20

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

“Sixty two, Sixty three, Sixty four. . . Eighty seven, Eighty eight, Eighty nine, and Ninety.” I heard a man scream from inside when they counted a Ninety dollars. I mean, Ninety thousand dollars. I heard the sound of hands clasping together in a handshake, chuckles and laughter. Who wouldn’t be happy to be counting Ninety thousand dollars? Although, off the top of my head, I knew all that money was not a hundred percent acquired through legal means. Did I say a hundred? I meant one percent. And this was unarguable. Why was I so sure of this? First off, they were a gang. About two cars; a black Audi and an equally black Range Rover rounded the fuel station and parked just outside the store beside the fuel station. A couple of well built men hopped out of the Audi, then from the Range Rover, a man who looked to be in his mid fifties and a younger guy who wasn’t as built as the others but muscular enough to definitely take me on. That said, yes I was

21

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Point of view: Robert JohnsonAfter a very long day at work, I called it a day around 5:30pm in order to have more time to draft the presentation. I had used lunch hour and a few minutes in between work to think over the idea. I really wanted her to see it as worthy, and like she said, pick a thing or two. Or the entire proposed idea. I laughed at the thought. The former would mean a lot to me but it didn’t stop me from working towards the latter. I loved to have an impact wherever I go. It had become a habit, so to say. Whether I would be here for three months, more or less, if I could help Stone’s Industry, why the hell wouldn’t I give it a shot, as always. Something definitely had to waste my time; the frigging subway I had boarded broke down half way through the journey. So, I was stuck on the dark and hot train for over fifteen minutes before maintenance could get it working. It wasn’t all that bad, honestly speaking. I mean some of the p

22

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Theresa stood in front of the Martinsen full length mirror, sizing up the dark blue blazer dress. She was twitching her mouth both ways and shaking her head as she decided against the fourth dress now. She moved over to the bed were she had laid out about six other outfit and picked up the black peplum blouse she intended to match with a black pant suit. It was going to be the first day at Havens Cloud and she wanted to make a good impression; more like blow their minds away with the outfit she would eventually wear. She was going for 'not too much, not too less'. And nothing she had sized up seemed to fit that description perfectly. Or so she thought. She felt a certain relief when she tendered her resignation letter at New Times Daily: practically dancing into the agency and gently slamming her resignation letter on Barris' desk. Not in a million years would he admit this, but he was losing his best P.R.O. and he knew it. She made s

23

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

“Sixty two, Sixty three, Sixty four. . . Eighty seven, Eighty eight, Eighty nine, and Ninety.” I heard a man scream from inside when they counted a Ninety dollars. I mean, Ninety thousand dollars. I heard the sound of hands clasping together in a handshake, chuckles and laughter. Who wouldn’t be happy to be counting Ninety thousand dollars? Although, off the top of my head, I knew all that money was not a hundred percent acquired through legal means. Did I say a hundred? I meant one percent. And this was unarguable. Why was I so sure of this? First off, they were a gang. About two cars; a black Audi and an equally black Range Rover rounded the fuel station and parked just outside the store beside the fuel station. A couple of well built men hopped out of the Audi, then from the Range Rover, a man who looked to be in his mid fifties and a younger guy who wasn’t as built as the others but muscular enough to definitely take me on. That said, yes I was

24

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

A race? Win a race? I came last when I did a relay at my high school. Though I wouldn’t fault me; I was paired with turtles in a human form.“I bet a lot on this race. I still think it was stupid. But ego, frustration and desperation together can make you do stupid things. Don’t you think Jack?”I rubbed my sore wrists. “It’s James.” And yes, desperation makes people do stupid things. I was such a perfect example at the moment. “Ahh James. Cutter is it?”At least he got my surname right. I nodded.“Don McGowan.” He extended his arms.Considering he just threatened to take out my eye balls if I don’t win whatever this race is, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable with this introduction. Though I placed my hands in his and we shook briefly.On the other hand, the name sounded very familiar. I wondered where I had heard it before. “About this race. .

