“Come on dress up before my wife sees us.” Ken whispered to Salsa, who was squeezing into her dress.Salsa nagged, “I am glad you know we shouldn’t be doing this. You are married to Opula. The time has come for you to focus on your marriage. I am beginning to feel guilty of this iniquity.”Ken, who was at the door, looking out for Opula said, “Am I the first man who cheats on his wife? When are we going to see again?” he asked Salsa, who hastened up with her dress.“We may not be seeing again,” Salsa whispered and glanced around for any onlooker, “We are at a critical time. Melissa is nowhere to be found. Right now the tension is high. We shouldn’t be seeing for now.”Ken scowled and sucked his teeth. “What has Melissa got to do with us? If she is missing, it is for our good. The Fanny Group demands attention. That poor brute is distracting us.”Salsa exploded in a malicious sighing, “What nonsense are you talking about, Ken? You know Melissa is my very good friend; I haven’t had any
“Melissa!” Fanny called for the second time and was left gaping when Eva quickly ran to me and caught me in a powerful embrace.Upon my shoulders Eva let out tears of joy. Unable to fight back my tears, I wept and shut my eyes in pain. At the time, Opula and Kate had lowered their gaze in shame and rolled their eyes at me before murmuring and walking out on us.“Where the hell have you been, Melissa?” Fanny asked and surged closer to me upon seeing the plaster on my skull, , “And what the hell happened to your head?”Eva raised a knitted brow upon seeing the plaster, “What happened to you Melissa? You got everyone scared and worried. What really happened to you?I shook my head, sobbed greatly, and when heavy stuttering took over my lips, Fanny commanded the servants to attend to me and get me ready for a warm dinner with him, just to get my heart settled and ready to converse with him.“You don’t have to bother father,” Eva said, and added, “I will take care of her myself,” she took
Opula had never disguised like she just did. With headgear wound round her hair, one could take her for a Muslim and the black shades on her eyes intensified her disguise. She didn’t drive out in the family Ferrari.If she had, she could easily be trailed and noticeable, because it was only the Fanny’s that owned such an exotic car in Rio Hondo. In order to perfect her disguise, she came in a taxi and parked out of sight.She was visiting an abandoned garage on the East Coast of Rio. She shouldn’t be found there and had no business there. Anyone who found her there could snitch on her and use it against her.She thought she was perfect in her disguise, so confidently that no finger could point at her and say it was Opula.Once the garage opened, and she stepped in, the hoodlums bowed before they gave room for her to discuss with their boss.“She is not supposed to be alive,” Opula said through uneasy smiles which housed fury and scorn, “That bitch is still breathing somewhere in our c
Opula had so much pride hanging over her as the security had already opened the door for her. Once she alighted from the Ferrari, she breathed uneasily and gazed upon the skyscraper with the stylish lettering on the signboard: Fanny Group.Fanny Group was an ICT conglomerate and the richest ICT franchise in Rio Hondo. All the while, Brian was away doing music and eventually became mentally deranged; it was Opula who managed the company with the expectation of becoming the heiress, since Brian would never recover.When the idea to get Brian a contract wife came onboard, never did Opula put into consideration that the love and obsession of a poor girl like me for her mentally deranged brother would mend Brian and restore his sanity.“I regret it all,” Opula whispered within herself as she gazed upon the beautiful edifice of Fanny Group. “I wish I never brought the idea of getting Brian a contract wife. I wish I had allowed him to continue as a violent mad man. Today, father is hopeful t
Barrister Coleman, Fanny and Opula gathered at the police station. Opula was handcuffed and made to sit for interrogation. It was no longer business as usual and Opula could see the seriousness in the eyes of Fanny.She had already prepared for this battle, knowing it wasn’t going to be an easy one since Fanny was still alive. She needed to prove her guts to me, and she would stop at nothing until she was made the heiress whether my husband survived the coma or not.“Sir,” the chief police officer called Fanny, “Please state your wish for your company this moment so that every party can listen and ensure it is being carried out to the latter…”“What a nonsense wish!” Opula fumed, the veins on her brow and neck pumping out, “I built Fanny Group! I made it what it is today. I was busy fixing up Fanny Group for the future while your so-called son was whiling away his time in music.”“And it wasn’t for free!” Fanny interrupted her, “Yes, I was paying for the services you rendered. Was it
When mom phoned me requesting to see me, I had no clue what it was all about. I guessed she had missed me a great deal after I told her I was relocating to Ohio. It baffled me each time I recalled that mom could think I had been in Ohio all this while not knowing I was back at the Fanny villa.Mom never liked to hear me mention that name, let alone remind her that I was the contract wife of the most violent mad man in Rio Hondo. So, in order to avoid suspicion, I would be disguising.There wouldn’t be a need to go in the family car and dress luxuriously like Fanny wanted ever since I told him I would be visiting my mother.“For Christ's sake, you are my daughter-in-law. You are supposed to look rich,” Fanny had told me when he beheld the bogus, cheap gown which hung over me.But I was able to convince him of my reason for disguising being that I didn’t want onlookers and neighbors to know I was from the affluent Fanny’s family.Also, I was grateful this pregnancy was still in its deli
