Emperor: The Lagosian Underworld Boss and the American

By Ogundele Og-D

Emilia was heartbroken, shattered, and impinged about the turnout of her relationship with Jake. She needed a break from everyone. So, she flew into a former capital city of Africa's 'Most Populous' Nation. But a near death experience occurred minutes after she landed. And it was just the beginning of an END.

Having lived and bred on the streets of Lagos, Emperor involuntarily became a boss in the underworld. He lived a life which was never his, was regarded as the people's messiah, a danger to the corrupt officers of the law, and also earned respect from Gang Lord's and street boys alike. But his years on the throne became thwarted when an encounter with an American led to his own life being on the line.

The unexpected encounter between the two was supposed to last as a blessing to each other. But when the forces that long respected one decided to turn against the tide, the hunter then became the hunted.

Emperor, who is a believed murderer, had to face all consequences by going against odds like the corrupt men in the police force and his rivals in the underworld, by delivering the American safely to her people's embassy.

In this captivating Romantic Thriller, mysteries of those dwelling in the underworld are unravelled. It is filled with the thirst for revenge, the quest for power, an imbalanced society, and the hardships of breaking free from a notorious lifestyle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ogundele Olamide
• Release date: May 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222406497

Book preview

Chapter ONE

An Unexpected Encounter

It was a balmy afternoon in Lagos State , Nigeria , as the sun didn’t mince the way it shone from above. Dressed in a pink skirt on a black shirt, a curly, dark-haired, white girl, headed towards the entrance of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport .

Apparently annoyed by the intensity of the scorching sun, she hissed at intervals as she struggled with her holdall bag and her handbag, which she felt they seemed heavier compared to the time she was awaiting take-off in the United States. When she was about to reach the gate, she nodded her head in reply to one of the security men who had greeted her, and then squeezed herself through the little opening between the rusted gates. Weren’t the guards supposed to have helped her with it? Or, weren’t they supposed to be by it to aid and monitor those coming out and going in? No! Instead, they lurked around the post, engrossed in irrelevances. Unknown to her, her plane would be made to be the last for the day, and all had turned desolate due to an impending danger that she herself would soon fall a victim of.

Now what? she said to herself after exiting the gate into the open but realized there was no commercial transport on standby. In distress, she stamped her right foot on the ground before dropping her bag. She opened it and took out a white color sun hat with a red band around its crown. She placed it loosely on her head before zipping up the bag and then took her smartphone; an iPhone XS Max, from her handbag. She hurriedly navigated to Google with the hope of finding an Uber company nearby.

Sister! Where are you going...? a masculine voice had said before her. When she raised her head to see who it was, she saw a dark-skinned man with a cruelly given tribal markings on his face; seated behind the wheels of a 2006 Toyota Corolla, painted in yellow with dark stripes lining the body. Heaving a sigh of relief, she searched through her handbag while the driver stared at her in confusion. She then took out a folded sheet of paper and straightened it before handing it over to him. He nodded affirmatively after going through its content. "I know the place very well,'' he said with a slight chuckle and she scrambled into the back with delight.

Absorbed in her personal thoughts, the stranger in a black man’s land, stared wearily at her new environment. There were so many things that were wrong among all that she had beheld. First, it was the movement of the vehicles, most especially the commercial ones. They all drove without caution, and their conductors hung carelessly to the doors of the buses; hurling words at almost everyone they came across and also their fellow commercial drivers. The second were the hawkers that sprawled on both sides of the road. The way they displayed and arranged their goods and also sat comfortably by the road sides; some of them were even bold enough to get onto the main road. They contributed a lot to most of the gridlocks she’s encountered and she wondered if they had no regard for their lives. What if a car suddenly suffered a break failure? She sighed and adjusted herself on the seat, with her gaze still on the outside of the moving vehicle.

Suddenly, the car’s movement became slow and lazy. When she edged on her seat to see what was amiss in the front, she saw a vast multitude having placards and banners at hand. They didn’t seem friendly nor happy about whatsoever it was that they were protesting about, for they continued to chant and shout ferociously.

What’s going on? she questioned nervously.

Zenofobi, Sister! Zenofobi... the tribal-faced driver replied calmly, seeming unperturbed.

Zeno what?

Ze-no-fo-bi he replied rather slowly this time around, in order to make himself clearer. He knew the latter was lost and confused about what he meant. "South Africa is killing our people there" he elucidated softly.

