I wake up with a start. It's already daytime and light is flooding the whole room. I yawn and stretch then sit up on the bed. I look around and I'm surprised to find myself on my bed in my house.
A lot of thoughts crisscross my mind but I can't even place a finger on how I arrived in my house.
Shit!
My phone is just beside me on the bed therefore I decide to pick it up to call Kate and know who brought me home.
I dial her number and before it connects, I happen to get a glimpse of the time and I'm surprised to find out it's already Saturday 3pm.
Oh my God!
I gasp and panic.
Today is Kate's wedding!
Oh my!
She'll be mad at me for missing her wedding!
Her call goes direct to voicemail and upon trying again and again, she's unreachable.
No missed calls nor text messages from her.
Th
I'm locked up in a dark room when I finally come around. I'm still in cuffs and the cold floor ain't giving me any peace. I'm shivering to the core and I'm afraid I'll catch a cold or something worse.So these people decided to dump me in a cell instead of a hospital?Anyway, what rights does a common criminal like myself have?I hear some murmuring outside but I can't see anyone.I hear the clicking of a lock and the door is suddenly opened.The same middle aged female cop is here, smiling as usual.“Darlene, we've been instructed to transfer you to a remand awaiting your appeal day.”“Remand? Appeal?”I ask astonished.“Don't you want to appeal? Don't you want justice to be done?”She questions still smiling.“I'd love to but...”I trail in my own voice.“Let's move. You'll be presented in court
It's about three months since I took over this branch as the manager.Life has been good and I'm not complaining.It's also over four months since that lame excuse of a man eloped with my bitch of a best friend.To say I've moved on will be pure lying but to be sincere, I'm struggling to.The intercom on my table buzzes as I get myself engrossed in thoughts.I tap on the button and the receptionist's voice comes through.“Good afternoon madam.”“Good afternoon Daisy, can I help you.”I ask in my bored tone.“Not really madam, but there's a guy here who wants to see you.”She says.“Does he have an appointment?”I ask.“He doesn't but he says it's urgent and crucial.”“It's okay, let him in.”Who might be this guy who insists to see me?I can't stop asking my
*The Appeal*It's on a Thursday, almost three weeks after being arraigned in court.It's the appeal day.I'm more keen today because I'm determined to get out of this hell hole.Being in remand ain't a walk in the park...leave alone for a crime you know nothing about.The prosecutor is at it again, setting out the rules and reading the crimes.My human hair wig was long confiscated by a cop and I'm left with untidy cornrows. I know I look like shit but all that matters is my getting out of this hell hole sane and alive.My attention shifts to my family and upon seeing my mum, my heart breaks instantly. There she is, looking so frail, with sunken eyes and wrinkled face. I'm sure she hasn't had sleep for days. My dad too looks so deep in thoughts and I'm sure alot is going on in his mind.My brother and sister too look distant and I can tell my arrest has taken a tol
*TWO YEARS AGO*“I told you young lady...”Geoffrey whom I fondly call Jeff teases me.“You can't keep on avoiding me!” He's smirking awkwardly like the winner he thinks he is.We're in his house taking some wine.At first, I just saw him as my boss's business partner and my ex's twin brother but now, I see him differently.After bothering me severally, I had to give in to his demands and I eventually became his girl.He has perfectly filled in the vacuum left by his brother and to be sincere, I don't miss George anymore.He's my prince in shining armour... He's my guardian angel...my Mr handsome.I know it's awkward banging twins but trust me, I stopped worrying about that a long time ago.This society is full of judgemental jacks but I'm not moved by any of them. As long as I've found love, I've got nothing to worry about in this world.However, we haven't talked about the direction our a
I tense under his touch as he leads me towards his car after stepping out of the elevator.What's in his mind?What's this important thing that Jeff want to talk to me about?As he reverses out of the parking lot towards his office, I can't help but notice the nervousness in his eyes.It's so evident.I'm so much engrossed into thoughts such that i don't realise that we just branched and we're heading towards his house.“Jeff, you've missed your way to the office?!”“I know...” He replies absentmindedly, still focusing on the road ahead.“We're going to the house. It's safe there.”I just nod.I can't keep on pestering him so I give him the benefit of doubt.Ten minutes later, we're in his house and I'm seated on the couch as he pours me something to drink.“Darl... ”He nervously calls my na
