Chapter 2

A Visit In Jail

Davidson Group Of Companies (DGOC)

9 a.m, the next day.

RAYMOND'S POV

I had just left the board members meeting, scrolling through the news feed of the internet as I headed back to my office when the thoughts of her crossed my mind. She still hasn't been found and it's been three long years, my betrothed fiance ran away from home the night before our wedding.

According to rumors, she had an accident while on the run but her dead body was never found. I wasn't too sure that she was dead so I sent out my men to search for her, leaving no stone unturned while in the act. I didn't want her demise to be without a befitting burial.

I wanted to honor her due to my family's relationship with hers. Her grandfather was a good man and the only person who valued me despite being the illegitimate son to the Davidson family.

My father never saw me as his son, but Mr Andres did. We weren't blood related, but I was surely his favorite amongst my father's sons. They were just family friends but he somehow liked me. During holidays I would visit him and he'd let me hangout with his granddaughter who is supposed to be married to me. Unfortunately, she never loved me and tried to elope with her lover…

I never resented her despite what she did. I wasn't in love with her, I only wanted to fulfill Mr Andre's last wish, at least to make his soul happy…

I've just arrived inside my office and I removed my coat, placing it on the stand while I took my seat on my chair facing the MacBook on my desk.

Just as I switched it on to resume working on the files I'd left unfinished before the meeting, a call came on my mobile phone.. I picked it up immediately, it was Jamie, my assistant..

“Hello…” my voice came out calm and reserved. My eyes were fixed to my laptop screen as I spoke.

“Boss, Miss Vera Andres is alive. We just found her whereabouts” he announced..

“What!” I jerked up from my seat , banging my fist hard on my desk as I was surprised by this information.

“She’s alive? Where is she?” I asked, it was unbelievable to me.

“She was arrested yesterday in another city, sir. I'm currently investigating the case” he replied.

“Where are you now? Get the car ready to go there..” I declared and ended the phone call.

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

My first night in the cell was a horrible experience. I wouldn't wish for my enemy to send a day in here. The food was terrible, everyone in there looked terrifying.

"Ms. Coleman, you have a visitor." The warden officer announced to me and the gates were unlocked for me to go out. I breathed deeply, the fresh air outside a prison cell.

Francis had come as promised. My eyes were reddened from crying so much last night, my head was banging too. I couldn't wait to see him and express how disappointed I was in him. Last night was supposed to be our anniversary but I spent it in jail..

"How could you do this to me Francis?”

I shouted at him in disbelief.. I never thought that he could do such a thing to me ever in my entire life. I've made so many sacrifices for Francis to treat me this way..

"For better or worse Vera. Besides, you'll be out in a month or less” he responded nonchalantly,  without any trace of emotion in his voice. I knew his love towards me was sinking but I did not expect him to be this extreme.

"What would you be doing if I got locked up for a year?" I asked him, I was still in shock… his words seemed so stern, as if he'd put me here on purpose.

I was still trying to say something when he brought out a document and slammed it on the table.

"Sign the documents Vera . In case you'll be here for a year, I want to be able to do something meaningful with my life." He stated.

I looked at the documents, hoping that it wasn't what I was thinking..

I slowly brought out the paper contents and I read it out loudly..

“D.. Divorce papers” my voice stuttered in fear…

"You imbecile. I hate you. You wasted three years of my life." I yelled out loudly, throwing the papers at him.

"You have no life, Vera. I should've just let you die after your accident. There wasn't a better hope for your future if I hadn't stepped in." Francis stated…

His words slapped me hard on the face. I left my family and married him because of love and this was what he had to say to me? I escaped my own wedding to get married to him. How could he say this to me?

His words stunned me and I felt stabbed right in my heart but I had to endure… I wasn't going to show any form of weakness in front of him.

“Francis, how dare you?” I raised my hand to slap him… I couldn't think of other ways to react to how angry I was at him..

Francis grabbed my hand and pushed it back. “Guards” he called out loudly and two prison guards matched into the visit room immediately.

They came and grabbed me, forcing me away…

“Francis, how could you?”

"As for your wasted three years, I'm compensating you with a million dollars. All you have to do is sign this and the money will be paid to you after your release” he explained..

I was hurt deeply, the pain I felt in my heart was the same as being cut by a knife.. the wound was deep, Francis had crossed the line…

I signed the divorce papers…

“I do not want your money” I said, and stood my ground.  I was still in the custody of the guards so I couldn't hit him.

“That's fine. You can do whatever you wish, you lunatic.” Francis curses at me.

"I do not want to see your face ever again." I declared.

"Neither do I wish to visit a prison cell again."

I watched him storm off and  More tears cascaded down my eyes. My heart was crushed to pieces. When I returned to my cell my tears had dried off. I remained on my bed sobbing.

I wished I never eloped and got married to him, I wish I never did. This wouldn't have happened to me if only I listened to my grandpa and married the man he had chosen for me.

There was no way I could contact him, Grandpa died a year ago and I couldn't bring myself to go to send him off as I have disobeyed him because of my love for Francis..

Later in the evening, After another terrible food, we moved in a single line returning back to our cells.

I was inside my cell, laying on my bed with my eyes gazing at the ceiling. My mind was too occupied by different thoughts, I didn't even hear my name being called out…

"Vera.”

A cellmate tapped my shoulder in order to get my attention.

“Aren't you Vera? You're being called by the guard” she pointed out, I raised my gaze and I signified my identity to him.

The sounds of padlocks clicking outside was brief, the guard walked into the cell and he uncuffed me before escorting me outside the cell. I couldn't think properly, what was going on? I asked myself inwardly. Was this another kind of trick by Francis?

I looked at the guard confusedly, my legs were too stiff to walk.. I was wondering why he'd release me all of a sudden.

“Follow me” she said,

We reached the locker room and new clothings were given to me. I changed up without asking questions. The same security walked me out of the premises of the cell. I was allowed to walk by myself, no one ordered me or rough handled me to move like they did back then.

Beep..

The electronic gate closed behind me. Tears I had been withholding escaped my eyes. Was this a prank? My foot was too weak to take a step. What if I moved and someone put a bullet in my head?

The weather is freezing. I stood out there shaking but still not moving until a blinding headlight from an incoming vehicle packed right in front of me.

The car opened and a man walked out of the car heading towards me. His face was cold, yet handsome, his aura oozed of wealth and power. He looked familiar, who was he? I asked myself rhetorically as I maintained a gaze at him for as long as I could before my whole world turned dark and I passed out right there.