Having established their relationship as blood brothers, Edmond and Austin set out to find out the truth about the MD.
Edmond's late wife, Rukiyat, bore an uncanny resemblance to Austin's ex-wife – Rukiat.
Confused about what to do, they both headed to my place. It was dead in the night, and I had switched off my phone. I heard a knock on my door.
Having recognized the voice as Edmond's, I tiptoed to the window to get a closer view. With him was a man I would later find out to be Austin.
"Oga Ezek, please open up. I have tried your number, and it's off. I know it's late, but this issue cannot wait till morning. We have to meet her as early as possible. That's why we are here. I don't have any other person I can trust. Please! Please!"
I was still watching them from the window unnoticed.
As they were about to leave, I opened the door.
"I don't know what you really want from me," I began.
"Things have really become messy. I have just discovered…"
"Follow me," I interrupted Edmond, holding his hand to lead him to the backyard. "Just because we started the job on the same day doesn't make us friends. Bringing another demon to my house this time of the night is the worst thing you could do to me. What if he keeps coming here after you leave? You see, this thing you're…"
"I don't know why you reason like this. That's my brother. That's Austin, my brother. My mother told me I had a twin brother who was given out to a wealthy man as appreciation for taking care of the cost of separating us. I don't have time for detailed explanations. It's fate that brought us together. I…"
"Which fate?" I interrupted. "Guy, I have time. You woke me up from sleep to listen to your tales, and you're telling me you don't have time? You better start talking, or you leave my compound."
"Fine!" Edmond continued. "Austin, please come."
"I didn't say he should come." I turned to Austin and added: "Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop there, don't come any closer."
"Remember when you asked how I got this scar on my head and I told you it was an accident? I lied. It wasn't an accident. I got it from the operation that was done to separate my brother and I. We were joined at the head. My parents told me so. We are very identical. Flash your torchlight on his face and confirm our resemblance."
I flashed my light and confirmed the look. I was startled. I had never seen twins as identical as they were.
"Bros, come closer," I beckoned to Austin.
"My mother told me that we both have white scrotums, as white patches are synonymous with our family. See!"
Edmond pulled down his trousers to reveal his white scrotum, and so did Austin. I needed no soothsayer to tell me they were twins. It was too obvious.
Edmond took time to explain everything to me.
"So, what next? What are you going to do now?" I asked.
"That's why we are here. You told me her name is Rukiyat, right?"
I nodded.
"Good. That was my late wife's name, but my brother here said her name is Rukiat. According to him, she was his wife. In fact, let him speak for himself."
He gestured for Austin to speak.
"Bros, thanks for letting us into your compound at this time of the night," Austin began. "I am Austin Donwell. The CEO of Donwell Group of Companies, which EWEE Oil & Gas is part of. I have properties all over Asia and the Caribbean. I flew into Nigeria to…"
"Errrm, bros, forget that side. We'll come to that later. Tell us your connection with our MD, and make it brief," I cautioned.
"Ok. EWEE Oil & Gas was given to me by my father as a wedding gift the day I married Rukiat. Our union was blessed with two kids – a boy and a girl. At a point, my wife accused me of infidelity, domestic violence, and everything unbefitting of a gentleman. She then filed for a divorce. After months of legal battle, we got divorced. She got custody of the kids. The court ruled that I give her some of my properties. That was why EWEE Oil & Gas was handed over to her. However, I'm surprised that she is the MD, instead of being the CEO. You can take a look at our photos here on my phone."
He brought out his phone and showed me their pictures.
"The property she stays in is the only property I have here in Uyo. I went there last evening to check on my kids before they return to school. That was when I ran into Edmond. I also have something to say concerning our paternity, but not now. I'll say that much later," Austin concluded.
"Interesting. Very interesting, and I believe you," I assured. "So, what's next? What do we do?"
"Both of us have her pictures in our phones," Edmond began, "I think we should confront her in the office this morning. She must explain why she was so obsessed with me the very moment she saw me. She must tell us how and why she married both of us. She has a lot to explain, and if she doesn't want to talk, we'll involve the media. I think the MD of EWEE Oil & Gas won't want to watch the media drag her company."
"That's a good idea. I support it. We should be at the company around 9 am. I think that will be fine. I'll call my lawyers to be on alert in case she wants to play smart," Austin suggested.
"I think I'm fine with that," I agreed. "Let's confront her. However, I would advise we tread with caution. Demons don't have human sympathy. I'm saying this just in case. Errr, by my time, it's 4:27 am already. Go and prepare. Pick me up here by 8:30 am. Please come with your phones. We'll need those photos."
Everyone accepted.