12-21-2018, 07:18 PM
(12-02-2018, 03:49 PM)Edoman Wrote: Episode 7
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’I did the right thing my dear. It’s now or never’’ she replied softly. I angrily stared at her, uncertain of what to do with the news. I felt like smashing her head with a rock that moment. I had to run back into the sitting room to avoid doing anything I would regret later.
I barely had settled down when Tracy’s call came through, scaring the hell out of me. I stared at my phone, so afraid to answer her call.
‘’what do I do now?’’ I wondered as my phone rang for the second time.
‘’Should I keep on lying or should I just admit the truth once and for all?’’ I wondered miserably.
‘’dear lord, help me’’ I prayed as my phone rang for the third time. I couldn’t get myself to answer her call.
After some minutes, I made up my mind and dialed back Tracy’s number, ready to face the consequences of my deceit. You can’t imagine how loud my heart pounded that very moment or how badly I shook as if I was suffering from severe cold.
‘’is it true?’’ I heard Tracy ask as soon as she picked up my call. I swallowed hard, unable to say a word. Of course what was there to say?. Her question was so direct and on point.
‘’my love’’ I stammered.
‘’is it true?’’ she asked once again.
‘’I don’t understand’’ I breathed, trying hard to build my confidence.
‘’did you betray me Jude?’’ she asked softly, wounding me with the softness of her voice. Her question really pierced my heart like a Greek arrow. My eyes melted with great remorse but my tears were of no use because she wasn’t there to notice.
‘’I don’t understand’’ I stammered once again.
‘’So Pamela is for real after all?. She’s having your child. She’s right there with you. Why Jude, why lead me this far only to dump me in the middle of the ocean?’’ she asked, killing me with every single word she breathed. I just had no excuse to give, no explanation at hand, no lie to tell.
‘’I gave you my love, my life, my soul. I hid nothing from you but what did you repay me with?. Misery, pain, disappointment. You can’t even talk anymore. It’s all good. Thank you’’ she breathed and hung up, shutting me out of her heart with those painful parting words. I tried calling her back but unfortunately her phone was switched off.
I fell on my knees and sobbed. I knew I had lost a treasure, a rare noble woman. A gift God gave me without me asking. I knew I would never get someone like her in my life. I knew it was all over that very moment.
I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly Pamela told her. I badly wished I was in Nigeria. It would have been easy for me if I was close to her.
I rushed out like a mad man and pounced on Pamela who was so shocked to see me looking like a terrified bull. She quickly tried to get up and probably run for her life but unfortunately for her, I grabbed and pushed her with great force, throwing caution to the wind.
She fell heavily on the floor, screaming with great pain. A strong hand quickly grabbed me from behind, surprising me. I turned to see Uncle Tony breathing down heavily on me, the look of disappointment clearly visible on his face. I instantly felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself.
‘’I can’t stand. Help me’’ Pamela weakly begged from the floor, getting back our attention with her cry.
To be continued
Episode 8
Jude’s side of the story continues
‘’what the hell is wrong with you Jude?. Do you want to kill her?’’ Uncle Tony asked with anger as he dutifully helped Pamela up. I couldn’t say a word to him. In fact I had nothing to say because he really took me by surprise with his presence. I never noticed him walk him, perhaps in my fury I failed to notice him as I pounced on Pamela.
‘’are you alright?’’ he carefully asked Pamela who was still shaking with fright.
‘’I don’t know. I feel somehow’’ she breathed heavily.
‘’do you want me to take you to your doctor?’’ he pushed on while I looked silently.
‘’no I’m okay’’ she stammered.
‘’maybe I should take you to my wife then. She’s a nurse’’ he added seriously, leaving Pamela with no choice than to accept.
‘’wait for me here. I will be right back’’ he said to me with a strong voice. I looked down, saying nothing. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind that moment. I had to think out a good excuse and explanation for my action as quickly as possible.
———————–
Uncle Tony returned a minute later, looking very serious and curious.
‘’tell me, who is she?. Don’t you know you can easily go to jail for hitting a woman in this country?’’ he asked seriously. I shrugged, finding it difficult to say anything.
‘’young man you have to start talking to me’’ he barked.
‘’she’s my friend’’ I stammered.
‘’your friend as in girlfriend?’’ he asked. I nodded.
‘’and she’s pregnant for you?’’ he pushed on, I nodded.
‘’how is that possible?, tell me the truth, when was the last time you were in this country?”’ he asked with disbelief.
‘’actually she just left Nigeria months ago’’ I stammered.
‘’oh I see’’ he breathed, looking down.
‘’so what’s your plan with her and why did you hit her?’’ he asked.
‘’it was just a little misunderstanding and I lost my temper. I’m sorry uncle, it won’t happen again. As for plans I really have no plans for her. She has a home and family that will take care of her’’ I managed to mutter. He shrugged silently.
His countenance really showed that he was having a hard time believing my explanation.
‘’seriously I’m a bit disappointed in you but what can I say?. You are now a man and it’s your cross but don’t ever try to hit her again. I was here for something else but I think that should wait for now’’ he muttered and left with a drawn face. I couldn’t help but wonder what his reaction would have been supposing I told him that Pamela was equally another man’s wife. Of course I shot myself on the leg by getting involved with her in the first place.
About an hour later, I went back to Uncle Tony’s house to fetch Pamela. It was something I forced myself to do in order to change the bad impression my earlier behavior gave out to my benefactor. I just had to show genuine remorse as if all was now well.
Pamela was at the sitting room, quietly watching a TV program with uncle Tony’s wife when I walked in. she instantly sat up on seeing me while I smiled softly, approaching her like a gentleman.