Oh...! she exclaimed and placed her right hand on her forehead before sinking back into the seat. That’s xenophobia she continued and the driver stared at her through the rear-view mirror. "You mean they are carrying out xenophobic acts towards Nigerians over there?"

You get me, my sister, you get me the driver replied and beamed with smiles, obviously enjoying the fact that she was able to understand him.

But why?

They say we are bad. They say we are the ones responsible for every bad thing happening in their land. They say we sell weed to their children and we are fraudsters, aiming to destroy their country. That is why they’ve been killing our people as they please he explained. This time, it was mixed with a bit of anger.

His passenger could only hum in reply as she also was quite knowledgeable about Nigerians and some of their nefarious activities in other men’s land. Although, eighty percent of them were not bad; the havoc wreaked by the remaining twenty was enough to regard them all as the same. Still, it was her place of choice to think of when her newly granted tour from her parents provided her with the fact that she could spend a whole year in any country of her choice. She couldn’t tell the exact reason behind that. But, she’s heard a lot about the country’s land mass, their population and fame as the most populous Black Country on the planet earth. The food, cultures and traditions, and also the hospitality of the south-westerners who are the Yoruba’s. Particularly, considering the unexpected disappointment she had received, she needed to go away for a while.

But, it's not their fault, the driver’s sudden outburst jolted her back to the present. They are joyous because of the insensitivity of our own leader

You mean your president? she asked with interest.

"Yes! That Buhari, he has no action whatsoever. Since the day before yesterday when it all started, he never said anything. He sat down there in Abuja, hiding inside Aso Rock. He is too weak, ah ah..." he remarked huskily as he took his hands off the wheel and jammed them together in anger.

That’s bad

"Very bad, my sister. If it were to be our former president, General Abacha, Abacha the bastard, he would have sent an army and jets to them, they’ll be begging us for forgiveness. But this one, he would only look for the person that speaks the truth, have them put in prison or killed"

Is he that bad?

Uh-huh he sneered as he made a turn at a newly constructed round-about. Many many things we are facing here. That is why many of us are running about for a better life. It isn’t easy to suffer, my sister. Everyone has to eat and there is no work to do

Hmm... she said and a silence ensued as she focused on the buildings around. They weren’t that bad; she thought.

What are you doing here, my sister? he demanded with discern after observing her from his mirror.

Well, she began softly. I’m here for a holiday. But I doubt if I’m gonna enjoy any bit of it she remarked coldly.

"Ah ah...! Sister! In Lagos? he guffawed while she stared unimpressed. Eko Ile Obe. Lagos is the most beautiful city in Nigeria, and maybe the whole of Africa. You will enjoy it here very much. We have many of your people here and they speak Yoruba very well and love this place"

Can you pick me up anytime I need to go around? she asked with a grim, no reaction given to his last words.

Anytime! This is what I do for a living, I have no other job he remarked exuberantly. Lemme give you my number sister, so you can call me he added excitedly and monitored her from the mirror. After seeing her pick up her phone, he went ahead to call his digits. O eight o...

OKAY! So... what do I save it with?

Ah, he laughed. I dunno if you'd be able to call my name, sister! Just save it with ‘Taxi Man’. It'll be a lot easier that way

Alright! I’ve done that she replied with a slight chuckle, amused at the man’s level of intelligence.

Almost suddenly, they ran into turbulence and it obviously wasn’t a safe place to be, as those involved ahead were scrutinizing the moving vehicles for something. Even when they got to the ones with tinted glasses, they signaled to their occupants to roll them down or risk getting smashed.

What’s wrong? These people don’t seem happy she asked. Her heart had begun palpitating when she saw the rabble ahead of them.

Sensing the imminent danger; the driver, without a word, changed the gear into reverse and tried to recede from the mammoth of crowd ahead of them. But it was a costly mistake as his rear tail light was smashed in anger by another party of the crowd who were coming from behind. In fright, he halted the vehicle while his passenger became agitated and started panicking. Then, one of the fierce-looking hoodlums peeped into the car via the backdoor. Seeing its occupants, he shouted "Ọkan ninu wọn niyi... This is one of them before opening it violently and dragging out the white lady. Just in time, the others had gathered around and her luggage was flung and scattered on the ground while her handbag was snatched. Words like You’re the one killing our people, You want to run away, This is where we kill you too" were hurled at her. The driver stepped out of his car feebly to intervene, but was dashed a slap which got followed with several and severe blows until his face turned weal and swollen.

