Bab 68: It's Shocking
"I need you to tell me the truth or I'll arrest you." That morning, Petra had threatened Stella. "I've never met him." Stella had responded defensively.
"You aided him in his charade. You greet him with respect and address him as 'sir.' Mr. Eric, and you gave the impression that he is one of your most prestigious customers.
You're a part of the plan, so I'll give you one more chance to talk to me before you get caught up with nemesis." Stella was uneasy. This could land her in a hot mess.
"Do you swear to keep me safe?" Stella asked. ”Yes.” They both responded.
"However, if you get him arrested, it will undoubtedly come back to haunt me." Stella muttered
"You speak as if you have a choice." Petra stated.
"We ask you not to be bothered.." Mercy stated. "Simply tell us what we need to know and we will take it up from there." Stella let out a sigh. ”Okay. He is someone I know." she said
He is adept at making friends with sales girls, waiters, and attendants in large restaurants and snack bars. According to what I've heard, he began by paying visits to his friends during meal times.
He'd talk until food was brought, then eat and leave. When he went to see a friend and there was no food, he said goodbye and wanted to leave, The friend's mother then summoned the friend to come get food.
When he heard this, he turned and said that he had forgotten to tell a friend about something that had happened the day before.
The friend now requested that the gist be postponed until another time. He stated that he wanted to greet the mother, but the friend stated that she was sleeping. So he walked away, cursing him under his breath.
That incident prompted him to make a more sophisticated move. He started going around expensive restaurants, waylaying young, rich girls for a nice meal and probably some cash he could get from them.
He feeds on the cash he gets from them at night and waits a day or two before striking again..."
"I don't understand. Where does he get such expensive clothing? He wears a Rolex.." Petra inquired. "He's prepared with his paraphernalia." His boss has a guy who sells wristwatches.
As a result, he hires them. He also has a friend who lends him clothing. But not for free. There is a trade-off. He gives something in exchange.
The phones...the one that appears to be expensive has crashed. It will show the light when you power it on and even show the welcome screen, but its useless and serves no purpose except for show off. I'm not sure where he gets his colognes."
"Then what does he give you and the rest of the waiters who perfected the hoax?" Mercy inquired. Stella appeared uneasy. " Sometimes, He...he usually gives us some tips especially when he catches a big fish for the day."
Let me also clarify that he does not only target young girls. He prefers married or older women.
Some of these women attempt to get to know him better or entice him by giving him more than he asked for.
They occasionally give him three- twenty thousand Naira or even more depending on the individual. When he receives such amount, He does not strike again because he has enough to last a few days. His issue is with food.
He flees when they give him a lot of money. He does not form attachments. All he requires is food and pocket money. So he gives me sometimes..."
"We heard you call him, Eric." We are aware that that is a fictitious name.." ”Yes. Justin is his real name. But for the surname? God alone knows."
"Does he live around here or somewhere in town?" Petra inquired. The waiter gave a shake of his head. "No one knows where he resides. Justin is not close to anyone.
If you see him with you, there's a reason...an he's ad hoc guy. He's known as the Mystery Guy.
"Is this all he does for a living?" Mercy inquired. "That's what I'm not sure about. He works as a laborer in a bakery.
"I'm curious what he does with the money he earns there..."
"Oh, my God!"
Petra yelled. "And he was making a call to give us the impression he was an importer."
You even mentioned that he was away on business..." "It's all part of the package," she admitted. "He will secretly flash his crony, who will call with an American accent and discuss fictitious deals."
"Petra and Mercy exchanged chuckles as they glanced at each other. Damn! And they trusted him. "Another charade is pretending to be humble by finishing the food." Mercy stated.
"The guy is starving. Is he without a family?" "No one knows anyone in his family."
His friends used to make fun of him, calling him an alien.." "So can you tell us where he works.." Petra asked.
With a puzzled expression, she looked at them.
"Don't be concerned. "He will not be arrested." Mercy stated. " He works at the Delight Confectionery." Stella stated.
Petra and Mercy quickly drove to the location Stella had given them.
They were now sitting in Petra's car outside the bakery, patiently waiting. Their informant said he was on morning duty and would be closing in the evening.
