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****

"good morning oga" Mariam the house maid met Fred by his car "we don rush madam go hospital this morning"

Fred gave her a scornful and "get-out-of-my-sight" look so she hurried off his sight as he angrily drove out of the house.

"Mariam! You don cook finish, make we go give madam Breakfast" Ade, Amanda's personal driver said to the maid who was on her way to the building

"ah dey come joor" she shouted without looking back.


****

The remorseful look that clouded Fred's face that morning remained till afternoon, lots of things at the office provoked him. His secretary had entered his office that day and on each occasions he was lost in thoughts, even at lunch time he refused to step out for Lunch. He could not discard the thoughts of what had tresspassed between him and his wife off his mind. He felt checking up on her at the hospital would be better but would she want to see him, would she not alarm people that he is a woman-beater, several questions trooped in and out of his mind as he rotated around a spot on his swivel office chair.


****

"Mariam!" Amanda called out to her maid who had dozed off on the chair beside her bed.

"Mariam!!!" she called softly to her. Mariam swiftly stood to her feet "Madam you don wake?" she said folding her arms to her chest.

"who brought me here? What am I doing here? Where is Fred? Can I make use of my cell phone?"

"Madam na me and Ade carry you come here e be like say you faint for parlour"

The incident of the night before flashed through her memory, that wasn't the first time he had beaten and wounded her that way, infact that was the least of her ordeal in Fred's hands.

They had been married for 12years and the first 9years of their marriage had been heaven on earth, They were such a cute couple and a envy of every singles and married couples. But after their 9th year anniversary things changed for the worse, their family became sour. She had asked for divorce many a times which as yielded nothing but punches.

Queenitee, Akinwale14, Adesina12, bossy512, Evajael, Rachealfst

CHAPTER 1

The resounding slap that landed on her cheek awakened all sleeping cells in her body. She needed no prophet to tell her Fred is back home. She had sat on the couch to await his arrival that day as usual. Certainly it was past midnight, that as being his favorite time of coming home for the past 3 years. Tears welled up in her face as she stood to welcome her husband. She held her hurting cheek with a hand and wiped tears with the other. Fred brushed her off and went into the bedroom, Amanda couldn't control the tears from rolling down her face. He came back downstairs to get a cup of chilled water from the dispenser only to meet his wife crying like a child that whose mother had tricked to stay home alone, Fred hissed and went past her back upstairs.

She felt like facing up to him, that wasn't the first, second or the third time such was happening but she had learned to live with it. Each confrontation always aggravates the issue but she plucked up the courage to face him that night.

"Fred!" She called out to him angrily, Fred who was already on the stairs halted his movement but continued afterwards.

"Fred I'm talking to you" her voice was becoming shaky with tears, she ran to the stairs to hold his arm forcefully. He looked back at her and anger was boldly written on his face. Her strength was nothing compared to his so it was easy to pull free from her. He gave her a kick in the stomach and continued his journey upstairs to sleep. The pain was unbearable for her so collapsed right there in the sitting room.

LEGAL CAPTIVITY


Copyright © 2017 by Amponsem Akosua


All rights reserved. This work or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the author, Amponsem Akosua, abenewaah575@gmail.com.



Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction, Names, Characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses or events is entirely coincidental.


Description

A home filled with Christ love, laughter, happiness and affection suddenly became sour as a result of Domestic Violence that both the wife and the husband became victims. How did a beautiful family became unlovely? How did they survive? How did they upheld their family again? And so many other questions....


The answers lies in this novel.

CHAPTER 30

"It was really the lady they had been searching for" she said as she compared the picture to the real person.
Luisa noticed the lady is not like the others she had been seeing ever since her arrival to that building. The way she talked to Her, care for her, gave her listening ears gave her the assurance that the lady may in one way on the other be her savior from the kidnappers den. Sophie excused herself to the sitting room so that Luisa could sleep. Funke was sitted on the couch giving the guys an assignment for that day. She wanted them to kidnap her boss (the Lecturer who initiated the plan).

