"Why would my father choose an outsider when his daughter is a designer?" Felicia questioned, her tone tinged with frustration.
"Feli, we can discuss that later. You know how your father can be. Where are you?" Mr. Oman redirected the conversation.
"I'm setting up my fashion house. You know where it is," Felicia responded.
"Alright. I will send the designer," Mr. Oman acknowledged. He ended the call, picked up a pen from the table, and scribbled down an address on a piece of paper. Handing it over to Nukeson, he said,
"Please, let me know once you are done. I would also like to inspect the process from time to time."
"Okay." Nukeson never expected him to mention inspection, but if he argued, it might raise suspicions. He needed to discuss with Nina on the way forward to determine if he would continue or not. If he must continue, he would have to rent an exotic space. Nukeson quickly walked to his car and texted Nina: "I got the address." He patiently waited for Nina's response as he intermittently checked his phone. Suddenly, it rang. He knew it was Nina calling.
"I got the address," he informed her.
"Yes, I got your message," she replied from the other end of the call. "Raze it."
"That will cost you more," Nukeson replied cautiously, sensing the gravity of Nina's request.
"I know," Nina acknowledged, her voice firm. "I will send you an address. Visit Ms. Sandra at that location. Use her."
Nukeson furrowed his brow, intrigued but also wary. "How do you propose I do that?"
Nina paused for a moment, considering her words carefully. "I don't want you directly involved. Make it seem like suicide. Convince her to sacrifice herself dishonorably , and I will take care of her family indefinitely."
Nukeson nodded slowly, understanding the implications of Nina's plan.
"Understood. Consider it done."
As Spider approached the address Nina had provided, he couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that gnawed at him. The road leading to Ms. Sandra's house wound its way up the hill, offering glimpses of the sprawling landscape below. The air was crisp and cool, with the scent of pine trees mingling with the faint aroma of nearby flowers.
As he neared the house, Spider couldn't help but notice its isolated location. Nestled among the trees, it seemed almost hidden from view, as if purposely shielded from prying eyes. The sight gave him pause, stirring a sense of foreboding within him.
Parking his car by the roadside, Spider took a moment to compose himself. He checked his surroundings, ensuring there were no witnesses to his arrival. Satisfied that he was alone, he stepped out of the car and made his way toward the house.
The path leading to the front door was overgrown with weeds, a clear sign of neglect. Spider navigated his way carefully, his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that he may be walking into a trap, but he pushed aside his doubts and focused on the task at hand.
Reaching the front door, Spider hesitated for a moment before knocking. The sound echoed through the quietude of the surrounding forest, sending a shiver down his spine. He waited, his heart pounding in his chest, until finally, the door creaked open.
Standing before him was a woman, her face drawn and weary. Spider could see the pain etched in her features, the weight of her burden evident in every line and crease. It was clear that she had been through much, and Spider felt a pang of sympathy for her plight.
"Ms. Sandra?" he ventured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
The woman nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Yes, that's me. Who are you?"
Spider hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. He knew that the task ahead would require all his cunning and skill, but he also knew that he had a job to do. With a steely resolve, he squared his shoulders and met Ms. Sandra's gaze head-on.
" My name is Nukeman and I'm here to help you," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "But first, we need to talk.
"Well, I am from Mrs. Northman",
Sandra is obviously looking agitated "I have nothing to say to you", she tries to walk inside but Nukeman grabs her "Why not listen to me? I came with a good message",
Ms. Sandra turns her face to him while backing him "You have nothing to say to me except to tell me where my husband is",
"Well" Northman interrupt "Mrs. Northman has decided to take care of your siblings forever, including your mother in-law and your parents, they will get a new and furnished house, cars, school fees will be paid until they graduate",
"why? If she is innocent, why does she want to compensate me?"
"Well, its not compensation"Spider removes his hand from her arms "it's a payment for sacrificing your life"
"What do you mean?"
