let's take a seat at the bar, you've got my attention.
It was getting to the finishing point now and Tage and the other waiters just stepped in with more drinks. This set of drinks was carrying the lethal poison.