ABBY:
You know those moments when you suddenly remember something from your past—and it hits you like a lightbulb switching on? You stop and think, Wow… what was I thinking?
I’ve had so many of those moments. And each time, my mind goes back to something my mum used to say:
“Abby, life is like a journey. When you choose a road, you might still have a small chance to turn back or take a different path. But once you hit the expressway, there’s no turning back.”
I didn’t understand her then. But now, with hindsight, there are roads I wish I’d never taken and so many opportunities to turn around that I foolishly ignored.
One of those moments came when Madam J returned from her trip. She called me into her bedroom.
I was 16, going on 21—convinced I knew everything.
“Abby,” she said, “do you remember promising me you’d do anything for me?”
I nodded. “Yes, Aunty, I remember.”
She smiled. Then calmly laid out what she wanted me to do.
Simple. I was already a master of the craft.
The next day, I set off for Chief Bolade’s office, wearing a provocative outfit that Madam J had selected for me.
Let’s pause here for a second.
I’ve never actually described what I looked like at that age. I was 5ft 7, size 8, with a 36-inch bust and wide hips—a proper hourglass figure, as they used to call it.
I had never tried to enhance anything until Madam J stepped in. She picked the right clothes, slapped makeup on my face, straightened my hair and tied it in a sleek ponytail. Wigs weren’t yet popular then—but I could’ve easily passed for a 20-year-old.
So I got to Chief’s office.
I told the secretary I was his niece. The man scanned me from head to toe, clearly undressing me with his eyes. I could see he was wondering why a respected man’s ‘niece’ looked like a call girl. But he didn’t say a word.
He ushered me straight into Chief’s office.
Chief looked surprised. “Hello, young lady. How may I help you?”
I glanced over at the secretary, and Chief immediately dismissed him.
Then I sat down.
And repeated—word for word—everything Madam J had told me to say.
Hmmm…
CHRIS:
My destiny was on the line. So was my life.
This mission—this move—was all in my hands.
Edward already had a head start, and I was not going to fall behind. Not that I was jealous—no. But I couldn’t pretend it didn’t bother me.
Before settling on the “alternative” route, three visa agents had already scammed me out of a fortune—with no results. This was all I had left.
So, at 6 a.m., I left the house for my 9 a.m. appointment.
You might be wondering why I left that early. Clearly, you’ve never been to Lagos. One wrong turn and you could be stuck in four hours of traffic—and when you finally get moving, there’ll be no sign of what caused the jam in the first place.
I arrived at the travel office and walked into the reception. Four people were already waiting.
The receptionist checked my details and asked me to join the group.
An hour later, a door at the far end of the corridor opened, and a man ushered us into a room with a long table and ten chairs.
Another man entered shortly after and said, “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Why are you here?”
It sounded like a strange question—but he insisted we answer.
He went around the room.
One person said, “I’m escaping my reality.”
Another said, “For greener pastures.”
Another added, “I want a better life.”
Then it came to me.
I replied, “Destiny.”
The man smiled. “Okay. So… a better life. Change your situation. Fulfil destiny. Now that you know why you’re here and where you want to go, I’ll tell you how to get from here to there.”
He continued, “We run an alternative relocation programme. You must be fit, healthy, determined, have the full fees, and—most importantly—be able to keep your mouth shut.”
“Are you all on the same page?” he asked.
We nodded.
He raised his voice. “I said—are you all on the same page?”
“Yes, sir!” we all shouted in unison.
Then he said, “Be here in six weeks.”
He handed each of us a list of things to bring—and the total fees. Then he left the room.
We all sat there staring at the paper, wondering…
How in God’s name are these things going to get us to our destiny?
But we were just about to find out.
Hmmm…
