Walking to the window, I fold my arms and stare at the pan of glass as thoughts travel across my mind. So far, so good. I have all that I ever wished and worked for except for one that sparks my interest. The word "Love", they say, is a special feeling, but I can prove that it's just an excuse to act in a particular way. They can't really blame me for my perspective about Love, coming from a young man living with the pains and bitterness of deceit from his past, and besides, nobody has proven that theory of love to be right. Except for my mom who died a long time ago with my father in a car accident, Mr. Clinton Xander and Mrs Mary Xander, may their souls rest in peace.
Trying not to allow my emotions to get the best part of me, I giggle and roll my eyes as I walk back to my desk. Life isn't always rosy, I thought, as those were the exact words that always comfort me whenever I remember that I have no parents. It's just me and Ketty, my twin sister. We were separated when we were younger, but now that we are together; we are united.
The beep of the clock alarm brings me back to the present as fleeting moments turned into lots of minutes. "Already noon, huh." Stretching my hands towards the files on my desk. "Indeed, time is a servant to no one."
"I'm so happy that my workers here are co-operative and complying. Of course, that's why they get paid except for that of the cleaning service department. Something has to be done about that," I say to myself, rubbing my forehead for relief.
I'm in a real need of workers for the cleaning services department. The last set of workers, which most of them were women, tried to get in my pants while the young men attempted stealing from me. Hence, they were all relieved of their jobs. In my defense, I'm not a man whore who sleeps around. One night flings for me are seldom and not promiscuous, so ridiculous right? Even at that, someone cannot overemphasize the importance of the cleaning service department. I will start the interview for the new interns tomorrow, I thought, nodding my head, as that was a wise and smart resolution within my heart.
Knock! knock! knock! "Come in" I spoke out loudly and behold, a worker from the cleaning service department enters looking like one from a strip club wearing a skimpy outfit that revealed the cleavage in between her b**bs.
The site of this got me irritated as it was inappropriate and unprofessional. I howled loudly, "Drop the file right there," pointing out to the edge of my desk. Before she could say a word, I averted my eyes, grabbing hold of the office telephone to avoid being seduced. The moment she shuts the door. I put a call across to the Human resources department to put out a notice for new employee recruitment for the cleaning services department, which will begin at 10am tomorrow. At this point, I feel relieved knowing that we will have new staff joining the company's workforce soon.
Pausing for a moment, I thought to myself that visiting the coffee shop down the street at this hour wouldn't be a bad idea, since it's so cold and chilly. I think I need to warm up. I Immediately dailed Mr Dum.
"Get the car ready," — I strolled to the door— "we're leaving right now."
Standing beside a 2020 GLB SUV is an average height, muscular brown skin young man. Mr Dum, my personal driver, happily married and a father of two beautiful, brilliant kids of opposite genders as he awaits my arrival.
With a genuine broad smile, Mr Martin, my security officer and also my gatekeeper, a tall, gallant tanned dark skin young man with broad shoulders, opens the gate wide as I step out of the office.
"Shall we?" I ask.
"Yes." Mr Dum opens the rear door space for me. " We shall."
He finally comes to a stop after a ten minutes' drive. "We are here sir," he opines packing by the side of the road across the coffee shop for easy view.
Their services over here are not too bad after all, I complimented in my thoughts with beams of satisfaction whilst heading towards the exit door on my way out, holding my hot tea in a cover cup in anticipation to sip while Mr. Dum drives me back to the office.
The exit door opens automatically and I move a step further, fixing my gaze across to where my car is parked. I bump into a lady spilling half of my tea on the floor and part on my T-shirt. Anger fills me up.
"Ooh my gosh," she rubs her palms spontaneously against the other, "I am so sorry, sir."
"Are you crazy—"
"No, I'm not sir."
With deep remorse in her eyes and her soft voice even before I could even say another word, she pleads, "I wasn't looking as I walked. Please forgive me."
"Yeah.. right," I muttered in rage. "You should have known better than counting every litre on the ground while walking."
Exchanging words with a lady on the street over an accident is not something I want to be involved in. Besides, people will always have excuses to give for their actions. I console myself, walking across to my car to ease my rage and, of course, find peace within, only that my best suite just got ruined.
Seeing all that just played out, I couldn't help but stare a little longer and observe her as she pulls her leather jacket tighter whilst the cold air hits her.
"So sorry" Mr. Dum rubs his hands on the steering. "About the incident, sir."
After a few minutes of stare at the stranger and the unfavorable bump, I insisted, "Let's go, please take me home."
