TOXIC ATTRACTION

TOXIC ATTRACTION EPISODE NINE

when Susan caught up to me, I was already dragging my suitcase down the lane trying to find a cab as I also tried to figure out where I was going to go next. Susan stopped me and took my suitcase then I stopped to listen to whatever she wanted to say. I was angry and hot tears made their way down my cheeks. How could someone I called my friend be so heartless?

Susan: where are you going?

Me: I don't know.

Susan: let's go to my place. I have a big room for both of us.

She said talking my hand in hers and she started leading me towards a car. Susan had a well-paying job and before my wedding, she had bought herself a new car but it wasn't the one she was leading me to.

Me: this is your car?..

Susan: no. It's my boyfriend's. He is using mine.

Me: oh I see...

I opened the door to the car and I got in. She put the suitcase in the back seat and joined me in the car. Julia did not bother coming after me, not even to apologize for the hurtful things that she had said.

Me: thanks for your help...

Susan: it's nothing...

Me: is it?.. you never seemed to like me and I don't think the few hours we spent together was enough to change your mind.

Susan: maybe not but my mother taught me that when a fellow woman is in trouble, you help and not bring her down. Those few hours made me realize that you are not the person Julia painted you to be.

There was an awkward silence. I didn't know how to feel about the fact that she and Julia had been talking about me quite a lot. What else did Julia tell her about me that made her hate me without even getting to know me that well?..

Susan: can I ask you a personal question?

Me: yeah...

Susan: please don't get mad but what happened that you left your husband barely a month after your marriage?..

I took a deep breath. I wasn't sure about confiding in Susan because when I did to Julia, she became all judgmental and made me leave her house.

Susan: you don't have to answer if you are not comfortable...

Susan had saved my life. I didn't know about her loyalty level but somehow I had to tell her the truth because I had to talk to someone about what I was feeling and what I had gone through the past few weeks. Susan seemed a bit mature and reasonable and I also found her to be the opposite of everything I thought she was.

Me: I didn't love Richard. He was sort of forced on me. I got kidnapped a few months ago and stayed locked up in Richard's house for a long while. He then got me pregnant and after realizing I still couldn't love him, he had to let me go. I didn't know where to go and that's why I asked Julia if I could stay with her.

Susan: And your house?..

Me: my father made a deal with Richard. Apparently he owes him a huge sum of money and they agreed on me marrying him so as to offset part of that debt.

Susan: you are mad at your father for that.

Me: don't I have a right to, he ruined my life...

Tears started again and I tried to hold back but I couldn't...

Susan: I'm sorry...

Me: don't be... I never saw myself carrying a child for someone I didn't know or have feelings for...

Susan: you mentioned that your father owed the Richard guy, do you mean to say that he was once rich?

Me: I don't know about how rich he was because what I saw in his house was nothing close to rich. I mean to me it feels like he's just an other man trying to make ends meet. I don't even know where he works or what he does with his life.

Susan shifted her gaze to me and the look on her face suggested that she knew something I didn't know.

Me: what's that look?..

Susan: I don't think you would like to hear what Richard does with his life.

Me: what does he do?..

Susan: Richard is a beggar in the streets...

Me: what?..

Susan: he goes to roads leading to those posh estates and he begs for money. The rich guys always have something to spare. Julia saw him...

Me: Julia!

Susan: and I too. My boyfriend and I have even given him some money before. I never wanted to to mention it but after Susan told me about it again today, I felt like you should know...

Me: wow!

I took a deep breath. The news about Richard being a beggar totally messed me up. What was my father thinking disgracing me like that?..

Susan: what's on your mind?..

Me: I don't know... I just can't believe what you just said.

Susan: I'm sorry. I thought I should tell you before you heard it from. Julia in a not so good way.

Me: do you know where I can see him for myself, I don't want to believe what I have not seen.

Susan: well we can drive around tomorrow. Today is Sunday so I don't think he would be on the streets. Tomorrow will be perfect. You will see for yourself.

Mark had visited Richard again and this time he was not going to try and talk him into going after Robina. He wanted to caution him about his begging life for he thought it was about time Richard found a decent job that maybe, just maybe he could be able to take care of the child that was on the way having said he would. The money he was getting on the streets was not enough to do everything he wanted to do and besides, he did not want to depend on his mother.

Mark made them some coffee. They then sat in the living room to watch some football as they discussed the new signings and the coaches and both being fans of different teams, they even placed bets on the two big teams that were just about to play...

Mark: with Aguero gone, I doubt if there will be more goals at Manchester City. That guy was an asset to the team.

Richard: well, he was. But they still have sterling, Jésus, and Benardo silva. Aguero will be missed but they will be fine.

