As I walked home, a stranger approached me, complimenting my beauty.
"You're beautiful" he says and kept tailing me.Despite his polished appearance and handsome features, I was wary of his intentions.
"You're very beautiful" He repeated the compliment, his tone growing more intense.
"Thank you," I replied, my voice trembling slightly as I grew uneasy under his piercing gaze.
Wishing me well he departed in a luxurious limousine.
Moments later, his burly bodyguard chased after me, handing me a large envelope.
"Boss said I should give this to you" it was containing a substantial amount of money.
I was shocked and confused, wondering why this stranger would give me such a generous gift.
I sprinted after the jeep, shouting "I don't want this!" but it sped away without hesitation, leaving me in a cloud of dust.
Rushing home to my mother, I showed her the envelope and its contents.
We were both stunned, and my mother's initial skepticism gave way to gratitude. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there must be strings attached to this unexpected windfall.
As we pondered the stranger's motives, my mother expressed concerns about potential repercussions, fearing that the money might be "blood money" or that the stranger might expect something in return. I reassured her that we hadn't asked for the money and that we would use it to improve our lives.
Our conversation turned to our family's past struggles, including my father's mysterious death and our subsequent displacement. My mother worried that our relatives, who had taken advantage of us in the past, might discover our good fortune and try to harm us. I comforted her, trusting that God would protect us and that the stranger's kindness would bring us a better life.
Leaving the slum for the city, we found a cozy and modest home, not too large but just the right size for my mom and me.
Seizing the chance, I quickly signed up for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam, a crucial step towards securing a spot at the university. I've not been able to complete my studies since my father's passing but I've been been given another chance at sunset.
James sat in his opulent office, surrounded by his entourage. One of his bodyguards stepped forward, reporting,
"She and her mother left the slum this morning, sir." James's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued.
"Anything else?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.
The bodyguard hesitated before responding,
"One of our men spotted her at the JAMB registration center." James's expression turned calculating.
"See to it that she's assigned to a test center near my residence. I want her within our sights, for her own safety." He paused, his mind racing.
"What's her school of choice?"
"University of Lagos, sir," the bodyguard replied. James nodded, a plan unfolding in his mind. "Ensure she receives a full scholarship. I want her to focus on her studies, not worry about finances." His eyes locked onto the bodyguard.
"Send her mother a stipend every two weeks. I don't want them wanting for anything." The bodyguard nodded, scribbling notes on a pad.
"You may leave," James dismissed him, his thoughts already consumed by the young girl and her future.