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

Chapter 9(The two Couples)

Early in the morning, Redmond was already out to pick up Ruth to the Zinont Group. On his way, he noticed that he was being followed by an old fashioned cab. In a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the sight of the stalker leaving him dazed and speechless.

“Have no one ever told you that it is wrong to spy on people, Denver.” Red’s voice echoed from the window rim, startling the stalker. 

Denver exhaled lightly, disappointment and guilt etched on his face. “Am sorry sir, but I just can't leave you alone. Allow me to stick around and I promise to remain invisible.” He pleaded, his eyes meaning every word.

Denver has obeyed his commander by sending other soldiers back to the barracks, leaving them under the guidance of Leo but he has failed to stay behind. He just couldn't put himself together and allow his General to stay behind, alone.

After what seemed like ages, Redmond finally spoke, “Ok, but what's it with the cab?” 

Denver heaved a big smile, “This is being invisible, sir.” Both chuckled. He drove Redmond to Ruth's doorstep where they picked her.

“Hey”

“Hey” she greeted as both pecked each other on the chin. Both beamed with smiles as Denver drove. “You look stunning, too stunning, the head of Zinont Group will have no other choice but to yield in your favour.” Redmond teased as he gently helped her tuck her stray hair back to her ear.

“Come on, stop playing around. I just hope this works out.” Her face changed instantly into a sad one. Redmond rubbed his palms softly on her cheek, “Don't worry. You will be alright after all you stand a better chance than I would ever be.”

She looked at him and a smile spread across her face, “Don't be too hard on yourself. What matters  is us.” Ruth cuddled him like a baby. 

“Did you see the news today?” She asked as she raised her chin.

“What about the news?” Redmond replied, feigning ignorance.

“Logan Wade was burnt to death yesterday night by some stranger at his own party.” 

“Hmmm, that's a sad way to die.” He replied in a pretentious tone.

****

“Are you kidding me right now? hahaha! This is ridiculous.” Arthur cackled, laughing fervently on dropping the cell phone. His unending laughter prompted the confused look on the faces of his peers and relatives.

“What's it with you, Arthur? Why are you laughing like a moron?”

“Don't laugh alone, brother. Cut some for us.”

“This wouldn't happen to concern Ruth and that useless pauper?” 

The more they queried eagerly out of curiosity, the more Arthur laughed. He clutched his stomach with his hand as his eyes reddened while droplets of tears wound up the corner of his eyes.

“Don't keep us in the dark, Arthur.”

“Easy, easy.” He pants as he gasps for air.

“Can you believe that cursed girl and her pauper of a husband drove to Zinont Group with a fucking old fashioned cab. Who the hell does that.” Before he was done talking, others had followed him in his Disney land of laughter.

“She has killed herself before she even met the Devil.”

“This is crazy, I blame myself for thinking that for a moment, the pauper will stand a chance.”

“Seven days? You will hear from me in the next forty eight hours.” Another mimicked Redmond, mocking him as everyone else enjoined in another bout of laughter.

“Can't believe he made all those big words just to shoot himself on his foot.” Arthur added 

“Everything is working out for you, Arthur without even trying much.”

Arthur laughed darkly, “Can't have Ruth marry that spineless shit for a husband. It is Jason or someone else from the Seven Keys. An in-law from the Seven keys, our family stock will rise again following years of decline because of her. As the next chairman in line, that will take a long time to sink into me. This is my time folks. Someone should have the video camera ready, someone is going to beg like a chicken.”

****

“You should stay behind, Just wish me luck.” She said as they alighted from the cab. She forced a faux smile, a contrast to the chaos that roared within.

Redmond grabbed her palms and then heaved an assuring smile, “Go and kill it but I insist, I will escort you to the front door.” He intoned.

That was enough to allay her fears. As soon as they were about to turn, a black Range Rover slowly packed in a spot right before them.

They looked up inadvertently and saw two couples stepping out of the car. Their dressing screamed wealth and affluence. 

On a closer look, they could see that it was Avery, Arthur's younger sister and her dear fiance, Edmund Weah.

Redmond cared less of whatever that may have brought them to the great building of the Zinont Group. Deep inside, he knew that staying out of their way would be a good way to stay out of drama. Without any further hesitation, Redmond signalled Ruth to proceed. 

Unfortunately for them, they couldn't escape from Avery’s eagle eyes. “Hey! Ruth!” She called out in a rather friendly manner.

Redmond and Ruth were forced to stop as both dropped a welcoming facade as if they weren't for a moment about to ditch them. They have decided to stop and wait out of courtesy and family relations. 

“Hey, Avery…what are you doing here?” Ruth asked with a warm smile as they approached them.

“Hmph, what does it look like? Have you little time with this riff-raff affected your memory?” She snorted before turning to Edmund with eyes full of affection, “Everyone knows that the Weah family are highly respected and close partners with the Zinont Group.” She chuckled heartily as she stared disdainfully at them. 

“This implies that we’re here as VIP guests to the Zinont Group” Edmund added as he puffed his chest out in an arrogant manner.

Redmond was quite surprised by the admission. He never knew that the Zinont Group had anything to do with the Weah family but regardless that was none of his business. He smiled and then replied, “That speaks highly of you guys. You guys are indeed a perfect match. Have a good day.” He turned to leave with Ruth. 

Just as they  turned to leave, Edmund gestured them to stop by striking his thumb on his middle finger in a condescending manner. He wasn't done, not when he was yet to get the reaction that he so much wanted. Edmund despised Redmond for having Ruth. He has always adored her beauty even when she was sick, crazy how Ruth was actually his first choice before he settled for Avery who literally seduced him into the relationship.

Watching Ruth hold him the way she did ached his heart. He just couldn't understand what made him so special that Ruth couldn't do away with him even when she knows that he is a nonentity.

“You didn't get to tell us what brought you guys here” He asked with a pretentious tone as he slid one of his hands into his pocket.

“We..”

“Oh, I remember. You guys are meant to seal a deal with the Zinont Group?” He snapped his finger as he feigned remembering it. He knew all along, he just wanted to disgrace them.

He chuckled maliciously, his eyes glinting in amusement, “If i may ask, how do you intend to achieve this? I mean you're a fucking nobody with no special creditials.” 

Redmond swallowed hard as his face gradually darkened 

“He is right. Why go there and make your life more hard than it is already. The last time we looked into you, you have no educational background or substantial family background. Hmph, you won't even stand a chance.”

Both laughed hysterically as they drowned themselves in laughter.

Edmund cleared his throat as he placed his hand on Redmond’s shoulder. With a considerate facade, he said “See, I get it. You're just trying to make her yours but acting this  will make your life more miserable than it is already.”

“I will put a word to Arthur to allow you to go with whatever remains of your dignity but for her, you will have to lose her.” Edmund advised, feigning magnanimous.

Arrrh!

Edmund shrieked as Redmond twisted his hand away from his shoulder. With a straight face, he said “I don't need your help, dear nitwit. You should focus more on whatever that brought you here” he chuckled dryly, “Who knows, it may be the last time you would get such an invitation, here.”

Edmund writhed in pain as he released his hand. “Fuck! Who did you just call a nitwit!”

Redmond scoffed, “Do you need to hear it twice? Avery, you're slow and your dear fiance is slow too. Two negatives doesn't make a positive.”

Avery and Edmund couldn't believe it. They were dazed and speechless for a moment as they watched the two climb the elevator. In a flash, Edmund's body chemistry switched from defensive to offensive. His face flushed while his eyes reddened. He swore to make them pay instantly and immediately head right to the elevator with Avery.