I encouraged Tade early the next morning to go and pay a visit to Eva in the hospital. I didn't want him moping around the house when I got my next call. He left after thanking me for understanding. If only he knew! Now that he was out of the way, I concentrated on where to keep the flash drives safe after I got all of them. I couldn't keep them in teddy bears forever. I wasn't that stupid, and I wouldn't want to throw them away. 

Ipicked up my cell phone to call Olabisi for suggestions when I remembered what transpired between us the previous day. I put down the phone and reflected on the previous day's activities.

What did I do wrong? How can Olabisi care more about that girl's pain than mine? She just doesn't understand that my pain is greater. While hers may be physical, it's very likely to heal. Mine was emotional, it's difficult to get healing. How can she accuse me of being inhuman? The girl brought it on herself, and I wasn't sorry one bit. Truth be told, I was enjoying the whole proceedings.

I missed Olabisi, but I wasn't going to call her. I can't have her raining on my parade again today. I would go and get the flash drive and watch it alone. She can make her miserable self scarce. I just didn't care. Let's wait till she gets married, and see how she likes it when her husband begins to disregard her.

I pushed all thoughts of her out of my mind and commenced with the day's activities. I had my bath and took a cup of coffee as I was too excited to eat anything. I called our cleaning lady and confirmed her schedule for the next day. I began to pace restlessly in the living room, and sip my coffee. 

I kept checking the time for the call. I switched on the television and sat watching it for hours. I wasn't paying attention to what was showing on the television, my mind was elsewhere. I debated within myself if I should just go, and check the bar if the flash drive was ready.

I knew it would be silly of me to do so as the bartender was not accommodating, and I knew I would have been called if it was ready. I picked up my cell phone and began to scroll through my contacts meaninglessly when I came across Efya's name.

I immediately sat up and slapped my forehead. What's wrong with me these days? I had forgotten to call Efya again. I have been a very terrible cousin. I just hope she won't be angry at me. I dialed her number but the call didn't get through. A call came in before I could redial her number. I picked it up excitedly, and the message was the same as the last time.

"It's done. Go to the bar as we agreed, and get the package."

I jumped off the couch immediately the caller dropped the call. It has happened again, I had forgotten all about Efya by the time I finished receiving the call. I drove my car outside the gate and headed straight for the bar.

I went in without pausing after parking my car outside. I sighted the bartender looking at me, and I walked on straight to him. This time I just went to him and stretched my hand.

If he was surprised, he didn't show it. He just withdrew another envelope the same as last time and placed it in my hand.

I didn't say anything and walked out of the bar straight away. I got into my car and tore open the sealed envelope with the name "Ola" written on it. So, Ola was the name of another one of his girlfriends. I took out the flash drive and inserted it inside my laptop. I watched the video on it and began to have mixed feelings.

The video was very short, and it lasted only thirty minutes. I saw a very fair-skinned girl tied to the chair in a brightly furnished apartment. It was difficult to tell how many people were in the apartment, as the video only showed a man dressed in black overalls, but several voices could be heard in the background. I assumed the voices I was hearing must belong to the other gang members. 

I watched as the man in the video uncorked a bottle, and told her she was about to reap her reward for sleeping with another woman's husband. The girl was pleading with her eyes as her mouth was gagged. Her pleas were ignored as he approached her and poured the water like contents of the bottle on the girl's body.

She tried to let out a scream but she couldn't. I can't even properly explain what I saw. It seemed like her body was peeling, shrinking, and changing color at the same time. It dawned on me that the water-like content was acid, and I shuddered for the first time. The video ended, and I was jerked back to reality. Acid? Was that not too much? There would be hell to pay if the girl dies. Oh, Lord! Was I actually this wicked? I felt like I was there when the acid was poured on her and didn't do anything. Olabisi warned me yesterday. Why didn't I call it off then? God!

This was too much. I was certain without confirmation that the girl must be deformed already. Olabisi was right! I am not this type of monster. I felt sorry for a moment and, concluded I was going to call it off.

