The Money Maker(Josiah Ogholi) Chief Ajeleke began to dress up immediately after his bath. He had to go and bring someone for ritual, certainly a virgin. But he didn’t know yet whom exactly to bring. He had to go out and search.

Chief Ajeleke was a young man of about 40. He was tall and huge. He was a very wealthy man. He was well respected all over Lagos for his wealth. However, he was yet to get married.

As he was dressing up, his mobile rang. It was one of his girlfriends calling.
“Hello sweetheart,” he answered.
“Honey, are you on your way?” the female voice asked from the other end. Ajeleke had promised to go and pick her up so that both of them could go for swimming at Nicon Hilton Hotel, one of the best hotels in Lagos. But Ajeleke was about twenty minutes late. So she decided to call and remind him she was waiting.
But Ajeleke already had a change of plan.
“Um, I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he replied, “I’ve just received an official call from the governor and I have to obey the call immediately,” he lied. “I’m sorry for the sudden change of plan. I’ll surely fix it up some other time. I love you, Okay?” They hung up.

The change of plan was as a result of the emergency meeting of the brotherhood that was held very early this morning. In the meeting, the priest of the brotherhood ordered him to provide a virgin to renew his ritual before 4 p.m. Otherwise, he should be ready to face the consequences.

Ajeleke must obey because his ritual wealth was from the god of the brotherhood. The last time he renewed the ritual, the god demanded for a young boy. Now, it was a virgin girl. The time he got the young boy, it was very easy for him. But this time he did not really know how to get a virgin girl. If the god had demanded for any girl at all, he would have used any one of his many girlfriends.

Ajeleke had to go without complain. He was already deep in the game, and to retrace his steps would be dangerous to him. But all he knew was that if he had known that it would get to the stage when he would be asked to bring a live human to renew his ritual on a regular basis, he would have refused to join the brotherhood. He thought it was just once and for all. So, he used his mother at the beginning. Now, he had no mother to bring anymore. His father was equally dead. He had no wife yet nor had he children. Even his siblings were afraid to come close to him because they knew he had a hand in their mother’s strange death. So, he had no one to bring at all in place of this virgin. He had to go out.

When he had dressed up, he went to his lobby. There were two long sofas facing each other. He moved them to the parlour adjoining the lobby. Then, going to his private room, which was like a little shrine to him, he carried an office chair to the lobby and arranged it on one side. This was the chair he normally used for his rituals. After saying the usual incantation on it, anyone who sat on it would immediately turn to bunches of money. In that way, the ritual would be renewed.
Now, apart from that chair, there was no longer any other chair in the lobby. Hence, anyone who would come with him would have to sit on that chair, the only one available.

He quickly remembered that he had to see a bosom friend who was also a member of the brotherhood for a brief piece of advice. The priest had told him not to worry, that when he met a virgin, his right arm would jerk three times violently. But he still needed to see the friend on his way before setting out finally.

Getting to the gate, he quickly sent the security guard on a two-day compulsory leave, mandating him to leave urgently. He did that anytime he was performing a ritual that involved human life so that the gateman wouldn’t suspect him. Then, he drove out as his time showed exactly 10 a.m.

* * *

Mr Ibekwe, a bosom friend of Ajeleke, was home, playing ludo game with his wife and two kids when Ajeleke arrived. He spent most of his time with his family since he lost his first son in death four months ago. He hoped such an ugly incident would never happen again.

As soon as Ajeleke entered, Ibekwe took him to his private room. Members of the brotherhood usually had a private room, which no one else was allowed to enter except they themselves and their members. When they had sat down, Mr. Ibekwe entertained him with wine. Ajeleke poured a little and sipped. He didn’t want to take any drink since he wasn’t in a good mood. But they weren’t permitted to reject a drink offered by any member of the brotherhood.

