THE MEETING.

Rotji is in his lounge with Chinedu, having a discussion.

"What is this rumor I've been hearing that Hammad is dead, and his territory has been claimed by someone else? I'm not sure I believe it."

"With all due respect, boss, I don't think it matters what you believe. I confirmed from multiple sources that Hammad and his wife were killed, and their children have been taken away. I even got pictures of their corpses."

Rotji sighs, "So, it's true then?"

"I'm afraid so, boss."

"Hammad is one of the most powerful lords in this business. His shipping route is so reliable that I was considering approaching him for business. Who dares to do such? Almost everyone fears him, apart from a few like me."

"The only thing constant in life is change. Hammad is old school, and he strong-arms everyone. Nenrot was the one that took over his business."

Rotji squeezes his face, trying to recollect something. "I have heard that name before, I just can't seem to place it."

"Nenrot is the shipper that refused to come to us."

"That woman?"

"Yes, boss, it's her."

"She's quite ballsy, I give her that. I never thought I would see the day when a woman would be making power moves like this."

Chinedu shrugs, "it is what it is."

"You know what?"

"What, boss?"

"Get in touch with your contact, and tell him we are ready to come to discuss business with them."

"Why the change of heart?"

"I want to meet that woman, I need to know what she's made of. Truthfully, I'm intrigued. As much as it pains me to admit, she might be our only option."

"Now, you get my point, boss. Shall I make the call now?"

"Please, do."

Chinedu takes out his phone from his pocket and calls Olu.

The latter picks up at the other end. "Chinedu, do you have something for me? Your calls these days are more frequent than my girlfriend's own.

"Come off it, we have agreed to your terms, we are ready to come and meet you on your turf."

"Really? What changed? I remember you telling me your boss would never leave his domain for anyone or no reason whatsoever."

"Forget about that, it's water under the bridge. Just set the date, time, and place, and we'll be there."

"Hold on a bit, my boss is right here, let me just ask her." He puts the call on hold for a few seconds and comes back on. "How about this evening? Say in the next two hours at the crew lounge? You know the place right?"

Chinedu briefly consults with Rotji. "It's fine by us. I know the place, we'll be there."

"I guess we will see you there then."

"Perfect, just don't keep us waiting." He drops the call.

Rotji looks at Chinedu expectantly, "It's fixed then?"

"Yes, boss. We better get ready to leave."

"Okay. Go and inform the boys that I want two extra cars as escorts, the military-style formation. Tell them to also be armed to the teeth, I'm taking no chances."

"Roger, boss." He exits.

TWO HOURS LATER

Rotji is settled in at the private section of the crew lounge. His men have patrolled and secured the premises. Chinedu is at the bar to get drinks for himself and Rotji.

Nenrot enters, dressed in a very petite gown that clings to her body, and highlights all her curves. She's wearing minimal makeup and moves with grace. She scans the few customers in the lounge before her eyes settle on Rotji. She looks away before he makes eye contact, and selects a different seat from him. As usual, all eyes trail her entry until she takes a seat, and Rotji is no exception.

Rotji whistles quietly to himself in admiration upon sighting her. He smiles at her, but she ignores him.

Chinedu returns with their drinks and sits opposite Rotji.

"Here you go, boss." He sets the drinks down on the table, but Rotji is oblivious to his return, his eyes permanently fixed on Nenrot.

Chinedu follows the direction of his gaze and sees the object of Rotji's attraction. He gently taps Rotji. "I got the drinks, boss."

Rotji manages to tear his eyes from Nenrot. "sorry, I got carried away."

Chinedu smiles and sips his drink, "I can see that."

"Do you know that girl?" he asks pointing in Nenrot's direction.

"I don't know her, I have never even seen her before now. Why are you asking, boss?"

"Because I want to talk to her. She's so fucking beautiful and classy, you needed to have seen her arrival. The girl is hot for days."

"Sorry, boss, but we came here for a different reason. Let's finish with business before you engage in pleasure."

He checks the time on his wristwatch, "The people we are meeting with aren't here yet. What if she leaves before we are done with the meeting?"

"We've only been here for a few minutes, they're bound to come in any moment from now."

"It doesn't matter, I must not leave here without talking to that girl. Go and invite her to my table, and tell the bartender to clear out this place. Tell him we would pay him well, we just want to have the place to ourselves."

"You know best, boss. Whatever you say." He stands up to talk to the bartender, the private section is soon cleared, and Chinedu heads over to talk to Nenrot. He sits directly opposite Nenrot. "Hi there, beautiful, how are you doing?"

Nenrot scrutinizes him with her gaze uninterestedly, "I'm fine."

"My boss over there," he points towards Rotji with his hand, the latter waves and smiles. "wants you to join our table."

Nenrot takes a sip of her drink, "Is that so?"

"Yes, shall we go and meet him?"

"Who's your boss to ask me to leave a perfectly good drink and my comfortable seat to go and join his table?"

