11-19-2018, 05:04 PM
Episode 51
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’I see you are still indecisive. Just forget about it’’ Jessica breathed, breaking away from me. I quickly reached forward and grabbed her hand.
‘’we are getting married. Yes we are’’ I muttered, drawing a smile from her with my words. I swallowed hard as I thought over what I just said.
‘’I hope I’m not forcing you into getting married?. The last thing I want is having a husband who won’t appreciate me’’ she breathed softly, studying me keenly. I smiled and kissed her affectionately.
‘’we will get married my dear but give me a week to surprise you with a very stunning engagement party’’ I promised, leaving her blushing over my words.
Yes things were really happening very fast in my life and that exact moment I just couldn’t tell if I was doing the right thing or not. The only big thing that was making me a bit scared of settling down with Jessica was her past with Jude’s father which I was yet to unravel.
‘’my love you have nothing to worry about. Left for me I wouldn’t want you spending money for any party or engagement celebration. I don’t even want a high society extravagant wedding. What matters to me is being by your side forever and together we will face any obstacle on our path’’ she breathed sweetly, bringing up her lips to kiss me over and over.
Slowly my thoughts wandered to my family and Jude. He was the first in my family I had to tell about my decision to marry Jessica. Of course I had failed him in many ways but at least I also made him a millionaire. That was enough to earn me his forgiveness.
————————————————
Jude’s side of the story continues from that same day
2pm, Ibeme Village
Tracy waited for me in my car while I made my way into Uncle Tony’s vast compound. The compound was undergoing a big renovation and I really had a hard time locating the old man who was extremely pleased to see me.
‘’wow look at how big you have grown, let’s go inside the house. We have a lot to talk’’ he muttered as he hugged me strongly. I felt some kind of peace as he hugged me. It was as if I was being hugged by my late dad.
‘’you know I’m really disappointed with you. I won’t mince words, you are an adult’’ he breathed as soon as we settled down in his sitting room.
‘’when I heard of your father’s death, I had expected you to return to the US to check out his things and talk with his lawyer. But you did none of it and there wasn’t any way I could reach out to you without having to come back to Nigeria. Tell me, what happened?. Why didn’t you return?’’ he asked quickly. I shook my head, so very much overcome with emotions.
‘’my dad’s death was so unexpected. I was so devastated and broke. I just wasn’t myself and the worst was that he never told me much about his plans or deals. He just shut me out of everything because he wanted me to focus on my studies here in Nigeria. I just had no one to run to. I’m still yet to come to terms with his death’’ I opened up solemnly.
‘’well I really don’t blame you. I believe you made the decision you felt was okay at that time. Anyway your dad’s lawyer is now in charge of his laundry shop and small house. The best help I can offer is to take you with me when returning to the states by January. So you have to start making preparations. You don’t have to worry about anything. I will help as much as I can. I believe your dad’s lawyer will be able to brief you of his finances and equally tell you if he left a will or not. Please my son stop avoiding people or behaving as if you are alone in this world. Your late father did it very well, see where it got him. You can’t imagine he never told me he was coming back to Nigeria even though we were neighbors. That’s really bad’’ he narrated while I looked down, unable to say a word.
Of course I never expected Uncle Tony to be so concerned about my welfare. He was the last person I expected to help me.
Tears of appreciation slowly fell from my eyes.
Episode 52
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’how did it go?’’ Tracy asked anxiously as soon as I joined her in my car minutes after my little discussion with Uncle Tony.
‘’well it went well. He wants me to go back to the states with him on January. He wants to assist me in meeting my dad’s lawyer who is in a better position to tell me the real situation of things concerning my late dad’s will, if he had any’’ I replied, breathing deeply. She smiled and reached for my hand.
‘’I believe things will only get better from now on. Uncle Tony could be the angel you have been waiting for all along’’ she added softly.
‘’I really hope so my dear. But I still have to meet Kelvin. We have some things to discuss’’ I muttered, switching on my car engine.
——————–
Later in the evening we arrived at Kelvin’s house but unfortunately he wasn’t around. I called him on phone, telling him of my presence. He quickly begged me to wait for him.
‘’please just give me fifteen minutes, I will be there’’ he pleaded, leaving me with no choice than to wait for him.
Kelvin arrived at his house twenty minutes later, sweating profusely. I stared at him with surprise because I knew his car had a functioning A.C.
‘’I’m just coming from the village. I met with Uncle Tony’’ I explained quickly while he nodded, throwing a quick smile at Tracy who politely greeted him.
‘’yes I heard he’s back in the country. I never knew you guys were close’’ he replied. I shrugged silently.
‘’let’s talk in my room. I have something important to tell you’’ he added, leading the way to his room. I slowly followed him.
On getting to his room, he stopped and faced me with a serious look.
‘’I have some shocking news for you Jude’’ he muttered, looking down like a frightened man. My heart leapt.
‘’The police and EFCC are closing in on me. I don’t know who snitched on me. I’m in trouble and I just have two options available right now. The first is leaving the country, but you know I can’t survive for long out of the country without any means of livelihood; moreover my friends could still end up in jail, Including you Jude’’ he poured out, almost giving me a heart attack with his words.
‘’the second option is to marry Jessica and have her deal with my case. She has the power, friends and means to back me up. Moreover she used to be a banker and knows all the tricks involved in the banking sector’’ he added softly, while his eyes watched my reaction.
I was deeply shaken by all I just heard but I really wasn’t surprised about the second option he just told me. Jessica was definitely a smart lady and somehow I felt she was behind the present predicament. I felt she would rather throw my cousin in jail than see him survive without her.
‘’I’m going to marry Jessica and our marriage could happen anytime from now. I’m looking towards the last week of December though. I know I have failed you but you have to understand our situation. I can’t watch my friends and I rot in jail after all we have achieved. Just make good use of the money you have already and try as much as possible to live a low life for now because I really don’t know where what’s happening to me is coming from’’ he breathed solemnly.
I really was supposed to be angry with him but somehow I placed myself in his position and saw how much he really was suffering, though he probably caused it all by making the mistake of allowing his lust get over his head.
‘’you know I won’t be at your wedding but I wish you luck’’ I softly muttered. He nodded, drew back and fetched my late father’s suitcase.
‘’please keep it safe. You can’t trust such vital thing in my care anymore. I believe Jessica knows a lot about your dad’s death but I still have no strong evidence to back up my claim. You have to go now because my house could still be under surveillance by the police’’ he advised. I nodded, gave him one last look and left his room.
I returned to the sitting room to meet Tracy who gave me a surprised look as soon as her eyes feel on the suitcase.
‘’let’s get out of here’’ I managed to mutter. She asked no questions, instead quickly followed me to my car.
‘’my cousin is getting married to Jessica’’ I announced as soon we were alone in my car.
‘’what!!!!!’’ she screamed.
‘’I pray he doesn’t end up dead like my dad. He really was good to me, no matter his shortcomings’’ I said to Tracy who couldn’t believe her ears.
However the new problem I had was where to keep my suitcase safe.
Episode 53
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’so what do you plan doing with the suitcase?’’ Tracy asked as if she was reading my thoughts. I shrugged and looked into her eyes.
‘’I want to leave it in your care Trey. You are the only person I can trust with it at the moment. Please help me keep it safe in your family house till I’m ready to take it back’’ I begged. She shrugged, breathing deeply.
‘’very well then. I will keep it safe for you’’ she accepted, leaving a smile of satisfaction on my face.
—————————————-
I couldn’t take Tracy back to Enugu that very day, instead we decided to spend the night in our hostel and yes it really was a wonderful moment. We played, joked and romanced each other till late in the evening when Tracy threw me into panic with very shocking information.
We were about settling down to sleep around 10:44pm when she suddenly offered her phone to me.
‘’A lady added me on facebook yesterday and this morning she sent me a message that she’s your old friend in America. She said she added me through you and wants us to be friends. I really don’t know what to make of it because you haven’t mentioned any such friend to me and I kind of feel that this is the work of a scammer. Just look at her profile’’ she complained innocently while I scrolled through the facebook profile of the lady she showed me and just like I feared the lady was no other person than Pamela.
For some seconds I couldn’t say a word. I was completely dazed. I just couldn’t fathom the reason she was trying to be friends with Tracy on facebook. Yes she could easily have added her by going through my facebook friends list since she already knew her first name.
‘’da.mn’’ I breathed inwardly.
‘’do you know her?’’ Tracy asked curiously.
‘’she is a scammer. You won’t be surprised that the dude pulling this stunt is living in the same hostel with us’’ I added with a smile while she burst into laughter.
‘’you are funny dear but the person must be very stupid to think that I will even bother to reply the messages he or she left’’ she breathed.
‘’simply block the profile’’ I cunningly chipped in.
‘’no I won’t block it. Let her just keep fooling herself’’ she muttered, surprising me but I said nothing.
I couldn’t sleep that night. All my thoughts were on Pamela. I thought she was already very comfortable where she was. What’s her motive in trying to be friends with Tracy?’’ I wondered, resolving to call her the next day to know what her plans were.
