CHAPTER ONE
John watched from his car has the tiny snowflakes fell quietly on the ground, it was a cold night. He grabbed a green sticky note pad and wrote with his black pen suspended by a rope to his neck. "It's time to make a change" he thought loudly in his head. He was a man of few words and prefers to do things alone. He switched on the engine and was ready to move, then came the angel of death in form of a dark skin man behind the wheel of a fast moving truck.
This was a tragedy to his friends and family because john was known to be a man of all. Though he doesn't like talking but giving support to people was his hobby. He was well known for his generosity in the community.
"May his soul rest in perfect peace", the priest said as the coffin was gently placed six foot below the surface marking the end of JOHN FREDSON and beginning of JOHN FREDSON JR.
Fate is one fickle thing but still fate is true
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Time passed and Junior was all grown. The same six years old boy and his four years gapped little sister had grown to be a man and a beautiful lady. Junior was a Managing Director of a well known company and Milly still in the university. Yes their mother was proud but ... well, let's call it fate.
Actually, my name is JOHN FREDSON JR. yeah, you know the rest. I lost my dad when I was six and life has been tasteless. I remember the days when big Uncle Joe used to play the role of a father but was only looking for the perfect time. The perfect time to tie mom and take advantage of her. He raped her. You know, growing up hasn't been easy but my mother was always there for us. We were forced to move and had to sleep on the street for weeks before mom got a job at a night club. Let me not bore you with all this but just wanted you to know that my ''growing up'' was a brutal experience.
I got a job immediately after graduating from the university, luckily it was a good pay or probably because I worked hard for it. Anyways, I was able to deal with the bills comfortably and change Milly to a private university. Despite all the good, there was this rancid word I couldn't deal with, LOVE. Many suggested that I needed therapy but my mom always say, "fate is everything son, you'll feel it when it's real".
Finally arrived the u-turn and life again was good to us. We lived fine and happy. All I craved for was the smile of my mom and my sister, nothing else mattered. Go to work, get back from work and enjoy the rest of the evening with my family. That was the cycle until…..
Drove in as usual and noticed nothing (am a very good observer). Walked in, pulled my shirt off and entered the living room. Less I forget, we had a maid. I can't remember her name but she did well and was never a threat. This very day was like every normal day and I never knew what was waiting. I entered the living room and everything changed. Standing there was Uncle Joe, the game changer. It seemed like a déjà vu cause have always wanted to set my eyes on him, one last time.
"How are you doing Uncle, it's been two decades, two…decades" I smiled. One thing I loved doing was making people feel guilty. I love the aroma of the feeling when people feel guilty. Do I sound like a maniac? Don't judge me yet!
I knew my sister and mom were surprised of my action because I vowed to one hundred pushups every morning saying the result was for Uncle Joe but the instance I saw him again, I didn't want to hit him physically but mentally. All I wanted at the moment was to push him to his death.
I went upstairs with the veins in my head swollen. "Revenge", I muttered. Stared at the mirror for a while but suddenly the monster wasn't there anymore. It was just a handsome young man in shirt. I smiled and took off my clothes, did another one hundred pushups and had a nice bath. I hurried downstairs in a short jean and a short sleeve round neck and as expected, dinner was ready.
We sat at the table, said the grace and chewing commenced. It was quiet until he broke it himself, he shouldn't have but he did. "You really have done well Junior, I must say. Living up to your father's legacy is a very big achievement" he simply said but sounded savage to me. I raised my head, swallowed the food in my mouth and replied, "And all thanks to you for everything". He grinned and I recognized that look at the instant. Yes, it was time for my sharp entry. "You know….", Chewing and pointing the spoon on my left hand like a rude wealthy man who was addressing the waiter. " life would have been easier if you didn't take advantage of a widow" I continued and it was certain than our Uncle was not comfortable. Indeed, I was polluting the atmosphere and my Mom didn't seem comfortable with it but I didn't care. Mom was staring at me in order to stop talking but I won't. I wish I did.
I didn't realize my payback was not just hurting Uncle Joe, maybe two or three or probably everyone. I was too upset and reminded my mom of her past. You see, mom worked as an attendant at a night club to provide for me and Milly which I never wanted but there was no other option. She had to lay with rich men to earn extra cash and also with an ugly fellow named JAYSON. He's also on my list. It's really hard to forget that bastard. By accident, I indirectly called her a whore….hear me out clearly. While I was strangling Uncle Joe with my words "...causing her to sleep with different old men" I quoted. I never understood the gravity of my words until rush hour.
Dinner turned winter, brutally cold and every one had to take cover except for me. I turned on the heat and no one was able to withstand the atmosphere. Young and dumb. I went to bed without any feeling of remorse. Instead, while lying came a thought that my mom was only earning cash with pleasure. Yikes, I was indeed dumb.
Although, conscience charged me to the high court of the mind but I had an explicit lawyer, EGO. Session went on for about thirty minutes and it was quite certain that conscience was clear and fair, showing clearly how hypocrisy had been involved by my lawyer. But I own my mind, meaning I pass the judgment. You should know too well that I passed the wrong sentence.
That night, I lost my conscience.
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[Beep] [Beep]
It was 6:00 am, time to wake.
As usual, say my prayers, one hundred pushups, cold shower bath and a cup of coffee made by mom. She was the only person that knows how I love my coffee to taste. However, I skipped my cup of joy. It was hard because I tend to be a foodie.
"Good morning junior", mom greeted with my cup of coffee in her hands. I ignored, walked pass her and bang the door behind, without a word. No other word than foolishness.
Now you understand why I tagged Uncle Joe as the game changer. He was and always will be.
I arrived work few minutes earlier than normal which made everyone surprise. It had never happen. I always drive in by three minutes to eight and already on seat by eight sharp. It was a loop for about five hundred and fourteen days.
"Your alarm rang earlier than before". Mr. Hank, CEO of the company joked. I was not a fan of jokes but at least a smile will do. "Good morning sir" I greeted. "You don't sound like you, but make sure you work like you and…" paused for few seconds. "….check yourself well", holding his neck. He talks too much for me but I still needed to check the mirror. I entered my toilet and noticed my tie wasn't well knotted.
"Fuck" I thought. Have been a baby for years. Mom always helps out with it every morning; probably the coffee and tie correction was five minutes. Can't say for sure.
It was proving to be a rough morning but I wasn't giving in. I just did the usual and expected the normal outcome but unfortunately, corrections were made three times by Mr. Hank who doesn't give a shit when it comes to work. Especially when dealing with his company. "This is my sweat, blood and tears" his famous quote.
"You need to get the fuck together and work without making mistakes like you've always done. I like you but I love my company" he concluded his speech that took almost forever. That was the first query I ever had.
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[Closing hour]
I decided to take a break at a nearby restaurant before heading home. Can you imagine a person that has never attended a party? While driving, I thought how miserable my life has been. I do need a break.
I entered the restaurant and was feeling a bit nervous because it was crowded with few people sitting in twos and threes. I eventually found a nice spot close to the transparent glass. You would notice me the instance you step in because I was close to the glass and alone. I ordered and was waiting when a beautiful lady walked in. Do you know the song, ALL EYES ON ME.? All eyes were on her, including mine.
Surprisingly, she asked if she could sit at my table and I responded…yes.
This is how it all started!!
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Pls, feel free to comment and vote.
Chapter two in seven days time.
Thanks for reading