‘’I’m very sorry for hitting you. I promise it won’t happen again. Let’s go home’’ I begged, squatting before her, looking very innocent and remorseful. She stared at me hesitantly, before throwing a quick look at Uncle Tony’s wife who nodded in agreement.
Yes of course Pamela was such a great actor. She looked so innocent, weak and vulnerable like an abused lady. She just took my mistake to her advantage and cashed in big time with it. No one would have imagined that she was the architect of my frustration.
‘’let’s go home dear’’ I breathed once again. She nodded and offered her hand. I dutifully helped her up.
‘’I’m also sorry for getting on your nerves’’ she softly apologized to me as if she meant every word.
‘’I’m sorry Jude. I really do love you’’ she breathed softly with her eyes all over me.
——————————–
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
I returned to my house later in the day to see Jessica anxiously waiting for me. The look of relief on her face as she saw me walk in was totally revealing.
‘’where went you and why haven’t you been answering my calls?. You left me totally worried my love’’ she asked breathlessly. I smiled and shrugged.
‘’I went to see my friends and take care of few things. You know I promised my parents that I would be home today. I think I have to make the journey now’’ I muttered quickly. She drew forward and held me.
‘’no my love, just leave the journey for tomorrow. We have to go together and use the opportunity to spend Christmas with them. It’s better that way. Spending Christmas with your family is what we need to get out of this setback’’ she suggested, leaving a smile on my face as her words appeared pleasant to me.
‘’one other thing my love’’ she added, holding me tightly.
‘’I plan selling my house and moving in with you. I have already contacted an agent for the sale. By January I believe the house will be sold, making us richer. I will also speak with the priest and get a new date for our wedding but this time it will be a private affair. What do you think?’’ she asked, leaving me speechless as a thousand and one questions sprang up in my head at the same time.
‘’why is she rushing to sell off the house??’’ hmmmmm
Episode 9
Jude’s side of the story continues
9pm, Jude’s bedroom
‘’my love, make love to me. I need it, our child needs it’’ Pamela begged like a s-x starved young widow as she caressed my chest. I simply lay motionless on the bed while my mind and heart wandered out. All that was on my mind was no one but Tracy.
I just wished I was already in Nigeria to be with her, to explain things to her, to get back her heart. It was something I badly needed to do but unfortunately rushing back home wasn’t an option to me that moment because I was yet to conclude with my dad’s lawyer. Of course I knew the more time I stayed away from my Tracy, the more her heart would harden towards me, a very good opportunity to push our relationship out of her heart. I couldn’t help but wonder what she was passing through that moment. Oh yea, I was in a very difficult situation.
‘’why are you so cold to me?. This is your way of punishing me right?’’ I heard Pamela hiss as she softly shook me. I stared at her, unable to say anything.
Yes I kind of felt Pamela really was sincerely in love with me because that could only explain her reason of leaving her comfortable life as a senator’s young wife to be with me, not minding my cold attitude towards her nor my financial situation. She really put herself at great risk by being with me but unfortunately for her she meant nothing much to me.
‘’I never Imagined I would ever beg for s-x in my life’’ I soon heard her sulk as she angrily backed me. I closed my eyes, making no move to apologize or make peace with her.
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Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’there is no need selling the house. You can easily rent it out, unless of course you are hiding something from me’’ I said to Jessica who shrugged and smiled.
‘’I want to sell it and that’s it. I can easily get a better house with the money’’ she said seriously.
‘’I pray our marriage works because I know you will never obey my decisions or take my suggestion in anything. I still don’t know you. I don’t know if I should be relieved or sad for what happened to us yesterday’’ I breathed and headed to my room while she followed me, obviously disturbed by my comment.
‘’I’m sorry dear, from now onwards you will be the one to make all the decisions’’ she pleaded quickly. I turned and stared at her for some seconds.
‘’I should believe that?’’ I asked.
‘’yes yes yes’’ she breathed quickly.
————————
9pm, Kelvin’s bedroom
I was busy thinking how to face my parents the next day, when Jessica softly placed her head on my chest.
‘’I wanted to break this news on our wedding night but unfortunately everything was ruined’’ she breathed, kissing my chest softly. I stared at her, eagerly awaiting the news.
‘’I’m pregnant. I’m having your baby’’ she announced happily, leaving a fake smile on my face with the news. Naturally I was supposed to be happy with the news but on the contrary I felt a bit uncomfortable without knowing the reason even though I perfectly hid my real feelings with a smile.
‘’we will soon start a big family. God all my dreams are becoming reality’’ she proclaimed while I closed my eyes, quickly remembering what we did to Cynthia who was the first lady to get pregnant for me. I instantly became nauseous and scared for no reason.
‘’tomorrow, we will break the news to your parents when we get home for Christmas’’ she added joyfully. I just couldn’t say a word.
————————————-
Early the next day, we travelled to my hometown for Christmas. Of course I was really nervous and afraid to face my people over what happened on my wedding day even though Jessica and I already had a good explanation to give for it. Somehow I felt my parents may not really buy the lie and that could make matters worse.
However on getting to the village, Jessica took control of the situation by first starting a cry the moment she got down from my car, leaving my parents with no choice than to hug her.
‘’they thought ruining my wedding would make me stop loving your son. They thought bringing the police to intimidate me would kill the love I have for my Kelvin but they got it all wrong. My love for him only increased’’ she sobbed seriously.
‘’the lady in question was your son’s ex girlfriend. She found out we were getting married and brought in the police to stop our wedding, claiming that we tried to kill her. Some ladies are very evil’’ she explained with crocodile tears while my parents who easily bought everything she dished out started cursing Cynthia while I speechlessly looked on.
