Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: The Cartel (18+)

In other to cool off and lay low, Miss Osaro had relocated to Benin with Ima and spent the first one year there, away from the Lagos business scene and press. During this time, she secured an admission for Ima at the University of Benin to study Microbiology. With no child of her own, she adopted Ima as her daughter though they both remained lovers. Despite the mother-daughter and lovers relationship between them, the business aspect of their relationship was well understood by Ima. She also knew literally speaking, she owe her life to Miss Osaro.



It took less than a month for Ima to get past the reality of her inability to bear a child. The one week she had spent alone without Osaro in the prison and her first hand experience of what “ordinary” inmates went through, was enough reason to be grateful that she was out. It was definitely better to be out here, childless and free, with the best life Osaro had to offer, than to have a baby in that hole. Within a month after her prison break, she had began to glow. Even better than when she was with Mrs Margaret or with her own biological parents.


All her outfits and undergarments were carefully selected by Miss Osaro who also thought her basic makeup skills. Her new personality was all about expressing her sexuality, which was specifically meant for Miss Osaro’s gratification only. Relationship with men had gotten her into trouble twice, and having learnt her lessons and knowing how jealous her boss was, she was determined not to have anything to do with any man or woman. Well, unless permitted by Osaro.

For the next year, knew how the business of human trafficking was ran. This was the real shii, and not the inter-prison female prostituting ring back in the cell. Girls from as far as Portharcourt were recruited, made to take blood oaths before being sent to Italy and Spain. Miss Osaro already had her contacts in these countries and actually made three trips herself. Upon Osaro’s return to Lagos, Ima at just year one in University of Benin had began coordinating and taking charge of the recruitment process.

What made her particularly successful and good at the business was her ability to keep away from ostentatious lifestyles. Her recruitment process was strictly based on quality and not quantity. This kept her unnoticed by relevant authorities. Her attitude in school wasn’t any different and being a very intelligent student, she suffered no S#xual harassment from lecturers.
While Osaro visited Benin often, in the five years she spent in Benin, Ima visited Lagos just thrice. And this was basically at the request of Miss Osaro. While awaiting the mandatory NYSC at the end of her project defense, Osaro had returned to take her back to Lagos permanently. She worked in her boutique somewhere in Victoria Island where they lived.

Monday, some two weeks after arriving Lagos, Osaro told her they were both gonna attend a party Friday night and she (Ima) was to meet someone.
******

“I will be introducing you to some of my business associates and friends later this evening, especially the person I told you about earlier in the week” Osaro said while handing over a gift bag to her as she entered Ima’s room that morning. “You’ll wear those” She added.


“Thanks.. Good morning” Ima responded seating up. It was already past 8am and she was still in bed while Osaro was already dressed up and on her way out of the house.
“Morning love”. She replied kissing Ima’s forehead, then lips. “He’s been asking of you and I’ve always told him you were in school. But now you’re around and we have a party, he gets to meet you”. She added seating next to the girl while caressing_ her face.
“Who’s he?” Ima asked a little worried
“You’ve waited all week my love. A few more hours won’t hurt”. With that she stood up and said “Try your dress lets see if it fits perfectly”. On her way out of the room, she added “I’ll pick you up by noon to fix your hair, so try and get to the shop on time and check those girls before they steal all my money. Funmi has served breakfast”.
She doesn’t just understand why Miss Osaro wasn’t telling,her who she was meeting and what to expect. Gosh, she hasn’t been this nervous in a long time. The only thing she was certain off is that Osaro wouldn’t hurt her.


(Funmi is one id Osaro’s house keeper).


*******


8 pm, as they prepared to leave for the party, Osaro came into Ima’s room. “Take your toiletries and a night dress, you might not come home with me”
Nervous was an understatement in describing how Ima felt immediately after that statement.


But all the same she just said okay and went about picking the items she might need for a sleepover.
***