BEHIND THE SMILE - Episode 8

He rushed into the Cyber room, on seeing one of the engineers that he knows well, he called him aside and began to talk to him after showing him the pictures and videos on his phone

“, Charles, I really don’t understand what’s going on but you should have an explanation about this or what can be done. I’m confused and worried. Is there any possibility of me finding out who is behind this? I want the blackmailer to be apprehended as quick as possible. This picture and fake video of me with one of the female students was sent to me last night. I don’t know when the pictures where taken and this video isn’t real. They used my face and body in the video. This person said I have 24hours to do the right thing, I don’t know what he meant by that.. and is most likely a guy that is behind all this. Can you use this sent info and dig up the culprit? I need it done quick. I also don’t want this to get out into the school data base, the blackmailer is threatening to do so. If he succeed that will be a big mess to everything I hold dear. My wife especially must not know or come across this or it will be a total disaster, God forbids it. I will pay you…all I ask is that you do this for me now. Suspend every other thing you’re doing please…”

The engineer checked the information that was used and shakes his head.
He asked for the number the person used to call him.
“Don’t you get it Charles? for Christ sake is a hidden number. The voice is chromed, I can’t even identify if is a man or woman but is definitely a man…my guts tells me so. I don’t know why but I will get to the root of all this. The video and pictures was sent from unknown source. I have tried in my own to sort it out but is proving difficult which was why I rushed to you this morning. I haven’t been able to get any sleep since I got this. You need to hurry…I need feedback within an hour or two…”

“Alright Prof Benny, calm down please. I totally understand everything and will do my best to identify the culprit. I have been doing this for the past seventeen years and I assure you that he or she can’t be hidden for long. I will personally dig him up be reassured” Charles said to a troubled Benny.

“I’m counting on you Charles… seriously counting on you. Please call me if anything pops up…I will be back in an hour time…”
Benny said before leaving.

He try to carry out his normal class activities in the school but everyone can tell that he was distracted.
He dismissed all his class section for another time.
He got a call from a unknown number threatening to release the pictures out that night.
After dropping the call his phone started ringing again, it was Dorcas.

His heart skipped. “Hope the pictures or videos haven’t gotten to her, what of the baby, is Dorcas okay? Oh God…let nothing go wrong please, this is a moment to be happy while expecting our heavenly gift. Don’t let anything come in between our Joy…”
Benny said before picking up.

“Hey honey…is everything alright? Are you okay… what of the baby?

“The baby is fine, why are you sounding scared? I know when something is bothering you… hope you haven’t been thinking of things that could go wrong with the pregnancy? Quit thinking because nothing will happen. Is just few months from now and we will be looking at our baby face to face. I only called to ask you what you will like for dinner…”

“Alright, I will go with whatever that is on the menu. Please, tell the cook to go ahead with the normal food timetable. Take care of yourself and the baby too… you know I love you right? Benny said, trying to sound convincing.

“You make me feel like something is wrong with the way you sound. Anyway, I love you too honey…see you soon” Dorcas replied.

Back in his office, he held his two hands together and pray silently that God should help him take care of the present predicament he found himself.

After three hours, he didn’t hear from Charles he decided to go over and see him.

“I’m sorry Prof Benny, the link in used carries a double address, I need more than a day to be able to dismantle it. The hacker appears to be into such business and knows how to keep his identity hidden…”

“So does this means that you can’t sort it out? I thought you’re good at this Charles… maybe I should get a different person to do the job. Is just that i don’t have the time. The blackmailer called me this afternoon again threatening to release the pictures and videos tonight. I can’t fold my arms and do nothing. I don’t know what the person stands to gain or what exactly was my offense that led to all of this but one thing that I’m certain is that I will do anything to find out who this person is, oh I will. I need to look for another well renowned cyber engineer that will work this out quick…” Benny said angrily.

“What I told you Benny is the truth and is the same thing you will hear from any other cyber engineer well experienced in this line of ours. You need to exercise patient let me do my findings and digging. Is only going to take time but I will sort it out. Trust me…” Charles said to an impatient Benny

Benny exhaled deeply and said
“Time and patient is what I don’t have Charles. If any of this get out and goes viral everything I hold dearly will turned upside down… my entire world may come crashing… God forbids such. patient, at this point, I don’t know how to do that. I need you to help me do this quick… please…”

Charles assured him that he will but will need time.

Benny left disheartened.
He ran into another female. She has the most beautiful smile he has ever seen but he looked past her.
He apologized for running into her.
without a second look, he started walking away leaving her to pick up her things from the floor.
Who knows if someone was snapping him again
He can’t be seen around female students for now, he has to be careful.
She was trying to pull out an A4 size flyer while he quickly turned and kept walking.

“Excuse me sir, you’re professor Benny. My name is Bianca…”

Benny seems uninterested in whatever she was about to say.
He kept waking and she ran upto him

“…Look at this, I picked up this flyer, it fell off from a guy without him knowing and what struck me was when I saw your picture on it…”

Benny quickly grabbed the flyer and saw the same picture that was sent to him and some trashy writup.

“Where is the guy, which side is he headed? Oh Jesus… how does he look like. How many of this was he holding.. what do he intends to do with it… tell me the area you saw this… please?

Bianca mentioned the area and told him that the guy was on face cap, she can’t describe him. She offered to take him to the exact location but Benny rushed ahead to the said place while Bianca followed.
Getting there he saw nothing and became more devasted while scanning through the area.

“Is someone trying to blackmail you Prof? Because I know you are disciplined and God fearing too . This will destroy your good image if nothing is done fast. I can help you if you don’t mind…?

Benny opened his eyes wide as he try to process the information.

“Really… you can help me track down the culprit, Take all of this off any site it maybe saved in and waiting for release. You can help me for real…?

Bianca nodded with another smile. Assuring professor who was ready to do anything.
“Yes, I can do it within few hours but on one condition…”

Benny looked at her, wondering what the condition might be. He was ready to do anything that will make all of this blackmail go away.
If is money or class mark or even a pass in his all subjects he was ready.
He can’t afford any of this to get out or even get to Dorcas his beautiful wife.

“What is the condition? Benny asked.
The young lady with a beautiful smile may want a high score to pass his class.
Is inappropriate but at this point he has no choice.
Or what could she be asking for aside what he had already mentioned.

Bianca gave him another innocent sweet smile of hers as she try to take charge of the opportunity.

She have him now in her claws, she is not letting go ever again and he won’t be able to turn her down because he is in a tight corner and ready for anything.