The allure of revenge was undeniably strong.
Yet, I realized that the notion of seeking retribution was a rather narrow view.
I had fallen into that trap before—allowing my anger to constrict my perspective to the point where I couldn't see anything outside of it. John wasn't meant to be a part of my future; rather, he was merely a chapter that had yet to conclude.
Chapters reach their conclusion only when the narrative demands it—not a moment sooner.
With a determined effort, I pushed aside all thoughts of him and redirected my focus towards what truly mattered: my personal growth and development.
Financially, I noticed a steady influx of money into my life now. It was nothing ostentatious or loud; instead, it was a quiet, consistent flow. I deliberately avoided drawing attention to myself through flashy patterns; I maintained a low profile, keeping my movements discrete while diversifying my activities. In this environment, the streets held one principle above all else—consistency earns respect far more than fear ever could.
I chose to upgrade my life slowly and deliberately.
I began by selecting better quality food to nourish my body.
Next, I invested in a slightly upgraded phone.
I ensured I allowed myself more time to think and reflect.
Every decision I made was backed by careful calculation. I had shifted my approach; instead of desperately chasing after every opportunity that came my way, I learned to let them naturally come to me. I understood that while desperate men made a lot of noise, patient men were the ones who made strategic moves.
One evening, as I absentmindedly scrolled through old messages and contacts on my phone, I stumbled upon something intriguing.
A name I had long since forgotten.
This was a man I had encountered years ago—he was someone whose demeanor was as calm as it was unassuming. He never boasted, never hurried, and remarkably, he never lost money. In the past, I had dismissed him, believing he was too slow to line up with my ambitious goals.
But the perspective had changed.
I realized that speed didn't hold the value I once thought it did.
I committed his number to memory but refrained from making a call just yet.
After all, true power isn't achieved by hastily jumping at every opportunity that arises. It's cultivated through knowing when to exercise patience and wait for the right moment.
Days melted into weeks.
Then, my mother called again, seeking to check in on me. In response, I sent over a small amount of financial support this time—nothing overly evident or dramatic. True to form, she didn't pry; she never did.
That implicit trust she placed in me felt heavier than any financial obligation I could ever owe.
John would periodically send me messages.
They were brief.
Casual jests.
Fishing lines cast into murky waters.
I responded just enough to keep my presence known but never enough to foster a connection. Unbeknownst to him, I had already relegated him to where he belonged.
On the sidelines of my life.
One late night, I found myself standing by the window, gazing out at the buzzing streets below. Lagos was a city that never truly slept. It pulsed with life. It observed. It waited for the right moment to act.
In that moment, clarity washed over me—I understood that this life I was navigating was not simply about survival.
It was about strategic positioning.
Scams were merely tools in the arsenal of life.
People were valuable resources, each with their own potential.
Information? It was the currency that could lead to power.
And what about patience?
In this complex game, patience reigned supreme.
I slowly clenched my fist, then allowed it to relax once more.
This time around, my ambition would not involve burning bridges.
Instead, I aimed to own the entire chessboard.
And when the game eventually reached its conclusion—
Everyone would come to understand why I had chosen to remain so quiet all along.