Single and 30 - Episode 11

 

"Why do your parents keep you caged in that big house?" Jeremiah asked Doyin.
She forced a smile."They are not my real parents", she said staring at her fingers. "I am adopted". She doesn't know why she always find herself telling him everything.
He frowned. "Do they treat you well?" He asked with concern.
"Well.... . My mother, Beatrice loves me and protects me, but....." Doyin stopped. What would think of a father who beat her because she found out his secrets? What would he say about a father who told his adopted daughter to go and hide hard drugs from law agents? What would he think of her, an accomplice to a criminal.
"But what?" Jeremy asked interrupting her thoughts.
"But nothing. Enough about me. Tell me about your family".
Jeremy frowned at the obvious change of subject. Still, he allows her to.
"There is my father, a CEO to one of the banks in the country. My mother, a caterer and finally my younger sister, Stella. She went to the main land for a vacation. She is also preparing for university".
"What about you?" Doyin asked.
"I am studying a culinary course in Italy".
"You must be kidding".
"I am serious. And don't you dare laugh at me".
Doyin smiled

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/single-and-30

. "Really? Catering stuff. It's just unusual for a man in this country".
"That's me. Mr. Unusual", he replied mocking himself.
"Come on. You are better than me. I can't cook anything".
"You must be kidding", Jeremy said repeating the words she said earlier.
'No".
"Why?"
"I went to boarding school".
"Still you could have learn".
Doyin raised up her hands. "Could have? I am a disaster in the kitchen. Miss Ann usually tells me to leave the kitchen.
"Who is Miss Ann?"
"A good older friend of mine at the foster home".
"Talking about the foster home. When would they check up on you?"
"Next month". And Doyin does not know how she would tell Miss Ann she wants to go back to D's Orphanage. The guilt of helping to cover up a criminal is eating her up already.

Doyin's POV

"You were telling him about me. Weren't you?" My foster asked shouting on top of his lungs.
"I wa......" I stuttered. I knew he would find out I had a friend.
He draws out a gun from his pockets. Oh my God! My heart beats faster.
"Answer me, slut!"
I shrinked at the insult. I am not a slut.
He places his fingers on the trigger ready to pull it.  I close my eyes. Oh God! Is this how I will die?
I heard the gunshot. Wait! I feel no pain. I slowly opened my eyes to see my predator on the floor, a bloody hole in his chest. Blood gushes out. I look up to see my mother holding a gun. Smoke from gunpowder is coming out from the gun. Did she shoot him?
My mother starts crying and sits on the floor. The gun falls from her hand.
"What have I done?" She asked herself. She picks up the gun and rubbed it slowly.
She started talking, "I am sorry for all the pain we caused you. I shouldn't have adopted you with the kind of man I live with. I am sorry for the times he beat you, but this was the final straw".
I don't know where I got the courage from, but I moved closer to her not minding the gun. I cleaned the tears on her cheeks.
"Doyin", she said holding my hand taking it away from her face.
"Doyin", she repeated still holding my hand. "I paid your acceptance into the university. I also opened a bank account in your name. Meet my friend, the banker. I want to use the money to send yourself to school and help yourself".
She sniffed. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have made you share my horrible life with me. Still, I have no regrets. You were the best thing that happened to me".
I start crying. Then I heard a second gunshot so close to me. Blood splashes on me as I behold the face of my foster mother.
Then I heard police siren. I blacked out. 

*******

Doyin slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the unfamiliar ceiling. "Where am I?" She asked.
"In the hospital", a law officer answered her.
She sat upright.
"How are you feeling?" The officer asked her.
"I am okay", Doyin replied. Although, she feels as if something is amiss.
Then she remembered. "Where is my mother?"
"Your foster mother you mean as a particular Jeremiah keeps telling me".
"Where is she?" Doyin asked again.
"Here in the hospital", the officer told her reluctantly.
"Is she okay?"
The officer left the question unanswered.
"I am Inspector Tajid. Your late foster parents had a lot of incriminating materials in their house. Despite you being underage, you are a suspected accomplice to their crimes.

Read " A Bride For The Dumji Prince " by the same author ( Queen )

. I would be taking you into out custody".

********
Doyin sighed yet again.
"Everything will be okay Doyin. You were not a willing accomplice to their crimes. They can't send you to jail", Jeremiah told Doyin to reassure her.
A man coughed. Jeremiah looked at him remember. He introduced the man, "Doyin this is your defence lawyer for this case, Barr. Williams".

********
The present.

Doyin jolts. Jeremiah is Mr. J. The guy who was not only her friend but also the person who helped in saving her from juvinele prison.
"Why didn't he tell me? He must have remembered", she said in the silent room.
Why didn't she recognise him? Although he now looked different. He is now taller, more muscular and darker. Still, she should have connected the dots.
She took her phone and dialed Jeremy's number.
"Where are you?" She asked.