I had been online all day because I was bored. I was bored because it was weekend and I was indoors without electricity. There had been a power outage for almost four hours and if the battery of my phone wasn’t durable, it would have run down. I had visited several pages on Facebook, but none seemed to interest me. I was about to turn off my data and catch a nap when I saw a post that was gender related, and I commented under the post favouring the male gender.

Two minutes later, I received a notification that someone had commented under my comment. I clicked on the notification and realized that there were lots of females replying to my comment and basically roasting me. Any wise man would know that it was foolish to argue with the other gender, especially on a public platform. So, I decided to ignore them, turned off my data and dozed off.

Two hours later, I was awoken by cries of my neighbour’s child. Vexed, I took my phone and turned on my data. Amongst all the notifications I had received, there was one that caught my attention. It was from one of the ladies who had been replying to my comment. However, this particular lady wasn’t against me, she was instead telling the other ladies to leave me alone. Her name was Faith.

I had met her a few times in real life. She worked at a gas plant, and I had been there a few times to refill my cooking gas cylinder. However, I hadn’t taken any particular note of her. She on the other hand, had taken note of me and was even able to recognize me on Facebook.

The next time I went to refill my gas, I was delighted to meet her. After haven filled my cylinder, she asked:

“Why were those ladies roasting you on Facebook?”

“They were just being feminists.” I replied. “Don’t mind them.”

“I pitied you so much that I had to come to your rescue.” She laughed. I laughed too.

“Thank you for rescuing me.”

“You are welcome. What do you do?”

“I am an aspiring actor.” I replied.

“That’s cool. I have once been into showbiz too. However, I left because there was no gain from it.” She revealed.

“Really? Tell me about it.”

“I was into acting and script writing. I actually have scripts that I have written. I intend to one day make movies out of them.”

“That’s great. I would like to take a look at some of your scripts. We could work together and do a movie, even if it’s just a short one.”

Our conversation was interrupted by a customer. So, I had to leave but not before we exchanged contacts. Late that night, I wrote to her on Whatsapp.

“Hi Faith”

“Hi. Who am I talking to?”

“Veron”

“Veron? Who is Veron?”

“The guy with whom you exchanged numbers earlier today, the actor.”

“Ohhh!! Yeah, I am so sorry. I got so busy that I forgot to save your number.”

“That’s alright. I was just checking on you.”

“Thank you so much. I will save your number now.”

That was the beginning of a new friendship between Faith and me. We chatted almost every night. Most of our conversations were based on making movies. We talked a lot about doing romance movies where I would play the main male character and she would be the female lead character. We imagined falling in love in the story and kissing in the process.

“Hmm, I would love a movie that involves kissing.” I told her and she laughed out loud.

“Are you a good kisser?” She asked.

“As far as I know. But everyone doesn’t appreciate the same. You might find me a bad kisser.”

“How am I going to know that. I have no intentions of kissing you, except in the movie of course.” She laughed and then asked. “What do you think about kissing in general?”

“Well, actually, I am not a huge fan of kissing in general. I find it too intimate, even more intimate than sex. For a start, you can’t use any protection while kissing. Hence, you have to share someone’s saliva, yuck!!” I laughed and continued. “But with sex, at least you can use protection and no bodily fluids will be shared.”

“But sexually transmitted diseases do not usually pass through kissing, right?” She asked.

“You may say so. However, there are some that can be transmitted through kissing. An example is hepatitis B. It’s very dangerous.”

“That’s true”

One day, she asked me where I lived, and I gave her the directions to my house. She promised to visit me the next Sunday. I wasn’t anticipating her coming because I didn’t think she would actually show up. However, around 4:00 PM. She rang my phone and told me that she was in my neighbourhood. I went to where she was and brought her home.

“A nice home you have here. You are really classy.” She commended.

“I like nice things. My boss calls me Hollywood.”

“Why?”

“The way I dress, the way I walk, everything.” We both laughed at that. “What do I get for you?”

