Chapter 3.

"This is Lily's fiance. Look, Mr Christian or whatever they call you, I don't want to perceive you around Lily again. Do you understand? If you see her, don't even greet. Just go your way and she will go hers."

Flora nodded with approval. Flames might be a racketeer, but he spoke English so flawlessly. She still didn't understand how he ended up on the streets.

"And don't call her," Flora mouthed. She loved the exaggerated baritone. It was threatening, all on it's own. He changed his voice so effortlessly.

"Yes and don't ever call her again. If I see you around her, only God knows what I will do to you. Goodbye Mr Christian."

Flames ended the call. Flora gave him a high five, giggling silently so as not to make too much noise. Some other shady people were also doing underground business here. Flames was the man she hired, to add finishing touches to her plans which were well underway.

"You're so cool," Flora said in admiration, opening her handbag to pay him.

Flames smiled toothlessly. He had very few teeth remaining in his mouth, testimony to numerous bar fights and jungle life. "That's my job."

He collected the money and counted, mentally giving himself a pat on the back. 100 ways to make quick cash number 1, help bitches set up their female friends.

"Excuse me? I said 10k. What's this?" Flames asked with that upturned mouth. Was that a scar that ran across his upper lip?

"I know. Just manage 5k. I will pay up later," Flora said, assuming that bossy stance. Little did she know it didn't work on everyone.

"Look, I don't do child's business. If you don't pay up right now, get ready to leave without your phone and trust me, nobody's gonna help you here," Flames said, his voice becoming a dangerous whisper. His cold eyes hardened ominously.

"Is that supposed to be a threat or something?" Flora's voice rose with fury. Imagine the nincompoop.

"Don't make noise here," Flames cut in, glancing around quickly.

"I even paid you 5k and you're still talking," Flora continued, glaring at him. "Many people would have done it for less. Please take the money and free me jorrh. Don't be greedy. Besides, I've have already said that I will pay up later."

Flames stared at her. A muscle was ticking in his jaw. That was the problem with all these envious bitches. They were always jealous, saucy and broke.

"I'm not many people," he replied with a deceptively calm voice, trying really hard to remain the gentleman and control his temper.

Ignoring him totally, Flora stood, adjusted her spotless white dress like a peahen and made to leave. Flames grabbed her handbag.

"If not because I know you, I would have done something that will forever keep your filthy mouth shut," he threatened, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.

"Like seriously? Are you threatening me?" Flora's laughter was mirthless. "I give you two minutes to release my handbag. One...two... "

This wasn't going well at all for Flora. She had collected all the money she had and even borrowed from Lily to complete it. Where would she get another 5k? The guy must be a greedy fool.

She shook off the wave of guilt that assailed her as Lily came to mind. If Lily had left Chris for her in the first place, both of them wouldn't have been in this mess. Lily betrayed her first!

"Little girls should not joke with fire. This was an agreement," Flames said curtly, intruding into her thoughts.

She laughed hysterically, clutching her stomach as she did so. "I, Flora Sue, joking with fire. Leave my bag now or else..."

She stopped suddenly and stared at something behind Flames, eyes widening.

"What is it?" Flames asked, turning to investigate. Flora utilized that orchestrated opportunity, snatched her handbag from him and bolted through the door.

Flames was having none of that. This bitch wasn't getting away with his money, but hell! Could she run? He never thought those long, pretty legs could do anything better than cat walking. He must be out of shape.

He dived towards her and sent both of them hurtling down the stones in front of the building. He grabbed her by the hair and gave her a quick backhand slap for tricking him. Another one for trying to get away with his money and a third one for stressing him so much. Flora fought back like a wild cat, but her efforts were nothing compared to the hulk that was before her.

This was the sight that confronted Christian Chukwu as he drove past Guinea Casino. He drove very slowly. He didn't trust himself to drive speedily that day as he normally did. He might crash into something and surely wouldn't give a certain bitch the satisfaction of thinking he did it because of her. He glanced at them and looked away disinterestedly. Was that an assassin or a rapist or thief, he simply didn't care.

