chapter 4

Chapter 4

Sol stared at the floor as he followed Janette into the long, white, narrow room. It’s smell of illness, iodine and disinfectant. There was only one bed in the room and Janette glimpsed a white sheet and a blue hospital gown. Sol had the uncomfortable feeling that her mum sitting beside the bed was watching him. Janette and Sol halted at the foot of the bed.

“Why are you with him?”

Janette sighed and glanced at Michelle sleeping on the bed and then back to her mother; “please mum not now.”

“G-good evening Mrs. Johnson,” he greeted, his head dropped to the ground, afraid to look at Sandra. She glared at him and turned to face Michelle on the bed.

“How’s she today, mum?”

“Good, good, the doctor said we need to pay for her surgery as fast as possible. Michelle is getting weaker by the day.” Michelle slowly steered from her sleep, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing the blurring images before her.

“M-Michelle you are awake.” Janette sat down at the edge of the bed, placing her hand on Michelle’s weak hand.

“Hey sis,” Michelle greeted with a faint smile on her pale face. “Hey dear, how are you feeling today?” Michelle closed her eyes for a moment and breathes,

“I’m feeling better, sis; just missing my bed and school.” Janette smiled sadly. She understood what Michelle means by missing school; she was s’posed to go out with her long time crush the night she slumped at the restaurant. Michelle glanced around and her gaze fell on Sol for the first time.

“Hi Michelle.” He said, waving at her from the door, afraid to come close because of Sandra.

“Hi Sol,” she retorted; “thank you for visiting.” She began pulling the white sheet away for her body. After a few minutes of silent, Michelle turned to Sandra and said, “mum please can I speak with Janette alone for a moment?” Sandra reluctantly nodded her head and stood up from her seat; Sol takes it as a queue to leave the room too. He slowly turned to the door, reaching for the doorknob he slight it open and walked out with Sandra following closely behind.

Sandra sat down on the single chair beside the door, glaring at Sol, who was standing with his back to the wall opposite her. “I want you to stay away from my daughter Janette.” Sandra said evenly with her eyes fixed on him. “Her bride price has been paid. I see no reason you should still be following her around like a puppet.”

Sol swallowed hard as he tried to maintain his temper. “I’m not a puppet ma’am, I love your daughter and she loves me too.” He said, being unforgivably bold. He looked directly at her, shaking his head. “You and your husband want to sell your daughter out to a billionaire for your selfish interest, don’t you think of her own happiness?” He spoke with so much venom, but Sandra seemed not to be bothered by his baiting.

“Well Janette is our daughter and whoever we married her to is not your business; young man am warning you for the last time to stay away from her. Perhaps you need a compensation for emotional damage, I’ll asked her husband to pay you off. Name your price Solomon.” Solomon looked flushed. His neck prickled with so much anger, no need to stand there and be listening to the woman baiting, with heavy heart, he mutely walked away

Back inside the room, Janette helped Michelle to seat on the bed. Michelle sighed loudly after making herself comfortable on the bed and then looked at Janette, she scrutiny her face like she was trying to see through her soul. Janette sat down forlornly in Sandra’s seat, scrambling through her whirling thoughts, barely noticing her sister’s gaze on her.

“Janette, are you okay?” She asked solicitously. Janette laughed heartily, looking at Michelle.

After she’d sobered up she said; “I should be asking you that little sis. Do you feel any pain?” Michelle shook her head.

“Jan, I over heard dad and mum talking about getting you married to JD, the famous billionaire. Janette remind quiet for a moment as she puzzle over her sister’s statement. “Do you know about it already?” Reluctantly, Janette nodded her head.

“I met him once by the school gate and he was at the restaurant today.”

“Really? Why was he there?” Janette's eyes glister.

“He brought papers for me to sign.”

“Woo sis, but... Jan, do you like him? Will you marry me?”

“Of course I don’t like him. Ya know, I love Sol and I’ll always love him, but I’m afraid I’ll have to marry him.” Michelle felt some empathy for her sister. She looked torn and perturbed. “He gave dad money to start up a business, and he promised to take care of your treatment and our education.”

“Is that why you want to marry him?” Janette quickly shook her head.

“No, he has given dad a huge amount of money and am afraid dad can’t pay him back the money.”

“I feel your pain sis, dad and mum practically sold you to him.” Janette smiled fleetingly at her sister, but said nothing. She doesn’t wish to talk about Jackson, especially not with Michelle.

Sol was nowhere to be found when Janette came out from the hospital room. She asked her mother, but the older woman said she didn’t know. Strolling down the narrow hallway Janette fumbled for her phone inside her handbag and dialed Sol's number. First ring, second ring and third ring Sol did not pick. She angrily threw the phone back inside her bag and walked out of the hospital. She was angry, angry because Sol left the hospital without informing her knowing fully well that he was her only ride home. The moment Janette walked out of the hospital gate, a blue Bugatti and black Ferrari came to a halt before her. Immediately she saw the cars she knew Jackson had come to torment her life again

“Seem like your baby toy left you stranded again,” Jackson said teasingly. Janette looked at him through the car window and hissed. “Enter the car.” He ordered. The smile on his face had disappeared, living Janette confused.

“Why should I?” She was proving stubborn and Jackson was loving the game,

“Because I know you need a ride but to proud to say it, enter the car or I order my boys to bundle you inside the car.” Janette stood, staring at him like she was dating him. The moment the two body guards climbed down from the black Ferrari, Janette shuffled her way to the car.

