Another villa inside the Pluto Estate, also a huge building, but this belonged to the owner of Dennis Group, a subsidiary of the Convergence Group, with the CEO being Demi. Currently, Demi and his minions—a group of big shots in the state, numbering seven in total—were gathered there.
"Are you saying Segun is just bluffing with his words?" Jones said, with a cup of Hennessy in his hand.
"I told you he can't bear a child, except he adopts," Demi said with certainty.
"Uhm, that guy is so cunning. Remember the last time he outsmarted you? This is the same way you said he was lying," Audu confronted him.
"Let's wait. In five months we hold the company's anniversary, we strike then," Kiro said—another man with a pot belly, the CEO of GLUE, a water company and friend of Demi.
"Okay, let's do as Kiro said. We wait. Let's see what way Segun is going to escape now," Audu said again.
"But Demi, you promised us that we would all have shares in the B City project, but my secretary said it was allocated to Days, my rival," Sipo said—another man around forty-six with a look of corruption covering his bright shining face, owner of SIP, a glass company under the Convergence Group.
"Exactly Sipo, now explain this to us. I initially thought that it was only my Tile Company that was not allocated any project in the B City," Lac, another man and owner of the Lac Group—a tile company—said.
"You can see how I opposed the B City project..." Demi tried explaining.
"No Demi, we did not say you should oppose the project. I mean, this project is so huge, even the government is in support of this! Why would you want to oppose it? I mean, you should help us and get a spot. Let's be the suppliers for this project, nothing more," Goro, the last man in the room, said. He was the owner of GGR, a gravel and granite supplying company.
"Wait!" Jones suddenly said, looking around at every face in the room. "Are you saying all of your companies were not allocated any projects in the B City?"
"What do you mean? Were you allocated any?" Audu asked him.
"No, of course," Jones replied.
"Did you now mean Segun is targeting us in particular? Does he know?" Audu asked confusingly.
"I think Demi should have an answer to that," Sipo shrugged, while every one of them faced him with a questioning look.
"You are getting things wrong here, guys. I do not think Segun is targeting us all in particular," Demi said.
"And?..." Kiro said.
"I mean, we all cast lots for this project, with every interested company submitting proposals. The best were picked," Demi said angrily.
"Oh, uhm uhm, Demi, please stop playing these mind games with me. If they did not know, I know. You are his in-law..." Lac was saying.
"And that proves what?..."
"This proves everything, Demi!" Lac raised his voice.
"This proves nothing, man. You don't raise your voice at me. I am telling you Segun is not in charge of things there, fuck! Use your brain, man, he only briefs through things," Demi said, anger lacing his voice.
"Uhm, so you mean his subordinates were the ones targeting us in particular?" Kiro said.
"I don't know! You know what... let's start moving. My wife would be back soon, and I won't want her to notice things this way." Demi stood up, not waiting for their response as he stormed off.
The rest also left the mini bar one after the other with gloomy faces. It was a loss.
Back at Ibadan, Oyo State, at the Southwest Youth Baseball League.
The hosting softball team—the Super Tigress—had just defeated The Source Softball Team of Osun State with a three-to-one run victory.
The second game of the day was between the Liberty of Ekiti State and The Source Baseball Team of Osun State. It was also a loss to The Source, with a defeat of seven runs to three, as they had just lost both the softball and baseball games.
While the Liberty proceeded to the finals against whichever team was going to win the next game, it would be between the Super Cubs and the Lagoon Rangers baseball team.
After the Liberty's game, the Lagoon Softball Team went up against the Sunshine Team of Ondo State. It was a struggle for the Sunshine team—two men on base and nine runs to nine runs, bottom of the last inning, and the batter just delivered the team with a home run, ending the game at thirteen runs to nine.
"Thank you girls for the game..." the scorer said, applauding the girls who had just concluded their game. After he announced the score, he mentioned the teams proceeding to the semis and the finals.
"For the softball game, the semi-finals... we have The Source Softball Team of Osun State going against the Lagoon Rangers of Lagos State. Please let's prepare our bodies, minds, and equipment," he said, flipping the sheet to the next page.
