Chapter ThirtyAs she was walking, she saw another car parked beside her.She ignored it and she continued to work.She was distracted by the sound of the car because it made it obvious that the person's inside needs her attention.Before she could talk, the person already came out from the car.“I am sorry, but I have been watching you, are you fine?” The person asked.“I am fine, thank you” Marianne managed to say.“Common, you aren't fine. Where are you going to by this time of the day, with a lot of bags”“Yeah, just that junction. I'll be there soon, thank you”“Can I drop you off there”“Don't worry, I will be fine”The stranger stepped closer, concern evident in his eyes. "Are you sure? It's getting dark, and it’s not safe to be out here alone with all these bags. Let me help you."Marianne glanced at the man, weighing her options. He seemed genuinely concerned, but she was hesitant to accept help from someone she didn’t know. "I appreciate the offer, but really, I'll be fine.
Chapter Thirty-OneDaniel watched Marianne eat like she hadn't eaten in a week. He sat across observing her silently, he knew something was wrong with her. The way she rushed the meal as if it would disappear in a minute”."You don't have to rush," Daniel said gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "There's more if you're still hungry."Marianne slowed down, looking up at him with a hint of embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled, wiping her mouth with the napkin. "I am sorry, I am sorry, I don't even know I am this hungry"Don't apologize," Daniel replied, his tone soft. "I'm just glad you're getting something to eat. You seemed exhausted last night."She nodded, the events of the previous night still fresh in her mind. "Thank you... for everything. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't found me."Daniel leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "You don't have to thank me. I couldn't just leave you out there alone. But... I'm curious. What happened? Why were you out
Chapter Thirty Two*Homeland Company*Anna waited till almost every worker left the company, except the one that has to work at night.She waited till they left, and she went to Mr. Thompson's office, he was still there rounding off.When she got to his office, she sighed. She saw the light glowing from inside. Meanwhile, Thompson was sitting behind his desk, trying to finish off what he was doing, so he could go home.He was organizing papers and checking his emails to check if there's something he needed to do before leaving.Anna hesitated for a moment, trying to gather her courage, then knocked lightly on the door."Mr. Thompson?" she called softly, pushing the door open a little more.He looked up, surprised to see her. “Anna? I thought you’d gone home already. It’s late.”She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “I stayed a little longer… I wanted to talk to you. Is now a good time?”Mr. Thompson leaned back in his chair, eyeing her curiously. “What is it? Something on y
Chapter Thirty ThreeThompson, who was enjoying it, decided that she followed him to his house.They got to his house and Anna was surprised to see how big the mansion is and what Marianne had been enjoying.“So, Marianne has been enjoying all this while? This is so Massive Mr. Thompson”“You can address me outside of office as Thompson”“Alright Thompson. I like your house designed and allAs Anna walked through the grand entrance hall, her eyes darted from the crystal chandeliers to the marble floors, taking in the luxurious surroundings. The mansion had a warmth to it, despite its grandeur, and she couldn’t help but admire how tastefully everything was arranged.“This is incredible,” Anna whispered, more to herself than to Thompson.Thompson chuckled, watching her reaction. “Would you like a tour?”Anna’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please! I can't believe Marianne had been enjoying all these. That girl is just a their, she wants to ruin the company which is not possible ”Thompson smiled
Chapter Thirty Four“What's wrong with you Thompson” Anna asked when she saw that Thompson wasn't in a good mood.“Things are wrong, our rivals are currently outsmarting us. People are not buying our product, our product is loosing ground in the market”“Leave that to the marketing team, they will deal with it”“I think I need Marainne now, If she is here the product wouldn't be loosing it ground, like this”“What do you mean by you missing her?”Thompson sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not just that. Marianne had a unique way of connecting with our clients, understanding their needs. Without her, we’ve lost that edge. The marketing team might be capable, but they don’t have her instinct.”Anna frowned, trying to hide her frustration. “So, you’re saying that if Marianne were here, everything would be back to normal?”“It’s more than that,” Thompson said, leaning back in his chair. “She had a vision for the product that resonated with our customers. Her departure
Chapter Thirty-FiveAnna gathered everyone in the conference room."Good Morning everyone, if you should have eye now, you should know that somethings are changing. Well, where's Mrs. Ann" Everyone was shocked, "Mrs. Ann will join us soon, she's organizing some files at her office" one person responded."Didn't she knows that I called a meeting? Is she not aware about it?"You aren't using the tone I want, I want Anna very harsh and she doesn't care about the company moving forward, big about her being the mistress of the CEOSilence fell over the room as tension grew. No one wanted to speak up, but it was clear Anna wasn’t going to let this slide. She crossed her arms, eyes scanning the room, daring someone to answer her.Anna let out a cold laugh, shaking her head. "Organizing files? Really? Is that what we’re doing now instead of attending meetings? Did she not get the memo that I called this meeting? Or is she just that clueless?"Silence fell, and no one dared to meet her gaze.
