Racheal stood outside the hospital much later as she watched a sleeping Skylar being wheeled into a waiting ambulance. She was being transferred to a rehabilitation center just outside the capital.She slipped her hand in Steffan’s who was staring at the ambulance as the lights blinked in the night. They watched the ambulance drive off.“Let’s go home.” He said, gripping her hand more firmly. No one knew where Hamza was. She should have asked Skylar when she was still in her good moments.They climbed into the car and drove in silence. Racheal feared the protesters may still be outside, but when they drew close to the villa gates, she saw it was empty.She sighed in relief, thinking about how best to get out of this mess. She was still not sure she fully understood it. With all the troubles lately, she had not had time to. She glanced at Steffan, he was lost in his own thoughts and staring out of the window. As the car stopped outside their house, he slipped his hand out of he
All Racheal’s efforts to get an audience with the president the next day proved abortive. She went to the office, although she had not planned to work that day. His P.A said unless she was invited, she would need to make an appointment to see him. When she asked to make an appointment, she was told the next open spot was eight months away. She was left speechless. This was her father-in-law. She could discuss this with him over breakfast if she had not stopped the breakfast ritual with them. She decided to wait till evening and see if she could get him home. But all three times she went there, he was not home.Danna Sherrod saw her as she turned to leave the third time.“Racheal.” She was no longer the angry woman from yesterday. Racheal stopped and bowed to the woman.“I was here to speak with the president.”“Oh. About the children.”“Yes. I would like a press conference to say that it was never my intention. And I need him to approve my request to scrap the plan.”“That wil
Racheal found a way to remain calm throughout that night and the next morning. Asad Achillie cannot be hanged for something so minor, right? Since she had not sent it to her father, it was not in the enemy’s grasp. He could honestly say the permit was not with the country’s enemies.On the other hand, she felt relieved that the man had not mentioned her name, just like she gambled on. Such a proud and honorable man would rather die than admit he was in the house of Yin’s most popular mistress, that he had lost such an important document in a mistress’s house.“Are you OK?” Steffan asked.They were walking down the stairs, he in boxing gear, she in a casual blue milkmaid dress. She clutched the Burr-basket she had made for Skylar in her hand.“Yes.” She smiled tightly at him.“If you are worried about the protesters, that is being handled. Father said we can have the press conference as soon as we get back.She nodded, not really hearing him. How would she solve the issue of Asad
Racheal ran fast, all her years of having kept fit paying off.But she was beginning to feel dizzy again. No one in the streets helped, they looked at her, looked at the men chasing her and their eyes widened in fear, and they too ran off.If this was her karma, it came very quickly. She glanced back, the crowd chasing her had grown. They looked excited. A greater fear seized her. She knew it would be over if these people ever got her. Everyone in the country knew her, and were all currently angry with her. It was not every day they saw her alone, and unprotected. The sun had set and night was falling. She did not look at the road before she ran across it and ducked into a train station. There she paused for a few seconds to catch her breath. Everyone turned to look at her wide-eyed. Then she saw the dawn of recognition in their eyes.“Racheal Sherrod!” One person screamed.She turned, and ran fast. She glanced behind as she ran, and saw the mob who had been chasing her earlie
Steffan hurried in after Racheal.“I will not be able to live with the guilt if that boy dies.” She said, as she watched them wheel him into the emergency ward.“This is one of the best hospitals,” Steffan said simply, giving her space. He was watching her. She caught her reflection on the glass door behind, and saw she looked like she had been through a tornado. Her dress was ripped in many places and filthy. Her hair was a mangled gold mess.She looked away. She couldn't care less how she looked now. She was just glad she was not physically hurt. But she wanted that boy to be fine too. He had saved her. “Come sit.” Steffan’s voice was soft, but she heard the faint order in it. He did not want her arguing. She went to sit on one of the benches, and looked around. There were so many security men everywhere, in the hall, and even outside.She was currently outside the capital, in a nearby state. The capital did not have room to build a big rehab like the one Skylar had been co
Steffan took the dress from Justin, and asked him to arrange for a private ward. The couple walked into this private ward, and Steffan began to swipe through his phone. “Your father would be very mad,” Racheal said. “He will.” “You are defying him.” “I am.” She exhaled in frustration. What did Steffan have on his father? What did Spencer Sherrod owe him? Why were both his parents scared of him in some way? She understood he was wealthy, and with that kind of wealth came so much power. But Spencer was not poor either, and he was the f*cking president. How come his son continued to defy him like this without any consequences? She knew it could not be fatherly love that was making him not push back. He had not cared about fatherly love when he pushed Skylar out in marriage, his favourite child. “When you are ready, hit the red button, and you will be live.” Steffan said, handing his phone to her. He walked to the door, and turned the lock. She sighed, hesitating. “Ra
When Racheal woke up the next morning, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Steffan was not in bed beside her.She slowly rolled out of bed, her body ached from all that running and struggling yesterday.She checked the bathroom. He was not in there. She rinsed her face and mouth, and stepped out.“Steffan.” She called.He walked in as if on cue. She saw he was holding her purse. “Where did you find this?” She asked, looking up at him. He was fully dressed, and not in a casual outfit for a Sunday, but in a shirt and a pair of dress pants."Good morning to you too.” He said, and kissed her forehead. She blushed.“Sorry. Where did you find this?”“One of the guards picked it up, apparently you dropped it in front of the rehab building before you ran for the hills.” He said, sitting on the bed. She giggled and took the bag from him, searching inside. She found her phone, and a box of the wristwatch she had made, and planned to give him on their trip yesterday.She looked at hi
Racheal hurried out of the shower and ransacked the closet for a suitable dress.“Will journalists be there?” She asked.“I think so, it is an official visit, however impromptu.” Steffan appeared at the closet door, watching her.“Steffan.” She grumbled. “You could have told me earlier. There was enough time to get ready.”“You know, when you call my name like that..” He said.She gave him a look, and he laughed. “They can wait. I would have them wait hours to meet you if I had to.”“You are testing the boundaries with your father.” She said, finally picking out a beautiful off-white suit dress, with short pleats at the hem.“You know how I love testing boundaries.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek as she walked past him. She frowned, and he laughed. He seemed in a very good mood. Was it the watch, or had he found Zuri?“You are not being helpful. I have already wasted three minutes of the ten.” She said.“I will call your maids.”***With Leah and Luna’s help, she managed to get re