“Like hell, you will. I’m not going to be merciful if you come any closer.”
They circled me like vultures would a carcass before diving in for the feast. The one who had been at the rear seat reached for me, and without thinking, I used the heel of my shoe on him.
An offensive cry erupted from him, and I quickly bolted out of there before the other two men realised what had happened.
I ran like I had never run before. If those men caught up with me, I would be in serious trouble. I ran until I could no longer hear the pounding footsteps behind me. Although I suspected my rapidly beating heart made me partially deaf. All I could hear was the thumping sound hot in my ears.
The nearest house was almost in sight and hope soared in my heart. Fireworks erupted from the house, and the sky was filled with beautiful twinkling lights of red and gold and blue. I slowed down my pace, and the very next second, I was knocked down from behind. My forehead hit a rock. Thick, warm blood oozed out of the gash a little way above my right eyelet and trickled down my face. I kicked and clawed as one of the men forcefully turned me around.
“You bitch!”
“Let me go!” I screamed. “Let me go!”
But they were deaf to my words. The other man held me down. I fought back with all of my strength.
“Stay down, bitch,” the man bawled. “You are going to pay for what you did to Matthias.”
“Let me go!”
His gigantic hand fell across my face, and a sharp sting followed.
“This bitch has guts,” the man behind the wheels said as he groped up my dress like an animal.
“Stop! Stop!”
The one called Matthias soon came around. He came straight at me and began kicking with brutal force.
I curled into a foetal position, a stabbing pain forming around my stomach. I was on the verge of losing my grip on reality. The blood flowed freely from my head, making me dizzy.
The driver pulled me up and tried to force his tongue down my throat.
I jerked back and bit off his ear. I was not going to relax and be raped by a bunch of animals.
He yelled out in pain as he held on to his bleeding ear. Shouting, he stared at me, madness in his eyes.
An unbearable pain ripped my right shoulder where he had successfully dug in his penknife. I stared at the small object stuck to me and wondered how such a little thing could inflict that much pain. My last ounce of willpower had been sucked out of me. There was no use fighting. I stopped fighting and resigned to my fate.
“Who’s there?” Matthias asked.
The driver stopped tearing at my dress, and he too focused on the darkness.
“What is it?”
“I thought I heard something.”
“It’s nothing.”
The blood had covered my eyes so much I could barely see. I was unable to move and quite sure some of my ribs were broken.
“Who’s there?”
“There’s nothing there, Mathias,” was the last thing he said before the blood-curdling screams followed. It was difficult to see anything behind a curtain of blood and darkness. All I could hear was the shuffling of feet and someone saying “I’m not afraid of you.”
There was another blood-curdling scream and then total silence. My eyes were forced out of fear to adjust to the darkness as I watched the colourful sprays of the fireworks exploding in the sky. Nothing could be done about my slipping away into oblivion. I saw a streak of something silver and heard growling like the sound a lion or tiger would make.
Then a familiar voice said, “You'll be alright, I promise.”
The last things I saw were blue eyes before I fell unconscious.
Chapter 4
I was greeted by a sweet smell when I opened my eyes. Lavender or chamomile, I assumed. My surrounding was distinctively unfamiliar. The lights on the walls shone brightly, but I was sure it was daylight outside as rays of the sun tried to seep in through the thick lengthy curtains. The room was almost as big as my living room and bedroom combined. A walk-in closet with a glass door stood to my right.
The adjacent wall held a painting of blossoming amaryllis. I still did not know where I was. As if on cue, the events of the previous night came pouring in. I pulled the blanket off me hurriedly and searched my shoulder. There was no scar there, no indication I had ever been stabbed. I traced my finger across my brow, and there was no sign of a wound. The chalky silk night dress I was wearing was unrecognisable to me.
What happened? Why was I here?
My gaze went to the door and met a man standing there in the shadows.
“Oh my god! You scared me!”
“I am sorry,” he replied and moved into the light. He was skinny but had a small rounded stomach protruding from his knitted sweater. His features were rough and sketchy on his creamy white complexion. His mouth was etched in a grimace as he looked at me. His scattered beard on his pimpled face reminded me of one of the orderlies in the hospital, only this man was quite older.
“Where am I?”
There was no answer from him. He pushed a button at the top of a switch and spoke into it. “Sir, your guest is awake.”
“I’ll be right there,” came a reply from the hidden speakers. It sounded a lot like Aiden Essien's voice.
“He’ll be with you shortly.”
“What happ…”
He was already gone before I could finish my question. I waited patiently for his boss to show up. I had a lot of questions, and I needed answers. He came in sporting an ash-coloured sweater and white cotton trousers. His hair was a delightful mess.
“Simi,” he said, almost affectionately.
“Mr Essien,” I said, pulling up the blanket.
“Call me, Aiden.”
“Sure, Aiden, what am I doing here?”
“You were unconscious, so we brought you here.”
“Who are we?”
“That would be the angry-looking fellow you just met and me.”
