WEDDING OF MY EX
***EPISODE 13***
THE KLEVER MAGG
IRIS’ EAST LEGON RESIDENCE – NIGHT
Chris rubs his eyes and leans back fully, putting his head across the edge of the sofa.
IRIS
Wow, that was amazing. You really loved her, didn’t you?
CHRIS
Love is definitely an understatement, Iris. I really adored that girl. She filled my heart, you know. Hell, there was not a single second when her name didn’t ring in my soul.
IRIS
From how you described her, this Effe seems quite like a decent, lovable sort. What could she have done to make you hate her so much?
CHRIS
That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? What did she do? Hell, what didn’t she do? Even now I find it difficult to believe how well that b—h fooled me!
IRIS
Tell me, Chris. I’m really curious to know. So, you and Effe discovered that you loved each other…
CHRIS
Wrong. I discovered that I was in love with her. To her, it was all some sort of sick game from the very bloody onset!She never loved me.
IRIS
Okay, I can understand that. So, you were greatly in love with her, but your Mom evidently didn’t like it. Elaine and her folks were scandalized. Basically the two of you were alone on the turf. It must have been a terrible period for you.
CHRIS
Yeah, it was horrible. My Mom took it really hard. She moved out of the house, you know. She said that house was mine, given to me by my late father. She had her own house, which she had been contemplating renting out previously. We met at the Supermarket each day, but it wasn’t really easy.
IRIS
And Elaine?
CHRIS
She took it really bad at first, for the first two months. She left Takoradi and dedicated her life to her work. It was bad for her, and although I tried on many occasions to get in touch with her, she cut me off. Her parents wouldn’t hear me out either. It was a very crazy time in my life, but I loved Effe so much that nothing was going to stop me from marrying her. We set a date in August for the wedding. Eventually my Mom realized that I really loved Effe, and she gave in, albeit reluctantly, I guess.She accepted Effe, and that was more than I ever hoped for.
IRIS
I guess she didn’t have much of a choice. It was either give in, or risk losing you to Effe forever. It must have been a hard decision for her.
CHRIS
Maybe, but then again she and I have always been that close. Anyway, somehow, Elaine also came back to Takoradi. She was on accumulated leave days, you know. It seemed like she had never been on leave for two years, so her employers granted her request for accumulated leave days. She came to the supermarket one afternoon, entered my office, and hugged me.
IRIS
Just like that?
CHRIS
Yeah, just like that. She cried a bit, yeah, talked about how much I had hurt and disgraced her. I apologized, told her how bad I felt about the whole matter. Well, evidently, she had decided to let it go, you know, and move on with her life. She still wanted to be friends with me, and you don’t know how happy she made me. That evening we all went home, that is, my Mom, Elaine and myself. Effe was there, you know. She always came in to prepare food for me in the evenings. The four of us had dinner that evening.
IRIS
(chuckling)
That would’ve been some dinner! Awkward, wasn’t it?
CHRIS
I don’t really remember it much, but I guess it went well, under the circumstances. Elaine amazed me the greatest. She tried, from then, to be friendly with Effe. It must have been hell for her, but she did really try, and I admired her for that. Steve was also constantly around, and you know him, he watered the grounds well. So there we were, all moving smoothly towards my wedding. My love for Effe grew in leaps each day. Takoradi was buzzing with news of my impending wedding, you know.
Iris draws closer to him. She reaches over, takes his arm and pulls him. He does not resist this time. He goes willingly into her arms, and she holds him.
IRIS
And then I guess your world fell apart? Was it some terrible revelation? I’m intrigued, Chris. What could’ve happened to make you break off with Effe, a woman I’m convinced you love dearly, even now?
CHRIS
It was just a month to the wedding when my heart was shattered, Iris. I think it all began with Mr. Afful, and then the Joint Account. Yeah, that’s it. You know, I opened a joint Bank Account with Effe. I needed to trust her, and I wanted her to have all the money she needed for planning the wedding. I went to the bank with her and opened the account. We were both signatories to it, and I was giving her money almost each week to deposit into the account. She would use part of the money in the account to finance the wedding expenditures, and also when we were married we would rely on that money. I transferred half of my personal savings into that account.
IRIS
And she spent it all?
CHRIS
You think it was that simple? Heck no! It would’ve been okay if she had just spent the d–n money! But yes, my GMs, began with Mr. Afful’s visit and that account!