Walking down the street, exhaling in relief "huh" as her breath condenses into lots of tiny droplets of water vapour "ooh my Gosh, what was I thinking?" She asks rhetorically, shaking her head sideways. She frowns and blames her joblessness as the cause for the collision against the stranger earlier on. She felt disgusted that a first class graduate in business management is still a victim of unemployment even after six months after she last kissed goodbye to the walls of university. Regardless of the harsh frosty weather, she heads back home, feeling unproductive as routine with no positive outcome.Pulling off her jacket, stretching towards the fridge to get herself a glass of water. " What a long day."She relaxes on a single sofa couch and gulps the water down her throat. Pausing for a second, still baffled at how she will call it a day with no progress on her quest for a job.She picks up her laptop without hesitation and scrolls through several websites, and still nothing intri
She woke up to the alarm beeping incessantly. She was sleeping so deeply that she had forgotten that today was the day of her interview. So she bolted from the bed and hurried into the bathroom to get ready as fast as she could.There is time, she thought while looking at her watch before heading to the coffee shop to get her favorite tea. Today She felt confident that something good was going to happen considering the present weather condition looking a lot more favourable as the sun beams its light rays on the earth.Besides, science proves it that the early morning sun helps activate the vitamins on our skin. She consoles and encourages herself. A good omen she thought while she steps out of the house for the bus station looking all smart and accurately dressed wearing a pencil skirt that went from waist till slightly above her knees with a touch of some concealer, eyeliner, mascara, and a baby pink lipstick. She settles for a flat shoe as it seems stress free other than her heels,
Stepping out of a taxi, looking all smart, official and nervous as hell, she approaches the gate, "Good morning miss Susan" Mr Martin greets opening the pedestrian entrance as usual with a welcoming smile on his face."Good morning to you too, Mr Martin," Susan replies, sounding anxious while her legs speed up forward as it's her first day at work and she's uncertain of what to expect until she gets to the office.Closing on a distance to the reception entrance, the door automatically opens with a welcoming cool breeze and illuminants that lit up the room causing goosebumps.. she exhales blinking her eyes and behold Is miss Ava, staring right at her face."Mm-hmm". She clears her throat. "Good morning, miss Ava," Susan acknowledges Ava's presence, nodding her head downward in modesty."Morning Susan, you look good and smart," Ava commends "Err.. Than... Thanks ma'am," Susan stammers. "You too look stunning and smart yourself."Seeing how unease Susan reacted to the compliments, she t
Waking up in a cold sweat, pulling the bedsheets off of my naked body, I get up to grab a set of fresh ones from the hall closet. When I touch the vinyl floor, I shiver from the cold and hurry to put my robe on. Just then I thought, wishing I could share with someone how I feel right now.Talking about sharing, Ketty is the only option for a listening ear of course she is the only family I've got right now but even at that, I don't feel like opening up to her would be best for now because I don't want to feel bad considering the fact that she feels am just a playboy and not serious at all. Looking through the fabrics, I pick the Egyptian cotton powder blue sheets and head back to my room. Immediately taking off the wet ones and replacing them with the fresh sheets. I take off my robe and slippers and then climb back to the bed "That place feels exactly like reality," I mutter, trying to close my eyes atleast to have a glance just one more time. "Will life be something like what I
Starring at my cell phone dumbfoundedly, I froze for a second as my beautiful anticipated uninterrupted sleep was taken away from me. Normally would have still laid back on the bed for atleast untill the day gets a little more bright and I guess I would have rested enough ..seeing how I love and cherish my sleep but not when it concerns my only sister, ketty.Still trying to convince myself beyond any doubts that Ketty might be doing just perfectly fine, I retired back to the warmth of the covers but still felt unease. Having someone else answer ketty's call wasn't a problem at all...after all, she might be seeing someone but not just ready to come out with it... but the way at which he spoke furiously then hung up on me without any proper conversation made me have an awful feeling that has started creeping up inside of me that something wasn't right about this. Mm-hmm, probably could be network interference I thought while I dailed ketty's number one more time. Switched off! Switch
Knock! Knock! Knock!"C'mon in" Susan responds casually whilst her attention still faced on her desk "Always on-time, i can imagine how early you upt of your soft magnificent bed every morning. This is exactly what the EMPIRE needs". Ava commends Susan with beams of satisfaction as she walks in.Hearing Ava's voice alone, brought relief for the day seeing that she's a whole lot of vibe. Seeing her always smile during works hours despite the pressure made me see life from a different perspective, that life isn't always as difficult as some people assume and exaggerate it to be. "When will you" –susan smiles shaking her head side ways– "ever stop this flattering?""Offcourse not... I'm just stating the obvious. No flattering at all on this one. I mean look at you, which man in his right senses will not notice such a hardworking and independent lady like you except he is blind offcourse.""Hehehehe, that's not true... People's choice of their ideal partner matters too, not like they-"