Episode 10
Jude’s side of the story continues
On 27th December, my dad’s lawyer paid me an early morning visit. To be candid, I wasn’t really enjoying my stay in US anymore, I desperately wanted to round up things with him and return home to settle with Tracy before it gets late.
‘’I’m sorry for taking much time before coming. I travelled to California for xmas. I just got home last night’’ the young lawyer explained softly as if I asked him.
‘’I went through the documents you gave me but unfortunately there wasn’t anything substantial in it to prove that a lady killed your father. But with the documents we can only establish a little prove that your dad actually had a business deal with a lady in Nigeria. As your late dad’s lawyer, I was really the person that made all the money transfer’s he sent to the lady in question and the money was wired directly into a Nigerian bank account with the name Jessica Simon. I have a friend working with the EFCC; he can help us with the case. By January we will be in Nigeria to get to the root of this matter. I promise to get back your dad’s properties for you but I’m also not overlooking the fact that the lady could have bewitched or tricked your father into making her the owner of everything he owned. This could be a long legal case, especially if the lady decides to fight back and you know how bad and slow the justice system in Nigeria is?. Let’s just keep our fingerers crossed’’ he said seriously while I nodded with great attention.
————————
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
We had a wonderful xmas at home. Jessica really bought my parents heart with her pretence and calm calculative behavior. Everyone ended up falling in love with her. As for me, I had lots of other things to worry about.
9:25pm, 31st of December, Jessica walked into my room with a sweet smile on her face. She climbed over me, staring deep into my eyes.
‘’in few hours we will be entering a new year with new hopes and expectations. Tell me, how soon you will want us to get married. Next Saturday or in few weeks?’’ she asked curiously.
‘’I think we should leave that topic for now. We have a whole lot of time to talk about it. My head is not yet clear my dear’’ I breathed while she drew back, staring at me suspiciously.
‘’I hope you know it’s very much on your best interest for us to get married as soon as possible?’’ she asked.
‘’yes I know but let’s not rush it anymore’’ I stammered.
‘’but I’m pregnant. We have to do this as quickly as possible’’ she pushed on.
‘’we are leaving for the city in two days. When we get there we will make plans for it’’ I muttered, forcing out a smile. She nodded, even though the look on her face clearly showed that she really wasn’t sure of my intentions and yes I really wasn’t sure of myself equally. I kind of was strangely having a cold feet about the marriage thing perhaps it was because the experience I had the last time we tried to get married was still very much in my head.
The New Year celebrations soon came and went by with the speed of lightening. Jessica and I got back to the city on 2nd January to continue with our lives and plan for the future. Of course my future was damned; I only was trying to survive in the best possible way.
On 3rd of January, Joe invited me to his house for a little chat. I went to see him innocently without knowing that there was a reason to his invitation and so was my shock on seeing Cynthia in his house. For some seconds I just didn’t know how to react because I wasn’t expecting to see her there.
Joe quickly came to my defense by cracking a quick joke which lowered the tension in his sitting room.
I couldn’t even look at Cynthia. I couldn’t even say hello to her.
‘’you know you and I and Cynthia have come a long way as friends. We have been friends during the good and bad times of our lives and things that happened last year between you guys needs to be settled once and for all. Kelvin you are my friend, likewise Cynthia and I’m not asking you guys to go back to each other but to reach a compromise and stop fighting. Believe me Cynthia, Kelvin hasn’t been himself ever since you showed up at his wedding. He wasn’t the only one you embarrassed that day. You embarrassed me as well and I just want everything to be settled today’’ Joe demanded, facing Cynthia who shook her head and scoffed.
‘’I only came here because of the respect I have for you and not because I want to settle issues with Kelvin. I really don’t know what he told you, but your friend here tried to kill me and his baby. He connived with his Jessica, set me up, knocked me out and dumped me in a refuse dump. How on earth do you expect me to forgive him? No I can’t and I’m leaving right now’’ she poured out angrily, leaving Joe extremely surprised and shocked with her outburst. It really was the first time he was hearing such story.
‘’Cynthia that really wasn’t exactly what happened that night. I equally was a victim just as you were’’ I quickly stammered, looking into her eyes.
‘’just shut up’’ she breathed, standing up to leave but I quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her with my grasp as we exchanged glances.
The tension in the room became high once again.
Episode 11
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’I’m sorry Joe but I will have to leave now. I can’t stand this despicable man any longer’’ Cynthia politely said to Joe, snatching her hand from my grasp before me nor Joe could say anything to stop her.
I quickly ran after her, so eager to make peace with her. Of course it was an opportunity of a life time, I never knew when such opportunity would come again and so I had to make good use of the one available at the moment.
I blocked Cynthia before she could get to the gate, leaving her with no choice than to stare into my eyes once again.
‘’Cynthia’’ I breathed with great pain, trying hard to come up with something tangible as quickly as possible.
‘’Cynthia’’ I stammered nervously, as I struggled to create some appeasing words to sooth her anger.
‘’you have changed so much’’ was all I could finally mutter. Cynthia scoffed, eyeing me seriously.
‘’of course I have changed. I’m now a different lady. I’m no longer the Cynthia you used to know’’ she replied rudely.
I left my eyes on her as I desperately struggled to get more words out of my mouth. Yes I just didn’t know how she did it but she was just so sophisticated, so polished and more beautiful than she used to be. The transformation in her was something seen only in movies. I couldn’t believe how she changed so much under the space of few months.
‘’Cynthia things were never as it seemed to be’’ I confessed, dropping my eyes.