He was simmering with suppressed anger. He wanted to punch something. Another glance revealed the assailant; Flames, a popular gangster. Must be having problems with his girl then. Women! Will they ever stop being a total nuisance? For instance, just imagine. Lily asked her "fiancé" to threaten him. Him! Christian Michael Chukwu.

Jesus, this was driving him crazy. If he should get his hands on her, he would tear out her hair strand by strand. It wasn't enough that she abruptly quit their relationship on the phone with assorted species of insult. She also had to get the stupid man she probably called her boyfriend to threaten him. Just what did she think she was? A diamond princess? She thought he would die without her?

Chris laughed bitterly. He would prove to her that she meant absolutely nothing to him. He looked in the rearview mirror. The dude didn't seem ready to stop slapping the Lady. He was hoping on having a quiet evening with a glass of wine and his video game, if Iyke hadn't claimed it already.

He considered wishing the Lady well and hoping that a gallant knight would come to her rescue. But this road was a lonely one, filled with a million portholes. He only followed it when there was traffic. Little hope of anyone coming to rescue the Lady. He looked again. This time, the dude was dragging her all over the stony ground and her kicking made it worse. Did this Flames of a guy have just a fraction of human heart? Looked like he was her only saviour now. He rolled his eyes and reversed. Back to the ugly, beating scene.

He left his engine running and jumped out. He just had to quickly find out why the dude was determined to kill the Lady, see what he could do about it and start going home already. He glanced at his watch, 5pm! Oh shit, Iyke should be home by now. Iyke was a final year student for goodness sake. He should leave video games and study.

"Hey, hey. Easy dude, easy," Chris said, trying to get Flames to calm down.

"Back off," Flames bit out through his teeth, wrapping his palms around the Lady's neck. Did he want to strangle her? The Lady kicked furiously.

"Let go... Of me... You toothless..." She bit his hand. "Bastard." Another bite.

Flames yelped in pain and gave her another resounding slap. Whao, the wench was a hellcat. Chris had to remind himself that he didn't come to watch the fight.

"Please, please. Can I handle whatever you might have against her?" Chris asked cautiously, hoping the dude would listen.

"5k," Flames snarled, breathing hard. He hated the intrusion. He wanted to beat this bitch so thoroughly, she would be wearing her teeth in a cup beside her hospital bed for the rest of her life. She dared play with fire.

"Sorry?"

"This witch wants to run away with my 5k!"

"Give him his money na?" Chris implored the Lady. Her eyes and cheeks were badly swollen and her lips bled. "Do you want him to kill you first?"

"I don't... Have 5k." Flora grimaced in pain. She could barely move her jaws.

"5k... 5k," Chris muttered. He walked over to his car and produced the money.

Flames collected the money and counted, while still holding Flora by the hair. It was complete. He pushed her away roughly.

"Na just your God save you. You for don see am today. Witch," Flames spat out at Flora and shot Chris a who-are-you-anyway look, then turned and disappeared into the casino. The guy was indeed toothless, Chris noted with amusement. How did he manage to talk? He crouched to see the lady. Her face was battered beyond recognition. What business did she have with the likes of Flames?

"Hi, I'm Christian. You're safe now," he said gently. Flora remained silent, staring down at her hands through swollen eyelids.

"I can understand if you don't want to talk. Mind if I take you home?"

She nodded, then gave out a little cry. Even head movement was torturous.

Huh? Chris was confused. That should be a yes.

"Easy. Can you stand up?"

She nodded again. Chris retrieved her handbag and helped her into the car.

"So, where's home?" he asked, but Flora was already pretending to sleep.

Aww, shit! Hope she had not passed out. Not in his car please. What was he supposed to do now? Take her to his home or to the hospital? So much for the quiet evening he looked forward to.

To be continued...