by Max Winters
“So bloody what?” Martin refuted. “What do we care?” He asked.
“Well, I don’t know about you buddy but this girl here needs my help and that’s what she will get.” Malcolm stiffened. He lifted Keisha over his shoulders and headed towards the car.
“Where the hell do you think you are taking the damn girl?” Martin asked, sarcasm brushing her face.
“What do you mean where? He asked, waiting for him to open the door. “To the damn car.” He yelled with eyes that warned his colleague.
“No way man…I’m not going to risk my job because of your obsession to save some strange girl.” He jumped into driver seat and started the car to Malcolm’s amazement he drove off at top speed.
“Wait…wait…” He begged to no avail as Martin was no longer on sight. He gasped for breathe and rested his gaze on Keisha once more. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he could look at her for a life time. She had hypnotized him and he didn’t even care about what Damon was going to do to him, but ironically she was all that mattered at the time.
***
Malcolm’s small apartment was furnished with modest furniture that made it looked heavenly. He managed with Keisha still unconscious, taking her to his room. He had trekked almost half the distance from where Martin left him before he could board a cab to come home. He rested her on his metallic bed and rushed to the kitchen for some water. He drenched a white hand towel in a metallic bowl and wiped her face severally paying more attention to his forehead. He tilted his head one sided and was lost in her beauty once more. He spread a quilt blanked over her and went to relax in his sitting room.
His thoughts drifted to and from his boss and his eyes gave him away. He and Martin had been assigned to deliver some goods and they had delayed with feedback and he had become furious with them. He didn’t know what he was going to tell him the next day as he wasn’t the kind of man who took inconsistencies lightly.
“What am I doing here?” Keisha’s shock possessed voice startled him. He had dozed off on the cushion encompassed by thoughts of his boss and the beautiful belle he was unwittingly being drawn to.
“Hey you’re awake.” He jumped out of his seat, ushering her to sit down. It was about 2.am and fear lurked in her eyes. How did she get into his house and his bed, a conflict rose in her mind? She had inspected her body and realized nothing had happened though the last thing she remembered was that she was on the road with two gentlemen. It was kind of him to have brought her to his house, but she didn’t quite remember the last time a man did something for her for free.
“Who are you and why I’m I in your house?” Her eyes searched the house probably for a clue on the kind of person he was. She sat on the long couch but far enough so her body won’t touch his.”
“I am the guy you met in the street, don’t you remember?” He asked in a seeming blank gaze. “You passed out and I …” He bleated, not being able to convince himself why he hadn’t taken her to the hospital but his house.
“You brought me to your house?” Her curiosity got the better part of her. Did he have an ulterior motive? She wondered. Maybe he was a gentleman given he hadn’t done anything to hurt her yet, God only knew how long she was safe with the handsome stranger.
“Yeah … I mean.” He felt the urge to explain himself further.
“Thank you.” She cut in relieving him as he had no justification to that regards.
“I’m Malcolm Smith and you are?” His eye brows wedged upwards. He was pretty shy and starting up conversations wasn’t his thing but he was impatient to get to know her.
”Keisha Williams.” She responded, rubbing her ankles mildly. She felt so much pain that she would have been grateful if Malcolm had taken her to the hospital.
“Does it still hurt?” He asked fighting with himself. He was not the passionate type but for this woman he found his stone heart melting away.
“What?” She asked confused.
“That.”His eyes pinned on her ankle.
“Oh…it hurts.” She managed.
“I should get a balm for that and we can have a doctor take a look at you tomorrow.” He suggested heading to his bedroom instantly, shocking her. He seemed to be a gentleman but he sure had bad company based on her encounter and judgment of Martin.
“That would be too much Mr. Smith.”She responded.
“Just consider that an offer from a good friend who wants to see you well.” He smiled. “And by the way…Malcolm will do just fine.” He jested and faded to get the balm.
She stood up and marched slowly towards the window, trying to know which part of the city she was in but there was no clue as darkness covered everywhere.
“I found something. This will do the magic.” He sat down, watching Keisha. He could read her mind completely. She was afraid. She didn’t trust his intentions but he understood her completely. What he didn’t understand was why she had run into the night in such bad shape. She looked desperate and that was the more reason he had decided to help her but from his deduction she didn’t want to talk about whatever had happened to her. “Come here let me massage it.” He beckoned on her with a stretched hand wearing a subtle smile. She marched shyly and nestled next to him. He grabbed her slender leg, eyeing her shyly. He rubbed her legs with a passion that shocked him. He felt so alive being with her at that particular moment but he couldn’t express it because it would scare her away.
“What happened to you and why where you running away?” He pinned a curious stare on her as he applied the cream on her leg.
“Nothing.”She responded perhaps from lack of trust. She didn’t know him and couldn’t trust him with the story of her life.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about now but I’m here in case you need to talk.” He responded.
“Okay.” Keisha nodded a yes.
“And by the way…my house is open for you as long as long as you wish to stay.” He reassured inducing a hopeful smile on her face. He was pleased that he could put a smile on her face. He felt she had a great pain and trouble that plagued her heart but he wished she could stay for some days more. She induced an air of happiness in his life for the few moments they had been together-He needed more.
