It has been brought to my attention that some part of this story 'When Love Speaks' was used by a particular movie director for movie audition. This was done without getting permission from me.

And from my findings, I got to know that the said director got permission from God knows where before using the work.

I have seen my work on many different site, blogs, Facebook pages and groups who copy and paste my story without giving credit to the author. Some even claim to be the author of the story.

Who knows, maybe this director might have gotten permission to use part of the story for his audition from one of these people who claim to be the author of the story, and might have reached certain agreement with them.

So for this reason, 'When Love Speaks' will be suspended for now and will be continued at a later date. For now, I need to look for a way to resolve the issue at hand, before I lose my story completely.

Episode 81

Steven sat in his office, browsing through some documents on his computer. A knock suddenly sounded on his door.

"come in" he said, without taking his gaze off his computer.

The door opened and Ella walked in holding a file.

"sir, these are the documents you asked me to bring" Ella said and showed him the file in her hand.

"drop it on the desk" Steven responded, without taking his gaze off the computer.

Ella dropped the documents on the desk and turned to leave, but stopped halfway. She walked back to meet him.

"sir!" she called.

"what is it?" Steven asked, and looked up from his computer.

"sir, I want to apologize for not......."

"just go back and continue your work. I don't need any explanation" Steven cut in.

"but sir, I was....."

"when I give instruction, you obey it. I said you should go back and continue your work. Or do you want to lose your job." Steven cut in again.

"I'm sorry sir" Ella apologized.

She turned and quietly left his office, while Steven continued with what he was doing.

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

Barrister James sat beside Chairman Edward at the face left in a restaurant. They seemed to be waiting for someone. The restaurant door opened and a man walked in. He observed everywhere first, then walked to meet chairman Edward.

"good afternoon chairman Edward" he greeted and sat opposite chairman Edward.

"good afternoon Mr Amos." chairman Edward responded.

"how did it go?" Mr Amos asked.

"everything went as planned" chairman Edward responded.

"so, what will happen to me now?" Mr Amos asked.

"I will take the documents to Sacz company, which will prove that you stole the company fund and framed Mr Owen for it." Chairman Edward responded.

"that means I will be going to prison" Mr Amos said.

"yes, but I will make sure that your jail term doesn't exceed one year." Chairman Edward responded.

"what about the money we agreed on" Mr Amos asked.

"don't worry, the 150 million naira will be deposited into your wife's account. It will be there waiting for you until you come out of prison" Chairman Edward responded.

"Sacz company will never take me back once I come out from jail. No other company will employ me. This will ruin my reputation" Mr Amos said.

"you don't need any company to employ you once you come out of jail. You will be 150million naira richer. You can start up your own business and become your own boss. If you still wish to work under a company when you come out from jail, my company is always there to employ you" chairman Edward responded.

"okay, I'm ready for it" Mr Amos said.

"we are good then. I'm taking the documents to Sacz company once we leave here, which will prove you are the real culprit" Chairman Edward said.

"okay" Mr Amos responded.

"let's start leaving then" chairman Edward said.

They all stood up and left the restaurant.

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

Angel lay on her bed staring sadly into air. It's been hours since chairman Edward left her house. She had been so devastated since he left. She had wept to the extent that she couldn't weep anymore. Her eyes were already swollen. Even though she was sad, she still believed she made the right decision.

Her phone suddenly started ringing beside her on the bed. She took it and saw that the call was from Jewel. She dropped the phone back on her bed. The phone continued ringing but she ignored it. After about 22 missed calls, she took the phone to switch it off, but realized that 5 of the missed calls was from her mum. She immediately dialed her mum's number and she picked after the second beep.

"hello Angel" Mrs Owen's voice sounded at the other end.

"mum" Angel called.

"Angel, the Lord is great. The Lord has done it" Mrs Owen said, happily.

"what's the good news, mum?" Angel asked.

"your father's name has been cleared. Someone from his company framed him." Mrs Owen responded, happily.

Angel smiled when he heard that. Finally, her dad is free.

"mum, I'm coming over right now" Angel said.

"okay" Mrs Owen responded.

Angel ended the call with smiles on her face. She stood up from her bed and left her room.

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

Angel rushed into the sitting room to see her mum and dad sitting on the sofas. They stood up immediately they saw her. She ran to meet her dad and embrace him.

"dad, I'm so happy that your name has been cleared." Angel said and sat down on the sofa.

"we give God the glory" Mr Owen responded and sat down also.

"so dad, who actually framed you?" Angel asked.

"my daughter, could you believe someone I called my friend actually framed me. I never believed Mr Amos could do that to me. We should be mindful of the kind of friends we keep" Mr Owen said.

"what will the company do to the real criminal now?" Angel asked.

"he will spend the rest of his life in prison" Mr Owen responded.

"that serves him right. I'm just so happy that your name has been cleared" Angel said.

"I'm very happy too" Mr Owen responded.

Angel's phone suddenly started ringing. She brought it out from her handbag and saw that it was a call from Jewel. She took a deep breath and answered the call.

"hello" she said.

"thank God that you finally picked up" Jewel said, at the other end.

"what do you want?" Angel asked.

"my Angel, I know you are very mad at me, but you can't keep avoiding me. These few days without you has been hell for me. Please my Angel, I have learned my lesson. I was wrong for keeping it a secret. I should have to you everything. Please my Angel, just give me the chance to explain myself. Just this one last chance, and I promise never to keep any secret from you again. Please my Angel" Jewel begged.

"where are you now?" Angel asked.

"I'm at home" Jewel responded.

"meet me at Sky City restaurant" Angel said.

"okay my Angel. Thank you very much. Thanks for giving me another chance. I promise, I will never mess up this time around. I will be at Sky City restaurant in no time" Jewel responded.

Angel ended the call and turned to face her parents.

"mum, dad, I need to leave now. There's something I need to go and take care of" Angel said.

"okay Angel" her parents responded in unison.

Angel stood up, carried her handbag and left the sitting room.

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

Angel sat at the far right in Sky City restaurant, staring sadly into air. She wasn't eating, neither was she drinking. She just fixed her gaze on a particular spot. After few minutes of sitting, the restaurant door opened and Jewel walked in. Angel wore a straight face immediately she saw him coming. Jewel walked straight to meet her and sat opposite her.

"my Angel, thanks for agreeing to meet me. Please let me explain" he said.

Angel didn't respond. She only fixed a steady gaze at him.

"first Angel, I must tell you that I was not aware of any marriage until my grandpa shocked me with the news some days ago. My only sin was not telling you about it when I found out" Jewel explained.

Angel continued staring silently at him.

"I didn't agree to marry anyone, and will never agree to marry anyone. You are the only one I love, and nothing will change that. Angel, believe me when I said I regret not telling you about it. You were eager to meet my grandpa then. How could I have told you that the grandpa you were eager to meet was already planning a marriage for me. I regretted not telling you. I'm very sorry my Angel. Please forgive me" Jewel apologized.

"Jewel!" Angel called, softly.

"yes, my Angel" Jewel responded.

"I called you here for a different reason, and not to listen to your explanation." Angel said.

"what is it, my Angel?" Jewel asked.

"I called you here to let you know that it is over between us." Angel said.

Jewel froze when he heard that. He knew Angel was angry with him, but he never expected her to say such.

"my Angel, I know you are angry, but don't allow your anger get the best of you. Don't say things you don't mean. I know you only said that because you are angry." Jewel responded.

"I mean what I'm saying" Angel said, with a straight face.

Jewel knelt down before her immediately and held her hands.

"my Angel, please don't do this. You are only letting your anger to get the best out of you. I know you love me just as much as I love you. Please don't do something you will later regret." Jewel said.

"no Jewel, I don't love you. I never did. I just agreed to be your girlfriend out of pity then, because I thought you were just a cleaner. Now that I know who you truly are, I thought I should tell you the truth." Angel said.

Jewel stared sadly at her. He never believed Angel could say such nonsense to her. He never believed Angel could tell him that she agreed to date him out of pity. He couldn't speak anymore. He had suddenly lost his voice. He continued staring sadly at her.
Angel too was hurting badly for saying such nonsense to Jewel, but she still managed to keep a straight face.

"so, since you already know the truth. I think I will take my leave now" Angel said and stood up.

She carried her handbag and walked to the door. Jewel stood up also and hurried to meet her. He held her hand from behind and turned her roughly to face him.

"so, you want me to believe the nonsense you just said. I don't know why you are saying all that, but I know you still love me. I can see it in your eyes. Angel, you are in love with me." Jewel said and fixed a steady gaze on her.

Angel stared back at him also. They stared silently at each other. Angel wished she could just hug him and tell him 'yes my Jewel, I'm still madly in love with you', but she knew she couldn't do that. It was already impossible for them to be together.

"Angel say it. Please tell me that you still love me" Jewel begged.

"why don't you get it. Okay, if you wish to know, I'm in love with someone else. I don't want to keep deceiving you. Look for someone else that will love you. Please don't ruin my relationship with my new boyfriend" Angel said.

She knew how hard it was for her to tell such lie, but she just had to do it so that Jewel would let her go. It was already impossible for them to be together.

Jewel couldn't respond. His heart was shattered when he heard such from Angel. He never imagine Angel could do such a thing to him. He only stared silently at her. He was heart broken.

"okay, since you now know why I'm ending this relationship with you, I will take my leave then" Angel continued.

Angel turned and walked to the door. Jewel stared sadly at her retreating figure until she left the restaurant. Angel knew very well that once she got home, she was going to cry her eyes out.

Episode 80

Angel stretched lazily on her bed and reluctantly opened her eyes. She sat up and placed a hand on her head. She was having a terrible headache. She couldn't fall asleep at night until 3am. She turned her gaze to the wall clock in her room and realized it was 11:45am already.

"oh my God! it's almost noon. I can't believe that I have slept for this long." she said.

Just as she tried to stand up from her bed, her phone started ringing. She took the phone and saw that the call was from her mum. She sat down back on her bed and answered the call.

"hello mum, good morning" she greeted.

"hello Angel, there is a big problem here at home" Mrs Owen's troubled voice sounded at the other end.

"mum, what problem? What has happened at home?" Angel asked, very worried.

"it's not what we can discuss on phone" Mrs Owen responded.

"mum, is it that serious?" Angel asked in fear.

"yes, very serious" Mrs Owen responded.

"oh my God! what could have happened. Okay mum, I'm on my way already. Just stay calm until I get there" Angel said, trying to calm her mum down, whereas she was more worried.

"okay Angel, I'm waiting." Mrs Owen responded.

Angel ended the call and stood up from her bed. She took her car key and left her room immediately. She didn't freshen up, neither did she change the nightgown she was putting on. She just hurriedly left that way.

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

Angel sat beside her mum in the sitting room, staring sadly into air. Her mum had already explained everything to her, and she had been dumbstruck ever since. She couldn't believe such disaster had befallen her family. She had no idea of what to do. The issue at hand was beyond her.

After a while of deafening silence, Angel finally spoke.

"mum, what will happen to dad now?" she asked, sadly.

"the company had given him an ultimatum of 24 hours to return the money or he will spend the rest of his life in prison" Mrs Owen responded.

"but dad didn't steal the company's fund" Angel said.

"no one will believe that. His signatures are on the documents." Mrs Owen responded.

"how are we supposed to raise such amount of money in 24hours. Even if we were giving years, we still won't be able to raise 300million. That's a huge amount of money." Angel said.

"I'm just so confused right now" Mrs Owen responded.

"but who could have done this to dad?" Angel asked.

"we believe it must be some jealous colleagues at work. They just want to ruin your father reputation and send him to prison. Such atrocity was carried out by an insider. They forced your father to sign on blank papers and immediately prepared the required documents on those papers, and even use the company stamp to authenticate the documents. Only someone from the company can do such thing. They want to ruin your father's future" Mrs Owen responded.

Angel was trying as much as she could to stop herself from weeping, because she knew her tears wouldn't solve the issue at hand.

"dad can't go to jail for an offence he didn't commit. I will do everything possible to make sure I clear dad's name. I don't mind what it will cost me. As far as my dad don't end up in jail, I will do it" she said, even though she had no idea of what to do.

"it will be very difficult to clear his name" Mrs Owen responded

"mum, I need to leave now. I need to go and look for help. Dad certainly can't go to prison for an offence he didn't commit" Angel said and stood up.

"okay my daughter" Mrs Owen responded.

Angel hugged her mum and left the sitting room.

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

Angel opened the door to her sitting room and plodded in. She was just returning from her parents house. She seemed very frustrated. She hasn't even taken her bath. Her head was hurting her badly. She dropped her handbag on the floor and plodded to her room to have a shower.

She emerged from her room few minutes later, dressed in a different gown. She went to pick up the handbag she dropped on the floor. Just as she turned to go back to her room, a knock sounded on her door. She paused and turned to face her door.

"who could that be" she mumbled to herself.

She wasn't in her right frame of mind to receive visitors. She just wanted to be alone. She muttered under her breath and walked to see who was at her door. She opened the door to see chairman Edward and another man carrying a briefcase at the door. She paused when she saw them. She wasn't expecting to see chairman Edward at her place, not after what happened at the restaurant.

"can I come in?" Chairman Edward asked.

Angel stared at him for a while, then gave way for him to enter.

"thank you" chairman Edward said and entered the sitting room.

The man carrying the briefcase followed behind him. They sat down on the sofas, without being told to do so. Angel didn't sit down. She stood still, staring silently at them.

"like I said when we met last time, I'm a very busy man, so I will just go straight to the point." chairman Edward said.

Angel continued staring silently at him.

"this is barrister James. He is my lawyer. We are here to make a deal with you." Chairman Edward continued.

Barrister James immediately opened the briefcase he was carrying and brought out some documents.

"we heard what happened to your father, and I can tell you right now that we know that your father is innocent. We are here to help you clear his name" barrister James said.

Angel suddenly became interested in what the barrister was saying. She finally sat down and focused her attention on the barrister. She would do anything to clear her father's name.

"how is that possible? How can you clear my father's name?" Angel asked, curiously.

"we have documents that prove your father is innocent. Someone in his company framed him. He was held at gun point and forced to put his signature on blank papers. We have video tape of everything that happened. We know who framed your father and we even have an audio file that can prove it. All these can prove your father's innocence and the real criminal will be arrested. The 300million missing from the company's account will also be recovered" barrister James explained.

Angel immediately knelt down before the barrister, when he was done explaining.

"please sir, help my father. Don't let him go to jail" Angel pleaded with the barrister, almost shedding tears.

"that's why we are here. We are here to stop an innocent man from going to jail" barrister James responded.

"thank you very much sir. I truly appreciate it." Angel said and sat down.

"these are the documents that can prove your father's innocence. you can go through it" barrister James said and handed the documents to Angel.
"the audio recordings and video tape are here with me."

Angel carefully examined the documents. She turned to face barrister James, happily.

"thank you very much sir. This can prove that my father is innocent. I'm very grateful sir. You don't know what this means to me. I can now finally rest. My father won't go to jail. Thank you very much sir." Angel said, happily.

"you are welcome, but know that for this to be possible, you must also play a part in it" barrister James said.

"what am I supposed to do?" Angel asked.

Barrister James brought out another documents from his briefcase and dropped on the table.

"here is a legal agreement that you have to sign. Once you sign it, your father's name will be cleared" barrister James said.

"what does it entails?" Angel asked.

"the agreement says you will have to end any form of relationship you are having with the vice president of Edward Empire. There will be no form of contact between you two, whether direct or indirect. Once the agreement is reached, your father will be a free man. If you break the agreement, you will have to compensate Edward Empire with the sum of 1.5 billion naira for the damage your action would cost the company or spend the rest of your life in prison" barrister James explained.

Shiver went down Angel's spine when she heard that. The smile she had on her face disappeared. She suddenly became mute. She couldn't say a word to barrister James. Chairman Edward and barrister James stared silently at her, waiting for her response.

"are you taking the offer or not?" barrister James asked, when she wouldn't respond.

She still didn't respond. She just kept staring sadly at them.

"barrister James, let's start leaving. I can't be wasting my time here. I have more important things to do" Chairman Edward said, angrily and stood up.
"Since she has decided to let her father rot in prison, so be it"

"okay sir" barrister James responded and stood up also.

chairman Edward turned to face Angel.

"let me just remind you that this offer only last for this moment. Once we leave here, there won't be any other opportunity for you to clear your father's name" chairman Edward said.

He turned and walked to the door. Barrister James followed behind him. Just as they tried to open the door, Angel spoke.

"please wait" she said.

They stopped and turned to face her.

"I will sign the agreement" she said.

"good" barrister James responded and they went back to occupy their previous positions.

Barrister James gave her the documents and a pen.

"you can go through it before signing. It is also stated in the agreement that Jewel must not know about the decision we reach here." barrister James said.

Angel went through the documents and tears flowed down her eyes when she realized it would be a total disconnection for her and Jewel once she sign the documents. She soaked the documents with her tears when going through it.

Jewel is her everything. She didn't know what she would do without him. Her life would be so miserable. She never ever imagine that a time would come when she would be asked to choose between her dad and Jewel. Both of them are just so important to her. She never ever imagined that a time would come when she would have to let go of her Jewel. Fighting for Jewel means abandoning her dad. She just can't do that. She had to make the huge sacrifice.

More tears flowed down her eyes as she placed her shivering hand on the document. She took a deep breath and finally signed the documents. Chairman Edward watched with smiles as she signed the documents.

Episode 79

Jewel sat on his bed, staring at his phone in shock. He couldn't believe that Angel already knew about the arranged marriage. Who could have told her about it. He suddenly wished he had told her about it and explained everything to her. After staring silently at his phone for a while, he dialed her number but she didn't pick. That would be the eighteenth time he would be dialing her number. He dialed it once more, but this time, it was switched off. He continued staring at his phone in shock.

"I need to go and explain everything to her. I just pray it's not too late." he said.

He stood up from his bed, took his car key and left his room.

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

Jewel was seen pacing up and down in front of Angel's door. He had been waiting for her there for over 2hours. He thought he would meet her at home when he gets to her place, but he was wrong. She wasn't at home. He had already dialed her number many times since he got there, but her phone was switched off. He was already frustrated. He didn't know what else to do. He just wanted to see Angel and explain everything to her. He sat down on a bench in the compound and waited for another one hour. When he was tired of waiting, he stood up and left her house.

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

Chairman Edward sat on his bed in his bed room, glaring at his reflection on the mirror beside him. He was just returning from the restaurant where him met with Angel. He was angry that Angel refused to do his bidding and had to walk out on him.

"so that lady had the guts to walk out on me. Even when I was trying to be nice to her. Children of nowadays, I don't know why they like being forced to do something before they do it. Okay, since she wants me to be hard on her, that's what I will do. Let's see if she would be able to take the heat." he said, angrily.

A knock suddenly sounded on his door.

"come in" he said.

The door opened and Steven walked in.

"good afternoon sir" Steven greeted.

"why are you just getting here now? I thought I asked you to come here about an hour ago. So why are you just getting here?" Chairman Edward asked, angrily.

"I'm sorry sir. It was traffic" Steven apologized.

"is that supposed to be an excuse" chairman Edward barked, transferring his anger to Steven.

"I'm sorry sir" Steven apologized again.

Chairman Edward glared at him for a while before speaking.

"do you know Angel's parent?" he asked.

"yes sir" Steven responded.

"who are her parents?" chairman Edward asked.

"her parents are Mr and Mrs Owen" Steven responded.

"are you a fool?! is that supposed to be an answer" chairman Edward barked.

Steven shivered in fear. He couldn't understand why chairman Edward was suddenly getting angry at him.

"I mean where do they live and what do they do for a living?" Chairman Edward asked.

"her mum is a trader, and her dad works as regional manager in Sacz company." Steven responded.

"so her father works as regional manager in Sacz company" Chairman Edward said.

"yes sir" Steven responded.

"that makes everything easy for me then. I have people in that company and I'm surely going to use them against him. I will deal with him mercilessly that his daughter will have no other choice than to stay away from Jewel" chairman Edward said.

Steven stared silently at him. He couldn't tell what chairman Edward was planning to do, but he knew it won't be something funny at all.

"what are you still waiting for? you can leave already" Chairman Edward said to Steven

"okay sir" Steven responded and immediately left the room.

Chairman Edward picked up his phone and dialed a number immediately Steven left.

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

A car pulled to a stop in front of a big black gate. Angel's dad alighted from the car and went to open the gate, so that he could drive his car in. He was just returning from work. He opened the gate and went back to his car. Just as he opened the car door to enter the car, he felt an object on his head from behind.

"don't move. If you move, I shoot" he heard behind him.

He shivered in fear when he realized that a gun was being placed on his head. He closed the car door and slowly placed his hands on his head.

"now, slowly turn" the voice behind him said.

He slowly turned to see 2 masked men, pointing gun as him.

"what do you want from me?" he asked in fear.

"Mr Owen, we are not here to harm you, or to steal anything from you. We just need a little favour from you." one of the masked men said.

"what do you want from me? please say it. Just don't harm me, please" Mr Owen begged.

"Don't worry, we won't harm you. As long as you do as instructed." the masked man continued.

"okay, I will do as instructed" Mr Owen responded.

"good" the masked man said.

The mask man brought out some plain sheets of paper and a pen from the bag he was carrying. He gave Mr Owen the pen.

"you will have to sign on this papers" he said.

"why should I sign on a blank paper?" Mr Owen asked, confused.

"just do it and don't ask any question. It's just a small favour we need from you. We would have come unarmed to ask for it, but you might not grant our request. That's why we came with weapons. You have nothing to worry about." the masked man said.

"I don't know what you guys need my signature for. Signing on a blank paper is very risky" Mr Owen said.

"I assure you that we are not going to do anything that will cost damage with it" the masked man responded.

"you should have come with the documents you want me to sign, instead of bringing blank papers for me to sign." Mr Owen said.

"I have told you that you are safe. Just do as you are instructed, now that we are asking nicely." he responded.

Mr Owen knew very well that it is risky to put his signature on a blank paper, and would never do it if asked nicely, but the case was different. He was being forced to do it. He just pray silently that the guys didn't do anything dangerous with it.

"are you going to do it or not?" the masked man asked, angrily.

"where do you want me to sign?" Mr Owen asked.

The masked man showed him a particular spot on the blank paper for him to sign.

"I hope you won't do anything that will cost harm to me it with" he said and signed on the blank paper.

"you have nothing to fear" the masked man responded and gave him another blank paper to sign

"how many blank paper do you want me to sign" Mr Owen asked.

"just four" the masked man responded.

Mr Owen signed all the four blank papers as instructed. The masked man patted his shoulder when he was done.

"thank you very much Mr Owen. It's nice doing business with you. I look forward to another great deal with you. but this time we will come unarmed. Thanks once more. We will take our leave now, but first you have to lie flat on the floor and close your eyes" the masked man said.

Mr Owen quickly lay flat on the floor and closed his eyes. After minutes of lying on the floor, he opened his eyes and the masked men were nowhere to be found. He stood up from the floor and dusted his cloth. He entered his car and drove it into the compound. He alighted from the car and hurried into his flat. His wife was already waiting for him in the sitting room when he entered.

"honey welcome" Mrs Owen said and immediately went to collected his briefcase.

"honey, you won't believe what just happened outside the compound" Mr Owen said.

"what happened?" Mrs Owen asked, curiously.

"I was held at gun point by some hoodlums just outside the compound" Mr Owen responded.

"oh my God!" Mrs Owen exclaimed.
"did they harm you?"

"no, they didn't harm me. They didn't even collect anything from me. All they asked me to do was to sign on a blank paper.

"what do they need your signature for?" Mrs Owen asked.

"I don't know. We will talk about that later, but for now, I need to freshen up. I'm very tired" Mr Owen said

"okay honey, you can go and freshen up. Your dinner will be ready when you are done" Mrs Owen responded.