Just as the pandemonium continued, with the white lady getting pushed violently from one side to the other, watched and videoed by thousands of onlookers - a young man, dressed in a black baseball cap, on a white top and black short trouser, with a Reebok sneakers, pushed his way through the crowd. As soon as his presence was recognized, there was an uproar of silent murmurings mixed with chants and eulogies of his name. And those on his path willingly pulled aside for him to pass.

Just as someone among the assailants pushed their victim more violently, the young man who had got to the front just in time, saved her from a fatal fall. Gently, he pulled her up and everywhere became still.

"You are not a South African. Are you?" he demanded with a hoarse voice.

The white girl became balanced on her feet, but shivers within. She pulled back her ruffled hair, only to behold a handsome, fair in complexion man, standing before her.

"I’m an American" she disclosed slowly with a quavering voice.

Oh...! he exclaimed softly and went down to pick her hat which had become roughened and dirty. I’m very sorry about that he said and gave it to her after dusting it with his hand. "I guess you were mistaken for a South African. I’m sure you must have read or saw the news about what they’ve been doing to our folks over there?"

So? she shouted ferociously. Does that mean I should suffer the same fate? I’ve been dehumanized for God’s sake. This is not how you show your grief. It is complete lunacy and madness she retorted brusquely while the latter stood transfixed before her, unmoved.

When she uttered her last words, the crowd broke out with angry jeers. Then, hot words started pouring on her. She could hear them chorus "Elọ mu epo bẹntiroolu wa nibi... Go and bring fuel here. Tyre da? Se o ya were... Are you mad? Kò ní dára fún ọ... It shall not be well with you"

I heard them mention fuel... and tyre. What do they intend to do with those? she demanded apprehensively from the young man before her, after looking around those surrounding them.

I think, he started calmly. I think they are about to set you ablaze he remarked unperturbed and gave her a deep stare; he saw her stiffen.

What! her face became ashen. No... no... no she wailed dejectedly before giving in to her tears while the onlookers jeered in mockery.

"Òyìnbó lè sunkún... So, a white human can cry?" someone said from the crowd in Yoruba.

"Ko da, won ma n shu... In fact, they poop" the young man in a baseball cap replied in the same language and a loud laughter erupted, which soon subsided. Seeing the lady’s distressed state, he decided to tender mercy.

What exactly are you doing here? he questioned tactfully.

I’m here for a holiday, she started slowly as she sniffed and wiped her tears. He was taking me to a hotel I already booked when we got attacked she pointed to the driver, whose face had already been disfigured. He was also managing to stay on his feet.

Nothing was said after that, as the young man, after seeing the weary state of the taxi driver who leaned against his car, searched around the faces of the hoodlums before them. Seeing a stern-looking one with a handbag at hand, he walked over to him and stretched out his hand in demand for it. This infuriated the latter and he screwed his face in disgust. They kept a deep stare at each other for a while; while the young man looked calm and unperturbed, the other seemed irritated and disturbed. After a while, he reluctantly tucked the bag into the waiting hand of the young man and he had in turn passed it to his left hand and stretched it backwards towards the owner. She grabbed it and went through it with a haste while he kept his gaze at the unhappy hoodlum before him.

Is it complete? he remarked with discern.

No! she shouted with a broken voice. "My money... it’s gone! I had Fifty Thousand Dollar cash in it and I couldn't find it. It’s not here"

For the second time, the young man stretched his right hand towards the hoodlum; but this time around, it was followed with an intruding smile. The latter, who didn’t hide his disappointment at the latest development, nudged his shorter companion, and he had in turn taken off the bobble hat on his head. He took out the money and passed it to his boss, who also hesitated before giving it to the young man who remained unmoved by their grunts and grudges.

"Nitoripe iwọ ni o, Emperor... It's because it is you, Emperor!" the stern-looking hoodlum had said gruffly before handing over the cash to the young man who had responded with a grin.

Having collected the money, he went over to the already agitated lady who was sensing a harbinger, and gave it to her. With the wave of his hand, the crowd began to disperse from the scene. Many among them hailed and chanted his appraisal as they left. He then proceeded to pick the rest of her stuff which had scattered on the ground, while she stared at him absently. When done, he lifted the bags and made for the taxi;  she mumbled behind.

You can go now to the hotel. It’s about a thirty minute drive from this place he said after returning the bags to the back seat.

I don’t feel that's the safest place for me to be, she replied, fidgeting.

Why that? Where will you go?

After seeing these happen, she started softly, feeling niggle. I think the safest place for me to be right now is... with you!

