Just then, Brain tilted his head backward, and his beady eyes glared at me, before he lowered his gaze and fondled with his fingers. I would have to keep at that song because I could see improvement in his countenance.I had to keep at my tone, singing aloud his lyrics and opening my arms in embrace. I could notice his legs earning some steps backward. My singing voice became longing as I dared to charm him the more. I had to bring out the best of my voice and sang in a way I had never sung in my entire life. I noticed he was beginning to laugh sheepishly, scratch his scraggly, unkempt hair and chuckle almost at intervals before frowning abruptly.Soon his steps increased and he came into my embrace and I wished he could feel my shivering and trembling body as I feared for the worst not to happen. Brian was radically mad and his violence was always uncertain. He could push us over and that would be the end. I didn’t know how pessimism took over me and I am so in danger and peril now;
I thought the Fanny’s weren’t going to locate our current location based on the hidden sight of the mountain. Hours had dragged by and despite giving them direction through phone calls, they were yet to locate us in the ocean of vegetations that gathered at the Rio Hondo border.After so long a time, I could hear a help in the form of a hovering over my head. When I cast my expectant gaze overhead, I could see their hands waving and heads peeping down to us. A private jet was hovering over us. Amidst their clamor, I could see fingers and heads staring down to us in clear exactitude.The Fanny’s were here.Before their arrival I had exhausted my tone in singing those lyrics. By this time Brian had been lulled to sleep on my shoulders, leaving me with no option than to sit on the mountain, so that he could enjoy his sleep on my shoulders.I didn’t know the force controlling me now. I was supposed to be on my way to Ohio; what could have instigated me to yell at a train operator and forc
My countenance was devoid of blithe at the time. I stepped backward to give them the limited attention I had. Once I gazed upon that blue document the horrible moments I had with the Fanny’s relived in me and hit me with hurt. I wouldn’t want us to talk about a contract marriage again. I was going to tell them my purpose of traveling to Ohio was to hustle, make enough money that could sort out the half a million dollars they gave me as exchange for agreeing to marry their son.I knew they were fascinated by the stunt I pulled to save Brian. But in the natural sense, I could barely climb a tree perfectly well let alone a mountain. Perhaps the evil spirit that often possessed me whenever I saw Brian was back, and it was the evil spirit that gave me guts to climb a mountain, meant for professional mountain climbers.“And what about it? If I can remember, I was divorced and mandated to refund back the half a million dollars, else I stand to be jailed. Please I am out to hustle and pay yo
I wept because my fate was getting maddening and to think of the fact that I was fated to be with an insane man installed in me the virtue of conquering obstacles that ordinarily would have worn me out. Right now taking a decision to walk out of this marriage and return to Ohio was even a stronger obstacle; one that was stronger than me. And the only way to conquer it was to stay back.“Stay back!” my thought snapped.Oh my God, I couldn’t believe I was about okaying a contract marriage that left me worse than it met me. I had a life ahead of me. Trust me I had moved on and this shouldn’t be what I should be dealing with right now. I wanted to give them a disapproval but Eva had entrapped my heart like golf ball in its hall.No words had crushed my heart than that of Eva; perhaps it was because Brian was mentioned. But I could see myself being pulled back to reconsider my decision. I was practically about to devote myself to my vomit. I thought I agreed within myself never to get into
These days Brian had formed the habit of being lulled to sleep on my shoulders, usually after dinner. His typical shouting had reduced which informed me that, of a truth, he wasn’t healthy. The healthy Brian whom I knew so well was supposed to be ravaging the entire villa with his shrill voice and ranting, not forgetting his usual stamping of feet on the door. He was indeed sickIt was evident in his fallen, sluggish eyes, cold feeble palms and skinny neck which gave him the looks of one suffering from malnutrition. Whenever I gazed upon him, I had this burning desire that he was acutely sick and needed urgent medical attention; I looked forward to his usual yell which I was missing so much now. Some days ago he had only shouted once and the other night he never shouted at all, rather he channeled his energy to blushing and tittering within himself.When I wanted to bask in the euphoria of this new development, I was stunned when it dawned on me it was only a signal of ill health. Wh
Ever since I became Brian’s contracted wife, I hadn’t seen him chant and pummel against the walls and door in such manner. I was yet to believe he was the same person that was sick the other day. Had it been I gave him the green tea the other night I would have accused Salsa of drugging the tea. But it was far from it; my husband’s ranting had doubled and although I was excited that it was evidence of quick recovery yet I couldn’t stand the mind-seizing rant that sounded from him.At dawn, Brian woke up with a strange kind of violence that stirred everyone to panic and peep from their chambers; wondering if it was another Brian or the one that was sick.I was yet in my state of confusion when I got a call from Fanny asking me what was happening. Fanny feared that Brian was out to either pull down the entire mansion or to cause havoc because the vibration if the walls and the door whenever he pummeled on them. I was only peeping from my chamber and strategizing effectively.I told Fann
