Chapter 36: A Haunting Vision
1315words
As she became tired, she sensed something different around her. The space near her vanished and transformed into a swirl of colours and emotions. When the world becomes clear again, Eki sees herself in a room with little light. The big and grand place now seems trapped under heavy dust and much neglect.
Panic clawed at her throat. This wasn't her apartment. The elegant furniture and the aged portraits hanging on the wall – look so familiar but strangely out of place in this setting.
Then, a reflection in a dusty mirror catches her eye. The woman looking back is not Eki. Her skin was a little more dark, her eyes were deep and soulful brown. Long braids went down to her back.
A gasp leaves her mouth. This is Ayana, the architect written in lease papers, but she looks younger and full of energy now, very different from the sad woman shown in documents.
Suddenly, the door opened very fast, and a tall and strong person wearing a dark cloak appeared. It was Dapo; but his face, usually calm and relaxed, now looked different with anger and fear mixed.
"Ayana," he said with a bitter sound in his voice. "You have done very well for yourself, yes?" Living in luxury while the Olumides crumble around you.``
Ayana stood up tall, eyes full of strong feelings. "This home is mine too, Dapo." And I wouldn't trade it for all the riches in the world."
"Home?" Dapo scoffed. "Don't fool yourself. You're nothing but a hired hand. They'll cast you aside the moment they're done with you."
Ayana's eyes had a little sadness, but she covered it fast with anger. "Then let them," she said in a harsh voice. "At least I dare to complete this. Not like others who stay hidden in shadows."
Dapo's face showed much anger. He moved fast, grabbing Ayana by the shoulders with surprising strength.
"Don't you dare lecture me about courage!" he roared. "You have no idea what I've sacrificed for this family!"
Ayana struggled against his grip, her voice trembling. "Sacrificed? Or betrayed?"
The accusation was like a heavy cloud hanging in the room. Dapo's face got very white, his eyes wide with something that may be fear.
Before Eki could understand what was happening, Dapo's grip became tighter. He moved closer, his voice sounding like a quiet growl.
"Don't. Ever. Say. That. Word."
A small sound came from Ayana's mouth when Dapo pushed her very hard. She fell against a table close by, causing a vase to fall and break into pieces on the floor.
Eki watched with horror, a terrible feeling growing in her stomach. This was not only an easy disagreement; it felt like a fight powered by something much deeper inside of them.
Suddenly, a loud knocking on the door broke the quiet tension. Dapo turned quickly, his face showing much anger.
"Who is it?" he snarled.
"Open up, Dapo! It's urgent!" a voice boomed from the other side.
Dapo stopped for a moment, then pushed Ayana strongly towards a hidden spot in the bookshelf. Just before she disappeared completely, Eki caught sight of her face showing feelings of fear and betrayal mixed.
The door opened fast, showing a man who looked very worried. Eki did not know this man, but the man's nervous eyes moved around the room until they saw Dapo.
"Dapo, I just… I saw smoke coming from the west wing. We need to…"
Dapo cut him off, his voice strained. "I'll handle it. Just get out."
The man hesitated, then nodded and retreated, closing the door behind him.
When he left, Dapo quickly turned around, his eyes looking all over the room with desperation. "Ayana!" Where are you?"
Eki looked with confused eyes as Dapo quickly reached for the hidden compartment and opened it, but there was nothing inside.
"No… this can't be," he muttered, his voice laced with a desperate plea.
Eki felt very sorry for Dapo. His desperate face made one big question: Where did Ayana go? Was she the person who began the fire, making a desperate move against Olumides?
Suddenly, a very loud thunder noise filled the room. Eki got scared and her vision became unclear. When she opened her eyes again, there was no more room there. The nice place was gone, now it just looked like her own bedroom she knew well. The gentle light of early morning came inside through the window, creating long shadows in the room.
Eki sat up in bed, heart hammering against her ribs. It wasn't a dream. It was like looking into memory, a clear window to Ayana's life—one filled with dreams, betrayals, and finally finding some way to escape.
The details of the dream stayed very clear in her memory – seeing Dapo, being blamed for betrayal, and Ayana not found anywhere. But what made her feel cold was thinking about the fire. Yes, Ayana did set fire to the west wing of Olumide mansion. She started the fire as an act of revenge against the family after feeling betrayed and wronged by them. The specific reasons might vary in different versions or interpretations of the story, but typically she seeks justice for perceived injustices or personal grievances that pushed her towards such a drastic action.
A new, troubling question came up: was fire a surprising result of the agreement? Could it connect to that strong power Kunle mentioned?
Eki jumped out of bed, feeling very urgent inside her. She needed to talk with Dapo, to see if he remembered the night of the fire and understand what role he had in all that happened that night.
Taking her phone, she entered his number and dialed. It rang once, and twice, then went to voicemail. She felt like disappointment was eating her from the inside. Maybe Dapo had answers to solve all these secrets, but now he is suddenly not here, making everything even more confusing.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door that made her jump. Feeling nervous, she said "Come in," hoping Kunle returned with more news.
Instead, a woman with a very serious face was at the door. She wore a spotless black suit and had her hair tied back in a tight bun. Her eyes, deep brown just like Ayana's in a dream, stared at Eki with a cold intensity.
"Eki Olumide?" she asked, her voice clipped and professional.
Eki swallowed, a knot forming in her throat. "Yes, that's me. Who are you?"
The woman showed a badge. It was not police, but it looked official and had an emblem that Eki did not recognize.
"Detective Abeni Johnson," she says, her voice cold without emotion. "I come to ask you some questions about the Olumide family and an old document named Moonlight Lease."
Eki's mind reeled. Detective? Moonlight Lease? How did this woman know about the book? Was she connected to the Guardians?
Before Eki could ask any questions, Detective Johnson continued speaking, her voice having a chilly and frightening tone.
"We believe you have information that is very important for national security. Honestly, Ms. Olumide, it would be better if you help us."
Eki looked at the woman and felt her words weighing him down. It was not only about family secrets anymore. This was something bigger, something that could potentially threaten national security.
Eki found out a truth much more risky than she ever imagined. Now, she had to choose: protect her family's legacy and maybe show hidden dark secrets, or work with this strange detective and take the chance of destroying all she thought was true about the Olumide family history.
