Martha and Roseline hit the road running. They hired a junior photographer from one of the local newspapers, Abednego Riley. Abe as he was locally called, was ambitious, greedy and not above breaking the law to achieve his goals. The girls' deal came at a time when he was in a financial bind. They met at his rundown apartment. The girls covered their faces with scarfs, with their caps almost hiding their shades, they resembled wannabe thugs. Abe ushered them in after checking the corridor and closed the door behind them. “Abe, these people are not paying you enough, your place is a disgrace to your profession. Your couches are disgusting.” Martha looked around with disdain. The girls opted to stand, the couches had cockroach poop at the corners. Abe protested at once, “ l get enough, i'm careless with my savings.”“Ok top earner, let's get down to business, you are familiar with your subject. Follow her from the time she exits the Ratliff gates to her bedtime. I mean step where sh
Max's POVI 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 a fool out of me?."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 b
Max POVThe sight of Nora sitting and eating peacefully at my table enraged me. She and Selborne succeeded in emasculating me, if he was a stranger maybe l could take it. Selborne trailed us wherever we went. He was more Ralph's friend than mine, it was Ralph who brought that snake into our group. I wondered how long their affair had been going on. I had so many questions but my anger superseded anything else at the moment. Whether l looked for answers or not, they would come to me but it would be too late. Now l had one purpose and was about to execute it.I bore down on Nora and yanked her arm. I heard the glass shattering somewhere, l shepherded her upstairs. She pretended to be shocked when i showed her the scandalous photos. She rolled her eyes and feigned fainting.I shouted at her as her body hit the floor, “ don't try it.” I nudged her side with my foot, she remained immobile. I knelt on one knee and slightly slapped her face, her head lolled to the other side. I bent my hea
Max's POV “You look terrible, aren't you supposed to be at work?.”My mum fired at me as soon as I entered her office. I plonked myself on her couch, my arm over my eyes. “I feel terrible, my world as i know it has vanished.”I heard the chair screech against the floor, then the couch sank under my mum's weight. She removed my arm from my face, “ you are scaring me, what happened?.” I sighed and peered at her through my lashes, a headache hammered my skull mercilessly. “Your beloved daughter in law hurt me so badly l doubt i will recover.” My mum slapped my thigh, “ Maxwell Ratliff, speak up. My blood pressure is rising, why are you doing this?.”I sat up and took her hand in mine, “ sorry mum. It's hard for me to talk about it, let me show you instead.”I fished in my sweater pockets, l found my two phones, the third was missing. “Dammit, l forgot the phone at home.” “It doesn't matter, what exactly is in that phone?.” “Mum, that phone contains your son's heartbreak. Nora and
Nora's POV Marylin visited me in the early morning hours, eight o'clock to be precise. I was still in bed, the previous night l tossed and turned until the wee hours of the morning. I got out of bed, washed my face and brushed my teeth.I shuffled to the living room. Granny and Marylin were deep in conversation, they stopped when l came in.“Oh my goodness, baby this is not good for the baby, one night and you already look haggard. You and Max have to fix your problem otherwise l will have a scrawny grandchild.” Marylin 's attempt at humour flew over my head, l pouted, “ mum, it's not funny, i'm hurting, l can't sleep, l can't eat, it's bad.” My eyes smarted. “l'm sorry sweetie but don't you dare cry. Those scoundrels don't deserve your tears, come and sit down.” l took the seat opposite them.“You know who they are?.”Marylin shook her head, “ no baby l don't but l have suspects. I think your father in law and the Shaman family are behind it. I gave your husband strict instruction
Nora's POV There was a stunned silence after Max left. We all stared at the door as if he might reappear. My father in law coughed into his hand, we turned our attention to him. “Marylin, forcing Max into marriage was your first mistake, your second was marrying him to a person from a different background. We all know Nora didn't marry him for love, these are the results. Let him be.” This man really hated me, on previous occasions, he showed his dislike but never voiced his opinion of me. Today he bared his emotions for all to see.“Shut up if you have nothing of importance to say. I think you are behind those photos.” Marylin tore into her husband, he looked at her askance.“Me? You give me too much credit. Nora and Selborne fell in love on their own. It has nothing to do with me. If l were you, l would demand a DNA test before l defend the undefendable.” Marylin angrily shooed him away, “ fuck off, who called you here anyway? You are a bad father but what do l expect from some
Selborne 's POVMaxwell Ratliff 's attack took me by surprise. The smile on my face when l saw him turned into a grimace as his fist connected with my jaw. As l landed on my back, the uppermost question in my mind was why.I met Max through Dr Ralph. Our friendship was cordial, we respected each other and never once had a disagreement. I thanked the stars there were people around us, otherwise i would be a goner. Max and I were almost the same size and weight. The difference between us was he worked out while my visits to the gym were sporadic. His bodyguards whisked me away to the hospital. I lied about the source of my injuries during the physical examination. It was embarrassing to tell my colleagues a friend beat me and i had no idea why. “Dr, you have strained your back, you have to stay overnight. From tomorrow you are on one week leave.” The attending physician gave me the devastating news. My job was the only exciting thing in my life. My relationship with Cathy was new, l
Nora's POV I sat in my car, my heartbeat beating at an alarming rate. Maxwell Ratliff just threatened my life. I breathed through my mouth until i calmed down. I had to talk to someone before l lost it. Max's stance had not changed a bit and it looked like it would remain that way forever. My mind baulked at the possibility that my marriage was over.I started the car and drove in circles until i passed my childhood church. The last time l attended church was ten years ago.I reversed and drove into the church premises. It was time to seek counselling from my Maker. Inside the church l searched for the priest. The church was silent as a tomb. I caressed the pew chairs as i walked to the altar. The chairs were still the same, the only new feature was the altar. The old one was made of wood, the new one of glass.In my mind’s eye l saw my young self sitting beside granny. She would pinch me from time to time because i dozed off. The old priest lulled me to sleep with his soft voice.