Season (2) Shades of Lust Episode 25-55

[Edoman]

Season (2) Shades of Lust Episode 25-55

 


Episode 25

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’Kelvin dear what did you tell them about me?’’ Jessica asked accusingly as if she already knew what I could have said about her but before I could say anything, the rude inspector dragged me to the other section of the room where I was made to declare my things.

A minute later I found myself in a police cell, a place I very much dreaded. I just couldn’t believe it. It looked as if I was dreaming.

‘’enjoy your day’’ the policeman who dragged me to the cell grinned as he pushed me in without any consideration. For some seconds my mind went totally blank. And as my brain slowly recovered from the blackout, I desperately thought of how to act before my new cell mates who were busy weighing me, probably getting ready to pounce on me like wild cats.

There were about fifteen young men in the poorly lit stinking cell which was as small as my bathroom. Of course as a new comer I knew the kind of reception that awaited me and it was something I was in no state of mind to face.
I had just my body size and strength as the only advantage but I knew I had no chance facing all of them at once in a free for all fight. I equally had no money to share. In fact I just wasn’t prepared for the stuff I was facing that morning.

Slowly i remembered what a friend who once was locked up for a long time told me about police cells.

‘’once you find yourself in a hardcore cell, show no fear and don’t take one more step once you are inside for the first time. Just stand with the guy at the entrance and examine things first if you have no money to bribe your way’’ he had narrated as we laughed about his cell experience. I never took his words seriously back then till that fateful moment when I stood face to face with strange hungry looking men. Of course the cell just looked like a hardcore one. I simply stood like someone out-numbered in a ‘’hell in a cell cage’’, waiting for the first blow or intimidation to come. I wasn’t ready for a fight but it never meant that I was ready to go down or intimidated without a fight. Moreover just like the guys in there, I was equally a street guy even though mine was in a matured level.

Surprisingly no one laid a hand on me, it was as if they were too weak to look for my trouble or probably scared of me. My heart pounded furiously as we all exchanged glances.

‘’This man!’’ I suddenly heard a voice scream out as a lanky looking guy slowly stood up from the floor.

‘’Kelvin Kelvin, o boy wetin bring you here?’’ he asked in Pidgin English as he approached me a smile. I instantly heaved a sigh of relief as my eyes fell on the young man’s face. He was no other person than the guy I bought my first laptop from years ago. Of course it was a stolen laptop and he was honest about it.

‘’o boy! I was just arrested for kidnapping one lawyer’’ I explained quickly while the whole room fell silence as my explanation hit every one of them.

‘’chai my chairman, kidnapping?. Mehn. I knew you were going to run this town the first time we met. Just look at me, running things here just for a small robbery while you are out there doing big things’’ he proclaimed with admiration while I scoffed and shook my head. I couldn’t say anything else to him. I was yet to even come to terms of what was happening to me. I just couldn’t wait to get out of that smelling hell hole. However I was happy that I wasn’t embarrassed or bullied.

Around 3pm, I was dragged out of the cell to meet the rude police inspector who arrested me earlier in the day. He smiled as his eyes scanned my appearance. He was satisfied by what he saw.

‘’Mr. Kelvin, the kidnappers called two hours ago to demand their money once again and with the look of things, it seems you were right about not being involved. But you see in this case, it’s very unwise to bring in a lawyer or to form Mr. Innocent when all you need to do is just to play ball with us. You dragged your girlfriend into this by mentioning her in your statement and it won’t help your case, moreover we got an unlicensed weapon in your house and if we should start tracing the source of that gun, you won’t like what we will discover’’ he said softly.

‘’so what do you want me to do now?’’ I asked seriously while he smiled.

‘’relax don’t be in a hurry’’ he muttered

Episode 26

Jude’s side of the story continues from same evening of last episode

As I headed out of the hostel to get some snacks at a shop close by, I spotted my Tracy alighting from a Toyota SUV.
At first my heart froze on sighting her before a smile gradually appeared on my face as my heart began beating rapidly. I just wasn’t expecting her to return to the hostel so soon and somehow I felt she was badly missing me, hence her sudden return.
Unfortunately my joy was cut short the moment my eyes fell on the driver of the SUV as he equally alighted and headed to the car boot to bring down Tracy’s things.

I instantly smelt danger the moment my eyes fell on the young man. He was well dressed in a striped shirt and well ironed plain trouser. The air and charisma in which he carried himself sold him off as a very rich career guy. I swallowed hard as I stood like a frozen image, watching him hug my Tracy before jumping into his car and driving away.

Nervously I approached Tracy not exactly knowing what to say to her. Yes of course I was very jealous. I was very mad; I was very pained over what I just witnessed.
‘’hey dear welcome back’’ I muttered, forcing out a smile as I approached her.

‘’hey Jude whatsup?’’ she greeted causally as if we were just nothing but old pals. It really got to me but since we were still far from being cool with each other, I simply let it go.

‘’hmmm you really brought in lots of things’’ I joked, dutifully carrying two of the heavy sacks I saw on the floor. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

‘’Jude I never asked you to help me. I can take them to my room myself. Weren’t you going somewhere?’’ she asked coldly. I bit my lips as I flinched, fighting hard to control my pride. Yes of course I cheated on her, I lied to her, I played with her feelings but I never deceived her into loving me because I was very much in love with her but she was just carrying on as if she was gold, diamond or something so highly special.

‘’Tracy come on, why are you acting so uptight?’’ I breathed.

‘’because I know you are just looking for a way to blow more lies into my ears. I moved on. You just saw my new guy right?. So just let me be and face your life with your Pamela or whatever she’s called’’ she hissed arrogantly, freezing me with her annoying words. Of course it was my entire fault but she wasn’t just giving me the chance to explain things to her.

‘’let’s go to your room first. We will talk when we get there’’ I muttered with a controlled voice. She rolled her eyes once again.

‘’Jude my room is no longer open to you. I’m sorry but I know you never loved me, you needed someone who would be your companion, your helper and cook over here and I fell for it. Just look for another girl to fool or simply manage for these few remaining months and return to the lady of your class who would probably be waiting with a white baby for you by then’’ she hissed, grabbed two of her bags and headed to the hostel, leaving me standing like a fool.

———————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last scene of the previous episode

Instead of opening up to me, the inspector simply changed the topic after a little hesitation.

‘’your girlfriend or should I call her your fiancée is waiting to talk with you. We will finish our discussion later’’ he muttered with a smile while I shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant exactly by me playing ball since he wasn’t yet ready to make his demands open.

He soon left the room while Jessica walked in with a food flash. She wasn’t exactly looking bright and I stared at her curiously.

‘’they denied you bail. You will be spending the night here my love. But I believe by tomorrow you will be freed. I never knew you had a gun. You could have given it to me to hide for you’’ she said softly as I quickly devoured the food she brought for me.

‘’I hid the gun very well Jessica. I still can’t believe how they found it’’ I replied slowly.

‘’they said you are being held for kidnapping and possession of fire arm and that granting you bail is still impossible until they are done with the investigations but i believe it’s all about money and you shouldn’t be worried. I will get you out before the end of tomorrow’’ she promised softly. My eyes brightened, she just had a way of appearing like an angel before me.

‘’but one more thing my love’’ she added, staring deep into my eyes.

‘’don’t you want me anymore?’’ she asked, leaving me amused with her question. Of course there wasn’t any way I was going to be honest in that situation.

Episode 27

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’my dear let’s save that topic till I get out of here. You should be working on getting me out of here please’’ I begged. Jessica smiled, slowly reaching for my hand.

‘’I promise you will be out of here tomorrow’’ she said with strong words. Deep down I prayed for God to help me as well because I really was in a mess and I couldn’t figure out the direction to move my life anymore.

—————————————-

Jude’s side of the story continues, same evening

By 8pm, I slowly made my way to Tracy’s room with a fast beating heart. I was so keen on making peace with her. I so badly wanted to end the bad blood between us even though it appeared as if my Tracy was really a bit different from the girl I used to know. I couldn’t believe she actually changed that much over the few weeks we had been away from each other.
Yes it was my entire fault but at least she should have given me the chance to explain myself.

I knocked on her door for about ten minutes before she opened it, frowning as she faced me. She couldn’t even allow me to walk in. I speechlessly stared at her for some seconds, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’why are you disturbing my peace this night?, what do you want?’’ she asked furiously.

‘’I came for us to talk’’ I answered softly. She scoffed.

‘’you are wasting your time. I have moved on. I have a new guy and I’m happy with him. There isn’t a chance of us getting back together. Just go back to your room, sleep and forget about me’’ she said very seriously, punishing me with those hurtful words. I just couldn’t control my feelings or eyes as tears quickly formed up against my wish.
I wanted to say something but couldn’t because of my deep emotional state, instead I kept quiet for few seconds as I tried to make the tears go away from my eyes. I was a man; I had to be in control of my feelings no matter what.

‘’Trey’’ I finally managed to breathe. She rolled her eyes and looked away. It was just as if she wasn’t touched in any way unless of course she was outwardly trying to look strong when deep down she really wasn’t herself.

‘’we have come a long way for this’’ I stammered, looking down.

‘’you knew we have come a long way, yet you cheated on me to the extent of getting a woman pregnant. It wasn’t once or twice that you slept with her and to even think that I innocently offered you my body to satisfy your male thing and you refused. Just leave my presence please’’ she shouted.

‘’Trey I love you and nothing will ever stop me from loving you. I lied about many things but not what I felt for you’’ I confessed. She shook her head, closed her eyes for some seconds, drew back and shut the door on my face.

(I knocked and knocked and knocked on the door all over again but this time around she never answered.)

After hopefully standing at her door for about thirty minutes, I returned to my room to have a very sleepless night. My Tracy just was so close but far. I really didn’t know what else to do to win her back. Yes I perfectly understood her position but I had felt she would have given me the chance to fix things.

—————————————————————————

Early the next morning, I got a call from my lawyer to meet him at the hotel he was lodging. I carried myself there with a very weak and tired body.

‘’so what’s up with the kidnapped lawyer?’’ I lazily asked as I sat down before him, expecting a positive answer. Seriously the issue had made me to forget about asking of my house documents and every other thing he was supposed to do for me.

‘’nothing much. The police are still doing their investigations while we try to play delay tactics with the kidnappers. I told the police everything I knew about my friend and the new cases he was handling. I was told by the police that they arrested your cousin after a routine search at his place because they found a gun in his bedroom’’ he explained softly while I froze on hearing that my cousin was being detained.

‘’but do you think he’s involved in this?, why send the police to his house?’’ I asked with concern.

‘’I never sent the police to his house. I only them all I knew about my friend and the cases he was handling. They arrested your cousin on their own but come to think of it, it looks your cousin is very wealthy, what exactly does he do for a living and why is he marrying the lady that dealt with your father probably for his money?. Don’t you think he has been working with her all these while and only pretends to be at your side?. He could even be the one that introduced her to your father in the first place and equally had to befriend you after his demise in order to know your next moves. Moreover they easily gave up the house in order to probably get the money worth of the house by kidnapping my friend.’’ He summarized flawlessly like a detective, putting me in a confused state as I slowly remembered how I got close to Kelvin and how helpful he had been.

‘’no I don’t think my cousin is working with her’’ I slowly muttered, knowing full well that my words sounded very stupid to him at that moment.

Episode 28

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’but you know what?, once my friend is freed and safe, we will dig around to know how your dad actually died. For now just avoid your cousin Kelvin. I believe the guy’s hand is somehow involved. Many things are just pointing to him and I just can’t ignore it’’ my lawyer said strongly. I breathed deeply, saying nothing.
Deep down I was scared over the whole thing without frankly knowing the reason. I just felt like asking him to forget about digging out the past because I felt it could end up burning everyone and I really wasn’t ready to have blood in my hands. Of course I was scared of his safety as well because he probably wasn’t much aware of how things were run here in Nigeria.

—————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last episode

I really had a very terrible night in the cell. The stench of the room, and the mosquitoes which fed fat from all of us were enough to make me lose my sanity. I couldn’t sleep neither was I able to even focus on my thoughts. I just prayed for Jessica to be able to get me out the next day just like she promised.
I equally waited for the police inspector to show up again to finish our pending discussion but he never showed up, leaving me wondering what exactly he wanted from me. It really was a very long and painful night for me.

Luckily around 10am the next day, I was dragged out of the cell to meet Jessica who was waiting for me with a new trouser and shirt.

‘’my love, we are going home, just change with these’’ she muttered happily, leaving me stunned as she offered the clothes to me.

‘’how did you do it?. How come?’’ I stammered excitedly. She blushed like an innocent school girl who just took the first position in her class.

‘’they found no evidence to link you with kidnapping, so they demanded for two hundred thousand naira in order to drop the gun possession charges. I paid it and you were freed’’ she announced sweetly. I heaved a sigh of relief.
I just couldn’t describe how I felt that moment. Jessica really had a way of always appearing like an angel.

‘’so simply keep a straight face, let’s walk out of here. I prepared something good at home’’ she smiled sweetly as she led me to an office (to complete the paper work of my bail).

——————————–

Ten minutes later, we were on our way back to my house. She drove my car while I sat at the passenger’s corner, too tired to even bring up a topic.

‘’You left your phone at home yesterday and it never stopped ringing. You had lots of missed calls’’ she softly informed me as she handed me my phone with her right hand.

‘’oh yea’’ I breathed as I collected the phone, freezing as the first number I saw on my missed calls list was no other person’s number than Emmanuella’s. My hands shook as I quickly gave Jessica a quick, guilty look, hoping she would say something about it but she never did. She just behaved as if she never went through my phone, something I was very sure she did. But since she failed to bring it up, I kept quiet as well.

On getting home, I took a long shower, freshened up and joined her at the dining table where a big plate of garri and ogbono soup were waiting for me to devour. I salivated as I quickly got ready to feed myself.

‘’I’m really glad you are back my love. I was very scared for you. The police can never be trusted’’ Jessica breathed solemnly as she poured out drinking water for me in a cup. I simply shook my head as I slowly recounted all I passed through in the cell.

‘’thanks for getting me out’’ I muttered with a smile.

‘’my love, how about we relocate to another town after our wedding?. This town is just too hot for us. The police are on your neck, Cynthia is back probably for revenge, and I believe things could only get worse. Our children can’t grow up here. I can easily set up my business in any town. Let’s just leave this town, all these drama. I beg of you’’ she softly begged with great energy, reaching out for my left hand. I slowly met her gaze, swallowing hard as I weighed all she just said in my head. Of course the town was really getting hurt for us but relocating with her also wasn’t something I wanted even though we shared lots of common secrets.

‘’here is my pregnancy text result, from a very reputable hospital’’ she added, dropping a paper before me.

‘’let’s just leave this town. I beg of you’’ she begged once again.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was desperate to leave town over something else or if it was all about me?.

Episode 29

kelvin’s side of the story continues

I silently stared at Jessica for some seconds while she keenly waited for my reply. Leaving town was surely a good idea but leaving with her was something I just wasn’t ready for. I needed a little privacy. I needed to be on my own for a while to put my body and soul in order. Yes I owed her some favors but I never bargained on leaving the city and starting a new life with her in another city.

‘’listen jess dear, I know you have good intentions for me but for now I’m just not thinking straight. I badly need to rest and relax’’ I stammered softly. She shook her head, unconvinced with my reply.

‘’I know you have an answer already in your heart. It clearly shows in your eyes. Don’t beat around the bush and tell me what you feel about my suggestion?’’ she asked seriously, leaving me with no choice than to be honest with her.

‘’I really want to leave town but not with you. I just need a little vacation alone to clear my head and plan for my future’’ I explained slowly. She drew back, observing me suspiciously.

‘’how about me?, I hope you are not thinking of abandoning me and your baby here to die of depression?. How about our wedding plans?, don’t tell me you have also forgotten about it?’’ she asked quickly. I shook my head.

‘’you are a big girl. You can perfectly take care of yourself till I return. Forget about the wedding stuff for now. I just want to be alone. Thank you for getting me home’’’ I answered, smiling to put down my point while she stood up with great disappointment and disbelief.

‘’why are you so wicked?, why are you so cold?, why are you so heartless?. Have I ever done anything bad to you?. You only think about yourself but forget that I’m now a part of you. How do you expect me to live with pregnancy outside marriage at my age?. Come on please this is so unfair’’ she cried desperately. I swallowed hard and looked away. I just wasn’t ready to wed her. I had to be with a clear mind before going through that path again.

‘’but it’s not as if we aren’t married. Haven’t we done our traditional marriage?’’ I asked defensively. She sighed.

‘’thank you for everything. I thought my happiness was with you but I was mistaken. I still can’t imagine the reason you showed up in my life in the first place’’ she muttered angrily, shook her head and headed back to my bedroom where she cried her heart out. I couldn’t get myself to continue with the meal after such an emotional discussion moreover she cried so loud that my conscience began to hurt me.
I was forced to join her at the bedroom to see if I could come into an agreement with her. It really was the first time I was seeing Jessica cry so emotionally and yes it touched me because it showed that she was still a woman no matter her tough character unless of course she was faking it.

——————————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues

8pm, Jude’s hostel

I was in my room, thinking about the new strategy to use on Tracy as my stomach growled once again, biting me at the same time. I drank two bottles of malt with five slices of bread in the afternoon plus a plate of Indomie an hour ago yet it was just as if nothing had entered my stomach all day.
I really felt like eating something solid like soup, garri or even beans. The kind of stuff only found in Tracy’s pot. The da.mn girl really knew I couldn’t survive a week without her and was just using everything to punish me. I really had hoped that since she said we were still cool as friends that I would have the luxury of eating from her pot but I was badly mistaken. She was all out to injure me where it hurt the most.

I was busy thinking about Tracy when I perceived a sweet aroma coming from a neighbor’s room. I quickly sat upright as I salivated, thinking of doing something most guys in my hostel were fond of doing which I used to frown on. Yes the aroma of fried plantain coming from Beauty’s room was too strong to be ignored and before I even knew what I was doing, I was at her door for the first time in my life.

You can’t imagine the surprise on Beauty’s face the moment she opened her door to see me smiling politely. As a big boy I knew the last thing she suspected was that I was in her room out of hunger.

‘’hmmmm Jude am I safe or are you here on Tracy’s behalf?’’ she asked guardedly while I blushed.

‘’no I’m here to keep you company. I have been alone all day in my room’’ I answered while she stared at me suspiciously, totally unconvinced with my reply.

‘’Tracy no longer talks to me. We broke up last Xmas and it really hurts’’ I explained weakly. Her eyes quickly lit up with interest or probably out of curiosity.

‘’oh come in then and gist me how it all happened. You know you guys were too close for something like that to happen?’’ she giggled, letting me into her room as she eagerly awaited my story while I swallowed hard as my eyes fell on a plate filled with fried plantain.

Episode 30

Jude’s side of the story continues from Beauty’s room

‘’what really broke you guys up?. You guys were too good for that s–t?’’ Beauty asked curiously as we ate fried plantain in her room. I shrugged, quickly forming up a reasonable explanation in my head.

‘’actually there was this girl i met some months back. We just got attracted to each other without any difficulty. The spark was just there and we wasted no time in hitting it off. It really was a onetime thing but the bad stench of the affair never left my body no matter how hard i tried to hide it from Tracy. The girl was just into me that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I finally had to tell her about Tracy but instead of backing off; she befriended Tracy on facebook and told her about our illicit affair. Tracy got mad at me and till today, refused to listen to me’’ I explained softly, hiding the big details from her.

‘’that’s so bad. You cheated on your girl and hid it from her. She has every right to be mad at you’’ she muttered with a smile.

‘’yes I know but she is just overdoing it’’ I added solemnly.

‘’supposing Tracy did the same to you, would you forgive her?’’ she curiously asked, taking me by surprise with the question. I kept quiet as I thought about it. Of course I wasn’t sure I was going to forgive Tracy if she did the same to me but I was a guy and she was a woman. Things like that aren’t supposed to be weighed the same way. Men of course could cheat out of mistake or perhaps out of lust with no feelings whatever, but for a lady to cheat she must have feelings for the new man. I could be wrong but that was exactly what I reasoned that moment.

‘’anyway Tracy is also too full of herself. Maybe you cheated on her because she wasn’t properly satisfying you’’ she quickly added, probably in order for me not to feel bad. I smiled gratefully.

‘’thanks, I never knew you could be such a good friend’’ I muttered with a smile. She blushed.

‘’whenever you need anyone to talk to, feel free to come around’’ she offered politely.

‘’oh thanks very much’’ I breathed, blushing at the same time.

‘’so how about your boyfriend?’’ I asked, trying to change the topic. She shrugged.

‘’boyfriend?. I have no student boyfriend because it makes no sense. What I need right now is a guy above my level. A guy who can take good care of me. A guy who has something doing and unfortunately I haven’t met any, so I’m single’’ she answered with a very funny tone that made me laugh.

‘’I haven’t laughed this much in a while. I thank God for giving me the courage to walk up to your room’’ I confessed. She rolled her eyes.

‘’you can’t imagine how many times I had the urge to come over to your room last year but couldn’t summon the courage. There was this Telenovela Tracy do watch in your room every evening as of mid last year. I was following the movie at home but missed it when I left for school. I had to always cover my ears with my pillow whenever i heard the soundtrack of the movie.’’ She confessed while I stared at her with disbelief.

‘’but no one would have sent you out supposing you came over’’ I muttered.

‘’yes but your Tracy acts weird sometimes’’ she replied, looking down.

‘’but since you are here and you guys are not together, let’s go to your room then’’ she suddenly suggested with bright eyes while I nodded in agreement.

———————

Five minutes later Beauty and I headed to my room, giggling like close friends. It just looked as if we had been friends for so long. However as I unlocked my room door, Tracy suddenly appeared from her room and headed towards the staircase after throwing a very long look at Beauty. I never anticipated on her busting up on us that very evening and I felt that perhaps she heard our voice and simply wanted to see things for herself by pretending to be heading downstairs by that hour.

We ignored each other but deep down I was really pained.

To be continued.

  

 

Episode 31

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’I think you should try talking to Tracy this night. I bet she will give you a listening ear’’ Beauty calmly said with a smile as soon as we settled in my room. I stared at her with great uncertainty, a bit confused over her suggestion.

Of course I was very worried over the look Tracy gave us moments ago and to me I felt the last thing she would do was to listen to anything I had to say but then Beauty was a lady as well and perhaps had a very good reason for making such a suggestion.

‘’do you think she will really listen to me after seeing us together?’’ I stammered softly. Beauty nodded, reached forward and held my left hand. I instantly felt a strange current pass through me.

‘’trust me, if she really is in love with you, she will be dying to speak to you this moment’’ she added, releasing her grip while I lustfully stared at her for no just reason. Yes of course I had no reason to have such silly ideas about her in my head but somehow it just popped in there. I quickly had to look away to focus on the problem at hand.

‘’I don’t want to lose Tracy. I guess I will go with your advice’’ I breathed softly.

‘’yea don’t wait for her to return to her room before making your move. I advice you wait for her at her door. Surprise her with your presence. That will be better’’ she added, smiled at me and reached for my TV remote while I hesitantly stood up to follow up with her advice.
Deep inside, my heart pounded furiously. I prayed deeply for her idea to work as I made my way towards Tracy’s room.

A minute later, I calmly stood in front of Tracy’s door like a frightened kid as I waited for her to show up. I really wasn’t sure if the idea was going to work but since I had nothing to lose in trying it out; I had to go on with the plan.
You can’t imagine the surprise on Tracy’s face the moment she showed up to see me waiting for her at the door. She just couldn’t believe her eyes. She stopped a distance away with a look of surprise shaded with resentment.

‘’what on earth are you doing there?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone. I quickly took a nervous step towards her.

‘’I came for us to talk. You can’t shut me out of your life like that. You can’t throw away all we had built over the years as if they were nothing. I deserve a fair hearing. You can’t judge me with mere hearsay’’ I spoke with great courage, taking her back with my boldness.

‘’oh Christ, not again’’ she breathed, folding her hands.

‘’I see, your new friend put you into this. I get it. She told you what to say and how to act. Go back to your room and tell her that it didn’t move me’’ she breathed coldly.

‘’why are you so uptight?. Let’s go to your room and talk, please I beg of you. We got to settle this tonight’’ I demanded pleadingly. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

‘’there is nothing to talk about. You are a liar, you are a deceiver. I can’t let you ruin my life or my future. You are having a child with another woman and that can’t be erased. You never denied it either. So don’t tell me s–t about love. This Is Africa. I can’t toy with my future so blazingly. No matter what, you will still go back to her in the end and by then it will be too late for me. The decision of moving on with my life is something I took time to decide and nothing can change it. I have a new guy now and please respect my decision’’ she poured out solemnly, walked past me and unlocked her door while I speechlessly stood like a carved image, uncertain of what next to say or do. Of course she had every right to protect her happiness and future by moving on with her life but she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There just wasn’t any possible way of convincing her that I was genuinely in love with her. Yes I had my flaws. I made terrible mistakes but no matter what, I still loved her.

‘’Trey I know I hurt you very much. But I will never stop loving you. I will do everything to prove myself’’ I stammered, stopping her with my words. She turned, and stared at me for a while before swallowing hard as if she wanted to say something.

Eagerly I waited for her to say something but I was disappointed. She simply shook her head after battling with herself for some seconds, turned and headed into her room.
I couldn’t force myself into her room. I knew I had to let her be for the meantime, but however I realized that moment that no matter her cold attitude towards me that she was still very much in love with me, she simply was protecting her future and happiness just like she expressed and I knew she was right about it.

All I needed was just a way to break her resistance which clearly looked impossible at that time.

Episode 32

Jude’s side of the story continues

I returned to my room to met Beauty eagerly waiting for me. She couldn’t even hide the excitement in her. It was just as if she was my big sister or something.

‘’so what’s up?’’ she asked with great excitement.

‘’nothing much’’ I breathed, looking down.
‘’ I didn’t achieve anything but at least we talked well and her emotions gave her away. She’s still very much in love with me’’ I added, slowly narrating all that transpired between Tracy and I. she listened with great attention.

‘’oh dear, you were too dull. You could have grabbed her when she was a bit indecisive, carried her to her room and made love to her. The opportunity you needed just stared you at the face but you blew it. Sometimes we ladies need just a little fondling and caresses to be on track’’ she breathed quickly. I shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’every lady has a sensitive spot. You could have made the bold move’’ she added with a look of disappointment, making me feel unmanly with her words.

‘’I have never made love to Tracy; we never did it when we were together. So I guess it wouldn’t have worked’’ I confessed, leaving her totally shocked.

‘’you mean you guys haven’t done it before?. But you have been together for so long’’ she asked with disbelief while I shrugged.

‘’oh I see, no wonder’’ she stammered with resignation, leaving me wondering what exactly she was thinking that moment.

—————————————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues (same evening)

Softly I knocked at Emmnuella’s door, as I nervously looked around for the tenth time. I had this feeling that I was being followed for no just reason. Perhaps it was the trauma I passed through at the police station that was still playing with my mind or perhaps the fear of what Jessica would do to me if she was to find out about my affair with her friend.
Emmanuella was just like alcohol to me, I knew having her was very dangerous but I just couldn’t get the urge out of my system. Of course i was very clueless on how it will all end with her. Oh yes I knew our affair would end very abruptly.

The front door soon opened, revealing Emmauella who quickly smiled on seeing me. As usual she was looking pretty hot and sexy.

‘’ah finally! what a surprise. You haven’t been picking my calls’’ she breathed as she threw herself on me.

‘’I just obtained my freedom from the police. They arrested me over the flimsy excuse that I was in possession of an unlicensed firearm’’ I explained softly.

‘’you really need to get away from Jessica’’ she suddenly breathed, leaving me very curious with her comment.

‘’do you feel Jessica is also behind it?’’ I asked while she shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’I will be leaving town for few days. I want to travel to a quiet city, relax and get myself in order’’ I added, studying her intently as I lowered myself on a sofa. She smiled, drew close and sat on my laps.

‘’that’s great. How about we leave town together?’’ she suddenly suggested. I stared at her suspiciously.

‘’don’t you have a job or something?’’ I asked with a polite tune. She quickly frowned and left my body.

‘’I’m ready to make sacrifices for you. I just like you and I want to help you get away from Jessica’’ she muttered coldly, quickly putting me in a defensive position with her words.
I slowly got up, drew close and held her by the shoulder.

‘’I do find you irresistible but there are many things about you that I’m yet to figure out’’ I breathed, kissing her neck.

‘’let’s do the vacation together. I will tell you everything when we get there’’ she softly offered, turned and faced me as we exchanged hot glances.
Few minutes later, we were on her bed, tearing each other apart.

——————-

I returned to my house early the next day, to meet Jessica all dressed up. She sighed on seeing me while I smiled, trying hard to appear nice. Of course I never planned spending the night with Emmanuella but the pretty witch never let me go and when we eventually finished ourselves up, I was just too tired to head home.

‘’I can’t believe you slept out. I could have left you at the police cell since you now prefer sleeping out instead of your own house’’ she said angrily while I yawned.

‘’I went to see some friends and we got all boozed up’’ I lied softly.

‘’I know you were with a woman but keep on till I get you guys. I will murder and leave her corpse for you to bury’’ she coldly threatened and walked away, leaving great fear all over me as her words sank in.
Of course her words were more like a normal feminine rant but deep down I had this feeling that she meant every word.

I needed no one to tell me that I had to be very careful with Emmanuella.

Episode 33

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

(Sunday morning)

I hurriedly packed up my things while Jessica watched me with disbelief. She just couldn’t believe I was actually leaving town without her. The look on her face showed all she felt that moment. I simply ignored her as I packed up, whistling a song at the same time to show my excitement which obviously annoyed her more.

‘’why are you doing this to me?. What joy will you derive in leaving me here all by myself after what we have through together?’’ she finally breathed, trying to make me feel guilty with her words but unfortunately her words had no effect on me, I just wanted to be away from her for a while. I badly needed to think about my life in a quiet environment. Of course that was my excuse for not taking her along but then there really wasn’t any excuse for including Emmanuella on the trip.
Yes I had no tangible reason for accepting to take Emmanuella along but instead of having second thoughts about it, I looked forward in having a great time with her. An urge I just couldn’t understand.

Same evening @Le Meridien Hotel Uyo,

‘’wow what a beautiful room’’ Emmanuella breathed with great excitement as we stared at each other passionately. I shrugged, breathing deeply.

‘’seriously I don’t know what pushed me into agreeing to come here with you. My initial plan was really to spend my time all alone here and think about my life’’ I confessed, looking down. She drew close, kissed my jaw and felt my heartbeat with her palms.

‘’you did the right thing in taking me on this trip. How about we shower together?. I have a long story for you and after listening to it, you will realize that you did great in bringing me along’’ she muttered with a seductive smile, quickly pulling off her clothes. I hungrily stared at her unclad body for a while before slowly undressing and walking into the bathroom with her.
Together we showered played and ended up making great love.

‘’jeez you are too strong and hot. Were you really trying to penetrate me through my a.ss or what?’’ she asked, breathing heavily when we were done with the rough play. I smiled and closed my eyes.

‘’I have successfully tried every style with you but that. Can we go on with it?’’ I asked playfully. She laughed, hitting my chest softly.

‘’no wonder Jessica is losing her senses because of you. You are giving it to her the way she never imagined’’ she breathed. I scoffed.

‘’but you should be careful with her. She’s soft with you doesn’t mean that she still can’t bite when provoked. She duped and killed your cousin’s father’’ she softly revealed, shocking me with her words. I quickly sprang up from the bed with great attention.