"make no mistake" she told them as she smoked cigarette. Sophie felt uneasy as she heard Funke commanded the guys but she tried as much as possible to hide it from her inquisitive friend.

"why are you suddenly jittery?"

"me? jittery? Owww! Don't mind me I just need to use the toilet that's all" she thought that will ease her off of Funke's stare.


****

"soji I just got a message from Sophie, Funke wants Ms. Peters kidnapped"

"whaaaaat?"

"Let's inform the police so that they would get to her house before the guys gets there"

"that's a great idea, they may be useful to the police in gathering information"

Soji picked his car key, Sammy was already waiting by the car. He drove to the nearest police station and requested to see the DPO, one of the constables questioned them asking them why they wanted to see their boss. Sammy was angry as he picked his phone to dial the DPO's number himself and he ordered them to come in.

The DPO was already aware of the kidnap case so a clue on the matter was a reasonable of the guys. They narrated everything that has been happening,from how Sophie volunteered to investigate privately to how she had been given them informations about the things going on. They discussed what really brought them to the police station and the DPO assured them that his men would go and lay ambush for the kidnappers in the woman's house.

The plan was not to arrest her but to bring her to the station for questioning and to arrest the kidnappers. Sammy jotted down the woman's house address and handed it to the DPO.

******

Ms. Peters informant was late in giving her information this time as she was captured when she was driving out of her compound, with the bags packed at her back seat it was obvious she wanted to elope.
Police arrived late at the scene, the kidnappers had already taken her away. They saw the gate to the compound broadly opened with her car at the entrance of the gate. From the look of things she had drove out of the garage to the already opened gate before she was forcefully dragged from the car. This was realized as they traced the foot print from the entrance of the car to a far distance where it ended, perhaps where the kidnappers car was parked as the operation went on. Also there was a bullet on the road but no blood trace. They searched everywhere to see maybe they could get a clue but it was futile.

Akinwale14:
thank u its interesting

adupe sir

Akinwale14:
ur welcome,which day u go drop d next episode?

I just dropped one

CHAPTER 29

Sophie was happy inwardly at the thought of what her friend had told her as she felt that might be the solution to the problem everyone around her had been facing. She didn't say yes or no but Funke already took her silence for yes.

"I need to make an announcement" Funke said as she called on the boys. They all shared a stern look as they assembled in the sitting room waiting to be addressed. Sophie made to leave their midst but Funke called her to sit back as she was already one of them.

"we'll be leaving this building in 48hours someone is playing on my intelligence
"

"boss who could that be? Let's teach the person a lesson" one of the guys retorted.

"it isn't time to act yet guys, I just wanted to inform you before hand. And yes, Lola won't be around for a while so Sophie will take over in her place."


"yes ma'am" they chorused

"you can all leave now" they were dismissed.

"Can we go now" she said to her friend with her gaze fixed on her phone.

"to where?" it was like Sophie was lost in thought but Funke gave no slightest damn about that as she repeated herself.

"to the person you need to take care of" she retorted

Funke led the way as Sophie followed behind, excitement ran through her whole body as they were headed to one of the rooms she had been encountering difficulty in getting into. She flung the door open and made way for Sophie to enter.
The sight of the lady lying down on the bed with her hands cuffed was pitiful that Sophie's eyes were teary. She tried as much as possible to hold her eyes from outpouring the tears because Funke's gaze was fixed on her eyes. It was obvious she was looked at Sophie's face to see if she could see any atom of pity in her eyes, to know if she would be fit for the role or not.

"she hasn't had her bath in 3days because her friend who does that is not around so do your best, bath and feed her. Also keep an eye on her"
She told Sophie as she left the room banging the door behind her.

The door suddenly opened as She moved closer to her to her.

"sorry I didn't drop this. This is the key that unlocks the cuff" she handed the key to Sophie and headed out again.

