STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER THIRTY- SEVEN

"I still want my money Mr. Lawyer because after a great show, I will get all my money." They got to the master bedroom and he immediately tied Antonio's hands behind him and sat him down on a couch in the room. He grabbed Funmi roughly and kissed her on the left cheek.

"Soft," He said in a husky voice. "You take good care of her." He added and pushed her roughly to the bed.

"Please, don't do this. Please let us go." Funmi pleaded desperately. Clement laughed and he looked at Antonio who was struggling with the uncomfortable position he was in.

"Alright, I want 1.2 Million Naira then."

"What!" Antonio shouted at the top of his lungs.

Clement walked over to him, hit him at the back twice with the butt of his gun...which Antonio soon realized was a short gun.

Funmi could not withstand the abuse Antonio was going through. If their parents were contacted, they should be able to raise the money.

"We will pay it. Send your account number." Funmi said as she clambered off the bed.

Clement's next move came as a surprise. He pointed his gun at Funmi and she immediately stopped in her tracks. He grabbed her roughly again, tied her hands in front of her and pushed her down to the rugged floor. He spat on the rug and stared at them in disgust.

"I cannot understand your love for this pig. I am not a hardened criminal but I have to live." His eyes became hard and walked over to Antonio, dragged him to the floor and began to punch and kick him.

Funmi was horrified. "Please stop! Stop hurting him." Clement did not stop but continued until Antonio became limp, bleeding from mouth to his nose and head. He was terribly bruised. Tears ran down Funmi's face as she continued to helplessly watch her husband being battered.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Funmi screamed at the top of her lungs. This irritated Clement so much that he left Antonio, rushed over to Funmi and slapped her hard across the face.

He was breathing heavily from all the strength he used up beating up Antonio. Funmi moved on her butt next to Antonio. She broke into fresh tears and became frustrated as she could neither hug him nor help him.

"I'm so sorry Antonio. Help will come okay." She whispered to him in between sobs. His face was covered with blood and was in intense pains. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Clement holding a big wooden stool, which he obviously picked from the vanity set. His aim surely has to be Antonio and if he succeeds, Antonio might not make it out alive.

"No." She whispered and quickly covered Antonio with her body. The stool hit Funmi's back with a force. Her body went limp as she went unconscious.

Upon realizing his mistake, Clement fled.

Antonio gathered the last bit of strength he had and tried to lay his wife down on the floor.

"Funmi," He struggled. "Funmilola, wake up." There was no response. Tears welled up in his eyes but his vision soon became cloudy and fell unconscious next to her.

****

"What did the Pastor just say?" Jonathan asked as he rushed inside the Singles meeting office, at the end of the service.

"A criminal broke into Sister Funmi's house yester night. They were both badly hurt. Thy just came out of surgery few hours ago. They suffered terribly in the hands of the man." Sister. Adaobe said in between sobs.

No one spoke as they either shook their heads in despair or cry (as some sisters did).

"How could something so bad happen on the eve of their First marriage anniversary? Their parents must be so devastated. It is so sad." Sister. Adaobe added as she wiped some tears falling down her face.

"According to the news report I watched this morning, the man was a rapist that Antonio put in prison some years back. He was released last year and he came back for revenge." Brother. Wole added sadly.

Brother Jonathan stood up, "Let us stand and pray for them brothers and sisters. Let us pray for them to get well." They all got up and held each other's hands in a circle as one of the brothers led a prayer for them.