‘’I really wasn’t very much honest with you at first but hear me out now’’ she added seriously, sitting up to return my gaze.

‘’Jessica made your late uncle believe she was in love with him and being his old account manager, it was very easy for her to get him where she wanted. She manipulated him so well that the man left his building in the village under her care. She simply used the money without doing much on the house and the man never knew. The man equally sent money for a bungalow in town which she actually bought but turned to hers. It was just as if she used charms on him, because I never knew a man could be so gullible. He was her greatest hit and she never joked with him. When the man eventually returned to Nigeria, she took things to the next level. I don’t know what actually happened between them but she ended up killing him in his sleep. She ran to my house that very night seeking assistance. I was to be her alibi in case the police asked questions, the plan was for me to claim that she spent the night with me and not with the man, but luckily for her no one asked a d–n question and the issue died a natural death. However she kept me updated and that was how I knew about your cousin Jude and finally you. She is now manipulating you as well but what I really don’t know is the motive behind it. She has people everywhere and I just risked a lot by telling you this story. I could have told you about it earlier but just couldn’t because I really didn’t know which side you were on’’ she narrated, leaving me totally shaken with the story.

Jessica was definitely a killer but the question that sprang into my head that moment was ‘’what next?’’. What could I possibly do with Emmanuella’s story? Of course I knew the last thing she would do was to publicly testify against Jessica.

Episode 34

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’you know without evidence, your story has no value. I just wish there is little evidence to back it up’’ I muttered calmly, wondering if she had something to back up her story. She shrugged and drew back.

‘’unfortunately there isn’t anything like that for now but I can get out a confession from her. I can record it for you. Yes I can do it’’ she offered breathlessly, giving me great hope with her words. I stared at her curiously as my heart pounded fast out of excitement.

‘’but more thing’’ she added, drawing closer to me once again as we stared into each other’s eyes with great intensity.

‘’promise me that at the end of the day, after we get Jessica locked up in jail that you will settle down with me’’ she demanded strongly, taking me aback with such blunt demand. I just couldn’t believe myself for some seconds. The shock I felt instantly gave me away. She frowned on seeing how disturbed her demand left me. She dropped her eyes, looking gloomy.

‘’so I’m only good to be fu.cked?. I’m only good for fun right?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone as her color rapidly changed.

‘’no I beg of you’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’yes see your reaction?. You mean I should take the full risk of bringing down Jessica without any reward in the end?. I’m only trying to save your as.s from misery and the best you can do is to reciprocate my gesture by being with me to the very end. I need your presence and protection’’ she pushed on.
I closed my eyes for some seconds as I quickly thought of how to follow up with her. Yes she had a perfect body. She was fun to be with but she was as hell in the same league as Jessica. I just couldn’t imagine her being the mother of my kids.
I badly wanted to know the whole truth about Jessica but it wasn’t going to be at the expense of playing with my future or making the same mistake I made with Jessica.

‘’so what now?’’ I heard her say, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes, drew forward and kissed her, totally surprising her with the kiss.

‘’what was that for?’’ she asked with a look of confusion.

‘’I believe you are a better woman than Jessica. I think it’s better to be with you than her. Yes let’s do this’’ I softly breathed, drawing out a smile of satisfaction from her as she quickly hugged me.
I never meant those words but perhaps she was too gullible or stupid not to realize that the promise I just made wasn’t from my heart unless of course she had her own plans or means of tying me down after getting the confession from her friend.

—————————-
Jude’s side of the story continues (same Sunday evening)

I was about going to Beauty’s room when my phone rang and it was no other person than my lawyer calling. I nervously picked the call, wondering what the evening call was all about.

‘’good news, my friend has secured his freedom. We managed to pay the ransom and he was released this evening. Meet me at my hotel tomorrow morning, so that we can conclude things’’ he quickly informed me, hanging up instantly while I heaved a sigh of relief. Yes I really felt very relieved, learning that the barrister had been freed because I kind of felt responsible for the whole kidnap thing.

I just couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive and round things up once and for all. It just was as if a heavy load was suddenly carried off my chest and with that happy mood, I walked into Beauty’s room, surprising the poor girl with a quick hug as she opened her room door for me. The affectionate hug really left her staring at me breathlessly, clueless of what to make of it.

No I had no dirty reason for hugging her so strongly, It was just a happy moment I needed to share with someone like Tracy but unfortunately she wasn’t there at that moment and I just couldn’t imagine what Beauty felt of my action.

Episode 35

Jude’s side of the story continues

Early the next day I met my lawyer at his hotel room just like he requested and together we headed to barrister Clem’s house. Of course I really was very anxious and nervous at the same time, or should I say overly excited.
In no time we got to the barrister’s house.

Just like I expected, barrister Clem was just a shadow of his former self. He looked so pale, malnourished and thin. The bruises on his body equally revealed the hell he passed through at the kidnappers den, even though he appeared calm and composed.

‘’thank God you are back’’ I breathed with excitement, not really knowing what to say while he smiled at me.

‘’I believe someone paid for me to be kidnapped. I saw hell in there. I was beaten every day and night but I thank God for my life. It’s now a thing of the past. I just pray nemesis catches up with them’’ the barrister muttered confidently while I breathed deeply, wondering what made him so sure that someone paid for his kidnap.

‘’anyway Jude we were lucky the kidnappers didn’t do anything with the car and documents in it. Actually after I was released, they left a note on where to get the car and we eventually recovered it with the help of the police’’ he added as he handed a document to my lawyer.

‘’I believe the car and documents I had in my care weren’t of any concern to them’’ he added with a sharp smile.

‘’tomorrow I will inspect and check out the house Jessica handed over to us. By Thursday I will be leaving the country for a medical checkup. When I get back, we will round up everything concerning the property’’ he explained while I shrugged with resignation because there was nothing really to say. The important thing was that he was back alive and my documents still intact.

‘’I will be leaving the country with him on Thursday. You know I have overstayed more than I planned, but we will still keep in touch every other hour’’ my lawyer slowly chipped in while I shrugged once again.

‘’Thank you for everything. You guys are great’’ I finally stammered after few seconds of silence.

—————————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
(Few days later)
8:11pm Thursday, Emanuella’s apartment.

As Emmanuella slowly opened the door to her apartment, I playfully tickled her waist, making her turn to face me with laughter.

‘’you are still not tired of my body. Are you?’’ she breathed happily while I stared into her eyes as all we did during the short vacation played back in my head.
Yes the vacation was a success. I got my spirit and old self back. Emmanuella equally was wonderful and if not that the money I budgeted was already exhausted, we would have stayed till the weekend, instead we had to pack and head home that very Thursday.

‘’hope we can do this some other time?’’ she asked hopefully. I silently nodded.
Just that moment, a male neighbor walked up to us with a smile on his face.

‘’oh I guess you haven’t been around?. I even knocked on your door an hour ago?’’ he said to Emmanuella after shaking my hand.

‘’oh I travelled with my boyfriend’’ she replied, winking at me. I blushed.

‘’hope you guys had fun?’’ the male neighbor asked. She laughed.

‘’anyway, I just came to tell you that my son will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Chinonso will be a year old on Saturday’’ he announced happily.

‘’oh that’s great. I sure will be there to celebrate with your family’’ she muttered politely while the neighbor smiled and headed outside.

————————
Emmanuella’s sitting room
—–

‘’so what now?’’ Emmanuella playfully asked as we held each other in the sitting room. It was just as if she couldn’t stay a second without me.

‘’I have to start leaving now my dear. You know I have Jessica to face tonight. I can’t imagine the kind of fight we will be having this evening’’ I breathed with a solemn look. She softly kissed me, scanning my face with great concern.

‘’just be careful with her okay’’ she breathed. A knock landed on her door before I could reply, taking our attention.

‘’who could it be by this hour?’’ she asked, broke away from me and slowly headed to the door while I waited and watched. But as soon as she opened the door, she gasped and drew back into the room with great fear while the visitor who was dressed in black top and trouser confidently walked in with a smile.
The visitor was no other person than Jessica. I just couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t prepared for such confrontation. And the intriguing thing was that she appeared well composed and calm as if she had everything already figured out.

‘’can anyone please tell me what’s going on here?’’ she asked with a calm smile while Emmanuella ran to me obviously for protection.
My plans with Emmanuella, everything suddenly appeared to come to a hold. Jessica just had this way of being at the top every time. Of course i didn’t know what to do or say.

‘’so you stole the food meant for your elder huh?. how much have you told him?. You just can’t control yourself whenever you see a man. D–n, you just betrayed me girl. You know what comes next right?. You know the rules’’ she shouted at Emmanuella who suddenly held me tightly, like someone being electrocuted.

‘’I’m so dead. She’s going to kill me right now’’ she cried as if she just saw the future, totally surprising me with her outburst. But I had no time to wait because just that moment, Jessica pulled out a pistol from her bag.

‘’I’m sorry, I never intended this to happen but someone has to pay and that person clearly isn’t me. I warned you about this as well kelvin’’ she breathed, aimed and fired without hesitation.

There was silence after the heavy sound of gunshot.

Episode 36

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Jessica smiled evilly as she lowered the gun while I heaved a sigh of relief thinking she only fired a warning shot. I never knew Emmanuella was hit until she fell heavily on my body with a soft groan.

‘’she shot me. I’m dying’’ she groaned as I nervously grabbed her. I just didn’t know what to do that moment as I softly laid her on the floor to see where she was shot and how badly she was hurt.
There was blood all over her chest and in no time my hands were covered with her blood. There wasn’t any doubt the bullet went through her chest.

I threw an angry look towards Jessica’s direction but to my surprise she wasn’t there any longer. She just vanished. It was as if she was never there in the first place. I couldn’t believe myself as I returned my attention to the dying girl.

‘’I’m dying. I don’t want to die’’ Emmanuella cried weakly as I weighed the options before me. A part of me felt like abandoning her and running away but I just couldn’t do it because the memory of what happened with Cynthia was still very fresh in my head. Moreover a neighbor just saw us together and so running away would make me look extremely guilty.

I was still battling with my thoughts when the neighbor we met earlier showed up at the door. He stared at the scene for some seconds before screaming and running in to probably check things .

‘’what happened?. I heard the scream and gunshot that followed. Why did you shoot her?’’’ he stupidly asked while I gasped with disbelief over his question.

‘’I didn’t shoot her. Someone else did. Let’s take her to the hospital first’’ I stammered as he stared at me suspiciously before shrugging in resignation. In no time the sitting room was filled with concerned neighbors. Of course I was the main suspect and there was nothing I could do about it.

Luckily no one laid a finger on me, everyone was just concerned in taking the dying girl to the hospital and in few minutes we were at federal medical center owerri where the doctors at the emergency unit battled to save her life but the look on their faces clearly showed that all we needed for Emmanuella to survive was nothing but a miracle. She was really shot at a fatal area and she already lost a lot of blood.
However I never had time to worry about Emmanuella because I had a lot to worry about myself as the police showed up to take me in for questioning. And that was it, another straight ticket to jail.

2am, state police headquarters

‘’I now recognize you. You had a case the previous week with us?. What’s up with you and crime?. And the funny thing is that you always claim to be innocent” the police inspector who took me from the hospital asked as he led me to an empty office. The look on his face clearly showed that he already had pronounced me guilty.

‘’you got to believe me officer. I had no reason to shoot the poor girl, moreover no gun was found on me. We just got back from a vacation and my girlfriend showed up and shot her’’ I feebly defended myself.

‘’this case is too big for me to handle. You have to wait for my superiors to come and take over. Just pray she doesn’t die because that’s the only way you can escape prison. I’m speaking from experience. Moreover you already have a bad record’’ he added, shook his head, left the room and locked the door.

I fell with my knees on the floor as the reality of the grave situation I was in played before me. I could be charged for murder or manslaughter if the poor girl dies and with the look of things she was definitely going to die.
Jessica equally wasn’t there to help me out this time around because she was the mastermind of the whole thing. She perfectly ruined me at the right time and to think that she warned me.

‘’no God noooooooooo’’ I cried miserably.

To be continued

[Edoman]

Episode 37

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Very early the next morning, I was dragged to the same office I was questioned (over the gun possession issue) the previous week. (The annoying police inspector I dealt with the previous week and two ASP officers were there just like the last time I was there). You can’t imagine the grin on their faces when they recognized me.

‘’you again?’’ the inspector asked with disbelief. I shrugged, clueless on how to face them. I just couldn’t help but pray for my case to be transferred to another set of officers.

‘’I thought the lady that bailed you last week was your fiancée, how come you went on a vacation immediately after getting your bail with this new lady that was shot, I mean according to what you told my colleague yesterday?’’ he asked seriously as I sat on a bench while the other officers exchanged glances. I needed no telling that I was ruined. The look on their faces clearly showed that they didn’t buy my story. Of course i was already pronounced guilty by officers who were supposed to carry out a detailed investigation.

‘’I didn’t shoot the girl. My fiancée, the lady that bailed me out the previous week did. She caught the girl and I, shot her and ran away. The more you guys are delaying to get her, the more time you are giving her to escape’’ I breathed nervously, throwing the room into a sharp silence with my outburst.

‘’you better be sure about what you are saying because we are going to your house right now before heading to the crime scene. We are yet to recover the crime weapon and you better cooperate with us very well’’ the inspector slowly added while I shrugged in acceptance.
In few minutes we were at my house.

Kelvin’s house

The officers with me cautiously advanced to my front door, taking every safety precaution as one of them knocked at the door. My sound system was playing inside, clearly showing that someone was at home.
My heart pounded furiously as I wondered what Jessica was up to. But to my surprise she answered the door and stared at us with a look of surprise, like someone who wasn’t aware of what was happening. She was really a pretty good actor and oh yes I never even expected to see her at my house. I thought she fled the city after shooting the poor girl, so seeing her that very morning really got me disoriented.

‘’madam we are here to question you over an attempt on Miss Emmanuella Odek’s life yesterday evening. She was fatally shot at her residence’’ the ASP with us addressed Jessica calmly, expertly studying her reaction.

‘’Emmanuella Odek is my friend. Who shot her and why is my husband on cuffs?. I thought we already bailed him last week. Why arrest him again’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone, getting me angry with her pretense.

‘’I think you are getting things wrong here madam. Your man was with the lady when she was shot and neighbors said he was the only one seen with her before she was shot but he put up a good defense claiming that you caught him with your friend, snapped and shot the girl’’ the officer slowly added while Jessica’s color instantly changed.

‘’what!, you mean not only did he cheat on me, he also accused me of such dishonorable thing?. I have suffered’’ she cried, reached forward and slapped me with great fury before the officers could stop her. her act was pretty convincing and I knew the officers bought it.

‘’so then where were you yesterday evening’’ the officer asked.

‘’I was at a friend’s birthday party. I was at Ify’s birthday party. She’s a radio presenter with heartland fm. Most of my friends were there; even the wife of the state commissioner for information was there. You can ask all of them. I was at the party from 5pm till midnight’’ she defended quickly.

‘’you can take their contacts from my phone if you want’’ she quickly offered, surprising the officer with her well calculated replies.

‘’how about we search the house again for the gun used in shooting the girl?’’ he asked politely.

‘’sure of course you can search everywhere’’ she accepted as the other policemen quickly ransacked the whole house while the senior officer quickly went through her phone and copied some numbers which he called with his own phone.

———————————-

After about ten minutes, the officers searching the house came out sweating.

‘’we couldn’t find anything sir’’ they all said to the senior officer who shrugged and me.

‘’your woman’s alibi equally checked out. The three people I called said she was at the party. So you see Mr. Kelvin, all you have left is for miss Emmanuella to survive and talk or else you could be charged for first degree or second degree murder depending on your level of cooperation’’ the officer said to me, apologized to Jessica and headed back to the station with me.

Episode 38

Jude’s side of the story continues

Early Friday morning as I was preparing for lectures, I got a call from an unknown number. Curiously I answered the call, wondering who it could be by that hour.

‘’hey bro, it’s me Kelvin. Meet me at the state police headquarters as soon as you can. Call this number when you get there’’ I heard my cousin mutter with a very weak voice, leaving me totally frightened. Before I could even get myself to breathe out a reply, he hung up, leaving me wondering the kind of trouble he was into this time around.

Nervously I left all I was doing and headed to the state police headquarters. You can’t imagine how loud my heart pounded that moment. Of course I really wasn’t myself and supposing I had any other option, i would have stayed back.

————————————————-

It wasn’t hard to find my cousin at the state police headquarters, looking so weak, frustrated and scared like a Christmas goat. He was really looking like someone already condemned to death when I walked up to him at the office he was being detained. The smile on his face the moment he saw me, showed how happy he was to see me.

‘’listen bro. I don’t have much time but you have to listen carefully because everything is now in your hands. Jessica killed your father. I just discovered the whole truth but unfortunately she caught up with me, tried to kill the only witness and equally set me up. Now listen to all I have to tell you’’ he nervously breathed, shocking me with the words that came out of his mouth.

Quickly he narrated everything to me, starting from his relationship with Cynthia and how Jessica manipulated him into getting rid of the girl. He minced no word in telling me everything, stopping briefly at the point where Jessica shot Emmanuella. His hands shook as he narrated the ugly scene.

‘’ I never knew a woman could be so cold and vicious. I never knew I was living with a she devil all these while. Look at me now; it’s her word against mine. No one will believe me except you. Please just find a way to monitor Emmanuella. If she survives, Jessica might make another move to finish her up. I don’t know when I will be leaving this place. Please just help me talk to Cynthia as well. Tell her everything, here is her phone numbers and address. I need all the help’’ he added as he passed over a piece of paper to me which had Cynthia’s contacts.

I just didn’t know what to say or do. The story I just heard was way too much for me. The story of how my dad was killed equally left a big hole in my heart. All I wanted was vengeance. I had great urge to pay Jessica a visit and finish her up but I lacked the courage to do so. The only way out was to help my cousin and in the process wait for Jessica to misfire and then bring her down.

First and foremost I had to find Cynthia and convince her to help us out.

——————————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

I stared at my little cousin as he struggled with the story I just told him. It never was my intention to involve him in that kind of messy situation but I had no choice. He was the only one who could be my eyes and soul out there. Of course I knew I was never going to leave the police station at least until Emmauella recovers to talk which really was going to need a miracle to happen. Everything was already going badly for me. The look the policemen gave me after searching my house and questioning Jessica was enough to tell me that my fate was sealed. Jessica’s alibi was pretty strong and I just couldn’t help but imagine how she was able to be at two places at the same time, turning everyone against me.
Not only was I looking like a murderer, I was equally looking like a cheat who instead of taking responsibility for his action was accusing his fiancée who bailed him out of a smaller mess the previous week.
I really was lucky I was yet to be thrown in the cell.

‘’don’t worry brother, I will do my best. We will fight this out’’ I heard Jude assure me strongly, putting a light of hope over me. I breathed deeply, closing my eyes as I prayed inwardly.

‘’’oh that’s so touching’’ I suddenly heard Jessica’s voice mutter as if it was in a dream. I opened my eyes to see her standing before us.
Jude froze and turned white like someone who just saw a ghost while I stared at her with slight fear as I wondered what she came to do. She was the last person I was expecting to see and of course I knew she wasn’t there for a friendly visit.

I couldn’t imagine how a murderer could be allowed to walk so freely.

Episode 39

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

I nervously stared at both Jessica and Jude, praying for Jude to control his feelings and not over react. I couldn’t help but wonder what the poor boy was passing through that moment. Of course he just learnt of how his father was murdered and the murderer was right there before him.

‘’I have to go now. I will be in touch’’ I finally heard him say after what seemed like an eternity. I was happy he acted so matured and calm.

‘’very well then, do take care of yourself’’ I smiled back. He gave Jessica a quick look, turned and left the room.

————————

(Jessica slowly sat down where Jude just vacated, smiled and left her eyes on me for some seconds.)

‘’kelv, see what you just got yourself into by cheating on me. We could have been happy together. We could have conquered the world together. I was very ready to settle down with you but no you felt I wasn’t good enough. You had to cheat on me with a worthless prostitute. Why?’’ she softly asked, searching me with her eyes. I couldn’t believe she had the guts to ask such questions.

‘’you think you are winning right?. I have nothing to say to you now’’ I breathed angrily. She scoffed.

‘’of course what’s there to say huh?. You are going to spend the rest of your life in prison. That’s inevitable, or do you think little Jude will come to the rescue?’’ she asked, laughing softly. It was very obvious she was enjoying it all. I felt like smashing her head to the wall that moment.

‘’listen, Jude is nothing but a little rat to me. I can easily get rid of him whenever I want. I can even make him commit murder with the rage I just saw in him few minutes ago. I can make him spend the rest of his life with you in prison oh and what a happy company he will be for you’’ she threatened and laughed while I bit my lips furiously.

‘’With you guys out of the way, I will simply convert your things to my personal use and equally take back the house your little Jude got from me which of course was rightfully mine. No one will stop me or can you?’’ she opened up freely as if she wasn’t scared of anything. I just couldn’t say a word. Of course I knew she could do it all and yes, I had a hard time controlling my rage. I felt she was maybe trying to talk me into acting violently.

‘’mark my words, I will break free from jail and come after you. Even if I die in the process, I will be very satisfied’’ I threatened seriously, throwing her aback with my threat. She drew back and stared at me with a slightly frightened look. It was obvious she bought my threat even though she quickly covered it up by smiling.

‘’you can’t win in this game Kelvin. You will be too preoccupied battling for your life to even remember dealing with me. Just focus on your pending court case my dear and yes I will pay for your lawyer. I have directed one of my lawyers to help you out but you should know that no lawyer can ever win this kind of case. If I were you, I will simply plead guilty and get a small sentence. I have to go now. I hope you have enough money on you?, because I won’t stress myself coming here to provide food or anything for you. You are now on your own and I have a big task of converting your things to mine’’ she said and stood up.

‘’you don’t have right to any of my things. You are not legally my wife or next of kin. You can’t touch anything’’ I screamed like a drowning man. She laughed softly.

‘’you should worry about Emmanuella’s life first. I heard she’s battling with her life but unfortunately she isn’t going to make it. Worry about that my dear’’ she breathed and walked away while I shook with great fury as all she told me played back in my head.

I couldn’t believe she threatened to make my cousin Jude commit murder. I couldn’t believe she had the power to convert all my things to hers. My blood pressure was so high. It was as if I was going to have a heart attack as I collapsed on the chair with tears in my eyes.
My parents were yet to hear of my present condition and just the thought of it equally pained me greatly.

Jessica was a devil in sheep’s clothing and It seemed i was the only one capable of stopping her, but how do I achieve it?. How do I get out of jail?. How do I set things right?. Moreover Emmanuella’s life was still in danger with Jessica free out there.

I had no time to think more, because three policemen showed up at the room that moment and dragged me to the cell to await my fate.

Episode 40

Jude’s side of story continues

I really can’t fully describe how I felt the moment I heard Jessica’s voice disrupting the serious conversation I was having with Kelvin. I felt cold, angry and nervous at the same time. I had the urge to attack her right there but just couldn’t.
It really was with great strength that I managed to control my feelings, pick up myself and leave the room without exchanging words with her. But then as I walked away I felt like a coward. I kind of felt ashamed of myself for being unable to confront her like a man. In fact my head kept coming up with different ideas and excuses as I made my way to Cynthia’s house that very morning.

Convincing Cynthia to help out in my cousin’s case was another difficult task I was clueless on how to pull through. Of course Kelvin badly needed her help and it was my duty to make it possible without even having the slightest idea on how to make it happen. The only thing I relied on that very moment was luck. I knew Cynthia had a good heart but then Kelvin really wronged her greatly and she had every right to refuse helping out.
Lastly Emmanuell’s case was another difficult task I knew not how to follow. I equally had to check her up to know the condition of her health and also find a way to watch over her in case Jessica tries to make another move on her life. I really needed help badly.

————————–
Cynthia’s house

‘’hello please is Cynthia around?’’ I politely asked the young lady who answered Cynthia’s door. She stared at me curiously, hesitating to give an answer.

‘’my name is Jude, I’m Kelvin’s cousin. Just tell her, she will understand’’ I added convincingly with a smile. The young lady breathed deeply and shrugged.

‘’very well then, just wait here. I will be back shortly’’ she muttered, left the door and headed back into the house. She returned a minute later and ushered me into the sitting room where Cynthia was waiting curiously with a smile.

‘’hmmmm Jude what brought you here?’’ she asked pleasantly. I smiled back at her as I settled down on a sofa.

‘’actually Kelvin sent me here. He is in trouble once again and we badly need your help. Anyway just keep calm and listen to the story I’m about to tell you’’ I quickly added as her smile turned into a quick frown.
Fortunately she kept calm and listened to all I had to tell her. I hid nothing as I narrated everything the way Kelvin did. She patiently listened until I was done.

‘’I’m really sorry over the death of your dad and how he was coldly murdered but how does this concern me?. What can I do for you guys?’’ she asked swiftly.

‘’Kelvin is all alone right now. He needs you. His parents are not yet aware of his present predicament. You can also help talk to some of your police friends and make them view the case from our angle. Emamnuella is still battling for her life and she is very vulnerable at the hospital. Anything can happen to her there. Just forget the past and visit Kelvin at the police station. I believe he has a lot to tell you. Don’t just let your feelings cloud your good sense of judgment. Don’t let Jessica win over everything. Remember what she did to you’’ I breathed convincingly while she kept quiet for a while as she battled with her feelings.

‘’alright I will have to think over it and see what I can do to help. I will get back to you soonest’’ she finally assured me, leaving a smile of satisfaction on my face as I stood up to leave.

‘’don’t tell me you are leaving without even eating anything?. Don’t make me angry, you have to eat something’’ she pressed playfully while I shrugged and sat down once again. Of course I was very hungry.

————————
later in the day, Jude’s hostel

As I headed to my room around 1:57pm after a very busy morning, everything Kelvin told me hours ago slowly played back in my head, especially the story of how my father was killed. It was just as if I witnessed the whole scene as it played out that fateful night.
Once again I felt like a coward for walking away from Jessica at the police station instead of confronting her. I just felt as if I had failed my father over again. Tears quickly formed in my eyes as I made my way to the staircase with my head bent to hide my eyes but unfortunately I collided with someone who was heading out.

‘’ouch please try to look when walking?’’ I heard Tracy scream as my shoulder hit her. I nervously threw a quick look at her, apologizing quickly while she surprisingly stared at my eyes with a look of concern as she noticed the tears in them.

‘’I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking. Hope you weren’t badly hurt?’’ I stammered, quickly looking away to avoid her gaze. She hesitantly stood as if she wanted to ask me something but couldn’t while I bravely tried to move on.

‘’wait’’ I suddenly heard her breathe, stopping me with her words as she took a step towards me with great concern. I turned and stared back at her, wondering the reason asked me to wait. Our eyes met once again as I trembled deep inside. I felt something I had never felt in a long while.

‘’why are you in tears by this time of the day?. It’s so weird. What happened?’’ she asked with great concern as if she forgot we really weren’t in good terms.

‘’I just found out how my dad was killed. My cousin told me everything this morning. Jessica coldly killed my father’’ I painfully breathed as more tears showed up in my eyes. I couldn’t help but notice how colored up she instantly became.

‘’you should be strong Jude’’ she softly breathed after a little silence, drew closer and threw herself on me, surprising me with a hug that gave me much hope.

She hugged me tightly, saying many unspoken words with it.

I couldn’t believe she actually hugged me. I couldn’t help but feel the power of true love.

(Love song plays in the background Lol J )

Episode 41

Cynthia’s side of the story

As soon as Jude left my house that fateful Friday morning, I went into my bedroom to cry out my heart. Of course I had no justification crying for a guy who ripped out my heart and threw away without sympathy. I had no reason to feel anything for him but regrettably I still did. I still had feelings for him, something I just didn’t know how to stop. Kelvin definitely deserved all that was happening to him. He deserved to rot in jail for the rest of his life but then he never deserved suffering the heat all alone without his partner in crime.

Kelvin and I were really so happy together. I had this great imagination of our future. I sacrificed a lot for him, I obeyed him as if he was my God, I served him with everything I got, I allowed him to rule over me. I offered my body to him in a platter but what did I get in the end?. He dumped me with the first chance he got with the excuse that I wasn’t sophisticated. He felt I was no match for Jessica in everything. Perhaps he was right but he destroyed my happy life with that decision. I was pregnant and expectant of a wonderful future but what did I get?, I found myself dumped out in a cold night, I found myself lying in a refuse dump, under a heavy rain.
Hmmmmmm, that was a very terrible experience. I slowly closed my eyes as the memory of that fateful evening played back in my head.

‘’ That fateful day, Jessica invited me to her apartment for us to settle things amicably and as a naive young woman; I believed her, not knowing that she had other plans for me. She attacked me in her house, in Kelvin’s presence and the d–n idiot couldn’t do a thing to help me out. She easily knocked me out and left me for dead in a refuse dump. I woke up that night not knowing where I was or what was happening for about thirty minutes. The stench of the whole place, the heavy downpour and the blood I lost all made it terrible for me. I finally managed to get up and luckily ran into a group of policemen at a roadblock. The policemen of course thought at first that I was a mad woman as I made my way to their van. And that was how I survived. I was taken to the hospital and my family contacted. Unfortunately I lost my pregnancy and it was a very nasty experience. My god mother, a lady of questionable character finally had to offer her help once again and this time around I accepted her help because I had nothing more to lose. Within few weeks I found myself in Italy. I stayed with her for a couple of months before returning to the country to run her hotel. That was how I survived Kelvin and Jessica but the painful part of it all was that I was unable to forget Kelvin no matter how hard I tried. I equally tried to take down the bi.tch called Jessica but she proved too powerful for me and I had no choice than to back down and wait for the right opportunity’’.

‘’should I now help Kelvin or leave him to his fate?’’ I wondered over and over as more tears dropped from my eyes. Even though my relationship with him ended a long time ago, I still felt as if part of him was still inside me. Perhaps it was because of the pregnancy I lost or something else but only ladies that had passed through something similar would understand exactly how I felt.

—————————————

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’trey’’ I breathed as we hugged strongly but unfortunately it was as if my voice brought her back to her senses, she quickly pulled away from me, breathing deeply.

‘’that’s it Jude. Please don’t start having silly ideas’’ she stammered, trying hard to appear cold. I quickly and courageously grabbed her right hand, drew her to my side once again, held her head strongly and kissed her quickly. She struggled, broke away from me and lashed out a quick slap on my face.

‘’don’t you ever dare try that again. Imagine I was even feeling sympathy for you but a guy will always be a guy. Look at you, how quickly you switched your emotions to kiss me’’ she fired angrily.

‘’I’m sorry trey but you still got to listen to me. We shouldn’t continue like this’’ I stammered. She rolled her eyes and backed me without making an effort to walk away.

‘’let’s go to your room and talk please. Just give me a listening ear this once and if when I’m done you still feel that you don’t want me back, I will never disturb you again’’ I begged strongly. She turned, searched me with her eyes for some seconds before shrugging.

‘’very well then, but I assure you that nothing will ever change my mind to take you back. Anyway I won’t die if I listen to you this once since you already promised to let me be afterwards’’ she added with a smile while I swallowed hard as I quickly tried to crack up some things in my head because I really wasn’t prepared for her that moment and it was an opportunity I wasn’t supposed to flop on.

‘’Oh dear me’’ I breathed as we headed to her room together.

Episode 42

Jude’s side of the story continues@tracy’s room

‘’first of all tell me, how did you find out the real truth about your dad’s death?’’ Tracy curiously asked as soon as we settled down in her room. I shrugged.

