An Evening With Eva

Episode 25

Eva spent three days with her mother in the
mansion. A separate suite was arranged for
them where everything was provided
adequately, ensuring satisfaction and comfort.

Eva was upset initially that she was not
allowed to leave the mansion. She questioned
why her mother had to be brought in to see
her as that was not the original plan. She got
over it after Shina explained that plans had
changed. The corporation constantly changed
plans and made last minute cancellations just
to throw any tracker off guard. Besides, she
was safer here than anywhere else.

On the third day, Eva explained to her mother
that she would be going on professional
course outside the country. The course would
span three years after which she would set up
her own company. Her mother did not ask too
many questions. She was glad that her
daughter was moving up the corporate ladder.

She admonished Eva to remember her younger
brother and to always check on him from time
to time. As Eva helped her mother pack her
bags, pangs of guilt enveloped her. She knew
she had to tell her mother the truth. But she
knew her mother could not handle it. Besides,
she was afraid of what Sophia would do if she
spilled. The very thought scared her to her
very bones. She shuddered.

“Eva, please seat down. I want to talk to you.”

Eva’s mother said moving on the bed for her
daughter to seat.

“What is the problem mama?” Eva asked
sitting down, concern on her face.

“I know you have been working hard. And I am very glad that you are doing very well. Your
father would be very pleased with you. Only if
he were alive.” Eva’s mum started. She sobbed softly wiping her face with the edge of her wrapper. Eva pulled her mother close, hugging her.

“It’s ok mummy. We will pull through.” Eva
said, rocking her slowly.

“I know my dear.” Eva’s mum said sniffing and continued,
“I was at the window area yesterday. I saw a
number of men in black suits and wearing
dark shades. What was happening?”
“Oh, those men. They are the security details
attached to my boss mummy. She came into
town yesterday.” Eva replied.

“Okay my daughter. God will bless her. I have
to thank her before I leave.” Eva’s mum said.

“No problem ma. I will arrange for you to see
her mummy.” Eva said.

Eva got up from the bed and went into the
bathroom, shutting the after her. She left the
shower to run while she sat on the toilet seat.

She put her face in her hands and began to
cry. She hated the fact that she just lied to her
mother. She was sad and scared.

Deep down inside her, she was troubled. She
may never see her mother again.

---

Sophia drove into the gate of The Mansion,
parking the car in the garage where there were
other very expensive cars. She turned off the
ignition. She closed her eyes for a few
seconds and opened them again. She unlocked
the seat belt around her, looking at Bruno. He
held his arm and winced as he unstrapped
himself from the seat.

“I think someone should check that out. It
looks pretty messy” Sophia said.

“No! I am fine. I just need a few stitches. Can
I get first aid in your room?” Bruno asked.

“Yes I do. Let’s go.” Sophia said.

They got out of the car and walked to the
front of Sophia’s wing. As they entered the
house Bruno collapsed on the couch in the
sitting room. He passed out. Sophie shook her
head as she sat in a chair opposite him. She
took off the holsters on both ankles, setting
the guns on the table. She kicked off her flats,
walking barefooted to the bar in the far right
of the sitting room. She poured herself a full
glass of strong vodka and drowned half the
contents. She had not been this shaken in a
very long time. She was renowned for her
ability to keep her emotions in check, and her
clear thoughtfulness in very unpleasant
circumstances. But the emotions were flooding
in now. This was getting too much for her to
bear. She blocked every thought of Marshal
from her head. All she wanted to do was to
get back at whoever killed her only living
relative.

She finished the vodka, looked at the glass
cup for a while then smashed in angrily at the
wall. It broke into a million pieces. The noise
was not even enough to wake Bruno.

She pressed a button by the bar. A young
man dressed in a white shirt and black pants
came in from a side entrance.

“You rang ma.” The lad said.

“Yes Jeff. Clean up that mess over there and
get Emmanuela to attend to that man over
there” She said pointing at Bruno.

The lad nodded and hurried out of the house.

Sophia walked sluggishly to her room and
opened the door.

---

The Colonel dragged his nephew inside the
house. He lifted He looked for the first aid
everywhere and eventually found it in the
store. He took the big box into the sitting
room where Ahmed lay, groaning and
breathing softly. He searched the first aid box
and did not really find what he was looking
for. He had to make do with was available. He
got out some disinfectant and a towel. He
sterilized a pick-scissors with warm water and
the disinfectant. He dabbed the blood off
Ahmed’s wound, cleaning it and getting it
ready to be closed. Ahmed winced.

“Steady boy. You are lucky son. The bullet
grazed past your flesh. You quite some
amount of blood. But you will be fine.” The
Colonel said,
“Did we get them uncle?” Ahmed asked
The Colonel kept quiet. He concentrated on
bandaging the wound.

“I think we did. But we were outnumbered. So
I had to retreat.” The Colonel said.

“I am sorry Uncle. I should have listened to
you.” Ahmed said, very sober.

“It’s okay. I will give you 15 minutes to get
yourself together. We have to leave here
immediately. I will inject you with a serum
that will make you feel no pain. It will help you
move faster. Pack only the things you need.

They would come back. And this time, we may
not be so lucky.” The Colonel said.

“I am fine uncle. I don’t need 15 minutes. I
can start now.” Ahmed said trying to get up. A
tearing pain seared through his body. He
screamed and lay back down on the bed.

The Colonel looked at him and shook his
head.

“I may be retired son, but whenever I tell you
to jump, you jump. And if I ask you to run, or
crawl, or hold your breath, you do exactly as I
say! You do not know what you are dealing
with here. I do. I will be back in 15 minutes.”

The Colonel said and walked out of the
bedroom.

---

A black kia optima parked six houses away
from The Mansion. A tall man with average
build got out of the back seat and strolled
leisurely forwards. He walked confidently
towards the gate of The Mansion. He knocked.

A very small rectangular part of the gate
opened which gave room for the gateman’s
eyes only.

“Yes, wetin you dey find?” A rough speaking
gateman said, eyeing the man suspiciously.

“Please sir, I am looking for one woman. She
said I should ask for Oga, and that you would
direct me. She gave me this card to give you.”

The man said. He resisted the urge to poke
out the red eyeballs that were staring at him
“Which nonsense card? Make I see.” The
gateman said.

The man put the card through the small
rectangular hole and the gateman collected.

After a few seconds of scrutiny, he handed the
card back to the man and opened the door for
the man to come in. The gateman directed the
man to Sophia’s wing of the house and told
him he would meet someone at the door. He
thanked the gateman and walked to the door
leading to Sophia’s wing. He pressed the bell
a few times. A very pretty steward opened the
door for him. She asked him what business he
had and he showed her the same card. She
smiled at him, handed back the card and led
him to the visitor’s lounge.

“Please make yourself comfortable sir. I will
let her know you are around.” The steward
said.

Five minutes later, the steward came back.

“I am sorry sir. She is not around. She will not
be back till tomorrow.”

“Okay.” The man said, raising his head from a magazine he was reading.

“Can I show myself out when I am done
please?” The man asked, showing all the
charm he had.

“Okay sir.” The steward replied, chuckling.

Ten minutes later the man got up. He did not
go outside. He climbed the stairs and went
into Sophia’s room.

Sophia felt weak and exhausted. She decided
to just relax a bit after taking that much
liquor. She climbed the stairs, heading for her
room.

She opened the door to her room, shut the
door behind her and switched on the light.

She almost jumped out of her skin at what she
saw.

“Hello Agent S”.

It was the General.