“Who’s he?”
“His name is Henry Asyl. He's my assistant of sorts. He helps me out with things. Don’t mind his serious demeanour.”
“Fine. What day is it?”
“It’s Christmas day. You’ve been asleep for a while.”
“How’s that possible? What happened? Last night I …”
Aiden came to my side and sat down. I edged away slightly.
My action brought a painful expression to his face.
His brows arched as he said, “you must be starving. You need to have something nice and warm in you. I already told Edna to get brunch ready by the pool on the terrace. Edna is my housekeeper in case you’re wondering, and she’s the same one who took care of your clothes.”
“I’m not hungry,” I replied with childish defiance. A rumble exploded from the direction of my stomach loud enough for him to hear.
“Obviously not. You have to eat.”
I wanted answers to the numerous questions popping up in my head. Each more confusing than the next.
“Can you walk?” he inquired trying to find my legs hidden under the warm comfy blanket.
“Of course.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, they are my legs, aren’t they?”
When I tried to get up, I only succeeded in falling back on the bed. I had imagined I would be able to stand due to the amount of energy I had felt when I woke up. Damn. I stared at him shamefaced.
“I think you should eat in bed. You need to rest.”
“I don’t want to eat in here. I’d like to have some God-given air.”
“Alright,” Aiden spoke as if he expected nothing less from me.
He stood up and faced me, arms outstretched.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you outside,” he said and immediately scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing.
I could not protest with those strong arms around me. He carried me out the door and up a staircase into a living room with wallpaper that ch
anged regularly. The hall extended into the terrace which overlooked the mountainous region of Orient city. Green tropical rainforest filled the surrounding hills.
Aiden set me down gently on a chair beside the table where the food was set. Everything looked and smelled so good.
“Thank you.”
“Coffee or tea?” he asked.
“Tea. I don’t take coffee.”
“Neither do I,” he said, pouring the hot beverage from the teapot into a smaller cup.
He handed the cup to me and sat down in front of me before moving the sugar and milk in my direction.
"Do you have honey?"
He moved another jar toward me.
After adding a copious amount of honey, I took several sips from the cup and caught Aiden staring.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No.”
“Aren’t you eating?” I asked.
With his eyes still on mine, he picked a piece of star-shaped bread and took a bite. If that did not look like the single sexiest thing in the world, I did not know what did.
“Your friend came back to get her car. Nadia, is it not?” he asked, removing the lid to a dish to reveal a well-prepared omelette. He poured himself some tea.
“Yes, Nadia.”
“She did not look so good.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She kept muttering in low tones that she had a hangover.”
“That’s her. Did she come alone?”
“Yes.”
My thoughts exactly.
“You’re not eating,” Aiden said.
“Sorry.”
I quickly reached for more toast, wondering why I apologised.
“Eat a lot,” he encouraged me by pushing the butter in my direction. "You need your strength back."
“What happened last night?”
He avoided my eyes, pouring his attention to the butter.
“Aiden?”
“We found you by the roadside and brought you here. I told you this. The doctor said you were dehydrated and tired.”
“I was not. Something else happened out there.” I pointed out into the horizon.
“Nothing else did I assure you. You walked a long way and must have been too tired.”
He stopped avoiding my eyes and stared right back. He sipped his tea, leaning back on the chair. He hid his emotions so goddamn well I could not read him. I was sure something had happened.
“No!” I hit the table with my palm, spilling my tea in the process. “I was attacked by some godforsaken men.”
I looked down on my shoulder. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary there.
“And you were there. Or I think you were,” I said those last words slowly and quietly. “Someone or something else came along and helped me. Something.” I realised how crazy I sounded.
“It was by chance we found you. You were unconscious, and your shoes were missing. No one else was there. We brought you here and called a doctor.”
“I don’t believe you. I mean, I couldn’t have dreamed of being attacked and stabbed. The pain was real. I could swear I hit my head and was stabbed.”
I was really beginning to sound like a lunatic. Maybe it was time to dial down the vehement protests.
“It could all be a dream, Simi.”
“It’s not. I’m not crazy.”
“I know you’re not.”
“It was not a dream.”
I wasn't giving up anytime soon. I tried to recall the events of the previous night. Nothing changed. Those blue eyes I saw put my investigation in a tight spot.
“Your sister has been calling all morning. I told her you’d call her when you woke up,” Aiden said, obviously trying to change the subject.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought it wise not to disturb you.”
“I have to call her.”
“Are you satisfied? Do you want anything else?” Aiden inquired.
I stared back at the unfinished piece of toast in front of me.
“No, thank you. If you’d be kind as to take me back to my room I would be most grateful,” I told him not even trying to check if I had regained use of my legs. He obliged my request, and in no time, I was back on the comfortable bed.
“Get some rest, Simi. I’ll be back to see if you’re better.”
His voice regained that warmth I had noticed before.
“I still have to call my sister. I’ll need my phone,” I said realising I had forgotten about my reason for being back inside.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve had her number put into the house phonebook.”