By 9am the next day, Tracy left for her room to get some of her clothes while I took my bath and freshened up, ready to take her back home.
As I was putting on my shoes, I heard a soft knock on my door. At first I thought it was Tracy but the pattern of the knock really wasn’t hers.
I slowly opened the door to get the shock of my life. Standing before me was no other person than Jessica. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe myself. She simply was the last person I ever expected to pay me a visit.
‘’hi, I see you aren’t too pleased to see me. May I come in?’’ she asked with a polite smile. I stared at her indecisively for a while before backing in, giving her the space to walk into my room. of course I had a lot to say to her. I had many scores to settle with her.
Her eyes quickly fell on the suitcase I carelessly left under my reading table while I instantly regretted letting her in but surprisingly her face gave no expression as her eyes briefly fell on the suitcase.
‘’you already know that I’m getting married to your cousin and I have heard rumors that you have grudges with me. I’m here for us to talk like adults. You can ask me anything you want’’ she said confidently, slowly sitting on a plastic chair beside my reading table.
‘’how did you get here?’’ I managed to stammer.
‘’your cousin gave me the help I needed to locate your room’’ she answered quickly.
‘’why did you kill my father?. I know you killed him’’ I asked, clenching my fists.
‘’I have no reason to kill your dad. He was a good friend and benefactor. I had no reason to kill him. The evening before he died, I was with him in his hometown to check out his building which was under construction. he wanted me to get a new contractor for him. Yes I know I did wrong by not showing for his burial and all that stuff. I was only trying to protect myself. Moreover supposing he was murdered, he wouldn’t have been buried so fast without the police getting involved’’ she answered calmly. But unfortunately she failed convince me.
‘’you killed my dad and succeeded in getting my cousin to your side. Yes you are good at deception but you have to watch your back. We can never be friends and If I fail to get justice over my dad’s death, I will take justice with my own hands’’ I threatened, shocking her with my words. She quickly got up, perhaps out of fear.
‘’very well then, my conscience is clear. I tried to be open with you but your mind is already clouded with hatred. I will leave now but be careful over the kind of decision you make with anger. You are too young.’’ She breathed and left, leaving me totally shaken and enraged.
I couldn’t believe she really had the guts to pay me a visit. To make me believe she was innocent.
Episode 54
Jude’s side of the story continues
I was still thinking of Jessica’s unexpected visit when a call came into my phone. I slowly grabbed my phone and hissed as I saw Pamela’s new number on its screen.
‘’hi dear” she greeted.
‘’I’m not fine’’ I answered coldly.
‘’what’s the matter?. What happened?’’ she asked with concern.
‘’I thought we had an agreement?. Why are you trying to establish contact with Tracy?’’ I quickly asked. She kept quiet for a while.
‘’I was only trying to be friends with her, nothing else’’ she breathed.
‘’just keep away from her. I won’t warn you again’’ I threatened.
‘’don’t use that voice on me again. What are you even going to do about it? You always behave like a little kid’’ she hissed, leaving me extremely angry with her words. She really was fond of calling me a kid whenever she was angry with me and I hated being addressed in such manner.
‘’stay away from Tracy you old hag’’ I barked and hung up, breathing furiously. I just felt like smashing my phone out of anger.
Tracy walked into my room that moment, without knocking, taking me totally unawares.
‘’I heard you scream my name right?, what‘s wrong?’’ she asked with concern.
‘’nothing, I was just talking with my cousin on phone. Can you imagine he sent Jessica here to talk to me? She just left minutes ago’’ I answered guardedly.
‘’for real!’’ she exclaimed.
‘’hmmmm seems like your cousin has finally lost it’’ she added while I shook my head, trying hard to appear calm as I thought of how to deal with Pamela..
‘’are you ready?’’ I asked, grabbing my car keys.
‘’yes let’s start going’’ she replied with a smile, bent and grabbed my father’s suitcase, together we headed out of my room, joking and laughing.
Yes for the moment, things seemed so cool between Tracy and I but my greatest fear was how long it would last. The poor girl had been so gullible to believe everything about me and I knew the day of reckoning just wasn’t far away any longer.
———————————————————–
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
—
Joe’s Gym
‘’so my brother that’s it. Jessica and I will be getting married this December and you will be my best man for the occasion’’ I informed Joe as he escorted me to my car after spending some time with him at his gym.
‘’are you really sure about what you are doing?’’ he asked seriously. I shrugged, shaking my head at the same time.
‘’I just don’t know brother. I just don’t know but I’m not getting any younger’’ I answered.
‘’how about your parents?, won’t your dad recognize her as the lady your uncle brought home before his death?. How are you going to explain it?’’ he asked intelligently.
‘’I’m yet to tell my parents but I will be travelling to the village tomorrow to see them. I don’t think my dad will recognize her but if he does, then she won’t have any choice than to deny knowing my uncle before my old man’’ I answered faintly.
‘’I hope you know what you are doing bro’’ he breathed, shaking hands with me.
‘’I pray I do’’ I muttered with a faint smile.
9pm, Jessica’s bedroom
‘’I tried talking to your cousin Jude. I tried everything to make him believe and listen to me but the kid was just too arrogant and obnoxious’’ Jessica complained to me as I was busy mapping out plans on how to meet my parents the next day.
‘’didn’t you hear what I just said’’ she asked, shaking me roughly.
‘’oh I’m sorry, I was just thinking of other things. Remember I asked you not to try meeting the boy but you insisted. He has every reason not to trust you. You are even yet to convince me on what exactly happened between you and his father. I won’t be surprised if you actually killed the man, at least I witnessed how you erased Cynthia so easily’’ I breathed, leaving her staring at me angrily.
If looks could kill, her eyes would have suffocated me that moment.
‘’is that what you really think about me?’’ she asked. I simply ignored her question.
‘’I plan meeting my parents tomorrow to brief them about our marriage’’ I softly informed her, changing the topic. Her eyes instantly beamed with delight.
‘’I think its better I go with you. At least they can see me at the same time, do their assessment and ask questions’’ she softly chipped in as the anger in her quickly died down.
‘’what if my dad recognizes you huh?. Remember he saw you once?’’ I asked.
‘’leave that to me’’ she breathed confidently, leaving me stunned.
It was very obvious she already had thought about it. It equally was very obvious that she was so much in a hurry to get married to me.
‘’I hope you know without my parents consent we may not be able to get married?’’ I intelligently warned her. She left her eyes on me, saying absolutely nothing.
Episode 55
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’do you feel your parents won’t give their approval?’’ Jessica asked after few minutes of silence. I shrugged.
‘’you never can tell’’ I muttered. She stared at me for a while, fell back on the bed and backed me. I equally said nothing to her, instead closed my eyes and buried myself with my thoughts. I really had a whole lot to think and yes I was about stepping into something that could cost me my happiness and probably my life.
The next day, I woke up to see her staring hard at me.
‘’good morning’’ she greeted pleasantly.
‘’hi dear’’ I breathed, yawning lazily.
‘’by what time of the day are we heading to your village?’’ she asked softly.
‘’I think by 11am we should be on our way. But I have to first go to my house, pick up few things, head to the bank for a little transaction before coming back to pick you up’’ I answered.
‘’that’s cool. I will be here waiting then’’ she muttered with a smile. I couldn’t help but notice that she was full of excitement. Somehow my thoughts wandered towards my late uncle and what probably must have transpired between them that led to his death.
On the outside Jessica looked very beautiful and innocent but deep inside she was vicious and deadly. Perhaps If not that I witnessed how she dealt with Cynthia, I would have still been fooled by her outside character.
Yes I guess I look stupid by planning to marry a lady with such scandalous past. But to me that moment, it looked like the only way out of jail term, poverty and uncertain future.
I left for my house minutes later, where I arranged some stuffs before heading to the bank for a quick transaction, but unfortunately there wasn’t any network at the bank which kind of delayed my transaction.
I finally showed up at Jessica’s house by 12:15pm.
——————————–
‘’jeez you really frightened me. What happened?’’ Jessica asked as soon as I walked into her sitting room. I couldn’t help but notice how agitated she was.
‘’I got delayed at the bank and I couldn’t answer your calls there’’ I answered truthfully.
‘’I was worried, I couldn’t help but feel that you changed your mind’’ she confessed.
‘’anyway let’s go to the backyard, I want to show you some things I got this morning for your parents’’ she quickly added, smiling happily. I gasped with disbelief.
She quickly reached forward, grabbed my hand and led me to the backyard where a bag of rice, a gallon of groundnut oil, ten tubers of yam, three pieces of wrapper and a small bag packed with dry fish was lying at a corner. I froze with shock.
‘’what in the world!’’ I exclaimed.
‘’they are all for your parents. I guess first impression matters a lot and I want to create a very good impression to them’’ she added, signaling to her house keeper who quickly came forward and began taking the foodstuffs to my car. I couldn’t utter a word for a full minute.
‘’why are you suddenly dumb?’’ I soon heard her ask.
‘’nothing’’ I managed to stammer.
——————————————-
The trip to my house was really a silent one. We just were preoccupied with our thoughts to chat with each other.
