Chapter 5 THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE DIFFERENT

The season in England started with a boom, many noblemen had already started throwing lavish balls and parties. An invitation from Lord Swinford of Bradbury had just been received by the maid. The Lord planned to introduce me to the rest of his associates to establish new business affiliations.

I got ready for the evening party looking the best I could.

"My lord you'll be the center of attraction that I can guarantee." said Akpan as he helped me don a newly purchased suit.

"I'll be the center of attraction that's for sure." I replied "a black guest of honor at an all white party."

"I didn't mean it that way my lord." replied Akpan.

"There's no need for tension Akpan, I was just pulling your leg." I continued "Come on I'll help you get dressed this time around, you'll be coming with me to the ball."

"My lord, there is no need for that, I can deck myself up." He said.

"Akpan, I insist, I know things have changed a lot since we were children but you're still the same Akpan to me." I replied.

When we were younger, Akpan and I were very close friends, he had lost both of his parents when he was just seven years old. My father took him in to live with us since both his parents used to work for the Annang royal family. Although he lived with us, he was always reminded of his place by my father and uncles. Akpan and I used to play, train and hunt together and even went to the same school with me. He was smart and no less educated than the rest of us.

But as time flew by, the difference between us was becoming even more visible, and before I knew it, we had drifted apart. He was the master of the house but that didn't mean much. I was so busy with politics that I stopped checking on him and that was probably how things ended.

After I was done with dressing, I got into the carriage and headed straight for Bradbury, the streets of Birkenhead were bustling with life. There were so many beautiful carriages and people in the streets that particular evening or so I thought, I rarely left the manor and I had never been out at night.

"Wow, I have to admit this is all so beautiful." I thought to myself "Because of the season I'm sure I'll be seeing even more beautiful places than this.".

"Hey, move it, can't you move a little faster?" I heard someone say.

"What's going on?" I asked my carriage driver.

"There's some commotion on the road my lord." He replied.

I looked outside the carriage at the streets watching the night sky and enjoying the view until my eyes fell on a lady in another carriage. She was very beautiful to look upon, I didn't even realize how long I stared, thankfully she didn't even notice me, I would have just given them an excuse to think whatever nonsense they usually thought of when they saw "coloured" people.

The road had become clearer as we continued our journey to Bradbury manor. As soon as I arrived at the Manor, as expected, all eyes were on me. One of the guests of the evening even mistook me for a servant.

"Hey, make yourself useful and get me a drink." he said.

I laughed as I replied, "I think not Sir, I certainly wasn't invited to take up the job of a waiter, let me be more specific, I didn't come here to serve you."

He blinked not once but twice, I could see the shock showing in his eyes, he certainly wasn't expecting someone he considered less than him to talk to him that way.

As if everyone had noticed the tension building up between me and the other man, the lord walked up to me and shook my hand.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation Mr AK," he continued "Lord Clifford, meet Mr Akan Nda-eyo, my business partner, he is the one I talked to you about the Oil palm business.".

"It's a pleasure making you acquaintance Lord Clifford." I said winking as I spoke.

"It is-is nice meeting you too." he managed to respond.

"Thanks, we'll be seeing each other often." I said.

"Of course, I'll be looking forward to it." he said.

Of course he was lying, he would never want to see my face again, not after his momentary humiliation a few minutes ago but for the sake of keeping decorum and trying to show how civilized he was, he was willing to put on an act.

The Lord also introduced me to a few other associates of his, a lot of people weren't happy to see me, there were some who were more accommodating and there were some who were almost excited to see me.

"I heard you're from Africa, how is life there?" asked one of the interested women.

"What do you think?" I responded.

"I'm so sorry if you found my words offensive, I really wanted to know." she said.

"Are you being serious or is it just sarcasm? I asked her.

"I'm serious," she replied "but if you're not comfortable I can leave." she said as she turned to leave.

"You know I find England to be an amazing country." I said trying to start a conversation with the one person who seemed interested in talking.

"You do?" She asked as she turned back to look at me.

"Yes, I have to admit it is very beautiful." I replied her.

"And what about your country?" she asked curiously, "is it what they say it is?".

"What is it they say about where I'm from?" I asked.

"That people there do not wear clothes and are way behind in civilization." she said.

"You know you shouldn't believe until you see with your own eyes." I continued, "look at me, do I look like I'm uncivilized or uneducated?".

"You don't." she replied.

"You see, you shouldn't believe everything you hear." I said smiling.