The Antidote

By ADEKITAN ADEYEMI

Okikiola plans of becoming partner in the law firm where she works becomes mission impossible when she lost her father to the cold hands of death. Lots of mysteries surrounds the death of the Professor, nothing is black and white like she thinks.
In the bid to uncover the real truth behind her father's death she will need all the help she can get.
Soon running out of option, Okikiola seeks the help of Arrogant Toboriola, her number one enemy and competition at the law firm,
If she has any hope of finding Justice for her father.
Has she race against time to fight for justice, she soon discover that love is worth fighting for as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716501173

Book preview

Table of Content

Copyright page

The Antidote

Digital edition

Copyright© 2020 (Adekitan Adeyemi)

All rights reserved.

ISBN-978-1-71650-117-3

CHAPTER ONE

Aqua Science medical Research Institute,  is  one  of the leading  research institute in  Nigeria. The institute which has it building located in the heart and capital of the country, FCT Abuja, conduct research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria and develop structures, for the dissemination of research findings while providing the enabling and wonderful environment, facilities for health research and training in coperation with federal and state ministries of health and internationally .

The institute enjoys funding from the government and internationally, in other to increase the reach and effectiveness of HIV/AIDS services and program, the institute have received federal funds and grants from other international bodies that support the cause.

Professor Ogunfeso,  the Chief research fellow in the research institute,  knew that this time he has finally gotten the combination right,  there is a breakthrough in finding the  cure to the dreadful HIV/AIDs.

After carrying out series of failed test,  going on sleepless nights, the years he has spent in research and working on the project has paid off. 

Ha,  i finally got the combination right hé giggled to himself.

After obtaining is first degree in Nigeria,  he moved to the united states for his MSc and PHD degree in Biochemistry .

Lekan ogunfeso knew from a very tender age, that he derives Joy in Science and Research Studies  and helping  humanity, So when he met and married is wife in United States he made her realise the kind of life she was signing up for, a life where he will always be busy , not constantly at home.

But like every woman in love, who believes the man will change with time, and couple with the fact that Lekan is very handsome, did her in. With his dark charming looks and sparkling eyes that is always full of excitement,  Bimbo could hardly say No to him.

But she soon realised when they got back to Nigeria, and had their first and only Child that lekan passion for his work is looking more like obsession to him.

At first Bimbo thought, he was cheating due to his late nights but later realise he spends his time at the institute.  And their marriage grew apart as years flew by. So it was a rude shock awakening when Bimbo was tested and discovered she has breast cancer. She eventually lost the battle to it.

Lekan spends most of his days in the institute after loosing her, he can not bring himself to look his daughter in the eye, for the guilt was killing him.  The once handsome man is now a shadow of himself,  at  Fifty-two way older than his real age.

At last, i will be able to make it up to my daughter. Go on vacation with her  he mutters to himself.

Alot is hanging on the breakthrough of the antidote,  now he will not feel like a failure,  atleast he has something to show for years spent in lab, neglecting his family.

The research is monitored closely by the committe set up by the House of Senate. The funds for this particular project came from the federal government with the hope of putting an end to the deadly rise in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS  in the country.

Professor placed a call to the Senate committee chairman in charge of the research institute fund.

Good Day Senator Adebanjo, you told me to update you once the vial is stable,  well I am glad to tell you that, it is he gushed excitedy.  The Senator had earlier informed him to keep him updated when they met for the monthly visitation.  Once the antidote is stable before presenting it to the Senate committee at large.

He was enjoying himself with beautiful Caroline, his mistress, when the call came in. Who is disturbing the flow of celebration   she hissed.

But when he saw that it Professor Ogunfeso he knew it must be about their project.

Oh Professor , how are you doing? I believe you have  good news for me? He answered in his boisterious voice.

The antidote experiment is finally stable and ready

wow,  fantastic this is good,  it is a ground breaking achievement,  are you still at work ?  Senator Adebanjo asked.

Yes i am the professor replied.

Oh fantastic,  this calls for celebration ,will drop by later in the day he replied.

Professor was a little bit skeptical about the pending visitation of Senator Adebanjo,  but he knew how fantastic the news he just delivered to him was,  So it is only natural he will want to visit him. Well, i am around and i will expect you

  Oh good, once am done with meetings i will join you

    SENATOR WILLIAMS ADEBANJO is a very ambitious man,  his rise to the seat of power was not by coincidence but a well thought out and strategic planning on his part, and he has always target the ultimate seat which is the Presidential office.

At forty-five years of age he won the electon that got him to the Senate seat after bribing his way into it,  he believed you get what want through any means possible.  He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth either and nothing or no one will make him go back to the poor background he had while growing up. He is becoming a force to reckon with in the political scene, though majorly known for his ruthlessness, which he tries to hide under the facade of pretending to be a generous philantropist.

He stood up from the  bed  without  glancing  at Caroline  his  current  and  longlasting  mistress,  his mind running in circles  about  the  news  he  just  received.

To  say  he  was excited  was  an  understatement  ,  now he  can  finally  get  his  hands  on  the  antidote. I  will  be  rich  he laughed  boisteriously  as  he  thought  about  it.

Darling  are  you  okay ? Caro asked  him  Seductively  from  where  she was  lying  down , with the  cloths  barely  covering  her  breast.

  Honey  it  nothing  to worry  your  pretty  little  head  about,  Just  business he repliés.

