Chapter Thirteen

"Aren't you going to eat today? Albert enquired of Sofia.

"I'm not hungry." She gave a response.

"Why?"

"What do you mean when you say 'why'?" Sofia enragedly inquired.

"You should have a justification." You're either unwell, or you've eaten, or you don't care for the meal, or...... Just provide me with a compelling argument."

"Ok. I'm tired of this marriage, if you must know."

"You must be a comedian." Albert retorted angrily.

"And you must be a nuisance."

"Albert........"

"You are so stubborn."

"That's my middle name," Sofia said. "What! Don't you think it's good?"

"I'm giving up." You don't have to eat if you don't want to. It's entirely up to you." Albert said nothing, leaving Sofia to her own devices.

                        ***********

WILLIAMS RESIDENCE.

Williams paces up and down his sitting room gazing at all direction. 

"What are my going to do now?" He mused.

"Everything I have is crumpling. Julius Smith;tsk,tsk,tsk....... He thinks he's wise. I need to do something about this." He sat down and thought for a while before picking up his phone to call someone.

..

..

*Buzz*Buzz*

"Hello."

"Hello Dad. Good morning."

"Morning. How are you today?" Williams asked feigning care in his tone.

"I'm fine Dad.

"Hope the Smiths has been treating you well?"

"Ye.. Yes they have."

"That's great. I just called to check on you."

"Thank you Dad."

"Take care. I love you.".

"I love you too Dad." Sofia answered before her Dad hung the call.

..

"What is he up to? Acting like he care about me. I'll have to watch and wait. Let's see the drama unfold."

                    ******************

Valerie walks into a boutique, with shoulders raised.

"Good afternoon Ma'am." The receptionist greeted.

"Afternoon." Valerie scoffed.

She went round with the help of the boutique's  sales agent.

"WTF!" She exclaimed. "I haven't seen any high-end brand clothes here. Where is your Manager or whosoever that own this place? This goods require an upgrade.

Are you deaf?" She asked the sales agent who stood like a tree.

"Ok Ma'am." The girl said as she rushed to call the manager.

"He'll join us in no time." The sales agent said immediately she returned.

"Fool." She cursed.

Just then,two ladies passed them by. Seems they're also there to get some clothes.

"Wow. Those are so lovely. Their designers are authentic." Valerie said as she went to meet the ladies.

"Excuse me. Can I have them?

"Lady Lily and Mira looked at each other."

"Grinning hard,"Am I talking gibberish?"

"Young Miss. I can see you're looking for trouble. Just get lost before you get what you want."

"You must be an idiot to say that to me." 

"Thank you." Both ladies said continuing their business.

"What? Did they just ignore me?"

"Stop there." Valerie said as she dragged Mira backward.

"Stop this Ma'am. It violates the law guiding the mall" A security officer said.

"And who is this?" She puffed giving the security officer an intimidating look.

"I want those clothes."

"Are your eyes blind to see that these clothes are no more hanged instead they're in the hands of buyers? Mira questioned challengingly.

"What's going on here?" A voice asked. Everyone turned to behold the manager.

"Are you the manager?" Valerie asked the man.

"Yes" The manager affirmed.

"Good. I want those clothes." She said pointing at the clothes Lady Lily is holding.

"I've been watching from a distance and have seen the troubles you made. But I will forgive you. Now quietly leave this place or see the other side of me." The manager posed anger.

That was a huge blow to Valerie's face. 

"Did you just....?"

"Leave! Security! take this woman out of here!"

"Yes Sir." 

"Ma'am please get going."

"Don't you dare touch me. Mr. Manager you'll here from me. Dear ladies, the world is a small village. I'll get back to both of you. You will all pay!" Valerie said as she stormed out of the company.

"Who does she thinks she is?" Mira asked.

"I'm sorry for the inconveniences caused to you." The manager apologized.

"It's ok. Don't worry" The ladies said continuing their business.

"Go back to your duties."

"Yes Sir ."

            ********************

"I have never been insulted like this my entire life." Valerie said on her way to the hotel where she temporarily lodged. Picks up her phone and dialed a few numbers on her cell phone.

"Hello Ma'am."

"I need to get the details of some people. I'll send some as a help for the search."

"At your command Ma'am."

"Let's see what happens next. How will your faces look like when I tell you to lick my foot?" She said laughing on top of her lungs.

                     **********************

"Wow,you look beautiful in that dress My Lady." .jra commented. 

"Yee Ma'am. You look alluring in them." Lady Lily added.

"Thank you so much."