Ibekwe watched as Ajeleke dropped the glass after drinking the wine. He saw that Ajeleke was tensed up and seriously worried. Of course, he knew what was wrong. H e was in the meeting when the priest informed Ajeleke that he had to bring a virgin girl before 4 p.m.
“Are you set for the mission?” asked Ibekwe, looking him in the eyes.
Ajeleke heaved a long sigh. “I’m set but I don’t know how to go about this thing. I was totally caught unawares,” Ajeleke replied.
Ibekwe shrugged. “It has always been like that,” he noted. Then there was a brief pause as both of them meditated about the mission.
“You must make sure you succeed,” Ibekwe warned, looking serious.
“I’ll try,” said Ajeleke. “If worst comes to worst, I’ll hire my boys to do it.”
“Remember you’re to do it alone,” Ibekwe warned him again. “I paid dearly for it when I hired boys the last time I had to renew mine. The person was rejected. And since the time given to me was over, my first son had to serve as replacement.” He paused to see Ajeleke’s reaction.
Ajeleke’s eyes and mouth were already wide open in surprise.
“I was thinking you just gave out your son without trying to get the kind of person demanded,” he said.
“I didn’t,” said Ibekwe. “I hired boys and got the kind of person demanded, a pregnant woman. This kind of thing can cost you your life if you don’t have a replacement. You’d better go now and fulfill the mission.”
Ajeleke rose to go. “See you later,” he said.
“I wish you the best,” replied Ibekwe. “And when you’ve succeeded, call me so that I can come and celebrate with you.”
“Okay,” said Ajeleke, “have a nice day.”
He left the room with a strong determination to succeed. And he had to succeed; otherwise, he would lose his life in a few hours from now.

* * *

The time was 3 p.m. Chief Ajeleke had only 30 minutes left to accomplish his mission or face the consequences. It had been raining all the while. And all the streets had long been deserted by pedestrians. Ajeleke had driven round Ikoyi where he lived several times. Since he had to take his prey to his house for the ritual, he needn’t go beyond Ikoyi.

However, he hadn’t been able to see the kind of person he needed for the ritual. The heavy rain had long driven a lot of people indoors. And the few girls he had seen waiting for taxi by the roadside weren’t the type he wanted. His right arm hadn’t jerked to signal him that they were virgins.

So, he kept trying, going from one street to the other with the hope that he would find one. He believed in the saying that when there is life there is hope. At a point, he changed direction and decided to drive towards his house. He entered the way leading to his street and drove on at a slow pace.

Then, he saw her, the chosen one. As soon as he got to her, his right arm jerked violently. She was standing by the roadside, holding an umbrella. She was certainly waiting for a taxi. The heavy rain didn’t stop her after all.
Ajeleke stopped by her at once. After winding down the windscreen halfway, he smiled at her and asked, “Care for a ride?”

The girl hesitated at first. But later, she nodded. Ajeleke could observe that she looked worried. From her initial hesitation, he also observed that the heavy rain was the major factor that made her to accept his offer for a ride, not the prestige she could derive from his hummer jeep. Another reason which moved her to accept the offer was the one hidden from Ajeleke.

Ajeleke seemed to have the qualities and personalities that were pleasing to her. She had always dreamt of getting married to a man like Ajeleke, tall, handsome, and wealthy.
“What’s your name?” Ajeleke asked, smiling at her as he let the car on the move.
“Rosemary,” she answered without looking at him in a voice that showed she had no interest in any discussion. But deep down, she had burning passion for him, even at first sight. Such pretense was common to most Nigerian girls.
“Where’re you heading to?” Ajeleke asked.
“Joppa Villa,” Rosemary lied. Joppa Villa was a stone throw from CLASSIC HOSPITAL. She was actually heading to the hospital.
“Do you want to catch up with a friend or something?” Ajeleke asked again, trying to capture her attention.
“No, my aunty,” Rosemary lied again. She was on her way to the hospital for the sake of her mum who was in a sick bed there. Her sick mum was about to undergo a medical operation, which would cost three hundred thousand naira. The hospital management had demanded for an advance payment of a hundred and fifty thousand naira before the operation could be carried out. Her dad had to send her home to bring the required amount from a particular place so that the operation could begin as soon as possible.

However, Rosemary didn’t want to disclose these facts to Ajeleke. She didn’t really want to bother him with her problems. She understood that most Nigerian men usually tried to avoid girls who were loaded with problems.

Ajeleke took a quick look at her. And he could still observe the uneasiness in her look despite the comfort of the car.
“Are you okay?” Ajeleke asked with a caring voice.
“Yeah.” Rosemary nodded.