‘’yes I never wanted the pregnancy at first but I never wanted to kill you because of it. Believe me’’ I struggled to say while she surprisingly listened.
‘’I never planned anything with Jessica. In fact on that very day, I was very much surprised to see you leave my house the moment I returned from Joe’s gym even though it was a big relief to me. Jessica invited me to her house later in the evening and on getting there I was extremely shocked to meet you there. Of course I was even scared you guys had some bad plans for me and before I could get to terms on what was happening, you two started fighting and she knocked you out’’ I breathed as sweat drenched my body.
‘’what was I to do?. I was confused and scared. I tried everything to revive you but you appeared dead to us and I was so scared of taking you to the hospital because I knew I would only end up in jail. No one would believe my story just as you are now finding it difficult to believe. Moreover I already had a bad record with the police and I just was so overwhelmed with fear that very night. Jessica suggested we dump your body and believe me it looked like the only way out that very moment. Perhaps it was all she planned before she invited you to her house but I knew nothing of it. I was forced to dump your body out in the cold night thinking that you were dead and believe me my conscience never remained the same after that very night and I just couldn’t face your family. I had to stay away’’ I confessed with all my heart.
‘’I had to plan a quick wedding with Jessica because it was the only way to keep our secret and equally clear my name from money laundering and fraudulent transactions I did in the past which you are very much aware of. The police have been on my neck all through the later part of last year and Jessica asked me to marry her for her to use her connections to shield me. That’s it, that’s the simple truth. I never tried to kill you in order to marry Jessica’’ I breathed seriously. Cynthia drew back, surprisingly touched by my story. Somehow I felt she still had some amount of love for me which really gave me hope.
‘’even if all you told me were true, I still can’t get my heart to accept what you did to me’’ she stammered, growing pale.
‘’I know just give me the opportunity to amend things’’ I asked eagerly.
‘’fine, first thing first, get Jessica out of your life and then we can talk’’ she muttered, breathed deeply and walked past me without another word, leaving me totally dazed and speechless.
‘’how on earth do I achieve her first demand?’’
Episode 12
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
As I headed home after the dramatic encounter with Cynthia, I couldn’t help but go through the events that led to that moment. I couldn’t believe that my simple quest to help out a cousin who lost his father could totally change my life, turning it to a long script that had no sign of ending soon.
‘’you really f–k.ed up with Cynthia. Hmmmm I just don’t know what to advice my man’’ Joe had stammered when I returned to his sitting room after speaking with Cynthia.
Cynthia’s first demand really was a tough thing to accomplish and I just didn’t know how to go about it. But then for her to ask of such a thing, for her to ask me to do away with Jessica could definitely mean that she’s still interested in me’’ I reasoned as I slowly drove home.
‘’dear Lord help me’’ I prayed as I drove into my compound only to see a big truck filled with Jessica’s things right inside my compound. Four young men were busy off loading the truck while Jessica watched on with both hands on her waist. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
‘’what’s the meaning of this?’’ I barked as I jumped out of my car, surprising the young men who quickly threw a quick look at Jessica. Of course she never told me she was bringing in her things that very day. She simply took the decision on her own, something I very much hated about her.
Sensing danger, she quickly smiled, drew forward and hugged me. I eyed her angrily, battling hard to suppress the urge to push her violently away. Of course I knew the dangers of acting in anger and I wasn’t ready to face another drama.
‘’come on my love. I’m just bringing in my things as your wife, in order to free my house for the plans we are making for it’’ she explained calmly while I swallowed hard.
‘’what’s up with you?. Where went you?. I hope you didn’t go searching for Cynthia or something?” she asked accusingly. I stared at her, my anger quickly turning into surprise as I wondered what made her ask the question.
‘’what?, why bring up Cynthia’s matter now?’’ I stammered. She scoffed, backing away from me.
‘’I know men, sometimes you guys act like kids’’ she breathed, shrugged, turned and joined the men moving her things to my house while I silently stood and thought of how to follow her up as Cynthia’s demand rang in my head over and over.
‘’how do I send her away?. How do I end all these?. Can I really live with this woman as my wife?. Dear Lord, I’m just a confused man’’ I breathed solemnly.
Yes Jessica had her own plans for me, Cynthia equally had her own plans well prepared but instead of having my own plans; I was right in the middle like a confused lost cow.
————————
Jude’s side of the story continues
9pm, 4th January , Jude’s bedroom
I smiled at Pamela who was lying beside me as my head boiled with many thoughts. I caressed her face for some seconds before breathing deeply.
‘’you look so happy’’ she breathed, studying me keenly.
‘’in two days time, I will be heading back to Nigeria with my dad’s lawyer to settle the pending issues I have back in Nigeria once and for all’’ I slowly explained. She sat up with a curious look. It was as if she never expected such words from me.
‘’but why? Why this January?’’ she asked quickly.
‘’the lawyer is traveling to see his family in Nigeria and wants to use the opportunity to settle my case. I didn’t fix the date, he did himself. You saw when he came in earlier today?. That was the news he brought’’ I calmly explained to her. She shook her head as she probably tried to figure out what else to say. It was obvious she was far from happy with the news.
‘’so when are you coming back?’’ she asked softly.
‘’I don’t know yet but it could be next year. I have to round up my studies as well. You see that’s the reason why you should go back to your husband. You can’t rush me to do things that I’m not yet ready to do’’ I explained softly.
‘’I will wait for you Jude. I will go back to my husband, but I will be with him only for some months. Once I have my child, I will come looking for you. Even if you are hiding in Nigeria, I will find you’’ she said seriously while I shrugged, unable to say anything.
