Madone walked further away from Suss. He placed his right hand in his pocket. He wasn’t sure how to begin, he knew he must pass through this huddle to push aside any fear Suss may be harboring within.
He walked back to her, he stared hard this time like a man standing up from a wine bout, “Jeffon is annoyed about what we did to Mike’s wife at the elder’s meeting, he came after me strongly at home demanding why she was dumb and all that, he got me pissed off. He came prepared for a fight. I was careful with my words perhaps I shouldn’t be telling the story now. I think Jeffon is taking sides with that, Stephnie!” He felt disturbed but refused to be distracted.
Suss was confounded, she sat on the tree stump again. This time, she sat down, speechless.
Much later, when she found her voice, she spoke faintly, “but why this? Jeffon was always the strong one.”
Madone laughed loudly, “Not anymore, he is losing his nerves now. He is such an idiot.”
Suss placed her hands on her head, she wasn’t sure what she was saying, but she just let the words go, “what do we do now?”
Madone jumped up in excitement, he had been expecting that question and wondered why it took her a long time to voice it out, “good, we will do without him. Some youths are coming with us, and you are coming along too.” He smiled.
She couldn’t believe her ears, “what? I don’t think that would be necessary, this is a men's affair, don’t you see now why you need Jeffon around.” She stood protesting.
Madone shouted like a wounded lion, “shut up, don’t you talk about Jeffon here or else I will walk out on you, and go all alone, trust me, you wouldn’t get a dime.” His eyes redden, and that got Suss scared.
Suss stood up immediately, she raised her hands, “okay Madone—you win, I will come with you and do whatever you say!” she said calmly.
Madone was relieved as he placed his hands on his waist like an eight months old pregnant woman. “I know, I can count on you. Now listen, tomorrow we should be in the City. I heard Mike’s lawyer confirm Mike never left a will behind that would have permitted Terry to possess Mike’s enormous properties scattered here and there, of course, why should he, he never expected death. And that makes our job easier and cool—very cool. Mike’s wife has no legal backing to keep us out, so you see she is a loser.” He smiled like a madman.
Suss watched Madone as he spoke in ecstasy. Immediately the plan was sealed, she adjusted her big breasts in her bra, and walked away to meet the festival that was still in full swing.
Madone watched Suss leave with her hips dangling here and there. He squeezed both hands as he closed his eyes firmly believing that tomorrow the rope that had joined him to poverty would be untied.
As he stood, the thought of Jeffon kept rushing through his mind. He never trusted him, and he had always considered him a failure ever since they were kids. He looked around and quietly started for home to perfect his plans. As he took his first step, he remembered the burning nightmare he had two days ago—it struck his mind hard, and he stood motionless for a while reflecting on it.
The pictures of the scene started showing up in his memory eyes.
He saw Mike carrying a big stick in his right hand. He didn’t notice him at first; it was when he made for the table full of all manner of delicious foods and choice wines that he saw him intruding. He chased him away with a big long stick that he was carrying. He remembered he was bold enough to ask, “Mike, what is the meaning of this?” he didn’t get an answer to his question until a few minutes later, when he spoke, his voice was different, but the face was Mike’s. He could hear him say, “don’t reap where you never sowed.”
He was shocked when he heard those words, they came with the wind penetrating deep into his bones and this has kept him wondering.
What manner of dream is this?
Could this be Mike or a demon putting on his appearance and scaring the shit out of him?
He could remember waking up in fear and panting breathlessly the night he had the impression. He has since overcome this strange dream, but the dream seems to be coming back to him every passing moment—hunting him.
He hissed loudly as he continued walking home, he knew his determination cannot be suppressed by what he described as a mere weak dream.
He knew Stephnie cannot withstand him from acquiring his brother’s wealth and as for Terry, he is only a child, and by the tradition of the land, he cannot manage his father’s wealth not until he is grown up. And that by tradition places him as the sole custodian of Mike’s wealth until Terry is of age.
He had already blacklisted Terry with his mother, Stephnie. And as such, he is not qualified to inherit any portion of Mike’s wealth as long as he is still a child.
************
The morning was still early when Stephnie started hearing strange voices outside. She wondered what was happening. Suddenly, she heard sharp incessant knocks at the front door downstairs. She got more afraid, and she marveled why Landus and Paul couldn’t check that out.
She quickly put off her nightwear and put on a pink Tee shirt and a pair of jean trousers to match. She rushed downstairs and threw the door wide open.
She could not believe what she saw.
She breathes in and out to ease the tension that was fast rising within. Her eyes bulged, and her heart throbbed.
What could Madone and Suss be doing in her house this early?