A nagging evil thought stopped me from doing it. What if Tade went back to the remaining girls? It's true, Tade might just go back to the remaining girls and carry on with them. No! I won't call it off.Besides, why feel sorry for them? They all had it coming. What nonsense! To think I was moved to pity! It's good riddance to bad rubbish! The boys have done well. I should probably give them a bonus.

The job continues. I am not calling it off for anything. That would teach other greedy girls like them to stay away from other women's husbands.

I began to feel my mood lifting again. I suddenly developed an appetite for food. I started the car and drove off. I stopped by a fast-food restaurant and ordered a take out. I got back into the car and began to play music while simultaneously eating the chicken wings I bought at the restaurant. What did I have to feel guilty about? Absolutely nothing!

I passed by a bar and drove back. It was already evening, plus I needed a celebratory drink. I finished my chicken wings and went in for a drink. I sat on a barstool and began to order shots of whiskey. My guilty conscience was nagging at me, but I was able to submerge it in lots of alcohol. By the time I decided I had had enough, it was already late. I knew I couldn't drive in that condition, and I begged the bartender to order a cab for me.

He did, and I groggily paid for my drink while waiting for the cab. I made sure my car was safe and left in the cab when it came.

I was already dozing before I got home, and I went straight inside after paying for the cab with the money from my purse. I banged on the gate, and Funsho opened it for me. He was about to ask me about my car when I shut him up. "Funsho, mind your business tonight, and get out of my way."

He respectfully bowed and moved aside for me to pass. I went inside the house and didn't even shower before falling on the bed. I slept off immediately.

I woke up the next morning to see Tade seated on the chair in the bedroom, his head in his palms. I shook my head to get rid of the nasty headache I woke up with. I carefully stood up and made my way to the bathroom.

I splashed water on my head, and face. I drank a little too and felt better after brushing my teeth. I made my way back to the bedroom and saw Tade still assuming the earlier position.

I walked to where he was seated and sat down beside him. I discovered he was dozing, and lightly shook him awake. He jerked up and sat straight up.

"Is it morning already?" He asked.

"Yes, it is. Why did you doze off on the chair?"

"I came in late, and I saw you sprawled on the bed. I didn't want to wake you up to move as I already perceived alcohol on your breath. I didn't want to trigger your hangover earlier than necessary. Besides, I needed to do a little thinking."

"Thanks for being so considerate. Why didn't you take one of the spare rooms? Never mind that. What were you thinking about? What's wrong?"

"I don't know, Tessy. I just don't understand. Bad things seem to be happening to the people I know."

I feigned ignorance and kept a straight face. "I don't understand. Is it about that Eva girl? I told you she's going to be fine. Did you go to see her yesterday? What did the doctor have to say? Is she awake now?"

He lets out a sigh and shakes his head."Eva is in very bad condition. She's still unconscious, and the doctor said she's hopeful but nothing is certain yet."

"That's a bit of good news. Once there's hope, we have everything to be grateful for, right?"I looked expectantly at him.

"Tessy. You don't understand at all. I am getting really scared. Bad things are happening around me, and I don't know why."

"What bad things are happening? Is it still about Eva? Make me understand darling."

"Look." He says facing me. "There's another girl I know, her name's Ola. I got a call yesterday that she was attacked with acid. I got to the hospital, and it was really bad. Worse than Eva's situation. Now, I have been thinking, the only thing these girls have in common is me."

I let out a low whistle to stay in character. "Acid? That's, that's the...... that's really cruel." I intentionally stuttered to fake my surprise."Who could have done that? Is the girl also your student? I mean, what's the connection with you?"

He stands up and begins to pace the room. "She's not my student, but I know her in town. The connection is what I am trying to figure out. The girls were targeted and deliberately attacked in the space of two days. Two days, Tessy!"

He raises two fingers up to buttress his words.

"Tessy. I am running mad thinking about the whole thing."

