Dark Love

20

Zee had managed to get Inara to stop crying during the drive and they reached Inara's home at about 8:30 pm.

Inara took off the bridal shower tee-shirt and dumped it on the floor of the truck, hating it with every fiber of her being.

"I'll trash it for you." said Zee.

"Thanks."

Inara's family were not home yet so Zee felt comfortable helping her haul the bike down and parking it by the house.

"Thanks Zee."

"Anytime. You should take some aspirin to help your head after all that crying so you can be able to get some sleep."

"I will. My mum should have some lying around."

"Great." Zee said and hugged her comfortingly. "Sleep well Inny."

"You too."

A cab pulled up before the house and Amara alighted. Zee made a face.

"Time for this bad girl to go." She said.

"Chill, she suggested I go with you." Inara told her.

"Now that is some good news."

"Hi Zee" Amara said as she reached them. "Thanks for being with her. Hope it went well?"

Zee and Inara exchanged glances.

"Good." said Zee.

"What a relief. I hope you guys took pictures."

"We forgot to take any." Zee answered and Inara was thankful that Zee was there. She was too tired and afraid to think straight. She didn't have much control over her mind right now.

"What a terrible oversight." Amara said, disappointed. "Thanks again Zee."

"Anytime. Goodnight you guys."

"Night." Inara and her sister answered. They watched Zee get back in her truck and drive off before entering the house.

"How was your exhibition?"

"Fantastic. You know, Higgins is such a prolific painter. You need to see the excellence in his well crafted images drawn from simple earth colors with precise strokes that mirror the true nature of art in its ..."

"Amara, you've lost me but I'm glad you enjoyed your exhibition."

Amara laughed. "Fine. Night love."

"Night."

Inara went to her parent's bedroom and helped herself cut out a dose of aspirin with which she took to her room and dumped on her table before showering, changing into a pair of pajamas and hitting the bed.

She drew herself into the covers but could not sleep. It occurred to her that she should try talking to Cassy. Maybe the girl would reconsider hurting her with those pictures.

Inara sat up on the bed and dialed the girl's number. It was picked up in two rings.

"Sexy Cassy on the line."

"It's me, Inara."

"I know. What do you want?"

"Why did you do this to me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Cassy said, feigning ignorance.

"Cut the crap. What are you planning?"

"Oh, it is simple dear. The pictures go to your fiancé." she said and laughed.

"Please, I'm begging you not to do that." Inara pleaded. She was so afraid. If Lemuel saw the pictures, she knew that there would be trouble. She didn't know what he would do but she didn't want to find out either.

"No use." Cassy said offhandedly.

"What have I ever done to you girls?"

"It's nothing personal dear. In life, there are good people and bad people. Deal with it."

Cassy started laughing again and Inara remembered that she had some savings in her account.

"How much do you want?" she asked.

"Wow, now you insult me." Cassy said bitingly. "My dad is an Accountant General you silly girl. You will never learn. And just so you know, the deed has already been done. That's in case you haven't noticed."

A gnawing feeling of dread crept up Inara's skin.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Check your WhatsApp" Cassy said and laughed again. "You should be thankful we didn't go as far as getting that guy to rape you, silly daughter of a Preacher."

"Go to hell and burn to ashes." Inara cursed and cut the call.

She quickly put her data on and checked her WhatsApp. She had never used the platform to communicate with Lemuel but she saw that they had added him and sent him pictures of the event, including several ones with that stripper sitting over her and touching her in inappropriate places. How could they use her phone to send the messages? This would make it look like she was actually rubbing it in his face. The thought almost gave her a heart attack.

Inara noticed with dismay that Lemuel was online.

A sick feeling stabbed at her stomach and she felt like throwing up as she noticed that he was already typing a message;

Nara, I hope you're this brave tomorrow, it said and he was offline in one second.

Inara froze for a moment. Then she hurried to her dresser and quickly helped herself to the aspirin. Climbing back onto the bed, she curled herself into the sheets and started whispering fervent prayers for divine help. She didn't know how long she did that but eventually, she fell asleep and woke up at intervals, dreading the coming day.

Due to little sleep, she rose up early but could barely eat during breakfast with her family. They joked about her having an episode of wedding fever and she managed to force a laugh because she knew better. After breakfast, she went to her room and sat on the bed, still full of dread. Then her phone buzzed with his call. With a great effort, she managed to pick it and bring it up to her ear.

"Hello." she said, her voice barely over a whisper.

"Nara."

"Yes sir."

"You have exactly five minutes to inform your family that your fiancé is here to take you out."

The Line went dead and when she peeked through her window, his SUV was slowing to a halt, the sight, flooding her with utter apprehension.