"You okay?" A concerned voice came by catching Kamara on his toes, in a sigh he faintly nodded not wanting to say much.
"You don't look okay," Kelvin said offering himself a seat. He knew his friend was the proud type, he never showed his vulnerability nor let others in, and he had that image of a perfectionist. If only he knew he didn't have to try so hard because everyone has a flaw.
"Turay called, his offer still stands" Kelvin related an earlier call from the director of Elit, his offer of brand partnering still was in pursuit. "His offer is five percent higher than the last" Kelvin continued but Kamara dejected the idea.
He understood well his situation was being taken advantage of but he was not giving in to his demands. No matter what he wasn't partnering with a man like him.
"You know my response" he coldly stated with resumed fingers on his computer. His brain was snipping from various thoughts on how to save his neck, not only was he defamed of adultery he was also being investigated by a man who sought vengeance on him. His days were so numbered, that he must have done wrong in his past life. But again he wasn't that taken by the events unfolding, he hadn't been all saint.
There were things he knew but dared not let out to the world, after all, everyone has a secret. He was no different.
"Mr Kamara" The door went wide in welcome of his assistant Alima, whose face was gloomy and body seemed to be shaken probably a cause of the long run to his office. "There's a problem" she announced in a cracked tone.
"What's the problem?" Kamara's eyes met hers as he curiously investigated.
"The board members are holding a meeting" damn it, he knew it. Those old crooks were plotting against him, they had long wished for his disappearance and opportunity presented.
The boardroom went uncharacteristically quiet as Kamara set feet within, his footsteps echoed against the marble floor as he gazed at the eyes staring at him. He noticed the tension in the air immediately, the way the board members were already seated, their expressions grim and unreadable.
A little smirk registered on his lips as he thought of their nerves to hold a meeting in his absence. Normally, there would be some small talk and a few smiles, but that day, there was only the heavy silence of anticipation, clearly old Thomas was up to something again.
He took his usual seat at the head of the table, trying to project his usual confidence, but the unease gnawed at him. He looked around the table, his eyes narrowing as he saw the stern faces of the board members.
"I hear there was a meeting," he tone sarcastically came out, as he darkened his gaze at their hypocritical faces.
"I wouldn't say a meeting," a woman said in a flirting tone
"Then what would you call this? how dare you call a meeting without my consent?" he stoned out in a darker and harsher tone, " are you trying to rebel?" he asked, suspecting their intentions.
"Mr. Kamara, don't get mad, this wasn't intentional, " Thomas, a round chubby figure man in his recent forties said.
"Not intentional?" huffed at the man's lies, it was obvious the meeting was called in discreetly. "Fine, let's hear why this unintentional meeting is called" he settled, knowing he couldn't push them too hard as they were members and potential investors in his company.
"Well if we must, I would like to start by thanking everyone here for coming" Thomas began, his voice calm but with an undertone that suggested otherwise.
"We've gathered to discuss a matter of great importance to the future of the company." he continued,
Kamara leaned back in his chair, with arms crossed. "What's this about?" he asked, though he had a sinking feeling that he already knew. The was set on the recent scandals of his affair and the suspect of murdering his wife well attempted.
"It's about your recent sandals," Thomas said exchanging a glance with the other board members before continuing. "As you know, we've been facing significant challenges, there is the news of our CEO affair and his intentions of killing his wife which is declining profits, shareholder dissatisfaction, and a general loss of direction. After careful consideration, the board has concluded that a change in leadership is necessary."
Kamara stiffened, his heart seized beat for a second. "A change in leadership?" he echoed, the words sharp with disbelief.
"Are you saying you want me to step down?" the disbelief and disapproval were all heard in his tone and seen in his face
"Yes," Thomas responded without a flinch from the hard glares that fell on him "we are asking for your resignation. It's not a decision we've made lightly. We respect everything you've done for this company, but we believe that your resignation will help the company hold its reputation and seize the boycott of the public"
Kamara felt the room closing in around him, the walls seem to shrink. His mouth went dry as he tried to process his thoughts.
"This is my company," he said, his voice tight with a mixture of anger and incredulity. "I built it from the ground up. You can't just force me out."
A board member to his right, someone who had been with him since the early days, spoke up, his tone almost apologetic. "We understand how much this company means to you, but we have to think about the future. The board has unanimously agreed that this is the best course of action. Having you down would ease the public anger and gain their trust"
Kamara looked around the table, searching for any sign of support, but all he saw were downcast eyes and somber faces. The realization hits him like a punch to the gut. They meant business, but he wasn't going to hand them the satisfaction they craved. It was his company, come good or bad he would hold on to his position and no one was pushing him down.
"I'm not stepping down" he firmly stated to their dismay.
Their faces went pale as they shared glances.
"If you won't step down then we will be left with no choice but to redraw our investments and shares from the company" Thomas threatened in sync with others.
Kamara's hands clenched into fists on the table, his body heated up as his veins stood in his arms. His thoughts ran through on punching the hell out of his lame mouth, a devious image spread in his brain he laid Thomas's broken body on the floor bleeding, yet his composure was kept after a deep breath that hid behind his masked smile.
"It's your choice Kamara" his loudmouth continued
"Who dares threaten his position" Beth's voice came through sharp and loud as were her heels that marched within. Politely her lips spread in the direction of Kamara, giving an assurance of her support.
"Beth, it's good that you showed up," Thomas said through gritted teeth, it was obvious he was displeased at her appearance. Somehow he knew her presence would change everything.
"I have to show up if not, old crooks won't leave the young to rest" she taunted with a smirk.