Me? he exclaimed and laughed jeeringly; one that made her feel abashed. Was she drunk? Why would she even think of or suggest such? Probably, she had suffered so much trauma from what had just happened. That can’t be possible he rebuffed. You don’t even know me and you want to trust me, just like that?

This is not a matter of trust. If those guys come back...

They won’t come back, he snapped.

Don’t tell me that! she shouted hysterically and he became dumb folded. If they couldn’t risk attacking me the more just because you got here, don’t you think they wouldn’t hesitate to do so whenever they get the chance? All I need is a guarantee of my safety. Don’t worry about your charges. I’m going to pay you she said with cadence.

He scoffed. I’m not a bodyguard! Do I look like one...?

It doesn’t matter

You have absolutely no idea about where I stay and — see, that hotel would provide adequate security for you and every of their lodgers. Believe me! he added persuasively but she shook her head in disagreement.

I don’t care anymore. Please, she said and moved closer to him with tearful eyes. "Emperor, right? Please, I need your help. I don’t care about where you stay. It would be for the meantime. Okay? I won’t want those guys coming back in retaliation, because you're not with me. Do you think they would let go like that? I doubt that! Not after you took away a huge price from them. So, please – just for a while she had spoken soothingly with an imbue that the young man couldn’t help but to feel sympathy. Although, he didn’t express nor show it, for he looked away from her and kept his gaze at the driver who had already regained his full consciousness, but stood dazed. Please," her soothing voice again echoed past his ears as she stood still in his front.

Alright he said and swallowed hard. I’ve heard you. It’s just that, I don’t want any trouble he added with a smile and she chuckled.

Everything would be fine, she replied, reassuringly.

"Eegbon... Uncle! he called onto the driver. E wa gbe wa lo si inu Ikorodu... Come and move us down to Ikorodu" he said to him and opened the back door for the lady to enter, before turning around to the front-passenger seat.

After managing to lift his legs, the driver flaccidly opened the door and dragged himself in. Softly, he groaned in pain.

I’m sorry about what happened he heard the white lady say from behind. The young man who was already seated in the front, turned to look at her in surprise. I know it was because of me, she went on. We need to take you to the hospital and get you treated, she added with concern. But he laughed dryly in amusement.

"Haba sister! Don’t worry. This is how we survive in Lagos and we have gotten used to it. I will be fine. Thank you!" he said and smiled before switching the car’s ignition and zoomed off from the scene. The lady sunk into the car seat and sighed heavily.

Back at the scene, the stern-looking hoodlum who had lurked around the vicinity and had watched as the debate was going on between the girl and her savior; nudged his companions. Together, the three of them mounted a Bajaj motorcycle and headed towards the direction the taxi had gone.

Chapter TWO

A place of Safety

After minutes of driving from the Ikorodu Garage Market , where they had come across the angry mob; the driver halted the car at Imede Street, also in Ikorodu — right in front of a two-storey building whose white paint had turned a little brown due to excess dust. The young man alighted first and went to the other side where he opened the door for the lady to get down. He then went ahead to carry her bags out.

How much did you agree on the price? he asked the white lady who was engrossed in her observation about her new environment.

You mean, like negotiate? she replied absently.

Yes!

We didn’t talk about that. I just hopped in

"I can see you are yet to realize you are no longer in America" he admonished before turning to the driver.

And what’s that supposed to mean?

Ignoring her, he beckoned to the driver by tapping his door. "Mo gbo pe eyin mejeji ko soro nipa owo... I was told you two didn’t talk about your fare"

"Rara! Mo ro pe yoo jẹ nigbati o ba de ibi ti o sọ pe o nlọ... No! I thought we would when she got to the place she said she was headed" the driver explained slowly.

"Elo ni e fẹ lati gba bayi... How much do you intend to take?" the young man asked as he looked towards the white lady who was still lost in her newly found wonderland.

The driver smiled. "Eyikeyi iye ti o mọ ti o le fun mi... Any amount you know you can give to me"

With that, the young man dipped his hand into the right pocket in the back of his shorts, and took out a wallet that had the red and green emblem of the Gucci brand. After stretching it open, he took a cursory look at what he had inside and then began to take out some denominations.

"E gba... Take it" he gave the driver the sum of six one thousand Naira notes. "È lo iyokù lati tọju ara rẹ... Use the rest to take care of yourself" he added affectionately and the driver’s face gleamed.

"E se pupo sir... Thank you very much sir he remarked quizzically and then popped his head through the car’s window. Don't forget to call me anytime, sister! Lagos will do you well" he added manfully and they both laughed before she bade him bye and he zoomed off.

