Road Trip

"Hey," Miss Rose addressed J. Cole, her voice tinged with genuine concern. "Will you be alright traveling by yourself?"

J. Cole turned to face her and nodded in affirmation, a sense of self-reliance evident in his demeanor.

Miss Rose continued, her tone shifting to a more practical note. "You know, with the inflation, the hike in fuel prices, and the high level of insecurity in the country, it won't be easy on your part."

J. Cole couldn't help but sense that there was more beneath the surface. "What are you not saying?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Miss Rose considered for a moment before presenting her offer. "I know you spent close to 5 million at the mall, so you might be running low on cash. Here's the deal: I can loan a million to you now... with interest, of course."

J. Cole chuckled at her proposition, revealing a hint of amusement. "Why am I not surprised," he quipped. "Thanks, sugar mommy. I'll call you if I need anything." With that, he swiftly scuttled into his Range Rover and floored the accelerator, leaving Miss Rose momentarily stunned.

Her mouth was slightly ajar, enough to fit an egg, as she pondered, "Did he just tease me?" The dynamics between them were becoming increasingly intriguing and complex, leaving Miss Rose with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment as she watched J. Cole drive away on his journey.

....

J. Cole had a smirk on his face as he confidently gripped the steering wheel at 3 o'clock with his left hand, his right hand casually resting on top of the shift lever. He was driving in style, and his carefree journey in his stylish Range Rover captured a sense of liberation. His smirk reflected the newfound confidence that had been growing within him.

He took the wheel with a sense of ease, rapping along to the lyrics of "Changes" by the legendary 2Pac—one of the greatest of all time. The iconic song's lyrics filled the car, and J. Cole was in his element, immersed in a world of music and freedom. The open road stretched out before him, and he was determined to embrace every moment of this journey with a spirit of adventure and discovery.

Two hours into the journey, he felt like he had witnessed an array of picture-perfect scenes, with various sights and tantalizing food experiences along the way. But amid all these marvels, the encounters with the police remained a nerve-wracking aspect of his journey.

Africa is indeed a blessed land, filled with unlimited resources which came as a blessing and a curse... First came the learning phase, where our ancestors saw the resources but didn't really know what it was or how it benefits the environment and life as a whole...

He pondered the age-old adage that great power came with great responsibilities, but it seemed humanity's insatiable desires often obscured these noble intentions. The abundance of mineral resources in Africa had, in many ways, blinded people to the true potential of these riches and had, instead, turned their hearts cold. This led to corruption and rampant poverty.

A poignant example of this paradox was shared—highlighting an African country among the ten poorest in the world, yet its politicians were among the highest-earning globally.

With a heavy sigh J Cole shook his head as he muttered "we can be better".

J Cole's arrival in Gateway City marked the next chapter of his journey. The signboard welcoming him to the city brought a sense of relief, especially considering the late hour. The road had been eerie, with little traffic to accompany him on his drive. It had taken a tense 10 minutes before he had even spotted another car ahead.

"I think I've had enough fun for today," he mused, "I better find a hotel to crash in." Although he wasn't fatigued from driving, the security concerns had begun to weigh on his mind.

Twenty minutes later, J Cole found himself at a 3-star hotel, where he parked his Range Rover HSE Dynamic and made his way to the entrance. Fifteen minutes after checking in, he proceeded to his room, a sense of weariness casting a shadow.

However, a feeling of being tailed crept over him, causing him to glance back. He caught sight of a woman in traditional northern attire, but he dismissed it as a casual observation and continued walking under the guidance of the hotel staff.

"This is your room, sir, and thank you for choosing PARK INN HOTEL," the staff member informed him.

J Cole chuckled appreciatively. "It's my pleasure."

Impressed by the service, he decided to reward her with a tip. "Continue the good work," he said, finishing the gesture with a wink. The act of giving back made him feel good, knowing that the money he was using had been earned with relatively zero stress.

With a deep breath, J Cole realized it was time to freshen up and unwind, putting the day's adventures behind him.

15 minutes later, J Cole was on the bed ready to get some shut-eye, but his evening in the hotel room took an unexpected turn with the soft knock on his door. The night had initially felt serene and wonderful, but that tranquility was interrupted by the mysterious visitor.

And who would that be?

J Cole didn't think much about it and opened the door.

As he opened the door, a body fell onto him—a woman dressed in northern native attire.

"Help me," she whispered urgently.

J Cole stood there, stunned and confused. He was left with questions, "Who are you, and how can I help you?" he inquired, his voice laced with skepticism.

The woman was in no condition to stand on her own, so J Cole led her to the bed. With no couch in his room, it was the most practical option.

"Why don't you sit here while I call the front desk?" J Cole suggested, his instincts wary.

"No," she replied with slurred words, resisting his proposal. "Please, just this once..."

J Cole's suspicion grew. He reached out and removed her mask, and the sight before him left him in disbelief.

She was beyond gorgeous, with light skin, curly hair, a pointed nose, heart-shaped lips, and a slender figure. However, the rest of her body remained concealed, preventing him from fully appreciating her beauty. The encounter had taken an intriguing twist, leaving J Cole with more questions than answers about the mysterious woman in his hotel room.

The atmosphere in the hotel room became increasingly charged as the mysterious woman's advances took an unexpected turn. Her touch, her whisper, her intent—all hinted at a scenario J Cole had never anticipated.

"I wouldn't mind if we..." she whispered, her words trailing off. The implication was crystal clear, and it sent J Cole's mind into turmoil. "Did I save a planet in my previous life?" he thought in a state of chaotic disbelief.

Yet, as he observed her more closely, he noticed that her eyes weren't focused, and she appeared flustered, even blushing. His initial concern deepened. "Were you drugged?" he asked, hoping for an explanation.