Twisted III

"I'll show her that you can't touch a tiger by its tail and get away with it" florence said.

                           * * *

Mr Oriaku had a business meeting in Ibadan and was away for a whole week leaving the two wives to take care of the house. Today Saturday morning the kids were home alone. Obinna was playing with his sister onyinye when the heard a loud scream from the backyard, " aaaahh my leg!! My leg ooo" they both ran to the scene to meet Chioma lying on the ground. Beside her was a big stone which showed she must have missed her steps. "Chioma?" Obinna bent to help her up when her younger sister Naomi came running out of the house, "heyy what did you do to my sister!?" She queried. "Nothing o, she fell down and we were trying to help her up". Surprisingly, Chioma totally denied this defence, she said that it was Obinna and onyinye that pushed her in the first place.

"Aaahh, Chioma why are you being ungrateful?" Obinna spoke up.

"Will you keep shut, who is your mate here!"

"Hey hey hey, don't even speak to my brother like that oo. Ogini" onyinye came in. In no time they both parties started arguing till Nneka returned from the market. While settling the matter, Florence came home unexpectedly. She didn't even wait to hear any explanations when she started attacking Nneka. 

"Nneka! What is happening here?" Meanwhile Chioma who had stopped crying started over again on seeing her mother. 

"Madam I just ..."  Before the poor girl could complete her statement, she received a sound slap from her madam

"You what!? That I leave my children in your care and you turn them into victims. You what!!?" Nneka was already on her knees and pleading. Florence out of anger took a pan of hot frying oil which was by the side of the fire stand. The excruciating pain from it made Nneka wail out in pains and this attracted Grace who drove in. Immediately the young woman rushed to the back of the house to behold florence standing in akimbo with her two daughters beside her and Nneka rolling on the ground blindly.

On seeing her florence began " you devilish woman! Let me just let you know that the battle line has been drawn, watch out!!"

" Ha, Biko lekwamu oo, see me o. Florence are you okay like this? No wait you thing you can challenge me?? Mtcheew" Grace takes her kids and makes to leave. 

"Ooh ooo, is that so? We shall see."

Later Nneka is being rushed to the hospital by Grace where she undergoes some stiches which grace offers to pay for it. Through out her stay in the hospital, she was being fed and catered for by Grace till the next week when she was discharged.

Florence's POV

"Hmmn, wonders shall never sieze. Florence there's nothing you won't see in this life. This lady is challenging me in this house and it's high time I taught her a lesson. How can she be so attractive, even the useless man Alex is blinded by her beauty and all. Hmmm, that one is their business my own is I will never allow anybody to come and steal my right just like that, never. I must fight to the last drop of my blood. I know what to do, she thinks it's because of she has two boys baa. We shall see." She goes to her room and locates a small box at the top of her wardrobe. Opening it she takes out a little white bottle and smiles then returns it. 

Grace's POV

"My God, what is this woman's problem. I'd not for the respect I have for my husband and because of the love of God I would have shown her that she is not the only mad person around. Ah ah, there's no single opportunity she lets go to disgrace me and my children. Anybody seeing would thing I am owing her or something. Hmm, come to think of it, what if this is her own way of pushing me out of the house. Ha ha, florence you lie, it will not work. Not when my God is alive. Mtcheew" she continues what she had at hand. 

Two weeks later Grace took ill and unlike other days, Nneka had to take the children to school. On their way taking and playing, a motorcycle from no where approach with a high speed and carried Emeka. 

"Hey hey, kidnappers ooo!" She ran following the machine but in vain since it was already far gone.

"Oh my God, oh my God, I am finished!! Emeka, madam, ewo" Nneka jumped about shouting, onyinye and Obinna stood in tears.

The road was so lonely and no one around to help. Nneka sat weeping till she realized that time was running out. She immediately took the children to school. 

Back at home the story was different. Florence was at another foul play, she went to reco cold with Grace.

"Grace, I know I haven't been the best in any way. I know I have humiliated you and your children countless times but please for the sake of our husband and the love for this family please forgive me. Give me the opportunity to do things right. I am so sorry". Grace has always looked forward to this though at the moment she was surprised. She had a kind heart and wasn't the type to judge quickly so she forgave florence.

"Please, don't hold my faults against me please" florence broke into tears and went down on her knees. Immediately Grace held her up " no Florence don't do that. Why should you kneel for me"

"Please"

"It's alright, I forgive you. Please get up" 

"Ah, are you serious? Just like that??" Florence was surprised at how softhearted Grace was.

"Yes, I have. We all have our flaws and shouldn't judge others"

"Ahh, thank you so much" both women hugged each other and left to the parlour together. 

Nneka returns banging the gate hard and as the security man opens, she pushes him aside and falls to the ground, her hands on her head she's still shouting kidnappers and calling on her madam. Both women walk out and are confused at their sights.

