Forever Mine Chapter Six: Serpents and Roses

Weeks Later…

The Manor

Victoria Island, Lagos

7:45am

The dry season announced its arrival that morning. The sun arose but forgot it’s warmth behind. The air was thick and cold, ladened with heavy mist. The entire neighborhood had become hazy, as though the clouds had descended to the ground.

The bedroom was quiet, frosty even. The residues from the previous night’s heated argument hung in the air like the thick fog outside. The night was long, like the world had taken a deep breath, refusing to exhale. The sound of the wall clock ticking in the silence was the only reminder that time was passing.

Neither of them had gotten any sleep, their emotions stealing the bliss of slumber from their eyes. They had faced opposite sides throughout the night, the empty middle column between them a testament of their malunion. Morning was the relief they both waited for. Jacob craved the serenity of his office, and his wife craved his absence even more.

He stood in-front of the tall dressing mirror, silently adjusting his tie. Abigail still lay in bed, facing the opposite way, scrolling mindlessly on her phone. He sighed sadly, the silence in the room plaguing him. How did things get so complicated?

It had been weeks since they had a normal conversation. He had apologized countlessly for his temper and harsh words, but his unwavering position concerning Zamani had put them perpetually at odds. Every time he tried to make her see reason, it would escalate into a war of words. She was convinced he was paranoid and jealous, and he had just given her all the proof.

Last night, she had caught him in the shameful act of going through her phone. Neither angels nor the saints of old could’ve adequately prepared him for the tempest he had caused. The raging seas paled in comparison to the storm his wife became. Words flew like sharpened daggers, cutting through what remained of their affection.

The worst part was that he never found anything to prove his claims. Her conversations with Zamani were purely platonic, just like she had said. Perhaps, his paranoia was truly unfounded, fueled by his own jealousy and insecurities. Either way, he had messed up, big time. He had just proven to his wife that he didn’t trust her. Plus, he had already insinuated, during one of their heated arguments, that she was probably sleeping with him. It would take God’s grace to remedy that.

He slowly slipped on his suit while watching her from the corner of his eye. His lips twisted to the side, fighting the immense guilt in his heart. He just wanted it all to end; the awkwardness, the silence, the arguments, all of it. But he knew things had gotten worse. If only he hadn’t allowed his jealousy get the better of him.

Picking up his briefcase, he softly cleared his throat.

“Umm… I’m ready to leave for work.” He said, the words coming out with a strain.

Abigail didn’t respond. Her eyes stayed glued to her phone, unwilling to acknowledge his presence.

“I’m sorry about… my actions yesterday. I’m sorry I said the things I said. It’s become very clear to me that I have become unnecessarily paranoid. I should’ve trusted you more than my jealousy. I’m sorry, Abby.” He breathed, lowering his head in painful dolor.

Abigail didn’t turn over. His voice was a nuisance to her quiet morning. She just wanted him to leave.

Jacob swallowed against the lump in his throat. He sighed softly and nodded, getting the message clearly.

“I’m… uh… I might be a while today at the office. I’ll probably be out till midnight…” He said, sorrow breaking his sentence.

“Good.” She replied coldly, without turning.

Jacob pursed his lips. The pain in his chest rose exponentially. He looked at her one last time, then made for the door, closing it gently behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~

The manor

2:00pm

The black Mercedes was parked in-front of the tall gates of the manor. Abigail had her head against the backrest of the driver’s seat, debating whether to go in. She had left the office early, unable to do anything productive. Her friends had noticed the few teardrops that rolled down her face during the executive meeting. Bisola had encouraged her to take the day off, offering to cover for her. None of them had a clue what she was going through. She debated telling them, but she couldn’t just bring the words out of her mouth.

The house was a constant reminder of her husband’s distrust. The air inside had grown thin, and the empty halls constantly echoed the hurtful words they’d thrown at each other. Their bedroom had turned to an arena for their ravenous emotions to wage war. The house had become gloomy, devoid of their marital bliss.

