Chapter 5: Witty Banter and Hidden Agendas
1552words
Close to the big piano, where a single pianist was making emotional tunes come out of it, I saw him. He was noticeable among the people there, not only because he was very tall but also due to his atmosphere of silent seriousness that surrounded him tightly.
I took a deep breath to prepare myself and started walking in his direction. Getting nearer, I noticed how nicely the suit fit on his wide shoulders; it was just right against his sharp face and serious look.
As I came close, he spun around, his face showing a brief moment of surprise that soon hid behind a mocking smile. "Eki Bassey, the architect famous for making waves," he said slowly with a deep voice that made me feel shivers on my back.
"Dapo Olumide," I replied, my voice stable in an unexpected way. "He is the successor with a hidden project and an even more concealed history."
A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. "Intriguing," he replied, leaning closer. "Do tell me, what do you know about my so-called 'secret past?'"
I put my arms crossed, not letting his closeness scare me. "Enough to understand that there is something more about this Moonlight Glow project than what is obvious," I spoke with clear intention. "Enough to know there's a power struggle brewing, and I'm caught in the middle."
His smile paused for a little time like he showed a sign of feeling exposed. Then this changed as he laughed quietly. "Ah yes, the Moonlight Lease. A complicated matter, wouldn't you agree?"
His easy ignoring of the situation's complicated nature bothered me. "Maybe it is complicated for you," I answered back. "But for me, it jeopardizes the entire project, the very essence of my design."
A hint of respect appeared to take the place of his earlier amusement. "Your design," he thought aloud while drinking from the glass in his hand. "Intriguing. The incorporation of Yoruba mythology… a bold vision."
"It is not only myths, Dapo," I responded, surprised at his sudden seriousness. "It represents the heart of Lagos, the essence of its inhabitants."
He observed me for quite some time, his deep eyes giving nothing away. "Maybe," he eventually admitted. "But sometimes, Eki, visions need a bit of… reality to take root."
His speech was difficult to understand, yet the deep truth struck a chord with me. The Moonlight Lease and this group of people together highlighted the tough facts about money sources and how power is shared. But I wouldn't let them dampen my creative spirit.
Sometimes, I said back to him while looking straight into his eyes, reality must have a little magic for it to feel alive.
His smile was real this time, reaching up to his eyes. The hardness in his look became gentler, with a glimmer that seemed unexpectedly sincere.
Maybe you are not as bad at being an architect as I thought, Eki Bassey, he said with a sparkle of fun in his eyes.
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted our talk. A big man wearing a heavy gold chain – the same Henry from last night – walked over with confidence, his face showing a smile that looked down on us.
"Ah, Dapo," he greeted, his voice dripping with false camaraderie. "Enjoying the company?"
Dapo's expression hardened. "Just having a stimulating conversation with Ms. Bassey," he replied coolly.
Henry looked at me, a mocking smile on his face. "You are the architect with… unusual ideas, correct?"
Before I got the chance to reply, Dapo moved in front and spoke with a tone that sounded like he meant business. "Ms. Bassey is skilled at being an architect, Henry. And her ideas are precisely what this project needs."
Henry narrowed his eyes, but he stepped back, muttering a curse under his breath. He gave me one more look of scorn and then walked off casually.
The meeting created a feeling of discomfort afterwards. Dapo's unexpected and sharp defence confused them. Did he truly care about my ideas, or was it just a strategy for him to show his control in the group?
Feeling nervous, Dapo makes a cough sound. "Please forgive my... friends," he speaks with a more gentle voice now. "They can be… abrasive at times."
It looks like you are very busy with them, I said while Henry was going into the crowd. Especially if they do not have the same excitement about my design as you do.
He laughed in a quiet, deep way that made me feel a nice tingling down my back. "Eki, 'enthusiasm' is quite a powerful word. I must say, I value a new way of thinking and the innovative energy that is very much required for this project.
His speech carried a subtle trace of something more profound, a kind of tiredness that did not match his young appearance. I felt an unexpected surge of curiosity. Who truly was Dapo Olumide? Was he the conceited inheritor or the individual who appeared sincerely interested in my ideas?
"Tell me about your father," I blurted out, surprising myself with my boldness.
Dapo's smile weakened a little bit, and it looked like he felt some pain on his face for just a second. Then he hid this with a careful look and said in short words, "Chief Olumide." "A formidable businessman, a pillar of the Lagos community."
His response seemed very official like he was avoiding something. Chief Olumide's name frequently showed up in the news, connected to big building works and profitable agreements. There were also quiet talks and stories about a harsh side and past of doubtful business ways. Is this the heritage Dapo was supposed to take over?
"And what about you, Dapo?" I pressed, emboldened by a newfound determination. "What do you see for the future of the Moonlight Glow project?"
He paused for a short time, looking at the shining buildings of Lagos. "I understand... there is an opportunity to try something new," he spoke at last, his voice very quiet. An opportunity to make something that shows the spirit of our city, not just one more symbol of money and strength.
His speech reflected what I dream of, and it lit a small flame of hope in me. Is it possible for us to make a project that goes beyond the consortium's expectations, even with all the power fights and secret plans? Was there a possibility of collaboration, of uniting our visions for a common goal?
Before I could explore more, the sound of a classic Yoruba drumbeat started to fill the surroundings. A collection of dancers wearing bright-colored clothes appeared in the dancing area and their dance moves created a visual story of cultural tradition.
Dapo watched them go, his face showing a hint of desire. "Please excuse me for a short time," he said quietly and gave a quick nod before he walked off into the many people.
Alone, I observed the enthralling dance, feeling the rhythm pulsate within my heart. Dapo's unexpected departure and his mysterious behaviour caused me to ponder many unanswered questions. The Moonlight Glow project had turned into something bigger than just a task about design. It was now mixed up with the desire for success, the importance of family reputation and conflicts over control in a strong family. And I, the architect with a vision, was caught right in the middle.
When the music grew very loud, a person appeared next to me. I looked over thinking it was Ayo there, but what I saw was a woman with a noble-looking face and sharp eyes – that was Madam Olumide.
"Eki Bassey," she said to me, her voice quiet and smooth like a cat. "Dapo has told many good things about your... different way of doing things."
Meeting Dapo's powerful grandmother made the situation even more complicated. What part did she take in the project called Moonlight Glow, and what truly motivated her actions?
Before I had the chance to speak, Madam Olumide moved nearer with a steady look. "A piece of advice for you, Ms. Bassey," she whispered, her tone carrying a hidden warning. Be cautious about supporting someone else's vision. The elite in Lagos is famous for not being easily forgiving.
After she gave that mysterious warning, she turned around and left quickly. I was by myself with the music playing and surrounded by the shining appearances of rich people in Lagos. The puzzling things Dapo said, along with Madam Olumide's scary caution – these things all suggested there is a secret inside the history of the Olumide family; a secret may be important to understand what the Moonlight Glow project means.
As an architect caught in a mix of ambition and legacy, I understood that I needed to untangle this not only for my design's benefit but also to comprehend the person beyond the front - Dapo Olumide.