Mr Owen walked to his room to freshen up, while Mrs Owen went to set the dining for dinner.

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

It was a new day. Mr Owen emerged from his room with his briefcase already dressed for work. He went to join Mrs Owen for breakfast in the dining. He sat down beside her and they ate silently. Just when they finished eating, Mr Owen's phone started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and saw that the call was from his superior at work. His picked up immediately.

"hello sir, I'm already on my way to the office" he said.

"Mr Owen, why did you authorize the withdrawal of 300 million naira from the company's account. As far as I know, the company is not embarking on any project that warrant such amount" his superior said.

The mention of 300 million naira sent shiver down his spine.

"I don't understand you sir. What withdrawal are you talking about?" Mr Owen asked, confused.

"300 million was withdrew from the company's account last night, and it has just been confirmed that you are the one that approved the withdrawal" his superior said.

"sir, I think there's a mistake somewhere. I'm already on my way to the office. We will resolve it when I get there" Mr Owen responded.

"please do, because there is already an uproar here at the company." his superior said and ended the call.

Mr Owen stared at his phone in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard. 300 million withdrew from the company's account in his name.

"darling what's wrong?" Mrs Owen asked.

"honey there is a big problem. 300 million is missing from the company's account. I need to leave now. I will explain everything to you when I get back" Mr Owen responded and stood up.

"please darling, be careful" Mrs Owen said.

"okay" Mr Owen responded.

He carried his briefcase and immediately left the house.

Episode 78

Jessica suddenly wished she didn't inform Angel about it, when she realized Jewel hasn't told her either. She didn't want to be the one to reveal that to her.

"Jessica tell me, what marriage are you talking about?" Angel asked, curiously.

Jessica paused for a while before responding.

"Angel, you see. I won't like to be the one to tell you this. You should ask Jewel. He should be the one to tell you everything" Jessica responded.

"I don't understand what you are talking about." Angel said.

"I will call you later" Jessica said and ended the call before Angel could say anything else.

Angel stared at her phone, confused. She didn't understand what Jessica was talking about. Jessica must be mistaken Jewel for someone else. It certainly can't be her own Jewel. It was just few hours ago that Jewel and his grandpa left her house and everything seemed fine. His grandpa seemed to like her already. So she didn't understand what Jessica was talking about. She must be talking about something else.

She stared at her phone for a while, then dialed Jewel's number. He picked up after the second beep.

"my Angel, are you missing me already? It hasn't been up to an hour that I left your house" Jewel's joked.

"even a minute without you is enough for me to start missing you" Angel responded.

"that's so sweet my Angel, but you know I miss you more. I just wish we could be together every single time" Jewel said.

"I wish so too." Angel responded.

"don't worry, my Angel. Very soon, our wishes will come to pass" Jewel said.

"my Jewel" Angel called.

"yes, my Angel" Jewel responded.

"is there something you want to tell me?" She asked.

Jewel pursed for a while, before responding.

"no, is there any problem?" Jewel asked.

"there's no problem. I just thought you might want to tell me something, but since you say nothing, don't bother." Angel responded.

"okay" Jewel said.

"I will talk to you later then" Angel said.

"okay, my love" Jewel responded.

Angel ended the call and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Jessica is really out of her mind. What nonsense was she saying." she said and dropped her phone on her bed.

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

Steven sat only at the far right of a restaurant, drinking from a glass of wine. He had been sitting there alone for over 2 hours. He was waiting for Ella. She promised to be there on time, but it has been over 2 hours and she was still not there. He had tried calling her number many times but it wasn't reachable. He was already tired of waiting for her. He picked up his phone again and dialed her number, but it was still not reachable.

"it seems Ella won't be coming anymore" he said.

He felt disappointed. If she wouldn't come, she should have at least inform him, instead of wasting his time at the restaurant.
He downed the remaining wine in his glass, dropped some thousands note on the table, stood up and left the restaurant angrily.

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

It was a new day. Angel stretched happily on her bed and sat up. She stood up from her bed and walked to the bathroom to freshen up. She emerged from her bathroom few minutes later and dressed up. She sat on her bed and put on her shoes.

"today is going to be a great day." she said.

Her first task for the day was to get some provisions from the market.

Just as she stood up from her bed, she heard a knock from the sitting room door.

"who could that be?" she mumbled.

She left her room and walked to the sitting room to see who was at the door. She got to the door and opened it to see a guy neatly dressed in suit standing at the door. He would pass for a body guard. Angel stared at him, puzzled.

"good morning" she greeted.

"good morning" he responded.

"how may I help you?" Angel asked.

"I'm sent by Chairman Edward" the guy responded.

"oh! Chairman Edward sent you. Please come in" Angel said.

"there will be no need for that" the guy responded.

"why?" Angel asked.

"you will have to come along with me. Chairman Edward wants to meet you" the guy said.

Angel stared at him suspiciously.

"how should I know that Chairman Edward sent you?" Angel asked.

"you can call him to confirm" the guy responded.

Angel brought out her phone and dialed Chairman Edward number. He picked up after the second beep.

"hello Angel" Chairman Edward's voice sounded at the other end

"Sir, there's a guy at my place. He said that you sent him to me. He said you want to meet me." Angel said.

"yes I want to meet you. You have to come with him" chairman Edward responded.

"okay sir. I'm coming with him right away" Angel said and ended the call.

"have you confirmed it?" the guy asked.

"yes, I'm going with you. Just give me a minute to prepare myself." Angel responded.

"okay" the guy said.

Angel went inside to prepare herself, while the guy waited outside. She emerged from her sitting room few minutes later.

"I'm set" she said.

"okay" the guy responded.

He led her to a car back in the compound and opened the door for her to enter.

"thank you" Angel said and entered the car.

The guy entered car also and drove out of the compound.

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

The restaurant was almost empty. Only the waiters working in the restaurant could be seen around. There were no customers in the restaurant, except for Chairman Edward sitting at the far left in the restaurant. A glass of wine was on his table, but he wasn't drinking. The restaurant door opened and Angel walked in, followed by the guy that brought her. They walked straight to meet Chairman Edward.

"good morning sir" Angel greeted.

"good morning. Please have a seat" Chairman Edward responded.

"thanks" Angel said and sat down.

Chairman Edward signaled the guy that brought Angel to leave and he left them immediately.

Chairman Edward turned to face Angel immediately the guy left.

"I'm a very busy man, so I will just go straight to the point." he said

He brought out a blank cheque and dropped it on the table. Angel stared at it, confused.

"what's this for, sir?" she asked.

"that's for you. Fill it with any amount you like" Chairman Edward responded.

"why sir?" Angel asked.

"that's your consolation. Jewel is getting married very soon, meaning your relationship with him has ended already." Chairman Edward responded bluntly, without any warning signs.

The statement hit Angel very hard, but she tried to remain calm.

"I don't get you sir" Angel said.

"what don't you understand? Jewel is getting married to a lady named Lucy very soon, and your presence will act as hindrance to their marriage. This money is for you. Take it and stay clear from Jewel." chairman Edward responded.

Angel stared at chairman Edward in shock. She couldn't believe her ears. Same chairman Edward that was nice to her the other day, was now acting strange to her. Her head was already hurting her. She couldn't think straight anymore. Those statements could make her depressed. That was the same thing Jessica told her when they spoke on phone. She told her that Jewel and Lucy are getting married. But how could Jewel and Lucy be getting married. That's certainly not possible. Jewel is her boyfriend. So which marriage are they talking about.

"Once we leave this place, I don't want to see you around Jewel anymore. He is engaged to be married and you shouldn't ruin that for him." chairman Edward continued.

"I'm sorry sir. I won't believe what anyone is saying to me until I hear it from Jewel. Jewel hasn't said anything about getting married. As far as I know, Jewel and I are still dating. Jewel loves me, just as much as I love him. He won't do anything to hurt me. So sir, I refused to believe what you are saying. As for the money, I'm sorry sir, I can't accept it. If Jewel ends up with someone else, the void he will leave in my heart is not what any amount of money can fill. My love for Jewel is priceless. It can't be bought. No matter how much. So sir, I think I will take my leave now, because it seems my presence is no longer needed here" she said, stood up and left the restaurant immediately without sparing Chairman Edward a second glance.

She left the restaurant totally devastated and weak, after hearing what Chairman Edward said, but she choose to act strong in front of him.

Once she was outside the restaurant, she brought out her phone and dialed Jewel's number with eyes filled with tears. He picked up after the second beep.

"hello, my Angel" Jewel's voice sounded at the other end.

"are you getting married to Lucy?" She asked directly, without any compliment.

"oh my God!" Jewel exclaimed.
"Who told you about this? My Angel, please let me explain"

Angel ended the call angrily, without allowing him to speak further. The tears which had already piled up in her eyes suddenly started flowing down. She dropped her phone back in her handbag and hurriedly left the premises.

Episode 77

Angel sat in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. The programme seemed very interesting to her, because all her attention was focused on the t.v. A knock suddenly sounded on her door.

"Jewel" she called and immediately turned her direction to the door.

She stood up immediately and rushed to open the door for Jewel, with smiles on her face. The smile on her face disappeared when she opened the door and saw Chairman Edward standing at the door. She stared silently at him. She didn't know who he was. Chairman Edward stared back at her. After a while of silence, Angel spoke.

"hello sir, how may I help you?"she asked.

"you are miss Angel Owen, right" Chairman Edward said.

"yes, I am" Angel responded.

"okay, miss Owen, I'm Chairman Edward, Jewel's grandpa" Chairman Edward said.

"wow! you don't mean it sir" Angel said, happily.
"I'm very sorry for not recognizing you immediately sir. Please come in sir." she said and gave way for him to enter.

"thank you" Chairman Edward responded and walked in.

"please have a seat, sir" Angel said, pointing at the sofa.

"thank you" Chairman Edward responded and sat down.

"welcome to my apartment sir. What can I offer you sir?" Angel asked.

Chairman Edward didn't respond. Instead, he observed every corner of the sitting room.

"I know exactly what to offer you. Please give me a minute" Angel said and rushed to her kitchen.

She brought out her phone from her pocket and dialed Jewel's number, when she got to her kitchen.

Jewel picked up after the second beep.

"my Angel" Jewel's voice sounded at the other end.

"my Jewel, you didn't tell me that you have already told your grandpa about me. He is already here in my house" Angel said.

"my grandpa is there with you" Jewel exclaimed.

"yes, chairman Edward is here" Angel responded.

"I'm on my way" Jewel said and ended the call abruptly.

Angel stared at her phone screen, confused. She didn't understand why Jewel ended the call abruptly. After staring at her phone screen for a while, She carried a glass of juice in a tray and walked back to the sitting room.

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

Jewel rushed into his room to get his car key once he ended the call with Angel. He couldn't believe what he just heard. His grandpa is at Angel's house. That's a very big disaster. How did he know who Angel is? How did he know where she lives? So many questions were on his mind. He took his car key and rushed out of the building. He went straight to where his car was parked in the compound and entered it. He started the car and drove out of the compound immediately. All through the drive to Angel's apartment, he was unsettled. The kept thinking of what might be going on at Angel's apartment at the moment. What would his grandpa be doing to Angel. What could he be saying to her. He drove faster than normal to get there on time. After a long drive, he finally got to Angel's apartment. He parked his car outside the compound and alighted immediately. He entered the compound and rushed towards Angel's flat. He pushed the door open and stomped into the sitting room. He paused halfway when he saw his grandpa and Angel sitting on the sofas. They were having a conversation. Jewel's sudden appearance distracted them. They turned to face him. He stared silently at them, sweating profusely. He wasn't expecting to meet them that way. He was expecting to meet them in a heated argument.

"my Jewel, you are here" Angel said and stood up.

Chairman Edward stood up also.

"Jewel, I didn't expect to see you here, but since you are here, you can keep her company. I'm about to leave" Chairman Edward said.

"sir, you are leaving already" Angel said.

"yes, I have some other things to do" Chairman Edward responded.

"okay sir, thanks very much for visiting me. I truly appreciate it" Angel said.

"see you some other time" Chairman Edward said.

"okay sir" Angel responded.

Chairman Edward walked to meet Jewel who was just staring like a lost sheep and patted his shoulder.

"see you at home" Chairman Edward said.

Jewel didn't respond. He knew his grandpa was up to something, but he just didn't know what it was.

Chairman Edward turned and left the sitting room. Jewel went to hug Angel immediately. He freed her and stared into her eyes.

"what did my grandpa do to you?" Jewel asked, anxiously.

"nothing, he came to know who his grandson is dating. Your grandpa is such a nice man" Angel responded.

"oh! I see" Jewel said, not wanting to stress the issue.

"but why do you look unsettled when you came in? you were sweating profusely." Angel said.

"oh that. I wanted to be the one to introduce my grandpa to you, that was why I was rushing here, but it seemed you guys already introduced each other before I got here" Jewel responded.

"yes, we did. Your grandpa is such a nice man" Angel said.

"it seems so" Jewel responded.

"come and have your seat, let me get you something to drink" Angel said.

"okay" Jewel responded and went to sit on the sofa.

Angel walked to the kitchen to get Jewel something to drink, while Jewel fixed his gaze on the programme being displaced on t.v.

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

Ella sat in her office, browsing through some files on her computer. The intercom on her desk rang and she picked it up immediately.

"hello sir" she said.

"come to my office now" Steven's voice sounded at the other end.

"okay sir" Ella responded.

She stood up and left her office immediately. She headed straight to Steven office and knocked on the door once she got there.

"come in" she heard from within.

She opened the door and entered to see Steven sitting behind his desk.

"sir, you sent for me" she said

Steven stretched a file to her and she collected it.

"go through that file and report back to me" Steven said.

"okay sir" Ella responded and turned to leave.

"Ella" Steven called.

Ella stopped and turned to face Steven.

"sir" she responded.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you the other day. I was in a bad mood, that was why" Steven apologized.

"okay sir, I understand" Ella responded.

"you can bring me lunch whenever you like. Or better still, let me buy you lunch during lunch break. I want to make it up to you" Steven said.

"sir, you don't need to make it up to me. I'm not really angry. I knew you did what you did because you were in a bad mood" Ella responded.

"but still I shouldn't have transferred my anger to you." Steven said.

"it alright sir" Ella said.

"but you are still going for lunch with me during lunch break" Steven said.

"sir, I won't be going out for lunch. I brought my lunch from home" Ella responded.

"let's do dinner then. Dinner with me after work. No excuses" Steven said.

Ella thought for a while.

"okay sir" she responded.

"good. You can go and continue with your work" Steven said.

"okay sir." Ella responded.

She turned and left the office, while Steven busied himself with work.

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

It's been over an hour since Jewel left Angel's apartment. Angel lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She was smiling broadly. She was happy that she had finally met Jewel's grandpa, and he seemed to be a nice man. Her phone suddenly started ringing beside her on the bed. She took it from the bed and saw that the call was from Jessica. She answered the call immediately.

"hello Jessica, how are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm fine and you?" Jessica asked.

"I'm fine too" Angel responded.

"Angel, what are you going to do about the issue on ground now?" Jessica asked.

"what issue?" Angel asked.

"I'm talking about the marriage that Jewel and Lucy's parents had arranged for them" Jessica responded.

"which Jewel, and which Lucy?" Angel asked, confused.

"your boyfriend, Jewel and my cousin, Lucy's marriage" Jessica responded.

"what marriage are you talking about?" Angel asked, confused.

"wait, has Jewel not told you about it?" Jessica asked.

"Jewel didn't say anything to me" Angel responded.

Jessica suddenly wished she didn't inform Angel about it, when she realized Jewel hasn't told her either. She didn't want to be the one to reveal that to her.

"Jessica tell me, what marriage are you talking about?" Angel asked, curiously.

Episode 76

Jewel froze when he heard that. He couldn't believe what he just heard. That was the biggest shock of his life. He stared from his grandpa to Lucy's father, back to his grandpa, hoping to hear that it was just a joke. He was dumbfounded. His grandpa statement had suddenly made him to lose his voice. He didn't see that coming. He stared at his grandpa in shock.

"since you guys already know each other, so let's sit down and discuss the marriage arrangement" Chairman Edward continued.

"grandpa!" Jewel exclaimed, suddenly regaining his voice.
"what's the meaning of this?"

"what's the meaning of what?" Chairman Edward asked.

"what marriage are you talking about?" Jewel asked.

"your marriage with Lucy" Chairman Edward responded.

"I can't believe this." Jewel said in disbelief.
"So you have already arranged a marriage for me without informing me"

"I'm doing it for you to have a better future. This is a business decision. One day you will have to run the company yourself. I'm only trying to secure your future." Chairman Edward responded.

"I'm sorry grandpa. I can't be part of this. I'm leaving this place now" Jewel said and walked angrily to the door.

"Jewel come back here. Jewel come back here I say" Chairman Edward ordered.

His order fell on deaf ears, because Jewel didn't turned back until he left the sitting room.

Chairman Edward turned to face CEO Jude once Jewel left.

"I apologize for what he just did. He is just acting that way because I didn't inform him before now. I promise you that he will come back to apologize. I'm 100% certain that the marriage will take place. Nothing will stop the marriage." Chairman Edward said.

"I know it will take place. Children of nowadays, that's how they behave. That was the same way my daughter reacted when I informed her about the marriage. But she has accepted it now." CEO Jude responded.

"his father too was like that. He rejected the woman I chose for him and married someone else. I wasn't too strict with his father, that was why he could go against my decision, but this time around, I will be extremely strict with Jewel that he will have no other option than to accept your daughter. So, I'm telling you once more that this marriage is 100% certain." Chairman Edward said.

"I'm certain about that too" CEO Jude responded.

"Since this meeting won't hold today, we will have to arrange another one." Chairman Edward said.

"yes, that's what we will do" CEO Jude responded.

"I will take my leave now. I need to go and talk some senses into my grandson's head." Chairman Edward said.

"okay, chairman Edward" CEO Jude responded.

Chairman Edward turned to face Steven.

"Steven, let's start going back home" he said.

"okay sir" Steven responded.

Chairman Edward shook hands with CEO Jude and left with Steven.

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

Chairman Edward opened the door to his sitting room and stormed in. Steven followed behind him. He walked angrily to Jewel room. He pushed the door open and saw Jewel lying on his bed. He walked angrily to meet him. Steven followed behind him also. Jewel sat up immediately he saw them.

"what was the meaning of what you did back then?" Chairman Edward asked.

"grandpa, I'm sorry. I can't agree to what you want me to do." Jewel said.

"Didn't I tell you it's a business decision. Your marriage to her will improve our business outlook. We are going to merge one of our company in U.S with theirs" Chairman Edward said.

"grandpa, I can't sacrifice my happiness just to improve the company outlook." Jewel responded.

"what happiness are you talking about? I thought you and Lucy know each other already. So what other happiness are you talking about?" Chairman Edward asked.

"I already know Lucy doesn't mean I'm in love with her." Jewel responded.

"that shouldn't be a problem. You will learn to love her when you get married to her" Chairman Edward said.

"I'm sorry grandpa. I can't love her" Jewel responded.

"why?" Chairman Edward asked.

"because I'm in love with someone else" Jewel responded.

"who?" Chairman Edward asked, with a stern look.

Jewel suddenly wish he didn't say that. He knew his grandpa would make life difficult for Angel if he knew she is the one. He wouldn't want his grandpa to harm her. He wouldn't like to get her involved in it.

"who are you in love with?" Chairman Edward asked angrily when Jewel didn't respond.

"I'm sorry grandpa. I can't tell you that." Jewel responded.

"so, it is because of one stupid lady, that is why you turned down the marriage arrangement. Your father did same, but this time, I promise you that such will never repeat itself. Your marriage to Lucy is a must. Let Just watch and see" Chairman Edward said and stormed out of the room.

Jewel sighed in frustration when he left. Steven who had been staring silently all the while, walked to sit beside Jewel on his bed.

"I didn't see that coming" Steven said.

"neither did I. I thought he wanted to introduce me to some members of the board, not knowing that he has other plans" Jewel responded.

"so, what are you going to do now?" Steven asked.

"I don't know. All I know is that I won't agree to what he wants." Jewel responded.

"it's going to be tough o. I know your grandpa very well. He never goes back on his words" Steven said.

"no matter how tough it get. I will never succumb to what he wants" Jewel responded.

"are you going to tell Angel about this?" Steven asked.

"I have promised never to keep a secret from her, but how am I suppose to tell her that my grandpa she's waiting to meet is planning a marriage for me with someone else" Jewel responded.

Jewel's phone started ringing immediately he said that. He brought it out from his pocket and realized that the call was from Angel.

"she's even the one calling" he said to Steven.

He took a deep breath and picked the call.

"hey baby" he said, trying to look calm.

"my Jewel, how are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm fine, and you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm fine too." Angel responded.

"that's good to know" Jewel said.

"You haven't called me since you left me house. You didn't even tell me anything about your grandpa. How is he?" Angel asked.

"he is fine" Jewel responded.

"so, when will I get to meet him?" Angel asked.

Jewel paused for a while, before responding.

"I will introduce you to him very soon" Jewel responded.

"okay, my Jewel" Angel said.

"I will talk to you later. I have something I need to attend to" Jewel said.

"okay, talk to you later" Angel responded.

"okay" Jewel said and ended the call.

He stared sadly at his phone screen. He hated the fact that he couldn't be truthful to her.

Just immediately Jewel finished speaking with Angel on phone, Steven's phone started ringing. He brought it out and realized that the call was from Chairman Edward.

"your grandpa" Steven said to Jewel before picking the call.

"hello sir" he said.

"meet me in my room right now" Chairman Edward said.

"okay sir" Steven responded and ended the call.

"what did he say?" Jewel asked immediately.

"he said I should meet him in his room" Steven responded.

"please Steven, don't mention anything about Angel to him. He shouldn't know anything about her for now. If he knows who she is, he will make life difficult for her. I need to protect Angel" Jewel said.

"okay, I won't" Steven responded.

He stood up from the bed and left Jewel's room. He walked to Chairman Edward's door and knocked.

"come in" he heard from within.

He opened the door and entered to see Chairman Edward sitting on his bed.

"sir, you called me" Steven said.

Chairman Edward fixed an angry gaze on Steven.

"Steven, you know I brought you into the company so that you can keep an eye on my grandson. I want to believe you have been doing that. So, I will ask you this question just once. And I need a direct answer. If you don't give me an answer to my question, just know that it will cost you your position in the company" Chairman Edward said.

His words sent shiver down Steven spine. He knew Chairman Edward never goes back on his words.

"so tell me, who is Jewel in love with? what is her name and what does she do for a living?" Chairman Edward asked, with a stern look.

Steven stared remorsefully into air. He silently asked for Jewel's forgiveness. His job was at stake and he wouldn't sacrifice it for anything.

"I'm waiting" Chairman Edward said, when Steven didn't respond.

"sir, her name is miss Angel Owen. She works for the company, but is currently on a compulsory leave." Steven responded.

"wonderful, she even works for my company." Chairman Edward said.
"you know where she lives right"

"yes sir" Steven responded.

"good. that will be all for now. you may leave." Chairman Edward said.

"okay sir" Steven responded.

Steven left the room immediately while Chairman Edward lay on his bed.

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

Angel sat in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. The programme seemed very interesting to her, because all her attention was focused on the t.v. A knock suddenly sounded on her door.

"Jewel" she called and immediately turned her direction to the door.

She stood up immediately and rushed to the door to open the door for Jewel, with smiles on her face. The smile on her face disappeared when she opened the door and saw Chairman Edward standing at the door.

Episode 75

Steven sat in his office, going through some documents. He had been so busy that he didn't go for lunch when it was lunch break. A knock suddenly sounded on his door.

"come in" he said, without taking his gaze off the documents.

The door opened and Ella walked in holding a file.

