RACHEL’S POV
“Rachel, there is a problem.” Shelley’s scared voice sounded over the phone.
“What problem?” She asked as she walked to her office window.
“The police traced the men to their abode and one of them was shot dead. The other two managed to escape narrowly, and the girl was rescued.”
Her eyes widened in shock as the phone almost fell from her hand.
“What did you just say?”
“Exactly what you heard. And the men are threatening to turn themselves in if I don’t give them more money. It happened that the girl almost made one of them blind, while the other one had a huge injury from her bite. They are asking for money, otherwise they would talk.”
“Did you remember my words earlier about things going wrong? I paid you your money, and so, you can pay them from there. Remember, I don’t know you, and you don’t know me either.” And with that, she ended the call.
She felt like smashing her phone on the wall. How come the girl escaped a second rape attack? Was she using some sort of voodoo or witchcraft? Why was she never harmed?
Every attempt she made always went wrong, no matter the amount of effort she put into it. She was still pacing when a text came into her phone.
“You honestly think I would go down alone. If I go down, you are going down with me.” The message read. Her face contorted in a frown as she saw that the sender was Shelley.
How dare she threaten her? Angrily, she
dialed her number and she picked on the first ring.
“How dare you threaten me?”
“It is not a threat. You have to give me money to settle those men else we are all going down together.” Shelley said.
“I see you are trying to bite the finger that fed you. Well, you can go ahead. It’s your word against mine. Hardly would they believe you over me.”
“Not when I have messages you sent me on Whatsapp and recordings of our calls.”
She gasped as her breath caught in her throat. She never expected such audacity from someone as timid as Shelley. But one thing they say, you can never fully trust anyone.
“Are you blackmailing me? Is that it?”
“No, I’m not. But, I have to if that will make you change your mind.”
“Fine. Know one thing, you will definitely regret this. I will send the money now.”
“It’s 20, 000$, don’t forget.”
“Bitch, why would they ask for that much?”
“Language, Rachel. That’s the amount they are asking for and you have no other option but to pay.”
“Fine. Send your details to me and I will send the money. And know that this is the last money you are ever going to extort from me.”
After the call ended, she continued pacing around the office, anger and frustration gnawing at her chest.
Work soon closed for the day and she hurried out. She was in no mood to talk to anyone. Shawn had left for home earlier with her knowledge. She was sure he had gone home to that witch of his.
She got home, and kept pacing. She was at a loss on the next line of action to take in order to get rid of Tiffany Dion. She was sick and tired of her existence and how she kept escaping all her snares. Maybe, she would have to do things herself now. None of the people she had ever employed executed the job perfectly. There was always a loophole and she was tired of it all.
Determined and having decided to do things herself, she collapsed on the bed in exhaustion and fell asleep. The next morning, she prepared and left for work. She got to her office and after dropping her bag, she left for Shawn’s office.
“Hey, Shawn.” she greeted and pecked him on the cheek when she got to his office.
“Good morning, Rachel.” He replied.
“I see you are already working. How are you, and your wife?” she asked, feigning concern. She hated the sound of “his wife” in her mouth, especially when that phrase was not for her.
“She is doing good, and so am I. And oh, her memories are back.”
Rachel’s eyes widened in shock. “Really? When did it happen?”
“Yesterday. She is fine now, and back to her old self.”
“That’s good news. So, does that mean you can now have time for us?” she asked suggestively.
“Us?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at her.
“Yes, us. You have been neglecting our friendship since she lost her memories. But like you said, she is back to her old self, and that ultimately means our friendship will be back to how it was and even get better.”
“Last time I checked, nothing was wrong with our friendship. We were cool.”
“We weren’t. You stopped having time for me and would always turn down every offer to spend time with me.”
“I was doing all of that before Tiffany lost her memories, remember?”
“You became worse. More cold and distant.”
“What would you have me do? My wife needed my company, care and love.”
“Did you just say love?!”
“Yes, love. Is something wrong with the word?”
“Yes. There is everything wrong with it. Wait…do you love her?”
“And why are you concerned with that?”
“I’m just curious.”
“Well, it’s personal. I can’t say.”
“Fine. I guess I’m not your best friend anymore and you can’t trust me with your secret. Anyway, would you go out with me this evening after work?”
“I’m sorry, no. I’m taking Tiffany out for dinner.”
“That’s fine. I guess I will see you later, and with that, she hurried out of the office so he doesn’t see the tears that have welled up in her eyes.
She spent the next few hours before closing time, brooding and thinking of her next line of action. After work closed, She hurried out. Her next stop was a bar not too far from the company.
She walked in and took a seat close to the window. She beckoned on the barman.
“Fix me your strongest drink,” she said, fishing our money from her bag.
“Are you sure, Ma? A lady like you is not advised to take drinks like that.” The man said, hesitantly.
“Do you make choices for your customers? If that is the case, I had better take my leave.”
“No, no, I will fix you whatever you want” He said and took the money from her before walking away.
He returned a few minutes later with her order and then returned to his stand. He kept stealing puzzled glances at her as she took sip after sip from her glass of drink.
She ordered another glass after the first glass finished and another. She had to stop when she began to feel tipsy. Deciding she had had her fill, she picked up her bag and walked out, leaving the barman stunned.