Chapter 40: Chapter 40

*Kemi's POV*

I squint my eyes open and move my eyes around the room wondering where l am. I remember having being hit by a car. So I didn't die? What happened after then?

And what about those men and their dogs? My eyes widen as fear creeps through me. Am I back to his cabin ? Oh God! I try to sit up but something keeps obstructing me and when I look down at my hand,I see a cannula fixed and then I feel a sharp pain in my stomach making me wince hard in pain.

My head is throbbing and I place my hand over my forehead only to touch a something wrapped around my head. It feels like gauze. I look around with a confused expression.The room almost looks like an hospital room but at the same time doesn't, or am I in the hospital? Oh Jesus! Who will answer my questions?

Just as I try to get out of the bed, the door slides open and someone walks in. When I take a clearer look at who it is, my eyes grow wide in disbelief. Am I seeing properly? How is it possible that the consigliere is here?

I keep staring at him as if I'm seeing a ghost until he walks over to sit on the chair close to the bed. I still have a confused look on as my eyes scan him from his head to toe. He has a worried expression on his face as he stares at me.

"You are awake..." He whispers before he takes my hand gently in his own. "How do you feel?"

I didn't say anything...no...l couldn't say anything. I am still trying to process if everything is real. Since the consigliere is here, does that mean he rescued me?

"Do you...Do you like feel pain anywhere?" He asks again waiting for my response. I look down to his hands covering mine.

"Where...Where am I?" I manage to ask him. My throat feels really sore and my body is weak.

"Save your strength. You got hit by a car, do you remember?"

I move my eyes from side to side. Of course, I remember I was trying to escape from those men and that's how l got hit by a car but l don't know what happened after then.

"What..."

"Shh, don't say anything. I will tell you everything later. You have been unconscious for over three days now,

"

My eyes grow wide as I hear him. "Three days?...Did... Did..."

"Stop talking Kemi..." He says almost yelling. Is he upset ? Why? " You need to rest." He says as he stands from the chair to help me lie with my back against the bed.I stare at him as he positions my head on the pillow.Then his eyes travel to my neck and I see his jaw tightens.

"He did this to you, right?"

I blink wondering if I should answer or not, since he already said I should stop talking.

"It's fine." I mutter as I try to keep my eyes open.

He caresses the side of my cheek gently.

"It must have been hard." He whispers. "I'm sorry."

I blink at him, "What...Are you...Sorry for?"

"Everything...Everything... I'm sorry for everything... I..." He trails off as he heaves a long sigh. His eyes travel down to my leg.

"The doctor said this injury isn't recent...What happened to you?"

I lift my head up to look at the leg and I see that it's the same leg that got beaten by that animal. I open my mouth to speak but he cuts me off.

"I'm sorry. We will talk about that when you're better. For now,you need your rest. I will go bring you something to eat." He stands up and exits the room. I heave a sigh and rest my head on the pillow. As soon as he left, my mind travel back to what I faced with the Alhaji.

I had thought I would never live to see another day. My mind recaps all that happened and fear creeps through my vein causing me to shiver. What if I'm only dreaming and when l wake up, I will be back with that man? Or what if he comes here to take me away?

As my mind keeps wandering, William walks into the room carrying a tray of food before placing it over my thighs. He assists me to sit up before handling me the spoon.

"Thank you." I say in a low voice.

He stands to leave but I quickly grab his wrist stopping him. He looks at me before his eyes travel down to my hand holding his.

"Do you want me to get you something?"

I look down. "I... I'm scared...stay, please."

He looks at me for a while before he moves the chair close to the bed and sits down holding my hand.

"Don't be scared, I'm right here." He says to me in a soothing voice.

I sigh and nod my head.

"Do..." He scratches his head. " Do you want me to feed you?"

I turn to him with wide eyes before shaking my head. " Don't worry, I...I can manage."

He nods and lets go of my hand before looking at the direction of the wall.

