NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE : CHAPTER 1 – 20
BY JOY FAVOUR SHAKA
CHAPTER SIX
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I left the hospital and trekked back to work cause I was having no money left with me. It was already evening when I arrived at the restaurant. I had to enter through the back exist cause of Mr Gray. I left work without his permission so am sure he’ll be mad at me.
“Cathy….” I called in form of a whisper, hoping Mr Gray wouldn’t hear my voice from his office.
She noticed my presence, Miranda couldn’t cause she is in the kitchen probably doing the dishes. It seemed they’re about to close the restaurant for today cause there’s no customer.
“Riley, why did you ran off like that and where the h’ll have you been?.” She whispers.
“Am sorry. Did boss ask of me?.” I inquired fearfully.
“Yes he did.” She says.
“Oh gosh!. Is he in his office?.” I gasped with my heart pounding hard.
“No, he just left. But no worries, I told him you were having a bad stomachache and you had to go home immediately.”
“Did he believe?.”
“I think so….”
“Thanks Cathy.” I say.
“I gat you girl, wait…..isn’t that tears on your cheeks?. Riley, what happened?.” She asks, this time in a very concerned look as she moves closer to me.
“My….my mom had an accident and she’s in the hospital as she speak.” I sniffed.
“Gosh!. Am so sorry Riley!. How is she???. Is she alright??.” She exclaims in shock.
I sigh sadly. “She’s in a terrible condition Cathy. The doctor said she has to undergo a surgery which costs a hundred million dollars.”
“What??!. That’s too much!.”
“I…I…don’t know what to do Cathy. How will I raise the money??.” I break down in tears.
She pulled me to herself and hugged me. “Don’t cry Riley, be strong. Am sure God will take control of everything. Please you have to be strong for your mom.” She says.
“Thanks Cathy.” I withdrew from her.
“What are your plans now?.”
“I don’t know yet.” I sigh.
“All will be well, just believe. Okay?.”
“Okay.” I breathe out.
~~~
The house feels so empty, the scent of loneliness filled my nostrils. Oh damn! I miss mom so much. All what the doctor discussed with me flashed back at me immediately I entered my room.
I sat on the bed and bursts into tears again. Who is going to help me?. I don’t even know dad’s family that much and mom, her parents are dead. Aunt Clarissa and mom were their only children they gave birth to.
I heaved a deep breathe and sighed as I glimpsed at the desk beside my bed. My attention was suddenly fixed on it, I stood up and picked it up.
That man’s card……
I stared at it as I got lost in my thoughts. Should I call this number and….maybe I can ask for help…?.
No!. It sounds crazy. Why would a stranger help me??.
I sighed and tossed the card away. I don’t even know why I still have it with me. It has been three days since that man came to our restaurant so I should put it away since it’s not even useful to me.
NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE : CHAPTER 1 – 20
FAST FORWARD
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It’s almost closing hour. I breathe in and out countless times as I tried to drive out the nervousness away from my body. Am standing in front of Mr Gray’s office about to knock on the door.
I kept assuring Doctor Felix that i’d soon pay for mom’s surgery. Her surgery will commence this week, I pray I get help fast..
“Come in.” His thick voice says, hope he is in a good mood today.
Oh geez… I twists the door knob and entered.
“Good evening sir.” I greet with a small bow.
“What do you want?.” He asks going through some stuffs that i couldn’t even bother to check cause I am super duper nervous.
“Uhm…sir, I need your help, sir.” I forced myself to speak out. Am so scared.
“Help?.” He looked up at once.
“Yes…”
“Spill it out Riley.” He cuts me off.
I sigh silently and avoided his gaze. “My mom….she had an accident.” I say.
“What help will that be?.” He snaps at me with a stoic face.
“Can you please…lend me some money?. I promise to pay you back sir, please.”
He remained mute for minutes as he gave me an unexplainable look. God, this is awkward….I pray he helps me.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, he bursts into laughter.
“Sir..?.”
“So…this is why you came to my office?. He asked coldly.
“Uh..I..”
“Zip it and get out.” He points at the door.
“Am sorry sir.” I apologized and slowly walked towards the door.
