Chapter 8 Facing The Monster

"So what is it you wanted to tell me?"

Valeria fell silent to the anxiousness that overwhelmed her. Staring at the ceiling, then... To the floor. She didn't know how to start the conversation with Doctor Ashley but she was sure of one thing. If there was ever a time to speak up, That time is now.

"You travelled all the way from Johnson to Natchez just to talk to me. So please, say something. Tell me whatever happened in school. I'll help you through, the best I can." She begged.

"Okay... " Valeria took out a deep breath."It's not about school issue, it's about me. Doc Ashley, I found out three days ago that I am pregnant."

"What? You're pregnant?" Doctor Azeezah cried, digestedly to the words.

"Yes ma... " she replied, tears dropping down her eyes almost immediately

"For who?" She asked looking so stunned.

"It happened about a month ago when my mum was still very sick. A friend of my dad offered to help me with mum's surgery money only if I meet him at Nicon Hotel. It was late at night, he drugged and raped me."

"What?! Who is he exactly? What's his name?!!"

"He's Mr Felix Wilson.... "

"What? Felix is at it again? Like seriously?!!"

Valeria was astonished to know Doctor Ashley knows him already. "Do you know him?"

"Oh my world! Why didn't you tell me about this earlier, Valerie! I would have given you better advices or better still, avoided you from going to that monster. Mr Felix tormented your mother so much! Despite all my warnings! He betrayed your father, Valeria! You should have nothing to do with a beast like him. Didn't you know?" Doctor Ashley looked to pissed.

"My parents always took me to him, I thought he would be kind enough for a family friend to help us. I had no idea something like this would ever have happened. He raped me twice ma and didn't give me the money as promised." She complained, realising how stupid she was.

She felt used.

More tears gathered in her sad eyes as she wept softly, trying not to break down again the the presence of Doctor Ashley.

"How much did he promise you?"

"One million dollars." Valeria sniffed her runny nose.

"One what?! That greedy pig would never let any of his penny to fall into anyone's hand, except he takes from others. I can't believe you actually believed him. What were you expecting when he asked you into an hotel? You children of now adays think you're smarter than you look. How old are you?"

"I'm 18 ma."

"Imagine, you're just 18 years old and pregnant. Your future is on the line my dear. I want to let you know something today, Valeria. Your mum's last words were 'my children... My children.' I promised to care and cherish both of you like my own. That was a promise I made to your mother and I won't rest until I fulfil it. Breaking promises is not my thing so... Hmmm... I'll advice we act fast on this issue before it gets out of hand. I don't mind facing that wicked man for your sake. I've always avoided him but now, I really need to get involve." She explained.

"What should we do now, I'm confused." Valeria retorted as she wiped off the lingering tears. "I went to meet him but he denied being responsible and threatened to kill me if I don't abort this pregnancy?"

"What? He don't mean it!" Her eyes sparked. "He threatened to kill you? After all he'd done?!"

"Yes, doctor." Her trembling voice sounded so innocent. The doctor felt so much pity.

Doctor Ashely just had to think it through but.. she was terrified at what valeria just said.

"How can he say that to you when he planted it there?!" Then she suddenly calmed her voice. "You know what? It's all your fault, Valeria! Despite what your mum had gone through, now this? I'm so disappointed in you, you know! Meeting Felix was the worst option you've taken. I never expected this… You should have confided in me and told me about this incident long ago. I would have fought this case with you till the end. Even if you're pregnant with his child, I'll make sure he accepts it in front of the whole world! What did he think you are? A piece of trash?!… Don't worry, I'll inform a brother of mine in who's CIA. He's the D.P.O. there." She quickly picked up her phone and scrolled through the contacts.

"Yes, Here it is!!" She muttered with a glim of relieve on her face before dialing it.

"Good Evening sir, It's Doctor Ashley… Am I speaking with Mr. August Elliot sir?"

"Yes, it's me on the call. Hope no problem, Doctor Ashley?" He recognized her voice and number immediately. He was a friend of her late husband.

"An issue came up with a daughter of mine and I'm hoping you could somehow, help us through."

"Okay, what is it about?"

"A certain business drugged and raped my daughter. He's Mr. Felix Wilson. This happened a month ago in Nicon Luxury Hotel after which he promised to help her with a million million for her mother's surgery."

"Was there a contract signed to this?"

"No but_"

"Was there a third person to this? I mean… Did anyone witness the gripping and rapping?"

"No sir but there_"

"Okay, we'll need an evidence that this actually happened else, we might loose this case after dragging him to court. You know how prominent and well connect he is?"

"But the girl is pregnant right now and he's denying that fact and also threatening to kill her as well... Please, for the sake of my late husband, help me sir. This girl is an orphan and she's under my care. I know you can do something..."

"Okay, you have to calm down Doctor Ashley. Send me the number of the room they booked that day. The day, time and date in which both of them met at the hotel. I'll do all in my power to get justice for your daughter. Perhaps, I've been trying to settle several cases about this same Felix Wilson..."

"What? I can't believe it!!" The dovtir clamoured over the phone.

"Isn't he the CEO of COLFOLDS Company? The one in Biloxi!"

"Yes, He's the one. How do you know him so well? He's either defraud other business companies or doing what he's good at. But he's rich enough to bribe and buy the best lawyers in order to defend himself in court. He's just undefeatable. I pray God exposes him this time."

"I pray so too…" Doctor Ashley replied with hope in her eyes.

"I'll have to invest this issue personally and check the CCTV of that particular day. I promise to give you a call before tomorrow."

