When A Woman Wants

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 26

Some minutes after nine pm…

ROSA

It wasn’t easy, but she did it. She told Luke everything and it really relieved her. Of course he was hurt and felt used. But he was grateful it got settled out before it got more complicated. He wasn’t surprised that she was writing about him, he later confessed about having gone through her script when she was sleeping the other night, she had mistakenly used “Francis” in the place of “Henry”. It didn’t take him time to figure it all out

. He also admitted that he wanted to ask her to stop writing the story line but he had no right to that. At least not any more. He was really a gentleman, he took it lightly and he even said they could be friends, she was so sorry he wasn’t the one.

Speaking of the one, where did he put his phone? She had been calling Francis since he dropped her at the Luke’s house to pack her things. Just then, he had received a call from John concerning his father, she couldn’t hear what actually happened but the way Francis’s expression had changed, she knew it was something serious. He had to go , he promised to come pick her and her luggage once she settled things with Luke that night, no matter how late it, she only needed to call. Now she was calling for the thirtieth time and the phone just kept on ringing.

She sighed as a lightning split the sky

. Please don’t let it rain. She prayed. She hated being caught in the rain, especially when she was trying to get to somewhere.

People selling things by the side of road started to wrap up their wares. The breeze was getting heavier and they wouldn’t give it the chance to steal away their means of living.

The next thunder was the worst type of thunder. Grumbling but distant sort of thunder was fine by her. But this thunder. It was too close.. soon, pedestrians hurried along the road as blaring of the cars seemed louder than it was some minutes ago.

She was getting impatient. There was no way she would go back to Luke’s house, no matter how a perfect gentleman he had been. It would be too awkward considering they had spent the night together in the same bed the previous night, now would she ask for a separate room…Hell no! too awkward!

She dialed the number for the millionth time and still nothing. Now she was getting worried. It was really unusual. As she wanted to dial his number again, a call came in..and she picked before it rang twice.

“Hello Francis…”

“Rosa”

Her stomach turned as she heard Debby’s voice, she hadn’t expected her call and that wasn’t even her number she was calling with.

“Rosa are you there?”

The excitement in her voice vanished as she replied, puzzled.

“Debby. What a surprise, I wasn’t expecting your call.”

Suddenly, Debby began to sob on the phone. “I need your help Rosa. I am so sorry for everything I did. It was so selfish and I miss you. I really need you, you are the only sister I have and the only one that I trust”

Rosa was surprised and worried at the same time. “Are you okay Debby?”

“No Rosa” She sobbed. “My mother is very sick and I cannot go see her right now because Frank just collapsed and I have to be at the hospital. Please, I need someone to go see her”

Okay. Wait a minute. Didn’t her mother disown her or didn’t she disown mother?

“But Debby. I thought you both are not talking.”

“I know but she called me now and said she was dying. Rosa please, you still know how to get there. You can spend the night there and come in the morning. Promise me..please..I don’t know what to do. I need you..” She cried.

“Okay, I promise. I also need a place to stay tonight. I will go and I will call you once I get there”

“Thank you. I will be calling you”

“How is Frank?…Hello. Hello..” Rosa got no response and realized the call was dropped.

That was weird..so weird..why did she feel that something was out of place. Francis wasn’t picking and now Debby called ..that her mother was dying?

She dragged her big bag with her as she sprinted up the sidewalk. The night just got even blacker even with the streetlights and she needed to get to the junction where she could take a cab..Would she actually go there..?

Suddenly the clouds poured their content ,,she was drenched immediately. Oh no!

She waved at the on-coming vehicle which door was opened as she quickly got in, dragging her wet bag with her , she slammed the door after her.

“Airport Road please”

“300 naira” said the driver.

She was surprised, it usually was 100 naira but these drivers, they would make use of any opportunity, she was drenched and would she stay in the rain and bargain.

“Alright” She replied painfully as the driver accelerated the speed of the car…so she was doing this.