"Your presence would make no difference, the board has already decided, either Kamara resign from his position or we leave"
"Oh, now that's some threat. So tell me who's going to take his position after he resigns? Is it you?." obviously that's the reason he called the meeting in the first place, his intentions have always been to take over the company.
"We all know you are incapable of taking a position like that, you are a fraudster" she boldly stated, causing Thomas to raise his eyes as he gulped hard on his breath. His lips sealed, he dared not protest against her words for he knew of what she spoke of.
"Go on Thomas, tell everyone how you plan on leading them?" Beth dived in, hinting at her disclosure of his secret if he dared to provoke the board against Ksmara.
" How about we do this, give Kamara a week to handle the situation, and if he fails then the board can decide" she suggested knowing no one would dare voice against her. That was the good that came with the daughter of a powerful man.
"Fine, but he has only a week and if failed to settle it then you know what happens next" his brown teeth flashed out. Anyway, he was sure such a scandal wouldn't pass away easily, so why not accept defeat for the moment?
As the meeting was at an end and all were out on their own. And just as Thomas was about to step his black shoes out of the board toon, his feet were halted by the cold voice that sprinted in his ears, causing a moment of shiver in his spine.
"Let this be the last I tell you, stop provoking the board against Kamara. If dare hurt him in any way then I promise to make your life a living hell" Her words were harsh chilies in his eyes, he did not ignore them. She was a witch, a psychopath that was capable of anything in the name of Kamara.
***
"The image has been clear" the stout man informed Samuel who jumped from his seat, his legs chased for the other section of the station.
"His name is Abdul, age thirty-three. Have a few fraud histories and DV, he was sentenced to five years but only served three. Mysterious he was led out by someone of high authority" theypu g man read out the suspect information from the screen of the computer.
"And where does he live?" Samuel asked. To him every tick on the block was a bomb he was working against. His mind was made on vengeance, he didn't get one fifteen years ago but was determined to grab the presented opportunity. He was going to see that Kamara was sent behind bars, then and only would he rest.
"That's the problem, he doesn't have a still resident," the boy in sit ingront of the computer said. " Ftom tracks, he has three or best five residents" the boy explained a bit disappointed at his skill of not being able to pin his right home. His phone tracks had different locations making it hard to pin the right one.
"How about his location?" Samuel inquired, sure his right night rest couldn't be pinned down but his current location was to be detected from his cell phone.
"That I can do," the boy said with a warmth of assurance.
Thanks to their special unit of computer geniuses, they were able to track the suspect's location from his mobile. Out they stood in front of a building which was believed to be his right location at present. The building was nondescript, nestled among warehouses and forgotten alleys, the kind of place you only find if you know where to look.
In a deep sigh, he hooked the wigs of dark glasses on his face then smoothly pushed the door open, stepping into the dimmed-lit interior. The room was thick with smoke, a haze that blurred the faces of the gamblers hunched over their cards and chips. The low hum of conversations and the clatter of dice momentarily paused as he entered, the patrons casting quick, suspicious glances in his direction before returning to their games. Samuel's sharp eyes scanned the room, searching for his target among the crowd.
"There he is" Samuels junior directed his finger at a back table, there a tall figure in resemblance to their suspect Abdul sat in calm, almost too calm, as if he was expecting him.
Samuel walked through the room, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried. As he approached the table, Abdul finally looked up, their eyes locking in a brief moment of understanding. There was no need for a confrontation, he knew right then why the cops were there. Even in plain cloth, he could identify a uniformed man when he saw one.
"Time's up," Samuel said quietly, his voice cutting through the noise of the room. Abdul sighed, dropping his cards face down on the table. He glanced around as if considering his options, but Samuel's steady gaze left no room for escape.
In resigned breath raised slowly, giving consent to his hooked shoulders. The other gamblers pretended not to notice, but the tension in the room was palpable, the unspoken fear lingered.
In a short moment, their hands of Abdul were cuffed as Samuel booked his body out of the room granting a light atmosphere in the room. Outside, he pushed Abdul's body into the back of the vehicle and just as he was about to shut the door his phone buzzed in his pocket causing him to leave the job to his junior as he went to the call.
On the phone, the scream of his junior rushed off feet git him turning his gaze only to find his suspect in the room. He quickly ended the call and set his feet behind him, pace and pace they went on but Avdul was steps ahead giving him an escape through the roads of the slums.
"Damn it" Samuel's hands fisted in the air, his head resigned down in a groan. There went his one chance of vengeance.
***
A chilling night soon shadowed the clouds, Kamara in his office ready to leave for the house got distracted from the alert in his phone, he scrolled up to view the message that read 'Let meet'.
At another end, Abdul sneaked his body into a black SUV car with no plate numbering. He had called his boss for aid, fearing the police would catch him and he might end up in prison.
"I told you to stay hidden" A loud sound was heard from the outside of the car, and his hand gently rubbed on his sore jaw. His eyes crawled down from the face that was concealed with a mask and hat. He knew who the person was yet dared not stare.
"My apologies boss" his voice whipped out "I need your help, the cops are after me" Well wasn't it obvious, that was the reason he called for help and why they were meeting.
"Had you stayed low as I told you, this would have happened" the voice scolded, it recalled calling him to inform of the cops at his tail and he should stay low but what does he do? he snuck his ass out to gamble.
'Damn it' a frustrated sigh came from the masked person. "I'll help you leave the country tomorrow. Once you are out of the country the police won't get to you" the voice assured.
His existence in the country was risky to him and the person, the best at hand was having him leave.