It was nearly 4:00 p.m.
"I just want to see the look of shame on his face when he sees us." Petra stated.
"Imagine the lowlife acting like an important snub..." "It's all a part of the package." They both laughed.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this." Mercy stated. "We're devoting the entire day to this jerk." "We'd better tell him his game is up." Petra stated as she rested her head on the headrest.
"Did you notice Ella's excitement?" "He's only interested in food and change, not women." Mercy chuckled as she spoke. "Isn't that strange?"
'Ghen Ghen!'
Petra yelled... "Here comes the con artist..." He wore faded jeans, not fashionable faded jeans, but worn out faded jeans.
His shirt was cheap, and his boots had to have been to the cobbler at least fifteen times for stitching. He was holding a loaf of bread.
He couldn't even put it in a plastic bag. The bread was obviously important to him because he held it so dearly. He still had that daring personality, and he walked with lion-like grace.
He walked or bounced until he was almost in front of their car. "Hello, Mr. Eric!" Petra beckoned on him while she got out of the car.
Mercy couldn't stop laughing. With a frown on his face, Justin turned quickly. He looked at her face. He was aware that he had met her, and that she was one of his mummies (he usually called his victims that).
Where are you going? Yummies, Floxy's American restaurant, Crystal foods, Cocos', Aci dadi?
Where?
He remembered....okay, he remembered. Floxy's American Bistro. Damn!
"Please excuse me?" With a surprised expression, he said. "My name is not Eric." Petra grinned.
"Remember when we met at Floxy's? "The guy who left his wallet in his car while it was being serviced by an automotive technician." Justin's face remained expressionless.
"I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong person." He stated. "Do not try to outwit me. You stated that you needed to take a drug and that you had forgotten your money, bla, bla, bla.
"Just acting big and relevant." He smiled as he looked at her. "I apologize, miss. I'm currently in a relationship. She is my fiancée, and I am her fiancé. Fiancée and fiancé "It's a pleasure to meet you." Petra was rendered speechless.
What exactly did he just say? . "You scumbag! "Do you think I'm here to toast you?"
”Ohh! Then please accept my apologies; I do not donate to charity on Mondays. Which NGO do you work for? Which is it: Make Girls Purple, Woman Solidarity Movement, or Stop Buying Fake Jewellery For Babes? Please leave your address and I will contact you."
She was now bright red with rage.
"You scumbag! A self-serving individual! You are the definition of a first-grade troglodyte. "How can a jackass like you, who has no shame, yank at me?" He laughed.
"I appreciate the compliments." He stated. "However, instead of using the word jackass, how about asshole?" What are your thoughts on that?" Damn!
This guy was heartbreaking. She wanted to smack his face. "You are the most despicable person I have ever seen." ”No. There is a man named Biliki. He's even worse than I am.
"Do you want to meet him?" he said
She remained silent, fuming. "Has anyone ever told you how lovely you look when you're angry?" He said this with a smile.
"You appear enchanting, lovely, foxy, dazzling, alluring, exquisite, beauteous, and delicate."
"I despise you!" "I appreciate it." "And you'll sleep in a police nest." "For what?" Did I take something from you? he asked
For assisting you? "Can you assist me?" ”Yes! Wasn't that an opportunity to receive a reward from God? Did you help me for God's sake or to impress others? If it's for God's sake, you'll get your reward.
I am now a factor in getting you a reward." he said.
"You have no shame!" she responded. ”Wait!.” He frowned, his face hard as granite. "Are you flying off the handle just because you gave me some food and change the other day?
How much does it cost? "Can you tell me?" "Running his palms over his pocket," he said. "The food cost ten thousand five hundred naira, and I gave you three thousand naira, " He came to a halt as he ran his hand over his pocket.
"That is significant. Thank you very much." he said. "I assumed you were going to repay me." Petra querried him.
"I only wanted to know the magnitude of your generosity."
May God reward you..”
He grinned.
"You'd like your money back. I understand why they named you Petra.
