MEN DO CRY
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I watched as the medical personally carried Maria's body into the ambulance, I was in a state of shock I couldn't talk, how could people be that ruthless as to end another person's life in cold blood, I might have not loved Maria as much as she loved me but I cared deeply for her, she was a bright lady with a great future ahead, she didn't deserve to die like that.
When we got to the hospital, they did a few tests and pronounced her dead then took her to the mortuary.
"We did a few tests, she was raped before being killed" the Doctor said
"The police believe it's a robbery and they are investigating the matter" I managed to speak out
"I need you to sign some papers, are you at all related to her?"
"No I am her boss but I have called her mother, she should be here shortly"
I had switched on Maria's phone so I could call her relatives, her sister wasn't picking up so I opted for her mother who I told to meet me at the hospital and she arrived minutes later with other family members.
"What did you say happened to my child?" the mother asked me
"She was attacked, last night by some thieves"
"Tell me she is fine, where is she can we see her" another lady that looked like Maria said
"I am sorry Madam your daughter didn't make it, by the time this young man found her it was too late" The doctor said
"It can't be, I talked to her the day before yesterday, tell me it's a joke Maria can't be dead" her mum wept
After a few minutes she requested to see her body, we walked her to the mortuary. We stood by the door side as she entered, after she removed the cloth that covered her body, she fell down and the nurses quickly rushed and took her to the ward because she had fainted. No mother deserves to see their child in such a state it was one of the most emotional things I have ever witnessed.
I went back home and I couldn't sleep I kept thinking about how Maria died, I imagined her screaming and begging for Mercy.
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I got my plate of chips from the kitchen and joined Nicole who was watching Muvi TV News she was always a keen follower of current affairs, so boring if you asked me.
"Can we watch something interesting?"
"Shhh let me first listen to the first items on the news then you can watch whatever you feel like watching" she whispered
I started eating while pressing my phone paying less attention to the news till something caught my eye.
"A 24 year old lady of Longacres was brutally murdered yesterday by unknown criminals, the lady who was identified as Maria Libati was raped before being shot in the chest. The criminals also walked away with some of her household goods. She was found dead this evening by her boss, police are still investigating the matter and more information will come up later"
"Oh poor thing, I can't believe it" I yelled
"This is inhuman, what kind of people would do this to such a young lady" Nicole asked with tears in her eyes
"And to think I knew this lady, gosh this is sad"
"You know her?"
"Yes, remember I told you about Maria from the company? The lady Chard was dating?"
"Oh my poor thing he must be devastated"
"Let me even call him" I said as I went to the bed room, when I reached my room I did a little dance to celebrate the victory, Maria was finally out of the picture and now no one stood in between Chard and I. I felt no remorse whatsoever because that wasn't the first time my father had killed someone for his family, he was untouchable and I knew nothing would ever link back to us.
I tried dialing Chard's line but he didn't pick up, I threw my phone on my bed in frustration.
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The news of Maria's death came as a shock to everyone at the company she was one of the most dedicated workers and the gap she left would surely be felt in the long run.
The day of the burial, we closed all operations at the company in her honor, we owed her that much. It was heart breaking to see how her family wept especially her sister who kept blaming herself.
"If only I hadn't travelled, if only I didn't leave you alone my little sister you would be alive" she wept as she clung to the casket, it was traumatizing I couldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone not even an enemy and I imagined what I would do if it were any of my sister in that coffin, just the thought of it gave me goose bumps.
"No mother ever wants to bury their child, my daughter you had dreams, you had plans for the future but now I have to watch you go because some ruthless criminals decided to cut your life short, I swear I will avenge your death even if it's the last thing I have to do on earth." He mother said as the lowered the casket into the ground.
Four months later, Maria's case was on standstill because the police hadn't managed to find anything on the killers, it's like they disappeared into thin air. Replacing her at the company was a bit hard but since Norah performed incredibly well on her attachments we decided to hire her.
Working closely with her was also a bit tricky because she kept throwing herself at me but something in me just told me not to get involved with her so I kept my relationship with her work related and since mum had insisted on me trying out things with Faith I decided to try it out just to make her happy.
I didn't imagine myself spending my entire life with Faith, yes she could cook and she was great in bed but she was too straight forward with things, she was all over the place trying to plan a wedding I didn't consent and I hadn't yet put a ring on her finger, I kept avoiding the marriage issue.
Monday afternoon I was in my office debating whether to go for lunch or not when I heard a commotion outside just as I was about to stand my door opened and Faith walked in followed by Nora.
"I am sorry I tried stopping her but she wouldn't listen" Nora apologized
"Its fine Nora I will take it from here"
"Darling tell this girl here that I am your wife to be, I can come to this place as I please" Faith said as she hugged me
"Wife?" Nora asked surprised
"Yes his wife, will you please excuse us" Faith said
Nora looked at Faith angrily before walking out of the office.
"Faith what are you doing here?"
"Is that how you greet your future wife?"
"I asked you a question"
"Anyway I brought us some lunch and I am hoping as we eat we can discuss your Mum's birthday"
"What about it?"
"Well I was thinking we plan a surprise dinner then we also use that time to announce our engagement"
"Faith isn't it too soon for that?"
"No darling like I told you in the beginning, I don't want to play, we have dated for four months we should be planning our wedding"
"I will think about that later"
"Please do think about it, it would make her really happy"
Faith went on and on about the engagement and after we had our lunch she left because I had other things to attend to. Immediately Faith left Nora walked into my office.
"So you got engaged?"
"How is that any of your business?"
"Chard I care about you, haven't I shown you how much I love you, what do all these women have that I don't have?"
"Nora I don't love you and I thought we agreed to keep our relationship strictly work"
"I have tried to stay away from me please Chard, I love you"
"Nora get back to work"
"No I am not walking out of here, till you tell me what I need to do to make you love me"
"Nothing Nora can't you get it I want nothing to do with you, I appreciate that you love me but the feeling is not mutual"
She didn't respond but instead started unzipping her dress,
"What are you doing?" I asked
The dress she wore was a boob tube with a one long zip at the front so it wasn't hard to remove, by the time I was standing up it had already fallen to the floor.
"Nora stop this madness, get dressed this instant" I said picking her dress
"I can give you this and more Chard just say the word and in will be all yours" she said as she held my hand and pulled me close her, I was now facing her but I couldn't utter any words.
"I know you want me, I can feel how fast your heart is beating, don't resist this" she said pressing her lips on mine.
