“Henry what the hell are you waiting for?, take out that shooter nah” the agent screamed at one of his men who quickly took position, aimed his automatic and fired. The shot was perfect, instantly silencing the sharp shooter who almost took out seven of us with his long range killing shots. The five agents made use of the opportunity and quickly moved into the house with great caution, while the first agent{Lydia’s cousin}, stayed back to provide cover for his colleagues.
“hope you are fine?” he asked me.
“yea” I nodded, visibly shaken and scared. It was my first time of being under life threatening fire. It really was a very shocking experience.
“get into the car and stay down. Don’t move an inch. I have to go back up my men. You are very safe inside the car” he said to me as fierce gun battle raged inside the building. I nodded, dived into the car and pulled out my 9mm gun. He stared at me with surprise, shook his head and raced towards the direction the first shot was fired from minutes earlier. Sweat drenched my body as I nervously waited for the agents to come out with Kelvin. Some minutes later, a heavy duty truck headed out of the compound with great speed, two agents running after it and firing. Their shots somehow got the driver who swerved and ran the truck into my car. The impact of the collision left my head broken and bleeding. I bravely jumped out of my car and tried crawling to safety, but unfortunately it was a very silly deed. Gutso jumped out of the driver’s side of the truck and stared at me murderously.
“you double crossed me you bitch” he barked and raised a pistol at me. My heart froze. I almost urinated on my pant as I quickly said my last prayers while tears soaked my eyes. I saw death smiling at me, calling me to come forward and embrace my destiny. I instantly knew my place in hell was being dusted for my arrival. Suddenly another gunshot came flying to save me, hitting Gutso on the neck. The impact threw him forward. He fell and fired, sending me down with a killing shot. I tried picking up myself but just couldn’t. My left arm hurt badly, gushing out blood 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 Lillian. I learnt that Gutso didn’t survive the shootout, which meant he died with our secret. A very welcomed development. Surprisingly, Lillian {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 pounding 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. Judgment is for God, let’s leave everything to him please. Nothing will stop me from moving on. I’m going to marry Lillian 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. /Whatever will be, will be
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 blood 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. It was just as if we were acting out a screen play, acting out the ending of Val’s Romance Novella
“I don’t know how to say the things in my mind to you, considering your past. But I can’t continue bearing such load in my heart” he breathed nervously. I smiled to encourage him while my legs shook with excitement.
“I love you Stella. I’m deeply in love with you. I can’t hide it anymore, believe me I just don’t know how to describe the desire in me. It has been like this from the very first moment I walked into your house. I never knew I was capable of loving, capable of falling for any woman, but look at me. I’m slowly getting to thirty two {32yrs} with nothing to show in terms of relationship. I’m no saint but I have never gotten serious with any of my female friends nor share a bond like I do for you. I just don’t get it, but it’s like we have the same gene or something, like we were made and cut out for each other. You are just like a female version of me” he poured out solemnly, swelling my head with his outburst.
“I don’t need friendship, nor relationship. All I want from you is marriage. Don’t turn me away. I beg of you” he pleaded. I briefly closed my eyes and smiled. Oh I was so flattered by his words.
“aren’t you trying to rush yourself. Isn’t it better we study each other?” I asked slowly.
“I’m done studying you. Just say yes please” he begged. Tears dropped from my eyes. I nodded with a smile.
“yes yes I accept” I answered. His eyes lit up with joy. He drew close and lifted me up with great strength.
“thank you dearest, now let’s go make the announcement to everyone” he said joyfully, lowered me down and dragged me back to the party where he surprisingly announced our engagement which he did in front of everyone present at the party, by putting a wonderful ring on my finger. Yea I was finally happy, satisfied and once more in love. This time with the most wonderful man ever. Just like he rushed our engagement, he equally rushed our marriage by taking me to the Altar three months later. Hmmm and of course we live happily till today, blessed with two lovely twins.
However I learnt many things with my past. First and foremost; everything happens for a reason. You may not realize at first but take your time to study the situation. Secondly; every disappointment no matter how bad could be a blessing in disguise. Yea just like mine, little did I know losing Kelvin would bring the most wonderful man who understood me to my doorstep. Thirdly; don’t try to force love on anyone, because your partner is somewhere at the corner coming for you. And fourthly, please my dear ladies, if you really love a guy, don’t try to control him because of your money. Let the man be a MAN and you be the WOMAN else he will use your money on another lady and dump you. As for guys, please, please, please; don’t ever trying messing with a sugar Mummy if you are not sure of your feelings or ready to play to the end…
THE END
Share with me some of the lesson you too have learnt from this story.
Coming up next is a story called, MY woman, My Everything