The only thing I was really looking forward to was returning to Nigeria to settle my father’s mysterious case and equally settle with my Tracy even though I knew making peace with Tracy was now almost impossible because she probably had already erased me from her heart. I couldn’t help but wonder what her New Year resolutions were. Of course I knew I would make the list but in a very bad way.
I couldn’t believe I could survive staying for weeks without speaking with her.
January 6th, I landed back in Nigeria with my lawyer. Oh yea, I was so filled with excitement and great energy.
To be continued
Episode 13
Jude’s side of the story continues
On getting to Lagos, my lawyer pleadingly told me that he would be spending a week with his family.
‘’I will be back in a week, just get yourself ready for the task ahead. Expect my call from next Monday’’ he had said to me before we parted ways. I spent the night in a hotel and very early the next morning I headed down to Owerri.
My first port of call on getting to Owerri was Kelvin’s house. No matter our differences he was still the closest family member I had and yes I really had every reason to see him.
You can’t imagine the surprise on his face when I walked into his sitting room. He just stared at me as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
‘’Jude!’’ he exclaimed with great energy as he sprang up with happiness, hugging me.
‘’you never told me you were coming?’’ he asked happily.
‘’I wanted to surprise you’’ I answered with a smile. I couldn’t help but notice how slim he had grown. It was very obvious he wasn’t enjoying his marriage with Jessica.
‘’so how about your wife?. Where is she?’’ I asked.
‘’hmmm my wife?. My wedding ceremony with Jessica never held. It’s a long story bro. anyway she’s now living with me’’ he muttered with a slightly drawn face.
‘’so where is she?’’ I asked faintly.
‘’she is yet to return from where she went. We really have a long gist to share’’ he muttered, flashing a quick smile while I stared at him with surprise.
‘’well sit down and listen to my story’’ he added faintly.
Kelvin really had a long story to tell. I listened with rapt attention as he narrated all that happened since I left the country the previous year. The more I listened, the more sympathetic I grew towards him.
‘’I believe everything that happened on your wedding day was for good. Jessica isn’t a good woman and I still can’t believe how she tactfully roped you into her mess. But don’t worry, I came back with my dad’s lawyer and by the time we are through with her, you will definitely see her true colors.’’ I muttered while he shrugged with resignation.
‘’I know you won’t accept to spend the night here because of Jessica right?’’ he asked after few minutes of silence.
‘’hmmmm, I’m spending the night at my hostel and I have to get going’’ I smiled and got up.
‘’you won’t even eat anything here?’’ he asked anxiously.
‘’I’m fine bro, I can take care of myself’’ I answered calmly while he shrugged once again.
———————
I headed to Crunchies for a quick meal before returning to my Hostel to rest, sleep and plan for the journey ahead which was of course paying a visit to my Tracy. I really was anxious and scared at the same time. I just didn’t know what to expect from her and with prayers in my lips I slept off that fateful night.
————————————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
9:15pm, Kelvin’s bedroom
‘’Jude is back, he was here this evening’’ I softly informed Jessica who simply scoffed and sat up.
‘’that’s good for him, hope he had a good time over there’’ she muttered softly.
‘’listen Jessica, I still don’t know the kind of relationship you had with that boy’s father or what really transpired between you two but in the name of God, if you are holding tight to anything belonging to him, kindly give it back. Believe me, I will support him over you if he decides to come after you. If you really wish to be part of my family, then you have to act like one of us by doing the right thing’’ I begged her softly. She dropped her eyes, keeping quiet for some seconds.
‘’you won’t understand Kelvin but I have heard you’’ she breathed, leaving me curious as ever.
‘’understand what?’’ I asked eagerly.
‘’never mind my dear. I have heard you’’ she replied with a smile, leaving me in great suspense.
—————————–
The next day, Jude’s side of the story continues
By 11am, I found myself in front of Tracy’s family house, waiting for her to come out and usher me inside. I really left my hostel as early as 6am, for the long heart skipping journey.
I just found it hard to breathe as I eagerly waited for Tracy to show up.
Finally, the big gate opened, revealing Tracy who looked so slim and pale. She just looked very dry in my eyes and I couldn’t help but feel that she was still suffering over my betrayal. I couldn’t even look her in the face for up to a minute.
‘’why are you here Jude?. If you are seeking forgiveness, then you shouldn’t bother, I already forgave you last year. We shouldn’t carry grudges to a new year, should we?’’ she muttered softly while I nodded, unable to say a word.
I just shook before her, trembling like a sick child and the January harmattan wasn’t helping either.
‘’as for our relationship, you should know that it ended last year. To me you are as good as a married man. You can leave me now’’ she added calmly while I managed to bring up my face to meet her gaze.
‘’you already passed judgment on me without hearing my side of the story’’ I asked breathlessly.
‘’yes I did, because I’m not a stupid girl’’ she answered and shut the gate on my face without caring how cold the weather was that fateful morning.
Episode 14
Jude’s side of the story continues
I knew making up with Tracy was never going to be easy but I never expected her to lock me out of her house without at least first listening to my own version of the story nor considering the long journey I took to get to her house.
I stood outside the compound like a stranded man, so clueless on what next to do. Of course I couldn’t just start going back to where I came from. I had to stay put for a while and pray for a miracle to happen.
For up to four hours, I stood under the cold weather, which soon gave way for a not too painful sunlight, yet Tracy refused to change her mind and speak to me. It was as if she even thought I had gone back to where I came from. And I really had the urge to shout her name until she was forced to come out but unfortunately I had no strength for such a thing because I was already very tired, hungry and weak. Moreover such action could easily be misinterpreted in the quiet neighborhood.