"sir, these are the documents you asked me to work on." Ella said and stretched the file to Steven.

Steven looked up from his desk.

"so fast?" he asked, surprised.

"yes sir. I prepared it during the lunch break. I didn't go out for lunch" Ella responded.

"I see" Steven said and collected the file.

"sir, I will like to ask for permission to go and get something to eat, since I didn't go out for lunch." Ella said.

"okay, permission granted" Steven responded.

Ella turned and left his office, while Steven fixed his gaze back on the documents he was working on.

A knock sounded on his door 30 minutes later.

"come in" he said, with his gaze still fixed on the documents.

The door opened and Ella walked in, carrying a takeaway. She walked to meet Steven and dropped the takeaway on his desk. Steven looked up and saw the takeaway on his desk.

"what's this?" he asked.

"I realized you didn't go out for lunch, so I decided to get you lunch when I went to get mine" Ella responded.

"and who told you to get me lunch. If I want to have lunch, I know where to get it. Now pick up this rubbish from my desk." Steven said, rudely.

Ella stared at him in shock. She never expected him to act that way. She was expecting at least a thank you from him, and not the rude response she got from him.

"are you deaf or something. I said you should pick up this rubbish from my desk" Steven repeated.

"I'm sorry sir" Ella responded and immediately picked up the takeaway from his desk.

She turned immediately and walked to the door.

"come back here" Steven ordered.

She stopped and turned to face him.

"let this not repeat itself. Never in your life should you repeat such a thing." Steven warned.

"yes sir" Ella responded.

"that's how they are. They will mask their true attitude and act nice only for you to let guard down. Once you let guard down, they will strike." Steven muttered under his breath.

Ella didn't respond. She only lowered her head in embarrassment. She suddenly wished she didn't get him the lunch.

"what are you still doing here? Will you go and continue with your work." Steven barked.

"sorry sir" Ella apologized and immediately left his office in embarrassment.

Steven hissed and continued with what he was doing.

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

It was already 8:pm. Jewel was seen lying on his bed. He was staring blankly into air. He suddenly sat up.

"I need to inform grandpa now" he said.

He stood up from his bed and left his room. He walked towards his grandpa room and knocked when he got to the door. He opened the door and entered, without waiting for response. His grandpa was seen lying on his bed when Jewel walked in. Jewel walked to sit beside him on the bed.

"grandpa, are you asleep?" Jewel asked.

"no, is there a problem?" his grandpa asked.

"There's something I want to tell you" Jewel responded.

"what is it?" his grandpa asked and sat up.

"grandpa, there's someone I will like to introduce to you tomorrow" Jewel said.

"why tomorrow? tomorrow will be a very busy day for us. Infact, we are both going out tomorrow. I will like to introduce you to someone tomorrow, and it's very important. So tomorrow won't be possible for you to introduce anyone to me" his grandpa responded.

"okay grandpa. A day after tomorrow then" Jewel said.

"that will be better" his grandpa responded.

"I will return to my room then." Jewel said.

"okay, but just have it at the back of your mind that we are going out tomorrow. I want to introduce you to someone." his grandpa said.

"okay grandpa" Jewel responded.

He stood up and left his grandpa's room, while his grandpa lay back on his bed.

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

It was a new day. Jewel sat in the sitting room, waiting for his grandpa to come out from his room, so that they could start going to wherever he was taking him to. He had dressed up and was ready to go. He made himself believed his grandpa was taking him to see some shareholders of the company. He sat alone in the sitting room, staring into air. The sitting room door suddenly opened and Steven walked in. He walked straight to meet Jewel and shook hands with with.

"what are you doing here?" Jewel asked, surprised, because he never remembered inviting him to the house.

"your grandpa sent for me. He told me to come and accompany you guys to somewhere" Steven responded and sat on the sofa.

"Are you also going with us?" Jewel asked.

"yes" Steven responded.
"where are we actually going to?"

"I don't know. Maybe he wants to introduce me to some members of the board as the vice president of the company." Jewel responded.

"yes, that should be the case. That's why he invited me also" Steven said.

"yes, that's it. He hasn't introduced me to the board yet, and he thought it's the right time now" Jewel said.

His grandpa emerged from his room, while they were still having their conversation.

"good morning sir" Steven greeted and stood up immediately he saw Jewel's grandpa.

"good morning Steven. How are you?"

"I'm fine sir" steven responded.

"and your father?" Jewel's grandpa asked.

"he is fine sir" Steven responded.

"that's good to hear" Jewel's grandpa said.

"thank you sir" Steven responded.

"I can see you guys are ready" Jewel's grandpa said.

"yes sir" Jewel and Steven chorused.

"okay then, let's start leaving" Jewel's grandpa said.

Jewel stood up and they all left the sitting room.

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

A car pulled to a stop in front of a gigantic black gate. The car honked and the gateman opened the gate. The car drove into the wide and beautiful compound and parked at the parking lot. Jewel, his grandpa and Steven alighted from the car. They stared at the magnificent building before them. The gateman went to meet Jewel's grandpa and prostrated before him.

"welcome sir" the gateman said.

"thank you. Is your boss around?" Jewel's grandpa asked.

"yes sir. He is waiting for you inside" the gateman responded.

"okay, we will go inside them" Jewel's grandpa said.

They turned and walked towards the entrance of the building. They entered the building and walked into a large and very beautiful sitting room. A man and his wife were already sitting in the sitting room when they walked in.

The man and his wife stood up immediately they saw them.

"Chairman Edward, you are here already" the man said to Jewel's grandpa.

"yes, CEO Jude. We are here" Jewel's grandpa responded.

"welcome Chairman Edward. Please have a sit" CEO Jude said.

"thank you" Chairman Edward responded and sat comfortably on the sofa.

Jewel and Steven also sat down.

"welcome to our home, Chairman Edward" CEO Jude's wife said.

"thank you, Mrs Jude" Chairman Edward responded.

CEO Jude turned to face Mrs Jude.

"what are you waiting for? Go and call our daughter in her room. Tell her that our visitors are here." CEO Jude said.

"okay, let me go and call her immediately." Mrs Jude responded.

She turned and left the sitting room immediately to call her daughter.

"so Chairman Edward, which of this handsome young men is your grandson?" CEO Jude asked.

"this is my grandson. The grandson I'm very proud of" Chairman Edward responded and patted Jewel's shoulder.
"his name is Jewel"

"what a handsome young man. You are welcome to our home, Vice President Edward" CEO Jude said and stretched hand for a handshake.

"thank you" Jewel responded and shook hands with him.

Mrs Jude walked back into the sitting room, without bringing her daughter along. She walked to meet her husband.

"she will be here in a minute" she said.

"okay" CEO Jude responded.

Steven's phone suddenly started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and stared at the screen.

"excuse me" he said and excused himself immediately.

He left the sitting room and walked to a secluded place to answer his call. After speaking to whoever that call him, he turned to go back into the sitting room, but bumped into Lucy who was also about entering the sitting room.

"sorry" Steven apologized.

Lucy didn't respond. She only glared at him. Steven stared at her confused, not sure why she was glaring at him. After staring silently at each other for a while, Lucy spoke.

"so you are the guy" she said.

"which guy?" Steven asked, confused.

"how can you agree to marry someone you have never met or seen before. Why can't you choose your own wife yourself? So in the whole world, you didn't see any lady to get married to, that you have to allow your parent to choose a wife for you. How can you agree to marry someone you don't love. Isn't that very stupid of you. How will you find happiness in your marriage when you don't love the person you got married to. You much be very silly for agreeing to such decision" Lucy poured out her frustration on Steven.

Steven stared at her, confused. He couldn't understand a thing from what she was saying. For a moment, he thought that the lady standing in his front was insane. He stared at her for a while, then immediately walked into the sitting room, without replying her. Lucy sighed in frustration and walked into the sitting room also. She paused halfway when she saw Jewel in the sitting room.

"Jewel!" she exclaimed.

"Lucy!" Jewel called, surprised, and immediately stood up.

"what are you doing here?" Lucy asked.

"I came here with my grandpa" Jewel responded.

"Is Chairman Edward your grandpa?" Lucy asked, surprised.

"yes" Jewel responded.

Lucy's face curved in a smile when she heard that.

"you guys know each other?" chairman Edward asked, surprised.

"yes grandpa. Lucy was my course mate back then at the university." Jewel responded.

"that makes everything easy then." Chairman Edward said.
"Jewel, you and Lucy will be getting married very soon"

Jewel froze when he heard that.

Episode 74

She stretched lazily on her bed and reluctantly opened her eyes. She observed the room and smile when she realized she was in her room in the country. She wasn't dreaming. She was back to the country, after many years of staying abroad with her parent.

"it feels so good to be back home" she said and sat up.
"I really miss home"

Her door suddenly opened and her mum walked in.

"good morning mum" she greeted.

"good morning Lucy" her mum responded.
"get up from your bed and freshen up. We have to get some provisions from the supermarket. We don't have any food stuff at home."

"okay mum" Lucy responded and stood up.

"when you are ready, meet me in the sitting room" her mum said.

"okay mum" Lucy responded.

Lucy's mum left the room, while Lucy walked to her bathroom to freshen up.

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

It was a new day and new task at Edward Empire. Steven sat in his office going through some documents. A knock suddenly sounded on his door.

"come in" he said, without taking his gaze off the documents he was going through.

The door opened and Ella walked in.

"good morning sir" she greeted.
"you sent for me"

Steven didn't respond, neither did he look up from the documents his was going through. He only pointed at the visitors' seat for her to sit.

"thank you sir" Ella said and sat down.

She sat quietly, waiting for Steven to state his reason for inviting her to his office. After a while of sitting quietly, he still didn't say anything to her, neither did he look up from the documents he was going through.

"sir, you sent for me" Ella repeated what she had said earlier.

Steven looked up from the document for the first time since Ella came into his office. He fixed a steady gaze on her. Ella suddenly became unsettled. She couldn't understand while Steven was boring holes on her body, with his eyes.

"what did you do that made you earn the vice president trust?" Steven asked.

Ella stared at him confused. She didn't understand what Steven was talking about. As far as she knew, she had never met or seen the vice president of the company. So, she didn't seem to understand which vice president Steven was talking about.

"I don't understand sir" she said, confused.

Steven stood up and walked to the door, but Ella remained seated. He stopped halfway and turned to face her.

"follow me" he said.

Ella stood up immediately and followed behind him. He led her to a well furnished office next to his.

"this is your office" he said once they are inside the office.

Ella stared at him confused. She didn't understand what he was saying.

"you are now my personal assistant. You will be working directly under me" Steven continued.

Ella stared at him in amazement. She couldn't believe what she just heard.

"are you serious sir?" she asked, happily.

"you should be thankful to the vice president of the company. He recommended you to me" Steven said.

"I'm very thankful sir. Thank you very much sir. Thank you very much sir." Ella responded, happily.

"I hope I won't regret giving you this position" Steven said.

"I promise you sir, you will never regret giving me this position. I will work very hard." Ella responded.

"you can now transfer your things to your new office, because work begins immediately" Steven said.

"I will start transferring my things now sir" Ella responded.

"let me leave you to begin then" Steven said and left the office.

"yes!" Ella screamed in excitement immediately Steven left.
"I can't believe this. A new office for me. It's just promotion upon promotion for me. I'm very grateful to God for his marvelous work in my life"

She observed her new office for a while, then left immediately to start transferring her things to her new office.

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

Jewel's car pulled to a stop in front of a shopping mall. He alighted from his car and walked towards the mall. Just as he tried to enter the mall, he heard someone screaming his name from behind. He turned and saw Lucy waving at him from afar.

"oh my God!" he exclaimed.
"is that not Lucy?"

They hurried towards each other and embraced immediately they met.

"wow, Lucy is this really you?" Jewel asked, amazed.

"yes o, it's me. Wow! you look great" Lucy complimented.

"thanks. It's been a long time" Jewel said.

"yes, 7years or more" Lucy responded.

"I'm so happy to see you again" Jewel said.

Lucy stared at him in amazement. She never expected to see him so soon. Someone she once had a crush on, back then at the university.

"so tell me Jewel, what happened after your expulsion from school, because that was the last time I saw you" Lucy said.

"I went abroad to complete my study" Jewel responded.

"wow! I'm happy to hear this. You did very well for yourself." Lucy said.

"thanks" Jewel responded.

"is that your car?" Lucy asked, pointing at Jewel's Lamborghini Aventador.

"yes, that's mine" Jewel responded.

"wow, that means you have achieved so much for yourself, for you to be able to afford that. I'm very happy for you" Lucy said.

"thanks. So tell me, where have you been all these while?" Jewel asked.

"I have been in U.S all these while. That's where my parents are based. That's where I completed my study." Lucy responded.

"no wonder, because I have seen your cousin, Jessica, but haven't seen you" Jewel said.

"you have seen Jessica already" Lucy said.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"that means you must be aware that she's engaged to Henry" Lucy said.

"yes, I'm aware of that" Jewel responded.

"those two are destined for each other. They have been friends right from our university days, and now they are finally tying the knot." Lucy said.

"yes, you are right about that." Jewel responded.

"so what about you? Is there a woman in your life?" Lucy asked.

"yes o, Angel is the woman in my life" Jewel responded.

"are you talking about Angel, our course mate at the university?" Lucy asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"you don't mean it" Lucy exclaimed.
"I knew there was something going on between you two, back then at the university, but I never thought you guys will still be together up till now"

"we really didn't date back then at the university. We started dating when we met again" Jewel responded.

"it seems you have already met with almost all of our course mate at the university." Lucy said.

"yes, I have met with most of them" Jewel responded.

"what about Francis, have you seen him?" Lucy asked.

Even though she hate to hear the mention of that name, Francis, after what he did to her, she just couldn't help but to ask of him.

"you just reminded me of him. I haven't seen or heard anything from him." Jewel responded.

"so no one has heard anything from that coward" Lucy said, angrily.

"why did you call him a coward? What did Francis do to you?" Jewel asked, curiously.

"let's leave that topic for another day." Lucy responded.

"okay, so tell me, do you have a man in your life?" Jewel asked.

"it's complicated." Lucy responded.

"what do you mean by it's complicated?" Jewel asked.

"my parents are planning to marry me off to a guy I have never met or seen before." Lucy responded, sadly.

"why will your parents do sure a thing?" Jewel asked.

"in order to save the family business" Lucy responded.

"will you agree to such marriage. Will you agree to marry someone you have never met or seen before?" Jewel asked.

"I don't have a choice. Everything was decided without even informing me. That's the main reason why we returned to the country. So that I could be introduced to the guy." Lucy responded.

"this is bad. How can your parents do such a thing to you. Marrying you off to someone you don't know. So, their business is more important than your happiness." Jewel said.

"my only prayer now is that I find happiness in my marriage" Lucy said.

"I'm really not happy to hear this." Jewel said, sadly.

"I need to start leaving. I came with my mother to that supermarket to get some provisions." Lucy said, pointing to a supermarket opposite them.
"my mother will be waiting for me now. I need to go back to her."

"okay, you can start going" Jewel responded.

"see you some other time" Lucy said.

"let me have your number" Jewel said and stretched his phone to her.

She collected the phone, type in her number and returned the phone to Jewel.

"okay, I will give you a call" Jewel said.

She immediately hugged him tightly. She freed him and stared into his eyes.

"make sure you call me" she said.

"of course I will" Jewel responded.

"bye" she said.

"bye" Jewel responded.

She turned and headed back to the supermarket to meet her mum, while Jewel walked into the mall to get whatever that brought him there.

This episode is dedicated to me and my birthday mate, izaray.

Guys, it's our birthday. Wish us well.


Episode 73

It was a new day. Jewel stretched lazily on his bed and reluctantly sat up. He was having a headache, as a result of the excess drink he had at Angel parents' house. He had retired to his grandpa's mansion after a great night at Angel parents' place. Angel had decided to spend the night at her parents' house. He got home very late and immediately went to bed after having his bath. He stretched once more and stood up from his bed to begin the day's activities.

"today is going to be a great day" he said and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.

He emerged from his bathroom minutes later and sat on his bed. He picked up his phone from his bed and dialed Angel's number. He just wanted to hear her voice.

"my Jewel" Angel's voice sounded at the other end.

"hey, my Angel. Good morning" Jewel greeted.

"good morning my Jewel" Angel responded.

"how was your night?" Jewel asked.

"peaceful. I slept like a baby. I haven't had such a peaceful sleep in a while now." Angel responded.

"I could imagine" Jewel said.
"should we go out for lunch today?"

"no need to go out. I'm about returning to my apartment. Just come to my place let's have lunch together in my house. I will prepare lunch" Angel responded.

"okay, that will be nice. That way, I can spend time with you" Jewel said.

"yes, my Jewel. I want to spend quality time with you too. I miss you so much" Angel responded.

"I will just dress up and start coming already" Jewel said.

"I will be waiting, my Jewel" Angel responded.

"okay baby, see you soon" Jewel said and ended the call.

He dressed up, took his shoes and walked to the sitting room. He sat on the sofa and put on his shoes. A knock sounded on his door few minutes later. The door opened almost immediately and Steven walked in. He walked straight to meet Jewel and shook hands with him.

"you had too much to drink last night. I hope you are okay?" Steven asked and sat down beside him on the sofa.

"yes, I'm fine now" Jewel responded.

"since everything has been resolved now, and things had gone back to normal. I think it's proper to discuss business." Steven said.

"yes, I was even about to tell you that I will be assuming office as the vice president of the company from next week." Jewel responded.

"wow! that's great then" Steven said.

"so, what do you want to discuss with me?" Jewel asked.

"my personal assistant just resigned. I will need a new personal assistant. My problem now is how to get a personal assistant that is as trustworthy as my previous one within a short period of time" Steven said.

"there will be no need looking for another personal assistant. Just make Ella your personal assistant" Jewel responded.

"which Ella?" Steven asked.

"the Ella that once worked as a cleaner in the company. She is trustworthy" Jewel responded.

"sorry, I can't make her my personal assistant?" Steven said.

"why?" Jewel asked.

"I don't work closely with ladies. Not after my sour experience with them. They are not to be trusted. They can ruin one's life in a space of some seconds. I need a male assistant" Steven responded.

"I don't know about whatever experience you might have had in the past, but you shouldn't judge everyone else based on that. Just because you have encountered ladies in the past who broke your trust, doesn't mean every other lady will do the same. I can assure you that Ella is trustworthy. I might not have known her for a long time, but the few times I have been with her, she has proven to be trustworthy" Jewel said.

"making her my personal assistant means I will have to see her face everyday at work. I will have to put up with her irritating attitude each day at work. I really don't need that kind of stress in my life right now" Steven responded.

"you don't even know this lady very much, and you are already condemning her." Jewel said.

"that's because they are all the same" Steven responded.

"so, what will you say about my Angel?" Jewel asked.

"you are just fortunate to have found a lady like that" Steven responded.

"that's the point. If you haven't known her, you would have condemned her also. Do not judge people based on your past experience. Moreover, this is a business decision and nothing more. You should learn to separate business from your personal life" Jewel said.

"okay, you are the boss. Since you say I should make her my personal assistant, I will do as you say. Who am I to object" Steven responded.

"I just know she is perfect for the job" Jewel said.

"I hope you are correct about her" Steven said.

"just watch and see" Jewel responded.

"if you say so" Steven said.

"I was about going out before you came. I'm going to Angel's apartment. We want to have lunch together" Jewel said.

"oh! let me start leaving then" Steven responded and stood up.

Jewel stood up also and they both left the sitting room.

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

Angel was already done preparing lunch. She had also set the dining for lunch. All she was waiting for is for Jewel to arrive so that they could eat. She sat in the sitting room waiting patiently for him. After sitting there for a while, she heard a knock on the door. She quickly rushed to see who was at the door. She opened the door and saw Jewel.

"my Jewel" she called and immediately hugged him.

"how are you, my Angel?" Jewel asked.

"I'm fine, my Jewel. please come in" she said and gave way for him to enter.

He entered and she led him to the dining.

"wow!" Jewel exclaimed when he saw different kind of food on the dining table.
"my Angel, you prepared all these?"

"yes, my Jewel. Please have a seat and let me serve you" Angel said.

Jewel sat down and she served him the food. She also served herself, and they ate silently. When they were done eating, Angel cleared the dining while Jewel went to sit in the sitting room. He focused his gaze on the T.V. Angel walked to meet him few minutes later.

"my Jewel, I will just go and freshen up." she said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

Angel walked to her room to freshen up, While Jewel fixed his gaze back on the programme he was watching.

After a while of sitting alone in the sitting room, Jewel heard footsteps and turned to see Angel walking seductively towards him. She just finished having her bath and water was dripping from her body. She was wearing a white shirt, which really didn't cover much. Jewel looked on in admiration as she approached him. Angel got to him and sat on his thighs. Without any preamble, she wrapped her hands around his shouder and immediately covered his lips with hers in a hungry kiss. Jewel responded and they kissed passionately. Angel took off his shirt and dropped it on the floor. Just as she tried to unzip his trousers, Jewel phone started vibrating beside him on the sofa. He ignored it at first, but when it continued vibrating, he suddenly stopped.

"let me switch off the phone" he said to Angel.

"okay" Angel responded and stood up from his thighs.

Jewel took the phone on the sofa to switch it off, only to realize that the call was from his grandpa.

"sorry my Angel. I have to pick this call. It's from my grandpa." Jewel said and immediately stood up.

"okay, go ahead and answer the call." Angel responded.

He answered the call immediately

"grandpa!" he called, happily.

"Jewel, how are you?" his grandpa's voice sounded at the other end.

"I'm fine grandpa." Jewel responded.

"where are you now?" his grandpa asked.

"I'm at home" Jewel responded.

"okay, I just arrived the country. I'm at the airport right now, and will be heading straight home" his grandpa said.

Jewel stared at his phone screen once more to realize that his grandpa was calling with his local number.

"wow grandpa! you are back to the country. I'm coming straight to the airport to pick you up." Jewel said, happily.

"no need for that. I have already sent for my driver" his grandpa responded.

"okay grandpa. I will be waiting for you at home." Jewel said.

"okay, I'm coming. We have a lot to discuss" his grandpa said.

"I also have a lot to tell you, grandpa" Jewel responded.

"we will discuss when I get back then" his grandpa said.

"okay grandpa" Jewel responded and ended the call.

He turned to face Angel immediately.

"grandpa is back to the country. You will finally meet my grandpa. I will finally introduce you to my grandpa as the love of my life." Jewel said, happily.

"wow! I can't wait to meet your grandpa" Angel responded, happily.

"my Angel, I need to rush back home. I need to be at home to welcome my grandpa" Jewel said.

"okay my Jewel. you can go ahead" Angel responded.

Jewel picked up his shirt from the floor and wore it back. He planted a kiss on Angel's lips and left the house immediately.

izaray:
Congratulations Infant, my voting wasn't in vein

My birthday mate.

Happy birthday.

Why do I feel that Daniel still love Amanda, even more than his wife, Shade. He is just trying to make himself believe otherwise. Same applies to Shade. I feel she still love whoever that hurt her in the past more than her husband, Daniel. That was why she still get infuriated just by seeing that person. If she loves her husband more than the guy that hurt her in the past, then the guys present shouldn't do much harm to her.Instead, she will be grateful that she found someone better than him. There is no strong connection between her and Daniel. That was why she believed whatever Alex told her without even confronting her husband to hear his own side of the story.
I feel she agreed to marry Daniel just to show sign of appreciation for what he did for her mother.

What do I even know. Let me just wait and see as things unfold.

Weldon Kimberlywest

Episode 72

Everyone fixed their gaze on the door, waiting anxiously to see if Angel will walk into the sitting room just like Jewel said. The door slowly opened and Angel majestically walked in through the door. They all froze when they saw her. Everyone stared at her open mouthed. It was as if the world paused for a minute, because no one was saying anything. They all stared silently at Angel in shock. They still couldn't believe that the Angel everyone thought was dead, was the same person standing in their front. After a while of deafening silence, Angel spoke.