“A glass of water.”

“Just that?”

“Just that.”

Two hours later, I took her back to the road, where she got a bike and headed home. When she got home, she texted me.

“Thank you for being a good host.”

“Thank you for thanking me.” I replied and she laughed.

“You are so funny.”

“I am a comedian.”

She laughed again.

“You are such a nice guy. Whoever is dating you is very lucky.”

“That’s true.”

“Unfortunately for me, we are just friends. How sad.” She spoke.

“That’s life.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes.”

“For a long time now, I haven’t dated anybody. I haven’t made love to anyone. I need someone who can love me and be there for me. I am sure a handsome and good-looking man mike you would most understandably have someone in your life. So, I am asking if it’s possible that we become besties.”

“Hmm!! Besties!! What if I end up eating you?” I asked, laughing. “There is a very thin line between being someone’s bestie and actually dating the person.”

“Bad boy. I don’t like besties who shift pants. I want just a normal bestie. Can you be that?” She asked.

“I am at your service.”

“Thank you very much, bestie.”

“Thank you, too.”

Our friendship had now moved from being normal to becoming besties. We hung out every now and then and she visited me quite often. Her colleagues and my neighbours thought that we were dating. However, we were not. One day, she called to ask me if I was home. I answered in the affirmative. A few minutes later, she came to my house. It was a Sunday, and she was looking really good.

“Where have you been?” I asked.

“Had a party to attend. We just finished. I was about going home when I thought I should see you first.”

“No leftovers from the party?”

“Of course, there are leftovers. I brought you something.”

“Thank you. I know you have drunk a lot already. But you are a guest in my house. So, what should I get for you?” I asked.

“You mean like a drink?”

“Yowa”

“Get me a can of Van Pur Malt.”

An hour later, she was ready to go. As she was putting her phone, keys and wallet in her purse, she said:

“Your house really looks good. Your landlord has good tastes.”

“Yes, he lives overseas.”

“Now, that makes sense.” She said, nodding. “This is a clear example of money meeting taste.”

I laughed. She was ready to go now. As she approached the door, MBC 2 started showing a new movie. She hesitated a little to watch the beginning. If she had gone immediately, nothing would have happened. But she stayed longer and it was clear that both of us wanted more than just being besties. I moved closer to her.

“What do you want?” She asked, looking at me deep in my eyes.

“A goodbye kiss.”

“Besties shouldn’t kiss.”

“No harm done, as long as we don’t exceed the kissing.”

“Sure?”

“Sure”

Our mouths and met and from the emotions that emanated from both of us, it was clear that we both wanted to do this badly. Our mouths were locked together for about three minutes and before we knew it, we had fallen on the sofa. There we stayed as we caressed each other wildly. My hands went to her back and I started unstrapping her bra. That was when she halted me.

“Stop! Stop!!” She whispered.

“What?”

“You are going to far. Remember we are not dating. We are just besties.”

“That’s true. I am sorry.” I said.

I took her to the road and got her a bike. As the bike sped away, I realized that she and I had already crossed the line, and no matter what we may think, we could never be just besties again. I knew that the next time she showed up to my house, things were going to happen. But one question remained. How much do I know her? That was a question I would have struggled to answer before getting close to her. Now that I had taken the second step before the first one. I knew I would pay for it someday.

A week later, she called me and told me she was coming to spend the entire Saturday with me. It was a day that none of us would be going to church. So, it was perfect for a good get together. I agreed that she should come, though I knew it was risky. On that Saturday, early in the morning, she called me.

“Hello, are you on your way already?”

“Yes, but I want to buy breakfast for us. Have you eaten anything yet?” She asked.

“I am still in bed.”

“‘Enjoyer’, anyway, I will be there soon.”

About forty-five minutes later, she showed up at my door and I welcomed her warmly. She was wearing a short gown with a split that almost went right up to her waist. She went straight into my bedroom and changed her dresses. When she emerged from the bedroom, she was wearing just a see-through nightie and a pair of bump shots. She went into the kitchen and started preparing breakfast while I freshened up.