‘’what if my dad recognizes her as the girl my late uncle brought home earlier in the year?. What sort of explanation do I give by wanting to marry her?’’ I wondered over and over.
I couldn’t believe that an innocent investigation to find out how my uncle died, ended up dragging me into wanting to marry the prime suspect. From every angle I viewed myself; I saw the image of a very stupid man.
By 2pm we arrived at my village home, where my mum and dad came out to welcome me. Of course they all rushed out to welcome me due to the fact that I was coming home with a woman for the first time in my life. And as I brought out all the foodstuffs Jessica bought, they couldn’t help but gasp with great surprise. My mother even did a little dance for us while my dad kept staring at Jessica as if he recognized her, something that made my heart skip very much.
‘’my daughter, you look very much like someone that I have seen before but I know it isn’t possible, maybe it’s just the joy of seeing you with my son that made you look so familiar to me’’ my dad said to Jessica as soon as we settled in the sitting room. I quickly changed the topic.
‘’dad you can’t believe she was the one that bought all the foodstuffs. I was really surprised when I went to pick her up this morning and she brought out everything’’ I quickly narrated, expertly changing the topic. My mum drew close and hugged her again while my dad smiled, throwing her another quick look.
We stayed about three hours with my parents before getting ready to leave. My dad expertly dragged me to his room to have a quick word with me. My mum equally joined after some minutes.
‘’she looks a bit advanced in age and equally level headed. I bet she looks like someone I have seen before but I’m not sure where’’ my old man breathed seriously.
‘’maybe you sure her in your dreams ‘’ my mum chipped in smiling.
‘’silly woman’’ my dad cursed her.
‘’old man, you are not happy I’m still managing to leave with you’’ my mum fired back.
‘’and where will you go if you leave me?’’ my dad asked, laughing at her.
‘’please dad, do you like her or not?’’ I breathed seriously. My parents exchanged glances.
‘’if she will make you happy, then yes we will support and bless your union’’ my dad muttered, leaving a smile on my face.
I returned to the sitting room with my parents to see Jessica’s eyes searching me seriously. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind at the moment. Yes I was happy in getting my parents approval but deep down I was still nervous about spending the rest of my life with Jessica.
Do you think the marriage will hold?
Episode 56
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’my parents gave their approval’’ I softly said to Jessica as we headed back to the city. She smiled happily, rubbing her face with her palms.
‘’you can’t believe how happy and relieved I’m right now. My prayers are about coming to past. Thank you Jesus’’ she breathed happily.
I threw her a quick look, smiling faintly.
‘’I want us to have a get together tomorrow at your house’’ I slowly added while she stared at me curiously.
‘’you will invite all your friends and I will equally bring my friends along. It will be an opportunity to introduce you to my friends while you do the same. It will be in shape of a house party’’ I explained. She nodded in agreement.
‘’that’s so cool. By what time are we looking at?’’ she asked.
‘’4pm is okay’’ I replied. She nodded once again.
———————–
‘’Kelvin dear you are about making me a full woman. I truly do appreciate’’ she breathed solemnly, surprising me with a kiss when we got to her house. I noticed tears quickly form in her eyes.
‘’really?’’ I asked. She shook her head, looking down.
‘’you won’t understand, I’m just shedding tears of joy’’ she muttered.
‘’but I’m yet to propose remember?’’ I stammered softly.
‘’I know, I know but thank you for everything’’ she breathed softly, touching my heart with her sudden calmness. I just couldn’t help but wonder what she was feeling inside. I couldn’t help but wonder how it felt to be single at her age even though she wasn’t anything more than thirty three or thirty four years old.
——————————————————————
Joe’s gym, 8pm same day
‘’so you are serious about proposing to your Jessica tomorrow?’’ Joe asked with surprise after I told him of my current plans and the result of my trip to the village.
‘’yes and I want you and all my guys to be present when I propose to her tomorrow. You guys will have to back me up’’ I added with a smile.
‘’sure we will back you up. What’s the plan?’’ he asked curiously.
‘’we all meet at my house by 3:30pm tomorrow, from there we head to Jessica’s house in a convoy’’ I explained.
‘’that’s fine by me. Tomorrow then’’ he accepted, shaking hands with me.
————————————————————————–
Early the next day, I headed out for a small shopping, where i ended up buying a very expensive engagement ring for Jessica. Yes I was excited and nervous at the same time because I was about doing something that I had never done in my entire life.
By 3:45pm, about twelve of my friends ( scam partners) were already at my house, making noise and hailing me. By 4pm we all headed to Jessica’s house in a convoy of exotic cars. Supposing the EFCC or the police were ready and serious in fighting crime, it would have been a big catch for them if they had swooped in on us that moment.
We arrived at Jessica’s house to meet a very lively house filled with big, matured ladies whose eyes opened with admiration as i walked into the spacious compound with my friends.
Jessica quickly rushed forward and pounced on me, kissing me strongly while her friends screamed and laughed. I quickly drew her down on a couch, brought out the ring and surprised her with it. She gasped with disbelief.
‘’will you marry me?’’ I asked softly. Of course I already knew what her answer would be. All we were doing was nothing but a little show.
‘’’yes yes yes’’ she breathed with tears of joy. Her friends clapped and screamed while my guys emptied the champagnes they brought along on me.
—————————–
An hour later, after I freshened up and changed my clothes, the house party started. Yes Jessica was a good organizer and she perfectly made the whole thing a memorable experience. However one peculiar thing happened that evening that was to change the course of everything. It was something I really can’t explain what exactly led to it but it just happened.
There was this lady that kept staring at me from the moment I walked into Jessica’s compound with my friends. Her eyes really made me uncomfortable but of course I never showed it nor took any special interest in her until when Jessica introduced her to me hours later. She was exactly the same age as Jessica even though Jessica looked more attractive than her. She equally was a bit fatter than Jessica.
It wasn’t really love or lust or something similar that I felt before her. It was a strange kind of connection and the lady just left her eyes on me as if she felt something like pity or should I say she had something she desperately wanted to say but was holding back.
‘’meet my friend Emmanuella and Emmanuella dear, meet my fiancée Kelvin’’ Jessica introduced innocently.
Unfortunately supposing she had the ability to see the future, she wouldn’t have invited Emmanuella to her party.
Just like I said earlier, it wasn’t love, it wasn’t lust. It was something different that I felt.
What exactly would that be??
Episode 57
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
11:20pm, Jessica’s bedroom
‘’ahhhhhhh you are the man’’ Jessica breathed with satisfaction after a very hot love making. The drinks and fun we had earlier in the evening was so much in our system that we had to ease out the tension immediately after our friends left by fuc.king the hell out of each other.
‘’you always bring up new moves’’ she whispered, bit my right ear and climbed out of the bed. She headed to the bathroom, where I joined her minutes later.
‘’so what’s your plan for the future?’’ she asked as we showered together.
‘’in few days, we will go see your people. By second or third week of December we should be getting married’’ I answered softly. She smiled, squatted and grabbed my joyst.ick for another super blow job. There wasn’t any doubt that she was extremely happy with everything.
———————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues from the next day
7:30am, Tracy’s house
As I was getting ready to head back to Owerri after spending the previous day in Tracy’s house, I got a call from Uncle Tony.
‘’hey Jude, how are you son?’’ he greeted with his half American accent.
‘’I’m fine sir, good morning’’ I greeted happily.
‘’there is a little development my boy; I will be heading back to the states on December 20th instead of January I earlier planned. So please I hope you still have your travelling documents with you?. Get yourself ready, by 17th of December you will join me in Lagos. I’m sorry for changing your plans’’ he said calmly.
‘’thanks very much sir. I will start getting ready’’ I answered while he hung up. Tracy walked into the room that moment with a smile on her face.
‘’good morning dear. You just woke up?”’ she asked.
‘’no I have been up for About thirty minutes’’ I replied. She drew close and hugged me.
‘’uncle Tony just called to tell me that we will be travelling out by 20th December which should be about three weeks from now’’ I said to her softly. She quickly frowned.
‘’I really will miss you’’ she sulked.
‘’me too’’ I breathed.
‘’something just came into my mind. How about we check your dad’s suitcase, perhaps we can find something that will be useful when you travel out to meet his lawyer’’ she suddenly suggested. I nodded in agreement as the idea settled in my head.
‘’but I think I have checked out that suitcase before’’ I murmured.
‘’are you sure?’’ she asked. I kept quiet.
‘’let me go get it’’ she whispered to me, winked and let the room with a smile. I smiled back at her. Seriously she was the only valuable family I had in my life at the moment.
She returned a minute later with the bag, sat on the bed and emptied the contents of the suitcase on the bed. A diary instantly got our attention and I couldn’t recollect ever seeing it in the suitcase. I nervously grabbed the diary and opened it but the first few pages were empty. I stared at Tracy with surprise. She reached forward, grabbed the diary and slowly went throw the pages until she got to a page, stopped and stared at me with open mouth. I quickly grabbed the diary from her and read out the words written on the page.
‘’January 17
I finally secured a red bungalow today at Worldbank housing New Owerri. I can’t wait to furnish the property ’’
I read out the words aloud while Tracy shook her head with disbelief.
