05/10/2026
MY MECHANIC AND I
EPISODE 26
Clara slowly walked towards the gate.
Her heart was beating faster than usual.
She knew the man standing outside was the father Maxwell had been running from for more than a year.
The man who had forced him to choose between obeying him and leaving his home.
The man who had taken his money, his cards, his documents and everything he believed would make Maxwell return to him.
And now, after more than a year of searching, that same man was standing outside her gate.
Clara opened it.
Standing there was Chief Onochie.
He was simply dressed.
No convoy.
No security men.
No crowd.
Just him.
And for a man who was used to commanding people and getting his way, he looked surprisingly nervous.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Clara finally greeted him.
Good morning, sir.
Chief Onochie looked at her.
Good morning, my daughter.
Clara studied his face for a moment.
You must be Chief Onochie.
Chief nodded.
Yes.
Clara stepped aside.
Okay. Please, come in.
Chief entered.
As they walked towards the house, he looked around quietly.
He looked at the compound.
The flowers.
The beautiful house.
Everything was calm.
But somehow, his heart was not calm at all.
He was about to see his only child.
His son whom he had not seen in more than a year.
His son whom he had spent months desperately searching for.
His son whom he had once told to leave his house and never return.
When they entered the living room, Chief Onochie's eyes immediately went to the large portrait hanging on the wall.
The portrait of Clara and Maxwell.
He stopped.
He stared at it.
He didn't say a word.
Clara noticed.
Then Chief slowly looked away.
Maxwell was already standing.
For a few seconds, father and son simply looked at each other.
So many things they had both wanted to say seemed trapped between them.
Maxwell swallowed.
Good morning, sir.
Chief Onochie's lips parted slightly.
He took a step forward.
Then stopped.
He wanted to hug his son.
It was obvious.
But he wasn't sure whether Maxwell would accept it.
His hands moved slightly, then dropped.
Maxwell noticed.
Clara looked at both men.
The atmosphere was heavy.
She cleared her throat gently.
I'll be upstairs.
She turned to leave.
No.
Maxwell's voice stopped her.
Clara turned around.
You have to be here.
She looked at him.
Maxwell stepped closer.
You promised.
Clara looked at him silently.
We are going to face this together.
He paused.
You said you wouldn't leave me alone in this.
I don't want you leaving me now.
Clara nodded slowly.
Are you sure?
Maxwell looked at her.
I'm very sure.
He took a breath.
You are the only person I trust more than anything in this life right now.
Chief Onochie's eyes dropped.
That sentence broke something inside him.
His son had once been his best friend.
The little boy who followed him everywhere had grown into a man who once told him everything.
His dreams.
His plans.
His fears.
His future.
And now, after everything that had happened, Maxwell was telling another person that she was the only person he trusted.
Chief swallowed hard.
Clara noticed his expression.
Okay.
She walked back towards them.
I think we should all sit down.
She gestured towards the sofa.
Chief slowly sat down.
Clara sat beside Maxwell.
Maxwell looked at his father.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Maxwell finally broke the silence.
Welcome, sir.
Chief looked at him.
Maxwell continued.
How may we help you, sir?
Chief's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Max.
Maxwell said nothing.
You're calling me sir.
Maxwell looked at him.
What happened to Dad?
There was silence.
Maxwell's jaw tightened.
You told me that you were no longer my father.
Chief closed his eyes.
You told me you disowned me the day you sent me out of your house.
Chief's lips trembled.
I know.
You said I was no longer your son.
Chief looked down.
I know, Max.
You told me to leave and never come back.
Maxwell's voice became heavier.
So what happened to Dad?
Chief looked up at him.
I'm sorry, my son.
Maxwell looked away.
I'm truly sorry.
Tears gathered in Chief Onochie's eyes.
I am sorry for everything I did to you.
He paused, struggling to keep his voice steady.
I'm sorry I pushed you too hard.
I'm sorry I treated you like an investment instead of my son.
Maxwell said nothing.
I thought forcing that marriage was helping you.
I thought I was securing your future.
I thought I knew what was best for you.
His voice cracked.
But I was wrong.
Chief wiped his face.
Taking your money and your documents was meant to teach you a lesson.