She placed her head on the steering wheel, exhausted from her numbing thoughts. Did he really think so little of her? How could he even imagine such a thing? Had she ever shown signs of infidelity? How could he have such little trust in her?

The sound of her ringtone pulled her out of her brooding. She reclined and looked at the caller ID; it was Zamani. She contemplated answering it for a while, but finally did. She put it on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Coco. What’s up?”

“Hey, Z.” She answered flatly.

“You don’t sound so good. Everything okay?”

“It’s nothing.” She replied, exhaling softly.

“Doesn’t sound like nothing. C’mon, what’s wrong?” He replied, his tone revealing his concern.

Abigail’s lips twisted to the side, contemplating the decision to open up.

“…It’s my husband, Jacob…” she finally said.

“I see. He doesn’t really like me, does he?”

“Not really.” She sighed.

“Look, Coco. I’m used to this type of stigma. It’s followed me all my life. But that doesn’t mean I want it to affect your marriage. That’s the last thing I want.”

“No. It’s not your fault, Z. You don’t have to blame yourself for this.”

“It’s not about blame, Coco. I just don’t want you going through all this because of me. As much as our friendship is precious to me, your happiness is more important.”

“It’s precious to me too. I just wish he was more understanding, you know? Can you believe I caught him going through my phone?”

“Wait, what? When did this happen?”

“Last night. He was probably searching to see if there was anything going on between us.” She replied, her anger resurfacing.

“Wow. That’s a lot. I’m sorry about that. But I do get it though.”

“What do you mean?” She asked, narrowing her brows.

“We have history, Coco. Any man would be wary of that, especially if they have a woman worth fighting for. It’s understandable, but it doesn’t justify going through your phone.”

His words were calm and soothing. This was the level of understanding she had expected from her husband, but it was coming from Zamani. He had really changed. She just wished Jacob could see it.

“Thank you for saying that. At some point I thought I was overreacting. It’s just been a crazy emotional couple of weeks. I’m so tired, Z.” She sighed, leaning on the steering wheel again.

“So, where are you now?” He asked.

“Home. Well, infront of the gate. Couldn’t bring myself to drive in.” She said with a sad laugh.

“That bad, huh?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t exactly feel like a place I want to be in right now.”

“I understand. Got any other place to stay?”

“Not really. My friends are still at work. And I’m not exactly up for public spaces at the moment.”

“Okay, umm… why don’t you come over to my place for a few hours? At least, until you’re in the right headspace.”

Abigail’s heart felt troubled instantly. Her conscience blared an alarm loudly in her head. The knot that formed in her gut the first time she met him in Paris returned. Something felt off.

“Umm… I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Z.” She said, trying to understand what she was feeling.

“My bad. I’m sorry, that was being too forward.” He replied with a nervous laugh.

“It’s okay. I understand.” She said, the alarm in her spirit still blaring.

“It’s just, we’ve been talking for a while now, trying to get our friendship back to the way it was. We even shared a cup of coffee together last week to catch up on past years. I just felt that, maybe you were finally comfortable around me.”

“Look, Z-” she began, his words getting to her.

“-I get it. You need more time to trust me. It’s okay, I can wait.”

“No, Z. That’s not-” she sighed.

He didn’t understand, and she didn’t have the right words to explain. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, she just didn’t feel it was right.

“Don’t go…” The voice in her conscience breathed.

She sat up, lost in an internal debate. Zamani had never done anything inappropriate, not even when they were alone in the car after their platonic coffee date. She knew him, he would never hurt her. She couldn’t accuse him of the very same thing she had fought her husband over. He had changed.

“Hello?” His voice rang out. She’d almost forgotten he was still on the line.

“Umm…” she stuttered, unsure of what to say.

“Look, Coco. I don’t want to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to. It’s fine. Like I said, I’ll wait until you can finally trust me.”

The words cut deep, riddling her heart with guilt. She sighed, feeling pressured to give in. She didn’t want to come off as unnecessarily leery like her husband.

“Ummm…you know what? Send me your address.” She said, her tone oozing slight uncertainty.

“Really? Are you sure?” His tone rising enthusiastically.

