HURRICANE WOMAN

Akinlolu Olowookere

ONE: A PARTING OF WAYS

14 YEARS AGO...

The bell rang with an insistence that broke through the stillness of the room. It was a sound demanding attention. Jerome Anthony looked up from the novel he was reading. He was thinking of rounding up this particular chapter before concluding business for the night but now...well, he had this other business to attend to. A glance at the wall clock told him the time was nine ‘o’ clock in the night. He knew whom it was. He had been expecting her.

Glancing around the tastefully furnished living room for a brief moment, he dropped the novel and walked towards the door. When he threw it open, a tall and slender girl brushed past him into the room. He closed the door and turned to appraise her with a  smile. She was fair complexioned and very tall. He knew she had just turned seventeen. That made her a fully grown woman in his opinion. Besides, her stature wasn’t that of a girl anymore. He on the other hand was thirty seven but in his mind he still saw himself as a boy.

He looked into her huge, lovely eyeballs which were as clear as crystals and his smile shrank until it was replaced by a frown. Her upset face told him that something was wrong.

“Lola,” He called out. ”what’s wrong?”

For a brief moment, she stood rooted in the same spot while she stared at him like she was trying to make up her mind about something. There was something about her look that unnerved him and sent his heart racing. He couldn’t bear it. He quickly averted his eyes. He could hear her pacing up and down in an agitated manner. When he looked up again she had calmed down a bit.

“Whats wrong?" He asked her again. "This isn't like you. I was thinking we could have a nice time together tonight.”

Tears streamed down her face as she moved closer to him and threw her bombshell. “Look! We have a problem. I'm pregnant and I just confirmed it's three months old!”

He recoiled in shock and became quiet for moments. His mind reeled, his eyes swam and the room seemed to spin. She couldn’t have done more damage if she had hit him on the head with a sledge hammer. Another girl had come to him with the same claim just yesterday. He had paid her off with an instruction to get rid of it. But this girl was different. She happened to be the daughter of a business affiliate and a friend. Her father was a tough customer who shouldn't be trifled with. He was a multimillionaire and there were rumours that aside from his influence in government circles, he was a bigwhig in the underworld too.  The silence that followed was eventually broken by Lola. “I am scared. What do we do?”

Jerome’s vacant eyes became focused once more. He had turned his gaze towards the door, backing her in the process. Now he turned and drew her close. “Its no big deal, sweetheart.”

She blinked at him in confusion. She wasn't convinced. “What do you mean it's not a big deal? My dad will kill me if he finds out.”

"I'll talk to him."

"No!" She protested. "You'll only make it worse. He expects me to be in school facing my studies; not sleeping with one of his friends."

He stroked her head and sighed. “Truth be told, I never planned for a baby. I only wanted some fun at least for now.”

Lola's's voice was hardly above a whisper. "Me too." A shudder passed through her as something crossed her mind. "What about your wife?"

"His eyes narrowed and his mood changed. "What about her?"

"She's such a nice woman. She'd always treated me like I'm the daughter she never had. I wonder how she'll feel if the truth comes out."

"Leave her out of this!" His voice had turned into an angry snarl.

She hesitated at the tension in his voice. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted us to face the obvious."

His jaw became clenched as he scowled at her. The warmth that had earlier pervaded their conversation had leaked and was now replaced by a chilling cold. "I thought we've agreed that my wife is never to be a topic for discussion."

"I understand," Lola's reply was apologetic, her eyes searching his face for a chink in his tough external armour but it was an unrelenting face that stared back at her. "It's just that we need to address this. It's been bothering me and I can't ignore it any longer."

"Talk if you feel like talking but I don't see how it's going to help matters or change anything." The bitterness in his tone was like a bullet through her heart.

She exhaled deeply and tried to reason with him. "I've always admired the way your wife treated me. She embraced me like family, and I can't shake off the guilt I feel about betraying her."

His frosty gaze could have turned a living person to stone. She knew a storm was imminent. She knew it was at this very moment a subterranean tempest gathering beneath the surface of his controlled exterior. "Why don't you just leave her out of this? Whatever problems we have, they're between us. She doesn't need to be dragged into it."

"I'm not trying to drag her into anything." Her voice quivered. "I just can't help feeling so rotten, Jerome. I can't ignore the fact that she's too good a person to become a victim of our unholy affair."

He drew away as his anger exploded. "Unholy affair, hmm? That's a nice choice of words, isn't it? This sanctimonious attitude of yours isn't helping matters, girl. Don't pretend to care about her when you're busy sleeping with her husband."

Lola's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her sadness and frustration threatened to overwhelm her. "I used to be a good girl, Jerome but you seduced and corrupted me. Though you're old enough to be my dad, you've put me in the family way and I fear what the consequences of my folly will be. My parents will be heartbroken and I'm so sorry for disappointing them. You should at least feel ashamed for betraying your wife too."

His expression turned ugly. "So, I'm the one to be blamed for your mess?"