Chapter Thirty Six Anna waited till the workers left, she was waiting for Thompson to come so she could tell her about everything that happened. She waited, and it was after a few hours, he came back. "Anna, do not tell me you are waiting for me?" "I am waiting for you darling, you know I told you I'll prove myself that I am very better than Marianne" "I see, but you just have to be yourself. Determined, strong and hardworking, okay?" "Alright darling, you know I love you so much?" "Of course. I love you note than you think" Thompson replied “So how about where you went to?” Anna asked, sitting down on her chair. “Fine. Yeah, it went well. But I think the next time I would go, I'll be needing someone to follow me, someone who would be able to present files to them” “I can, I really can” Thompson smiled faintly, sitting down across from Anna. “I know you can, but it’s more than just presenting files. Marianne had this... talent for handling clients and understandin
Chapter Thirty SevenAnna wanted to follow Thompson home, but Thompson didn't like the idea. He said he wants to have some free time for himself.“Let me follow you home,” she pleaded.“No, you can't, I have things to do at home please”“Why? But Marianne was living with you then, why can't I just live with you also?”Thompson sighed, clearly frustrated but trying to remain calm. "Anna, it's not about you or Marianne. I need space to think, to unwind. My home is where I get that.""But you let Marianne live with you," Anna pressed, her voice edging on desperation. "What makes me any different?"Thompson's expression hardened. "You are different, Anna. You're important to me, but this is not the way to prove anything. My relationship with Marianne was... complicated. Things were different back then. And right now, I need to focus on work and clear my head."Anna's face twisted with frustration. "It’s always about work! You don't seem to have a problem giving Marianne special treatment
You'll be dead when I return. And when I'm back, you wouldn't like how your story would end!" He let out, as I heard him walking away. The police arrived almost immediately he walked off."Hello, Avia." I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "He might come for you, just like he did me. He even had a bunch of spare keys! Luckily for me, I guess the key didn't fit!" I exclaimed."Oh my goodness, I think you should move in with us till everything is settled, till he's handed over to the police. You can't play gamble with your life. Because if he kills you, the worst that could happen is him being executed.""But you'll be long dead and gone before then. So you need to try to be as logical as possible." She adviced. "I know. But I also know that staying at your place, that's a different level of inconvenience. I don't want to put you through that." I said."Not in this life or another, would you ever inconvenience me. Please never say that again, you are a sister to me and you prov
"Do you feel better now?" I heard her mother ask her. "Better, mother." She said, weakly, looking around, as if still feeling like they were still being watched or followed."I'll be on my way now, Avia. Please get well soon." I said, getting up to leave. I knew I had overstayed and my job might be paying for that soon. "That's... That's... Okay, I'm grateful! Thanks you so much for staying around!" She said, her voice now shaky."Oh come off it, stop now or you're gonna make me tear up too." I said, getting emotional already. "I have to say what's on my mind. I didn't see it coming at all. How you were there for me. Fought and defended me." She said."That's just how I am, and you're not an enemy of course." I said, "What would you have rather had me do? Stay there and watch you die?" I joked, "now come over here!" I said, as we embraced each other.We held each other tightly for the following seconds, soaking in our emotions and just being grateful that she was alive."Thank you." S
"Is there really anything good about the afternoon?." He replied, not bothering that someone else was now in the room. "How may I help you?" I asked, spiting him, "oh you!" He said, in composed excitement. "What a small world." He said, under his breath, not knowing that I heard him."She?" I asked, pointing in her direction, "yeah. If I get what you mean." He answered, a pale countenance sweeping through his face. "Okay?" I asked, "why are you here?" I asked, looking squarely at him."Is there a rule that says I can't?" He asked, goofingly. "I expect you to know that." I said coldly, "you have overstayed your welcome. You can now use the door." I said."You're in no position to order me around," he said. "But I am, this is a health facility. I'm in charge, and I now inform you, you have overstayed your welcome." The doctor said from behind us.He turned slowly, walking out in a cold manner. "How did he even get in here in the first place?" The doctor asked, turning to face me. "I don
Almost immediately, the doctor arrived, he was checking Avia with his stethoscope, she was now calm and stabilized. It looked strange that she had begun to convulse, after being confirmed okay by the doctor."She's stabilized now." He let out, heading out, "please hold on, Doctor, what... What if the convulsion starts again?" I asked, my heart racing within me. "She won't, he replied dismissingly.I watched her intently, counting her breathe, hoping the convulsion wouldn't start again. She seemed to be sleeping sweetly, it however got strange and weird when she had been sleeping for the following hours.I was now concerned and had to call the doctor's attention. Her family were still there too. "She's in stable condition," he said, sure."But she's been sleeping for too long now." I asked, concerned, he went on, checking her pulse repeatedly, she still looked like she was asleep. At this point we could already sense everything wasn't okay."Doctor! What's the matter," I asked, frantic