"mum, dad!" Angel called.

Her mum slowly walked closer to her. She stood an inch away from her. Her hands were shaking as she stared at Angel in shock.

"Angel, is this really you?" she asked with a shaking voice.

"yes, mum. It's me" Angel responded, smiling.

Her mum immediately hugged her and broke into tears. She wept as if she recently just lost her daughter. Her continuous weeping suddenly made Angel to start crying also. Her dad who couldn't shed tears when they thought Angel had died, finally started shedding tears of joy. He walked to meet Angel and hugged her also. What seemed to be a moment of sorrow for the family had suddenly become a moment of joy, within a space of some seconds. Henry, Jessica and Steven looked on in amazement. The kind of happiness they felt in their heart is one that couldn't be expressed with words or action. After embracing her father for a while, Angel turned to face Jessica.

"Jessica!" she called, happily.

"Angel" Jessica responded, emotionally and immediately rushed to embrace her.

They hugged each other tightly. Henry and Steven walked to meet Jewel who couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"how did this happen?" Steven asked in amazement.

"Angel wasn't involved in that explosion. She was kidnapped by Daniel and Jane" Jewel responded.

"you don't mean it. So all these while we thought Angel was dead, she was being held hostage by Daniel and Jane. But how did you manage to rescue her?" Steven asked.

"I will explain that to you later. But for now, I'm just so happy that my Angel is alive." Jewel responded.

"this calls for celebration. We need to pop champagne" Henry screamed, happily.

"yes o. We need to celebrate this" Steven responded.

"then let's go get some bottles of champagne and start celebrating already" Henry said.

"let's go then" Steven responded.

"I'm coming with you guys" Jewel added.

"then let's start going. I will so drink myself to stupor tonight" Steven said.

Jewel turned to face Angel.

"my Angel, I need to quickly get some bottles of champagne. I will be back in few minutes." he said.

"okay my Jewel" Angel responded.

Jewel turned to face Steven and Henry.

"let's start going guys" he said, happily.

They left the sitting room to get some bottles of champagne, while Angel, her parents and Jessica continued in their merriment.

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

Jessica plodded into her room and sat on her bed. She was exhausted. She was just returning from Angel's parents house. She was extremely happy. She hasn't been so happy all her life. She couldn't believe that Angel could still return to them after everyone thought she was dead. She felt so much relief. Henry was still having fun with Jewel and Steven. She couldn't wait for him because she was very tired. She took off her shoe and walked to the bathroom to have a cool shower. She emerged from her bathroom few minutes later to see her phone ringing on her bed. She took the phone from her bed and realized it was an international call. She stared at the phone, wondering who could be calling her. After staring silently at her phone for a while, She answered the call.

"hello" she said.

"hello Jessica. How are you?" the caller asked, happily.

"I'm fine. Please who is this?" Jessica asked.

"it's me, Lucy, your cousin." She responded, happily.

"wow!" Jessica exclaimed.
"Lucy, is this really you?"

"yes o, it's me" Lucy responded.

"wow Lucy! how are you?" Jessica asked.

"I'm fine and you?" Lucy asked.

"I'm very fine" Jessica responded.

"I'm glad to hear that" Lucy said.

"it's been a long time" Jessica said.

"yes, three years already" Lucy responded.

Jessica's mood suddenly changed.

"Lucy, you know I'm angry with you. You promised to keep in touch with me when you get to the U.S, but you never did. You never called me all these years until now" Jessica said.

"I'm very sorry about that. It wasn't my fault that I couldn't call you all these while. You know that the main reason why my parents had to force me to come live with them in the U.S is because, they realized we were still communicating, after what happened. They shut all means of communication when I got to the U.S. That's why I haven't called you all these while" Lucy explained.

Even though Jessica and Lucy had been very close to each other right from their university days, same couldn't be said for their parents. Their parents had been at loggerheads for many years. Both families had been having serious issues for many years which had led to several court case, but Jessica and Lucy didn't allow that to affect their relationship. They kept being friends despite the problem their parents were having. While Lucy parents were extremely rich, and were based in the U.S, same couldn't be said for Jessica's parents who were just civil servants. Lucy had earlier rejected her parents decision for her to study abroad. She had applied in the same university with her cousin, Jessica, but when her parents got to know that she was still keeping in touch with Jessica, they had forcefully took her to the U.S to complete her study there. And that was where she had been ever since. She and Jessica had lost contact and had never spoken since then until Lucy called.

"So Lucy, how is things over there?" Jessica asked, with her phone still placed on her ear.

"I won't say everything is fine" Lucy responded.

"what happened?" Jessica asked.

"you won't believe what I'm going through right now" Lucy responded.

"what happened? Lucy talk to me" Jessica said, curiously.

"I'm about to get married to a guy I have never met or seen before. My parents had already arranged everything without informing me" Lucy responded, sadly.

"how is that possible? please explain everything to me" Jessica said.

"for some time now, my dad's business hasn't been performing well. The business is gradually becoming insolvent. He had already agreed to merge his company with another company. The only way the merger will be possible is if I get married to the vice president of the other company, who happens to be the chairman of the company's grandson" Lucy responded, sadly.

"this is serious. Are you saying that your parents are planning to marry you off to someone you have never met or seen in order to save their company" Jessica said.

"yes o. they want to marry me off to a guy I don't know" Lucy responded.

"so what will you do? What are your plans? Are you going to accept that? " Jessica asked.

"It is not like I have a choice. As we speak now, everything had already being decided on. We will be returning back to the country any moment from now for the introduction. The guy in question is there in the country, managing his grandpa's company, but the grandpa is here with us in the U.S, and he had agreed to a merger after I marry his grandson." Lucy responded.

"so your parents are willing to sacrifice your happiness just to save their company. So they will allow you go into a marriage they know you might not be happy in" Jessica said.

"what can I do. My only prayers now is that the guy won't be someone that will make my life miserable. I just pray he is someone nice and loving. At least, that way, I will learn to love him also" Lucy responded.

"does the guy in question know about this planned marriage?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know. I have never seen him and he hasn't seen me also. We will be seeing each other for the first time when I return to the country" Lucy responded.

"I pray you find happiness in your marriage" Jessica said.

"that's my prayer too." Lucy responded.
"okay, enough about me. Tell me about yourself. Are you dating anyone? do you have a boyfriend?"

"I just don't have a boyfriend. I have a fiancé" Jessica responded.

"wow! Jessica you are already engaged" Lucy said.

"yes o, I'm engaged to the love of my life" Jessica responded, happily.

"so tell me, who is the lucky guy?" Lucy asked.

"Henry" Jessica responded.

"which Henry?" Lucy asked.

"Henry, our course mate at the university" Jessica responded.

"wow! you don't mean it. Jessica, are you serious?" Lucy asked.

"yes dear. I'm serious" Jessica responded.

"wow! that means you guys would have been dating for a long time" Lucy said.

"yes o" Jessica responded.

"why didn't I notice this when we were at the university. I only see you guys as friends back then" Lucy said.

"don't mind Henry. It took him years to see the green light I was showing him" Jessica responded.

"we have a lot to talk about. We will continue when I finally return to the country." Lucy said.

"okay dear. Please return already. I have missed you a lot." Jessica said.

"I have missed you too. I will talk to you later" Lucy said.

"okay dear" Jessica responded.

"see you soon" Lucy said.

"see you too" Jessica responded and ended the call.

She stared at her phone screen with her face curved in a smile.

Episode 71

It was already approaching evening, but neither Daniel nor the guy working for him had gone to check if Angel is okay. They haven't given her anything to eat either. They both sat in the sitting room, watching a programme on tv. Even if the programme was boring, they still manage it, since they couldn't go out of the house in order not to be seen. After a while of silence, the guy working for Daniel spoke.

"Aren't you going to give that lady something to eat. She hasn't tasted anything since morning. Not even water." he said.

"I will give her something to eat, but not now. I want her to realize that I was not joking when I said I will starve her until she agrees to be my girlfriend." Daniel responded.

Just when the guy was about to speak further, the sitting room door opened and Jane stomped into the sitting room. She walked straight to meet Daniel

"Jane" Daniel called and stood up.
"what are you doing here?"

"why did you contact me? I thought I made it clear that you shouldn't contact me. I thought I made it clear that I will always be the one to contact you. why then did you contact me? What if Jewel had seen the text message you sent me" Jane said, angrily.

Daniel stared at her confused, as he couldn't understand what she was talking about.

"but I didn't contact you" Daniel responded.

"what are you saying. Are you not the one that text me to meet you here?" Jane asked.

"I didn't send you any text. I'm even surprised to see you here" Daniel responded.

"what are you saying? Is this text message not from you?" Jane asked and showed Daniel the text message on her phone, for him to read.

'meet me at our usual meeting place. It's very urgent. I couldn't call or text you with my number, in order not to arouse suspicion. Don't call or text me back. Just meet me as soon as possible.'

Daniel turned to face her immediately, after reading the text message.

"but Jane, this is not my number" Daniel said.

"I know. you said you couldn't text with your number." Jane responded.

Daniel turned to face the guy beside him.

"go and stand guard outside" Daniel said to him.

"okay" he responded and immediately left the sitting room.

Daniel turned to face Jane immediately the guy left.

"Jane, this text isn't from me. I didn't send you any text message" Daniel said.

"if it wasn't from you, then who sent me the text?" Jane asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it could be from someone you are having other illegal business with" Daniel responded.

"do not insult me. I'm not as evil as you are. I contacted you because I realized that we have common goal, which is to make sure that Jewel and Angel are separated. If not for that, I wouldn't have contacted you. I wouldn't have informed you that the police were coming for you back then.
so don't think I'm as evil as you are" Jane said.

"okay sorry" Daniel apologized.

"where is Angel by the way?" Jane asked.

"she is still locked up in a room. Will you like to see her?" Daniel asked.

"no, no, no. I don't want her to realize that I have a hand in her abduction" Jane responded.

"okay" Daniel responded.

"since you didn't ask me to meet you here, let me start leaving before someone else sees me here" Jane said.

"okay" Daniel responded.

Just as Jane tried to stand up, they heard gunshot outside. They froze immediately. They stared at each other in shock.

"what was that?" Jane asked in fear.

"I don't know" Daniel responded.
"wait here let me see what is going on outside."

Daniel stood up, brought out a gun and carefully walked to the door. He slowly opened the door and looked both sides, but didn't see anyone in the compound. Not even the guy working for him could be seen. He came out from the sitting room and carefully walked to the back of the compound. He froze when he got to the back of the compound and saw the guy working for him lying flat on the floor. His body was covered with blood. Daniel stared at him in shock. He walked to meet him and squatted beside him. He felt his pulse and realized that he is dead. Just as he tried to stand up, he felt an object placed on his head from behind.

"don't move" he heard behind him.
"drop your gun and slowly stand up"

He dropped his gun and slowly stood up.

"now, slowly turned" he heard.

Daniel turned and saw three police officers pointing guns at him. That was when he realized he had finally been caught.

"Daniel, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Angel, attempting murder of Jessica, and the murder of two guys known as Sniper and Gunshot. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do, will be used against you in a court of law." One of the police officer said and immediately handcuffed him.

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

Jane sat alone in the sitting room, waiting for Daniel. She had been sitting there alone for a while. She was very worried and scared. She heard a knock on the door and immediately turned her direction to the door.

"Daniel, is that you?" she asked anxiously, but got no response.

"Daniel" she called, but got no response.

She stood up and quietly walked to the door. She slowly opened the door and froze when she saw Jewel and two police officers standing at the door. She stared at them open-mouthed.

"it's over, Jane" Jewel said.
"do you think you can deceive me?"

Jane didn't respond. She only stared silently at Jewel.

"You are under arrest for the kidnapping of miss Angel Owen. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do or say will be used against you in a court of law" one of the police officers said and handcuffed her.

Jewel brushed past her and entered the sitting room to look for Angel. He walked to the first door he saw and opened it, but didn't find Angel inside the room. He quickly rushed to the next room and opened the door to see Angel sitting on the floor. Her legs and hands were tied.

"my Angel!" he exclaimed and immediately rushed to meet her.

He until her immediately.

"my Jewel" Angel called almost tearing up.
"you came for me"

"yes my Angel" Jewel responded.

They hugged each other immediately.

"I know you will come for me." Angel said, emotionally.

"I'm sorry for coming late" Jewel responded.

She freed him and stared into his eyes.

"but how did you find me here?" Angel asked.

"Jane led me to you. She connived with Daniel to arrange your kidnap." Jewel responded.

"are you serious" Angel said in disbelief.

"yes, but you don't have to worry my Angel. They have been arrested" Jewel responded.

"but how did you get to know that Jane was involved in this?" Angel asked.

"I became suspicious of her when I realized that she knew you were coming to my place before that tanker explosion. I set a trap for her and she fell easily into it. That's why I was able to rescue you" Jewel responded.

"thank you very much my Jewel. I knew you will come to my rescue." Angel said and hugged him again.
"But how did you know I'm still alive, even when my car was also affected in that explosion?" Angel asked.

"I collected a dental record from your dentist and presented it to the forensic expert in charge of investigating the explosion, to see if your dental record matches any of the deceased own, but fortunately for me, it didn't match any." Jewel responded.

"thank you very much my Jewel." Angel said, emotionally.

"it's time to go home, my Angel" Jewel said.

"okay, my Jewel" Angel responded.

Jewel assisted her up and they both left the room together.

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

The atmosphere in the sitting room was tensed. Angel's parents hasn't gotten over the fact that they wouldn't be seeing their daughter again. The whole incident still seemed fresh in their minds. Henry, Jessica and Steven were seen in the sitting room with Angel's parents. They had visited just as they promised to do. They were all staring silently into air. After a while of deafening silence, Steven spoke.

"sir, what are your plans now" he said to Angel's father.

"I really don't know what to do. For now, we will just fix date for her wake. We are already making all necessary preparations and the date for the wake will be announced soon" Her dad responded.

"we will do everything in our part to support you" Steven said.

Just when Angel's father was about to speak, the door suddenly opened and Jewel walked in.

"there won't be any wake" he interrupted their conversation.

They all stared at him, surprised.

"Jewel, why did you say that?" Steven asked.

"because Angel is not dead" Jewel responded.

They froze when Jewel said that. Even Angel's mum that hasn't been paying attention to their conversation, suddenly stood up and focus all her attentions on Jewel.

"what are you saying?" Angel's mum asked, anxiously.

"yes, Angel is not dead" Jewel responded.

He turned to the door.

"Angel, please come in" Jewel said.

They stared anxiously at the door to see if Angel will come in just like Jewel said.

Episode 70

Jewel stretched lazily on his bed. He reluctantly opened his eyes to see Jane staring intensely at him. She was sitting beside him on the bed.

"good morning my Jewel" Jane greeted.

"good morning" Jewel responded.
"why the intense look?"

"I'm angry with you" Jane responded.

"what did I do?" Jewel asked.

"you came home drunk last night" Jane responded.

"oh! I'm sorry about that. I just had few drinks with some old friends. I hope I didn't misbehave" Jewel said.

"you shouldn't make friends with such people who will make you drink that much. They are irresponsible." Jane said.

"I'm sorry" Jewel apologized
"hope I'm forgiven"

"yes, you are forgiven, but don't repeat such" Jane said.

"I won't. I promise." Jewel responded.

"okay, let me go and prepare breakfast." Jane said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

Just as Jane tried to stand up from the bed, Jewel held her hand.

She stopped and stared at him.

"is there a problem, my Jewel?" Jane asked.

"Henry, Steven and Jessica will be coming here later today, and together we will pay Angel's parents a visit." Jewel said.

"okay, I will prepare myself. let me go and prepare breakfast then" Jane responded.

She stood up from the bed and left the room.

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

The door to the room Angel was in, opened and the chubby guy entered. He was carrying a plate of food. He went to meet Angel and dropped the food in her front. He untied her and removed the bandage on her lips.

"this is your breakfast." he said.

"I won't eat that. Not until you tell me who asked you to abduct me and why I was abducted." Angel responded.

"do you want to know who asked me to abduct you?" he asked.

"yes I want to know." Angel responded.

"okay stand up and follow me" the guy said.

Angel didn't stand up. She only stared silently at him. She wasn't sure if he was serious about what he said.

"don't you want to see who asked me to kidnap you" he asked when Angel didn't stand up.

"I want to see the person" Angel responded.

"then stand up and follow me" he said.

Angel stood up immediately.

"okay, who asked you to abduct me?" she asked.

"follow me" he responded and led the way.

Angel followed behind him and he led her to a well furnished sitting room. All the while, Angel thought she was being held hostage in an abandoned building, not knowing that she was being held hostage in someone's apartment. She took her time, staring at every corner of the sitting room.

"who owns this apartment?" Angel asked.

"sit down" the guy responded, pointing at a sofa.

"who asked you to abduct me?" Angel asked.

"Just sit down and stop asking silly questions." he responded.

Angel sat down on the sofa.

"I thought you want to show me who you are working for." Angel said.

"just wait" He responded.

Just when Angel was about to speak further, the sitting room door opened and she immediately turned her direction to the door to see Daniel standing at the door. She glared at him. Daniel walked to meet her.

"hello Angel" he said, smiling.

"you bastard. I know it was you all along" Angel said, angrily.

"aren't you happy to see me?" Daniel asked.

"I will rather choose to see a devil than to see someone like you" Angel responded.

"be nice, I saved your life" Daniel said.

"why are you holding me hostage?" Angel asked.

"don't you know why?" Daniel asked and sat beside her.
"someone else is trying to take what's mine, and I'm only preventing that from happening"

"you are such a coward. All this years, you masked your true identity and pretend to be a nice guy, Just to hurt other people" Angel said, angrily.

"I'm not a coward. I'm just being smart. I'm a smart guy. I have achieved all I want because I'm smart." Daniel responded, smiling.

"You are such a big fool for thinking you have achieved anything meaningful in life. Don't worry. Your life will soon be ruined. Your end is near" Angel said.

"I have nothing to worry about. As far as I have you here with me." Daniel responded.

"And you think you can keep me here for long. Jewel is coming for me. I'm going back home very soon" Angel said.

"my dear, you don't have any home to return to. Everyone thinks you are dead. Even Jewel has already moved on with his life. He has a new girlfriend who live with him in his mansion, and he is even planning to propose to her. So you see why I say you don't have any home to return to." Daniel responded.

"you are a bloody liar. I know my Jewel very well. So I won't believe whatever you are saying. My Jewel doesn't have a new girlfriend." Angel said.

"believe me or not, that's the truth. Her name is Jane. She lives with him in the mansion, sleep on the same bed with him, cook his food and does a lot more for him. You could imagine what they do every night, living in a mansion alone. Every night must surely be a night of pleasure for them. He didn't even wait for long before bringing another lady into his house. It was as if he was waiting for you to disappear, so that he can do whatever he likes. This should show you that Jewel really didn't love you. He was just using you. So you have to forget about him and concentrate on me. I'm not like him. I'm different. When I love, I love completely. So please, give me the chance to show you how much I love you. I promise you that you will never regret giving me a chance" Daniel said.

He tried to hold Angel's hands, but Angel spat on his face before he could do that.

"you disgust me" she said.

Daniel stared angrily at Angel. He wiped off the saliva on his face with his hand. He turned to face the chubby guy.

"take her back inside and tie her. Make sure you don't give her any food or water, until she decides to be my girlfriend" Daniel said, angrily.

"over my dead body will I be your girlfriend" Angel said.

The chubby guy dragged Angel up roughly, and led her back to the room.

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

Jewel and Jane were already dressed up. They were waiting for Henry, Steven and Jessica to arrive, so that they could start going to Angel's parents place. They sat in the sitting room, staring silently into air. After a while, the sitting room door opened and Steven walked in. He went straight to meet Jewel and shook hands with him.

"Henry and Jessica are not here yet" Steven said and sat down.

"they are on their way" Jewel responded.

Henry and Jessica walked in few minutes later.

"I'm so sorry for keeping you guys waiting" Henry apologized.

"since everyone is here now, let's start going" Steven said.

"you guys should give me a minute" Jewel said
"I have to get something from my room"

He stood up and walked to his room. They all sat down on the sofas, waiting for Jewel. After sitting silently in the sitting room for a while, Jane's phone beeped. She brought it out from her purse and realized it was a message from an unknown number. She opened the message and read it content. She suddenly became unsettled after reading the message. She put her phone back in her purse and tried her best to look calm. Jewel emerged from his room moment later.

"okay guys, let's start leaving" he said.

"I'm sorry Jewel. I won't be able to go with you guys." Jane said and immediately stood up.

"why?" Jewel asked.

"I just remembered that I'm suppose to give someone something today. I asked the person to meet me at my place. I'm sure she will be waiting for me right now. I just have to rushed back home now. I don't want to disappoint her." Jane responded.

"okay, you can go ahead" Jewel said.

"thank you very much" Jane responded.

She hugged Jewel and left the sitting room immediately.

Just a minute after Jane had left, Jewel turned to face Steven.

"it seems you guys will have to go without me. I will meet you guys there later." Jewel said.

"why?" Steven asked, surprised.

"I need to take care of something right now. I will meet you guys there" he responded and immediately left the sitting room also.

Steven, Henry and Jessica stared at one another confused, as they couldn't understand what was going on

Episode 69

Jessica sat on her bed, staring sadly into air. She still hasn't gotten over the fact that her best friend is dead. Her door suddenly opened and Henry walked in. He walked to meet her and sat beside her on the bed. He held her hands and stared into her eyes.

"my love, I know how hard this is for you, but you have to move on. Don't let this affect your health. Angel is dead and won't be coming back. You just have to move on with your life." Henry adviced.

"how are my suppose to forget about Angel just like that. She's my best friend." Jessica said, sadly.

"I didn't say you should forget about her. I only said you have to continue living your life. please do this for me" Henry said.

"I'm trying, my love" Jessica responded.

"I will always be here for you, and make you move on with your life." Henry said.

"thank you my love" Jessica said.

"okay, now get up. I prepared dinner" Henry said.

"you should have asked me to prepare it." Jessica said.

"what's wrong if I prepare dinner?" Henry asked.

"nothing, I just thought I should be the one preparing dinner, not you." Jessica responded.

"my love, it's not a must that you should be the one to prepare our meal. Now get up, let's go and have dinner" Henry said and stood up.

"okay my love" Jessica responded.

She stood up also and they both left the room.

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

Jane stretched lazily on the bed and reluctantly opened her eyes. She sat up when she realized Jewel was no longer lying beside her on the bed. She stood up from the bed and walked to the wardrobe. She opened the wardrobe and took one of Jewel's shirt. She put on the shirt and walked to the door. She opened the door and almost collided with Jewel, who was about entering the room. He was carrying a cup of tea.

"my Jewel" Jane called.

"you are awake already. I made this tea for you" Jewel said and handed her the cup.

"thank you very much my Jewel, but you shouldn't have bothered." Jane said.

"I just want to make it up to you. I have been so hard on you for some time. This is my way of correcting my mistake." Jewel responded.

"thanks my Jewel" Jane said and sipped from the cup of tea.

"okay, you can go back inside and have your bath, while I prepare breakfast" Jewel said.

"no, no, no, my Jewel. I will be the one to prepare breakfast" Jane responded.

"Let me do it. I want to make it up to you" Jewel said.

"you have done enough already, and I appreciate it. Just let me be the one to prepare breakfast please" Jane said.

"okay, if you insist." Jewel responded.

"thank you. I will just freshen up and quickly go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast" Jane said.

"I will be in the sitting room then" Jewel responded.