I sighed sadly as soon as I got out. Gosh, what am I supposed to do now?. I was hoping he would help me…..
“Ry.” Miranda calls.
“Yes?.” I respond in a low voice.
“Can you please help me with the trash?. My mom just called and i ought to be home by now.”
“Okay, no problem.” I smile sadly at the mention of ‘mom’. I miss aunt Clarissa so much…
“Thanks, goodnight then.” She says as she moves to the door.
“Same here.” I nod.
NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE : CHAPTER 1 – 20
~~~
After changing to my clothes, I carried the bags of trash and headed outside through the back door of the restaurant.
As I dropped the trash, I noticed a human figure from afar looking at my direction. I couldn’t decipher if it’s a female or a male cause it’s a bit dark.
Everywhere is silent like a graveyard. Mr Gray and Cathy should have gone home by now so I guess am alone in this restaurant.
I tried to shrug off fear and it worked.
“Hey.” I heard a soft voice behind me.
I became scared instantly, I slowly turned to see a man in a black hoodie, baggy pants and nose mask. I didn’t even notice he was already behind me.
“Hi.” He said again.
He looks like the owner of that card, I knew he is the one immediately I spotted his Nordic eyes.
“What…can…I..do…for..you?.” I ask politely.
Different thoughts were going on in my head. What is he doing here late?. It’s almost 8pm and besides he didn’t come to eat in our restaurant today so why is he around our vicinity?.
Gosh….could it be true about what Cathy and Miranda said!. Is he a criminal or he is trying to rob me?!. God!. Please save me!.
“Do you need a job?.” He asks.
Okay…..that was out of the blue moon.. I was expecting harsh response from him, like give me your purse or money, something like that.
Do I need a job?? Why is he asking?.
“Huh?.”
Okay!. Am freaking out!. First mom is in the hospital fighting for her life. Second, Mr gray declined my help and now a complete creepy stranger is asking me if I need a job. How worse will my life become???!
“Am sorry, no thanks.” I say boldly and proceed towards the back door, where I came out from.
“I was expecting you to give me a call but you didn’t. I see you’re a very hardworking lady and you deserve a better job. The pay is worth million of dollars.”
What??.
I stopped at my spot and faced him. “Who are you?.”
“You didn’t see the name on my card?.” He retorts, he sounded a bit harsh.
“Charles…and why do you care to help me?.” I asked boldly.
He didn’t reply as he looked at me and shrug.
God!. I wonder what kind of job he is talking about. I don’t even know him, even if I do, he is wearing a nose mask. Who knows if he is trying to sell me or do anything worst to me!?.
“Well, thank you. I don’t want your offer, you can help someone else who needs this job you speak of.” I say.
He chuckled. “Seems you don’t care about your mother Riley.” He says.
My heart raced hundred times at the mention of mom and my name. How did he know my name??.
“What…do…you mean?!.” I half yell, trying to sound bold even if I was shivering in fear.
“Call me when you’re ready Riley. You have my number.” He says and walked out of my sight, I stared at him in surprise till he left my presence.
“What the h’ll just happened?!.” I muttered.
Who is this man????. How did he know my name?!. He knew I was going to keep his card….what is going on???.
NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE : CHAPTER 1 – 20
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Jessica
~
?Jay, what’s up?. Any news?.” I ask pacing around my room with only my lingerie on.
His voice came in. ? Jessica you have to be calm. He already found the lady.” He says.
?What??!. What the fk do you mean Jay!?.” I half yell.
? Jess, calm down.”
? Don’t tell me to calm down Jay. You told me it was going to work out as we planned but it didn’t. After all the s*x we had!. You disappointed me!.”
? I tried to convince him Jessica. There’s always a way out, you have to chill.
I breathe out and controlled my anger.
?So who is she?.” I ask through gritted teeth.
? We don’t know. He hasn’t told us who she is yet but am sure we will soon find out.”
?Fk!.” I cussed as i hang up the call.
All my plans has been ruined!!. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way!!. It was supposed to be me cause he belongs to me!.
Anyways….I can’t just give up. Even if he is with the bch, I’ll make him mine.
NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE : CHAPTER 1 – 20
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