BLOOD AND MONEY

BLOOD AND MONEY EPISODE THIRTEEN

I was drunk but not so drunk to handle the two women. I watched them for a while and what I couldn't really understand was what the fight was about. Serena, I had no idea who she really was besides the fact that she was Willi's daughter. Rhoda, yeah she and I were not really dating so I had no idea why she showed up at the club.

I grabbed Rhoda's arm and pulled her to me holding on to her and when Serena tried to jump on her again I pushed her off.

Me: behave yourself will you?

I said in a not so loud tone trying to avoid the guys who were taking photos and videos of us.

Rhoda was so mad so mad that given another chance she would have tore Serena apart but for some reason she was in control of her feelings...

I escorted her out with my hand on her waist leaving Serena stranded after all I didn't really come with her and the last thing I wanted was for her father to think I was screwing her daughter after the first day of our meeting.

Serena: what y'all looking at?

I heard her shout to the rest of the people who were still staring at her.

We got out and Rhoda broke free from my arm and turned around to meet my gaze.

Rhoda: here, take your keys. You forgot to take them with you.

Before I opened my mouth to say anything she had raised her arm to call a cab but I pulled it down and pushed her sandwiching her between the car and me.

She looked away but I held her chin and made her look at me. She had tears balancing in her eyes and she didn't attempt to wipe it but she just let it fall.

Me: hey, I'm sorry about everything that happened back there.

There was along silence with the tears still falling. She bit her lower lip and looked away and then there was Serena making an exit from the club. She looked at us for a few seconds then walked to her car, got in and drove off. What was her problem?.. I had no idea.

Me: talk to me, why are you crying?

Rhoda: please let me go home.

Me: not until you tell me why you are crying.

Rhoda: I'm not. Something got into my eye.

Me: really, you are going to lie in my face?

She didn't answer that.

She tried to push me off to give her way but I didn't move an inch.

Me: why did you follow me to the club?

Rhoda: I didn't. After I saw your keys in my bag I thought you would be stranded so I needed to find a way of getting them to you.

Me: was it only the keys or there is something else?

Rhoda: I don't know what you are talking about I need to leave.

Her phone vibrated inside her purse and she quickly fished it out. She looked at the screen then looked at me but picked the call anyway...

Rhoda: yes..... Okay I'm on my way.

I couldn't get what the caller was saying but she seemed to be in a hurry after she hanged up..

Me: I can drop you home.

Rhoda: I'm not going home.

Me: where are you going then, I can still drop you there.

Rhoda: I don't have the strength to separate two men just in case another fight breaks between you two.

I narrowed my eyes at her then she pushed me aside.

Me: Rhoda!

Rhoda: please stop. Go home Owen you will need that energy tomorrow.

Me: are you going to see someone?

She flagged down a cab and when the car stopped in front of her she got in without saying another word.

I got home say around midnight and Robert was there watching a movie and when he heard me come in, he dropped his legs from the table and turned to look at me.

I thought of going to my room without saying a word but that would be rude given the fact that I'm the one who begged him to stay.

Me: hey!

Robert: hey..

There was silence as I threw myself on the couch beside him.

Me: game of thrones, don't you get tired of watching?

Robert: there's not much to do around here. You have been drinking again.

I didn't answer that since it was pretty obvious that I was smelling of alcohol besides that, I had promised him that I wouldn't drink again but the truth is I really needed it.

Robert: Rhoda called, she found you?

Me: yes. She needed to give back my keys.

Robert: what happened to us?

Me: what do you mean?

He paused the movie and turned to me.

Robert: you're different.

Me: why do you say that?

He made a sigh then got up.

Robert: you want something to eat?

I nodded not wanting to disappoint especially after he had offered to serve me.

He did bring over some food and put it before me. I was hungry so I dived into my food almost immediately as I watched him sip some bear.

Robert: I saw you at the office the other day. You didn't even tell me you were coming.

Me: it was on short notice. I didn't intend to come but Willi's asked me to.

Robert: he did, so you intend to work at the company?

Me: I don't know yet.

Robert: what bothers me is that right now you are telling me you don't know then I see you in another stunning suit in the next meeting.

Me: what bothers you more, the suit or the meeting?

Robert: I offered to help you with the company stuff, now you turn to Willis for help, the same guy you think killed your father?

I remained silent. The way Robert was pushing for this agenda made me feel like there was something else to it.

Robert: Rhoda,..was she your booty call?

I put the food on the table then i got up and walked a short distance then turned and looked at him.