I thought if I took everything away from you, you would come to your senses and marry Melissa.
He shook his head.
I never imagined you would actually walk away from everything.
Maxwell's eyes became wet.
The house hasn't been the same since you left.
Your mother hasn't been the same.
She cries constantly.
She blames herself.
She keeps asking me what I did to make her son leave.
Maxwell closed his eyes.
Hearing about his mother was painful.
Chief continued.
I regret what I did to you every single day.
I searched for you.
I looked everywhere.
Your numbers were off.
I called your friends.
Everybody kept saying they didn't know where you were.
I didn't know where else to look.
He looked directly at his son.
But I never stopped looking for you.
Maxwell slowly opened his eyes.
Why are you really here?
Chief was quiet.
Because I finally found you.
Maxwell looked down at his hands.
You didn't just take my money.
His voice shook.
You took away my choice.
You took my freedom.
Chief's eyes filled with more tears.
Yes, you paid for my education.
Maxwell swallowed.
But I studied.
I worked for that certificate too.
You took my certificate and left me helpless.
If I wanted to start my life again, how was I supposed to do that?
What was I supposed to use to find a job?
I couldn't even prove that I went to school.
The money in those accounts, I worked for it.
Yes, I got it from you, but I worked for it.
Even the ones I saved while I was in the UK, and you took it all.
Chief lowered his head.
You're right.
I was wrong.
While Maxwell spoke, Clara quietly reached for his hand and held it.
His hand was shaking.
Chief noticed.
He looked at Clara's hand holding his son's.
Then he looked at Maxwell.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Maxwell squeezed Clara's hand.
So you have found me.
He looked directly at his father.
Here I am.
You have seen me.
You can now go.
Chief immediately shook his head.
No.
Maxwell looked at him.
God forbid.
I will not leave.
I need your forgiveness.
Maxwell gave a small, tired smile.
Ah, there is nothing to forgive.
Chief shook his head.
There is.
There is so much to forgive.
Maxwell looked away.
But just know this.
He looked back at his father.
I am not following you to Abuja.
Chief nodded immediately.
I'm not asking you to follow me to Abuja.
Maxwell looked at him in surprise.
I'm not asking you to come back and take over my company.
I'm not asking you to marry Melissa.
I'm not here to force anything on you.
Chief's voice broke.
I'm here as your father.
He wiped the tears from his face.
I'm here to beg my son.
I just want you to forgive me.
I want you to see me as your father again.
Maxwell's lips trembled.
Chief continued.
I don't want your obedience.
I don't want to control your life anymore.
I just want my son back.
Maxwell looked down.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Maxwell took a deep breath.
I forgive you.
Chief's eyes widened.
Maxwell nodded slowly.
I forgive you, Dad.
Chief covered his mouth with his hand.
But I'm still not going back to Abuja.
Chief nodded through his tears.
You don't have to.
I mean it.
You can stay here.
You can build whatever you want.
You can become whoever you want to become.
I only want you in my life again.
Maxwell's eyes filled with tears.
Chief looked at him.
I heard from Uzochi.
Maxwell looked up.
Chief continued.
Months ago, someone reported seeing you.
But the information I received said it wasn't you.
Then, some days ago, Uzochi called me.
He told me he saw someone who looked exactly like you.
He was certain.
And I knew.
I knew it had to be you.
Maxwell nodded.
So I went to your workshop.
He paused.
And your apprentices told me you weren't feeling well.
Chief's expression changed.
Have you been to the hospital?
Maxwell smiled faintly.
Yes.
Are you okay?
Yes, Dad.
Should I call a doctor?
Maxwell laughed softly.
I'm fine.
Chief looked at him carefully.
Are you sure?
Yes.
I have a very good doctor, and Clara has been taking care of me.
Then Maxwell glanced at Clara.
And my wife here.
Chief froze.
Your what?
Maxwell looked at Clara.
He smiled.
Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't properly introduced you. We started talking, and I completely forgot.
He turned towards his father.
Dad, meet Clara.
My wife.
Clara quickly pinched his arm.
What are you doing?
He looked at her.
I'm doing the right thing.
Chief stared at him.
Your wife?
Yes.
