WORLD IS A JUNGLE

"No, I will still pursue it with all my power and might." Lola smiles. "I will make sure I attain that position no matter what happens."

"With what funds? You plan on selling all your assets and spending your entire life savings?"

"That is non of your business man! Sign the divorce papers right now. Don't forget that you still have to take full responsibilities on your children, act responsible or we meet in court you piece of garbage."

"Really?" Judin laughs again. "When It comes to my kids, I am responsible for them till the very end. But are you sure you can finish this battle you want to start?"

"Battle? I want no battle, just sign the papers and let's separate for good."

"Look here woman, do you think I married you just to feed you and your family, I am sure you know how much money I spent to pick your family from the slumps. You have no plan of repaying that Favour?" Judin asks again.

"Repay what Favour?" Lola scoffs. "I gave you two wonderful kids, and I supported you for good sixteen years as a wife. Take that as the repay you ask of."

"Don't be silly woman, the wonderful kids are both ours. We both count them as our blessings." Judin sighs. "I promise to make sure you do not win that political position you would be contesting for in five years time."

"What did you just say?" Lola ask with fear. "You will do what?"

"You heard me, I will make sure you pay for choosing to divorce me with that political position."

"Is that a threat?"

"No." Judin shakes his head. "It's not a threat but a promise. I will support one of your competitors with my money and I am sure he or she will deliver what I want without stress."

"You pathetic bastard." Lola curse.

"So think about it very well before I sign the divorce papers." He flips the envelope back to her just as she did earlier. "I wouldn't want you to regret anything in the future."

"Judin!" Lola calls with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I just want to be happy, please I am not happy here."

"Lola!" He calls quietly too. "Your happiness means nothing in the world we are now. Happiness won't guarantee your survival. You talk about happiness now? Buy you didn't chose happiness when you wanted to marry me. You chose money instead my dear."

Lola closes her eyes and the tears gushes out more. "Please stop it."

"If you had followed happiness then, would you be able to pay off your family debts? Get a nice building for your mom? Expand your mom's business? Send your brothers to college without taking another loan? Or even manage to own the assets you currently own on your name?"

"Judin, please stop this. I beg of you." Lola plead as she sobs.

"Answer me!" Judin yells.

Lola gently shakes her head. "No."

"So why do you care so much about that happiness now? You have been living unhappy for the past sixteen years, just live unhappy for ten years more. After that, you can chose the stupid happiness of yours over everything."

"Don't you have a heart?" Lola asks whispering.

"If I had one, would I have accomplished this much? Would I have been this successful? Baby girl, this world is a battleground, a jungle, only the brave and smart ones can survive. I will make sure my children never have to worry about anything most especially money."

"Even the kids Won't appreciate the extra miles you are going to make money." Lola whispers and picks up the envelope.

"I am sure they would appreciate my every effort, so play your part well and let's give them nothing but the best." Judin smiles at her. "I will give you till tomorrow morning to come to a decision, stay with me and achieve all your goals or leave and loose them."

Lola carefully stands up and walks straight to the room leaving her darling husband behind. She enters the rooms and it looks much more better than earlier, no clothes or underwear laying in the floor. The bed sheet has been changed by someone she is not really sure of.

She drops her bag and sits on the wooden chair in front of dressing mirror, looking at her pale face and her eyes that had been worn out from crying. "I don't know what to do anymore, I am fed up already." She sobs again, and her phone rings. It was so hard to answer the call because of her current mood, but she checks it and it happens to be Malik. "Hello."

"Hi dear, how are you doing?"

"I am good." Lola answers sounding very tired and stressed out.

"What are you sounding like this?" Malik's asks.

"Nothing, I am fine. Can I call you later?"

"Alright, I will be expecting your call." Malik says and hangs up.

As she drops her phone, she thinks of Malik. He really wants to help her to start a new life, but with the threat and conditions that her husband is giving her, it won't be easy as she plans it. Her phone rings again, she checks to see who is calling and it is her boyfriend, the one threatening her. At first, she was scared to pick up the call but alter summons courage and answers the call.

"Why are you calling me ?" Lola asks annoyingly.

"You really want to get exposed isn't it?" The caller asks.

"Yes I want to. Go on and expose me you idiot." Lola insults and drops the call.

She couldn't believe what she just did, what if he really tries to expose her? It would be really bad and will damage the precious reputation she has been building for years because of her political ambition. Her husband, will not even forgive her if something like that tarnishes her reputation. Trying to pacify her children would be very difficult and terrible.