The drive back ho was quiet initially. I sat in silence. And my mind was having a field day thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong.
"What if we got arrested on the spot for blackmail?"
"Or what if they sent hitn after us?"
"What if they just shot us right then and there?"
My mind spiraled, cooking up one worst-case scenario after another, each more terrifying than the last.
I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves. Eric noticed and broke the silence.
"Listen, man, you don't have to do this if you don't want to."
I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Is this the part where you put on the spot and make decide? So if it all goes south, you can say I made the call? Nice try, asshole."
Eric chuckled slightly, his expression unreadable, but he looked to be in deep thought.
"No, it's not... I'm not even scheming right now," he said, shrugging. "Besides, there's nothing in this for you other than the fact that you get paid." His hands gripped the steering wheel firmly as he spoke.
In that mont, fear outweighed the thought of getting paid even if everything went according to plan. Honestly, I hadn't even considered the money until he ntioned it. But now... I was curious.
"How much are we talking about here?" I asked.
Eric smirked. "How much would you ask for if you knew you'd get it?"
"I don't know... a million?"
"A million what? Naira?" He shot a quick, disappointed glance.
"Yeah... is that a lot?" I asked awkwardly.
Eric shook his head in disbelief and sighed. "We really should spend more ti together, mate... When an opportunity like this presents itself, you want to squeeze every last drop out of it. Take everything you can until there's nothing left to take."
I glanced at him, unsure if he was joking or serious, but his tone didn't leave much room for doubt.
"You need to start aiming higher, bro. Aren't you tired of just being your uncle's errand boy?" He leaned back, gripping the steering wheel. "At so point, you gotta stop being so fucking dependent and naive. Dream bigger, and you'd be surprised at what you can actually achieve."
"You've got a hell of a lot of talent, and you've barely even scratched the surface."
His words hit like a flurry of gut punches. And I just sat there, taking them.
Because he was right.
I had spent too long waiting for my uncle's instructions, never taking the initiative, never thinking for myself. I was unbearably naive.
Damn, this hit harder than I wanted to admit. It wasn't just so random motivational lecture... he was right. I had been playing it safe, waiting for life to hand opportunities instead of reaching out and taking them. Always following orders, always hesitant, always dependent.
I swallowed hard, cleared my throat, and turned to stare out the window, absentmindedly playing with the hem of my jacket.
I let out a small scoff, still staring out the window.
Eric looked over at . "Did I hit a nerve? ...Well, I'm not going to apologize for saying that because you know it's the truth."
"Yeah, right," I muttered under my breath.
"Lighten up, will ya?" He nudged my arm playfully. "Besides what kind of friend would I be if I didn't push you to do great things... I only said all that because I care about you."
I sighed, finally glancing at him. He had that cocky smirk, but there was sincerity behind it.
As we got closer to the estate, an uneasy feeling settled in my chest.
Have you ever felt like ho stopped feeling like ho? Like you'd do anything to avoid going back because the mont you stepped inside, so fucked up shit might happen? That was exactly how I felt.
"I'm curious though, what are you gonna do about Faith now that you're knocking up her sister?" Eric asked, smirking.
I barely spared him a glance. "Absolutely nothing. She called and Ken kids, said we were fighting over her ass... When all she did was just use to get back at him... She's not worth the stress." I said with a straight face.
"I still can't believe you slept with her sister... even if it was just dumb luck," Eric said, shaking his head. We both laughed.
"Anyway, you said you'd tell why you're doing this once we found the video. Well, we found it so, I'm listening," I said, eyeing him expectantly.
"I said when this is all done, not just after finding the evidence," he shot back, completely unfazed.
I stared at him for a long mont before muttering, "Asshole."
Eric just grinned. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
I shook my head, leaning back against the seat. "Can't believe I fell for that."
He chuckled. "Damn right you did."
---
After a few minutes of driving and mindless chatter, we finally reached the estate gate.
"Mr. Savage's P.A. got us an appointnt for Friday at 2 PM, so I'll co pick you up. And don't keep waiting like you did today," Eric said.
A wave of panic surged through at his words. I wasn't emotionally equipped for whatever dangerous ga he was playing.
"And you're sure this isn't a trap?" I asked, my voice laced with unease.
Eric glanced at as he pulled up in front of my uncle's house. "Relax, mate. He's got a reputation to protect... We have the upper hand here."
Slightly reassured, I thanked him for the day and got out of the car. There was a nagging feeling that I was forgetting sothing, but I brushed it off and headed toward the gate until Eric suddenly honked.
Rolling down the window, he called out, "Aren't you forgetting sothing?"
I turned back, confused. "What's that?"
"Your laptop, dickhead!" he snapped.
I winced, rushing to grab it from the backseat. "Right.. right I'm so sorry... thanks again for this, man. I really appreciate it"
As I shut the door, he gave a pointed look. "And please, don't tell anyone about what we're planning. I don't like surprises."
With that, he rolled up the window and drove off, leaving standing there, laptop in hand, feeling the weight of the atrocious act Eric had planned out.
Turning around, I walked toward the gate, replaying Eric's words in my head.
Dream bigger, and you'd be surprised at how much you can achieve.
Maybe he was right. I'd spent too long waiting for life to happen instead of making things happen.
So I guess getting so money wouldn't be bad for my confidence.
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