IRIS
Mr. Afful being the one you told me about, the man in charge of the orphanage where Effe was? Same man who wanted to rape and keep her to himself?
CHRIS
Yep. Same ugly son of a b—h … aw forgive my language, okay?
IRIS
That’s okay, Chris. I can see you’re strung tighter than a violin. And your GMs? What’s that?
CHRIS
Oh, hell, forgive me, darling. I’m dragging you into my quagmire of rot. GMs stand for Great Miseries, dear. That’s how I termed the hellish phases that crazy b—h took me through. My Great Miseries…
***************
FLASHBACK
THE FOCUS SUPERMARKET – NIGHT
The Focus Supermarket is large and well-designed.
Late shoppers are moving busily around, some with trolleys, others with bags.
Security guards are also standing at vantage points. The upper floor also has the administrative offices.
Chris’ office is huge. The L-shaped desk is of high quality. The chairs facing the desk are beautiful and expensive.
There is a central visitors’ lounge that has classic furniture, an elaborate water dispenser and a magnificent little bar.
Chris and Steve are sitting at the visitor’s lounge, eating and laughing.
Steve puts a piece of tender chicken in his mouth and reaches out for his glass of wine.
He swirls the dark liquid around the ice cubes, and then he takes a sip.
STEVE
Man, I never thought I’ll live to see the day a chick will have your heart all tied up in knots like this! You love her. I’m now convinced of that amazing fact!
CHRIS
I love her, man. I look at that girl and I start thanking God for giving me an angel. She’s so sweet.
STEVE
And hot! Effe is really hot! Seen the legs on her? D–n…
Chris chuckles and wags a forefinger at him.
CHRIS
No, Mr. Romeo, don’t go there! Don’t let your imaginations run wild on my woman. You’ll risk a swollen jaw.
STEVE
A girl like that can give you multiple orgasms, man. I bet she’s driving you crazy in bed, and please don’t give me that bull waste story about not touching her…
CHRIS
It is true, man. Haven’t even kissed her yet. She wanna get her first kiss at the altar. It has always been her dream, and I wanna give her just that. So I’m waiting.
STEVE
Hmm. You telling me she’s a virgin, right?
CHRIS
That ain’t your goddamn business, bro.
STEVE
What the dilly-dilly-dilly-yoo! Man, why do you always get the best chicks, huh? Man, I’ve always wanted to deflower a virgin, but they’re more extinct than the dinosaurs, man!
They both burst out laughing, and just then a phone on near Chris’ arm rings. Chris picks up the receiver.
CHRIS
Hello?
RECEPTIONIST
Sorry to bother you, Mr. Bawa, but there’s a man here who says he urgently needs to see you.
CHRIS
You know how we work, Mary.
RECEPTIONIST
Yes, Sir. I told him to give his name and book an appointment, but he insists he has to see you. He says he’s on an errand for an Auntie Joyce. Should I let the security men show him out?
CHRIS
He’s from Auntie Joyce? Let him come up, Mary.
RECEPTIONIST
Thank you, Sir.
Chris replaces the receiver.
STEVE
Auntie Joyce? Woman who looked after Effe at the orphanage?
CHRIS
Yeah. She sent someone to come look for me. I wanted her to resign and be with us because Effe sees her as a mother, but it seems that bastard Afful got fired and Auntie Joyce is now the new Director of the orphanage. She promised to be here for the wedding. I hope nothing bad has happened to her.
STEVE
Let’s call it a day then, my bro. I gotta run home and rest my expiring body again. My new status as your Best Man demands that I look good from now till the D-day.
They both laugh and shake hands, and Chris escorts Steve to the door.
There is a knock, and the door opens. The man who comes in is short, obese and has a cold expression.
He is well-dressed in a white suit and a trilby. Steve looks at the visitor, and then his eyes meets Chris’.
STEVE
You want me to stay a spell, CB?
CHRIS
It’s okay, man. Nothing I can’t handle here.
Steve hesitates for a moment, his eyes still questioning, and then he nods and leaves.
Chris positions himself squarely in front of his visitor.
CHRIS
Jonathan Afful. Forgive me if I don’t offer you a seat. You know, you shouldn’t have bothered lying to the receptionist that Auntie Joyce sent you. The mere mention of your name would’ve been enough to bring you here.
