“Grandpa, but…”
“My decision is final, Ruth. You may not see it but this is for your own good.” Ruth’s once happy face immediately contorted into a fist of anger. She whined as she slumped to the sofa. “What is it, Ruth? Did Redmond hurt you?” Aunt Tana asked on entering the room, her face rubbed with confusion and shock. Behind her was Oliver, her only child. “No, Aunt Tana. Redmond can't do anything like that.” “What then will sour your mood this early when in reality you should be over the moon for being the person in charge of the collaboration with the Zinont Group?” Oliver asked with a light smile full of hope. Ruth's promotion has sent the family dreaming once again. It was clearly their way out of misery and mediocrity. “Oliver is right. Trivial things shouldn't get you all depressed my dear child. The light shines brightest on you. With this trajectory, it is certain you will be our heroine and will drag us out of…” “Arrrgh, that won't be happening anymore.” Ruth sighed as she gritted her teeth, leaving them confused the more while their curiosity peaked. “What do you mean, Ruth?” Aunt Tana asked worriedly, confusion etched on her face. “Grandpa has relieved me of the duty.” She surrendered as she threw her back to the sofa. Aunt Tana's forehead wrinkled as she appeared alarmed, “Why? Why would he do that? Who then is in charge?” “Probably Arthur, it certainly will be him.” “ What!” Oliver exclaimed in shock. It was an unexpected twist, an unwanted twist. How could they? When Ruth was the one that secured the contract. Why must they always roll us over? “Arrrgh, that conniving animal!” She yelped frustratingly. “He must have poisoned Grandpa's mind against you as usual.” She fumed, her face red with anger. She slumped to the sofa. Unable to swallow the hard pill and let it digest, she jerked to her feet, “Wait here, I will go and scold the hell out of that snake.” She marched with girth, an aggrieved woman on a mission but Oliver was sharp enough to grab her. “Don't you think you're being a bit rash, mother? This won't change anything, mother. Knowing Grandpa, he won't be going back on his word at least not for us. Save yourself the ener…” “Energy you meant to say, huh? And save it for what? For misery and low life I guess. Why are we always on the receiving end of their unsavory decisions? Why, Oliver? You're just like your father, weak, useless and a coward.” Aunt Tana yammered profusely. Oliver surrendered. He was muted immediately. He knew better than anyone not to argue with his mother when she is rilled up. Ruth intervened, “Oliver is right, mother. Why stress yourself about the mountain when you can't move it. Go and have a rest, Aunt Tana.” “Pfft, so that is it, go and have a rest and pretend that they didn't stiff life out of us.” She waved her head in disappointment. Just then, Redmond emerged. “Everything will be alright Ruth, this I assure you.” Redmond encouraged her. He has been behind the door. He didn't even need to eavesdrop to hear them, all thanks to Aunt Tana’s loud and hoarse voice. Aunt Tana immediately threw a deathly glare at him and attacked frostily with words, “And here he comes, the man behind our misery. What chance do a spineless he-goat like you stand in this case?” With this, Aunt Tana left them all to mull within themselves a way out. On the other side of the town, Arthur had himself cladded in his most expensive suit. Flanked at his left, right and centre are his staunch relatives. He was eager and determined to stand out and impress Mr Paulson. Today is the first meeting following the sealing of the contract. His sole goal was to get Mr Paulson accept him as the new person to head the collaboration since Grandpa has already relieved Ruth from the duty. It shouldn't be that hard, after all, “I remain the most promising person among my family.” Arthur thought to himself as he set his sight at the gigantic building of the Zinont Group. He exhaled deeply and continued. He strutted like a peacock as he entered the building. Right there was Mr Paulson waiting for some of his staff. On sighting him, he relaxed himself and then offered him a handshake on approaching, “Mr. Arthur Teleimans, next chairman of Rayton Company.” Paulson returned the gesture with a big smile that made Arthur overjoyed. “Easy, must admit, I never thought it would be that easy.” He thought to himself as he smiled jiggly. Still on the handshake, Mr Paulson extended his neck expectantly like he was expecting someone else. “I can't see Mrs Teleimans here” he admitted casually, giving Arthur no cause for alarm. “Oh yes, she didn't make it. Developed a fever this morning. I will be taking over the de…” “No need for that Mr Teleimans, we can wait until she is alright.” Mr Paulson said with a neutral expression and head back leaving Arthur and his cahoots dumbfounded. He blinked in quick succession and immediately ran towards Mr Paulson. “Mr Paulson, Mr Paulson?” He called out as he trailed behind. Immediately on catching up, two burly men in suits blocked his path but returned to their positions when Paulson signalled them to. Arthur steered his sight away from them and then gulped his saliva with a painful expression before speaking “Mr Paulson, having me in charge of the project is as good as having her.We shouldn't waste time waiting for someone who might never recover.” He said desperately, scratching his head with his hand in a nervous manner. “I don't think your family is taking this deal seriously enough. I should remind you that every company within and outside wants to partner with Zinont Group. You guys have two days to have Mrs Teleimans up and kicking for this deal to take place or we will be forced to reconsider the deal.” He concluded and left, leaving Arthur stunned and speechless. He couldn't believe it. Two days and the contract that means everything to the family will vanish into thin air. The thought of it made Arthur feel like his nerves were shredded into tiny bits and pieces. His face paled heavily as he pants like he was about to have an asthmatic attack. He thought Ruth's absence would mean nothing to them hence he had lied about her developing a fever to sway her by the side. “What happened?” “What did he say, Arthur?” “Have we formally taken charge, Arthur” Arthur's followers asked fervently on reaching him. Each throwing one question after the other, giving him no chance to respond. Arthur was mute, his body felt tired and heavy to carry itself. “Am dead” He mumbled under his breath.