She unlocked the cuff and took her to the washroom and watched as she took her bath. She felt pity for the pale looking lady.

"this must be Luisa" she thought as she reached for her phone. She sent a text to Sammy requesting for her picture, she wanted to be sure it was really her.

EvaJael:
I disappeared for a while. Forgive me SurestG. Your story rocks

welcome back sis.

comelyJummy:
At last they have lay ambush for each other. SurestG more wisdom ma

thanks Aunty.

Akinwale14:
SurestG Weldon

thank you

BlissfulJeff:
nice update

thank you sir.

Jane1234f:
No be small thing

yes o

queenitee:
This is serious o *roll eyes* SurestG I kuku trust you. Funke, issokay o. Aunty Mummy Mrs Peter., eyin na ma bimo

CHAPTER 28

"I don't know if asking what's between you both is necessary but whatever it is you need to be smart" he told her
She was still speechless as Dandy continued his speech.

"I never believed we could meet again after how we have drifted apart but God has a reason for everything."

"hmmm" she sighed. "tell me Dandy, how did you get to know this witch and how did you get to know about me? I thought you lost my contact just as I did. What made you come looking for me instead of executing the task you were paid for" she was beginning to get upset.

"actually I stopped this dirty job years back. An old friend introduced me to her and I would have rejected the task if I had not seen your picture, I knew if I had rejected it another person who of course I know would carry out the execution without thinking twice would be employed for the task so I felt I had to accept it"

Dandy and Funke had been friends since childhood, they attended the same primary and secondary school but drifted apart in their university days. They both started doing illegal business when they were in senior secondary school one. Judging with their classes then, they were still naïve. Dandy as she was named by Funke back in Primary school became his nickname everywhere he went.

"you don't want to know what transpired between the woman and me?"

"If its necessary I know I'm sure you will tell me about it" he retorted

"Are you aware of the fact that you are not safe once she finds out" she was worried.

"I can take care of myself, just do the same"he said

She knew she had no reason to hide herself from someone who is smart enough to guess what was happening so she opened up to him. He wasn't really surprised.

"please Dandy, what did she say my offence is?" she queried after opening up to him about what transpired between herself and Ms. Peters.

" I don't know Funke but I could remember she kept on saying you snatched her man from her and that she will make you pay"

"her man? Seriously I've told you what really happened, she's just a cheat. This guy belongs to none of us.

"so what do you plan to do"

She discussed the steps she's planning on taking with him.

"if you need my help in anyway don't hesitate to give me a call.

******

She glanced at her wristwatch "she's suppose to be here by now" she was grumbling when she heard the security man chatting and laughing with somebody by the gate and so she peeped through the window. It was Sophie,she had been waiting for since what seem like forever. She composed herself and went to the sitting room where her friend was already waiting.


"I need you to be a caretaker for somebody"she said avoiding her gaze

Sophie pretended she didn't hear what her friend said.

"Sophie!!!" She called out.

"yes what did you say"

"I need you to take care of someone in this house"

Happy birthday Nabla

queenitee:
Modaran? Go and throw the phone away, I'm bring iPhone 7 for you tomorrow

lol okay

CHAPTER 27

"I can't believe this bitch wants me dead after all I have done for her" Funke was tensed and she moved about the room thinking of the events of past days. it was difficult for her to assimilate her so called client could be planning to devour her. All thanks to someone special who hinted her.

She was in her kitchen that fateful day when she heard her phone ringing, it was a strange number so it took her about 6minutes to actually pick the call to know what the person on the other end wants to talk about.

"hello" the voice on the other end echoed to her ears.

"who are you and what do you want? I don't respond to strange calls"

"chill girl, one question at a time, is your name Funke"

"perhaps I may have to end this call if you refuse to answer my questions" she barked at him.

"listen girl, for your safety you better don't hang up. Anyways I'm Dandy by name"

She felt a kind of relieve as she heard that name, not that she knew who the person was but the name sounds familiar.

