Chapter 4

Acthey came into the house, Valerie cautioned him, “You really should quit riding your motorcycle so late at night.” 

“You bought it for me, baby, why shouldn’t I?” Scott said giving her a peck.

They sat on the couch and Valerie sighed. Her face was swollen and her eyes were getting teary but Scott didn’t even notice.

“Why are you quiet?” He asked when she wouldn’t say anything but keep sighing.

“Well, I thought you’ll never ask Scott,” Valerie said.

“You never call me Scott; I always call you. Isn’t that what lovers are meant to do? To call each other every minute of the day and talk about the day” Valerie said.

“I never visit you at night and yet you are not asking me why I’m here by fifteen minutes to eight in the night,” Valerie said raising her voice.

“Val, you know I look for jobs during the day and I don’t have time to call, you know that,” Scott said defending himself.

He came to sit by her side and stroked her hair, he put his hands on her shoulders as well to comfort her.

“What’s going on? you can talk to me baby,” he said.

“My father wants you to come and see him as a man. He won't have any reservations about you if he sees you and knows you're a wonderful guy,” Valerie lied. “Your dad wants to see me?” Scott asked.

“You know I can’t do that right; I don’t have a job and I’m not ready to marry you, Valerie,” Scott said.

“What are you talking about Scott? who told you meeting my parents would mean marriage?” Valerie asked confused by his reaction.

“Come on Val, let’s just forget this okay, are you gonna stay the night?” Scott asked licking his lips.

“No, Scott,” Valerie said and stood up after checking the time.

“I have work tomorrow,” she said.

“It is been a while we have done it; don’t you think?” Scott said sounding pissed.

“Scott...” Valerie called trying to sound apologetic.

“We’ve made love only 3 times and you know those times always had a bad ending, don’t you?” Scott said.

“Oh Scott, you know that’s not my fault, don’t you?” Valerie said.

“It is not your fault? Valerie our first and second sex wasn’t even a pass because you claimed I was hurting you and I get it because it was your first and the second time you were getting used to feeling. But the third, you left saying you had something to do after arousing me” Scott said sounding upset.

“Scott that’s not fair,” Valerie said feeling hurt.

“Technically, we’ve done it twice and you are refusing me that?” Scott said.

“Scott, we’ll talk about this tomorrow,” Valerie said and went to enter the taxi she had called for.

She went to her own apartment to stay. She lived in a studio close to Tyler’s house which was far from her fashion store but since it enabled her to get a ride with her best friend every day, she didn’t care about the distance.

***

*The next day…*

“Let me introduce to you our new director at STE,” Mr. West said.

Mr. West is Mr. Jamal Smith, Justin’s father’s secretary who keeps records and takes note of what happens at the company. He’s also a confidant of Mr. Smith as well.

“This Is Mr. Justin Smith, son of Mr. Jamal smith who is the chairman who this company” Mr. west introduced at the board of directors meeting that morning and everyone greeted the new director of STE. Most of which did it because he was the son of Mr. Smith.

“Let’s work together Mr. Justin,” Mr. West said and showed Justin to his office.

“You’ll get your personal secretary before the end of the day, sir, I hope you don’t mind me calling you Mr. Justin,” Mr. West said.

“It’s okay sir, you can simply call my Justin when we are alone, I understand that you can call me Mr. Smith because you call my dad something similar and you felt I might feel uncomfortable,” Justin said as they entered the big office.

“I just want you to know that what happened before, your dad did it for your safety,” Mr. west said and left the room.

“Oh, yeah right, he did it for me,” Justin mumbled.

He had a pile of paperwork to put together and a lot of other works to sort so he began to sort them out immediately so he could have time to visit his mother.

***

At Valerie’s fashion store…

“So, you are telling me that Scott said all these to you,” Tyler asked.

“Yes, he did, Ty,” Valerie said.

“You see Val, I have no idea why he should be upset that you guys don’t fuck every time,” Tyler said.

“Do you think he’s right?” Valerie asked.

“You stupid or something? It is your body, not his girl, and he’s supposed to understand that he’s not much of a man that he should be. “Tyler said.

