JOHN'S POV

I looked at the scenery before me, from the large glass windows. I saw cars filling the roads and the unpleasant noises that came with it. Children crossing the road in a frenzy and bus conductors calling out for passengers. The endless wails of food sellers calling out to customers on the street causing an enormous noise pollution wasn't left out.

"Where did James go? He said he was coming home yesterday. Something feels completely wrong." I muttered, placing my palm on my forehead.

"Maybe he slept at Eniola's house." I finalized, nodding my head.

The office doors opened to receive a beaming Kemi in a red fitting gown. I forced my cheeks to produce a smile but it ended in vain.

"Your outfit is beautiful Kemi." I said, bringing her to acknowledge my presence.

"Good morning sir." Kemi said, grinning.

"Good morning Kemi, How are you?" I said, picking up the newspaper.

"I am doing great sir. Should I get you coffee?" Kemi asked, leaning against the door.

"I am really not in the mood for beverages." I stated, squeezing my lips.

"Should I get you a plate of rice?" Kemi inquired, pushing further.

"I am not hungry either." I stated with a frown.

"Should I get a soft drink then?" Kemi inquired, pushing a leg into the office.

"I am really not in the mood at all, so I suggest you find something to do that doesn't involve you asking about what I want to eat. " I said, shooting daggers at Kemi.

"Well I got an information that there's a meeting for lawyers and judges at 10am to discuss about an upcoming conference, so that's the only schedule you have today." Kemi replied, folding her hands together.

"I don't think I would be able to attend. It's not complusory. Is it?" I inquired, raising a brow.

"To be honest, I think you should attend. It sounds important from the way I heard it." Kemi interjected, placing a hand on her chin.

"Then it doesn't sound important to me. Go find something else important to do or talk about." I replied, shifting my face away from Kemi's gaze.

"Eniola might be in traffic, it will only take twenty minutes for her to get here. I tried calling her." Kemi said, grinning like a child.

"Did I ask you any questions, Miss Kemi?" I asked, with irritation dwelling on my face.

"I thought you were angry because she's late to the office. It was just a silly guess." Kemi stuttered, taking two cautious steps backward.

"I am not bothered about her being late . Does that answer your question?" I lied, sighing heavily.

"I am sure she would be here any moment from now. She's very dedicated. You are the reason she comes to work anyways." Kemi replied, chuckling in excitement.

"Excuse me? How am I the reason she comes work and why are you complimenting Eniola?" I asked, standing up from my seat. 

"She's my friend. Friends are meant to complement one another. " Kemi replied, grinning.

"Then that's a strange bond of friendship I don't understand." I snorted.

"And it seems you don't know how to mind your business. When you are at work, you don't discuss personal issues. Do you understand?" I added, peering my eyes at her.

"Yes sir!" Kemi said, bowing her head in shame.

"Did she tell you she was coming to work yesterday?" I asked, looking at the ceiling.

"She did sir. I am sure she would be here any minute. It's just a matter of time. " Kemi replied, placing a finger on her lips.

"It's not that I am not bothered. I am just worried about her. She rarely comes late." I replied.

"There's a first time for everything." Kemi replied.

"I didn't even notice that you were wearing glasses. Do you have any sort of eye defect?" I asked, placing a hand on her glasses.

Kemi laughed, gripping her sides which made me wonder if she was alright.

"Are you alright?" I asked, with concern written on my face.

"It's actually just for fashion. I didn't expect you to think in that direction. I don't have any eye defect. " Kemi replied, taking a step backward.

"Do you like it sir? Does it look alright on me?" Kemi added, shifting her glasses.

"It looks great on you. You look beautiful as always." I said, grinning deeply.

"Do you really mean that sir?" Kemi asked, her face giving off a shade of red.

"Were you always referred to as being ugly? Why are you acting so suprised?" I snorted, walking over to my seat.

"Well coming from you, it's really surprising." Kemi replied, chuckling.

"I am only trying to give my beautiful secretary a compliment and it's surprising." I said, raising a brow.

"You are indirectly calling me mean. How polite." I added , sarcastically.

"I didn't mean that. I just....." Kemi began, taking quick strides towards my desk.