I had finished bathing now. I went to the living room and breakfast was ready. I sat down and had a healthy breakfast. By the time I was done, she had fallen asleep on the sofa. She had already eaten her own breakfast while I was bathing. I cleared the breakfast table, took the cutleries into the kitchen and came back to the living room. There she was, sleeping peacefully, looking very calm, serene and beautiful. I brought out my phone and took a snapshot of her. The sound of my phone snapping woke her up.

“Have you eaten already?” She asked, looking at the dining table.

“Yes, I have. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Alright, just let me sleep for a while, ok?”

“Enjoy yourself.” I replied, got out my laptop and started typing a story for my story blog. My readers had been anticipating that particular chapter and I felt it would be unfair to keep them waiting longer than was usual.

About an hour later, she woke up from sleep and realized that I was busy on my laptop.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Writing a story.”

“Alright, can you pause it? I want you to massage my feet a bit.”

“Be right there.”

I left the dining table on which I was typing and came to her. First, I massaged one foot and then the other. She found it pleasurable and asked me to go higher. I moved my hands to her knees and then to her laps and before I knew it, our mouths were together. We started kissing again, in spite of the fact that we were still officially besties. It got so intense that kissing became stale. We needed to move further.

I sent my hand under her nightie and attempted to unbutton her bump shorts.

“Hey! Not here.” She cautioned. “Let’s go into the bedroom.”

“You prefer the bedroom?”

“Yes”

She went into the bedroom before me. I stayed back to turn on the music and make it loud so as to drown any soundtracks coming from us. When I got to the bedroom, she had already taken off her clothes. There she lay *****, waiting for me. I came close to the bed and let my pair of trousers fall to my feet.

“Which do you prefer?” I asked. “Condoms or raw.”

“Condoms, I beg. We have to avoid things that touch the heart. Do you have any at home?”

“Yes, I do.”

I got one, fitted it nicely, got on her and the match began. Luckily for me, I had been smart enough to turn up the music. Otherwise, my nearest neighbours would have known something was happening. About twenty minutes into it, she paused me.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“Seems you have wounded me.”

“Are you a ******?”

“Of course, I am not. But it has been a while and your thing is too fat.” She laughed.

“You want us to stop?”

“Have you released?”

“No”

“Then how do you want to stop? Won’t it be painful for you?” She asked.

“It won’t.”

“I have been told that men find it painful when they have an interrupted sex without ejaculation.” She spoke.

“That’s a lie. All a man needs, is a little distraction and his body will return to normal. That issue of feeling pains is a lie we men cooked up to make ladies have pity for us.” I explained.

We were done now and we moved to the living room and started watching a movie. After the movie, she went back to the bedroom and fell asleep. About thirty minutes later, I went to check on her and found her looking sexy as she slept *****. I had the urge to **** **** to her again, but I had just a single condom at home, and I had already used it. I contemplated whether I should go to the nearest shop and restock my supply. Then I remembered watching a Nollywood movie where someone got involved in an accident and died on his way to buying condoms. I got scared and changed my mind.

It was evening now, and it was time to go. She had freshened up and packed her bags. As we exited my compound, I spoke to her.

“Hi Bestie”

“Go away, don’t talk to me.” She said in mock reproach. We both laughed.

“Bestie is in the past now, right?”

“Yes, of course. We are now lovers.”

I got a bike for her, and she headed home.

A week later, I got a call from a movie production company I had submitted a script to. They had declared their intentions of buying the script, but they didn’t want to buy it at the price I was offering. They wanted something lower, and I wasn’t prepared to go lower. So after several minutes of arguing and haggling, we came to a consensus. TACON production, the film company would get the script for the price they wanted on the condition that they let me star in the film. I would be the main character. They accepted.

