CHAPTER 8

The door creaked open revealing a concentrated Raymond. Upon lifting his eyes he met the two gentlemen who were hell-bent on making his life miserable. Faking a smile, he got to his feet and exchanged a handshake with his so called future father in law

"You look really busy Raymond."

"No no its nothing sir, do have a sit please." he offered after the deadly stare from his father

"Your father was telling me about how hard you have been working ever since taking over, i am glad i chose this company to work with."

"We try sir, and we will never disappoint."

"Well said, you truly have a good one here Richard." he said to Raymond's father who grinned like there was no tomorrow

"I hope you are also ready to be my son in law soon. I trust my daughter will be safe with you." Raymond swallowed hard before responding

"Of course. I will always make her happy."

"I trust you will Raymond, i trust you will...I will let you continue with your work, see you around." he got up and they exchanged handshakes before the two men left making Raymond release a huge sigh of relief. Looking into his phone he realized time was no longer on his side. He had nearly two weeks left to fix his mess and Joshua was not doing him justice, he was not ready to lose the love of his life and Joshua was the only one to he trusted. He had to do it one way or the other.

******

When Helen eventually got up it was already late. Looking out for her phone she could not find it. She looked around till she realized she was not home, she was in an unknown room. The headache then started but she managed to drag herself out of the room into the empty kitchen. She opened the fridge and gulped a lot of water then went on to the microwave where she found a plate of food

"Impressive." she smiled to herself as she dug in but the headache would not let her have the food in peace. She then scurried around to make a lemon syrup she always drank for her hangovers and moments later she felt much better. It was then that she realized she hadn't seen Joshua ever since she woke up. Looking around her intuition led her upstairs to a room at the far end of the corridor. She leaned in to listen but heard nothing. Slowly sliding the door handle she opened the door, turned on the lights only to find Joshua fast asleep by his study desk. She tiptoed over to him trying not to make a sound. She stood before him carefully scanning the man her heart longed for. She stood gazing at him for quite sometime up until her eyes fell on the ink on his lower back his sleeping position lifting up his shirt a little. Her curiosity then got the better of her such that she carefully lifted his shirt for a better read but it did not take her a second to feel a firm hand holding hers tight.

"What are you doing?" Joshua's voice bellowed to Helen who swallowed hard

"I uhm...i was just..."

"I left you some food its in the microwave. Go eat and get some sleep." Helen did not find it in her to argue but rather she scurried out of the room straight to the one she had woken up in. Joshua then got to his feet and walked over to the wall where he punched in some numbers and it slid open, revealing another secret room within his study, where all his dirty dealings and escapades were done.

*******

Amanda budged into the bathroom not knowing Julia was still bathing. The girl quickly grabbed the wrapping towel and covered herself panic written all over her face while her gaze set straight on Amanda. She could swear Julia was looking at her but hey, that was just absurd

"I uhm....i'm sorry i thought you were long done i'm sorry." she said clearing the air

"Its okay i just...i am now used to staying on my own so it skipped me that you are here

"I have already made breakfast. Finish up quickly else we will be late for work."

"Okay thanks." she breathed as the door went shut. She held onto her towel tightly hoping Amanda did not see that which she had hidden for a whole lot of years. That which she had deprived Raymond intimacy for because she did not want any eyes feasting on her naked body lest they fall on that which could ruin everything.

"I cant Ray, i want to do it after marriage with you as my husband. " she had always said and that was her escaping statement. She basically could not afford any weak link at that point, no, she couldn't.

********

Richard sat amongst the others during the ministers meeting which he always found odd and boring. He looked around to notice his fellows were in deep concentration while he on the other hand was wallowing in boredom and misery. The door then creaked open and in came the man whose position he had been craving for for a number of years. His smile made Richard cringe and by just looking at him he had found his target. Vice President, Keneth Khetha and all he needed now was a complete team because the man he was planning to take out was as always prepared as any other politician.

*******

"We are so not having this discussion anymore Raymond i don't want to get married okay?" said Joshua walking down the stairs Raymond closely following behind.

"You are not really getting married Josh we can figure our way around it please dude."

"No."

"I love Julia. I cant lose her please Josh please."

"Then why don't you tell her what is going on?She looks like the understanding type she will understand because there is no way i am getting married!"

"Joshua please." he said sitting next to him, "You lost your love, do you want me to go through the same fate?"

"Julia is alive Raymond stop making this some sort of big deal."

"Joshua please. If you do this for me i will owe you. Name it i will do it just please, i cant lose Julia i will go crazy i...."

"Fine! I will do it happy now?" Raymond smiled broadly happiness written all over his eyes, "As much as you would do anything for me i have to do the same for you. Just make sure you get a divorce soon and just so you know, i will still be as good as a bachelor because she is your girlfriend not mine. Don't expect me to be loyal as well."

"Okay no problem. Thanks Josh. And one more thing, Grace will be here in about two weeks so...well you have to get married in soon."

"How soon?"

"I will convince Julia. Just be ready because you are getting married next week..." Now that left Joshua reigning out curses. He wondered how and where he got this Raymond of a friend because now was the time to most definitely take him back.

*****

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