“First time you did it with him, Val, he was drunk and that’s how you lost it without your consent forcefully remember?” Tyler said reminding her.

“But he apologized!” Valerie defended.

“I didn’t want to come here so I’m leaving,” Tyler said angrily and was about to walk out but Valerie stopped her.

“Tyler, I understand what you are saying, but why are you on my parents’ side, you should be on my side. Don’t you think?” Valerie said trying to sound convincing.

“See girl, Scott’s a good guy to you and from what I’ve heard from you about him makes him sound like he’s a good guy too but what I’ve also heard him do to you is why I don’t and never liked him and you know that,” Tyler said.

“Scott loves me and he said he was sorry about that first time,” Valerie said.

“But you heard what he said to you yesterday girl, he made it sound like you are the villain not giving him the deal,” Tyler said.

“I might f*ck with every cute man out there but you know I have big standards, you told me to end it with James when he hit me but when I told you to end with Scott after he raped you, you said he apologized and stuck to him like a fly with poop now don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Tyler said and with that, she walked out. Valerie didn’t follow her out any longer. She knew Tyler wanted the best for her and that’s what Tyler says every time they talk about Scott. She always brings up the rape part but Valerie forgave Scott for that because Scott said it was a mistake. 

Exhausted, she slumped on her chair and sighed heavily. Was everyone right about Scott?

***

“Baby, are the kids back from school?” Xavier said as they drove the mall to get some things.

“Yes, why are you asking?” Jojo asked over the phone.

“Well, I’m free this afternoon and I was wondering if we could hang out with them,” Xavier said.

“Okay, let me get them ready then, but are you sure you are not busy,” JoJo asked.

Xavier signaled to Duke to reduce the volume of the radio as his other phone rang.

“Let me call you back Darling,” Xavier said and hung up while picking up the second phone.

“Yes?” He asked and the caller answered immediately.

“There’s trouble sir,” the person said.

“Trouble?” Xavier asked.

“Some files are gone,” the person said.

“What files?” Xavier asked.

“Wait who’s speaking?” Xavier asked again.

“I work in the HR department sir, my name is Harry, and a lot of people are hurt and we’ve sent for an ambulance and called 911 but the files that I submitted for the money being transferred tonight are gone,” Harry, the now identified caller said.

“Harry, right? I’ll be there now,” Xavier said and hung up.

“Turn the car around, we are going back to the office Duke,” Xavier said and the duke did as he was told. Xavier texted Jojo that something came up at work and the outing should be postponed. 

***

“I told you not to shoot anyone,” Scott said.

“I can’t follow your rules, loverboy,” Martin said.

“Why did you shoot?” Scott said pushing him.

“It’s okay guys, don’t fight. We got the file and we know when the money’s arriving, don’t you think we should get ready for that?” Ronnie said.

“Well, tell loverboy here to back off then,” Martin said storming away in a rage.

“We agreed to ‘no shooting’, didn’t we?” Scott said.

“How could he shoot five innocent people?” Scott said.

“Scott, we are thieves, we steal from people, why should you care about their lives?” Ronnie said.

“You steal from them and yet you act like a good guy? Cut the crap man,” Ronnie said and walked away shaking his head.

 This was Scott’s little secret. Scott was amongst the notorious thieves. A gang of many with three leaders - Scott, Martin, and Ronnie. They stole files and knew where money was flowing in from various official deals and contracts, while their gangs went to steal the money. They numbered twelve in total, including the three founders of the group, and they continue to expand day by day. 

Scott is the most well-known and respected since he brings in the most money, the majority of which he learns about via his gorgeous, wealthy girlfriend Valerie. She had no idea that Scott was more than she had ever imagined. 

“Wait up, Ronnie,” Scott said after thinking about what Ronnie said.

He ran after him and gave him a friendly punch.

“You stink man, take a shower and go meet our money-making machine,” Ronnie said as they got back to their hideout.

“You bet man, you bet!” Scott said and went to have his bath so he could go and see Valerie and hear of the news about her brother’s company. Even though he knew the money he stole was too little to make them go bankrupt, it will make them quiver with worry.