‘’do you really want to know?’’ I asked with a forced smile while she nodded quickly. I breathed deeply, before slowly telling her the whole story the way Kelvin narrated to me. She listened with great interest.

‘’hmmmm that lady is really something else and I have this feeling you are next in her list’’ she slowly breathed when I was done. I stared at her with surprise, wondering why she made such a comment.

‘’yes nau, don’t look at me that way, okay just figure this out. You showed up with your lawyer and she gave back the house without any fight, strangely your lawyer got kidnapped the very next day and when he finally got his freedom after paying a huge ransom, what did he do?, he travelled out of the country with the other lawyer, leaving you on your own for the meantime. Isn’t it a bit suspicious?’’ she asked. I shrugged.

‘’okay let’s continue, your cousin Kelvin somehow discovered the truth and ends up in police cell. What now will stop her from making a new move on you?, or do you think she will just let you go?. My dear to catch a criminal, you have to think like a criminal. I believe she gave up the house easily, either to cover something up or to take you unawares, so you got to be very careful this time’’ she summarized quickly while I smiled in admiration. Yes her reason was quite revealing but awkward at the same time. I felt Jessica had no reason to risk everything in coming after me. I felt she was just a drowning woman desperately trying to get away with her crimes and so the last thing she would do was to make new plans for me. Nevertheless I still appreciated Tracy’s advice which showed that she still was very much concerned in my well being.

‘’you see that’s the more reason I strongly want to make up with you. I want you back in my life. With a lady like you by my side, I won’t have anything to fear. I really don’t know what Pamela told you about us but believe me you are the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life’’ I pressured strongly. Tracy closed her eyes while I stared at her hopefully.
She soon opened her eyes and breathed deeply.

‘’listen Jude I don’t want to continue fighting with you but just know that I will never accept you back in my life. I deserve the best. I deserve the best for my life, for my future. I can’t come back to you out of sympathy or what I feel because in few years, whatever we feel for each other may disappear and we could end up regretting things. You have already started a family with another lady, the best you could do for her and the child is to be with them. Every child deserves the best and I won’t be happy standing in the path of the child’s happiness. I have a new guy and even though I’m not yet in love with him, I will make it work. So please forget about me and stop haunting my conscience’’ she suddenly begged, spoiling my mood with those painful but truthful words.

‘’but you promised to listen to my own side of the story’’ I protested.

‘’what’s there to say Jude?. Another lie huh?. Come on you can’t deny that another lady is pregnant for you and that’s the root of my decision and not that you cheated on me’’ she pushed on, leaving me totally demoralized. I just didn’t know what to say next.

‘’how about a kiss please’’ I heard myself beg. She smiled faintly.

‘’a kiss will make you happy?, very well then’’ she breathed, drew forward and kissed me softly but strangely the kiss had no emotion, no passion, no current. It was just so cold and lifeless.

‘’let’s make this work please’’ I breathed faintly.

—————————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story
By 3:30pm, I was brought out of the cell to meet my visitor who turned out to be Cynthia. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I wasn’t expecting to see her that day or even the next. Her action just showed me the kind of lady she truly was. For a moment I couldn’t find my voice to talk.

‘’just look at you Kelvin. Look at the life you happily chose for yourself. Your cousin did a pretty good job of convincing me to come here. So here I’m’’ she breathed softly as her eyes ran over me.

‘’you got to help me please. I don’t know if I will ever leave this place but don’t let Jessica get away with this. The only witness I have is now battling with her life at federal medical center. Please try and convince the police to watch over her and also find a way to inform my dad of my current situation. Jessica threatened to take my properties. The things we labored over the years for. Please help me’’ I begged solemnly. Of course I was ashamed of my present condition but had no choice than to live with it.

‘’so you now know that we labored together but back then you never appreciated me. You used me as your s-x object and tossed me without any sympathy. Why should I now help you?’’ she asked softly as tears slowly formed in her eyes.

‘’after all you did to me, I can’t imagine, I’m still crying for you. I will help. Let God just be the judge’’ she breathed solemnly while I heaved a sigh of relief.

To be continued

[Edoman]

Episode 43

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’in case you need my help in anything, all you have to do is simply ask’’ Tracy breathed with a smile as she pulled away from me. I swallowed hard as I returned her gaze. I couldn’t help but wonder how I could turn things back to old times.

‘’can you go with me to the hospital to check on Emmanuella?, I will appreciate your company’’ I asked. She smiled and shrugged.

‘’I was on my way to get something before we ran into each other, so give me few minutes, I will be set to go with you’’ she replied softly.

——————————————-

few minutes later

As we headed to the hospital in my car, my mind somehow brought up Pamela’s image. I couldn’t help but wonder how she was faring with the pregnancy. I felt like calling her later in the day when I was done with Kelvin’s assignment but another part of me kicked against it.. Of course I did a very good job of shutting her out of my life after retuning back to the country. I avoided chatting or speaking with her on phone, I closed every contact with her with the hope that such attitude would make her give up on me.

I was still busy with my thoughts when Tracy’s phone rang, gaining my attention. I listened softly as she answered the call which made me more bitter or should I say jealous.. The manner and tone she used in answering the call, clearly showed that she was speaking with her new guy, something she had never done in my presence.

‘’it’s him huh?’’ I asked calmly after she was done with the call.

‘’yes and he is so much in love with me. All he wants is a little more encouragement and he will quickly rush and pay my bride price. But I’m not in a hurry’’ she breathed with a smile while I threw her a quick look. Of course she answered innocently but her answer really hurt me badly. I would have preferred she lied a little about it.

‘’so tell me more about him?’’ I asked softly.

‘’what do you want to know?. He’s is a civil servant just like my parents. He is around thirty or so. He is very caring and not a cheat. He has all it takes to make a woman happy’’ she answered with a smile while I bit my lips, unable to say anything else. Of course I realized that moment that the more I asked questions the more I was hurting myself. It appeared she cared less about what her answers were doing to me but of course I was the one asking in the first place.

‘’so what’s up with you and Beauty?’’ She surprisingly asked after few minutes of silence. I threw her another quick look, wondering the reason she asked the question.

‘’there is nothing going on between us, it’s just that she sometimes keeps me company and helps me with her food’’ I answered carefully.

‘’hmmm that’s’ how it starts’’ she breathed softly.
We said nothing more until we got to the hospital minutes later.

——————————————

After asking around at the hospital, we discovered that Emmanuella was still at the intensive care unit. She was still very much alive but then no one could actually say if she was going to make it or not. We equally saw her family members lurking around; however we tried our best not to get noticed and left afterwards.
Of course watching over Emmanuella really looked a bit impossible to me. It was all in God’s hand.

——————————————–

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

As I walked out of the police building, I went over all Kelvin needed me to do for him. He badly needed food and money. He equally had begged me to get some of his clothes from his house and keep in my care. He also asked me to see his parents, something I agreed doing the next day. But that was not all; the most important thing he needed was for me to help prove his innocence and get Jessica arrested, something that seemed very impossible without Emmanuella’s support. Making sure that Emmanuella’s life wasn’t in any more danger then became another big priority.

Instead of heading back to my house, I headed to Joe’s gym to seek for his help. Dealing with Jessica wasn’t something any sane person would do alone and even though I hated admitting it, I knew very much that she was a tough lady to handle.

———————————————-

Joe was really very surprised to see me at his gym by that hour and yes the last time we saw was the day he tried settling issues between Kelvin and I. He was a good friend but just like Kelvin, he equally wasn’t a clean guy.
In no time I told him the reason for my visit and Kelvin’s current condition. He couldn’t believe his ears.

‘’I hate to tell you this but Kelvin really dug his own grave. No wonder he has been avoiding me lately. I haven’t seen nor heard from him in a while but that won’t stop me from watching out for him. I hate doing anything with the police, so I won’t be able to visit him at the police station but I can help in other things. We can go get his clothes together. I know Jessica will be there and you can’t go alone’’ he offered while I shrugged in resignation.

————————-

an hour later, Kelvin’s house

Joe softly knocked at the front door while I nervously waited for Jessica to show up. Of course I was very nervous. The few times I confronted Jessica in the past never ended in my favor and I was clueless on how things would go that very evening.

The front door soon opened, revealing Jessica who froze for some seconds on seeing Joe and i. it was just as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.

‘’what are you guys here for huh?. Even you Joe?, I thought you have been wise to stay away from your friend’s issue all these while?. Why are you here now? Or did she force you to come here against your wish?. All I need to do is simply make a distress call and you will find yourself back in prison or you think I don’t know?’’ she threatened Joe who instantly drew back with a look of surprise. She smiled with satisfaction and faced me.

‘’the last time you faced me you ended up in a refuse dump. Are you here for a rematch?. I hope you know this place is my property and I can do anything I like to you?’’ she threatened me coldly. I forced out a smile even though deep down I was a little shaken.

I had to be brave and face her, after all she was nothing but a lady just like me.

Episode 44

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

‘’we are here to get some of Kelvin’s things and I advise you let us into the house. Thank God you very much know my record. I’m not soft like Kelvin and I won’t mind strangling you here right now, so better let us have our way’’ Joe chipped in seriously, gaining back Jessica’s attention with his words. For the first time, I noticed a little show of fear in her. It was very obvious she bought Joe’s threat.

‘’what do you want to take from the house?’’ she asked, trying hard to regain her defiant composure.

‘’it’s none of your business my dear, I will stay here with you while Cynthia goes in to get the stuffs’’ he replied with a cold smile.

‘’no I can’t accept that’’ she breathed.

‘’really?, so you want me to use force on you then?. The last thing I want is to spend another day in prison because that place is very horrible and to avoid that from happening, I will do everything not to get back there, including killing you just to get the things we came here for. You know we are very much alike and you also know how it feels when someone stands in your way. So I beg you for the last time, let Cynthia into the house’’ Joe breathed seriously while Jessica shrugged.

‘’okay you have five minutes’’ she said to me. I smiled, nodded at Joe and quickly went into the living room, from there I headed straight to Kelvin’s room.

I had no difficulty in getting Kelvin’s clothes, bag and other personal stuff he asked me to get and you can’t imagine the look on Jessica’s face when I walked out of the apartment with the load. I couldn’t help but notice how she strained her eyes to see what I got from the house. I simply smiled at her and walked away with Joe.
Of course I was happy I came with Joe. He was so very helpful

‘’so where next?’’ he softly asked as we headed out.

‘’first we will head to my house to drop off Kelvin’s things, then we head to the hospital to check on Emmanuella’’ I breathed.

‘’you are such a wondrous lady you know. I can’t imagine you are making these sacrifices for my friend, even after knowing that he not only cheated on you with Jessica but with Emmanuella as well. You are really a rare gem’’ he praised while I smiled. Oh yes I knew I left everything in the hands of God but then I equally was surprised at myself, very surprised with the way I was carrying out the assignment as if my life depended on it.

On getting to the hospital we had a little difficulty locating Emmanuella, however a nurse helped us out after we tipped her handsomely.
‘’you know some guys can be so ruthless, imagine shooting his girlfriend for no just reason. Probably they quarreled or something but that didn’t justify him shooting her and endangering the poor girl’s life. The bullet was successfully removed hours ago but she’s still very unstable. Her family members just left minutes ago, leaving behind this young girl to watch over her’’ the nurse said as she pointed to a young girl when we got to the unit Emmanuella was kept.

‘’I have to go now. I guess you will be alright from here?. You know I can’t do much to help out. I have been avoiding anything that will make me interact with the police’’ Joe said softly.

‘’yea I do understand. Thanks for everything’’ I replied with a smile. He breathed deeply, took a quick look at the girl before walking away.

I stared at the beautiful young lady who silently watched over her sister with tears in her eyes. She was in a crowded hospital but yet looked very lonely. She looked nothing more than twenty three years old. The exact age of my sister who watched over me when I was bedridden months back. I couldn’t believe Jessica was still free out there after creating so much havoc and misery. I softly walked up to the girl with a forced smile and gently touched her right shoulder. She stared at me curiously.

‘’hey my name is Cynthia. I’m Emmanuella’s friend’’ I lied softly as more tears dropped from the poor girl’s eyes.

‘’thanks for coming, none of her friends has even called nor asked of her. You are so kind to stop by’’ she breathed, touching me with those simple words. I gently squatted by her side.

‘’we will watch over her together. I’m here to stay. If you need anything, just tell me. How long have you been here?’’ I asked curiously.

‘’I arrived here with some members of our family by 10am, others have left and it’s my duty to watch over her till she either dies or recovers. Have you heard anything about the guy that shot her?. I hope he will pay for this madness?’’ she asked with great hope while I swallowed hard unable to say anything.
Of course I couldn’t tell her that I wasn’t really her sister’s friend. I couldn’t tell her that the guy they all presumed to be guilty actually sent me to take care of things. But then we all had a common interest. We all needed Emmanuella to survive.

It was such a touching moment.

Episode 45

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

Early the next day, as I headed out of my house on my way to the police station, a car quickly pulled up in front of me, blocking my part. My heart jumped in fear as I wondered what was going on.
Luckily I didn’t have to wait long to see Jessica jump out of the passenger’s corner with a very mean look. At first I thought she wanted to attack or harm me but all she did was to grab my hair while I faintly struggled to free myself from her strong grip.
Of course I was a bit terrified because I knew what she was capable of.

‘’listen I don’t know why you are snooping around over something that doesn’t concern you. Kelvin already dumped you and I see no reason why you should get involved in his affair again. Stay out of my business or you will end up dead. I’m not joking and I won’t warn you again’’ she threatened, pushed me backwards and headed back to her car which quickly sped away.

It really took me a while to recover myself. I never expected such action from Jessica and I needed no one to tell me that she could have killed me with that opportunity supposing she wanted. I just couldn’t believe it all happened and with that nervous state, I quickly reached for my phone and called Lydia, (my god mother’s cousin, who equally was a high ranking officer with the state police command. She was the officer who backed me up when I stopped Kelvin’s wedding with Jessica.)

‘’I’m not at work today; you can come over to my house. I hope you are fine?, you sound disturbed’’ she said to me with great concern,.

‘’very well, I will be at your house in few minutes’’ I muttered and hung up.

————————————–

9:21am, Lydia’s house 
(Cynthia and Lydia are seen discussing seriously)

‘’so that’s the new development my dear. I never imagined myself being in this situation’’ I breathed softly after narrating everything concerning Kelvin’s current situation to her. She listened very calmly, heaving a big sigh when I was done.

‘’I guess on Monday I will have to talk with the officers in charge of Kelvin’s case. It’s obvious they didn’t pay much attention to the details of the case or covering up their incompetence. According to you, the crime weapon wasn’t found on Kelvin, in his car or at Emmanuella’s house and there wasn’t a way he would have shot the girl, left her to dispose the weapon and returned on time for a neighbor to catch him standing over the girl. It’s quite obvious someone else shot the girl but proving it is going to be difficult. I believe the officers in charge of the case equally knew that and had to peg the crime on Kelvin instead of appearing clueless. Well I pray the girl survives and talk’’ she muttered intelligently.

‘’that’s the problem, Emmanuella is very vulnerable at the hospital. She is being watched over by a young confused girl. Anyone could easily take her out at the hospital. We need someone to watch over her’’ I pushed on breathlessly.

‘’that’s going to be hard’’ Lydia muttered, looking down.

‘’all I need is just a police woman to watch over her. The officer doesn’t need to be in uniform. I can pay for her time’’ I added pleadingly, leaving Lydia greatly surprised with my energy.

‘’come on, are you still in love with Kelvin?, don’t tell me you are?’’ she asked curiously but before I could answer, my phone rang, interrupting us.
I fetched my phone from my handbag and was surprised to see that it was Emmanuella’s sister calling. My heart froze as I nervously answered the call, thinking something bad had happened.

‘’my sister just woke up, I can’t believe it. You can come and see things for yourself’’ she announced happily, leaving me stunned momentarily.

‘’I will be right there in a jiffy’’ I breathed with great relief, hung up and stared back at Lydia whose eyes were on me.

‘’Emanuella just woke up, let’s go see her. Perhaps she can tell us everything’’ I said with great excitement.

‘’fine, let me dress up’’ Lydia replied quickly.

———————————–

Federal medical center Owerri

With great excitement Lydia and I walked up to Emmanuelle’s bed. Yes we had a great difficulty convincing the nurses on duty to allow us see the poor lady which they reluctantly did. But unfortunately when we got to the bed, Emmanuella was very much asleep.

‘’I couldn’t believe it when she opened her eyes. I immediately called the nurses before calling you’’ Emmanuella’s sister softly informed me while I nodded in appreciation.

‘’was she able to say something to you?’’ I asked the poor girl who shook her head.

‘’she was too weak to talk’’ she answered as we all stared at the sleeping lady.

After watching over her for about twenty minutes, she lazily opened her eyes again, drawing us up with great excitement.

‘’she’s up again’’ the young girl muttered happily while I drew closer and stared at Emmanuella who surprisingly left her eyes on me and tried saying something which was very incoherent. Her voice was too low to be heard.

The little sister instantly placed her left ear on her mouth and listened with great interest, frowning swiftly.

‘’did you get what she’s saying?’’ I asked quickly.

‘’she is saying,
‘She shot me, my friend shot me’, get her’.

‘’ I can’t get the other words. Is she referring to you?, are you the friend?’’ the little girl asked suspiciously.

Episode 46

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

‘’are you the friend she’s talking about?’’ Emmanuella’s sister asked again, leaving her eyes on me. I Just couldn’t say anything. The surprise and shock the question came with was just too much.

‘’please you guys should let her be for now. She needs time to recover. Just have patience, she will soon be strong to talk, for now you have to leave’’ one of the nurses annoyingly chipped in, interrupting us. I just felt a bit relived and annoyed at the same time.

‘’ can’t you give us little more time to understand what she’s trying to tell us?’’ Lydia quickly pleaded, but the nurse wasn’t ready to compromise her stand anymore.

‘’do you want her to choke?, please we can’t allow that. We already have done our best. Moreover she’s recovering, so just give her few days to be strong. We can’t allow you guys to continue questioning her for now’’ the nurse insisted, leaving us with no choice than to reluctantly leave the unit.

‘’I will try to get an officer to watch over her throughout this weekend. Hopefully by Monday she will be strong enough to talk’’ Lydia said with a smile while I shrugged in resignation.

‘’I really pray so. My heart won’t be at peace until she makes a clear statement seriously’’ I breathed. Lydia scoffed and held my hand.

‘’tell me, why are you making these sacrifices for that good for nothing guy?. I really don’t understand you’’ she asked curiously. I shrugged.

‘’honestly I don’t understand myself either but my conscience just can’t allow me to sit and watch him pay for something he didn’t do. Yes he wronged me in the past but I just don’t know’’ I poured out solemnly.

‘’I don’t know why bad guys keep having good women falling for them while good guys end up with the worst kind of women. Anyway I respect your decision and I will help you to the best of my ability. On Monday morning, I will be here with the officers in charge of the case and see if we could get Emmanuella to talk. She alone can save Kelvin for now’’ she added with a smile.

‘’I’m just scared of what Jessica could be planning. I know she won’t just relax and wait for Emmanuella to talk. Can’t you guys detain her or keep surveillance on her?’’ I asked desperately.

‘’that’s not in my position to do. Just go home and relax, Jessica won’t be stupid to try something funny in this hospital. She must have left town by now. That’s the only option I feel she could take’’ Lydia muttered intelligently.

‘’okay, I have to go check on Kelvin then’’ I breathed weakly.

———————————————————–
3pm, state police headquarters Owerri
(Cynthia and Kelvin are seen seriously discussing)

‘’so that’s the situation of things for now, Emmanuella is fast recovering and I believe she’s will soon get strong enough to say the truth but unfortunately you will be staying here till Monday, at least till Emmanuella talks’’ I softly informed Kelvin who listened very attentively. He looked so weak, so humble and scared. Of course he was a shadow of himself and I couldn’t help but imagine what was going through his mind. There wasn’t any doubt that his misfortunes had turned him into a different young man.

‘’you mean I will be staying here till Monday?. Gawd’’ he breathed sorrowfully.

‘’yes that’s if Emmanuella talks on Monday. Just be strong. It will soon be over’’ I assured him seriously.

‘’have you seen my parents?’’ he asked weakly.

‘’no, I haven’t gotten the chance to leave the city. I just told you how things have been for me since morning. Your issue really took all my time yesterday and now today’’ I answered and yawned.

‘’I just pray things works out in my favor. Thank you for everything Cynthia. I hope you will take me back when I’m out?, remember you promised’’ he suddenly asked, shocking me with the question. I forced out a smile.

‘’no Kelvin, all you have to do when you are freed is to start a new life. I won’t accept you back because I don’t think I will be able to live with you after all you have done’’ I muttered a bit coldly, avoiding his gaze. He swallowed hard, saying nothing.
I couldn’t help but notice how despaired he instantly looked.

Yes I still loved him but I wasn’t helping him for another relationship with him..

—————————————-

Monday morning, 
Jude’s side of the story continues

I walked into beauty’s room with a happy smile on my face. I was well dressed up; ready to head to the hospital to witness all Emmanuella had to say. Of course everyone, including Emmauella’s family, the police and Cynthia were all going to be there. It was like a judgment day for Kelvin and I couldn’t imagine missing out the show.

The smile on my face however quickly disappeared the moment I stared at Beauty’s face. She looked very dull, like someone angry over something. I dutifully sat on her bed and studied her curiously.

‘’what’s up?, you don’t look bright?, are you sick or what?, I thought you planned going to the market early this morning before going for lectures?’’ I asked quietly but she said nothing to me. It was my first time of seeing her so depressed.

‘’what’s wrong dear?, is anything the matter?’’ I asked once again.

‘’nothing, I just want to be on my own’’ she breathed coldly, surprising me with her cold reply.

‘’can’t you tell me the reason you are like this?, what are friends for?’’ I asked desperately, taking a quick glance at my watch at the same time.

‘’listen Jude, I don’t want to be your friend anymore, its better we remain hostel mates and nothing more. So please I just want to be alone’’ she muttered , leaving me totally stunned as I wondered what could have caused her to say those words to me.
Of course we had been very close to each other ever since I returned to the lodge after breaking up with Tracy and she had been extremely helpful. But I also noticed that she became a bit withdrawn and a bit distant ever since Tracy and I started getting along again, but I never took it as something serious since she had once tried to help me get back with Tracy or was I missing something?.

‘’we have done many things together since we became close friends and I cherished every moment, so why now are you pushing me away?’’ I asked breathlessly.

‘’you are a playboy Jude. You can’t play with my feelings anymore. Just go back to your Tracy and continue from where you guys stopped. From now onwards just forget about my company, my food and every other thing we used to share. I took this decision last night to protect myself and that’s it.’’ She muttered seriously, leaving me as stunned as ever as I stared at her with disbelief.

What could be wrong with her?

Episode 47

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’Beauty I still don’t get you. I’m so confused’’ I breathed softly, standing up at the same time as I took another glance at my watch. I was supposed to be on my way to the hospital with Tracy that very moment and I just couldn’t get myself to walk out on her even though I strongly had the urge to do so.

‘’Later in the evening we will talk. I don’t feel like talking anymore’’ she added coldly, giving me the opportunity I needed to leave the room. I gave her one last look, shrugged and headed to Tracy’s room to meet her already dressed up and waiting for me.

‘’I’m sorry, Beauty kind of delayed me. She is behaving very weird. I don’t know what’s wrong with her’’ I apologized to Tracy who shrugged and scoffed.

‘’what?’’ I asked curiously.

‘’nothing, what do you want me to say huh?’’ she fired back with a slightly raised voice.

‘’the girl is acting strange. She said she doesn’t want us to be friends anymore and that I’m a play boy. I don’t know her reason for using such words on me. I have never made any funny moves on her, though i noticed she became very withdrawn ever since we starting getting along again’’’ I explained, expecting a positive reply from Tracy but instead she said nothing, leaving me a bit annoyed with her silence.

‘’you can’t even say anything?’’ I complained.

‘’what’s there to say huh?. Maybe I should go tell her that I haven’t accepted you back, that she should keep her hopes up’’ she muttered and scoffed again.

‘’keep her up hopes up?, what do you mean by that?’’ I asked while she sighed and frowned.

‘’you ask too many questions Jude. Are we still going to the hospital or not?’’ she asked, leaving me with no choice than to abandon the conversation and head out of the hostel with her.
In no time we got to the hospital, to meet Cynthia and a female officer patiently waiting for the officers handling Kelvin’s case to show up.

————————————

Cynthia’s side of the story continues{/b]
10am, federal medical center Owerri

I stared at my watch for the umpteenth time, wondering what could be delaying the officers who were to formally question Emmanuella. Lydia had insisted on waiting for them before we speak to the sick girl again, saying that it was in Kelvin’s interest. But then the more I waited, the more impatient I grew.
I threw a quick look at Emmanuella’s sister who was busy at the other side of the hall talking with some of her family members who showed up moments ago. She pointed at me as she talked to them and I pretended not to notice.

‘’so what’s going on?, we have been here for almost an hour yet I can’t understand what’s going on or what we are waiting for?’’ Jude suddenly asked, breaking into my thoughts and gaining my attention.

‘’here are the officers. I told you guys to be patient. It’s better they question Emmanuella on their own and draw their conclusions without any pressure’’ Lydia quickly chipped in while we all followed the direction of her gaze to see about five policemen coming towards us.
Lydia went forward to greet them while I stood and watched as they talked before coming towards me.

‘’we can now go and listen to what Emmanuella has to say’’ Lydia said to me with a smile. I smiled back at her, nodded at Jude and together we all went inside the unit where Emmanuella’s family members equally joined us to witness everything.

Emmanuella was sitting up on the bed when we all walked in to see her. The room just went dead quiet as the ASP in charge of the case drew closer to her and smiled. I swallowed hard as i watched the whole drama. Yes Emmanuella looked weak but stronger than the last time we saw her. Her health was of course no longer in danger.

‘’madam we are here for a very serious issue and we are also in a whole lot of pressure to get things right. That’s why we are here to question you instead of waiting for you to fully recover. We need your full cooperation and your statement will help us nail the person who shot you and probably help us in another murder case that just came to our table. Are you strong enough to talk?’’ the officer asked Emmanuella who nodded softly.

‘’are we free to record your statement?’’ he pushed on and Emmaunella nodded again. The officer instantly reached for a small recorder which her switched on.

‘’please tell us who shot you and how it happened?’’ he asked with an encouraging smile.

‘’my friend Jessica shot me because she found out that I was seeing her fiancée Kelvin and feared that I leaked the secret of how she murdered his uncle to him. She ran into us on Thursday evening and shot me without any fear. Jessica shot me, not Kelvin’’ she breathed softly while I heaved a sigh of relief. Her voice wasn’t very loud but audible enough for everyone to hear.

‘’and you are sure you told us nothing but the truth?’’ the officer asked. She nodded.

‘’good we will go get Miss Jessica right away. Thanks for helping out’’ the officer muttered professionally, nodded at his men and headed out while Lydia and I followed them.

‘’so what’s the plan now?’’ Lydia asked with a smile.

‘’we are going over to Kelvin’s house to arrest his fiancée’’ the officer replied. Lydia shrugged and shook her head.

‘’I doubt if you guys will be able to get her. She’s probably out of the city by now but well at least Kelvin has been vindicated’’ she muttered while I held my breath.

Episode 48

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

‘’how about we follow them to Kelvin’s house?. We can go with your car’’ I asked Lydia who shrugged in resignation.

‘’okay if you say so’’ she breathed.

——————————–

Twenty minutes later we arrived at Kelvin’s house with our hopes up. I couldn’t wait for Jessica to be arrested and put behind bars, I just felt like growing wings and flying to wherever she was to grab her. But then as we watched the policemen move into the building, I couldn’t help but believe in Lydia’s prediction. Jessica wasn’t a stupid woman and the last thing she would do was to sit back and wait for the police to arrest her. She had enough time to escape and I knew if it was the case that we all could still be in danger.

The ASP and his men soon emerged from the building, sweating profusely. The look on their faces clearly showed how disappointed they were. Of course Jessica wasn’t with them and I couldn’t help but imagine the next step they were going to take in finding her.

‘’I said it. Jessica must have left town during the weekend. I knew coming here was going to be fruitless’’ Lydia muttered with a smile before alighting to join her colleagues. I dutifully followed her out of curiosity.

‘’no one is in the house apart from the gate man. He said the last time he saw Jessica was on Saturday evening’’ the ASP said to us, wiping sweat from his forehead.

‘’so what next?’’ I asked.

‘’we will have to map out plans to capture her but first you will have to follow us to my office and bail Mr. Kelvin since you are now the person representing him’’ the officer said with a shrug.

‘’well let’s go get Kelvin first. We can worry about Jessica later’’ Lydia breathed with a smile.

———————————

Kelvin’s side of the story continues 
1pm, state police headquarters Owerri
I nervously sat in the cell as I counted the hours, praying and begging God to help me out. I couldn’t imagine spending another day in the horrible place. I couldn’t imagine what was going to be my fate supposing the police fail to get the truth out of Emmanuella. I was so hopeful and scared at the same time.
My heart kept pounding furiously as I nervously waited to be called out.

After what seemed like an eternity, a police corporal came to fetch me and I couldn’t help but pray for it to be my last moment in that terrible place.
The smile on Cynthia’s face as I was led into the ASP’s office was enough to assure me that all was well. I heaved a sigh of relief as tears of joy filled my eyes.

‘’Mr. Kelvin you are a very lucky man and your God really performed a very big miracle for you. Try staying out of trouble from now onwards and always make yourself available to us. We have gotten all we needed to free you and Miss Cynthia bailed you out. So you are free to leave’’ the ASP said softly while I swallowed hard as I stared at Cynthia with gratefulness.. Who would have thought that a lady I watched as she almost died the previous year was going to help me out in such a way. Who would have thought that Cynthia of all people was going to sacrifice her time and life to make sure that I wasn’t thrown in prison? Of course it was her opportunity to get back at me, to see me pay for all I did to her, but what did she do instead?, she kept aside the past and still fought for my freedom.

I just didn’t know what to say to her, how to appreciate her. I just didn’t. All I did was just to stare at her without saying anything.

————————————–

An hour later, @kelvin’s house

‘’I have done my part and escorted you back to your house, our business is over. Just patch up what’s left of your life. I’m leaving’’ Cynthia suddenly said as we walked into my sitting room. I silently stared at her for few minutes before bravely drawing close to her.

‘’thank you for everything Cynthia, I do owe you a lot. How about you stay with me here?. Please’’ I begged softly. She instantly frowned.

‘’and what’s the meaning of that?. Please I only helped you to secure your freedom and that’s it. You don’t have any right to demand anything else from me’’ she fired coldly.

‘’but I don’t want you to leave. I’m ready to patch up my life and start all over again but I can’t do it alone. I need you’’ I begged desperately.

‘’I don’t love you anymore Kelvin. All I feel now for you is nothing but pity and I can’t go into a relationship out of pity. I can’t’’ she muttered, leaving me so pained with her words.
Yes I wasn’t expecting a quick acceptance from her but then I was very hopeful. I was very desperate to have her back.

‘’please I beg of you. This is coming from my heart. I have nothing but my heart which I’m offering once again to you’’ I begged while she sighed.

‘’the last time you offered your heart to me, I took it like mine and nursed it with all my strength but what did you do in the end?. You took it away from me and gave it to another woman to damage. Just patch up what’s left of it. I’m leaving’’ she shouted and headed to the door.

