Must Read: Honorable Secretary (18+)

Episode 6 years ago

Must Read: Honorable Secretary (18+)

My growing impatience would have been obvious to any observant person as I checked the time again. It was already 2.30 p.m. and there was still not a peep from madam. If Karishika didn’t show in another thirty minutes, I would have to damn the consequences and just leave for home.
The Mr Biggs restaurant at Maryland, the one inside Mobil Filling station, buzzed with activity. Karishika had ordered me to meet her here after the revelations of yesterday, and as I really didn’t have a choice in the matter but to obey, I had agreed to come. The appointment was for 1 p.m., but so far she hadn’t shown up or even deemed it fit to send a message that she was going to be late.

A smartly dressed attendant approached my table and bent to whisper into my ear.

“Sir, madam says you should meet her outside.”

“Which madam?”

The guy codedly pointed at a silver colored G wagon with windows wound down, parked close to and visible through the glass wall of the restaurant separating diners from the car park.

Karishika was at the wheel looking every inch like a madam in charge and she was looking directly at me.

“Oh, her. Thank you man, I’ll do just that.”

I pushed back my seat, stood up, walked outside and entered the car, careful not to bang the doors of the expensive looking machine too hard.

“How are you?”

I sat bolt upright on the soft leather like someone with a poker up his butt0ckz, face forward and bereft of any emotions. My insides however were churning as I replied.

“I’m fine, very fine thank you. What about you?”

“Couldn’t be better my dear, couldn’t be better. Shall we take a drive?”

“Drive to where? My car is parked here.”

“That doesn’t matter. It’s safe enough and you can always pick it up later.”

I sat back resignedly, angry at her arrogance and my helplessness as she started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. She could at least have apologized for keeping me waiting all that time.


The powerful car glided effortlessly as we drove through Ilupeju bypass onto the third mainland bridge. Even through my anger, I had to admire the skill with which she drove, bossing the silver beast as if she was its mother, same way she was handling me.

“Good day so far?”

I shrugged, still keeping my eyes fixed on the road. The bridge was largely free of traffic and at the speed she drove we were soon near the Onikan exit ramp. There she slowed down, drove close to the railings overlooking the mini stadium and parked, leaving her hazard lights on. Looking outside the tinted window, I saw the crowd gathered under the pavilion watching two teams who’s jersey’s I couldn’t really make out from that distance while some others were gathered around a stand where smoke – which I assumed was from a barbeque – slowly rose into the air and my anger resurfaced. I should have been one of those people having fun down there but for her meddling.

“They seem to be having fun down there.”

It was hard to tell if she was making an innocent observation or simply rubbing salt into my injury.

“Yes they seem to be doing just that” I replied in a sulky tone.

Out of nowhere, she suddenly pinched my cheek, causing me to flinch involuntarily which I’m sure she noticed.

“Relax man, don’t worry. We’re going to have loads of fun too.”

“Oh yeah?” The sarcasm was heavy in my reply.

“Oh yeah!” she reaffirmed, then started the car again, revved the engine and gunned it down the exit.

We had lunch at the Oriental Hotel and I ate heartily for someone in a semi hostage situation.
Afterwards we sat down with chilled drinks under the shade of umbrellas at the pool side behind the hotel, facing the open water. She hadn’t said exactly what she wanted from me yet, so I took the initiative.

“Thank you for the nice lunch. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, can you please let me know exactly what you want from me?”

She smiled secretively and took a sip from her glass of iced tea before she responded.

“What I want from you? Why, nothing at all. I’m just here to have fun. The question is if you’re prepared to do what you need to in order to hold on to your job. That’s all. I’d like to believe you do want to keep your job, right? I mean, both of us know that according to the rule books what you did is enough ground for dismissal. You want us to play by the rules?”
I shook my head.

“Good, she continued. Then let’s be friends. Take this as me protecting you, my friend, from the harsh consequences of your own stupidity. Hell, I think I deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for my noble action.”

I wish I could say otherwise, but she had me exactly where she wanted me so I just nodded meekly, thinking it was best to play along while I looked for a way out of the conundrum I had allowed myself to become entangled in.

“Moreso, even if you’d like to play Russian roulette with your own welfare, I’m not sure you’d want to do same with Toyin’s. Or would you?”

She had me cornered. Again, I shook my head.

“Smart man. Your chivalry is endearing, very commendable. Keep it in mind all the time hon, that you’re not only doing this for you, but you’re doing it for her too. Just like taking one for the team.”

She burst into a short round of cynical laughter and then immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry, but that sounded so corny, even to my own ears. Now drink up, we leave soon.”

We left the Hotel around 4 p.m. and from there, she drove straight to a duplex in Lekki Phase 1.
The building looked new and empty from outside although a uniformed guard opened the gates for us to drive in while another one smartly saluted and opened madam’s door as the car rolled to a stop in the driveway. A generator could be heard humming somewhere in the backyard.

Madam greeted him as she alighted.

“Afternoon Charles, how are you?”

“Fine madam. Welcome.”

“Afternoon sir”, he saluted as he greeted me too and I mumbled a reply.


The other one ran up to join us after locking the gates.

“Good afternoon ma. Good afternoon sir.”

“Good afternoon Ken, how are you? Is everything under control?”

“Fine ma. Yes ma. Everything has been taken care of, just like you instructed.”

“Good. Go back to your posts both of you.”


Looking my way, she motioned with her head for me to follow as she started walking towards the locked entrance, her hand searching for the keys inside her handbag. We got to the door and I stood to one side, briefly looking at the well-kept garden while she opened the door.

“Come in.”

I did.

Inside was beautifully furnished although the air felt stale and a little hot. She picked up a remote control and switched on the two giant air conditioners standing at opposite sides of the expansive sitting room. The air noticeably started getting fresher and cooler.

“Take a seat” she commanded.