Solitude – Episode 35

..

 

SOLITUDE

 

_35_

 

He closes the door afterwards and positions his hand in a way where I place mine. We walk like that and my clutch is in his other hand. As we walk towards the red carpet, the media houses are already taking photos and some are coming to interview us but I continue to walk only turning around to smile for a few.

 

‘Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane.’ The media house we hired says when we get to the entrance

 

I smile leaning a little on August’s shoulder

 

I see photographers take a few more photos.

 

‘The two of you look lovely.’

 

‘Thank you.’ I respond lovingly caressing August’s hand

 

‘My wife is behind all this.’ August says

 

I playfully hit him on the shoulder and it sends all of us laughing

 

‘Tell us about your excitement, it was bad enough that your mother’s firm was brought down but seeing it being built from the ground up in a short period of time is something that none of us expected.’

 

He pauses as a fake tear falls from my eye

 

‘Tell us how all this makes you feel.’

 

‘Honestly, as you all know the firm was built by my mother with her hard work. And her death was a huge blow and as you all know also it was left in the hands of

 

 

someone else, but we know how assets turn out when they have been left in the hands of someone who didn’t work a day for them. She ruined everything and I couldn’t allow our family name to die just like that, I had to do something to bring it from the ground up and now here we are.’

 

‘We must say we were all shocked when we learnt that Ms. Mphanda has taken over the firm but we were just glad that the two of you worked as a team and the results were outstanding seeing how well the firm was doing the last few months.’

 

‘Of course they made a great team, now if you can excuse us.’ August says and I am thankful because my blood was beginning to boil

 

We walk in and heads turn, I must say I am feeling proud right now. I see Chibesa from the corner of my eye with his plus one, a lady he has been on and off with and I hate her, her guts too.

 

‘Looks like your baby daddy is walking towards us.’ August says and I have to force a smile

 

‘Chanda.’ The lady says

 

‘Katayi.’ I say

 

‘Chibesa good evening.’

 

‘Good evening August.’ Chibesa responds

 

‘Mr. Cochrane.’ Katayi says with a smile extending her hand

 

‘Hello.’ He says shaking it lightly

 

‘You have done well for yourself, I am sure your mother would be proud.’ She says and I smile

 

‘I see you two are still together.’ I say instead

 

‘Of course hunny we are.’ She responds and I hate that she is calling me hunny

 

 

‘Let us go and mingle.’ Chibesa says obviously not appreciating her behavior

 

‘Sure baby.’ She responds

 

‘Chanda I must say marriage looks good on you, see that glow and the weight gain. I can almost say you are pregnant but how can the mighty Chanda be a mother?’ She says laughing and I notice the look that Chibesa gives me but I avoid his eyes.

 

The rest of the evening we get to greet people, all the important guests have come and I can see the Nakambas. We head to the hall where seats have been laid out and the host begins the program, he recognizes the dignitaries in our midst and also observes protocol. He talks about the birth of the firm and how strong we have stood the ground and how the country is blessed to have such a powerful firm run by women. When it’s time to give speeches, he starts by giving the opportunity to the guest speaker who happens to be the Minister of Justice a few individuals from the board until it is time for the CEO to speak.

 

‘Now we have come to the most important part of the evening, for the CEO to officially launch the firm.’ He says and everyone claps looking in my direction

 

But then someone goes to the stage and hands him a piece of paper.

 

He looks in my direction again and then the other direction, that’s when I notice her. Nella.

 

‘I would like to invite the CEO…’

 

I stand

 

‘The CEO of Chanda and Associates Ms. Mphanda Nella to come and give her speech.’ He announces

 

I feel sick to my stomach as I take a sit embarrassed, I look at Chibesa who looks at me equally shocked. Then at the Nakambas, Mr. Nakamba has this deadly stare but Mrs. Nakamba as usual is as calm.

 

‘Good evening.’ She says with a smile

 

‘Good evening.’ Everyone responds

 

She is wearing a gold off the shoulder dinner dress that has a slit from her upper right thigh to the bottom, on her feet her gold stilettos. Her hair a straight Peruvian that is just above her bottom, her ears have beautiful diamond studs and she almost looks like royalty making my outfit a total disaster.

 

‘Three months ago when the firm burnt down, I had no idea I would be standing here today with it in its glitzy and glamour. For me it was over, for me it was done but I guess fate had different plans. God had different plans and I know most of you are wondering how it was rebuilt in a short period of time but be sure that will be documented and made open to the public soon. For now I am just happy to announce that the firm is officially open and ready to serve the people starting tomorrow. So enjoy yourselves the rest of the evening. Thank you.’ She said cutting the red ribbon behind with a knife

 

Everyone got on their feet and applauded as she got off the stage, the media took photos. I could see the men starring at her. I was hating all this and more that I had no idea what was happening. She walked out and I followed her quickly, August was just in my reach and I could see the Nakambas and Chibesa coming as well.

 

‘The hell!’ I say to her and she just smiles at me

 

‘Marriage looks good on you, the weight gain.’ She says and I click my tongue

 

‘The firm is in my name so what in Gods name are you doing here?’

 

‘Chanda you underestimate me don’t you?’ She asks

 

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

 

‘Look through these papers and tell me if the firm is still yours

 

Mr. Nakamba grabs them from her

 

‘What is this supposed to mean?’ He asks

 

‘I should be thanking you for rebuilding it for me.’ She says walking away

 

‘Nella this is not over.’

 

‘I have enough evidence to bring you down Chanda, I swear to God you don’t want to go down that road and you would do well by taking care of your baby.’

 

‘You are pregnant?’ Chibesa asks

 

‘She is bluffing.’

 

August let’s go of my hand

 

‘Chibesa.’

 

‘Chanda you are carrying my child and decided to keep quiet?’

 

They are people now surrounding us and I can see the media taking images of us

 

‘Chibesa you are causing a scene.’

 

‘August we need to talk tomorrow because you are not raising my child.’ He says walking away

 

Now I am left standing with the Nakambas

 

‘You tricked me?’

 

‘Sir I had no idea, I have no idea what is happening.’

 

‘By the time I am done with you, you would have no option but to beg for mercy.’ He says walking away and I can feel my legs growing jelly weak

 

More stories @ generalloaded.com

‘You should never underestimate your opponents you know, that girl is truly a child of her mother. You should have known better.’ Mrs. Nakamba says walking away