Chapter 3

At the speed of light, Nita arrived at her uncle’s residence looking worried and tensed.

“I repeat, I won’t change my mind.”

She was about to press the doorbell when a strange voice rang out from inside.

It dawns on her that her uncle is really in a mess.

Hold on. What could it be about?

After taking a deep breath, Nita turned the door knob and the creaking sound filled the air.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

She was shocked upon seeing Victor on his knees and tears brewing in his eyes like a child whose chocolate was seized.

“Thank goodness you came, Nita. I am sure your husband would be able to help me out. I-I mean help us out.”

Mentioning her husband made her voice out.

“We are getting a divorce. That is by the way, Uncle, what is going on?”

Victor quickly stood up and held her hand tightly. “Sorry about your marriage crash. This is about the company. I did my best to handle the situation so I did not involve you but unfortunately, it didn’t end well.”

“Huh?” Nita expressed.

She is dealing with her marital crash and now problems with the company finances are in the picture.

“What exactly is happening in the company?” She went on to ask.

“We’ve gone bankrupt and we are in a huge debt.”

Nita pulled her hand from his and stared at him. Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

“That is not possible. For how long did you keep this away from me? There should be a way out.”

“I am afraid there is no way out.”

The strange voice she heard at the door spoke again. It was the man seated on the couch with his leg crossed over the other. His commanding aura would make anyone fear his presence.

How on earth did Uncle Victor get hitched with such a man?

“And you are?” Nita gazed at the stranger. His reserved but cold look drew her attention.

Victor was about to say something when the stranger chimed in.

“I should be the one asking you that question, young lady. Just so you know, I am Mr. Willow Bryan.”

Nita’s gaze darted between her uncle and Willow.

“Nita, he is the man whom I owe because of the company and he is here to take the company because I defaulted in payment.”

‘This is a mess!’ Nita said inwardly as she stared cluelessly at the space.

“Let me have a word with him.” She raced her hand through her hair, winking at her uncle.

Victor threw her a gaze coated with fear and confusion.

“We have to do as he says. I don’t want you to get into more trouble. Be careful with your choice of words.”

At this point, Nita gave a smile but behind it was numerous fears. The fear of losing the family’s company, the fear of being miserable. She just needed to figure something out.

She watched her uncle reluctantly excuse them.

“What exactly do you want?” Nita asked as she took the seat in the opposite direction.

“Clear the debt your uncle owes me and you won’t have to see me again.”

“Okay, I’ll send you one million. How about that?”

She remembered the money Dennis sent to her that day and decided to use it to sort the mess out.

Haha!

Willow laughed, an evil smirk forming on his lips.

“One million dollars? I appreciate your effort but you need to do better.”

“What do you mean? Is one million a joke to you?” Her tone was etched with disrespect and anger.

“You have no idea about what is on the ground. I’ll advise you to keep yourself out of this and let me deal with your uncle, Babe.”

“I can handle this; how much does my uncle owe you?” She did her best to sound polite.

“Sweetheart, he owes me thirty million dollars. Can you still handle it?”

Nita was dumbfounded. She wondered what her uncle used the huge amount of money for when he made it known that the company was still bankrupt.

Her offer of one million dollars to clear thirty million dollars was more or less of no effect on business.

She wished he was just playing with figures just to scare her out of involving herself. But hell no! That was the reality.

“Do you mind explaining how this amount came about?” She requested calmly.

He stood up, fixed his hands in his pockets, and pursed his lips. Nita was drawn to his appearance. His blue tailored suit fitted his tall and muscular body physique.

“I must confess, I like the fact you are curious to know more.”

Nita hissed. “Thanks, but no thanks. Just tell me what I want to know. You can’t just claim my uncle owes you such a huge amount of money without evidence.”

He giggled.

“For the past two years, Your uncle ran to me for financial aid severally so his family company wouldn’t pack up. I did not even add the accumulated interest because he refused to pay back a year ago, if I did, it would be far above thirty million.”

Nita buried her head in her palms, wishing she was dreaming and would soon wake from it.

She blamed herself for not getting involved with the family’s business. Her father handed it over to her uncle before his demise. She also had a role to play but she failed, that must have been the reason her uncle kept such a thing from her.

“You don’t have to wail or be sober now, sweetheart. You and your uncle still have forty-eight hours to seek help from your relatives and friends. However, this is my final verdict.” Willow uttered authoritatively.

“I will take over Luxi venture in the next forty-eight hours if the debt is not cleared.”

“Your uncle has a copy of our agreement and I also have mine. Even the court can’t save you.”

Nita raised her head and looked at him.

“We can settle this amicably, I promise to do whatever you want.”

Willow paused. “Whatever I want?”

She nodded, she has to give whatever it takes to keep Luxi venture for her family. If they lose it, starting from scratch would be a warfare to contend with.

“Sweetheart, how do you plan to sort this out?” Willow asked.

“I will do my best, I assure you.”

Nita uttered with a shaky voice, trying her best to compress the tears that welled in her eyes. In ages, she had not felt this helpless and susceptible.

“If you want to reach out to me, get my contacts from your uncle.” He said approaching the door. “Remember, forty-eight hours.”

She wandered in thoughts, thinking of possible ways out.

Beep!

Nita snapped out of reverie when her phone beeped. Upon unlocking the phone, she received a message.

[I have signed the divorce papers. Let’s meet in an hour at the bar opposite my office.]

***

An hour later.

“Here you go, I have signed. I have my copy and you have yours.”

“Good,” Nita answered Dennis coldly.

Five-year marital union ended in less than a second.

“I wish you the best in life.”

“I would have said that to you too but I guess choosing her again is a sign that you have made the best decision in life.”

His expression tightened.

“I’m out of here.”

He left quickly without glancing back.

Wailing over her failed marriage was unnecessary at the moment as all her focus was on saving her family’s company.

Nita had left her uncle’s apartment yesterday boiling with anger but that won’t solve anything.

She decided to head to her uncle’s house next for them to find a way out – there had to be a way out.

Upon arriving at her uncle’s house, she saw a black Audi vehicle with tinted glass parked at the front. She spent some minutes thinking about who owns the car. Waving the thought away, she rang the doorbell.

She got no response and without wasting time, she turned the doorknob and lo, the door opened.

She was shocked to see her uncle with two men having alcohol bottles and money spread all over the table.

“Uncle Victor! Who are these people? What is this about?”