https://okadabooks.com/book/about/victims_of_passion/23232



Please, all my friends, who are too numerous to mention, are all welcome.






Victims of Passion


© Copyright 2018. No part of this story can be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of the author’










Love Toread






This story is dedicated to God and all those who believe in love.




Janet is a very beautiful lady from a wealthy home. Every other thing is working well for her, except her relationships with men. She doesn’t have a lasting and reliable relationship. When she catches her current boyfriend in the arms of another lady, barely four months into the relationship, she is convinced that something is wrong somewhere.
She meets Raphael, a dedicated and loving soul. Two things stand between her and Raphael: the fact that he comes from a lower social class; and more importantly, because her father is vehemently against it. She decides to please her heart. In the course of this, she learns a lot of things in the hard way, including those she never envisaged.










Victims of Passion


Janet put finishing touches to what she was doing and decided to call it a day in the office. It was already four p.m. and it was the closing hour. Students had, about an ago, closed for the day. The day students had gone home while the boarders had gone to the dormitory.

She opened her clutch bag and brought out her mobile make up kit. The face reflected in the mirror was a beautiful one. Janet smiled to herself as she ensured that the face was moderately made up.

She stood up from her seat, packed her personal things in her bag and rose to go. Her office was on the ground floor of the expansive building. Apez College was a five star secondary school that occupied wide expanse of land. It offered day and boarding facilities for those who desired quality secondary education and who could afford it.

Her parents, owners of the school, put her there to be the Administration Officer. She was to report directly to Mrs. Glory Kweku, the matronly Ghanaian School Administrator. There were other places Janet could have chosen to work, but she said she wanted the college.

As she moved towards the car park, she saw Raphael, the English language teacher for Senior secondary classes. He was coming out of the staff room, his bag strapped across the right shoulder.

'Hello.' He smiled, showing a set of white teeth good enough for toothpaste advert.

Janet waved back at him, smiled and moved on.

'Are you going to town?' Raphael looked at her briefly and looked towards the gate. 'I don't mind a lift.'

Janet answered in the affirmative. He joined her in the car. The interior smelt nice. She drove the Honda car while he sat beside her at the front seat. Raphael had always noted the simple and unassuming manner Janet always conducted herself. He respected her for that. At thirty one he was a bachelor but he would not dare cross his boundary. No matter how much he liked her, he would not try it.

'How was the job, today?' He hoped the question was not unnecessary.

'Not bad, although not very exciting either.'

He nodded as if he understood. There was silence. He could not find any other thing to say. To break it, she slotted a CD containing
selections of popular R & B music.

'Please, I'll like to get down at the next junction.' He offered a smile, hoping it would be a token of appreciation.

When he alighted, he thanked her for the ride and moved on.

'Have a nice day.' She smiled again and drove off.

Ten minutes later, she drove inside their duplex home at Ota.

Sule, the security man opened the giant gates for her. He was full of obeisance, as usual.

OK.

Cool.

OK now.

* * *

Rhoda was washing the plates in the kitchen when her madam called her. She quickly stopped what she was doing and wiped her hands with the table cloth.

'Rhoda!' The voice came louder.

'Yes, ma.' Rhoda, without further delay, moved to the sitting room to attend to her.

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Don't forget to wash those my clothes I said you should wash.'

'Yes, ma'am.'

Madam Rose picked up her handbag. She was ready to leave. Rhoda made to help her with the bag, but the madam brushed the offer off.

'Just come and lock the gate. The madam briefly looked around the sitting-room, as if trying to see that all was well. They stepped out of the sitting room. The morning sunshine was bright. Madam went to her SUV car.

'Don't also forget that no visitor or stranger must be allowed inside the compound. Do you understand?' Rose looked at her sternly.

'Yes, ma'am.'

Rhoda opened the gate for the car to pass out of the compound. Then she bolted it and went back inside the house. The madam would probably not be back until late afternoon or evening, as it had been in previous days. As for madam's oga, that one had travelled and Rhoda did not know when he would be back.