By 4pm, when I was about giving up on my quest and leaving the neighborhood, Tracy’s mother luckily showed up at the gate with her car. She stopped the moment she saw me and beckoned on me to come forward.
‘’Jude is that you?. Are you just coming?. Why are you sitting outside?’’ she asked curiously. I heaved a sigh of relief as I realized that Tracy was probably yet say badly about me to her mum.
‘’I just got here ma, Tracy doesn’t want to talk to me’’ I stammered, not knowing what else to say.
‘’get into my car then’’ she offered, opening the passenger’s door for me. I quickly jumped in, forcing out an innocent smile while praying in my heart for Tracy not to tell the real cause of our fight to her mum when she asks for an explanation.
The gate was soon thrown open and in few seconds, we were inside the big house. Of course you can’t imagine Tracy’s surprise on seeing me with her mother. She looked so shocked and angry.
‘’Tracy dear what did Jude do to you?. Why did you leave him outside or were you not aware of his presence?’’ her mother asked her as she settled down in the living room. I just couldn’t breathe as I fearfully waited for Tracy’s reply but luckily she said nothing.
‘’mum just stay out of this please. I don’t want to talk about it with anyone’’ she finally muttered coldly and walked out on her mum, really surprising the old woman.
‘’what has gotten into her?’’ she asked me with a drawn face while I shrugged.
‘’I heard you travelled out of the country, when did you return?’’ she slowly asked me, making me feel a bit at home with the question, in no time we started chatting like mother and son.
Later in the evening after supper
I went out in search of Tracy to see if I could talk to her again. Luckily I found her at the backyard, busy with her phone.
‘’Trey dear’’ I stammered, sitting beside her. She stared at me for a while, sighed and kept quiet.
‘’I’m sorry for everything and I’m here to explain. I just want you to listen please’’ I stammered fearfully.
‘’I don’t want to talk to you Jude. You are just lucky I didn’t tell my family what you did. You should respect yourself and back away. It’s over between us and nothing will change that. You can stay here if you want’’ she coldly replied, stood up and walked out on me.
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Kelvin’s side of the story continues
I really had a lot to think after Jude showed up at my house the previous day. I was caught in between helping him out, being neutral or standing by Jessica. Of course I knew Jessica’s hands weren’t clean but I still couldn’t figure out anything strong to pin her with crime. She was just always ahead of me and somehow I feared for my cousin’s safety even though I had a little reservation about that. I believed if Jessica had wanted to harm him, she would have done it months ago when no one would have noticed.
Setting up a new wedding date with Jessica was another thing that bugged my mind. I really wasn’t eager to marry her like I was the previous year and I just was scared of what her reaction would be if I was to tell her the truth. Moreover she was already living with me, something I wasn’t happy about and then Cynthia’s reappearance was another thing I just couldn’t easily live with. I just really can’t tell what exactly I was feeling for Cynthia. It was a bit of fear, likeness, regrets and passion. I always looked forward to seeing her without knowing the reason. Her changed look equally made me more attracted to her.
I was in this state of mind when I headed out to the bar, down the street to drink a little. I barely had settled down when a familiar looking lady walked up and sat opposite me on the same table. I stared at her for some seconds as my memory did a quick work of bringing up her file in my head.
‘’Emmanuela’’ I stammered
‘’yes Mr. Kelvin. Happy new year’’ she muttered with a killing smile.
Episode 15
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’what’s up with you?. You always appear and disappear like a ghost’’ I smiled broadly, studying the pretty lady keenly. She was the last person I expected to see at that very place but somehow her presence kind of brought up my spirit.
‘’actually I came here to meet a friend before I spotted you. You don’t look very bright. Hope everything is alright?’’ she asked with a smile. I shrugged and kept quiet for some seconds, bringing up my eyes to meet her gaze.
‘’I kind of searched for you after you mysteriously showed up at my bachelor night’’ I muttered guardedly, trying to start a conversation. She drew back slowly as if I just touched a sensitive topic.
‘’I don’t know but I do feel that you have something to tell me, probably about your friend Jessica’’ I pushed on.
‘’how are you sure about that?’’ she asked, dropping her eyes.
‘’come on, don’t make this hard for me. The truth is that I’m still very skeptical about marrying your friend’’ I muttered slowly.
‘’and you think it’s wise telling me such a secret, knowing full well that I’m Jessica’s friend?’’ she asked with a smile.
‘’what drink should I ask the waiter to bring for you?’’ I asked politely. She breathed deeply.
‘’no need for that, I’m even about returning to my table’’ she answered, fetched a paper from her trouser pocket and dropped it before me.
‘’my phone number and address is in there. Call me but I won’t break my silence for free, you will have to drop something for me’’ she smiled, got up and headed to her table, leaving me wondering how she managed to arrange her phone number and address on the piece of paper as if she knew before hand that she was going to meet me there.
However one thing I felt for sure was that Emmanuella definitely had a story to tell. And she could be all I needed to unravel many things about Jessica.
‘’Or is she setting me up for something else?’’ the question somehow found a way to pop up in my head as well.
————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues
I had a very restless night at Tracy’s house. I couldn’t sleep a wink because my head battled all night with many thoughts. I really wasn’t happy with the kind of treatment Tracy melted out to me and I had no choice than to make up my mind that very night to leave her house early the next day before the insult gets out of hand.
Yes of course I knew somehow my decision to leave was a bit awkward but I had no choice than to make the decision in order to retain the little pride I had left.
Tracy was nothing else but a young girl and just like most girls her age could be totally unpredictable. She could end up blowing the whole thing out of proportion the next day, something I really couldn’t stand. So I kind of felt it was better to wait for her in school which was a neutral ground and most likely a place to settle with her without getting wholly disgraced.