“Umm… yeah, I’m sure…” She replied, pushing down the unease in her spirit. She sounded anything but sure.

“Great. I’ll text you the address. See you soon. Bye.”

The line went dead. She shut her eyes, breathing through her mouth. It’s not like she was in love with him or anything. It’s not like they were going to do stuff. It was just for a few hours. Nothing serious. Besides, she had control of herself, and Zamani wouldn’t do anything to ruin their budding friendship. This would prove that she was right about him all along.

She nodded and opened her eyes, her gaze fully resolute. She started the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Blue ridge estate

Ikoyi, Lagos state

3:30 pm

Abigail sat on the couch in the living room, battling the alarm blaring in her spirit. She shifted uneasily, her eyes roaming around the room. The house was quite impressive, but clearly designed for a bachelor. The furniture was sturdy yet surprisingly cozy. The mixed scent of pine and cedarwood filled the room. The walls were full of African landscape paintings, most resembling the open savanna regions.

Apparently, the estate wasn’t so far from her workplace. She wondered how long he had lived here. The thought that they could’ve easily bumped into each other in the past three years was particularly striking to her.

She exhaled sharply, her conscience cautioning her incessantly. She looked at her wristwatch, counting how long she had spent.

“Checking the time already?” Zamani asked from behind.

She turned abruptly, watching him bring a bottle of wine and two glasses. He pulled out a stool with his leg and dropped the tray.

“It’s Carménère. I remember it used to be your favorite, even though we couldn’t afford it back then. I remember the number of times we had to steal it from the local liquor store. Remember when we almost got caught? God, we were such rascals then…” He laughed softly, raising the bottle with a smile.

Abigail exhaled shakily, her lips parting with no words. Her unease was obvious, and he noticed.

His jolly expression suddenly waned, seeing her visible apprehension. He dropped the wine on the table, and sighed deeply.

“Look, Coco. You don’t have to be here if you don’t want to be. I understand.” He said softly, a sad expression etched on his face.

Abigail’s heart softened. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel like she was afraid of him. The visit was just for a few hours, and she was already there. There was no need to be so uneasy. She tried to relax, shunning the edginess she felt.

“No, I’m here already. But I’m not drinking though.” She said, looking at the wine bottle.

Zamani looked at her and nodded. “Fair enough. So, let’s talk.”

“…Talk about what?” She asked, breathing out a nervous laugh.

“I wanted you to come over because I wanted to listen. I felt like that’s what you needed, and that’s why I’m here. That’s what friends are for. So, talk to me.” He said, readjusting himself till he was facing her.

The gesture warmed her heart. His smile was reassuring. She looked into his eyes and saw the person that held her through her grief when she lost her parents. Her body began to relax. She reclined on the sofa, taking a deep breath. The past few weeks slowly poured into her mind, renewing her pent-up emotions. Her anger and pain resurfaced, her husband’s words echoing loudly in her soul.

“It’s not exactly been easy at home, Z. The arguments, the fights, the silence, it’s exhausting. At first, I thought it was just about my friendship with you, but-” she began, the lump forming in her throat.

She glanced at him, her eyes beginning to glisten. All his attention was on her, his eyes urging her to go on. She bit her lower lip, trying to keep her emotions at bay.

“If it’s just that he didn’t trust you alone, I’d understand that. But everything he’s said and done shows that it’s me he doesn’t trust. That’s what’s bothering me.” She finally said.

“How sure are you about this?” Zamani asked softly.

Abigail shut her eyes, remembering the words that spurred up these feelings.

“There was a time we were arguing, and it got really heated. Then he said, ‘We’ve not been intimate in weeks, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re probably getting it from him.’” She said, tears smarting her eyes.

Zamani’s brows flickered, the heavy words surprising him. “Wow. He really said that?”

Abigail nodded, her lips starting to quiver. A tear betrayed her strong resolve, rolling down her cheek.

