Meant to be.

episode 9

**************Richard woke up the next morning feeling sick, . …. He dragged himself out of bed and had a warm shower,Desmond left late at night ….. He thought of how to inform Angela’s mother about her daughter’s disappearance and the outcome of the news,……. He wore a blue jeans and a polo,..he called Desmond and told him of his plans of going to Angela’s village to inform her mother,…. He promised to accompany him,……. Immediately he dropped the call,…. He heard a knock on the door,…. He hurriedly rushed down thinking it was Angela,….. He opened the door without asking who it was,……… The taxi driver stood before him with bandage on his head,….. That was when the reality of what happened to Angela dawned on Richie,…..

“Where’s Angela?, “he asked the driver with fear written all over him

” Oga,…….. Some boys attacked us,…. They hit me on the head and drove off with her”

“What?!!!!, you were attacked?,….. “Why didn’t you call me,…. “Where did they take my Angel to?” Richard asked anxiously

“Oga, i dont know,….. I pity that poor girl,..they took our phones from us”

Richard walked back into the house and sat down,…… He remembered his step mother’s threats,…… He never took her serious,…. It was all his fault, he couldn’t protect his girlfriend even after eavesdropping on his step mother’s phone call,…… He couldn’t stop blaming himself,….

The taxi driver stood watching Richard,… He knows how much he loves Angela,…. He has been the one picking her from her house to Richard’s house anytime she’s visiting,……. The door opened and Desmond walked in with Nancy,….

He looked from the taxi driver to Richard, who was looking lost,……

“Richard,…… “he called out his name

Richard looked up and saw his friend,….
” Guy, i’m in deep s--t,….. I don’t even know what happened to me,…. I should’ve acted fast, after listening to that witch’s threats,. But i did nothing to protect my girlfriend,…. I was too carefree,…. Look at what has happened,…… “he lamented to his friend,…..

.” Why are you speaking as if Angela is dead, ……… “Richard pointed to the driver who was still standing

” the driver told me she was kidnapped,…… ”

” Jesus!!! ”

” Tell me, what will i tell her mother, a woman who is still mourning her husband, Do you think she’s going to believe me?,…you know Angela has been the breadwinner of her family,…. How do you expect them to believe my story,… And i lied to her last night that Angela was bathing,…. I’ve complicated things,…… I just dont know where to start from,…….. And you know what?,… After i left that witch’s house, i had plans of rushing to Angela’s village to keep her safe here with me,… But i forgot all that,… I just forgot,……. I knew quite well my girlfriend was in danger,… And i allowed her to leave the village alone,……. I believe that woman did something to me,…… God pls come to my rescue,….. I dont know how to tackle this matter especially with Angela’s family,……. ”

Desmond was in short of words, he knows this type of problem is not easy to tackle,…… Especially Angela’s family believing them,…. He must stand by his friend no matter what,…… Nancy sat down shedding tears,….

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They all drove out later,…… Richard drove to his father’s house first,…… He rushed inside and met his step mother all dressed up to leave,….. He came in clapping for her,…..

She was startled

“Thanks for a job well done,….. So you’ve finally carried out your threats,… You have done what pleased you, right?,” he asked her walking around her
. “If you dont have anything reasonable to say, pls as you can see, i’m on my way out,….. Excuse me,…..” she said carrying her bag to leave

Richard dragged her back and pushed her onto a seat,…

“have you come to my house to beat me up again?,you should be worried about your girlfriend’s where about than coming here to fight me,… “she threw at him

“Oooooh,…… How come you knew she was kidnapped,..You must release her to me today or else, they will bury either you or me today,… ”

“I’m not yet ready to die,… If you are ready to die, there are many ways to commit suicide without feeling the pains,… And dont you ever lay your hands on me,……” she warned him pointing her fingers at him angrily

“You’re a joker,….. You think i’m not serious,… “he slapped her hard on the face,…. And was about hitting her when Pedro rushed in with a gun in his hands,…..

