2025-03-21 20:33:35It is seven days already yet no one from the Teleimans family bothered to know how Ruth was faring.
To them, she was better off dead than alive. She has been the reason why the family stocks have plummeted for years. Ruth may have been part of the family but she was never treated like one. Being adopted by the unfavored late James Teleimans’ wife, Tana, didn't help matters either. Grandpa Bruce had two sons, James and Jude in their order of succession. Jude Teleimans was the favoured one while James wasn't, even before his untimely demise. Tana had adopted Ruth since she was her only surviving relative following her mother's death. Tana had only one child, Oliver Teleimans, a Teleimans that was barely treated like one. Oliver and Tana were relegated to the average cost residence behind the main Teleimans' mansion. Oliver and her mother were barely surviving, living off on the monthly wage from the Teleimans business. It was crazy how he had to work his ass off to make ends meet while the other grandchildren had their pockets stocked up without sweating. “Is this where you live?” Redmond asked with a skeptical countenance when Ruth stopped before an average looking structure. Redmond must have expected a more furnished apartment than what was before him. The house was different from the Teleimans estate. “Yes, that's where I live with Aunt Tana and his son, Oliver,” she replied judiciously and cheerfully. She smiled and approached the door where she knocked gently. Tana opened the door Her eyes lit up on seeing her niece and a stranger. “Ruth…” she called out in an impulsive manner as she embraced her warmly. Clearly, she was the last person she expected to appear before her door. The last time she heard about her was seven days ago when grandpa had insisted on giving her out. “For a moment I thought I would never see you again.” She cried as she kissed her frontal area. Just then, her face wore a panicky expression as her eyes caught the pink coloured Humly flower twig tucked on the corner of her red coloured dress. She immediately reached to get it off but was stopped by Ruth. She was both confused and stunned by her action. “Don't worry Aunt, the Humly flower has no power over me anymore.” “What!..” “Yes aunt, am healed” she nodded affirmatively with her eyes wide open “Healed, Are you saying you're now safe?” She scanned her, not convinced by her revelation. She has, like everyone else, given up on her. Seeing her calm and composed despite the presence of the Humly flower gladdened her heart. She embraced her once again,this time more passionately, “ forgive me for giving up on you. Thanks for not giving up on yourself.” “Am not the one to be thanked, Aunt. All thanks should be to my husband, Redmond.” She cheerfully admitted as she reached for his arm. Tana cast a fast demeaning glance at the gentle man before him and forcefully dragged her away from him. “Husband? Not when I have not endorsed it.” Perplexed, Ruth responded, “But Grandpa picked him for me..” “Shut up, you talk too much.” She hushed as she sought for her handbag. “Come, we will head right away to Grandpa. He has to get you a deserving husband fitting for your beauty.” She declared, dragging her with all her might. Tana was alive again, her niece's new found health will make her one of the most beautiful girls in Denor city. Ruth has always been a beauty to behold despite her condition. Her beauty was so irresistible that Wade's last son couldn't resist having her to himself. It is safe to say that her volatile unpredictable violent condition marred her chance of a brave prince. “No! No! Aunt! Redmond..” she cried, stretching her hands to the silent Redmond. He watched until the two were out of sight before he trailed behind. “Finally, I get to have my favourite flower around.” Dorothy giggled as she caressed the Humly flowers tugged around the house. Crazy how Ruth’s nemesis happens to be Dorothy's favourite flower. She was made to give up her obsession with the pink coloured flower because of Ruth's condition. But with her gone, it means that she gets to have it everywhere. Ruth's unannounced visit to the Teleimans mansion with Tana stirred murmurs and gasps from the Teleimans. They weren't expecting to see her any more, given she was meant to return with her soon to be husband on the fifth day to get their certificate but didn't. They thought she was dead or kidnapped but here she was breathing very fine. “You guys should stay clear of her. She will have an episode now!” Dorothy yelled on sighting her. Everyone sought to leave on sighting the Humly flower around but there she was, still like calm water. One should see the look on their faces as they waited for her to start convulsing and panting. They were both dazed and perplexed. “She is alright now. Everyone is safe. Ruth is now free from her curse.” Tana revealed, allaying their fears. Tana turned to Grandpa Bruce who was sipping his coffee while his eyeballs darted to and fro on the newspaper. “Grandpa, I disagree with Ruth's marriage to this..” she stared disdainfully at Redmond, “Pauper. Ruth deserves better. With her newly found health, Jason Wade can finally take responsibility of her.” Grandpa Bruce