At the Clinic.
Ahmed had brought eleven of the team members from the suburb to the clinic because they looked pale. However, it was difficult to say whether they looked pale because they were ill, or frightened. All the same, he felt they needed to see a doctor. Meanwhile, the doctor at once after he got Ahmed's call, and examined them by checking their inner eyelids, and subsequently, he recommended vitamin B-12 and iron.
“We have to ensure that they feed properly before Monday. So, they have to take folate supplement,” The doctor announced. Now, Ahmed, who liked being thorough in his duties, accepted. He was acquainted with what was expected of him when a task was assigned to him. Mere looking at the youths, he knew that their appearances may embarrass the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. So, he took the initiative to ensure that there would be fewer casualties at the stadium on that day. Then, he asked, “Okay, doctor. What about those with skin diseases?”
“We would give them steroid pills and antibiotics. They also need medicated soap and body cream. Above all, they need to feed well, especially fruits – Berry Fruits to be precise.”
“All right, doctor,” Ahmed said. After they had collected their prescriptions from the pharmacy, they took them back to their hotel. Ahmed also collected multivitamin tablets for the other team members.
At the Grand Crest Luxury
The team members had had their dinner and returned to their various rooms. Meanwhile, Edwin and Ahmed's orderly had brought Victor back from the Residential Area and left. And Ahmed had retired too for the day because he needed to be with the Chairman the next day. Before he left, he instructed the Platinum Restaurant on the food the team members should be fed with especially fruits.
Now, Victor had summoned the team members to his room for a briefing because they may not be satisfied with the way he pulled them out of the suburb in disguise. So, he had to explain his reasons to them and apologize if there was the need to; at least, he owed them that. That was the hallmarks of his leadership style that had brought him that far – respect for his followers. They all converged in his room as soon as he informed them of the meeting. Then, he monitored their facial expressions, and to his delight, they were smiling from ear to ear. Their early response to his invitation was an indication that they were pleased with him. What he said after they settled down shocked the team members, and the joy they displayed by their facial expressions collapsed, and tension filled the room and their stomachs. Meanwhile, some were lethargic.
“We were asked to leave. They are not satisfied with us. So get your bags. We are going back to the village this night.”
Now, their eyes were wet, and butterflies filled their stomachs at once. Then, one of them spoke between sobs, “Can't you plead with them?”
Although, Victor was touched, but he kept mute. Then, another person spoke. This time, the person was crying profusely.
“Can they just allow us to spend one night? I don’t want those Lay About to know that we were chased back home like dogs.”
Nevertheless, the other team members supported the last speaker, “Yes. We can leave after the meal in the morning.”
At that point, Victor, who could not hold back his laughter, cackled with satisfaction. That act shocked the team members, who did not want to do anything that could offend him. The truth was that some team members were older than Victor, while some were slightly younger than he was. They were just timid due to their backgrounds. They saw him as a role model because he was learned. To them, he was the compass that would lead them to greatness, and their confidence in him had paid off. If not for him, what will ever take them to the city and eat or sleep in the Grand Crest Luxury restaurant or room.
“It's all right. I was only joking. Nobody asked us to leave.”
“Are you certain, Mr. Ife?” They asked in unison. When he clarified issues, they cheered up, and began to dry the tears that had already formed in their eyes.
“Sure. I was only pulling your legs. On a serious note, I called all of you here to explain the reason I made us to leave the village in the manner we did. I did not trust those Lay About in the village. They were not happy with the progress we had recorded so far, and I was afraid that they may disrupt our movement or harm any of us. Please bear with me.”
Now, they were all calm as they listened to his speech. His explanation had allayed their fears, and with that, they were able to speak up.
“Your ideas and decisions were acceptable to us. I was threatened by those haters. One of them told me to my face that we will never live to see the day of the event.”
“I was also threatened.”
“Mine was a direct encounter with them. They chased me with weapons until I got to our hideout.”
“They threatened me too.”
They gave account of their encounters with their haters, one after the other, and that gave Victor a sense of achievement. Since his decision was right and acceptable to them, he continued with his speech.
“I'm happy that you all had an encounter with them on different occasions. In that case, we should be happy that we all made it here successfully. I want to encourage us to behave ourselves. Don't mess the rooms up. Use the restroom properly, as I told you when I paired you up. Did you get it?”
“Yes. We will do our best,” they promised.
“All of you, with drugs, ensure that you take them religiously. The doctors will like to see you improve.”
“Okay Mr. Ife. We will take our drugs. Thank you.”
“Okay. Always wait for my instructions. Don't leave your room until I ask you to do.”
“All right, Mr. Ife. We will do as you have instructed.”
With that, they retired to their rooms. As soon as they settled down, they heard a knock on their doors. Subsequently, they were served with red meat, and assorted meat consisting of liver, kidney, intestines, and beef tripe pepper soup spiced with herbs and corn flour jello. They had their meals joyously and slept like babies until Saturday morning.
At the Suburb
Nevertheless, back in the suburb, nobody missed them. They had no relation, who they would have bothered to inform. Their lives were void of relationships with anyone, and they did not need the approval of anyone.