” If you lay your hands on her, i’ll shoot you,… “he warned Richard

Richard turned and saw Pedro pointing a gun at him
Mrs Johnson stood up instantly,…. She slapped Richard hard on the chic,….

” How dare you!!!!, you dont have respect for me anymore,….. Have you forgotten who i am in this state,….You think you’re smart,… I knew you would plan to take her away before i could get her, i erased that from your thoughts fool,……… If i wanted to kill you, i would’ve have done that long time ago”

“I’m not surprised, i know you did something to me,….but i promise you,… I’ll find Angela, and your end is near,…. You’ll end up dying a shameful and painful death just the way you killed her father ,…. ”

” Hahahahahahhaa, empty threats,…. You’re too young to involve yourself in this,…. But you’ll regret ever challenging me,… “she said straight to his face

, ******** Desmond and Nancy were now worried about Richard,…. He has been inside the house for more than forty minutes,… They locked the car and went inside in search of him,….. They met him almost on his way out,….

” Richard what happened to your lips,….. “Nancy asked him
” Let’s get out of here!!!!!, “he ordered them

Desmond didnt allow Richard drive the car, he knows how emotionally down he is,….Richie directed him to the station,……

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On getting to the station,…. He requested to meet the DPO,.

He introduced himself to the DPO, the DPO happens to be an old friend to the Johnsons,….. Richard narrated his ordeal to him,….. He told him that he wants his step mother arrested,….

“Sir, you wont believe she is not my biological mother, pls you need to arrest her and her bodyguards,… She needs to tell us where she hid my girlfriend,….”

After listening to his story, the DPO cleared his throat and spoke to him
“I’m sorry for what you’ve been passing through,…. I knew she’s not your biological mother,…. Your father and mother were very kind to the poor,…. Your mother’s death was a shock to everyone,…. I’m here today is your father’s making,… I know how i started,….. I dont forget to pay homage to him,…. After your mother’s death,…. He married her best friend within Six months,…. You were just a baby then,….. She stopped everyone from visiting your father,.. She controlled him,…. All of a sudden,… We heard Chief Johnson was sick,…. His sickness became worse and his wife took over everything,…… She controls all his businesses,…….. Till today, we’ve not seen or heard anything about your dad,…… As for arresting her,…. I’m afraid we can’t do that,…. Because you don’t have evidence, ….. I’m more concerned about your visit to the girl’s village,… It wouldn’t be safe if you go there without security,… I’ll release some of my boys to you, they will accompy you to her village,…. ”

” Thank you so much sir,. I do appreciate your kind gesture,… “Richard thanked him

” It’s ok, i’ll do anything for my friend’s son, we shall begin an underground investigation on your stepmother,… We have information that she’s dealing in illegal business,…. Dont worry, the Lord is your strength,….. ”

” thank you sir”

They drove straight to Angela’s village with six armed police men in their vehicle,..Richard continued dialing Angela’s number but it wasn’t going through,………..

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Mrs Johnson took a flight to Lagos,…. She was shocked to hear that her boys have not arrived, she became more scared after several attempts of calling them failed,.. She dialed their number two hours later and someone finally picked the call,…
She heaved a sign of relieve,

“Hello, pls give the phone to the owner “she ordered the person speaking

” This is a mortuary attendant,….. The person you’re calling died along with three other passengers in a car accident early this morning, the only survivor is a lady and she has been rushed to a hospital by a good Samaritan,… ”

She stood still, there was silence,…….

” Eem,…. Pls…. Dont be angry, do you know the hospital she was taken to?, “, she asked

” I dont know anything about a living body ,… I only have business with a deadbody,…. Why should i know where she was taken to,….. “he answered rudely

” Hmmmmm,…. I’m sorry, i think i dialed a wrong number, bye”

She cut the phone immediately,…. She angrily threw the phone away,….