The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as Nelson slowly began to stir. As consciousness returned, he blinked groggily, his mind still muddled from the effects of the previous night's indulgence.
With a heavy sigh, Nelson pushed himself upright, his head throbbing with the dull ache of a hangover. As he glanced around the room, confusion washed over him as he realized he was alone, with no recollection of how he had ended up here or where his companion had gone.
Furrowing his brow, Nelson's gaze fell upon his own naked form, and a sense of unease gnawed at him. Memories from the night before began to surface, fragmented and hazy like pieces of a puzzle slowly falling into place.
Suddenly, the weight of realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and Nelson's stomach churned with a mixture of disbelief and horror. He remembered Felicia, her presence in his room, and the intimate encounter that had unfolded between them.
Shame and regret flooded his senses as Nelson struggled to come to terms with the consequences of his actions. How could he have allowed himself to be so reckless, so easily manipulated by Felicia?
With a heavy heart, Nelson dressed himself hurriedly, his mind consumed with thoughts of what had transpired and the implications it held for his reputation and his relationship with Mr. Northman.
As he made his way out of the room, his phone chimed, he looked at his phone, and a video popped up from an unknown number. A click on the video and before his eyes was his animalistic sexual escapade with Felicia the previous night. He immediately closed the phone; a sense of apprehension gripped him, knowing that he would need to face the consequences of his actions head-on. But as he stepped into the hallway, the weight of guilt and shame weighing heavily on his shoulders, Nelson knew that there was no turning back from the choices he had made, the mistake had already been made and he must find a way to remedy it, but most importantly, Mr. Northman must not know about it. He quickly called the number as he hurried to his car, Felicia picks,
"Hey love, thank you for last night, I had a phone", Felicia chuckles mockingly on the phone,
"What do you want?"
"You",
"Me? Why?"Nelson enters his blue Mercedez Benz SUV,
"Well, I need you as my ally and informant",
"You are barking at the wrong tree" Nelson threatens "I cannot give you any information"
"Then, I will send this lovely video to Northman Media", Felicia threatens,
"Are you crazy?"
"Yes I am. I am crazy for information".
"What information?"
"Information about Nina, Northman, business plans, everything. The way you report to Mr. Northman, report to me whatever you reported to Northman",
Nelson sighs, he holds his hand on his head in frustration,
"why are you doing this to me?"
"I am in a fix too, I really need you. Don't worry, I will never expose my informant. So, Mr. Northman will never know".
"Gosh", Nelson gave out a heavy sigh, he started his car and transferred the call to his car "So, how often do you want me to be updating you?"
"err hmm..... maybe three times a week"
"Alright". He ends the call and drives straight to the office.
Felicia is satisfied, she slumps to her bed with her phone on her chest, "now, let's get the party started", he murmurs in excitement.
Nina finished her meeting with Spider, noting a flicker of a smile at the corners of his mouth, a rare sight considering Spider's typically stern demeanor. She observed as Spider deactivated his SIM card, a move to avoid Mr. Oman's potential calls, signaling the conclusion of their business. Handing Nina the list, he delivered a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of her promise in cementing the suicide claims. Though Nina didn't fully grasp how her actions would solidify the situation, she vowed to fulfill her end of the bargain.
As she prepared to leave, Nina dialed Charity, informing her of her imminent arrival at the office. Charity's response was a simple "okay" before ending the call.
Nina drove in silence until she arrived at the imposing, pristine white facade of the YouCare Organization. YouCare stood as the largest Non-Governmental Organization, renowned for its successful projects not only within the country but across borders as well. With a plethora of sponsors willing to donate any amount, YouCare boasted unparalleled support.
However, beneath its philanthropic facade lay a darker truth—YouCare was entangled in numerous dubious dealings, including the utilization of Nina's art studio as a hiding place for slush funds belonging to prominent politicians and wealthy businessmen. It was this shady alliance that ensured YouCare's unwavering loyalty and support.
Nina strode purposefully down the hallway of the reception area, bypassing the receptionist with a nod as she made her way directly to Charity's office. Sliding open the door, she was greeted by a rush of fresh, cool air carrying the mingling scents of perfumes. Gracefully entering, the door closed behind her.
The office was a vision in white, tastefully adorned with artworks adorning the walls. Familiar faces greeted her warmly, each exuding an air of opulence and sophistication, seated elegantly on the plush visitor's sofa. It was evident they had been in the midst of a meeting with Charity before Nina's arrival.