"You will have to burn a shop and yourself inside, we will say its suicide because of what happened to your husband",
"You are crazy", Sandra tries to walk out again and he grabs her arm again "looking at all the benefits your siblings and parents will get, including your mother-in-law, I wouldn't call it crazy", he continue "I know you are struggling, infact, your family is deeply in debt, your siblings are out of school, your father is sick and you keep accumulating debt because of his health, how did I get this information? We lived in the same area before you married your poverty stricken husband"
Spider's words hung heavy in the air, weighing down on Ms. Sandra's already burdened shoulders. She felt a surge of indignation and disbelief rising within her, but beneath it all was a gnawing sense of desperation and frustration.
"I can't do that," she protested, her voice shaking with emotion. "I won't sacrifice my life for a crime."
Spider's grip on her arm tightened, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with her. "You don't have a choice," he said firmly. "Think about your family. Think about what this could mean for them."
Ms. Sandra's mind raced as she grappled with the impossible choice laid before her. On one hand, there was the promise of security and stability for her loved ones – a chance to lift them out of poverty and despair. On the other hand, there was the daunting prospect of ending her own life in a staged tragedy and the offer is coming from someone who last saw her husband.
"But... but how can my spirit rest?" she whispered, her voice trembling with anguish
Spider's expression softened, a hint of sympathy flickering in his eyes. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good," he said gently. "And in this case, the greater good is the well-being of your family."
Ms. Sandra's heart ached with the weight of Spider's words. She knew he was right – knew that her family's future hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of ruin. And yet, the thought of betraying her own principles filled her with a profound sense of dread.
As she stood there, caught between the offer and morality, Ms. Sandra knew that she faced an impossible decision – one that would shape the course of the lives of those she held most dear. And in that moment of agonizing uncertainty, she could only pray for the strength to choose wisely. Although she is grieving her husband but she has lots of responsibilities weighing on her, she is living in misery.
Spider watched her closely, his demeanor a mix of patience and resolve. He knew the gravity of the situation and understood the weight of the decision Ms. Sandra faced. Yet, he remained steadfast in his conviction that the ends justified the means, however morally dubious they might seem.
For Ms. Sandra, the prospect of betraying her own principles was a bitter pill to swallow. She had always prided herself on her integrity and honesty, and the idea of going against her principles and betraying her husband– even for the noble cause of securing her family's future – filled her with a deep sense of shame and self-reproach.
But as she cast a fleeting glance towards her family home, her heart clenched with anguish at the sight of their struggles and hardships. She knew that they depended on her – that their hopes and dreams rested squarely on her shoulders. And in that moment of clarity, she realized that she could not turn her back on them, no matter the personal cost.
With a resigned sigh, Ms. Sandra made her decision. It was a choice born not out of selfishness or greed, but out of an overwhelming love for her family and a desperate desire to see them thrive. And though it pained her to do so, she knew that she would do whatever it took to ensure their happiness and well-being, even if it meant sacrificing her own.
As Spider released his grip on her arm, she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze with newfound resolve. "I'll do it," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family."
And with those words, Ms. Sandra embarked on a path to a disgraceful end because suicide is an abomination but she has a flickering beacon of hope that burned bright within her heart – the hope of a better future for those she loved most. She turns to Spider,
"Can I say goodbye to my family?"
"Yes", Spider dusted his suit "You have 24 hours, this is …" he checked his wristwatch "6 pm, you have until 6 pm tomorrow. Call me once you are done, and I will pick you up". He brings out a pen from his suit jacket, then a piece of paper from his trouser left pocket, he scribbles down a phone number on the paper, grabs her hand, and gently places the paper on her palm,
"You are not alone, I will be with you. Just know that you are securing a bright future for your siblings and family, they will forever thank you for your sacrifice". He turns and leaves,
Ms. Sandra who has been struggling to suppress her tears walks inside the gate with the paper still in her hand. Her Mother-in-law is already screaming her name to serve her dinner.