"You talk too much for a secretary. I would like a cup of tea and biscuits." I said, flipping the pages of the newspaper.

"Right away sir." Kemi replied, turning her gaze away from me.

"He's always bossy and that's so annoying ." Kemi groaned, obvilous of her environment.

"You do know I can hear every since word you are saying, Kemi." I replied, chuckling.

Kemi jumped out of her trance and ran out of the door leaving me in a frenzy of laughter. I stood up to close the unlocked door but a figure entered, rejecting the courtesy of closing the door after her, throwing me into amazement. She was dressed in a lavish pink long gown matched with a black turban.

"Hello, How may I help you?" I asked, guiding her to a seat.

"Help is an understatement. I am very desperate. I am Aisha Akindele." Aisha introduced , stretching out her arms.

"Well you didn't sound desperate on our last phone call so I think you are the wrong place." I replied, casting a fake smile at her.

"I had to do that, the circumstances that time was very disturbing." Aisha replied seating, displaying her neatly done nails on the table.

"You even refused to give me a handshake. I think you should be nicer to people." Aisha added, gripping her purse.

"Can you explain the circumstances in covering a rapist? Is there an assurance you were actually raped?" I asked, folding my arms.

"And handshakes aren't necessary in this atmosphere. You should know that by now." I added, smirking.

"I am not helping him. I am trying to save my family. My husband works in his company, my daughters school in the institution he built. I work in his factory as a manager. What do you want me to do? I am going to ruin my family if I go on with this case." Aisha replied, placing a disappointed palm in her forehead.

"Is that all you are going to lose? Is that all you are bothered about? I thought Danjuma threatened you." I whispered, placing my hands on the desk.

"You might think it's very easy. But I have no one to turn to if I go on with this case. I am going to lose everything. I can't do this." Aisha replied, her body shaking in quiet sobs.

"What about justice? You don't feel sensitive about this matter. Danjuma raped you and deserves to be in prison. A rape victim has the right to voice out her words. You need to do this. Do this so that he won't ever molest another girl. You have to." I inquired, banging my hands slightly on the table.

"What have you even come here to do? You made me look like a fool. The media tags it like I'm the villian targeting Danjuma's delightful reputation." I retorted, breathing heavily.

"The media would forget about it. If there's no development on it, the media houses won't have anything to discuss about." Aisha replied calmly.

"I just came here to tell you that I am not interested in pushing forward in this case. I don't know what personal vendetta you have with him but I won't partake of it." Aisha added, standing up.

"Do you know how weak you sound right now? This isn't about me, it's about you. You have the chance to put a criminal who has escaped the law into prison and you are worried about your financial future. Don't you get nightmares from that traumatizing experience?" I asked, lifting my eyes to meet hers.

"Even if I do have nightmares. What good will it do anyways. I have to do what's best." Aisha asked, biting her lips.

"Are you being pressured by your husband?" I asked, sighing heavily.

"I don't think that's any of your business." Aisha stated with a straight look.

"That actually means the answer to my question is in the affirmative." I replied, folding my arms

" But what can I do? Men like Danjuma always find a way to escape justice. I just have to live with it. I'm sorry for wasting your time. Goodbye " Aisha stated, picking up her purse.

"I still believe you will change your mind and when the time comes I will be here. " I replied, nodding my head.

Aisha responded with a slight nod and I placed my head on the table disappointed. The doors opened once more to receive a smiling Kemi.

"I got the tea and the biscuits." Kemi chanted, walking into the office.

"Should I drop it on your table?" Kemi asked sweetly.

"Drop it on my head if you wish." I responded with irritation.

"I don't think I have the appetite anymore." I added, sighing heavily.

"But you said........" Kemi began, adjusting her squared sized glasses.

"Do you really want me to reply you?" I interjected, casting a stern look.

"You said you wanted it. I am wondering why you don't want it anymore." Kemi replied, squeezing her face.

"If you want to lose your job, you can stay right here as a fool, arguing till the heavens open or you can leave my office quietly with your job still secured." I replied, banging the table harshly.

