Chapter Fourteen: "What Is Mine Is Yours"

A few days after his conversation with Chinelo, Andrew came to Abuja for our usual Monday strategy meeting.

Like every other meeting, we spent hours reviewing project reports, approving new developments, and discussing expansion plans.

By the time we finished, it was already evening.

The board members had left, the secretaries had gone home, and only Andrew and I remained in my office.

I loosened my tie and leaned back in my chair.

"Finally... peace."

Andrew laughed.

"You've always hated long meetings."

"I still do."

He smiled as he poured us both a glass of juice from the mini refrigerator.

"For old times' sake."

I raised my glass.

"For old times' sake."

We clinked our glasses gently.

For a few minutes, we talked about everything except business.

We laughed about our childhood adventures, remembered the mango tree behind our old houses, and even argued over who had won more football matches when we were children.

"You still cheated," I said jokingly.

Andrew burst into laughter.

"I've been hearing that accusation for over  years."

"And I'll keep saying it."

The room filled with laughter.

Then Andrew suddenly became quiet.

"Clement..."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

I noticed the seriousness in his voice.

"Since when do you need permission?"

He smiled awkwardly.

"It's about the company."

I nodded.

"Go ahead."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You know... sometimes I wonder whether ten percent truly reflects everything I do."

I looked at him attentively.

He quickly laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't misunderstand me."

"I'm not complaining."

"I'm only teasing."

He smiled.

"Maybe you should increase my share a little."

I laughed.

"So that's why you've been acting unusually serious?"

He laughed too.

"I had to try."

"Even if it's just another five percent."

I stared at him for a few seconds.

He immediately waved both hands.

"I'm joking, CEO."

"Forget I even mentioned it."

I didn't say a word. Instead, I stood up and walked toward the large glass window overlooking the Abuja skyline.

For several moments, I remained silent.

Andrew became uncomfortable.

"Clement..."

"I said I was joking."

Still...

I said nothing.

Finally, I turned around.

"Andrew."

"Yes?"

"How many years have we known each other?"

He frowned slightly.

"Since we were small."

"So..."

"Hmm,close to forty  years."

I nodded.

"In those close to forty years...... Have you ever doubted my love for you?"

His expression softened.

"No."

"Have I ever treated you like an employee?"

"Never."

"Have I ever made you feel less than a brother?"

He shook his head.

"No."

I smiled.

"Exactly."

I walked back to my desk, picked up the partnership file from the cabinet, and placed it before him.

Andrew looked confused.

"Clement?"

I opened the agreement to the page showing our ownership structure.

Clement Enitan — 90%.

Andrew Ikebukwu — 10%.

I picked up my pen.

Then I crossed out the figures.

Andrew's eyes widened.

"Clement..."

Without hesitation, I wrote new figures.

Clement Enitan — 70%.

Andrew Ikebukwu — 30%.

Andrew froze.

He looked from the document to me.

Then back again.

"What..."

His voice trembled.

"...what are you doing?"

I smiled.

"You asked for an increase."

"I expected maybe five percent."

"You've just given me..."

He struggled to finish the sentence.

"Twenty percent."

I nodded.

"You now own thirty."

Andrew was speechless.

He slowly stood up from his chair.

"I can't accept this."

"Why not?"

"It's too much."

I chuckled.

"Too much?"

"Clement..."

"You invested all the money."

"And you've invested your life into making this company successful."

He stared at me.

I walked over and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Listen to me carefully."

He remained silent.

"We made a promise beneath a mango tree when we were children."

His eyes softened.

"We said we'd always be brothers."

I smiled warmly.

"And brothers don't count who has more."

I squeezed his shoulder gently.

"What is mine..."

I paused.

"...is yours."

Tears gathered in Andrew's eyes.

"Clement..."

"You've always been like this."

I laughed.

"Like what?"

"Too good."

I pulled him into a hug.

"No."

"Just blessed with a brother worth sharing my blessings with."

Andrew embraced me tightly.

"Thank you."

"You'll never regret this."

"I know."

He meant every word...

Or at least, I believed he did.

That evening, Andrew drove back to Lagos with the amended partnership agreement lying on the passenger seat beside him.

Every few minutes, he glanced at it and smiled.

He had asked for five percent.

Instead... He had received twenty.

For a moment, gratitude filled his heart.

But somewhere deep within the shadows of his mind...

A dangerous voice whispered.

If asking gave you twenty...

What else could you one day take?