“It hurt so much because, he’s the one that’s always been my mirror on the wall, you know? He’s the one that’s always telling me how perfect I am, constantly affirming that I’m not the same person I was before I met him. Do you know how anxious I was when we got married? Constantly feeling that I’d mess things up like I’ve always done? How I’d be up at night, musing over how one day he’d leave me or I’d end up chasing him away just like I always do to the people I’ve loved?” She continued, her voice trembling.

“I’m so sorry, Coco.” Zamani said compassionately. He understood what she meant. He reminisced the day she kicked him out. The memory grazed a nerve, but he tried hard not to show it.

“I’ve always felt like he settled for brass instead of gold when he married me. So, when he said that, I felt like it was only a matter of time before he pushed me away. So, I started pushing him away first. Then, when I saw him going through my phone last night, I just-” she lowered her head, trembling as the tears rolled.

Zamani sighed, inching closer to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it affectionately.

“I just wish he trusted me more…” she sobbed even more, letting her emotions out unrestrained. After a while, she raised her head, sniffing loudly. She wiped her tears, her eyes now resting on the bottle of wine in-front of her.

“You know what? Screw it. I’m having a drink.” She said tersely, reaching for the bottle of wine.

She popped it open, and they both shared an awkward nervous laugh at the sound. He watched her pour herself a generous glass. She downed it abruptly, squinting as the burning red liquid rushed down her throat. They both laughed at the funny expression on her face.

Abigail smiled looking into his hazel eyes. She poured another glass, and poured one for him as well.

“To new beginnings…” She said, her gaze full of affection.

Zamani smiled, taking the glass from her. They clinked glasses and drank.

Soon, they were both engrossed in comfortable conversation. Abigail had kicked off her heels, placing her feet on the couch, flaunting her polished toenails. They had inched closer, their eyes hardly breaking contact through out. Their shared laughs moved from goofy to tender and flirty.

