TOXIC ATTRACTION

TOXIC ATTRACTION EPISODE THIRTEEN

The man pleaded to be set free but Richard would not have any of it. Earlier that day he got a call from Santos one of the two guys who claimed that a safe at the warehouse had been broken into and when Richard asked them to find a hard disk it was gone. The hard disk had some dirty secrets of prominent people and businessmen that if it leaked, a lot of people would die and that included the guy who sent the hostage.

Richard: you come to my territory and you steal from me?..

He asked putting the gun under his chin and the man could no longer talk. His hands and legs were tied and not even his tears moved Richard.

Richard: I want a name, then maybe I can decide to set you free.

Him: please let me go and I swear to do anything you want. I'm begging you in the name of God... please!

Richard smiled and gets up. He turns to the other guys and laughs. Tosh was still caught up in the disbelief that Richard was not a cripple.. he watched him walk around mocking the young man who has his head bowed to the ground crying and begging...

Richard: he is begging me in the name of God... untie him.

The two look guys look at him like they didn't hear what Richard had just said.

Santos: boss, what's the point of asking us to bring him here if you were going to set him free?

Richard: I give the orders and your job is to obey them. Untie him or isn't that clear enough?

The other guy unties him and the hostage stands up and Richard tells him to leave.

Him: just like that?

Richard: just a second ago you were pleading with me in the name of God, now I set you free and you are asking me questions?

Him: I'm sorry. Thank you...

He starts to walk away but Richard stops him. He turns to Richard who holds out his hand...

Richard: your phone...

Him: phone, i...i...

Richard: I need to know who has the disk now that you can't tell me, I know you are afraid of someone but you don't have to worry about him because I will deal.with him. Give me your damn phone...

The guy reached into his pocket and got the phone then handed it to Richard.

Richard: password?

He gave the password then Richard walked past him and after a few steps he turned around and shot him in the forehead and he dropped down dead. Tosh on seeing what Richard did, he ran off and disappeared among the old cars.

Santos: should we go after him?..

Richard: find him but don't kill him, he's my friend.

Richard got in his car and drove off on his own leaving the boys on a manhunt.

Cleopatra joined Robert in bed and he was already asleep that he was snoring and that's something that she found annoying... Ronald was a heavy sleeper and whenever he was too tired, the snoring got even louder. She tapped him trying to wake him up but on failing completely to wake him up she tucked herself inside the blanket and tried to catch some sleep but her mind was pretty much everywhere. She knew that for her daughter to come back home after everything that had happened, there must have been a bigger problem than she was letting known.

The following morning I woke up at around 10:00 pm, that was the best sleep I had in a long time and it must have been because I was back in my own bed. I checked my phone and I had several missed calls from Davis, sue, and none from Richard. I must have read him wrong because he turned out to be the most "I don't care" man I had seen. When I was around him, Richard treated me well but the moment I set foot out of his house he did not give a damn about me or his unborn child.

I got out of bed and went to wash my face when my phone beeped followed by a loud ring that almost sent my heart into an instant attack. I wiped my hands on a towel and when I picked it up, the screen said Mark. Mark was calling me yet again after the conversation we had the previous night.

Me: Mark...

Mark: I need to see you.

Me: look, you and I cannot see each other for whatever reason, and mostly because Diana knows I slept with you.

Mark: what, how did she know?

Me: I don't know. You and I can't talk, meet or even exchange texts or calls. You keep your distance from me.

Mark: meet up with me this once...

Me: why?

Mark: it's important. You trust me, don't you?

I wasn't sure of what Mark was going on about but whatever happened between us was a terrible mistake. Maybe not so terrible but still, he was Richard's friend and we f****d up big time...

Mark: Robina?

Me: fine, I will meet with you.

Mark: my place?

Me: why your place?

Mark: it's the safest place I know. It's safer than being seen together in public because I know that's not what you want.

Me: of cause not.

Mark: I can pick you up. Where do I pick you up?

Me: I will text you...

We said our goodbyes and I ended the call. Mark was like that forbidden fruit that Adam and eve ate. He was sweet and gentle and don't judge me because when whatever happened between us happened, I was fully aware and I had planned it all, Mark only got to fall into my trap. I had my reasons.

I left my room for the living room and my mother had already prepared breakfast. There was an already used cup on the table and I assumed that my father had already left because he didn't want to talk or have anything to do with me, trust me when I say that the feeling was mutual.

Cleopatra: it seems like you had a good sleep, good morning.

Me: morning.

I said sitting by the table as she joined me with two cups for both of us. She set one cup before me and the other Infront of her then picked up the flask and served us some tea.

Cleopatra: it is nice to have you home.

I let a brief smile escape my chin and then it was awkwardly quiet. I had no idea of what to talk about with my mother because sharing what happened with anyone was the last thing I wanted to do with my life.

Cleopatra: I visited your friend yesterday.

Me: I don't have any friends.

Cleopatra: that could be true given the things she had to say about you.

Me: what did she say?

Cleopatra: that you left with a man and that you have multiple men who couldn't let you stay in your marriage. Robina, is this true?

I didn't respond to that because I failed to understand how she of all the people could believe such nonsense about me.

Cleopatra: I didn't want to believe her because I know you but...

Me: you did. You believed all the lies Julia told you and now you think the baby I'm carrying belongs to some random man?..

