Battles in the shadows

SLOWLY BUT SURELY

The three story building was simple but magnificent. In one of the rooms at the last floor is Vincent Moabe's office; The CEO of Liberty clothing line. Married to beautiful fashion designer, Pontsho, with three children. His business was doing fine and he loves his family dearly. He was having lunch in his office and will be going for a board meeting in two hour's time. The journey to such a successful life was not easy but he was glad to have achieved so much alongside an intelligent wife and children. His heart aches each time he remembers the child he left behind; how he treated Koketso during their teenage years but now there was nothing he could do. She was unmarried and never had any other children. Lauretta. A name he promised to take to his grave. That was a part of his past that even his wife nor any of his relatives know about.

He was about to finish eating when he heard a knock. His secretary was out for lunch so the person must have taken the opportunity to see him. He put his lunch away and cleaned himself up.

"Come in."

A young lady came in. She wore a knee length short sleeve red dress and her hair was in a neat bun.

"Who are you? I don't think I have an appointment with you." He said tightly.

"No sir.  I didn't have an appointment but I'm here to see you."

"Please sit down." She sat down opposite him.

"I'm Lauretta Rakwela."

"I cannot recall," Mr. Moabe replied.

"I don't know how to tell you this. But I think I'm your daughter."

The name Lauretta made sense immediately. It sent shock waves across his body. This was impossible. No way. Wasn't he just thinking about her just few minutes ago? The resemblance to Koketso could not be missed.

"I know you are married but I just want to know who my real father is."

"Who told you this young lady?" he became angry.

"We could go for a DNA test."

"I don't remember having a child out of wedlock lady! Now leave my office."

"You are rejecting me all over again?" she sobbed.

"Get out!" he yelled.

"I am your daughter. You are my father." She pleaded with him.

"I love my family Lauretta!"

"I know." She said quietly

"No you don't!"

"I just want you to accept me. I have a family too."

"Get out! You are just like Koketso! Like mother like daughter." He covered his mouth with his hands as he realized he just got cornered and so easily.

Tears fell from her eyes. What did she expect? That he would accept her with open arms?  That he would allow his perfect family to go down the drain? No!

"I will leave father. Just remember you have a daughter. Goodbye father. Till we meet again."

She left his office and never turned back. Vincent was still in shock. After so many years. How did she find him? Should he tell his wife? Who else knew about Lauretta?

"No."

***************

Angelique Moabe packed her car inside the garage and came out. She was light in complexion and has a model figure that girls with weight problems would probably kill for. The white Toyota Compressor was a gift from her father for her twentieth birthday. She was her father's pride and joy. Her sixteen year old twin brothers were watching television inside. Angelique was exhausted after a long day starting from 7am till 6pm; that was how her lecture hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She entered the house and went straight to her room. She was about to remove her clothes when she heard her twin brothers arguing with each other.

"What is it this time?" she said tiredly. She walked down to the lounge to find her brothers tied to the dinning chairs with thick ropes and gagged in the mouth. 

"OB! Tumi!" She cried out and ran towards them. The boys wriggle in protest trying to tell her to back off. Angelique got to them only to be stopped by a gun pointed at her. 

"Oh my God!" she cried. A lady stood in front of her, wearing a black mask. She pulled the trigger and Bang! Angelique fell down in shock. 

"Who are you!" she screamed in anger. The lady did not reply. She put the fake gun down and grabbed Angelique, tying her to another chair. 

"I'm waiting for your parents. Don't do anything foolish or you will regret it!" she said sternly and sat down in front of them on a sofa, with a devilish smile on her face. No one will escape her plans.

************

"You have to get your car from the garage dear. I hate coming back this late. Angie will be coming back late and I doubt the boys have prepared dinner." Pontsho Moabe was almost fed up. Her husband had refused to get a better car and with all the money they have he could easily buy another one. She drove the car inside their garage and smiled.

 "Angie is home already." She said happily. 

"I'm so tired. I hope dinner is ready." Vincent Moabe said in exhaustion as he got out of the car. They opened the door and went to the kitchen. 

"Vinny, I left the kitchen like this in the morning." Which meant nothing was prepared for dinner.

 "Angie! Tumi! OBK!" Vincent shouted their names. There was no response. They went to their lounge. Vincent switched on the light. 

"Oh my God! What... What..." 

"Welcome back guys. At last you can join the party." the lady said. "Please have your seat Mrs. Moabe." 

"Who are you?" Vincent shouted. 

"Same old, same old. Don't try anything I will not approve or you will be burying your family in the morning." The lady said firmly. Pontsho dropped her bag on the floor and sat down on a sofa. The lady threw a pocket knife at Vincent and it landed on his left shoulder. He cried out in pain and fell on the floor. 

"Vinny!" Pontsho cried in despair. 

"Shut up fool!" their abductor yelled, tied Pontsho up and tied a cloth over her mouth. The boys and Angie were  scared at what could happen to their parents. The lady took a chair from the dinning room and sat in front of them.

 "Hello everybody. It is my pleasure to meet you all in person."