“If I had known this was the reason you called me, I certainly would not have bothered coming.” Astrid said with a flat tone.

“But you came anyways.” Her sister, Harnet who was busy checking out dresses on one of the gondola replied without looking, “that proves one thing.”

“And what is that?”

“That you don’t hate me.” Harnet stated, bringing out a dress.

“I do not hate you.” Astrid said with an incredulous tone,“at least among all of my half siblings, you are the one who doesn’t treat me like a delegacy.”

Harnet smiled lightly at her. “I’m sorry for the other day and I also apologize on behalf of our father.”

“I accept your apology, but not his.” Astrid replied before assessing the dress Harnet held. “That dress is a NO.”

Harnet sighed in exasperation. “But I like the colour.”

“Hanny, darling, with your fair complexion and that orange dress, you'd look like a light bulb.” Astrid said, “Why the bloody hell are we shopping for dresses anyways? On what occasion?”

“I’m launching my perfume line ‘Celeste’ this Friday and I need dresses.” She held up an ivory colored off shoulder dress, “how about this one?”

Astrid shook her head in disgust and joined in the search.

“Celeste really means a lot to me and I hope people love it.” Harnet said.

“Of course they would. You are finally attempting something new, and you sell one of the best wigs in the whole Lekki. They’ll love Celeste, don’t fret too much about it.” Astrid comforted her sister, “but have you decided ambassadors for your brand yet?”

Harnet stared at her thoughtfully, “I can’t say I have. Why? Are you interested in influencing for me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Astrid said disbelievingly.

“Then why did you ask?” Harnet inquired as they walked over to the next row of outfits.

“You should consider working with Dahlia Kagabel.”

“Is she your friend?” Harnet asked.

“Not at all, but I do follow her on Instagram and she’s really good at what she does. Whenever she influences a brand, it gets sold out within days.” Astrid emphasized her words, hoping her sister would approve.

“Hmm.” Harnet hummed. “I’ll check out her page and put her into consideration.” Astrid smiled in appreciation at her and she continued talking, “I know you don’t like all these sort of things but I’m having my launching party this weekend and I was -”

“Yes!” Astrid did not her allow her complete her statement.

Harnet raised a brow questioningly. “Yes?”

Astrid nodded with conviction. “Yes I will attend.”

“Oh really,” Harnet beamed, “thank you so much Astrid. This means a lot to me.”

“Under different circumstances I would’ve gone as your sister, but I have to go as a friend.” Astrid told her sadly and Harnet’s smile fell from her face.

“Half sister or not, you’re my family and you should definitely open your own crotchet clothing brand. Your crop top is chic. ”

Astrid glanced down at her white alter necked crotchet crop top, something she finished days ago.

“It’s just a personal hobby of mine Hanny, I do not intend to turn it into a business.” She said.

Harnet stopped and stared at Astrid who was inches taller than her. “This is Nigeria where you turn your personal hobbies and talents into business to make money. Things may be different in London, but that’s how it is here. ”

“Why would you need to make more money when your father is over stuffed with money?” Astrid murmured.

“It’s our family’s money, true.” Harnet explained, “but there’s nothing wrong with making your own personal money.”

Astrid nodded before she pointed to a lavender colored knee length dress. “That is the one. Its either that dress or nothing.”

“I honestly cannot thank you enough for showing up. This means so much to me.” Harnet told her, her eyes brimming with sincerity.

They strolled towards Harnet’s black Mercedes benz vehicle, carrying shopping bags and cellophane bags.

“It’s okay Hanny,” Astrid waved it away as she opened the back seat to drop the shopping bags. “I should be the one thanking you for saving me from boredom.”

Harnet chuckled before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Do you want me to drop you off?”

Astrid shook her head in response, “I brought my ride, so its okay. You stay safe and happy.”

Astrid watched her sister drive out of Centro Lekki mall compound and directed her gaze elsewhere to a guy dressed in a polo shirt and ripped jeans. As soon as he saw her, he brought out his phone and pretended to answer a call.

She smirked at his feeble attempt to cover up, but she was no fool. He was stalking her and she was determined to get answers.

Astrid took another bite of her cake as she unlocked her phone and scrolled through. She had been passing away time at Chocolat royal, one of the food court at the mall and devising a plan, something that would trap him off guard.

She had this undying hunch that the ski mask lady had sent him to spy on her which made her chuckle disbelievingly at her audacity.

Seeing that Tomiwa wasn’t online on whatsapp, she switched to sms, knowing fully well that he would reply within seconds.

