The Unlikely Hero: NYSSA
Over time, Stella had proven herself to be a trustworthy person. The fact that she could tell us ’bout the plans of a man she worked with in his company proved all we needed to not just me, but Kazmir who looked forward to havin’ her in the house as soon as this evenin’.
“Is she not here yet?”
I turned to look at the man who was walkin’ down the stairs with a candle scent he bought of late. “It’s takin’ forever for the woman to be here.”
“Give her some time,” I cried, smilin’ and settin’ the table. “I think she’s here or wasn’t that the sound of the house bell?” Finishin’ my task, I turned to look at the man who shook his head in disapproval. He set the candle scent in the center of the table and took a chunk of meat from the tray I had set.
“This is good, baby. I expected less, trust me,” he winked at me who hurried through the stairs as I needed to quickly take a shower and be ready before the arrival of Stella who should be on her way.
In moments, I was snatchin’ a towel from the wardrobe and hurryin’ into the bathroom for my shower, after which I caught back with the bedroom and wore the selected clothes – addin’ perfumes to the mix and finally – walkin’ out of the space after checkin’ out myself with aid from the large mirror.
“She’s not here,” I said when in the livin’ room space again. “At least, we’re ready and that’s all we need before she gets here. Will you eat before she comes? That’s if you’re in a hurry.”
“No,” the man shook his head. “I-”
The both of us looked at each other.
That was the house bell. With a smile on her face, I got on my feet and so did he. “We should go together,” he said. “I trust her but not very much.” He walked to the door while I did the same, noddin’ and walkin’ out while he now let me walk in front of ‘im, and from behind, he said words to me who replied from the front.
“Hello, ma’am,” the smile on her face radiated, makin’ me smile as well. “Can I come in? Nice to meet you, Mr. Draven. Good evenin’ to both of you and thank you for havin’ me.” She was still smilin’ and walkin’ into the space, lookin’ around the compound with admiration in her eyes. “Your house is beautiful.”
It was Kazmir’s turn to speak.
“Thank you for the compliment, Miss Stella, but can we make it into the house already? We have waited for hours so that you can join the meal and now that you’re here, I know I might burst or die from hunger.” He was chucklin’ and we were walkin’ to the entrance door, after which we walked in and headed to the diner.
“Thank you for comin’,” I started when the meal was served. “It’s nice havin’ you here and I must say you’re really pretty. Would you love some juice?”
“No, ma’am. It’s alright,” she dug into her meal. “How have you been farin’? Has Theodore Crowley reached out to you and your husband at some point? He looks like he’s givin’ up on you comin’ out of the house since that’s what he’s been lookin’ for. And also, since he doesn’t know I told you ’bout his plans. To ‘im, I’m a mere cleaner who doesn’t know anythin’ so I am the least to be suspected.” With a smile, and pride in her countenance, these words came out.
“I am so proud of you,” Kazmir said. I looked at ‘im, gave a nod, and looked back at Stella who dug into her plates again. “But how can you help us? You mentioned somethin’ like that to my wife in the company after savin’ her ass, and also over the phone a few days ago. I’d love to know before assumin’.”
She dropped her spoon and looked up. “I don’t expect you to trust me after what happened with Jane.” She began. “But I am trustworthy and I need you to trust me so that this operation can be the final one.” She sounded with a smile. “I work in the company, as a cleaner. One of the lowest in ranks meanin’ the man would ne’er have me on his list of suspects. Not with the illiterate role I play in the company.”
Impressive.
But she had yet to say what exactly she was goin’ to do to help us.
“The agreement you had with Jane, I’m willin’ to take it up,” she cut me short and I snapped out of my thoughts. “I plan to help and this is the way I intend to do it.” She added, adjustin’ on her seat.
Kazmir shook his head.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Stella. My wife may not be safe in that place, even though I trust you. Especially in the company and office of a man who is on the lookout for her.”
“I know that, Mr. Draven,” she smiled. “Which is why I am offerin’ to do this on her behalf. Like I said, I cannot be suspected. I have retrieved a spare key to the office of Theodore Crowley so this shouldn’t be an issue, but an easy peasy thing we can do at the snap of your wife’s fin’ers. She can stay here while I do it from my end.” Lookin’ at me, she let the words out.
“I-”
“And no,” she cut me short. “You’re not imposin’ a thing on me. I’ve waited so long for this day to come also. Theodore deserves to be in police custody for as long as he can. By the time he is out, he won’t find his way around our businesses any longer.”
She was right.
I didn’t know what to say at this point. Many thoughts were runnin’ through my head, and I wondered ’bout how to go ’bout speakin’. Was I goin’ to sound selfish or not? I wondered with my gaze fixed on the woman, before lookin’ in the direction of my husband.
“Thank you so much, Miss Stella,” I finally sounded. “I don’t know how to thank you for your kindness. Is there somethin’ you want as payback for this favour?” I had to ask, especially at the thought of Jane doin’ what she did to me for selfish reasons.
“I doubt that I’ll be needin’ somethin’ from you as payback, but I would lose my job in the process. If I can be opportune to work for Mr. Draven or you, rather. I’ll be glad but at the same time, I’ll always find my way around joblessness at the end of the day.”
“That’s sorted already,” Kazmir said. “I need a personal secretary so you have nothin’ to worry ’bout. Literate or illiterate. The slot will be kept for you in advance after this mission is accomplished. Do you understand me?”
“Y-yes, thank you,” her smile was wider and brighter. “Thank you for this help. I’ll set to work and give you all the details you need to know before the end of this week. By Tuesday latest, we’ll come up with a plan and strike before Friday. If that’s okay with you, of course.”
It was more than okay.
Not just that, it looked like a dream to me. From Ember to Jane and now there was Stella. How lucky can I be? How sure am I even that Jane was someone from my past? If she was, Kazmir should know ’bout it but there was nothin’ like such talks from ‘im.
It was beginnin’ to make sense.
“Thank you for havin’ me,” Stella’s next words cut short my thoughts. “I also cannot wait for all of this to be over. I should be on my way already.”