I can see you’ve already made a friend. No wonder he had to take severe beatings because of you the young man had said with mockery before opening the gate of the house; and she ambled in.

The compound of the house was quite large, as it was still left with a space almost the size of a plot. It served as an idle or parking space, should there be any need for such, or to be used for an event by the occupants. The house itself had its rooms facing each other, with five each on both sides, making twenty in total. Structures of such were referred to as ‘face me I face you’ in this part of the country.

When those on the lower balcony saw their co-tenant enter the compound with a mysterious being, they began to hail him and were chanting an "Òyìnbó" tag at the young woman, who couldn’t react in anyway but to keep up the pace with her host. They went towards their left hand side of the building, where the stairs that led upstairs were. Much to her relief, the upper storey seemed quiet, unlike the lower floor, where those there had all jeered at her. As they walked through the passage, she noticed most of the doors were firmly locked with different sizes of padlock, which should automatically signify the occupants of such rooms were not in.

They stopped by the fourth room on the right hand side, and she waited patiently for him to fetch the keys from his pocket. She noticed a huge door on the farther end of the room, which was quite larger than the one which they had come in through into the passage. Probably, it led to the back side; she thought.

On entering the room, she marveled at the sight of it and its simplicity. But she became more surprised when she realized it led to another room, which was the fifth and last on the line. It served as a bedroom, while the one they were in was the living room. It was painted in a white and satin blue gloss, with three portraits of her host hung on the wall. He had a set of a single and two-seater sofa, and they made the room more colorful and beautiful with the touches of rainbow pattern they had on them.

Welcome to my small apartment! the young man had remarked exultantly after placing the holdall bag on the table by the side of the room.

Slowly, she sunk into the two-seater sofa and felt a twinge as she stared wearily around the room. It’s beautiful, she muttered weakly.

"Not up to the likes of those in America" he sneered.

No! I’m being serious. She’s nice she retorted earnestly and he took his seat on the single sofa.

What is your name?

"Emilia! Emilia Boom..."

"Boom?" he reiterated and guffawed.

What’s funny? she demanded with an accusatory stare.

"You mean Boom, as in o-o-o-o-m-m-m-m" he replied with a little stress on the last word and he gestured by raising and stretching his hands to both sides, as if a thing was expanding.

Are you actually joking about my name? Emilia had questioned abhorrently but he kept on laughing, which infuriated her more. Whatever she snapped.

Wait! he continued with a chuckle as he tried to abate his laughter. He became successful at that and adjusted himself on the sofa. But his glare would tell you he wasn’t sincere about his next intention. "Why are you guys’ names always like that? Your names I’ve come across have been the likes of Parker or Tiger, Sticks, Brush, Wood, Elephants or Lorry"

That’s not possible! she replied brusquely. But then, she laughed quietly after getting his prank on her. You deserve a spank she added with a scowl and a little crease appeared on her face. What about you? she went on and looked straight at him, her eyes catching up with him. What is your name?

"Emperor!"

"Emperor...?"

Yea!

That doesn’t sound like a name to me she snapped.

Then what does it sound like? he also snapped a reply.

I don’t know! Probably a bar or a restaurant she blurted with a slight chuckle. He scowled at her which made her laugh. Now you are annoyed she teased and smiled with satisfaction.

That’s not funny, you know Emperor snapped and ducked to loosen his lace.

"Same as mine, Mr. Emperor!" she joshed.

He sighed and relaxed into the chair. So, what next?

Well, Emilia had started slowly but stopped to yawn as she also relaxed flabbily into the sofa. I’m here already... she went on. I believe the worst is definitely behind me... oh my God! she exclaimed hysterically and stood up, aghast; with the latter startled by her sudden change in behaviour.

What’s wrong? he demanded imminently.

Without a word, she hauled herself towards her holdall bag and flaccidly lifted it from the table. She made her way back to the sofa where she dropped it before sitting beside it. Hastily, she opened the bag and began to take out all she had inside. Her underwear, clothes, make-up accessories, shoes, sandals, and slipper; were all flung to the floor as she went through them with agitation. Emperor however seemed unperturbed; after all, she didn’t tell him what was amiss.

Suddenly, she heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed. Thank God! she muttered loudly before taking out a gold-color Apple MacBook Air, a Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera, and a retractable selfie stick.

Seeing the reasons for her sudden panic, Emperor stood up and edged closer to her. Are they okay? he slowly asked as she opened her PC and booted it. They both sighed in relief when