She's my wife.
Chief looked at Clara.
Then at Maxwell.
Then back at the portrait on the wall.
We've been married for over six months now.
Chief closed his eyes.
His lips moved, but no words came out.
Tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.
So you're married?
Maxwell nodded.
Yes, Dad.
Chief shook his head slowly.
My only child got married.
His voice broke.
And my wife and I weren't there to witness it.
He covered his face.
What have I done to myself?
Maxwell looked at him.
Dad...
Chief shook his head.
Your mother is going to khiill me.
She is never going to forgive me for this.
Maxwell gave a small smile.
Dad, don't cry.
You don't need to cry.
Chief looked at him through his tears.
Maxwell smiled.
I'm sorry.
You are crying because your son got married.
Chief shook his head.
I missed my son's wedding.
Maxwell's smile disappeared.
He reached out and touched his father's shoulder.
I'm sorry.
You don't need to cry.
Chief looked at him.
Then he glanced at Clara.
Do you love my son?
Clara smiled.
Yes, sir.
I do.
Chief looked at Maxwell.
Maxwell looked at Clara.
Chief nodded slowly.
Then that is what matters.
He wiped his face.
If you love my son and my son loves you, then I have no right to stand between you.
Clara smiled.
Thank you, sir.
Chief looked at Maxwell again.
Can I call your mother and tell her that I have found you?
Maxwell nodded.
Yes.
You can.
Chief immediately brought out his phone.
He searched for Lolo's number and dialled.
The call connected almost immediately.
Where are you?
Chief smiled sadly.
I'm in Lagos.
Lolo went silent.
You're in Lagos?
Yes.
Since when?
What are you doing in Lagos?
And you didn't even tell me you were travelling?
Chief looked at Maxwell.
I came to find our son.
There was silence.
And?
Chief's eyes filled with tears again.
I found him.
There was a long silence on the other end.
What?
I found our son.
Chief put the phone on speaker.
Maxwell's heart began beating faster.
Then a trembling voice came through.
Maxi?
Maxwell closed his eyes.
Mum?
Is that really you?
Maxwell's voice broke.
Yes, Mum.
Lolo started crying.
My son.
My baby.
Where have you been?
Are you okay?
Onochie, is he okay?
Does he look sick?
Has he been eating?
Onochie, please, how does he look?
Chief laughed through his tears.
Calm down.
He is fine.
Lolo continued crying.
Let me hear him again.
Maxi?
Yes, Mum.
I'm here.
Oh, my God.
Thank God.
Thank God.
I have missed you so much.
Maxwell wiped his eyes.
I've missed you too, Mum.
Lolo began crying again.
Are you coming home?
Maxwell looked at his father.
Then he looked at Clara.
Not yet, Mum.
There was silence.
Then Lolo answered softly.
Okay.
Okay, my son.
Chief quickly spoke.
Lolo, calm down.
Our son is fine.
And you won't believe what he has done.
What?
He has actually made a name for himself.
Lolo became quiet.
What do you mean?
Chief smiled.
He built a life for himself.
He has his own business.
He is doing well.
Lolo laughed through her tears.
I knew my son would do it.
Chief looked at Maxwell.
Maxwell didn't say anything.
But this time, he didn't look afraid.
For the first time in a long time, the thought of his family finding him didn't feel like a threat.
It felt like something he had missed.
The call ended.
Silence filled the room.
Chief looked at Maxwell.
Thank you.
Maxwell looked at him.
For letting me see you.
For allowing me to sit here with you.
For giving me another chance.
Maxwell looked down.
Then slowly looked back at his father.
Dad...
Chief froze.
Maxwell stood up.
Chief stood too.
For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other.
Then Maxwell stepped forward.
Chief didn't hesitate this time.
They embraced.
Chief held his son tightly.
The tears he had been trying to hold back finally came freely.
Maxwell closed his eyes and held his father.
Clara watched them with tears in her own eyes.
For the first time since Maxwell left Abuja, father and son were no longer standing on opposite sides.
They were simply a father and his son.
And for Maxwell, that was enough.
TO BE CONTINUED
Omaly's empire
THE QUEEN 👑 OF HEARTS ❤️❤️❤️
