2025-03-21 20:20:56“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 had his furrowed left fist pushed behind his back while rubbing his thumb on it in a bid to calm himself. All he wanted was to drill his fist into his socket but he maintained his cool after all, they're his in-laws to be. He heaved a wry smile before turning to Ruth. He gently grabbed her wrist and left while Ruth could barely raise her head. She couldn't stare at his eyes. She felt deeply embarrassed and humiliated. Right at the corner of her eyes were tears begging to swing free. The eyes that trailed behind Redmond as he walked out of the big hall room with Ruth was different from the one that welcomed him when he entered with the other eleven suitors. They were graced with hateful murmurs, disapprovals, pity and scornful stares. To them, he was just a gold digger who wanted to eat from the table of Teleimans family. That was the only rational explanation for wanting to tag along with the cursed girl. Those were the least of his worries. He was happy achieving his mission without creating a scene. Right in front of the Teleimans mansion, Redmond stopped a cab and immediately opened the door for Ruth to enter. He had optioned against coming with his numerous affluent cars in order not to draw unnecessary attention. “Stop the act up, we’re already out of sight.” Ruth’s voice emerged like the hum of a dumbbell. Her voice was immaculate but her statement caught him off guard. It was obvious that she wasn't happy, especially given the controversy surrounding their union. Redmond could only drop a half smile as he opted against speaking. The journey was a quiet one, each tied to their thoughts. “Men and cruelty. It is ridiculous the extent a man will go for power and wealth. It is obvious that he was only here because of the reward promised by the Teleimans.” She cast a fast glance at him, “He would surely treat me like a scumbag when he finally got his hand on the parcel.” Barricades of thoughts raced through her mind making her head spin. It all made sense to her because nothing will make a hale handsome young man like him to settle down with a woman who is plagued with a violent condition if not for the promise of wealth and power. The cab came to a halt before a decent looking flat. Its design and architecture was beautiful but it was flawed in affluence when compared to that of the Teleimans. Out of the cab, she stopped and faced Redmond with a stern countenance. “I will make this easy for you. I will play along until you get your reward, after then it is fair for you to let me be.” She proposed. Redmond couldn't help but laugh, a reaction which confused Ruth. “That's if I am here for the money.” He replied with a hearty smile. “That doesn't make any sense. If you're not for the money what then has put you into this wild adventure?” She pressed unrelentingly, giving Redmond no breathing space. “Wild adventure?” Redmond smirked, I won't blame you for being skeptical about my intentions but I swear in the name of my dead nanny that I mean no harm to you. Just give me a chance and I will show you this wild adventure means everything to me.” Redmond’s words were enough to curb her recalcitrant attitude. On entering inside the building, Redmond took her to a room made solely for her. Ruth was pleased with the room’s decorations and organizations but at the same time she was slightly anxious at the thought of Redmond wanting to consummate the marriage. Her past and first experience was the worst that any lady would want to experience. Following a party to seal a business partnership between the Teleimans and the Wade, Jason Wade, the coquettish son of Mr Logan had drugged her with the help of his friends and then took advantage of her. She had prayed for God to smite her instantly but this was what she got, being in the mercy of a stranger once again. “Relax, I will be back” Redmond said and left the room. In a blink of an eye, he returned but this time he was with an old mystic looking box. With a smile he opened it and brought out a sophisticated syringe that left Ruth panicking. She dragged her body to the edge of the bed. She shuddered as she regretted not taking her chance earlier and ran off. “Easy, Easy, I am not here to hurt you. I just want to help you and get better.” Redmond’s gentle voice emerged on noticing her change in mood. “Get better! My condition is untreatable even the best doctors around have condemned me, declaring me unredeemable.” She cried bitterly, her body fidgeting before the syringe. Her tears made Redmond's heart bleed, likewise her plight. It was all because of him that she has gone through this untold hardship and suffering. “I understand if you don't believe me but I am sorry for either way I am getting you treated. You will thank me later.” At this point she surrendered, after all, she was as good as dead. Gently, the syringe pierced through her skin as Redmond's finger pressed against the plunger. Gradually her eyes become heavy while her muscles become flaccid. Unconscious, Redmond started placing needles around her body in a premeditated position. From all indications, Ruth was plunged into a deep sleep.
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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
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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