‘’please don’t walk away Cynthia. I’m kneeling for you’’ I begged, throwing away the remaining pride in me as I knelt down for her. She turned and froze for a while as her eyes ran all through me. I instantly had great hope that she finally was convinced but to my dismay she shook her head and left the room, leaving me kneeling.

‘’I don’t love you anymore Kelvin. All I feel now for you is nothing but pity and I can’t go into a relationship out of pity’’her words rang in my head again and again.

To be continued.

[Edoman]

Episode 49

Jude’s side of the story continues (same Monday afternoon)

‘’what a day’’ I breathed as I stopped my car in front of our hostel. Tracy breathed deeply and shrugged.

‘’I pray they catch Jessica. She really has to pay for everything she has done’’ she muttered as she opened the car door. I smiled and faced her, my head filled with many unspoken words.

‘’Trey thanks for your company and everything. You really made me happy with the attention you have been giving me these few days’’ I softly said to her.

‘’please don’t expect much from me or have your hopes up. We are just friends and nothing more. It’s better you go fix things with Beauty if you are looking for another relationship. I already gave you reason for my stand and so try and understand’’ she muttered, alighted from my Car and headed into the hostel without waiting for me. I shook my head as I thought of what exactly to do to make her change her mind for good.

Later in the evening, I headed to Beauty’s room to check up on her and know what really her problem was in the morning. For the first time since we became close she hesitated before allowing me into her room.

‘’so what’s up?. Why are you acting so strange?, did I do something bad?’’ I asked her curiously. She rolled her eyes and sat down on her bed without saying anything to me. I hesitantly sat down beside her and softly reached for her hand.

‘’what’s really the problem?. Is there anything I need to know?’’ I asked curiously.

‘’nothing Jude. I just don’t want to have you as a close friend anymore. My spirit no longer wants it and please do respect my decision’’ she muttered slowly.

‘’but why?, you can’t just ruin the friendship we have built for no reason. It’s so unfair. You have been like a sister, a girlfriend to me. How will I cope?, how will I get a new friend’’ I protested.

‘’but you now have Tracy?. She’s more than enough for you’’ she chipped in while I drew back a bit.

‘’is it because of Tracy?, gawd I told you she’s yet to accept me back. You know everything about us nau’’ I feebly muttered.

‘’and when you guys finally make up, what happens to our friendship?. I know I shouldn’t be saying this but I need space. I just want to be on my own and please respect my decision. I don’t owe you any explanation. You can leave my room, I want to sleep now’’ she added seriously.

‘’you want me to leave your room?’’ I asked with disbelief.

‘’yes good night’’ she softly replied, leaving me a bit annoyed with character. For a minute I just couldn’t say anything as I battled with my mind. Right from the start we both knew each others position. I never made any move on her even when I was tempted to do so and she herself never hid her male admirers from me. I couldn’t believe she could suddenly be so uptight towards me.

‘’very well then, I have to leave’’ I painfully breathed, got up and left her room without another word.

——————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
Tuesday’s morning
I whistled a song as I enjoyed my hot water bath. The joy of being free was so intense and powerful. Believe me there is nothing as good as being free. A day spent behind bars was enough to make a strong man go insane.

Of course my problems weren’t yet over because Jessica was still free out there and could strike back at any time. Cynthia equally was yet to take me back but I had this strong feeling that she would definitely make up with me. I equally knew I had to speed up things with her. I had to use all my charms to get her back. She was my topmost priority.

I equally was very lucky that Jessica never had the chance to steal from me. My furniture and possessions were all intact. It was as if she left in a hurry or maybe she fled at the last minute.

By 8am that fateful Tuesday, I found myself at Cynthia’s house, very determined to disturb her till she yields to my demand. You can’t imagine the look on her face when she answered the door to see me.

‘’what is it again?, I’m about leaving the house. What do you want this time?’’ she asked with a frown, preventing me from gaining access into the living room.

‘’where are you going?’’ I asked

‘’I’m going to work. I’m not jobless like you’’ she answered, trying to annoy me with her coldness. I simply smiled.

‘’I plan seeing my family tomorrow. Will you accompany me to the village?’’ I asked softly. She instantly frowned.

‘’accompany you as what?’’ she asked.

‘’as my guardian angel’’ I answered. She laughed.

‘’you are funny. Go look for another guardian angel please’’ she breathed.

‘’I have to let you be on your way now but tomorrow I will be here as early as 7am to pick you up. I won’t mind getting all the embarrassments you have to offer as long as you go with me in the end’’ I informed her.

‘’thanks for warning me on time. You won’t see me here tomorrow’’ she sighed.

—————————

After I was done with Cynthia, I headed to my bank to make a little withdrawal before going for shopping. Instead of heading to the hospital afterwards to check on Emmanuella I headed to Joe’s gym to chat with him and equally check out the strength I had left in my body.

Early the next day I nervously headed to Cynthia’s house, praying that she creates no scene. I planned doing something I should have done a long time ago that very day and that was really the main reason I wanted to her to follow me to my village.

‘’like seriously you are here to take me to your village?’’ she asked with short laugher the moment she opened her door to see me standing outside.

‘’yes and I’m very serious about it’’ I muttered strongly.

‘’so give me one good reason I should follow you?’’ she demanded, searching my face. I Couldn’t help but notice that she was very interested even though she was acting cold.

‘’remember you once gave me conditions?. First was to break up with Jessica and secondly confess everything to my family. I’m ready for that’’ I revealed while she stared at me with great shock and surprise. She couldn’t even say anything for few minutes.

Episode 50

Cynthia’s side of the story continues

There was no denying that I was very confused over Kelvin’s issue. A great part of me wanted to be with him while another part of me felt it was very wrong getting into another relationship with him. Kelvin wasn’t equally helping matters with his renewed effort to have me. Somehow I felt he desperately wanted me back because he had no other choice, because he had no one else but me. I really had to hold tight my emotions and be hard on him but no matter how hard and strong I tried to be my emotions always had a way of letting me down.

The day we got back to his house from the police station, I had this urge to spend the rest of the day with him but I just couldn’t because I had my dignity to protect. I wasn’t going to appear too cheap to him again.
But then seeing him on my doorsteps with the request that I should accompany him to his village to see his family was something I wasn’t really prepared for. I couldn’t say no to him, I equally couldn’t say yes without looking too cheap.

‘’come on, I’m not leaving here till you go with me. I’m very serious ‘’ he pushed on. I just didn’t know how to act or even what to say to him. Kelvin had always been mine but then the memory of what he did to me with Jessica was a scar that would probably never heal.

‘’I don’t know Kelvin. I can’t’’ I stammered, looking down. He softly drew close and felt my pulse while I somehow trembled under his touch.

‘’just this once please. It’s very important to me’’ he pushed on. I silently looked up to meet his gaze.

—————————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

I couldn’t help but notice the doubt on Cynthia’s face as I begged her to accompany me to see my family. Her reaction was quite understandable. She was a lady I wronged so much in the past and I was very determined to make things right once and for all.
The previous year she was the last person I would have wanted to be the mother of my kids but I was now seeing things differently, moreover I was now more experienced and older. It isn’t all about education or sophistication that makes a woman marketable. A woman’s’ quality should be judged by her character and sacrifices she’s willing to make for her partner.

‘’ I promise you will never regret it, just trust me on this’’ I pushed on strongly.

‘’alright you will have to wait for few minutes while I get ready’’ she finally accepted.

—————————————–

10am, Ibeme village.

My parents were very surprised to see me show up with another lady other than Jessica. I wasted no time in telling them my story and all I had passed through. They couldn’t believe their ears. In fact my dad couldn’t even say a word when I was done.

‘’so what next?’’ mum asked curiously.

‘’tomorrow I will be going to Jessica’s hometown with the police to see if she’s hiding there. I will also use the opportunity to formally inform her family that I’m no longer interested in marrying their daughter anymore’’ I answered softly while dad shrugged.

‘’so how about the beautiful lady with you?, any other thing we need to know about her?’’ he asked curiously. I smiled, nodded and faced Cynthia who instantly blushed.

‘’yes dad, I want her to be the mother of my kids’’ I breathed, drawing out a big gasp from everyone. I instantly knelt before Cynthia and quickly pulled out the engagement ring I bought the previous day from my pocket.

‘’I want to ask you this question before my family. For you to know how serious and important you are now to me. I know we are yet to settle things between us but just push everything aside and answer me. Please will you marry me?’’ I proposed nervously while she colored up and trembled, throwing a quick look at my parents who silently watched on.
.

‘’’haaaaaaa Kelvin why are you doing this?. You know we are yet to’’ Cynthia stammered but I quickly hushed her.

‘’do you still feel anything for me?, please will you marry me?’’ I asked once again while tears dropped from her eyes as she struggled to give an answer.

‘’why now Kelvin ?’’

‘’yes I will marry you”” she finally breathed.

Episode 51

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

As we headed back to the city, I couldn’t help but smile over the way things were currently going between Cynthia and i. of course I pulled a fast one on her with the proposal and she was still very much stunned over it. Proposing to her before my parents was the only possible way I could speed up things with her and yes it worked. Didn’t it?.

‘’you know the stunt you pulled at your house isn’t just cool. We are yet to settle issues between us and you proposed to me before your family. What if I had said no ?’’ Cynthia asked as she stared at the engagement ring on her finger. I licked my lips.

‘’well thank God you didn’t say no’’ I breathed with a smile. She gave me an askance look and sighed. I silently drove on, so happy with everything. There wasn’t any doubt she was equally happy with it. Yes she never expected it and the surprise it left her was exactly how I wanted it to be.

————————————————–

On getting to the city, I dropped Cynthia at her house and headed to the state police headquarters to get some men to accompany me to Jessica’s village. Of course I knew catching Jessica at her village was extremely impossible because it was the last place she would be. My main priority however was just to tell her family that we were no longer together.

I was lucky to get five policemen to accompany me to Jessica’s village and on getting there I met her astonished family who couldn’t believe all I told them about their daughter. All they could say was that they would get back to me and I had no problem with that.

I returned to the city very late that very day with Emmanuella on my mind but I was so tired to go visit her at the hospital, moreover it was already very late in the evening and so I had to shift visiting her to the next day.
Early the next day which was Thursday, I headed to the hospital to see the poor girl. I truly was a bit nervous and clueless on what exactly to say to her moreover what we had between us was still very fresh in my mind, plus the promises I made to her before she opened up on her friend.
I somehow felt bad about it all because I knew the best thing for me was to cut off everything between us since I now had Cynthia and she equally wasn’t of any use to me anymore, but then I felt it was a very terrible thing to do. Don’t you think so?

Federal medical center Owerri

Emmanuella’s eyes brightened for a while before quickly dying down as soon as she saw me walk up to her bed. She looked pretty strong and okay which showed that she was fast recovering. And I couldn’t help but believe she had just few days to leave the hospital.

‘’hi dear, you are alone?’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing what to say to her. She yawned and nodded.

‘’yes my sister just left to get something’’ she replied, searching me with her eyes while I nervously thought of another topic to bring up.

‘’you left the police cell since Monday and you are just coming today to see me. I really mean nothing to you right?’’ she softly asked, making me feel more guilty with the question.

‘’Emmanuella’s it isn’t like that’’ I stammered.

‘’please please don’t lie, let’s just forget about it. What matters is that you are finally here’’ she chipped in, stopping me from rendering any excuse.

‘’so has Jessica been caught?’’ she asked curiously.

‘’no the police are still searching for her’’ I replied while she instantly drew back with fear.

‘’so I’m still in danger?’’ she gasped. I forced out a reassuring smile, sat down beside her and softly reached for her hand.

‘’you are not in any danger my dear. The police recorded all you told them, I believe you have already done your path. Jessica has no other option than to leave the country or surrender herself to the police’’ I assured her seriously.

‘’so how about us?. I kept my end of the deal and showed you prove of my love. Are we still going to have a future together?’’ she curiously asked, staring at me deeply. I swallowed hard as I drew back a bit, wondering how to answer her question. Of course she needed to know the truth, she needed to know that I already proposed to another woman. She needed to know that she never meant anything to me. But I couldn’t just tell her that I only used her to get to Jessica. She never deserved to bear such news but then she needed to know the whole the truth.

The only question I couldn’t help but ask myself was,
‘’is it the right time to tell her the truth?’’

Episode 52

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’what’s wrong?, you suddenly turned pale?, is there anything I need to know?’’ Emmanuella suddenly asked, putting me in great disarray with the barrage of questions she was throwing at me. I felt telling her the truth right there was the best thing to do but the confidence to spill it all out just wasn’t there.

‘’I know you Kelvin. This doesn’t look good’’ she softly added as her eyes instantly filled up with tears. I quickly composed myself and held her hand tightly.

‘’please don’t start thinking the worst. I’m really yet to come to terms of seeing you here in this condition. I did put you in harm’s way and I just can’t describe how I feel right now’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing the best words to say to her.

‘’yes I now remember the face. Yes she’s the one’’ she suddenly breathed, softly snatching her hand from my grasp and leaving me as curious as ever. I swallowed hard, studying her curiously.

‘’who did you remember?’’ I asked.

‘’your ex girlfriend, the lady that ruined your wedding with Jessica. She was with the police when I was questioned. I didn’t recognize her then but yes she’s the one’’ she softly explained, coloring up as if she just described a ghost. I was confused on what to say or how to react.

‘’what’s her business in the whole thing?, why was she with the police?, were you aware of her involvement?’’ she curiously asked, putting me in another tight position with her question.

‘’yes I was told about her involvement. You do know she had a big score to settle with Jessica and so when you got shot, she seized the opportunity to deal with Jessica’’ I feebly explained, praying she bought the weak explanation. She silently stared at me for some seconds before shrugging.

‘’okay so when I get out of here, we will take another vacation and plan for our future right?’’ she asked with a smile. I swallowed hard and nodded.

‘’just get better first my dear, we have a lot of time to talk things through’’ I breathed.

————————————-

An hour later I left the hospital in a very nervous state. Cutting ties with Emmanuella was something I knew I had to do pretty fast but then I needed a little diplomacy with it but firstly I had to tell Cynthia everything to avoid unpleasant scenes in future.
On getting to my car, I dialed Cynthia’s number.

‘’hey what’s up?, are you still at the hospital?’’ Cynthia asked.

‘’yes but I’m on my way out. We have to talk dear and it’s very urgent’’ I demanded while her side of the line went silent for few seconds.

‘’did anything happen to her?. Did something else come up?’’ she asked with a raised tone.

‘’not really but there is something else I need to tell you about her. I just want to be very open with you in everything’’ I answered. She kept quiet for few seconds again.

‘’where do you want us to meet now?’’ she asked

‘’at my house dear’’ I answered.

‘’jeez but you know I’m at work?, alright I will try my best to round up what I’m doing and come over as soon as I can. What you have to tell me better be good’’ she accepted while I laughed and hung up.
Yes I was trying to be a new man for Cynthia and for my own good. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but then I had to start by being honest with her in everything. She had to know my position with Emmanuella just in case.

20 minutes later

I drove into my compound to see my gateman looking a bit excited.

‘’are you okay?’’ I asked him suspiciously as he ran to me after closing the gate.

‘’madam Jessica is here. She came few minutes ago’’ he stammered in Pidgin English while my heart jumped for no reason. I just couldn’t believe that Jessica could have the guts to show up at my house. Somehow I was a bit alarmed.

‘’what on earth is she doing here?, what gave her the mind to show up at my house again??’’’ I wondered as I dashed into my living room, breathing heavily.
On getting to my sitting room, I saw her well relaxed on my favorite couch, enjoying a glass of wine. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

‘’how dare you come to my house?’’ I shouted.

‘’relax Kelv. I’m glad you are free from police troubles. You always a lucky dude’’ she muttered confidently, leaving me totally angry.

‘’well, sit down and hear me out because we are leaving the country tonight. We are heading to Ghana my dear’’ she muttered effortlessly while I saw myself sitting down as she requested without even knowing when I obeyed her command.

Episode 53

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’listen kelv, we have to leave together. It’s just a matter of time before the police come back for you over the fraud and crimes you committed in the past. We are very much alike. Moreover you got me into this mess and I won’t suffer it alone, so get your things ready, we are leaving tonight. We have to leave now that we still have the time’’ she breathed convincingly while I stared at her with disbelief and disgust. I couldn’t believe she was in my house to talk trash about leaving the country with her, a lady who threatened hell when I was in jail. I couldn’t believe she actually thought out all the trash she just spilled before me. Of course it sounded so stupid.

‘’I can’t believe this is really you. I think you have lost your mind. You are actually here to take me to Ghana or what?’’ I asked with a short laugh while she drew forward and nodded.

‘’listen you have to come with me. This is the only option you got right now. I can’t allow you to be free as if I’m the only criminal in this situation, I rather forward everything I have on you to the police and we go down together’’ she threatened coldly. But somehow her threat failed to move me.

‘’so you wish to take me to Ghana under duress?. You are really crazy’’ I breathed and shook my head, weighing in my mind whether to call the police on her or not. She instantly stood up, looking very desperate as if she had something else in mind to do to me. Just that moment Cynthia walked into my sitting room, surprising Jessica who at first looked confused. Cynthia on her own part equally was stunned on seeing her with me. She couldn’t figure out what was exactly going on.

I quickly stood up and held Cynthia by the hand, trying to calm her down. Of course I was very worried over her safety. I could have called the police instead of rushing in to meet Jessica. And now Cynthia once again was in harm’s way, though I never expected her to show up that fast.

‘’oh interesting, I can’t believe this. I see what happened the last time is about repeating itself but this time in your house Kelvin’’ Jessica coldly smiled, pulling out a pistol from her handbag. I instantly recognized it as the gun she used on Emmanuella the previous week.
Nervously I quickly stood in front of Cynthia to shield her from getting shot. It was really a big chance I took and not only did I do it out of love, I equally did it for myself because I couldn’t afford another bloody case in my hands. I definitely knew what Jessica was capable of doing.

‘’get out of my path Kelvin. I swear to God I will shoot you and her’’ she threatened while I stood my ground even though deep inside I almost urinated on myself.
I summoned great courage and slowly walked towards her, not leaving her line of fire. Luckily, she never fired, all she did was just to pull the safety.

‘’get out of my path Kelvin’’ she screamed again when I got to her. I breathed deeply and shrugged.

‘’I won’t allow you to shoot her, instead shoot me’’ I breathed softly as tears instantly filled her eyes, surprising me and giving me more courage to act.

‘’you are in my way because you know I can’t shoot you. We have to leave. I can never step my foot in jail’’ she breathed softly while I reached forward and grabbed the gun thinking she would leave it for me but instead she resisted at the last minute, which led to a big struggle between us until a shot rang out, freezing us momentarily.

Then without warning, she fell while Cynthia screamed and ran out of the room probably to get help. I helplessly watched Jessica go down.
A bullet to the abdomen was all that took her down and I just knelt there so shaken and scared. I never intended to shoot her. I never wanted her to die. I never planned to murder her. I wasn’t even sure if I was the one that pulled the trigger.

‘’I can’t step foot in jail’ she softly breathed as blood gushed out of her mouth and abdomen.

Episode 54

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Cynthia soon returned with my gateman who looked so shocked and scared seeing Jessica in such pitiable condition. I heaved a sigh of relief as they squatted by my side to help out..

‘’the police will be here in few minutes. I just called them’’ Cynthia breathed faintly.

‘’we have to take her to the hospital first. Let the police meet us there’’ I muttered, signaling to my gateman to help me lift up Jessica who was slowing slipping into unconsciousness. Cautiously we lifted up the dying girl.

‘’God please don’t allow her die’’ Cynthia prayed nervously as we carried Jessica to my car.

‘’call the Asp again. Ask him to meet us at federal medical center. It’s preferable he gets there before us. ‘’ I stammered softly while Cynthia dutifully did what I asked of her. I couldn’t really believe it was all happening for real.

Federal medical center Owerri

You can’t imagine the look and surprise on the nurses the moment we brought in Jessica. Yes most of them recognized me from Emmanuella’s case and if not that the hospital was the only good one I could think of that moment I wouldn’t have risked bringing her there.

Luckily the police equally were right in time to check out the dying lady before she was carried to the emergency unit. The ASP himself also looked a bit disturbed and shocked.

‘’how the hell did this happen?, please I need answers’’ he queried me seriously.

‘’I just returned to my house after visiting Emmanuella in this very hospital and met Jessica in my sitting room. I couldn’t believe myself when I saw her and then she started talking trash about wanting me to leave the country with her. She threatened to deal with me if I failed to accept her plan and we were still arguing it out when Cynthia walked in on us. She immediately flared up on seeing Cynthia and even pulled out a gun, trying to shoot her. I had to step in the way and wrestle the gun with her. She ended up shooting herself. That’s it’’ I explained nervously while the Asp shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking that moment. I couldn’t afford going back to jail over something that clearly wasn’t my fault. I acted in self defense. I did what every guy would have done.

The doctor who was attending to Jessica showed up before the officer could say anything else to me. The look on his face showed that things weren’t okay.

‘’I’m sorry but the lady is dead. We tried to save her but we were too late. The case is now yours sir’’ he said to the officer while my heart froze. I instantly saw myself in jail again. Tears instantly filled up my eyes while Cynthia drew close and held me softly.

‘’it wasn’t your fault dear. I witnessed everything. You saved my life’’ she breathed as I swallowed hard. The officer said nothing to me, instead went into the room where Jessica was kept, spent a few minutes there before coming out to meet me.

‘’I guess I’m under arrest again?’’ I asked while he kept quiet for some seconds as he probably pondered over some things.

‘’not really but you still have to come with me to the station to write your statement then we will contact her family. But first I will send some of my men to the crime scene to gather everything they could find’’ he said while in shrugged in resignation. Of course I had no other option.

‘’why is everything bad happening to me?’’ I couldn’t help but ask myself over and over.

————————————————

Jude’s side of the story continues from that same evening

I walked into Tracy’s room to see her very busy with her phone. I smiled softly as I sat beside her.

‘’you never allow your phone to rest, do you?’’ I asked playfully. She licked her lips.

‘’actually I’m reading one sweet story on coolval’s forum. I always spend my evenings there’’ she answered after a little silent.

‘’wow then I should read with you’’ I offered, drawing close to her but she instantly suspected my motive and gave me a suspicious look.

‘’you have your own phone. Simply visit the website with yours, don’t disturb me’’ she breathed, stopping me with her words.

‘’I don’t know but I feel so uneasy. I feel very uncomfortable’’ I said to her seriously. She lowered her phone and eyed me.

‘’you just want to stop me from enjoying the story that I’m reading. Okay you have gotten my attention. What’s the problem?’’ she muttered a bit coldly but before I could say anything else, my phone rang and it was Kelvin calling.

‘’Jessica is dead’’ he broke the news softly, stunning me instantly. I just didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad over it.

‘’what’s wrong?’’ I heard Tracy ask curiously.

Episode 55

5

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Announcing Jessica’s death to her family after just having a long meeting with them the previous day was really the toughest job I have ever done in my entire life. Luckily they took the news without much drama perhaps because I came with the police. But it never ended there. I had to settle them with a huge amount of money in order to clear my conscience and equally avoid any legal case or something similar. Of course I couldn’t afford going through the humiliation of another criminal case and so settling the family and the police was the only easy way out even though I wasn’t clearly responsible for her death.
I was equally compelled to raise part of the money needed for Jessica’s brother to travel out of the country in a bid to further help the family. I also footed every expense in regard to Jessica’s burial. All these I did under the space of one week, which left me financially down.

Jessica was buried the following Friday in a quiet ceremony at her hometown. I never attended the burial because her family warned me not to come even though I paid for everything.

Yet upon all I did to clear my conscience, I still had nightmares every night. I found it hard to sleep at night and to make matters worse; Cynthia refused spending the night even for a day in my house. I did everything to convince her to change her mind but she felt I was only trying to look for a way to have s-x with her.

———————–

Emmanuella was discharged from the hospital the very day Jessica was buried and since I was prevented from attending Jessica’s burial, I had no choice than to be with Emmanuella as she was discharged. Of course Emmanuella was in very high spirit. Her greatest nightmare Jessica was dead and to her there was nothing that was standing on our path to happiness anymore. She couldn’t stop pouring out the plans she had for our future while I kept mute and waited for the right time to tell her about my own plans.

3pm, Emmanualla’s house (Friday)

‘’wow finally we are back here. I never knew I would see my apartment again’’ Emmanuella breathed with great emotion as we walked into her living room. I shrugged and forced out a smile, not really comfortable with the thing I planned doing. The last thing I wanted was to ruin her happiness but I had no choice. She needed to know the truth and stop wounding herself with hopes about us.

‘’you know what I want badly now?’’ she giggled while I shook my head.

‘’ a cold shower and hot s-x. Jeez how I missed our shower s-x’’ she breathed sweetly, expecting me to probably make a move on her but I simply smiled and made no move. She instantly noticed that something wasn’t okay with me.

‘’what’s wrong?’’ she asked with concern. I breathed deeply.

‘’I have to tell you the truth Emmanuella’’ I stammered painfully. She took some steps towards me.

‘’you are a nice woman. You have everything it takes to land a nice guy but that person isn’t me. I have done nothing but bring misery to you. I put your life in danger for my own selfish interest. I don’t deserve you. Please forgive me’’ I breathed solemnly. She blushed and threw her hands round my neck, staring at me with great desire and want. I realized that she was yet to understand where I was heading with my words.

‘’hmmmm don’t tell me you have suddenly gone soft?. Yes we passed through a lot but that made us stronger. Every relationship passes through some crises’’ she muttered sweetly while I looked down.

‘’I’m engaged to another lady. You were right when you complained of seeing Cynthia when I was in jail. We are back together and we are now engaged’’ I softly opened up. She couldn’t believe her ears. She drew back as if my body just shocked her like a n.aked electric wire.

‘’oh no, this can’t be. I sacrificed a lot to get rid of Jessica only for you to back to Cynthia. I can’t allow it. This is unfair’’’’ she sobbed, throwing herself on the floor while I instantly reached out to hold her.

‘’you are still a young lady. You still have a whole lot of time to meet someone better than me. I don’t deserve you. Don’t get yourself worked up’’ I desperately begged but she failed to listen to me, instead she hit and scratched my face when I tried to get closer to her, wounding me. I had no choice than to leave her house because there was nothing else to say or do.
Yes it really pained me but it was better than deceiving her much longer.

———————————-

On getting to my house, I was surprised to see Cynthia waiting for me. She never told me she was coming nor called to tell me that she’s at my house. She instantly noticed the soft scratches on my face.

‘’I came to see how you are faring. I know you will be feeling bad because of Jessica’s burial’’ she smiled, leaving her eyes on my face.

‘’yes but I was at the hospital to assist Emmanuella. She was discharged today’’ I opened up.

‘’so what’s up with the scratches on your face?’’ she demanded curiously while I softly sat her down and told her everything about Emmanuella, hiding nothing. When I was done, she simply surprised me by leaning forward and kissing me. And it just wasn’t a single kiss but an intense kiss that turned into a super love making.
We ended up making great love all through that evening. Of course I never expected such action from her and yes it was our first love making after getting engaged.

There is nothing like being totally honest in a relationship.
I was happy for two reasons, first i finally got back the full heart of Cynthia and secondly kept my word and got rid of Jessica for my cousin.

Jessica gone,
Emmanuella out of the picture or will she fight back?

Time will tell.THE END.

[Edoman]

Season (2) Shades of Lust Episode 25-55

 


Episode 25

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’Kelvin dear what did you tell them about me?’’ Jessica asked accusingly as if she already knew what I could have said about her but before I could say anything, the rude inspector dragged me to the other section of the room where I was made to declare my things.

A minute later I found myself in a police cell, a place I very much dreaded. I just couldn’t believe it. It looked as if I was dreaming.

‘’enjoy your day’’ the policeman who dragged me to the cell grinned as he pushed me in without any consideration. For some seconds my mind went totally blank. And as my brain slowly recovered from the blackout, I desperately thought of how to act before my new cell mates who were busy weighing me, probably getting ready to pounce on me like wild cats.

There were about fifteen young men in the poorly lit stinking cell which was as small as my bathroom. Of course as a new comer I knew the kind of reception that awaited me and it was something I was in no state of mind to face.
I had just my body size and strength as the only advantage but I knew I had no chance facing all of them at once in a free for all fight. I equally had no money to share. In fact I just wasn’t prepared for the stuff I was facing that morning.

Slowly i remembered what a friend who once was locked up for a long time told me about police cells.

‘’once you find yourself in a hardcore cell, show no fear and don’t take one more step once you are inside for the first time. Just stand with the guy at the entrance and examine things first if you have no money to bribe your way’’ he had narrated as we laughed about his cell experience. I never took his words seriously back then till that fateful moment when I stood face to face with strange hungry looking men. Of course the cell just looked like a hardcore one. I simply stood like someone out-numbered in a ‘’hell in a cell cage’’, waiting for the first blow or intimidation to come. I wasn’t ready for a fight but it never meant that I was ready to go down or intimidated without a fight. Moreover just like the guys in there, I was equally a street guy even though mine was in a matured level.

Surprisingly no one laid a hand on me, it was as if they were too weak to look for my trouble or probably scared of me. My heart pounded furiously as we all exchanged glances.

‘’This man!’’ I suddenly heard a voice scream out as a lanky looking guy slowly stood up from the floor.

‘’Kelvin Kelvin, o boy wetin bring you here?’’ he asked in Pidgin English as he approached me a smile. I instantly heaved a sigh of relief as my eyes fell on the young man’s face. He was no other person than the guy I bought my first laptop from years ago. Of course it was a stolen laptop and he was honest about it.

‘’o boy! I was just arrested for kidnapping one lawyer’’ I explained quickly while the whole room fell silence as my explanation hit every one of them.

‘’chai my chairman, kidnapping?. Mehn. I knew you were going to run this town the first time we met. Just look at me, running things here just for a small robbery while you are out there doing big things’’ he proclaimed with admiration while I scoffed and shook my head. I couldn’t say anything else to him. I was yet to even come to terms of what was happening to me. I just couldn’t wait to get out of that smelling hell hole. However I was happy that I wasn’t embarrassed or bullied.

Around 3pm, I was dragged out of the cell to meet the rude police inspector who arrested me earlier in the day. He smiled as his eyes scanned my appearance. He was satisfied by what he saw.

‘’Mr. Kelvin, the kidnappers called two hours ago to demand their money once again and with the look of things, it seems you were right about not being involved. But you see in this case, it’s very unwise to bring in a lawyer or to form Mr. Innocent when all you need to do is just to play ball with us. You dragged your girlfriend into this by mentioning her in your statement and it won’t help your case, moreover we got an unlicensed weapon in your house and if we should start tracing the source of that gun, you won’t like what we will discover’’ he said softly.

‘’so what do you want me to do now?’’ I asked seriously while he smiled.

‘’relax don’t be in a hurry’’ he muttered

Episode 26

Jude’s side of the story continues from same evening of last episode

As I headed out of the hostel to get some snacks at a shop close by, I spotted my Tracy alighting from a Toyota SUV.
At first my heart froze on sighting her before a smile gradually appeared on my face as my heart began beating rapidly. I just wasn’t expecting her to return to the hostel so soon and somehow I felt she was badly missing me, hence her sudden return.
Unfortunately my joy was cut short the moment my eyes fell on the driver of the SUV as he equally alighted and headed to the car boot to bring down Tracy’s things.

I instantly smelt danger the moment my eyes fell on the young man. He was well dressed in a striped shirt and well ironed plain trouser. The air and charisma in which he carried himself sold him off as a very rich career guy. I swallowed hard as I stood like a frozen image, watching him hug my Tracy before jumping into his car and driving away.