‘Someone is stalking me.’ she sent it to him and sure enough, his reply came at once.

‘Who? And where are you?’

‘I’m fine. I have a plan.’

‘Do you need help? Should I call Wura and the rest?’

‘For now, no and do I hope I would not need their help.’

‘Stay safe.’

‘Always.’

She raised her head from her phone screen to his direction, few seats away from her. He was going to regret stalking her.

Astrid strolled into the jewellery store, one of which belonged to the organization. TJH went beyond just a spy organization. It had businesses and outlets and one of its popular trade market was TJH jewelries. On the outside, it sold golds, silvers and any possible jewellery, but agents of TJH were no fools. Every jewellery shop around Nigeria had hidden cameras and defensive weapons.

“Hello! How can I help you?” the attendant smiled warmly at Astrid.

In response, Astrid brought out a black card and slid it on the glass counter.

Staring into the eyes of the attendant, she recited the TJH mantra, “Value, justice, efficiency..”

“And dedication.” The attendant completed with a knowing look.

“Level three. Topaz,” she gestured to the card, “I need to borrow this place for a while. I’m on a mission.”

The attendant nodded, “Level two. Ruby, what do you need?”

“First I need everyone out of here. Then we’ll talk.”

He fell for the trap easily and Astrid watched his downfall.

He stepped in, pretending to look through the array of necklaces and earnings and Astrid stood at the other end of the aisle, watching him like a predator as he picked up a gemstone.

“Lovely piece of jewellery isn’t it?” She said and he jerked back at the sound of her voice. “Its called the diamond freeze and it has the ability to render the holder paralyzed.”

The diamond dropped from his hands on cue. His shoulders quaked and his body finally stiffed. Astrid watched with mock amusement as he struggled to move his legs. But it was no use because that was the work of the diamond freeze.

“What did you do to me?” he asked through gritted teeth, his eyes wild with furry.

“Oh please,” Astrid rolled her eyes, “you brought this upon yourself, not me.”

She strolled over to the counter, sat, crossed her legs and flexed her freshly pedicured nails.

“If you cooperate, I won’t have to kill you,” she explained with a bored tone, “Who sent you to stalk me? Although I must confess, your stalking skills are terribly visible and its a pathetic attempt.”

“I’m only following orders.” he replied her.

“Well aren’t you?” Astrid gasped dramatically, “Whose orders are you following?”

He pursed his lips, adamant to remain mute and honestly, Astrid grew sick of it.

She got to her feet, then briskly walking towards him. His frozen state was temporary so she had to hasten things up.

Raising his right arm, she pulled up his sleeves to reveal his tattoo and boy, was she right.

The tattoo was identical as she could clearly see. A cow’s head.

“What does this mean?” She inquired with seriousness in her tone, “who are you working for?” her tone hardened.

Beads of sweats formed on his forehead and face was agitated and frightened.

“I’m not a patient person,” Astrid warned him, “I have other matters to attend to so I suggest you do not waste my time.”

“I can’t tell you his name.” he finally spoke, “I can’t.” his voice had finality.

“And why is that?”

“If I mention his name, I die.” his voice trembled in fear.

“How do you mean die?” Astrid narrowed her eyes at him, “what sort of ridiculous tattletale is this? Do you mock me?”

“I’m not lying.” He said again, “its a binding tattoo of loyalty. I cannot speak his name.”

Astrid closed her eyes briefly to calm herself and prevent any reckless move.

“Then how about her?” She asked again, her voice rising to an octave, “that bloody nutter. Why is she interested in me and my friends.”

“Because you’re after the gothium bullets.”

“I need her name.” Astrid said sternly.

A whole three minutes passed in silence before his body posture suddenly relaxed. He was back to normal.

Then, with the speed of lightning, he swerved to run out but stumbled and fell towards one of the gondolas.

That didn’t stop him of course, because he regained his posture and ran out.

Astrid walked toward the gondola, brought out a hankerchief , squatted and wiped off the blood from the floor.

When he fell, it lead to a cut, which probably meant nothing to him. But it did to her. With his blood, she was going to find out everything about him.

“You did what?” Wura was furious as she banged her fist on the table.

Astrid shrugged as he legs dangled over the sofa.

“We are trying to reveal and put an end to Dahlia’s evil and you’re making her gain more attention?”

“Woah, calm down tigress,” Astrid threw her head backwards. “Attention is good.”

“I cannot calm down, for Christ sake, why didn’t you talk to me about it first?” Wura pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

Astrid raised her head, then turned to Wura in shocked amusement as she raised her brow in question.

