LEGALIZED
#EPISODETHREE
His house looked five years older.
It was not even repainted.
Typical of Gretta, his house manager.
Gretta was his friend turned secret admirer who had developed the art gallery alongside him and helped him manage it while he was away.
She screamed immediately she sighted him and rushed to hug him.
He frowned slightly. โYou did not keep it in mind that today was the day of my release?โ.
She smiled. โI thought it was tomorrow. I am sorryโ.
He squeezed at her cheek. โThanks for the meal you were bringing to me while I was in prison. I wonโt forget the kind gestureโ.
โThat was the least that I could do, Tony. Happy birthday to youโ.
He gasped. That day was actually his birthday and he had completely forgotten about it.
โDo you remember Clara Thompson?โ. Gretta asked him with a soft glint in her eyes.
โYes, what about her?โ. He asked impatiently in an unfriendly tone.
โShe has a birthday gift for youโ.
He fumed. โI donโt need any birthday gift from Clara Thompsonโ. He snarled.
โOf course you will need this oneโ. She smiled softly towards the door to the house.
Someone walked out of that door.
It was his supposedly crippled sister.
His crippled sister whom he had spent millions on her surgery in different hospitals in and out of Nigeria but none of the surgeries made her walk without a promise to amputate her legs and give her plastic legs.
But before his eyes that moment, his sister was walking.
He rushed towards her and touched her legs. It was her real legs, not plastic legs.
Tears filled his eyes. โGrace, how come you are walking? But the doctors said you would never be able to walk without getting your legs amputated. So, how come?โ.
โClara searched for doctor Pool who once worked at the ruptured and crippled hospital. Only Clara found out that he was still alive. For five months, he single-handedly performed on my legs and just like a miracle, I could feel my full weight on the floor without staggeringโ. She gave him a card. โCan you read this?โ.
He sobbed as he opened the card
It readโฆโTony, do you remember when you told me at the front of my house gate that your biggest wish was to see your sister walking? All my birthdays, I prayed that I will give you the greatest gift that you have ever received. Guess what? I met doctor Pool who had operated on William Coley. Happy birthday, Tony. I love you so muchโ. From Clara Thompson.
The chairman of Jordon soaps and cream was launching his new fishery project and Clara Thompson and her family were invited.
She walked elegantly into her fatherโs limousine and watched the driver drive them off to their destination.
Smith Thompson smiled at his daughter. โThe first son of the chairman of Jordon soaps and cream will be arriving from Hong Kong today. I will showcase my beautiful elegant princess to himโ.
โOur princess is not interested in any form of matchmaking. You matchmaked for her elder brother. You wouldnโt do that with herโ. Her mother defended her in her usual courageous voice.
Smith scoffed. โI heard that golddigger is out of jail. Hope you donโt have any mind of going back to him because he will never even forgive you for what you did to himโ.
โWhomever I love or choose is not your business father!โ. She cried out.
โOf course it is my business! Till now, I still wonder what you used my two hundred million naira for and since you have not given any explanation for what you used that money to do, I know it is because of that golddigger!โ. He snarled.
โโฆand I told you that I will repay you!!!โ.
โThe only way you can repay me is by not choosing a lowlife!!!โ.
โTony was like a son to you, stop calling him a lowlife!!!โ.
โI have only one son in this world and his name is Brian Thompson!!!โ.
Clara Thompson stood in her corner and observed the glamorous celebration.
She sipped wine and watched her parents exchange pleasantries while she remained on that spot, thinking about Anthony Francis.
Will he hate her more once he discover that she had spent her fatherโs two hundred million naira on his sisterโs surgery?
She could give her life just to put a smile on his face.
Againโฆ
โDo you care for more wine?โ.
She was cut out of her thoughts by the waiter who was leaning towards her, holding out a tray.
She smiled softly and nodded as she watched him fill her cup with more red wine.
She gasped immediately she recognized him.
The person dressed as the waiter that just served her wine was Anthony Francis.
โTonyโฆโ. She whispered in shock.
โThank you so much for saving my sister. Thank you so muchโ.
She coughed uneasily. โI am sorry for denying you five years agoโ.
โYour father was your blood. It would have been a tough decision for me too if I were to choose between you and my sisterโ.
Immediately they noticed that her parents were heading towards her way with Jordons family, he sneaked into the crowd with his tray.
She tried to comport herself as they approached her.
She observed the first son of Jordon CEO.
โGuess what, Clara!Jordonโs son is also a medical doctorโ.
Clara feigned interest as she shook hands with the handsome young man. โIt is a pleasure knowing that I have finally met someone that is of the same field with meโ.
โHi, I am Joshua and i must say that you are so beautifulโ. He expressed heartily.
They broke into laughter.
The courageous young man turned to his father. โIs Clara Thompson engaged to anyone? Five years ago when I watched her defend her father in the court room, I told myself that I will return to Nigeria to find her and take her back with meโ.
#fromyourfastfingers
Onyekachi Ikeh.