‘’I can’t believe this ‘’ I screamed.
‘’this suitcase has been with your cousin all these while, do you want to tell me that he didn’t see this diary?. Something isn’t right. Yes I think he knows much about your father’s wealth but probably kept quiet for a reason best known to him. If not that he voluntarily gave back this suitcase to you, I would have thought he’s the criminal behind the whole saga’’ Tracy breathed intelligently while I shook with disbelief.
‘’I think the best thing to do is to take this suitcase back to America and present it to your dad’s attorney. I think he will be in the best position to advise you’’ she slowly added, while I stared at her, unable to say a word.
There wasn’t any doubt Kelvin knew a lot he failed to tell me and probably gave me back the suitcase for me to find out things for myself.
‘’I think I need to have a long chat with Kelvin’’ I slowly muttered.
‘’my love I don’t think that is necessary. Simply present the suitcase to your dad’s lawyer or better still to Uncle Tony. Your cousin Kelvin isn’t the man to trust. Everything about him is so weird’’ Tracy argued with great energy. I looked into her eyes, unable to say another word.
My cousin Kelvin gave me money, shelter and a new life but then he held back something I badly wanted which was nothing but the truth. He kept the truth away from me. For what gain?
Episode 58
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
Two days later, Jessica took me to her village to see her family. I was warmly received and I couldn’t help but notice how relived and happy they were after I stated my mission. We had a long talk and I ended up promising to return in two days for the traditional marriage list.
Two days later, just like I promised, I showed up at Jessica’s hometown once again, this time with my parents to collect the marriage list.
‘’you can pay the sum of two hundred thousand naira for the two lists if you can’t afford going to the market to buy every single item in the list. The items in the women’s list could be settled with a hundred and twenty thousand naira while the men’s list can be settled with eighty thousand naira’’ A member of Jessica’s family advised me.
Everyone just seemed in a hurry for us to get married and it really was with a strong mind that I left with my parents, promising to return in a later date to settle all the demanded rites.
—————————————–
‘’you know I thought you would have simply given them the money yesterday evening instead of trying to prolong this stuff by promising to return in a later date’’ Jessica complained the next day when she showed up at my house.
‘’in my place, everything is done in stages. Collection of marriage list and payment is never done on the same day. We have to wait till our wedding date is close before going back to your village to settle your people.’’ I replied while she frowned, obviously unmoved by my explanation..
‘’what’s the need in waiting and prolonging things. We are in love with each other. Nothing will stop us from getting married and you have the money. So why not settle my family and get over with it’’ she pushed on breathlessly. I said nothing to her, of course I had nothing else to explain.
‘’concerning our church wedding, do you have any particular church in mind?’’ she finally asked, when it was clear that I wasn’t going to change my stand concerning her bride-price.
‘’hmmmmm not really but I will figure something out ‘’ I replied uneasily.
‘’don’t worry about that, we will get married in my church and I will handle every part of that’’ she promised with a smile.
———————————–
Finally on the 19th of December, I settled Jessica’s family, by providing all they demanded, which made her my wife traditionally. We however planned having our traditional marriage ceremony on the first of January while our church wedding was fixed on December 22nd. Yes things were happening pretty fast and yes Jessica just couldn’t wait for the whole ceremony to be over. She was really acting as if she was sacred that something could pop up and stop us from getting married. However after 19th of December when I settled her family, she traditionally became my wife but knowing the society we live in, our marriage was yet to be fully recognized until the church wedding was done.
On the 20th of December, just two days to my church wedding, I saw Cynthia in my dream chasing me with a blood stained kitchen knife and the weird part of it was that she was putting on a wedding gown. The dream looked so real and it unsettled me so much that I was scared to sleep for the remaining two days leading to my church wedding.
Can dreams actually turn out to be real?? I wondered over and over.
———————-
Jude’s side of the story continues
On the 17th of December, I travelled to Lagos to join Uncle Tony in readiness for my trip back to America. Yes leaving Tracy behind was such a painful parting. The poor girl just cried as if we had never been away from each other before. She cried as if I was leaving the planet and never coming back.
‘’I will be back by January Trey. You know the last thing I would do is to abandon you here in Nigeria. I will come back for you my dear. Nigeria is my home and I will be back to avenge my dad’s death, finish school and get married to you. Our love story will have a happy ending. The story of us is something our kids will grow up listening to’’ I promised her with all my soul and energy as she bid me Farwell at Enugu airport.
‘’I will be here waiting for you. Don’t ever let me down. Don’t ever do something that will make me feel like taking my life’’ she begged of me while my conscience instantly hurt as I remembered Pamela who was anxiously waiting for me in the states. Yes I told Pamela I was coming over to the states for a little business and her reaction and comments really gave me a hint of what to expect. Moreover she was equally carrying my baby and I knew we had a lot to settle.
Tears slowly dropped out of my eyes as i thought about how to deal with her while Tracy felt her words were making me cry without knowing that it was my conscience that brought the tears.
‘’it’s okay my love. A man isn’t supposed to cry before a woman. I know you will come back for me and I will be here waiting with my life’’ she breathed, hugging me strongly.
Only if she knew the secrets I had deep inside.
Only if she knew.
Episode 59
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
22nd of December,
I woke up feeling very nervous and excited at the same time. The previous evening was my bachelor night party which really held all through the night and my friends almost drowned me with alcohol.
As I quickly dressed up for my wedding ceremony, my head slowly played back the fun I had the previous evening with my friends. I smiled as every part of the event played back in my mind.
‘’this is your last night as a bachelor. You got to drink and get drunk for the last time’’ my friends had encouraged me as we took one drink after another. Slowly my mind drifted to a familiar looking lady who wanted to talk to me as I staggered into my room after getting drunk. Unfortunately I was unable to talk to her because I was drunk and I equally couldn’t recollect how I discharged her.
With great effort I tried to picture the lady’s face and after few minutes of deep thinking, I was able to remember who she was. Yes the lady was Emmanuella, Jessica’s friend but just as I remembered who she was I equally got a bit worried over what she came to my party to tell me. Of course she was supposed to be at Jessica’s house that evening and not mine.
———————————-
By 9am, I was at the church with my family and friends waiting for Jessica to show up with her entourage. I kept staring at my watch as if she was taking eternity to show up while my best man Joe, smiled confidently, calming me with his smile.
‘’they should be here any minute from now, just chill’’ he said softly while my heart pounded as fast as ever. The dream I had some nights back about Cynthia, slowly popped up in my head, putting great fear into my heart.
‘’dear Lord please allow this wedding to go very smoothly. Don’t embarrass me before my friends. Even if I must pay for my crimes, let it be another day’’ I prayed nervously.
As soon as I finished the prayer, Cynthia and her entourage showed up, putting smiles on everyone’s faces. Her entrance really was a colorful moment. I breathed deeply in relief while Joe tapped my shoulder. But suddenly something unexpected happened to spoil the fun like I had feared all along.
Three police trucks which came with Cynthia’s entourage surprisingly pulled up at the entrance of the church instead of stopping at the car park and as Jessica’s friends and family led her towards where I stood with my friends, about twenty policemen pounced in on everyone, disrupting the ceremony by arresting everyone. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like a dream. It looked so unreal.
Shouts and screams soon rented the air while I almost pissed on my trouser as a policeman quickly handcuffed me. But the most painful part of it was seeing a policeman drag my poor father to one of the waiting vans. Tears of pain slowly fell from the eyes.
‘’you guys will pay for this. I will sue the inspector general of police. I will make sure you all lose your jobs’’ Jessica screamed while the whole church premises instantly got rowdy as onlookers and concerned citizens mobilized instantly to stop the police. I just couldn’t protest because I knew my hands were far from clean but what I didn’t know was the crime I was being arrested for.
I didn’t have to wait long before knowing what led to my arrest.
A black SUV soon pulled up and two good looking ladies jumped down smartly. The first lady was a high ranking uniformed police officer while the second lady putting on a black gown with dark sunglasses was no other person than Cynthia. I couldn’t believe it.
Sweat quickly drenched me as my eyes fell on her. Not only was I not expecting to see her alive, I equally never expected to see her so transformed and different. She just looked like a modern version of her old self. Though she was a bit thinner than she used to be but then she looked so elegant and sophisticated that I had a hard time believing it was really her .
She walked towards me and slapped me with great force.
‘’Yes you murdered me but I conquered death. I’m back to make you pay. I hope you enjoyed the party you had last night?, because you won’t be having any in a long time’’ she breathed, signaling to an officer who roughly grabbed and disgracefully threw me at the back of a waiting truck while Jessica who was too shocked and stunned to see Cynthia, collapsed and fainted.
I never my wedding day would only give me a straight ticket to hell.
The End of season one.
How much will Kelvin pay for his sins?
Will Jessica fight back?
Do you think Cynthia is capable of putting Jessica permanently in jail?
What of the mystery lady Emmanuella, what really is she up to?
Yes and how about Jude, Pamela and Tracy, how will it all end?
Who will be the last man standing??