Nina exchanged greetings with the assembled guests, their smiles and attire reflecting their affluence. Making a beeline for her friend, she embraced Charity warmly, the two exchanging pleasantries with genuine affection. "They are all here because of the project you told me about",
"Project?" Nina asked, her confusion evident.
"Yes, they are our major donors, and I spoke to them. They're ready to support Ms. Sandra's relatives. I shared her story, and they were deeply moved,".
"Oh dear, what would I do without you?" Nina responded, embracing Charity with a fake expression of gratitude.
"You know I'll always come through for you," Charity reassured her.
"I know,"
"Now, you'll have to address them,"
"Okay," Nina agreed. Turning to the smiling faces, she greeted them before beginning her speech.
Nina cleared her throat, gathering her composure as she addressed the attentive donors gathered before her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your willingness to support Ms. Sandra's relatives in their time of need. Your generosity truly exemplifies the spirit of compassion and community that defines YouCare Organization."
As Nina spoke, she maintains her fake sympathetic composure. She knew the importance of conveying sincerity, despite her underlying deceit of YouCare.
"Our commitment to uplifting those facing adversity is unwavering, and your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of Ms. Sandra's loved ones. Together, we can provide them with the support and assistance they need to navigate through this challenging time."
With each word, Nina carefully maintained her facade, masking the true nature of the association with YouCare. As she concluded her speech, she offered a warm smile, hoping to leave the donors with a sense of reassurance and gratitude for their generosity.
The donors listened attentively, their expressions reflecting a mixture of empathy and appreciation for Nina's words. They nodded in agreement, seemingly moved by the plight of Ms. Sandra's relatives and the promise of support from YouCare.
Nina continued, seamlessly transitioning to discuss the logistics of their contributions and how they would be utilized to provide practical assistance to the family. She emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, assuring the donors that their funds would be put to good use and closely monitored to ensure maximum impact.
With her speech concluded, Nina thanked the donors once again for their generosity and reiterated YouCare's commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. As the meeting drew to a close, she exchanged polite farewells with the donors, her mind already racing with thoughts of the next steps in her intricate web of deception.
As the donors exited, Nina turned to Charity, a smile of gratitude on her lips as she thanked her for her unwavering support. Charity returned the smile, assuring Nina that she would stand by her side until the very end.
"I want it to make headlines, can you arrange that?" Nina inquired.
"Yes," Charity affirmed. "When are you sending in your donation?"
"Once I get back to the office, I'll take care of it," Nina replied, her hand instinctively resting on her belly. "The baby is kicking," she added with a smile. "When will you go for the antenatal?"
"As I leave your office, I realize I can't keep postponing it any longer," Nina admitted with a sigh, a sense of urgency tugging at her thoughts.
Charity nodded understandingly, her expression a mixture of concern and resolve. "I know, Nina. Take care of yourself," she replied, her voice laced with sincerity.
With a final nod of appreciation, Nina turned and walked out of Charity's office. As she made her way through the corridors of YouCare's headquarters, her mind felt relieved, one mission had been accomplished, Ms. Sandra's case had been closed, remaining Felicia who is the bone stuck in her throat.
Reaching the reception area, Nina exchanged polite farewells with the receptionist before stepping out into the cool evening air. The natural air cooled her skin as Nina made her way to her car, she must not waste time in the hospital.
Driving with a sense of urgency, Nina navigated the familiar streets toward the hospital located near her office.
Arriving at the hospital, Nina parked her car and stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk. The familiar scent of antiseptic mingled with the sounds of bustling activity, a comforting reminder of the healing sanctuary that awaited within. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Nina made her way inside, ready to face whatever lay ahead with courage and determination.
She walked elegantly to Doctor Collins' office, her steps purposeful yet graceful. Dr. Collins had long been their family doctor, a trusted figure who had cared for the Northman family for years. Earlier, she had called him to inform him of her intention to visit the hospital. He had been urging her to prioritize regular visits to the hospital for her antenatal care, but Nina had been hesitant, citing her busy schedule as an excuse time and again.
Despite his gentle insistence, Nina had been reluctant to make her health a priority. However, today's visit signaled a change in her approach, a recognition of the importance of her well-being, especially now with the added responsibility of impending motherhood weighing on her mind.