Madone stared sadly at Jeffon, as he shot words back at Jeffon, “I see fears in you. I am afraid you are not man enough to handle this hot situation as it seems. If you don’t mind, I can permit you to use the back door. Mike’s wealth is our right, our patrimony if you like because that little Terry is an outcast. Don’t have this stupid notion that Mike’s wealth is for Stephnie, who was an orphan before she got married to Mike. Certainly not in this life we live in, she will not inherit anything. Wise up Jeffon, I’m not sure you have woken up yet from your slumber, perhaps when you do. You will have a change of mind and I will be waiting for you at the other end. Meanwhile, I will love you to let me catch some sleep. My interesting dream was interrupted by your shouts minutes ago. I hope I will be able to locate where my dream got broken. It was about riches, I hardly have such dreams, however, when it comes, it gets fulfilled. I will like to go back to sleep to kick start the dream again.”
Jeffon narrowed his eyes at him. He scrutinized him, as he dashed into memory lane. He could see Mike accusing him of killing their father, and his words were still fresh even though it had happened over sixteen years ago…
, “you killed our father and you sit here telling us lies—polished lies, why wouldn’t the elders believe you didn’t, if everybody said you didn’t, I still stand by my words that you did, you evil bastard…”
He had never believed Mike, Mike had reiterated over and over again that, he can never stay in a house wickedly acquired by Madone. Mike had left for the City after that strange encounter.
The story is becoming clearer with each passing day. He knew it was too late now, the father he so much loved was dead, and now Mike was gone also.
It was obvious; he can’t contain Madone's excesses alone. He walked towards the exit door and looked back at him. “That little boy…Terry is not an outcast as you said. I want you to know that his father’s wealth is his patrimony and not yours or ours. I leave you now in the hands of the gods. Whatever you do as far as this issue is concerned, count me out. I’m certainly no party to this, Madone.” Jeffon walked out on Madone.
Madone found it very difficult to believe Jeffon is chickening out of this rich game. No, it is not a game. He corrected himself within his dark mind. Mike’s gold mine, he thought smiling as he watched Jeffon walk away without uttering a word to him.
************
The experience of yesterday was telling on Stephnie. She was still terrified, and if there was anything she dreads most now was the plans for Mike's extended family. They may come here, and behave cruelly.
She looked around for a while and then started for the staircase. She knew where exactly she was going.
She was heading for Mike’s bedroom. She opened the door carefully and entered in fear.
She knew exactly what she wanted. She quickly made for the drawers in Mike’s huge table. The table she often sees him use. She pulled the drawers out one after the other and started a smart search.
What was she looking for?
She wasn’t so sure either. She just wanted to stumble on something, on what? On anything, perhaps—her nervous fingers were active now and her eyes bright.
Her brain walked wide as she saw an amazing collection of documents, she flipped through uneasily for a moment and then did a careful selection.
She picked the documents for the cars, companies, houses, and Mike’s original death certificate; which she had kept carelessly in one of the files a couple of days ago. Her eyes dropped to various checkbooks with astonishing figures. She separated them carefully.
Her eyes fell on a recent bank statement of $992.2 billion. She couldn’t believe Mike had so much money. One other thing she knew about Mike's personality was that he had never been stingy in giving—he was always smiling and always giving.
She put the bank statement aside, and finally made an arrangement of all the necessary documents and kept them in a single file.
She smells evil from afar, but not so sure how imminent it was. She stood up and looked around for a while, satisfied she was done; she sneaked out of the room quietly and walked downstairs.
A few seconds later, she heard the doorbell ringing. And as she descended the staircase, she doubled her steps and walked into the sitting room downstairs.
The moment she was about to open the front door, she stood still for a while and then walked towards the window. She pulled the curtain carefully and peeped through to see who was behind the door. When she saw it was Cardiff, she walked back to the door, this time breathing freely as she opened the door.
“Hello Cardiff, how are you and your family? Hope they are doing great, come right in and take your seat.”
Cardiff walked in delighted with the warm reception. He had always known Stephnie to be a nice and caring woman.
Mike’s death was unfortunate, he thought sadly. He took his seat and watched her lock the door. She is such a lovely woman, he thought fixing his eyes on her as soon as she was done locking the door. “Madam, I’m sorry about Mike’s death, pleased to be comforted. I pray the good Lord to grant you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, God will surely strengthen you.” He tried to put on an assuring smile, but find it quite difficult to do. He stared at Stephnie and then listened to the words from her red lips.
“That’s okay Cardiff. You’ve been wonderful and very supportive after Mike’s death, I must confess. I’m grateful, honestly, you surprised me.” Stephnie kept her eyes on him. She knew she had passed through a lot these few days, and dealing with drivers wasn’t her responsibility but Mike’s, and now Mike is gone. The memory still hurts, but she knew, she has to be strong for Terry and moved the family forward, no matter what had happened.
