THE BLACK MARRIAGE
©Ralph Angel
EPISODE 30
He wished he had not relieved the driver, he would have sent him to get the food while he held Jessica as she slept. He thought of how small she looked as she slept; she looked like a little girl who was afraid of a stormy rain. After he got the food, he got back into the car and drove home. He locked up the doors and went inside the room but received a very big shock when he found the bed empty.
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Sonia left the podium, feeling very low. She had just acted a script for personal benefit at the expense of her friend’s happiness. Sonia had always been jealous of Jessica’s pronounced beauty even though the person in question seemed not to notice it but instead, tried in vain to look unattractive. She started wearing various flashy clothes just to feel more beautiful whenever Jessica was around and her job at the bank enhanced it but Jessica never even noticed this act, no one did because Sonia was very discrete.
Her jealousy had turned to envy when Jessica announced that she would be getting married to the richest bachelor in the country. Why couldn’t it be her? Why was it always Jessica? All this questions had clung to her subconscious.
Sonia noticed that Lizzy was becoming closer to Jessie than she was and she became suspicious then one day, she got the golden ticket when she eavesdropped on their conversation and heard them talking about a contract. All that came to Sonia’s mind then had been to snatch Andy by seducing him but when she found out that he was loyal to Jessica and even seemed to have feelings for her, she became confused but the answer came looking for her.
“Sir” she called when she sighted Mr. Williams. “My job is done and your son is not involved, he appeared to be the victim of the whole scheme”.
“Yes, good job” Mr. Williams said dryly.
Sonia canceled the irritation she felt at the nonchalant dismissal. “Sir, if you would give me my due, I would be on my way”.
The elderly man faced her slowly. “You said that lady is your friend. Don’t you feel guilty for what you did to her?”
Sonia was thrown off balance by the question but after thinking about it she decided. “No. I am doing the right thing. What they both did is wrong. No one should get married for money. She got what she called for”
Sonia remembered how stunning and sophisticated Jessica had looked when she arrived at the party. She looked perfect and everyone’s eyes, especially the men had followed her around. He could almost feel the jealousy in their eyes as well as the desire to be in Andy’s position. The ladies had also admired her beauty and coveted it.
Sonia remembered the golden costume jewelries that Jessica wore and anger clouded her senses. She had no doubt that the jewelries would cost a fortune.
Mr. Williams looked at the woman in front of him and shook his head in disgust. “You are the worst friend a human being can have, it would be better to be friends with the devil himself.” The words stung Sonia painfully. He withdrew a check of 10 million Naira and gave her. “I don’t want to set my eyes on you again”. He turned and walked away.
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“Jessica” he called out with his heart p******g but did not hear any response. Alarm bells rang in his head and he flung the package he was holding, not caring where it landed. “Jess” he called louder. He checked the toilet and every corner of the room but did not find her.
He started searching everywhere in the house, yelling ‘Jessica’ but he got no response. He hurriedly unlocked the door and went to his gateman.
“Did Jessica leave the house?”
“Yes, oga. She just commot, she no tell me anything”
“Oh my God” He groaned. “Why did you not stop her? What is happening for Christ’s sake?”
“Oga, abeg no vex”
“Shut up and open the bloody gate.” Andy yelled. The young man spun into action.
Andy jumped into his car and drove out with his blood boiling. He started driving and searching for Jessica. He crosschecked everyone twice even though he knew he would identify Jessie immediately he sighted her. After more than thirty minutes of fruitless search, Andy had to confront the fact that Jessica was nowhere to be found…..
To be continued…
