Redemption - Episode 9

 

Benedicta:

"Yea. We sing the chorus twice then I end with the bridge just like we did just now. Well done guys" I smile at my fellow choir members and we all clap.
"We are going to sound amazing" Jules sings and we all laugh.
"Rehearsal's over" a guy cheers and everybody laughs again. People start walking out of the church in groups while Juliet and Ade stay behind with me. 
"Tomorrow's your birthday . What do you have planned?" Juliet ask and I shake my head.
"I am still grounded." I say dejectedly.
"Oh. No wonder, your brother is over there giving us the evil eyes. He's such a hot grump" Juliet sighs and I look at her like she's crazy. I look to Favour at the far corner of the church. He's now busy on his phone. He didn't want to be here but dad made him come because they think I would try to go somewhere else from church. Dad is currently upstairs with the media department so Favour is on watchman duty.
"Am sorry Bennie" Ade says. She does look apologetic. She has been trying to cheer me up during the last five days. I smile at her.
"It is fine. Hope Silas hasn't bothered you?" I ask and she shake her head.
"He left the city

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/redemption

. He must have gotten scared of your threat about reporting him to SARS."
"I did warn you to stay away from guys. They are trouble." Jules scolds then turn to me.
"How bout your school stuffs? Have your dad start preparing?"she ask me.
"He's excited that I got in at my first try. Phillip is currently in Benin having me online clearance done. After the strike, I am off to Uniben."
"Well, you are so lucky. I got anatomy at uniport" Jules say. She doesn't notice my sad look but Ade does.
"Cheer up Bennie." Ade says and I give both of them a wane smile. 
"It's already getting late. I will walk you both to the church gate." I look to Favour who doesn't look up from his phone and I quickly gesture for Ade and Jules to be quiet as I walk them out of the church.
  As soon as we leave the church, I see no other person but Luis resting against the big tree in the church compound.
 Ade eyes go to me at the same time mine goes to her. Her brows raise questioningly and I shake my head. My brother and dad are just inside the church. What is he doing here?
"Bennie!" He finally notice us and he walks to Me. I look him up and down. He looks all wrong. His buttons are done wrongly. He gets to us and I see his eyes look red.
"Are you okay?" I can't help but ask. My hand goes to his cheek and he holds it there.
"I missed you Benedicta. Why didn't you ever come back? Is it about the kiss? I am sorry. I just couldn't help it. Here, I brought chocolates" I see a battered chocolate box and I look at my friends who are just watching us.
"Bennie. Your brother could be out any second" Jules warn and I know she's right.
"Luis, you have to leave" I tell him. I see his eyes grow scared. He grab a hold of my hand.
"You can't leave me baby. I need you benedicta. I haven't been able to sleep well since you left that day" he says and I can see he means every words.
"Bennie. Oh no" I hear Ade say and I turn to see my brother rushing towards us.
"Let go of her!" I hear him order. I turn pleading eyes to Luis but his hold on me only get tight.
 Favour gets to us and he tries to yank my hand away from Luis hold but Luis doesn't let go. It's beginning to hurt being dragged between both guys.
"You are hurting me" I moan. I see Luis's face twist in anger. He let's go of me only to ram his fist against my brother's jaw.
"Jesus!"
"Oh my g" Ade and Jules scream at the same time as Favour hit the ground. Luis goes to charge at my stun brother but I grab his waist from behind. 
"Stop. Please" I whisper. He turns angry eyes to me but soften them when he looks into my eyes.
"Are you okay? He was hurting you." Concern is written all over Luis's face as he fuss over me. He cares about me a lot. Maybe too much. I look to my brother who Favour is fawning over. He is rubbing his jaw which is starting to bruise.
"Am fine. You should leave." I tell Luis as he rub life back into my hand that was being dragged moments ago. His touch feels good.
"I don't want to" he says like a petulant kid. 
"My dad is going to be out any minute. Please. For me?" He looks into my eyes then nod.
"Promise to come to the house tomorrow. I need you Bennie" I see his eyes shine with tears before he rubs them away.
"I promise" I tell him and he nods.
"Can I get your number then?" My dad would be out soon so I quickly call the number out for him and he quickly save it in his phone.  He kiss my hair before he starts walking away.
"Eat the chocolates okay? My brother said they are delicious" he calls out to me when he gets to the gate and I nod. He grins before finally leaving.
"That guy is crazy!" My brother sneers as soon as he's out of sight. I look at his bruised jaw and I feel a bit satisfied. Favour is a jerk.
"He's not"I defend and Favour eye me.
"We have to go now Bennie" my nervous friends say and I nod.
"Bye" I say.
 "I don't think you should go tomorrow" Ade whisper into my ear as she gives me a quick hug. I wave at both of my friends as they leave. 
"Hey, it's cold out. Why did you guys leave the church?" I hear my dad's voice behind us and I startle. I look to Favour the snitch but he just shakes his head.
"We just walked her friends to the gate" he tells my dad and I release the breathe I have been holding. 
"Come on. Let's go hom now" dad says and walk ahead of us to the car.
"Don't think I am supporting you just because I didn't tell dad. I just don't want to bother him more." Favour wgisper to me before he walks to meet up with dad.

Next day
Luis:
  The tick tock of the wall clock in my room does nothing to calm my nerves. It's about two pm and she's still not here. Mom and dad went to a function while Lucas is still at the hospital. If it gets to three pm I will call her. She should be back from church by then.
 She'll come. She won't. She'll come. She wouldn't. I don't know which to believe.
 She would have come if not for that brother and father of hers. You have to make her yours forever to get rid of me. You have to eliminate the obstacles.  You could just send someone to kill them. The voice in my head advice. No no no. I am not a killer. I tell the voice. But it isn't killing if they want to take her away. It is love defense. Think of it as self defense. Even the law understands that. The voice does have a point but wouldn't Benedicta hate me if i do that?
  I just have to think of another way to make her mine forever.
  An idea flash through my mind.
I pick up my phone to set the plan in action.
"Hello whitey" I hail my friend who I know has just what I need.
"Luis. Longest time." He says
"Been busy. Look, I need something from you" 
"I am all ears" he says and I tell him just what I need.
"whats the heck do you need that for?"he sounds appalled.
"Since when did you care? Can you deliver in thirty minutes?"I ask and he grunts a yes. I smile and end the call.
 I dial Benedicta's number next and she picks up relatively quickly.
"You are on your way right bennie?" I ask. She quiet for a while.
"Babes?"I say to know if she's still on the line.
"I can't Luis. I am grounded. This is not a good idea." She says and I grind my teeth. Who dares ground her? She is mine. How do I get her here now?
"Bennie honey. Please, I need you. My heart aches. My dad is going to send me to his branch in another city and I might not see you again. I never wanted to be an engineer but he forced it on me just like your dad is doing to you now.

Read " Beautiful Mask " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. You understand right?" 
"Yes but--" 
"No buts Bennie. Just for five minutes. I am leaving tomorrow. Just make me a happy guy by showing me your beautiful face." I say, cutting her off. She seems to still be hesitant.
"I feel like life isn't worth living anymore Bennie. This life is just too much for me to handle. It is okay, don't come. I don't mean anything to anyone in this world"I fake sob before ending the call. I smile at my self in the mirror. If she feels even a little for me, she would come and my plan will succeed. She'll probably think I want to commit suicide and she'll come.

So guys
What do you think about Luis?
What could his plan be?
Comment like and rate please.
Good day guys.