Nora's POV The day before my graduation Cathy and l hit the shops. Max gifted me a limitless card, instructed me to clean the shops if l wished to and we almost did. I bought Cathy whatever caught her eye. The girl took me under her wing when l was an underdog in high school. Back in my high school days l was the odd one out. I got a scholarship to rich men's children school. My granny could only afford the school uniform, l got the shoes from a second hand shop and they showed. On my second week at school l realised i was a lone wolf, nobody attempted to befriend me. One day as i sat on a school bench, a group of girls from my class came and clustered before me. They pretended not to notice my presence. After sometime a tall, big girl approached me and started a conversation, the girl was Cathy.We became friends from that day and still remain friends even today. She fought my battles throughout high school and shouldered my financial strain on countless occasions. Her family’ s fo
Nora's POV Max sent everybody home, my granny protested at once. “I want to see your grandfather, we haven't met.” “No granny, you guys have to rest, especially you granny. You are still recovering, the flight to and from Zerus zapped your strength, please go home.”I held her hand, “ he is right granny, you can visit grandfather tomorrow.” Granny eventually agreed to be taken home. At the hospital, Max hit the ground running as soon as the car stopped. I trailed behind him slowly, l was dead on my feet. I exchanged the high heels for comfortable slippers on the plane. I pushed the door to the ward cautiously and stepped in. From the doorway grandpa looked dead, his pallid face was still, his mouth twisted and his colour awful. I closed the door and moved to the foot of the bed. Everyone turned their heads towards me except Max who held his grandfather's hand, his gaze fixed on his face. Dr Ralph, Dr Selborne and Dr Russell stood on the right side of the bed while Max stood on th
Nora's POV Sunday morning i woke up to four surprises. A small tray by the bed with two envelopes piqued my interest. I peeked into the first one and screamed. It was a letter of employment.Maxwell Ratliff, that sneaky racoon, had the letter in his possession all this time but failed to mention it to me. Granny had to see this, after suffering for so long, a big celebration was a must. God did it for us. I swung my legs to the side of the bed and reached for the second envelope. The words ‘vacation/honeymoon’ were written on top. I pulled the shiny bright brochure out, two plane tickets to South Africa fell out.I perused the brochure. A big smile split my face, a nature reserve of my dreams was displayed on the brochure. I remembered Max’s mockery whenever he caught me watching my favourite wild life channel.My love for him grew, an observant man was a treasure. Oh no, the dates clashed, l had to report to work on Monday, tomorrow to be exact, the flight dates were on the same dat
Nora's POV We took our small party to the outside party room. The big room was made totally of glass. The only solid things were the roof and the floor, every part of the property could be seen from every angle, no matter where you stood in the room. The drinks flowed, Matilda outdid herself with the food. Max poached her from Shad Rolan, the hotelier. As the day progressed, inhibitions flew out of the window, Selborne and Cathy changed saliva on the corner couch. “Children nowadays, no shame at all, look at your friend Nora.”My granny complained, her lips pursed. “Leave the children alone Sophia. They are both single, who knows Selborne might join Max and Shad, live happily ever after.” Granny Ratliff admonished. I laughed so hard at my granny's expression, she was really pissed. The guys drunkenly danced and horsed around.At some point Max clicked a spoon against a glass, the noise died down at once.“Baby, come here.” I joined him, “ mum, it's true when they say mums know be
Nora's POV Max violently pushed me away, my hand shot out on reflex, l stumbled back, Max's towel in my hand. We both looked down at his lower body, he in consternation, me in fascination. This was the second time l saw my husband naked. The first time i turned the other way when he took off his shirt, so l did not get to see the package, only felt it when he tried to penetrate me. My gaze fixed on it, the size was impressive even in slumber. My feet moved on their own accord, l stood before him, then knelt. My hand snaked to his rod, l gripped it and heard him inhale deeply. I started pumping my eyes on his, the anger had been replaced by desire. He closed his eyes and threw his head back. When his rod rose to half mast l took him in my mouth and licked. He gasped and moaned, pulled himself out and picked me off the floor. He deposited me on the bed, tore my nightie and tossed it aside. l was naked underneath.Max's POV I entered my bedroom to find Nora in a deep sleep. I disrobe
Caesar Shaman entered his house to find his wife sloshed, an almost empty bottle of wine between her wide spread legs, her head resting on the edge of the couch.She peered at him with red, swollen eyes, her neck and face flushed red. She tilted her head and the contents in the glass went down the hatch, “ oh, it's you.” She sounded disappointed. “Who were you expecting?.” “The Sniper of course.” Caesar bent down and removed the bottle between her legs, he remarked over his shoulder as he put the bottle at the bar. “Angela, your drinking is getting out of hand, l think it's time to visit the psychologist, pour out anything that is bothering you.”Angela belched loudly and stared balefully at her husband, “ you are my problem, l don't need someone to tell me what i already know. I know you have sabotaged me, where is The Sniper? He went radio silent after you and he whispered outside the other day. Caesar, you won't stop me. Steel Cage is there if The Sniper has abandoned the assign