"Okay, thanks a lot Mr. August. May God Almighty help us through this case."

"Amen! Okay bye now, I have to complete a task at hand so that I can work on your case, okay?"

"Okay sir. I'll message you the details immediately." She cuts the call and takes the details from Valeria.

'25th August, Friday night between 12:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m, in room 406.'

"Don't worry Valeria, The Almighty is on our side, believe me. It's high time we expose that monster to the public. I'll make sure he pays 50 million dollars to the court and you girls would live a better life. I won't rest until I see you get your justice, Valeria." Ashley have soft stickers at Valeria back in sympathy.

Valeria paralyzed in tears on doctor Ashley's shoulder. She was relieved that somehow, she would get the justice she deserves.

"It was all my fault.." Valeria couldn't help but to blame herself for whatever she's going through. She thanked the doctor endlessly. Not knowing that Scar was eavesdropping on their conversation.

***

Her head was swimming, she just had to leave for her room in tears.

"It was all my fault…" Scarlett couldn't help but to blame herself as well. Only if I didn't force Valeria that evening. It was as if Mr Felix used me to get what he wants. How can't I face Humaira again? Its because of me she lose her maidenhood... How could she bare all of these alone?" Scar wondered, choking in her own tears.

Just then, Valeria entered and caught the view of Scarlett in tears. She quickly rushed to help her up.

"What's wrong Scar?"

"I should be asking you that Valeria! What happened between you and Mr Felix? How long were you willing to suffer this alone, Valeria. You couldn't even tell me, your blood sister!"

'I'm so sorr_"

"I overheard your conversation with Doctor Ashley. So you trust her over me now or what? How could you? How could you do this to me, Valeria! Acting like nothing ever happened?!"

Valeria felt do speechless looking at her beloved sister in this state. She didn't mean to put her through any if this.

"It isn't your fault Scar… I was trying to tell you but I was scared. I didn't mean to let you know like this, trust me. What others think of me doesn't matter, only you matter to me, Scar but I hate to show this side of myself to you and I also hate to see you like this." Valeria cried as both sisters held themselves into a soft, tight hug.

"I'm sorry for putting you through all of this, how would you live with a baby now. You haven't even accomplished your dream yet…"

"Don't worry Scar, God is in control. Let's pray Doctor Ashley would be able to defeat Mr Felix."

"It's all my fault… I promise never to go to him anymore." Scarlett cried.

"It's not your fault, Scar. Just pray for me to get through this. I believe time would heal." Valeria consoled her sister.

***

Later That Evening.

Mr. August Elliot called.

"Good evening Doctor Azeezah, I just came back from Nicon hotel.

"Okay, what did you find sir?" She smiled hopeful smile spread across her chapped lips.

"Nothing, Doctor Ashley. Nothing! The CCTV in that room was destroyed by one of the guests. The vision was blurry so I couldn't get his face but due to the record in the register, it was Mr Felix Wilson. He booked that same room twice but I'm afraid, this isn't enough evidence ma. And we might lose this case in court if driven further…"

"What? But his name is there. It's evident that he was the one that booked the room that day. What else can we do to show the world that Felix actually planned the rape?"

"This might be used against you in court, Doctor. I think we should find an evidence more stronger. I'll work on this issue, madam… I wanted to inform you the result from today's investigation." He explained.

"Okay, thank you Mr. August. Thanks a lot for the help. I'm so grateful."

"You're welcome ma. I need to attend to some other work right now. I'll check back on you when I get anything related to this case."

"Okay sir. Good night."

"Goodnight."

'How possible? How would the CCTV be damaged within a month and no one ever notice? Could this be coincidence or what?' Doctor Ashley thought.

'We need to find the truth about all these. Perhaps, I think its high time I face that Mr Felix, myself. Only if Michelle was alive. She would have done the same for her girls if not more. I wouldn't do less.I need to stand up for Valeria and Scarlett.' The doctor left the room to inform Valeria what the D.P.O just said.

***

The Following Morning.

Doctor Ashley and Valeria were set for Felix's house. It was a Saturday morning and it is sure that he would be at home with his lovely wife.

'It's time to expose him to the world' Doctor Ashley thought.

It was a huge, white mansion, somewhere in Mississippi. Doctor Ashley parked her car in front of his house and asked the gatekeeper if his boss was around.

Meanwhile, Felix was with his wife, Engineer Sandra and their fifth daughter, Freda were in the garden just somewhere within their compound. Doctor Ashley pressed the alarm and the gatekeeper came out.

"Yes!" The gatekeeper answered. "Who are you looking for?"

"Is your boss around? Mr Felix."

The gatekeeper who seem to be suffering from albinism closed his eyes under the burning sun. it was hot that afternoon so it took a while before he recognized them.

"Okay, give me a minute ma." He answered and went to meet Felix that some guests were asking for him outside.

"Guests?" Mr Felix was lost in thoughts, hoping he wouldn't be Valeria. She dare not visit his house after what he had told her the day before.

"I'm not expecting any guest and I don't have appointment with anyone either. Tell them to go away." He commanded.

"Tell them to come in." His wife ordered.

"Okay ma." The gatekeeper confusedly walked towards the gate and asked them in.

Mr Felix recognized them from afar. He couldn't remember Doctor Ashley clearly because he only met her once, several years ago. He wouldn't believe that Valeria had the audacity to after threatening to kill her.

Anger and fury burn inside him as he tries to hide it because if the fear that his wife would find out the truth.