JOHN'S POV

"I find it hard to believe that you actually listened to me." Eniola said, as we struttered down the hallway leading to the office.

"I find it hard to believe that I sentenced a politican's son to three years in prison." I said, putting my hands in my trouser pockets.

"You aren't listening to me." Eniola playfully nudged me as I opened the door of the office.

Kemi jumped up in my face and I screamed in fear.

"Why did you do that Kemi." I asked, looking at her with a scrowl.

"I wanted to be the first to congratulate you sir. It's all over the news but apparently someone beat me to it." Kemi said, winking at Eniola.

"There's nothing to celebrate about so stop making a big deal out of it." I stated sternly, retaining the scowl on my face.

"Are you hungry? Should I get you peppersoup?" Kemi inquired, following me like a lost puppy as I sat on my chair.

"Just make sure there's lots of meat in it." I replied, picking up a newspaper.

Kemi made to leave but I had other plans.I should at least celebrate my temporary victory.

"And also order a bottle of coke as well." I added, smiling furiously.

"I would follow Kemi. I need to stretch my legs." Eniola interjected, holding her purse tightly.

Kemi was already out of the office but Eniola was arranging her clothes.

"Please don't bite Kemi." I said, looking over the newspaper.

"I am not a vampire and I won't." Eniola replied, winking before bolting the door shut.

I suddenly felt an aura of peace and a new strength of confidence. I felt like I could achieve a lot. I didn't feel like leaving the law firm anymore. I wanted to stay. I have found a new hobby, a new distraction and a new crush, Eniola. I smiled indepth and it reflected on my lips. I was glad that James hasn't showed up. I was glad at the way things were turning out. I was so deep in thought that I failed to realize the harsh gripping of my neck collar by Ayo.

"Do you realize the gravity of what you have just done? What games were you playing in the court? We had it planned and mapped out. Why did you do it James?" Ayo asked, gripping me harshly by the neck.

"Are you also selfish to realize it? I was the judge and he couldn't pay me heavily. Was I that cheap to him?" I asked, my eye shooting daggers in his face.

"I see.You did it to satisfy your ego. Are you stupid James? Do you know that Danjuma wants to run for president in the next three years? Don't you know you just ruined his image?" Ayo inquired, loosening his grip from my soft neck.

"Well it's a good thing I did that. We don't need people like that in Nigeria." I replied, rubbing my neck.

Ayo peered closer to me, scanning me like I were a ghost.

"I don't think this is the James I remember. You are different now. You barely listen to me and you can't admit to your mistake. It's a good thing that I fixed your mistake.Danjuma is in the hospital, thanks to me." Ayo said, going around in circles in the office.

"Why did you save him from going to prison? You just wasted my time giving that sentence. What's wrong with you Ayo? Can't you see this is wrong?" I asked, banging the table lightly.

"We have done this a thousand times so why is this different? Do you think you can change? Snap out of dreamland and face reality." Ayo screamed, swiping papers on the table down to the ground.

"We are best friends and this is not what best friends do. We were supposed to have each other's back. You know how crucial this is to me especially and you blew it away." Ayo began.

"It's true. Your enemies aren't the one holding a sword against your throat. They are the ones smiling with you with a dagger behind their backs." Ayo retorted angrily.

I flopped on my chair and twirled it laughing to his amazement. Ayo sat on a chair panting angrily like a lion ready to devour it's prey. I grabbed his hands and looked at him eyeball to eyeball.

"Someone who can't clap for his friend's success and someone who can't truly be happy for his friend's happiness. His heart is already in hell." I retorted, chuckling violently.

Ayo stood up and gave me a toothly smile. He adjusted his suit buttons and gave me a weak grin.

"This is a declaration of war, James and it has only began." Ayo stated, nodding his head.

"May the odds be against you. Goodbye friend." I snickered, showing off my milky set of teeth.

Ayo left banging the door heavily and I hissed with an intense passion. I sighed heavily and realized that this was the beginning of a war. I had barely stayed for two months and I had enemies I could show off already. Kemi and Eniola came bustling through the door speaking incoherent words that I could hardly hear.

"Here is your meal sir." Kemi said, placing a small bowl of peppersoup on my desk.

I lifted my neck lazily and peered at the content. I nodded my head in disapproval and snorted at Kemi.

"It's too small Kemi. Why did you buy so little?" I inquired, placing a hand over the bowl of peppersoup.

Kemi was about to speak but Eniola stopped her with a wave of her hand.

"Did you give her money to buy it?" Eniola asked, shifting her head like an agama lizard.

"But you never asked for money." I countered, staring at a puzzled Kemi.

"Is she supposed to ask before you give her?" Eniola snickered, wearing a smug look on her face.

"I see what's going on here. It's a coup d'etat. Anyways thank you for the satisfying meal." I smiled, giving Kemi and Eniola a fake smile.

"You are welcome." Kemi and Eniola screamed happily in unison as I took my first scoop of the soup.

**********

JAMES'S POV

I rolled on the bed continously after hearing a door bell. I staggered to the door dressed in a trouser and a singlet to receive the intruder. A short and pretty receptionist, her lips painted in crimson red smiled at me affectionately holding a large tray.

"Good morning sir, I am here to bring your breakfast." She smiled, displaying a beautiful set of teeth.

"I didn't ask for it but thank you anyways." I said, opening the door widely for her to bring the tray of food.

"Mr Dayo asked us to treat you with the outmost care sir." She replied, dropping the tray on the centred golden table.

"Thank you very much." I said, closing the door as she left.

A yawn escaped from my lips as I caught a remote control in my arms. I opened the television and scanned for any news channel. I knew it was going to take some time so I opened the tray and carried a glass cup filled with juice. I raised it to my lips and took a satisfying sip of it. I settled myself on the comfy bed and bounced on it with happiness.

I looked at the television and saw a group of reporters surrounding a person around the vicinity of the court area. I took another sip of the juice in anticipation and raised the volume of the television.

I heard one of the reporters scream Danjuma and I stood up in a frenzy gripping the glass cup harshly.

Why are they talking about Danjuma?

I walked closer to the television and I saw a man who wasn't facing the television but was addressing the reporters who swarm around him like bees.

"Let's say the law is the average.If you are scared of the law,you are below but if you take the law as a joke, you are high up there." The man said, gesturing with his hands.

I agreed with his statement by raising up my glass. But when the man turned slowly to look at the reporter behind him.My face completely scattered into oblivion. My face was as pale as a ghost. I felt the colors drain from my face and my heart thumped faster against my chest. I couldn't believe at whom I was staring at. I moved closer to the television slowly, shock written over my face. I was staring at the person I loathed the most in the entire world.

John

And the glass cup that was shaking uncontrollably in my hand unconsciously fell to the ground and broke into pieces just like my heart.