"How did you...find...me?" I ask looking at him.

"Well...I um...I asked some people to look for you but... they ended up hitting you with the car." He says rolling his eyes with an upset look.

I blink in confusion. "They were the one driving the car that hit me?"

He nods, "Yes. That's how they found you." He looks at me. " Don't be scared, you won't go back to him. I assure you."

I heave a sigh and nod my head. It feels relieving to hear him say that. "What about...what about the underboss? Wouldn't... Wouldn't he come for me if...if he finds out I'm here?"

He sighs and swallows hard as if finding it hard to say what he's about to say. Is that it? The underboss will really come to take me?

"The thing is...I can't keep you with me."

My eyes widen in confusion. "You...You will send me to him too?" I ask as fear grips me. I thought he just said I wouldn't be going back to that man?

He shakes his head abruptly and holds my hands tightly. "No no no, I won't do that. If..If my father finds out you're with me, he would ask for you to be sent back to him. I'm not in charge of you anymore because l already sent you to Lexis. What I mean is, I won't send you back to that man but you can't stay with me either."

I stare at him with my mouth wide open. "Oh." I mutter as my hands start to tremble. Then what would it be? He would send me back to the underboss?

"Relax Kemi, I will make sure Alhaji Bawa doesn't get another chance with you." He says as he caresses my hand.

I nod my head and heave a sigh. "I wish I have the money to just pay you for my father's debt...I...I don't know if I can do this anymore..." Tears starts to flow down my cheek as I break down. "I feel...I feel so frustrated..." My body trembles as I cry hard. I have been trying to cope with everything but it's just not easy. I don't know if I would be able to remain bold for a long time. I feel like I'm at my end point and it's really... really hard. I wouldn't have been able to recover from it if that man had his way with me. I could never heal from that even though it was what I signed up for from the beginning.

I guess I won't be able to hold up any moch longer but my family's safety matters a lot to me.

*William's POV*

I watch her cry with a confused look as I don't what to say to her. I don't know how to console her as I have never consoled anyone before. I was the one who brought her so I could use her to put my plan to effect and now, l don't even know what I want anymore. All I planned at first was to use her to get Lexis but everything is messed up now. It turns out I was wrong to think Lexis was ever interested in her. He loves no one but himself as always.

I keep saying sorry to her and don't even know why. Is it because I feel guilty? I'm definitely not the type to feel guilt after doing anything bad. Do I feel pity for her? I'm definitely not the type to pity anyone either. Am I attracted to her then?

The strange feelings I have been having towards her is just getting more confusing. I have never been so worried about anyone in my life and watching her cry makes me so angry that I feel like making Lexis pay for this and the worst part is that I blame myself for what happened to her. Could it be that...that I like her?

"...I... I'm sorry but...but I just had to say it.." She keeps saying as she cries while looking up at me with glossy eyes.

"Thank you for being nice to me but...I...I just miss my family so much...."

"Shh, stop crying Kemi..." I cut her off as I wipe her tears with my thumb. "Do you want to see them?" I ask her shocking her and myself.

She stops crying at once and looks at me with disbelief in her eyes. "You...You will let me see them?"

I heave a sigh. I can't even believe that I'm actually saying this.

"Can...Will you do that?" She asks me with hopeful eyes.

"Yes, I will allow you see them but not now. You need to get better first." I can actually just put her family on a video call with her but I want her to meet them physically. I'm sure that way, she will be happier even if it meant I will be breaking a rule.

She smiles and quickly wipes her eyes. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" And before I know it, she pulls me in a sudden hug but the cannula on her hand is obstructing her to wrap her hands completely around my neck. My eyes grow wide in surprise and I freeze for a while before I slowly pat her back, hugging her back.

She then pulls away,"Thank you, I would really love that."

I smile at her, "Are you that happy?" I caress her cheek with my thumb.

She nods, "I'm so so happy, really. I feel so energetic now."