The more she drank, the more loose she became around him. Her hands were soon on his heaving chest, her eyes fixed on his alluring lips. The room had blurred out of existence, her orientation scrambled by lust. Electricity coursed through her body, feeling his hot breath on her neck. She exhaled sharply, her lips barely inches from his. She leaned in.

~~~~~~~~~~

9:30pm

Abigail’s palm moved to her face, grunting as she slowly awakened. She rubbed her eyes gently, feeling bright light pierce through her eyelashes. She tried to raise herself up, but her body felt sore. She winced in pain, feeling the vengeful headache at the side of her head. She finally sat up, her vision beginning to clear.

An unfamiliar mystic painting stared her in the face, the walls were filled with them. She saw a bookshelf at the corner of the room, wondering when Jacob installed one. She looked down at the bedsheets that wrapped her up to her torso. Her eyes widened abruptly, reality hitting her in the face. This wasn’t her bedroom.

“I was wondering when you’d wake up…” He said, his tone calm yet sardonic.

She turned sharply to the corner of the room. He was reclined on a swivel chair, his legs placed on a wooden desk, intently folding a piece of paper into an origami. He was fully dressed in a native suit, his luggage all packed like he was about to travel somewhere. She noticed the glow in his eyes. It was different from earlier. They no longer held any affection, no passion either, just pure malice.

She got off the bed in a frenzy, holding the white sheets close to her torso. Her clothes were gone. Her lungs suddenly became heavy, feeling like the air was being sucked out of her. Her head turned to different corners of the room. She shook it frantically, arguing desperately with reality. She refused to accept what the connected dots were suggesting.

“What… what did you do?” She gasped, her breath seizing from immense panic. Her insides began to quake. This couldn’t be happening.

“I did nothing, Coco. At least, nothing you didn’t want me to do.” He replied, his tone as cold as ice.

“No…” she panted, shaking her head vigorously. Her wobbly knees moved her toward the wall, her body pressing against it. She kept shaking her head. It didn’t happen. It couldn’t have happened. It didn’t.

“It happened…” He said, as though he could hear her thoughts. His gaze was still on the piece of origami, holding it like it was something mysterious.

“No!” She screamed at him. Tears filled her eyes instantly, reality winning the debate in her head. She pounded the wall behind her, screaming incoherent words.

“What did you do to me?!” She screamed at him. The past few hours were a blur. She knew something was wrong. He did something to her.

His gaze slowly shifted to her, his hazel eyes glowing with animosity. “Like I said, I did nothing you didn’t want.”

“Shut up!” She yelled, tears blurring her vision. She began to seethe, anger blazing in her eyes. She suddenly paused, as though something had struck her.

“It was that bottle of wine, wasn’t it? You put something in it, didn’t you?! Answer me!” She yelled, fear and anger switching places in her heart.

Zamani calmly got off the chair, his eyes fixed on her trembling frame. His expression was made of stone. His jawline tightened, his breathing calm yet flaring.

“If I remember correctly, you were the one who opened that bottle. It was sealed. You poured the first glass. You poured one for me as well, and watched me drink it.” He said, his expression feigning innocence.

Abigail’s gaze moved to the floor. Her face softened, the logic in his words scrambling her brain.

“I don’t know how you did it, but I know something was wrong with that drink. I know you put something in there…” She seethed, despair latching unto her heart.

“Then, prove it.” He shrugged, almost indifferently. “Maybe, just maybe, someone would believe you. After all, twixt truth and madness lies but a silver of a stream.” He continued, quoting poetry.

The confidence in his tone drained the color in her eyes. He shot her a sinister smile, his eyes glowing like a demon’s under the bright lights. Fear coiled around her soul like a serpent, squeezing out every bit of courage in her. Her knees began to buckle.

“The sooner you accept what you’ve done, the easier it will be to accept what is to come.” He said, turning toward the window behind him.

“But I didn’t do anything! I’m not crazy! I know you did something to that drink!” She yelled, fighting the fear in her heart.

“Well, I think we can both agree that that’s going to be a little hard to explain to your husband.” He said, looking over his shoulder. The sinister smile broadened on his face, nearly looking fiendish.

Abigail’s brain stuttered with various incomplete thoughts. She felt insanity hug her from behind. The headache increased, pounding on her head with righteous judgement.

Zamani walked toward the bookshelf at the corner of the room and pulled out a book- Shakespeare’s Macbeth. He opened a particular page and sat down on the bed, reading it aloud to her.

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent underneath it.” He said, twisting his lips to the side. He turned to her.

“I know you never really fancied literature back in school, but don’t worry, I’ll explain. You see, this statement was made by the Lady Macbeth, advising her husband on the shrewd ways to kill King Duncan. She encouraged him to play an innocent and welcoming host, so that the king wouldn’t suspect his true intentions; murder.” He explained, paying no attention to her frantic breathing.

Abigail’s heart leapt into her throat. She clutched the sheets, feeling her throat dry up. She had never been so scared in her life. What was he going to do to her?

