The Tycoon's Son (6) united in crime

Lexie made his plans quietly and carefully to ensure the success of the 'deal'. To him, there was no room for failure. It was a 'do or die' affair as he knew the implication of not succeeding.


With the assistance of a banker friend, he was able to secure an offshore account where the money totally about five hundred million naira would be paid into. His travel documents were ready. All that was left was for his father to go abroad for his annual vacation and medical check up before making his move.


There was only one hitch in the carefully laid out plans. His father wanted Selina to accompany him on the trip stating that he would miss her too much if they were separated.


"That's impossible. There's no way you can go with him. It will spoil our plans," Lexie protested when she informed him about his father's request some days later.
Selina nodded.


"I know. But what can I do? He has already made all the travel arrangements. If I refuse to go with him, he might think I want to stay back in Nigeria because of another man. You know how jealous your Dad can be," she pointed out.

"Don't worry about it. I will think of something," he said.


Two days before Chief and Selina were to travel, he sat in his private sitting room and study going through some files. He wanted to put his business affairs in order before leaving. That way, he would not have to worry too much about work while he was away.


The one month vacation he took yearly was the only time he had for himself, when he could get away from the hassles of running his large business empire which kept growing by the day.
He removed his reading glasses, yawned and flexed his arms to loosen his shoulder muscles which felt stiff. Just then, Selina came into the room. She wore a short blue night-gown with a matching blue wrap wrapped round her shoulders to ward off the chill night air.


"Ah! Chief! You are still working! Do you know what time it is? It's nearly midnight! Leave the rest for tomorrow and come to bed!" she said. She went to the table, and closing the file he had been reading, took his arm.


He stood up, then hugged and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then cupping her face in his hands said:
"You are so caring. That's one of the things I like about you...you are always concerned about me."


"I have to Chief. Your wellbeing is important to me. You work so hard. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Remember what the doctor said, that you need to reduce your workload, take things easy a bit because of your health..." she said.


"I know, my dear. That's why I want you with me on my vacation. I know you will help me unwind," he said. Then noticing her outfit, he added: "You are looking very sweet tonight, Selly baby. Are you planning to keep me awake all night?" he asked teasingly.


"No o! You need rest. I will sleep in my room tonight," she said.
"Says who? We are going to my room. Come," and holding her by the shoulder, they walked out of the study...

***

The following morning, they were having breakfast when Selina's mobile phone rang. Picking it up, she listened to the voice at the other end.
"What? Papa? In the hospital? What happened?"she exclaimed.


Chief stopped eating when he saw the worried expression on her face.
"What's wrong, dear?" he enquired when the call ended.


"That was my younger brother. He said my father collapsed early this morning and is in a coma. He's in the hospital right now," she said in a worried tone.


"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he will be alright," Chief said. He reached across the table and took her hand in his.


"I pray so. He has been having these health problems lately...something to do with his heart," Selina said. Then getting up she announced:


"Chief, I may have to go home and see how he's doing. And also give my mother moral support. I know she will be so worried."


"Ok, dear. I will call David to book a flight for you and make other arrangements," Chief said, getting up from his seat.


About two hours later, Selina was ready to go to the airport to catch her flight to Benin where her parents lived.


"Call me as soon as you arrive," Chief told her. They were outside at the large courtyard of his home. They stood watching as one of his drivers who was taking her to the airport placed her small traveling bag in the boot of the sleek, black SUV that she used whenever she was in his house.


"I will do that, Chief. Thanks for your concern," said Selina. She hugged him close and gave him a peck on the cheek before entering the car.


She waved as they drove towards the gate of the large compound. As soon as they were on the main road outside the gates, Selina brought her cell phone from her bag and quickly sent a text message to Lexie.


After the driver had dropped her at the departure lounge of the airport and left, Selina stood at the entrance and scanned the throng of travelers in the hall. She spied Lexie standing in a long queue of people waiting to buy tickets at the counter of a popular airline.


He smiled when he saw her.
"The plan worked. I told you not to worry," he said as they made their way outside.


"You are right. Chief believed the story and he even made all the arrangements for me to travel to Benin. He just wasted his money booking a flight I won't take," she said with a wry grin.


The truth was that there was nothing wrong with Selina's father. He was neither sick nor in the hospital. It was Lexie who had called her during breakfast pretending to be her brother. It was all a ruse, a lie planned by Lexie so that Selina would not be able to travel with his father for his vacation.


In the cab they took into town from the airport, they finalized their arrangements for the next few days which were crucial to their 'project'.


"You have to lie low until my dad leaves town. You are supposed to be in Benin so you must not be seen around town," he told her.
He had booked accommodation for her in a very secluded hotel where she would stay for a few days. Lexie left after dropping her off, promising to call her later in the day.


***
"I'm sorry Chief. I was really looking forward to being with you on your vacation. But with the way things are..." Selina said. She had just told Chief on the phone about her father's 'condition' which she said was critical. "Though he has regained consciousness, the doctor said, they need to observe him for sometime as his situation is still critical," she added.


Chief was sympathetic, telling her to ensure he was in a good hospital where he could get the best medical care.
"Don't worry about money. I will take care of all medical expenses," he told her.


It was later agreed that he would still proceed on his trip as planned while she could travel to join him later.


"I promise to join you once my father's condition stabilizes a bit," she said before hanging up.
"Alright dear. Love you," said Chief.


"Love you, too," Selina responded.


'Travel to join who? I will be far far away in a place where you can't reach me in some days time. Yeye man!' she said with a smile after the call with her rich lover ended.


The following day, Chief travelled out and Selina was able to move about freely. She went to her apartment and packed all her belongings. She got a safe place where she moved them to, leaving the few bags she would be traveling with out of the country with Lexie once their scheme had been concluded.

Some days later, early in the morning, Lexie and Selina went to the bank and paid in one of the forged cheques from his father worth about N200m. He had earlier opened an account specially for that in one of the new generation banks.

From there, they moved to another branch and paid in the second cheque. While Selina worried incessantly while they waited for the cheques to clear, Lexie was calm. He trusted the man who had forged the cheques, though he still prayed silently that all would go well.

His prayers were answered for a few days later, the two cheques were cleared.

"Wow! We did it! We are rich!" Lexie exclaimed. They were in her hotel room where she planned staying till they jetted out of the country in a few days.
"Yes! The plan worked. Congrats for such a brilliant plan," Selina enthused, hugging him tightly.

Lexie cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the mouth.

"Now you belong to me and not that old fool that calls himself my father!"

Selina laughed happily and went to the fridge. She brought out some chilled bottles of wine and they sat toasting and drinking till very late, celebrating their success and making plans for their bright and happy future abroad..

What next? Join us for the concluding part of the story coming soon! Don't miss it!!

culled:trueifestories