Chapter 10 Lets Get Married!

I was editing Rubie's book, the last chapter of a story that had consumed me for months. As I typed the final words, a sense of relief washed over me. But it was short-lived.

"Are you done?!" Joe shouted, his voice piercing the silence like a siren.

"Yeah, I'm doing the last chapter... Wait, let me save," I replied, my fingers flying across the keyboard.

As I saved the document, a chill ran down my spine. Something didn't feel right.

"You better be done because Jamal, Rubie's boyfriend, is at the reception. He wants to see you; maybe he was sent by Rubie." Joe's words hung in the air like a challenge.

I knew Jamal was trouble. He was cheating on Rubie with Kina, and I had a feeling he was hiding something.

"What are you talking about?" Joe asked, his curiosity piqued.

"No, it's nothing; I'm going to meet Jamal downstairs and try to find out what he wants from me." I said, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I walked to the elevator, the lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. I felt like I was stepping into a nightmare.

Jamal was waiting for me in the lobby, his eyes gleaming with a sinister intensity.

"Your whole family is in trouble, Kimball!" He shouted, his voice echoing off the marble floor.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What? What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Do you know my family?" Jamal sneered, his lips curling into a snarl.

I shook my head, my mind racing with possibilities.

"Kimball, you have two sisters, Ashley and Tina, your mom Jackie, and your dad Christopher, the son of Raldoph and Esther; your grandma Esther is late. Do you want me to talk about your aunts and uncles?" He taunted, his words dripping with malice.

I felt like I was trapped in a web of deceit, with no escape.

"No, that's not needed; tell me what's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"There's nothing much I can say right now; you need to come with me. You're the only person who can save them." Jamal's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, his words dripping with menace.

I knew I had to act fast. My family was in danger, and I was the only one who could save them. But as I followed Jamal out of the building, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into a trap.

As I followed Jamal out of the building, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Carl, meet us at City Hall," he said, his voice firm.

I felt a surge of worry. What was going on? Why did we need to go to City Hall?

Jamal turned to me. "Call Amanda. Tell her to meet us there too."

I hesitated, but Jamal's intense gaze made me comply. I dialed Amanda's number, trying to keep my voice steady. "Amanda, meet us at City Hall. It's an emergency."

Amanda's voice was laced with concern. "What's going on, Kimball?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "Jamal just told me to call you."

As we drove to City Hall, my mind raced with worries. What was happening to my family? And what did Jamal have to do with it?

But amidst all the chaos, one thought stood out: Rubie. I didn't have time for her drama, not now. But I couldn't shake the feeling that she was involved somehow.

"Jamal, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

He just shook his head. "You'll see."

We arrived at City Hall, and Carl was already there, his face grim. Amanda arrived soon after, her eyes wide with worry.

"What's going on?" she asked, clinging to my arm.

I shook my head. "I don't know. Jamal just brought us here."

Jamal stepped forward, a sly smile spreading across his face. "We're getting married," he announced.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Married? To Jamal? No way.

But before I could protest, he continued. "Kimball, you're the only one who can save your family. And this is the only way."

I felt trapped, like I was walking into a nightmare. But I knew I had to act fast. My family was in danger, and I was the only one who could save them.