She went back to the kitchen to complete her task there. Rhoda was an eighteen years old Togolese who recently started working for madam's family. The journey of life had taken her from her village to Lome, and from Lome to Lagos. She still had the ambition to be a fashion designer but she must do this domestic job for now.

She was about to start work on the laundry when she heard hard knocks at the gate. Wondering who it could be, she went out to find out.

'Who is that?' She moved to the gate and stopped short.

'It's me.' It was a male voice. From the tone, the man was becoming impatient.

And it sounded like oga's own. Rhoda was surprised. She looked through the latch to confirm. Realizing that he was the one, she quickly opened the gate.

'I've been horning the car for some time.' The man didn't find the delay funny. 'Until I banged the gate. Why didn't you answer me on time?'

'I'm sorry, sir. I no hear. Madam say you travel.' It was unmistakable that she spoke in faltering English.

'Yes. Person wey travel no dey return? I’m back.'

He went back to his car to drive in. Rhoda helped him to carry his bag and some sacks of foodstuffs from the boot of his car to the house.

'Is there bread and eggs in the house?' He looked towards the kitchen.

'Yes, sir.'

'Good. Fry some eggs for me. I'll like to have fried eggs and bread.'

Nonso went to have a shower and change of clothes. For the past two days, he had been to Benin city on business. Unlike before when his trip could take weeks, he hardly travelled now, and whenever he did, he would be back within a couple of days.

He was a successful transporter who had made his mark in passengers’ transportation business. His fleet of buses was doing well. At sixty,
Nonso had travailed the north, east, south and west of the terrain called Nigeria. He had four children, all grown up. The first two were in Europe while the third one was in Malaysia. The last born, twenty-two years old Sandra was studying Business Administration in a private university in Ogun state.

Nonso relaxed in the sitting room, awaiting the food being prepared by Rhoda. He was yet to tell his wife that he was back in Lagos. No need to do that for now, he reasoned.

'Food don ready, sir.' Her hands smelled of onions.

From his seat, he looked up and nodded. Of course, he had been had been waiting for the announcement.

He moved to the dining table. The taste of the food was as good as the aroma. Since Rhoda was employed, she had not disappointed in her culinary skills. Nonso ate the food with relish.

Nice.

Cool.

Go on.

Continue...

'I didn't mean to hurt you.' The explanation was gratuitous. 'See, I really like you and I will do all those things I said I would do. Just cooperate with me.'

Rhoda stared at him. The shock was still on her face.

He tried what he thought was a disarming smile again.

'I did that because I like you so much.' His smile broadened. 'See, if you prove to be a good girl, you will really enjoy in this house. I can promise you that.'

She still looked at him uncertainly.

'Don't you want me to take care of you? Don't you want me to treat you special?' He was intent on setting the booby trap.

'But, madam...what of madam? She no go like it.'

Her reference to madam buoyed him up, rather than dampening him.

'Who will tell her? Are you a baby that you'll tell her such a thing? Listen, even if she gets to know, am I not the master of this house? You have nothing to fear, my dear.'

The use of the last expression seemed to work on her.

She appeared to relax. Nonso noticed this and capitalized on it.

'You don't have to doubt me.' He touched his chest to give her assurance. 'I always do what I say I will do.'

He said it as if he was God.

'Listen, to show you how serious I am, come and take this.'

He brought out some naira notes of five hundred denomination.

Rhoda's eyes popped out when she saw the money. She first stared at the money, then at him.

'More of this will come if you cooperate. Come and have it.'

There was another slight pause.

He knew he would win. There was a leer on his face as he beckoned at her again. ‘Come on.’

Like a toddler with unsteady steps, she moved over to him and he grabbed her again. This time around, there was only a feigned little resistance.




The following morning, after the devastating news of her fiancé, Helen remained in her room. Her mother came to meet her and enjoined her to take things easy.

'You need to cheer up.' She gave her daughter a pat. 'If he would not be, somebody else would be. Come on, cheer up. It's not the end of the world.'

Julie ordered the maid to bring beverage drinks for her.

Janet too popped in to see her sister before she left for her place of work.

She wasn't there for long as she was conscious of not getting late to work.

