Chapter 5: The Big Secret

BRUNO'S Point of View.

“Who are you ? Bruno asked tentatively, looking at her from head to toe.

It seems he has a visitor. Vashti reaches out for a handshake dressed in her gorgeous purple gown, giving a steamy aura.

“I'm Vashti, Kim's best friend-she's told me a lot of things about you,” she disclosed.

“Oh!,” he exclaimed, “come have a seat,” as he ordered one of the maids to get her some drinks and light refreshments.

They both sat at the dining table.

“Now tell me, hope everything is okay,” he inquired as his mind bubbled, still in shock at the big reveal between his mom and Kim's parents.

“Absolutely yes," she replied, "I'm just here to carry out what my best friend asked me to do; which is to look out for you.” She revealed eating and smiling at Bruno.

“Okay if you say so, it's fine, enjoy your meal,” he said, leaving the dinner for his room.

CARL'S BEDROOM…..

Carl was seated in her room his still trying to engage in a conversation with Kim's mother on a phone call.

“You really have to calm down, we can talk things out,” she pleaded, trying to salvage the situation.

A voice filled with anger lashes out on the phone.

“Just keep quiet, this is a very sensitive topic-how do you expect me to be happy when your son is about to bridge our agreement?” She concluded as her eyes reddened, and her chest bubbled in rage.

Carl tries to speak but Belinda interrupts…

“ Don't even try to justify or alter a word, how can you sit back and allow your son Bruno to do this to my own daughter after everything me and my husband did for you.” She complained.

“Belinda, you really have to calm down. I think you are taking this too far. I heard you calling again, so we could trash it out - please my son has been crowded, probably with work or something, that was why he hasn't been picking up his fiancée’s calls.” She explained.

Kim, who was just recovering, had been so worried that Bruno hadn't been taking his calls or even calling to check up on her health.

“ This is someone that was supposed to be married to my daughter yesterday, but due to this unforeseen missile, it wasn't possible and yet your son chose to throw his feelings under the carpet towards my daughter.” Belinda lashes out bitterly.

“ In case you have forgotten your son, Bruno is only still moving freely because my husband and I decided to keep quiet and play along; I don't need to remind you of the agreement we had before your husband“ Bruno's father died,” she narrated… “ Let me also remind you that you were an average young woman many years back relying on your husband's indecent business.”

Belinda spoke with so much pain in her heart as she moved to and fro around her bedroom.

“Your husband was into money laundering, and you know that's a very punishable offense,” she reminded Carl.

Carl sat speechless over the phone.

“ I decided to be calm alongside my husband because you both agreed that your son Bruno will be betrothed to daughter“ Kim” as this was the only way we could disguise his indecent practice.” She was exposed.

“ Many thought that your husband's empire was flourishing on a legitimate basis, not knowing the dirty things he was into.”

Belinda was almost going to lose it, so she reacted by saying…

“Belinda is enough, you mustn't remind me of my late husband's past, he's gone - you should just face me instead; yes he did that and that's the major reason the company is one of the biggest empires in the country today, but can we all let bygones be bygones.” She pleaded.

“ Don't even dare raise your voice at me again. Don't forget I still have the videos and pictures and even documents that justify my claims; the very moment I release them, that so-called Bruno's Empire will become chaff and crumble without any traces.” She threatened.

The last line of the statement almost made Carl drop his phone in fear.

“ You can't do this to me and my family. You know the Empire and its fortune is our only source of income.”

She reminded Belinda.

“ And your husband wasn't thinking when he decided to be a coward in the first place”. She fired back vehemently.

“Belinda, the last time I checked I was the one who called, not you.”

"Could you at least be civilized and allow us to talk this out like adults- I will have a word with my son, likewise Kim, after this phone call.” She explained.

Belinda replied frantically.

“You had better do it because you won't want to hear from my husband.”

Both ended the call as Carl stood for a moment completely eaten up by confusion and conflicting thoughts.

SITTING ROOM…

Vashti sat down soliloquizing…

“ I think he's cool,” she smiled….

“So this is what my best friend has been enjoying all by herself.” She realized.

Carl shows up in the sitting room.

“Who are you ? She asked…

Looking like she was scrupulously searching for something.

Vashti quickly arranged herself immediately as she noticed the conspicuous look.

She asked, “Ma'am, is everything okay?”

“Of course, yes, everything is okay.”

Vashti tries to introduce herself, but Carl frantically interrupts.

“ If it is my son you're here to see, please, he needs to be left alone. Please excuse me and use the door. He doesn't receive visitors on weekends.” She said, sounding so rude and sarcastic.

The poor girl felt so humiliated, but she still wasn't backing out as she was already crushing on Bruno and wanted to take it a step further.

In a short while, a soft knock is heard on Bruno's bedroom door.

It was his mom who demanded she have a conversation with him.

“ Mom ….can't we talk tomorrow? I'm a bit busy.” He pleaded.

“ Son .. I promise I will be as brief as possible please…” she promised.

The door opened as both sat on his couch.

“ Son … I just got a call about that …”

She was about to complete her statement when Bruno took it up from her.

“That you and my late father made me live in a lie all my life.” He yelled, almost raising the tone of his voice.

A slap splashed on his cheek, it was from his mother.

“ Don't you dare raise your voice at me again. I gave birth to you …. And I didn't raise you to be this violent.”

“ You couldn't even let me speak, you just rudely interrupted me," she said, standing up looking so roared up.

“ Why would I let you finish? I already know what you were going to say. It's always about Kim, Kim, Kim, Eeh …isn't it?”. Bruno lashes out, moving a step backwards.

“And why haven't you given your wife a phone call or even taken her calls - what exactly is your problem? , she asked.

“ Mom, you know what my schedule is and my target for the company and yet you stand there like you know absolutely nothing.” He justifies himself.

“ Then that is enough reason for you not to call or check up on the person you claim to love - if you ask me, that was very bad of you, and you still have the time to make up for it by giving her a call this minute and stop being nonchalant.” She instructed.

Bruno persisted..

“ I still haven't gotten a response to my question. What does Father have to do with money laundering whatsoever, because I overheard your conversation with Belinda.” He opens up, demanding an answer.

Carl responded..

“ Your father is late,

he should be in a better position to tell you. We can't discuss this now. So if you wouldn't mind, excuse me - go give your wife a call and stop trying to dig out secrets that were in existence even before your conception.” She concluded.