"And for the finals, the hosting state softball team up against the Sunshine Softball Team of Ondo State."
The last game of the day was between the Lagoon Rangers and the Super Cubs. The game had already started with boredom, as we all already knew the team winning—the Lagoons.
True to our speculation, the hosting team suffered a loss of ten to six, ending today's game, while the scorer announced the teams proceeding to the semis and the finals.
Ekiti State,
The environment here was not as favorable as the one at Pluto Estate, because this was the popular slum—Gbara. This was a community inside the capital of the state, but it was a stark contrast to the blooming environments in the capital.
This was where the B City project was going to be rooted, and this was home to Akanni and his family.
You could see a woman around thirty-seven years of age, blowing air into the charcoal burner inside a tattered old building, while a young girl about twelve years of age, striking in resemblance to Akanni, also supported her in starting the fire.
"Mother, you said brother Akanni is coming next week?" the young girl asked with longing for her brother.
"Yes darling, they are winning. They should be back by Monday dear. Did you miss your brother that much?" she teased her with a smile.
"Uhm, I don't miss him, I only want to see his face, nothing more. He would soon come and start beating me," she said with a pout.
"That shows you missed him. Where is Charles?" she asked for her little son.
"He is already asleep, Mother," she said.
"Go and wake him up for me, he has not eaten yet."
"Why, can he not eat tomorrow, Mother? He slept off already," she asked.
"It's not good for a small child like him to sleep on an empty stomach," the woman said.
"What would happen if he slept on an empty stomach?" the girl pressed further.
"Don't worry Busayo, I will let you experience it, then you can tell me what would happen," her mother said with a smirk, while she went in to wake up her little brother.
Back at the Southwest Youth League,
Today, the semi-finals between the hosting team and The Source Baseball Team of Osun State, I can say that it was an outstanding game between the two states.
Unfortunately for the hosting team, The Source defeated them with a margin of eleven runs to eight, making The Source claim their place in third place of this year's championship.
Consequently for The Source, their softball team had also defeated the Lagoon Rangers softball team earlier, with an eight runs to six game, also claiming the third position in the league.
We play our finals tomorrow against the Lagoon Rangers Baseball Team of Lagos State. It's a much-anticipated game, as we were on the same point as them, just with a runs margin.
Though we know that it's going to be a sure game tomorrow, our coaches did not mind preparing our bodies, minds, and souls towards tomorrow's game, as we heard that there is a stake on the Lagos State team, a whopping amount of five hundred thousand!
I can't imagine someone placing such an amount of money when they knew that the result is going to be the same. I mean, we are winning tomorrow.
Ho Chi Minh City, capital city of Vietnam.
At the Pluto Estate, also a property of the Convergence Group.
A young lady about twenty-nine years old sat inside a very big luxurious mansion, enjoying the beautiful night view. Though it was just some minutes past four in the evening in Nigeria, it was already ten in the night here.
With the most beautiful things so comforting for a human life to have and own, this woman is the wife of the CEO of the Convergence Group in Nigeria.
She came in disguised as a woman whose son had an accident six years ago, while in truth, there was no accident at all, and there was no child in the first place.
With a lot of tests and medical checkups confirming her able to bear a child, there had not been any trace of pregnancy until the recent test reports showed she did not really have a womb.
This is a very devastating issue for a woman's mental health. Though having everything humans pray for at the disposal of her hands, she is not fulfilled as a woman.
She has told her husband to marry a new wife, but he refused due to some business issues that cannot be solved with a new wife. Any mishap can lead to his position shaking, as he had gathered enough enemies already.
Back at the Southwest Youth League,
Today, we are going to play our finals, but we witnessed the first game between the hosting state softball team and the Sunshine softball team of Ondo State.
A five-inning straight game, with the hosting team leading with five runs from the third inning, until the Sunshine team raked in two runs in the last inning, ending the game with an unbeaten streak for the hosting state softball team, earning them their second championship of the league.
