MY SISTER'S LOVER

MY SISTER'S LOVER

CHAPTER 23
He stood up, looking petrified and his eyes fixed on me upon seeing me. I made a step towards his table and extended my hand for greetings. He looked confused. Its like he had seen a ghost.
"Hi Aggy, what a pleasant surprise. Kindly have a seat..."
He finally found his voice. I made myself comfortable and her asked me what he could offer me.
"Am not here to make merry Sam... How is your wife? Hope you guys managed to adopt a kid uh?"
"You are looking good Agnes as beautiful as ever!"
"You are not looking bad either!"
He looked sad, it's like I had hit him below the belt.
He cupped his face in his hands and leaned on the table. It's like I had stirred some memories in him which were long buried.
"Aren't you going to say anything? How is my 'ex' sister? Did something happen to her?"

He looked up and our eyes met. Deep down, I could see a miserable soul. He wasn't the Sam I knew a few years ago.
"Aggy, I don't know how to tell you this but one way or the other, I have to. Judy and I parted ways the same day you relocated to God knows where. We came back to our house and when we didn't find you, I blamed Judy for everything. I went back to her house to pick my clothes and since that day I have never seen her again!"
He paused, looking me straight in the eyes as if to read my emotions.
I didn't say anything. I just muted.
"She was the cause of your misfortunes Aggy, she blackmailed me. All I did to you back then, wasn't my intention. She was pressuring me! She had me at her palm, ready to crush me if I dared go against her will "
"So, why didn't you just tell me the truth back then, we might have found a solution Sam!"
"Am sorry Agnes, the information she had about me and the governor was intense, she wanted to ruin me until the governor told me that the evidence she and was useless. She couldn't prove anything in court."
He really looked sorry. I felt a tinge of some pity in me, but I wasn't gonna let emotions rule me.
"So, where is she now?" I asked him.
"Since then, Judy has been drinking herself silly, and sleeping with men anyhowly. She has been leading a wayward life since then."
"Bitch! Serves her right!"
I mumbled.
"I have been looking for you Agnes, I have never known peace since you and my daughter left. I hired a private detective to trace you. For three years, no fruits were yielded. I was almost giving up when he....."
He trailed in his thoughts. It's like he was about to say something he wasn't supposed to say.
"I don't know if I should be telling you all these but I guess I have no choice. I saw Shirleen, she is beautiful. Our gal is adorable Aggy, just like you!"
I could see a tinge of smile plastered on his lips. The mentioning of his daughter brought happiness within his heart.
"And where did you see Shirleen?"
Its a long story Agnes, a very long story.
"I have all the time Sam"
He narrated how the detective discovered  that I live in Karen and I have a boutique, how Shirleen's teacher is his wife's friend. How they approached her and she agreed to help them out hence the report I got on Shirleen's diary.
I was surprised to hear all that from him. So he was this caring? I felt some happiness within myself. I felt like running into his arms there and then but I controlled myself.
"That's why am here Sam, I wanted to request you to attend the AGM together."
"There is no problem with that at all Agnes. But please, grant me this one Favour... Only one, will you?"
"Say it."
"Allow me to see Shirleen before the AGM, at least to bond with her and to let her know that I am her dad."
"No problem Sam, you can see her anytime, she is your daughter after all. If all that you have told me about Judy blackmailing you is true, then I have no reason to doubt you."
Sam was delighted
He was excited.
"This calls for a toast!"
He took out a packet of my ever favourite mango juice and poured it into two glasses. He handed me a glass and he held his for a toast.
I wasn't comfortable with him to share my  number yet but he insisted.
"Make sure you don't share it with your Judy!"
I told him.
"That devil is in my past. I have never seen so much evil in one person. You and Shirleen mean the world to me and I hope one day you will forgive me for all the atrocities I did to you."
"Baby steps Sam, right now, let's just coparent.... Alright."
He nodded in agreement.
I don't know why I trusted him so much but I could see some sincerity in his eyes.
"So, when am I bonding with my beautiful gal?"
"I will give you a call this weekend."
"It's okay, I will be waiting."
I bade him goodbye and left him staring at me.
All the way back to Karen, I couldn't help but think about Judy. I somehow pitied her.
Karma might have dealt with her. If what Sam told me was true, then she deserves all that she got. She can go to hell for all I care!