"I heard your friend refer to you as that." You're so clueless. Not Petra, but Petra. Petra translates to "shining, bright, you dim wick." Mercy couldn't stop laughing the whole time.
He was the drama king, and his acting was hilarious. My friend has met a rogue, she reasoned.
"You're repulsive and pitiful!" Petra was enraged. "Take a look at your life. "Bread without a leather bag." "OK, Miss Sunshine, it's a polyethylene bag, not a leather bag." Leather is made from animal hide. Polyethylene is a polymer made up of ethylene monomers that are bonded together and is used to make plastic containers and bags."
"Save your lectures for later. Go find work!" I have work already, pointing at the bakery. "I'm employed." He exclaimed proudly.
"I work here as a production technical officer." "which may also be called a labourer." Then stop acting like a rogue.." she said. "I'll consider it." he responded with a smile.
"Thank you for your visit." he said. He bent down & waved Mercy.
"My name is Justin. Didn't we just meet the other day? It's a pleasure to meet you again. It's also a pleasure to meet you."
Oh my goodness! Petra was in for a surprise if she thought she was coming to make this guy feel ashamed and chastised. Justin gave Petra a friendly smile.
"I look forward to seeing you again." "When I return from France," he said. Thank you for your visit." He smiled once more before bouncing away.
Petrah was rendered speechless. She reached into her car and started the engine.
"What a guy," Mercy exclaimed. Petra was unable to converse with Mercy again. She slid through the gears and drove away.
Justin walked past a car while clutching his loaf of bread. He intended to beg Usman-Daddy for a polyethylene bag in which he will use to store the bread.
*********************************
A girl wearing dark sunshades sat inside the car. "He just walked right by me." She spoke through her mouthpiece.
"Do we carry him now?" "Are you certain he's the one?"
"Without a doubt." He can't stay hidden forever." She stated.
"Give him some more time." I want to make sure that he is the man we are looking for. "What he has is all we require."
”Okay.” She got in her car and drove away.
”Chechi..”
She called. The man in the passenger seat raised an eyebrow.
"He said not right now. Let us verify his information. But I'm sure he's the one ”.
Chechi gave a nod. "I'm hoping so. We don't have an infinite amount of time."
********************
Justin placed his loaf of bread in a polythene bag and crossed the street to purchase kosai (cowpea/ban cake).
Bread, Kosai, and a soft drink are included. A pleasant evening awaits. He had no idea he was being monitored.
ALHAJI USMAN'S JOHNSON POV
Alhaji Usman was a portly individual who was sixty-four years old and had grizzled hair and beards that were beginning to gray.
Before he retired to focus on his business, he had accomplished a lot in his life, including holding prominent positions in the country. He had many reasons to consider his life a success.
"What are you trying to imply here?" He said this while diverting his gaze away from the newspaper he was holding in order to glance at his wife, Hajiya Biliki.
She was the epitome of elegance and beauty encapsulated in a single woman. She was fifty-five years old, yet she had the attractiveness of a woman forty years her junior.
"Petra's well-being is a concern of mine."
"So, what's the deal this time?"
"Her attitudes. Petra is not spoiled in the least when it comes to boys, but she does have a wayward streak to her. I do not know what she does outside. She refuses to give in, and her attitude is arrogant.
She is very impolite to people especially men, and it given me concerns. He exhibited a grin.
"Chanda (as he fondly calls her), the Princess, is still a young girl. She is going to mature"
" Ahh darling! In the following three days, she will turn eighteen years old. It is entirely due to your actions.
Are you the very first person in the world to only have one daughter?
"I am not. She is my eighth and final child overall, after having seven sons come before her. After it became clear that there was no longer any chance."
"And so what?" Chanda (Petra) in every conceivable context, you pampered her so much and now she acts like a spoilt child. I am a woman. I have grave concerns about her future.
You and your sons. Their youngest and only sister was a baby girl. She believes that I am the one who does not appreciate her presence.
She still thinks and believes that I dont give her peace and space to enjoy her life. As a mother, I always gave it my all, and I continue to do so today. She is so stubborn that she only does what she wants, and you are there for her every step of the way to encourage her even when you are aware of her stubborn actions.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone