AGE: Thirty-four years old
BIRTHDAY: August 24th, 1986
GENDER / PRONOUNS: Cis Man - He/Him
OCCUPATION: Chief Human Resources Officer at Osvwu Jewelry
PLACE OF BIRTH: Astoria, Nova Pangaea
NEIGHBORHOOD: Hearthstone Bay
HAS LIVED IN ASTORIA FOR: 34 years
There’s a story behind every person
Chidi was welcomed into this world on a beautiful afternoon in August at the city of Astoria in Nova Pangaea. The second son of Omari and Angela Osuwu, back when the Osvwu Jewelry company was starting to pierce its mark not only in Astoria, but in the entire country. Though, in the eyes of Angela she had already a favorite in the first child from the result of her love for Omari, Chidi made sure that his presence was never forgotten from an early age. For those who would meet Chidi DeAndre while he was growing old, he was loud. Chidi knew how to gain attention and how to work with the crowd.
Some would perceive his reactions and personality as trying to gain attention from his parents — something that was usually expected from an old sibling. And, it seemed this grew stronger after his sister’s arrival. The sister that, with time, became their father’s favorite. It was clear for everyone to see, and it didn’t matter how much Chidi wanted to be special in his own way, the favoritism was nurtured far from being subtle. And, perhaps, that was why, despite being part of the family, he was the one that felt furthest from actually being in it.
Still, he was there watching Omari’s empire grow, hearing his father’s speeches that one day all of that would be passed to his children; sharing the importance of a good education and learning how to run the business, because he’d have to choose the person who would take his seat in the future. Those words echoed inside Chidi’s mind, but before he would even focus on how to make it happen, first he would focus on enjoying the present and absorbing the verity that far from the eyes of his family, people wouldn’t even know that he was the ghost of a middle child.
During high school and college none of his friends called him Chidi, for a few years he was Andre. Partially, Chidi felt that he had more than one personality. Almost in a way that whenever he was Chidi, he was this loving person that was always willing to do what was best for himself and family, focused on his parents and siblings, even when they didn’t have the best relationship with each other. And, then, when he was Andre, he was free. He was a humorous guy, willing to go through experiences that could be even considered reckless, for the sake of experiencing life a little bit more than when he was around family. It felt good, it gave him memories that shaped him into becoming the man he is now.
College was also another experience that kept him far from the drama that seemed to fluctuate in the Osuwu home. Attending the University of New Seofonac to prepare himself for being part of the family business, Chidi chose to study something related to human resources; not because he felt passionate about it. Mostly because he really didn’t know what he wanted to do with life when it came to being part of the company. Yet, while those classes were carved in his brain, Chidi noticed that he could be good at it. His grades were another example that he wasn’t wrong about it nor the interest that always caused him to be early for every class and making sure he didn’t forget an assignment before wanting to have fun with friends he made during his time in college.
Leaving Astoria for four years, gave him the notion that he could be good far from his family. That he didn’t need to be under the wings of Omari and Angela every single day of his life. Still, his responsibilities were stronger than the idea of doing something completely far from what was expected from him. Because, deep down, Chidi wanted to be part of the company, he urged to show his worth.
Therefore, after graduation, he was back, his family needed him to return to Astoria, expecting Chidi with arms wide open and a job position for their child. It was the first time that he noticed how great his father was at running the jewelry company, but also how the family drama could occur everywhere, not only at home, but also behind walls from meeting rooms. It was exhausting, to say the least, but sometimes he’d find the chance of making it humorous. Jokes that weren’t expected, but made it all less harsh than Chidi wanted it to be.
Some people would state they wouldn’t be able to live in a family that wants to know every step you make and who you are with, but Chidi found a way to manage it. Besides, when it came to love and the idea of who he’d eventually marry and would be part of the family, Omari and Angela didn’t have to worry about it. Chidi is known for never setting down. He’s never considered the people he had brief relationships with as his girlfriends. It didn’t matter for how long they were in each other’s lives. Afraid of commitment, he didn’t know how to name what was happening between him and the women he met, so it was easier to keep it without a name. Some would find this enervating, some wouldn’t mind it at all. There’s also those that would think they were the special one, and would finally be the person that would make him feel the need of settling down. So far, it hasn’t happened.
Up until now, his main focus is his job, which led him to the position he now holds at the company after his trip to get his MBA in New Seofonac as well. Tired of the constant fights between himself and his father, Chidi also decided last year to move out of the house they all lived in, finding an apartment for himself in Hearthstone Bay. After all, why should he stick around when he wasn’t the most special sibling? When he was so sure that it didn’t matter what he did, he’d never be the one Omari would choose to take his seat? Maybe that was why, another choice was made in his life when someone approached him by the gym with an opportunity to do something great for the city. It was the first time he heard the words he could never share with anyone else: Specula Noctis. It was the chance of doing something important since the chances of being the one to follow Omari’s steps were far from happening.
FACECLAIM: Shamier Anderson
PLAYED BY: Vee