“This play is over four centuries old, and you still fell for the same trick.” He said, raising his eyebrows in mocking disbelief. He let out a scornful laugh.

She could feel her heart crashing against her chest. Her pulse was nearly audible.

“I warned you five years ago, Coco. People don’t change, they always remain the same. Change is merely a myth, preached by religious fanatics to the gullible, forcing them to reach for perfection. And when they fail inevitably, they’re forced to put on the garment of hypocrisy, while preaching what they could never attain.” He scowled.

“You didn’t stay the same. You’ve become something worse…” she said shakily. Her lips quivered, half-praying to leave the room alive.

Zamani pursed his lips. He got up and faced the window again.

“Perhaps, you’re right. I mean, that would explain why I videotaped everything and sent it to your husband.” He said calmly.

Abigail’s eyes widened like saucers. Shock kept her jaw open. He didn’t say that. She must have heard wrong. It’s not possible.

“Your husband received the videotape half an hour ago. He saw everything. From the way your hands danced over me in the living room, to the way you ripped my shirt off in the bedroom, to the writhing our bodies did under the sheets, everything. I must admit, the conversation afterwards was very… entertaining.” He said, laughing sardonically.

The room began to spin. Her knees buckled, her numb body sinking to the ground. She covered her mouth, her heart surrendering to despair. Her mind played different versions of her husband’s reaction. None of them ended with Jacob in her life. She looked up at Zamani, her lips still trembling.

“Why?” She managed to breath, her voice straining.

Zamani didn’t react. He looked at her, taking in every negative emotion she was showing.

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited to see that look on your face. It’s taken five long years, but it’s finally happened. Now, you know what it’s like to feel hopeless, to feel like your future is dark and empty. And very soon, you’re going to know what it’s like to be alone.” He said, his tone ice-cold.

Abigail shook her head slowly, her eyes wide and unsure of who stood before her.

“After all the years I stood by you, I never would’ve imagined that you’d treat me that way. I mean, I was with you when your parents died. I mourned with you, protected you like you were my own blood. I loved you with everything I had in me. And what did you do? You kicked me out like a stray dog, justifying your actions with a petty sermon. It didn’t even take three months before you started dating some rich boy.” He fumed, the memory striking a nerve.

“Z-“ she whimpered.

“Don’t call my name!” He seethed, the tears in his eyes finally forming. He watched her flinch, her whimpering irritating him even more.

“You knew I battled with depression, and you still left me! You knew how much abuse I went through, how much pain I suffered! You were my best friend! You were the love of my life…” He seethed, his voice trailing off.

His hurt was palpable. He lowered his head, his heart drenched in deep pain. For a brief moment, she could see all his emotions unhidden. But, they disappeared just as quickly. His calmness returned, like there was some off switch he flicked.

“You thought you were so perfect, right? Well, let’s see what your husband thinks.” He said, his fiendish smile returning.

Abigail finally understood. It was all about revenge from the beginning. The past few weeks flashed before her eyes, from Paris to that present moment. Jacob was right all along. But it was too late now.

“After this, Jacob is going to leave you. And deep down, you’ll know that it’s all your fault.” He said, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Abigail shuddered, her face nearly turning pale. Another batch of tears rolled down her cheeks.

“What are you?” She mouthed.

Zamani moved toward her, the tears in his eyes drying up. He reduced himself to a squat, his face inches from her. She shifted uneasily, fear quaking her insides.

“Me? I’m the villain in your story, Coco. I’m the flaw in your plan for happily ever after. I am your retribution. I am the monster you made…” He said calmly, his hazel eyes glowering.

He reached out, slowly moving his hand toward her face. She flinched, the vessels in her temples threatening to burst. He gently caressed her cheek, wiping the trail left by her tears.

“There was a time, that the fire in these hazel eyes burned only for you. For a moment, I almost didn’t go through with this plan. But you had to feel the same pain I felt.” He said softly, his deranged gaze softening.

He got up abruptly, and made for his luggage. Grabbing it, he moved toward the door. He paused just before opening it, looking at her one last time.

“Dinner’s in the kitchen if you want something to eat. You can leave whenever you’re ready. I have a flight to catch. But don’t worry, you’re never going to see me again. And who knows, I may not spread the video online. Fingers crossed though.” He said derisively, looking over his shoulder. The door shut behind him.

Abigail stared at the door, then into space. Her life was over. Maybe, he should’ve just killed her. There was no life to return to. Jacob would never understand. No one would.

~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier…

NovaTel Headquarters

Lekki, Lagos state

8:30 pm

The executive office was awfully silent. It’s wide opulent space mirrored the value and importance of its occupant. Its cream-colored walls were covered with various abstract art pieces, along with a few portraits of notable government officials. The large work desk was made of rich dark wood, long enough to accommodate four people.