As the prison van disappears towards the maximum prison, I'm all tears and heartbroken. A lot of questions flood my mind such that my head starts aching.Were my eyes playing tricks on me?Wasn't that George I saw?Isn't he supposed to be dead?If not, who did I see lying there unconscious, in a pool of his own blood?Oh my God! This is too much for me to handle.First, I get an anonymous call and with all my naivety, I obey without questioning and then I find it's a set up. Cops arrive within no time and arrest me and get convicted even after an appeal...And now the one who's thought to be dead is alive and breathing!If that's George, then where's Geoffrey?Oh! Nothing is making sense at all!I'll be locked in for years...many years for a crime I didn't commit... The person I supposedly murdered is alive. Probably brea
I'm trying to cope with life here. It's not a smooth ride but through thick and thin, I'm making it. For the past one year, I've been recognised by the prison's officials for being of good discipline.My family and friends haven't gotten tired of visiting me in prison and I'm glad they've all been understanding.As for my lawyer, he hasn't gotten any tangible information about George or Geoffrey or Kate. Apparently, they shifted from where they used to stay to an unknown place.Geoffrey's house has been secured with a lock ever since and no one has been seen anywhere near it. My instincts tell me that he's still alive...somewhere.According to my family, my house in the other town is still intact and they're still collecting rent from the one my parents left for me.Today is one of those days when I wake up in high spirits.The other inmates are busy doing one thing or the other but I'm seate
DARLENEJeff has been visiting me since the first time he showed up and to be sincere, I'm in love all over again.He treats me as he used to treat me before, without minding the fact that I'm in prison. Anytime he visits and leaves, a part of me leaves with him.I'm no longer at home here when I know he's out there waiting for me.He has kept me on toes on whatever is happening out there, including George's moves.He has plans..That's what he keeps on telling me. I hate George and Kate with all I hold dear. They've brought my once resourceful life to a standstill.If not for them, I'd be out there making money and making it in life, probably happily married to my prince charming... Jeff.I've been swearing in my heart that I'll make them pay. As for Kate, I'll fish her out from the hell hole she's hiding and make her suffer...suffer and suffer more than I've suffered!***
DARLENEI know Frank was a troublesome person but he didn't deserve to die before changing his ways.I can't even place a finger to when he stopped being a good person and turned out to be a criminal! How I wish he didn't hang himself! Oh no!This is definitely gonna be a sad moment for his parents. I know they will blame us, just like they did with Kate's death but what more can we do? We can't just change nature.Things have already happened and we've no option but to accept them as they are!***It's a Monday morning and I've already dropped Shone to school. It's exactly three months since Frank was buried and we were all surprised by the fact that his parents never blamed us. I wonder what's going on in their minds.After dropping him, I drive to work all alone since Jeff is attending to some other business stuff therefore he woke up very early to
DARLENE“Frank dug his own grave.” Jeff says after narrating everything to me. They've just arrived after passing by the police station to record their statements.“He sure has.” I say. “I wonder when he turned to be such a beast!” I'm angry at him for one reason though! He kidnapped my son and on top of that fed the kid with lies. Why should he lie that we killed his parents? I'm now more than convinced that he's sick in the head!He has been locked in the cells awaiting court hearing next week. I've pleaded with Jeff to withdraw the case but he can hear none of that.He insists that he messed with the wrong guy and he'll pay dearly for being stupid.Since it's already at night, we've already had dinner and we're already in bed, ready to sleep when Jeff receives a call from his dad. He asks him if whatever he is hearing is true and he te
DARLENE“How will we get our son back if we send you the money?” I ask Frank in an attempt to keep him online.“Simple..” he says. “I will drop him back home just the same way I took him!” he brags.“That's okay.”It's about fifteen minutes since the cops started working on tracing Frank's number and Jeff and I are waiting eagerly. I'm sure Frank is waiting to see a notification and if he doesn't get one soon, he'll flip and we don't want that to happen.He has our son for crying out loud and he might hurt him since I'm convinced he's under influence of a hard substance.A minute later, Jeff receives a call from the cops and after talking for a while, he hangs up, his face lighting up in happiness.“They traced! They found him!” he says immediately he hangs up.