Watch out for SHADES OF LUST-season 2
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’I see you are still indecisive. Just forget about it’’ Jessica breathed, breaking away from me. I quickly reached forward and grabbed her hand.
‘’we are getting married. Yes we are’’ I muttered, drawing a smile from her with my words. I swallowed hard as I thought over what I just said.
‘’I hope I’m not forcing you into getting married?. The last thing I want is having a husband who won’t appreciate me’’ she breathed softly, studying me keenly. I smiled and kissed her affectionately.
‘’we will get married my dear but give me a week to surprise you with a very stunning engagement party’’ I promised, leaving her blushing over my words.
Yes things were really happening very fast in my life and that exact moment I just couldn’t tell if I was doing the right thing or not. The only big thing that was making me a bit scared of settling down with Jessica was her past with Jude’s father which I was yet to unravel.
‘’my love you have nothing to worry about. Left for me I wouldn’t want you spending money for any party or engagement celebration. I don’t even want a high society extravagant wedding. What matters to me is being by your side forever and together we will face any obstacle on our path’’ she breathed sweetly, bringing up her lips to kiss me over and over.
Slowly my thoughts wandered to my family and Jude. He was the first in my family I had to tell about my decision to marry Jessica. Of course I had failed him in many ways but at least I also made him a millionaire. That was enough to earn me his forgiveness.
————————————————
Jude’s side of the story continues from that same day
2pm, Ibeme Village
Tracy waited for me in my car while I made my way into Uncle Tony’s vast compound. The compound was undergoing a big renovation and I really had a hard time locating the old man who was extremely pleased to see me.
‘’wow look at how big you have grown, let’s go inside the house. We have a lot to talk’’ he muttered as he hugged me strongly. I felt some kind of peace as he hugged me. It was as if I was being hugged by my late dad.
‘’you know I’m really disappointed with you. I won’t mince words, you are an adult’’ he breathed as soon as we settled down in his sitting room.
‘’when I heard of your father’s death, I had expected you to return to the US to check out his things and talk with his lawyer. But you did none of it and there wasn’t any way I could reach out to you without having to come back to Nigeria. Tell me, what happened?. Why didn’t you return?’’ he asked quickly. I shook my head, so very much overcome with emotions.
‘’my dad’s death was so unexpected. I was so devastated and broke. I just wasn’t myself and the worst was that he never told me much about his plans or deals. He just shut me out of everything because he wanted me to focus on my studies here in Nigeria. I just had no one to run to. I’m still yet to come to terms with his death’’ I opened up solemnly.
‘’well I really don’t blame you. I believe you made the decision you felt was okay at that time. Anyway your dad’s lawyer is now in charge of his laundry shop and small house. The best help I can offer is to take you with me when returning to the states by January. So you have to start making preparations. You don’t have to worry about anything. I will help as much as I can. I believe your dad’s lawyer will be able to brief you of his finances and equally tell you if he left a will or not. Please my son stop avoiding people or behaving as if you are alone in this world. Your late father did it very well, see where it got him. You can’t imagine he never told me he was coming back to Nigeria even though we were neighbors. That’s really bad’’ he narrated while I looked down, unable to say a word.
Of course I never expected Uncle Tony to be so concerned about my welfare. He was the last person I expected to help me.
Tears of appreciation slowly fell from my eyes.
Episode 52
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’how did it go?’’ Tracy asked anxiously as soon as I joined her in my car minutes after my little discussion with Uncle Tony.
‘’well it went well. He wants me to go back to the states with him on January. He wants to assist me in meeting my dad’s lawyer who is in a better position to tell me the real situation of things concerning my late dad’s will, if he had any’’ I replied, breathing deeply. She smiled and reached for my hand.
‘’I believe things will only get better from now on. Uncle Tony could be the angel you have been waiting for all along’’ she added softly.
‘’I really hope so my dear. But I still have to meet Kelvin. We have some things to discuss’’ I muttered, switching on my car engine.
——————–
Later in the evening we arrived at Kelvin’s house but unfortunately he wasn’t around. I called him on phone, telling him of my presence. He quickly begged me to wait for him.
‘’please just give me fifteen minutes, I will be there’’ he pleaded, leaving me with no choice than to wait for him.
Kelvin arrived at his house twenty minutes later, sweating profusely. I stared at him with surprise because I knew his car had a functioning A.C.
‘’I’m just coming from the village. I met with Uncle Tony’’ I explained quickly while he nodded, throwing a quick smile at Tracy who politely greeted him.
‘’yes I heard he’s back in the country. I never knew you guys were close’’ he replied. I shrugged silently.
‘’let’s talk in my room. I have something important to tell you’’ he added, leading the way to his room. I slowly followed him.
On getting to his room, he stopped and faced me with a serious look.
‘’I have some shocking news for you Jude’’ he muttered, looking down like a frightened man. My heart leapt.
‘’The police and EFCC are closing in on me. I don’t know who snitched on me. I’m in trouble and I just have two options available right now. The first is leaving the country, but you know I can’t survive for long out of the country without any means of livelihood; moreover my friends could still end up in jail, Including you Jude’’ he poured out, almost giving me a heart attack with his words.
‘’the second option is to marry Jessica and have her deal with my case. She has the power, friends and means to back me up. Moreover she used to be a banker and knows all the tricks involved in the banking sector’’ he added softly, while his eyes watched my reaction.
I was deeply shaken by all I just heard but I really wasn’t surprised about the second option he just told me. Jessica was definitely a smart lady and somehow I felt she was behind the present predicament. I felt she would rather throw my cousin in jail than see him survive without her.
‘’I’m going to marry Jessica and our marriage could happen anytime from now. I’m looking towards the last week of December though. I know I have failed you but you have to understand our situation. I can’t watch my friends and I rot in jail after all we have achieved. Just make good use of the money you have already and try as much as possible to live a low life for now because I really don’t know where what’s happening to me is coming from’’ he breathed solemnly.
I really was supposed to be angry with him but somehow I placed myself in his position and saw how much he really was suffering, though he probably caused it all by making the mistake of allowing his lust get over his head.
‘’you know I won’t be at your wedding but I wish you luck’’ I softly muttered. He nodded, drew back and fetched my late father’s suitcase.
‘’please keep it safe. You can’t trust such vital thing in my care anymore. I believe Jessica knows a lot about your dad’s death but I still have no strong evidence to back up my claim. You have to go now because my house could still be under surveillance by the police’’ he advised. I nodded, gave him one last look and left his room.
I returned to the sitting room to meet Tracy who gave me a surprised look as soon as her eyes feel on the suitcase.
‘’let’s get out of here’’ I managed to mutter. She asked no questions, instead quickly followed me to my car.
‘’my cousin is getting married to Jessica’’ I announced as soon we were alone in my car.
‘’what!!!!!’’ she screamed.
‘’I pray he doesn’t end up dead like my dad. He really was good to me, no matter his shortcomings’’ I said to Tracy who couldn’t believe her ears.
However the new problem I had was where to keep my suitcase safe.
Episode 53
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’so what do you plan doing with the suitcase?’’ Tracy asked as if she was reading my thoughts. I shrugged and looked into her eyes.
‘’I want to leave it in your care Trey. You are the only person I can trust with it at the moment. Please help me keep it safe in your family house till I’m ready to take it back’’ I begged. She shrugged, breathing deeply.
‘’very well then. I will keep it safe for you’’ she accepted, leaving a smile of satisfaction on my face.
—————————————-
I couldn’t take Tracy back to Enugu that very day, instead we decided to spend the night in our hostel and yes it really was a wonderful moment. We played, joked and romanced each other till late in the evening when Tracy threw me into panic with very shocking information.
We were about settling down to sleep around 10:44pm when she suddenly offered her phone to me.
‘’A lady added me on facebook yesterday and this morning she sent me a message that she’s your old friend in America. She said she added me through you and wants us to be friends. I really don’t know what to make of it because you haven’t mentioned any such friend to me and I kind of feel that this is the work of a scammer. Just look at her profile’’ she complained innocently while I scrolled through the facebook profile of the lady she showed me and just like I feared the lady was no other person than Pamela.
For some seconds I couldn’t say a word. I was completely dazed. I just couldn’t fathom the reason she was trying to be friends with Tracy on facebook. Yes she could easily have added her by going through my facebook friends list since she already knew her first name.
‘’da.mn’’ I breathed inwardly.
‘’do you know her?’’ Tracy asked curiously.
‘’she is a scammer. You won’t be surprised that the dude pulling this stunt is living in the same hostel with us’’ I added with a smile while she burst into laughter.
‘’you are funny dear but the person must be very stupid to think that I will even bother to reply the messages he or she left’’ she breathed.
‘’simply block the profile’’ I cunningly chipped in.
‘’no I won’t block it. Let her just keep fooling herself’’ she muttered, surprising me but I said nothing.
I couldn’t sleep that night. All my thoughts were on Pamela. I thought she was already very comfortable where she was. What’s her motive in trying to be friends with Tracy?’’ I wondered, resolving to call her the next day to know what her plans were.
By 9am the next day, Tracy left for her room to get some of her clothes while I took my bath and freshened up, ready to take her back home.
