Claudeen's eyes were all red. Charles couldn't weep or cry but his expression was that of sadness.
"It's all that girl's fault! That poor church rat! That Annie of a girl! If Christian hadn't saved that bastard called her daughter, he wouldn't have been blasted!" She cursed and cried.
Charles sighed, "There's no need casting blames Claudeen."
"Why shouldn't I blame her? Ever since she entered Christian's life, one thing in the other has gone wrong!"
"I won't even see my son's corpse! All because of her!" Her voice choked because of too much crying.
A man came in. Charles looked at him. He stood up.
"Kenneth." He shook him, "What's the latest update?"
"Mr. Powers, we couldn't find his body."
Claudeen fell on the sofa and broke into loud, croaky sobbings.
Charles shook his head full of sorrow. He sat down holding his head.
"What did I do to deserve all these? Where have I gone wrong? My son, my only son." She sobbed the more.
He looked at Kenneth, "He was my only hope Kenneth, what am I gonna do without him?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Powers, for your loss."
Claudeen breathed heavily on the sofa. There was silence punctuated by Claudeen's loud breathing.
"What should we do now Mr. Powers?" He asked.
"What else should I do?" He looked at him with unseeing eyes.
Kenneth sighed. Claudeen sat up unable to cry anymore.
"The media is here sir." Kenneth informed him.
"I don't wanna talk to anyone. Tell them to go away."
"But Mr. Powers...
Charles looked at him. He kept quiet and left the room.
*******
Annie sat on the floor flabbergasted. She looked like a living ghost. Robert sat besides he consoling her. His wife, Danielle sat on the other side of Annie, trying her best to calm her down.
Dannielle offered her a glass of water. She pushed it away, refusing to drink it.
"Annie I beg you, get a hold of yourself." Robert said.
"My child. My daughter." She kept mumbling.
"I'm so sorry this happened, Annie." Danielle said.
Annie breathed, her chest was heavy and she felt a knot tying in her chest.
She heaved and suddenly broke down, her croaky sobs filled the room. Danielle rubbed her back.
"Everything will be fine." Dan said.
"Nothing is fine and I don't see anything being fine!" She shouted frustrated.
"Don't say something like that Annie." Robert told her.
"What should I say? Is everything fine huh Robert? My daughter is not here all because she wanted to help that demon of a person!"
"Annie..." Robert sighed.
"I told him to stay away from my daughter! If he had not taken her out for lunch that day, she wouldn't have gotten kidnapped!" She cried.
Danielle and Robert exchanged glances.
Annie held her head and cried harder, "My child is gone! I don't when I'll see her again." She sobbed loudly breaking into croaky sobs.
"It's okay Annie." Dannielle said.
"It's not okay Danielle, nothing's fine." She shouted.
Robert stared into space for a moment, "They couldn't find their bodies."
Danielle looked at him, "It was a bomb blast Robert, how do you expect their bodies to be found?"
Annie cried harder, "My poor child." She heaved and sneezed.
Danielle offered her water again. This time she took it from her. She gulped it down and dropped it on the floor
There was a knock on the door. Danielle stood up and walked towards the door. She opened the door and saw Kim standing outside.
"Good evening Miss."
Danielle raised her brows but didn't say anything.
"I wish to speak to Miss Annie please."
"Uh... Annie someone wishes to speak with you."
Annie probably tired from too much talking replied with a tired voice, "Who is it?"
Danielle turned to face Kim, "What's your name mister?"
"I'm Kim."
"He says his name is Kim."
Annie whipped her head in his direction. Kim used to be Christian's Personal Assistant. She stood up and went to meet him.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him.
"Please hear me out. I need to speak with you privately."
*******
"Christian Powers is finally dead huh?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Mmh... Not bad hey?" Shawn smiled and sipped his wine.
Nathan smirked, "I also heard Annie's daughter died in the blast too."
Shawn whipped his head up, "Annie's daughter also died?"
"Yap."
"A smile played at the aide if his lips.
"She refused to marry me because of that child of hers. Now her daughter is dead, she'll have no choice but to marry me."
"Why would she refuse a son of the Roger's? Is she crazy?" Nathan laughed.
"I'm going to meet her Nathan. I'll fake my condolences, she'll have no choice but to marry me."
"Uh-huh."
"But how do I convince her? She might reject me Nathan." He worried.
"Calm down. You're Shawn Roger. You're every lady's dream man."
*Except Annie's."
"You'll win her over. Don't worry bro, she'll be yours very soon." Nathan winked..
Shaun smiled, "Gee Nathan, I love her."
"It's written all over you."
Shawn laughed, "I'll make sure I get her. Christian is already down. And I ain't sure there's any other guy in her life." He twisted his lips.
Nathan sat up, "Listen Shawn, there's no time for you tryna figure things out. You gotta hold her now she's vulnerable. This is the best moment to strike. There might not be another opportunity like this Shawn."
Shawn nodded, "Yeah, that's the. I have to go there right now."
"As soon as possible, Shawny." He laughed.
He squinted his eyes, "Don't call me that."
Nathan laughed harder, "Sorry. Sorry." He raised his hands.
Shawn sighed. He got up.
"I'm going there Nathan. I can't miss this opportunity." He picked up his car
Nathan stood up also, "Good luck bro." They shook hands.
Shawn walked out. He went towards his car. Remembering Christian's death made him smile. Christine's death tickled him the more.
He got in his car, there was no way he was letting this Golden chance pass him by.
He ignited the engine. He was driving to Annie's house. He drove a little bit fast, he could feel excitement growing in him.
He had liked Annie right from the moment he saw Annie's photo.
He felt so disheartened when he heard Annie refuse to marry him. He prayed Annie get along with him.
He drove faster. His mind had nothing else on it except Annie. He really hoped Annie didn't refuse him this time.
He arrived at Annie's house. He got out of his car. He walked towards the house with high expectations.
He got to the door and knocked.
This time it was Robert who opened the door.
"Mr. Roger." He said surprised.
"Hey. Is Annie in?"
"Yeah she is. Come in." He led him inside.
Danielle was patting Annie's head.
"Annie?"
She raised her head to look at him. Her eyes met wirh Shawn's and she looked away.
"This is Shawn Roger. The guy who accepted to marry you."
Annie whipped her head up in surprise. What?