  Senator Adebanjo planned to sell the antidote to the highest bidder,  the money he will be getting out of it will make Dangote look  like  a  pauper  when  he  is  done  , or So he thought.

He  knew  where  he  is  coming  from  and  it  can  only  get  better  no one  will  stands  in my  way  he muttered.

He  moved  back  to  the  bed  to  cuddle  Caro  lovingly.

  I  know  i  promised  you,  that  we  will  be  together  all  through  today,  but  as  you  can  hear  earlier  i  have  a business  engagement  that  just  came  up.  So  i  won't be  around  , we  need  to  shift  this  to  next weekend.

But baby why  now,  I will  miss  you,  I was thinking  i  will  spend time  with  you  this  weekend,  and  you  are  always  busy she said with a pout. With fake tears  in  her  eyes.

"I will  make  it  up  to  you  i  promised  i  will  transfer  Three hundred and fifty thousand  naira,  to  your  account  for  your  trouble.

  Oh sugar  i love you, i  guess  i  have  to  book  my  flight  back  to  Lagos  tonight  then She replied with mournfully, as  she kissed him with passion and they forget the world exist.

        PROFESSOR Ogunfeso welcomes the senator into his office,  after the pleasantries he offered the senator a seat,  with his security details waiting Outside.

        So my Professor,  what a wonderful news you shared with me earlier,  the Senate and Mr President will be pleased

      As they should be, it will make our nation look good,  as a solution provider

indeed you are right my prof , personally am most joyous and this is why am going to transfer the sum of 5million naira into your account, for your troubles

  The Professor was baffled as to why the senator will want to give him money especially that huge amount,  his suspicion was further kindled the way the man was smiling with stupid grin on his face.

  Really, that is good to know but no insult intended am not confortable with having that amount given to me as a personal gift.  If it is for the institute,  i understand

  Professor relax,  okay if it makes you feel better we will say it to continue your other research works, and besides no one need to know it just between you and me  he tried to cajole him.

  lets say i accept this offer What do you want in return

  "Hnmm you are a smart man professor,  it simple just handover the antidote for

    the virus to me, put it in your report that you are still working on getting a result, and we will continue to fund your research institue,  and you will

    be greatly rewarded. I have foreign investors that are very willing to buy it from us

    and in return they will even build you, your own research institute "

  By this time professor knew that his suspicion about Senator Williams Adebanjo has always been spot on,  with the way is always looking like cat that swallowed cream,  but since he is the Chairman of the committe in charge of the research institute funding there is nothing he could do

am sorry i can't do that, this is my Life's work and it also a big break for me in my career,  right now i will need to ask you to leave,  as there is nothing else we need to discuss  he calmly speaks,  has he rise to his feet.

Senator Adebanjo gave him a look over and smiled,

listen,  you are passing up on a good offer just because of your fake and stupid holier-than-thou attitude.  This antidote will still save lives if that is your fear

Yes  i understand , you just want to be selling it to the highest bidder as if What this country is going through is not enough,  it is people like you that destroy this nation reputation

By this time professor ogunfeso was fuming with anger.

William Adebanjo was not surprised people like the professor will not give in easily,  they need to be forced.

it alright professor i understand you perfectly, am sorry we could not reach a consensus

He folded his agbada has he stood up to walk to the door,  he turn around to give a last glance to the professor,  Good night he mumbled with disdain

BAKO Audu is a man of few words,his eyes and teeth are the only feature in his body that is white, standing over six-feet tall and dark as the charcoal itself, he knows he looks more menacing than handsome with the long slash scar carved into his cheek, a scar he obtained during a bar fight.

He is the head security detail of Senator William Adebanjo, which also involved doing any other assignment his boss assigned.

He was in his office making arrangement for the assignment he has to deliver for his boss when the man himself called him, he used one hand to reach for his phone has he tried to tuck his gun into the bag he was packing.

Arrange with your guys as discussed earlier, go to professor Ogunfeso, take possession of the antidote including the combination , the job needs to be clean and real, I want to see it in the news headline tomorrow he dropped the call without waiting for response.

***********

Professor Ogunfeso was still very much annoyed with the last visitation he had from the Senator when his daughter called him.

Hello dad, hope am not calling at a wrong time

For she knew how busy her father always was, and she tried not to call him when he is at work. 

Not at all dear, you are not disturbing me, I was about to leave the office as well just putting some things in place, I will be home in a bit, is there something you want me to get on my way

nothing really dad, i just want to tell you something important but since you are on your way home it can wait till you get home she told him.

Professor Ogunfeso packed his belongings and left his office, the whole building has already quiet down for he is the only one that works very late most of the time in the building.

Tonight was exceptionally quiet, he Heard approaching footsteps outside the corridor of his office and wondered who it could be for the security personnel do not do their walk round this part of the building.

As he stepped outside he saw five heavily armed men walking straight to his office.

Can I help you , you are not allowed up here he knew as he addresses them that they do not look like the building security personnel.

It alright prof, Just cooperate with us, take us to your lab, and give us the antidote including the combinations, we promise not to break anything

The one that look like the leader of the group replied him with fake courtesy.

I can't access the place by this time

He tried to plead with the men, Oh am sure, you can professor has he corks his gun.

Professor Ogunfeso knew there and then that he is in big trouble and apparently it is the senator paying him back for refusing his offer. He was dragged along to the laboratory , his heart beat raising like someone who just ran a marathon. He inserted