“ Mr Kendrick slammed the brown envelope on the glass centre table,” This is the divorce paper dissolving your marriage with my daughter. Sign it before I get back.” he growled, turning his back and went up the stairs without giving Denzel a chance to talk.
Oliva froze, her mouth dropping to the floor.
“ Yes, finally! his in laws high fived each other as they erupted in laughter and joy.
Denzel needed no one to tell him that they had been waiting for this day to come , it wasn't about his refusal, he was aware they never accepted him and was never in support of his union with their daughter. “Mr Kendrick really thought this through,”Denzel said inwardly as sadness enveloped him the more.
“Sign the damn divorce papers,”Mrs Veronica and Tom chorused excitedly.
“Pack your stinking self out of this house and never return! You shameless thing,” Anita yelled mockingly.
Denzel’s heart sunk into his stomach,He felt as if a cat was clawing at his heart viciously as he tried to absorb what had just happened.
Did he see this coming? No, Did he ever believe he would get divorced from Olivia? No, he was aware he loved her more than she did , but he had never imagined a life without her. He never saw this coming.
“Oh Poor son in law” Mrs Veronica said sarcastically with an annoying smirk littered on her face, “You didn't see this coming right? I bet you thought my husband would let you off easily" She laughed hysterically as her children joined her.
“You have refused to be of any importance in this house” She illustrated with her fingers as she started counting “You vowed to only be a leech, You have been nothing but a burden to me and my family.” She huffed and then a frown etched on her face, she glared at him and continued but her face lightened up almost immediately “I'm glad we are finally relieved of you, my daughter deserves much better and not a shameless impotent fool like you” She shrieked, at Denzel while still glaring at him.
Denzel clenched his fist tightly as his heart boiled with anger “I am not impotent ma!” He said through gritted teeth.
He could tolerate the insults all day and not feel moved by it , but he can't watch them call him impotent when their daughter had been the one who refused to let them consummate their marriage for 3 years.
“Shut up and who cares? A poor, worthless and shameless man is impotent for all I care!” Anita barked.
”Exactly!” Tom added “Sign the damn divorce papers , Denzel flinched and was brought back to reality, the matter on ground pressing down on him like a lead blanket.
He took in a sharp breath as he snapped his gaze at Olivia who had her head bowed and had been quiet amidst the chaos. It wasn't surprising to him, he knew his wife as a woman of few words and he was certain she was not in support of their evil plans.
Olivia slowly raised her head to him, as he took in the innocence and softness that emitted from Olivia's eyes.
Denzel breathed a sigh of relief as Olivia slowly stood up and walked to where he was, still on the floor.
She gently held his cheeks and looked him straight in the eyes, “Denzel, I Intentionally kept quiet so they would talk to their satisfaction” I'm in this marriage with you, not with them and as far as I'm concerned that divorce paper is invalid” she said, pointing at the table.
Denzel’s breath caught in his throat as he absorbed Olivia’s sweet voice, this was new to him, Olivia had never spoken to him this softly, although she doesn't join her family to insult him openly, but Denzel knew she created a barrier between them , they rarely talk and have never been in this close proximity before.
What changed? Denzel’s heart sank as he realised she was this way with him so he would agree to what her father said.
He threw his face away from hers to let her know that he knew what she was getting at, but the next words she said neutralised every atom of doubt he mustered up “Denzel, I will never allow you to cover up for my brothers sins, and I don't want to ever get divorce from you,” She said and bent her face for a while as if drawing courage from the ground to continue talking
“Olivia! Are you serious? Denzel asked in expectation as his face lightened up in smiles, he summoned courage to touch her cheeks to reassure her that he would love her till the end of time, but she flinched and resisted his touch.Denzel waved her reaction off, still focused on her.
“ Denzel , she locked her gaze with his, tears brimming in her eyes “ But I'm afraid dad might force us to divorce and your mother might die if her surgery gets delayed” She said, breaking down into tears.
Denzel’s heart contrasted, as he felt guilty for allowing his stubbornness to put them in this situation , he had never seen her cry and seeing that she was beginning to reciprocate the love he has been showering her with ,he didn't want to be the reason for her sadness.
Denzel closed his eyes as he struggled to figure out how to navigate the situation. He didn't want to lose his mother and he also didn't want to lose his wife. He had one decision to make and after thinking it through he came to a conclusion.
“I’ll do it” Denzel suddenly spoke up as all eyes turned towards him.
“Ugh”? Olivia asked , seemingly unsure of what she heard the first time..
“I will take the blame for Tom,”Damian reiterated.
“No Denzel! you can't, we will find a way out” she suggested as she sobbed harder .