Nora’s POV I remarked as l dressed, “ it will be more problematic for me if the patient dies, when there is a qualified Dr who could have saved her.” I gave his grumpy face a quick kiss and rushed out of the bedroom.I removed my gloves, threw them in the waste bin, extended my arms and a runner took off my gown. My first surgery after coming back to my country took a lot from me, it was long and tedious, but the problem was not the long surgery hours but the patient. How ironic, my first patient happened to be my love rival’s mother. Me and my assistant Daniel Ross, headed to the washing station. I eyed him sideways as we washed our hands.“Ross, l have a favour to ask, can you please attend to the Shaman family?.”Ross studied me suspiciously. “ Why? You are the surgeon, l'm just an assistant.” I fluttered my eyes lashes at him, “please Ross, l will owe you one.” Ross shook his head vigorously, “ no Dr, l need more than that, what's going on?.” I sighed tiredly, “ Ross, the pat
Nora's POV “Shhh, pull the tablecloth down.” I hissed, Ross withdrew his hand and hissed back, “ come out now, they are coming over.”“They? What do you mean by ‘they?’.” “Your father in law and his sidekick, Caesar Shaman.” Oh my God. I waited until I saw brown leather shoes in my sight then I quickly got up. “Oh Ross, l can't find it. Hello.” I beamed brightly at my father in law and his friend. “What are you looking for? Just call the waiter to get it for you.” Pat Ratliff 's mocking tone told me he did not buy my story. His black eyes roamed over me, from head to toe, l squirmed inside but returned his scrutiny with a steady gaze.His eyes moved to our table, “ you have not ordered the food yet, please join us in our private dining room.”I started to shake my head, Ross stomped on my feet, l cleared my throat to mask the pain. I bobbed my head up and down in silent agreement instead.“Good, please follow us.” I grabbed my clutch bag, Ross and l tailed the duo meekly to a
NoraChapter 65. The meeting Nora“So, when do you want to meet Caesar? There's no pressure, ok baby?” Max questioned, as he trimmed his beard. His eyes found mine in the mirror. I was babysitting him as he made himself presentable. “ I think the sooner l do it, the better. How about tomorrow evening?.” Max lathered his face, “ it's fine. Who would you prefer to be there?” He poured water onto his face then wiped his face. “ I know who l don't want there, Angela. Everyone else is welcome.” Max dropped the towel in the washing basket. He took my hand and we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.Matilda's breakfast spread made my salivary glands ooze. We dug in with gusto, “ Max, don't expect much from this meeting. I'm agreeing because you convinced me it will save my life. I have zero feelings for that man. He doesn't evoke a father -daughter feeling inside me. He leaves me cold emotionally.” I poured out my feelings.The thought of an interaction between Caesar and I gave me gooseb
NoraThe metered taxi deposited me, Nora Reidy, at the corner of my intended destination. My neck worked overtime as l studied my environment. Downtown Bluewaters was cleaner, less crowded than my noisy, overcrowded stomping ground, the upper part of town.The upper part of town hosted a cauldron of races, blacks, whites, brown. Any colour you know, Bluewaters had it. Here the prominent race appeared to be white.The stationary and moving cars looked expensive. The few people l saw on the street wore costly clothes, shoes and accessories. I felt naked in my washed out jeans, scruffy sneakers and a sweater that had seen better days.I turned a corner and the Ratliff offices came into sight. I uncapped my bottle filled with iced water from home. l could not afford to pay for the taxi and buy bottled water at the same time. I gulped down the water and studied the building. All my hopes were pinned on this building. If l failed to get the job today, my world faced total collapse.You see,
MaxI stood at the window watching the traffic below when i heard a knock, somebody came in without permission. “Sorry Max for badging in your office without permission but things are bad, you are being made a fool of. I can't stand it.” I turned around at the voice of my sister. What was this instigator doing in my office? When the shit hit the fan, she chose her side, our father’s side.Her action came as no surprise, my father always took her side in my altercations with her. My eyes tracked her as she came across the room towards me.“Who is making me a fool?.” Her eyes glinted with an unnamed emotion. She flushed down to her neck. “It's painful for me to see you in this situation but it had to be done to protect you. Your wife is the gutter rat we warned you against.”My anger was instant. “Get out. From today onwards never set your feet in my office again..”l barked at her, she walked backwards, the fear in her eyes warring with defiance. As she put one foot behind the oth