Nervously I approached Tracy not exactly knowing what to say to her. Yes of course I was very jealous. I was very mad; I was very pained over what I just witnessed.
‘’hey dear welcome back’’ I muttered, forcing out a smile as I approached her.

‘’hey Jude whatsup?’’ she greeted causally as if we were just nothing but old pals. It really got to me but since we were still far from being cool with each other, I simply let it go.

‘’hmmm you really brought in lots of things’’ I joked, dutifully carrying two of the heavy sacks I saw on the floor. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

‘’Jude I never asked you to help me. I can take them to my room myself. Weren’t you going somewhere?’’ she asked coldly. I bit my lips as I flinched, fighting hard to control my pride. Yes of course I cheated on her, I lied to her, I played with her feelings but I never deceived her into loving me because I was very much in love with her but she was just carrying on as if she was gold, diamond or something so highly special.

‘’Tracy come on, why are you acting so uptight?’’ I breathed.

‘’because I know you are just looking for a way to blow more lies into my ears. I moved on. You just saw my new guy right?. So just let me be and face your life with your Pamela or whatever she’s called’’ she hissed arrogantly, freezing me with her annoying words. Of course it was my entire fault but she wasn’t just giving me the chance to explain things to her.

‘’let’s go to your room first. We will talk when we get there’’ I muttered with a controlled voice. She rolled her eyes once again.

‘’Jude my room is no longer open to you. I’m sorry but I know you never loved me, you needed someone who would be your companion, your helper and cook over here and I fell for it. Just look for another girl to fool or simply manage for these few remaining months and return to the lady of your class who would probably be waiting with a white baby for you by then’’ she hissed, grabbed two of her bags and headed to the hostel, leaving me standing like a fool.

———————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last scene of the previous episode

Instead of opening up to me, the inspector simply changed the topic after a little hesitation.

‘’your girlfriend or should I call her your fiancée is waiting to talk with you. We will finish our discussion later’’ he muttered with a smile while I shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant exactly by me playing ball since he wasn’t yet ready to make his demands open.

He soon left the room while Jessica walked in with a food flash. She wasn’t exactly looking bright and I stared at her curiously.

‘’they denied you bail. You will be spending the night here my love. But I believe by tomorrow you will be freed. I never knew you had a gun. You could have given it to me to hide for you’’ she said softly as I quickly devoured the food she brought for me.

‘’I hid the gun very well Jessica. I still can’t believe how they found it’’ I replied slowly.

‘’they said you are being held for kidnapping and possession of fire arm and that granting you bail is still impossible until they are done with the investigations but i believe it’s all about money and you shouldn’t be worried. I will get you out before the end of tomorrow’’ she promised softly. My eyes brightened, she just had a way of appearing like an angel before me.

‘’but one more thing my love’’ she added, staring deep into my eyes.

‘’don’t you want me anymore?’’ she asked, leaving me amused with her question. Of course there wasn’t any way I was going to be honest in that situation.

To be continued 

Episode 27

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’my dear let’s save that topic till I get out of here. You should be working on getting me out of here please’’ I begged. Jessica smiled, slowly reaching for my hand.

‘’I promise you will be out of here tomorrow’’ she said with strong words. Deep down I prayed for God to help me as well because I really was in a mess and I couldn’t figure out the direction to move my life anymore.

—————————————-

Jude’s side of the story continues, same evening

By 8pm, I slowly made my way to Tracy’s room with a fast beating heart. I was so keen on making peace with her. I so badly wanted to end the bad blood between us even though it appeared as if my Tracy was really a bit different from the girl I used to know. I couldn’t believe she actually changed that much over the few weeks we had been away from each other.
Yes it was my entire fault but at least she should have given me the chance to explain myself.

I knocked on her door for about ten minutes before she opened it, frowning as she faced me. She couldn’t even allow me to walk in. I speechlessly stared at her for some seconds, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’why are you disturbing my peace this night?, what do you want?’’ she asked furiously.

‘’I came for us to talk’’ I answered softly. She scoffed.

‘’you are wasting your time. I have moved on. I have a new guy and I’m happy with him. There isn’t a chance of us getting back together. Just go back to your room, sleep and forget about me’’ she said very seriously, punishing me with those hurtful words. I just couldn’t control my feelings or eyes as tears quickly formed up against my wish.
I wanted to say something but couldn’t because of my deep emotional state, instead I kept quiet for few seconds as I tried to make the tears go away from my eyes. I was a man; I had to be in control of my feelings no matter what.

‘’Trey’’ I finally managed to breathe. She rolled her eyes and looked away. It was just as if she wasn’t touched in any way unless of course she was outwardly trying to look strong when deep down she really wasn’t herself.

‘’we have come a long way for this’’ I stammered, looking down.

‘’you knew we have come a long way, yet you cheated on me to the extent of getting a woman pregnant. It wasn’t once or twice that you slept with her and to even think that I innocently offered you my body to satisfy your male thing and you refused. Just leave my presence please’’ she shouted.

‘’Trey I love you and nothing will ever stop me from loving you. I lied about many things but not what I felt for you’’ I confessed. She shook her head, closed her eyes for some seconds, drew back and shut the door on my face.

(I knocked and knocked and knocked on the door all over again but this time around she never answered.)

After hopefully standing at her door for about thirty minutes, I returned to my room to have a very sleepless night. My Tracy just was so close but far. I really didn’t know what else to do to win her back. Yes I perfectly understood her position but I had felt she would have given me the chance to fix things.

—————————————————————————

Early the next morning, I got a call from my lawyer to meet him at the hotel he was lodging. I carried myself there with a very weak and tired body.

‘’so what’s up with the kidnapped lawyer?’’ I lazily asked as I sat down before him, expecting a positive answer. Seriously the issue had made me to forget about asking of my house documents and every other thing he was supposed to do for me.

‘’nothing much. The police are still doing their investigations while we try to play delay tactics with the kidnappers. I told the police everything I knew about my friend and the new cases he was handling. I was told by the police that they arrested your cousin after a routine search at his place because they found a gun in his bedroom’’ he explained softly while I froze on hearing that my cousin was being detained.

‘’but do you think he’s involved in this?, why send the police to his house?’’ I asked with concern.

‘’I never sent the police to his house. I only them all I knew about my friend and the cases he was handling. They arrested your cousin on their own but come to think of it, it looks your cousin is very wealthy, what exactly does he do for a living and why is he marrying the lady that dealt with your father probably for his money?. Don’t you think he has been working with her all these while and only pretends to be at your side?. He could even be the one that introduced her to your father in the first place and equally had to befriend you after his demise in order to know your next moves. Moreover they easily gave up the house in order to probably get the money worth of the house by kidnapping my friend.’’ He summarized flawlessly like a detective, putting me in a confused state as I slowly remembered how I got close to Kelvin and how helpful he had been.

‘’no I don’t think my cousin is working with her’’ I slowly muttered, knowing full well that my words sounded very stupid to him at that moment.

Episode 28

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’but you know what?, once my friend is freed and safe, we will dig around to know how your dad actually died. For now just avoid your cousin Kelvin. I believe the guy’s hand is somehow involved. Many things are just pointing to him and I just can’t ignore it’’ my lawyer said strongly. I breathed deeply, saying nothing.
Deep down I was scared over the whole thing without frankly knowing the reason. I just felt like asking him to forget about digging out the past because I felt it could end up burning everyone and I really wasn’t ready to have blood in my hands. Of course I was scared of his safety as well because he probably wasn’t much aware of how things were run here in Nigeria.

—————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last episode

I really had a very terrible night in the cell. The stench of the room, and the mosquitoes which fed fat from all of us were enough to make me lose my sanity. I couldn’t sleep neither was I able to even focus on my thoughts. I just prayed for Jessica to be able to get me out the next day just like she promised.
I equally waited for the police inspector to show up again to finish our pending discussion but he never showed up, leaving me wondering what exactly he wanted from me. It really was a very long and painful night for me.

Luckily around 10am the next day, I was dragged out of the cell to meet Jessica who was waiting for me with a new trouser and shirt.

‘’my love, we are going home, just change with these’’ she muttered happily, leaving me stunned as she offered the clothes to me.

‘’how did you do it?. How come?’’ I stammered excitedly. She blushed like an innocent school girl who just took the first position in her class.

‘’they found no evidence to link you with kidnapping, so they demanded for two hundred thousand naira in order to drop the gun possession charges. I paid it and you were freed’’ she announced sweetly. I heaved a sigh of relief.
I just couldn’t describe how I felt that moment. Jessica really had a way of always appearing like an angel.

‘’so simply keep a straight face, let’s walk out of here. I prepared something good at home’’ she smiled sweetly as she led me to an office (to complete the paper work of my bail).

——————————–

Ten minutes later, we were on our way back to my house. She drove my car while I sat at the passenger’s corner, too tired to even bring up a topic.

‘’You left your phone at home yesterday and it never stopped ringing. You had lots of missed calls’’ she softly informed me as she handed me my phone with her right hand.

‘’oh yea’’ I breathed as I collected the phone, freezing as the first number I saw on my missed calls list was no other person’s number than Emmanuella’s. My hands shook as I quickly gave Jessica a quick, guilty look, hoping she would say something about it but she never did. She just behaved as if she never went through my phone, something I was very sure she did. But since she failed to bring it up, I kept quiet as well.

On getting home, I took a long shower, freshened up and joined her at the dining table where a big plate of garri and ogbono soup were waiting for me to devour. I salivated as I quickly got ready to feed myself.

‘’I’m really glad you are back my love. I was very scared for you. The police can never be trusted’’ Jessica breathed solemnly as she poured out drinking water for me in a cup. I simply shook my head as I slowly recounted all I passed through in the cell.

‘’thanks for getting me out’’ I muttered with a smile.

‘’my love, how about we relocate to another town after our wedding?. This town is just too hot for us. The police are on your neck, Cynthia is back probably for revenge, and I believe things could only get worse. Our children can’t grow up here. I can easily set up my business in any town. Let’s just leave this town, all these drama. I beg of you’’ she softly begged with great energy, reaching out for my left hand. I slowly met her gaze, swallowing hard as I weighed all she just said in my head. Of course the town was really getting hurt for us but relocating with her also wasn’t something I wanted even though we shared lots of common secrets.

‘’here is my pregnancy text result, from a very reputable hospital’’ she added, dropping a paper before me.

‘’let’s just leave this town. I beg of you’’ she begged once again.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was desperate to leave town over something else or if it was all about me?.

Episode 29

kelvin’s side of the story continues

I silently stared at Jessica for some seconds while she keenly waited for my reply. Leaving town was surely a good idea but leaving with her was something I just wasn’t ready for. I needed a little privacy. I needed to be on my own for a while to put my body and soul in order. Yes I owed her some favors but I never bargained on leaving the city and starting a new life with her in another city.

‘’listen jess dear, I know you have good intentions for me but for now I’m just not thinking straight. I badly need to rest and relax’’ I stammered softly. She shook her head, unconvinced with my reply.

‘’I know you have an answer already in your heart. It clearly shows in your eyes. Don’t beat around the bush and tell me what you feel about my suggestion?’’ she asked seriously, leaving me with no choice than to be honest with her.

‘’I really want to leave town but not with you. I just need a little vacation alone to clear my head and plan for my future’’ I explained slowly. She drew back, observing me suspiciously.

‘’how about me?, I hope you are not thinking of abandoning me and your baby here to die of depression?. How about our wedding plans?, don’t tell me you have also forgotten about it?’’ she asked quickly. I shook my head.

‘’you are a big girl. You can perfectly take care of yourself till I return. Forget about the wedding stuff for now. I just want to be alone. Thank you for getting me home’’’ I answered, smiling to put down my point while she stood up with great disappointment and disbelief.

‘’why are you so wicked?, why are you so cold?, why are you so heartless?. Have I ever done anything bad to you?. You only think about yourself but forget that I’m now a part of you. How do you expect me to live with pregnancy outside marriage at my age?. Come on please this is so unfair’’ she cried desperately. I swallowed hard and looked away. I just wasn’t ready to wed her. I had to be with a clear mind before going through that path again.

‘’but it’s not as if we aren’t married. Haven’t we done our traditional marriage?’’ I asked defensively. She sighed.

‘’thank you for everything. I thought my happiness was with you but I was mistaken. I still can’t imagine the reason you showed up in my life in the first place’’ she muttered angrily, shook her head and headed back to my bedroom where she cried her heart out. I couldn’t get myself to continue with the meal after such an emotional discussion moreover she cried so loud that my conscience began to hurt me.
I was forced to join her at the bedroom to see if I could come into an agreement with her. It really was the first time I was seeing Jessica cry so emotionally and yes it touched me because it showed that she was still a woman no matter her tough character unless of course she was faking it.

——————————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues

8pm, Jude’s hostel

I was in my room, thinking about the new strategy to use on Tracy as my stomach growled once again, biting me at the same time. I drank two bottles of malt with five slices of bread in the afternoon plus a plate of Indomie an hour ago yet it was just as if nothing had entered my stomach all day.
I really felt like eating something solid like soup, garri or even beans. The kind of stuff only found in Tracy’s pot. The da.mn girl really knew I couldn’t survive a week without her and was just using everything to punish me. I really had hoped that since she said we were still cool as friends that I would have the luxury of eating from her pot but I was badly mistaken. She was all out to injure me where it hurt the most.

I was busy thinking about Tracy when I perceived a sweet aroma coming from a neighbor’s room. I quickly sat upright as I salivated, thinking of doing something most guys in my hostel were fond of doing which I used to frown on. Yes the aroma of fried plantain coming from Beauty’s room was too strong to be ignored and before I even knew what I was doing, I was at her door for the first time in my life.

You can’t imagine the surprise on Beauty’s face the moment she opened her door to see me smiling politely. As a big boy I knew the last thing she suspected was that I was in her room out of hunger.

‘’hmmmm Jude am I safe or are you here on Tracy’s behalf?’’ she asked guardedly while I blushed.

‘’no I’m here to keep you company. I have been alone all day in my room’’ I answered while she stared at me suspiciously, totally unconvinced with my reply.

‘’Tracy no longer talks to me. We broke up last Xmas and it really hurts’’ I explained weakly. Her eyes quickly lit up with interest or probably out of curiosity.

‘’oh come in then and gist me how it all happened. You know you guys were too close for something like that to happen?’’ she giggled, letting me into her room as she eagerly awaited my story while I swallowed hard as my eyes fell on a plate filled with fried plantain.

Episode 30

Jude’s side of the story continues from Beauty’s room

‘’what really broke you guys up?. You guys were too good for that s–t?’’ Beauty asked curiously as we ate fried plantain in her room. I shrugged, quickly forming up a reasonable explanation in my head.

‘’actually there was this girl i met some months back. We just got attracted to each other without any difficulty. The spark was just there and we wasted no time in hitting it off. It really was a onetime thing but the bad stench of the affair never left my body no matter how hard i tried to hide it from Tracy. The girl was just into me that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I finally had to tell her about Tracy but instead of backing off; she befriended Tracy on facebook and told her about our illicit affair. Tracy got mad at me and till today, refused to listen to me’’ I explained softly, hiding the big details from her.

‘’that’s so bad. You cheated on your girl and hid it from her. She has every right to be mad at you’’ she muttered with a smile.

‘’yes I know but she is just overdoing it’’ I added solemnly.

‘’supposing Tracy did the same to you, would you forgive her?’’ she curiously asked, taking me by surprise with the question. I kept quiet as I thought about it. Of course I wasn’t sure I was going to forgive Tracy if she did the same to me but I was a guy and she was a woman. Things like that aren’t supposed to be weighed the same way. Men of course could cheat out of mistake or perhaps out of lust with no feelings whatever, but for a lady to cheat she must have feelings for the new man. I could be wrong but that was exactly what I reasoned that moment.

‘’anyway Tracy is also too full of herself. Maybe you cheated on her because she wasn’t properly satisfying you’’ she quickly added, probably in order for me not to feel bad. I smiled gratefully.

‘’thanks, I never knew you could be such a good friend’’ I muttered with a smile. She blushed.

‘’whenever you need anyone to talk to, feel free to come around’’ she offered politely.

‘’oh thanks very much’’ I breathed, blushing at the same time.

‘’so how about your boyfriend?’’ I asked, trying to change the topic. She shrugged.

‘’boyfriend?. I have no student boyfriend because it makes no sense. What I need right now is a guy above my level. A guy who can take good care of me. A guy who has something doing and unfortunately I haven’t met any, so I’m single’’ she answered with a very funny tone that made me laugh.

‘’I haven’t laughed this much in a while. I thank God for giving me the courage to walk up to your room’’ I confessed. She rolled her eyes.

‘’you can’t imagine how many times I had the urge to come over to your room last year but couldn’t summon the courage. There was this Telenovela Tracy do watch in your room every evening as of mid last year. I was following the movie at home but missed it when I left for school. I had to always cover my ears with my pillow whenever i heard the soundtrack of the movie.’’ She confessed while I stared at her with disbelief.

‘’but no one would have sent you out supposing you came over’’ I muttered.

‘’yes but your Tracy acts weird sometimes’’ she replied, looking down.

‘’but since you are here and you guys are not together, let’s go to your room then’’ she suddenly suggested with bright eyes while I nodded in agreement.

———————

Five minutes later Beauty and I headed to my room, giggling like close friends. It just looked as if we had been friends for so long. However as I unlocked my room door, Tracy suddenly appeared from her room and headed towards the staircase after throwing a very long look at Beauty. I never anticipated on her busting up on us that very evening and I felt that perhaps she heard our voice and simply wanted to see things for herself by pretending to be heading downstairs by that hour.

We ignored each other but deep down I was really pained.

To be continued.

  

 

Episode 31

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’I think you should try talking to Tracy this night. I bet she will give you a listening ear’’ Beauty calmly said with a smile as soon as we settled in my room. I stared at her with great uncertainty, a bit confused over her suggestion.

Of course I was very worried over the look Tracy gave us moments ago and to me I felt the last thing she would do was to listen to anything I had to say but then Beauty was a lady as well and perhaps had a very good reason for making such a suggestion.

‘’do you think she will really listen to me after seeing us together?’’ I stammered softly. Beauty nodded, reached forward and held my left hand. I instantly felt a strange current pass through me.

‘’trust me, if she really is in love with you, she will be dying to speak to you this moment’’ she added, releasing her grip while I lustfully stared at her for no just reason. Yes of course I had no reason to have such silly ideas about her in my head but somehow it just popped in there. I quickly had to look away to focus on the problem at hand.

‘’I don’t want to lose Tracy. I guess I will go with your advice’’ I breathed softly.

‘’yea don’t wait for her to return to her room before making your move. I advice you wait for her at her door. Surprise her with your presence. That will be better’’ she added, smiled at me and reached for my TV remote while I hesitantly stood up to follow up with her advice.
Deep inside, my heart pounded furiously. I prayed deeply for her idea to work as I made my way towards Tracy’s room.

A minute later, I calmly stood in front of Tracy’s door like a frightened kid as I waited for her to show up. I really wasn’t sure if the idea was going to work but since I had nothing to lose in trying it out; I had to go on with the plan.
You can’t imagine the surprise on Tracy’s face the moment she showed up to see me waiting for her at the door. She just couldn’t believe her eyes. She stopped a distance away with a look of surprise shaded with resentment.

‘’what on earth are you doing there?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone. I quickly took a nervous step towards her.

‘’I came for us to talk. You can’t shut me out of your life like that. You can’t throw away all we had built over the years as if they were nothing. I deserve a fair hearing. You can’t judge me with mere hearsay’’ I spoke with great courage, taking her back with my boldness.

‘’oh Christ, not again’’ she breathed, folding her hands.

‘’I see, your new friend put you into this. I get it. She told you what to say and how to act. Go back to your room and tell her that it didn’t move me’’ she breathed coldly.

‘’why are you so uptight?. Let’s go to your room and talk, please I beg of you. We got to settle this tonight’’ I demanded pleadingly. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

‘’there is nothing to talk about. You are a liar, you are a deceiver. I can’t let you ruin my life or my future. You are having a child with another woman and that can’t be erased. You never denied it either. So don’t tell me s–t about love. This Is Africa. I can’t toy with my future so blazingly. No matter what, you will still go back to her in the end and by then it will be too late for me. The decision of moving on with my life is something I took time to decide and nothing can change it. I have a new guy now and please respect my decision’’ she poured out solemnly, walked past me and unlocked her door while I speechlessly stood like a carved image, uncertain of what next to say or do. Of course she had every right to protect her happiness and future by moving on with her life but she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There just wasn’t any possible way of convincing her that I was genuinely in love with her. Yes I had my flaws. I made terrible mistakes but no matter what, I still loved her.

‘’Trey I know I hurt you very much. But I will never stop loving you. I will do everything to prove myself’’ I stammered, stopping her with my words. She turned, and stared at me for a while before swallowing hard as if she wanted to say something.

Eagerly I waited for her to say something but I was disappointed. She simply shook her head after battling with herself for some seconds, turned and headed into her room.
I couldn’t force myself into her room. I knew I had to let her be for the meantime, but however I realized that moment that no matter her cold attitude towards me that she was still very much in love with me, she simply was protecting her future and happiness just like she expressed and I knew she was right about it.

All I needed was just a way to break her resistance which clearly looked impossible at that time.

Episode 32

Jude’s side of the story continues

I returned to my room to met Beauty eagerly waiting for me. She couldn’t even hide the excitement in her. It was just as if she was my big sister or something.

‘’so what’s up?’’ she asked with great excitement.

‘’nothing much’’ I breathed, looking down.
‘’ I didn’t achieve anything but at least we talked well and her emotions gave her away. She’s still very much in love with me’’ I added, slowly narrating all that transpired between Tracy and I. she listened with great attention.

‘’oh dear, you were too dull. You could have grabbed her when she was a bit indecisive, carried her to her room and made love to her. The opportunity you needed just stared you at the face but you blew it. Sometimes we ladies need just a little fondling and caresses to be on track’’ she breathed quickly. I shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’every lady has a sensitive spot. You could have made the bold move’’ she added with a look of disappointment, making me feel unmanly with her words.

‘’I have never made love to Tracy; we never did it when we were together. So I guess it wouldn’t have worked’’ I confessed, leaving her totally shocked.

‘’you mean you guys haven’t done it before?. But you have been together for so long’’ she asked with disbelief while I shrugged.

‘’oh I see, no wonder’’ she stammered with resignation, leaving me wondering what exactly she was thinking that moment.

—————————————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues (same evening)

Softly I knocked at Emmnuella’s door, as I nervously looked around for the tenth time. I had this feeling that I was being followed for no just reason. Perhaps it was the trauma I passed through at the police station that was still playing with my mind or perhaps the fear of what Jessica would do to me if she was to find out about my affair with her friend.
Emmanuella was just like alcohol to me, I knew having her was very dangerous but I just couldn’t get the urge out of my system. Of course i was very clueless on how it will all end with her. Oh yes I knew our affair would end very abruptly.

The front door soon opened, revealing Emmauella who quickly smiled on seeing me. As usual she was looking pretty hot and sexy.

‘’ah finally! what a surprise. You haven’t been picking my calls’’ she breathed as she threw herself on me.

‘’I just obtained my freedom from the police. They arrested me over the flimsy excuse that I was in possession of an unlicensed firearm’’ I explained softly.

‘’you really need to get away from Jessica’’ she suddenly breathed, leaving me very curious with her comment.

‘’do you feel Jessica is also behind it?’’ I asked while she shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’I will be leaving town for few days. I want to travel to a quiet city, relax and get myself in order’’ I added, studying her intently as I lowered myself on a sofa. She smiled, drew close and sat on my laps.

‘’that’s great. How about we leave town together?’’ she suddenly suggested. I stared at her suspiciously.

‘’don’t you have a job or something?’’ I asked with a polite tune. She quickly frowned and left my body.

‘’I’m ready to make sacrifices for you. I just like you and I want to help you get away from Jessica’’ she muttered coldly, quickly putting me in a defensive position with her words.
I slowly got up, drew close and held her by the shoulder.

‘’I do find you irresistible but there are many things about you that I’m yet to figure out’’ I breathed, kissing her neck.

‘’let’s do the vacation together. I will tell you everything when we get there’’ she softly offered, turned and faced me as we exchanged hot glances.
Few minutes later, we were on her bed, tearing each other apart.

——————-

I returned to my house early the next day, to meet Jessica all dressed up. She sighed on seeing me while I smiled, trying hard to appear nice. Of course I never planned spending the night with Emmanuella but the pretty witch never let me go and when we eventually finished ourselves up, I was just too tired to head home.

‘’I can’t believe you slept out. I could have left you at the police cell since you now prefer sleeping out instead of your own house’’ she said angrily while I yawned.

‘’I went to see some friends and we got all boozed up’’ I lied softly.

‘’I know you were with a woman but keep on till I get you guys. I will murder and leave her corpse for you to bury’’ she coldly threatened and walked away, leaving great fear all over me as her words sank in.
Of course her words were more like a normal feminine rant but deep down I had this feeling that she meant every word.

I needed no one to tell me that I had to be very careful with Emmanuella.

Episode 33

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

(Sunday morning)

I hurriedly packed up my things while Jessica watched me with disbelief. She just couldn’t believe I was actually leaving town without her. The look on her face showed all she felt that moment. I simply ignored her as I packed up, whistling a song at the same time to show my excitement which obviously annoyed her more.

‘’why are you doing this to me?. What joy will you derive in leaving me here all by myself after what we have through together?’’ she finally breathed, trying to make me feel guilty with her words but unfortunately her words had no effect on me, I just wanted to be away from her for a while. I badly needed to think about my life in a quiet environment. Of course that was my excuse for not taking her along but then there really wasn’t any excuse for including Emmanuella on the trip.
Yes I had no tangible reason for accepting to take Emmanuella along but instead of having second thoughts about it, I looked forward in having a great time with her. An urge I just couldn’t understand.

Same evening @Le Meridien Hotel Uyo,

‘’wow what a beautiful room’’ Emmanuella breathed with great excitement as we stared at each other passionately. I shrugged, breathing deeply.

‘’seriously I don’t know what pushed me into agreeing to come here with you. My initial plan was really to spend my time all alone here and think about my life’’ I confessed, looking down. She drew close, kissed my jaw and felt my heartbeat with her palms.

‘’you did the right thing in taking me on this trip. How about we shower together?. I have a long story for you and after listening to it, you will realize that you did great in bringing me along’’ she muttered with a seductive smile, quickly pulling off her clothes. I hungrily stared at her unclad body for a while before slowly undressing and walking into the bathroom with her.
Together we showered played and ended up making great love.

‘’jeez you are too strong and hot. Were you really trying to penetrate me through my a.ss or what?’’ she asked, breathing heavily when we were done with the rough play. I smiled and closed my eyes.

‘’I have successfully tried every style with you but that. Can we go on with it?’’ I asked playfully. She laughed, hitting my chest softly.

‘’no wonder Jessica is losing her senses because of you. You are giving it to her the way she never imagined’’ she breathed. I scoffed.

‘’but you should be careful with her. She’s soft with you doesn’t mean that she still can’t bite when provoked. She duped and killed your cousin’s father’’ she softly revealed, shocking me with her words. I quickly sprang up from the bed with great attention.

‘’I really wasn’t very much honest with you at first but hear me out now’’ she added seriously, sitting up to return my gaze.

‘’Jessica made your late uncle believe she was in love with him and being his old account manager, it was very easy for her to get him where she wanted. She manipulated him so well that the man left his building in the village under her care. She simply used the money without doing much on the house and the man never knew. The man equally sent money for a bungalow in town which she actually bought but turned to hers. It was just as if she used charms on him, because I never knew a man could be so gullible. He was her greatest hit and she never joked with him. When the man eventually returned to Nigeria, she took things to the next level. I don’t know what actually happened between them but she ended up killing him in his sleep. She ran to my house that very night seeking assistance. I was to be her alibi in case the police asked questions, the plan was for me to claim that she spent the night with me and not with the man, but luckily for her no one asked a d–n question and the issue died a natural death. However she kept me updated and that was how I knew about your cousin Jude and finally you. She is now manipulating you as well but what I really don’t know is the motive behind it. She has people everywhere and I just risked a lot by telling you this story. I could have told you about it earlier but just couldn’t because I really didn’t know which side you were on’’ she narrated, leaving me totally shaken with the story.

Jessica was definitely a killer but the question that sprang into my head that moment was ‘’what next?’’. What could I possibly do with Emmanuella’s story? Of course I knew the last thing she would do was to publicly testify against Jessica.

Episode 34

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’you know without evidence, your story has no value. I just wish there is little evidence to back it up’’ I muttered calmly, wondering if she had something to back up her story. She shrugged and drew back.

‘’unfortunately there isn’t anything like that for now but I can get out a confession from her. I can record it for you. Yes I can do it’’ she offered breathlessly, giving me great hope with her words. I stared at her curiously as my heart pounded fast out of excitement.

‘’but more thing’’ she added, drawing closer to me once again as we stared into each other’s eyes with great intensity.

‘’promise me that at the end of the day, after we get Jessica locked up in jail that you will settle down with me’’ she demanded strongly, taking me aback with such blunt demand. I just couldn’t believe myself for some seconds. The shock I felt instantly gave me away. She frowned on seeing how disturbed her demand left me. She dropped her eyes, looking gloomy.

‘’so I’m only good to be fu.cked?. I’m only good for fun right?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone as her color rapidly changed.

‘’no I beg of you’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’yes see your reaction?. You mean I should take the full risk of bringing down Jessica without any reward in the end?. I’m only trying to save your as.s from misery and the best you can do is to reciprocate my gesture by being with me to the very end. I need your presence and protection’’ she pushed on.
I closed my eyes for some seconds as I quickly thought of how to follow up with her. Yes she had a perfect body. She was fun to be with but she was as hell in the same league as Jessica. I just couldn’t imagine her being the mother of my kids.
I badly wanted to know the whole truth about Jessica but it wasn’t going to be at the expense of playing with my future or making the same mistake I made with Jessica.

‘’so what now?’’ I heard her say, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes, drew forward and kissed her, totally surprising her with the kiss.

‘’what was that for?’’ she asked with a look of confusion.

‘’I believe you are a better woman than Jessica. I think it’s better to be with you than her. Yes let’s do this’’ I softly breathed, drawing out a smile of satisfaction from her as she quickly hugged me.
I never meant those words but perhaps she was too gullible or stupid not to realize that the promise I just made wasn’t from my heart unless of course she had her own plans or means of tying me down after getting the confession from her friend.

—————————-
Jude’s side of the story continues (same Sunday evening)

I was about going to Beauty’s room when my phone rang and it was no other person than my lawyer calling. I nervously picked the call, wondering what the evening call was all about.

‘’good news, my friend has secured his freedom. We managed to pay the ransom and he was released this evening. Meet me at my hotel tomorrow morning, so that we can conclude things’’ he quickly informed me, hanging up instantly while I heaved a sigh of relief. Yes I really felt very relieved, learning that the barrister had been freed because I kind of felt responsible for the whole kidnap thing.

I just couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive and round things up once and for all. It just was as if a heavy load was suddenly carried off my chest and with that happy mood, I walked into Beauty’s room, surprising the poor girl with a quick hug as she opened her room door for me. The affectionate hug really left her staring at me breathlessly, clueless of what to make of it.

No I had no dirty reason for hugging her so strongly, It was just a happy moment I needed to share with someone like Tracy but unfortunately she wasn’t there at that moment and I just couldn’t imagine what Beauty felt of my action.