By 7am, the next day, I took my bath, prepared and got ready to leave. Tracy and her mum were in the kitchen when I walked in on them with the news that I was leaving. Tracy of course appeared less concerned but her mum looked shocked.
‘’why?. I thought you are staying for some days?’’ she asked politely.
‘’no my plan was to see you guys yesterday and leave for my village early today’’ I lied.
‘’I hope it isn’t because of Tracy’s attitude that you are leaving?’’ she asked curiously.
‘’no’’ I stammered, looking down.
‘’by the way what exactly is the cause of the quarrel going on between you guys?’’ she asked, throwing a quick look at Tracy. I couldn’t say a word because there was nothing to say. of course I couldn’t lie before Tracy to avoid being embarrassed.
‘’hmmmm I see no one wants to talk to me. But at least you can stay for breakfast before leaving’’ she demanded while I silently shrugged with resignation.
———————————
An hour later, I was on my way back to Owerri with a broken heart and a shattered soul. The only option I had left concerning Tracy was to wait till she shows up for the new semester which was equally going to be our final year in school.
I couldn’t afford losing Tracy but I had no choice than to start planning towards any eventuality.
Episode 16
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
Over the next few days, I strongly restrained myself from calling Emmanuelle to learn all I felt she wanted to tell me. I just couldn’t get myself to call her because I was a little bit scared of jumping into things and making the same mistake I made with Jessica. I kind of felt Emmanuelle had a hidden motive behind her sweet offer; moreover everything about her was a bit weird.
However on Saturday morning, I fought off my reservations and called her on phone for the first time.
‘’hmmm finally you called’’ she giggled happily after I introduced myself.
‘’I’m sorry dear, I have been busy. So how do we see again?’’ I asked, expecting her to mention somewhere public but to my surprise she asked me to come over to her house.
‘’I gave you my house address. If you want us to see, simply come over to my house this evening’’ she answered, leaving me totally speechless for some seconds.
‘’ok then, I will be there by 4pm’’ I finally muttered and hung up while a thousand and one thoughts raced through my head.
‘’Kelvin you have to be careful. This lady is probably up to no good’’ I couldn’t help but advice myself over and over. And so Instead of making the visit by 4pm, I stayed back at my house and watched TV. Of course curiosity always leads one to danger more than anything.
I was definitely yet to get out of my present predicament and couldn’t afford letting down my guard once again.
—————————————-
Jude’s side of the story continues
The next few days were extremely uneventful and boring. I couldn’t do anything than to think about my Tracy every single time I was alone. My world simply looked empty and useless. I just had nothing to look up to anymore.
The next Monday, my lawyer gave me a call, inviting me to an office along Wethral road. I hurried over to meet him there, so anxious to proceed with the pending cases at hand.
At the office I was introduced to another lawyer who I was told would be in the best position to help me.
‘’Jude meet my brother barrister Clems Chike. I just briefed him about your situation and he offered to assist us in every possible way. Now concerning the lady in question, do you have any new information about her?’’ my lawyer introduced his friend before asking with a serious look.
‘’’yes she’s is now living with my cousin. I can take you guys to meet her very early tomorrow before she leaves the house’’ I quickly answered.
‘’good, that settles it. Tomorrow we will go and have a chat with her’’ he added while his friend nodded.
By 8am the next day, my lawyer and his partner barrister Clems were already seated in Kelvin’s sitting room. Kelvin sat a distance away, looking very frightened like a cornered rat while I kept a straight face, avoiding his eyes. Seriously supposing he wasn’t very close to me, I would have thought he had a hand in everything.
Jessica soon showed up from the bedroom, clutching a brown big envelope and looking very serious.
‘’my name is barrister Clems. I’m here to represent my client Jude. I got a very touching report from him about his father’s death and missing properties and we are here to peacefully ask you to return everything his dad left in your care. That’s all we came for. We are not here to investigate or cause trouble unless of course you want it to go the difficult way. We already have every necessary documents relating to the transactions Jude’s father did with you and we believe as a very smart lady you wouldn’t want us visiting the court over this trivial issue’’ barrister Clems said seriously without wasting any time. Jessica breathed deeply, threw a quick look at Kelvin before shrugging.
‘’you guys have no slightest idea the kind of relationship I had with Jude’s father. I didn’t steal anything from anyone but I get it. No one would believe me and I know it’s because of the house. So for peace to reign, here are the house documents, they are all in my name but you can have it. I’m not contesting anything with you guys. Take the documents and take possession of the house. I don’t need it’’ she breathed, quickly handing over the brown envelope to barrister Clems who opened it with shaking hands while we looked on with great shock and surprise.
It was so easy. I just couldn’t believe it was all real. Somehow I felt Jessica was up to something else but what could that be??
Episode 17
Jude’s side of the story continues
I couldn’t believe myself. It just looked like a dream. I couldn’t believe Jessica could really do what she just did without a single argument. My lawyers equally weren’t expecting such move from her. And for a minute the whole room was dead quiet as if a ghost just passed by.
Barrister Clems finally broke the silence in the room after quickly going through the documents.
‘’everything here appears fine to me. Thank you madam for doing the right thing but we will still reach out to you if we need anything else’’ he quickly muttered, but his statement kind of provoked Jessica who quickly flared up.
‘’there is nothing else to reach me out for. I just gave you guys a house that was bought for me just for peace to reign, simply leave my house right now. I don’t want to see you guys ever again’’ she shouted, jumping on her feet and leaving us very worried with her sudden change of attitude. Kelvin couldn’t even utter a word, of course what was there to say though?.
