THE HEART OF A WOMAN = EPISODE 11
Stella’s story continues*
I tried picking up myself but just couldn’t. My left arm hurt badly, gushing out bl0*d like a burst oil pipeline. Two agents quickly rushed to my side, held and examined me.
“relax, it’s just a flesh wound. The bullet went through your arm. You are really a lucky woman” one of them said with a smile, but i couldn’t say anything nor even get a grip of myself.
I was very dizzy and down, equally finding it hard to breathe properly.
The rest of the agents soon came out with Kelvin and two men who were handcuffed like criminals. I tried thanking the agents, but was unable to say anything, instead closed my eyes as the pain got more terrible.
My arm was quickly bandaged by Lydia’s cousin who begged me to relax before i was helped to the second vehicle.
“you have nothing to worry. I have things under control. I’ll have a little chat with Kelvin. The police will be here any moment” he assured me before i was taken out of the scene to a private hospital down in Abuja.
I really can’t tell what transpired between the agents, kelvin and the other criminals who were arrested, but later in the day when the first agent showed up at the hospital with Lydia, Chika, Kelvin and Lilian. I learnt that Gutso didn’t survive the shootout, which meant he died with our secret. A very welcomed development.
Surprisingly, Lilian {Kelvin’s colleague} was very touched to see me bandaged and helpless. She sat by my side and cried softly, shocking me with her action and leaving me to wonder what she was told.
“when i called to tell you that Kelvin was Kidnapped, i never imagined you were going to risk your life trying to save him. You went too far. All the same thank you” she sobbed, while i speechlessly stared at her. I couldn’t say anything because i didn’t know what she was told.
“please can you guys give Stella and I a moment to talk?” kelvin begged minutes later, his eyes searching me curiously. I nodded in agreement, everyone obeyed and quickly left us alone.
I stared at him curiously, my heart p******g furiously. I couldn’t imagine what he planned saying to me. He came forward and breathed deeply.
“I had a long talk with the federal agent. He’s a good guy” he said and sat beside me.
“i’m sorry for hurting you. I take responsibility for everything that has happened. Let it be our secret. We have to move on and forget the past. You helped become successful, that i can never deny, but don’t take it away from me. Judgement is for God, let’s leave everything to him please. Nothing will stop me from moving on. I’m going to marry Lilian and i pray you let me be from now on. I’ll say nothing about the kidnap nor say anything bad about you. Concerning the money i owe you, i’m still going to pay back every dime. Please” he begged and kissed my forehead, tears fell from my eyes.
“You never loved me Kelvin. But it’s well, go in peace. You are free” i said faintly. He breathed deeply and smiled.
“Thank you for freeing me” he murmured joyfully, while i swallowed hard with regret.
I ended up spending good money for a revenge i couldn’t finish, helpless on a hospital bed for being so stupid. I felt bitter about it all. Unsatisfied but relieved.
I spent few days at the hospital before returning to my house. The few days i spent there however brought many surprises, most especially from Lydia’s cousin {the agent} who made it a point of duty to check on me every morning and evening.
Of course i was surprised at his growing concern towards me, but accepted it with happiness. I needed all the love i could get to forget Kelvin and luckily he proved capable of filling the gap.
Nevertheless I liked him a lot and which woman wouldn’t, after such act of bravery and sacrifices he made for me.
Truly I respected and adorned him but never attached romantic feelings to it, because i felt his concern towards me was just nothing but a friendship gesture from a gentleman of honour. Did i say gentleman of honour? Hmmm, yea i did.
My friends equally weren’t blind to the way he treated me. In fact Lydia went far by revealing something that rose my bl0*d pressure with excitement.
“hmmm my cousin is in love with you, oh and it’s such a good thing. It’s time he gets married. He’s getting too old for my liking” she whispered to me with a friendly smile, leaving me shaking my head with doubt.
“Can a man fall in love with a crooked, spoilt, egocentric lady like me?” I wondered.
“can a man who knew my terrible secrets fall genuinely in love me?” i asked myself over and over.
Surely love is a beautiful thing, but after the Kelvin saga i resigned myself to living like a man. I promised never to hope on any man, but instead build my future as a powerful lady enviable by all men. But Lydia’s revelation brought back the woman in me. The heart of a woman.
______
“you know you hardly call me by name. I prefer answering Julius than that formal title you always address me with” he {the good young agent} said to me as i was discharged from the hospital. I blushed like a little girl while Lydia and Chika laughed.
Returning home after the worst moment of my life was a dream come true. My friends threw a lavish party for me as if we were still teenagers. A ceremony that cheered me up a great deal.
Julius was equally present at the occasion. He kept following me with his eyes until he got a little chance to talk to me privately.
“Hey can we go to the backyard?” he asked calmly, surprising me with such a question.
“Sure of course” i nodded politely, held his hand and led him to the back of my compound, which really was wonderfully lit with colourful energy lamps.
The scenery was just beautiful and calm for two people to whisper together without any interruption.
“hmmm such a beautiful castle for a beautiful woman” he murmured, stopped, faced me and stared into my eyes. I nervously stared back at him. My heart throbbed wildly, eager to hear what he wanted to say.
It felt so good being out all alone with him. I felt so different, so humble and loyal. I was conquered by his spell.