"I'm sorry for being rude, just that I needed to be sure of who you are"

"we need to have an urgent discussion, you fix the time and the venue and you better make it as fast as you could". The guy ended the call and Funke hastily sent the time and address of their meeting. To her surprise she was very anxious to know what the person wanted to tell her that she got there earlier that the stipulated time.

So many thoughts on her mind but no answers. Whiling away the time with her phone was the only choice she had after she had gotten tired of waiting but couldn't bring herself to leave the place. She was still in this thoughts when she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. The ever security conscious Funke caught the guy's hand as he moved to sit on a chair opposite. Funke couldn't keep her amazement to herself at the sight of her long time bestie whom they've.

"Dandy is this you" she screamed as she separated from their hug.


"Funky Baby, this is really Me". He ordered for a cold Goldberg a himself and a big bottle of smirnoff got her.

Dandy noticed she was glancing at her wrist watch so he asked if she was there to meet somebody, not that he wasn't aware that she was there to see her but he didn't want to say it to Her that he is the guy that called her earlier that day.

"the guy who called me mentioned Dandy but it can't be yours" she dialled the number and to her surprise his phone rang. "don't tell me you are the person I came to see, wow what a coincidence" she was amused.


"somebody want you dead and the person has paid for your life?" he frankly said to her.

"who could the person be" she was confused and worried

He handed her a photograph.

"unbelievable"

So after I had wasted so much energy typing chapter 27 my phone con mad erase am before i was able to update it.

talk2saintify:
Sophie is heading for danger

queenitee:
I love shopie, come and be my sister shopie

Shakyroh320:
thankx for the call dear,but permit me to say that the update is small,pls put jara for us plsssss

Jane1234f:
Thanks for the update, am still waiting for more

Toyin223:
Thank U My Lady

olahajayi:
Thanks ma'am for the mention... Patiently Waiting for more

My pleasure.

Dessydemmy
Toyin223
Jane1234f
Shakyroh320
Akinwale
Queenitee
Oluwatymylehyn
Vickyviolet
Blissfulljeff
Adeyife
Mikaj

I've updated a new chapter.




Olahajayi

CHAPTER 26

The thought of who the woman who walked in on them when she was about to be taken to where she had always want to entered had been on her mind for the past few days. The woman looked so familiar, she knew she may had come across the woman somewhere "but where?" that has been the question on her mind. She was pacing around the room before she later decided to sit on the bed. she suddenly felt like going out of the house, she missed Sammy and wished to see him but that maybe dangerous for both of them. Ever since that day, Funke hasn't been in touch, "calling her will be the option" she murmured. Her phone beeped but her laziness hindered her from picking her phone from the table where she had sat earlier to study for the exam that had been delaying her from graduating for the past 3 years.

She remembered the last time she had visited Prof's office to inform him about her repeating the course, she met a woman who scornfully looked at her but she was of less importance then and she didn't spare her a glance. Prof's had given her 2 options that day which she very well knew won't work for her.

"if you are willing to pass the course once and for all my lady, meet me at the hotel I told you about last year and if you are willing to take the course again, don't bother coming".
She couldn't hide her anger at what Prof had said that very day as she angrily stormed out of his office. It was known to her that she wasn't as bad in the course as Prof had portrayed her.

The sound of her phone ringtone jerked her off her thought, the call had dropped again before she got to where it was, it was Funke. She instantly dialed her number.

"I'm sorry for responding late" she said

"its nothing, please I need you to help me out with something"

"what could that be"

"please get to the mansion now, I will pay your transport fare"

"okay" the reluctancy in her voice wasn't hidden.

"my apologies for disturbing you, I look forward to seeing you here"

Sophie immediately ended the call, she felt she was getting a clue as to who the lanky woman was. She knew she had seen the face before, it was at Prof's office, she was the female lecturer who looked down on her.


*****
WHATSAPP CONVERSATION
Sophie: xup boyfriend

Sammy: hey girl, been a while.