Episode 35

Jude’s side of the story continues

Early the next day I met my lawyer at his hotel room just like he requested and together we headed to barrister Clem’s house. Of course I really was very anxious and nervous at the same time, or should I say overly excited.
In no time we got to the barrister’s house.

Just like I expected, barrister Clem was just a shadow of his former self. He looked so pale, malnourished and thin. The bruises on his body equally revealed the hell he passed through at the kidnappers den, even though he appeared calm and composed.

‘’thank God you are back’’ I breathed with excitement, not really knowing what to say while he smiled at me.

‘’I believe someone paid for me to be kidnapped. I saw hell in there. I was beaten every day and night but I thank God for my life. It’s now a thing of the past. I just pray nemesis catches up with them’’ the barrister muttered confidently while I breathed deeply, wondering what made him so sure that someone paid for his kidnap.

‘’anyway Jude we were lucky the kidnappers didn’t do anything with the car and documents in it. Actually after I was released, they left a note on where to get the car and we eventually recovered it with the help of the police’’ he added as he handed a document to my lawyer.

‘’I believe the car and documents I had in my care weren’t of any concern to them’’ he added with a sharp smile.

‘’tomorrow I will inspect and check out the house Jessica handed over to us. By Thursday I will be leaving the country for a medical checkup. When I get back, we will round up everything concerning the property’’ he explained while I shrugged with resignation because there was nothing really to say. The important thing was that he was back alive and my documents still intact.

‘’I will be leaving the country with him on Thursday. You know I have overstayed more than I planned, but we will still keep in touch every other hour’’ my lawyer slowly chipped in while I shrugged once again.

‘’Thank you for everything. You guys are great’’ I finally stammered after few seconds of silence.

—————————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
(Few days later)
8:11pm Thursday, Emanuella’s apartment.

As Emmanuella slowly opened the door to her apartment, I playfully tickled her waist, making her turn to face me with laughter.

‘’you are still not tired of my body. Are you?’’ she breathed happily while I stared into her eyes as all we did during the short vacation played back in my head.
Yes the vacation was a success. I got my spirit and old self back. Emmanuella equally was wonderful and if not that the money I budgeted was already exhausted, we would have stayed till the weekend, instead we had to pack and head home that very Thursday.

‘’hope we can do this some other time?’’ she asked hopefully. I silently nodded.
Just that moment, a male neighbor walked up to us with a smile on his face.

‘’oh I guess you haven’t been around?. I even knocked on your door an hour ago?’’ he said to Emmanuella after shaking my hand.

‘’oh I travelled with my boyfriend’’ she replied, winking at me. I blushed.

‘’hope you guys had fun?’’ the male neighbor asked. She laughed.

‘’anyway, I just came to tell you that my son will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Chinonso will be a year old on Saturday’’ he announced happily.

‘’oh that’s great. I sure will be there to celebrate with your family’’ she muttered politely while the neighbor smiled and headed outside.

————————
Emmanuella’s sitting room
—–

‘’so what now?’’ Emmanuella playfully asked as we held each other in the sitting room. It was just as if she couldn’t stay a second without me.

‘’I have to start leaving now my dear. You know I have Jessica to face tonight. I can’t imagine the kind of fight we will be having this evening’’ I breathed with a solemn look. She softly kissed me, scanning my face with great concern.

‘’just be careful with her okay’’ she breathed. A knock landed on her door before I could reply, taking our attention.

‘’who could it be by this hour?’’ she asked, broke away from me and slowly headed to the door while I waited and watched. But as soon as she opened the door, she gasped and drew back into the room with great fear while the visitor who was dressed in black top and trouser confidently walked in with a smile.
The visitor was no other person than Jessica. I just couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t prepared for such confrontation. And the intriguing thing was that she appeared well composed and calm as if she had everything already figured out.

‘’can anyone please tell me what’s going on here?’’ she asked with a calm smile while Emmanuella ran to me obviously for protection.
My plans with Emmanuella, everything suddenly appeared to come to a hold. Jessica just had this way of being at the top every time. Of course i didn’t know what to do or say.

‘’so you stole the food meant for your elder huh?. how much have you told him?. You just can’t control yourself whenever you see a man. D–n, you just betrayed me girl. You know what comes next right?. You know the rules’’ she shouted at Emmanuella who suddenly held me tightly, like someone being electrocuted.

‘’I’m so dead. She’s going to kill me right now’’ she cried as if she just saw the future, totally surprising me with her outburst. But I had no time to wait because just that moment, Jessica pulled out a pistol from her bag.

‘’I’m sorry, I never intended this to happen but someone has to pay and that person clearly isn’t me. I warned you about this as well kelvin’’ she breathed, aimed and fired without hesitation.

There was silence after the heavy sound of gunshot.

Episode 36

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Jessica smiled evilly as she lowered the gun while I heaved a sigh of relief thinking she only fired a warning shot. I never knew Emmanuella was hit until she fell heavily on my body with a soft groan.

‘’she shot me. I’m dying’’ she groaned as I nervously grabbed her. I just didn’t know what to do that moment as I softly laid her on the floor to see where she was shot and how badly she was hurt.
There was blood all over her chest and in no time my hands were covered with her blood. There wasn’t any doubt the bullet went through her chest.

I threw an angry look towards Jessica’s direction but to my surprise she wasn’t there any longer. She just vanished. It was as if she was never there in the first place. I couldn’t believe myself as I returned my attention to the dying girl.

‘’I’m dying. I don’t want to die’’ Emmanuella cried weakly as I weighed the options before me. A part of me felt like abandoning her and running away but I just couldn’t do it because the memory of what happened with Cynthia was still very fresh in my head. Moreover a neighbor just saw us together and so running away would make me look extremely guilty.

I was still battling with my thoughts when the neighbor we met earlier showed up at the door. He stared at the scene for some seconds before screaming and running in to probably check things .

‘’what happened?. I heard the scream and gunshot that followed. Why did you shoot her?’’’ he stupidly asked while I gasped with disbelief over his question.

‘’I didn’t shoot her. Someone else did. Let’s take her to the hospital first’’ I stammered as he stared at me suspiciously before shrugging in resignation. In no time the sitting room was filled with concerned neighbors. Of course I was the main suspect and there was nothing I could do about it.

Luckily no one laid a finger on me, everyone was just concerned in taking the dying girl to the hospital and in few minutes we were at federal medical center owerri where the doctors at the emergency unit battled to save her life but the look on their faces clearly showed that all we needed for Emmanuella to survive was nothing but a miracle. She was really shot at a fatal area and she already lost a lot of blood.
However I never had time to worry about Emmanuella because I had a lot to worry about myself as the police showed up to take me in for questioning. And that was it, another straight ticket to jail.

2am, state police headquarters

‘’I now recognize you. You had a case the previous week with us?. What’s up with you and crime?. And the funny thing is that you always claim to be innocent” the police inspector who took me from the hospital asked as he led me to an empty office. The look on his face clearly showed that he already had pronounced me guilty.

‘’you got to believe me officer. I had no reason to shoot the poor girl, moreover no gun was found on me. We just got back from a vacation and my girlfriend showed up and shot her’’ I feebly defended myself.

‘’this case is too big for me to handle. You have to wait for my superiors to come and take over. Just pray she doesn’t die because that’s the only way you can escape prison. I’m speaking from experience. Moreover you already have a bad record’’ he added, shook his head, left the room and locked the door.

I fell with my knees on the floor as the reality of the grave situation I was in played before me. I could be charged for murder or manslaughter if the poor girl dies and with the look of things she was definitely going to die.
Jessica equally wasn’t there to help me out this time around because she was the mastermind of the whole thing. She perfectly ruined me at the right time and to think that she warned me.

‘’no God noooooooooo’’ I cried miserably.

To be continued

[Edoman]

Season (2) Shades of Lust Episode 25-55

 


Episode 25

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’Kelvin dear what did you tell them about me?’’ Jessica asked accusingly as if she already knew what I could have said about her but before I could say anything, the rude inspector dragged me to the other section of the room where I was made to declare my things.

A minute later I found myself in a police cell, a place I very much dreaded. I just couldn’t believe it. It looked as if I was dreaming.

‘’enjoy your day’’ the policeman who dragged me to the cell grinned as he pushed me in without any consideration. For some seconds my mind went totally blank. And as my brain slowly recovered from the blackout, I desperately thought of how to act before my new cell mates who were busy weighing me, probably getting ready to pounce on me like wild cats.

There were about fifteen young men in the poorly lit stinking cell which was as small as my bathroom. Of course as a new comer I knew the kind of reception that awaited me and it was something I was in no state of mind to face.
I had just my body size and strength as the only advantage but I knew I had no chance facing all of them at once in a free for all fight. I equally had no money to share. In fact I just wasn’t prepared for the stuff I was facing that morning.

Slowly i remembered what a friend who once was locked up for a long time told me about police cells.

‘’once you find yourself in a hardcore cell, show no fear and don’t take one more step once you are inside for the first time. Just stand with the guy at the entrance and examine things first if you have no money to bribe your way’’ he had narrated as we laughed about his cell experience. I never took his words seriously back then till that fateful moment when I stood face to face with strange hungry looking men. Of course the cell just looked like a hardcore one. I simply stood like someone out-numbered in a ‘’hell in a cell cage’’, waiting for the first blow or intimidation to come. I wasn’t ready for a fight but it never meant that I was ready to go down or intimidated without a fight. Moreover just like the guys in there, I was equally a street guy even though mine was in a matured level.

Surprisingly no one laid a hand on me, it was as if they were too weak to look for my trouble or probably scared of me. My heart pounded furiously as we all exchanged glances.

‘’This man!’’ I suddenly heard a voice scream out as a lanky looking guy slowly stood up from the floor.

‘’Kelvin Kelvin, o boy wetin bring you here?’’ he asked in Pidgin English as he approached me a smile. I instantly heaved a sigh of relief as my eyes fell on the young man’s face. He was no other person than the guy I bought my first laptop from years ago. Of course it was a stolen laptop and he was honest about it.

‘’o boy! I was just arrested for kidnapping one lawyer’’ I explained quickly while the whole room fell silence as my explanation hit every one of them.

‘’chai my chairman, kidnapping?. Mehn. I knew you were going to run this town the first time we met. Just look at me, running things here just for a small robbery while you are out there doing big things’’ he proclaimed with admiration while I scoffed and shook my head. I couldn’t say anything else to him. I was yet to even come to terms of what was happening to me. I just couldn’t wait to get out of that smelling hell hole. However I was happy that I wasn’t embarrassed or bullied.

Around 3pm, I was dragged out of the cell to meet the rude police inspector who arrested me earlier in the day. He smiled as his eyes scanned my appearance. He was satisfied by what he saw.

‘’Mr. Kelvin, the kidnappers called two hours ago to demand their money once again and with the look of things, it seems you were right about not being involved. But you see in this case, it’s very unwise to bring in a lawyer or to form Mr. Innocent when all you need to do is just to play ball with us. You dragged your girlfriend into this by mentioning her in your statement and it won’t help your case, moreover we got an unlicensed weapon in your house and if we should start tracing the source of that gun, you won’t like what we will discover’’ he said softly.

‘’so what do you want me to do now?’’ I asked seriously while he smiled.

‘’relax don’t be in a hurry’’ he muttered

Episode 26

Jude’s side of the story continues from same evening of last episode

As I headed out of the hostel to get some snacks at a shop close by, I spotted my Tracy alighting from a Toyota SUV.
At first my heart froze on sighting her before a smile gradually appeared on my face as my heart began beating rapidly. I just wasn’t expecting her to return to the hostel so soon and somehow I felt she was badly missing me, hence her sudden return.
Unfortunately my joy was cut short the moment my eyes fell on the driver of the SUV as he equally alighted and headed to the car boot to bring down Tracy’s things.

I instantly smelt danger the moment my eyes fell on the young man. He was well dressed in a striped shirt and well ironed plain trouser. The air and charisma in which he carried himself sold him off as a very rich career guy. I swallowed hard as I stood like a frozen image, watching him hug my Tracy before jumping into his car and driving away.

Nervously I approached Tracy not exactly knowing what to say to her. Yes of course I was very jealous. I was very mad; I was very pained over what I just witnessed.
‘’hey dear welcome back’’ I muttered, forcing out a smile as I approached her.

‘’hey Jude whatsup?’’ she greeted causally as if we were just nothing but old pals. It really got to me but since we were still far from being cool with each other, I simply let it go.

‘’hmmm you really brought in lots of things’’ I joked, dutifully carrying two of the heavy sacks I saw on the floor. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

‘’Jude I never asked you to help me. I can take them to my room myself. Weren’t you going somewhere?’’ she asked coldly. I bit my lips as I flinched, fighting hard to control my pride. Yes of course I cheated on her, I lied to her, I played with her feelings but I never deceived her into loving me because I was very much in love with her but she was just carrying on as if she was gold, diamond or something so highly special.

‘’Tracy come on, why are you acting so uptight?’’ I breathed.

‘’because I know you are just looking for a way to blow more lies into my ears. I moved on. You just saw my new guy right?. So just let me be and face your life with your Pamela or whatever she’s called’’ she hissed arrogantly, freezing me with her annoying words. Of course it was my entire fault but she wasn’t just giving me the chance to explain things to her.

‘’let’s go to your room first. We will talk when we get there’’ I muttered with a controlled voice. She rolled her eyes once again.

‘’Jude my room is no longer open to you. I’m sorry but I know you never loved me, you needed someone who would be your companion, your helper and cook over here and I fell for it. Just look for another girl to fool or simply manage for these few remaining months and return to the lady of your class who would probably be waiting with a white baby for you by then’’ she hissed, grabbed two of her bags and headed to the hostel, leaving me standing like a fool.

———————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last scene of the previous episode

Instead of opening up to me, the inspector simply changed the topic after a little hesitation.

‘’your girlfriend or should I call her your fiancée is waiting to talk with you. We will finish our discussion later’’ he muttered with a smile while I shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant exactly by me playing ball since he wasn’t yet ready to make his demands open.

He soon left the room while Jessica walked in with a food flash. She wasn’t exactly looking bright and I stared at her curiously.

‘’they denied you bail. You will be spending the night here my love. But I believe by tomorrow you will be freed. I never knew you had a gun. You could have given it to me to hide for you’’ she said softly as I quickly devoured the food she brought for me.

‘’I hid the gun very well Jessica. I still can’t believe how they found it’’ I replied slowly.

‘’they said you are being held for kidnapping and possession of fire arm and that granting you bail is still impossible until they are done with the investigations but i believe it’s all about money and you shouldn’t be worried. I will get you out before the end of tomorrow’’ she promised softly. My eyes brightened, she just had a way of appearing like an angel before me.

‘’but one more thing my love’’ she added, staring deep into my eyes.

‘’don’t you want me anymore?’’ she asked, leaving me amused with her question. Of course there wasn’t any way I was going to be honest in that situation.

To be continued 

Episode 27

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’my dear let’s save that topic till I get out of here. You should be working on getting me out of here please’’ I begged. Jessica smiled, slowly reaching for my hand.

‘’I promise you will be out of here tomorrow’’ she said with strong words. Deep down I prayed for God to help me as well because I really was in a mess and I couldn’t figure out the direction to move my life anymore.

—————————————-

Jude’s side of the story continues, same evening

By 8pm, I slowly made my way to Tracy’s room with a fast beating heart. I was so keen on making peace with her. I so badly wanted to end the bad blood between us even though it appeared as if my Tracy was really a bit different from the girl I used to know. I couldn’t believe she actually changed that much over the few weeks we had been away from each other.
Yes it was my entire fault but at least she should have given me the chance to explain myself.

I knocked on her door for about ten minutes before she opened it, frowning as she faced me. She couldn’t even allow me to walk in. I speechlessly stared at her for some seconds, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’why are you disturbing my peace this night?, what do you want?’’ she asked furiously.

‘’I came for us to talk’’ I answered softly. She scoffed.

‘’you are wasting your time. I have moved on. I have a new guy and I’m happy with him. There isn’t a chance of us getting back together. Just go back to your room, sleep and forget about me’’ she said very seriously, punishing me with those hurtful words. I just couldn’t control my feelings or eyes as tears quickly formed up against my wish.
I wanted to say something but couldn’t because of my deep emotional state, instead I kept quiet for few seconds as I tried to make the tears go away from my eyes. I was a man; I had to be in control of my feelings no matter what.

‘’Trey’’ I finally managed to breathe. She rolled her eyes and looked away. It was just as if she wasn’t touched in any way unless of course she was outwardly trying to look strong when deep down she really wasn’t herself.

‘’we have come a long way for this’’ I stammered, looking down.

‘’you knew we have come a long way, yet you cheated on me to the extent of getting a woman pregnant. It wasn’t once or twice that you slept with her and to even think that I innocently offered you my body to satisfy your male thing and you refused. Just leave my presence please’’ she shouted.

‘’Trey I love you and nothing will ever stop me from loving you. I lied about many things but not what I felt for you’’ I confessed. She shook her head, closed her eyes for some seconds, drew back and shut the door on my face.

(I knocked and knocked and knocked on the door all over again but this time around she never answered.)

After hopefully standing at her door for about thirty minutes, I returned to my room to have a very sleepless night. My Tracy just was so close but far. I really didn’t know what else to do to win her back. Yes I perfectly understood her position but I had felt she would have given me the chance to fix things.

—————————————————————————

Early the next morning, I got a call from my lawyer to meet him at the hotel he was lodging. I carried myself there with a very weak and tired body.

‘’so what’s up with the kidnapped lawyer?’’ I lazily asked as I sat down before him, expecting a positive answer. Seriously the issue had made me to forget about asking of my house documents and every other thing he was supposed to do for me.

‘’nothing much. The police are still doing their investigations while we try to play delay tactics with the kidnappers. I told the police everything I knew about my friend and the new cases he was handling. I was told by the police that they arrested your cousin after a routine search at his place because they found a gun in his bedroom’’ he explained softly while I froze on hearing that my cousin was being detained.

‘’but do you think he’s involved in this?, why send the police to his house?’’ I asked with concern.

‘’I never sent the police to his house. I only them all I knew about my friend and the cases he was handling. They arrested your cousin on their own but come to think of it, it looks your cousin is very wealthy, what exactly does he do for a living and why is he marrying the lady that dealt with your father probably for his money?. Don’t you think he has been working with her all these while and only pretends to be at your side?. He could even be the one that introduced her to your father in the first place and equally had to befriend you after his demise in order to know your next moves. Moreover they easily gave up the house in order to probably get the money worth of the house by kidnapping my friend.’’ He summarized flawlessly like a detective, putting me in a confused state as I slowly remembered how I got close to Kelvin and how helpful he had been.

‘’no I don’t think my cousin is working with her’’ I slowly muttered, knowing full well that my words sounded very stupid to him at that moment.

Episode 28

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’but you know what?, once my friend is freed and safe, we will dig around to know how your dad actually died. For now just avoid your cousin Kelvin. I believe the guy’s hand is somehow involved. Many things are just pointing to him and I just can’t ignore it’’ my lawyer said strongly. I breathed deeply, saying nothing.
Deep down I was scared over the whole thing without frankly knowing the reason. I just felt like asking him to forget about digging out the past because I felt it could end up burning everyone and I really wasn’t ready to have blood in my hands. Of course I was scared of his safety as well because he probably wasn’t much aware of how things were run here in Nigeria.

—————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last episode

I really had a very terrible night in the cell. The stench of the room, and the mosquitoes which fed fat from all of us were enough to make me lose my sanity. I couldn’t sleep neither was I able to even focus on my thoughts. I just prayed for Jessica to be able to get me out the next day just like she promised.
I equally waited for the police inspector to show up again to finish our pending discussion but he never showed up, leaving me wondering what exactly he wanted from me. It really was a very long and painful night for me.

Luckily around 10am the next day, I was dragged out of the cell to meet Jessica who was waiting for me with a new trouser and shirt.

‘’my love, we are going home, just change with these’’ she muttered happily, leaving me stunned as she offered the clothes to me.

‘’how did you do it?. How come?’’ I stammered excitedly. She blushed like an innocent school girl who just took the first position in her class.

‘’they found no evidence to link you with kidnapping, so they demanded for two hundred thousand naira in order to drop the gun possession charges. I paid it and you were freed’’ she announced sweetly. I heaved a sigh of relief.
I just couldn’t describe how I felt that moment. Jessica really had a way of always appearing like an angel.

‘’so simply keep a straight face, let’s walk out of here. I prepared something good at home’’ she smiled sweetly as she led me to an office (to complete the paper work of my bail).

——————————–

Ten minutes later, we were on our way back to my house. She drove my car while I sat at the passenger’s corner, too tired to even bring up a topic.

‘’You left your phone at home yesterday and it never stopped ringing. You had lots of missed calls’’ she softly informed me as she handed me my phone with her right hand.

‘’oh yea’’ I breathed as I collected the phone, freezing as the first number I saw on my missed calls list was no other person’s number than Emmanuella’s. My hands shook as I quickly gave Jessica a quick, guilty look, hoping she would say something about it but she never did. She just behaved as if she never went through my phone, something I was very sure she did. But since she failed to bring it up, I kept quiet as well.

On getting home, I took a long shower, freshened up and joined her at the dining table where a big plate of garri and ogbono soup were waiting for me to devour. I salivated as I quickly got ready to feed myself.

‘’I’m really glad you are back my love. I was very scared for you. The police can never be trusted’’ Jessica breathed solemnly as she poured out drinking water for me in a cup. I simply shook my head as I slowly recounted all I passed through in the cell.

‘’thanks for getting me out’’ I muttered with a smile.

‘’my love, how about we relocate to another town after our wedding?. This town is just too hot for us. The police are on your neck, Cynthia is back probably for revenge, and I believe things could only get worse. Our children can’t grow up here. I can easily set up my business in any town. Let’s just leave this town, all these drama. I beg of you’’ she softly begged with great energy, reaching out for my left hand. I slowly met her gaze, swallowing hard as I weighed all she just said in my head. Of course the town was really getting hurt for us but relocating with her also wasn’t something I wanted even though we shared lots of common secrets.

‘’here is my pregnancy text result, from a very reputable hospital’’ she added, dropping a paper before me.

‘’let’s just leave this town. I beg of you’’ she begged once again.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was desperate to leave town over something else or if it was all about me?.

Episode 29

kelvin’s side of the story continues

I silently stared at Jessica for some seconds while she keenly waited for my reply. Leaving town was surely a good idea but leaving with her was something I just wasn’t ready for. I needed a little privacy. I needed to be on my own for a while to put my body and soul in order. Yes I owed her some favors but I never bargained on leaving the city and starting a new life with her in another city.

‘’listen jess dear, I know you have good intentions for me but for now I’m just not thinking straight. I badly need to rest and relax’’ I stammered softly. She shook her head, unconvinced with my reply.

‘’I know you have an answer already in your heart. It clearly shows in your eyes. Don’t beat around the bush and tell me what you feel about my suggestion?’’ she asked seriously, leaving me with no choice than to be honest with her.

‘’I really want to leave town but not with you. I just need a little vacation alone to clear my head and plan for my future’’ I explained slowly. She drew back, observing me suspiciously.

‘’how about me?, I hope you are not thinking of abandoning me and your baby here to die of depression?. How about our wedding plans?, don’t tell me you have also forgotten about it?’’ she asked quickly. I shook my head.

‘’you are a big girl. You can perfectly take care of yourself till I return. Forget about the wedding stuff for now. I just want to be alone. Thank you for getting me home’’’ I answered, smiling to put down my point while she stood up with great disappointment and disbelief.

‘’why are you so wicked?, why are you so cold?, why are you so heartless?. Have I ever done anything bad to you?. You only think about yourself but forget that I’m now a part of you. How do you expect me to live with pregnancy outside marriage at my age?. Come on please this is so unfair’’ she cried desperately. I swallowed hard and looked away. I just wasn’t ready to wed her. I had to be with a clear mind before going through that path again.

‘’but it’s not as if we aren’t married. Haven’t we done our traditional marriage?’’ I asked defensively. She sighed.

‘’thank you for everything. I thought my happiness was with you but I was mistaken. I still can’t imagine the reason you showed up in my life in the first place’’ she muttered angrily, shook her head and headed back to my bedroom where she cried her heart out. I couldn’t get myself to continue with the meal after such an emotional discussion moreover she cried so loud that my conscience began to hurt me.
I was forced to join her at the bedroom to see if I could come into an agreement with her. It really was the first time I was seeing Jessica cry so emotionally and yes it touched me because it showed that she was still a woman no matter her tough character unless of course she was faking it.

——————————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues

8pm, Jude’s hostel

I was in my room, thinking about the new strategy to use on Tracy as my stomach growled once again, biting me at the same time. I drank two bottles of malt with five slices of bread in the afternoon plus a plate of Indomie an hour ago yet it was just as if nothing had entered my stomach all day.
I really felt like eating something solid like soup, garri or even beans. The kind of stuff only found in Tracy’s pot. The da.mn girl really knew I couldn’t survive a week without her and was just using everything to punish me. I really had hoped that since she said we were still cool as friends that I would have the luxury of eating from her pot but I was badly mistaken. She was all out to injure me where it hurt the most.

I was busy thinking about Tracy when I perceived a sweet aroma coming from a neighbor’s room. I quickly sat upright as I salivated, thinking of doing something most guys in my hostel were fond of doing which I used to frown on. Yes the aroma of fried plantain coming from Beauty’s room was too strong to be ignored and before I even knew what I was doing, I was at her door for the first time in my life.

You can’t imagine the surprise on Beauty’s face the moment she opened her door to see me smiling politely. As a big boy I knew the last thing she suspected was that I was in her room out of hunger.

‘’hmmmm Jude am I safe or are you here on Tracy’s behalf?’’ she asked guardedly while I blushed.

‘’no I’m here to keep you company. I have been alone all day in my room’’ I answered while she stared at me suspiciously, totally unconvinced with my reply.

‘’Tracy no longer talks to me. We broke up last Xmas and it really hurts’’ I explained weakly. Her eyes quickly lit up with interest or probably out of curiosity.

‘’oh come in then and gist me how it all happened. You know you guys were too close for something like that to happen?’’ she giggled, letting me into her room as she eagerly awaited my story while I swallowed hard as my eyes fell on a plate filled with fried plantain.

Episode 30

Jude’s side of the story continues from Beauty’s room

‘’what really broke you guys up?. You guys were too good for that s–t?’’ Beauty asked curiously as we ate fried plantain in her room. I shrugged, quickly forming up a reasonable explanation in my head.

‘’actually there was this girl i met some months back. We just got attracted to each other without any difficulty. The spark was just there and we wasted no time in hitting it off. It really was a onetime thing but the bad stench of the affair never left my body no matter how hard i tried to hide it from Tracy. The girl was just into me that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I finally had to tell her about Tracy but instead of backing off; she befriended Tracy on facebook and told her about our illicit affair. Tracy got mad at me and till today, refused to listen to me’’ I explained softly, hiding the big details from her.

‘’that’s so bad. You cheated on your girl and hid it from her. She has every right to be mad at you’’ she muttered with a smile.

‘’yes I know but she is just overdoing it’’ I added solemnly.

‘’supposing Tracy did the same to you, would you forgive her?’’ she curiously asked, taking me by surprise with the question. I kept quiet as I thought about it. Of course I wasn’t sure I was going to forgive Tracy if she did the same to me but I was a guy and she was a woman. Things like that aren’t supposed to be weighed the same way. Men of course could cheat out of mistake or perhaps out of lust with no feelings whatever, but for a lady to cheat she must have feelings for the new man. I could be wrong but that was exactly what I reasoned that moment.

‘’anyway Tracy is also too full of herself. Maybe you cheated on her because she wasn’t properly satisfying you’’ she quickly added, probably in order for me not to feel bad. I smiled gratefully.

‘’thanks, I never knew you could be such a good friend’’ I muttered with a smile. She blushed.

‘’whenever you need anyone to talk to, feel free to come around’’ she offered politely.

‘’oh thanks very much’’ I breathed, blushing at the same time.

‘’so how about your boyfriend?’’ I asked, trying to change the topic. She shrugged.

‘’boyfriend?. I have no student boyfriend because it makes no sense. What I need right now is a guy above my level. A guy who can take good care of me. A guy who has something doing and unfortunately I haven’t met any, so I’m single’’ she answered with a very funny tone that made me laugh.

‘’I haven’t laughed this much in a while. I thank God for giving me the courage to walk up to your room’’ I confessed. She rolled her eyes.

‘’you can’t imagine how many times I had the urge to come over to your room last year but couldn’t summon the courage. There was this Telenovela Tracy do watch in your room every evening as of mid last year. I was following the movie at home but missed it when I left for school. I had to always cover my ears with my pillow whenever i heard the soundtrack of the movie.’’ She confessed while I stared at her with disbelief.

‘’but no one would have sent you out supposing you came over’’ I muttered.

‘’yes but your Tracy acts weird sometimes’’ she replied, looking down.

‘’but since you are here and you guys are not together, let’s go to your room then’’ she suddenly suggested with bright eyes while I nodded in agreement.

———————

Five minutes later Beauty and I headed to my room, giggling like close friends. It just looked as if we had been friends for so long. However as I unlocked my room door, Tracy suddenly appeared from her room and headed towards the staircase after throwing a very long look at Beauty. I never anticipated on her busting up on us that very evening and I felt that perhaps she heard our voice and simply wanted to see things for herself by pretending to be heading downstairs by that hour.

We ignored each other but deep down I was really pained.

To be continued.

  

 

Episode 31

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’I think you should try talking to Tracy this night. I bet she will give you a listening ear’’ Beauty calmly said with a smile as soon as we settled in my room. I stared at her with great uncertainty, a bit confused over her suggestion.

Of course I was very worried over the look Tracy gave us moments ago and to me I felt the last thing she would do was to listen to anything I had to say but then Beauty was a lady as well and perhaps had a very good reason for making such a suggestion.

‘’do you think she will really listen to me after seeing us together?’’ I stammered softly. Beauty nodded, reached forward and held my left hand. I instantly felt a strange current pass through me.

‘’trust me, if she really is in love with you, she will be dying to speak to you this moment’’ she added, releasing her grip while I lustfully stared at her for no just reason. Yes of course I had no reason to have such silly ideas about her in my head but somehow it just popped in there. I quickly had to look away to focus on the problem at hand.

‘’I don’t want to lose Tracy. I guess I will go with your advice’’ I breathed softly.

‘’yea don’t wait for her to return to her room before making your move. I advice you wait for her at her door. Surprise her with your presence. That will be better’’ she added, smiled at me and reached for my TV remote while I hesitantly stood up to follow up with her advice.
Deep inside, my heart pounded furiously. I prayed deeply for her idea to work as I made my way towards Tracy’s room.

A minute later, I calmly stood in front of Tracy’s door like a frightened kid as I waited for her to show up. I really wasn’t sure if the idea was going to work but since I had nothing to lose in trying it out; I had to go on with the plan.
You can’t imagine the surprise on Tracy’s face the moment she showed up to see me waiting for her at the door. She just couldn’t believe her eyes. She stopped a distance away with a look of surprise shaded with resentment.

‘’what on earth are you doing there?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone. I quickly took a nervous step towards her.

‘’I came for us to talk. You can’t shut me out of your life like that. You can’t throw away all we had built over the years as if they were nothing. I deserve a fair hearing. You can’t judge me with mere hearsay’’ I spoke with great courage, taking her back with my boldness.

‘’oh Christ, not again’’ she breathed, folding her hands.

‘’I see, your new friend put you into this. I get it. She told you what to say and how to act. Go back to your room and tell her that it didn’t move me’’ she breathed coldly.