Jane quickly rushed to the bathroom to freshen up, while Jewel walked to the sitting room.

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

Angel was still seen in the dark room, sitting on the floor. Her legs and hands were still tied. She was sitting quietly this time. She wasn't struggling to free herself as she usually does. She was staring silently at the floor. The door suddenly opened and light flashed inside the room. Angel raised her head to see the chubby guy that abducted her, standing at the door. He was carrying a plate of food. He walked to meet Angel and dropped the food beside her. He removed the bandage on her lips and untied her.

"your breakfast" he said.

"is this how things will continue every day. All you do is to bring me food in here. Why did you abduct me? what do you want from me? Why keep me here all day? Who asked you to abduct me? Is it Daniel?" Angel asked.

"you ask too many questions. Just eat your food." he responded

"that's all you keep telling me each day. Just tell me who asked you to abduct me, or tell me why you abducted me" Angel said.

"just eat your food" the guy responded

He stood up and left the room.

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

Jane sat in the sitting room watching a programme on tv. They just finished having breakfast and Jewel had gone to freshen up. Jane was so engrossed in the programme she was watching that she didn't realize when Jewel emerged from his room. He walked to meet her and tapped her shoulder. She turned and saw Jewel standing beside her.

"you seem to be enjoying the programme" Jewel said.

"yes o, it's very interesting" Jane responded with smiles.

"I see" Jewel said.

"are you going out?" Jane asked, when she saw Jewel dressed up.

"yes, I just want to go and see a friend. I won't be long" Jewel responded.

"okay my Jewel. Please take care" Jane said.

"you too" Jewel responded and planted a kiss on her lips.

He left the sitting room while Jane continued with the programme she was watching.

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

Jewel sat at the far left in a bar, drinking from the glass of wine on his table. Steven walked into the bar some minutes later. He went straight to meet Jewel and sat down opposite him.

"how are you Jewel?" Steven asked.

"I'm good" Jewel responded.

"why did you ask me to meet me here?" Steven asked.

"I have something to discuss with you" Jewel responded.

" what do you want to discuss with me?" Steven asked.

"can you get me someone that can hack a phone conversation?" Jewel asked.

"what do you need that for? which person's conversation do you want to listen to" Steven asked, curiously.

"I'm suspecting foul play somewhere, but I'm not really sure. I just want to confirm if my suspicions are right" Jewel responded.

"what foul play, and who are you suspecting?" Steven asked.

"I can't say anything now, because I'm not sure of anything. I don't want to start pointing accusing finger on an innocent person." Jewel responded.

"Jewel, what's going on. who are you trying to track?" Steven asked.

"you will know when the time is right. For now, just tell me if you know anyone that can hack a phone conversation" Jewel asked.

"can you get access to the person's phone you want to hack?" Steven asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"if that's the case, no need to look for someone that can hack the phone conversation. Just plant a bug on the phone and start listening to all phone conversation from the person" Steven said.

Jewel thought for a while.

"you know, you are right. That's what I will just do. That way I can confirm if my suspicions are right" Jewel responded.

"I hope this person you are trying to track hasn't committed any crime" Steven said.

"that's what I want to find out also. I will just plant a bug on the person's phone. That way I will listen to all phone calls from the person. Thank you very much for this idea" Jewel said.

"you are welcome. I just hope that whatever you are trying to do will not put you in danger" Steven said.

"you don't need to worry. My life is not in any danger" Jewel responded.

"okay, but you just have to be careful" Steven said.

"I will" Jewel responded.

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

Jane was seen pacing up and down in the sitting room. She seemed very worried. It was already 11pm and Jewel was not back. She had tried calling his number several times but his phone was switched off. After pacing aimlessly in the sitting room, she went to sit on the sofa. Just as she sat down, the sitting room door opened and Jewel staggered inside. Jane stood up immediately she saw him and rushed to meet him.

"Jewel, where have you been since morning. You made me so worried" Jane said, feeling concerned.

"I was with some friends" Jewel responded.

"what kind of friends will make you stay outside, up to this time. You have to stay away from them. They are bad influence" Jane said.

"you have nothing to worry about. They are just some old friends" Jewel responded and tried to walked to his room, but fell to the floor.

Jane quickly rushed to meet him and assisted him up.

"it seems you had too much to drink. You are drunk already" Jane said.

"I'm not drunk" Jewel responded.

"yes, you are drunk" Jane said.

"I'm not drunk. If I'm drunk I will know" Jewel responded.

"how will you know, when you are already drunk" Jane said.

"I'm not drunk. I didn't even drink much" Jewel responded.

"Okay, let me assist you to your room" Jane said.

She held Jewel's hands and led him to his room. They got to his room and she assisted him to lie on the bed. She sat beside him on the bed and stared into his eyes.

"please my Jewel, don't take too much alcohol again. I don't like seeing you like this" Jane said, sadly.

"can you please get me a glass of water?" Jewel requested.

"okay my Jewel" Jane responded and stood up.

She dropped her phone on the table and left the room to get the glass of water. Jewel stood up from the bed immediately Jane left and rushed to take Jane's phone on the table. He busied himself immediately with the phone, with his eyes fixed on the door.
When he heard approaching footsteps, he dropped the phone back on the table and quickly went to lie on the bed.

www.storyrim.com

Episode 68

Jewel opened the door to his sitting room and entered. He was just returning from the forensic expert office. Jane wasn't in the sitting room when he walked in. For a moment, he thought she had already left. While his mind was still wandering, Jane emerged from the kitchen. She stared silently at Jewel, waiting for him to scold her as he usually does, but Jewel only stared back at her. After a while of silence, Jewel slowly walked to meet her.

"I'm hungry. I hope dinner is ready" Jewel said.

Jane stared at him confused, not sure if he was talking to her. She wasn't expecting him to say that to her. When Jane didn't respond, Jewel spoke again.

"I thought you are preparing dinner, or is it not ready yet?" Jewel asked.

"are you talking to me?" Jane asked, surprised.

"yes of course. who else could I be talking to." Jewel responded.
"is dinner ready? I'm famished"

"I wasn't actually preparing dinner, but I can quickly prepare dinner now if you want" Jane responded quickly.

"okay, you can prepare dinner. I will be in my room. Once dinner is ready, just let me know." Jewel said.

Jane stared at him surprised. She couldn't understand why he was suddenly acting cool towards her.

"okay, let me quickly prepare dinner then" Jane responded.

"okay" Jewel said.

Jane immediately rushed to kitchen to prepare dinner, while Jewel walked to his room.

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

Jane opened the door to Jewel's room and entered. Jewel was lying on his bed when she walked in. She walked to meet him and sat beside him on the bed.

"dinner is ready. Should I bring it to your room?" Jane asked.

"okay, you can bring it" Jewel responded.

Jane stood up and left the room. She returned few minutes later, carrying a plate of food. She walked to the bed and dropped the food on it. She sat down beside Jewel on the bed.

"dinner is ready" Jane said.

"thank you" Jewel responded and sat up.

He took the spoon and started eating immediately. After eating for a while, he stopped and stared at Jane.

"aren't you going to join me?" Jewel asked.

"I have eaten already." Jane responded.

"come on, join me. The food will be more delicious if you join me" Jewel said.

Jane stared at him surprised. She still couldn't understand why Jewel was suddenly being nice to her. While she was still staring silently at him, Jewel took a spoonful and tried to feed her.

"let me feed you" Jewel said.

"are you sure?" Jane asked.

"yeah, or don't you want me to feed you?" Jewel asked.

"no, I want you to feed me" Jane responded.

She opened her mouth and Jewel fed her.

"thank you" she said.

"you are welcome" Jewel responded.

Jewel dropped the spoon and held Jane's hands. He stared deeply into her eyes.

"Jane, I know for some time now, I have been treating you badly. Even when you tried to show that you care, I still took you for granted. You really don't have to blame me for my actions. I was devastated. That was why I acted that way. You have to forgive me." Jewel apologized.

Jane stared at him, surprised. She couldn't believe Jewel was apologizing to her. She was very happy, but tried not to show how happy she was.

"I have not been myself for some time now. Angel's death had effected me badly. I don't even have time to take care of myself anymore. I think it's time I move on with my live. Angel is dead and won't be returning to me. I have to accept that fact and move on. Life goes on, and I also have to continue living my life" Jewel continued.

Jane's face curved in a smile when Jewel said that. She stared deeply into Jewel eyes.

"my Jewel. I know how hard it must have been for you. But I'm assuring you that you made the best decision to move on with your life. Angel is gone and won't be returning. I will always be by your side to support you." Jane said.

"thank you very much Jane. I don't know what I could have done without you" Jewel said.

"I can do anything for you. You are my Jewel" Jane responded.

"thank you very much" Jewel said.

Jane didn't respond this time. She only stared silently at him. Jewel noticed that she was staring intensely at his lips. He drew her closer to himself and planted a kiss on her lips.

"thank you for everything" he said.

Jane didn't expect the kiss. She wanted more than just a kiss. Her eyes were filled with desires. Jewel planted another kiss on her lips. She immediately wrapped her hands around his shoulders and cover his mouth with hers in a hungry kiss. They kissed passionately. Her lips parted and his tongue slipped inside her mouth, gentle but demanding. She gripped his hair, pulling him closer. She unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it on the floor. She waited for him to do same to her, but when he didn't, She took off her blouse herself to reveal her purple bra. Their lips locked again once her blouse was off. She zipped down her skirt and it fell off her waist to reveal her purple laced pants. She wrapped her hands again around Jewel's shoulder and engaged him in an aggressive kiss once more. While she was still working magic with her tongue, her hands slipped downward to his trouser. Just as she tried to zip down his trouser, Jewel held her hand and broke the kiss. They stared silently at each other.

"what's wrong?" Jane asked, confused, as she didn't understand why he stopped all of a sudden.

"I think we are taking this too far" Jewel said.

"how? we have been together all our lives. So I don't think we are taking anything too far. We both want it." Jane said.

"we have all the time in the world to do whatever we like. Let's just wait for some time" Jewel said.

"no my Jewel, not now. please don't do this to me. I want you right now please." Jane begged.

"we have all the time in the world to do whatever we like. Let just wait for some time." Jewel repeated.

"please Jewel, just this once. After today, I will wait until whenever you want, but let's just do it this once. I want it badly." Jane begged.

"okay let's do it, but that will be after you have freshened up, because I want to explore every part of your body." Jewel responded.

"okay my Jewel. Let me quickly freshen up then." Jane said and stood up from the bed.

She rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. Jewel waited until he was sure that she was already in the bathroom, then stood up from the bed and immediately went to take Jane's phone on the table. He unlocked the phone and went through her contact list. He took his time observing every number on her contact list.

Just as he realized that Jane was about coming out from the bathroom, he dropped the phone back on the table and quickly went to lie on his bed, pretending like he was already asleep. Jane emerged from the bathroom completely unclad. Water was dripping from her body. She walked to meet Jewel on the bed with her unclad body only to see him already snoring. She stared at him disappointed. After staring at him for a while, she lay beside him on the bed and rested her bosom on his chest. Just few minutes of lying beside him, she fell asleep.

I wasn't available all these while, that's why there hasn't been any update. I won't say I'm now available to continue the story, because I'm still busy with some things. If I wait till I'm less busy before continuing the story, I might not continue it anytime soon. So I will just make time to continue the story.

What I'm saying in essence is that, I will not be updating the story on a daily basis. For now, the story will only be updated 3 or 4 times a week.

Happy new year.

Episode 67

Jewel lay on his bed, staring silently at the ceiling. His door suddenly opened and Jane walked in, carrying a plate of food. She walked to meet Jewel and sat beside him on the bed. She dropped the food on the bed. Jewel sat up immediately.

"what are you doing?" Jewel asked.

"your lunch is ready" Jane responded.

"I thought I told you that I'm not hungry" Jewel said.

"how won't you be hungry. you haven't eaten anything since morning. You didn't eat the breakfast I prepared, now, you still don't want to eat lunch. Please my Jewel, have your lunch." Jane said.

"I told you before that I'm not hungry. So don't expect me to eat this" Jewel responded.

"please my Jewel, don't do this to me. Please don't let my effort go to waste. You didn't eat the breakfast I prepared. Now, you are rejecting this one too. Please don't let my effort go to waste. Please have your lunch" Jane said.

"I told you before you started that I'm not hungry" Jewel responded.

"so what should I do with the food?" Jane asked, sadly.

"do whatever you like with it" Jewel responded.

"this is not fair" Jane said, sadly.

She stood up, carried the food and left the room.

Jewel lay back on his bed. After a while of lying down, he suddenly stood up from his bed and changed into a different dress. He took his phone from his bed and left his room. He walked to the sitting room and saw Jane sitting on the sofa. She was watching a programme on t.v.

"where are you going to?" Jane asked, when she saw Jewel already dressed up.

"none of your business" Jewel responded and walked to the door.

He stopped halfway and turned back to face Jane.

"make sure you leave this house before I return. I don't want to meet you here when I get back" Jewel said.

He turned and left the sitting room immediately.

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

Jewel was seen standing outside the forensic research center in charge of investigating the decease in the tanker explosion that claimed many lives. He was waiting for the forensic expert in charge of investigating the case. He had already contacted him, so he was waiting for the forensic expert to meet him there. The forensic expert emerged from the research building few minutes later. He walked straight to meet Jewel and shook hands with him.

"vice president Edward, you want to see me" the forensic expert said.

"yes, I want to see you" Jewel responded.

"is it urgent, because I'm very busy right now" the forensic expert said.

"yes, it's urgent" Jewel responded.

"let's go to my office then" the forensic expert said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

He led the way, while Jewel followed behind him. They got to the office and entered.

"please have a seat." the forensic expert said, pointing to the visitor's seat.

"thank you" Jewel responded and sat down.

He sat down also.

"so, vice president Edward. How may I help you?" the forensic expert asked.

"is there a way we can identify those affected in that tanker explosion? I need to confirm if my girlfriend is truly dead" Jewel said.

"what else do you want to confirm. Her car was also involved in that accident and the occupant in it also got burnt beyond recognition. Are you saying your girlfriend was not the one driving that car?" the forensic expert asked.

"I don't know, but something tells me that my Angel is not dead. How can my Angel be dead and I don't feel any pain in my heart. How can she be dead and I don't feel devastated. I don't even feel as if something important has be taking away from me. I don't feel like I just lost the most precious person to me. If my Angel is truly dead, I know how I should have felt. I should be completely devastated. I should have fallen sick and even been hospitalized, but no, I don't feel any of those. This is a sign that my Angel is still alive. My Angel is still alive. I can feel it in my heart. My Angel is alive somewhere and needs me to come and get her. She might be in danger. That's why I need to do everything possible to save my Angel. I believe my Angel is not dead." Jewel said.

"even after seeing her car at the accident scene, you still have hope that she's alive. I like your courage" the forensic expert said.

"so, Is there a way to identify the bodies. I need to be sure that my Angel is not among those affected. I don't mind what it will cost me. I will provide everything needed" Jewel said.

" It has already been decided to conduct thorough autopsy examinations on the dead bodies, so we are already on it." the doctor responded.
"Autopsy will be combined with full body x-rays, anthropological assessments, recording of dental data, recording of personal effects and collection of tissue samples for DNA and other investigations."

"does that mean we can identify the bodies." Jewel said.

"yes, each family can identify their decease if they can provide a dental record of their decease. If dental records cannot be found, then any other X-rays that might have been taken will be needed. If no X-rays can be found, the next step would be DNA testing. If the family can provide a DNA sample of their decease, we can compare it to the DNA extracted from the center of a tooth or from bone marrow of the decease. But dental records will be better, because it is much quicker and so much less expensive than DNA." the forensic expert responded.

"so, all I need for me to know if my Angel is among the decease is by getting her dental record" Jewel said.

"yes" the forensic expert responded.

"I think I can get that. I know Angel's dentist. Let me quickly go and get her dental record" Jewel said and stood up.

"okay" the forensic expert responded.

Jewel shook hands with him and left his office.

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

Jewel opened the door to his sitting room and entered. He was just returning from the forensic research center. He had already gotten a dental record from Angel's dentist and had already taking it to the forensic expert for comparison. He heaved a sigh of relief when he didn't see Jane in the sitting room. 'that means she must have left already' he thought.

Just as he made attempt to walk to his room, Jane emerged from the kitchen. He frowned immediately he saw her.

"my Jewel, you are back" Jane said, smiling.

"what are you still doing here? I thought I asked you to leave before I get back" Jewel barked.

"my Jewel, please calm down. No need to raise your voice. I know this must be very hard for you. I know you must be thinking that Angel died because of you. That's why you are torturing yourself. but my Jewel, you don't need to feel that way. Angel's death was inevitable. She died because it was her time. So you don't have to feel that she died because you asked her to come stay with you. You don't have to think that she might still be alive if you didn't ask her to come stay with you that night" Jane said.

"wait, how did you know that I asked Angel to come stay with me? As far as I know, only Angel and I knew about it, because I didn't tell anyone about it. So how did you get to know about it?" Jewel asked, curiously.

Jane stared silently at him for a while before she finally responded.

"that night, I called Angel and told her that I was coming to pay her a visit, but she told me she won't be around, because she was going to your house and would be staying there with you for some time. That was how I got to know that she was coming to stay with you" Jane responded.

Jewel stared suspiciously at her. Just when he wanted to question her further, his phone started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and saw that the call was from the forensic expert. He answered the call immediately.

"hello" he said.

"vice president Edward" the forensic expert voice sounded at the other end.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"you can come back to the office now. The results are ready" the forensic expert said.

"so fast" Jewel said.

"I told you that we were already conducting the test before you came" the forensic expert said.

"okay, I will be there in no time" Jewel said and ended the call.

He turned and left the sitting room immediately, without sparing Jane a glance.

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

Angel was still tied in the dark room. She was struggling to free herself, and was humming continuously. The door suddenly opened to reveal the chubby guy that abducted Angel. He was carrying a plate of food. He walked into the room and dropped the food beside Angel. He removed the bandage on her lips.

"this is your food. eat it" the guy said.

"how am I going to eat this food when my hands are tied?" Angel asked.

The guy thought for a while, then untied her.

"now you can eat your food" he said.

"do you know why I will eat this food?" Angel asked.

"why?" the guy asked.

"to gain enough strength, because I'm leaving this place very soon." Angel responded.

"how is that possible? do you think you can escape from me?" the guy asked, laughing.

"no, I won't escape. my Jewel will come and rescue me" Angel responded.

The guy laughed out loud when Angel said that.

"you know, you must be very silly. In case you don't know, your boyfriend didn't think you were kidnapped. He thinks you are dead already. How can someone who thinks you are dead come to rescue you?" he asked.

"my Jewel will never believe I'm dead. He will feel it in his heart that I'm still alive. Just wait and see, he will come to my rescue" Angel said.

"okay, I'm waiting to see how he will rescue you" the guy responded.

He left the room and locked the door.

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

Jewel sat in the forensic expert office, waiting anxiously for him to come and give him the details of the result. The forensic expert walked into the office few minutes later.

"sorry for keeping you waiting" he said and sat down behind his desk.

"you said the result is ready" Jewel said.

"yes" he responded.

"Okay, is my Angel among the decease. Does any of the decease dental record matches hers?" Jewel asked, anxiously and prayed silently that the forensic expert should say no.

Episode 66

Jewel and Jane sat in the sitting room, waiting for Henry, Jessica and Steven to arrive, so that they could start going to Angel parent's place. They were already dressed up. The sitting room door opened and Steven walked in. He went straight to meet Jewel.

"Jewel, how are you?" Steven asked.

"trying to be fine, bro" Jewel responded.

"don't worry, everything will be okay. It's just a matter of time." Steven said.

"I don't think I can ever heal from this pain" Jewel said.

"you will bro. It's just a matter of time" Steven said.

Henry and Jessica walked into the sitting room also.

"are you guys waiting for us. we are sorry" Henry apologized.

"let's start leaving. There's nothing else we are waiting for" Steven said.

"okay" Henry responded.

Jewel and Jane stood up from the sofa and they all left the sitting room.

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

The atmosphere was tensed at Angel's parent house. voices of people wailing could be heard at every corner of the house. Her parent were already aware of what happened to their daughter. The sitting room was filled with people who had come to sympathize with Angel's parent. While some were sitting on the only available seats, others were standing. Jewel, Jane, Henry, Jessica and Steven were also seen in the sitting room. They were all standing, and were staring silently into air. Angel's mother was sitting on the floor. Her eyes were swollen as a result of her excess weeping. She looked sick already. Her father was sitting on the sofa and was staring sadly into air. He was shaking his head, sorrowfully.

A woman walked to meet Angel's mother and patted her back.

"I'm sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences" the woman said.

Jewel also walked to meet Angel's Father. He squatted beside him and held his hands.

"I know how hard this is for you, but you have to be strong." Jewel said.

"I'm trying, my son" Angel's dad responded.
"how can we recognize our daughter's corpse?"

"All those that died in the explosion will be given a mass burial, Since the corpses can't be recognized individually." Jewel responded.

Angel's mum resumed her wailing when Jewel said that. She cried bitterly, screaming and rolling on the floor.

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

Jewel opened the door to his sitting room and entered. Jane followed behind him. They were Just returning from Angel parent's house. Jewel dropped his car key on the table and walked towards the direction of his room. Jane followed behind him also. He stopped and turned to face Jane when he realized she was still following him.

"aren't you suppose to be going home now?" Jewel asked.

"I'm not leaving. I will stay here to make sure you are okay" Jane responded.

"just spare me that nonsense. Stop using that as an excuse to stay here. Did I tell you that I'm not okay? I don't know what your intentions are, but let me just tell you that whatever you are planning won't work. So, stop giving me that silly excuse" Jewel said, angrily.

"you have every right to be angry with me. I have hurt you many times. So I deserved to be yelled at. I can't even say anything that will justify what i have done to you, but my Jewel, you have to believe me when I say I'm only trying to make sure you are okay. You have been through a lot. How can I just leave you like this" Jane responded.

"wait, do you feel pity for me?" Jewel asked.

"how can you say sure a thing. I'm only looking out for you because you are my best friend." Jane responded.

"I don't even see you as a friend, not to talk of seeing you as my best friend. You are not my friend and you will never be" Jewel said.

"you will always be my best friend no matter what" Jane responded.

"continue deceiving yourself" Jewel said.

"you can say whatever you like. It won't still change the fact that you are my best friend. I will just go to the kitchen and prepare lunch while you wait in you room" Jane said.

"don't bother. I'm not hungry. I won't eat the food, so just don't waste you time." Jewel responded and walked to his room.

Jane walked to the kitchen to prepare lunch, against Jewel's order.

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

The room was dark. No form of light could be seen in the room. The darkness in the room stole the form of everything in the room. Sounds of a moving object could be heard in the room but couldn't been seen, because of the darkness. Someone too could be heard humming in the room, but couldn't be seen also. The door suddenly opened and light flashed inside the room to reveal Angel sitting on the floor. Her hands and legs were tied. Her lips were sealed with a bandage also. Standing at the door was a chubby guy. He was glaring at Angel in the room. Angel continued humming when she saw the guy. She couldn't speak, because her lips were sealed.

"so, you won't shut up. Is it until I strangle you to death before you will shut up." The guy at the door said.
"I don't want to hear any sound from you again. If I hear any sound from you, I might just end your life. I'm already very angry, so don't just add to my anger. I just lost my girlfriend in the tanker explosion that happened last night, and that was all because of you. If I wasn't asked to kidnap you, my girlfriend will still be alive. This is the worst job I have ever done. It took the life of my girlfriend. The lady you saw with me last night, when we abducted you, is my girlfriend. She died in the explosion that happened last night. She wanted to dispose your car when we abducted you, only for her to drive it to the same direction you were heading to and ended up getting burned in that tanker. explosion. That should have been you. Had it been we didn't abduct you, my girlfriend would be alive and you would have been dead, because you would have died in that explosion and not my girlfriend. She took your place in that explosion. You should be the one in the mortuary and not her. I wish I knew this will happen, I wouldn't have abducted you. I would have just left you to drive yourself to death. My girlfriend warned me against this job, but I didn't listen. Instead, I got her involved in it, and it eventually drove her to her death." the guy said bitterly.
"Do you know why I'm telling you this? That's for you to know how angry I am right now. So, if you just don't want me to strangle you to death, you better just remain silent."