I now had a huge project at hand. Pre-production had to commence almost immediately. But I didn’t have money. I was just an upcoming actor. The film company was based in South Africa and was going to shoulder the entire expenditure for the production of the film, including postproduction and promotion. However, I needed money to fly to South Africa and also money for lodging. The entire shooting of the film was going to take at least a month. The company had promised to pay me only after production. What was I going to do.

All my life, I had always hated to ask money from a woman. But now, I was in a tight corner. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I had to look for a means. I had to contact Faith. I needed help. I didn’t have any steady job. As an upcoming actor, my source of money was not regular. My bank account was in the red. This movie was going to be my big break. I had to do everything to get to South Africa.

Faith wasn’t from a wealthy home. However, her family had lots of landed property. She was the last of six children and she was spoiled beyond repair. She also had a job. I figured that I could tell her to squeeze out some money for me to help me get to SA. I was afraid of her response, though. At long last, I summoned the courage and told her about it.

“So, you mean you will be going out of the country for a month? A whole month!!!” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“What is wrong with you, Faith? So, of all the things I have said, that is your only takeaway?”

“Of course, na!! Why should it not be my takeaway. You mean I won’t see you for almost a month. What will I be doing?”

“Working, you will be working. Besides, we can always video call. Please, just get me the money and let me be on my way. Are we not in this together? An open door for me is an open door for you.”

“Listen Veron. I have only just known you for a while now. You are a cool and calm guy, no doubt about that. But the amount of money you are asking, hmmm!! I hope this will not be the beginning of trouble for us. Please, if I have the money, I will give you. But there are no guarantees, and if you think that I am going to sell one of my father’s plots of land to raise the money, forget it. That’s never going to happen. But don’t worry, I am sure there will be a way out.”

“Thank you so much, bestie. I mean bestie love; I mean my love.” I hugged her with joy.

“Just know that I am giving you this money because of the love I have for you. Better be a good boy. I don’t even know if you understand what I am taking about.”

“I am a good boy any day, any time. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you. I will make you proud.”

A week later, she transferred four million into my account. By my own personal hustle, I had been able to raise some money, too. So, at the moment, I had about five million in my account. I started processing my traveling documents immediately. It wasn’t very complicated because I was a local celebrity already and a lot of people already knew me. Also, TACON production had already contacted the SA embassy.

On the day I was to leave the country, I wanted Faith to see me off at the airport. She had initially agreed but when the time finally came, she started giving excuses. She said something had come up and she wouldn’t be able to make it. I was sad but I had a huge project at hand. So, I had to calm down and concentrate.

At the airport, I met one of Faith’s friends, Ashley. We chatted for a while and she expressed disappointment that Faith had not come to see me off. I asked her what she was doing at the airport and she told me she came to welcome a cousin of hers from The States. From the look in her eyes, I suspected there was something she wanted to tell me about Faith. So, I prolonged our discussion hoping that somehow, she would spill. Finally, she did.

“How much do you know about Faith?” She asked.

“Not much, but she has been helpful to me and has so far been a good girl.”

“Hmm!! Anyway, your flight has just been announced. You better go now. Next time we see, we will talk.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

South Africa was such a beautiful country. Shooting of the movie had to take place in various locations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Soweto. After my first day on location, I retired to my hotel room and checked my messages on WhatsApp. There was a voice note from Faith, saying that she missed me. I told her I missed her too. The second message was from Ashley. She had texted me to find out if I was ready to chat. As soon as I replied, she came online.

“Hi Ashley.”

“Veron”

“Yes, how are you?”

“Great and you?”

“Cool”

“How’s South Africa?”

“The place is beautiful, but work won’t allow me to enjoy myself. Anyway, there was something you wanted to talk to me about.”

“Yes, it’s about Faith. However, you have to promise that you will maintain sealed lips, and you will never tell her it came from me.”

“Cross my heart.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Did she tell you that there was a man in her life?” Ashley asked.