There was something in this girl that made her different from all Ajeleke’s girlfriends. She looked disciplined and well nurtured. She was the kind of girl that would make a good wife, the kind of girl Ajeleke wanted for a wife. Ajeleke shot another look at her physical qualities. She was tall, slim, light-skinned, and carrying long black hair.

Ajeleke seemed to develop intense love for her instantly. But his mind went back to the mission he had to carry out. He heaved. It was a pity he had to carry it out, he thought. After all, the ritual must be performed with someone he dearly loved.
“Would you mind if I stopped at my place to take something before taking you to your destination?” Ajeleke asked. “I’d like to go out when I’ve dropped you.”
“Where?” asked Rosemary.
“Just a few houses before Joppa Villa,” Ajeleke replied.
“Can’t wait,” said Rosemary. “Just drop me by the way before going to your place. I’ll take a walk.”
“No, you don’t need to,” Ajeleke insisted. “I’m not staying long; just to take something.” He looked at her. “And you’ll know my place too,” he added.

Rosemary again hesitated for a while and then shrugged her consent. She wanted to know his house. But she mustn’t stay long. She looked at his hands on the steering wheel. He had no ring on. Surely, he wasn’t married, she thought. Who knew, she might be the lucky one, she reasoned. After all, she had preserved herself so she could marry a responsible man who was also well to do. Yes, Rosemary was right in her view. But unfortunately for her, she never really knew what lied ahead for her. She failed to realize that “all that glitters is not gold.”

* * *

In CLASSIC HOSPITAL, Rosemary’s mother sat strenuously on the hospital bed of the female ward, supported by two nurses while the third nurse was busy checking her blood pressure one more time. Rosemary’s father was angry, worried and confused. He had waited too long for her to come with the money so that the operation could commence.

“The situation is getting worse,” said one of the nurses. “If this operation continues to be delayed, I’m afraid things might get out of control. Or perhaps the doctor might discharge her.”

Rosemary’s father didn’t give any reply. He merely heaved and moved up and down uneasily. Then he picked up his mobile from his pocket and tried to call Rosemary. But too bad, network had disappeared. This sometimes happened when there was a heavy rain like the present one. Was he going to lose his wife? Did he have to go home by himself for the money? Could something have happened to his daughter on the way? He tried to ask without a reasonable answer. Obviously, the only thing that could save Rosemary’s mother now was for Rosemary to come with the needed money without delay.

* * *

“You’re welcome to my abode,” said Chief Ajeleke as soon as both of them entered the lobby.
“Thank you,” Rosemary replied in a cold manner. Now that she had known the house, she could visit some other time if necessary. Presently, she was filled with the worry about her mum. She had to go fast or lose her.
Ajeleke looked at his wristwatch and what he saw evoked fear in him. It showed 3:50 p.m. He had barely 10 minutes to execute the mission.
“Sit down,” he said, pointing to the ritual office chair, the only one in the lobby. “Let me go and get that thing fast,” he added.
Rosemary didn’t respond nor did she make any move to sit down. Perhaps she didn’t even hear him well. She was no longer interested in anything else except to go now to the hospital with the money and get the operation started. She had to save her dear mum.
“Sit down, please,” Ajeleke repeated.
“Oh!” Rosemary turned to him. “I’m okay. Thank you, sir.” If it went to the extent of sitting down, this man would waste her time, she thought. She had to make him realize that she was in a hurry.
“I insist you sit down,” said Ajeleke. “I want you to be comfortable.”
“Okay, I’ll sit.” Rosemary heaved. She wasn’t going to sit. She merely wanted to deceive him. “Just go,” she urged him. “I promise you, I’ll sit.”
“No, sit first before I go,” Ajeleke insisted.

Rosemary became angry. But she had to hide the anger, for she was dealing with a man, a huge man who could devour her in a few seconds. Anyhow, she wasn’t ready to sit down. She wasn’t okay with the way Ajeleke was insisting on her sitting. She quickly reasoned that Ajeleke could be up to something bad against her. And if that happened, a sitting position wouldn’t be good enough for her to defend herself.

“If you don’t go, I won’t sit,” she threatened him. “I told you I’ll sit. Trust me. But go first.” She gave him an assuring smile.

Ajeleke returned the smile and decided to go inside with the intention that if he came back and met her still in a standing position, he would force her to sit on the chair. He opened into the parlour and closed the door behind him.