“So, you disappeared for days without telling anyone. You keep to yourself and do your own thing without informing anyone, and now I do mine and you dare complain?”

“Don’t change the topic.” Wura warned with a glare.

Astrid laughter was humourless, one of unbelief.

“I shouldn’t change the topic?” She rose up with force and looked directly into Wura’s eyes. “I called you to check up on you because I was bloody worried but your line was switched off. All my texts, were unanswered as always. If it’s not about work, you never reply. Wake up Wura!” she snapped her fingers in demonstration, “you can’t keep shutting yourself out. The world doesn’t bloody revolve around you and your brother’s death was and will never be your fault!”

Her breathing was uneven and her chest felt lighter. Wura had to hear it, someone had to tell her.

“I don’t need anyone to check up on me.” Wura’s cool voice had a dangerous edge to it, “stay out of my business and personal life Astrid. You’re unwanted.”

Unwanted. The word echoed consistently in her head and her heart kept breaking into multiple pieces. Her own friend was treating like her family. An outcast.

It hurt. It really hurt.

Astrid looked up at her and memories flashed before her. Memories of all the good times they’ve shared together.

She blinked into the harsh reality. Her friend was gone and in her place was a cold stranger.

Astrid didn’t know when Aminat entered until she spoke.

“This lagos traffic kai.”

“Aminat.” Astrid beamed, tearing her gaze from the stranger and masking her pain. “You look lovely, as always.”

“Thank you Astrid.” She placed her hand bag on the table, before heading to the refrigerator to take out a bottle of cold water. She drank before she continued to speak. “Where are the others?”

As if on Cue, the door opened to reveal the twins, Fareed and Faizah.

“I like him.” Faizah murmured with a sulking expression. Her headset hung around her neck and Astrid was ready to bet that she was previously listening to a Kizz Daniel song.

“I don’t. Which means you shouldn’t.” Fareed on the other hand had his hands in his jeans pocket, his facial expression unbothered. “What did we miss?” he grinned at everyone. Fareed had an handsome smile.

“Fortunately for you both, we are just about to commence the meeting. Do have a seat or stand, whichever you deem fit. I shall start with my report.” Astrid announced.

After few minutes, everyone had settled someone and Astrid had their full attention.

“Now,” she started, “My elder sister Harnet is having her launch party this Friday for her new perfume line and I suggested Dahlia as one of the brand ambassadors, which means she gets an automatic invite to the party.”

“How does this benefit our mission?” Aminat inquired.

“Tijani Oke will be there as he is my sister’s husband friend.”

“So?” Fareed injejected.

“Do you remember last year’s rumour that he was having an affair with Dahlia?”

They all exchanged bemused glances.

“I wish to revive it. But this time, its going to evolve into a scandal. A huge one that will keep people buzzing for weeks.”

“But why?” Fareed asked.

“Because Dahlia will be too distracted to focus on the bullets.” Wura spoke for the first time in the meeting. Astrid nodded, her face neutral.

“We will have to take convincing pictures of them together at the party. If I had my way, I’ll make sure their tables aren’t far from each other.”

“And his wife?” Aminat asked.

“I remember her. Lydia Oke.” Faizah intoned, “she’s very outspoken and attention seeking on Instagram.”

“Then it will be perfect. Please Aminat, as my supervisor, I plead that you approve of this plan. That been said, I tracked a stalker today, sent by that ski mask lady.”

“Do you have infos on them we can check?” Aminat asked.

“I was able to get a sample of his blood. I dropped it at the lab on the way here.” Astrid explained, “but something else was amiss. He wouldn’t tell me the name of their main boss. He said his tattoo was a binding one of loyalty. He was petrified to mention his name.”

“No be juju be that?” Fareed said.

“E be like o.” His twin agreed.

Astrid scoffed. “Please tell me you do not believe in all of that.”

“I believe o,” Fareed nodded, “for him to react that way, it means that tattoo is more than an ordinary one and whoever this boss is must be a very powerful one and a
protector of his image.”

Voodoo, juju or whatever it was called. Astrid did not believe in any of it. As far as she was concerned, the stalker could’ve been bluffing.

“While we wait for the blood test result, we will begin the implementation of the scandal plan.” Aminat said which made Astrid smile. Aminat was one of those few people who believed in her, although strict, she had a heart of gold. “How about that writer? Are we still keeping an eye on her?”

Faizah took out her tablet, tapped on it for a few minutes before nodding, “she’s currently at church.”

Aminat nodded. “Good. I have a feeling she’ll be very useful to us.”

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