Cardiff put on a brilliant smile this time, “thanks for the compliment madam, it is always a pleasure.” Cardiff cleared his throat, he knew he must talk quickly about why he came otherwise Stephnie will lose confidence in his visit.
He wanted to look away but changed his mind. He got to be a man and face it, he thought calmly, “M…Madam,” he began stammering, but quickly adjusted his voice, “I just came to know my fate. I mean after the death of Mike, and may his soul rest in peace. I guess my services may no longer be necessary here, as you know, I was his driver and David Olas was the family driver—”
Stephnie could feel the pain boiling within him. She stood up, walked towards the window, and stood there for a while deep in unusual thoughts.
She knew he had made a point. The idea of sacking workers hurt her badly. She placed her right hand to her forehead trying hard to figure out how to reply to Cardiff, who was eager to hear her response. She was not good at handling Mike’s staff. Mike had been the one in charge.
She knew as far as driving was concerned, Cardiff was good. He is responsible and a cool-headed fellow.
She walked back and sat in her favorite leather armchair fixing her eyes on Cardiff as she sat.
She thought for a while, and finally got the words, “Cardiff, truly you have been such a great driver. You were very useful to Mike before his demise. It is quite difficult to tell what tomorrow holds for us considering the hatred Mike’s family have for me. Honestly, the future is pregnant, with the trio of Madone, Suss, and Jeffon, anything can happen. They are bent on inheriting Mike’s wealth, and that is simply ridiculous. They are determined to reap where they didn’t sow with absolutely any respect for the woman in the house. I’m really in a tight corner, Cardiff. I’m sick and tired of this life pattern. It doesn’t seem interesting anymore. It was when Mike was alive, but not anymore, his love and affection had kept me going, but all that is lost now. The wealth he left behind is taking a huge toll on me. I have been having nightmares in series lately and this isn’t funny at all, we are now in a dark room of uncertainty.” She wanted to cry, but she quickly held back her tears, at least not before Cardiff.
A few seconds later, she looked away from Cardiff and continued, “I will love you to remain our staff as long as we wish or you wish, just be patient with me. You will definitely sign another contract with me soon, for now just go on with your job, your salary package remains the same just like when Mike was alive, okay.” She licked her lips as she stared at Cardiff. “Is that okay by you?”
“Sure, madam,” Sparks of excitement clouded his eyes.
Cardiff understood Stephnie's position. She didn’t talk badly at all, he thought.
He looked at her, this time perhaps differently. She was extremely beautiful and naturally endowed with a lovely body any man would desire in a woman.
How could such a beautiful young woman turn into a widow overnight?
Mike had been too careless with his life if what he heard was true. He knew in every rumor there was always an element of truth.
Is Mike a cultist?
He cleared his throat calmly prepared to make further reply, “You have spoken well Madam. I will continue to serve you as long as you pay for my services. Honestly, I have a large family, and the economy is unfriendly, as you and I know.” He laughed.
Stephnie managed a smile. She wasn’t so sure what he was driving at.
She stood up, and swung her hips as she walked towards the wine shelf, “you are a nice man Cardiff. Do you care for a soft drink or wine?” she smiled, revealing her beautiful teeth. She just wanted to be free, and to let go of the burning tension within her after the demise of Mike. It wasn’t easy living alone and without him. Their separation was too sudden. Terry is only three, and Mike was no more.
Can a billionaire die like that?
So sudden!
She still finds it difficult to understand.
As Stephnie's thoughts ran wild, Cardiff hesitated for a while, and then changed his mind, “sure, why not Madam, if that will make you happy, let me be your guest. I sincerely appreciate your gesture Madam!” he added whispering.
Stephnie was by the wine shelf now. It was loaded with assorted wines. She looked through for the one Cardiff would enjoy. Shifting her eyes to the right, she spotted the wine Mike always loved.
She stood motionless for a while as old memories flooded her mind. It came with such ecstasy that almost got her feet dangling in the air, instantly the words of Mike flew in… “This is my favorite, you just keep drinking and drinking and you never know when you get drunk, it doesn’t contain much alcohol though. I think 9%, not too much I guess, but drinking too much of it makes you want to think it does, very funny, bring your cup nearer darling, and let us have sweet fun…”
She could still hear his pleasant laughs. This time, it doesn’t seem pleasant but taunting. It was more like a horror piercing deep into her eardrum and screwing deep into her brain making her want to scream, but she held back and put herself in control. As more thought came, she knew she must fight it off, she shut her mind.
A few minutes later, she recovered and got on with what she was doing, as she lifted her right hand to the shelf, she remembered. She was about to select and serve Cardiff with a good wine, Mike’s favorite.