He turned to leave the room, but Angel hummed again. He stopped and turned to face Angel.

"you seem to be the stubborn type." He said and walked to meet Angel.

He removed the bandage from her lips. Angel gasped immediately.

"what do you want to say to me?" the guy asked.

"I'm very sorry for the death of your girlfriend. Truly, it would have been me, because I was heading towards that direction the tanker exploded before you abducted me. Please accept my condolences" Angel said.

"It seems you don't have anything meaningful to say to me. I will just seal off your lips back" the guy said and tried to place the bandage back on Angel's lips.

"no, please wait" Angel said, immediately.

He paused.

"who sent you to abduct me?" Angel asked.

"you are not even sure if you will leave this place alive, and you are asking for who sent me." he responded.

"If I will die, at least tell me who ask you to abduct me" Angel said.

"you know, you should be thankful to the person that ask me to abduct you. If not for that person, you would have been dead by now, and my girlfriend will still be alive" He responded and immediately placed the bandage back on her lips.

He left the room and locked the door from outside. Darkness stole the form of everything in the room again.

Eberechi24:
Jane issa dickdigger. Jewel don't give her o.
I have this feeling that Angel is alive.

Infant, use misplaced Jane with Jessica sometimes in this update.

Yea, I just realized that now.

Thanks for the correction.

Episode 65

Jewel sat in the sitting room, staring sadly into air. Steven was sitting beside him. He was consoling Jewel. Jewel's eyes were swollen as a result of the tears which he was holding back. They were just returning from the accident scene. The car that was mentioned in the news was exactly Angel's car. He confirmed it when he got to the accident scene, but couldn't recognize Angel among the bodies lying on the floor, because they were all burned beyond recognition. They left the accident scene when the security agents took the dead bodies to the mortuary. And since they returned, Jewel had been staring sadly into air. He was trying to hold back his tears.

"Jewel please take heart. I know this is too much for you to bear, but you have to be strong." Steven said and patted his back.

Jessica and Henry suddenly rushed into the sitting room. They went straight to meet Jewel.

"Jewel, please tell me this is not true" Jessica said, nervously.

Jewel didn't respond. He only stared sadly at her. When Jessica decoded what he meant by that look, she broke into tears immediately. She cried bitterly, rolling herself on the floor. All Henry effort to console her proved abortive, because she kept screaming and crying out loud. After screaming for about 30 minutes, she finally stopped screaming and was sobbing silently.

Jane rushed into the sitting room some minutes later also. she froze when she saw everyone wearing a sad face.

"so, it is true. Angel was among those that were affected by that explosion." Jane said, sadly.

She went to sit beside Jewel and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"please accept my condolences" Jane said.

Jewel didn't respond. He continued staring sadly into air.

"have you contacted her parent?" Jane asked.

Jewel turned to face her when she asked that.

"how am I suppose to reveal such a terrible news to her parent. What am I suppose to say to them? How will I tell her parent that their daughter died while trying to visit me" Jewel said, sadly and the tears which he had been holding for a while finally dropped from his eyes.

Jane wrapped her hands around his shoulders.

"everything will be okay, my Jewel" Jane said.

"Jewel, I think you should call Angel's parent and inform them about what happened to their daughter." Steven said.

"no, I don't think he should call them. Such a news shouldn't be said over phone. He should pay them a visit instead and inform them about what happened to Angel" Jane argued.

"I think Jane is right. Jewel shouldn't reveal sure a thing over phone. He should pay them a visit at their house tomorrow. Jessica and I will go with you" Henry said.

"I will go with you also" Jane said.

"i'm going also" Steven said.

"then tomorrow, we all follow Jewel to Angel's parent place to break the bad news to them" Jane said.

They all suddenly went mute. Everyone stared silently into air. After a while of deafening silence, Henry spoke.

"I think we will start leaving. It's already very late. It's 11:15pm already. Jewel, you have to take care of yourself. We will be here first thing tomorrow morning" Henry said and stood up.

Jessica stood up also.

"okay, see you guys tomorrow. I will spend the night here, to make sure Jewel is alright" Jane said.

"you don't have to. you can leave with them. I will spend the night here instead" Steven said.

"no, I should be the one to spend the night here. I know Jewel more than anyone here. We grew up together. I know everything about him. I know exactly how to cheer him up. I know exactly what to say to make him happy. So, I should be the one to spend the night here." Jane said.

"I thought you and Jewel..........." Steven paused.
"okay, if you say so. I will just leave with Henry and Jessica"

"that will be the best" Jane said.

"Jewel, I will just leave and come back tomorrow. please take care of yourself" Steven said.

"he will" Jane responded.

Steven stood up and the trio left the house. Just immediately after they left, Jane held Jewel's hands and stared into his eyes.

"my Jewel, I know how you feel. I wish there's something I can do to ease you of this pain." Jane said and hugged him, making sure that her head rested on his chest.

They stayed that way for a while. After a while, Jane spoke again.

"I think it's time to go to bed. We will pay Angel's parent a visit tomorrow." Jane said.

"okay, you can sleep in the guest room" Jewel said.

"no, I'm not sleeping in any guest room. I'm sleeping in your room. I have to make sure you are okay" Jane responded.

"you are not serious, are you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm serious. No need to worry, nothing will happen. This won't be the first time we will be sleeping on the same bed. We have done that countless of time already." Jane responded.

"we did that when we were kids. Now we are grownups." Jewel said.

"it still doesn't change anything. I promise, nothing will happen. You can't change my mind, because I have to be by your side always, to make sure you are okay." Jane responded and stood up.

She dragged Jewel up and led him to his room. She opened the door and they entered. Jewel sat on his bed, while Jane walked to his wardrobe. She opened the wardrobe and took one of his shirt. She walked back to meet Jewel.

"I hope you don't mind if I wear this shirt tonight. I can't go to bed with the dress I'm wearing." Jane said.

"aren't you suppose to be with your boyfriend?" Jewel asked.

"he travelled out of the country for business, and won't be returning anytime soon. My Jewel, I just want to make sure you are okay" Jane responded.

"I will be okay" Jewel said.

"I have to make sure of that" Jane said.
"can I wear the shirt?"

"yes" Jewel responded.

Jane immediately took off her blouse while facing Jewel, to reveal her purple bra.

"what are you doing?" Jewel asked, surprised.

"changing into a different dress." Jane responded and immediately took off her jean trousers also, to reveal her purple lace pants.

"why can't you do that in the bathroom? Please change in the bathroom" Jewel said.

"what is wrong if I change here. It's not like this will be your first time of seeing my unclothedness. You have seen it countless times already. So, what's the big deal if I change here." Jane responded and tried to unhook her bra.

"stop!!" Jewel barked.
"okay, if you won't use the bathroom, I will just leave the room instead" He said and stood up.

"okay, okay, okay. no need to leave. I will just use the bathroom" Jane responded.

She walked into the bathroom while Jewel sat down back on his bed. She emerged from the bathroom few minutes later, wearing Jewel's shirt. She only buttoned the shirt halfway, which made her cleavage to be exposed. The shirt could barely cover her thighs. Her pants and bra were in her hand. She walked to meet Jewel.

"where should I keep this?" she asked, showing him the pants and bra.

"drop it anywhere you like" Jewel responded and immediately lay on his bed.

Jane dropped it on the table and also lay beside Jewel on the bed. They lay silently on the bed. It didn't take long before Jewel slept off. When Jane realized that Jewel had slept off, she cuddled him, and in no time, she slept off also.

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

Jewel stretched lazily on his bed and reluctantly opened his eyes. Jane was no longer lying beside him on the bed. He sat up and placed a hand on his head. He was having slight headache. His door opened and Jessica walked in, holding a cup of tea. She was still wearing the shirt she slept with the previous night. She was smiling broadly. She walked to meet Jewel and sat beside him.

"good morning my Jewel. Have this cup of tea. It will help you relaxed. I'm already preparing breakfast and it will be ready very soon" Jane said and stretched the cup of tea to Jewel.

"thank you" Jewel responded and collected the cup of tea.
"and please, stop calling me my Jewel. I will appreciate it if you just call me Jewel" Jewel said.

The smile on Jane's face vanished when Jewel said that. She stared at Jewel in disappointment.

"I'm really disappointed by what you just said. How can you tell me to stop calling you my Jewel. We both know I have been calling you my Jewel right from when we were kids. I started calling you my Jewel even before we started dating. How can you just say I should stop calling you a name I'm already use to. Even if we are no longer dating, that doesn't mean I still don't value our friendship. We were friends first before we started dating, and I started calling you my Jewel when we became friends. Telling me to stop calling you my Jewel, is like telling me to forget all the sweet memories we had when we were kids, and that I can't do. My Jewel, I'm really disappointed that you could say this to me" Jane said in disappointment.
"I will be in the kitchen. When breakfast is ready, I will serve it to you in bed"

She stood up from the bed and left the room. Jane responded and stood up.

She dragged Jewel up and led him to his room. She opened the door and they entered. Jewel sat on his bed, while Jessica walked to his wardrobe. She opened the wardrobe and took one of his shirt. She walked back to meet Jewel.

Episode 64

CONTINUATION FROM THE HOSPITAL SCENE.

A tap from Angel brought Jessica back to reality. she turned to face Angel.

"Angel!" Jessica called.

"yes, it is me. do you recognize me?" Angel asked.

"yes" Jessica responded.

"oh my God! she said yes" Angel said, happily.

Henry quickly held her face.

"do you recognize Angel?" Henry asked, anxiously.

"my love" Jessica called.

"wow! you recognize me" Henry said, happily.

"yes, my love" Jessica responded.

"wow! I'm very happy. This means you have regained you memory" Henry said.

"yes, my love" Jessica responded.

"this is good" Henry said.

Jessica quickly turned to face Angel.

"Angel!" she called.

"yes dear" Angel responded.

"you need to be very careful. Daniel is coming back for you. He has vowed to ruin your relationship with Jewel" Jessica said.

They all froze when Jessica said that. Jewel held her hands immediately.

"do you know where Daniel is right now?" he asked.

"yes, I know where he is. He is hiding in a forest. There is a house built in a forest, that is where he is hiding. Daniel is a monster. He killed the 2 guys working for him. He can do anything to achieve his aim. You have to be very careful" Jessica said.

"once we leave here, you will give me all the details. I will ask the police to raid that place. I'm sure he won't get away this time" Jewel said.

"you should do that quickly. I'm sure he is already planning his next move" Henry said.

"I will do that immediately we leave this place" Jewel responded.

"Jewel!" Jessica called.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"you are not responsible for my pregnancy. Daniel is responsible for it. That was why he abducted me" Jessica said.

"we already know about that" Jewel responded.

"my love, you lost the pregnancy" Henry added.

Jessica didn't respond. She just stared silently at Henry.

"we will be going home today. I will just inform the doctor that you have regained your memory and make all necessary arrangements so that we can leave" Henry continued.

"okay" Jessica responded.

"let me go to the doctor's office with you" Jewel said to Henry.

"okay" Henry responded.

Henry stood up from the bed and they left for the doctor's office.

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

Jewel lay on his bed, in his grandpa mansion, staring at the ceiling. He had already informed the police about Daniel whereabouts and they had gone in search for him. He was waiting for the Asp to call him and give him the good news that Daniel had been caught. His phone suddenly started ringing beside him on the bed. He took it from his bed and smiled when he realized that the call was from the Asp. He sat up and answered the call.

"hello, has that idiot been caught?" Jewel asked.

"I'm sorry vice president Edward, he had already escaped before my men got there." the Asp responded.

"that means he knew your men were coming" Jewel said.

"you don't have to worry. my men are still searching for him. you will hear good news from us very soon" the Asp said.

"I hope so" Jewel said, sadly.

"I will call you again when we have good news" the Asp said.

"okay" Jewel responded and ended the call.

He dialed Angel's number immediately. She picked after the second beep.

"my Jewel" Angel's voice sounded at the other end.

"my love. The police hasn't caught Daniel yet. He escaped before they got there." Jewel said.

"oh my God! This is bad. So what should we do now?" Angel asked.

"my love, it will be better if you come leave with me here in the mansion, for the meantime. Grandpa is not around. He travelled out of the country. Come stay with me here, until Daniel is caught. I need to ensure your safety. I can't have rest of mind, knowing you are staying alone, and Daniel is still out there. Please my love, come stay with me" Jewel said.

"okay, my Jewel. When should I come?" Angel asked.

"you can start coming now. Just pack few things and start coming." Jewel responded.

"okay, my love. I will start packing my things now" Angel responded.

"maybe I should come and pick you myself" Jewel said.

"no, don't bother. I'm already packing my things. I will be there in no time" Angel responded.

"okay, my love. please be fast. I don't know what Daniel is up to this time around." Jewel said.

"I will be fast. I just have to take some few things and start coming." Angel responded.

"okay, my love. I'm waiting" Henry said and ended the call.

He sighed in frustration and lay back on his bed.

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

Henry was seen in the kitchen, preparing dinner. He had been doing the cooking since they returned from the hospital, and he was happy doing it. Jessica suddenly walked into the kitchen.

"my love" she called.

Henry turned and saw her standing at the door. He walked to meet her immediately.

"my love, you shouldn't be here. you should be in your room. you are not strong enough. Just go back to your room, while I serve you dinner in bed." Henry said.

"my love, I'm okay. just let me do this. you can go to your room while I serve you dinner" Jessica responded.

"no, my love. I can't allow you to stress yourself. you need lot of rest. Just go back to your room and rest. I will serve you dinner when it's ready." Henry said.

"my love, I can't just sit in my room all day and do nothing. I will fall sick. I need to keep myself busy. please let me do this" Jessica said.

Henry thought for a while.

"okay then, join me let's prepare dinner together" Henry said.

"okay, my love. Thanks." Jessica responded and immediately joined him.

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

Jewel emerged from his bathroom and sat on his bed. He just finished having his bath. He took his phone from his bed to see if there was missed call, but there was none.

"Angel should be here already. Why hasn't she called. It's just one hour drive." he said.

He dialed her number immediately to know what was keeping her, but her number was not reachable.

"let me wait for 5 minutes before calling her again" he said.

He put on his dress and walked to the sitting room. The 8pm news had already started when he got to the sitting room. He sat down on the sofa and focused his attention on what the newscaster was saying.

"report just reaching us now said that a petrol tanker exploded on an expressway." the newscaster said.
" The tanker fell as a result of the terrible state of the road and spilled its content. The impact of the fall resulted in the explosion, in the process, other vehicles caught fire. An unknown number of people have died after so many cars were engulfed in the fire outbreak.
According to the Traffic Management Agency, more than 20 vehicles were affected in the inferno.
Security and traffic control agencies are yet to confirm how many lives and properties were affected but are currently rescuing survivors from the wreckages. An eyewitness said the accident occurred at 6: 50 pm. Among the vehicles affected were a BMW saloon with registration number BSC-864 AB, a Mitsubishi Canter bus with registration number DBA-935 EF, a Toyota Camry with registration number SDC-883 CB."

"oh my God!" Jewel screamed in shock and immediately stood up.

The Toyota Camry mentioned was exactly Angel's car. It had her car's registration number. He stared at the television in shock. After a while of standing aimlessly, he took his car key immediately from the table and rushed out of the sitting room.

I'm sorry for the late update. I was very busy.

Episode 63

Jessica was seen sitting on her hospital bed. Henry was also sitting beside him. He was massaging her shoulders. The door opened and Jewel walked in.

"Henry, how is Jessica? has she remembered anything?" Jewel asked, immediately.

"no, nothing" Henry responded, sadly.

Jewel held Jessica's hands and stared into her eyes.

"Jessica, don't you recognize me? please say you do" Jewel said.

Jessica didn't respond. She only stared blankly at Jewel.

"this is serious" Jewel said to Henry.
"how will she recover from this?"

"The doctor said she will recover faster if she keeps seeing things she is familiar with" Henry responded.

"that means she might recover quickly if we take her home. She might be able to recognize her house." Jewel said.

"I'm already planning to take her home tomorrow. The doctor already said that she's strong to leave." Henry responded.

The door opened again and Angel walked in, followed by Jane behind her. Jewel stared at Jane suspiciously, not sure why she followed Angel to the hospital. Angel quickly went to meet Jessica and sat down beside her.

"thank God you are awake. How are you feeling?" Angel asked.

Jessica didn't respond. She kept staring blankly into space.

"Angel, it is obvious that she has lost her memory" Jane said.

Jessica immediately turned to face Jane when she mentioned Angel.

"Angel!" she said to her.

Henry immediately held Jessica's hands and stared into her eyes.

"yes Angel, do you remember Angel" Henry asked, anxiously.

"Angel!" Jessica said again.

"yes, I'm here Jessica. Do you recognize me now?" Angel asked, curiously.

"Angel!" Jessica said again.

"yes, this is me. I'm here with you" Angel responded.

"Angel!" Jessica called, again.

"it seems like she remembered the name, but don't know who answers the name" Jane said.

"that means she is regaining her memory" Angel responded.

"Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel, Angel" Jessica kept calling, trying to remember where she has heard the name.

Her mind suddenly flashed back to when she was still held hostage by Daniel, Sniper and Gunshot.

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

FLASHED BACK TO WHEN JESSICA WAS HELD HOSTAGE BY DANIEL, SNIPER AND GUNSHOT

Jessica was seen lying on a bed in a room, with her hands and legs tied to the edges of the bed. She was struggling to set herself free. She couldn't scream or speak because her lips were also sealed. Sniper walked into the room some minutes later and remove the bandage on her lips. Jessica pleaded with him to let her go, but her plea fell on deaf ear because he just kept staring silently at her. Daniel walked into the room minutes later and immediately untied Jessica when he saw that she was tied. He told Sniper to always treat Jessica with respect because she was not a hostage. Daniel apologized to Jessica and told her to prepare dinner when she had rested, which Jessica agreed to. Daniel and Sniper left the room, while Jessica lay on the bed to rest. After a while of resting, she stood up from the bed and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She saw different foodstuffs in the kitchen and didn't know exactly what to prepare. She turned and walked to the direction of Daniel's room to ask him what she should prepare. Just as she tried to knock on the door, she heard Sniper's voice from within the room. His voice was not audible, so she couldn't hear what he was saying clearly. She placed her ear closely on the door to eavesdrop on then. She could hear their voices clearly when she placed her ear on the door.

"so boss, when we go get our own share of the property" Sniper asked.

"very soon" Daniel responded.

"very soon no be answer. I wan know the exact date" Sniper said.

"I promise to give it to you very soon" Daniel responded.

"come o, this one wey you just dey talk very soon, you sure say you never play us lambada. You better tell me the truth now before I gba your left eye." Sniper said, already angry.

"I didn't play any trick on you" Daniel responded.

"if I find out say you dey lie for me, I go first use my go to hell give you better confirm for face before I finally send you to hell." Sniper said, angrily.

"you are quick to anger. okay, I will give you guys your own share tomorrow." Daniel said.

"na now you dey talk" Sniper said, happily.
"before, you dey go yarn me one yeye epistle. you no know say, you suppose leave matter for Matthias."

"so we are good now" Daniel said.

"of course na" Sniper responded.
"so wetin you wan do with that lady we bring here?"

"no one should ever lay a finger on her. For your information, that lady is carrying my child. She should be treated with care. I already planned to spend the rest of my life with her. but before that, I will make sure I ruin Angel and Jewel relationship beyond repair. Over my dead body will those two be together. I will do everything possible to make sure that their relationship fail. Even if it means killing Jewel, I will do it. If I can't be with Angel, no one else can be with her. When I'm done ruining their relationship, I will start a new life with Jessica in a place no one will ever recognize us." Daniel said.

Jessica froze when Daniel said that. She couldn't believe her ears. She stared at the door open-mouthed. After standing at the door for few minutes, She quietly left before they would realize she was eavesdropping on them. She went back to the kitchen. She couldn't do anything. She just kept staring in shock.

"oh my God! so, Daniel is responsible for my pregnancy. That was why he brought me here. He is actually holding me hostage here. So, Daniel was the one that actually slept with me the day I got drunk and not Jewel. He took advantage of me when I was drunk. He must pay for this. He is even planning to ruin Angel and Jewel relationship. I need to inform Angel about this so that she will be careful. but how will I leave this place without their notice. If they ever find out that I'm trying to escape, they might lock me up in a room, and I will have no chance of ever escaping. I need to pretend as if everything is okay, so that they will let their guard down. I will have a better chance of escaping then. I just have to pretend for now" Jessica said.

While Jessica was still planning her best way to escape, Daniel walked into the kitchen.

"dinner is not ready yet. I'm just about to begin." Jessica said, masking her fear with a smile.

"I know. I just want to tell you something" Daniel responded.

"what is it?" Jessica asked.

"once you are done preparing dinner, make sure you eat yours first before going to inform Sniper and Gunshot that dinner is ready. And make sure you don't taste their food, or anything other food after you have eaten yours" Daniel said.

"why?" Jessica asked.

"just do as I say. I'm only trying to protect you" Daniel responded.

"okay, I have heard you" Jessica said.

"good. let me leave you now to prepare dinner" Daniel said.

"okay" Jessica responded.

Daniel turned and left the kitchen, while Jessica started preparing dinner. When dinner was ready, she did as Daniel instructed. She had dinner first before going to inform Sniper and Gunshot that dinner was ready. Gunshot came out alone to have dinner while Sniper remained in his room. Just after taking three spoon, Gunshot started coughing out blood. Jessica rushed to his aid. Sniper emerged from his room and saw Gunshot coughing out blood. He held Jessica and tried to strangle her for poisoning Gunshot. Daniel came to her rescue and gunned down both Sniper and Gunshot. Jessica screamed in shock, but Daniel calmed her down and made her believe he was only protecting her. Jessica went to bed afterwards. She woke up the next morning still in shock. Daniel entered her room and told her again he was only protecting her. He told Jessica to prepare breakfast so that they could eat. Jessica agreed and pretended like she was going to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She waited until she was sure that Daniel was in his room, then sneaked out of the kitchen and used that opportunity to escape.

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

CONTINUATION FROM THE HOSPITAL SCENE.

A tap from Angel brought Jessica back to reality. Jessica turned to face her.

"Angel!" Jessica called.

"yes, it is me. do you recognize me?" Angel asked.

"yes" Jessica responded.

"oh my God! she said yes" Angel said, happily.

Henry quickly held her face.

"do you recognize Angel?" Henry asked, anxiously.

"my love" Jessica called.

"wow! you recognize me" Henry said, happily.

"yes, my love" Jessica responded.

"wow! I'm very happy. This means you have regained you memory" Henry said.

"yes, my love" Jessica responded.

"this is good" Henry said.

Jessica quickly turned to face Angel.

"Angel!" she called.

"yes dear" Angel responded.

"you need to be very careful. Daniel is coming back for you. He has vowed to ruin your relationship with Jewel" Jessica said.

They all froze when Jessica said that.

Episode 62

Angel was seen in her kitchen, preparing dinner. She had already invited Jewel over, so that they would have dinner together. She left the kitchen and went to the sitting room to get something. Just as she turned to go back to the kitchen, a knock sounded on her door. She paused and turned to face her door.

"is Jewel here already? that was so fast. I haven't even finished preparing dinner" she said, smiling.