Chapter 8
“Where the hell have you been Malcolm?” Damon’s temper rose. He had been agitated all night and attempts to speak with him had failed woefully. He didn’t like to be defiled by anybody more or less an employee.
“I’m so sorry sir…I had an emergency.” He bleated with uneasiness that overwhelmed him.
“Sorry…Is that all you’ve got say?” He asked with sternness that frightened him. “You think I’m kidding?” He demanded tapping his legs on the ground.
“I had an emergency.” He argued with his head down. Damon was furious. He hated inconsistencies and insubordination.
“An emergency?” He asked.
“Yeah…” He hesitated.
“So you kept me waiting because of some damn girl and you call it emergency?” He squeezed his brows, his eyes shooting arrows of discord.
“I…I …I…” He bleated, trying to evade the question.
“Who’s the girl?” He asked curiosity possessing him.
“She’s Keisha.” He responded. He couldn’t lie to him as he had his way of making investigations and it would be worse should he discover it himself.
“Keisha Williams?” He played an angry grin followed by a condescending nod.
“You know her?” Malcolm demanded shocked.
“She is mine.” Damon thundered.
“How do you mean boss?” Fear caressed his soul. What exactly did Damon mean by she was her property? His thoughts strayed, exploring the worse.
“She escaped from me last night and I demand that you hand her over to me.” Damon requested. Malcolm stared at him perplexed. How could he release to her a jewelry he had just found? She looked so depressed and if there was one thing he was sure, was that he had the conviction to keep her
safe from whomever she was running away from. He would keep her safe from Damon even if it was the last thing he needed to do.
“I can’t.” Malcolm responded blocking his gaze in a rather daring tone.
“I don’t need to tell you what will happen to you should you defy my orders Malcolm.” He responded.
“I don’t know where she is.” Malcolm responded. Keisha had not told him anything about herself but she knew she was in for so much given the fact that she had dared to cross Damon. She had the sort of charms that will make Damon want her to work in his club at all cost but he wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of having her on a platter-definitely not by his hands.
“Off course that can’t be true. How do you mean you don’t know where she is.?Martin said the girl was unconscious when he left both of you on the street.” He inquired with eyes popping out. His countenance changed and Malcolm understood how badly he needed to get a hold of Keisha. “C’mon Malcolm…I’m not stupid and you of all people know more than to dare me” Damon continued.
“I left her in a hospital and I went to check on her this morning I was told she had left.” Malcolm responded trying as hard as possible to conceal his feelings. He wasn’t going to allow Damon steal away the girl he had fallen for. He had always done his bidding but not this time around.
“What are you saying…she got away?”Damn it.” He screamed in frustration.
“I need you and Lynx to get that girl for me as soon as possible.” He instructed.
“What do you want this Keisha girl for anyways?” Malcolm dared, trying to dig out adequate information as to why he was so furious about her escape.
“I ask the questions around here boy…Go get the girl at once.” He yelled infuriated that he had the nerve to interrogate him.
“Okay sir.” He responded twisting his brows and exited Damon’s study in search of Lynx who was downstairs waiting to execute their boss’ orders.
***
Damon gave up the idea about searching for Keisha and Malcolm was relaxed. He had been shocked to hear Keisha’s story but he was willing to let go of her past and make a fresh start. They were in a blossoming relationship but the fear that Damon could find her someday taunted him day in day out. He had been tactical never to mention his involvement with anything at club La Salsa as he knew Keisha’s sensitivity to this regard.
Keisha felt fulfilled loving Malcolm. It was truly the first time in her life that she felt so happy. He brought so much sunshine into her life and all she could ever desire was to spend the rest of her life with him. He had given her reason to hope in the goodness of life once again.
“Where are you taking me too?” Keisha asked Malcolm in a sweet melodic tone. He had given her a special shopping treat and asked her to dress up for a date. He was so romantic and curiosity ate her up as she went through her dresses to sort out the perfect outfit for the night. They had been together for about two months and she knew that he was full of so many surprises. He held her by the hand as they marched out of the house.
He wore a pair of grey suit with shoes that matched them perfectly. His eyes emitted sparkles that she could give anything to know his thoughts. Her silver earrings that matched her purse glittered like the radiance of the sky. She was adorned in a beautiful Gucci number that enhanced her charms. He couldn’t take his eyes off her and he continually made a silent prayer of gratitude in his heart. She was the very best thing that had happened to his life and he wanted to make her his forever.
They drove for about half an hour and then stopped in a secluded path that led to a gigantic building, a hotel with a fantastic club section. The penumbra lights sparkled from the distance while they strolled majestically. He became silent all of a sudden and she was dying to find out what the night held. She managed to read his countenance but all she could note was a cute smile that lingered on his face.
“Why did you choose this place? It’s kind of serene you know.” Keisha broke the silence.
“I know you don’t like a noisy place, that’s why I decided to take you here. It’s cool, you’re going to like it” He responded, holding her hand and caressing it mildly as they marched slowly.