#

On getting there, the downpour had already reduced but the thunder….she groaned! She scurried to the front door, placing her purse over hair which was useless for she was wet already. She hit the door bell and got no response which she knew could be as a result of the noise of the rain so she just opened the door and walked in, pulling her soaked bag with her.

The house was quiet and everything seemed to be in place as she had remembered it except for the nice picture on the table where Mrs. Patterson was putting an arm around an older man. That must be her recent catch, Rosa giggled to herself. She removed her wet jacket and hanged it over the chair.

“Mrs. Patterson, good evening ma, it’s Rosa” She said as loud as she could while placing her bag on the floor.

The silence that replied her sent shudders down her spine. She kept sensing danger but what could possibly hurt her here. she decided to check the kitchen and had only taken few steps when she realized her shoe was staining the carpeted floor up so she removed it and took them with her as she went to the kitchen.

Nothing. No one.

Curious, she decided to call Debby but the operator said, switched off.

Awesome!

As she walked up the stairs to her bedroom she remembered the first time she had come here, she had gone to her room in the same way when Debby had sent her there about a year ago. She had walked into a naked Mrs. Patterson and her stupid video chats. She grimaced at the memory. Bad memory. Reason why they never got along. The poor woman was so embarrassed and angry.

Rosa chuckled as she remembered how the woman had chased her out of the room. She really hoped this would not repeat itself.

She stopped at the front of her door and knocked twice. “Mrs. Patterson?”

No response. She opened the door..

The bed was carefully laid and it seemed as if it hadn’t been slept on. Her bed lamp was not on except for the light from the bulb. Where could she be?

Rosa heard water dripping in the bathroom…and she walked closer but as she got closer to the dressing table which was just by the bed side..she stopped short and gasped at what she saw..a yelp escaped her and she clamped a trembling hand over her mouth.

Lying in a pool of blood, nakedly except for the towel around her backside, was Mrs. Patterson…

FRANCIS

“So you are saying he may not likely make it Francis?.”

He didn’t reply. He was just so exhausted internally. Having gotten home and meeting his father unconscious was the worst kind of pain. He had called Angela immediately and they had all met at his former place of work(Nicholas’ Hospital is under construction still). Even Romeo had come with them.

He had spent the entire night at his father’s side, holding his hand as he slept peacefully. Romeo and Angela had stayed throughout the night with them. He had missed several of Rosa’s calls. He had forgotten he was supposed to pick her. He had even left his phone at home before Steve brought it that morning and he tried her number so many times, it was not reachable.

He later concluded she must have spent the night at Luke’s.

“What about his wife John?” Francis asked.

“That Girl..” John hissed. “She is being dramatic on the T.V crying and talking to the press for the nation to pray for her husband”. he took the remote by the bed side and pressed a button, the T.V came on and there was Debby, adorned in ornaments and crying while addressing the Press.

Both Angela and Romeo hissed at the same time..

“I always hated that girl…” Said Angela.

“I didn’t want this to get to the Press John” Frank said bitterly. “What kind of demon is this lady?”

John shook his head.

“You should know since you were the one that brought her into this house John!” Francis snapped.

“An action I regret everyday” John replied soberly.

“Please, pray for Frank, he is on a sick bed now. Pray for my husband all the people of Nigeria. I am too young to be a widow…

“Ma, how close were you with your mother?” One of the press men asked.

“What do you mean?” replied Debby as Perri dabbed handkerchief on her wet face.

“We got a message of murder some minutes ago at No 33 airport road and the information I got is that you grew up in that house with your mother…”

Debby looked confused.

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying the body found belonged to one Jessica Patterson, was she your mother?”

Debby exploded out of her seat.. “Wait. Hold on….” she was breathing fast…”Did you say my mother was killed?”

“Yes madam. And the culprit was captured. A Miss Rosa Lina. Who used to work for you…?”

Everyone in the room gasped upon hearing Rosa and just at that time, Debby screamed and fainted. There was panic on the TV and John pressed a button, putting it off.

No one spoke, all exchanging glances. Trying to digest what they just heard.