"It was a wonderful game between the hosting state softball team and the Sunshine softball team of Ondo State," the scorer began after the end of the game. "Unfortunately for the hosting state baseball team, I will only urge them to work harder. Come next year, they should be able to defeat the all-time champions," he said, raising his head to face us at the pavilion. Did he actually mean for us not to come prepared next year?
"The game ended with a win for the Super Tigress of Oyo State with five runs, defeating the Sunshine softball team of Ondo State with two runs. A round of applause to them..." he said while we all clapped.
"Let's shake hands, and wait for the medal presentation after the baseball final," he said.
Fifteen minutes later, we were called to the field.
"Team lineup," the umpire called, while both teams all jogged down to the baseline right and left.
"Welcome to the final of the Southwest Youth Baseball and Softball League.
We are going to witness the last game between the all-time champions—the Liberty Baseball Team of Ekiti State—and the Lagoon Rangers of Lagos State.
This is becoming interesting. You all know the performance of the Lagoon Rangers last year. It was nothing to write home about, but can you view them as a team who was going to compete for the first position this year?
And believe me, if care is not taken, they might actually do something bewildering, you know. But we also have our all-time champions. They improve each year of their participation." He said, flipping the sheet in his hand.
"I will now call the list of the players playing the finals for both teams.
For the Lagoon Rangers of Lagos State, we have their team captain,
John Sebo pitching for the team, jersey number thirteen,
Chuckweze Chi catching for the team, jersey number twelve,
Dare Bala, first base, jersey number eleven,
GodsTime Gift second base, jersey number ten,
Gift Joy third base, number nine,
Sebo Williams shortstop, number eight, and that's the junior brother of the team captain.
Tina West, left field, number seven,
Lare Ogundele center field, number six,
Oluwatimileyin, the youngest in the team, playing the right field, jersey number five.
And on their substitutes,
Jaye Williams jersey number fifteen,
his brother Jaye David number fourteen,
Collins Mawo jersey number sixteen,
Wati Seibo jersey number one.
We have Selina Sunday as the team coach and our former national team player, Coach Musa Musashi, as the team manager." He flipped to the next page.
"That's all for the Lagoon Rangers of Lagos State.
And to our all-time champions, the Liberty Baseball Team of Ekiti State. I have on my list jersey number one, Tunde Lasisi, pitching for the team,
Bayom Bassey catching for the team, jersey number two,
Lanre Lukman playing first base for the team, jersey number three,
Kunle Sogo jersey number five, second base,
Bunmi Kuro jersey number six, third base,
Akanni Bamidele jersey number seven, playing shortstop,
Ojo Gbenga jersey number eight, playing left field,
Emmanuel Bright jersey number nine, playing center field,
Jago Lekan jersey number ten, playing right field.
And their substitutes include Wole Bukunmi, jersey number twelve,
Sunshine Gift jersey number eleven,
Raman Abdullah jersey number fourteen, the captain of the team,
Kanimi Kabir jersey number fifteen.
Lanson Kolawole as the team coach,
Our former Nigeria national team player and also our national under-20 coach—Coach Labi Raphael as the team manager," he said, earning applause from the players and spectators.
"Please let's ensure a safe and fair game, remember the little league pledge—either win or lose..."
He finished his speech, while the umpire gestured for us to shake hands round. After that we jogged back to our dugout and jogged back to the field as we were playing home.
"Throw balls round," I heard Coach Lanson say, as he threw two balls into the field.
We infielders picked one and threw round while the outfielders did the same too, while Tunde—our pitcher—collected a ball from the umpire and threw to the catcher.
After the umpire returned from the scorer's desk, he called for three trial throws.
Tunde is a good pitcher. His first pitch was a solid strike, the second pitch also, while the third pitch was a high pitch but also a considerable strike.
"All balls out!" the umpire said, as we all threw out the two balls back to our dugout.
"Batter on deck," he said again, while the Lagoon Rangers' first batter jogged down.
"Top of the first inning, no ball no strike. Batter in box," the umpire called while the batter walked into the batting box. "Play ball," the umpire called, while I watched the batter receive a sign from the base coach and nod.
Seven seconds, Kunle pitched the first ball,
TA!
It was a strike. "STRIKE! One strike no ball!" the umpire said while we all cheered up our pitcher.
