Chapter 1

The car turned round the bend and stopped in front of an impressive fence which was not too high. Any passer-by could easily tell that those who lived within the walls of the fence had a love for nature as the tops of several trees dotted the compound as far as the eyes could see. Some creepers adorned the beautifully-painted fence as well. And, it was a large compound, almost as if it took up the whole lane. 

The lone passenger, a young man in his mid-twenties, alighted from the car, which was a taxi, and paid the fare to the driver, who then sped off after thanking his passenger for the generous tip.

The young man that alighted from the car was simply but tastefully dressed. His taut athletic figure was well enhanced by his cyan-coloured shirt which was tucked neatly into his immaculate white trousers and his polished black shoes gleamed in the sun. He walked smartly towards the massive green gate where he noticed a side door to which a little bell was attached. He pressed the little bell and a voice suddenly sounded from somewhere near him, startling him slightly.

"Code please?" the voice said gruffly.

"Visitor," he replied clearly.

The side gate opened briskly and he walked in. 

"This way please," the gruff voice continued.

He was ushered into a spacious and comfortably furnished room painted in bright, welcoming colours.

A heavily-built man in his mid-thirties sat behind a massive desk on which different state of the art electronic gadgets were arranged systematically.

"You're welcome sir," the man behind the desk greeted warmly.

"Thank you," the visitor replied as he stood at a respectable distance.

The visitor was waved to a seat and as he sat on one of the plush seats, the man behind the desk brought out a miniature book which he opened and began to scan. "Business?" he asked as he looked up from his book at the visitor.

The visitor smiled slowly. "Friend," he muttered. It was as he had been tutored.

The man behind the desk shut the book in his hands and quickly got up, a broad grin breaking out across his calm face. "Ah, you're very welcome sir! This way, please," he offered, pointing towards another door.

The visitor got up and followed the man. He was shown into a tiny passage-like room.

"Please knock the door ahead of you, someone will attend to you. You're welcome sir!" the man smiled impressively at the visitor then went back to his duty post while the visitor strolled on.

The door ahead opened into a large hall where a doorman bowed slightly as the visitor entered. He pointed to an oak-paneled door on his right as he muttered a welcome with a smile. It was a large house indeed. 

Amenahagwon Obasogie, fondly called 'Ame' by all, sat pensively at the edge of the massive swimming pool in her father's compound, nursing a fruit drink absent-mindedly. She mused over her life in recent times; her thoughts drifted to her recent experience as regards her love life and she wondered if Philip, the man in her life now, would make good on his promise to visit her. She smiled dreamily at her reflection in the water as her thoughts dwelt on him. Philip was the best thing that had happened to her in recent times. She was so happy that he was finally hers.

She remembered how it had all started...

Lola had barged into their girls' hostel room that Saturday afternoon, happiness written all over her. "Cyrus is back in town!" she had cried, eliciting cries of pleasure from the four other girls in the room. Cyrus was Lola's fun-loving boyfriend, who knew how to have a great time. Plus, he was a generous spender who lavished gifts freely on his close friends. The girls had been bored all day long so this was a welcome change for them.

"Oh, pity!" Ego, Ame's best friend, had moaned, dampening the mood slightly. "Ame's visiting her daddy today!" And everyone had laughed at Ame who had then protested and beaten Ego playfully.

Cyrus, in the company of some of his friends, who were well known to the girls, had headed for the beach, loading everyone in his SUV Toyota Highlander. 

The girls had had a lovely time at the party as the food was great and drinks flowed freely. However, Ame had been particularly attracted to one of Cyrus' friends, who had appeared lonely and moody. He was a good-looking and well-built young man but he had a serious-looking face and he didn't mingle with the others. He had taken his own meal and a non-alcoholic drink and gone off to stay on his own, doing nothing but staring out into the sea. 

A discreet enquiry by Lola had brought Cyrus to Ame's side. Cyrus had looked at his friend, who sat some way off from the party poppers and his expression had suddenly gone sober as he narrowed his eyes, his voice falling into a whisper. "That's Philip, my dear. I purposely arranged this party because of him. He's going through turbulent times presently and so I brought him out here for a change of environment," he had explained to Ame.

"What happened to him?" Ame had asked, concern edging her voice. 

Cyrus had bowed his head sadly. "No, dear. I can't talk about it, but suffice it to say that it was a series of tragic events. But don't pity him, please. He resents it." He had looked at her to drive home the point. Ame could only nod as she had fixed her eyes steadfastly on Philip. 

Cyrus had given her a friendly pat on the shoulder and had then walked off to join the rest of their group after an 'excuse me' permission but Ame had remained rooted to the spot, wondering at the 'series of tragic events' that could have made such a good-looking young man appear so despondent and make him watch life just 'go by.'