The conference room of Utopia Hotel was a blend of modern elegance and local culture, with sleek mahogany furniture complemented by vibrant Kente-patterned accents. The dignitaries sat around the long polished table, sipping on fresh local beverages like sobolo and asana. Fidelis Peprah sat at the head, discussing the itinerary for the week with the group.

The doors to the room opened, and in stepped Jacob and Thelma, their smiles as warm as ever. “Hello, everyone,” Jacob began. “We trust you’ve had a chance to rest and refresh after your journey.”

“Absolutely,” said Jed Murphy, setting down his bottle. “This place has an energy that’s both calming and invigorating. I feel ready for anything! Plus, this juice is so good and so… spicy!”

Thelma laughed gently. “That’s wonderful to hear, Mr. Murphy. And yes, we call it sobolo. Bissap and ginger. An absolute favourite for many Ghanaians.”

“Oh, I definitely need to take some back with me to America!”

“We’ll certainly work on getting that sorted out for you. Now, as mentioned earlier, we’ve planned something special to kick off your stay here: a quick tour of Sekondi. It’s a chance for you to experience the vibrancy of the city, its rich history, and a taste of local life.”

Francisca Martinez clapped her hands together excitedly. “Oooooh, that sounds amazing! I’ve been looking forward to seeing more of Ghana outside the capital.”

Joevin Joseph nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve heard Sekondi has a charm all its own. Count me in.”

“Sounds like an adventure,” added Theo De France with a grin. “I’m in as well.”

“Will we be visiting any historical sites? I’d love to learn more about the city’s past,” Martin Farber asked curiously.

“Absolutely,” Jacob replied, nodding his head. “The tour includes some historical landmarks, the bustling market district called the Market Circle, and even a stop at the beach for some fresh sea air if time permits.”

Just then, Jacob’s phone buzzed. He excused himself quickly to answer the call. “Hello?… yes, this is he… Ah, wonderful. Thank you for letting me know. We’ll be out shortly… alright, thank you very much.”

Hanging up, he turned back to the room. “That was the driver of your ride—a luxury bus designed for comfort and style. He’s ready and waiting for us outside.”

The room buzzed with excitement as chairs scraped back and the dignitaries rose to their feet.

“Perfect timing,” a delighted Max Abu declared, already grabbing his notepad and pen. “I can’t wait to document this.”

“Let’s not keep the driver waiting,” said Martin Farber, his tone jovial as he adjusted his jacket.

The group began to file out, chatting eagerly among themselves. The Wilsons led the way, guiding them through the hotel’s spacious lobby and out to the grand entrance.

Parked outside was a gleaming white bus, its tinted windows reflecting the afternoon sun. The driver, dressed smartly in a sharp white uniform, stepped out to greet them. “Welcome aboard,” he saluted with a broad smile, opening the door.

As the dignitaries responded cheerfully and climbed aboard, Jacob and Thelma exchanged glances, their hearts giddy and swelling with pride. Sekondi awaited, and they knew this tour would be the perfect introduction to the city they loved so much. Once everyone was comfortably seated, the driver closed the door and got into his seat.

“Enjoy the ride, people!” Jacob called as the bus began to spark to life.

“And enjoy your proper welcome to Sekondi!” Thelma added, waving them off as the bus rolled down the driveway, carrying its excited passengers into the heart of the city.

***

As the luxury bus rolled smoothly down the driveway of the Utopia Hotel, with the dignitaries chatting animatedly, a dark figure sat in a nondescript sedan parked discreetly under a cluster of palm trees just outside the hotel gates.

He lowered a pair of binoculars, nodded and murmured to himself, “That’s the delegation. All accounted for.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, inconspicuous device and typed a coded message:

“Eagle’s Nest full. Green light to proceed.”

He hit send, and a soft beep confirmed the message had been delivered.

***

The bus pulled into the grand driveway of the Utopia Hotel just as the golden hues of sunset began to cast a warm glow over the city. The Wilsons and a few hotel staff stood at the car park, eagerly awaiting their arrival. The dignitaries stepped off the vehicle, their faces alight with satisfaction and awe.

“Dios mío! That was an incredible tour!” gushed Francisca Martinez, clutching a small woven basket she had purchased at Market Circle. “Short, but eye-opening. The vibrancy, the history—it’s like Sekondi tells its story through every corner.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” added Martin Farber, still marveling at the intricate sculptures he had seen at the Bisa Aberwa Museum. “The museum was an absolute treasure trove. Such a profound way to honor African heritage and all its stories of resilience.”

Joevin Joseph stretched his arms above his head. “Agreed. We couldn’t pass by the beach, unfortunately, but that’s alright. The Market Circle, though? What an experience! The colors, the sounds, the energy—I could’ve spent hours there.”

“Honestly! The sheer scale of it,” said Kaiyne Kay, shaking her head in amazement. “It’s a hub of life, I tell you. And the spices I picked up… my kitchen back home will never be the same.”

“Hahaha! Good to hear that, Miss Kay! Our spices are top notch, you know,” Fidelis laughed. “You are definitely going to have an enhanced kitchen experience with those ingredients.”

“Speaking of which, I hope you all worked up an appetite,” Jacob Wilson said with a chuckle, stepping forward to greet the group. “We’ve prepared a special dinner for you tonight—a fusion of local and international cuisine that showcases the best of Ghanaian flavors.”

“That sounds perfect,” Theo De France nodded, adjusting his blazer. “After a busy day like this, I’m more than ready to unwind with good food and good company.”

“We’ll need to freshen up first,” Max Abu interjected, patting his forehead with a handkerchief. “I mean, Sekondi’s energy is infectious, but it’s also quite warm. Not exactly what I’m used to back home.”

Thelma laughed, stepping in beside Jacob. “Of course, Mr. Abu. You’ll have plenty of time to get ready. Dinner will be served in our private dining hall at 7 PM. We’ve also arranged for some light entertainment afterwards around 10 PM to give you a taste of Ghanaian culture.”

Jed Murphy grinned. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“Only the best for our esteemed guests,” Thelma replied humbly, her voice warm with sincerity.

As the group made their way back into the hotel, staff stood at attention, ready with cool towels and refreshing drinks to welcome them back.

Fidelis, walking slightly behind the group, paused for a moment and turned to Jacob. “I must say, your display of hospitality is impeccable, Mr. And Mrs. Wilson. You two are most definitely setting a gold standard for Ghanaian tourism. I can see why His Excellency highly recommended you.”

Jacob smiled humbly. “It’s an honour, Mr. Peprah. Tonight’s dinner will be the perfect way to end the day.”

Fidelis nodded with a smile, then rejoined the group, who were already discussing their favorite moments from the tour.

***
Not far away, parked in the same inconspicuous spot under the cover of palm trees, the sedan from earlier remained idle, its occupant watching the hotel’s entrance.

“They’re back,” he murmured, starting up the engine before switching to typing quickly into the same secure messaging device: “Eagles have landed. Our long-awaited operation proceeds tonight.”

A soft chime from the device confirmed the message had been received and acknowledged.

He nodded, sliding the phone into his pocket as he began to drive away.

“It’s gonna be one unforgettable night. No two ways about it.”

Well, the delegates are enjoying themselves so far. But that spy… doesn’t look good…