CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ROXANNE'S POV
The phone rang, shifting our focus from Dera. I initially didn't want to pick up, but the persistence was extremely distracting, so I decided to pick up for peace to reign.
It was a very disturbing call; Mr. Edward professed his lunatic undying love for me while claiming to have lost his mom.
Did they think me a fool? A kind fool that was blind to all sorts of deceit and mockery? Just a few moments earlier, Dera had sung the same mournful song, claiming she had lost a dear friend.
No! I would not be a fool twice. Once was enough. I should at least be allowed to condone one act of betrayal per day; two would be too much.
I didn't answer his cock and bull story, as I ended the call. He should find someone else to brainwash. Why couldn't people be straightforward? Must they always try to be cunny? I pondered
"Who was it?" Stephanie asked, standing akimbo
I sighed, "My boss," I replied, moving away from the phone and heading toward my bedroom
"Which? Mr. Edward?" Dera asked sheepishly.
Her questions helped in bringing me back to her case.
"Why were you in possession of the knife, at such a late hour?" I asked
She started sobbing again. What was wrong with this Dera? Was she mentally ill? Was she trying to make a fool out of me again?
"I was going to commit suicide," she used her hands to shield her face from our view.
"Will you stop with all the pretense" Stephanie yelled, startling me as well as Dera
I needed to take things calmly
"Okay Dera, let's say you wanted to commit suicide. Why did your legs bring you to my house? Were you going to end your life in my house, to implicate me? I questioned, not finding her response to my question plausible.
"I wanted to apologize to you," she replied in a muffled voice, for her hands were still on her face
Astonished, I asked the reason
"I felt guilty, and didn't want to take the guilt to the grave," she answered while using the kerchief to wipe away her tears.
The quiet and observant Stephanie, stepped into the picture to continue the interrogation.
"Why then did you lie when I asked what was in your jacket's pocket?"
She shook her head pitifully "I didn't want you guys to stop me from going on with the act," she replied, still using the kerchief as a tear dryer
"I think you're lying. Your story doesn't add up. It sounds like some badly written children's bedtime story" Stephanie retorted
I, on the other hand, fixated my glare on the floor, trying to determine if she was lying or not.
"I don't think she's lying," I finally voiced out.
"Roxanne, this girl is a fox. She's a talented con artist. Can't you see it?" Stephanie screamed in horror
"She might be a psycho, but I have this feeling that she's telling the truth," I still maintained my protective stance
Stephanie raised and dropped her hands in frustration "And how would you know that?" She asked
"From my instinct, I trust my instinct" I replied before settling down to give Dera a long motivational speech.
DERA'S POV
"The naive fool", I cursed silently as the cab driver drove me through the illuminated streets. I checked my wristwatch and realized horrifically that it was a few minutes to 10 pm.
I had indeed spent a considerable time in Roxanne's house because I had arrived there by half past 8.
I almost counted the hour I spent in her house as wasted, but decided against it.
I might not have succeeded in eliminating her, but I had come up with a plan of suppression.
At least I knew her weakness. My tears were good softening agents.
I was so glad that I had a way of controlling her subtly. All I needed to do was to act weary and sad, and then she'd do my bidding.
I shook my head at her stupidity. She should have listened to Stephanie her friend. The lady was certainly more intelligent and alert than she was.
I shrugged. Anyway, it was to my benefit, her idiocy was to be a source of my elevation and a source of her downfall.
I alighted from the cab, paid the driver, and made my way to my doorstep. But there was a shadow looming around.
"Who was that?" I thought fearfully.
Funny how the thought of death frightened both the good and the evil ones in the society. I tread carefully, not wanting to alert the alleged assassin of my approach.
Fortunately, the shadow belonged to Richard, my sex toy. I wasn't in the mood for whatever love sermon he was going to preach so I frowned
"What are you doing here?" I juggled my keys tiredly.
His handsome face lit up with a smile. He had a nice dentition, as everything was immaculate white.
How I wished he had a handsome account balance too, I would've fallen head over heels.
"You haven't been picking up my calls," he said, more like a question
"Really? Haven't I?" I gave him a blank look
He licked his lips, thereby allowing the light from the entrance bulb to reflect on his pink lips
"I miss you," he said seductively, digressing
If his seductive voice was supposed to turn me on, then he had failed woefully; for the only thing that could turn me on was money. Of course, aside from when I'm naturally horny
"Uhm.. so you miss me, then what?" I questioned
"Why don't you give me a chance," his handsome face contorted in pain, "I still love you"
"You still love me?" I pretended to be surprised. I already knew that he was head over heels in love with me.
"Yes Dera, I love you and can die for you," he said, sounding like an animal in pain
I grimaced in disgust and scoffed "You love me?" How foolish could he be "Look Richard I don't love you, don't spoil what we have together with the confession of your feelings. Whatever you feel for me, suppress it," I made a move to open the door.
"I believe you have feelings for me too," he said
"Is that so?" I replied, "Happy believing then," I said just as my phone began to ring.
I picked up the call in a very elated mood. The caller happened to be Mr. Edward.
"Hello Sir," I used my most gracious voice
"Hello, Dera. Can you come over to my house? I'm desperately in need of someone to talk to," he said in his rich manly tone.
"Of course, I will be there in a jiffy, I could fly there right away," I thought excitedly
"Yes sir, I can"
"My address is...
"I know the address already"
The call ended.
"Who was that?" Annoying Richard asked
In reply, I gave him a handful of eyes, before proceeding to unlock my door to transfer myself into a makeup angel.
He made a move to follow after I had unlocked the door but I couldn't contain my irritation.
"Will you vanish from my sight, you sorry idiot"