“What is all this? Rosa. Killed Debby’s mother. It must be a set up” Angela said angrily.

“why would Debby do this or why would Rosa do it?” Romeo questioned, confused.

“John, get me the name of the police station and send it to me now..Romeo, come with me, Angela, you stay..” Frank ordered as he flung his jacket on his shoulder, grabbed his car key and walked hurriedly out of the room with Romeo.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“She just called me and told me about her mother and I went because I couldn’t get in touch with you. I found her already dead and I was so shocked I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. before I could do anything, the polices were there”

Francis sighed, shutting his eyes. He couldn’t bear to see her like this, in handcuffs and looking so haggard from crying too much.

They were in the C.P.O’s office.. She was standing and crying as she recounted how it happened.

“But sir, tell us what to expect in this case” Romeo said to the CPO.

“She was found at the scene of murder..”The officer replied

“Hold on officer…” Francis started. “How did you know about this.”

“A neighbor called us to report struggle in a house close by and that it seemed serious”

“Did you get the identification of the neighbor?”

“She hung up before we could”

“She?” Both Romeo and Francis chorused and exchanged glanced while the officer nodded.

Romeo shook his head..”Men..this is major!”

Francis looked at Rosa who kept shedding tears,, his heart was heavy and he pitied her. Knowing he couldn’t stand and embrace her made him angrier. Just then, the door opened and Debby walked in…her face was swollen and she looked tired. She came with Ella and Perri.

The officer stood up for her while the men remained seated.

“You are welcome Madam, so sorry for your loss”

Debby made no reply but walked up to Rosa and looked at her, expressionless.

“I loved you, I clothed you, gave you a job, treated you like a sister and all you did was to kill my mother..”

“You did this to me Debby. You set me up and you know it..” Rosa cried.

“Set you up..? You did this to yourself Rosa. All I did was love you. You left the house and went to take on my mother? Why? What did I do to you?”

Rosa gasped. “You sacked me Debby. You sent me away. I left. And you called me about your mother and because I was stupid and I thought you were actually a good person, I fell for it. Officers check her phone..”

“I sacked you? When? Where? Who was there?”

Rosa pointed at both Ella and Perri. “They were there but they are your musketeers so they wouldn’t talk. Birds of the same feather. You did this because of Francis right..but guess what,,,he loves me….” Rosa continued proudly”….and I love him and no amount of your plans will ever change that.. you are a looser Debby..nobody would love you! You killed your own mother..sent away your best friend,.now you setting me up..you will rot in hell Debby!”

“Oh my God! Officers! She wants to kill me too!” Debby screamed and started sobbing.

“She didn’t say anything about killing you madam”

Debby exclaimed. “She must pay for this!”

“Alright, take the lady away officers” the CPO said to the officers standing behind Rosa.

Just as she was being taken away. She quickly pushed one of the officers away and ran into Francis who seemed shocked. But hugged her tightly as she said.

Read ” Dance With Me ” by the same author ( Tobi Loba )

. “I didn’t do it Francis, don’t let her win. Come with my script the next time and take my bag with you “

Then she kissed Francis deeply but roughly while the officers pulled her away and as walked she gave Debby a triumphant look before being taken away.

“Officers! That lady is dangerous, you must do everything to keep her away from me..she must go to jail” Debby said firmly to the CPO.

“I understand ma, but we need to do a proper investigation..”Said the officer but Debby was angry and shouted. “What further investigation when she was found there!”

“We practice fair justice here so as not to send the wrong person to jail…that is the protocol. If she is guilty be rest assured that she will pay for it.” the officer said emphatically.

Debby rolled her eyes and walked out of the room with Ella and Perry.

The officer sighed. “This seems even more complicated than I thought. I would advise you Mr.

Francis to get a lawyer. That lady that just left now seems very dangerous. I won’t be surprise if this whole thing is a setup. But you need to prove it. She is on a journey of Vendetta for the suspect, I will fear her if I were you”

“Thank You officer” Francis replied. “Please where is the bag she came with”

“Come with me please”