“ Olivia, I choose to do this for us, please let me okay? father said I will only stay there for a few days and after everything my name would be cleared” Denzel pleaded with his eyes as his in laws watched with smudge on their faces.
“Do you mean to tell me that you would agree to misusing drugs, cocaine for that matter?” Olivia shaking her head in disbelief.
“Yes I will” Denzel assured but his heart was thudding against his chest.
Mr. Kendrick's face littered with smiles as he watched from the balcony facing down to the sitting room. He quickly went into his room and placed a call to the people outside, telling them to come in immediately.
“You are finally back to your senses” Mr Kendrick said, said descending the stairs
Denzel snapped his head in the direction he heard someone clearing their throat, and it was none other than his father in law.
Denzel was taken aback at how his father in law was quick to come down just a few minutes after agreeing to his proposal, “Was he not in his room?” he thought, but shrugged it off. The important thing was that his marriage with Olivia was safe and he would be getting the money for his mother's surgery.
Denzel stood up immediately without hesitation “Sir, I already agreed to your request, can I get the money for my mothers surgery now so I can rush to the hospital and pay up, then when I get back, I will head to the police station to testify?” he suggested, hoping that his father in law would give agree.
“That's too late Denzel, you wasted my time and I have lost the interest in giving you the money.”
Denzel was yet to get a grip at what his father in law was saying as the door suddenly burst open revealing 4 men in police uniforms.
The men exchanged a subtle look with Mr. Kendrick before turning to face Denzel as they approached him with cuffs.
“ You are Mr. Denzel right? My name is Matt fisher, an inspector from the anti corruption commission” the man said showing his badge to Denzel then put it back in his pocket.
“I am here to arrest you for use of harmful drugs. You will be taken to the police station for further investigation. You are hereby required to stay silent,as anything you say would be used against you in the court of law” inspector Matt said as the 3 other men approached Denzel and cuffed his hands before dragging him out.
Denzel was too shocked to react to the situation, as soon as they got to the double mahogany doors the sound of intense laughter brought him back to reality “ Sir, this was not what we agreed on!” he yelled, as tears welled up in his eyes . “ My mother is a hospital officer, I was framed,” Denzel pleaded with the officers.
“Olivia please talk to your father, this wasn't our agreement”Denzel spun around and looked at Olivia,waiting for her to say something but she didn't.
As his heart was contrasting in pain at Olivia's refusal to say something despite what her father was doing.
“Denzel” Olivia called out softly, approaching him
Denzel heaved a sigh of relief, at least one person was in support of him. Olivia could help him get out of this mess.
“ Here” she said, stretching out a white piece of document.
“You have to sign the divorce papers, I can't have a criminal as a husband”
“What! Olivia?”
“Olivia please don't tell me you are being serious right now?” Denzel asked, still in shock. Never in a million years did he expect that Olivia would betray him like this. “Olivia I know this is not you talking, I know your father has threatened you to support evil” “Shut up!” Olivia yelled, connecting her palm with Denzel’s cheeks forcefully. Denzel winced as he felt the sting from the slap the woman he trusted landed on his cheeks. “ Do you think I will choose a miserable thing like you over my family? Sign it before I force you to.” Olivia snarled, eyeing Denzel disdainfully Shock was an understatement to what Denzel felt. His wife, Olivia —betrayed him like this? With pain etched in every part of his body, Denzel signed the papers. The last thing he heard before being dragged out was the sound of loud laughter coming from his supposed in-laws and painfully, the woman he had trusted. “Olivia you are such a badass” Anita hailed as she handed a handkerchief to Olivia.
