It's the end of the year, how about you drop me a beautiful message and make me smile🌚

ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Ahmad got ready in his smart workout outfit. Nike frost shirt and trainers with matching shadow sweat pants. He plugged his earpiece in both ears and left the mansion before the sun even rise, it is just five in the morning and they just prayed Fajr in the mosque that is inside the house, extremely convenient. Walking a long distance from the mosque can be a great deal in the morning sometimes.

Not that he minded, he would walk from there to anywhere to pray the first prayer of the day.

As he stepped out of the house, he changed from the football field he always go to around the neighbourhood to a playground that looks half like a park. He ran across the large acres of yard for about thirty minutes without stopping to catch his breath or sit down, he is used to it. At this rate, he feels like he is slagging down without his gym settings close.

He cannot wait to get a house for him and his mother so he can get that intact. Without a gym, he feels incomplete. He was used to it since childhood. Around ten years old, he started weight lifting, just not the ones adults lift but the ones his mates won't be able to. He took pride in boxing during his highschool days before he left for his job.

The park-like place is actually very calming and soothing to someone as defensive as him. Mature trees, meandering paths -that is always filled with children and their nannies during the day- fallen leaves carpeting the walkways, a decorative pebble rock sat there looking like a man.

The streetlights are tall and still turned on as the sky is still dark, a child's lost shoe and cap is placed quietly on an iron bench. The smell is pacifying and subdue -fresh grass, plants, wood, nature, damp sand, fruits. His uneven and quiet sounds of his feet hitting the cobblestone filled the silence.

Suddenly his skin prickled at the nape, the hairs there standing at attention and he knew instantly that someone is there with him and that person is right behind him. He didn't turn swiftly, taking precaution just in case he's made enemies in just the few days he's arrived in Nigeria. You just never know who is after your life these days, unexpected attacks.

Harried and harangued, he swerved around after stepping back, a movement filled with self defence. He narrowed his eyes at the older man standing behind him a few feet alongside his guards. Ahmad instantly knew this was thee Musa Babagana, the sharp features his daughter hers says it all apart from the pictures he's seen. And the time he met him once, that was several years ago.

Although startled, Ahmad's expression didn't waver. Even after finding out the person behind him is harmless, his defence and blankness was intact. He calculated their moves in seconds then relaxed the tensed shoulders.

Deciding to break the maladroit silence and staring contest that is about to take place, Ahmad greeted. "Good morning." His head bowed a little to show respect to an elderly person.

Musa Babagana's face split into a wide smile, his eyes creating whiskers at the edges. He was really a fine man during his days. With such grace of aristocracy, skin dark and melanin kissed like his daughter's, eyes bright and mysterious, sharp nose arrogantly placed. There is no doubts many hearts were broken in the process of growing up. He's used his looks for so many things, Ahmad could tell.

He's heard so many things about the richest man to exist underground. Musa Babagana's wealth is pure even though the start of it was by using another person, he didn't use anything illegal. Ahmad would say he's never seen someone as rich as this man, self made. He did it himself in a matter of time blew up like nuclear bomb, determined and bull. Nothing stopped him when he started.

It was a mere joke at first, gambling out money to other people and get triple in return but it worked for him. Now standing is a billionaire in pounds and not naira. The man has money that he doesn't know what to do with half of it, he doesn't know quarter of it exists.

"Ah, Ahmad." There is a tinge bit of question in his voice even though he offered his hand for a handshake which Ahmad took and shook firmly.

He smiled too albeit that is the last thing he wants to do. "In flesh, Sir."

Musa Babagana laughed loud as if he just said something funny. The man's white teeth is almost blinding at the rise of the sun, perfected to last bit of perfection. Whoever his dentist is knows what she gets as salary whenever he or she works perfectly.

"It's good to see the most talked man in Nigeria for the past weeks." Musa Babagana gestured that they should start leaving if he is done and he nodded and lead the way.

He wasn't done but he won't disrespect him by saying he wants to stay back. The sun is already out anyway, nothing he does will feel comfortable anymore. It is going to feel as though everyone in Adamawa state just decided to come out to exercise with him. They usually start their round the minute the sun comes out, he will give them the privacy he wants. Not ready to entertain anyone.

"After you, Sir." Ahmad smiles again. It is not as if he doesn't enjoy being talked about but the attention is getting too much.

He's heard from Constable Ashiru that a few ladies came from Abuja to come and see him and they are from influential family. Ahmad could only raise a brow at where this Abuja is and why are people coming from there to see him. He is an ordinary man with the blood of an American man mixed with Nigerian. He is no one special, not an Adonis or archangel like some people say in his social media.

He has never been active on those, just opened them for fun when he is bored but looking at his followers now made him want to shrunk back and just delete the account. His account is verified! How they found him on those platforms is a mystery since his name was disguised.

"Oh, no. You are the American police officer that joined the force and the whole country is holding their breath on you. And you've started proving yourself by setting up a criminal days ago. Was it about a rape?"

Ahmad got Farouk Shugaba to justice like he's promised Nafisa and her parent he would. Whoever the Shugaba person is didn't step up to stand against him neither did anyone in the family. Bunch of cowards cause Ahmad thought he was going to deal with a whole zoo of animals. He was actually ready to put each and everyone of them in the cell if they try defending him.

Since the law isn't that strong, Farouk Shugaba was sentenced to lifelong in prison and will be hanged if he doesn't mend his ways in the prison. Ahmad wasn't happy with that and is about to change the constitution, they've made a mistake. Any raper should be hanged instantly or shot dead, they are not important. They will keep doing it. They are heartless!