Me: I'm sorry I never told you about coming to the company and like I said, I didn't plan for it. That's my fathers company and I can step up to the task anytime I'm called to. As for Rhoda, I don't think that's something to get mad at me for. If there's something to tell you about it I will tell you so don't push.

He got up took the last sip of his beer and pushed the bottle to my chest and after I held it he made his way to his room. The guest room that's where he stayed....

"Do you think your wife will get out of the comma?" Della asked planting kisses on his chest and drawing small circles on it.

Kizito: I don't know Della, can we not talk about my wife right now? You are ruining the moment.

He said squeezing her in his arm and kissing her forehead.

Della: sorry, just that your secretary made it seem like I was breaking your marriage. Can I ask you something?

Kizito: yes.

Della: does she like you?

Kizito: I wouldn't really know that... Did she tell you she does?

Della: let's forget about her... My birthday is in two days.. What plans do you have?

Kizito: what would you like to do on your birthday?

Della: its more of where I would love to go. Maybe you and I on a small get away. Then for a gift you can get me a car.

Kizito: on a small get away, Della I'm still married to my wife and I'm a public figure. I can't be seen hopping with you from one hotel room to another and as for the car, I'm kind of channeling everything I have to my wife's medication and I can't afford to buy you a car I haven't even known you that long.

She got up and pulled the blanket to herself wrapping it around herself.

She looked around and spotted her clothes so she dropped the blanket and started getting dressed.

Kizito: what are you doing?

Della: what does it look like, I'm getting dressed. So now I'm good enough for your bed but not to be seen around with in public? I said yes to your proposal because you looked like someone who is capable of handling a woman's needs..

Kizito: where are you going, its past midnight.

Della: I'm going to my place. Next time you plan on sweating on top of me, make sure you've got enough money to cater for my needs. I didn't look for you, you did. And this is beneficial for both of us so next time you want to have free s*x, look for a whore.. They are way cheaper..

She got dressed then picked her bag and stormed out of the room but kizito didn't bother going after her.

The following day I was woken up by an alarm. I had set the alarm for 6am because there was so much to be done. First I had to pick up the deceased clothes from some tailor then head to the mortuary where a brief service was going to be conducted before we headed to the cemetery.

I got up, took a quick shower and headed downstairs to fix some breakfast but when I did get there, Robert had already prepared tea and fried some eggs and sausages too. Robert always advised me to take heavy breakfast so that even if I don't take lunch I'd still be good. Robert is a foodie and I'm not so I understood every theories he comes up with on food though I should have known better because I'm a doctor.

Robert was at the table flipping through the newspaper and it dawned In me that we had a moment the previous night and I wasn't sure of how to approach him.

Robert: good morning?

Me: good morning.

Him greeting me first meant all could be good between us but I wasn't sure yet.

Robert: I thought you would be in a suit.

He asked eyeing my very casual outfit. I had black jeans and a white fitting T-shirt. I'm not really a suit guy so unless it was very necessary I wouldn't go that way.

Me: I save the suits for the board room and besides, there is so much to be done that I wouldn't do in a suit.

Robert: I can help out.

I smiled briefly then got to the kitchen, for my breakfast and joined him.

Me: dude about last night...

Robert: don't sweat it. You were right... I have no right interfering with your businesses.

When he put it like that I felt a bit guilty but if that's how he took it all was good.

We had breakfast then left in my car. He offered to be on my side through out the day just in case I fainted.. We laughed about it as I tried to reach the tailor and let him know I was on my way.

Willi's got to his place that morning and he tried so hard to hide his bullet wound even as Serena hugged him tightly squeezing his stomach.

The painkillers the doctor had prescribed worked perfectly.

He handed Serena a small shopping bag and she ran to her room all excited leaving Willis and Maggy standing there staring at each other.

Willis: I'm sorry I couldn't make it last night.

Maggy didn't respond to that but instead cleared the table after her and Serena had breakfast.

Willis: come on Maggy you know I wouldn't do that intentionally..

Maggy: your clothes are on the bed. We will get late for the burial.

Willis: aren't you going to ask what I brought for you.

Maggy: I'm not a ten year old that you would pamper with gifts after messing up. Are you seeing someone else Willis, was it a mistake for Serena and I to come back here?

Willis: don't say that Maggy..

He walked up to her to take her hand but she stepped back.

Maggy: don't touch me.

She walked out on him and went to their room.

Willis shrugged his shoulders then followed her to their room as Serena opened the door and tiptoed to her parents door. She had been peeping and eavesdropping all that while. She knew something was up with her parents but she couldn't just out her finger on it...