Momentarily, she was blank as she stared at them in amazement. She struggled to close the door against them—it was too late.
They forced their way in with the help of ten monster-looking men that came along with Madone. They were fierce-looking, no-nonsense men, who worked purely on instructions.
Stephnie was greatly disturbed. She looked around for Landus and Paul.
As soon as she saw Landus, she walked towards him and asked boldly, “What happened?”
Landus understood what Stephnie meant to ask, before Landus could make any reply, Madone interrupted rudely, “look here woman, I think you are very stupid. So you are trying to prevent us from entering my brother’s house. I see you are a big witch! And I tell you what; you can never be bigger than me. I got more wings than you think—idiot,” he hissed loudly, and that struck Stephnie’s ears—she shivered.
Stephnie knew Madone need to be handled roughly in words or else he will feel like the boss in her husband’s house, “enough Madone, you dare not come in here and talk irresponsibly. I can see you are drunk with hatred and jealousy for me, well that’s okay by me, but one thing I’ll certainly not tolerate from you is banging at my door early this morning, and calling me names. Remember when your brother was alive you never visited. You never loved him, now he is dead you come here calling him your beloved brother. You are sniffing around, you idiot. What a Chameleon appearance are you putting on, huh? You think I don’t know how you manipulated me in the Alliya with your disgusting charms to have your way, am I dead now?” She pointed her fingers at him. “Listen up, those causes placed on me is now upon your head—yes, your very fat head—you liar! You will certainly pay for it all in full. There is certainly no hiding place for the wicked. No hiding place for the golden fish in the ocean, the hook will come someday. What goes around comes around. You dirty old filthy pig! Stop fooling around here Madone, and get your ass out of here before I order my security to throw you out for illegal trespassing.” Her voice was climbing now.
Madone smiled heartlessly clapping his hands, “wonderful speech woman. I’m sure you don’t know whom you are talking with. I see you boast of security and all that shit. You should listen up now, I can assure you that your men cannot stand my men,” pointing to his men with his teeth clenched, “they are cooked already for this operation—knives, cutlass or guns never hurt them. They were specially prepared by the great Zikiziki for this occasion. You know nothing woman. This so-called wealth you have been swimming in has got you lost your mind.” He was still gazing hard at her, he wasn’t bothered by how his words hit her now, “Mike spoilt you real bad with wealth, and you now got the temerity to talk back at your elders. And now, you are certainly making the lion angry—very angry.” He sneezed twice and looked at her like a drunken man.
Stephnie could remember the incident at the Alliya vividly when she could not defend herself. She knew it wasn’t ordinary, it was an evil manipulation.
She wondered why she had the likes of Madone, Jeffon, and Suss for a relationship. They are demons in human skin, she thought miserably.
Suss had not stopped feeding her eyes ever since she entered the house. The properties within were breathtaking. She wasn’t listening to Madone and Stephnie at all. Her attention was completely captured by what she was seeing.
She was in her little world of greedy thoughts.
How come Mike never cared about us?
He had been enjoying all this alone, and never gave a damn how we fare in Alliya.
Her thoughts kept burning her up as she moved from one section of the spacious sitting room to the other, getting all the more fascinated by Mike’s wealth.
Mike was a billionaire!
Why did he suffer them in Alliya?
Was he out of his mind? Or Stephnie was the one, who put a spell on him and got him to lose his sense and never to remember them in Alliya.
Is Stephnie a witch?
How did she do that?
How did she make Mike forget they ever existed?
She is unbelievable, and now her days are numbered because she is going to lose everything, and nothing will be left for her, Suss pondered.
Stephnie knew this was a battle of wit. She calmed down and stared at Madone, “okay, Madone what exactly do you want, what’s your problem, and why this sudden intrusion into my house this early morning?” her eyes were still on him.
Madone laughed loudly for a couple of minutes, and then narrowed his bloodshot eyes on Stephnie, “you ask so many questions woman, and I have no problem at all with that. But, I should be asking you that, and by the way, that name Madone didn’t just come ordinarily. It took my Mother three rough years to have me, and that was a big job for my Dad if you ask me. He was busy for three years before she had me, and when he was asked what he wanted to name me. Do you know what he said? He had spoken up without hesitation; he should be called Madone because he had done a lot of hard work as a man on my mother to have me.” He laughed wildly and stared at Stephnie. He seems to be happy with his storyline.
He placed his left hand in his right pocket, and walked closer to Stephnie putting on an amazing smile “you ask what I want, and I want you. I want you to be my wife. I’m inheriting you along with Mike’s properties. The choice is yours, woman!” He put on a broad smile that disgusted Stephnie and infuriated her.
She was shocked at those words that came like slaps on both sides of her face.