finally raised his head, and cast his condescending gaze on them while he sipped his coffee. “Is she truly ok, now?” He asked with an air of doubt. “Yes, Grandpa. She is sound and healthy.” She replied with a great zeal of enthusiasm. Aunt Tana was ready to take advantage of Ruth's rejuvenation to change the state of herself and her family. Ruth's engagement to a rich folk like Jason Wade will propel their status and oil their pockets. Having taken a good look at Redmond, giving his average outfit, she was fast to see her as a church rat that could barely fend for himself. After a brief pause, Grandpa Bruce cleared his throat after an intense stare on Ruth. “As much as I hate to admit it, You're right. She deserves a proper husband and since she's already pregnant with Jason’s child, I will put up a meeting to see what can be done…” “No Grandpa. Redmond is my husband, you picked him yourself.” Ruth cried as she fell on her knees, begging for them to reconsider. “You're such a dumb girl..” Tana’s voice echoed in anger. “Hmmm, yes I did pick him for you..though I am still wowed by how he managed to heal you but he's still worthless. This is for your own good, girl and that's final.” “Dad, don't you think you’re doing much already. We can't risk our recently found relationship with Wade by handing her to them.” Jude Bellingham advised. He has been silent all along, paying attention to their claims and requests. Jude being a bitter and mischievous man, knew that the union of Ruth and Jason Wade will bring fortune and goodwill to his late brother's ostracized family. Redmond who has been silent all along tucked out his hand from his coat, he smacked his lips and then heaved a wry smile, “That's not your decision to make Mr Bruce neither is it yours, Mr Jude. Ruth and I have found our future in each other. All we expect from you is your blessing and the marriage certificate.” “And who invited this tramp to this conversation?” Arthur Teleimans, Grandpa Bruce eldest grandson, spring forward and sashayed towards Redmond with a haughty countenance. “Don't push your luck here. You only talk when asked to.” He stood right before him, just an inch away from his lips. “Argh!!! Fuck shit!” Arthur whined in pain as spat full of blood exuded from his mouth following as Redmond hit him with his head. Everyone was shocked and taken aback. Who the hell is this dude that wants to die so bad?
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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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“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?”
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“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
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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
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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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“Is this it? The end of the road for me.”“What will you do, Arthur?” He asked himself as he slapped himself so hard.Was he going to keep trying or should he go back and bring Ruth forth to take over right after stabbing her at the back? The thought of it made him go crazy. He didn't see it coming. He is served from the meal that he has cooked.His phone kept notifying him that the family were waiting patiently for him. They were all over the moon, ready for Arthur to feed their ears. Well, indeed, he has something to feed them.Right at Rayton Company, Teleimans company, the whole family gathered waiting for him to scratch their itching ears.Grandpa Bruce furrowed his eyebrow on sighting Arthur emerge, looking downcasted and shy since he kept a slouched posture on his way inside as against his usual peacock stance.Arthur’s facial expression had immediately tuned the temperature of the room, creating a mounting curiosity among the Teleimans. They expected a big smuggish smile on
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“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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The Zinont Group has just cancelled every collaboration and deals with the New World Group. Latest from today; The New World Group has lost the majority of their shareholders. The Denor city law enforcement agency has confiscated millions of New World Group products. In their words, “Lacking in quality.” Four biggest banks in Denor city are out to recover their unpaid debts from New World Group. The notification kept popping out, one after the other. The bing sound from the notification didn't help matters either. It was so loud that he felt his ear drum peeling off at each turn. Jason stepped backwards in a haphazard manner and slumped to the couch. His face paled heavily while hot sweat formed on his forehead. He loosened the first three buttons of the first three buttons of his shirt as he sought for air. He couldn't believe it, his eyes blinking in quick succession as the notification kept popping. Sighting the quick change in his mood and body chemistry, Redmond knew t
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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
