THE CO - WIVES

THE CO - WIVES

CHAPTER 18

Jacky's POV (cont')
"Jacky my daughter, why are you being hard on someone who has helped  us to look for you since day one?"
"What are you talking about mum? Which person?"
"Your boss Jackline, your boss! He has been following up at the police station since day one. He has made sure I survive in this city! He has been providing for my everything. Why should you hate him who has been there for Me since I landed here?" I could feel some anger in her voice....
But I couldn't bring myself to talk to James, he had betrayed me by getting married to Diana!
"By the way, where are you staying mum? Don't tell me you are staying in their house!"
I asked her curiously.
"I am staying at your house. When he found it wide open, and you were nowhere to be seen, he bought a padlock and locked it. He was busy following up on your case when someone shot him and he got admitted for a week!"
My eyes widened.
"You mean James was shot when looking for me?"
I asked her, curiosity taking the better part of me..
"Jeff shot him when he showed up in their meeting place with some cops. He was arrested but he snatched a cop's gun and shot himself in the chest."
I remembered how Diana told me that I was the reason why Jeff was dead!
I was shocked to hear from mum that he was still alive, and someone had tried killing him. I definitely knew that was Diana. She is a conniving bitch. It was crystal clear that they had some secrets which Diana didn't want exposed
"But mum, you don't know anything about James, apart from the fact that he is my boss and he has been good to you..."
I trailed in my own voice.
My mind was entangled in a million thoughts.
I knew I loved James, but why was I pushing him away?
Who was I kidding?
My love for him knew no boundaries but he had gone ahead and married Diana. I made a mental note to confront him the next time he showed up!
My mum was saying something but I wasn't listening.
"Jackie....."
I was woken from my reverie.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing mum, nothing!"
I felt so bad having lied to her. She has been my confidant for a long time and I had no reason hiding stuff from her.
But she knew better than pestering me....
        **************
I was responding well to treatment. Two days later, I was discharged and declared fit to go home. I was happy to hear that Diana was in police custody and Jeff was in a hospital, lying helplessly in a ward. Back in the house, I looked at myself in the mirror and hated the person I saw. I had grown thin and my head was badly shaven.
I visited a barber shop and I had a clean shave. At least I looked better.
My mum refused to go back home just to cook for me and make sure I got back to my normal self.

*************************
It has been a week since I was discharged. I haven't seen James and I am getting confused. I am tempted to believe that he had really moved on. The trial is over and Jeff and Diana have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
I never saw James in court.
My mum has left to the village, promising to be coming back to check on me.
Before she left, she gave me only one word.
"My daughter, don't let your pride deny you the love of your life."
Those words still linger in my mind up to date.
I got a call from the HR that I was supposed to report back to work.
I had no choice because I needed the job. But I wondered how I was gonna face James. It was obvious he didn't want anything to do with me. I was happy because all my salary had been paid into my account even in my absence.
That Monday morning, I rocked my knee length grey skirt suit and a white official top. I put on one of my human wigs and after checking myself in the mirror, I took my handbag and locked my door then left to work.
I was surprised to find a car at the gate.
I chose to ignore it lest I get kidnapped once more. I had no worries because a lot of people were on the road.
I walked past it and I couldn't avoid glancing inside.
The driver got out of the car and I gave a sigh of relieve.
"Hello beautiful, you look glamorous as usual."
I gave him a hateful look and tried to walk past him.
"Get in the car, let me drop you at work.."
"I know my way to work boss. I will take a matatu..."
"Cut the crap Jackie. What has changed? Is it the first time I will be carrying you in my car?"
My demons were threatening to burst my insides. I was about to explode. Whom did he think he was to order me around? He was my boss, but not my life!
"With all due respect sir, I think Diana deserves to be carried in your car. After all she gave you solace when I was away!"
I told him, without blinking.
"What happened to being called James? Jackie, please drop the word sir. It makes me feel odd in your presence!"
He looked shocked.
The look he gave me was priceless.
"What are you talking about Jackie? I know the crap which Diana fed you with when you were under her custody but trust me, all that was crap! Pure lies."
"I don't trust you one bit Sir, I don't trust you at all!"
With that, I walked past him and boarded a motorbike to the stage.