“No, she didn’t.”

“Alright, I am telling you now. The owner of the gas plant she works in, I mean her boss, is her fiancée. He has promised to marry her. In fact, he has proposed to her, and she has accepted. They have been together for many years and recently, they had started making plans to get married. However, last week, he complained to me that Faith had started behaving strangely. I hope it’s not because of you.”

“But Faith told me she was as single as an old widow. She didn’t tell me anything about any man.” I replied, shocked.

“Then she has been lying to you. You better be careful because the man is rich and influential. However, he has a soft spot for Faith. I don’t know what she has done to him. She is able to manipulate him at will. Whatever the case, you just have to be careful.”

“Thank you very much, Ashley. Thank you.”

I laid on my bed and wondered why Faith hasn’t been true to me. It now made sense to me when she told me that I shouldn’t worry and she was somehow going to be able to raise the money for me. I now understood why she was able to raise four million on such a short notice. So, what did she want from me if she was going to be married to someone else? By not telling me she had someone, she was putting my life in great danger. At least, she should have told me so that I know how to play my games.

True to what I had promised Ashley, I maintained sealed lips. I didn’t ask Faith anything about what Ashley had told me. In my mind however, I decided that I would be very cautious and conscious once I got back into the country. I didn’t want to be ambushed without seeing it coming. I also decided that I would look for a convenient time and a peaceful way to bring the topic up.

It had been a month now. Shooting of the movie was over. The movie was called THE MONEY OR YOUR LIFE and it was a huge success already. The premier was attended by famous actors and celebrities in South Africa. I had finally achieved my long dream of becoming a global face. I was paid handsomely and created a lot of contacts for future projects. Everything had happened successfully, and now it was time for me to return to my own country.

I arrived in Cameroon late one night. I had already contacted Faith and she was at the airport to pick me up. She was so happy to see me again and she hugged me and wouldn’t let go. She said she missed me terribly, but in my mind, I was thinking about all what Ashley had told me.

We spent two nights at Akwa Palace Hotel and on the following day, we headed back to Buea where I lived. In Buea, we spent another week together. I had to move to a new house that befitted my status as an actor and I also had to get myself a car. Faith was with me every day until I was able to move. At the end of the week, she went back to her home and promised to see me during the weekend.

All that period Faith was with me, she hadn’t reported to work. She didn’t even obtain permission. Instead, she went absent without leave. In the past, I would have wondered how she could be so negligent about her job. But Ashley had already enlightened me. Faith was dating the boss and could therefore do as she pleased. Worst of all. The boss had a soft spot for her.

It is very dangerous to have a soft spot for a woman. It is even more dangerous when you have a soft spot for a woman whom you love more than she loves you. That was the kind of relation Faith had with her boss. Faith was very aware of that and took advantage of it. Her actions gave the boss serious psychological torture, but he was at a loss as to what to do. He loved her too much.

In spite of her boss’ love for her, her prolonged absence had pushed the boss’ patience to its limits. So, he decided to call her to order when she finally showed up for work.

“Faith, where have you been?” He asked, trying not to be angry.

“I went on a small trip.”

“You abandoned your job and went on a “small trip” without obtaining permission? How do you want the other workers to feel? What do you want them to think of you? What do you want them to think of me, of us?” The boss was now visibly angry.

“Please, leave me alone.” Faith said nonchalantly. “I told you I didn’t want to work here but you pressured me to. I am tired. I don’t want to work again.”

“What do you mean by you don’t want to work again? You are not serious, are you?” The boss asked.

“I am very serious. I am too important to work in this place na. Ha ah!! I am your fiancée. I need something better.”

“Something better like what?”

“Make me the head of this plant. Make me the head so that I can sit in a nice and comfortable office. I am your fiancée oh. Is this how you want to treat me when we get married officially and start having kids?”

“I can’t make you the head of this place at the moment. With this your present character, it would be a risk putting you at the head.” Her boss said, firmly.