I stood up and went to place my hand on his shoulder,"Calm down, darling. All these worries could be for nothing. You knowing the girls could just be mere coincidence. It might not have anything to do with you. I am sure you have not been involved in anything that could cause something as serious as this." I patted and rubbed his back. "Don't overthink it. Just take it cool. All you can do now is just be there for them. Make sure you do all you can to help those girls."

He goes back to sit on the chair.

I follow him and sit beside him.

He takes my hand in his and rubs it slightly. Do you think it might have nothing to do with me? I spoke with Frank about it too, and he thinks I might be overreacting."

Frank was his best friend and co-conspirator, and I had no doubt in my mind that he was also a lying, cheating bastard. He had always covered for Tade when I called him in the past to confirm his whereabouts. I stopped calling him when I realized their stories don't always match. I always picked up on discrepancies that could only happen as a result of lying.

"Of course, you are overthinking it. Frank is right. I told you it's just a coincidence."

"Thanks, babe. I really don't know what I would do without you. That reminds me, where's your car, and how did you end up drunk last night?"

"Oh! I was bored out of my mind yesterday evening, so I went out for drinks with Olabisi. We both decided it wasn't safe to drive after drinking. So, we ordered cabs and went home. I would go and pick up my car today. They have tight security over there, and our cars are safe."I let the lie roll easily out of my mouth, keeping a straight face to give nothing away. Women could always lie better than men. They just tend to think they are smarter. Why argue with them? They can continue swimming in their ignorant fog.

He shrugs, and comments. "If you are sure it's safe. Just try to slow down on drinking. Ok? You tend to lose things when you are drunk, and you end up feeling miserable the next day."

An alarm bell sounded in my head at what he said. I might have actually lost something. I felt panic clutch my heart, I stood up immediately. Where did I put the flash drive yesterday? Did I take it into the bar? Did I put it in my purse, or did I leave it in the car? I quickly ran to check my purse.

Tade stood up and looked quizzically at me. "What's wrong, Tessy? Was it something I said?"

"It's okay darling. I am just trying to locate my purse." I put a smile on for his benefit. I saw the purse under the bedsheet and zipped it open. It's just as I suspected, the flash drive wasn't there. Oh! Lord! How did I do such a stupid thing? I could have dropped it anywhere, and I don't even remember the events of last night clearly. I realized Tade was talking to me, and I managed to act like everything was okay.

"Tessy, You need to tell me what's wrong. You are getting me worried." He began to walk towards me.

I pulled my car keys out of my purse and waved it triumphantly at him. "Nothing's wrong babe. It was your comment that I might lose things if I got drunk that made me look for this." I said waving the car keys at him. " I just didn't remember if I brought my car keys home last night. Thank God I found it." I smiled sweetly at him.

"You got me worried there for a second. Do you see what I am saying? You should ease up on the drinking really."He gestured towards my clothes. "You didn't even get changed for bed last night. See how rough you look." He got to me and pulled me on the bed."Not like I mind you looking rough. You still look a hell of sexy to me." He plants a kiss on my neck, and I pull away.

"What's wrong? I canceled all my lectures for this week. We can spend all day in bed. I don't have to go anywhere in a hurry."

I managed to wriggle out of his arms."But I do. I have somewhere to get to in a hurry. I need to go pick up my car. I can't leave it there longer than necessary."

"I thought you said it was safe where it was?" He asked me with a look of confusion.

"Yes, it is. I just remembered that the fuel pump is faulty, and it must be leaking. I have to call the mechanic, to have him fix it before it becomes something serious."

He waved my explanations away. "You can call the mechanic to come for the key. He would take care of all that. Just come here." He stood up and moved closer to me.

I jumped out of his reach, and quickly put on my slippers. "I would be back soon darling. Just let me take care of it. They might not let the mechanic leave with the car at the bar. I would be back before you know it." I flew out of the room without waiting for a response from him. I didn't care about the puzzled look he had on his face. He can think whatever he wants to as long as I get the flash drive safely in my hands.