She walked to the door to see who was at the door. The smile on her face vanished when she opened the door and saw Jane standing at the door.

"Jane!" she called, surprised.

"Angel!" Jane said, happily and immediately hugged Angel.
"how are you?"

"I'm fine" Angel responded, still surprised.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted when we met at Royal Crown restuarant. I was very surprised to see you again after 7years, that was why." Jane said.

"it's okay. I understand. I was also surprised to see you" Angel responded.
"but how did you know where I stay?"

"I asked around. won't you invite me in?" Jane asked.

"I'm very sorry. please come in" Angel responded and gave way for her to enter.

"thank you" Jane responded and entered the house.

Angel closed the door and followed behind her.

"please have a seat" Angel said, pointing at the sofa.

"thanks" Jane responded and sat down.

"dinner is not ready yet. Let me get you juice, while we wait for dinner" Angel said.

"okay" Jane responded.

"give me a minute" Angel said and went into the kitchen.

Jane took her time to observe Angel's sitting room immediately she left. Angel emerged from the kitchen few minutes later with a glass of juice. She handed it to Jane and sat down beside her.

"thank you" Jane said.

"you are welcome" Angel responded.

"you and Jewel are dating now" Jane said.

"yes" Angel responded.

"that's good. I have always wanted Jewel to be with a nice lady. I'm glad to see that you are the one he is dating now. you are a nice lady, and I'm very sure you will take very good care of him. You know, when I was young, I used to think that Jewel and I were made for each other. I used to think that I would love to spend the rest of my life with him. But later, I realized that I only love him as a friend and nothing more. The one I truly love is Nate, and we are already dating. He is a businessperson and travels a lot. As we speak now, he has travelled out of the country." Jane said.

"I'm glad that you find someone you truly love" Angel responded.

"Angel, please take very good care of Jewel" Jane said.

Angel stood up from her seat.

"give me a minute. Let me see if dinner is ready. Jewel is coming to join us for dinner" Angel said.

"really! Jewel is coming here" Jane said, happily.

"yes. give me a minute" Angel said and went into the kitchen.

Angel emerged from the kitchen few minutes later.

"dinner is ready. let me set the dining for dinner" Angel said.

"let me join you" Jane said and stood up.

"are you sure about that?" Angel asked.

"yes" Jane responded.

"okay, let's head to the kitchen then" Angel said.

Just as they turned to go to the kitchen, the sitting room door opened and Jewel walked in. He paused when he saw Jane in the house. He stared at her suspiciously.

"hey, my love" Angel said and immediately went to hug him.
"you came at the right time. Dinner is ready"

"hi Jewel" Jane said, smiling.

"Jane, what are you doing here?" Jewel asked.

"I came to pay Angel a visit." Jane responded.

"I see" Jewel said.

"Jewel, I will like to apologize for how my friend spoke to you when we met at Edward Empire. I hope you forgive her" Jane said.

"it's nothing. I have forgotten about that already" Jewel responded.

"you guys have already met before at Edward Empire" Angel said.

"yes, we met at Edward Empire, when my boyfriend went there to submit his business proposal." Jane responded.

"oh, I see" Angel said and faced Jewel.
"my love, you can have your seat, while I serve dinner."

"okay" Jewel responded and went to the dining to sit down.

Jane assisted Angel in the kitchen and they served dinner. They all sat down in the dining and ate silently. When they were done eating, Jane thanked them and stood up to leave.

"okay Angel. Thank you very much for the meal" Jane said.

"you are welcome" Angel responded.

"see you some other time" Jane said.

"okay" Angel responded.

Jane walked to the door and left the house. Jewel turned to face Angel immediately Jane left.

"how did she know where you live?" Jewel asked.

"she said she asked around" Angel responded.

"Angel, you need to be careful of her. I don't know what her intentions are. why will she visit you all of a sudden" Jewel said.

"I don't think she has any bad intention. She only visited me because we haven't seen each other for 7years" Angel responded.

"you can't tell if she has bad intentions. I find it difficult to trust people these days, after what Daniel did. Some people will be smiling with you, but at the same time, harboring bad intentions in their mind. When sure people strike, it is always disastrous. Please my Angel, you need to be careful of her." Jewel said.

"my love don't worry. I will be very careful" Angel responded.

"okay, if you say so" Jewel said and sighed.

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

Henry was seen sitting beside Jessica, who was still lying on the hospital bed. She was still staring blankly into space. Henry held her hands and stared into her eyes.

"my love, you must be hungry. what will you like to eat?" Henry asked.

Jessica didn't respond. She just continued staring into space.

"my love, let me quickly get you something to eat. I will be back soon" Henry said, stood up and left her ward.

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

Angel sat in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. A knock sounded on her door. She stood up and went to see who was at the door. She opened the door and saw Jane.

"Jane!" she called.

"Angel!" Jane called also.

"please come in" Angel said.

"thank you" Jane responded and entered the house.

"please have a seat" Angel said.

Jane didn't sit down. She held Angel's hands instead.

"please Angel, can I ask you for a favour?" Jane asked.

"what is it?" Angel asked.

"my boyfriend is returning to the country very soon. I want to get him a gift, but don't know what exactly to get for him. Can you please follow me to the shopping mall, so that you can pick a nice gift for me" Jane said.

Angel thought for a while.

"please don't say no." Jane pleaded.

"okay, I will go with you" Angel responded.

"thank you very much. you are the best" Jane said, happily and hugged her.

"okay, let me quickly get dressed" Angel said.

"okay, I'm waiting" Jane responded.

Angel went into her room to get dressed, while Jane sat down on the sofa and fixed her gaze on the programme being displayed on t.v.
Angel emerged from her room few minutes later. Jane stood up immediately she saw Angel.

"you are ready" she said.

"yes" Angel responded.

"so we can start going then" Jane said.

"sure" Angel responded.

Just as they walked to the door, Angel's phone started ringing. She stopped and picked the call when she realized it was from Jewel.

"hello, my love" Angel said.

"Angel, I just received a call from Henry. He said Jessica is awake now" Jewel said at the other end.

"oh really! I'm very happy to hear this" Angel said, happily.

"but the problem is that she can't recognize anyone. Not even Henry" Jewel said.

"oh my God. This is really bad" Angel responded.
"where are you now?"

"I'm on my way to the hospital" Jewel responded.

"I'm coming right now. I will meet you there" Angel said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

Angel ended the call and immediately turned to face Jane.

"I'm sorry, I won't be able to go with you to the shopping mall." she said.

"why?" Jane asked.

"my friend who had an accident, and had been unconscious for days, just woke up. And now, she can't seem to recognize anyone" Angel said.

"oh! I'm very sorry for that" Jane said.

"thank you" Angel responded.

"can I go with you to the hospital?" Jane asked.

"I thought you said you are going to the shopping mall to get a gift for your boyfriend" Angel said

"I can do that another time" Jane responded.

"if it is okay with you, then no problem" Angel said.

"then let's start going" Jane said.

"okay" Angel responded.

They opened the door and left the house immediately.

Episode 61

Jane and Maureen fixed their gaze on the car that just drove into the compound, anxiously waiting for the occupant of the car to alight. The car doors opened to reveal Jewel and Angel inside. Jane and Maureen froze immediately they saw them. They stared at them open mouthed. Jewel and Angel alighted from the car. Jewel suddenly turned to see Jane and Maureen staring at him. His face suddenly curved in a smile. He tapped Angel who hasn't seen them yet.

"yes my love" Angel responded.

"That's my childhood friend over there. Let's go and say hello" Jewel said.

Angel turned and saw Jane staring at them.

"Jane!" she exclaimed.

"let's go and say hello" Jewel said.

"okay" Angel responded.

They walked to meet them, holding hands.

"hey Jane! how are you doing?" Jewel asked, smiling.

Jane didn't respond. She was dumbstruck. She just kept staring silently at them.

"Jane, I'm so happy to see you. long time. how are you?" Angel asked, happily.

Jane still didn't respond.

Jewel turned to face Maureen.

"hi Maureen. How are you?" he asked and flashed her a smile.
"I hope you are taking very good care of my childhood friend"

Maureen too didn't respond. Jewel kept smiling. He loved the expression he was seeing on their faces. He turned back to face Jane.

"actually, my love and I came here to have dinner. I can see you guys are already leaving. So let's not keep you guys waiting. We will just go ahead." Jewel said.

He turned to face Angel.

"my love, let's go" Jewel said.

"okay" Angel responded.

He held Angel around her waist and they walked into the restuarant. Jane stood still staring at their retreating figures with tearing eyes.

"Jane, let's leave" Maureen said.

Jane didn't respond.

"Jane, we have to leave now." Maureen said again when she didn't respond.

Jane sighed and turned to face Maureen.

"okay, let's leave" Jane responded.

They entered the car and drove off.

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

Jane opened the door to her sitting room and stomped inside, slamming the door behind her. The door opened again and Maureen also entered. Jane walked to the direction of her room without sparing Maureen a glance.

"Jane wait. why the rush?" Maureen asked.

Jane stopped and immediately turned to face Maureen.

"what?!" Jane asked and glared at her.

"what happened? why are you giving me that look?" Maureen asked.

"why won't I give you the look?" Jane barked.

Her sudden anger startled Maureen. she stared at Jane for a while, then spoke.

"Jane, what have I done wrong? why are you raising your voice?" Maureen asked, surprised.

"why won't I raise my voice?" Jane asked, angrily.
"if not for your silly advice, Jewel and I wouldn't have been separated. I would have been the one by his side and not Angel. You made me lose the only guy I love. Now see what that has resulted to"

"but Jane, you were dating Nate then. would you have broken up with him?" Maureen asked.

"yes I would have. Jewel is the only guy I love. I can never love another guy the way I love Jewel. You couldn't imagine how happy I was, when I saw him that day, after many years. I was so eager to be in his arms once more, but you ruined my chance of being with my Jewel, with your silly advice" Jane responded.

"so, you would have gone back to him, even when you knew he was just a cleaner" Maureen said.

"does the Jewel we saw today look like a cleaner to you" Jane barked.

Maureen paused for a while.

"it seems our conversation is heading nowhere. I will just leave and come back tomorrow" Maureen said.

She turned and left the sitting room. Jane also stomped into her room, slamming the door behind her.

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

Jessica was seen in the hospital ward, lying on the hospital bed. She was still asleep. She was in the ward alone. She suddenly opened her eyes. She stared blankly into space. She didn't even make any attempt to observe her environment. She just kept staring blankly into space. The door suddenly opened and Henry walked in. He rushed to meet Jessica when he saw her already awake. He sat down beside her on the bed and held her hands

"my love, thank God you are awake. I was very worried. How are you? are you feeling any pain? if you are feeling pain anywhere, just tell me so that I can call the doctor. My love, I'm very sorry that I wasn't able to protect you. I won't allow you to get hurt anymore. I will always be by your side. My love, tell me, are you feeling pain anywhere?" Henry asked.

Jessica didn't respond. She just kept staring blankly into space.

"my love, what's wrong? please talk to me" Henry said.

Jessica still didn't respond. She continued staring blankly into space.

"what's wrong?" Henry asked, already very worried.
"My love, I will be back. Let me quickly call the doctor" He said and immediately left the ward.

Henry entered the ward few minutes later with the doctor.

"doctor, she is awake, but won't say anything to me" Henry said.

The doctor went to meet her and examined her. He turned to face Henry when he was done.

"see me in my office" the doctor said and left the ward.

"my love, I will be back soon" Henry said to Jessica and kissed her forehead.

He turned and followed the doctor.

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

Jane was seen in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. She was watching the programme not because it was interesting, but to help her take her mind off her worries. Her door suddenly opened and Maureen walked in. She walked to meet Jane and sat down beside her.

"Jewel is not who we thought he was" Maureen said.

Jane turned to face her immediately.

"what do you mean?" Jane asked.

"you remember that day we went with Nate to Edward Empire to submit his business proposal" Maureen said.

"yes, the day we also met my Jewel, working as a cleaner there" Jane responded.

"will you believe me if I tell you that Jewel was never a cleaner in that company. He just pretended to be. Jewel is actually the vice president of Edward Empire" Maureen said.

"oh my God!" Jane exclaimed.
"are you serious about this? my Jewel is actually the vice president of Edward Empire"

"yes, but I don't know why he pretended to be a cleaner" Maureen responded.

"so my Jewel is the vice president of Edward Empire. I deserve to be with him now. I deserve to be the one enjoying his wealth and not Angel. I have been with him through hard and tough time. We grew up together. We had always been there for each other. We know everything about each other. We had already promised to spend the rest of our life together when we were kid. Someone else shouldn't come between us. I deserve to be the one by his side and not Angel. She only met him recently. She knows nothing about Jewel's childhood. She met him when he was already rich. I'm part of those that made Jewel what he is today. Angel can't come from nowhere and claim what I laboured for." Jane said.

"so what are you going to do now?" Maureen asked.

"are you asking me? it's not as if Jewel will ever look at my face again. All these wouldn't have happened if not for your stupid advice. Don't think I have forgiven you, because I haven't" Jane responded.

She stood up from her seat and stomped into her room, slamming the door behind her. Maureen stood up also and left her house.

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

Angel was seen in her kitchen, preparing dinner. She had already invited Jewel over, so that they would have dinner together. She left the kitchen and went to the sitting room to get something. Just as she turned to go back to the kitchen, a knock sounded on her door. She paused and turned to face her door.

"is Jewel here already? that was so fast. I haven't even finished preparing dinner" she said, smiling.

She walked to the door to see who was at the door. The smile on her face vanished when she opened the door and saw Jane standing at the door.

Episode 60

Jewel and Angel were still with Henry in his house. They were already about to leave Henry's house after spending hours there. Just as they stood up to leave, Jewel's phone started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and answered the call.

"hello................ are you serious?" he asked, happily.
"where is she now?..................hospital!!.............. Which hospital?............okay, we are coming there right now." he said and ended the called.

He quickly turned to face Henry.

"Henry, Jessica has been found" he. said.

"where? when? where is she now?" Henry asked, happily.

"she is in the hospital" Jewel responded.

"what!" Henry exclaimed.
"which hospital? I want to go and see her now."

"let's go together" Jewel said.

"I'm going with you guys" Angel said.

"let's start going already" Henry said, anxiously.

"okay" Jewel responded and they all left the house immediately.

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

A car drove into the compound of a bungalow and parked at the parking lot. Jane alighted from the car and went to the boot to bring out the things she bought from the market. The bungalow belong to her boyfriend, Nate. She lives there with him. Her boyfriend was currently not staying there, because he had travelled out of the country for business purpose for a while and hasn't returned. She had been living there alone for weeks. They always spoke on phone, but of recent, she hasn't been able to reach him because his phone was not going through. She just pray and hope everyday that her boyfriend was alright.

She carried the stuffs she bought from the market and walked to her door. Just as she opened the door to enter, Maureen rushed into the compound, holding a newspaper. Jane saw her and stopped. Maureen rushed to meet immediately, sweating profusely.

"Maureen what's wrong? who is chasing you?" Jane asked, curiously.

"Jane, have you heard?" Maureen asked, gasping.

"heard what?" Jessica asked, anxiously.

"Nate was arrested this morning at the airport in Cambodia, trying to smuggle hard drugs into the country. Nate is a drug dealer." Maureen said sadly and gave Jane the newspaper in her hand for her to see for herself.

Jane stared at the paper in shock.

"oh my God!" she exclaimed.
"no, no, no. This can't be true. This is no true. not my Nate. Nate is not a drug dealer. He is a legit business man. I can't believe this. There must be a miss up somewhere. This is certainly not my Nate."

"but that's him on the newspaper" Maureen said.

"I said no" Jane screamed
"not my Nate"

She dropped the stuffs she bought from the market on the floor and ran into her room in tears. Maureen picked up her stuffs from the floor and ran after her.

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

Jewel, Angel and Henry were seen in the doctor's office, waiting anxiously for him to come and inform them about Jessica's conditions. Jewel and Henry were occupying the only two available visitor's seat in the office, while Angel was standing behind Jewel. The door suddenly opened and the doctor walked in. Henry stood up immediately he saw him. He held the doctor's hands.

"doctor, how is she? how is my fiancée?" Henry asked, anxiously.

"please have your sit" the doctor said.

Henry sat down back on his seat. The doctor also sat down.

"doctor, how is my fiancée? Please tell me she's fine" Henry said.

"She is out of danger for now. She didn't sustain any internal injury on her body, but has a closed head injury which was as a result of hitting her head on a hard object. This injury on her head has resulted to hematoma. A hematoma is a collection, or clotting, of blood outside the blood vessels. It can be very serious if a hematoma occurs in the brain. but thank God the injury didn't affect her brain. Some of the effects this injury might have on her include;headache, lightheadedness, a spinning sensation, mild confusion, nausea, temporary ringing in the ears and in some cases, memory loss. But we will have to wait until she wakes up to know if the injury on her head affects her memory." the doctor said.

Henry sigh in frustration.

"why did this have to happen to my fiancée." he said, sadly.
"doctor please you have to do everything possible to save her."

"don't worry, she will be fine." the doctor responded.

"doctor, can we see her now?" Henry asked.

"there's one more thing" the doctor said

"what is it?" Jewel asked.

"I'm sorry, she lost her pregnancy" the doctor said.

Henry took a deep breath.

"it's okay doctor. can we see her now" Henry asked.

"yes, you can see her. but make sure you don't disturb her. Don't try to wake her up" The doctor responded.

"thank you doctor" Jewel said.

"you are welcome" the doctor responded.

They all left the doctor's office.

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

Jane was seen in her bedroom, lying on her bed. She was staring silently at the ceiling. She hasn't recovered from the bad news she received earlier in the day. Her door suddenly opened and Maureen walked in. She went to sit beside Jane.

"don't tell me you have been lying here all day. Jane you have to accept the fact that Nate will not be coming back to you. He will be spending the rest of his life in prison. That's what the law there says. Another caught selling drugs is sentenced to life in prison. You have to accept the fact and move on with your life. They are lot of other fishes in the sea you can catch. Go out there and mingle. You are a very beautiful lady. There are lot of guy out there who will do anything to date you. Go out there and make your choice. I'm very sure you will find someone more handsome and richer than Nate" Maureen advised.

"Maureen how can you say sure a thing. Have you forgotten all what Nate has done for me. So I should just forget about him just like that" Jane said.

"I know what he has done, and we are very grateful. But we are talking about someone who will be spending the rest of his life in prison. So just because of what he has done for you, you won't move on with your life. You have to start afresh. Look for the next rich guy in town and date. Life goes on, Jane." Maureen advised.

"this won't be fair on Nate" Jane said.

"it won't be fair if you remain single for long just because of Nate. You need a guy to take care of you." Maureen responded.

"what do you suggest I do?" Jane asked.

"now you are talking" Maureen said, happily.
"just get dressed let's go to Royal Crown restuarant to have dinner. I'm sure you will get your next boyfriend there. A rich guy for that matter. That restuarant is only patronize by wealthy people."

"okay, okay. I have heard you. I will forget about Nate and start afresh" Jane responded.

"that's my baby" Maureen said.
"okay, now get dressed let's leave"

Jane reluctantly got up from her bed and dressed up. They left her room when she was ready.

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

Jewel emerged from his bathroom and sat on his bed. He just finished having his bath. He picked up his phone from his bed and dialed Angel's number. She picked up after the second beep.

"my Jewel" Angel's voice sounded at the other end.

"hey my love. how are you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm fine" Angel responded.

"are you at home?" Jewel asked.

"yes, my love" Angel responded.

"I was thinking, maybe we should go on a date tonight. A lot has happened lately, which had prevented us from being together. Let's go on a date tonight." Jewel said.

"okay my love. where do you think we should go?" Angel asked.

"Royal Crown restuarant. Just get prepared. I will come and pick you up at your place" Jewel responded.

"okay, I will be waiting for you" Angel responded.

"see you soon" Jewel said.

"see you too" Angel responded.

Jewel ended the call and quickly dressed up. He left his room when he is set.

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

Jewel drove his Lamborghini aventador into Angel's compound and parked at the parking lot. That was his second time of driving the car since his grandpa bought it for him. His first time was the day his grandpa presented it to him. Even Angel didn't know he has sure an expensive car.

Jewel alighted from the car, brought out his phone and dialed Angel's number. She picked up after the second beep.

"hello my love" Angel said.

"I'm in the compound already" Jewel said.

"okay my love. I'm coming out now" Angel responded and ended the call.

Jewel stood beside his car waiting for Angel to arrive. Angel emerged from the house few minutes later. She paused when she saw Jewel's car. She stared at the car in amazement. After admiring the beauty of the car for a while, she walked to meet Jewel.

"is this yours?" she asked.

"yes. grandpa bought it for me" Jewel responded.

"wow! I love it" Angel said.

"thanks. I'm glad you like it" Jewel responded.

"it is very cool" Angel said.

Jewel opened the door for her to enter.

"shall we" he said.

"sure" Angel responded and entered the car like a queen she is.

Jewel entered the car also and drove out of the compound.

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

Jane and Maureen were seen sitting at the far left in Royal Crown restuarant. They just finished having dinner and were about leaving.

"okay Jane. let's start leaving" Maureen said.

"okay" Jane responded.

"so tell me, how do you feel now?" Maureen asked.

"relieved" Jane responded.

"I told you" Maureen said.

They stood up and went out of the restuarant. They walked to were Jane's car was parked in the compound. Just as they opened the doors to enter the car, Jewel's Lamborghini aventador drove into the compound. They paused and fixed their gaze on the car. They couldn't see the occupants in the car because the glasses were tinted.

"wow! what a nice ride" Maureen said to Jane, staring at the car in amazement.

Jane didn't respond. She only continue staring at the car in amazement.

"whoever owns this car must be very rich" Maureen said.

"yes" Jane responded, still admiring the beauty of the car.

"Jane, this is your opportunity. If the occupant of that car is a guy, you shouldn't waste time to approach him. you should approach him and get his number. I'm sure he won't be able to resist your beauty." Maureen said.

"let's wait and see who the occupant is then" Jane responded.

They fixed there gaze on the car, anxiously waiting for the occupant of the car to alight. The car doors opened to reveal Jewel and Angel inside. Jane and Maureen froze immediately they saw them.

Episode 59

It was already daybreak. Jessica sat on her bed, staring into air in shock. She still hasn't recovered from what happened the previous night. Her door suddenly opened and Daniel walked in. He went to sit beside her on her bed.

"are you okay?" he asked.

Jessica didn't respond. She kept staring silently into air.

"Jessica, I want to tell you that what happened last night was for your protection. I did it to protect you. If I didn't kill them, they would have harmed you. So don't see me as a bad person. I'm only protecting." Daniel explained.

Jessica still didn't respond. She continued staring silently into air. Daniel held her hands and stared into her eyes.

"Jessica please say something. Don't just keep silent." Daniel said.

Jessica took a deep breath.

"I understand. I know you are only trying to protect. I was just shocked by what happened last night. I haven't witnessed sure a thing before. Don't worry, I will be okay" Jessica said.

Daniel heaved a sigh of relief.

"thank God you understand me. I thought you would see me as a bad person after what happened last night." Daniel said.

"no, I didn't. I know you did it to protect me" Jessica responded.

"thank you" Daniel said.

"you must be hungry, while not go to your room and rest while I prepare breakfast" Jessica said.

"okay. Thank you very much" Daniel said.

"you are welcome" Jessica responded.

"I will be in my room. once breakfast is ready, just let me know" Daniel said.

"okay. I will call you once I'm done preparing breakfast." Jessica responded.

Daniel stood up and left her room. Jessica heaved a sigh of relief immediately he left.

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

Jewel sat on his bed, in his grandpa's mansion, dressing up to go out. He put on his shoes and stood up from his bed. His phone suddenly started ringing. He answered the call when he realized it was from Angel.