25

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Point of view: Robert JohnsonAfter a very long day at work, I called it a day around 5:30pm in order to have more time to draft the presentation. I had used lunch hour and a few minutes in between work to think over the idea. I really wanted her to see it as worthy, and like she said, pick a thing or two. Or the entire proposed idea. I laughed at the thought. The former would mean a lot to me but it didn’t stop me from working towards the latter. I loved to have an impact wherever I go. It had become a habit, so to say. Whether I would be here for three months, more or less, if I could help Stone’s Industry, why the hell wouldn’t I give it a shot, as always. Something definitely had to waste my time; the frigging subway I had boarded broke down half way through the journey. So, I was stuck on the dark and hot train for over fifteen minutes before maintenance could get it working. It wasn’t all that bad, honestly speaking. I mean some of the p

26

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

A race? Win a race? I came last when I did a relay at my high school. Though I wouldn’t fault me; I was paired with turtles in a human form.“I bet a lot on this race. I still think it was stupid. But ego, frustration and desperation together can make you do stupid things. Don’t you think Jack?”I rubbed my sore wrists. “It’s James.” And yes, desperation makes people do stupid things. I was such a perfect example at the moment. “Ahh James. Cutter is it?”At least he got my surname right. I nodded.“Don McGowan.” He extended his arms.Considering he just threatened to take out my eye balls if I don’t win whatever this race is, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable with this introduction. Though I placed my hands in his and we shook briefly.On the other hand, the name sounded very familiar. I wondered where I had heard it before. “About this race. .

27

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Point of View — Robert Johnson.The name resonated so well with me, not because he was going to be my supposed boss, but strictly because he had made it as clear as mud, on not one but multiple occasions that his daughter is and will never be with a “low life” like me. It was one thing that he knew an interest, from my end had sufficed for his daughter. And it was another thing entirely that I had pursued that interest and dare I say, I had won her over.How did I not know that I was applying for a job to a media agency owned by him? No. Of course I didn’t. I would stay as far away from him as possible considering he had only to snap his finger and my entire life could go down the drain. Was it bizarre that I wanted to be like that? To snap my fingers and command circumstance? Effect changes? Control associations? Okay, not the last one. I could never. But still, it’ll be nice to know I could. Back to the job situation, I had looked

28

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Point of view — Robert JohnsonI huffed out after Mr. Jill’s angry stomp away. He was to going to be even angrier when I have to bargain with him on Thursday, to extend the deadline. I didn’t think it was going to be a problem because, well, it was never. So, I waved off his threats. It was nothing new. I took the remaining stairs to the seventh floor, lucky me. For the past week or so, the elevators has been out of order. Heaven knows what went wrong with it, but something did and it had suddenly stopped functioning. A lot of people has been on the management to fix it but nothing. Some of us, especially the occupants of the first few floors, had taken the piss and gotten used to making that walk through the staircase everyday. But for those whose apartment was situated on the tenth floor, thirteenth floor, they were never going to stop complaining, rightly so. As I approached the last stairs, I noticed Samantha, the daughter of a couple

29

Wrenched/Daniella Nduka

Point of view — Robert JohnsonThat explained everything. It was not a mistake after all. It was James who. . . somehow, managed to get us an invite to the Writhe of Writers Awards show. It was beyond elating to know that I would be in the same room with the biggest writers and Publicists in the city, and states beyond. And of course if we want to fit in, we must also look the part. Which would mean getting a new suit for the occasion. I had only two suits and they were both something in between raggedy and well enough; those weren’t good enough for the award showI sighed. As James would say, “a small price to pay for salvation.” I made a mental note to contact the seamstress in the weekend. But for now, I had to get ready for the first day at my new job. First official day, I mean. Other than the very unnecessary physical interview and the tour around the office, I had very little work to do yesterday. And that work was only to make copies of docu

All Chapters of Wrenched: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

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