“Alright, then forget about me. The relationship is over. It’s obvious you don’t care about me. Let me go and look for someone who will love and cherish me.” She said and started shedding fake tears.

“It hasn’t gotten to that, honey. Please, don’t cry. Ok, I will take a rain check on what you have proposed. I will think about it.” He tried to coax her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. Now smile.”

From the way Faith treated Mr. Agbor, her boss. You would think that Mr. Agbor was an old, portly “money miss road” kind of a man. He wasn’t. Mr. Agbor was just in his mid-forties, average height, fair-skinned, highly educated and very handsome. You would wonder why such a good-looking and successful man was so desperate over a lady. But no one knows what had transpired between them.

I was now a big boy in town. There were talks of Netflix buying the movie I had just finished shooting. I knew how important that was to me. It meant millions were coming my way. All the local TV stations and talk shows had booked interview sessions with me. My schedule was very tight and everywhere I went, people flocked to greet me. I was really enjoying my celebrity status until something happened that put me into depression.

One day, I was driving home in my brand-new Lexus Jeep when my way was blocked by two black cars. I immediately sensed danger. I thought it was kidnappers and assassins and they had come to murder me because of my celebrity status. I tried to reverse my car and make an escape, but I realized that there was another car behind me. With my escape plans having been spoiled, I realized that I had to show courage. I opened the car door and got out of the car.

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked the driver in one of the cars.

“You are coming with us.”

“Why?”

“The boss wants to see you.”

“Who is the boss? Listen, young man. Do you know who I am? I am a celebrity. I am an actor. Anyone who wants to see me has to book an appointment. I have a manager. I have an agent. Is this how you people conduct business in this town? This is harassment and I will sue for this. In fact, let me call the police now.” I said, getting my phone.

“Touch your phone and you are dead.” The guy in the other car said, coldly. I looked at him and he was wearing dark glasses. He was heavily bearded and muscular.

“What did you say?” I asked, afraid. But I didn’t show it.

“Don’t be a dead hero. This is not one of your movies, star boy. This is real life. This is reality. Make just one wrong move, and I will air condition your stomach.”

I now realized how serious the situation was. I had no choice than to go with them. At gun point, I was taken into one of the cars. One of the guys drove my car and we all moved in a single file. As we drove towards nowhere, it didn’t even occur to me that all these was because of Faith. I thought it was my enemies that had gotten hold of me, or just some random kidnappers who wanted money. So, I engaged them in a discussion.

“Please, tell me who sent you. I will pay you twice what he has offered you. You know who I am.”

“We are not here to kill you. The boss wants to talk to you. Just be a good boy and everything will move smoothly. All he wants is a little interview. By the way, I hear you are good at giving interviews.” He said and laughed out loud. I hated him immediately but there was nothing I could do.

We climbed the Bonduma hill and went towards Bakweri town. When we got to somewhere around the former GCE Board office, I was blindfolded. I tried to resist but I was overpowered. I tried to scream but a gag was put in my mouth. I struggled to break free but it was useless. From then onwards, I didn’t know what road they took or where we went to. However, about thirty minutes later, the cars stopped. I was taken into a compound which turned out to be a big abandoned warehouse. My blindfold was removed and so was my gag. I squinted my eyes as I tried to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the daylight. I looked around and I saw just the three cars driven by the kidnappers. I didn’t see mine.

“Where is my car, you hoodlums?” I asked, vexed.

“Parked in front of your house as we speak.” One of the guys said and laughed. “Alright, star boy, let’s go meet the boss.”

I was led into the warehouse. From the way it looked, it was more of an abandoned factory than a warehouse. There were many huge old machines in it. Many had become rusted out of disuse. I wondered what product was produced here before whoever had it ran out of business.

I was taken to the far end of the factory. When we got there, I saw a handsome middle-aged man sitting in a chair.

“Welcome, Mr. Veron.” He Spoke.

TO BE CONTINUED…