Just as we were going into the tailors shop, my phone rang and it was Mr. Anthony. I asked Robert to pick the clothes and get me outside as I picked the call.

Anthony wanted to make sure I was okay because he thought burying two parents at the same time was going to be quite heavy for me. It was but I had to be a man.

Anthony and I concluded our little talk then immediately I called Rhoda. I didn't like the circumstances under which she left but I wanted to know if she was okay.

I called and someone picked up. It was a dude with a very husky voice.

Him: Rhoda's phone..

I cleared my throat then asked to speak to Rhoda but he told me she was in the bathroom taking a shower.

Me: who am I speaking to please?

Him: I'm her boyfriend. I can take a message.

Me: don't worry about it, I will call her back.

I hanged up then swallow something hard that kind of stuck in my throat. It was called jealousy. Is that where she was rushing to the previous night, why didn't she tell me she had a boyfriend and if she did why did she put up that show at the club?

"Are you okay?" Roberts voice brought me back to reality and I nodded. He looked at me for a second then tapped my shoulder.

Robert: its going to be okay bro. I know its not easy for you.

I took a deep breath then got in the car and we drove to the mortuary.

Later that day we were at the cemetery and two caskets lay right in front of us. I couldn't not believe that my parents were the one in those boxes and they were going to spend the rest of their days in the grave where I would never hear from them again..you see, seeing them at the mortuary wasn't so bad because at least I still felt their presence but this was now reality. They were really gone and all those memories we made the three of us was all I had left. Their hearty laughter's, their arguments then them attending my graduation being proud that now they had a doctor in the family and gifting me a car worth millions, their speech at my graduation... All I was left with were their photos on the two huge frames. I tried as a man that I was not to break down in front of everyone but this was one of the moments in my life that hurt so bad..

The burial was full that I could hardly spot anyone except for a few people. Willis Serena and Maggy were among the people on the front raw then Mr. Maxwell and his family and Mr Anthony too. Those were people who were very hard to miss in a crowd.

The preacher man was done and now it was time to send my patents down in their forever home. "Ashes will go back to ashes, and dust will go back to dust" the pastor said as they lowered both my parents in their grave. I had suggested that they be buried in the same grave because that's what my mum would have wanted. She loved my dad and he did too. I saw people throw dust in the grave and that's when it really hit me that it was goodbye. I knelt down by the grave site and let out a loud cry as Robert held on to me tightly so that I don't end up in the grave as well. Rhoda came to where I was and help my arm and I turned to look at her then she hugged me and I held on tightly to her and cried. I had never felt anything like what I felt at that moment..

She didn't speak a word but rubbed my back and held me tightly.

The grave diggers shovelled the soil into the grave until the caskets were not in sight..

I got up took a shovel and helped bury my parents then after that people came telling me sorry as they parted while others made their way to the place we had organized for lunch. My father believed that death was a celebration and he would have wanted people to eat and drink in his funeral. He was a party person and he loved life.

Rhoda was with me the entire time even as Robert left and when she saw Della approaching she started to walk away but I grabbed her hand and held it in mine. From the way she looked at our hands I could tell there was something going on through her mind but I really wasn't in the mood for her drama and it's the reason I held Rhoda's hand in the first place.

Della: I'm sorry for your loss once again darling.

She came straight to me and hugged me then planted a kiss on my cheeks totally avoiding Rhoda's presence.

Rhoda saw that and tried to pull her hand off mine but I held it tightly not uttering a single word to Della.

Della: I can see I have been replaced..

She turned and looked at Rhoda who also had her eyes fixed on her.

Della: by a maid. Such a despicable taste..

Me: Della!

Della: oh I know this is not the time and place but I will be back my love. I miss the tender kisses, your strong arm carrying me around the house, the bathroom s*x, the kitchen s*x. You should try those when you still have him at your service and when I come back, you better be gone.

Rhoda was getting mad and I could tell not only from the look on her face but by how hard she was fighting to pull her hand from mine. I was so sure that she was going to slap Della across the face so I held on to it and walked away with her before it got chaotic.

Rhoda: let go of my hand.

Me: not yet...

We got to my car and I did let go of her hand.

Rhoda: you lied to me.

Me: I didn't.

Rhoda: its pretty obvious she still thinks of you two as an item.

Me: well, it shouldn't be a big deal right. I called you this morning..

She looked surprised..

Me: a guy picked the call and asked me to leave a message. He said he is your boyfriend.