Cleopatra: that's not what I said...

Me: it is not what you say, it's actually what you do not say. I was at Julia's until she showed me her true colors. I could not even fix myself a cup of tea at her place without hearing her heart complain about how much sugar I was adding to my tea. She wanted me out and thanks to Susan who gave me a roof over my head I did not starve to death.

Cleopatra: I'm sorry...

Me: yeah, I have things to do.

I got up and left her at the table. I didn't know what men Julia was talking about but I was yet to find out.

Tosh went missing after what he had witnessed. The boys looked for him but they didn't find him and so they went home that night. Tosh had switched off his phone and he did not go back to his place either.

Richard: where the hell did he go?

Santos: I don't know. I searched everywhere.

Richard got up from his chair in his Muthaiga home office. He walked to the little table beside the window and poured some whiskey into a glass for both of them. Santos was used to the sight of Richard walking even though when they first crossed paths, Richard was in a wheelchair.

Richard: I need you to find that guy, whatever it takes. Get someone to track his phone or something. He is either for me or against me.

He gobbled the whiskey put the glass on the table and wiped his mouth.

Santos had never seen his boss so restless. He was the most fearless man he knew.

Santo: calm down boss I will find him.

He sipped his whiskey as Richard sat on his chair again.

Richard: that guy is in a state of shock. He just found out I can walk after years of carrying me around from my wheelchair and him seeing me shoot that douchebag is even worse. I don't know who he is running his mouth too.

Santo: what makes you think he will still want to be closer to you if we find him?

Richard: I don't know but we can't kill him...

An hour later I was showered and dressed up. My mother had left for a few errands and she was going to come back later. Walked out of our gate and as I walked down the road to get a bus I heard someone hooting at me from behind. I turned to check who it was and I was not surprised when I saw Davis inside the car .it was a different car from what I was used to.

Davis: babe, come in, and let's talk.

He called from inside the car and I ignored him. He begged but I would not give him a listening ear and when he realized I was about to get to the bus stop, he got out of the car and caught up to me.

He blocked my way and I had to stop to listen because knowing Davis, he was not going to stop.

Me: you must be really idle camping outside our house like that.

Davis: well, it's the only way I could get to see you. Please talk to me.

Me: we are talking.

Davis: not here... please babe let's go somewhere and have a decent conversation.

Me: on what, did you miss the part I told you I was married?

Davis: I don't care about the other person. I care about you and I know you, babe, I can tell you that you are not happy.

I laughed. As much as he was right, I was not going to give him the impression that I wasn't.

Me: you are so full of yourself. Do you think my happiness revolves around you?

Davis: that's not what I said.

Me: well, I'm not interested in whatever this is.

I started to walk away but he blocked my way again.

Me: do you want me to call the mob on you for harassment?

Davis: do it, maybe them beating me to death will save me the pain of knowing I lost you...

Davis was a good actor but this time round, I did not know if he was saying the truth or if that was another of his smooth move operation.

Davis: please.. talk to me just this once and if you don't ever want to see me again, I will never bother you again...

Me: fine.

I agreed and he took my hand and led me to the car and he drove off.

As Richard and Santo were still talking, they heard a loud knock at the gate and when Santo looked out the window, he saw a police car outside and he turned to Richard.

Santos: looks like your boy sold you out to the cops.

Richard: that dumb ass.. get my wheelchair..quick! And give me your gun.

Santos gave him his gun then rushed downstairs and got the wheelchair as Richard taped the guns under the table only remaining with one that was licensed the one he didn't use on the goon he shot the previous night. He had learned that technique from one of the crime-based stories he read from an author. Richard sat in his wheelchair as Santos went to let the cops in as he cooked a story in his head. Santos let the cops in and they fast approached the house. On getting in, Richard was already rolling down his wheelchair...

Officer: Mr. Richard Donovan...

Richard: gentlemen,

Officer: a young man by the name of Tony made an accusation against you. He said you killed someone last night.

Richard: those are some serious allegations sir but I have no idea what he is talking about. I've been here the whole time and as you can see, I don't operate on my legs.

Officer: a gun is shot with the hands, not the legs.

Santos was there listening to the conversation. He quickly texted two of the boys to go make sure the crime scene was spotless clean because he knew that was the cop's next stop.

Richard: very well but does he have evidence of his accusations because I'm a law-abiding citizen and if I'm going to be accused of committing a crime I've never committed in my life, there had to be some proof attached to it?

Officer: for the proof, we are all headed to the crime scene because he has assured us that the body could still be there. Secondly, I have a search warrant to search for any weapons you might be keeping here. Do you have a gun?

Richard: I live in Muthaiga I must have a gun.

Officer: is it licensed?

Richard: would I admit to having a gun if it was not licensed?

Officer: I'm the one asking the questions.

Richard: then don't ask a stupid question.

Officer: you insult me one more time and I will get you locked up.

Richard scoffed and looked at Santos whose smile indicated that everything was in control.

Officer: we would also need doctors' proof indicating that indeed you are a legit cripple. Do you have those documents, sir?..

Me: what is that supposed to mean, you think I'm pretending to be a cripple?

Officer: someone else does. You will have to provide proof that you are legitimately sitting in that wheelchair.

If Richard got himself out of that situation, The Tosh guy was so dead!