His head hung downwards with his arms crossed over his chest as he stands at the entrance of his own house, recapping what had just happened at the hospital.Few hours ago..,Xander hurried to the hospital, his heart still uneasy. As he rushed through the hospital doors, he was met with a swarm of nurses and doctors rushing about, attending to patients. Xander frantically searched for his sister, hoping to find her working as usual.But as he made his way through the hospital, he couldn't find Ketty anywhere. Frantic, he asked the nurses if they had seen her, but they all shook their heads.He raced to ketty's office, hoping to find some clue as to her whereabouts. But as he burst through the door, he was met with an empty room.Panic set in as he realized that indeed, ketty had been missing for two days."Are you okay sir?" Mr Dum asks bringing Xander to the present as he has never seen his Boss standing so quiet in that manner. "Aaah sure." He gasped with a fake smile as he opened
Xander's heart breaks at the sight of his sister's distress. He wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen and hold her, to promise her that he will do everything in his power to bring her home. But all he can do is sit there and stare helplessly at the screen, tears streaming down his face."Please," he begs the kidnappers. "Let her go. Come get me instead, she doesn't deserve this."The kidnapper's expression softens slightly, but he still looked unmoved. Xander knows that he couldn't give up. He had to find a way to save Ketty, no matter what it took. He asked for more time and promised he will find the money and will continue to negotiate.The kidnapper thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll give you one more day added to your 48 hours," he said. "One more day to come up with the money. If you don't have it by then, your sister will be gone forever."The screen goes black, and Xander is left staring at his own reflection. He knows he only have less than 72hours to co
"Meehhn... That was hectic but cool, though." John bounces on the couch. They just got back from the hospital. The two elbow bodied lover men, sits across from each other, excitement radiating from their faces with Susan in the living room. They already decided to get married on the same date, a year ago, as a symbol of their love and commitment. While ketty hastens her way upstairs to clean up Susan's room up as to make it conducive for her. As a patient coming back from the hospital doing this isn't right. Coming down stairs, Susan stands up to join Ketty go upstairs to her room but Ketty stops her. "Susi, you just have to pick up a few important things you'll needing because you're not staying here alone.""Er...–""No, no, no." Ketty waves her finger. "It's not an option and if I remember vividly, I didn't ask for your opinion."Susan's jaw drops."Then where do I go? If I don't stay here." "You're staying with your man in his apartment."Susan shakes her head in disagreement. "No
An hour since the blood transfusion and the machines read loudly. Susan slowly opens her eyes, her vision blurry at first. As her surroundings come into focus, her first sight gazes at Xander, sleeping on a small couch nearby. She tries to sit up, feeling groggy and disoriented, but she still holds up persistent to wake up but she falls back asleep. As soon as ketty hears some sounds, she stands to observe Susan. Just then, Xander wakes up, feeling so tired. He rubs his eyes, looking around the room, seeing John Ketty, who appears to be staring. "What..." He chuckles, surprised. "What happened? Why is everyone staring at me and is she okay?" He takes a fast glance at Susan.John relieved, smiles back at Xander's facial expression. "Bro, you're awake. Susan had a moment of distress after the blood transfusion, but she's stable now. We're still trying to figure out what caused it. There is surely nothing to worry about.""She is showing signs of waking up. Let's stay by her side and mon
With the insistence in his tone, ketty asks the nurse to stand behind her. "We need immediate medical help here! She has lost consciousness, and we need to examine her condition thoroughly. Please call for another doctor to stand by."Both Xander and John exchange worried glances and quickly leave the room to find another doctor while Ketty focuses on examining Susan. As they step out, they sight a doctor coming out from the ward near to that of Susans. He stops him, explaining the matter. "Ooh, that's what the scream earlier on was about?" "Yes, doctor." "Let's get going then." He follows them."Come on, Susan, wake up." Ketty keeps muttering to herself. "I shouldn't have let you walk out on your own, regardless of your insistence. What have I done?" She pats her forehead, blaming herself.---Several moments pass as Ketty carefully checks Susan's vital signs, monitors her breathing, and performs various neurological tests. When the other doctor steps in again after a while, he loo