Mom and I settled down in the bedroom. Whenever she had something vital to share with me, mom would always invite me to her bedroom. And right about now she took me into the bedroom. I had no doubt what she had to share with me was all about me.“What could this be for Christ's sake,” I said within myself as she started off.“Melissa,” mom called me after clearing her throat, “Your cousin, Sam visited two weeks ago even I gave him your number. Did he call you?” she asked, stroking my long hair,“Sam?” I intoned and dragged a surprised brow, “No, I didn’t get any phone call from him.” So much anxiety hung in my eyes and I queried mom, “Why did he visit? It has been a while. The last time we met we were seven.”Mom interrupted me with a clicking of her fingers, “Yeah, you are right. Both of you were seven. However, the company he works for sent him on outreach in Rio Hondo, so he decided to visit us.”I was all smiles yet to comprehend what mom was about to say, even when I knew Sam’s f
I knew this was going to happen so I had myself checked often while discussing with mom. As I hastened into the toilet, the churning subsided, my guts were cold and it seemed like I wasn’t going to throw up again.This was my first pregnancy and twins for that matter; issues like this were put into consideration whenever I set out to pay a visit.“Melissa! Melisa!” mom called, “Are you okay!” she asked swiftly. She would have asked yet further if she hadn’t heard me defecate, “Oh I thought you wanted to throw up,” she said.“No, as you can see, mom. I was only pressed,” I lied, “I will be out as soon as I am done,” I said loudly and continued with my pretense, even when it wasn’t my intention to poop.Indeed things had fallen apart and mom like everyone else was expecting so much from me now. Rod Benson? What on earth would push him to my side despite the classic, rich, well lettered ladies in New York. Why me?All that mom said was yet to sink into my head and they only started sinki
“I made this fresh tea for us,” she said and handed me a cup before stirring hers, leaving heavy aroma of the natural herbs hanging over us.I shut my eyes to appreciate the unavoidable aroma of caramel which was too inviting; I guessed she took her time to fix this tea because of what she intended to achieve.I had noticed she often stole a glance at me each time she sipped at her cup; it was close monitoring and she expected me to drink up the tea right now so that she could hand me over to Opula and Kate for their evil intention.“There must be something unique about the tea, “I said and waited impatiently for the hotness to disappear while I blow at it, “The last one I had at the yacht party gave me a soothing sleep which I hadn’t had in a long time,” I said.“Oh really,” Salsa replied, lowered her gaze in suspicion and grinned briefly. A whole lot was pacing through her mind right now and she wished she could escape from this snare of betraying the only friend she had in the vill
Salsa was sobbing in her chamber and didn’t realize I was standing at the door and it was more careless of her that she left her door open while she sobbed and murmured within herself.“Oh Ken you have finished me. I told you but you wouldn’t listen. Behold now I am being implicated in dirty romance that will lead me to ruin. How do I save my mom who is dying at the hospital…”By some sort of smartness, Salsa perceived my presence and flinched when she stared around to see me stand at the door. “How long have you been around?” she asked with so much suspicion decking her eyes.I walked in, “What is troubling you, Salsa? I don’t see much of you these days and right about now I just heard you murmur about Ken putting you in trouble. What trouble is that? Some minutes again I overheard some quarrelsome voices at Opula’s chamber.”“You did?” she snorted and lowered her gaze, “Come and have a seat, Melissa. I need to confine in you about my life.”I settled my gaze on her and this chef had
Ken had never been so confused and devastated. “What is this all about?” he queried, “What brought about the divorce? Why did you suddenly come up with divorce? Did I do wrong to nag about your attitude towards this marriage? Do you expect me to keep shut while you misbehave?”“You are the one that has been misbehaving in this marriage!” Opula yelled radically and Ken was startled a bit. “If there is anyone misbehaving, it is you. And I say it here and now you are the worst thing that has ever happened to me…”“What is wrong? Why did you say that? What did I do?” Ken queried and was about touching Opula on the arm.“Get your filthy, adulterous hands off me!” Opula yelled and pulled away, “Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner. When you think no one sees you, don’t forget God sees you,” Opula broke down in tears and managed to bring out her phone.Just then, feet could be heard knocking on the floor close by and it was obviously the heels of stilettos were knocking o