I feel so relieved seeing her smile and it feels so nice to see her happy. I can't help smiling back at her as I pat her head gently.

"Don't worry, I would help you get the document you want as quickly as possible." She says with a smile on her face.

I chuckle and shake my head, "That shouldn't be what you should be thinking about right now, okay? You can't go near lexis, remember?"

She makes an 'oh shit' expression before she nods her head.

Then my phone starts to vibrate in my trouser and I take it out to glance at the caller. My smile fades when I see Ella's name on the screen. She always know when to spoil the moment, doesn't she?

I sigh before standing up. "Try to eat before I come back, I want to take this call."

She nods with a smile and I walk out of the room with my phone against my ear.

"Hello." I say as I walk over to the balcony.

"Babe...Where are you?" She asks with a croaky voice. Has she been crying? What in the world happened this time?

"Some place, why?" I ask her with my hand in my pocket. She doesn't know where this house is because I have never mentioned or brought her here before.

"I'm your wife, William! Is it bad to ask of my husband's whereabouts?"

I sigh, "Okay, what is it then? Go on."

"I want us to go on a date tonight. What time are you coming home?"

"I can't come home tonight, Ella. That should be next time."

"What's so important that you're doing? Tell me! What is it?"

I roll my eyes. There she goes again trying to make me look like the bad person. " I have to tell you about business now?"

"Send me the address of the place you are, so l can meet you. We will have the date there."

"And why would you want to meet me? I said I will be back soon, I have something to take care of."

"But I miss you so much William. Even if you don't miss me too, can't you spend time with me?"

I heave a sigh again and hang up without waiting to hear whatever more she has to say.

It's true that I had married Ella because of business but it was also much easier because she has had a crush on me for a long time. With the help of her father, I became part of the high share holders in my father's company. I had made it clear to her from the start that I will not be able to love her and she's clearly aware that I only married her for my own gain but she has been making things difficult by asking me to love her when I don't even know if the word 'love' exists.

TWO WEEKS LATER

~Third person POV~

William watched over Kemi for the past two weeks. He made sure she felt comfortable and provided her with everything possible.

It's 2pm in the afternoon and Kemi stands at the balcony wearing a blue loose fitting T-shirt which she tucks into the jean high waist skirt she's wearing with a pair of flat rhinestone sandal. She turns around when she hears footsteps approaching.

"Hey." William says and smiles at her.

She smiles back, "I needed fresh air, so I came over here. "

He nods his head, "That's great. I'm glad you're recovering fine."

She nods her head, "Thanks to you."

"Actually..." He starts to say as he scratches the back of his head. "I found a way to keep you safe."

She blinks as she stares at him waiting to hear what he has to say.

"Well, I want to send you over to my father's mansion."

Her eyes widen as she hears him say that. "Wasn't that the first place you took me to when you brought me here ?"

He nods,"Yes."

She swallows, "Oh, there." She mutters.

He sighs before taking her hands and making her face him as he understands what her expression says. "Look, you don't have to be scared, okay? No one will hurt you. From now on, I will protect you."

She stares into his eyes as she hears him say that. "So what would I do there?" She asks him still staring at him.

"I want you to take care of someone."

"Someone? Who is it?"

He sighs and places his hand on her face before he caresses the side of her cheek with his thumb, "It's my mother. She um...She has dementia so, she has not been well. I have gotten her severalbcaretakers but they didn't stay for long. Some would come when they hear the amount of payment but will quit after staying for a short time. She's all I have got and.." He looks down as he licks his lower lip as if hesitating to continue. Then he swallows hard and raise his head up. "I really hope you can take care of her for me Kemi. You don't have to be scared of my father, he doesn't know you physically and would think you are just someone I employed."

She stares at him and could see that he's trying his best not to breakdown. She figures it must have been hard for him to see his mother in such state and for some reason, she feels like hugging him and telling him that he would be fine but she stops herself and nods her head.