‘’we have to leave now’’ barrister Clems said to me, standing up with his friend. I quickly joined them and together we left the house without another word.
I really was so overjoyed in getting back my dad’s house but equally somehow disturbed over the comment Jessica made about giving back what was duly hers just for peace to reign.
‘’could my dad have given her the house as I gift?’’ I couldn’t help but wonder over and over.
‘’I will first have to check the authenticity of the documents before we move to the next procedure. I will contact you in two days. Just relax things are really working out much more than we hoped’’ barrister Clems, said to me as we headed back to his office, breaking into my thoughts. I couldn’t say anything to him, instead I smiled quietly.
———————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
I couldn’t believe myself as Jessica simply handed over the house documents without any fight nor argument. It was as if she already had it all planned out. To me what she did was simply wonderful even though she never carried me on with her plans. And as soon as Jude and his lawyers left, I went after her at the bedroom.
‘’my dear what just happened?’’ I asked with a smile, sitting beside her on the bed.
‘’what do you want to hear now huh?’’ she breathed coldly.
‘’my dear’’ I muttered softly, touching her right hand.
‘’you wanted me to do the right thing and I just did. I did it for you. Hope you are now happy??’’ she asked with a raised tone, putting me off with her attitude. But I still appeared calm.
‘’yes but you know, you could have carried me along with your plans. I still don’t know how you got the house at the first place or your relationship with Jude’s father. I keep hearing a different story every day. Can’t you just tell me the whole truth once and for all?’’ I demanded softly. She eyed me and hissed.
‘’just let me be, please I beg of you’’ she shouted, turned and faced the wall, really annoying me with her strange response.
She never uttered any other word to me that morning no matter how hard I tried to make her talk and there wasn’t any doubt she was very hurt over what she did. However what I couldn’t figure out was the reason why she easily gave up the house without a fight. A house she was planning earlier to sell. Of course she said she did it for me but somehow I felt she was lying. Her attitude that morning was nothing but a big mystery to me and I resolved that moment to pay a visit to Emmanuella to hear what she had to say.
———————————————-
4pm same day, I found myself on my way to Emmanuela’s house for a date. I had called her earlier requesting to see her and just like I feared she asked me to come over to her house by 4pm.
‘’ hope I won’t be facing the worst by visiting her?’’ I couldn’t help but wonder.
Episode 18
Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’dear lord, hope I’m doing the right thing?’’ I nervously prayed as I knocked at the door of Emanuella’s apartment that fateful evening. Of course I really didn’t know what to expect from her. It could be a setup. It could be anything.
Emmanuella soon opened the door, smiling softly as our eyes met. My hormones quickly flared up as my eyes fell on her outfit which was extremely sexy. She was putting on a transparent sleeveless top, which showcased not only a big part of her succulent bosoms but the n.ipples as well (she wasn’t putting on bra). She equally was putting on a very short mini skirt which displayed a big part of her laps. In fact she was just dressed like a lady who wasn’t expecting any male visitor.
I pretended not to notice her dressing, forcing out a defiant look as I smiled back to her.
‘’finally you made it to my house. Halleluya’’ she breathed as she led me into her small sitting room which was neatly arranged.
‘’I know my sitting room isn’t the type you are used to but not everyone is as rich as Jessica’’ she joked as I settled down, quickly fetching a bottle of wine from a fridge close by. I stared at the wine suspiciously, shaking my head and trying to be polite at the same time.
‘’that really isn’t necessary. I only came to hear what you have to say about Jessica’’ I muttered softly.
‘’hmmm and what did you bring for me then?’’ she asked with a smile, dropped the wine on a stool and faced me.
‘’hmmmm ok so tell me what you need?’’ I kind of asked with a curious look. She shrugged, sat down and shook her head.
‘’actually Jessica is a very good friend of mine. We have known each other for almost nine years. And she is someone that takes every risk to get whatever she wants. Her banking job was able to introduce her to a whole lot of people. She cashed in on the opportunity and made lots of friends. She has dated up to forty rich guys over the past nine years I have known her and you are the youngest so far. I really was surprised when she introduced you as her fiancée’’ she slowly opened up, stopping for a while perhaps to see my reaction but unfortunately what she just told me wasn’t exactly what I was expecting to hear and I couldn’t stop myself from hiding my disappointment.
‘’is that all??’’ I asked with frustration. She smiled, opened the bottle of wine and poured out a little for herself. I just was impatient as I waited for her to either continue or tell me that was done.
‘’I known most of Jessica’s secrets but you are not expecting me to snitch on my friend without any compensation in return’’ she slowly muttered, studying me with her eyes.
‘’so what do you want exactly’’ I asked quickly but before she could answer, someone knocked on her door.
‘’please you have to hide in my bedroom, I wouldn’t want any of my friends to see you here’’ she quickly said with a worried look, stood up and virtually dragged me to her bedroom, where she locked me up and returned to her sitting room.
You can’t believe I stayed in there at her bedroom for close to two hours while she chatted endlessly with her visitor. I waited in frustration, so bitter and angry with myself for coming there in the first place.
It was really one of the most boring periods of my life as I simply stayed locked up in her room like a petty thief.
Finally around 6:45pm, she unlocked the door and walked in with an apologetic smile.
‘’I’m so sorry dearie. The annoying girl just refused to leave and I just couldn’t find a way to send her out. I’m so sorry for keeping you here. Thank God she left at last’’ she apologized, drew foreword, held my face with her palms for a while before surprising me with a very hot kiss and instead of backing away, I just didn’t know what got into me and i kissed her back, eagerly grabbing her b00bs that got my attention from the very moment I walked into her apartment.
To be continued