It was late on a Monday and Opula was yet to return to the villa. Ken had never been so worried. Worse still, Opula’s phone line wasn’t reachable. He had consulted Kate about it and Kate had given him the cold shoulders, with so much malice in her eyes.This had left Ken worried because he couldn’t recall bickering with Kate or quarreling with her. He wondered what could make Kate give him the cold shoulders when he asked about his wife. Ken had told Frank and Tony about it and they mentioned the bankruptcy of Fanny Group was the reason for her attitude.“But today is Monday,” Frank had said, “This is unlike her. She is into this lifestyle only on Fridays, which often took her to the club.”Ken shook his head in confirmation, “Exactly the reason I am worried,” Ken had said as he stroked his ponytail confusedly and took a glass of rum and gulped, “I am still nervous. This is the first time she has been keeping late night, and I am undoubtedly convinced she is in trouble.”“Trouble?” To
The noise of the resounding slap hung in Salsa’ ears, and she shut her eyes afterward, losing interest in seeing more of the video. She raised her gaze, masked her face and sobbed into her palms, as her heart pounded with the heaviness of a banging ball.“No, this can’t be true,” she protested. “As you can see in the video, I called it a quit with your husband. I don’t have anything to do with him anymore. You can call him to confirm…”Opula chuckled in mockery, “Oh really. The fact remains that you were seeing my husband. You have been sleeping with him until recently. You are the mistress that has been distracting my marriage. How dare you, Salsa. Have you forgotten how deep I bite when I am embarking on revenge, huh?”Salsa interrupted, “It is not true, please don’t misunderstand me. I never wanted to date your husband, but he wouldn’t let me be. Despite reminding him about the risk of cheating on you, he still forced himself on me. What on earth would make me share your husband wi
Like a hard-working dog, Salsa hastened into the Villa and headed straight to Opula’s chamber only to meet Kate, well seated to a tray of tequila and rum. Although uncertainty fluttered across her face, Salsa perceived all was not well and if not for her mother’s medical bills, Opula’s chamber was the last place she wanted to be.She stood nervously, arms pressed in front as she watched. Kate sip her wine and grinned hugely, “Good afternoon ma’am,” Salsa greeted , her voice was vague and depressed. She felt the pang of humiliation which hung in the chamber. Yes, it was supposed to be in connection with her rejecting the offer and nothing else.“I guess they are upset for rejecting the job,” Salsa said in her mind and greeted again, this time around very audibly , “Good afternoons ma’am,” and when Kate gave her the cold shoulders , she had to explain herself, “I am back to do the job. My apologies for being an ass. I wasn’t supposed to reject the offer so…so.” She stuttered and swallow
Kate was busy with the maids who assisted the costumier to make her up in her chamber. Suddenly, there was a barge; it was Opula. She was looking thunderous and stolen. She smacked her lips in fury and began to walk up and down the chamber, slightly murmuring under her breath.Kate perceived the unrest on her face and was forced to order the maids and costumier, “Please leave us now.” Her voice was calm, yet her gaze gathered around Opula who kept pacing up and down.“That bastard rejected the offer!” Opula yelled once the maids vacated the chamber. “Despite flopping the job, Salsa has the guts to reject the fifty thousand dollars initial deposit for the job.”Kate’s face screwed up, “What! Salsa did that? What must have given her the guts to reject the money? She needs money like a money hole, especially for her mother’s medical bills,” she contemplated and placed a finger on her jaw , “Are you sure she hasn’t revealed it to Melissa?”Opula clenched her jaw and beamed, “I don’t give
Once Salsa was done serving me breakfast, she got a distress phone call from the hospital about her mother. Fortunately for her she wasn’t holding any of the chinas, otherwise nothing stopped it from leaving her grip and dashing on the floor.For never in my life have I seen someone tremble the way her hands tremble upon getting the distress call. The phone in her hands had fallen and split into parts.“What is it, Salsa? What has happened? Talk to me and stop crying like a baby!” I demanded anxiously, shaking her frail shoulders to quicken her reply.But there was no stopping her. She sank on her knees and wept bitterly. Nothing else came on my mind than her mother passing on.“I just need to get to the hospital right now, Melissa,” she sobbed and sprang to her feet to disappear. “All is not well with my mom. I just pray she remains alive till I get there.”Anxiety hummed on me as I pestered her with more questions, “What could have happened to your mother? Is the cancer growing wors
Each time Salsa caught sight of Opula, unlimited bitterness grew in her heart; the image of Rod in bed with Opula still hung in her mind and she could barely stand sight of Opula. If there was any closer enemy around here, it was Opula and she would never let Opula snatch what belonged to her.For Salsa had come to accept the reality of the true love she had for Rod and Opula would be the last person that could steal her joy from her. Although she was yet to believe Opula was sleeping with Rod, despite seeing them at the cabin, she wondered if Ken would believe her if she should reveal it to him.Salsa was midway fixing brunch when she saw Opula at the door, “You are not supposed to be found here, ma’am.” she reminded Opula as she continued with her cooking.Opula chuckled, “Where else can I find an ugly, cheap chef like you, huh?” she asked and surged closer. “I gave you a simple task to drug Melissa with sleeping pills and you flopped. You flopped a task that paid you handsomely,” s