"I will take care of her, no need to worry." She says.

He swallows and sighs as he looks into her eyes. "Thanks."

She shakes her head, "I should thank you instead, for taking care of me."

He smiles, "I put you in this mess so I should take care of you."

She smiles, "But do you trust me enough to take care of your mother? What if can't do a better job?"

He smiles at her, "Someone like you, would do a great job."

She purses her lips and nods, "Okay then."

"I will arrange for you to leave soon." He says. "But you should see your family first, you will not get to see them again after now."

She nod quickly before dashing out to go and get ready. William smiles as he watches her run inside like a baby and he shakes his head before turning his head to look below the balcony.

Few minutes later, she comes out wearing an off shoulder long mixed floral lace sheath dress which stops at her ankle. William is already waiting for her at the garage standing in front of his dark red Mercedes. He smiles as she walks over to him.

"You're looking beautiful." He compliments her with a smile.

She smiles shyly, "Thank you."

The driver opens the back seat for them and they slide in before he starts the car.

Soon they arrive at Ajegunle. Kemi couldn't believe that she is back at her home town. She has missed her family a lot and having the chance to see them, means a lot to her. She feels so thankful to William for letting her and has started to see him in different light.

The driver stops close to her house and Kemi steps out of the car. William steps out of the other side of the car while Kemi walks over to him.

"Here we are, you can go and see them while l wait here." William says spreading out his arms.

Kemi smiles, "Thank you." She turns around and slowly starts walking to her house. As she gets to the door step looking at the quiet surrounding, she pauses before reaching to the door handle.

"I can do this." She takes in a deep breath and just as she is about to reach for the door handle again, the door slides open revealing her mother who stares at her wide eyes.

Kemi's eyes clouds with tears as she stares at her mother who keeps looking back at her as if she's seeing a ghost

"Kemi?" Omolara says uncertainly still not moving from where she stands as she stares at her daughter.

"Mummy..." Kemi says croaky voice before she pulls her mother into a tight hug. Omolara stares at her as she freezes in Kemi's tight hold.

"Am i seeing well? is it really you?" She asks as she still finds it hard to believe.

Kemi nods abruptly, " Yes mummy, it's me."

Her mother hugs her back tightly and bursts into tears.

"Oh my daughter...my daughter..."She cries as she continues to hold her tightly in her arms.

After a while, they pull away before her mother leads her to the sofa. She reaches for Kemi's face and wipes the tears off her cheek, before speaking.

"I can't believe it's actually you. Oh my baby."She pulls her into a tight hug again while Kemi hugs her back tightly as she buries her head into the crook of her mother's neck.

When they pull away, Omolara places her hand against her daughter's cheek and examines her.

"What happened? Did he allow you come back to us?"

Kemi sighs before nodding her head. "He is outside. He said I should see you guys but I would go back with him."

Her mother moves her hand over her body tilting her head as she tries to check if she's okay.

"I'm fine mummy. I'm not hurt." Kemi assures her with a smile."How are you?" She asks as she places her hand on her mom's.

Omolara nods, "I'm fine my darling."

Kemi looks around, "Where are my babies?" She asks referring to her siblings. "Where are they mummy?"

Her mother smiles, "I ask them to go and buy something, they would be back soon."

Kemi nods.

"So how have you been? Did they hurt you? How have you? Were you..."

"Muuuummmy.." Kemi cuts her off. "I'm fine. They didn't hurt me at all. In fact, they have been very nice to me." She lies.

Her mother stares at her still not believing her. "I saw the way that man strangled you in front of us Kemi. So you're telling me that he never hurt you after taking you with him?"

Kemi pauses for a moment. She cannot tell her mother what has been happening to her because it would freak her out. Even if she tells her mother that William has changed, she will still not believe her and will panic still.

She nods instead, "Believe me mummy,he is actually a nice man. He...He was like that for a reason but never hurt me after that day." Kemi says hoping her mother would believe her and let it rest.