Denzel froze as his own voice rang in his ears. This was the last conversation he had with Olivia doesn't it mean it was recorded and now used as evidence against him? They had planned this all along. She tricked him into confessing to what he knew nothing about. Denzel thought as he felt a pang of pain hit him. “So was that your voice or not? And did you admit your usage of drugs to your wife or not? The officer yelled , as he sprang up, slamming his hands on the shaky table. Denzel’s face turned pale. He knew he had been framed but he didn't know Olivia and her family would go to this extent , the more he thought about it , the more his heart sank deeper. “Please, I didn't do it, all of these are just a set up by Mr Kendrick and his family” Denzel begged as he stared at the man looking for any sign of sympathy but the man offered none.“Take him out,if he doesn't want to say the truth I will force it out of him”, The officer growled as two other officers rushed to Denzel and aggr
“ Young master, we are sorry we had taken this measure in making sure we rescued you, they turned him around checking for injuries, “Relax, you are in safe hands now, young master” The three of them bowed slightly as two gently lifted him up from the chaos. “ Young master?” Denzel asked,utterly confused Before Denzel could tell what was happening , he was seated at the back seat of an air conditioned range rover.His eyes darted around the car as he gasped taking in the car interior and posh leathers. The one that baffled me most was how this car managed to stay undamaged , like it hadn't hit a van , whereas the other van suffered terrible damage. His gaze landed on the gorgeous lady driving at the front, her white tailored suit hugged her slender body accentuating her well sculpted body even while she was seated. She looked so put together with her blonde hair nearly tied up in a bun. Without doubt she is a rich business woman and she really smells nice too. Denzel thought. As if
“Yes , I'm aware I also have noticed for a while now, I have been watching the car closely ” Amanda said, disrupting Denzel’s thoughts as she sped up the car attempting to give the other car space.Surprisingly, the other car also sped up, now pursuing their car with full force to double cross them. Amanda sped up to the highest gear, her hands firm around the steering.Denzel’s heart drummed against his chest as he tightly held one of the men. It was as if he was experiencing fast and furious in real life and the speed at which Amanda was driving, Denzel feared that the car would summersault but this time, he had no idea who was going to save him.Bang! Bang! Countless gunshots hit the back glass of the car. Denzel's heart dropped into his stomach as he waited for the bullet to pierce his skin. He sat still for a while amidst the sounds of gunshots but when he didn't feel any pain, he slowly opened his eyes and watched as the bullets bounced on the car window but were unable to pene
After 3 hours, the car finally came to a halt in a secluded part of the city, where only the; Elites members of the city, powerful businessmen and CEOs own properties or live.Denzel’s family, the Leon family, owned the largest portion of land in the area and a whole estate named after them. “ We are here young master” Amanda said as the automatic white gate slided, revealing the magnificent white mansion. Denzel’s mouth dropped open as he took in the sight before him. There was a huge white peacock fountain, the vicinity was surrounded by neatly trimmed and bright flowers as several men in black suits with headphones hung around their heads walked around,while talking. “This is one of the properties of your grandfather” Amanda said to Denzel with a polite smile, while packing at the open garage“Wow” Denzel said with his eyes darting around the luxurious cars lined up in the garage.“Welcome home young master” the servants said in unison,bowing their heads slightly as one of them
“How Vivian? How did this happen? Victor has no reason to commit suicide? I don't understand”Denzel asked, still baffled at what he just heard. “Same here, I'm confused and I refuse to believe that victor committed suicide” “How did this happen Vivian?”“He got a job that same day you left, the job promised to pay him $100 daily. So he decided to work and raise money for mom’s treatment, but since that day he left for the job, he's yet to be back and I haven't heard from him. I reported to the police after 24 hours, but just this morning, they sent this” she sobbed, stretching the white folded piece of paper to Denzel . Denzel took the paper and opened it, goosebumps enveloped his skin as he read his brother's final words. The paper was stained with tears, and he noticed a tiny word at the end of the paper. It wasn't in the same language as the rest, but he made a mental note to use a translator for it later. Denzel stared at the heart breaking words his brother allegedly wrote as
[Beep] [Invalid card] “Yes! I said it!”“This thing right here is a thief” Anita bellowed, pointing a finger at Denzel. “I don't know why we listened to him, we could have just called the police right away!”one of the men in the room hissed , digging through his pocket to bring out his phone. “Thank God for you, we wouldn't have known that such a criminal was amongst us” Another woman said , flashing a smile to Anita. “Exactly! we need your type of people in our city” Another man added as other people joined in, showering praises on Anita, causing her head to swell in pride. “But It's not too late, we can call the police right away, he needs to face the law for stealing” Another person interjected, changing the topic. “Yes! Exactly!” Sounds of approval echoed in the room. Denzel stood frozen, his heart pounding furiously against his chest as he imagined what was going to happen when the police arrived. He was sure there was money in that card, because there was no reason for h
“Everyone, this is the head doctor, he's here to settle the case” Anita informed, her lips curling into a smirk. “ Yes, I was informed of what happened, and thankfully, I know this man right here!He is a known criminal” The head doctor Sam, said, feeling confident in his lie. Denzel eyes widened in shock, because he hadn't seen this man before, why then was he calling him a criminal? At this point he was getting fed up, and his heart was boiling in anger. “ Like I said, he could have harmed someone in the process of taking this card, take a look at him, doesn't he look like a criminal who hadn't had his bath in 3 days?” Sam said mockingly, causing an uproar of laughter in the room. His girlfriend Anita had texted him and explained briefly what had happened, and also asked him to add salt to the injury. So, that was exactly what he was doing. Denzel clenched his teeth, glaring at the slender man who had a devilish smirk plastered on his face. “He might have even killed someone