Chapter 72
Henri felt tense as he looked at the man. He was short of words and didn’t even know how to go about paying such an Amount of money.
“That’s too much,” He cried out but the man cared less.
“He looked so rich, what would he want that money for?” Henri asked himself.
“Please sir, pardon her and accept the one she has,” Henri begged and the man turned to look at him.
“Are you hearing yourself?” The man barked with rage.
“Who’s she that you are pleading on her behalf?” The man asked, throwing daggers at Henri.
“She is my girlfriend, I know she cannot afford that much, and secondly, she is already running out of time,” Henri pleaded and the man burst into annoying laughter.
He never stopped laughing until after some seconds.
“You think I’m a fool right?” He asked Henri.
“I should just let her go without taking my money from her?” The man asked.
“That’s not what I mean. Alright let her go… let’s settle this instead,” Henri said but the man didn’t even care to look at him.
“Please, Sir!” Henri pleaded.
“Shut up,” the man barked, which made Henri quiet.
“If I hear a word from you, I’m going to order my guards to throw you out of here,” the man said, which made Henri shut his mouth.
Henri and Tia were now stranded. Henri was given the chance to leave but he couldn’t abandon Tia all by herself to face this dangerous-looking man. His job was to protect her and he made sure he would always do so.
Tia’s phone started ringing and she guessed it might be Lyra, she might be calling to know why she wasn’t yet back. Tia contemplated if she should pick up or not but decided to pick up as Lyra will get angry if she doesn’t answer her call.
“Hello ma’am,” she called immediately after she picked up.
“Why ain’t you back yet? The kids would be coming back in forty minutes,” Lyra said worriedly.
“There’s a problem here,” Tia said, she didn’t want to hide anything from Lyra, she wanted her to be aware of what happened to her, hence they have become sisters.
“What is the problem?” Lyra asked in a panic. Tia explained and she got worried.
“Hang in there, I’m coming over,” Lyra said and Tia became worried.
“You don’t have to come ma’am, we will settle everything,” Tia said.
“No, I have to,” Lyra said and ended the call.
She looked at Henri and he looked at her wondering what to do.
“When will you be paying for the damages… I cannot be patient enough,” the man said. Henri tried to say he cut him off. He glared at Tia before walking over to his car to sit waiting for his money to be paid.
Tia became extremely worried and started thinking of what to do, she didn’t want to involve Henri but she doesn’t know how he suddenly showed up.
She looked at him and looked away thinking of what to do to end everything going on. The Uber driver has been patiently waiting for her which might cost extra services. The least she wanted to cause Lyra was trouble so she didn’t know what to do for Lyra not to be involved in it. She looked at the man. He was looking handsome but she concluded he was a devil housing such an appearance.
She felt like jumping at him and strangling him to death but she knew what would happen if she did it, so she patiently waited for Lyra to show up.
“What are you doing about this?” Henri whispered to her, his eyes looking around the area.
“Lyra said she is on her way, she is coming to settle everything,” Tia announced in a helpless tone.
“I would have helped but I have exhausted my money for the month,” Henri replied and Tia only nodded.
The man who saw them conversing became angry, he didn’t want them to communicate when they were not able to come up with something to pay him off.
“Love birds,” he scoffed and stood up on his feet. He smiled inside of him darkly as he approached them.
“As none of you is making any move to pay me, I will have to take you along with me,” He said to Tia, which pissed Henri off immediately.
“Why would you take me along with you?” Tia asked.
“I don’t need to answer that question. Guards seize her, I can no longer be patient,” the man said and his guards started walking towards Tia.
Tia started moving backward with fear while Henri protected her.
“What are you waiting for, make sure y’all seize her?” The man commanded.
The men started making their way toward Tia but a voice stopped them.
Lyra came into view, and immediately Tia saw her, she felt strengthened.
“Who are you?” Lyra asked the guards. The man walked towards Lyra and replied.
“They are my men, I guess your employee has explained everything that happened,” the man said with a slight grin.
“Yes, she has told me about everything… Lyra said and brought out a check. She inscribed the amount of money the man wanted and handed it over to him.
“Here is your money,” Lyra said. The man’s Assistant stepped forward and took the money from Lyra. He showed it to the man and it was exactly the amount of money he asked Tia to pay.
“I guess she is free now, ” Lyra said and the man nodded. She started walking to her with Tia following her. They gave the Uber man the address he was to go to and Lyra invited Tia to enter inside her car.
Henri waved them goodbye and entered the car he came with.
“I’m sorry ma’am!” Tia apologized as they got inside the car.
“You have to be careful with people like him, you would have been taken away if you didn’t show up,” Lyra said.
“I’m sorry ma’am, I should have contacted you when the issues arose,” Tia said and Lyra nodded.
“That’s what you should do next time such a thing comes up again,” Lyra said.
*
Henri got home very late and met Bruce in the living room. He walked over to Bruce and greeted him.
“What took you so long, Henri?” Bruce asked calmly.
“Tia got into a problem which I had to help her solve,” Henri explained, praying inside of him that Bruce shouldn’t get angry.
He looked at Bruce who had his eyes glued to the television he was watching, he didn’t show if he was angry or sad.
“You may leave,” Bruce voiced out which made Henri heave a sigh of relief and he bowed before he left.
Immediately he got outside he dialed Tia’s Cell phone number and it went through but she didn’t pick up.
He became worried and continued calling her until she picked up later.
“Hello honey,” she said over the phone which made Henri sigh in relief.
“How are you? Did Lyra scold you?” Henri asked her.
“No, she didn’t… I’m sorry for not picking up your calls, I was busy in the kitchen and I’m still busy,” Tia informed.
“Alright! Please be careful from now on so you wouldn’t meet such men. They are very dangerous and might go to any length to have whatever they demand from people, especially innocent people like you?” Bruce explained.
“I will be careful from now on, thank you for showing up. I wouldn’t have known what would have happened without you,” Tia said and Henri smiled.
“Will you be granted a request to come over? I want to take you out on a dinner date,” Henri said and Tia blushed.
“I will ask Lyra and get back to you,” Tia said.
“Okay… I love you and would always do okay,” Henri said to her over the phone.
“I love you too,” Tia replied blushing hard.
“I have to go now, I think I’m needed,” Tia said and ended the call.
Henri smiled wishing she was close. He headed towards the garden and met Ryan practicing some football skills. He smiled as he looked at Ryan.
“Hey, can I join you?” Henri said to Ryan and Ryan looked up to look at him.
“Yes, I have been wanting a partner but I’m alone… Dad wouldn’t want to play football with me,” Ryan complained.
“Don’t worry I’m here now, I will be your partner,” Henri said and walked over to him.
“Pass the ball,” He said to Ryan, and Ryan smiled. He smiled at Henri and passed the ball to him.
They pass it at each other and at some time Henri will dribble at him for some time until he would give him back which would leave Ryan feeling excited as he would chase after Henri and the ball.
Bruce heard Ryan’s laughter and walked to the window to check what was making them laugh. He saw Henri and Ryan playing football together and it got his interest.
He stood there watching them, feeling happy at how Ryan was laughing hard. It has been a long time since he saw him laugh that much.