“What?”
He spoke into the surrounding, “call Ava.”
He shut the door behind me. The sound of my sister’s caller tune startled me.
“Oh.” I gasped and smiled at my silly reaction.
“Hello,” Ava’s voice came from the hidden speakers.
“Mrs Eneje, Merry Christmas.”
“Simi, is that you?”
“Yes.”
“Merry Christmas dear, wait let me put you on speaker phone.”
There was a click, and soon, the voice of the twins came up.
“Is it true? Are you really at Aiden Essien’s house? Are you?”
“Won’t you say hi to your aunt before you bombard her with questions?” Their mother reproached them. I pictured their excited faces and smiled.
“Merry Christmas, Aunt Simi!” The twins chorused.
“Merry Christmas.”
“So is it true?” My sister asked.
There was a brief silence. I could feel them waiting eagerly for my response.
“Yes, who told you?”
“He called us to tell us you were with him. I did not believe him, so I had Jephery have a video chat with him. You must be thanking your luck the food you ate at the party gave you food poisoning.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your food poisoning. And Aiden, oh he was so polite and humble, was so sorry about the whole incident. He didn’t know the food was bad.”
I guessed it was the story he had told them to keep them from worrying.
“Aunt Simi,” one of the twins began, “when you get married to Aiden Essien, can Lisa and I come live with you? Pretty please.”
“No one’s marrying anyone,” their mother said with a stern voice.
“It sure would be nice if we had a billionaire for an uncle and a cute billionaire uncle at that.”
“Mona!” Ava’s voice came out harsh.
“Mrs Eneje, stop the yelling. Kids will be kids. Mona, I barely know this man. I’m his guest because I’m too sick to come home.”
Lisa asked, “When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow. And don’t worry. I’ll bring your presents along.”
“Thanks, Aunt Simi,” came another chorus.
“Where’s your hubby?” I asked, remembering the gang was missing a male voice.
“He’s out with one of his friends, you know Alex, right?”
“Yes, the one with six fingers.” I could my sister frowning when I chuckled.
“Is that all you remember of him? He’s handsome and wealthy. And you know he’s had his eyes on you for quite some time.”
“But not as handsome and not as wealthy as Aiden Essien!”
“Mona leave here!” my sister screamed.
I laughed out loud and almost fell out of the bed.
“Simi, you have to give love a chance.”
“I’ve heard you.”
“I know you when you say that it usually means the opposite.”
“I’ve heard you,” I repeated.
“You have to see grandpa tomorrow. He’s really missed you.”
“I will. Send my greetings to your hubby.”
“For sure.”
The click sound from the other end terminated the call. I looked down on the blanket and made a mental note to pay my grandfather a visit. Then I tried to piece together the e
vents of the last 48 hours and came up short. Why would Aiden lie to me? Where did my injuries go?
Several hours later, I awoke from a long nap and felt revitalised. I tried using my legs and found out they were working, but I still felt weak. Walking over to the curtains, I slid them open to find the sun gradually sinking into the sky. I moved away from the window and walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind me.
The wide corridor seemed unending. I took to my left and followed it until I came to a room whose door was half open. The room had a dome-shaped ceiling from which hung bright yellow teardrop pendant lights. It also had an artificial fireplace where the fire danced about. Above the fireplace was a large painting facing the magnificent king sized bed with cream pillows and a brown duvet. I was drawn to it and nearly entered the room but had to step back when Aiden walked to the bed and laid out a white shirt. The only item of clothing on him was a velvet slack which slid down his inguinal crease.
Looking that fine was wrong. Just so wrong. Aiden glanced at the door, but I was faster. I made for the stairs.
No one saw me thank heavens, but the front door opened to reveal a man, probably in his early twenties. He was lanky and of average height. Nothing about his physical features made sense. His eyes were too narrow for his broad forehead, and his head was oval with ears like elves.
“Hello. Good evening.” He grinned as if just being in my presence made his life better.
He held out his hand, which I took. His flat hand surprisingly had a firm grip.
“Mrs Essien?”
“No.”
“Fiancée? Girlfriend?”
“No relation, just a guest.”
“Oh.” He seemed disappointed. “Is Mr Aiden around? I was asked by him to bring these over.”
He showed me a black file.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Lawal, Seyi Lawal. One of Mr Aiden’s aides. Well, not aides. More of a glorified intern. He’s home, right?”
I observed him closely. He did look like an assistant. He was bent on putting up an impressive appearance. His hair was neat and beard well-trimmed. His red tie was straight and narrow swinging across his well-ironed white shirt and black trousers. His meticulously shined shoes ended the whole get-up.
“I'm here to give him reports on some of the happenings in his factory in Orient City and some matters concerning a few workers. I rarely get to see him, though. The last time I saw him was at his steel factory in Port-Harcourt. This is the first time I’ve ever been to his house here in Orient City. It’s a beautiful place, is it not?”
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