Aftermath: The beginning
hings were different. Odeyemi Oyelola took over as director of the SSC after Dr. Abdul Sahir, who had trained me when the program first began, retired from his position in that capa
was already occupied by a few people, most of whose faces I couldn't identify. It was different from the past when the institute wasn't as large. There were recruits, both agents in training and other personnel. I glanced at the control panel, it seemed we were going to the same floor. They all kept grinning at me, so I had to smile back out of courtesy. The elevator started to move, and when we reached the seventh floor, it stopped. I then exited
Adam." She didn't look a day over fifty. Sh
k at her and
a broad smile, "
he returned to her search for wha
ried, "Doc, you look
.ex....my ex-fiancé. I have to return it to
rents will be nagging her mercilessly to marry. In Nigeria, things were like that. If you are single, especially
tare. My impish grin quickly vanished. She was upset with me because I had never met any of her boyfriends and Anthony was a fake. What can I do, even though it was a poor sense of hum
ore comfortable than the others," I was attempting to
. five months ago," Angela emphasized the last word
sat with a stiff expression on her fa
he bed "Absolutely not. Nothing out o
me, "What's the usual, Adam
the fatigue
m and returned an evil grin without making eye contact. She inserted two fingers between the bones in my wrist and the tendons that
Angela said as she
he wrapped the cuffs around my upper arm, just above my biceps. She handed me a rubber bal
also good. Lie
s on the battlefield but I managed to sprain my ankle just by fixing the network cable. Angela assisted me with a few treatments. Because I was a covert agent, I wasn't supposed to report to a
deep b
d her rhythm for a few seconds before s
o give you some drugs first. So, befo
er she was done speaking. Sometimes, I could
ly, and she return
?" I said. I was expect
Andrew," she said fin
was almost there.
er. "You'll find someone who makes you happy, I promise. You
im," Angela said,
't be concerned," I said, trying to maintai
eed to give him the fucking book back
It might make you feel better...it might g
great idea. He can s
ised she ag
e're going to turn that book into asses onc
Angela said, frowning slightly as s
leasure of working with. She was the institute's psychiatrist. The goal was to ensure that everyone in the institute, particularly the field agents, was in the right frame of mind. Because living a double life was difficult, the covert operatives were given mo
t glass of her office door. She was reading a book as usual, completely unaware of my presence. I tried to op
, smiling as she op
o get into the specifics, she completed her studies in Canada. She had completed all of her studies to the doctorate
se co
r the office's corner and looking sideways. She drew t
welling up as she returned to her de
e, how a
st recent edition of Kawaki's Peace of Mind. H
ven begun yet. Nene carri
ent with Mariam, and she suggested a book for me that she had on her shelf. She didn't hesitate to hand it over to me. It w
scinating," she said, pulling the chair closer
as eager to get this done. I wish I hadn't said it with
oremost, tell me h
I said sarcastical
mission?" Maria
le on my face that I later realized was too fake. It didn't hold up. Mariam immediately scribbled something on her notepad. Every tim
riam said, returning he
we begin. Everything I did and how I did it must be expla
er was extorting money and was also extremely corrupt. He assassinated the maj
o me. I simply avoided making eye contact with Mariam. I had placed a gr
?" Mariam inquired,
y expression was not giving Mariam anything to go on
t my opinion m
t me off after hearing what I had just said. Her pupils dilated unexpectedly. That was stupid of
sed to do what they're told. Your thoughts a
t get to do what I want when I want or how I want," I explained, "especially one for which I have spent my entire li
w s
just how we were taught, but now our opinion isn't worth much," I replie
ed her gaze on me before conti
ware of it. I was certain she did, but who ca
if I expected her to respond to that question. "I believe that will b
t of but if I was a magician, which I am not that would be like pulling an elephant out o
s not worth it?"
now. Right now, I am doing what I have to, just l
. How do you balance your personal and
unded more at ease as I tried to release the tension I was feeling earlier. Talking about Nene calms m
nate one weakness or limitation
face a little frowning. I could spend the rest of the day a
Mariam replied with
as heard on the door
in," sh
m's office. It was Mrs. Selma, the assistant director. In that bu
l smile on her face. That smi
said as if I were a
t bothering yo
miling as well. We were all smiling at this poi
oing?" Selma aske
ack and that said it all. Of course, she was fine. If she wa
at the director would like to see you wh
me happy. As she was about to leave the office, she returned our
e asked, turni
m," I m
and Mariam does as well. These people are aware that I dislike the d
izing the last word heavily. Mrs. Sel
" Mariam inquired as soon as
ter during my mission," I explain
she sneered as she
You don't want to make hi
e door. I was about to open the door when I realized I neede
ose reports?" It was a stupid quest
e to assist you, not him. You ha
was the only one in there, so I had that period all to myself. I didn't want to see the director, but I didn't have a choice any longer. The elevator door slid open less than two minutes later. Straight ahead was the director's offi
d. You may proceed with your plans... Then I decided to knock on the door, drawing his attention to where I
ll talk to you later," Yemi said as he hu
t's great to have you back. How did you find your evaluatio
anks," I replied
ctor took out a pack of juice and tw
fine," I repli
in the fridge. "Good job yesterday," he co
, tha
summon. I scowled at him. It was already becoming a habit, so I was surprised when he inquired about it. B
eptable for an agent of your caliber," Yemi said as he sipped f
e to explain why you
l to be alive," I
rous times. If you require assistance, we rely on th
amn inconsistency of the information. It was so much easier when your toys weren't telling me what to do." I must ha
you expect me to tell your superiors... our superiors? Huh?! That one of
clueless nutjobs in front of a computer scr
d the backs of every other agent in this institute! Yo
er alone than with someone who has no idea what I'm doing." I was turning this
place," Yemi raged. You're a damn soldier! Whe
You should just give me a chance to survive out there b
support center is doing. If they make a mistake, correct them rather than ma
nd act as if you know everything. You have no idea what you're doing
all duties until further notice. You
tions me out. I stormed out, furious. As I passed Selma, she shoo
ceived about this mission. Unfortunately, he would have dismissed it as a mistake, which I would not h