Someone knocked on the door while Amaka was standing behind it.
‘Whoa, you’re already dressed,’ Gabriel said. She was in new clothes borrowed from Eyitayo. He was in a housecoat and had an iPad in his hand.
‘I’ve got to get somewhere quick,’ she said. ‘What’s wrong?’
He held the iPad out to her. ‘Someone beat you to it,’ he said.
She took the tablet from him and recognised the header of the gossip blog. She didn’t bother with the story beneath the pictures. The first image was of Ojo laying on a bed, a naked woman on top of him. The second picture was also of him, on a settee, naked, a girl straddling him. The third was similar to the second: same room, same sofa, two additional girls waiting their turns by the sides of the chair. She glanced at the fourth then scrolled up.
‘That’s me,’ Amaka said, her finger on the first picture.
‘What?’ Gabriel looked at the screen.
‘That’s me.’
Gabriel took the iPad.
‘That’s you?’
‘Yes.’
He looked at her chest then back at the screen.
‘Sorry. Did you send it to her?’ he asked.
‘Did I send a picture of my naked boobs to Gloria Mbanefo? Of course not. I don’t even know her.’
‘So, how did she get it? I know. Maybe the person who stole your bag?’
‘No. But they’re clever, whoever sent this to Gloria Mbanefo.’
‘I’m not following, Amaka.’
She took the iPad from him.
‘That is me.’ She pointed at the first picture. ‘Whoever did this is a genius.’ She scrolled to the fourth picture. ‘I don’t know who that is, but she was not in the room. See what they did? It’s the same picture I sent to his wife but they’ve Photoshopped this girl into it. I bet they’ll release the original pictures from which these other pictures were composed and they’ll easily discredit any further pictures of him that surface.’
‘Wow. You’re right. That is some really clever shit.’
‘So it has begun.’
‘They aren’t playing. This is some serious gangsta chess shit. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to get into bed with this guy. I don’t mean literally. Even though you did get in bed with him.’
‘I know what you mean. And it’s never a good idea to get into bed with a Nigerian man.’
‘Harsh.’
‘But true.’
‘What now?’
‘They’ve fired their first salvo. They did this in anticipation of my next move.’
‘What is your next move?’
‘Better you don’t know. Let’s just say, I’m going to rig the Lagos State elections.’