“Good girl,” Jackson muttered, smiling fleetingly. He brought his hands to Janette's thigh, pulling up her short gown. Janette took in a heavy breath and moved his hand away, glowering at him.

“Stop touching me, you bastard, is this why you insist I enter your car?” she yelled. Jackson seemed not to be bothered as he brought his hand to her thigh again but Janette moved back, away from his reach. Jackson moved closer to her, she sighed and hissed when she realized there was no space left for her again, he smiled and reached for her face rubbing it gently with his fingers. She closed her eyes shut and leaned her head on the glass window, pulling his hand away from her face.

“Hmm, seem ya like it rough?” Janette glared at him but said nothing. He reached for her hands this time around and held them up above her head with his left hand and slowly slight his right hand under her short gown. Janette struggled to get lost from his grip, but he held her tighter.

“Please stop, you are h-hurting me.” She pleaded.

Jackson paid no attention to her. He meticulously and slowly ran his fingers between her legs. When his hand touched her lace pant, he paused and looked at her. “Do ya still want me to stop?” Janette moans softly at the sudden contact. She could feel her own wetness against her undies. But she wasn’t about to give in to him, not anytime soon.

“Y-yes please,” she whispered. Jackson slowly pull out his hand and Janette exhaled, feeling relieved.

“Have ya signed the papers?” Jackson asked breaking the paused silent between them,

“Why? Why do you want to marry someone like

me, jack? Please let me go. I don’t want to marry you am in love with someone else.” She practically begged, with tears rolling down her coral eyes.

“I’m only doing you and your family a favor. You still have three days to sign the papers. Why are you even still with that puppet? What does he have to offer to you?”

“Love isn’t all about money Jackson, perhaps when ya fall in love you’ll understand.” She muttered and turned to face the window.

Janette arrived home only to see Sol waiting for her by the balcony. “Don’t your toy boy have a job or something to do?” Jackson asked; Janette paused with her hand on the door and looked over her shoulder, glaring at him.

“Stop calling him that. He’s my boyfriend.” She muttered and climbed out of the car.

Sol watched Janette from the balcony as she climbed down from the car. Frowning his face, he took a few steps closer to her, stopped, only to ask her; “why did he drop you?” Janette frowned at him.

“Seriously Sol, ya are asking me that? Ya suddenly disappeared from the hospital and ya asking me some stupid questions?” The weather had grown increasingly cold. Janette could feel the chilly breeze against her naked arms. She walked passed him with the house keys dangling in her hand.

“Well, I’m sorry about that, but your mum was being unreasonable and mean to me.”

“Ya should be used to my mom’s baiting by now, Sol. Why did ya call me before you leave?” She opened the door and walked in, with Sol following closely behind.

“I’m sorry honey, I was too angry and forgot to call you.” He moved closer to Janette, wrapping his arms around her torso, kissing and licking her neck.

“Stop it Sol, I’m not in the mood for this.” She gently pushed him and slump on the couch, sighing.

“You obviously tired and need a massage,” Sol threw his heavy weight beside her and reached for her shoulders, giving it a soft massage. Janette moaned, indicating she was enjoying his delicate hands on her sore body. Sol took it as a queue to slight his hand inside her top, massaging her breast. She pushed his hand and glare at him.

“Don’t you think about anything apart from sex?” Angry Janette stood up from the couch and dashed out of the sitting room, living him alone.

Janette returned to the sitting room thirty minutes later after taking a warm bath, only to meet Sol watching N*****x on the TV. “You are still here.”

“Yea, seem ya are mad at me, wanted to apologise before heading home.” He said evenly. Janette face fell seeing the grim look on his face.

“I’m sorry too, Sol, just that I have so many things to deal with and I feel like ya aren’t even bothered about our relationship.” She sat down, facing him.

“It bothers me, Jan, that was the reason I got into an argument with your mum at the hospital in the first place. Honestly, I just want to enjoy the moment; I want to enjoy every moment with you until ya are no longer mine to have.” Janette looked at him lovingly, suddenly feeling the tourge ng him. She moved her head closer to him and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

“Sol!” Solomon looked at her, indicating he was listening. She began; “I-I want us to keep our relationship even if I’m married to Jackson. Perhaps I can divorce him after two years.” Sol stared at her thoughtfully. It sounds like a good idea, but he pondered if he would be able to bear the sight of seeing her in another man’s arms.

“Think about it Sol, after divorcing him, I can get my own share of his property. We can use it and start a life together. Please trust me on this.” Perhaps Janette was right. Jackson owns a multi-billion dollar company around the world, including Africa. He has houses worth millions and also owns one of the top ten latest cars in the world, who wouldn’t agree to such a plan.

“You are a genius, my love. That’s why I love you.” He kissed her lips and swiftly stood up on his feet.

“I should go now before your lioness mum come back to meet me here.” Janette giggled, hitting him playfully on his shoulder.

“She isn’t coming back today, but dad will be home any minute.” She told him truthfully.

“More reason I must go. See you tomorrow at school?” Janette reluctantly nodded her head, walking him out of the door.

“See ya tomorrow, love you.” All goodbye was said and Janette went straight to bed with a smile lingering on her face. Perhaps Jackson was a blessing to her and Sol. Indeed, a blessing in disguise.