Ola's POV
Yes, I like her. When I see her hurt, it hurts me badly and that's why I tried to postpone the asking for ransom. I don't even want her to leave and I hope that when she does, I'll see her again...
She began to laugh. Why the hell is she laughing? Does she think this is a joke?
"Why are you laughing?" I decided to ask
"That's a joke right? You like me?"
"Yes, V, I do like you. You make me Ola, the young man and not Ogbonni, the gangster. I wouldn't tell you all these if they were lies."
"Yeah sure. When am I leaving this godforsaken place?"
"Vanessa, I..."
"I get it, okay? You like me but no, I don't and I can't like a kidnapper. In fact, Ola, I hate you so much!" She declared, took the plate from me and flung it at the wall before storming out. I swear, I don't even have the heart to run after her. I just lie back and stare up at the ceiling. I've never been rejected since I became this guy, though I've never tried to toast one of my victims before. I used to face rejections a lot when I was Olamide, the hustler. I used to push wheelbarrows all day and carry heavy loads at the market for traders for chicken change 'shinkele money.' I had a family of seven, a mother and six younger sisters all depending on me for everything so I did what I had to do to...
The door opened and my head turned automatically hoping it was Vanessa but it was my best friend, Damilola, who we all called Smoke.
"Bro, what's up with you and that girl now?" He lay on the bed beside me
"Nothing guy, nothing at all."
"You actually dey catch feelings for am, abi?"
"Like mad. This girl is doing things to my entire body."
"And she rejected you."
"I mean, why not? I've not exactly pampered her since she got here so I don't expect her to be in love with me or anything."
"Na the same thing make boss dey market dey sell meat now o. Love. That was how he ran after that girl instead of cashing out and now, he can't take care of the family he has with the bitch. So, I'll advise you to use your sense. This girl doesn't look innocent to me and she could just use you and get you in jail o."
"Smoke, you might be right sha."
"Yeah, and you know that bastard, Lefti, she has been looking for a way to rule this gang so we can't let you look weak. Just collect your money before any other thing."
"Thanks guy. My only gee," I said as we both sat up. He stood up to leave and we shook hands, clicked fingers, hugged and patted each other's backs twice. Then he pulled away and gave me a thumbs up before he left.
I need to address my team. It's time to formulate a plan and cash out. We've waited long enough. I sent a coded text message to all my gang to meet in the living room.
Vanessa's POV
I hope I don't have like a mental illness because right now, I'm longing for a taste of his lips again. That kiss was so brief and electrical. I literally felt such a short shock but no, accepting his proposal is out of the question. I hate him and it will remain that way.
I've been in the living room since I left him in there cos I can't even go out for fresh air and I don't want to wander into anyone's room.
"Hey, rich bitch," I hear a female voice say. I turn back, of course, she's in a mask. It seems like only Ola doesn't wear masks. She's wearing a pair of white jeans trousers and a white hoodie. Her hair is short and dyed gold.
"Who're you?"
She sits beside me on the couch"My name is Ada. I'm Ola's girlfriend. Now, who are you?"
Girlfriend! How dare he. Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Besides, we're not dating or anything.
"I'm his kidnap victim, Vanessa. And of course, you know that."
"Vanessa, I get questions for you. Why Ola dey let you sleep in his room? You see, we're four girls and six boys minus Ogbonni. So girls sleep together and boys sleep together. You suppose dey our room but he put you in his room, why?"
"I don't know. You tell me. Aren't you his girlfriend?"
"Yes but..."
"What's Ogbonni?" I really need to know
"It means a..."
"Why e be say your mouth go dey rush like tap, Ada? What's her business in what Ogbonni means?" Ola asked coming in with another guy. This one was still on a mask but he had dreadlocks on, long ones.
"I'm sorry my love. I just don't understand why you go choose this abroad bitch over me."
"What do you mean? How did I choose her over you?"
"Why she dey sleep for your room?"
"She's smart and I want to watch her myself."
"Why didn't you let the boys maga her toto?"
"Ada, her family is too powerful for that."
"Oh. Ehn, no problem na." The three other girls came in together and then the six boys. One of the girls was not wearing a mask. She had on a skimpy red dress and heels and she was chewing a bubble gum.
"Lefti, wey your mask na," the guy with Ola asked.
"Smoke, free me o. If Ogbonni no wear, why must I wear?"
"You and Ogbonni, una be mates for here?"
"He senior me?" And she hissed. Ola just stood there arms folded.
"Lefti," he said,"Put on your mask and come for the meeting now!"
"Whatever." She said and flipped her straight long hair as she walked in majestically. Soon after, she came in.
Ola began to speak.