“That’s so thoughtful of you honey.”She smiled, eyeing him seductively as he squeezed her palms. His eyes were full of joy and she could tell that he was truly in love with her. The hotel was an exquisite building with exceptional furniture that spelt its class. On each table was a bottle of champagne in a vase with red roses. He took her hands and led her to the central table that had two champagne bottles in a vase filled with ice. He pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit down. Her eyes sparkled in excitement while her heart beat matching her anticipation. He opened a bottle of champagne and poured into the two identical glasses that were of exceptional quality. He raised his glass and in an expressed smile.
“To a lasting love.” He clashed his glass to Keisha’s. They both smiled and gulped their drinks, scrutinizing one another’s hypnotic stares. A beautiful waitress approached them with a leaflet to place their order. She was very polite and her accent depicted that she was either French or had spent most of her years in France. She stood waiting for the couple to make their choices. Keisha flung the leaflet open and her eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of something.
Her hands cupped her mouth in a surprise as she her gaze alternated to and from the ring and Malcolm. He was so sweet. He had decided to make her his wife. The waitress watched probably in admiration, wishing she was the one in her place. The diamond rod sparkled on top of the booklet and she her eyes lit in excitement. He must have spent a fortune on the piece of metal. As a matter of fact he had gone to six different jewelry shops to get a befitting ring for her -That was how much she meant to him. He stood from his seat capturing her gaze and then moved closer to her in.
“Marry me Keisha and make me the happiest man in the world.” He said with an impatience that was eminent I his flapping lashes.
“Yes…I will.” She said in bleats of excitement. She couldn’t believe she would be tying the knot soon. She was the happiest woman alive.
He took the ring from the booklet and slid it into her finger. He kissed the ring on her finger and then grabbed her in a passionate kiss while the waitress and the other customers applauded. The night was sweet and long as the two love birds charted all night laughing and telling each other how much their love was worth. A full moon imposed its shimmering blooms on the night and for a moment all else came to a standstill-just the love they inspired.
***
Damon had been reliably informed that Malcolm had deliberately kept Keisha away from him because he wanted her for himself. He was furious with Malcolm but he managed to calm him down by promising to pay him the money Tim owed that had made him demand for Keisha. He had fallen in love with the woman so strongly and knowing Damon, he knew he would stop at nothing to make her life miserable. It was a huge sum but he was willing to pass. He wasn’t ready to lose Keisha. She meant the world to him worth every penny that Damon would get.
Working with Damon over the years had helped him survive in life. Coming for a divorced home with a father suffering from drug addiction, life couldn’t have been better. He had managed with the odds of his childhood and fate had led him to Damon. He had worked with him for years and not even once did they record an episode of misunderstanding until when Keisha showed up. Damon’s desire to get his woman to work at his club had made him understand it was about time he stopped working for him. He had accepted the money paid on her behalf but his resignation was refuted on grounds much abounding than love.
Damon was no saint and he was aware of it. Malcolm wanted to be a better man. He wanted to make a better life. For the brunette, he was willing to shun the life of crime that he had led from childhood. His escapades with the prostitutes at the brothel, as well as the ruthless massacres that he had performed for his boss were appalling but he was willing to forget that past life. As much as he wanted to walk away f
rom Damon and the fortune he offered for his soul, he couldn’t. Damon had leverage over his freedom. There was evidence that could prove that he had killed a prostitute in the brothel. The thought of the unfortunate incident darkened his soul. He had done so many dirty jobs for Damon but the death of the prostitute was weighing down his conscience. He had the chance to save her but he didn’t.
Malcolm tried all he could to dissuade Damon from his ridiculous blackmail but Damon had assured him that he should work for him all his life if he wanted the secret to be buried forever. It was the height of inanity. He had always dreamt of a more decent job, one that he could be proud to tell his future wife. He had hidden the truth from her for too long that he wondered how he was able to do it .She was a woman of principles and God help him if she ever found out-He would be completely screwed.
Chapter 9
The shimmering gaze of the summer sunrise caressed the small room that was the largest in the building. Malcolm had lived there for almost six years and Keisha gave it a feminine touch. She decorated the room in a blend of red and white décor. She and her sister had spoken on Skype and she was excited as Tessa was arriving that evening. She had told Tessa about Malcolm and how sweet he was and Tessa was happy for her though she didn’t believe in love. To her, love was a fallacy and some sort of bondage that came with nothing but a bag full of pain.
Tessa was the all-fun-kind of girl and she believed relationships were meant to fetch her money. She had flown from Japan to meet Roderick because things became deplorable as she couldn’t fend for herself with her mother in jail. He was in madly in love with her and didn’t care about her odds. She was more of a narcissist without regards for Roderick feelings but he made sure to give her everything that she needed to keep her off other men.
Keisha glided off from bed with lazy eyes that spelt her sleeplessness. She had been up all night almost dying from worries. Malcolm hadn’t returned to the house and his line was unreachable. He had never stayed out of the house though he always returned home late. She had wondered what often kept him out of the house but he had mentioned that he was working for a secret intelligence agency but she trusted him and didn’t bother to make further investigations. His late night commitments however were a call for concern and she was going to ensure that he wasn’t into anything illegal.