DARLENEJeff and I listen to Frank's demands and at the end of the call, we're left wondering if he's in his right mind.So he wants somewhere to stay and a monthly allowance? Like seriously?He made it clear that his sister Kate used to give him a monthly allowance and he also lived in their house but since she died, he has been living miserably and now he wants us to make his life simpler and better.He must be sick in the head. So he has realised that he needs money and accommodation almost two years after his sister died? How has he been surviving for those years?“We can't promise all that.” Jeff says bluntly. “You're a grown ass man and you can provide for yourself!”“Then forget about ever setting your eyes on this brat!” he barks over the phone. “I don't like him at all so rest assured that I might end up sell
DARLENEIt's already four weeks since I went back to work. Everything both here and at home has been going on smoothly. Jeff is in a board meeting with some investors while I'm in the office busy attending to some clients. This has been my daily routine and I'm enjoying every bit of it.George and I will be attending a lunch time meeting with another investor therefore I'm also preparing for it.We don't have to worry about who will be picking Shone up from school since schools are on break therefore he's already home for the holiday.We're planning to have the lunch up till late then head home after.***“Are you ready honey?” Jeff makes me snap from my reverie. He's already done with the meeting and he's standing at the doorway, probably watching me.“You startled me!” I say as I sit up straight. “Are you done with
DARLENE*Six months later*Bran is now a year old and this the moment I've been eagerly waiting for. He's old enough to stop breastfeeding and now I'm ready, more than ever to go back to work.I miss swinging on my swivel chair, send mails and replying to others, holding board meetings here and there and also meeting various clients.Today being on a Monday, Jeff will be traveling to another city for a business dinner with some partners and I'll be left in full charge of the main branch.The driver drops me at the office then drives him to the airport to catch a flight. I know it's my first day after almost two years to be in the office but it doesn't matter. I know I'm good at what I do...I'll always be!Jeff will be attending to some other matters first in that city then he'll meet one of our clients to seal a certain deal then attend the dinner tonight. Th
DARLENEIt's on a weekend and my husband doesn't usually go to work on Saturdays and Sundays. He loves spending the days indoors with us or out on weekend dates with the whole family. He loves treating us to weekend getaways or road trips. He's such and adventurous man.Well, today is not different. We're in the house watching a movie after lunch while shone and the nanny are in the nanny's room, busy playing with baby Bran. I keep on checking up on him occasionally and I'm glad they're all keeping him happy and occupied.I've already fed him and I'm quite sleepy. I really need an afternoon nap and Jeff isn't making it any easier since he has made me lie on his laps as we watch the movie. I let out a yawn after another and he suggests that we go upstairs to take a nap. It's a welcome suggestion but how can I leave Bran with Sylvia and Shone? What if he starts crying and he wants his mummy and at that moment I'm sound asl
DARLENEIt's now slightly over six months since I put to bed. My little champ Bran, as his dad fondly calls him is such an adorable baby. He's sleeping peacefully in the bed beside me and I can't help but marvel at how much he resembles his dad. Every time I look at him, I see a younger version of his dad.Sandra has been quite helpful though she had to leave a month after I delivered and I had no choice but to employ a house help. She made sure she trained her and now Sylvia is the best nanny anyone can ask for.Shone who was at school arrives and he runs straight to my bedroom to say hi to his little brother.“Did Bran have his bath?” he asks and I smile. I know the next thing he'll say is that I should undress him and let him lie in the jacuzzi with him. He doesn't know that baby Bran is still young and can drown!“Yes. I've already bathed him.” I say t
DARLENE*A YEAR LATER*“Mummy...” Shone calls from the kitchen door.“Yes munchkin.”I reply.“Daddy is calling you.”I wipe my hands with the kitchen towel and walk outside.Jeff is sitting on the couch, his laptop on his laps typing away.I drag my lazy pregnant self towards him and sit beside him as Shone continues playing his computer games.It has been a long sweet year. A year full of love and blessings upon blessings.Jeff has been nothing but supportive all through.I remember two days after getting home from the US where his surgery was performed and successful when I requested that we start living with Shone.He had proved to be a great boy and he respected us whenever we visited Jeff's parents. Kate's parents had agreed to leave him with his paternal g