The Bogeyman; the tale of a man and his death list

Chapter 12(The Plight of a Chronic Loser)

With his eyes and mouth wide open, the old man, Grandpa Bruce was forced to ask, “Did you just say that the contract is signed?”

Grandpa Bruce leaned forward as he adjusted his goggles. 

Every Teleimans relative had their neck craned like that of Giraffes as they struggled to catch a glimpse of the said contract.

They couldn't believe it, that Ruth and her so-called husband, a nonentity, has succeeded in sealing a deal that has eluded them. It was difficult to believe and come to this reality. It was like having the moon shining on daytime.

The document right before them was enough to clear their doubts except of course, Arthur Teleimans, who refused to come into terms with the truth that kept begging to be seen.

He was the only one unwilling to accept the new development. 

Accepting it will make him a loser, a loser again, a fucking chronic loser. Didn't he bet that he would bow to Redmond? The most devastating of all was losing his only hope to turn around the plummeting state of his family to Redmond. 

Ruth has always been a piece of shiny item to trade for the family future, a future he has always pictured himself spearheading. A future, where he is destined to be the leader. All this train of thoughts clogged his brain, causing it to spin.

“Is this the extent you can go just to have Ruth to yourself? Forging a signed contract for my dear Grandpa just to earn his approval is the highest level of crime and immorality.” Arthur waved his head in disappointment. He continued on seeing that he was able to capture everyone's attention

“A noble man will always stand tall in the midst of tribulations. Being a miserable man doesn't earn you the right not to be an honourable one.” He turned and looked at their restless faces, “Believing him is at your own risk. This is all fake. You're indeed a fraudster, the best at what you do.” By the time he was done, doubts had already found their way into their hearts, including Grandpa Bruce's.

“This contract was offered and signed by Mr Paulson, the president of Zinont Group himself. This is how original it can ever be.” Ruth responded with a peeved expression. Truly, Arthur's blind allegations were gradually getting into her skin.

“Why then are you the one doing the talking?” He asked with a crooked smile, “Just as I thought, he didn't even make it into the building.” Everyone was now on their toes at this point. Gossips, disapprovals, murmurs erupted in the room. At this point, everyone wore a skeptical and judgy countenance.

“That's because I went for him instead and honestly speaking, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we have a signed contract just as he promised.” Ruth countered with a matching energy.

“If that's the case, why did you look lost and dejected when you left Mr. Paulson's office.” He brought out his phone and showed everyone a picture of Ruth, probably taken and sent by Avery and Edmund right when they were waiting for Mr Paulson. Suffocating silence slowly penetrated the room just as the triumphant malicious smile slowly crept into Arthur's face. He has succeeded in putting up a strong case backed up with evidence.

“That's her,” One said as she took a good look at the picture, “Arthur was right all along.” She concluded.

“Ruth, would you help a swindler to defraud your family?”

“Is this how you reward us for adopting your miserable life into our lives?”

“Why would you do this, Ruth? Why would you connive with a stranger to harm your family? Huh?”

“She must be under his charm. There's no way she is in her right senses.” 

Everyone’s voice echoed in disappointment and detest. Their anger was clearly riled up. They were out to eat them raw.

Grandpa Bruce cleared his ageing throat, drawing everyone's attention to himself. He kept adjusting himself on his seat like he had a scorpion on his butt. The once comfortable seat has become thorny and itchy.

He raised his chin and stared at Ruth like one considering one's weight of punishment, “This won't happen to be true, Ruth? Refute this right now.”

Just as Ruth was about to speak, the TV news opened, “Good afternoon everyone

 It is your favourite news channel, Roadtrip news, your number one news channel in Denor city. The headlines of today's news is the announcement of the sealed collaboration between the Zinont Group and the Teleimans. The deal was signed by Paulson and Miss Ruth Teleimans. While it happens to be a joyous day for the Teleimans, that can't be said for The Weah family that has their collaboration and deals with the Zinont Group scrapped, leaving them in peril.”

By the time the news was done, Arthur was already trembling. He prayed  that the earth would open up and swallow him whole. He could literally feel his knee about to buckle. All he wanted was to disappear.

The old man smiled, “Good, good, Ruth. You have made us proud.” The old man sang happily leaving the Teleimans relative jealous and envious of her.

Those words from Grandpa Bruce to Ruth made their heart feel like a struck cymbal, vibrating with tension.

“Today must be a magic day, Ruth. If I had tried today, I bet I would have even made a better deal.” Arthur's voice begrudgingly echoed following the shocking revelation.

“It is time to fulfill your own end of the bargain.” Redmond’s mouth finally opened for the first time.

“Don't push your luck, pal. It is just your lucky day, nothing more, nothing less. It is a lucky day. Anyone would have been that lucky if they tried today.” Arthur retorted sharply, his teeth knitted grittily to each other like a vicious hyena. He was never going to bow before a nobody that humiliated him before everyone. He just couldn't picture himself doing it. It was both depressing and humiliating for a man of his calibre.

It is without doubt that Arthur remains the most powerful after Grandpa Bruce in the family. He was easily the obvious choice for the chairman position. Taking a demeaning bow before a spineless-shit would surely scare his beautiful ambition.

The relatives had their eyebrows raised when Redmond  demanded for the unthinkable.

“Not even in your wildest dreams, Arthur can never bow to you”

“Don't be fooled by the situation, better take your win and go.”

“Ruth? You shouldn't cross the line now, would you? He should give it up.”