‘’why are you so uptight?. Let’s go to your room and talk, please I beg of you. We got to settle this tonight’’ I demanded pleadingly. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

‘’there is nothing to talk about. You are a liar, you are a deceiver. I can’t let you ruin my life or my future. You are having a child with another woman and that can’t be erased. You never denied it either. So don’t tell me s–t about love. This Is Africa. I can’t toy with my future so blazingly. No matter what, you will still go back to her in the end and by then it will be too late for me. The decision of moving on with my life is something I took time to decide and nothing can change it. I have a new guy now and please respect my decision’’ she poured out solemnly, walked past me and unlocked her door while I speechlessly stood like a carved image, uncertain of what next to say or do. Of course she had every right to protect her happiness and future by moving on with her life but she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There just wasn’t any possible way of convincing her that I was genuinely in love with her. Yes I had my flaws. I made terrible mistakes but no matter what, I still loved her.

‘’Trey I know I hurt you very much. But I will never stop loving you. I will do everything to prove myself’’ I stammered, stopping her with my words. She turned, and stared at me for a while before swallowing hard as if she wanted to say something.

Eagerly I waited for her to say something but I was disappointed. She simply shook her head after battling with herself for some seconds, turned and headed into her room.
I couldn’t force myself into her room. I knew I had to let her be for the meantime, but however I realized that moment that no matter her cold attitude towards me that she was still very much in love with me, she simply was protecting her future and happiness just like she expressed and I knew she was right about it.

All I needed was just a way to break her resistance which clearly looked impossible at that time.

Episode 32

Jude’s side of the story continues

I returned to my room to met Beauty eagerly waiting for me. She couldn’t even hide the excitement in her. It was just as if she was my big sister or something.

‘’so what’s up?’’ she asked with great excitement.

‘’nothing much’’ I breathed, looking down.
‘’ I didn’t achieve anything but at least we talked well and her emotions gave her away. She’s still very much in love with me’’ I added, slowly narrating all that transpired between Tracy and I. she listened with great attention.

‘’oh dear, you were too dull. You could have grabbed her when she was a bit indecisive, carried her to her room and made love to her. The opportunity you needed just stared you at the face but you blew it. Sometimes we ladies need just a little fondling and caresses to be on track’’ she breathed quickly. I shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’every lady has a sensitive spot. You could have made the bold move’’ she added with a look of disappointment, making me feel unmanly with her words.

‘’I have never made love to Tracy; we never did it when we were together. So I guess it wouldn’t have worked’’ I confessed, leaving her totally shocked.

‘’you mean you guys haven’t done it before?. But you have been together for so long’’ she asked with disbelief while I shrugged.

‘’oh I see, no wonder’’ she stammered with resignation, leaving me wondering what exactly she was thinking that moment.

—————————————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues (same evening)

Softly I knocked at Emmnuella’s door, as I nervously looked around for the tenth time. I had this feeling that I was being followed for no just reason. Perhaps it was the trauma I passed through at the police station that was still playing with my mind or perhaps the fear of what Jessica would do to me if she was to find out about my affair with her friend.
Emmanuella was just like alcohol to me, I knew having her was very dangerous but I just couldn’t get the urge out of my system. Of course i was very clueless on how it will all end with her. Oh yes I knew our affair would end very abruptly.

The front door soon opened, revealing Emmauella who quickly smiled on seeing me. As usual she was looking pretty hot and sexy.

‘’ah finally! what a surprise. You haven’t been picking my calls’’ she breathed as she threw herself on me.

‘’I just obtained my freedom from the police. They arrested me over the flimsy excuse that I was in possession of an unlicensed firearm’’ I explained softly.

‘’you really need to get away from Jessica’’ she suddenly breathed, leaving me very curious with her comment.

‘’do you feel Jessica is also behind it?’’ I asked while she shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’I will be leaving town for few days. I want to travel to a quiet city, relax and get myself in order’’ I added, studying her intently as I lowered myself on a sofa. She smiled, drew close and sat on my laps.

‘’that’s great. How about we leave town together?’’ she suddenly suggested. I stared at her suspiciously.

‘’don’t you have a job or something?’’ I asked with a polite tune. She quickly frowned and left my body.

‘’I’m ready to make sacrifices for you. I just like you and I want to help you get away from Jessica’’ she muttered coldly, quickly putting me in a defensive position with her words.
I slowly got up, drew close and held her by the shoulder.

‘’I do find you irresistible but there are many things about you that I’m yet to figure out’’ I breathed, kissing her neck.

‘’let’s do the vacation together. I will tell you everything when we get there’’ she softly offered, turned and faced me as we exchanged hot glances.
Few minutes later, we were on her bed, tearing each other apart.

——————-

I returned to my house early the next day, to meet Jessica all dressed up. She sighed on seeing me while I smiled, trying hard to appear nice. Of course I never planned spending the night with Emmanuella but the pretty witch never let me go and when we eventually finished ourselves up, I was just too tired to head home.

‘’I can’t believe you slept out. I could have left you at the police cell since you now prefer sleeping out instead of your own house’’ she said angrily while I yawned.

‘’I went to see some friends and we got all boozed up’’ I lied softly.

‘’I know you were with a woman but keep on till I get you guys. I will murder and leave her corpse for you to bury’’ she coldly threatened and walked away, leaving great fear all over me as her words sank in.
Of course her words were more like a normal feminine rant but deep down I had this feeling that she meant every word.

I needed no one to tell me that I had to be very careful with Emmanuella.

Episode 33

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

(Sunday morning)

I hurriedly packed up my things while Jessica watched me with disbelief. She just couldn’t believe I was actually leaving town without her. The look on her face showed all she felt that moment. I simply ignored her as I packed up, whistling a song at the same time to show my excitement which obviously annoyed her more.

‘’why are you doing this to me?. What joy will you derive in leaving me here all by myself after what we have through together?’’ she finally breathed, trying to make me feel guilty with her words but unfortunately her words had no effect on me, I just wanted to be away from her for a while. I badly needed to think about my life in a quiet environment. Of course that was my excuse for not taking her along but then there really wasn’t any excuse for including Emmanuella on the trip.
Yes I had no tangible reason for accepting to take Emmanuella along but instead of having second thoughts about it, I looked forward in having a great time with her. An urge I just couldn’t understand.

Same evening @Le Meridien Hotel Uyo,

‘’wow what a beautiful room’’ Emmanuella breathed with great excitement as we stared at each other passionately. I shrugged, breathing deeply.

‘’seriously I don’t know what pushed me into agreeing to come here with you. My initial plan was really to spend my time all alone here and think about my life’’ I confessed, looking down. She drew close, kissed my jaw and felt my heartbeat with her palms.

‘’you did the right thing in taking me on this trip. How about we shower together?. I have a long story for you and after listening to it, you will realize that you did great in bringing me along’’ she muttered with a seductive smile, quickly pulling off her clothes. I hungrily stared at her unclad body for a while before slowly undressing and walking into the bathroom with her.
Together we showered played and ended up making great love.

‘’jeez you are too strong and hot. Were you really trying to penetrate me through my a.ss or what?’’ she asked, breathing heavily when we were done with the rough play. I smiled and closed my eyes.

‘’I have successfully tried every style with you but that. Can we go on with it?’’ I asked playfully. She laughed, hitting my chest softly.

‘’no wonder Jessica is losing her senses because of you. You are giving it to her the way she never imagined’’ she breathed. I scoffed.

‘’but you should be careful with her. She’s soft with you doesn’t mean that she still can’t bite when provoked. She duped and killed your cousin’s father’’ she softly revealed, shocking me with her words. I quickly sprang up from the bed with great attention.

‘’I really wasn’t very much honest with you at first but hear me out now’’ she added seriously, sitting up to return my gaze.

‘’Jessica made your late uncle believe she was in love with him and being his old account manager, it was very easy for her to get him where she wanted. She manipulated him so well that the man left his building in the village under her care. She simply used the money without doing much on the house and the man never knew. The man equally sent money for a bungalow in town which she actually bought but turned to hers. It was just as if she used charms on him, because I never knew a man could be so gullible. He was her greatest hit and she never joked with him. When the man eventually returned to Nigeria, she took things to the next level. I don’t know what actually happened between them but she ended up killing him in his sleep. She ran to my house that very night seeking assistance. I was to be her alibi in case the police asked questions, the plan was for me to claim that she spent the night with me and not with the man, but luckily for her no one asked a d–n question and the issue died a natural death. However she kept me updated and that was how I knew about your cousin Jude and finally you. She is now manipulating you as well but what I really don’t know is the motive behind it. She has people everywhere and I just risked a lot by telling you this story. I could have told you about it earlier but just couldn’t because I really didn’t know which side you were on’’ she narrated, leaving me totally shaken with the story.

Jessica was definitely a killer but the question that sprang into my head that moment was ‘’what next?’’. What could I possibly do with Emmanuella’s story? Of course I knew the last thing she would do was to publicly testify against Jessica.

Episode 34

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’you know without evidence, your story has no value. I just wish there is little evidence to back it up’’ I muttered calmly, wondering if she had something to back up her story. She shrugged and drew back.

‘’unfortunately there isn’t anything like that for now but I can get out a confession from her. I can record it for you. Yes I can do it’’ she offered breathlessly, giving me great hope with her words. I stared at her curiously as my heart pounded fast out of excitement.

‘’but more thing’’ she added, drawing closer to me once again as we stared into each other’s eyes with great intensity.

‘’promise me that at the end of the day, after we get Jessica locked up in jail that you will settle down with me’’ she demanded strongly, taking me aback with such blunt demand. I just couldn’t believe myself for some seconds. The shock I felt instantly gave me away. She frowned on seeing how disturbed her demand left me. She dropped her eyes, looking gloomy.

‘’so I’m only good to be fu.cked?. I’m only good for fun right?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone as her color rapidly changed.

‘’no I beg of you’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’yes see your reaction?. You mean I should take the full risk of bringing down Jessica without any reward in the end?. I’m only trying to save your as.s from misery and the best you can do is to reciprocate my gesture by being with me to the very end. I need your presence and protection’’ she pushed on.
I closed my eyes for some seconds as I quickly thought of how to follow up with her. Yes she had a perfect body. She was fun to be with but she was as hell in the same league as Jessica. I just couldn’t imagine her being the mother of my kids.
I badly wanted to know the whole truth about Jessica but it wasn’t going to be at the expense of playing with my future or making the same mistake I made with Jessica.

‘’so what now?’’ I heard her say, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes, drew forward and kissed her, totally surprising her with the kiss.

‘’what was that for?’’ she asked with a look of confusion.

‘’I believe you are a better woman than Jessica. I think it’s better to be with you than her. Yes let’s do this’’ I softly breathed, drawing out a smile of satisfaction from her as she quickly hugged me.
I never meant those words but perhaps she was too gullible or stupid not to realize that the promise I just made wasn’t from my heart unless of course she had her own plans or means of tying me down after getting the confession from her friend.

—————————-
Jude’s side of the story continues (same Sunday evening)

I was about going to Beauty’s room when my phone rang and it was no other person than my lawyer calling. I nervously picked the call, wondering what the evening call was all about.

‘’good news, my friend has secured his freedom. We managed to pay the ransom and he was released this evening. Meet me at my hotel tomorrow morning, so that we can conclude things’’ he quickly informed me, hanging up instantly while I heaved a sigh of relief. Yes I really felt very relieved, learning that the barrister had been freed because I kind of felt responsible for the whole kidnap thing.

I just couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive and round things up once and for all. It just was as if a heavy load was suddenly carried off my chest and with that happy mood, I walked into Beauty’s room, surprising the poor girl with a quick hug as she opened her room door for me. The affectionate hug really left her staring at me breathlessly, clueless of what to make of it.

No I had no dirty reason for hugging her so strongly, It was just a happy moment I needed to share with someone like Tracy but unfortunately she wasn’t there at that moment and I just couldn’t imagine what Beauty felt of my action.

Episode 35

Jude’s side of the story continues

Early the next day I met my lawyer at his hotel room just like he requested and together we headed to barrister Clem’s house. Of course I really was very anxious and nervous at the same time, or should I say overly excited.
In no time we got to the barrister’s house.

Just like I expected, barrister Clem was just a shadow of his former self. He looked so pale, malnourished and thin. The bruises on his body equally revealed the hell he passed through at the kidnappers den, even though he appeared calm and composed.

‘’thank God you are back’’ I breathed with excitement, not really knowing what to say while he smiled at me.

‘’I believe someone paid for me to be kidnapped. I saw hell in there. I was beaten every day and night but I thank God for my life. It’s now a thing of the past. I just pray nemesis catches up with them’’ the barrister muttered confidently while I breathed deeply, wondering what made him so sure that someone paid for his kidnap.

‘’anyway Jude we were lucky the kidnappers didn’t do anything with the car and documents in it. Actually after I was released, they left a note on where to get the car and we eventually recovered it with the help of the police’’ he added as he handed a document to my lawyer.

‘’I believe the car and documents I had in my care weren’t of any concern to them’’ he added with a sharp smile.

‘’tomorrow I will inspect and check out the house Jessica handed over to us. By Thursday I will be leaving the country for a medical checkup. When I get back, we will round up everything concerning the property’’ he explained while I shrugged with resignation because there was nothing really to say. The important thing was that he was back alive and my documents still intact.

‘’I will be leaving the country with him on Thursday. You know I have overstayed more than I planned, but we will still keep in touch every other hour’’ my lawyer slowly chipped in while I shrugged once again.

‘’Thank you for everything. You guys are great’’ I finally stammered after few seconds of silence.

—————————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
(Few days later)
8:11pm Thursday, Emanuella’s apartment.

As Emmanuella slowly opened the door to her apartment, I playfully tickled her waist, making her turn to face me with laughter.

‘’you are still not tired of my body. Are you?’’ she breathed happily while I stared into her eyes as all we did during the short vacation played back in my head.
Yes the vacation was a success. I got my spirit and old self back. Emmanuella equally was wonderful and if not that the money I budgeted was already exhausted, we would have stayed till the weekend, instead we had to pack and head home that very Thursday.

‘’hope we can do this some other time?’’ she asked hopefully. I silently nodded.
Just that moment, a male neighbor walked up to us with a smile on his face.

‘’oh I guess you haven’t been around?. I even knocked on your door an hour ago?’’ he said to Emmanuella after shaking my hand.

‘’oh I travelled with my boyfriend’’ she replied, winking at me. I blushed.

‘’hope you guys had fun?’’ the male neighbor asked. She laughed.

‘’anyway, I just came to tell you that my son will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Chinonso will be a year old on Saturday’’ he announced happily.

‘’oh that’s great. I sure will be there to celebrate with your family’’ she muttered politely while the neighbor smiled and headed outside.

————————
Emmanuella’s sitting room
—–

‘’so what now?’’ Emmanuella playfully asked as we held each other in the sitting room. It was just as if she couldn’t stay a second without me.

‘’I have to start leaving now my dear. You know I have Jessica to face tonight. I can’t imagine the kind of fight we will be having this evening’’ I breathed with a solemn look. She softly kissed me, scanning my face with great concern.

‘’just be careful with her okay’’ she breathed. A knock landed on her door before I could reply, taking our attention.

‘’who could it be by this hour?’’ she asked, broke away from me and slowly headed to the door while I waited and watched. But as soon as she opened the door, she gasped and drew back into the room with great fear while the visitor who was dressed in black top and trouser confidently walked in with a smile.
The visitor was no other person than Jessica. I just couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t prepared for such confrontation. And the intriguing thing was that she appeared well composed and calm as if she had everything already figured out.

‘’can anyone please tell me what’s going on here?’’ she asked with a calm smile while Emmanuella ran to me obviously for protection.
My plans with Emmanuella, everything suddenly appeared to come to a hold. Jessica just had this way of being at the top every time. Of course i didn’t know what to do or say.

‘’so you stole the food meant for your elder huh?. how much have you told him?. You just can’t control yourself whenever you see a man. D–n, you just betrayed me girl. You know what comes next right?. You know the rules’’ she shouted at Emmanuella who suddenly held me tightly, like someone being electrocuted.

‘’I’m so dead. She’s going to kill me right now’’ she cried as if she just saw the future, totally surprising me with her outburst. But I had no time to wait because just that moment, Jessica pulled out a pistol from her bag.

‘’I’m sorry, I never intended this to happen but someone has to pay and that person clearly isn’t me. I warned you about this as well kelvin’’ she breathed, aimed and fired without hesitation.

There was silence after the heavy sound of gunshot.

To be continued 

Episode 36

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Jessica smiled evilly as she lowered the gun while I heaved a sigh of relief thinking she only fired a warning shot. I never knew Emmanuella was hit until she fell heavily on my body with a soft groan.

‘’she shot me. I’m dying’’ she groaned as I nervously grabbed her. I just didn’t know what to do that moment as I softly laid her on the floor to see where she was shot and how badly she was hurt.
There was blood all over her chest and in no time my hands were covered with her blood. There wasn’t any doubt the bullet went through her chest.

I threw an angry look towards Jessica’s direction but to my surprise she wasn’t there any longer. She just vanished. It was as if she was never there in the first place. I couldn’t believe myself as I returned my attention to the dying girl.

‘’I’m dying. I don’t want to die’’ Emmanuella cried weakly as I weighed the options before me. A part of me felt like abandoning her and running away but I just couldn’t do it because the memory of what happened with Cynthia was still very fresh in my head. Moreover a neighbor just saw us together and so running away would make me look extremely guilty.

I was still battling with my thoughts when the neighbor we met earlier showed up at the door. He stared at the scene for some seconds before screaming and running in to probably check things .

‘’what happened?. I heard the scream and gunshot that followed. Why did you shoot her?’’’ he stupidly asked while I gasped with disbelief over his question.

‘’I didn’t shoot her. Someone else did. Let’s take her to the hospital first’’ I stammered as he stared at me suspiciously before shrugging in resignation. In no time the sitting room was filled with concerned neighbors. Of course I was the main suspect and there was nothing I could do about it.

Luckily no one laid a finger on me, everyone was just concerned in taking the dying girl to the hospital and in few minutes we were at federal medical center owerri where the doctors at the emergency unit battled to save her life but the look on their faces clearly showed that all we needed for Emmanuella to survive was nothing but a miracle. She was really shot at a fatal area and she already lost a lot of blood.
However I never had time to worry about Emmanuella because I had a lot to worry about myself as the police showed up to take me in for questioning. And that was it, another straight ticket to jail.

2am, state police headquarters

‘’I now recognize you. You had a case the previous week with us?. What’s up with you and crime?. And the funny thing is that you always claim to be innocent” the police inspector who took me from the hospital asked as he led me to an empty office. The look on his face clearly showed that he already had pronounced me guilty.

‘’you got to believe me officer. I had no reason to shoot the poor girl, moreover no gun was found on me. We just got back from a vacation and my girlfriend showed up and shot her’’ I feebly defended myself.

‘’this case is too big for me to handle. You have to wait for my superiors to come and take over. Just pray she doesn’t die because that’s the only way you can escape prison. I’m speaking from experience. Moreover you already have a bad record’’ he added, shook his head, left the room and locked the door.

I fell with my knees on the floor as the reality of the grave situation I was in played before me. I could be charged for murder or manslaughter if the poor girl dies and with the look of things she was definitely going to die.
Jessica equally wasn’t there to help me out this time around because she was the mastermind of the whole thing. She perfectly ruined me at the right time and to think that she warned me.

‘’no God noooooooooo’’ I cried miserably.

To be continued

[Edoman]

Season (2) Shades of Lust Episode 25-55

 


Episode 25

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’Kelvin dear what did you tell them about me?’’ Jessica asked accusingly as if she already knew what I could have said about her but before I could say anything, the rude inspector dragged me to the other section of the room where I was made to declare my things.

A minute later I found myself in a police cell, a place I very much dreaded. I just couldn’t believe it. It looked as if I was dreaming.

‘’enjoy your day’’ the policeman who dragged me to the cell grinned as he pushed me in without any consideration. For some seconds my mind went totally blank. And as my brain slowly recovered from the blackout, I desperately thought of how to act before my new cell mates who were busy weighing me, probably getting ready to pounce on me like wild cats.

There were about fifteen young men in the poorly lit stinking cell which was as small as my bathroom. Of course as a new comer I knew the kind of reception that awaited me and it was something I was in no state of mind to face.
I had just my body size and strength as the only advantage but I knew I had no chance facing all of them at once in a free for all fight. I equally had no money to share. In fact I just wasn’t prepared for the stuff I was facing that morning.

Slowly i remembered what a friend who once was locked up for a long time told me about police cells.

‘’once you find yourself in a hardcore cell, show no fear and don’t take one more step once you are inside for the first time. Just stand with the guy at the entrance and examine things first if you have no money to bribe your way’’ he had narrated as we laughed about his cell experience. I never took his words seriously back then till that fateful moment when I stood face to face with strange hungry looking men. Of course the cell just looked like a hardcore one. I simply stood like someone out-numbered in a ‘’hell in a cell cage’’, waiting for the first blow or intimidation to come. I wasn’t ready for a fight but it never meant that I was ready to go down or intimidated without a fight. Moreover just like the guys in there, I was equally a street guy even though mine was in a matured level.

Surprisingly no one laid a hand on me, it was as if they were too weak to look for my trouble or probably scared of me. My heart pounded furiously as we all exchanged glances.

‘’This man!’’ I suddenly heard a voice scream out as a lanky looking guy slowly stood up from the floor.

‘’Kelvin Kelvin, o boy wetin bring you here?’’ he asked in Pidgin English as he approached me a smile. I instantly heaved a sigh of relief as my eyes fell on the young man’s face. He was no other person than the guy I bought my first laptop from years ago. Of course it was a stolen laptop and he was honest about it.

‘’o boy! I was just arrested for kidnapping one lawyer’’ I explained quickly while the whole room fell silence as my explanation hit every one of them.

‘’chai my chairman, kidnapping?. Mehn. I knew you were going to run this town the first time we met. Just look at me, running things here just for a small robbery while you are out there doing big things’’ he proclaimed with admiration while I scoffed and shook my head. I couldn’t say anything else to him. I was yet to even come to terms of what was happening to me. I just couldn’t wait to get out of that smelling hell hole. However I was happy that I wasn’t embarrassed or bullied.

Around 3pm, I was dragged out of the cell to meet the rude police inspector who arrested me earlier in the day. He smiled as his eyes scanned my appearance. He was satisfied by what he saw.

‘’Mr. Kelvin, the kidnappers called two hours ago to demand their money once again and with the look of things, it seems you were right about not being involved. But you see in this case, it’s very unwise to bring in a lawyer or to form Mr. Innocent when all you need to do is just to play ball with us. You dragged your girlfriend into this by mentioning her in your statement and it won’t help your case, moreover we got an unlicensed weapon in your house and if we should start tracing the source of that gun, you won’t like what we will discover’’ he said softly.

‘’so what do you want me to do now?’’ I asked seriously while he smiled.

‘’relax don’t be in a hurry’’ he muttered

Episode 26

Jude’s side of the story continues from same evening of last episode

As I headed out of the hostel to get some snacks at a shop close by, I spotted my Tracy alighting from a Toyota SUV.
At first my heart froze on sighting her before a smile gradually appeared on my face as my heart began beating rapidly. I just wasn’t expecting her to return to the hostel so soon and somehow I felt she was badly missing me, hence her sudden return.
Unfortunately my joy was cut short the moment my eyes fell on the driver of the SUV as he equally alighted and headed to the car boot to bring down Tracy’s things.

I instantly smelt danger the moment my eyes fell on the young man. He was well dressed in a striped shirt and well ironed plain trouser. The air and charisma in which he carried himself sold him off as a very rich career guy. I swallowed hard as I stood like a frozen image, watching him hug my Tracy before jumping into his car and driving away.

Nervously I approached Tracy not exactly knowing what to say to her. Yes of course I was very jealous. I was very mad; I was very pained over what I just witnessed.
‘’hey dear welcome back’’ I muttered, forcing out a smile as I approached her.

‘’hey Jude whatsup?’’ she greeted causally as if we were just nothing but old pals. It really got to me but since we were still far from being cool with each other, I simply let it go.

‘’hmmm you really brought in lots of things’’ I joked, dutifully carrying two of the heavy sacks I saw on the floor. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

‘’Jude I never asked you to help me. I can take them to my room myself. Weren’t you going somewhere?’’ she asked coldly. I bit my lips as I flinched, fighting hard to control my pride. Yes of course I cheated on her, I lied to her, I played with her feelings but I never deceived her into loving me because I was very much in love with her but she was just carrying on as if she was gold, diamond or something so highly special.

‘’Tracy come on, why are you acting so uptight?’’ I breathed.

‘’because I know you are just looking for a way to blow more lies into my ears. I moved on. You just saw my new guy right?. So just let me be and face your life with your Pamela or whatever she’s called’’ she hissed arrogantly, freezing me with her annoying words. Of course it was my entire fault but she wasn’t just giving me the chance to explain things to her.

‘’let’s go to your room first. We will talk when we get there’’ I muttered with a controlled voice. She rolled her eyes once again.

‘’Jude my room is no longer open to you. I’m sorry but I know you never loved me, you needed someone who would be your companion, your helper and cook over here and I fell for it. Just look for another girl to fool or simply manage for these few remaining months and return to the lady of your class who would probably be waiting with a white baby for you by then’’ she hissed, grabbed two of her bags and headed to the hostel, leaving me standing like a fool.

———————————-

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last scene of the previous episode

Instead of opening up to me, the inspector simply changed the topic after a little hesitation.

‘’your girlfriend or should I call her your fiancée is waiting to talk with you. We will finish our discussion later’’ he muttered with a smile while I shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant exactly by me playing ball since he wasn’t yet ready to make his demands open.

He soon left the room while Jessica walked in with a food flash. She wasn’t exactly looking bright and I stared at her curiously.

‘’they denied you bail. You will be spending the night here my love. But I believe by tomorrow you will be freed. I never knew you had a gun. You could have given it to me to hide for you’’ she said softly as I quickly devoured the food she brought for me.

‘’I hid the gun very well Jessica. I still can’t believe how they found it’’ I replied slowly.

‘’they said you are being held for kidnapping and possession of fire arm and that granting you bail is still impossible until they are done with the investigations but i believe it’s all about money and you shouldn’t be worried. I will get you out before the end of tomorrow’’ she promised softly. My eyes brightened, she just had a way of appearing like an angel before me.

‘’but one more thing my love’’ she added, staring deep into my eyes.

‘’don’t you want me anymore?’’ she asked, leaving me amused with her question. Of course there wasn’t any way I was going to be honest in that situation.

Episode 27

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’my dear let’s save that topic till I get out of here. You should be working on getting me out of here please’’ I begged. Jessica smiled, slowly reaching for my hand.

‘’I promise you will be out of here tomorrow’’ she said with strong words. Deep down I prayed for God to help me as well because I really was in a mess and I couldn’t figure out the direction to move my life anymore.

—————————————-

Jude’s side of the story continues, same evening

By 8pm, I slowly made my way to Tracy’s room with a fast beating heart. I was so keen on making peace with her. I so badly wanted to end the bad blood between us even though it appeared as if my Tracy was really a bit different from the girl I used to know. I couldn’t believe she actually changed that much over the few weeks we had been away from each other.
Yes it was my entire fault but at least she should have given me the chance to explain myself.

I knocked on her door for about ten minutes before she opened it, frowning as she faced me. She couldn’t even allow me to walk in. I speechlessly stared at her for some seconds, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’why are you disturbing my peace this night?, what do you want?’’ she asked furiously.

‘’I came for us to talk’’ I answered softly. She scoffed.

‘’you are wasting your time. I have moved on. I have a new guy and I’m happy with him. There isn’t a chance of us getting back together. Just go back to your room, sleep and forget about me’’ she said very seriously, punishing me with those hurtful words. I just couldn’t control my feelings or eyes as tears quickly formed up against my wish.
I wanted to say something but couldn’t because of my deep emotional state, instead I kept quiet for few seconds as I tried to make the tears go away from my eyes. I was a man; I had to be in control of my feelings no matter what.

‘’Trey’’ I finally managed to breathe. She rolled her eyes and looked away. It was just as if she wasn’t touched in any way unless of course she was outwardly trying to look strong when deep down she really wasn’t herself.

‘’we have come a long way for this’’ I stammered, looking down.

‘’you knew we have come a long way, yet you cheated on me to the extent of getting a woman pregnant. It wasn’t once or twice that you slept with her and to even think that I innocently offered you my body to satisfy your male thing and you refused. Just leave my presence please’’ she shouted.

‘’Trey I love you and nothing will ever stop me from loving you. I lied about many things but not what I felt for you’’ I confessed. She shook her head, closed her eyes for some seconds, drew back and shut the door on my face.

(I knocked and knocked and knocked on the door all over again but this time around she never answered.)

After hopefully standing at her door for about thirty minutes, I returned to my room to have a very sleepless night. My Tracy just was so close but far. I really didn’t know what else to do to win her back. Yes I perfectly understood her position but I had felt she would have given me the chance to fix things.

—————————————————————————

Early the next morning, I got a call from my lawyer to meet him at the hotel he was lodging. I carried myself there with a very weak and tired body.

‘’so what’s up with the kidnapped lawyer?’’ I lazily asked as I sat down before him, expecting a positive answer. Seriously the issue had made me to forget about asking of my house documents and every other thing he was supposed to do for me.

‘’nothing much. The police are still doing their investigations while we try to play delay tactics with the kidnappers. I told the police everything I knew about my friend and the new cases he was handling. I was told by the police that they arrested your cousin after a routine search at his place because they found a gun in his bedroom’’ he explained softly while I froze on hearing that my cousin was being detained.

‘’but do you think he’s involved in this?, why send the police to his house?’’ I asked with concern.

‘’I never sent the police to his house. I only them all I knew about my friend and the cases he was handling. They arrested your cousin on their own but come to think of it, it looks your cousin is very wealthy, what exactly does he do for a living and why is he marrying the lady that dealt with your father probably for his money?. Don’t you think he has been working with her all these while and only pretends to be at your side?. He could even be the one that introduced her to your father in the first place and equally had to befriend you after his demise in order to know your next moves. Moreover they easily gave up the house in order to probably get the money worth of the house by kidnapping my friend.’’ He summarized flawlessly like a detective, putting me in a confused state as I slowly remembered how I got close to Kelvin and how helpful he had been.

‘’no I don’t think my cousin is working with her’’ I slowly muttered, knowing full well that my words sounded very stupid to him at that moment.

To be continued 

Episode 28

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’but you know what?, once my friend is freed and safe, we will dig around to know how your dad actually died. For now just avoid your cousin Kelvin. I believe the guy’s hand is somehow involved. Many things are just pointing to him and I just can’t ignore it’’ my lawyer said strongly. I breathed deeply, saying nothing.
Deep down I was scared over the whole thing without frankly knowing the reason. I just felt like asking him to forget about digging out the past because I felt it could end up burning everyone and I really wasn’t ready to have blood in my hands. Of course I was scared of his safety as well because he probably wasn’t much aware of how things were run here in Nigeria.

—————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues from the last episode

I really had a very terrible night in the cell. The stench of the room, and the mosquitoes which fed fat from all of us were enough to make me lose my sanity. I couldn’t sleep neither was I able to even focus on my thoughts. I just prayed for Jessica to be able to get me out the next day just like she promised.
I equally waited for the police inspector to show up again to finish our pending discussion but he never showed up, leaving me wondering what exactly he wanted from me. It really was a very long and painful night for me.