The entire desk filled with folders and documents scattered around, just like his thoughts. Jacob’s body was there, but his mind was in the past, recalling the dreadful things he had said to his wife. Truthfully, he didn’t have to be at the office this late, but the thought of going home to the ongoing drama had kept him here.

He shut the laptop, rubbing his eyes in exasperation. Reclining on the swivel chair, his eyes moved to the ceiling. His mind wandered off to Paris, remembering the times his wife still looked at him with affection. He remembered when they stood atop the Eiffel Tower, his arms wrapped around her waist, the wind ruffling her hair. Her smile was the greatest earthly gift he had ever received. He would give anything to have those moments back.

His phone began to buzz incessantly, snapping him out of his sad reverie. He picked up the phone, giving it a cursory glance. Someone was spamming his email. He sat up and opened his laptop, hoping it wasn’t a cyberattack. Logging into his email, he saw the messages titled; THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR ABBY.

Jacob’s eyes narrowed, worry rising in his heart. The sender’s email address had the weirdest username- Retribution. The messages came with a video. He bit his lower lip, debating whether to watch it. Finally, he clicked on it reluctantly. It loaded.

Jacob’s brain began to stutter from the first second. His pupils widened, taking in more light than usual. His entire body went numb, his breath ceasing involuntarily. He starting shaking his head, his chest rising with difficulty.

“No…” he breathed shakily. His mind raised defences against what he was watching, but it was too clear. He brought his trembling fingers towards the screen and zoomed in to see the face of the woman in the video. No, it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. This was a lie.

His phone buzzed again, calling his attention. He glanced in its direction, his eyes widening at the caller ID – Unknown. Garnering strength, he slowly picked up the phone.

“Hello, Boy Scout. You know, for a moment, I was afraid you weren’t going to pick up.” Zamani said, laughing sardonically.

Jacob’s face began to quiver, fury emerging chief amongst his emotions. His jaw tightened, his face contorting in rage.

“Still in shock? Well, I don’t really blame you. My condolences though, it’s really a lot to take in.” He said, feigning sympathy.

“W-Where is she? Where is my wife?” Jacob asked, anger straining his words. His hands were balled into a tight fist.

“Who? Coco? Umm… hold on a sec. Yup, she’s still asleep. She’s probably exhausted. You know, from all the pounding and whatnot.” Zamani taunting, baiting him.

“You sick bastard…” Jacob seethed, his nose flaring with every word.

“Whoa. Careful, Boy Scout. You’re not allowed to cuss, remember? Besides, what are you angry at me for? I just did you a favour. I just showed you the kind of woman you’re married to. You really thought you married a good person.” Zamani laughed with scorn

“Shut up!” Jacob yelled, pounding his fist on the desk. He got up, overwhelmed by his rage. He couldn’t think straight, his sanity shattering at the thought of his wife on another man’s body.

“Look, I didn’t call you to gloat. Although, that would be very satisfying, believe me. I called to tell you why I’m showing you this.” Zamani said, his tone becoming serious.

Jacob hunched over, placing one hand on the desk. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He just waited to hear whatever rubbish Zamani was about to spew.

“You religious folk are the biggest scum on the face of the earth. You prance around on your high horses, judging everyone without knowing what made them that way, without considering what they’ve been through. You pride yourselves in being judge and executioner, when you would do the exact same thing if you were in our shoes.” Zamani seethed, his words laced with venom.

“What does this have to do with me?” Jacob managed to ask, still finding it difficult to breath.

“Oh, it has everything to do with you, Jacob. I saw the way you looked at me in Paris, like I was some diseased human being. You parade yourself like the perfect husband, looking down on the rest of us like we’re nothing. So, I’m deliberately putting your commitment to the test. I am the fire that has come to try your marriage, and I’m very curious to see what comes out of it. Let’s see if what you both have is gold, or something that just glitters like it.”

The line went dead. Jacob pulled the phone off his ear, staring at it with indignation. He slammed it on the table, feeling anger rise within him like molten magma. He let out a strained shout that pierced the silent night, shoving every object off his desk like a mad man. The objects crashed to the ground, some of them breaking in the process.

His secretary rushed in, her eyes full of fear and worry.

“Sir, is everything alright?” She asked, worry etched on her face.

Jacob glared at the middle-aged woman, his aggression nearly shifting to her. But the scared look on her face made his anger disappear. He looked around his office, studying the mess he had made. Tears began to blur his vision.

He slumped against desk, feeling strength leave his legs. It had happened. He exhaled sharply, struggling to keep the emotions from spilling out. After weeks of warning against it, it still happened. His lips trembled, his mind falling into the abyss of acceptance. His wife had cheated on him.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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