She was soon in the school. She immersed herself in her work and forgot about any remote or immediate source of worry. During the long
break, she decided to call Emma, her heartthrob.

'Na so you dey do?' There was sarcasm in her tone. 'You didn't even bother to call me since yesterday.'

'I'm sorry, my dear. But I called you yesterday afternoon.'

'Since yesterday afternoon? That was long ago. That's about twenty four hours ago now.'

He laughed across the line. 'Once again, my apologies.'

'Apologies accepted, but don't do it again o.'

'Yes, your Lordship.'

The two of them laughed.

'Don't worry. I'll make it up. This weekend, I promise to make it up.' His voice over the line was very unambiguous.

'O.k. That'll be nice. So, how's everything at your end?' She could even predict what his answer would be.

'All is well, dear. Every thing's cool.'

She nodded. 'Alright. Bye for now.'

'Bye bye.'

Janet cut the line. The office assistant knocked at her door and brought in the burger she had ordered for.

'Thank you.' Janet took the pack from her. Just then, her cell phone rang. It was Emma on the line again.

'Hello. I called to fulfill my promise to call.' There was a short laugh and he seemed to find his action very funny.

'Not so fast, mister. I expect you to call in a couple of hours’ time.'

'This one too is a call, darling.' He was a smooth operator but Janet would not fall for that.

'I know, but I'll still be expecting the other call in a couple of hours’ time, or so.'

'You win.' He laughed again. 'Alright, till then.'

She cut the line again, smiling to herself.

Nice

Following

Nice.

Continue...

Go on.

More...

Nice one.

More...

Go on.

Next...

Ride on.

She cut the line again, smiling to herself. She decided to have her breakfast. As she munched the burger, she opened the plastic bottle of carbonated drinks she would take with it.

Her mind went to five months ago when she first met Emma. She was at Maryland ShopRite where she had gone for some shopping. She did not know he had been observing and following her inside the expansive shopping hall.

As she was about to pay through the POS, he came to her side and offered to pay for everything she had bought by cash. She was pleasantly surprised by the offer, but he insisted he should be allowed to do it.

Later, he chatted her up briefly at the car park. He appeared to be a bit overbearing from the on-set. He had introduced himself as a petroleum engineer and the son of a prominent politician. He got her number and they had started dating since then.

At twenty-eight, Janet had started looking forward to a lasting relationship. She would not mind having someone that would propose marriage to her, the one she would finally marry. Emma had not made any such proposition. Janet was still studying him, but he, so far, looked like someone who did not have marriage idea in his lexicon. But she might be wrong. Maybe he too was studying her and would soon make the move.

While Janet was thinking about her relationship with Emma, her sister, Helen too was ruminating over her past relationship with Richard. Helen had already started dreaming of settling down with him. Richard was a consultant in pediatrics. He had looked so promising, but an automobile accident had put an end to any further dream of him.

There was a gentle rap at the door and Helen was brought back from her reverie.

'Yes, who is it?' She sat up and looked towards the door.

'It's me, Zizi.' Zizi was the fat and lively housemaid.

'Come in.'

The latter gently opened the door and stepped inside.

Zizi grinned at her. 'Sorry to disturb you, but that your friend, sister Abi is around to see you.'
'Where's she right now?'

'She's in the sitting room downstairs, ma'am.'

'Please tell her to come up.'

Abi was Helen's good friend. They were the same age, but Abi had successfully settled down. About four months ago, Abi was joined in wedlock in a very lavish ceremony. Helen had been her best lady and had promised that her own wedding would be grander than Abi's own.

Abi knocked at the door and without waiting for an answer came in.

'I should have been here since yesterday.' There was apology over Abi's face. 'I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I'm so sorry to hear the news. What did you say happen to him?'

Helen told her.

Abi shook her head in sympathy. 'My condolence. Please, take heart.'

'Thank you.'

She sat next to her friend on the bed and sighed. 'I've been thinking about the incident since yesterday. Helen, don't you think this thing is not ordinary?'

Helen appeared to think over it. 'I don't understand what you mean.'

Abi moved closer to her friend.