Afful smiles, his voice a lazy drawl as he nods his head and begins to speak.
AFFUL
I see. That little c–t has you under her spell too. Now why am I not surprised about that? She has a specialty for that, believe me.
CHRIS
I detest you, Jonathan Afful. I am glad you came here. I take it you’ve been sacked from the orphanage? Well, guess what, I am behind it! I got into contact with some big shots, and they had you fired, you son of crazy b—h. You’re lucky they didn’t haul your sorry ass into jail, but Effe didn’t want it that way. She just wanted you out.
AFFUL
You don’t know who you’re joking with, Mr. Chris Bawa! You’re not the only one that knows big wigs. But my revenge is going to take another form, fool. It is not aimed at you, but at that stinking, shitty w—e you’re going to marry.
Chris swings a fist. It crashes into Afful’s jaw. It flings the man down hard into one of the soft chairs.
Afful’s trilby comes off, and slowly he sits up in the chair. There’s blood in his nostrils and running down the right side of his lips.
Afful slowly takes a dark-blue hankie from his pocket and carefully wipes the blood from his mouth.
CHRIS
That’s for all the hell you put Effe through. Now get your miserable butt out of my office before I beat the shit out of you, idiot!
AFFUL
Just a minute, Romeo, just a minute.
He stands up and retrieves his hat. Carefully he puts it back on his head, and then he smiles.
AFFUL
You’re younger and stronger than I am, Romeo. I can’t fight you. True, you hate me, much as I hate you, and you’re capable of beating me to pulp, I know. So yes, I’ll get outta your office, but first, you will hear me out.
CHRIS
I ain’t got no time for your drivel, snake. Get the hell out of my office!
AFFUL
There is a guy named Bright Koffie. He grew up at the orphanage too. I bet Effe is telling you crap about not wanting to kiss and make love to you until you two are married. You believe her? That c–t is lying to you, Romeo. She and Bright are lovers, and have been lovers since they were both fifteen. Bright has been shagging her to death all along!
CHRIS
You stupid, stinking lying freak!
He back-hands Afful across the face, and Afful totters back with a groan of pain.
He holds up his hands in supplication, his face suddenly scared as Chris bears down on him.
His voice comes out in a screech as Chris draws back his fist to strike him again.
AFFUL
Have you checked your bank account lately, the joint account you opened with Effe?
Chris halts. His face is confused as he glares at Afful.
Afful drops his hands, straightens his coat and looks at Chris defiantly.
AFFUL
I’m going to prove to you what a snake you plan to marry, Bawa. She has no interest in marrying you, no. She’s just in for the money. She and Bright have formed a sick alliance, and she uses her beauty to trap rich men. They used to give me kickbacks, huge ones, and so I tolerated them. She always manages to get her victims to propose to her, and then claim she’s a virgin and only want to kiss for the first time on her wedding day blah blah blah!
Chris moves forward, grabs Afful by the lapels and hurls him hard toward the door.
Afful crashes into the door. Chris looks at him, enraged.
CHRIS
Afful, I won’t listen to your malicious lies! That girl is a pure angel. I trust her with my very soul. Now you get out of here before I tear your bloody head off your neck!
AFFUL
Don’t be a fool, Romeo. Let me…
CHRIS
Not another word, freak! Beat it!
AFFUL
She meets Bright every Friday at the Sports Club cafe at Beach Road, 3:00 p. m. prompt. She gives him the money she has taken from you, and probably from the fools who think they’ve got a beautiful daughter. Tomorrow is Friday, they’ll meet. You think I’m lying go there and see for yourself, but first check that bank account. Good night, Romeo. I’ll keep in touch.
He touches the brim of his hat to Chris, and then he turns, unlocks the door and goes out.
***************
Chris stands still, as if transfixed. His face is a picture of misery. He turns and walks slowly back to his desk.
He sits down and turns on his computer. He opens the second button on his shirt and stares at the screen.
He punches some keys and stares at his computer screen.
Suddenly a look of complete shock passes across his face. His lips open in a silent scream of dismay.
CHRIS
Oh, my God!
The computer screen shows details of his joint account with Effe.
There is a list of credit entries, and then a series of huge weekly withdrawals.
CHRIS
(in a shocked whisper.)
She has emptied out the account! She has withdrawn all the money!
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