"I should have known it was you. I was unsure, hoping someone new had moved to this place as Todo brought us here but it seems I was wrong." Looking up, Wale continued. "You rejected me before when Frank came here to ask for help on my behalf so why would you agree to host me now of all times when I least need your help?"
Todo's mother looked at Wale sternly before answering, "I've lived my life regretting that decision to date and that is why I handed over my rights as chairperson of my company to my son. He is free spirited, uneasily influenced by the political class, and it's easier for me to protect him in that position since I'm the president. However, your case was different. You posed a threat to my family just by staying with me and even though your parents and I were not good friends, we did make good business partners." Standing up, she continued. "Your parent's death was unfortunate. It couldn't be helped. My team, then, were to offer them protection but we were lured they were in another location and like fools, we didn't question the source either since it was one of my team members behind it working for your parents enemies. Either way, I take the blame for my carelessness, and for allowing you to be moved from one location to another her. I could have just taken you in and raised you with my children but that decision you must understand was a tough one. Staying with you for a week caused the life of my husband. I was in a lot of despair. I'm sure I said a lot of things to you when you were much younger that caused you so much pain growing up. I'm too ashamed to ask for forgiveness in person even now so I deployed a team of my best men and women to look after you the moment you turned eighteen for I knew your parents relatives will come after you knowing that you are of age. It was obvious you were going to claim what is rightfully yours."
"So it was you all this time, providing Frank with information to bring each and everyone involved in my parents death down?" Wale was calm as he said those words. He'd suspected for a long time how accurate and up to date Frank was with whatever evidence he'd presented to him.
"Yes of course. I had to do something to atone for my carelessness that caused the lives of my best business partners. In another life perhaps, I would have been good friends with your parents, but I'm afraid we hadn't reached that level of familiarity so taking you in was more of an investment, a terrible one since I lost my husband." She walked and stood behind Wale, watching him, then pulled a chair next to him. She smiled genuinely as she gently patted his shoulder. "I've been watching you. You're as stubborn a your mother, and cunning as your father. At least, be nice to your dear fried. He cares for you more than you give him credit for."
"I'm trying, though he is mean to me." Wale said smiling. " He is going to be my boyfriend soon after he kicks your son to the curb." They both laughed before Todo's mother responded, "Yet you are here with me and he is with my son so who really got kicked to the curb?" Wale's face suddenly dropped. She was right.
Standing up, she called one of the helps to have lunch ready for them two. Wale exercised caution around her but he felt he had nothing to fear since Frank had already informed him that she was working behind the scenes to protect him. It made no sense to continue helping him though since he had already acquired most of his parents assets. Watching her closely, she looked frail and exhausted. He remembered how much she loved her husband. His death must have devastated her for years and upon her return, Wale couldn't hide his curiosity anymore. "Did they tell you how my parents died?
Taking her seat again, she replied, "No one really knows since you were the first person who saw them, Frank being the second, and the reason why that happened is because my husband searched for the perpetrators behind their murder and that led to his demise. I'd like to assume my husband died with them when he found them since there had been an explosion...at least, it comforts me that he did take care of them even taking them with him...he is still my hero."
Wale apologized, he couldn't help but feel sad for her. "Don't bother yourself. I have my son who makes me proud, a direct replica of my husband so I'm satisfied. In the meantime, worry about yourself. Your case is a walk in the park since I have all the information you need. I do not wish for my son to dig deeper into this matter. It gives me a déjà vu feeling with what happened to my husband and what not so, I wish for your cooperation as I continue to work behind the scenes so just sit there, relax, and be a good friend to my son."
After a long pause, Wale agreed to cooperate. Frank would have agreed with his decision too. Besides, if he was not directly involved in the matter, he'd have more time to chase after Kind and keep him away from Todo. "Do I need to be under constant surveillance, my friends included?"
"I ordered the termination of your protection program the moment my son took over your case. Two teams of the same company working against each other chasing the same goal? That would be unsightly. It will also be unfortunate for him to find out the events involving your parents death that indirectly took his fathers life. He will find out soon enough and when that time comes, I have made proper arrangements for him to get the correct information even if I'll not be alive, if that time comes. For now, let me do my part. My son will get in touch with you within a week from now but you and I will freely discuss our findings with your stay here, your team and mine too. United we stand, divided we fall correct?" She asked rhetorically before continuing. "In the meantime, I will continue my work behind the scenes to atone for my mistakes. It's the least I can do since I wasn't able to take care of you as a child."
"It's alright. I have friends who care for me and that is enough." Wale assured her but she wasn't convinced. "Even so, you should be careful of your fiancé and her sister. You must exercise great caution whenever you're around her."