Sophie: actually I need you to give me some information.

Sammy: oh okay so what is it about?

Sophie: there's a woman in your department, she's tall, lanky, dark in complexion and uh...hmmm she's a divorcee.

Sammy: yes yes that's true. I know her. what's up with her

Sophie: what's her name?

Sammy: Dr. Ms. Peters.

Sophie: okay. I think she has a skeleton in her cupboard. I'm still investigating though.

Sammy: wow really? I suspect her too.

Sophie: I'm on my way to the mansion on Sophie's request, we'll talk more about this later.

Sammy: aiit baby. Don't forget to delete our chat.

Sophie was already in the cab heading to where she'ld meet Funke, she prayed deep down in her heart that something good comes out of it.

I surely will update, thanks all for your patience.

mikaj:
This happens to be the n'th time I will be reading a story on NL without getting done with it.

Do mention me when new chapters are out. The jinks must be broken with your story.

I remain your active reader Ghost.

I'll keep you posted, thanks a lot

Akinwale14:

I'll update oya smile.

olahajayi:
Nice Story....Welldone Ma'am, More of it

thank you sir

marianneada:
thanks so much dear,

plagiarism has taken over nairaland just find a way to protect your work soonest

myqel:
I'm in

you're welcome

Adesina12:
Congrats for making front page

thanks bro

Toyin223:
Welcome Back

thanks sis

ExInferis:
Immediate background exposè

not all writers at times and not all literary works are like that

ExInferis:
The title should be "Frenemy".
And why do all these 'writers' open the same way?

and what way is that sir?

Dedication
Queenitee, Akinwale14, Adesina12, bossy512, yewande1234, Adeyife, Eyinimofeoluwa, ini22, talk2saintify, Holymalaam.



CHAPTER 25

it became clear to Soji that Lola might really have an hand in Luisa's disappearance, he could remember she was the only one that saw Luisa being taken away when she was first kidnapped but how would he be sure she was not also a victim with injury that was inflicted upon her. That was a very tight spot for him, he needed proofs to know he was not just hallucinating, he was contemplating on informing Becca about what he found out when his phone beeped and to his surprise it was Becca who called him. He lazily picked it up and they spoke for a few minutes before the call ended. He hasn't gone to work ever since that unfortunate incident but was confident enough in his bestie to handle things on his behalf but as he was bored staying home he decided to pay a surprise visit to his friend at work.

******
"ARE YOU NO LONGER CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS?"

That was the text message Soji got from an unknown number as he stepped into Sammy's office. He instantly dialed the number again but it was switched off, he was checking the message again as if looking for a clue when he received another text message.

"I WILL SEND YOU THE ADDRESS OF HER CAPTOR MR. LOVERBOY *SMILES*"

"Gosh the idiot even had the guts to smile at my predicament" Soji was fuming, he stood up from where he was sitting to hit his fist on the wall but was caught by Sammy who was confused at his friend's change in countenance.

"calm down Soji, what is wrong" he asked sitting opposite him. "you were all smiles when you came in to this office" Soji handed the phone to him.
"I see" Sammy said has he picked his phone to dial the number that sent the text, it was switched off. He could sense the helplessness his friend was facing. "let's wait for the address"

Days passed without any address being sent to their phone that was when they realized the kidnappers were only playing on their intelligence.


******
Sophie couldn't stop replaying the event of the past days in her head, from the time she had eavesdropped on Funke's conversation till the time the guys wanted to show her the rooms, she was sure it was the sight of the woman whom the guys saw that stopped them from taking her any further. That wasn't the issue, the woman who was clad in a T-shirt, track-pants and a pair of sneakers looked fit and it was obvious she had her mission in that mansion. Immediately the woman alighted from her black Toyota camry 2007 model, they were all out of her sight, Sophie herself was peeping to see the woman's face through a window but something looks familiar about her.

"could she be someone I've met before?" she asked herself