"I can't forget the sweet mother she was to us. She showed us so much love and motherly care. Loosing her was a huge blow to all of us. So I was taken aback when my father seemed happy about her passing." He explained."At rare times, he tried to feign mourning her, which didn't work because he wasn't one to pretend. So it was always crystal clear what he thought or felt." He explained."The scariest part is that I walked in on him, on a phone call, he was talking about a body. I left almost immediately when I noticed he didn't see me walk in and listened on. I didn't want to draw any conclusions based on what I heard, but I feel he was talking about a human body.""My goodness! What human body??" I asked, frantic. "Any chances it could be Nadia's?" I asked, not letting him land. "It just might be. The voice he was speaking with on the phone appeared to be a woman's voice." He added."A woman's voice?" I exclaimed, "how were you close enough to hear this and not close enough for him t
"I apologize sincerely!" I let out, trying to avoid hitting more persons. My eyes met those of the voice I was hearing."Mark!" I exclaimed, "what are you doing here?" I asked, stretching out my hand for a handshake. "Oh, not something I'll want to talk about." He said, as we shook hands, his facial expression changing."You look sad all of a sudden, what's the matter?" I asked, as we slowly moved to a chair close by to sit. "There's no matter." He lied, pointing his nose. "Yeah, go on, you need to do exactly what you're doing now." I said, casting a goofy glance at him."Do what?" He asked, looking intently at me. "Point your nose. You know what happens to Pinocchio huh?" I joked, looking squarely at him. "Oh there you go! Goofy you!" He let out, laughing. "You look better, happy." I said, looking intently at him."Oh.... Yeah, who doesn't?" He said, nervously, adjusting his shirt which wasn't disarranged. "You look bothered, and you know you're not good at hiding things like these."
"You should ask someone else, I know nothing. You have no right whatsoever to hold me hostage, I'm as innocent as the word innocent. Let me go!" She let out.She looked modest, no one would imagine she could have such a wicked heart. She was also soft spoken,so it was very hard to tell she was a goofy lady, who enjoyed seeing others in pain.As we conversed, speaking about some painful scenarios, including the pain Nadia might have undergone, seeing what the autopsy was showing, she seemed to enjoy talking about the pain of others, and that was a very bad sign, a huge indicator that something was wrong somewhere."Of course we'll let you go, after you've answered all needed questions." The officer insisted. "I committed no crime." She said, "What happened to your friend? That's all we want to know." He asked. "She was suicidal." She let out, in an unreal manner."Suicidal? Is that all you knew about your friend?" He asked, we'll be taking you to the station now for further questioning
"My mind was beclouded by the fact that she was in pains, she was suffering from a terminal disease like I told you." I explained, looking queerly at him. "That's just a lead, we need to get to the root of the matter." He added, looking intently at me."I spoke with her bosses, those she worked for, and they said she was very fine the day before." I said, I could see through to the fact that he wasn't satisfied. "I know that Nadia was ill, but I don't know of any complaint from work. She enjoyed her work as much as I knew.Days had now passed and I hadn't seen Mark at the office. His father, now had two offices, his and theirs. I wanted to ask what the problem was but I didn't even know where to start from or how it'll come off to him, so I let it slide.I received a call from a strange number. I was glad and sure it might be Mark, "Hello, May dear, how are you doing?" The voice asked. "I-I am okay, who's on the phone please?""This is Nati, I know you don't know me but I really need t
"Can you kindly let me know why you are in my office?" He asked, I noticed his shirt looked like it was hurriedly arranged, and she looked like she was drawn down from a mountain, just when she was close to it's peak."I would love to speak with you and your brother." I let out, impressed at myself at how easily I was able to cook up something."Hmmm... That's huge, I hope no problems?" He asked, his eyebrows raised, as he adjusted his shirt better. "Not at all. Just family business. I'll want to be speaking with the both of you, alone." I said, with emphasis on the word 'alone', throwing disgusting glances at her."Alright. Honey would you please excuse us for the moment?" He said to her, I watched satisfyingly as she pushed herself out of the office. She didn't want to go, but she had no choice."The floor is yours now, so please go on. I'll send a staff to get my brother, right away." He said, "okay, even better. I'll be waiting." I added, taking a seat.In no time Mark was in the