"Someone actually wanted to take them from us in the mall today." Mira reported.

"And who was that?".

"A crazy bitch."

"I think it's one of the children of these rich men."

"Without manners. Well it doesn't matter afterall I'll always stay indoors as long as I'm with these people."

"My Lady...."

"It's ok. I'll need to get going."

"Please take care of yourself." Lady Lily advised.

"I'm so lucky to have the both of you. Thank you."

..

..

"Son, we'll be expecting Valerie tomorrow. She wrote to us."

"Wow. That's great. I've missed her."

"You did?"

"Yes Dad. It's been a while now."

"And remember, Sofia should not been seen by her.".

"I know."

"That's my Son."

 ..

..

NEXT DAY.

"Welcome Ma'am." Eva and Sarah said as soon as Valerie entered the compound. 

Valerie maintained a brightened face. Looking at her,one will term her 'innocent' not knowing her true self.

"Thank you."

Both maids led her to the entrance of the building. As they entered the sitting room, Valerie was offered a place to sit down.

"Our Master will soon join you. Moreover,what do I serve you?"

"A chilled orange juice will do."

" Ok Ma'am." Sarah said as she left and returned with the orange juice Valerie requested.

"Who do we have here?" Smith came into the sitting room with Albert.

"Good evening Sir, Good evening Albert." Valerie greeted.

"Welcome Dear." Albert said smiling.

"Thank you."

"What about your family?" They're fine sir.

"Good. Everything will soon be ready. We'll  discuss after dinner."

"Ok Sir."

..

..

On the other side,Lady and Mira are seen eavesdropping on  their conversation. "What are we going to do? Mira panicked

"We're dead meat for sure let's go"

..

..

"So what are you saying?" Sofia enquired.

"My Lady, that crazy woman we met at the mall Is Valerie."

"Yes Ma'am. What do we do now? Lady Lily asked apprehensively.

"Chill. Nothing is going to happen. Ok?"

"She'll stay over because it's late."

"Ok. Well I was asked to stay indoors. I can't walk around, in the compound when there are visitors."

"I haven't seen a cruel marriage like this before. This equals to hell."

"Shhhhh. Keep quiet."Lady Lily instructed.

"Lest I forget, Dad called me."

"Lady Lily...."

"Mira........"

"Strange." 

"He said he wanted to check on me."

"Let it not be one of his schemes."

"I pretended that everything was fine."

"But why my Lady?"

"I want to know what happens next."

          ********************

"Albert,it seems you get handsome everyday." Valerie said to Albert as they strolled round the compound.

"Thank you." Albert smiled"You too."

"Wow. Really? Thank you."

"Do girls  still fight over you because,I can't forget what happened when you went for vacation in England."

Both burst into laughter.

"What about we do things as we used to when we were little."

"That's sounds nice."

"Ok. We'll stay together in your room and do Pillow Games.Then we'll play around the compound tomorrow."

"Oh no. We're now adults. We can't sleep in the same room."

"But it's nothing except you're thinking negatively." Valerie said in  a disappointed tone.

"Oh no." Albert persisted.

"No problem. We can still play around tomorrow right?" She said forcing a smile.

"Why not?"

"Thank you."

"It's nothing. Let retire for the night."

"Now?"

"Yes. Aren't you feeling sleepy?"

"No I'm not and I will appreciate ,if you'll accompany me a little more."

..

"What does she mean by that?" Albert asked himself when they've headed back to their rooms. I hope she's here with a sincere heart."

*Ring*Ring*

Albert picks his call..

"Meet me in........"

"Ok Dad."

 He hurriedly went to meet his Dad.

..

..

"Dad is she going to be staying with us?"

"Not for now. She'll only stay for three days and leave. But she'll be back to settle with us."

"Settle with us?" Albert asked in shock.Why?"

"Because you'll soon marry her.?

"Albert......."

"Yes my son. You can't stay with that  boredom inside for a long while. Afterall your marriage with her is  secret."

"What do you take me for Dad? You forced me to marry someone I did not love. Have you seen the result? Of what use is she now to the entire family? Now this....? Impossible!"

"You don't love her but you wanted to sleep with her?"

"Yes Dad. If she was a secret mistress, then she would have been of importance to her Dad. And may even marry."

"Thank God you said 'may'. Listen,there is nothing hidden under the Sun. What happens to our reputation when people finds out you're having affairs with a woman you're not legally married to. This is the best advice I will give to you. Marry Valerie."

"I won't." Albert stormed out of the room in anger.

            *************

..