Mr. President’s

Chapter 18

Nathan’s phone beeped when he got to his penthouse. He checked and realized it was Rebecca calling him. Perhaps, it concerned Lanre so he answered it.

“Nathan, Thank God you answered the phone,” she exclaimed enthusiastically at the end of the line.

25 2 28 P

Nathan frowned, “to the point, Rebecca, I don’t have time,” he said coldly. Rebecca wasn’t offended. For as long as she knew Nathan, he was always

cold.

“It’s about what we discussed this morning. The Hickeys,” she said precisely, the excitement melting from her tone.

“What has that got to do with me?” Nathan seethed.

“I just need you to not tell Lanre okay? I will change.”

Nathan was upset. The adulterous wife is pleading with her husband’s best friend not to tell on her. “Don’t call me again if it’s not an emergency. Your marital affairs are none of my business.” Nathan was about to end the call when she spoke again.

“He’s on his way to your house because we fought. Look, I will end all my affairs. I just need you to not tell him please,” she begged. Lanre hasn’t called Nathan to inform him that he was coming over so what was she saying?

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Good night,” he ended the call instantly. As soon as he stepped out of the car, Lanre drove in.

“Nathan, I’ve been trying to reach you.” He looked exhausted, as he parked the car and stepped out.

“Is that so? I haven’t received a call from you, so how?” Nathan asked. Lanre instantly checked his phone.

“Oh, I was calling the wrong person. I wanted to come over to your office but I didn’t know if you would be there.”

“Ain’t you supposed to be at work? Why are you here?” Nathan got to his elevator and pressed a button. It beeped and opened. Nathan entered, Lanre followed suit while they continued to speak.

“I took leave because I’m not in my right mind. I’m going crazy, Nathan,” Lanre exclaimed while they waited for the elevator to open.

“It’s late. Go home to your wife. Tomorrow is Friday. I will meet you on Saturday, wherever you choose but you are not sleeping here tonight,” he sternly said. He might not be married but he knows that running away from the problem would not solve it yet, Lanre was persistent.

“What are best friends for?”

“Best Friends but you are married. Your wife needs you. Go home,” Nathan unlocked the door and entered, tailed by Lanre.

“No, I’m staying here,” he said adamantly. Nathan was helpless. How could he explain wisely to his best friend that his absence was allowing his wife to mess around with other men?

“If you keep staying in my house, someone might just steal your wife,” Nathan hinted but Lanre was aloof.

“I want a divorce but she’s giving me toxic conditions. I know she doesn’t love me anymore,” Lanre sounded deflated.

“Let’s go in,” Nathan agreed since he suspected foul play.

“Do you have something strong to drink?” Lanre asked as soon as he entered the house and sank onto the Italian leather sofa.

“Yes but you are not permitted to drink. So tell me. What are her demands?” Nathan removed his blazer and asked.

“She wants two of my houses, two of my cars and seventy percent of my bank account,” Lanre spelt out in clear terms. It made sense to Nathan why Rebecca was begging him to not expose her. She wanted a greater share of Lanre’s assets. This time, it was his business since his best friend was involved. He didn’t tell him about the Hickey’s because he didn’t want to see him hurt and end up drunk in the club. But now, he had to find a way to help his friend without showing it.

“What is the problem in your marriage and who is asking for a divorce?” He asked tactfully.

“She’s the one asking anytime. I want to get intimate with her. Four months going on five and she denies me every time.”

“Why don’t you check your CCTV and see what she’s been up to.” Nathan hinted again.

“I don’t have it installed.”

“Then you should.”

Mober

3:11 PM

Lanre quietened thoughtfully, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because you are blinded by love.”

Thanks, man,” he said gratefully. He understood that Nathan knew something he didn’t want to let out.

“One more thing, don’t let her know,” Nathan added to Lanre’s confirmation. He was certain that Nathan wanted him to see something.

“I’ll keep that in mind but I’m hungry,” he grimaced. Nathan wasn’t going to waste time on him when he was in his right mind.

“So go to the kitchen, cook something and eat,” he said unfazed.

“You know how I suck at cooking,” Lanre retorted, feigning hurt.

*Place an order, I need to sleep early. Plus I was late today because of you. You are a grown–ass man so stop being a baby,” he chuckled and went to his room.

The next morning, he woke up to something burning in his kitchen. He rushed to the kitchen to see charcoal in a frying pan with Lanre sweating profusely. “Lanre, what are you doing?”

Lanre wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “Can’t you see I’ve been trying to fry an egg?”

Nathan stared at the black content in the frying pan that almost passed for charcoal. “Out of the kitchen. I will do it,” he shooshed him. Nathan emptied the content with the frying own in the bin and picked a new one. He fried eggs with toast for both of them with hot chocolate.

