Chapter 7

Jeremy's jaws dropped as he gawked at the feminine figure before him. The look on his face could easily be misinterpreted that he was stunned by the compelling beauty of the woman that stood before him; charming him with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, but it was not so. He was partly stunned by her beauty and partly confounded as to why she was here, in the Opal Manor — after all these years. He glanced at his dazed friend who stood rigid behind him and then at Dera. In those few seconds, the bewilderment in Buchi's face were expelled, replaced by hard eyes and an impassive countenance as his jaws tightened and heart swelled in anger.

"Jeremy?" Dera called out to the man before her as he had to her, and they hugged each other impulsively, but for only a brief moment.

"So what brings you here?" Jeremy asked as he ushered them in — of course without Buchi's consent.

"I have business with him" Dera replied as she advanced towards Buchi and extended her right hand for a handshake. Buchi stared down at her uncertainly, wondering what sort of game she was trying to play with him. His anger lingered within him, threatening to burst as the memories of their time in highschool overwhelmed him, but he kept his cool — he was better than that. They were teenagers then and he was an adult now. He had buried whatever that had transpired between them in the past and he intended it stayed there. So whatever emotion he felt for her, be it anger or love [if there be any], they were going to be buried in that past. Simply put, he decided he was neither going to be angry at her nor be indifferent. He was only going to treat her as though nothing had happened between them and she was just a person he knew in Bright Future schools. He was going to treat her as a stranger she was. He had decided all in this in an instant. Calmly, he extended his right hand and clasped the woman's hand in a handshake, withdrawing his hand almost immediately.

"You look well, Buchi" Dera spoke, looking him in the eye as if she sought for the sweet boy she once knew.

"Mr Chairman." Buchi corrected at once. "You shall address me as 'Mr Chairman'. Only my family and friends address me by my name — and you're neither of the two". He spoke spitefully, putting her in her place. True he had decided not to be indifferent towards her, but it was also his right to decide his attitude to strangers. "What brings you to my house?" he continued, not minding the astonishment in the other's face — she had not expected him to act the way he did, but it did not matter to him. He wanted her out of his life urgently.

"You asked us to come, Mr Chairman." Edith interfered immediately, sensing the tension between them.

"I did?"

"Yes you did. At the party" Edith replied, studying the Chairman's face. It lightened a bit as he seemed to remember them now.

"You were the ladies?" Buchi asked uncertainly and Edith nodded a reply. "Very well then. We'll discuss whatever it is you wish at my office" he said, signaling them to follow after him.

He led the way, with the lot a couple of steps behind him. He worked his way about the length of a lobby, taking a few turns till he located his office. He ushered them in and served them drinks, then he retreated behind his desk.

"So how may I be of assistance?" He asked politely, making sure to not bring personal issues into professional matters — no matter who was involved.

"We need you to help us get the governor's approval on a real investment project we're commissioning in Isuikwuato" Edith replied.

"I feel you're mistaken". He spoke after a brief silence. "As you've said yourself, your project will be commissioned at Isuikwuato. So why then do you seek me when it's the Isuikwuato's LG Chairman you should be speaking with? After all it's his territory"

"You're right. But then it does not matter whose territory it is if you'd get the governor to listen much quicker than anyone can — and that's what we need, and trust that you can deliver since you're his favorite." Edith answered smartly. Buchi paused briefly, pondering over what she told him, then he spoke.

"This real investment project... what is it?"

"It is a very complex real estate project. We call it Dinero Villa" Edith answered once more. "The Dinero Villa project features the establishment of multiple estate buildings, a seven star hotel, an airport, a train station, a leisure park, an American standard University and many more. It'd be like a nation of it's own." she explained with enthusiasm.

"Ludicrous! Is this even achievable?" Buchi asked, astonished. "What you're saying involves multiple hectares of land. What would be the fate of the locals there?" He asked, concerned.

"Like I said before. Dinero Villa features the establishment of multiple estate buildings — one capable of housing hundreds of families. I'm sure the locals can fit in somewhere." Edith answered curtly.

"But why Isuikwuato of all places"

"Because of it's scenery. And because it's a remote, scarcely inhabited place, developing at a slow pace."

"Fine! But your project, I can surmise involves billions of dollars, if not, trillions. What's your source of finance because I don't want the EFFC linking my name to any fraud related business. As you might've heard, I'll be running for governorship next year. I don't want to give my opponents any leverage to tarnish my name" Buchi explained, pointing out his area of concern.

"I assure you Mr Chairman, this project is legit. Like I told you before, this is a real investment project and we have lots of clean investors" Edith assured. Buchi paused momentarily, pondering over what he was told. He considered the matter for a while, then he spoke.

"Very well then. I'll speak with the governor concerning this."

"Thank you Mr Chairman" Edith thanked him excitedly.

"If you'd excuse me then" He spoke politely, motioning them to take their leave since they were done. Edith rose from her seat and then Dera.

"Can I buy you coffee tomorrow. I'd like us to discuss a pressing issue" she requested, staring down at Buchi with sad eyes.

"I'm not certain that would be possible. As you can see I'm a very busy man" he spoke in a void tone, but deep down he was caught off guard by the immediacy of her request.

"I promise it wouldn't take much of your time" Dera pressed on, leaving Buchi no choice but to nod a consent.

Buchi felt troubled as they left, wondering what it was that Dera wanted to say to him. Whatever it was, he felt it was no good and it disturbed him that she had come to wreck him once again. Buchi was still battling with these mixed emotions before his phone rang.

"Hello dad" a teenage male voice spoke from the other end as he picked the call.

"Champion?"