Chinedu smiles, and shakes his head, "If only you know."

"Know what?"

"That he is capable of buying you the entire bottle of what you are having and many more. What's more? He's going to load you up with more than enough money, and trust me, you won't regret it."

She places her drink on the table and pretends to think. "Tempting, but no. I have a better proposition for your boss."

"What's that?"

"Listen to me clearly 'cause I want you to quote me word for word. Tell him I said if he wants to talk to me, he should get up on his black ass, and come down here to my table. Otherwise, he can go screw himself."

Chinedu opens his mouth in disbelief, "do you have any idea who he is?"

She takes out a cigarette and lights it, sucking in the smoke before blowing it out of her mouth. "I don't. Care to enlighten me?"

"You better take back what you said before I go back to report what you said to him."

"Are you deaf? I said you should quote me word for word. Now, make yourself scarce, and run along like the little errand boy you are."

His face has turned red in anger, and he's having a hard time keeping his anger in check. "Just you wait, you would wish you never mouthed off to me." He angrily stands and goes to meet Rotji.

Rotji gives Chinedu a quizzical look as soon as he sits. "Well, is she coming?"

"I'm sorry, boss, she's not."

"What do you mean by she's not? Didn't you deliver my message to her?"

"I did and her response was, and I quote, "Tell your boss to get his black ass up, and come down here to my table, otherwise, he can go screw himself." Her words, not mine, boss."

"She said that?"

"She said it, and many more."

"What are women turning into these days? First, it was that foolish shipper, and now it's one random girl. Have I become a joke?"

"Apparently, you have to them."

Rotji stands, "Well, that ends today. " He marches over to Nenrot's table, with Chinedu in tow. He takes the seat opposite her, the one Chinedu just vacated.

Nenrot eyes him disinterested and continues blowing smoke out of her mouth. "What can I do for you, gentleman? This is my table as you can see."

"I sent my assistant to politely invite you to our table, and he said you refused to come. Just who do you think you are?"

"Since you asked nicely, I am a full package. The very best of them, and I do not answer to any man, men answer to me instead. Just who do you think you are too, to invite me to your table? You are not a cripple as far as I can tell. After all, you walked here with your legs."

Rotji and Chinedu exchange glances, "You are dumb, I could make living here on earth very difficult for you. You should apologize for your words, and actions tonight before I lose my good mood."

"Make me. By the way, you are the dumb one. Who sends another man to invite a lady to his table in this current age? How stupid can you get really?"

Angry at the manner Nenrot is addressing his boss, Chinedu raises his hand to slap her, but she has anticipated his move. She catches his palm mid-air, and twists his hand backward, in a flash. Placing a well-calculated kick to his groin, she overpowers him and pushes him to the floor.

Chinedu grabs hold of his groin and whimpers painfully.

Rotji stamps his feet in anger, "Chinedu, are you mad? How dare you attempt to attack a woman? Did I give you such an order? I'll deal with you later." Turning to face Nenrot, he apologizes. "I'm so sorry, his behavior tonight is not what I represent."

She shrugs, "Apology accepted."

Olu walks into the lounge and takes in the scene. He notices Chinedu on the floor and walks toward the group.

"Chinedu, what's wrong with you? Why are you on the floor?"

He bends and helps Chinedu up amidst groans from Chinedu.

Chinedu groans again, "I'm fine, this woman," points at Nenrot "is the one responsible for the state I'm in."

Olu smiles, "I see you have met my boss, she has a black belt in martial arts. You must have really pissed her off."

Rotji and Chinedu exchange a surprised glance. Rotji taps his forehead in frustration.

"This is your boss?" Turning to Chinedu, "is this man the contact you have been talking about?"

Chinedu gives an affirmative nod. "Yes, he is. "He turns to Nenrot, "I'm really sorry, madam, I didn't realize it was you."

Nenrot shakes her head vehemently, "It shouldn't matter, all women deserve to be treated with respect."

Rotji stares at Chinedu with scorn. "I want you to accept his apology. We are sorry."

Nenrot shrugs, "It's okay, can we discuss business now?"

They all take their seats and begin to discuss the shipping of Rotji's goods and the price he's expected to pay.

The discussion takes about two hours before they conclude.

Chinedu and Olu head out together to make arrangements in regard to business, leaving Rotji and Nenrot seated.

Rotji clears his throat, "It's just us now. I want to thank you for your time, I'm grateful."

"You are welcome. If that's all, I would like to take my leave."

"I was hoping you could stay for a few drinks with me, to toast our new partnership."

"Thanks, but I will pass. I have things to do, and places to be."

"Let me buy you a drink at least to apologize for our earlier behavior."

"I would have to take a rain check on that." She picks up her purse and stands.

"Okay, how about dinner then? Just a simple dinner to apologize, and get acquainted with each other."

"Maybe another time. It was nice meeting you." She turns around and walks out, leaving Rotji staring wistfully at her. "what a woman!" he mutters to himself.