"I was just doing my job." The modest reply that has been in his mouth since the case was closed.

Nafisa and her parents acted as though they want to lick off the place his feet touched when they won the case. Nafisa became stronger albeit hiding behind, she is back in school and some of her social media platforms. He recommended her strength and even followed her on Instagram to show his support. She was the first person he followed anyway, just to make her feel stronger. She has an endorser.

"That's right. We need people like you in the business or say goodbye to Nigeria." Musa Babagana praised, his steps faltering a bit.

Ahmad sensed that something is wrong with the older man and he is trying to bring it up thinking he can help him one way or the other. If this is not related to work, Ahmad vowed to never do favours to anyone ever again and he won't start because this man has a roof on their heads. He can get a place of his, he hopes the man won't use that against him. Ahmad trusts no one and never depends on anyone.

After a beat, hesitation marred the geriatric's words. "I have something to ask you and hope you can help the best way you can."

Ahmad had guessed right. "If I can." Was his short reply, no promises attached to the words that will hang on him later on.

"I need a suitor for my daughter."

.

"I don't like that your step daughter, she's too bratty and have no morals." Ruwaidha pursed her lips, remembering the state she saw Fatima in yesterday in the afternoon. She couldn't believe her eyes at all.

At first, she thought the household just don't want to get fired and they act like they fear her but she was one reckless person yesterday. She got drunk!

Who does that to solve problems? She's heard a few bits of rumours from the housemaids about how the relationship between her father and her isn't perfect, she didn't expect it to be this brutal especially with the way he is with her sister's children. They were saying terrible things about how Fatima is treated in the house and how much sympathy they have for her but to Ruwaidha, it doesn't justify a person getting drunk.

She even asked one of the maids a few questions she couldn't put down the carpet like she's never heard them talking about it like that. She wants to know what is going on with the household she is living in. Whether or not she can take so much drama for her own sanity and good environment for the small child she has with her. He needs that much oasis from both Ahmad and her.

The maid came passing by her room after she's finished washing the bathroom. Normally, they do that before she awoke without making any noise but after seeing Fatima in that condition the day before and heard the rumours, she couldn't go back to sleep after the opened they door to her room. She wants to hear everything going on.

"What happened to Fatima yesterday?" She gave a nonchalant look at her pillow, raising on her elbow to stare at the one maid left inside the room. The others left and she stopped to do something, whatever it is.

The maid looked reluctant to talk but it looks like her reserve broke the minute she heard the name Fatima, the emotions broke. Her eyes darted to the door then she resigned and said.

"She got drunk yesterday for the first time, we didn't know how to handle her. She kept talking about murder and heartbreaks and how family are evil. It all has to do with Alhaji."

The plump short maid of twenty eight wrung her hands behind her uniform -corn and off white shirt with flay skirt that is adorned with pleating- trying to keep her mouth shut from saying her thoughts aloud. She doesn't know this woman neither does she know whether to trust her with all she knows about the Babagana family. How could she breach their contract like that? She's signed it before getting the job so she thought better of it and kept quiet.

Ruwaidha knitted her brows in concentration, taking in what the maid had just said. Her brain kept augmenting and proliferating for no reason. She doesn't understand what the heck is happening in the house. Adeela never told her about it.

"They were never close?" She asked again, not believing half the story. At the nod of the maid's head, she added. "Not even with Adeela?"

"No, Ma'am." And the maid made up some excuse and flee away from the room to avoid further interview.

"She's not too bad, just need more chance from life." Adeela commented humbly, her hand stroking on the pillow close to her. Fatima shouldn't be judged like that but people tend to judge one another because of something they've seen or even heard.

Adeela is not about to start reading out her husband's past to her sister no matter how close they are, some things are better left unsaid. Her husband's secrets along with his daughter's is wrapped around her shoulder, not her sister's. The more she knows about them, the scarier she will become of their household and leave them. She doesn't want her to leave.

"You are going to endorse her all the time but mind you, she does not care about you. That girl is no different with your enemy, she does not like you. I'm just telling you to watch your back." Ruwaidha pursed her lips, leaning back on the leather couch to nibble on tropical fruit she was served.

Adeela suspire, the sheer dislike for her stepdaughter is right there in her sister's eyes so she is going to make sure their paths don't cross no matter what. Ruwaidha won't be afraid to confront Fatima about it whenever they come across one another and Adeela wouldn't want that. They are short tempered and can set the house on fire before anyone could think. They cannot be in one place, that should not happen ever.

"I know." Adeela sighed, she's tried her best to get Fatima closer to her but that lady is strong headed. "What are you going to do about Ahmad's single life? He won't stay unmarried with you forever, will he?" She changed the topic.

Ruwaidha's eyes snapped wider at the question, as if that was the topic she's always been wanting to talk about. The way the woman loves matchmaking, you'd think she's never been single at the age of twenty seven once upon a time. Their parents thought she was never going to get married before an American man came and swept her off her feet to another continent oceans apart.

She clasped her hands in front of her, enthusiastic. "I want to try my luck with Aalia. If I ask him to bring forth a wife, it will never happen."

Adeela laughed softly, if only she knows what her daughter have in her head already. She likes Ahmad a lot and won't hesitate to agree for the liaison. They should calm down though, she needs to get her highschool result perfect before they think about marrying her off.

"I won't object to that as long as Ahmad won't mind. Aalia will have to finish highschool first."

"No worries. In just few months, she will become a graduate and we will drop the bomb on her then."