“It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” Roger Wakefield greeted warmly, extending his hand to David with that big smile still plastered on his face. “I’ve heard so much about you, you know.”

David’s look was one of supreme distrust and skepticism. The energy from Mr. Wakefield was definitely not a positive one. His spirit could easily detect that this man had a wrong motive for showing up. Being one of the bigwigs of this corrupt government, he knew exactly what this man’s mission was: to warn him to stop talking about the government’s ills.

He stared at the outstretched hand with scorn, then at Roger’s face, making it clear he was not ready to return the greeting. It was taking everything in him to refrain from slamming the gate in his face.

Roger grinned as he withdrew his hand. He then looked behind David into the house. “Mmm, pretty nice house you have there, Pastor,” he commented. “Simple little place. Very nice. I used to live in a place like this, you know. Very peaceful, you know…”

“Kind sir, what are you doing here, please?” David interjected bluntly, a straight look on his face.

Roger straightened himself and lessened the intensity of his smile. “Oh, Osofo. I just thought I’d… you know, pass by this nice little neighbourhood and see where the nation’s prophet is-“

“Mr. Wakefield, with the greatest of respect, what are you doing here?” David asked one more time, the straight look on his face growing sterner by the minute.

“Oh, I’m getting there, Reverend, I’m getting there. Relax,” Roger calmly replied, that smug smirk still on his face. “Just trying to make small talk, you know. Tryna… break the ice, like we always say. No need to get all worked up, you know…”

“Mr. Wakefield, I’m in the middle of quality time with my family. Whatever it is you want to warn me about, you can go right ahead and do so, and stop wasting my time!” David stated.

Roger put on a mock horrified face. “Me? Warn a man of God? Oh my goodness, never! Never would I do such a thing-“

“Good night, Mr. Wakefield!” David announced, stepping back and readying himself to close the gate.

“Alright, alright, alright! You win!” Roger conceded, raising his hands in surrender. “Fine, I’ll say what I have to say, then I’ll be out of here. It won’t take me more than five minutes. And honestly, I’m not here to warn you or anything. Just… hear what I have to say.”

David simply crossed his arms and stared at Roger, an impatient look on his face as he waited to hear whatever the man had to say.

“Honey! Is everything alright?” Sika’s voice rang out before Roger could start.

David looked back and saw her standing on the balcony, looking a bit concerned. He nodded at her and called out, “Don’t worry, honey, I’ll be back with you in a minute.”

Sika nodded, looking convinced by her husband’s words as she re-entered the house.

“Okay! I see your lovely wife awaits you, so, let’s cut to the chase,” Roger started, prompting David to return to his stern disposition.

“So yeah, here’s the thing, I’m not here to tell you to stop saying all the things that you say and that if you don’t, we’ll have you arrested and tortured or anything of that sort. No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I applaud you. I mean, the truth is, you’re right. There are things going on behind the scenes that are… fishy, if I should put it that way. Yeah, there’s intense corruption ongoing, and it’s leeching our country dry. You know what they say: power corrupts. That’s just how it is with a lot of people in this government. And it’s admirable to see you stand in your church and speak the truth with zero filter, it really is. Refreshing, I’d say. Very refreshing.

“You know what the problem is, though? People won’t change once money’s in the picture like that. You know that Bible quote about people with seared consciences or whatever? Yeah, that’s how it is for a lot of these big bosses in the government. All the warnings and things you’ve said, eh, they don’t care ooo. They don’t care. It doesn’t matter what happens or what is said, what matters to them is that their bank accounts are filled to the brim. Everyone else can go and hug a transformer. That’s just the reality. But it’s clear that people like you… you care about the country and its people. You want the enhancement of Ghana, and that’s… that’s absolutely admirable.

“So the reason why I’m here is simple, really. The fact is that your preaching, as important and as powerful as it may be, really won’t change anyone; they’ll continue to do as they please. But, seeing what an upright man of integrity you are, I’d like to reward you. Help you out to make a change in your own little corner of this nation. So basically, name your price, and you can have it right here, right now. Any amount you want. I’ll let you have it right away. Oh, and please ooo, the minimum amount I’m giving you is one million dollars, so I beg, nothing lesser than that is coming into your hands…”

David was like a kettle that was nearing its boiling point as his ears heard those last words.

He knew it! He knew there was nothing good about this visit! This man’s praises and adulations were as shallow as a puddle in a pothole. He may not have come to warn David, but he clearly wanted to pay David off to seal his mouth.

The audacity!

David closed his eyes and lowered his head, doing everything he could to hold back from screaming at Mr. Wakefield.

“Oh, Reverend, is something wrong?” he heard Roger ask in mock concern.

Taking in a deep breath before letting it out, he murmured, “Leave my house.”

“You say?”

“I said, leave my house!” David growled through clenched teeth, lifting up his head, the fiercest of glares directed at the man before him. “You must be deluded if you think I’m selling my assignment for money.”

“Oh! But Osofo, it’s not-“

“Mr. Roger Wakefield, I’m not gonna ask you again. Leave. My. House. Now! This very moment!”

Roger stood there for a moment, then sniggered, infuriating David even more.

“If you don’t leave here, I promise you I’m going to-“

“Oh, don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m leaving now,” Roger grinned, his hands up in surrender once again. “Not gonna lie, I expected a reaction like this, so… I’m not that perturbed. It is what it is.”

He then turned and moved toward the back door passenger seat facing him, then turned back to David, who was still standing there, still visibly furious.

“I’ll leave you with this one thing, though. Pablo Escobar once said ‘everyone has a price, the important thing is to find out what it is.’ You might think there’s absolutely no price right now, with this being your ministry or task from God or whatever, but… there is. Surely, there is. After all, you’d love nothing more than to be able to provide a good life for your family and church peeps, right?”

David, as stony-faced as ever, pointed in the direction of the road.

Roger simply smirked as he opened the door and got inside. “One week, David Mensah-Jones. One week to reflect on what your price is. I’ll be here same time next week. And I’m pretty sure I’ll come back to a positive answer. And whatever it is, be rest assured I’ll let you have it.”

“Leave. Now,” David stated simply.

The car engine started up. The window rolled down, and Roger waved at David. “Have a good night, Reverend!” he called cheerily. “And send my regards to the missus!”

The car sped off, with David glaring at it.

“Such nonsense!” he spat.

***

Roger crossed his legs and nodded in satisfaction.

Just as he had planned it in his head.

Of course, only a fool would expect the man of God to immediately accept the offer. Some may have had the integrity of a crackhead and would have taken it up right away, but not this one. Men like him needed time to have their hedges of resistance taken down gradually. The seeds had been sown, now what was left was to water them accordingly.

“And that won’t be a problem at all,” he murmured to himself, looking out the window and shaking his head. “It’s all going according to plan, and it’ll work out smoothly, no doubt about that. By the time I return here next Sunday, that man’s mouth will be sealed for life. I’m fully assured of that.”

Wow! A bribe to shut him up! Good thing the reverend rejected it outright. And I don’t think he’s bending for the man. Not a chance…