As I was putting on my shoes, I heard a soft knock on my door. At first I thought it was Tracy but the pattern of the knock really wasn’t hers.
I slowly opened the door to get the shock of my life. Standing before me was no other person than Jessica. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe myself. She simply was the last person I ever expected to pay me a visit.
‘’hi, I see you aren’t too pleased to see me. May I come in?’’ she asked with a polite smile. I stared at her indecisively for a while before backing in, giving her the space to walk into my room. of course I had a lot to say to her. I had many scores to settle with her.
Her eyes quickly fell on the suitcase I carelessly left under my reading table while I instantly regretted letting her in but surprisingly her face gave no expression as her eyes briefly fell on the suitcase.
‘’you already know that I’m getting married to your cousin and I have heard rumors that you have grudges with me. I’m here for us to talk like adults. You can ask me anything you want’’ she said confidently, slowly sitting on a plastic chair beside my reading table.
‘’how did you get here?’’ I managed to stammer.
‘’your cousin gave me the help I needed to locate your room’’ she answered quickly.
‘’why did you kill my father?. I know you killed him’’ I asked, clenching my fists.
‘’I have no reason to kill your dad. He was a good friend and benefactor. I had no reason to kill him. The evening before he died, I was with him in his hometown to check out his building which was under construction. he wanted me to get a new contractor for him. Yes I know I did wrong by not showing for his burial and all that stuff. I was only trying to protect myself. Moreover supposing he was murdered, he wouldn’t have been buried so fast without the police getting involved’’ she answered calmly. But unfortunately she failed convince me.
‘’you killed my dad and succeeded in getting my cousin to your side. Yes you are good at deception but you have to watch your back. We can never be friends and If I fail to get justice over my dad’s death, I will take justice with my own hands’’ I threatened, shocking her with my words. She quickly got up, perhaps out of fear.
‘’very well then, my conscience is clear. I tried to be open with you but your mind is already clouded with hatred. I will leave now but be careful over the kind of decision you make with anger. You are too young.’’ She breathed and left, leaving me totally shaken and enraged.
I couldn’t believe she really had the guts to pay me a visit. To make me believe she was innocent.
Episode 54
Jude’s side of the story continues
I was still thinking of Jessica’s unexpected visit when a call came into my phone. I slowly grabbed my phone and hissed as I saw Pamela’s new number on its screen.
‘’hi dear” she greeted.
‘’I’m not fine’’ I answered coldly.
‘’what’s the matter?. What happened?’’ she asked with concern.
‘’I thought we had an agreement?. Why are you trying to establish contact with Tracy?’’ I quickly asked. She kept quiet for a while.
‘’I was only trying to be friends with her, nothing else’’ she breathed.
‘’just keep away from her. I won’t warn you again’’ I threatened.
‘’don’t use that voice on me again. What are you even going to do about it? You always behave like a little kid’’ she hissed, leaving me extremely angry with her words. She really was fond of calling me a kid whenever she was angry with me and I hated being addressed in such manner.
‘’stay away from Tracy you old hag’’ I barked and hung up, breathing furiously. I just felt like smashing my phone out of anger.
Tracy walked into my room that moment, without knocking, taking me totally unawares.
‘’I heard you scream my name right?, what‘s wrong?’’ she asked with concern.
‘’nothing, I was just talking with my cousin on phone. Can you imagine he sent Jessica here to talk to me? She just left minutes ago’’ I answered guardedly.
‘’for real!’’ she exclaimed.
‘’hmmmm seems like your cousin has finally lost it’’ she added while I shook my head, trying hard to appear calm as I thought of how to deal with Pamela..
‘’are you ready?’’ I asked, grabbing my car keys.
‘’yes let’s start going’’ she replied with a smile, bent and grabbed my father’s suitcase, together we headed out of my room, joking and laughing.
Yes for the moment, things seemed so cool between Tracy and I but my greatest fear was how long it would last. The poor girl had been so gullible to believe everything about me and I knew the day of reckoning just wasn’t far away any longer.
———————————————————–
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
—
Joe’s Gym
‘’so my brother that’s it. Jessica and I will be getting married this December and you will be my best man for the occasion’’ I informed Joe as he escorted me to my car after spending some time with him at his gym.
‘’are you really sure about what you are doing?’’ he asked seriously. I shrugged, shaking my head at the same time.
‘’I just don’t know brother. I just don’t know but I’m not getting any younger’’ I answered.
‘’how about your parents?, won’t your dad recognize her as the lady your uncle brought home before his death?. How are you going to explain it?’’ he asked intelligently.
‘’I’m yet to tell my parents but I will be travelling to the village tomorrow to see them. I don’t think my dad will recognize her but if he does, then she won’t have any choice than to deny knowing my uncle before my old man’’ I answered faintly.
‘’I hope you know what you are doing bro’’ he breathed, shaking hands with me.
‘’I pray I do’’ I muttered with a faint smile.
9pm, Jessica’s bedroom
‘’I tried talking to your cousin Jude. I tried everything to make him believe and listen to me but the kid was just too arrogant and obnoxious’’ Jessica complained to me as I was busy mapping out plans on how to meet my parents the next day.
‘’didn’t you hear what I just said’’ she asked, shaking me roughly.
‘’oh I’m sorry, I was just thinking of other things. Remember I asked you not to try meeting the boy but you insisted. He has every reason not to trust you. You are even yet to convince me on what exactly happened between you and his father. I won’t be surprised if you actually killed the man, at least I witnessed how you erased Cynthia so easily’’ I breathed, leaving her staring at me angrily.
If looks could kill, her eyes would have suffocated me that moment.
‘’is that what you really think about me?’’ she asked. I simply ignored her question.
‘’I plan meeting my parents tomorrow to brief them about our marriage’’ I softly informed her, changing the topic. Her eyes instantly beamed with delight.
‘’I think its better I go with you. At least they can see me at the same time, do their assessment and ask questions’’ she softly chipped in as the anger in her quickly died down.
‘’what if my dad recognizes you huh?. Remember he saw you once?’’ I asked.
‘’leave that to me’’ she breathed confidently, leaving me stunned.
It was very obvious she already had thought about it. It equally was very obvious that she was so much in a hurry to get married to me.
‘’I hope you know without my parents consent we may not be able to get married?’’ I intelligently warned her. She left her eyes on me, saying absolutely nothing.
Episode 55
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’do you feel your parents won’t give their approval?’’ Jessica asked after few minutes of silence. I shrugged.
‘’you never can tell’’ I muttered. She stared at me for a while, fell back on the bed and backed me. I equally said nothing to her, instead closed my eyes and buried myself with my thoughts. I really had a whole lot to think and yes I was about stepping into something that could cost me my happiness and probably my life.
The next day, I woke up to see her staring hard at me.
‘’good morning’’ she greeted pleasantly.
‘’hi dear’’ I breathed, yawning lazily.
‘’by what time of the day are we heading to your village?’’ she asked softly.
‘’I think by 11am we should be on our way. But I have to first go to my house, pick up few things, head to the bank for a little transaction before coming back to pick you up’’ I answered.
‘’that’s cool. I will be here waiting then’’ she muttered with a smile. I couldn’t help but notice that she was full of excitement. Somehow my thoughts wandered towards my late uncle and what probably must have transpired between them that led to his death.
On the outside Jessica looked very beautiful and innocent but deep inside she was vicious and deadly. Perhaps If not that I witnessed how she dealt with Cynthia, I would have still been fooled by her outside character.
Yes I guess I look stupid by planning to marry a lady with such scandalous past. But to me that moment, it looked like the only way out of jail term, poverty and uncertain future.
I left for my house minutes later, where I arranged some stuffs before heading to the bank for a quick transaction, but unfortunately there wasn’t any network at the bank which kind of delayed my transaction.
I finally showed up at Jessica’s house by 12:15pm.
——————————–
‘’jeez you really frightened me. What happened?’’ Jessica asked as soon as I walked into her sitting room. I couldn’t help but notice how agitated she was.
‘’I got delayed at the bank and I couldn’t answer your calls there’’ I answered truthfully.
‘’I was worried, I couldn’t help but feel that you changed your mind’’ she confessed.
‘’anyway let’s go to the backyard, I want to show you some things I got this morning for your parents’’ she quickly added, smiling happily. I gasped with disbelief.
She quickly reached forward, grabbed my hand and led me to the backyard where a bag of rice, a gallon of groundnut oil, ten tubers of yam, three pieces of wrapper and a small bag packed with dry fish was lying at a corner. I froze with shock.
‘’what in the world!’’ I exclaimed.
‘’they are all for your parents. I guess first impression matters a lot and I want to create a very good impression to them’’ she added, signaling to her house keeper who quickly came forward and began taking the foodstuffs to my car. I couldn’t utter a word for a full minute.
‘’why are you suddenly dumb?’’ I soon heard her ask.
‘’nothing’’ I managed to stammer.
——————————————-
The trip to my house was really a silent one. We just were preoccupied with our thoughts to chat with each other.
