CHAPTER ONE
The sun had already begun to set and the clouds began to darken. It was past four already and the evening hustle and bustle had only just begun as middle class citizens made their way home. As they did, those who had night shifts did the opposite. All this was done at a much faster pace as everyone was eager to get to their destination before the downpour began. It was that time of the year again in Nigeria.
Ivy stood in the balcony of the hotel she was lodged at. She chose this one for some particular reasons. One of it being that it was situated in the middle of the city. It's strategic location meant that one could take a good look at the city's activities anytime. From the first day she saw the hotel, she knew quite well that the owners did a good job.
Considering the land they occupied, they paid quite a fortune but what was a fortune compared to what they were going to make over the years, she said to herself the day she came into town. Yes, the Return on Investment (ROI) over the years would more than quadruple what was paid if run properly.
All this and more she knew quite well. Well, why wouldn't she? She was a PhD holder in business administration and graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in the world. What more? She was just about to take over her father's multi billion dollar company in Canada. What then was someone of such pedigree doing in Africa when her future didn't lie in that part of the world? Well, she was a Canadian of Nigerian descent ( her mother's grandmother was a Nigerian) and once in a while wanted to feel the African side of her.
After her first visit, she began to visit more often for different reasons. She visited not just Nigeria but certain other African countries with high prospects in the international market.
Her father would never oppose her decision to come to Nigeria. He never really cared about what she did. But this time, he did. Not that it did matter to her anyways. Ivy knew that even if he objected, she was going to go regardless. He was well aware of that too. He gave up trying to convince her after several attempts failed. He was old and sickly and he needed her by his side. Ivy concluded that he only wanted her now because he was old, lonely and not as strong as he used to be. For what other reason would he have decided to warm up to her at his old age? Has he realized his mistake?
As far as she remembered, he never really loved her. So it seemed. Well, was it entirely his fault? She was always a stubborn child and tough to deal with. Despite her attitudes and strong willed personality, she still expected so much love from her father. As his only child, she was entitled to it. However, he was too distant to give her such. She tried to impress him to make him acknowledge her but he never really did.
At a point in her life, Ivy wished so badly that she were a male child. Yes, he had always wanted a male child. If she were, she had no doubts that he would have treated her like gold. Despite being aware of her father's extreme bias towards the male gender, she never stopped trying to please him and get him to acknowledge her even after her mum died. However hard she tried, he never did but she was not going to stop.
Her desire to please him was one of the factors that inspired her regular visits to Nigeria. She sought to expand the company into the African horizon. She didn't want him to get the information before the agreement was in place so she didn't disclose everything regarding her journey. Asides that, she had other things to take care of in Nigeria and she could not let her father in on it.
Ivy looked at her phone. It was half past five pm. She sighed and began walking back in. No sooner had she turned her back than the downpour began. She went straight to the fridge and poured herself a drink. She switched off the lighting of the room. She switched it back on and this time the lighting was different. She switched on the tv. She had a wry smile on her face on seeing the view.
How she missed home. This was just a hotel and there were just a handful of things she could change to suit herself while she stayed. Splendid! Ivy said loudly still wearing a smile. Of course, only Ivy would classify the view of her room with such an adjective. Truth be told, the room seemed like a scene in an horror movie that even the most ardent of writers would lack sufficient adjectives to describe it. Yes, their prowess in the use of English would be found inadequate in this area.
The lights were all red, the paintings on the wall which looked normal with proper lightning all looked quite different now that she had changed the lighting in the room. One looked like a crying skull, another looked like a walking lady with the head and legs of a skeleton, the third looked like a lady who was being raped by multiple men, the last one close to the tv set looked like a wolf eating a human. Ivy herself made these paintings. She was indeed talented.
If her dad had allowed her, she would not have studied business administration but a different course where her innate talent could be expressed. In fact, there weren't many artists that had same skill as she did. Her ability to draw and paint different scenarios that can only be brought out by varying illumination was quite unique. She was quite talented. Even amongst pros, none could boast of such an ability. Well, the paintings weren't all there was to the room to make it that terrifying. Just at the top of the fridge was a skull. Was she into African voodoo and sorcery? No, not at all.
She flung the glass cup on the floor(the shattering sound made by the cup attracted the attention of her secretary who was just outside) after sipping the last drop of wine. She needed something stronger. She took the last bottle of alcoholic drink and turned a good quantity into the skeleton that was at the top of the fridge. In one gulp, she finished everything. She kept the skull in place. Grabbing the bottle, she moved towards the couch. She heard a knock on the drop. Is everything all right ma'am her secretary asked.
With blood shot eyes, she grabbed what seemed like a doll and moved towards the door. She opened the door slightly and stuck it's head out. Overwhelmed by the shock and sight, Steve let out a scream and jumped back. It was a raggedy doll with a cracked face and a big eye at the center of its face. It was strange that no matter where he looked, the doll seemed to be staring at him with that eye.
Just beside the the door was Ivy's hand motioning him to come forward. What's it by your time, Steve? she asked taking the doll back and sticking her head out. Her breath wreaked of alcohol.