LIFE, ABOVE ALL
Episode 26
STELLA
I got ready for bed and closed my eyes but I couldn’t shut down my mind. I switched from one side to the other back again.
‘She is good for business.’
‘All you have to do is make sure you deliver her to me without any suspicions from anyone.’
There were so many thoughts passing through my mind. Why did her? What did she have that he badly wanted? Was he into human trafficking? Was I ready to get involved in his business? Well the money was good but could I really sell her off just like that without anyone suspecting a thing? The thoughts just kept rushing through my head like a footballer that had just been tackled.
Finally I made a mantle note to ask him more about his business before I fully got involved. I closed my eyes and decided to force myself to sleep. Thirty minutes later the door creaked open and my husband walked into the room.
‘Wifey,’ he smiled at me.
I smiled back at him, ‘Yes my husband.’
‘You look beautiful,’ he said
I was wearing a silky pair of short-like pajamas.
‘Thank you,’ I responded
‘You are the sexiest woman I have ever seen.’
‘And you are still the most handsome man I have ever seen.’
He laughed, ‘Shut up.’
‘I am serious.’
He quickly undressed and crawled into bed next to me wrapping me up in his arms.
‘How was your day?’ I asked
‘Tiring,’ he yawned, ‘How was yours?’
‘The usual.’
‘The children still giving you problems?’
I sighed, ‘Will they ever like me?’
‘Only time will tell.’
‘The other two are okay because they are more on the quiet side but Tiya is a problem.’
‘Tell me about it,’ he said
‘That girl was spoiled by her mother, she is so rebellious and you know what?’ I asked
‘What?’
‘That girl has started sleeping around, that behavior isn’t normal for a 14 year old.’
‘You think so?’
‘Yes.’
‘The day I find out she has a boyfriend is the day I will kill her with my bare hands.’
‘I will be watching her.’
‘Thank you for caring about her welfare I don’t know what I would do without you.’
‘I love you,’ I said
‘I love you too.’
A long silence settled between us and within minutes we were both fast asleep.
The next day, I snapped my eyes open to the sunlight flooding through the window, the first thing I did was turn towards the opposite wall I stared at the empty place beside me. Placing my hand on the sheets, I sighed, the place was cold. My husband must have already gotten up as usual.
I am not really a morning person so my husband always wakes up earlier than me.
Rolling out of bed, reached for my robe and made my way out of the bedroom door. Walking into the dining room, I found my husband having breakfast he looked up at me and smiled.
‘Morning my darling,’ I smiled
‘Morning,’ he said
‘Sorry, I didn’t wake up in time to prepare your breakfast again,’ I said yawning loudly
‘You don’t have to worry about anything, that’s why we hired a maid.’
‘You are such a darling I walked over to peck him on the forehead.
I sat on the other chair and watched him eat, when he was done. I cleared the table and we walked back to the bedroom.
‘I won’t be able to drive Ganizani and Thoko to school today please give them this money for transport,’ he handed me a hundred kwacha.
‘Okay.’
Then he handed me some money for relish and shopping, unlike my previous husband, this man is generous, he carters for all my needs and I don’t even have to lift a finger.
‘I have to get going,’ he lightly kissed my lips.
‘Have a nice day.’
‘You too.’
He walked out of the room and I sat on the bed then I grabbed my phone and decided to call Mr. Bwalya.
‘Hello,’ he answered when he picked up.
‘Good morning,’ I said
‘How are you? I hope you are calling because you have good news.’
‘I want us to meet.’
‘Is there a problem?’
‘No, I want to find out one or two things before I can become part of this plan.’
‘Okay.’
‘Okay?’ I asked, I didn’t think he would agree that easily considering how he didn’t want to give me full details the last time we met, this time I was actually determined to get the truth out of him.
‘Yes, you come to my house at ten,’ he said
‘Okay, I will be there.’
‘See you.’
As soon as the call ended, there was a knock at the door.
‘Yes, come in,’
The door creaked open and Ganizani walked in.
‘What do you want?’
‘I wanted to see my father,’ he said
‘He has already left for work.’
‘Did he leave you our transport and lunch money?’
‘No.’
He looked a little disappointed but didn’t say anything he turned and walked out of the room. I burst out laughing I needed to make them suffer more so they could leave this house for me and my husband.
I quickly undressed and headed for the shower, I wanted to go shopping before meeting up with Mr. Bwalya, after my shower, I wore a short green dress and a pair of high heels.
At 8 hours, I stepped out of my room and into the living room, my cousin Bessy was busy cleaning up.
‘Mwamoneka bwino,’ she said
‘Thank you.’
‘Are you going out?’
‘Yes, will be doing a little shopping, I will be back soon.’
‘Okay.’
I walked out of the house and got into my car, instantly driving off. I drove to a local café and had my breakfast there and since time wasn’t on my side I decided to postpone my shopping to later.
When I got to his house, I parked in front of his gate and jumped out of the car then I walked towards the house. I knocked at the door and a woman opened it, she looked at me in a rather strange way.
‘Hello,’ I smiled, ‘I would like to see Mr. Bwalya,’ I said
‘Mrs. Stella Phiri?’ she asked
‘Yes.’
She opened the door wider and stepped aside, I entered the house and she shut the door. She led me through the living room to the study, I must stay I was amazed at how flawless the wood floors looked. When I walked into the study, Mr. Bwalya stood up and smiled.
‘Good morning,’ he said
‘Good morning,’ I replied
‘Welcome to my small house,’ he said
I laughed, this house wasn’t small at all, it was huge whatever business he was into did bring in a lot of money for him.
‘Please take a seat.’
I pulled back a chair which was across from him and sat down.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ he asked
‘No.’
‘You are sure?’
‘I am sure.’
He sat down too and poured himself some whiskey the he took a large sip.
‘So,’ we said at the same time.
‘You go first,’ he said
I cleared my throat, ‘I thought about what you asked me to do.’
‘And?’
‘I can only go ahead with this if I know the kind of business you are involved in.’
He kept quiet.
‘I want to know what I am getting myself into who knows maybe I will be interested and become a partner.
‘Be careful what you wish for,’ he said
He tapped his fingers on the table, ‘What you are asking me is quiet tricky.’
‘How?’
‘You can only know the ins and outs of my business if you accept to be a member.’
‘I am in.’
He gave me a quizzical look.
‘If this business gives you a lot of money then I am in.’
‘You are sure?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay.’
I smiled nervously.
‘Let me make a phone call then I will get back to you.’
‘Sure.’
He walked out of the room and I waited.
When he walked back in, he was wearing a white robe and a red hat he no longer had shoes on his feet.
‘Come.’
I hesitated a bit but he extended his hand towards me and I had no choice but to stand up. He asked me to remove my shoes and gave me a white robe to wrap around my waist.
We went upstairs and walked down the long passage to a room at the far end and he knocked twice.
‘Whatever you see in there please do not scream,’ he warned
The door opened wide and a magnetic force pushed us in before it closed behind our backs.
***
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