“It gets me batty to wonder how Brian got hold of cleaver knife. I perceive you don’t know what cleaver knife is. That piece is a damn weapon; I mean one of the most dangerous tools for butchers. Who gave that shit to him? How did he get hold of such devilish weapon?” Doctor Emma queried, stared at the both of us and narrowed his gaze in an inspective manner.Fanny gave a questionable stare at me, expecting some satisfactory, implicating reply that would put an end to everything or open a new page of war.I lowered my gaze, fondled with my fingers, processing within me; all that Salsa told me about Kate and Frank being the people sneaking weapons into our chamber. I was yet to verify her assertion and although I had lost trust in Salsa yet I found unverified truth in what she revealed; I wish I had evidence. I wish I could call names with evidence. The Fanny’s were powerful people I wouldn’t want to toil with at the moment.“What do you have to say Melissa?” Fanny’s husky voice came a
The entire Fanny’s gathered at the dining when I peeped out through the window. All the while I had been in my chamber, wailing silently as I beheld the large frame picture of Brian. Upon gazing on that picture I began to relive moments with him; his shrill shouting; his unrest and constant violence on the his life and those around; his countless escape to the street; and finally the striking moment he stood at the summit of a mountain, stared down from it and about to fall over.I shook my head, “Why kidney failure now. How did it happen?” I queried within myself and returned my gaze on the picture, wondering what could have led to it; since they had been sneaking weapons into his chambers, they could have as well poison his kidney. My thought was just running and daring to proffer solution to my ailing husband.When I came out and wanted to take a seat Opula barked at me.“No!” she shot her dark, gloomy eyes at me I flinched and questioned her with my stares, I wanted to speak but
Everyone in the doctor’s office looked sullen and stolen. I lowered my gaze in sorrow while Eva petted me on the shoulders as Fanny and the family doctor discussed Brian’s fate.“But doctor,” Fanny called, “The coma is taking longer than we expected. I thought you said it was going to last for a few weeks. What is my son’s fate? Is he dead?”The doctor wanted to reply him, but I interrupted him, “No, father, my husband can never die. He is just in a coma and will wake up soon,” my voice ended in a teary tone. They cast a sorrowful gaze at me and Eva squeezed my fingers to perk up.“It is okay Melissa,” Fanny intoned, “I only asked a question. I didn’t declare him dead,” He forced a smile and grinned before turning to the doctor, “So doctor talk to me,” he added.The doctor snorted and shook his head in disappointment, “The coma that befell Brian is a strange one. We haven’t seen such in the history of medicine. There is no sign of life in him and even when they believe there will be c
“What nonsense are you talking about , young lady?” the oldie yelled at me as he trudged forward , the veins on his brow and neck pumping in fury, “How can you do this to me? You just have to device means of paying for the sculpture.”I interrupted him, “Excuse me sir, as you can see, the credit card I intend to pay with has been blocked by my bank , so I suggest you hold on for me to think of what to do now because I am more dump founded than anyone here.”The oldie yelled at me, “I thought you were responsible. I never knew you were a scum.”I raised a knitted brow at the oldie and perceived he had lost his temper and couldn’t do anything less . I wanted to speak yet further.And the oldie shut me up, “You keep shut, pauper! I have seen customers like you. You come to my shop with high hopes and to brainwash me to do expensive stuff only to end up not being paid? I am going to use you to teach others the lesson of their lives …”I yelled back at him, since the oldie was blowing hot
Each time I beheld the beautiful pearl Brian gifted me before the coma, I often wondered how I could reciprocate this kind gesture.When I heard of Modest Art, Rio Hondo’s most gifted artist, who happened to be an Indian oldie, I decided to immortalize my husband and to do this I gave his picture of when he was putting on ear pod while singing in the studio, to the artist.After being immortalized, I would place the statue in the middle of the villa where everyone could see it and appreciate my sweetheart. I guess father would love it.Staring at this three-fourth statue of Brian, I was excited to bring this into reality because it was a gift from my heart. I had gifted Brian something special. I wanted to gift him the child in my womb and I guess it would be the best gift ever because he would be the most fulfilled man on earth when he woke from coma and realized I was pregnant for him.Obviously, that would be the greatest gift ever. But for now, I wanted to gift him something ever