Nora I watched as Maxwell Ratliff bounded up the steps. I mentally observed my house from a stranger's perspective; chipped blocks, rusty roof. A house that appeared ready to give up the ghost anytime. His presence made me uneasy. To meet me at his workplace was one thing, to follow me home and witness my living conditions was another. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He halted in front of me, l peered at him. “ Hello.”His resonant voice greeted. “Hi, armored SUVs, is that not an overkill?.” l joked to hide my uneasiness. He looked over his shoulder, “ no it's not. My father was nearly killed sometime ago. The culprits mistook him for me, so they are a necessary devil.” My eyes widened, “ you are a Mafia Lord?.” His deep throated laughter surprised me. His scowling face yesterday made me think he was incapable of such an act. “ I'm not, but l have Mafia friends. We had a meeting that day with one of them. My dad went home while l finished up at the office. They ambushed my c
Nora's POV I sat on the living room floor, my back against the couch, earphones in my ears, eyes closed. Majority of my peers listened to hip hop, reggae, l preferred soul music.It soothed my spirit. Hands removed my earphones, a face appeared in my sight. “Come, let's go to my home office.”Max helped me to my feet. I followed him into his office. My wondering eyes saw a family portrait on the wall, “ who are the others, l recognise Mrs Ratliff, Martha and you.” Max came and stood behind me, his cologne swirled around me, “ the silver fox is my father, on the chairs are my grandfather and grandmother.” “ Do you have to always look fierce? You are scowling in the photo.”Max massaged my shoulders, when did he develop the need to touch me? But deep down l liked it, it was better than our usual cold treatment that we subjected our lives to.I turned and peered at him, “ so, what is it?.” Instead of answering he caressed my cheek, his eyes intent on my face. “ From now on keep a cale
NoraTo discover my father was a thug gutted me. My face burned, l threw the cotton wool l used to tone my face away. In my mood l forgot l was dealing with a delicate structure and scrubbed too hard. Initially l was angry that my mother allowed herself to be used by that despicable man. As the days went by and my anger subsided l put myself in my mother's shoes. She was a young naive girl, Caesar Shaman, a young man ready for marriage.He used his financial muscle to lure her, deceive her and have his way with her. To discover such a man played a part in my existence appalled me.I grew up without him, l was a full grown woman now, l did not need him. He attempted to meet me after my mother's confession, l turned him down. I finished my morning routine and joined granny and Onica Reidy in the kitchen. I loved weekends, especially Saturdays. Onica was staying with us for the time being. Granny and l used the dining room only if we got visitors. I hugged granny from the back and murm
NoraThe voices l heard in my head confused me, was l dreaming or were they real? I struggled to peel my eyes, the sedatives did me in. My mind was foggy all the time. They pumped the damn things into my system because i suddenly started having nightmares. As l fought hard to open my eyes the bed dipped behind me, a scent l loved enveloped me, my body relaxed. The scent soothed my senses. I heard Max and his father talk about someone who fainted, it sounded like my husband hurt somebody. I hoped he caught my shooter. Before they mentioned names l heard Caesar Shaman's voice followed by one l knew so well and wished i did not, my mother's. So, it took this woman for me to almost die before she pitched up? I listened as my mother dropped a bombshell. Caesar Shaman sired me? Impossible, that thug could not be my father. Tears of betrayal seeped from my eyes onto the pillow. My mother slept with a man who wished to see me gone.I believed Caesar Shaman was inherently bad, l believed
Max's POV My astonished gaze fell on my father, “ so soon?.” My dad hit his chest with pride, “you act as if you don't know your old man. I'm faster than a puff added if cornered. Caesar made me feel cornered.”I clapped his back, “ good job dad, l'm proud of you.” He took the compliment with a neutral face but his shining eyes betrayed him. “ Listen son, l think we should take shifts to guard my daughter in law. Go and do what you have to do, l will look after her.” I grinned at him. This was huge. My dad hated my wife, wished her out of my life. The turnabout was unexpected, l felt profound joy. The words he just uttered erased the animosity and grudge l harboured against him.You love my wife, l love you, you hate her l hate you more.After my dad snitched on his friend, l was still unsure of his motives, but his offer to protect my wife redeemed him in my eyes. I decided to let bygones be bygones. He and i would start on a clean slate. Shad or Ralph, l forgot who, advised me
Max's POV Nora's eyes moved from my face and roamed around the room. She touched her bandaged arm, “ Max, l was shot, who shot me?.” The question threw me off guard. I thought the first thing that would cross her mind would be relief she was alive.A look passed between Ralph and I. “ It's Caesar, my love. He hired some thugs and then ran, we have no idea where he is now. Your husband will do everything in his power to catch the culprit.”Nora stared at me for a long time, mute. “ What's going on in your head, baby?.” I asked her when minutes ticked by and she remained unresponsive. She inhaled deeply and remarked, “ l maybe wrong, but l think you must track Cathy down. I don't think it's Caesar.” l sandwiched her hand between my hands. “ Baby, we have reasons to believe it's Caesar, he made threats against your life. After a short interval you are shot, it's him.”Nora searched my face, her gaze doubtful. “ Don't rule out Cathy, my gut feeling says it's her.” Once my wife made up