'Listen carefully. This is your second fiancé to die within a period of two years. If I could recollect, you would've done your wedding before mine. Your first fiancé fell ill and died before the engagement could come up. Now, this has happened again. Don't you think something is wrong somewhere?'

Interesting work.

Next please.

Go on.

'Listen carefully. This is your second fiancé to die within a period of two years. If I could recollect, you would've done your wedding before mine. Your first fiancé fell ill and died before the engagement could come up. Now, this has happened again. Don't you think something is wrong somewhere?'
Helen had a far-away look. 'So, what d'you think is wrong?'
'I think it has to do with something spiritual. This kind of thing doesn't happen ordinarily. There's something mysterious about the whole thing.'
Helen appeared thoughtful. 'What can I do now?'
Abi's voice dropped to the level of a whisper. 'There's a baba I know. He is very powerful. Once you agree and I take you there, the mystery will be unraveled.'
Helen looked defiant. 'But, I don't believe in such things. I've never gone to such people before.'
'O.k. I didn't know you prefer that this mysterious occurrence should continue. No problem. Have your way as you wish.'
Helen could sense the impending indifference. 'No, Abi, don't talk like that. I know you're trying to help. But this thing you're suggesting sounds ...it sounds strange and... and...'
'Strange or not strange, this man I'm talking about will unravel the whole thing.'
Helen was in thoughts for some moments again. 'Alright.' She shrugged. 'Let me think over it. In a few days’ time, I'll let you know my decision.'
"I'll suggest that you act fast. The longer you delay, the more the problem deals with you. Remember that delay is dangerous.'
Helen nodded. 'I agree that indeed delay is dangerous. Thank you, my friend for the timely advice.'

Laji flipped from one channel to another. He loved music and entertainment and would spend hours watching one station or the other. It was a summer afternoon, his best weather since he came to live in the U.S.
His flat in Indianapolis was a moderate but cozy one. Laji, alias L.A, liked it like that. Laji was the first and only son of Leke LaVos, the business mogul from Nigeria. His siblings were Helen and Janet LaVos.
At thirty-two, he had no plans about marrying and settling down. Some months back when his mother called him from Nigeria, she had asked him how far were his plans about having a better half. Laji had laughed it off as if it was the funniest question on earth.
He had come to the States since he was nineteen. That meant he had spent about thirteen years there. Over those years, he had acquired a Masters degree in Biotic Engineering from the State university. He worked for a computer firm and was quite doing well.
L.A was a young man of the world. He was a sociable man that loved clubbing and engaging in many social activities. He had many friends and followers on the social media. This early evening, the only reason why he was still at home was because Monica, his Latino girlfriend had called that she was on her way to his flat.
The door bell rang. Swiftly, Laji moved to it. Monica, the black-haired lady he was expecting was at the door.
'Hello, sweetheart.' There was complete delight in him to see her.
'Hello, honey.' She seemed very delighted too to be there.
They kissed passionately like lovers who had not seen each other for a long time.
'I'm so tired.' She yawned to show that she meant what she said.
'Don't worry. I'll help you.'
With that, he lifted her and took her straight to the bedroom.
'We didn't finish yesterday's game.' There was a lustful grin on his face as he flopped her on the bed.
'I know. Why the hurry? I'm gonna be here all night long.'
'The earlier the game starts the better.' The lustful grin was still on his face.
Before she could reply, his cell phone rang. It was a distant call from Nigeria.

Nice update

Before she could reply, his cell phone rang. It was a distant call from Nigeria.

Rhoda felt pain in the pelvic area of her body by the time Nonso was through with her. She was not a virgin, but she never found sexual intercourse anything pleasant. She found this particular one painful. It was the way he had handled her.

He was so forceful and so fierce, as if his life depended on it. She felt used and bruised. She wondered if he could really say he was delighted after the whole thing. Rhoda shook her head. She never understood men and their craving for sex. She had never really enjoyed engaging in the act and she wondered why some men acted as if it was indispensable and as if without it, they would die.