"Play ball!" the umpire called again.
Nine seconds, our pitcher pitched again.
TA!
It was a swing and miss. "STRIKE! Two strikes no ball!" the umpire shouted, while we all cheered up Kunle once again.
"Play!" the umpire said, while Kunle received a signal from Coach Labi that he should throw a batter-chest ball, while the batter also received a sign from his coach to watch for any ball around the strike zone.
Nine seconds, Kunle delivered the last pitch, but the batter swung at the ball, hitting it towards our second baseman—Kunle—who in turn fielded the ball and sent it to Lanre on first base, securing the first out.
"Out on first base!" the first base official said.
"ONE OUT!!!" We all shouted.
The first inning ended ten minutes later with the Lagoon Rangers scoring a run.
We changed over to bat, our first batter—Ojo—safe on first base, our second batter—Kunle—moved him, but got himself out on first base.
Ojo stole to third, while Bunmi hit to the outfield and safe on first, while Ojo scored a run.
"Run scored," we heard the umpire shout.
Lanre, our fourth batter, hit a three-base hit, making Bunmi score another run.
"Run scored," the umpire said.
I went as batter number five. "PLAY BALL!" the umpire called.
I missed the first and the second pitches, then on the third pitch I batted it over the third baseman and got safe on second, while Lanre scored another run.
"Run scored," the umpire said again. After we made about two more runs, the first inning ended.
We entered into the second inning with a margin of five runs to one. By the end of the second inning, it had already reached seven to two.
In the third inning, we changed our pitcher—Kanimi. He threw only seven pitches to end the inning, being the swiftest inning in the tournament.
We could not add to our seven runs, leading us into the fourth inning with runs of seven to two. The inning quickly changed, as Kanimi could not deliver as he did before, throwing two free bases. Coach had to change him, telling me to climb the mound.
"Two trial throws!" the umpire told me.
TA! TA!
I threw the two pitches, strikes, but I noticed they were not as fast as my usual pitches. Not dwelling on this, the umpire called for the game to resume.
"Play ball!"
Seven seconds, I launched my first pitch...
POE!
I heard the sound of the batter hitting my ball with sheer force as I followed the ball with my eyes...
"HOME RUN!" the third base official called.
This is really devastating. I mean... my first pitch of the final earned my opponent a whopping three runs. I looked at the dugout, I could see the way my teammates only shook their heads, while Coach Lanson gestured to me that I could do better. I watched Coach Labi, he did not even spare me a glance, as though he was not that concerned with the home run.
"Three runs scored!" I heard the umpire say, jolting me out of my thoughts. That's seven runs against five, we are leading, but it's at stake.
"PLAY BALL!" the umpire called.
Nine seconds, I threw the first pitch—a swing and miss, the second pitch... until the last strikeout, no more runs were recorded.
We jogged out of the field to take our turn at bat.
"You are good, guys..." Coach Labi said, "but I am not seeing the fighting spirit. We are all dull on that field. Put in force, charge balls, hit balls. I don't need home runs, but if they come, fine. Make contact... safe on base, let's end this inning with more runs." Coach Labi ended, with a lot of us once again in high morale.
Unfortunately, motivation without work is just like a burning candle... when it's done, it will quench. We could not add to our seven runs, heading into the last inning with sheer pressure. Our batters could not make contact with the new pitcher's ball.
"Play ball!" the umpire said. Even I, right now, I could feel myself under pressure, like I could not trust my fielders or even thinking I should not mistakenly throw any free base.
My first pitch in the last inning was banged brutally into the right field, making the batter safe on second.
I threw the next batter out, while the one on second stole third base.
The third batter got out on first base too, until the fourth batter came and directed the ball in between second and third base and got safe on second, while the one on third scored a run.
"Run scored!" the umpire said.
"Play ball!"
Ten seconds, I threw the ball, thinking it was a fast ball...
BANG!
It was directed to right field...
"Run scored!" the umpire called again.
"Safe on first!" the first base official called.