Rosemary was sure something bad was about to happen to her. And if anything happened to her, which could stop her from taking the money to her dad quickly enough, her mum would die of the illness. In turn, if her mum died, her dad could equally die of hypertension. What a doom for the family!

She quickly said a silent prayer. Then she thought of running away. But she couldn’t because if she opened the door, it would make a noise. But what if he attempted to rape her? She had to look for a way to defend herself because even if she shouted for help, there was no one around to come for her rescue. She looked around and saw a thick bottle close to the chair. It was the bottle of St Remy wine.

She moved close to the bottle and stood by it. She concluded that if Ajeleke made any attempt to come close to her, it’d mean something was wrong. And in that case she would have to hit him hard with the bottle and escape thereafter.

* * *

In CLASSIC HOSPITAL, the doctor had just finished checking the condition of Rosemary’s mother one more time. Then, he turned to Rosemary’s father.
“Hello, sir,” he called, “we’re sorry we cannot keep her here for more than 20 minutes without carrying out the operation. The situation is getting worse.” He looked at his wristwatch. “The time is 3:55 p.m.,” he continued. “By 4:15 p.m. if you’re not ready we shall discharge her.” Then he turned to go.
“Please, sir,” Rosemary’s father stepped after him. “My daughter will surely come with the money. Please, be patient with me, sir,” he begged.
“What I’m saying is that the condition is getting worse. You can only do something now or never. Well, the ball is in your court, sir.” He shrugged and left.

Rosemary’s father stood still without knowing what to do. He took his mobile again in order to call Rosemary. But there was still no network coverage. Then, he decided to rush home by himself. Before he left, he instructed the nurses that in case Rosemary returned on his behalf, she should pay the money so that the operation could begin immediately.

* * *

Ibekwe had been at home, expecting Ajeleke’s call as soon as he had completed the mission. They had earlier arranged to celebrate when Ajeleke had succeeded. But Ajeleke’s call hadn’t come. Could it be that he hadn’t succeeded? Or could he have succeeded but had forgotten their earlier arrangement to celebrate together? He was wondering. He looked at his wall clock. It was 3:55 p.m. He had to call him to know what was going on.

He picked up his mobile and dialed. But he discovered that there wasn’t network coverage. He took his second mobile with a different network provider and dialed. The phone rang but nobody answered. He dialed again, again, and again. Still, there was no answer.

* * *

When Ajeleke’s mobile started to ring, he looked at the wall clock in the parlour and the time was 3:55 p.m. He carried the phone and looked on the screen. He saw it was Ibekwe calling. He decided not to answer until the mission was completed. He had only five minutes left. And if Rosemary didn’t sit on the chair, he was going to give her trouble now. He went to the door and opened it into the lobby. Then he saw the big surprise. She refused to sit on the chair. He had no time anymore. The mission must be accomplished now.

“I told you to sit down and feel comfortable,” he said with a smile, moving slowly towards her. “I care so much for you, you know,” he added, attempting to stretch his hands and hold her.

Rosemary quickly understood there was trouble coming along. She could even see the trouble in his eyes. And the smile, too, was obviously wicked and pretended. Her heart began to beat heavily against her ribs. She was sure that the only thing that could help her now was to execute her decision. But could she do it? Ajeleke was a very huge man with firm muscles. Could she stand him?

Anyhow, she had to do it because it was a matter of life and death. She had to save her life, her mum’s, and even that of her dad. She said another brief silent prayer. Then, she smiled.
“You’re so worried about me,” she replied him.

But as Ajeleke’s hands were about to grab hold of her, she quickly took the bottle from the floor and hit him with her whole strength such that the bottle, though hard, dashed into pieces, deeply piercing into his eyes and forehead.

Ajeleke cried out loud in pain and staggered close to her. Then she shoved him off, dashed to the door and opened it to escape. This time, she saw her own surprise. The man she pushed forward, who fell on the chair, was nowhere to be found. The chair itself was nowhere to be found too. The only thing she could see was bunches upon bunches of money. As she stood amazed, the money kept multiplying, filling the entire lobby.

“I must run now to the hospital first of all and drop the money for my mum’s treatment,” she thought. “Thereafter, I’ll quickly go and report this incident to the police. Then she closed the door behind her and left.

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