She went to the bathroom to clean herself up. There was a little bleeding coming from her private part. The man was not gentle at all, to say the least. He had handled her like a man with craze for sex. She did what she could do to clean the mess up and returned to her work. Her mind was in a frenzy. She knew madam must never hear what she and oga just did. She had only spent two weeks in the house and this had happened.

So, oga had been nursing those lustful thoughts since she started working there! Men, she thought in disgusts. Why were they never satisfied with what they had? Madam, although no longer a young woman and was on the fat side, was still attractive.

Why couldn't oga be content with that? She knew the man was much older than her own father back in Togo. Why would a man like that stoop so low as to sleep with a house girl?

Maybe it was because you were still young, she told herself. Maybe as you grew older, you would understand things better. Then, her mind went to the promises oga made. Did he really mean those things, or was he just saying them just to have his way?

Rhoda wondered on the prospects of what she would do if the man should fulfill the promises he had made. She smiled to herself. That would mean she would be saying bye bye to poverty. But all these would be if he kept to his words.

An idea flashed through her mind. She had an aunty married to a timber magnate in Lome. Rhoda remembered that the aunty once boasted that she had the key to retaining the attention and the affection (if you could call it that) of any man that crossed her path. Rhoda smiled to herself again. It was time she consulted the aunty.

Nice update.

An idea flashed through her mind. She had an aunty married to a timber magnate in Lome. Rhoda remembered that the aunty once boasted that she had the key to retaining the attention and the affection (if you could call it that) of any man that crossed her path. Rhoda smiled to herself again. It was time she consulted the aunty.

Janet woke up around six a.m. Then, she remembered that it was Saturday morning and she would not be going to work. She lazed on the bed for several minutes. She thought of what she would be doing with herself that weekend.

By noon, she would be visiting Emma. He had said he looked forward to seeing her again. Before she would leave, she would just relax and take things easy.

Still in her night wear, Janet went to the kitchen. The big refrigeration there had assorted juices. She poured the drinks generously in a big mug and returned to her room.

She played music on her i-phone as she sipped her drinks. Some minutes later, she decided to have her bath. She was still in the bathroom when Zizi came to inform that breakfast was ready.

After creaming her body, she chose to wear a white t-shirt and a short jeans skirt for now. Her parents were already eating by the time she got to the dining table.

'Good morning, dad, good morning, mum.'

"My baby girl, how are you?' Her father smiled up at her. It was the way he used to address her. At almost twenty-eight, her father still called her baby girl.

Her mother too smiled at her. Julie was a reticent woman. If anyone talked a lot in that house and raised so much fuss, it was daddy.

'Why is Helen not here?' The man looked at the chair on which Helen normally sat. 'Don't tell me she's still mourning that her boyfriend.'
'I think she'll soon be here.' Julie nodded and looked at her husband reassuringly.

The breakfast was toasted bread and beverages. It was one of Janet's favorites. She enjoyed the food and ate to her satisfaction. Truly, just as her mother said, Helen soon came to join them.

'Helen, baby. How 're you?' LaVos expressed delight that she had finally come.

'Fine, dad. Morning, mum.'

'How're you, my dear?' Julie looked at him briefly in I-told-you-so manner. She patted her daughter.

'Life goes on.' LaVos lifted the tea cup to his mouth. 'I don't understand why you should be brooding over him. You're still young, enjoy your life.'

The others did not say anything. Janet sometimes wondered how her father was able to take things as calmly as he did. For instance, the way he reacted to the death of Helen's fiancé was rather too cool, almost as if he was expecting the news.

Janet glanced at her mother. She was sitting calmly beside her husband. As far as Janet could remember, there was no time her mother had any serious argument with her husband, or raised her voice against him. She always seemed to agree with him - both in words and in silence. Mummy was too cool and pliant for Janet's liking.

Later that morning, she was in her room, watching the satellite television. Daddy and mummy had gone out. She suspected that Helen had gone out too.

By eleven in the morning, she was watching Channel O, when Funmi, her friend came to visit Funmi had been her friend since their secondary school days. As a matter of fact, they went to the same federal government girls college. Funmi was the only daughter of the Lawsons and they dotted on her. She was an almost spoilt child.

Nice update.