CHAPTER 72: SHE IS GONE AGAIN!
Raphael walked down the staircase quickly. His hands were searching all over his pockets for his car keys. He was inside the room earlier going through a lot of files when he randomly picked up his phone to call Evelyn. He switched it on.
It’s been a while since he spoke to her and it made him guilty. How would she react? Many thoughts went through his mind. Raphael put down his phone again and closed his eyes.
He had not been brave to face her, he was just ashamed but then he was pushed to call her. So after scrolling to her contact, he received a notification beforehand and clicked on it. It was a message from Evelyn and after reading it, his mind became unsettled. His brain couldn’t comprehend the details after his eyes landed on the
‘Until we meet again, Raphael.’
He dashed out of the room immediately. His entire body was shaking as he started skipping steps, not caring if he would slip and fall.
He walked past Vegas who was enjoying himself on the couch, he was already recovering from the injury inflicted upon him by Raphael but he never for once ceased to add insult to the former’s injury. He was mad at Raphael for treating him like this but he was quite happy at the predicament that he was getting into.
He watched Raphael leave before he closed his eyes. Raphael decided to dial Evelyn’s number but it was unreachable as he continued driving.
“Oh, come on, Evelyn…please, pick up.” He whispered pleadingly.
When he continued trying it for some time, it gave the response that the phone was switched off. He then stepped on the accelerator that went through the route that led to Kira’s house.
*_*_*_*_*_*
Richard was in Kira’s sitting room, seated on the ground with his books on the table. He was wearing customized glasses even though he was perfectly fine without them but it made him look cute rather than handsome this time around.
He was focused on reading until the doorbell rang. He glanced at it and stood up to answer the door when the feeling of nostalgia dawned on him. He sighed and went ahead to open the door. Lately, he had been spending most of his time with Kira and she was very accommodating. It seemed as if his family had somehow decided to calm down.
He was not sure if they would accept Kira into the family but at least, they were getting aware of who she was, especially his mum.
He opened the door and his mouth went wide open at the great personality he saw.
“Rap…Mr. Raphael Theophilus?” He stammered. Raphael frowned but pushed himself into the apartment while Richard quickly closed the door.
“Where is Kira?” Raphael asked as he went towards the room but Richard quickly blocked the way.
“She is in the bathroom. Please, respect her space for the next few seconds.” He said. Raphael nodded and went back to the sitting room. He was walking to and fro because he was uneasy.
Richard scratched his neck with the other hand inside his pocket as he watched the latter walk around. He had never seen Raphael before so this was his first time but what was he doing here? He had begun to think to the negative side, was he and Kira…?
“Oh, Raphael,” Kira called from behind. She had a towel in her hand for cleaning her head. The two men’s heads snapped toward her.
“Kira…Kira, where is Evelyn?” Raphael asked urgently as he walked closer to her.
“Evelyn? What happened to her?”
“She is gone again. She sent me a departure message. I don’t get it. Why would she leave? I am…I promised to solve things, you must know where she is, right? Please, tell me.” Raphael pleaded. He looked weak and pitiable. Richard didn’t get what was happening and he locked eyes briefly with Kira before she held Raphael’s hand.
“I am sorry, Raphael but I don’t know where she can be. It’s been a while since I have seen her…”
“That’s impossible!” Raphael yelled and Kira was a bit frightened. Richard’s senses kicked in and he stood in front of Kira to protect her.
“Hey, bro, take it easy. She is an innocent woman so don’t yell at her. If you are so sure that she has the answers to your questions then you’ve got to be patient and tactical in getting them. Do you understand? Look, I don’t understand what you are going through right now but don’t vent your anger and frustration on someone else, please.” Richard tried his best in pacifying Raphael.
He walked back to one of the chairs and sat. He held his head in his hands as he stared blankly at the floor.
“I wanted to make things right. I was just too afraid and ashamed to face her. I didn’t want her to see me as someone weak but I guess it’s all a waste now…my family won the battle eventually.” He spoke sadly.
Kira walked towards Raphael and bent to his level.
“I am sorry that this happened, Raphael and again, I can’t say anything about where she is.”
“Just think of Tom, for Tom’s sake”
“I would have but you are not able to do anything. This is the only narrow escape so I won’t be able to tell you.” Kira pat him and stood up.
Richard looked at Kira and the latter shrugged before the pairs of eyes landed on the unhappy soul.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Micheal was standing on the balcony, going through the news feed and also his messages. His lips curled up but then went back to normal. After his sudden announcement, things had been going somehow according to plan.
Someone knocked on the door to gain his attention and he turned around slightly only to see Raphael standing there. He looked worn out but Micheal was unfazed by that. He faced his iPad.
“Come closer if you have anything to say.”
Raphael came closer as instructed. His eyes were red and swollen from tears, his face was completely blank and expressionless as he stared at his father.
“I am…” He paused for a second before his father locked eyes with him. He swallowed anxiously, he was finding it hard to say a word.
“Do you have anything to say, Raphael? I am not a monster so why are you scared?” He asked him.
“I am willing to do anything, father but please, let down the news. Find a way to suppress it, I will do anything that you want me to, I promise.”
“You have no choice though.” Michael chuckled.
“It’s good to see that you are coming back to your senses. Everything I do is for your sake, nothing more, nothing less. I have been on this Earth longer than you and I have things planned out to fit your life. I know that it might sound harsh but every child thinks their parents are wicked until they start reaping the goodness of their parents’ instilled action.” Michael spoke at length.
Raphael laughed dryly before it slowly turned into a bitter smile. He nodded dramatically as his eyes stared beyond before sweeping his feet.
“Of course, you are doing your job. I have no choice as I have nothing to protect anymore. The woman I love and my son are nowhere to be found because of your threats so I can see how helpful you are to my life.” Raphael replied sarcastically.
Micheal stared at him and pulled a frown.
“As I have said, you won’t understand anything yet. That child might not be yours, you are twenty-six and shouldn’t be gullible…you shouldn’t! This is how those wretched ladies snatch rich guys.”
“Father, you need to understand that this is the twenty-first century. Many ladies are being responsible and take over prominent positions no matter their background without any man’s help. The way you view things is making other average people see us as being wicked, greedy, and non-humane in treatment. It’s not fair…”
“You don’t get to tell me what seems fair to you. Have you ever heard that what might appear to be nine to you can be six to someone else? So don’t try to think your opinion can always be right because it’s your opinion.” Micheal retorted. Raphael was still shot by the arrow of hypocrisy that his father had shot.
“Father, this is clear…”
“That’s enough, Raphael. I believe that you are here to show your sincerity so don’t pull something annoying this evening. I believe that you must be ready to face your work and do what I say.”
Raphael nodded helplessly.
“That’s good. Have a goodnight’s sleep then. Tomorrow is another day.” Micheal patted his shoulders and walked inside. Raphael turned to look at his father’s back with a stern face and an evil smirk.
“I am sorry…father.” He mouthed.