I was very busy in my inner chamber humming Brian’s favorite song and keeping the chamber in order when I heard a shuffling walker close by. At first, I threw caution to the wind by taking it for granted, thinking it was one of the servants. Not until I perceived the heady fragrance of a male figure, and I was startled.“Oh my goose!” I exclaimed, “You startled me!” I nagged as I caught sight of Frank at my door.First, he didn’t knock on the door before sneaking in, and second, he was bare-chested in my chamber at an ungodly hour. Besides, I can’t recall the last time I had a rapport with Frank considering the fact that he was Kate’s husband and might have been sent to snitch on me.This visit was unhealthy to me; it was not supposed to be, and I wondered why he was here in the first place.“Why are you here, frank?” my harsh tone queried him as I gave a closer study of his moves. Perhaps he was here for an ulterior motive.He was all smiles, neglecting my question as he advanced to
“You have been moody since we started dinner, and you have barely touched your food,” Fanny said, and gave an investigative look at me, who had been fondling with my meal for some time now.I forced a weird smile and grinned afterward. I had been thinking.Nothing else was on my mind than the evil plot of Opula and Kate which would have been executed if I hadn’t intervened. Right now I kept struggling within myself whether or not to tell Fanny about it.I wouldn’t want to start a fight I couldn’t finish. I only wished Opula and Kate would let peace reign. If only they would know that I had no interest in the Fanny’s empire but in feelings for Brian.“Is there anything you want to share with me?” Fanny asked me and when a thought hit his mind he said, “If it is about the Ferraris which Opula smashed, I have fixed them. Your husband’s Ferrari is ready for use.” I shook my head in disapproval, “Far from it father,” I interrupted him and hesitated to speak yet further, “I…I” I stuttered,
The day after, Opula and Kate drove down to the hospital with the coffin and the expectation of replacing Brian with a doll replica. Since they had everything in place there was no need to waste any more time. They couldn’t wait to do away with Brian and nullify my marriage with their brother.Once Brian wais buried, they will have no war to fight anymore.They were seated in the doctor’s office, waiting for the doctor to come in and tell them his arrangements for the secret burial.“It will be ideal to bury him at night,” Opula said, staring at Kate who gave a nod, “I have made arrangements with the men at Rio Hondo cemetery, and they said late hour will be the best time.”Kate supported it, “You have a point there, dear. We should do this without any form of suspicion. You know how reputable and famous our family is in Rio Hondo. If we are seen at the cemetery right now by anyone it would create suspicion and expose us.”“Yes, of course we could be exposed and you know the consequen
I had a desperate yet nervous breath when I got into the ward where Brian may have to stay till he woke from the coma. I couldn’t take a few more steps forward. How could I behold with my eyes a man I thought was healed of his insanity? How would I shut my eyes to sleep after seeing Brian lose his cuteness overnight just because he was at a spot as lifeless as the leaves.I sniffed heavily as I wiped the tears that surged down my eyes.I never wanted to be entangled in love, but this was fate happening to me; this was destiny and if you should ask me, I would embrace it with my full chest and endure till the end.It seemed as though my toes were stuck to the floor. Once I gazed upon Brian, my heart thudded with fear and I recalled Opula and Kate making plans to declare him dead.Warm tears burnt my cheeks as they trickled down. I surged close wishing I could wave some magic wand and Brian would wake from coma.But reality dawned on me; the man whom I thought I would spend the rest of
When I returned to my chamber I was as shattered as the glass that fell off the rooftop. Things could get messier for me in this villa and I wondered if I should stay back and wait for Brian or if I should run away.I grabbed Brian’s photo, turned on his music on the player and fresh memories of the first love of my life flashed before me. This was a man that once scared the living daylight out of me due to his violent mental derangement, but today I was carrying his baby.“Oh Lord could this be true love or am I overwhelmed by my infatuation? What fate awaits me on this path of love?” I wailed within myself as I gazed upon the photo of Brian.He left as soon as he came into my heart. I never knew it was going to get to this; perhaps I would have hidden my love and walked away without any strings attached.That very night I slept off with Brian’s photo on my chest and his favorite song sounding on the player***These days, the photo of Brian was the last thing I saw and the first thi
Frank and Kate were going through my contract marriage documents while they discussed the way forward for the Fanny Group.I guessed I was the only obstacle stopping the girls from inheriting their father’s wealth and I wondered what they could be up to now my husband was in a coma.All I wanted was the safety and survival of my husband; although I wanted to disappear from the villa for a while, on a second thought, Brian would be disappointed if he should wake from the coma, and I was nowhere to be found.I didn’t want Brian to lose trust in me; we had come a long way and nothing could separate us; not even death.But I knew Brian would wake from the coma!“This is exactly one month Brian has been in a coma,” Frank said, flipping through the document papers, “Fanny Luis is not getting any younger, is he going to wait for Brian to wake before he appoints an heir? It is obvious Brian is not going to wake from the coma.”Kate poured drink for two and handed him a glass.“I was at the ho