"my love" Jewel said.

"my Jewel, are you at home?" Angel asked.

"yes, but I'm about going out" Jewel responded.

"where are you going to?" Angel asked.

"I'm going to see Henry. will you like to go with me?" Jewel asked.

"yes, I will. I haven't seen him seen Jessica was abducted" Angel responded.

"okay, I'm coming over to you place now, so that we can go together" Jewel said.

"okay, I'm waiting" Angel responded.

Jewel ended the call, took his car key and left his room.

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

Daniel lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was waiting for Jessica to inform him that breakfast is ready. He had been waiting for quite a long time. He suddenly sat up on his bed.

"it's been 2 hours since Jessica started preparing breakfast. She should be done by now. why hasn't she called me yet. Is breakfast taking that long to prepare." he said.
"let me go and see what's delaying her"

He stood up from his bed and walked to the door. He opened the door and went to the sitting room. Jessica wasn't in the sitting room. Even the dining was not set for breakfast.

"what's going on? is Jessica still preparing breakfast up till now. I'm very hungry already and need to eat something." He said and walked to the kitchen.

He froze when he got to the kitchen and realized that nothing was being prepared. Jessica too was not even in the kitchen.

"what's going on?" he asked, surprised.
"she isn't even preparing any food. what was she doing all this while? or is she sleeping? she can't be sleeping when she knows she has to prepare something."

He left the kitchen and headed straight to Jessica's room. He froze again when he entered her room and realized she was not there.

"what's going on? Jessica is not in the kitchen and neither is she in her room. Where could she be?" he asked.

He thought for a while and immediately rushed out of her room. He headed straight to the compound. He emerged from the building and saw the compound gate wide opened. He froze immediately.

"Jessica had escaped. I need to look for her immediately. she wouldn't have gone far." he said and immediately ran after her.

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

Jessica was seen in the middle of a forest, trying to find her way back home. She had been running for hours and couldn't find her way to any busy road. It was as if she had been running in a circle. She was very tired and was breathing heavily. She wanted to rest, but know she couldn't, because Daniel might catch up with her. Instead, she trudged alone the narrow path in the forest, with the hope that she would still get out of the forest. The forest was nut-brown. The trees were ancient and rough. twigs were crunching under her feet as she walked. A faint rustling could be heard as small rodents scampered through the foliage. Nuts were scattered on the floor of the forest. birds were twittering and flying from tree to tree. squirrels were chattering, leaves rustling, wind whistling around trunks, insects were humming. She kept walking, even as she kept hearing different sounds in the forest. She was very scared being there alone. She wasn't sure if there were wild animals around the forest. She prayed silently not to come in contact with anything that might harm her. She wondered how a house would be built in a forest. She couldn't think of any reason why someone will choose to build a house in a forest, out of all places in the world. She just hope she would get out of the forest alive. After walking for a while, she stopped and sighed in frustration.

"if I knew this is what I will face, I wouldn't have escaped. How can I find my way back home from here. where will I go from here? what should I do now? this is so frustrating." She said.

After standing for a while, she continued walking.

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

Henry sat on the sofa in the sitting room, staring silently into air. That was what he had been doing all day. A knock sounded on the door and the door opened almost immediately to reveal Jewel and Angel. Henry stood up immediately he saw Jewel and rushed to meet him.

"any news about Jessica? has she been found? Did she come with you?" Henry asked, anxiously.

"I'm sorry, Henry. The police hasn't found her yet, but they are searching everywhere for her. I'm sure they will find her soon." Jewel responded.

Henry sighed in frustration and went back to sit on the sofa. Jewel and Angel entered the sitting room and sat down on the sofa opposite him.

"I don't know why Daniel is doing this. When is he keeping Jessica hostage up till now. I'm the one he is angry at. Why not face me instead. Why must he use Jessica to punish me. I don't even know if Jessica is okay. How will she be okay being with that devil." Henry said.

"I'm sure he won't harm her. She will soon be found. Daniel can't hide her forever." Jewel said.

Angel stood up from her seat and went to sit beside Henry. She held him and patted his back.

"I know you are very worried, but you have to be strong. I know Jessica will return very soon. You have to stay healthy to receive her when she returns" Jessica said.

"thank you very much, Angel" Henry said.

"Jessica will come back to us very soon. I'm sure of that" Angel said.
"have you had breakfast?"

"no" Henry responded.

"it seems I will be the one to prepare breakfast for you today, but from tomorrow, Jessica will take over because she would have returned." Angel said.

"thank you very much, Angel" Henry said.

"let me go and prepare breakfast then" Angel said.

She turned to face Jewel.

"my Jewel, I will be in the kitchen" she said.

"okay my love" Jewel responded.

Angel stood up and walked to the kitchen.

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

Jessica was still seen in the forest. She wasn't running anymore, neither was she walking. She was seen sitting beside a tree, with her back resting on the tree. She was already exhausted and needed to rest. After resting for a while, she stood up to continue her journey to nowhere. Just as she took her first step, she had sounds of moving vehicles from afar.

"wow! those are moving vehicle. That's means I'm finally getting out of this forest." she said, happily.

She hastened her step towards the direction the sound came from. After walking for a while, she started seeing vehicles moving speedily on a main road. She heaved a sigh of relief immediately.

"thank God, I'm finally out of this forest."she said.

She got to the road side and stood there, waiting for a good Samaritan that would offer to give her a lift. The road was very wide, with tall bushes on both sides. Except for the vehicles moving on the road, nothing else could be seen on the road. After standing at the road side for a while, She suddenly turned to the direction she came out from and froze immediately, when she saw Daniel running towards her from afar.

"Jessica stop. please stop" Daniel screamed as he ran towards her.

"oh my God! He is here already" Jessica exclaimed in fear.

She immediately crossed the road without looking and was knocked down by a speedy car. Her head hit a rock when she fell. Daniel froze immediately. He stood still and stared at her from afar in shock. The three occupants of the car quickly alighted and rushed to meet Jessica. She was lying unconscious on the floor. Her face was covered with blood. She wasn't moving. One of the occupant of the car quickly squatted beside her and felt her pulse.

"she's still alive" he said, immediately.
"let's quickly take her to the hospital"

They immediately carried Jessica into the car and drove off.

Daniel didn't move an inch from where he was standing until the car drove off. He was so shocked to see Jessica being hit that way by a car. He couldn't tell if Jessica would survive that. He suddenly sat on the floor and placed his hands on his head.

Episode 58

Angel stared at Jewel in shock, as he explained. She suddenly lost her voice. She couldn't even say a word.

"my love, you have to forgive me" Jewel pleaded.

He tried to hold her hand but she jolted his hand and immediately gave him a resounding slap.

Jewel held his face and stared at her in shock.

"that's for deceiving me all this while" Angel said.

"I'm very sorry" Jewel said, still holding his face.

Angel stared at him for a while, then knelt down also and hugged him tightly.

"my Jewel" she said.

Jewel heaved a sigh of relief and also embraced her tightly. For a moment, he thought she would leave him again. They embraced each other tightly. After a while of deafening silence, Angel finally spoke.

"my Jewel, I know you are very smart and hardworking. I know you wouldn't give up after what happened back then in school. I know you would strive to be successful. My Jewel never gives up. Thank you for making me proud." Angel said.

"thank you for always being there for me. you are one in a million" Jewel responded.

"I'm so happy right now, my love" Angel said, happily.

Jewel stood up.

"come with me, my love. Let me take you round the house." Jewel said.

"okay, my love" Angel responded and stood up.

Jewel held her hand and led her out of the sitting room.

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

Jessica was seen lying on a bed in a room, with her hands and legs tied to the edges of the bed. She was struggling to set herself free. She couldn't scream or speak because her lips were also sealed. The room was dark. She couldn't see clearly. After struggling to free herself without success, she gave up and awaited what her fate would be. The door suddenly opened and Sniper walked in. He switched on the light and the room became bright. He walked to meet Jessica and sat beside her on the bed. Jessica tried to speak but couldn't because her lips were sealed with a bandage. Sniper stared at her for a while, then remove the bandage on her lips. Jessica took a deep breath when the bandage was removed from her lips.

"who are you? why are you holding me hostage? She asked.

Sniper didn't respond. He just kept staring silently at her.

"please I want to go home. I beg you in the name of God, let me go" she pleaded.

Sniper didn't respond. He continued staring silently at her.

The door suddenly opened again, and Daniel walked in.

"oh my God!" he exclaimed when he saw Jessica tied on the bed.

He quickly went to her and untied her. He turned to face Sniper when he wad done.

"who told you to tie her up. Do you think we took her hostage? I brought her here to keep her save. I want to protect her myself. so you should treat her with respect." Daniel said.

"sorry boss" Sniper apologized.

"by the way, where is Gunshot?" Daniel asked.

"hin go arrange smoke wey we go smoke this night" Sniper responded.

"okay" Daniel said and turned back to face Jessica.
"I'm very sorry for the way these guys treated you. They misunderstood, that's why"

"Daniel, what am I doing here? I want to go home" Jessica said.

"you can't go home. Home is not safe. You will have to stay here for a while until I'm sure it's safe to go back home." Daniel responded.

"what happened? why will my own house not be safe for me?" Jessica asked.

"someone is trying to kill you. If we didn't bring you here when we did, you would have been dead by now" Daniel responded.

"but who will want to kill me?" Jessica asked, surprised.

"we don't know yet. That's why you need to stay here until we find out who is after your life." Daniel responded.

"no, I can't stay here. I need to go back to my fiance. I need to be with Henry. My fiance needs me." Jessica said.

"Henry knows you are here. He was the one that instructed me to bring you here, when he realized that your life is in danger." Daniel responded.

"that's a lie. If Henry knows that I'm here, he would have come to see me already." Jessica said.

"he is busy trying to find who wants to harm you. That's why he hasn't come." Daniel responded.

"I don't believe that. If my life is in danger, Henry would have been here by my side to protect me" Jessica said.

"okay, since you don't believe me, I will tell Henry to come and see you tomorrow, so that you will know that we are actually trying to protect you" Daniel responded

"really! you will do that? you will tell him to come and meet me here?" Jessica asked.

"yes, so that you will believe that I'm actually doing this to protect you" Daniel responded.

"if I see my fiance, then I will believe you are keeping me here to protect me" Jessica said.

"you will see him, but for now, you have to promise me that you won't leave this building. You can go to the sitting room to watch t.v when you are bored, or any other room of your choice, but just make sure you don't leave this building. We don't know who might try to harm you out there" Daniel said.

"I promise, I won't leave this building" Jessica responded.

"good, so how are you? how is your body?" Daniel asked.

"I'm fine" Jessica responded.

"and the baby? I hope the baby is fine too" Daniel said and tried to touch Jessica's stomach, but she immediately stopped him.

"what are you doing?" Jessica asked, surprised.

"trying to see if the baby if okay" Daniel responded.

"my baby is fine" Jessica responded.

"okay, that's good to know" Daniel said.

"thank you" Jessica responded.

"okay let me leave you to rest. When you are done resting, you can prepare dinner for us all to eat" Daniel said.

"okay" Jessica responded.

Daniel stood up and left the room with Sniper.

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

Henry sat in his sitting room, staring into air. It was already dark and he hasn't heard anything from his fiancée. He was very worried. When he was tired of sitting, he stood up and paced in his sitting room. After a while, he went back to sit on the sofa. He suddenly stood up, took his car key and left the sitting room.

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

Sniper and Gunshot were seen in their room already asleep. A knock suddenly sounded on their door. Gunshot woke up and reluctantly sat up on the bed.

"who be that?" he asked.

The door opened to reveal Jessica standing at the door.

"wetin happen?" Gunshot asked.

"dinner is ready" Jessica responded.

"okay, I don hear" Gunshot said.

Jessica closed the door and left. Gunshot tapped Sniper who was still asleep.

"wetin happen?" Sniper asked with a sleepy voice.

"food don ready. Make we go chop" Gunshot responded.

"dey go, I dey come. I dey your back" Sniper said.

"okay" Gunshot responded and stood up from the bed.

He went to the sitting room and saw Jessica watching a programme on tv.

"where the food?" Gunshot asked.

"over there" Jessica responded, pointing to the dining.

"okay" Gunshot said and went to the dining.

He sat down, opened the plate of food and took a spoonful into his mouth. He turned to face Jessica.

"this your food make sense o. wetin you use cook am?" Gunshot asked.

"nothing" Jessica responded.

"na 5 rounds I wan eat like this. So if anyone remain for kitchen, make you go bring am come." Gunshot said.

Jessica didn't respond. Gunshot took another spoonful into his mouth. He wanted to take his third spoon but paused. He dropped the spoon and placed a hand on his stomach.

"why my belle con dey bite me" Gunshot said.

He tried to continue eating but couldn't.

"aurrrgghh! my belle" he suddenly screamed in pain.

"what's wrong?" Jessica asked.

"wetin you put for my food?" Gunshot asked.

"I don't get you" Jessica said.

Just as he was about to speak further, he coughed and some blood spilled from his mouth.

"oh my God!" Jessica exclaimed and rushed to meet him.

She held him.

"what's wrong with you?" she asked, already very worried.

Sniper suddenly emerged from his room and saw Gunshot in the dining, coughing out blood. He rushed to me him. He pushed Jessica aside and held Gunshot.

"guy wetin happen? why you dey vomit blood?" Sniper asked, with his eyes widen in shock.

"this girl don use me count score." Gunshot responded and coughed out more blood.

"how?" Sniper asked.

"she poisoned me. I don suffer. so for this life wey I come, na girl use me count score." Gunshot said, still spilling blood from his mouth.

"my guy, I beg no do this, stay with me" Sniper said, with teary eyes.

"sorry bro. I no sure say I fit survive this one" Gunshot responded.

Sniper left Gunshot and immediately dragged Jessica roughly. He held her neck, almost strangling her.

"wetin you do my paddy?" Sniper asked, angrily.

"nothing" Jessica managed to say.

She was already finding it difficult to breathe.

"if you no tell me, I go kill you right now" Sniper said and tightened his grip on her neck.

Jessica was almost giving up. She couldn't breath anymore.

"let her go or I will blow your brain" Sniper heard behind him.

He left Jessica and turned to see Daniel pointing a gun at him.

"guy, wetin you dey do? why you dey point me gun? this lady don poison Gunshot" Sniper said.

"no, she didn't poison Gunshot. I did. The poison was actually meant for both of you, but it's seems you are lucky. That doesn't mean you won't die today" Daniel responded.

"guy, wetin you dey talk. remember say we say your life." Sniper said.

"you saved my life because you actually believed I have billions to give you, but I'm sorry to disappoint you, I don't have anything. I only lied to save myself. I'm just a common employee in a company. My father is not rich. He don't even have a plot of land, not to talk of properties that are worth billions. I have a rich uncle, but aren't you so dumb no to realize that his wealth are for his children. Everything I said to you then were all lies. I said all that to save myself, and you actually fell for it. Now, I know it pays to be a smart guy. If I wasn't this smart, I would be dead by now. Don't worry, I will forever be indebted to you. I will work very hard to make billions. Once I make billions, I will send yours to you in your grave. That will be fair right" Daniel said and laughed out loud.

"my guy, you no need to kill me. we fit still settle this. make e no end like this" Sniper said.

Just when Sniper was about to speak further, Daniel fired a bullet into his head and his blood splashed on Jessica's face. Jessica screamed in horror. Daniel fired a bullet also on the already dying Gunshot. He walked to meet Sniper, who was already lying flat on the ground.

"don't worry, I will send you your billions in your grave" he said and fired another bullet into his stomach.

Episode 57

Henry sat down in the sitting room, staring into air. He was completely lost in thought. His door suddenly opened and Jewel rushed in. He went straight to meet Henry.

"Henry, what was that you told me on phone?" Jewel asked, immediately.

"Jessica has been abducted. Daniel has kidnapped Jessica" Henry responded, sadly.

"when did this happened?" Jewel asked.

"Not long ago. I didn't see Jessica at home when I returned. I thought she would have gone out to get something, only to receive a call from Daniel, telling me that I will never see her again." Henry responded, sobbing.

"this is serious" Jewel said.

"what will happen to Jessica now. will he kill her to get revenge on me. Daniel is a very evil person. He can do anything to achieve his aim. what if he ends up killing Jessica" Henry said, sadly.

"he won't harm her. not when he knows that Jessica is carrying his child. I believe that's the main reason he abducted her. He didn't abduct her because he wants to harm her, but because she's carrying his child." Jewel responded.

"Jewel, I don't know what I will do if anything happens to Jessica. How am I going to get her back now?" Henry asked.

"Henry, you don't need to worry too much. I will make sure I do everything possible to get Jessica back. Even if it means spending my last penny, I will do it." Jewel responded.

"how is that possible, Jewel. you don't even have a good job" Henry said.

"Henry, I'm not who you think I am. I kept my identity hidden all this while, because I thought you were the enemy." Jewel said.

"I don't understand" Henry said.

"I'm not actually a cleaner at Edward Empire. I'm the vice president of that company. The company belongs to my grandfather. I decided to keep my identity hidden when I realized you applied for a job at the company. I thought you were the one that set me up, back then at the university. I wanted to get my revenge on you. Now that I know you had nothing to do with what happened to me at the university, I don't think it's proper keeping it a secret from you anymore" Jewel said.

Henry stared at him in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Jewel, are you serious about what you just said?" Henry asked.

"yes, I'm very serious" Jewel responded.

Henry stared at him for a while, then knelt down before him.

"Henry, what are you doing?" Jewel asked, surprised.

"Jewel, I know I have wronged you. I know I have said lot of mean words to you, but you have to forgive me. Please help me save Jessica from Daniel." Henry begged.

Jewel quickly assisted him up.

"you don't need to apologize to me. You did nothing wrong. As for Daniel, I will make sure that he is caught. Even if it means using all my resources, I will do it. No matter where he hides, he will be caught. I will make sure that his pictures are spread all over the country, and he will be declared wanted. He has done more than enough, and this time, I will deal with him in a ruthless way. I'm sure he won't harm Jessica. He is keeping her hostage because she's carrying her baby. So you have to calm down, while I begin work immediately to rescue her." Jewel said.

"thank you very much Jewel. I really appreciate it" Henry said.

"you don't have to worry too much. Jessica will soon return to you. I promise you that" Jewel said.

"I hope so" Henry responded and sighed.

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

Angel sat in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. Her door suddenly opened and Jewel walked in. He walked to meet her and immediately hugged her.

"you spent a lot of time with Henry. what happened? what were you discussing? why did he called you? is it about the baby?" Angel asked.

"my love, a lot has happened." Jewel responded and sat beside her.

"what happened?" Angel asked, curiously.

"Daniel is evil. That guy is a devil" Jewel said.

"what did he do?" Angel asked.

"could you believe that all what happened to me back then at the university were all Daniel's doing." Jewel said.

"I don't get you, my love." Angel said.

"starting from the warning messages that I received countless time, to the poisonous food I ate. Even the answer booklet that was found on me in the examination hall, were all Daniel's doing" Jewel said.

"Oh my God! tell me you are joking" Angel said, surprised.

"my love, I'm not joking. I'm very serious." Jewel responded.

"how did you get to know all these?" Angel asked.

"he confessed it to me today" Jewel responded.

"but why did he do all that to you?" Angel asked.

"he said I was trying to court the woman he likes." Jewel responded.

"and who is that lady that will make him do all that to you?" Angel asked.

"you" Jewel responded.

Angel paused for a while.

"I don't get you." Angel said.

"yes, he said he likes you" Jewel responded.

"this is so unbelievable" Angel said.

"that one Is nothing compared to the evil he did recently." Jewel said.

"what did he do again?" Angel asked, curiously.

"do you remember that day Jessica paid you a visit when you travelled to Johannesburg?" Jewel asked.

"yes" Angel responded.

"Daniel was actually here with us that day" Jewel said.

"really, no one told me he visited" Angel responded.

"He actually paid you a visit to know why you didn't go to work for 2 days.He was with us when you called to inform us that you got the job. He suggested that we should celebrate your achievement with some wines. we ended up drinking too much. Even Jessica that hasn't tasted alcohol before also drank with us. Daniel left when we were done, but Jessica couldn't leave because she was already drunk. A suggested that she should spend the night in your room, which she accepted. I left her in the sitting room and went to bed, only for me to wake up the next morning and found her lying completely unclad beside me on the bed. I know I didn't touch her that night, but I had to accept that something happened between us when I discovered she was pregnant. Do you know that nothing really happened between us that night. Daniel actually returned that night, when I had already gone to bed. He slept with Jessica who was already drunk and dropped her beside me on my bed, so that it would look as if I was the one that slept with her" Jewel explained.

Angel was already fuming, just by listening to Jewel's explanation.

"how can someone be so heartless." She said, angrily.
"Daniel needs to pay for what he did. we need to arrest him immediately."

"I wish we could. He had already gone into hiding. The worst part is that he took Jessica hostage" Jewel said, sadly.

"oh my God!" Angel exclaimed.
"what will happen to Jessica now? we need to look for a way to rescue her."

"I believe Daniel won't harm her. He only took her hostage because she's carrying his child. but I will surely look for a way to rescue her from that evil guy" Jewel said.

"I pray nothing happens to Jessica" Angel said.

"nothing will happen to her. I promise you that" Jewel said.

"I pray so" Angel responded.

Jewel suddenly held her hands and stared deeply into her eyes.

"my love, there's something very important I need to confess to you" Jewel said.

"what's it, my love?" Angel asked.

Jewel knelt down, still holding her hands.

"promise me you will never leave me, no matter what" Jewel said.

"my love, you know I will never leave you" Angel responded.

"just promise me" Jewel said.

"nothing in this world can ever separate us. nothing in this world can ever make me leave you. I promise you that" Angel responded.

Jewel stood up.

"okay now, go inside and dress up. I want to take you somewhere" Jewel said.

"okay my love" Angel responded and ran to her room to dress up.

She emerged from her room few minutes later and they both left the sitting room together.

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

Angel's car pulled to a stop in front of Jewel grandpa's mansion. The gigantic gate opened automatically and the car drove into the compound. Jewel and Angel alighted from the car. Angel stared at the structure of the mansion in amazement. Every inch of the property was wired with cameras, security lighting, and motion sensors.
The building was a series of rectangles constructed of steel and glass. The windows were large to let in maximum light, but fashioned so well that the home stayed warm in the winter time. The roof line didn't peak in the centre, but instead sloped to the left. The fleet of expensive car she saw at the parking lot left her in astonishment. She wondered who could be so rich to have constructed such a mansion.

When she was done feeding her eyes on the beautiful structure, she turned to face Jewel.

"my love, what are we doing here?" Angel asked.

"just come with me" Jewel responded and led her to the metallic front door.

He opened the door with both a key pad and biometric scanner. Angel walked into the mansion and saw the tallest ceiling ever. She stared at the amazing interior designs of the sitting room. Inside was largely open plan, a floating stairway leading to the upper floor, and every floor was smooth polished concrete.

Angel turned to face Jewel again.

"my love, what are we doing here?" she asked again.

Jewel immediately knelt down before her.

"my Angel, you have to forgive me. I didn't keep this away from you intentionally." Jewel said and sighed.
"this is where I live. This mansion belong to my grandpa and I live here with him. I'm not actually a cleaner at Edward Empire. I'm actually the vice president of the company. The company belongs to my grandpa. I didn't actually dropped out of school. I completed my education. I obtained my bsc and master degree at Stanford university. My love, I didn't mean to keep this a secret from you"

Angel stared at Jewel in shock, as he explained. She suddenly lost her voice. She couldn't even say a word.

"my love, you have to forgive me" Jewel pleaded.

He tried to hold her hand but she jolted his hand and immediately gave him a resounding slap.

Jewel held his face and stared at her in shock.

"that's for deceiving me all this while" Angel said.