Keep or kill (1)

One: Don’t Close Your Eyes

THE club was bubbling with music loud enough to burst even the toughest eardrums, and disco balls spinning with bright colourful lights that could make anyone go blind, but combined, they added a certain charm to the ambiance.

He stood at a corner, watching people dancing freely, allowing the wild yet wonderful beats move through their bodies. Then he noticed the girl in the short red dress. She danced alone, hands on her hips, winding her waist from side to side. She noticed him watching her, and after their staring contest lasted long enough, she cat-walked up to him.

“I’m Mekus Money,” he said, in a smooth tone.

She squinted at first to check if he was truly who he claimed to be, then widened her eyes in surprise when she realized that he was indeed the talented celebrity singer, her long-time crush.

She extended her hand. “I’m Kiki.”

He took it and kissed it. “Lovely name, lovely lady.”

It was instant attraction for both of them, and suddenly it felt as if they were the only two in the club.

Without taking his eyes off her, he led her back to the dance floor, pulled her close to bridge the tiniest gap between them, then placed his hands around her waist just above her bum. His touch made her shudder, she felt her legs go weak with a pleasant sensation. She immediately shut her eyes.

“Don’t close your eyes. I want to keep looking into them.”

She opened her light brown eyes and smiled at him, then instinctively, she placed her hands around his neck. And with bodies pressed against each other, they slow-danced to every other song that played.

After the club, he drove her back to her home and kissed her goodbye, hoping that he would see her again. She was more than elated; finally, she got the man of her dreams, though so easily, it felt like a dream.

With a wide smile plastered on her face, she entered her apartment, and then her bedroom where she saw an envelope from her boss on her desk. She flipped it around and tore into it to know what it contained.

She pulled out the brief, and taking one look at it, she immediately dropped it, distraught, as the photo of the gentle and smiley face of Mekus Money, her next target, stared back.

***

Two: The Cuttist

He was jolted awake by the sound of footsteps, then immediately reached for his bedside lamp, but something pulled him back forcefully. His hands were cuffed to his headboard.

He struggled vigorously to break free, then yelped when a cold object touched his neck. He turned to his side… no one was there.

His bed creaked, so he adjusted his sight and saw a figure sitting across him.

Frightened, he screamed, “Wh…who are you?”

“The Cuttist,” a female voice replied, dangling a machete. “And you have five seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t cut your life short. Go.”

***

Three: A Second Chance

His heart skipped a bit when he saw the sharp blade sparkle in the dark, but something else worried him… it was the distinct voice of the person sitting across him.

“Kiki?” he muttered.

There was no response. All he heard was breathing, then the figure got up, making the bed creak again. The next second, the light switch was flicked on, and there she was, Kiki, the attractive girl he had met in the club.

“Hello again Mekus Money.” Kiki smiled.

Mekus Money smiled back, relieved. He had been with a lot of women, but the thought of seeing Kiki again, and so soon, brought chills to his spine, and for some weird reason, he liked the feeling. He was pleased.

“You got me there. I thought you were a killer,” Mekus Money said. “How did you get into my place?”

Kiki said nothing. Her smile suddenly vanished.

Mekus Money paused. Something didn’t seem right. In fact, he already knew the answer to his question, when he asked, “How did you know where I live?”

Still no answer.

“I’m guessing this isn’t a lover’s game, right?” Mekus Money asked, then exhaled loudly.

“Five seconds,” Kiki reminded him. “You have a second chance to save your life. Tell me why anyone would want you dead.”

“What?”

“One…two…” Kiki approached the bed.

“Wait!”

Kiki pointed the blade towards his throat. “Three…four.”

“Kiki, please.”

“Five.”

“I don’t know why anyone would want me dead,” Mekus Money blurted, then closed his eyes, believing that Kiki had struck his neck. He opened one eye to look at her, and she was staring at him coldly. He opened the other eye. “You didn’t kill me.”

“I didn’t say I was going to kill you, at least not yet.”

“Not yet? What are you? Some kind of assassin?”

“Something like that. Someone wants you dead. Why? What are you into?”

“I’m just a singer, and I don’t believe I have any enemies. All I have are competitors, especially for the upcoming World Award.”

Kiki sighed. She had never let a target live before, but she had just met Mekus Money, her long-time crush and man of her dreams, and now she had to choose between keeping him and killing him. It was a difficult decision and one she had to make immediately. She put the machete to his neck and tightened her grip.

***

Four: Three Seconds Daily

Kiki held on to the machete and pushed it further. Any closer and it would cut Mekus Money’s neck. After a few dramatic seconds, she withdrew her hand.

Mekus Money gulped down saliva that had gathered in his throat. “Thank you,” he said, but got no response. He then asked, “So what happens next?”

“Tell me about the World Award.”

“It’s new and the biggest ever. It’s a combination of all music awards worldwide.”

“Why would anyone want to kill for it? I mean, if you’re talented, then you would be considered for it.”

“Yes, but it’s like any world contest. Many enter at the national level, but only one is picked, who would represent their country on the international level. And apart from an instant global recognition, there’s a prize money.”

“How much are we talking about?”

“10 million dollars.”

Kiki didn’t seem moved.

“It’s a lot of money.”

“I know. But I still wonder what the connection is to you.”

“Because ‘Three Seconds Daily’ has been nominated for the award.”

“What?” Kiki was surprised.

“The list was released yesterday. Only 50 songs were nominated. That is why I was at the club. I was celebrating.”

“Three seconds daily, of love my baby, to start your day, the right way,” Kiki sang, then sighed. “I love that song. It’s your best yet.”

“So someone might want to kill me so that I don’t get the money? Could it be 1 out of the 50 nominated? But it would be suspicious if 49 out of 50 suddenly died.”

“Or maybe it’s someone else entirely,” Kiki said. “Maybe someone doesn’t want you to be the first Nigerian to win the award.”

“Assuming I would win it. The other songs are equally nice. It’s going to be a tough decision.”

Kiki suddenly approached Mekus Money, making him flinch. For a second there, he thought she was going to finally kill him after getting the information she wanted. But she got out a set of two keys from her pocket and uncuffed him.

He massaged his wrists, looking at her skeptically. “You’re letting me go?”

“For now. Until I find out the reason you’re on a hit list and who put you on it.”

“Then what happens?”

“It depends on what I find.” Kiki headed towards the room door. “In the meantime, stay out of sight. I might not be the only one.”

Excerpted from Keep Or Kill, by C.M Okonkwo (Pub. by Laybels Publishing, 2020)