The Bogeyman; the tale of a man and his death list

Chapter 2(A The Cursed girl)

It is no longer news that the Teleimans harbor a cursed girl who they desperately want to discard.

The Affluent looking Teleimans family's mansion was filled to the brim by the Teleimans family members.

Grandpa Bruce could be seen pacing up and down the big hall room like a wounded tiger. He was determined to do away with the girl who had done nothing but drag the family name to the mud. She was just a thorn on their flesh.

The Wade family has given an ultimatum, that they should dismiss her in any way possible before the next twenty four hours following the controversy surrounding their last son, Jason Wade and the cursed girl.

Like everyone else, he wasn't ready to anger the Wade family. For the sake of his family, he was determined to marry her off to whoever would be kind to look beyond her condition and situation. He has promised to reward the best suitor that eventually marries her with a huge amount of money.

“We wouldn't have been in this mess if Tana had not adopted this destitute girl. She would have been better off left to die like her mother.” Dorothy Teleimans yammered on sighting her husband, Jude Teleimans.

“Mother is right, Dad. Can you believe I was mocked and made an object of ridicule at the Williams family grand ball because of her.” Avery Teleimans added while her fiance, Edmund Weah gently massaged her shoulder in a bid to mollify her. From all indications, she is the princess of the house. "Is alright babe. Sir, I think it is safe to say that the little bastard has done more good than harm. She is better off out of life than in it, sir."

Arthur Teleimans, Grandpa Bruce's first grandson watched as everyone poured out their emotions. He looked angry but deep inside his heart was ocean of joy. Finally, Ruth will finally get to leave them for good. He had always detest her right from the very moment she stepped her foot into their lives.

His hate rooted from the fact that Ruth was always better than him in everything despite her condition. It made him feel less of a man and he always felt threatened by her especially since the position of the family chairman will soon be handed to someone.

Jude Teleimans, Grandpa Bruce's favourite and only surviving son could only breath in and exhale lightly as they itched his ears with nags and complaints. “It is alright everyone, let's take a deep breath. It will be over in a matter of minutes.”

Before he was done, a middle aged man, the family butler, Charles, emerged with a young lady whose face was covered with a white veil.

Their emergence deadened the room as everyone’s attention was drawn towards them.

“Can't believe she forced her cursed self on Wade's youngest son.” A relative gossiped fervently.

“I heard she was raped not the other way round.”

“Who in his or her right senses would want to have anything with her let alone, Jason Wade.” That was at it came, gossips and murmurs. They stared at her like she is some monster.

Right at the middle of the hall, Charles signalled a servant to usher in the suitors. Twelve men of different size, shapes, complexion and calibre were ushered in. Majority looked worn out and tired of life, some were physically impaired while some looked shabby and malnourished. It was fair to say that it was an awful sight to behold except for the handsome tall man at the edge, Redmond Red.

His appearance was like a magnet and it easily swayed everyone's attention toward himself. “What will bring such a gorgeous looking man in such a gathering?” One had asked

“He is soo good looking. He would be on his heel when Ruth finally gets to shed her skin.”

Redmond cared less of the attention that was given to him by the ladies. He was there on a very crucial mission, to save the daughter of the woman that sacrificed her life for his.

With Ruth by his side, Charles scanned the twelve men before him. He bored his eyes into them, like he was drilling into their souls. From all indication, Charles appears to be the only one reluctant to send Ruth to an unknown fate. It saddens him the more that he can't do anything to save her but he could at least select the best from the worst suitors available.

Satisfied, he cleared his throat, “ There are twelve of you but there will be only one winner. That flower, the Humly flower” he points at the pink flower in the palms of the servant. “At the sight of the Humly flower whose sight and scents trigger her curse, she will have an episode. She will be given to any that will stay behind after it” he concluded.

Just then, he signalled one of the servants to remove the veil, which he did, exposing a very beautiful lady. Her beauty was unmatched by anyone in Denor city. Her unveiling has left the suitors salivating and smacking their lips.

On sighting the flower, there was a rapid and massive breakdown by Ruth followed by chaotic and aggressive convulsions that is characterized by emission of whitish substance.

In a flash, all the suitors except Redmond Red have taken to their heel. The sight they just witnessed was unbearable. The only one that stood behind was Redmond, who didn't flinch nor did he wink.