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“What's your name, young man?” Mr. Charles asked, his gaze hanging on Redmond. “Redmond Red” he answered without hesitation knowing that they won't find anything spectacular on him if they decide to investigate his person. Mr. Charles walked closer to him and with a skeptical look, he asked. “Can you deal with what you have just witnessed? Are you going to take her as your own wife?” “Get on with it Charles! Let's not dilly-dally all day.” Arthur interrupted and matched towards them with grit. His patience has clearly gone thin. He roughly grabs Ruth's hand and turns his gaze on Redmond Red. After rolling his eyes all over him, with a condescending voice, he said, “She is all yours. Come back in five days to get your certificate and your reward.” He hands Ruth to him in a shabby manner. “Congratulations, though I wonder why a man will want to have anything to do with this monster.” He spewed carelessly. Redmond’s muscle tightened up immediately. His gaze was stern while he ha
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“No one dares stand before me and insult me. No one.” Redmond icily admonished. “My tooth, he smash..ed my to..th!” Arthur bellowed and writhed in pain. His eyes were red as blood dripped from his mouth. Just then, Edmund Weah, Avery’s fiancée, got hold of the coffee cup on the table and dashed off to smash it on Redmond. “Stop, Edmund! Don't touch a hair on him!”” Grandpa yelled and he stopped in his tracks. From all indications, the Weah boy was determined to avenge his brother-in-law. “Please Grandpa, allow me to put this fool in his place.”Edmund beckoned with fury, the coffee cup still on his palm. “Dad? Are you going to allow him to get away with this?” Jude Bellingham queried with utmost surprise as he watched his only son nurse his wound. “My tooth is gone grandpa, allow…” “That's enough!” He said as he slammed his fist on the table, deadening the room with silence. The room was so quiet that one's breath could be heard clearly. He rose to his feet, h
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Ruth's eyes were occluded with tears by the time they were out of the family mansion. “Am sorry Red, I can't believe my family will treat you this way.” She cried out, bracing herself on his arm. “You're not to be blamed, dear. You better stop crying lest I join you.” Redmond pleaded, rubbing his palm soothingly on hers. Redmond's playful threat was enough to ease her emotional laden state as she gradually stopped. She wiped the tears off her face before starting again, “But…getting a deal from the Zinont is like having a life sentence. It is just literally impossible for you.” She commented, uncertainty and worries etched in her voice and eyes. “That doesn't mean I shouldn't try, besides you said it yourself, it is literally impossible but not impossible. Hopefully…” “I will go myself.” Ruth's eyes lit up immediately like she had seen some way out from their problem. “I still bear the Teleimans name and have a quite reasonable knowledge about architecture and seali
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Chapter 16(The Conniving Man)
“Grandpa, but…” “My decision is final, Ruth. You may not see it but this is for your own good.” Ruth’s once happy face immediately contorted into a fist of anger. She whined as she slumped to the sofa. “What is it, Ruth? Did Redmond hurt you?” Aunt Tana asked on entering the room, her face rubbed with confusion and shock. Behind her was Oliver, her only child. “No, Aunt Tana. Redmond can't do anything like that.” “What then will sour your mood this early when in reality you should be over the moon for being the person in charge of the collaboration with the Zinont Group?” Oliver asked with a light smile full of hope. Ruth's promotion has sent the family dreaming once again. It was clearly their way out of misery and mediocrity. “Oliver is right. Trivial things shouldn't get you all depressed my dear child. The light shines brightest on you. With this trajectory, it is certain you will be our heroine and will drag us out of…” “Arrrgh, that won't be happening anymore.” Ru
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Jason giggled fervently like a maniac on the loose, “Who is this guy? Why do you want to lose so badly?” Jason sounded like it was show time.He was more than motivated to go ahead with Redmond's favourable bet. It was what he wanted so dearly, an opportunity to show how powerful he is, a chance to remind the world how much power and influence his family wields.In his mind, there was no way the Zinont Group would be choosing them over his family company, the New World Group. The thought of it can't be conceived let alone applied.It was clearly a lost battle even before it began for Redmond. The expression on Ruth's face was a testament to that. “Was he giving up already? Is this it? The end of everything that looked beautiful and eternal?” Barricades of thought raced through her mind as she stared skeptically at him.To Ruth, this was just an easy way out for Redmond, shooting himself so badly because of his lack of options. “Please, don't leave me with this monster.” She cried as s
