Nine

“You must be joking,” Kate looked at Kent and bursted into laughter.

“I’m serious Kate. The man was serious,” Kent said seriously.

“That’s just bullshit! He was just trying to scare you!” She objected him. “Where could Ludo have gotten all the information from to write a story about the most notorious crime lords of our country?”

“You have to ask her,” Kent shrugged.

“He was just scaring you.”She repeated.

“I could feel it in my heart that he wasn’t.”

“How come I haven’t heard about these people?”

“You are not in their circles that’s why.”

“Are you?”

Kent nodded.

“If they are that notorious, we could have read about them somewhere,” Kate concluded the discussion.

Kent didn’t say anything but looked at his wife.

“Finish up your breakfast; you have to go to work,” She told him while she washed the plates.

Kent had not slept much after the talk he had with the stranger in the club. He kept thinking about the possibilities of it being true. If what that man said was true, Ludo’s manuscript could put him in trouble with his superiors, much more, his life could be in jeopardy. Then again, he thought about Ludo; Her awkwardness and unstable personality. She was just an ordinary girl with a passion for writing. Where could she have gotten the information about the family? Perhaps his wife was right, the stranger in the club was probably just playing with his mind.

“This is good Kate,” he complimented her. “You never cease to amaze me with how you prepare breakfast.”

“Just eat,” she smiled at him. “So what do you think about Ludo?”

Kent swallowed the bread.

“Don’t choke yourself you have all the time in the world.”

“She’s an intelligent girl obviously. Writing something like that takes a lot of brains. She’s a good writer.”

“Didn’t I tell you?” She teased him. “I spot great talent when I see one. Back in high school, she had a passion for literature. When she said she wanted to be a writer, i never doubted her.”

“Don’t go ahead of yourself. My people are still going through the manuscript.”

“I’m sure they are enjoying.”

“I bet so, I’m leaving now. Bye.”

“Without a kiss?”

“Ohhh sorry,” Kent went back and kissed her forehead.

“See you tonight honey,” she waved him goodbye.

Ludo kept thinking about why her dad didn’t say goodbye. She was upset that she had to hear from her mother that he had travelled. She understood that he was a busy man but at least he could have texted to say goodbye. She fidgeted in her bedroom looking at her phone waiting for Mr. Visashi to call her and give her a response of the book. She knew she was overexcited because it was too early, the book couldn’t have been read and liked in just hours. She had to wait for at least some days or weeks to get a feedback but that was too much for her. Without anything to write about, she realised how boring her life was. She walked around the house and outside trying to pass time but it was like each hour took three hours to pass.

“Ludo, lunch is ready,” Nancy called her.

“I’m coming Nana,” Ludo said.

She went to the dining room and found that Nancy had put the food in the warmers. Ludo sat and felt the table to be too big for her alone.

“Eat with me,” she looked at Nancy.

Nancy was surprised.

“Me?”

“Of course, it is just the two of us in here. Come sit down and let us eat.”

Nancy sat down and started eating. Ludo on the other hand was just playing with her food and constantly checking her phone.

“You are not eating Ludo,” Nancy said wiping her lips.

“I have lost appetite.”

“Your mother said you should eat,” Nancy said.

“I know. Don’t tell her I was playing with my food,” Ludo laughed.

“I won’t,” Nancy laughed too. “You keep checking your phone, waiting for a call from someone special?”

“NO,” Ludo answered defensively.

“I’m just asking.”

They both went quiet.

“Do you have someone special?” Ludo asked Nancy.

Nancy shyly answered, “Yes.”

“Really?”

Nancy nodded.

“How’s he like?”

“He’s good to me. I think he loves me,” Nancy said with a glow on her face. “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”

“Me?”

“It is just the two of us here,” Nancy looked around.

“No. Who can date me? And mom says men just want girls for sex,” Ludo said.

“Sex strengthens a relationship. If you love him, there is nothing wrong with that.” Nancy said.

Ludo thought otherwise but didn’t want to argue with Nancy. She was having a good time talking to her. At least she didn’t feel lonely. She knew a lot of things about Nancy she never knew. Nancy was a free spirited girl from the slums who didn’t tolerate nonsense but her weakness was that she fell for bad guys who either cheated on her or ended up verbally or physically abusing her. All in all, she was strong willed and never gave up on love or life.

“Life is hard out there,” Nancy sighed. “You people here don’t suffer like we do.”

“That’s what you think,” Ludo laughed. “We also have our own share of problems here.”