She was getting angry too. "Yes, I blame you for my mess; and I blame myself too. You ought to have known better. You ought to have been a father to me instead of sleeping with me. You were supposed to guide and direct me, but you took advantage of me."

His face was a snarling mask. The fearful anger which she was conversant with was a seething force about to erupt. "You're a big fool and I made a big mistake getting involved with you."

"We both played the fool." She sadly replied. "'But I'm the biggest fool for giving you an opportunity to ruin my life."

Her last word was like a slap on his face. He lifted his right hand. "Stop!"

Her anger propelled her on. "I won't stop. Are you afraid of the truth? You think each time I look in the mirror, I like who I see staring at me?" Tears streamed down her face again. "You think the news doesn't get to me about your constant arguments and fights with your wife? You think I don't know you're a womanizer?  pretending everything's okay? I feel like I've contributed to your family's problem."

"If you think I'm such a monster, why didn't you just leave?" He challenged her.

"I was emotionally hooked to you, okay?" She yelled at him. "I was determined to leave you but the effort was tearing me apart. And now, I'm finding out the hard way I should have made the move months ago."

His anger seemed to have drained away. "Stop blaming me, girl. From your confession, all you were after was forbidden pleasure."

"No... I.."

"Go and get an abortion." He told her bluntly. "And when you're done with it, stay the hell out of my life."

Lola clenched and unclenched her fists as she visibly struggled to put her emotions under control. "You heartless bastard!" She hissed.

"And you are nothing but a senseless wench." He spat.

"You'll regret this."

He laughed derisively. "You're in no position to threaten me, girl. Take your empty threats with you and get out of here."

She wiped her tears with the handkerchief in her hand. He grabbed her right hand and began to drag her towards the door.

She recoiled from his touch and jerked her hand away. "Let go of me, you monster!" There was a mix of wrath and pain in her eyes as she began to walk towards the exit.

He escorted her to the door and threw it open. A gust of wind rushed inside, rustling the window drapes and blowing some sheets of paper off the low center table. They scattered in an untidy heap on the floor. Jerome wasn't even aware of that. The girl hesitated and looked at him. Their eyes locked.

“Get out!” He ordered in a voice that had deadened itself to all feelings to all sentiments and even to all reasoning.

“But…” She protested.” What am I going to do?”

“Do whatever you feel like doing.” He retorted. His voice rose in pitch. “I don’t believe the pregnancy is for me."

"I swear; you've been the only love of my life."

Jerome's reply was impatient. “Stop rapping and face reality, baby. For us, love is past tense." He shrugged with a sneer. "You've  probably been sleeping around like a common whore and using me as your maga* all the time you claimed you loved me. You can't pin this on me.”

She leaped forward and struck him across his cheek, catching him unawares. She raised her hand again for another attack but he caught it in midair and held it fast. She struggled to break free but his grip was an iron vice on her wrist. "Let me go, you skunk!" She sobbed. There was a struggle as she attempted to resist while he dragged her through the entrance. Then he shoved her out. He glared at her tear stained face. She could see that he was past caring now.

“Show your face in my life again and I'll kill you!” He gasped.

“You’ve killed me already, you lying bastard.” She yelled a moment before he slammed the door shut in her face with a loud bang.

Her voice boomed aloud in his ears as she yelled hysterically from her position outside. There was a loud thump as she banged frantically against the door. Her heartbroken sobs assailed his ears. And then, all was silent.

@@@

Eight months later, Jerome Anthony stepped out of his ash colored Hummer flanked by his two body guards. He was dressed in an immaculate white outfit while his two companions were dressed in grey. As he walked briskly towards the mansion ahead of him, his thoughts were neither on his surroundings nor on his bodyguards.

He pushed against the glass structure of the double swing doors of the entrance and disappeared into the building while his escorts waited outside. He walked past the exquisite looking lounge and went up to the top floor via a well polished wooden staircase. Every inch of the floor was covered with red rug which effectively deadened his footsteps.

The light skinned woman who stood at the end of the living room was not aware of his presence at first. She stared at the sunset through the opened window. Jerome stood motionless at the entrance, gazing at her back through thoughtful, calculating eyes until she sensed his presence and turned around with a start.

She was a beautiful and youthful woman of twenty eight even though her face looked dull and haggard this particular evening. When she sighted the visitor, her visage darkened with a scowl and her already tired face seemed to grow older. She folded her arms across her chest and fixed him a disapproving stare. “What do you want!’’ She challenged in an aggressive tone. In response, Jerome removed his sunshades and put it in his breast pocket. He took out a packet of cigarettes and selected one. In an unruffled manner he lit it, took a drag and sent out clouds of smoke through his nostrils. A slow derisive smile danced around the corners of his mouth as he looked up to meet her gaze. Her eyes blazed with resentment and fury. It was apparent that a contest of will was going on.

At length, he stubbed out his cigarette in a nearby ash tray and spoke for the first time. “Abekeola, I want a divorce.’’ He was no longer smiling.

“And you have a hell of a nerve asking me for that!’’ She retorted angrily.

