Protected - Episode 5

MAGIC.

The man who called himself Justin was talking to someone else, he took me to an office place and I can see many computers, am sure I saw more than one holstered gun.

Am curled on a chair with a mug of something hot, well it was hot when it was given to me, now it's warm, I didn't bother drinking it, it tasted like Ash to me.

I tried to clean most of the blood, it got out but the one on my clothes didn't, I don't have a change of clothes so, 

Am still shaking, a man got killed in front of me, that does not happen in onitsha, I feel so alone.

"How are you holding up?"

I jerk in shock, the Justin man is standing in front of me, by the way he is staring at me, am sure he has been standing there for a while.

I don't respond I  just gaze at the ground.

"Hey,"

I still don't respond.

He crouches in front of me and touches my leg fir a bit. I still don't glance up.

"If you don't answer my questions sweetie, we will have to find out where you are from and send you back".

That got through to me, I twitched, he noticed.

"If you talk then I can help you, I promise."

I slowly raise my head, he is kneeling in front of me and on a closer look u see he is not that old, maybe 25 at most.

"So you wanna tell me?"

I nod.

"Good, first, what's your name"

I open my mouth to answer but I see some of his co-workers gather round, I tense, the feeling of being watched is not one am used to.

The man notices and he tells them to go away, they do so without question and am immediately better, I get the feeling this man is an higher up.

"So your name?"

"Magic, my name is magic, Magic Emilia obi"

I don't know why I gave him my middle name as my first name but I felt compelled to do so, I want a new beginning.

"Magic, nice name, ok magic, tell me how you got to be in that shed"

I shake my head negatively, I don't want to relieve that awful moment again.

He seems to understand because he nods and smiles gently, he slowly lifts his hand, as if asking for permission, and begins to stroke my hair .

I don't know I have been craving human touch because his touch opens the flood gates of my tears.

I tell him everything, about how my aunty treats me, how my uncle almost harmed me one day when my aunty was away, how they were going to sell me, how I ran, Andrew's travelling, my stolen bag and finally how scared and alone I feel.

When I finish I realize he has stood up and maneuvered me in a manner that I am now sitting on his lap, while he comforts me.

"It's ok, it's ok, let it all out"

I gulp in air and am suddenly exhausted, I only have my purse containing my money with me, that's all, no where to sleep, nothing at all.

I just want to sleep and forget today ever happened.

"You ok now little one?"

I nod and lift my head from his chest, he gently places me on the couch again and am grateful, if a little embarrassed that I blubbered in front of this handsome man.

I must not be as exhausted as I feel if I have the strength to admire his handsomeness.

"So, you have no relative at all in Lagos?"

I shake my head no . He sighs.

"I will make sure my boys see about getting your bag back from the taxi driver ok?"

I nod, grateful.

"I don't know how long that will take little one, so in the meantime you will be coming home with me"

I instantly tense, am not going anywhere.

He notices because he laughs.

"Good, at least you understand that there are dangers attached to following random men to their house"

I don't answer, Lagos has not been good to me, I don't want to be a victim again .

"But you are still going to come with me"

"You are a random man sir"

He laughs again, I like his laugh.

"I know, little one but I have to keep an eye on you, you are very vital to thus case, you saw the face of the killer, you are our only lead"

Am still not convinced.

"I have a sister, she lives with me, she has a son, I promise nothing will happen to you there."

Am swayed, a nan that has a sister living with him can't be that bad, right?

"And we have position open at my house, you will some minor work and you will get paid, feeding and accommodation included."

Ok that seals the deal, how bad can it be?

I nod.

"Good, let's go, it's just 3 in the morning, we both need some shut-eye"

"Shut-eye? What does that mean?"

"It means sleep, little one"

I nod but I respond.

"Am not little"

He laughs.

"Whatever you say little one"

He calls me the name again but I don't take offense because I love his laugh.

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MAGIC.

when we get to his place, am instantly overwhelmed, it's a mansion, I have never seen ahouse like this in my life except in movies.

He leads me inside after he we get down from his car, I can't seem to close my mouth, it's even bigger inside, even in the darkness.

He doesn't turn on a light , he explains that it will wake his sister, I nod 

He leads me to a room, it's the biggest I have ever seen, my whole house back in onitsha will fit into the room.

"This will be your room,ok?"

I nod .

"Make yourself comfortable, I will get you some change of clothes, tomorrow we will discuss how to get you some clothes"

I nod, he leaves and comes back with a big polo shirt and a boxer, I blush.

He says good night and leaves, I bring the shirt to my nose,it smells like him.

I take my bath in the biggest bathroom I have ever seen and get into bed, I realize ni am hungry, but that has to wait till tomorrow.

I close my eyes and send a silent prayer to the heavens .

Thank you Father for sending me an helper.

******"""*****"'''******'''*****'''*'''''******"

Justice.

I get home really late , around about 4, I was out in the office going over some new contract proposal we got from a company in the states.

I don't turn on a light because it disturbs julliet, i just make my way to my room in the darkness, I strip while dumping my clothes in the ground.

I enter my bathroom and take a quick bath, exhaustion pulls at me,am so tired.

I exit and I manage to pull on my boxer before collapsing on the bed, am immediately asleep.

If I wasn't so tired I would have heard my door open, I would have felt my bed dip as another body rests besides me,I would have woken up as the person snuggles close.

But I don't, I am tired and asleep,am dead to the world.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow.

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/protected

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Read " An Arranged Marriage " by the same author ( Bebe Ernest )