“At least they are better,” Nancy laughed.

Ludo nodded.

“I’m going to take a nap now, I feel tired. I wouldn’t want to have another episode now,” Ludo left for her bedroom.

As usual, Book world publishing company was busy in the afternoons with everyone running around trying to sort out their tasks. It was no different for Kent, he also had a lot on his hands. A lot of upcoming writers were on his back that he had to tell his secretary to tell them he was not in.

“Sir Mr. Visashi is not in,” Kent’s secretary said.

“Who could that be now?” Kent asked himself.

He knew his secretary would deal with whatever it was. A few seconds later, he heard her quarrelling with someone. Kent didn’t want to check out who it was because that would be embarrassing for both him and his secretary. He tried to resume his work but the noise persisted. He stood up and was about to walk to the door when his door opened. A man stood before him wearing a black suit and specks. He looked pretty neat and too gentle to be quarrelling with his secretary.

“I’m sorry Mr. Visashi, this man didn’t listen to me,” Kent’s secretary apologised.

“It’s ok you can go,” Kent dismissed her.

“So you’re Mr. Visashi,” the man entered and pulled himself a chair.

“What can I do for you?” Kent asked studying the man.

“Hmmm, aren’t you supposed to ask who I am?”

“Tell me!” Kent answered irritated.

“Okay that's later, I’m here for something.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Let me see,” the man crossed his fingers. “How can I put it?”

“If you have nothing important to say, I suggest you leave my office,” Kent stood up and pointed the man to the door.

“Kent,” the man laughed.

“How do you know my name?”

“I know everyone. I know how much you get paid. I know where you drink from. I know your friend O’Brien. I know your wife is a teacher; Kate. Kent and Kate. Double K,” the man chuckled.

Kent felt his stomach rumble.

“Who are you?”

“I go by many names which apparently I don’t like at all.”

“What do you want?”

“I want the manuscript.”

Kent was surprised. He had a lot of manuscripts in his office which were pending to be checked. Some, were checked and left to rot. Perhaps this was an angry upcoming writer who had been rejected sometime back.

“Did you by any chance bring a manuscript here?”

“Come on Kent. Do I look like a writer,” the man looked at himself and back at Kent. “I’m everything but a writer. I’m sure this black suit is deceiving a lot of people.”

“Whose manuscript do you want?” Kent asked feeling his hands shake.

The man in front of him didn’t seem dangerous but what scared him was the fact that he seemed to know him and a lot of things concerning his life. If there was one thing Kent hated, it was publicity. Despite being a notable man in his circles, he never let media houses publish anything about him. They had tried but not a single one managed to succeed.

“I don’t know who it belongs to but it’s about Brawler, Brains and Jezebel,” the man answered thoughtfully.

Kent felt his knees go numb. His suspicions and fears had been confirmed. The story Ludo wrote was not fiction. He remembered the conversation he had with the stranger in the club.

“Who are you?” Kent asked concealing his fears.

“How many times will you ask me that, Kent? It’s now irritating me. Are you giving me the manuscript or not?”

Kent saw the anger in the man’s eyes. He really wanted the manuscript.

“It’s not here,” Kent said regretfully.

“You are making me angry Kent,” the man stood up. “This was supposed to be easy. That’s the reason they sent me. I’m good at dialogue. I don’t like to get my hands dirty.”

“Who sent you?”

“That’s none of your business. Now listen, they trusted me. They wanted to send someone but they knew things would have been totally different as we speak now.”

“I don’t understand.”

“In short Kent, you could have been dead by now. Now give me the manuscript.”

Hearing that he could have been dead startled Kent. He wasn’t lying when he said, the manuscript was not with him because he had sent it to his junior editors to check it out.

“Time is money Kent,” the man said impatiently. “You love Kate?”

Kent’s eyes widened.

“One call and she’s dead,” the man laughed. “Where is she now? At school teaching, right?”

Kent quickly ran to the door.

“Wait Kent!” The man shouted.

Kent stopped and looked back.

“Try anything stupid and everything you thought you had will disappear like a speck of dust,” the man gestured, snapping his fingers.

Kent quickly rushed outside and came back in a matter of seconds with the manuscript in his hand sweating and breathing heavily.

“You see? Did I have to threaten you,” the man patted Kent’s shoulder.

“Don’t hurt my family. I’m just an editor,” Kent begged. “I don’t have control over the stories brought to me.”

The man collected the manuscript and read the title out loud - "THE FAMILY THAT KILLS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER by Ludo Sakala."

