Chapter Three

The General's Mansion.

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The joy in my heart rained peacefully as soon as I traced the General's Mansion, located in the heart of Admadu Bello City, a very big Mansion mightier than my father's mansion. I stood still admiring the building as my eyes rolled over to the Sign-Post on the top entrance of the main gate.

"GEN. MAXWELL WILSON"

Boldly inscribed on the sign post. I went closer and placed a knock on the gate a minute later. A man dressed in a highly respected uniform popped his face out on the gate, his face looked pale.

"What are you looking for, young man?" he asked with a hushed voice.

"Good day, sir. My name is Edwin, I am here to see the daughter of Mr. General. Is she around, please?" I replied to his question.

"Mr. Edwin or whatever you call yourself, we have rules here. We don't just accept an unknown visitor here. If you want to see anybody, kindly call the person and an order will be given directly from the person, okay.

"But," before I could even blot out the last word from my tongue, he had already left me standing there. I felt insulted. Was it because I didn't come with a car or what? Well, I will not blame him. I sat by the side of the gate even when I knew I was supposed to take my leave.

Like a stubborn fly, I waited there patiently. Surprisingly, the gate flung open as a red Benz drove out slowly. I stared at the front door and got a sight of a man, dark in complexion, at the front of the car kept a soldier cap and hung a a soldier's I.D Card. Then, I knew that was the General.

I dashed to my feet and waved at him, daring him to stop. He halted and slowed down the car glass, looking at me in a very curious mannerism.

"Young man, what are you doing at the front of my gate?" he asked without giving me the thought of my balance, even though I was the one who stopped him.

My heart shattered and shuddered. For this man to ask me such kinds of questions automatically meant I was in for big trouble. Like the man that I am, I summoned courage and walked close to his car.

"Good day, Mr. General, my name is Edwin. I've been waiting patiently for over an hour here as the gate-man had refused to let me in." I explained, trying my possible best not to disgrace myself,

"Oh! So sorry about that, but tell me how I can help you, Mr. Edwin?" he inquired in a calm, very understanding voice.

"I came to see your daughter, sir." I told him. At that moment, silence took over and he stared at me from head to toe, confirming how good or bad I was looking, he asked,

"My daughter? Who are you to her?" I know he must be confused because that's the first time he saw me.

"Just a close friend," I replied politely.

"That's fine. But, I don't really know you. If you don't mind, you can come back tomorrow when I am less busy, so that I will get to know you much better." he suggested, pulled out an I.D Card and handed it over to me.

"That is my contact. Do well to contact me when you are coming, okay." he assured me. I took it as smiles escaped my lips.

"Thank you, sir, I will do as you said." The sounds of his car honked pom-pom as he sped ablaze. At that moment, I felt accomplished, at least I am a little bit closer to my journey. I flagged down a taxi that took me straight to my apartment.

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To be continued.

(Unedited)