Luckily around 10am the next day, I was dragged out of the cell to meet Jessica who was waiting for me with a new trouser and shirt.

‘’my love, we are going home, just change with these’’ she muttered happily, leaving me stunned as she offered the clothes to me.

‘’how did you do it?. How come?’’ I stammered excitedly. She blushed like an innocent school girl who just took the first position in her class.

‘’they found no evidence to link you with kidnapping, so they demanded for two hundred thousand naira in order to drop the gun possession charges. I paid it and you were freed’’ she announced sweetly. I heaved a sigh of relief.
I just couldn’t describe how I felt that moment. Jessica really had a way of always appearing like an angel.

‘’so simply keep a straight face, let’s walk out of here. I prepared something good at home’’ she smiled sweetly as she led me to an office (to complete the paper work of my bail).

——————————–

Ten minutes later, we were on our way back to my house. She drove my car while I sat at the passenger’s corner, too tired to even bring up a topic.

‘’You left your phone at home yesterday and it never stopped ringing. You had lots of missed calls’’ she softly informed me as she handed me my phone with her right hand.

‘’oh yea’’ I breathed as I collected the phone, freezing as the first number I saw on my missed calls list was no other person’s number than Emmanuella’s. My hands shook as I quickly gave Jessica a quick, guilty look, hoping she would say something about it but she never did. She just behaved as if she never went through my phone, something I was very sure she did. But since she failed to bring it up, I kept quiet as well.

On getting home, I took a long shower, freshened up and joined her at the dining table where a big plate of garri and ogbono soup were waiting for me to devour. I salivated as I quickly got ready to feed myself.

‘’I’m really glad you are back my love. I was very scared for you. The police can never be trusted’’ Jessica breathed solemnly as she poured out drinking water for me in a cup. I simply shook my head as I slowly recounted all I passed through in the cell.

‘’thanks for getting me out’’ I muttered with a smile.

‘’my love, how about we relocate to another town after our wedding?. This town is just too hot for us. The police are on your neck, Cynthia is back probably for revenge, and I believe things could only get worse. Our children can’t grow up here. I can easily set up my business in any town. Let’s just leave this town, all these drama. I beg of you’’ she softly begged with great energy, reaching out for my left hand. I slowly met her gaze, swallowing hard as I weighed all she just said in my head. Of course the town was really getting hurt for us but relocating with her also wasn’t something I wanted even though we shared lots of common secrets.

‘’here is my pregnancy text result, from a very reputable hospital’’ she added, dropping a paper before me.

‘’let’s just leave this town. I beg of you’’ she begged once again.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was desperate to leave town over something else or if it was all about me?.

Episode 29

kelvin’s side of the story continues

I silently stared at Jessica for some seconds while she keenly waited for my reply. Leaving town was surely a good idea but leaving with her was something I just wasn’t ready for. I needed a little privacy. I needed to be on my own for a while to put my body and soul in order. Yes I owed her some favors but I never bargained on leaving the city and starting a new life with her in another city.

‘’listen jess dear, I know you have good intentions for me but for now I’m just not thinking straight. I badly need to rest and relax’’ I stammered softly. She shook her head, unconvinced with my reply.

‘’I know you have an answer already in your heart. It clearly shows in your eyes. Don’t beat around the bush and tell me what you feel about my suggestion?’’ she asked seriously, leaving me with no choice than to be honest with her.

‘’I really want to leave town but not with you. I just need a little vacation alone to clear my head and plan for my future’’ I explained slowly. She drew back, observing me suspiciously.

‘’how about me?, I hope you are not thinking of abandoning me and your baby here to die of depression?. How about our wedding plans?, don’t tell me you have also forgotten about it?’’ she asked quickly. I shook my head.

‘’you are a big girl. You can perfectly take care of yourself till I return. Forget about the wedding stuff for now. I just want to be alone. Thank you for getting me home’’’ I answered, smiling to put down my point while she stood up with great disappointment and disbelief.

‘’why are you so wicked?, why are you so cold?, why are you so heartless?. Have I ever done anything bad to you?. You only think about yourself but forget that I’m now a part of you. How do you expect me to live with pregnancy outside marriage at my age?. Come on please this is so unfair’’ she cried desperately. I swallowed hard and looked away. I just wasn’t ready to wed her. I had to be with a clear mind before going through that path again.

‘’but it’s not as if we aren’t married. Haven’t we done our traditional marriage?’’ I asked defensively. She sighed.

‘’thank you for everything. I thought my happiness was with you but I was mistaken. I still can’t imagine the reason you showed up in my life in the first place’’ she muttered angrily, shook her head and headed back to my bedroom where she cried her heart out. I couldn’t get myself to continue with the meal after such an emotional discussion moreover she cried so loud that my conscience began to hurt me.
I was forced to join her at the bedroom to see if I could come into an agreement with her. It really was the first time I was seeing Jessica cry so emotionally and yes it touched me because it showed that she was still a woman no matter her tough character unless of course she was faking it.

——————————————————–
Jude’s side of the story continues

8pm, Jude’s hostel

I was in my room, thinking about the new strategy to use on Tracy as my stomach growled once again, biting me at the same time. I drank two bottles of malt with five slices of bread in the afternoon plus a plate of Indomie an hour ago yet it was just as if nothing had entered my stomach all day.
I really felt like eating something solid like soup, garri or even beans. The kind of stuff only found in Tracy’s pot. The da.mn girl really knew I couldn’t survive a week without her and was just using everything to punish me. I really had hoped that since she said we were still cool as friends that I would have the luxury of eating from her pot but I was badly mistaken. She was all out to injure me where it hurt the most.

I was busy thinking about Tracy when I perceived a sweet aroma coming from a neighbor’s room. I quickly sat upright as I salivated, thinking of doing something most guys in my hostel were fond of doing which I used to frown on. Yes the aroma of fried plantain coming from Beauty’s room was too strong to be ignored and before I even knew what I was doing, I was at her door for the first time in my life.

You can’t imagine the surprise on Beauty’s face the moment she opened her door to see me smiling politely. As a big boy I knew the last thing she suspected was that I was in her room out of hunger.

‘’hmmmm Jude am I safe or are you here on Tracy’s behalf?’’ she asked guardedly while I blushed.

‘’no I’m here to keep you company. I have been alone all day in my room’’ I answered while she stared at me suspiciously, totally unconvinced with my reply.

‘’Tracy no longer talks to me. We broke up last Xmas and it really hurts’’ I explained weakly. Her eyes quickly lit up with interest or probably out of curiosity.

‘’oh come in then and gist me how it all happened. You know you guys were too close for something like that to happen?’’ she giggled, letting me into her room as she eagerly awaited my story while I swallowed hard as my eyes fell on a plate filled with fried plantain.

Episode 30

Jude’s side of the story continues from Beauty’s room

‘’what really broke you guys up?. You guys were too good for that s–t?’’ Beauty asked curiously as we ate fried plantain in her room. I shrugged, quickly forming up a reasonable explanation in my head.

‘’actually there was this girl i met some months back. We just got attracted to each other without any difficulty. The spark was just there and we wasted no time in hitting it off. It really was a onetime thing but the bad stench of the affair never left my body no matter how hard i tried to hide it from Tracy. The girl was just into me that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I finally had to tell her about Tracy but instead of backing off; she befriended Tracy on facebook and told her about our illicit affair. Tracy got mad at me and till today, refused to listen to me’’ I explained softly, hiding the big details from her.

‘’that’s so bad. You cheated on your girl and hid it from her. She has every right to be mad at you’’ she muttered with a smile.

‘’yes I know but she is just overdoing it’’ I added solemnly.

‘’supposing Tracy did the same to you, would you forgive her?’’ she curiously asked, taking me by surprise with the question. I kept quiet as I thought about it. Of course I wasn’t sure I was going to forgive Tracy if she did the same to me but I was a guy and she was a woman. Things like that aren’t supposed to be weighed the same way. Men of course could cheat out of mistake or perhaps out of lust with no feelings whatever, but for a lady to cheat she must have feelings for the new man. I could be wrong but that was exactly what I reasoned that moment.

‘’anyway Tracy is also too full of herself. Maybe you cheated on her because she wasn’t properly satisfying you’’ she quickly added, probably in order for me not to feel bad. I smiled gratefully.

‘’thanks, I never knew you could be such a good friend’’ I muttered with a smile. She blushed.

‘’whenever you need anyone to talk to, feel free to come around’’ she offered politely.

‘’oh thanks very much’’ I breathed, blushing at the same time.

‘’so how about your boyfriend?’’ I asked, trying to change the topic. She shrugged.

‘’boyfriend?. I have no student boyfriend because it makes no sense. What I need right now is a guy above my level. A guy who can take good care of me. A guy who has something doing and unfortunately I haven’t met any, so I’m single’’ she answered with a very funny tone that made me laugh.

‘’I haven’t laughed this much in a while. I thank God for giving me the courage to walk up to your room’’ I confessed. She rolled her eyes.

‘’you can’t imagine how many times I had the urge to come over to your room last year but couldn’t summon the courage. There was this Telenovela Tracy do watch in your room every evening as of mid last year. I was following the movie at home but missed it when I left for school. I had to always cover my ears with my pillow whenever i heard the soundtrack of the movie.’’ She confessed while I stared at her with disbelief.

‘’but no one would have sent you out supposing you came over’’ I muttered.

‘’yes but your Tracy acts weird sometimes’’ she replied, looking down.

‘’but since you are here and you guys are not together, let’s go to your room then’’ she suddenly suggested with bright eyes while I nodded in agreement.

———————

Five minutes later Beauty and I headed to my room, giggling like close friends. It just looked as if we had been friends for so long. However as I unlocked my room door, Tracy suddenly appeared from her room and headed towards the staircase after throwing a very long look at Beauty. I never anticipated on her busting up on us that very evening and I felt that perhaps she heard our voice and simply wanted to see things for herself by pretending to be heading downstairs by that hour.

We ignored each other but deep down I was really pained.

To be continued.

  

 

Episode 31

Jude’s side of the story continues

‘’I think you should try talking to Tracy this night. I bet she will give you a listening ear’’ Beauty calmly said with a smile as soon as we settled in my room. I stared at her with great uncertainty, a bit confused over her suggestion.

Of course I was very worried over the look Tracy gave us moments ago and to me I felt the last thing she would do was to listen to anything I had to say but then Beauty was a lady as well and perhaps had a very good reason for making such a suggestion.

‘’do you think she will really listen to me after seeing us together?’’ I stammered softly. Beauty nodded, reached forward and held my left hand. I instantly felt a strange current pass through me.

‘’trust me, if she really is in love with you, she will be dying to speak to you this moment’’ she added, releasing her grip while I lustfully stared at her for no just reason. Yes of course I had no reason to have such silly ideas about her in my head but somehow it just popped in there. I quickly had to look away to focus on the problem at hand.

‘’I don’t want to lose Tracy. I guess I will go with your advice’’ I breathed softly.

‘’yea don’t wait for her to return to her room before making your move. I advice you wait for her at her door. Surprise her with your presence. That will be better’’ she added, smiled at me and reached for my TV remote while I hesitantly stood up to follow up with her advice.
Deep inside, my heart pounded furiously. I prayed deeply for her idea to work as I made my way towards Tracy’s room.

A minute later, I calmly stood in front of Tracy’s door like a frightened kid as I waited for her to show up. I really wasn’t sure if the idea was going to work but since I had nothing to lose in trying it out; I had to go on with the plan.
You can’t imagine the surprise on Tracy’s face the moment she showed up to see me waiting for her at the door. She just couldn’t believe her eyes. She stopped a distance away with a look of surprise shaded with resentment.

‘’what on earth are you doing there?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone. I quickly took a nervous step towards her.

‘’I came for us to talk. You can’t shut me out of your life like that. You can’t throw away all we had built over the years as if they were nothing. I deserve a fair hearing. You can’t judge me with mere hearsay’’ I spoke with great courage, taking her back with my boldness.

‘’oh Christ, not again’’ she breathed, folding her hands.

‘’I see, your new friend put you into this. I get it. She told you what to say and how to act. Go back to your room and tell her that it didn’t move me’’ she breathed coldly.

‘’why are you so uptight?. Let’s go to your room and talk, please I beg of you. We got to settle this tonight’’ I demanded pleadingly. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

‘’there is nothing to talk about. You are a liar, you are a deceiver. I can’t let you ruin my life or my future. You are having a child with another woman and that can’t be erased. You never denied it either. So don’t tell me s–t about love. This Is Africa. I can’t toy with my future so blazingly. No matter what, you will still go back to her in the end and by then it will be too late for me. The decision of moving on with my life is something I took time to decide and nothing can change it. I have a new guy now and please respect my decision’’ she poured out solemnly, walked past me and unlocked her door while I speechlessly stood like a carved image, uncertain of what next to say or do. Of course she had every right to protect her happiness and future by moving on with her life but she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. There just wasn’t any possible way of convincing her that I was genuinely in love with her. Yes I had my flaws. I made terrible mistakes but no matter what, I still loved her.

‘’Trey I know I hurt you very much. But I will never stop loving you. I will do everything to prove myself’’ I stammered, stopping her with my words. She turned, and stared at me for a while before swallowing hard as if she wanted to say something.

Eagerly I waited for her to say something but I was disappointed. She simply shook her head after battling with herself for some seconds, turned and headed into her room.
I couldn’t force myself into her room. I knew I had to let her be for the meantime, but however I realized that moment that no matter her cold attitude towards me that she was still very much in love with me, she simply was protecting her future and happiness just like she expressed and I knew she was right about it.

All I needed was just a way to break her resistance which clearly looked impossible at that time.

Episode 32

Jude’s side of the story continues

I returned to my room to met Beauty eagerly waiting for me. She couldn’t even hide the excitement in her. It was just as if she was my big sister or something.

‘’so what’s up?’’ she asked with great excitement.

‘’nothing much’’ I breathed, looking down.
‘’ I didn’t achieve anything but at least we talked well and her emotions gave her away. She’s still very much in love with me’’ I added, slowly narrating all that transpired between Tracy and I. she listened with great attention.

‘’oh dear, you were too dull. You could have grabbed her when she was a bit indecisive, carried her to her room and made love to her. The opportunity you needed just stared you at the face but you blew it. Sometimes we ladies need just a little fondling and caresses to be on track’’ she breathed quickly. I shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’every lady has a sensitive spot. You could have made the bold move’’ she added with a look of disappointment, making me feel unmanly with her words.

‘’I have never made love to Tracy; we never did it when we were together. So I guess it wouldn’t have worked’’ I confessed, leaving her totally shocked.

‘’you mean you guys haven’t done it before?. But you have been together for so long’’ she asked with disbelief while I shrugged.

‘’oh I see, no wonder’’ she stammered with resignation, leaving me wondering what exactly she was thinking that moment.

—————————————-
Kelvin’s side of the story continues (same evening)

Softly I knocked at Emmnuella’s door, as I nervously looked around for the tenth time. I had this feeling that I was being followed for no just reason. Perhaps it was the trauma I passed through at the police station that was still playing with my mind or perhaps the fear of what Jessica would do to me if she was to find out about my affair with her friend.
Emmanuella was just like alcohol to me, I knew having her was very dangerous but I just couldn’t get the urge out of my system. Of course i was very clueless on how it will all end with her. Oh yes I knew our affair would end very abruptly.

The front door soon opened, revealing Emmauella who quickly smiled on seeing me. As usual she was looking pretty hot and sexy.

‘’ah finally! what a surprise. You haven’t been picking my calls’’ she breathed as she threw herself on me.

‘’I just obtained my freedom from the police. They arrested me over the flimsy excuse that I was in possession of an unlicensed firearm’’ I explained softly.

‘’you really need to get away from Jessica’’ she suddenly breathed, leaving me very curious with her comment.

‘’do you feel Jessica is also behind it?’’ I asked while she shrugged, saying nothing.

‘’I will be leaving town for few days. I want to travel to a quiet city, relax and get myself in order’’ I added, studying her intently as I lowered myself on a sofa. She smiled, drew close and sat on my laps.

‘’that’s great. How about we leave town together?’’ she suddenly suggested. I stared at her suspiciously.

‘’don’t you have a job or something?’’ I asked with a polite tune. She quickly frowned and left my body.

‘’I’m ready to make sacrifices for you. I just like you and I want to help you get away from Jessica’’ she muttered coldly, quickly putting me in a defensive position with her words.
I slowly got up, drew close and held her by the shoulder.

‘’I do find you irresistible but there are many things about you that I’m yet to figure out’’ I breathed, kissing her neck.

‘’let’s do the vacation together. I will tell you everything when we get there’’ she softly offered, turned and faced me as we exchanged hot glances.
Few minutes later, we were on her bed, tearing each other apart.

——————-

I returned to my house early the next day, to meet Jessica all dressed up. She sighed on seeing me while I smiled, trying hard to appear nice. Of course I never planned spending the night with Emmanuella but the pretty witch never let me go and when we eventually finished ourselves up, I was just too tired to head home.

‘’I can’t believe you slept out. I could have left you at the police cell since you now prefer sleeping out instead of your own house’’ she said angrily while I yawned.

‘’I went to see some friends and we got all boozed up’’ I lied softly.

‘’I know you were with a woman but keep on till I get you guys. I will murder and leave her corpse for you to bury’’ she coldly threatened and walked away, leaving great fear all over me as her words sank in.
Of course her words were more like a normal feminine rant but deep down I had this feeling that she meant every word.

I needed no one to tell me that I had to be very careful with Emmanuella.

Episode 33

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

(Sunday morning)

I hurriedly packed up my things while Jessica watched me with disbelief. She just couldn’t believe I was actually leaving town without her. The look on her face showed all she felt that moment. I simply ignored her as I packed up, whistling a song at the same time to show my excitement which obviously annoyed her more.

‘’why are you doing this to me?. What joy will you derive in leaving me here all by myself after what we have through together?’’ she finally breathed, trying to make me feel guilty with her words but unfortunately her words had no effect on me, I just wanted to be away from her for a while. I badly needed to think about my life in a quiet environment. Of course that was my excuse for not taking her along but then there really wasn’t any excuse for including Emmanuella on the trip.
Yes I had no tangible reason for accepting to take Emmanuella along but instead of having second thoughts about it, I looked forward in having a great time with her. An urge I just couldn’t understand.

Same evening @Le Meridien Hotel Uyo,

‘’wow what a beautiful room’’ Emmanuella breathed with great excitement as we stared at each other passionately. I shrugged, breathing deeply.

‘’seriously I don’t know what pushed me into agreeing to come here with you. My initial plan was really to spend my time all alone here and think about my life’’ I confessed, looking down. She drew close, kissed my jaw and felt my heartbeat with her palms.

‘’you did the right thing in taking me on this trip. How about we shower together?. I have a long story for you and after listening to it, you will realize that you did great in bringing me along’’ she muttered with a seductive smile, quickly pulling off her clothes. I hungrily stared at her unclad body for a while before slowly undressing and walking into the bathroom with her.
Together we showered played and ended up making great love.

‘’jeez you are too strong and hot. Were you really trying to penetrate me through my a.ss or what?’’ she asked, breathing heavily when we were done with the rough play. I smiled and closed my eyes.

‘’I have successfully tried every style with you but that. Can we go on with it?’’ I asked playfully. She laughed, hitting my chest softly.

‘’no wonder Jessica is losing her senses because of you. You are giving it to her the way she never imagined’’ she breathed. I scoffed.

‘’but you should be careful with her. She’s soft with you doesn’t mean that she still can’t bite when provoked. She duped and killed your cousin’s father’’ she softly revealed, shocking me with her words. I quickly sprang up from the bed with great attention.

‘’I really wasn’t very much honest with you at first but hear me out now’’ she added seriously, sitting up to return my gaze.

‘’Jessica made your late uncle believe she was in love with him and being his old account manager, it was very easy for her to get him where she wanted. She manipulated him so well that the man left his building in the village under her care. She simply used the money without doing much on the house and the man never knew. The man equally sent money for a bungalow in town which she actually bought but turned to hers. It was just as if she used charms on him, because I never knew a man could be so gullible. He was her greatest hit and she never joked with him. When the man eventually returned to Nigeria, she took things to the next level. I don’t know what actually happened between them but she ended up killing him in his sleep. She ran to my house that very night seeking assistance. I was to be her alibi in case the police asked questions, the plan was for me to claim that she spent the night with me and not with the man, but luckily for her no one asked a d–n question and the issue died a natural death. However she kept me updated and that was how I knew about your cousin Jude and finally you. She is now manipulating you as well but what I really don’t know is the motive behind it. She has people everywhere and I just risked a lot by telling you this story. I could have told you about it earlier but just couldn’t because I really didn’t know which side you were on’’ she narrated, leaving me totally shaken with the story.

Jessica was definitely a killer but the question that sprang into my head that moment was ‘’what next?’’. What could I possibly do with Emmanuella’s story? Of course I knew the last thing she would do was to publicly testify against Jessica.

Episode 34

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

‘’you know without evidence, your story has no value. I just wish there is little evidence to back it up’’ I muttered calmly, wondering if she had something to back up her story. She shrugged and drew back.

‘’unfortunately there isn’t anything like that for now but I can get out a confession from her. I can record it for you. Yes I can do it’’ she offered breathlessly, giving me great hope with her words. I stared at her curiously as my heart pounded fast out of excitement.

‘’but more thing’’ she added, drawing closer to me once again as we stared into each other’s eyes with great intensity.

‘’promise me that at the end of the day, after we get Jessica locked up in jail that you will settle down with me’’ she demanded strongly, taking me aback with such blunt demand. I just couldn’t believe myself for some seconds. The shock I felt instantly gave me away. She frowned on seeing how disturbed her demand left me. She dropped her eyes, looking gloomy.

‘’so I’m only good to be fu.cked?. I’m only good for fun right?’’ she asked with a slightly raised tone as her color rapidly changed.

‘’no I beg of you’’ I stammered, not exactly knowing what to say.

‘’yes see your reaction?. You mean I should take the full risk of bringing down Jessica without any reward in the end?. I’m only trying to save your as.s from misery and the best you can do is to reciprocate my gesture by being with me to the very end. I need your presence and protection’’ she pushed on.
I closed my eyes for some seconds as I quickly thought of how to follow up with her. Yes she had a perfect body. She was fun to be with but she was as hell in the same league as Jessica. I just couldn’t imagine her being the mother of my kids.
I badly wanted to know the whole truth about Jessica but it wasn’t going to be at the expense of playing with my future or making the same mistake I made with Jessica.

‘’so what now?’’ I heard her say, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes, drew forward and kissed her, totally surprising her with the kiss.

‘’what was that for?’’ she asked with a look of confusion.

‘’I believe you are a better woman than Jessica. I think it’s better to be with you than her. Yes let’s do this’’ I softly breathed, drawing out a smile of satisfaction from her as she quickly hugged me.
I never meant those words but perhaps she was too gullible or stupid not to realize that the promise I just made wasn’t from my heart unless of course she had her own plans or means of tying me down after getting the confession from her friend.

—————————-
Jude’s side of the story continues (same Sunday evening)

I was about going to Beauty’s room when my phone rang and it was no other person than my lawyer calling. I nervously picked the call, wondering what the evening call was all about.

‘’good news, my friend has secured his freedom. We managed to pay the ransom and he was released this evening. Meet me at my hotel tomorrow morning, so that we can conclude things’’ he quickly informed me, hanging up instantly while I heaved a sigh of relief. Yes I really felt very relieved, learning that the barrister had been freed because I kind of felt responsible for the whole kidnap thing.

I just couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive and round things up once and for all. It just was as if a heavy load was suddenly carried off my chest and with that happy mood, I walked into Beauty’s room, surprising the poor girl with a quick hug as she opened her room door for me. The affectionate hug really left her staring at me breathlessly, clueless of what to make of it.

No I had no dirty reason for hugging her so strongly, It was just a happy moment I needed to share with someone like Tracy but unfortunately she wasn’t there at that moment and I just couldn’t imagine what Beauty felt of my action.

Episode 35

Jude’s side of the story continues

Early the next day I met my lawyer at his hotel room just like he requested and together we headed to barrister Clem’s house. Of course I really was very anxious and nervous at the same time, or should I say overly excited.
In no time we got to the barrister’s house.

Just like I expected, barrister Clem was just a shadow of his former self. He looked so pale, malnourished and thin. The bruises on his body equally revealed the hell he passed through at the kidnappers den, even though he appeared calm and composed.

‘’thank God you are back’’ I breathed with excitement, not really knowing what to say while he smiled at me.

‘’I believe someone paid for me to be kidnapped. I saw hell in there. I was beaten every day and night but I thank God for my life. It’s now a thing of the past. I just pray nemesis catches up with them’’ the barrister muttered confidently while I breathed deeply, wondering what made him so sure that someone paid for his kidnap.

‘’anyway Jude we were lucky the kidnappers didn’t do anything with the car and documents in it. Actually after I was released, they left a note on where to get the car and we eventually recovered it with the help of the police’’ he added as he handed a document to my lawyer.

‘’I believe the car and documents I had in my care weren’t of any concern to them’’ he added with a sharp smile.

‘’tomorrow I will inspect and check out the house Jessica handed over to us. By Thursday I will be leaving the country for a medical checkup. When I get back, we will round up everything concerning the property’’ he explained while I shrugged with resignation because there was nothing really to say. The important thing was that he was back alive and my documents still intact.

‘’I will be leaving the country with him on Thursday. You know I have overstayed more than I planned, but we will still keep in touch every other hour’’ my lawyer slowly chipped in while I shrugged once again.

‘’Thank you for everything. You guys are great’’ I finally stammered after few seconds of silence.

—————————————–

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
(Few days later)
8:11pm Thursday, Emanuella’s apartment.

As Emmanuella slowly opened the door to her apartment, I playfully tickled her waist, making her turn to face me with laughter.

‘’you are still not tired of my body. Are you?’’ she breathed happily while I stared into her eyes as all we did during the short vacation played back in my head.
Yes the vacation was a success. I got my spirit and old self back. Emmanuella equally was wonderful and if not that the money I budgeted was already exhausted, we would have stayed till the weekend, instead we had to pack and head home that very Thursday.

‘’hope we can do this some other time?’’ she asked hopefully. I silently nodded.
Just that moment, a male neighbor walked up to us with a smile on his face.

‘’oh I guess you haven’t been around?. I even knocked on your door an hour ago?’’ he said to Emmanuella after shaking my hand.

‘’oh I travelled with my boyfriend’’ she replied, winking at me. I blushed.

‘’hope you guys had fun?’’ the male neighbor asked. She laughed.

‘’anyway, I just came to tell you that my son will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Chinonso will be a year old on Saturday’’ he announced happily.

‘’oh that’s great. I sure will be there to celebrate with your family’’ she muttered politely while the neighbor smiled and headed outside.

————————
Emmanuella’s sitting room
—–

‘’so what now?’’ Emmanuella playfully asked as we held each other in the sitting room. It was just as if she couldn’t stay a second without me.

‘’I have to start leaving now my dear. You know I have Jessica to face tonight. I can’t imagine the kind of fight we will be having this evening’’ I breathed with a solemn look. She softly kissed me, scanning my face with great concern.

‘’just be careful with her okay’’ she breathed. A knock landed on her door before I could reply, taking our attention.

‘’who could it be by this hour?’’ she asked, broke away from me and slowly headed to the door while I waited and watched. But as soon as she opened the door, she gasped and drew back into the room with great fear while the visitor who was dressed in black top and trouser confidently walked in with a smile.
The visitor was no other person than Jessica. I just couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t prepared for such confrontation. And the intriguing thing was that she appeared well composed and calm as if she had everything already figured out.

‘’can anyone please tell me what’s going on here?’’ she asked with a calm smile while Emmanuella ran to me obviously for protection.
My plans with Emmanuella, everything suddenly appeared to come to a hold. Jessica just had this way of being at the top every time. Of course i didn’t know what to do or say.

‘’so you stole the food meant for your elder huh?. how much have you told him?. You just can’t control yourself whenever you see a man. D–n, you just betrayed me girl. You know what comes next right?. You know the rules’’ she shouted at Emmanuella who suddenly held me tightly, like someone being electrocuted.

‘’I’m so dead. She’s going to kill me right now’’ she cried as if she just saw the future, totally surprising me with her outburst. But I had no time to wait because just that moment, Jessica pulled out a pistol from her bag.

‘’I’m sorry, I never intended this to happen but someone has to pay and that person clearly isn’t me. I warned you about this as well kelvin’’ she breathed, aimed and fired without hesitation.

There was silence after the heavy sound of gunshot.

Episode 36

Kelvin’s side of the story continues

Jessica smiled evilly as she lowered the gun while I heaved a sigh of relief thinking she only fired a warning shot. I never knew Emmanuella was hit until she fell heavily on my body with a soft groan.

‘’she shot me. I’m dying’’ she groaned as I nervously grabbed her. I just didn’t know what to do that moment as I softly laid her on the floor to see where she was shot and how badly she was hurt.
There was blood all over her chest and in no time my hands were covered with her blood. There wasn’t any doubt the bullet went through her chest.

I threw an angry look towards Jessica’s direction but to my surprise she wasn’t there any longer. She just vanished. It was as if she was never there in the first place. I couldn’t believe myself as I returned my attention to the dying girl.

‘’I’m dying. I don’t want to die’’ Emmanuella cried weakly as I weighed the options before me. A part of me felt like abandoning her and running away but I just couldn’t do it because the memory of what happened with Cynthia was still very fresh in my head. Moreover a neighbor just saw us together and so running away would make me look extremely guilty.

I was still battling with my thoughts when the neighbor we met earlier showed up at the door. He stared at the scene for some seconds before screaming and running in to probably check things .

‘’what happened?. I heard the scream and gunshot that followed. Why did you shoot her?’’’ he stupidly asked while I gasped with disbelief over his question.

‘’I didn’t shoot her. Someone else did. Let’s take her to the hospital first’’ I stammered as he stared at me suspiciously before shrugging in resignation. In no time the sitting room was filled with concerned neighbors. Of course I was the main suspect and there was nothing I could do about it.

Luckily no one laid a finger on me, everyone was just concerned in taking the dying girl to the hospital and in few minutes we were at federal medical center owerri where the doctors at the emergency unit battled to save her life but the look on their faces clearly showed that all we needed for Emmanuella to survive was nothing but a miracle. She was really shot at a fatal area and she already lost a lot of blood.
However I never had time to worry about Emmanuella because I had a lot to worry about myself as the police showed up to take me in for questioning. And that was it, another straight ticket to jail.

2am, state police headquarters

‘’I now recognize you. You had a case the previous week with us?. What’s up with you and crime?. And the funny thing is that you always claim to be innocent” the police inspector who took me from the hospital asked as he led me to an empty office. The look on his face clearly showed that he already had pronounced me guilty.

‘’you got to believe me officer. I had no reason to shoot the poor girl, moreover no gun was found on me. We just got back from a vacation and my girlfriend showed up and shot her’’ I feebly defended myself.

‘’this case is too big for me to handle. You have to wait for my superiors to come and take over. Just pray she doesn’t die because that’s the only way you can escape prison. I’m speaking from experience. Moreover you already have a bad record’’ he added, shook his head, left the room and locked the door.

I fell with my knees on the floor as the reality of the grave situation I was in played before me. I could be charged for murder or manslaughter if the poor girl dies and with the look of things she was definitely going to die.
Jessica equally wasn’t there to help me out this time around because she was the mastermind of the whole thing. She perfectly ruined me at the right time and to think that she warned me.

‘’no God noooooooooo’’ I cried miserably.

To be continued