He left the doorway and moved fully into the room. He sat on a divan, crossed his legs and repeated his last statement…as if he had not heard her response. “Abeke, I want a divorce.’’

“Read my lips.’’ She shot back. “NO!’’

Jerome smiled at the glowering figure of his wife condescendingly. “Let’s face the facts.’’ He began. “You're not enjoying this marriage; neither am I. I'm fed up with you. I'm sick and tired of being married to you. There's nothing to gain by remaining stuck to each other. Let's just call it quits."

“Aren't you even interested in saving our marriage?” She wondered.

“No, it's a hopeless case." He replied bluntly. "Look, I’m tired of our endless fightings.” He sounded exasperated. “I don't love you anymore. We both know that this marriage is practically dead. Let’s stop the pretense and get a divorce. Then everyone will be happy.’’

“You mean you’ll be happy!” She lashed out in a bitter voice. “And the tragic thing about it is that it’s all your fault.”

“Stop playing the blame game, okay?’’ He chided her without any sign of remorse. “We have irreconcilable differences. Let’s just end the torture and go our separate ways. Then everyone can be happy.’’

“Please do not repeat the word happy. It’s a big joke in this home.” She cautioned him. "What about our unborn child?"

"He's not my child." He replied.

“You wicked man!” She yelled and moved in his direction like a tigress ready to pounce on a prey. “You totally selfish and wicked man." She raged. "I've given you seven years of my life. Seven years of married life and the only way you can repay me is with a divorce? I picked you up from the gutter and made you what you are today. I alienated my parents on account of my love for you and I never fully recovered their favors till date!’’ She was moving closer. Jerome sensed trouble and swiftly rose to his feet.

She halted in front of him and glared with a ferocity that was strong enough to scare anyone. She stuck her index finger in his chest and continued her outburst in a quieter voice. “I gave you a chance to become somebody in life by virtually handing over my inheritance, my birthright to you! After enduring four years of your unfaithfulness and abuse towards me, you want a divorce?’’

He did not answer. He just stared at her in silence. He was used to her outbursts. As a matter of fact, he was expecting her to make a scene. Her eyes filled with tears of anguish which slowly slid down her face and down onto the rug.

“I didn’t come here for this.’’ He held out both hands in an attempt to calm her. “Acknowledge the fact that we are already divorced. It’s just that we need to make it legal.’’ He paused to see her reaction and plunged on. “Why don’t you just give me what I want and put an end to these endless squabbles? It's in our best interest if you think about it.’’

She calmed herself with a great effort and even forced a smile. “I see.’’ She wiped the tears with the back of her palms. “You don’t think we can still make it up, do you?’’ She asked in a voice that was unnaturally sweet.

“No way, Abeke!’’ He replied with a vigorous shake of his head, his eyes registering suspicion at his wife’s sudden change of mood. “I already told you I’m through with this marriage.’’

“Alright, if divorce is what you want, I’ll give it to you.’’ She was no longer smiling. “But could you wait a few seconds while I freshen up? Then we can talk things over, I promise.’’

He nodded even though his heart began to race for no reason. He had a premonition of something he could not yet define. “Fine with me, but don’t take too long. I’ve got a business dinner in an hour.”

He sat down and watched her leave the room but he felt restless after her departure. He got up and paced up and down while he pondered the state of things. The seconds crept by. He was studying the oil paint portraits on the wall when he sensed her return. He turned and was confronted first with her dead set face and a split second later with the pistol in her well manicured hands. She aimed the gum at his heart!

He broke out in cold sweat. Even though he knew she had never fired a shot before in the entirely of her twenty eight years on earth, the look in her eyes told him she was going to pull that trigger! And the gun was loaded. He knew that fact because it was his gun and it was always loaded for emergencies like armed robbery attack.

“Abeke!” He exclaimed in a voice that tried to disguise his fear. “Put down the gun! What is the meaning of this?”

“You want a divorce? Let a bullet decide the issue.” She stared at him out of eyes that glinted wild with an unnatural light even though the gun trembled in her outstretched hand. Her index finger closed around the trigger. He saw that and squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of the shot to come….and death.

Time crept by while he waited and waited but nothing happened. When he eventually opened his eyes, Abeke was on the ground weeping silently. The sight deeply moved him. He knew he had missed death by whiskers. He breathed a sigh of relief and backed away. She did not bother to look in his direction as she snivelled and sobbed. He hurried out of the room and downstairs with his mind in an emotional whirlpool.

He emerged from the building and hurried towards the Hummer. His bodyguards hurried after him. One of them opened the back seat for him, and waited for him to get inside. Jerome stood stock still for a few seconds as he pondered the events that took place in the house a few moments ago. He shook his head and took his seat in the vehicle. A bodyguard slammed the door shut and hurried to take his place at the passenger seat. The other bodyguard who doubled as the chaffaeur positioned himself behind the steering and gunned the automobile to life. The gateman had already opened the gates. The Hummer reversed and roared out through the opened gateway of the fenced building.

If you enjoyed this teaser, you can get the complete novel, HURRICANE WOMAN by Akinlolu Olowookere at amazon.com