Chapter 13(Jason Wade)
Their voices kept echoing in Arthur's defence. Each voicing their discontent on Ruth's and Redmond's attitude. There appeared like his soldier, ready to do anything for their General.Ruth smiled bitterly as she allowed their voices rain like acid rain on her. She didn't need anyone to tell her that it would have been a different case if she happened to be on the other side of the road. “Wasn't Arthur the one that conveniently laid the terms? Wasn't he the one that called out Redmond to dress and dance like a chicken, earlier?”She couldn't hide her disappointment. They were just useless fools who never ceased on any opportunity to impose their opinions on her just because of their ranks. They would do anything to be in Arthur's good book. They were nothing but a bunch of sycophants.“You should list….” Arthur stopped as Grandpa Bruce waved him off.“A bet is a bet.” Grandpa Bruce’s voice dropped like the hum of a dumbbell. He turned towards Arthur, with a straight face he said, “You
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 hi
Chapter 11(Spies, Cahoots and Relatives)
“Did it work out? You don't look alright?” Redmond feigned ignorance of the situation on sighting Ruth approaching towards him. Her expression was blank like a white paper. She was still yet to recover from what transpired inside the Zinont Group building. She looked like someone one that had her dear life sucked out of her.She ignored him and grabbed his fabrics before extending her hand towards his jaw. Her face paled by shock. “This is real, this is all real.” She cried as she hugged him tightly. “I got it, Red. They gave me the contract.” She mumbled under her breath as she wrapped her hand tightly around him.“That's great news.”“It was easy, Red. So easy that at some point I felt like someone had already done the job for me.”“It doesn't matter at this point, what matters is that you did it.” She heaved a relieving smile. “This time, they will let us be for good.”Just then, Ruth's phone binged, notifying her of a message. It was the family's group chat. Arthur and his cahoot
Chapter 10(The pride before the fall)
“You were too aggressive back there. They deserved it but they are still family.” Ruth admonished with a soothing voice that was able to stretch its hands to Redmond's darkened heart.“Family? Then, you should be treated like one.” Redmond retorted with a plain face.She smiled heartily and stared deep into his eyes. “Is alright. I will take it from here. Just wish me luck.”“Again?”“Yeah, say those words to me again” She smiled heartily like a child as she waited for the killer word.Redmond’s eyes glinted in amusement, “Go and kill it.” He said and then both went their separate ways.Right at the sixteenth floor, the elevator door binged, signalling Ruth that she has reached her destination. On entering the building, she was welcomed by a receptionist, an average height and beautiful thick lady wearing a spectacle approached her.She immediately dropped a professional smile, subconsciously making Ruth do the same though hers was a bit more tense.“Hey, you must be Mrs Teleimans?”
Chapter 9(The two Couples)
Early in the morning, Redmond was already out to pick up Ruth to the Zinont Group. On his way, he noticed that he was being followed by an old fashioned cab. In a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the sight of the stalker leaving him dazed and speechless.“Have no one ever told you that it is wrong to spy on people, Denver.” Red’s voice echoed from the window rim, startling the stalker. Denver exhaled lightly, disappointment and guilt etched on his face. “Am sorry sir, but I just can't leave you alone. Allow me to stick around and I promise to remain invisible.” He pleaded, his eyes meaning every word.Denver has obeyed his commander by sending other soldiers back to the barracks, leaving them under the guidance of Leo but he has failed to stay behind. He just couldn't put himself together and allow his General to stay behind, alone.After what seemed like ages, Redmond finally spoke, “Ok, but what's it with the cab?” Denver heaved a big smile, “This is being invisible, sir.” Bot
Chapter 8(The Blood Party)
“There is no party like Logan's party” This slogan has stuck in Denor city for seventy-eight years, since Logan's very existence. The Wade are one of the most powerful and influential families in Denor city. As a part of the Seven keys of Denor city, they were literally untouchable. Tonight, like every other Logan's party, celebrities, politicians, business men and privileged diginatries could be seen swarming in and out of the Wade luxurious mansion. Everyone had on themselves, costumes and masks. Outside the building were cars of different calibres, the majority being worth millions of dollars. Everyone was in the party for a reason, ranging from making necessary connections to finding favour in the eyes of Logan to having fun. The buildings were lurked with tight security especially the area where the heirloom is kept. “The Goblet of life, the last goblet used by Pharaoh himself, gifted by the Marshmallows.” “The Jaral Tea of Chiro. The last of its kind, a tea m
