The fill-in wife - Episode 7

 

Derrick:

I get to the hospital and I'm told they already discharged the old woman. Damn. I rush back into the car and head to the cemetery area. I drive slowly past the cemetery, hoping to find Maya. I've driven past only an abandoned train station so far with no other sign of any buildings. I am about to give up my search when I see a lone building at the other side of the cemetery . Surely, no one could live here. It's so rundown and looks like it's going to collapse any second. I remember the ratty clothes Maya always wore both times I've seen her and I stop to park my car beside the house.
I alight then stride towards the building. There's a small woman with hair dyed distastefully red smoking a cigarette on the small balcony.
"Hey! Excuse me." I call out to her, not wanting to step on the balcony, it looks like it would crumble any second. The woman look up from her phone then frown.
"It's you! From the hospital! Yea, I'll recognise that hotness anywhere." She purrs as she step off the balcony and walk towards me.
"How do you even know Maya? That little sh*t knows how to pick a man I must say. No wonder she was so bold talking to dad few minutes ago. I--"
"What do you mean she was bold to your dad? Where's Maya?" I ask, totally not interested in her rambling

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-fill-in-wife

. She just shrug.
"See let's forget that woman. My dad isn't home now. We got a few hours to, you know, catch some fun." She says seductively and I almost vomit in my mouth. She drag her nails down my front suggestively.
"Just tell me where to find Maya." I grind out as I grab her wandering hand and drop them not too kindly. She narrow red eyes at me then frown.
"Whatever! Suit yourself. It's your loss. As for that little whore, go look for her else where because she ain't here." She spit and walk away from me as my phone starts ringing.
I look down at it to see my lawyer's face flashing on the screen. I look up at the red haired woman who's glaring at me and I know she's not going to be of any help at all.
"What do you have for me?" I ask as I connect the call, while walking back to my car.
"I've got three women lined up for the post Derrick. They will meet you at the pub in an hour." He says and I nod.
"Good. The contract ready?"
"That takes time but I'll pull some strings to get it done in five days time."
"Make it three days." I say.
"I don't know if that's possible. A marriage certificate takes months to--"
"I'll send you more money."
"Consider it done." He says and I nod.
"Have fun at the pub." He says finally before ending the call.

*****
At the pub
"So why are you agreeing to this deal?" I ask my second date for the night. The first one had been too upfront with her greed. She had obviously researched about me and how much I'm worth and I quickly cross her off the list. I may want revenge on my family but I don't want another gold digger in my life for the whole of one year.
"My mom's sick. Cancer." She says. I think her name's Melanie. She looks bright eyed for a second and I hand her a tissue from the table.
"Thank you. She's been through surgery and then chemotherapy. It's hard on her. Sometimes I want to let her die in peace but something tells me chemo will work this time." She dab her eyes with the tissue as she sniff back tears. I study her again. She's pretty enough and at least she's doing this for a good cause.
"Do you have a light?" She suddenly says and my brows crease in confusion.
"Please don't judge me. I smoke only when I'm stressed or nervous." I look at her fish for a lighter in her purse then light a cigarette. This reminds me of the red haired woman at Maya's house and for the hundredth time that evening I wonder if Maya's fine.
"Have I got the job? I really need this." She says when I go quiet and I sigh. If she smokes when she's stressed then this one is going to destroy her kidneys and livers considering my family is the root of all things stress.
"I'll call you if you get it,Melanie. You can go now." She nod solemnly and stand. I can feel an headache coming on and I close my eyes while I try to massage my temples with my fingers.
"Need help there?" My eyes fly open at that voice.
"What are you doing here?" I spit out.
"Saw your car parked outside." Rose drop her butt on the chair Melanie just vacated. I glare her down as she drops two shot glasses on the table in front of both of us.
"Trying to replace me so quickly?" She says and I raise my brow up questioningly.
"Two dates in a night. I've been watching you." She just shrugs like it's completely normal. I used to think that shrug was cute. I grind my teeth at memories of this woman at the altar with my brother.
"Are you just going to affect nonchalance after what you've done?" I ask, appalled.
"You did ruin my wedding. Let's call it even Derrick. I miss you." Her hand cover mine on the table as she stare into my eyes. I grab the tequila off the table and throw down both shots down my throat.
"Slow down there, honey." She says and I pull my hand from under hers.
"What the hell Rose! You f*cking broke my heart." I spit out.
"Then let me make it better. You are the one I love Derrick. Just say the word and I'll match down any altar to marry you babe." She caress my forearm and it feels good. My head is starting to go foggy. I shouldn't have downed those shots at once.
"Are you okay babe? Let's get out of here." I let her lift me off the chair and lean against her as we exit the bar.
"You feel so soft." I mumble as she help me into her car.
"I'm going to make you feel better okay?" She press a kiss to my lips and I find myself wanting more. I hold her face in place as I kiss her deeply. My ringing phone pull me away from her. It's an unknown number. I fumble to end the call but I connect it instead.
"Don't stop." Rose murmurs and nuzzle my neck.
"Hello? Sir Derrick? Have you seen Maya?" At the mention of that name, I freeze and place the phone against my ear. Rose try to pry the phone off my ear but I glare at her harshly.
"What's wrong with Maya?" I ask the voice.
"I think she's hurt. She called me with someone's phone earlier. I can't leave work yet. Can you help me check up on her? You seemed concerned earlier." The voice says tentatively and I nod.
"Where can I find her?"
"She said something about a train station. Look I gotta go. Keep me posted." The line goes dead and I spring to action.
"Where are you going?!" Rose yell after me but I hurry on to hail a cab.
"Hey! I thought we were going to--" I don't let her finish before I slam the taxi's door in her face.
"Cemetery road. Train station." I say to the taxi driver.
"But it's not in order."
"I know." I throw a wad of N200 bills on his lap.
"Buckle your seatbelt Sir." He says while I shut my tired eyes. My body feels all hot and uncomfortable. What kind of tequila was that?

******
Rose:

"Arrrrgggghhhh!!!" I scream into the night as I watch the taxi zoom away from me.
"F*cking! Trash! Can! Girl!" I yell as I slam my boot's heel against my car's tyre. I had this all planned out! I almost had him. If not for that stupid caller! Now Derrick has left with the drugs in his system to meet that woman.

Read " Stolen innocence " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. No. I alone can have him. Now that he's back, I will have him.
"Bravo! Brilliant performance!" I turn around to see Nelson standing against his car, clapping. My eyes go wide in shock but I mask it quickly.
"Honey!" I straighten my dress and walk to him.
"What are--"
"Bitch!" A hard slap shut me up as he grab both sides of my mouth in a vice hold.
"Nelson! You're hurting me!" I cry out, panicked.
"Oh, you think this hurts?! Huh?!" He hits me again and I feel my right eye throb badly as I fall to the ground.
"Look at me!" Nelson yells and I do in fear.
"I am not Derrick! I'm not stupid. I knew you still have the hots for him. I knew I should follow you. You went as far as kissing him in public! You think you can make me a laughing stock?" He spits at me and I shaky head.
"Now, listen carefully. No more delays. I'm going on a business trip tomorrow and when I get back in a week's time, be ready to march down the altar again. And this time, no f*cking interruption! Got it?"
"Ye- yes." I stutter.
"Now, get in the car! I want a sample of what my dear wife has to offer." He says and my skin crawl. I pick myself off the ground and quickly enter his car.
He's messed with the wrong woman!