‘’what if my dad recognizes her as the girl my late uncle brought home earlier in the year?. What sort of explanation do I give by wanting to marry her?’’ I wondered over and over.
I couldn’t believe that an innocent investigation to find out how my uncle died, ended up dragging me into wanting to marry the prime suspect. From every angle I viewed myself; I saw the image of a very stupid man.
By 2pm we arrived at my village home, where my mum and dad came out to welcome me. Of course they all rushed out to welcome me due to the fact that I was coming home with a woman for the first time in my life. And as I brought out all the foodstuffs Jessica bought, they couldn’t help but gasp with great surprise. My mother even did a little dance for us while my dad kept staring at Jessica as if he recognized her, something that made my heart skip very much.
‘’my daughter, you look very much like someone that I have seen before but I know it isn’t possible, maybe it’s just the joy of seeing you with my son that made you look so familiar to me’’ my dad said to Jessica as soon as we settled in the sitting room. I quickly changed the topic.
‘’dad you can’t believe she was the one that bought all the foodstuffs. I was really surprised when I went to pick her up this morning and she brought out everything’’ I quickly narrated, expertly changing the topic. My mum drew close and hugged her again while my dad smiled, throwing her another quick look.
We stayed about three hours with my parents before getting ready to leave. My dad expertly dragged me to his room to have a quick word with me. My mum equally joined after some minutes.
‘’she looks a bit advanced in age and equally level headed. I bet she looks like someone I have seen before but I’m not sure where’’ my old man breathed seriously.
‘’maybe you sure her in your dreams ‘’ my mum chipped in smiling.
‘’silly woman’’ my dad cursed her.
‘’old man, you are not happy I’m still managing to leave with you’’ my mum fired back.
‘’and where will you go if you leave me?’’ my dad asked, laughing at her.
‘’please dad, do you like her or not?’’ I breathed seriously. My parents exchanged glances.
‘’if she will make you happy, then yes we will support and bless your union’’ my dad muttered, leaving a smile on my face.
I returned to the sitting room with my parents to see Jessica’s eyes searching me seriously. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind at the moment. Yes I was happy in getting my parents approval but deep down I was still nervous about spending the rest of my life with Jessica.
Do you think the marriage will hold?
Episode 56
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’my parents gave their approval’’ I softly said to Jessica as we headed back to the city. She smiled happily, rubbing her face with her palms.
‘’you can’t believe how happy and relieved I’m right now. My prayers are about coming to past. Thank you Jesus’’ she breathed happily.
I threw her a quick look, smiling faintly.
‘’I want us to have a get together tomorrow at your house’’ I slowly added while she stared at me curiously.
‘’you will invite all your friends and I will equally bring my friends along. It will be an opportunity to introduce you to my friends while you do the same. It will be in shape of a house party’’ I explained. She nodded in agreement.
‘’that’s so cool. By what time are we looking at?’’ she asked.
‘’4pm is okay’’ I replied. She nodded once again.
———————–
‘’Kelvin dear you are about making me a full woman. I truly do appreciate’’ she breathed solemnly, surprising me with a kiss when we got to her house. I noticed tears quickly form in her eyes.
‘’really?’’ I asked. She shook her head, looking down.
‘’you won’t understand, I’m just shedding tears of joy’’ she muttered.
‘’but I’m yet to propose remember?’’ I stammered softly.
‘’I know, I know but thank you for everything’’ she breathed softly, touching my heart with her sudden calmness. I just couldn’t help but wonder what she was feeling inside. I couldn’t help but wonder how it felt to be single at her age even though she wasn’t anything more than thirty three or thirty four years old.
——————————————————————
Joe’s gym, 8pm same day
‘’so you are serious about proposing to your Jessica tomorrow?’’ Joe asked with surprise after I told him of my current plans and the result of my trip to the village.
‘’yes and I want you and all my guys to be present when I propose to her tomorrow. You guys will have to back me up’’ I added with a smile.
‘’sure we will back you up. What’s the plan?’’ he asked curiously.
‘’we all meet at my house by 3:30pm tomorrow, from there we head to Jessica’s house in a convoy’’ I explained.
‘’that’s fine by me. Tomorrow then’’ he accepted, shaking hands with me.
————————————————————————–
Early the next day, I headed out for a small shopping, where i ended up buying a very expensive engagement ring for Jessica. Yes I was excited and nervous at the same time because I was about doing something that I had never done in my entire life.
By 3:45pm, about twelve of my friends ( scam partners) were already at my house, making noise and hailing me. By 4pm we all headed to Jessica’s house in a convoy of exotic cars. Supposing the EFCC or the police were ready and serious in fighting crime, it would have been a big catch for them if they had swooped in on us that moment.
We arrived at Jessica’s house to meet a very lively house filled with big, matured ladies whose eyes opened with admiration as i walked into the spacious compound with my friends.
Jessica quickly rushed forward and pounced on me, kissing me strongly while her friends screamed and laughed. I quickly drew her down on a couch, brought out the ring and surprised her with it. She gasped with disbelief.
‘’will you marry me?’’ I asked softly. Of course I already knew what her answer would be. All we were doing was nothing but a little show.
‘’’yes yes yes’’ she breathed with tears of joy. Her friends clapped and screamed while my guys emptied the champagnes they brought along on me.
—————————–
An hour later, after I freshened up and changed my clothes, the house party started. Yes Jessica was a good organizer and she perfectly made the whole thing a memorable experience. However one peculiar thing happened that evening that was to change the course of everything. It was something I really can’t explain what exactly led to it but it just happened.
There was this lady that kept staring at me from the moment I walked into Jessica’s compound with my friends. Her eyes really made me uncomfortable but of course I never showed it nor took any special interest in her until when Jessica introduced her to me hours later. She was exactly the same age as Jessica even though Jessica looked more attractive than her. She equally was a bit fatter than Jessica.
It wasn’t really love or lust or something similar that I felt before her. It was a strange kind of connection and the lady just left her eyes on me as if she felt something like pity or should I say she had something she desperately wanted to say but was holding back.
‘’meet my friend Emmanuella and Emmanuella dear, meet my fiancée Kelvin’’ Jessica introduced innocently.
Unfortunately supposing she had the ability to see the future, she wouldn’t have invited Emmanuella to her party.
Just like I said earlier, it wasn’t love, it wasn’t lust. It was something different that I felt.
What exactly would that be??
Episode 57
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
11:20pm, Jessica’s bedroom
‘’ahhhhhhh you are the man’’ Jessica breathed with satisfaction after a very hot love making. The drinks and fun we had earlier in the evening was so much in our system that we had to ease out the tension immediately after our friends left by fuc.king the hell out of each other.
‘’you always bring up new moves’’ she whispered, bit my right ear and climbed out of the bed. She headed to the bathroom, where I joined her minutes later.
‘’so what’s your plan for the future?’’ she asked as we showered together.
‘’in few days, we will go see your people. By second or third week of December we should be getting married’’ I answered softly. She smiled, squatted and grabbed my joyst.ick for another super blow job. There wasn’t any doubt that she was extremely happy with everything.
———————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues from the next day
7:30am, Tracy’s house
As I was getting ready to head back to Owerri after spending the previous day in Tracy’s house, I got a call from Uncle Tony.
‘’hey Jude, how are you son?’’ he greeted with his half American accent.
‘’I’m fine sir, good morning’’ I greeted happily.
‘’there is a little development my boy; I will be heading back to the states on December 20th instead of January I earlier planned. So please I hope you still have your travelling documents with you?. Get yourself ready, by 17th of December you will join me in Lagos. I’m sorry for changing your plans’’ he said calmly.
‘’thanks very much sir. I will start getting ready’’ I answered while he hung up. Tracy walked into the room that moment with a smile on her face.
‘’good morning dear. You just woke up?”’ she asked.
‘’no I have been up for About thirty minutes’’ I replied. She drew close and hugged me.
‘’uncle Tony just called to tell me that we will be travelling out by 20th December which should be about three weeks from now’’ I said to her softly. She quickly frowned.
‘’I really will miss you’’ she sulked.
‘’me too’’ I breathed.
‘’something just came into my mind. How about we check your dad’s suitcase, perhaps we can find something that will be useful when you travel out to meet his lawyer’’ she suddenly suggested. I nodded in agreement as the idea settled in my head.
‘’but I think I have checked out that suitcase before’’ I murmured.
‘’are you sure?’’ she asked. I kept quiet.
‘’let me go get it’’ she whispered to me, winked and let the room with a smile. I smiled back at her. Seriously she was the only valuable family I had in my life at the moment.
She returned a minute later with the bag, sat on the bed and emptied the contents of the suitcase on the bed. A diary instantly got our attention and I couldn’t recollect ever seeing it in the suitcase. I nervously grabbed the diary and opened it but the first few pages were empty. I stared at Tracy with surprise. She reached forward, grabbed the diary and slowly went throw the pages until she got to a page, stopped and stared at me with open mouth. I quickly grabbed the diary from her and read out the words written on the page.
‘’January 17
I finally secured a red bungalow today at Worldbank housing New Owerri. I can’t wait to furnish the property ’’
I read out the words aloud while Tracy shook her head with disbelief.
