Second chances

Chapter Twenty Six: Risk

I had gotten very little sleep at night because of the shockingly appalling message I had received from Esther.

A sane woman would have reported to the police but for some odd reason I chose not to.

Whoever had shot me had my friends in their pockets. If not, what other reasons would they have for not reporting my accident as attempted murder.

I glanced over at Charles who was snoring quietly. Why would he want me dead? The message was useless.
Useless yet it scared me.

I really needed to see Mr Ajayi.

Daybreak came so quickly I was certain that it was for my sake. The usual chores I prepared myself to carry out but was surprised when Christy had done them all. She was working very hard for Thor. The idea made me chuckle so hard that for a minute I forgot why I was even downstairs in the first place.

Charles came down few minutes later in his work attire, every thing seemed perfect, his look, his hair except his beard.
He came in and planted a kiss on my forehead before he turned to leave. But I just had to tell him about his beards, they were getting out of hand.

"Ummm baby, you are a very handsome man"

He smiled and planted another kiss on my lips.

"The next time I see this" Moses in the Bible version of you", I'll shave it all off. Have a nice day hun" I smile dragging his beard a little.

He laughed and murmured on his way out, which I pretended not to hear but actually heard every word.

"And we just found out that she's pregnant yesterday who knows how bossy she'll get in the coming months".

I received a call from Onyi and I got to tell her about my pregnancy.
Another text message popped in minutes after I spoke with onyi, this time Esther was telling me how she needed to see me desperately. Apparently my life was in more danger now and she was the only one who could help me.

There was something about her messages that threw me off, but my curiosity wasn't something I could overlook.
What if there was this tiny chance that she was being honest?
More questions were just surfacing and the fact that I was shot could not be overlooked.

I quickly took a bath, had breakfast and headed out. I wore a casual outfit, Jean and a T-shirt before heading to the garage to get a car.

I had decided to go with my car, but on second thought public transportation seemed more appealing. I wouldn't have to hurl curses at wreck less drivers and wouldn't get one myself.

I sat in front of the cab while we journeyed to town, more cabs could be seen on the road and all I could was stare at the roads.

When I finally tied my thoughts I became aware of the people in the cab. The lady behind me was the one I had an encounter with some time ago. I had threatened her under the guise that I was a mermaid. I could tell how uncomfortable she was while I struggled with muffled chuckles.

The car barely came to halt before she zoomed off. If fear worked so effectively maybe scaring my friends would do me great good.

Mr Ajayi's office was like a second home to me, a place where I could share my experiences and get good advice. It hardly felt like I was receiving some sort of treatment.

His beards had grown longer than they were accustomed to,I could tell from the changes they bestowed on his face. He looked quite different and I did wonder if his wife was pleased with the outcome. Apparently husbands preferred longer beards now.

"Ah, Patricia have you come to gloat? Not many of us are blessed with the gift of handling apps on phones that require typing. I'd have preferred we stuck to sending letters and mails. There's much value in what the ink creates."

I believe there's better value in getting quick messages and responses,m"

I sat down with a huge smile on my face, I could tell he was struggling with getting messages across with his phone.

The painting of the caterpillar was still there and I was pleased. A lot had happened since the first time I walked into his office, looking very confused and afraid.

"why's that painting blank? Is that what the artist intended to do or do you now have a thing for black canvasses?"

I noticed another painting beside the butterfly, it was a canvass with black painting. I walked to where it hung and stared closely hoping to get the meaning behind the painting. Instead as I stared closely I could see my reflection on the canvass.

I turned and found my seat waiting for what he would say this time. His paintings had connections to what ever he was going through with his wife.

"Do you have what we talked of the last time you came?" He gestured that I bring the book to him, which I did. He flipped the pages and read with a grim expression.

Is that all you wrote? "

My head made a nod while I fought within me to stifle a laughter.
"Mrs Victoria you just told me everything I know about you, except the new thing about being pregnant and how you love your therapist. Those words are not giving you my notes my dear. The confession of love is actually quite tricky, did you think you could cozen me into letting you read this with that? "

It was worth a shot" I replied laughing

Congratulations on the baby"

I thanked him before speaking about the new development. I told him about the texts and the dream where I didn't shoot myself.

"maybe there's someone after me, or do you think it's Charles. Why would my husband want his pregnant wife dead?. There are so many things I doubt about Charles but I believe he loves me now. I have a feeling that I need to see her but it is risky. What if there's truth in what she claims? I've come to terms with my husband's infidelity my marriage seems happy. What if finding the truth would ruin my happiness?

"What did you see on the canvass Patricia?"

Me"

Two feet away all you would have seen would be black paint, but when you got closer you saw you. Do you ever wonder why captains dive into storms? Sometimes darkness helps reveal who we truly are. Risks are abundant in our lives, risk is what we take when we get that closer look.
If we never take risks we would be filled with an uncertainty. "could it have been?"

"Are you saying I should go see her?"

Have I ever told you what to do Mrs Victoria? You always know what to do. If a captain makes preparations for a storm without facing one. He might never be too sure of his abilities most importantly he might never get to know the hidden islands beyond the storm.

"I'm beginning to think it's your life mission to give me assignments. So what is this painting about? Your wife?"

Most paintings had connections with his wife, I guessed this one did too.

"This one is for all my patients, what the darkness reveals. We may never truly know what we are capable of, or who we truly are when darkness has not greeted us"

"Hmmm, so can I see what you always scribble down?"

He gestured that I should come forth and when I did, he showed me a page.

The words read
"My name is Mr Ajayi!

I couldn't help the laughter that ensued and didn't stop smiling when I left his office. I heard his secretary telling someone over the phone that Mr Ajayi was in Port Harcourt for a meeting.

That was very funny, Mr Ajayi's darkness revealed that he's a liar.

I had a lot to think about but I chose to grab my phone from my bag. I texted Esther back.
"I want to meet with you, I'll tell you when and where".

After I sent the text I realized something, I had never thought of how I got the gun in my memories.

Who owned the gun?

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A/N: hey everyone, hope you enjoy the chapter. Do tell me what you think of Mr Ajayi. How do you think Victoria got the gun?