Mark: enough about football... I have been thinking...

Richard: about what?..

Mark: what if the girl refused to stay not because of your condition but the condition of your house.. look at these seats bro, you should have gotten rid of them a long time ago.

Richard: bro, you are crossing the line.

Mark: am I?.. you got a beautiful girl and from the look of things she could have stayed. She had started cleaning up, preparing food for you, look she even sew the seats but you need to give her a home, not a pig sty.

Richard remained quiet...

Mark: look, man, I'm your friend, and that girl, that girl could be the one for you, she's been taking you to the stage, something other women despised. You didn't have to send her away... Stop begging in the streets and I'll help you find a job. I know a few people who can reconsider...

Richard was still silent. He sipped his tea fully concentrating on the football and ignored Mark who knew Richard was pissed. Richard didn't like being challenged and he didn't like the idea of someone thinking he was incapable of taking care of himself...

Mark: Richard?..

Richard: it's either we watch and talk about football or you leave. I don't want you feeling sorry for me or thinking you know what will work in my life...

After Cleopatra attempted to call Robina several times the previous night and that morning, she decided she was now going to look for her, and especially after the threat that was issued by Nerea concerning Robina leaving her son..she gave the threat behind his back because she knew how chaotic it would get if Richard found out about the call. Nerea found out about the deal between Richard and Robert and she was going to do everything she could to make sure Robina stayed with her son.

Cleopatra went through a few things that Robina had left at home and she found a small book hidden among some of the novels she had packed up in a box. The small book had some life quotes and then there was a page she had written a few contacts from her phone and she found Julia's and her ex-boyfriend Davis' number. She saved both numbers in her phone and then return the box where it had been kept.

She dressed up and called Julia who directed her to her place after Cleopatra told to get that she would want to have a word with her. She knew that it's through Robina's friends that she could easily get to her. If Robina was never going to talk to her then maybe her friends could help deliver her message...

Nerea's daughter Diana who happened to be away the entire time went to visit home and she found her mother collecting firewood and arranging them inside their kitchen. In the countryside, it was easier and faster to prepare food using firewood despite the gas cylinder being there for people like Diana who didn't know how to cook with firewood and never even bothered to learn...

Diana: look who can go visit mother..your only daughter!

She shouted making her way towards her mother who dropped the firewood to welcome her home in a hug. She didn't hug her for long before pushing her away and blocking her nose...

Diana: mother!..

Nerea: you are smelling of alcohol.

Diana: oops!.. sorry. You know how it gets when traveling with friends..a little boose here and there.

Nerea: I thought I raised you better Diana. Look at your nails!..

Diana had long pointed nails that her mother did not like so much. Of all her children, Diana was the most troublesome and for days she kept asking herself why her daughter didn't turn out like Robina or any other decent girl out there. Nerea loved Robina, not because she wanted her for Richard but because she thought she had a good upbringing. If only Diana could spend time with her, maybe she would learn one or two things about being a lady.

Diana: forget about my nails. Aren't you happy to see me ma?.

Nerea: I am. You came in good time. Had you come last week, you would not have found me.

She said carrying the last bunch of firewood as Diana followed her inside.

Diana: ma, why don't you ditch this life and go back to the city? You have a house and everything why stay here?.

Nerea: because I'm a wife and my husband is buried here. He wanted me home so that he doesn't feel left alone.

She started lighting a fire so that she could boil some water for preparing some tea and also for preparing a chicken for Diana. Nerea kept a lot of chicken and all her children who came home were treated to chicken on arrival. It was like a norm. Diana took her stuff to her room and then joined her mother in the kitchen. She pulled a small chair and sat by the fire watching her mum do everything...

Diana: so.. how did the wedding go. Is she beautiful?

Nerea: yes she is. You should congratulate your brother, they are even expecting a child.

Diana: they did not waste time at all. How did she love him in his condition?

Nerea: she was not after money like the other girls have been.

Diana: she must be from a very poor background to accept marrying Richard in his state.

Nerea: don't talk like that. Your brother had been through a lot of discrimination. Shouldn't come from you too.

Diana: I'm just saying. No one willingly marries a cripple unless they are up to something. Mh! Maybe o should go there and rough up some feathers...

Nerea: don't you dare and besides, she left. Richard and she disagreed.

Diana burst out in laughter...

Nerea: what is so funny?..

Diana: I really need to see this girl. I want to know why of all the men. she chose Richard as a husband. She must be so desperate.

Nerea: you should be happy that Richard won't live a lonely life any longer.

Diana: I will be going to the City tomorrow.. things are just about to get interesting...

Nerea: what are you going to do?..

She did not reply to that but smiled to herself sheepishly... Hell was about to break loose on Robina...