"I understand sir." Kemi nodded, walking away and leaving me in clashes of thoughts.

                                           *****************

JAMES'S POV

"You don't have even the heart to kill anyone. You are only bitter because I was right." I retorted, shaking my body into the ropes.

"You are daring me and I would be glad to prove you wrong." Tolani replied, smirking.

"All of this wouldn't end well and you know it, Tolani." I yelled, gasping heavily.

"Shut up!" Tolani screamed.

Tolani fumbled for something in her bag, throwing out items hastily. She smiled on seeing what she was looking for. She walked up to me with a devilish grin plastered on her face.

"Today is your last day on earth, be grateful you have someone to witness it." Tolani stated, walking stylishly.

"That's very comforting to hear." I replied, giving her a sarcastic smile.

"Aren't you wondering what's in my hands?" Tolani inquired, pushing out her hands to display a syringe.

"I really don't want to know, they say curiosity always kills the cat." I replied, smirking.

"This is a very deadly poison that will give you a very slow death to my outmost satisfaction. It will slow down every organ in your body even your heart. " Tolani grinned, gripping the syringe in her hands harshly.

I swallowed my saliva in agitation and let out a sharp inhalation of fear.

"You don't have to do this. This won't bring them back. You would still be miserable ." I replied, my voice shaking in fear.

"No matter how you try, you can't escape death today.You think I am a fool? Your words are only giving me the sheer motivation to finish you off." Tolani grinned, gripping my shoulders harshly.

"Think about your future Tolani. Think about the consequences of what you are doing. You are treading on a path of revenge and in trying to kill me, you are also poisoning your mind." I pleaded, as tears ran down my cheeks.

"I already thought about the consequences so keep quiet and enjoy your last moment." Tolani yelled before pushing the syringe into my bare shoulders.

I whimpered in pain and let out a desperate groan. The works of the poison began taking effect on my body as I felt worms biting my belly. I wriggled in the chair. Tolani went to my sides and removed the ropes holding me. I fell on the ground, gripping my belly in pain.

"Can you see that karma always hits people who deserve it? It's only a matter of time before you die. I am giving you the grace to die on the floor like an animal." Tolani laughed, shaking her hands with the syringe.

"I assure you, you are going to regret this. You don't have to do this Tolani. You can still stop this madness." I whimpered, as my voice shook with sobs.

"You call this madness? You sentenced my fiancé to death. You stabbed me and caused my unborn child's death. This is more than madness. It has reached a stage of insanity. I have lost everything and it's all your fault." Tolani replied, spitting on me.

I yelled once more as a huge pain greeted my belly. I rolled on the ground in pain as my eyes began to lose focus. The ground became unstable and I was seeing Tolani in different places. The poison was slowing my body down dangerously as I held my stomach.

"What do you stand from seeing me dead?"  I whispered, gripping the sand beneath me.

"I feel relieved that the man responsible for my fiancé and my unborn child death suffered for his actions. I feel happy seeing you suffer and groan in pain." Tolani spat, as sweat drenched her black shirt.

"You have forgotten that you are also responsible for your fiancé's death. There's an equal share of blame in that." I replied chuckling in tremendous pain.

"But I don't really care about that. It seems you are trying to fight out the poison. Let me give you another dose of pain." Tolani stated, advancing dangerously towards me.

I suddenly felt an aura to fight once more as Tolani stooped on a knee to inject my shoulder with the poison once more. I lifted a fist and smashed it into her right cheek. Tolani stumbled backwards and landed on the ground harshly. I reached for the syringe that laid on the dusty floor and jabbed it into her knee endlessly. I refused to stop until I heard Tolani scream in pain.

"What have you done? You won't get away with it." Tolani yelled, gripping my leg.

I shifted my leg and jabbed it into her face which landed her into unconsciousness. I stood up, leaning towards the wall and began to walk toward the exit of the uncompleted building. I had a determination that kept me moving forward. I wanted to survive, the pain in my belly and my eyes closing into dizziness tried to discourage me but I kept on moving slowly. I reached the door and stood upright welcoming the air of freedom to my nostrils.

"I won, Tolani." I muttered, setting off on my journey.