“Woooow, this title is catchy!” The man exclaimed. “Ludo Sakala?”

“She’s just an innocent girl don’t hurt her please.”

“Do I look like I can hurt anyone?”

“I don’t know!” Kent answered. “You seem dangerous though.”

“I’m leaving now Kent. We are not yet done,” the man smiled devilishly.

“What ….. What…… What do you mean we are not done?” Kent stammered.

The man turned around and looked at Kent. “By the way, I’m Brains,” he laughed and left Kent’s office.

Kent quickly got his phone and called his wife. He kept praying she was fine. She answered his call.

“Thank God you’re safe,” he cried out.

“Of course I’m safe, what is it?” She asked him.

“The people Ludo wrote about truly exist Kate,. At least one.” Kent said.

“Hold on. Breathe. You sound startled. Which people?”

“I just met Brains.”

Kate laughed at him.

“I’m serious Kate.”

“Brains……?” She inquired.

“Yes. He got Ludo’s manuscript.”

Kate was astounded. “What do you mean he got Ludo’s Manuscript? Why would you give him her manuscript?”

“He threatened to have you killed.”

Kate got quiet.

“Hello Kate, are you still there?”

“Brains from Ludo’s story?”

“Yes my love.”

“Oh my God. Ludo. Let me call you back. I have to talk to Ludo.”

Kate cut the line and dialled Ludo’s number.

'THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED IS CURRENTLY SWITCHED OFF.' the service provider answer came from her phone.

“Ludo!” Kate whined. “Where are you?”

Nancy and Ludo walked side by side talking and laughing. Ludo was escorting Nancy. She had knocked off and being that Ludo’s mother was not yet back, Ludo decided to escort her. She had left her phone back home on the charger but she didn’t notice that it wasn’t charging and had drained.

“You have to go back now it’s getting late Ludo,” Nancy told Ludo.

“It’s still early,” Ludo said. “Look at the sun, it hasn’t even set.”

Nancy laughed.

“So who do you stay with?” Ludo asked.

“My sister.”

“Just the two of you?”

“With her two children.”

“Her husband?”

“She’s not married.”

Ludo didn’t ask any further. She looked at Nancy and felt what she was going through. Even though, they lived in different worlds and had different woes, Ludo thought they were somehow alike.

“Seriously, Ludo you have to go back,” Nancy stopped.

“Okay! Okay! you’re like your lady boss. I’m going back now.”

“Hurry up. Take care,” Nancy waved her goodbye.

“Take care too Nancy,” Ludo started going back.

She walked back slowly singing a song. She felt peaceful as she walked freely in the streets. It was quiet. All she could hear were sounds of dogs barking from a distance. As she walked minding her business, a range rover sport hooted behind her. She didn’t look back because she was walking in the pedestrian’s space. The rover didn’t stop hooting. Ludo stood still and the car pulled by her.

A tall dark beautiful woman came out of the car. She wore a denim short and a white crop top. Her feet were bare. She came out with a bottle of Hunters dry in her hand. Ludo looked at her and wondered why she didn’t have any shoes on.

“I’m sorry. I’m lost,” the woman walked to Ludo.

“It’s ok. Where are you heading to?”

“I’m looking for Zamiwe Sakala.”

“Zamiwe Sakala?” Ludo asked surprised.

“Yes do you know her.”

“She’s my mother. Who are you?”

“I’m her friend from back in the day.”

“Really. I never thought mom had friends like….” Ludo gulped looking at the lady from head to toe.

“Like what? Don’t judge a lady by what she wears. Moreover, it’s hot,” the lady smiled. “Aren’t you going home?”

“That’s where I’m heading to now.”

“Well you are in luck, you get to ride in my brand new range rover sport,” the lady turned around.

Ludo didn’t move.

“What are you waiting for?”

“It’s just that mom told me not to ride in stranger’s cars.”

“Am I a stranger?”

Ludo laughed. “I guess not. You know my mother.”

Ludo got into the car. It was smelling of beer. It was obvious this lady was a drunkard.

“How do you know my mother?” Ludo asked.

“We went to the same school.”

“She never mentioned having a friend.”

The lady laughed as she started the engine.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Erica,” the lady paused.

“Beautiful name,” Ludo said.

“I don’t like it.”

“Why?”

Erica closed the car windows and sipped on her bottle of hunters dry.

“Why don’t you like the name Erica?” Ludo asked again.

“I’m used to been called Jezebel.”