"Hmmm. Susan, I need to tell you something, something that will be hard to say and even harder to believe. But I need you to listen, please. Growing up living with my aunt, whom I loved so much. She was like a second mother to me. But little did I know that the woman I adore is," he breathes heavily. "In fact, the devil herself." Susan, knowing nothing is wowed, "What do you mean, Xander? How could your aunt be...?"Interrupting her, Xander continues. "Just listen, Susan. It's important you understand as it might help you remember some things alright. My aunt recently confessed everything to me. This week, she finally got to pay for her crimes and is now in prison. She is charged with murder, kidnapping, and manipulation. It's unimaginable what she has done." He hisses.With an unbelievable look on her face, she adjusts to ask him. "Murder? kidnapping? I can't believe it. Who did she...?" "She killed her only sister because she was obsessed with a man. That man was my father. My aun
A bustling morning outside the courthouse as Xander and his sister, Ketty, strides purposefully towards the entrance, leaving John to watch over Susan until their return with good news. While walking down to the courtroom, Xander whispers, "finally sis, we're here. The day we've all wished and worked for and those responsible will finally face the consequences.""Absolutely, bro. Susan deserves closure, and we owe it to her to fight for the truth. After what has happened to our family, the separation and the ordeals, things like this should be put out as an example to warn evil people of what the consequence of their actions will be," Ketty replies in an angry tone.Inside the courtroom, the session begins. The police inspector presents the evidence, meticulously laying out the case against the suspects, which are Miss Ava, Mrs. Tina Godfred, and her husband, Mr. Godfred. The instigator and her accomplices."Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have substantial evidence th
"How are you feeling?" John gives her a warm hug. "We rushed here as soon as we received Xander's call." Seeing John, Susan's eyes light up with recognition and relief."I was wondering when you'd come. I'm so glad to see you." She looks at Ketty, her expression confuses. She drags John much closer to whisper into his ears. "But who are these two people with you?" John and Ketty exchanges puzzle glances, their minds racing to understand the situation.John is so lost. What is happening here?" He questions in his mind. "Susan, don't you remember? This is Ketty, your sister-in-law to be, and my sweetheart. And the man beside her is Xander, your boyfriend.""Boyfriend?!" She chuckles for a while and breathes down when she sees it wasn't funny and no one else was laughing, obviously herself. "Wait a minute, you're serious?" "Of course. I am,"Her brows furrow with confusion clear in her eyes. "Miss Ketty? Mr. Xander? I'm sorry, but I don't remember any of you. According to the doctor, I
"Doc... Doctor! Doctor! Please come quickly!" Xander howls out of the door and the Doctor on duty for the night shift rushes into the room, noticing the urgency in the voice. "Oh, it's you, Mr Xander when did you step in?" The Doctor asks him out of curiosity. "She's awake!" Xander cuts in, pointing to Susan's bed, paying dumb ears to how he entered the hospital premises without a sight.The doctor hastens to Susan. "Wow. Just stay aside. Let me pay attention to her." "But why is she asking me who am I? And why is she in the hospital? Doctor, what's happening?"The Doctor examines her while trying to calm both Xander and Susan. "ma'am, how are you feeling and can you recall the last incident before the hospital?" He observes her expression and lamentations."Am feeling okay, but sore on my body, it's feels like I rolled from a hill down. For the last thing that happened, I can't recall anything, and why am I at the hospital?"The doctor, after listening to her, turns to Xander his s
"Wait... Wait a minute." Xander stops for a second, stunned and shocked. "You were the doctor who delivered me and ketty at the hospital?" "Wow... Ketty? Is that her name?""Yeah. Dr Godfred or whatever you bear, but you sold my sister under my aunt's influence? Is that what you want to tell me?" Fast running tears run down Xander's eyes as he rethinks everything.Mr. Godfred with a heavy sigh, "Yes, Xander, it pains me to admit it. I was weak, and under the influence of your aunt, I made a terrible decision. I sold your sister to ensure her safety, or so I thought at that time. So did your aunty think, but I couldn't sell her as my heart will not sleep. I gave her away to my elder sister, who was married and didn't have a child back then. So instead of selling, I gave her over. I know that nothing I say here can make you forgive me and my act, and I take full responsibilities for my actions."Xander's emotions surge with anger and sadness coursing through him. "How could you do such
"Whoops." Xander exhales lightly, standing outside the police station, his heart pounding in his chest. The air feels heavy, suffocating almost, as he contemplates the upcoming divulgence. He knows he has to embrace the truth, no matter how painful it might be. If Susan's parents were responsible for the death of his own parents, fine. But he can't hold it against Susan. He's already undoubtfully in love with her and she is the one for him and he can't let vengeance cloud his judgment. As he steps in, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the bustling police station within. Detectives hurriedly moving from one room to another, their voices muffles by the thick walls. He takes another deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead while he closes on a distance to the front desk. "Excuse me," he calls out to the officer behind the counter. "I'm here to see Detective Reynolds. Is he in?""Yeah.""And do you mind pointing in the direction where he is?"Just as he conversed with the