‘’I can’t believe this ‘’ I screamed.
‘’this suitcase has been with your cousin all these while, do you want to tell me that he didn’t see this diary?. Something isn’t right. Yes I think he knows much about your father’s wealth but probably kept quiet for a reason best known to him. If not that he voluntarily gave back this suitcase to you, I would have thought he’s the criminal behind the whole saga’’ Tracy breathed intelligently while I shook with disbelief.
‘’I think the best thing to do is to take this suitcase back to America and present it to your dad’s attorney. I think he will be in the best position to advise you’’ she slowly added, while I stared at her, unable to say a word.
There wasn’t any doubt Kelvin knew a lot he failed to tell me and probably gave me back the suitcase for me to find out things for myself.
‘’I think I need to have a long chat with Kelvin’’ I slowly muttered.
‘’my love I don’t think that is necessary. Simply present the suitcase to your dad’s lawyer or better still to Uncle Tony. Your cousin Kelvin isn’t the man to trust. Everything about him is so weird’’ Tracy argued with great energy. I looked into her eyes, unable to say another word.
My cousin Kelvin gave me money, shelter and a new life but then he held back something I badly wanted which was nothing but the truth. He kept the truth away from me. For what gain?
Episode 58
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
Two days later, Jessica took me to her village to see her family. I was warmly received and I couldn’t help but notice how relived and happy they were after I stated my mission. We had a long talk and I ended up promising to return in two days for the traditional marriage list.
Two days later, just like I promised, I showed up at Jessica’s hometown once again, this time with my parents to collect the marriage list.
‘’you can pay the sum of two hundred thousand naira for the two lists if you can’t afford going to the market to buy every single item in the list. The items in the women’s list could be settled with a hundred and twenty thousand naira while the men’s list can be settled with eighty thousand naira’’ A member of Jessica’s family advised me.
Everyone just seemed in a hurry for us to get married and it really was with a strong mind that I left with my parents, promising to return in a later date to settle all the demanded rites.
—————————————–
‘’you know I thought you would have simply given them the money yesterday evening instead of trying to prolong this stuff by promising to return in a later date’’ Jessica complained the next day when she showed up at my house.
‘’in my place, everything is done in stages. Collection of marriage list and payment is never done on the same day. We have to wait till our wedding date is close before going back to your village to settle your people.’’ I replied while she frowned, obviously unmoved by my explanation..
‘’what’s the need in waiting and prolonging things. We are in love with each other. Nothing will stop us from getting married and you have the money. So why not settle my family and get over with it’’ she pushed on breathlessly. I said nothing to her, of course I had nothing else to explain.
‘’concerning our church wedding, do you have any particular church in mind?’’ she finally asked, when it was clear that I wasn’t going to change my stand concerning her bride-price.
‘’hmmmmm not really but I will figure something out ‘’ I replied uneasily.
‘’don’t worry about that, we will get married in my church and I will handle every part of that’’ she promised with a smile.
———————————–
Finally on the 19th of December, I settled Jessica’s family, by providing all they demanded, which made her my wife traditionally. We however planned having our traditional marriage ceremony on the first of January while our church wedding was fixed on December 22nd. Yes things were happening pretty fast and yes Jessica just couldn’t wait for the whole ceremony to be over. She was really acting as if she was sacred that something could pop up and stop us from getting married. However after 19th of December when I settled her family, she traditionally became my wife but knowing the society we live in, our marriage was yet to be fully recognized until the church wedding was done.
On the 20th of December, just two days to my church wedding, I saw Cynthia in my dream chasing me with a blood stained kitchen knife and the weird part of it was that she was putting on a wedding gown. The dream looked so real and it unsettled me so much that I was scared to sleep for the remaining two days leading to my church wedding.
Can dreams actually turn out to be real?? I wondered over and over.
———————-
Jude’s side of the story continues
On the 17th of December, I travelled to Lagos to join Uncle Tony in readiness for my trip back to America. Yes leaving Tracy behind was such a painful parting. The poor girl just cried as if we had never been away from each other before. She cried as if I was leaving the planet and never coming back.
‘’I will be back by January Trey. You know the last thing I would do is to abandon you here in Nigeria. I will come back for you my dear. Nigeria is my home and I will be back to avenge my dad’s death, finish school and get married to you. Our love story will have a happy ending. The story of us is something our kids will grow up listening to’’ I promised her with all my soul and energy as she bid me Farwell at Enugu airport.
‘’I will be here waiting for you. Don’t ever let me down. Don’t ever do something that will make me feel like taking my life’’ she begged of me while my conscience instantly hurt as I remembered Pamela who was anxiously waiting for me in the states. Yes I told Pamela I was coming over to the states for a little business and her reaction and comments really gave me a hint of what to expect. Moreover she was equally carrying my baby and I knew we had a lot to settle.
Tears slowly dropped out of my eyes as i thought about how to deal with her while Tracy felt her words were making me cry without knowing that it was my conscience that brought the tears.
‘’it’s okay my love. A man isn’t supposed to cry before a woman. I know you will come back for me and I will be here waiting with my life’’ she breathed, hugging me strongly.
Only if she knew the secrets I had deep inside.
Only if she knew.
Episode 59
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
22nd of December,
I woke up feeling very nervous and excited at the same time. The previous evening was my bachelor night party which really held all through the night and my friends almost drowned me with alcohol.
As I quickly dressed up for my wedding ceremony, my head slowly played back the fun I had the previous evening with my friends. I smiled as every part of the event played back in my mind.
‘’this is your last night as a bachelor. You got to drink and get drunk for the last time’’ my friends had encouraged me as we took one drink after another. Slowly my mind drifted to a familiar looking lady who wanted to talk to me as I staggered into my room after getting drunk. Unfortunately I was unable to talk to her because I was drunk and I equally couldn’t recollect how I discharged her.
With great effort I tried to picture the lady’s face and after few minutes of deep thinking, I was able to remember who she was. Yes the lady was Emmanuella, Jessica’s friend but just as I remembered who she was I equally got a bit worried over what she came to my party to tell me. Of course she was supposed to be at Jessica’s house that evening and not mine.
———————————-
By 9am, I was at the church with my family and friends waiting for Jessica to show up with her entourage. I kept staring at my watch as if she was taking eternity to show up while my best man Joe, smiled confidently, calming me with his smile.
‘’they should be here any minute from now, just chill’’ he said softly while my heart pounded as fast as ever. The dream I had some nights back about Cynthia, slowly popped up in my head, putting great fear into my heart.
‘’dear Lord please allow this wedding to go very smoothly. Don’t embarrass me before my friends. Even if I must pay for my crimes, let it be another day’’ I prayed nervously.
As soon as I finished the prayer, Cynthia and her entourage showed up, putting smiles on everyone’s faces. Her entrance really was a colorful moment. I breathed deeply in relief while Joe tapped my shoulder. But suddenly something unexpected happened to spoil the fun like I had feared all along.
Three police trucks which came with Cynthia’s entourage surprisingly pulled up at the entrance of the church instead of stopping at the car park and as Jessica’s friends and family led her towards where I stood with my friends, about twenty policemen pounced in on everyone, disrupting the ceremony by arresting everyone. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like a dream. It looked so unreal.
Shouts and screams soon rented the air while I almost pissed on my trouser as a policeman quickly handcuffed me. But the most painful part of it was seeing a policeman drag my poor father to one of the waiting vans. Tears of pain slowly fell from the eyes.
‘’you guys will pay for this. I will sue the inspector general of police. I will make sure you all lose your jobs’’ Jessica screamed while the whole church premises instantly got rowdy as onlookers and concerned citizens mobilized instantly to stop the police. I just couldn’t protest because I knew my hands were far from clean but what I didn’t know was the crime I was being arrested for.
I didn’t have to wait long before knowing what led to my arrest.
A black SUV soon pulled up and two good looking ladies jumped down smartly. The first lady was a high ranking uniformed police officer while the second lady putting on a black gown with dark sunglasses was no other person than Cynthia. I couldn’t believe it.
Sweat quickly drenched me as my eyes fell on her. Not only was I not expecting to see her alive, I equally never expected to see her so transformed and different. She just looked like a modern version of her old self. Though she was a bit thinner than she used to be but then she looked so elegant and sophisticated that I had a hard time believing it was really her .
She walked towards me and slapped me with great force.
‘’Yes you murdered me but I conquered death. I’m back to make you pay. I hope you enjoyed the party you had last night?, because you won’t be having any in a long time’’ she breathed, signaling to an officer who roughly grabbed and disgracefully threw me at the back of a waiting truck while Jessica who was too shocked and stunned to see Cynthia, collapsed and fainted.
I never my wedding day would only give me a straight ticket to hell.
The End of season one.
How much will Kelvin pay for his sins?
Will Jessica fight back?
Do you think Cynthia is capable of putting Jessica permanently in jail?
What of the mystery lady Emmanuella, what really is she up to?
Yes and how about Jude, Pamela and Tracy, how will it all end?
Who will be the last man standing??
Watch out for SHADES OF LUST-season 2