"There's no reason for hurting someone, no excuse at all." Omolara says as she keeps surveying Kemi's body. She looks at the dress she's putting on and could tell that it's expensive. She pauses for a moment before she says. "Are you sure you're okay, Kemi? Mo n bẹbẹ funọ,so fun mi (I'm pleading with you, tell me.)”

"Mo wa dara mummy. (I'm fine mummy.)"Kemi says as she pulls down her gown further to make sure her mother doesn't see the scar on her leg that she has gotten from the leopard's bite.

"How is everything mummy? How has things been for you guys? mo ti padanu yin pupo. (I have missed you all so much.)"

She sighs, "Everything has been going well, no need..."

"Sister Kemi!" The loud voice that belongs to Ayo cuts her off as he rushes over to Kemi.

Kemi's face lit up with a wide smile as she sees her little brother.

She squirt before Ayo, "Give me a hug my boy."

Ayo giggles as he dives into Kemi's arms. Kemi hugs him tightly and pats his head. "Oh my boy, I have missed you so much."

"I have missed a lot too sister Kemi." Ayo says as he buries his head into her neck.

After a while, Kemi pulls away and rubs her hand over his head. "How are you my dear?"

"I'm fine sister, Shola is coming." He says.

Kemi carries him up and places him beside her on the sofa. Just then, Shola walks into the house holding a polythene nylon in her right hand. She stares at Kemi in shock before running over to her.

"Sister! You came!"

Kemi smiles as she pulls her into a tight hug.

"It's so good to see all of you." Kemi says as she smiles.

"Are you still going back sister Kemi?" Ayo asks looking at her.

Kemi's smile fades a little, "Yes my darling."

"When will you come again?" Shola is the one to ask this time.

"Soon Shola, I will come soon."

"Where exactly do you stay and what do you do there?" Ayo asks.

Kemi sighs. She has expected questions like this from her siblings and most especially from Ayo.

"I um...I live with a friend. When next I come, I'll make sure to bring you lots of good things." She says as she smiles at them. She knows she has no idea of when next she would see her family again but she can't say that to her poor hopeful siblings. It would break their hearts.

"Um mummy, where is daddy?"

Her mother's smile fades as Kemi asks that. "I don't know and I do not care." She says with an unhappy face.

"When was the last time you saw him?" Kemi asks further. Her father might have been the source of the entire problem but he's still her father.

Omolara sighs, "Can you not talk about him? You shouldn't be asking about him, Kemi. O je eni ti o dara fun ohunkohun.(He's a good for nothing person.)"

"Daddy comes home drunk all the time and he keeps bringing in bad people to the house so mummy sent him away." Kemi turns over to Shola who has spoken.

"When was that Shola?" Kemi asks.

"It's been quite long but yesterday, daddy came over and he wasn't drunk. He only looked sad and beaten."Shola says.

"He kept saying he's sorry and that he regrets what he has done..." Ayo starts to say before turning to Kemi."Sister Kemi, do you know what he has done?" He asks.

Kemi sighs, "It's nothing my babies, I'm sure he's only apologizing for his drunk acts."

Ayo and Shola nods believing what Kemi said.

Kemi turns to her mother, "O gbọdọ ti le gan fun o. (It must have been really hard for you.)" She says to her mother as she takes her hands in her own.

"It doesn't matter my darling, all that matters is that you're well and healthy. Adupe lowo Olorun(Thanks to God.)"

Kemi smiles and nods. "I'm happy you're all fine too."

"Is it Mr. Black suit that brought you here?" Ayo asks and Kemi couldn't help but chuckle.

She shakes her head, "No, it's not him Ayomide."

Ayo stands up from the sofa. "I want to go and see who your friend is." He starts running to the exit and Kemi quickly stands up to follow him.

"Ayo! You can't just do that. Stop!!" She yells trying to stop him but Ayo still continues running outside.

XOXO