“Thanks, Nat, don’t ask me to go to the kitchen next time,” Lanre said with his mouth full.

“Oh, I won’t and make sure you order food next time. I’ll soon be living for a business trip,” he let out, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

“I can tag along, my leave ends in two months,” Lanre suggested to Nathan’s stupor.

“Are you so lazy? How can you take two months to leave?” Nathan couldn’t comprehend it. He didn’t see how he could be away from work for more than a week.

“I need it, bro. I’m not in my right mind,” Lanre gulped down a cup of chocolate, sadness coating his tone.

“I’m going to the office. Get out of my house before I return,” Nathan stood from the chair and headed to his room to change.

Lanre followed suit, “wait, I’m coming with you.”

It wasn’t the first time Lanre followed him to his office but with Mercedes around, he said, “just make sure you don’t interfere in my work. Can you do that?”

“Sure and I get to see your assistant,” he grinned. Nathan frowned, “on second thoughts, I’ve changed my mind.” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lanre wasn’t daft. He knew that Nathan was fond of his assistant. “Come on, I’m just kidding. Don’t even introduce us and I’ll be fine.”

Nathan went back to his room to make a few calls. When he was done, he dressed up and left for the office with Lanre.

*****

Mercedes woke up to the ringing of her cell phone. She answered without looking at the caller ID. “Merce, what did you do? All the bills have been paid and my deposit refunded to me,” his mother exclaimed at the end of the line.

Mercedes was still hazed from sleep. “What are you talking about mum?”

“Weren’t you listening? The hospital bill is paid in full and the money I deposited has been sent back into my account. I asked who but they said the person wanted to remain anonymous.”

Suddenly, the haze cleared from her eyes. Nathan kept his word and paid the bill. But why did he pay more than she asked and how did he get the detailed information to the extent of refunding the deposit made by her mother? She was too excited to speak. “Merce, are you there?”

“Mum, you woke me from sleep. Thank the good samaritan for me. I have to go back to sleep, bye,” she ended the call. That was a fast one. She couldn’t withstand her mother’s nagging if she finds out about the source of the money.

She checked the time and realized she had overslept. Quickly, she had her shower and slipped into an office dress. With a little makeup, she left for the office. She carried her morning excitement when she entered Nathan’s office, surprised he was already seated with the company of a stranger.

Nathan aired his usual elegance which Mercedes couldn’t help admiring. “Good day, Mr Legend, I didn’t know you were here. I’ll get your coffee.” She turned to the man sitting in front of Nathan. “Good morning.”

3:11 PM σ

Instead of the man responding, he extended his hand. “I’m Lanre, his best friend.” Mercedes recalled the voice and knew he was the drunk man they picked from the club.

“Nice meeting you,” she courteously said and turned to leave. “I’ll get you coffee as well.”

“Make mine tea please and do you have a boyfriend?” Mercedes stopped in her tracks. She stared at Nathan, before she responded, “not yet.”

“Great, we can be good friends then. I’m getting a divorce from my wife,” excitement mingled his words. Fury cascaded Nathan as he seethed,

“Lanre, I’m gonna have to throw you out of my office.”

Lanre composed himself instantly. He had been a lover and collector of beautiful things. “Come on Nat, what kind of friend are you? You should be helping me here,” he shrugged. How could he know that Nathan was hitting on his assistant when he hadn’t mentioned it to him? For as long as he was concerned, Mercedes was a free woman.

“You are hitting on my assistant in front of me Lanre, come on.” Nathan wasn’t fascinated with his behaviour and didn’t conceal it.

Lanre was slightly embarrassed. “Hey, I’m just kidding. She’s pretty and I like her smile but that’s okay.”

“Thank you, Miss Winters,” Nathan dismissed Mercedes. Mercedes left for the kitchen and returned with a cup of tea and coffee but Lanre wasn’t seated anymore. “You can leave it there. He went to the washroom.” Mercedes obliged and before she left, she seized the opportunity to speak.

“Thank you Mr Legend, the bills have been paid but I was wondering why you covered everything.”

“Simple. I don’t want your mind roaming with responsibilities during our one week. I have to enjoy you fully, don’t you think?” His voice sounded low and seductive, Mercedes could feel something move inside her, just by the way he said it.

“A deal is a deal,” she smiled and turned to leave, halting at the sound of Nathan’s deep velvety voice.

“And don’t order lunch at noon. We will have lunch out when we check on your new house,” he declared. Mercedes had mixed feelings. Nathan was being too good to her. Yes, he wanted to get inside her pants and they have a deal but there was something else she could put a finger on.

She returned to her office and could hear the two men bickering so she stood up and politely closed her door. Five minutes to lunch break and her door pushed open. “Are you ready?”