She remained silent but her eyes narrowed at me.

Rhoda: what did you want?

Me: forget it. Its not a big deal..

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms to her chest..

Maggy: aren't you going to say hi to Owen today. You seemed a little crazy about him the other day.

Serena: just drop it mum, can't you see. He is with someone else.

Maggy: and I can tell that hurts your feelings so bad.

Serena: no. It doesn't.

Maggy smiled then almost immediately they bumped into Jabali who recognized Serena from last time when he saw them in a restaurant with Willis.

Jabali: hello, you must be ....

Serena: Serena...this is my mum.

Jabali: aaah, Mrs. Willis. Its finally good to meet you.

Maggy: nice to meet you too Mr...

Jabali: Jabali.. I work with your husband at the company

He said smiling.

Maggy: have you seen him around?

Jabali: he asked me to drive you to the company. The celebration for the deceased is taking place there. He had to go ahead because he is in charge of a few things..

The look on Maggy's face changed but she afforded a brief smile.

Maggy: Serena do you want to go to the party?

Serena: yes.

Maggy asked Jabali to drive them to the party but told him that he would drive her back home after dropping off Serena.

Jabali nodded then led them to where the car had been parked and they left the cemetery.

Rhoda got in my car and buckled her seat belt even before I asked her too. She knew better than to throw tantrums because I was her ride. She always used a cab but I knew she loved my company...

Me: you should buy your own car.

Rhoda: says a person who was gifted a car. Do you even know how much a car costs?

Me: how do you know I was gifted this car have you been stalking me?

Rhoda: I stalk handsome men.

Me: and I'm not.

Rhoda: I don't find you handsome.

Me: yet you were stuck on me like a jelly fish by the cemetery.

Rhoda: you were crying...you needed a hug.

I smiled.

Me: so are you going to tell me about this boyfriend?

Rhoda: no. Please focus on the road....wait Della mentioned something.. Do you have s*x on the kitchen counter?

Me: huh!

Rhoda: I just have to confirm. You know I rolled the dough on that counter the other day when I was cooking for your guest.

Me: is that the only reason why you are asking?

I asked smiling obviously knowing it bothered her but not for those reasons she mentioned.

Rhoda: eeeew. So disgusting.

Me: you and your boyfriend should try that. You will love it...

I winked at her then smiled as she looked out the window and smiled too...

Jabali dropped Serena at the party then looked for Willis to tell him he was taking Maggy home but he was not in sight so he went back got in the drivers seat and drove off.

Maggy: did you see him?

Jabali: no. I guess he is just busy somewhere.

She was silent through out the ride and so was jabali.

When they got to Willi's home, he parked in his parking lot then looked at Maggy through the rare view mirror. Her mind seemed to be far away.

Jabali: we are already at your place.

She looked at him through the same mirror then unbuckled her belt and got out.

Maggy: please come inside..

Jabali: uuuumh, I need to get going ma'am. I'm needed at the party.

Maggy: I need some help too. It won't take long.

Jabali made a sigh then unbuckled and followed her inside.

She put her purse on the table and sat then asked Jabali to sit too.

Maggy: I need to ask you something.

Jabali: go ahead.

Maggy: is my husband cheating on me?

Jabali: what, no... Willis loves you.

Maggy: it doesn't feel like it. Do you know where he was the last two nights?

Jabali: he was working.

Maggy: you are not covering up for him are you?

Jabali: why would I do that?

Maggy: you are his friend.

Jabali: yes, but Willis is not cheating on you. You are beautiful and intelligent. You are learned and a lawyer for that matter. Why would he cheat?

Maggy: I don't know.

She said shrugging her shoulder. Then she had this sad look on her face.

Maggy: if I asked you to do something for me would you?

Jabali: depends with what it is ma'am.

Maggy: make love to me. Right here right now.

Jabali: what?

Maggy: we are not kids are we? I need to feel like a woman and Willis is not there to do that for me. He has never been.

Jabali: I can't do that to Willis.

Maggy: why, because you are gay and you are seeing him or because you are loyal?

Jabali: I'm not gay.

Maggy: but money buys loyalty right, I will pay you. Ten thousand ever time you render your services. Could be everyday in a week, three times a week you do that math then have a second look at how Much you will be making on top of what Willis is paying you.

Jabali: don't do this to me.

Maggy stood up and unzipped her dress and let it fall on her feet exposing her almost naked body.

Maggy: the choice is yours. Either way I will still find someone to do the job....