"Safe on second!" the official called again, and he was heading to third base... till our center fielder—Emmanuel—collected the ball from Jago—the right fielder—and threw it to the infield. Our third baseman—Bunmi—caught the ball with a diving tag and got the runner out.
WOW! All the officials and spectators all cheered up for the good play.
"Out on third!" the third base official called as we jogged out.
"Bottom of the last inning!" the umpire called.
"Well done Bunmi, that's a good game. I love the courage you put in, and Emmanuel, good throw too, I love that..." Coach Labi said.
"Now let's go and make runs now..." Coach Lanson said.
"We are batting last, you should have known what kind of ball their pitchers throw by now... move a step back after setting, then watch your ball and direct the ball into spaces," Coach Lanson said.
"Batter in box!" the umpire called, disrupting our brief call to action.
"The last batter is Ojo, now let's go and make runs," Coach Labi said, while Ojo wore his helmet and jogged down to the batting box.
"Bottom of the last inning... no ball no strike," the umpire said.
"Play ball!"
By now, the pressure is very palpable on both teams. Though we are on edge in winning, their pitcher is very reliable. What if he throws us all out...
I was thinking when Ojo popped the first pitch up into the infield, while in turn the pitcher charged under the ball and caught it.
"Batter is out!" the official said.
"How many out?"
"One out!" The Lagoon Rangers cheered.
"Let's go guys, two more to go pitcher..." their coach cheered them up, while Ojo jogged dejectedly to the dugout.
"Hey, what's with that look? We are fine, let's get to work..." Coach Labi said to Ojo.
"Bunmi, you are fine, don't rush yourself. Look at the ball and pick yours," Coach Lanson told Bunmi, our next batter, who in turn jogged into the batting box.
"Play ball!" the umpire called.
Two seconds, the pitcher pitched... it was a strike.
"One strike!" the umpire said.
"Watch the ball Bunmi... another strike is going to come..." Coach Labi said to Bunmi... and true to his words, the second pitch was a strike. Bunmi swung but missed.
"Swing and miss... two strikes!" the umpire said.
OMG! I exclaimed inwardly... are we losing?
"Play ball!" the umpire called.
I face-palmed, not wanting to see Bunmi get struck out again...
POE!
I heard a hit. I quickly opened my eyes to see Bunmi running to base. I jumped up in excitement, but it was short-lived. The third baseman fielded the ball and threw it to first base.
One-two steps... the first baseman was going to call an out, until I heard Coach Lanson shout, telling Bunmi to run to second—Oh my God... the ball dropped.
"Safe on second!" the official said.
"YES!" we all cheered Bunmi up. This immediately lifted my spirit. I know it did for the rest too. Lanre is going to bat next—I pray for a home run, but I know with this pitcher, it's not going to be easy.
"Play ball!" the umpire said.
POE!
What I heard next was the sound of the ball to third base.
"Bunmi shuffle!" Coach Labi told Bunmi.
"Go... Go... Lanre go!" Coach Lanson urged Lanre to move.
I know this, Coach is going to use Bunmi to distract the third baseman from throwing to first base.
"Safe on first!" the first base official said.
"Go down Bunmi!" Coach Labi shouted to Bunmi, who in turn slid back to second base.
"Safe on second!" the official said.
"Let's go guys!" we all cheered them up. Kunle is going to bat next. I trust his hit, he can at least move them forward, even if he is going to be out. It is only one out previously.
"Play ball!" the umpire called.
"Strike one!"
Kunle missed the first ball, but the next—
POE!
OMG! It's going to be a home run.
"Go... go... go guys!" Coach Labi shouted.
"Back to base!" the next moment, it seemed as if the right fielder was going to charge to the ball... the ball dropped.
"Home... home... home, go guys!" Bunmi and Lanre resumed running.
"Safe on third!"
"Run scored!"
"Safe on third!"
"Run scored!"
It was greatly overwhelming. We all ran into the field. I saw Coach Lanson carrying Kunle with great joy.
"Game Over!" the umpire said, while the Lagoon Rangers walked dejectedly towards the baseline. Some were even crying, while their coaches put on a bashful smile—a very deceitful one.
After our narrow win, we knelt round the home plate and had a short prayer.