'nneka what happened? Why are you crying and shouting like this??" Florence questions. The girl still doesn't speak. "My friend would you say something now!! Who are you messing with!?"

"Madam, kidnappers kidnappers ooo!! Heyy!" 

"Ehn, kidnappers where? How? Nneka what are you saying? Where are my children" Grace is already dis stabilized and in fear.

"Madam, no vex abeg, no vex" 

"My friend would you talk! Onyinye?

"Dey school"

"Obinna?"

"Dey school"

"Emeka?"

"Chaaiii, madam kidnappers" Grace threw her hands in the air and started shouting, even some neighbours came in to console her. Through out that day she was locked up in her room and when Mr Alex returned from work he was told what happened. He called the commissioner of police immediately and orders were given out to commence the search for Emeka. 

"Ahh florence, what if they find out"

" Find out what? How?"

" Hmm, this is risky o"

" Abeg she asked for it and I will give it to her"

" Abii, she deserves it"

"Yes and this is only the beginning. You just need to be around and see how sober they all look"

" Ha ha ha, I can imagine. I trust you"

"Let me hurry back, Incase I'm needed"

"Okay dear, we would talk later'

Florence just finished narrating the whole happening at home to Erica. 

The next day, florence was already up and had prepared breakfast before the others came out. 

"Ah ah, Florence? What is going on here?" Mr. Alex asks surprised. He can't remember the last time his wife entered the kitchen to talk of preparing a meal for the family.

Florence smiles " just sit and enjoy your meal my husband. I told you I'm changing for good, this is it".

"Wow, interesting. I pray things go on this way." Alex say and ate his meal in peace. 

Florence's new life style went on and for the whole period the family knew peace. She helped in the kitchen, took care of grace and her children, got comfortable with whatever her husband gave her and even volunteered to manage one if Grace's shops for her. Alex was so impressed and decide to please her, little did he know what was coming.

"Florence I must say you've surprised me. I'm really happy with this change and would want it to continue please" he says to his wife.

"Off course it would my dear. Old things have passed away". 

"You remember the three hundred and fifty thousand you asked for?"

"Oh yes dear I do"

" I have decided to give it to you"

"Ooooohh, are you serious!" Florence was on her husband in no time. "Thank you so much dear".

" I will be transferring five hundred thousand to your account by...."

"Ooh my goodness!!, Five hundred what!?" Florence didn't even wait to hear the time when she jumped and hugged her husband. She was really excited. 

"Hello Erica, where are you? Don't forget the plan o" there was a long pause, "yes by 3pm. Make sure you are here"

Another pause, " just do what I said. Good, bye". Florence and her best friend were up to something. She dropped the phone and sneaked back to the kitchen to help with the food. 

Around 3pm there were already done with lunch and sitting in the parlour when Erica came to the house. The family went out to meet the gatenan interrogating her. Ar first Mr Alex was surprised and concerned because the woman almost never visited but her best friend florence spoke up 

"Hey, silas let her in"

"Okay madam" the security gave way for the lady to walk in.

On entering, grace immediately recognizes her son's bag which Erica was holding and ran to her.

"Emeka!?, Where is Emeka?" She started panting. Erica stood sober and couldn't speak. "Say something, where is my son!!" Grace asks pulling Erica by her dress. 

"Take it easy Grace" get husband came around. "Please speak up, we are all in suspense". Erica began sobbing and went down on her knees. Florence still stood watching. "He is gone. Emeka is dead?" She finally said and wept more. 

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh, noo no no, somebody wake me up please!!!!!!" Grace screamed. She ran towards the gate and her husband immediately held her back then Florence came to console. "Calm down dear please, God knows best. Don't kill yourself"

"Heeyyy, florence my son!? Emeka nwam, is dead just like that" grace cried and cried and everyone around came to console her. Mr Alex just held himself together and went in. " Aluu!! My son is dead. God and you're seeing this?" He spoke looking at the ceiling. 

The whole house had never been so quiet. Everyone lost appetite to food or anything except florence. She went back to her outings but kept up the good character infront of Alex and Grace. Now in her room all to herself, she began to praise her deeds.

"Ha, they haven't started. She hasn't seen anything. In this house? I must make sure she feels my wrath. When her two sons are gone I wonder what she would do with that useless daughter of hers" she laughs wickedly, "now Emeka is gone, I must not waste anytime".

Few weeks later the Oriaku family were done mourning their site n and Mr Alex was back to work. Almost time to bring the children back from school, florence sent Nneka on an errand. "Make sure you get the kids back on time and go to market to buy this items for me"

"Sorry madam, but we been buy everything finish for market last week o"

"Excuse you? Wait, do you now want to teach me how to run my home!!?" 

"Ah, no o madam no vex I..."

"My Friend would you shut up!!" Florence cuts in. "Just imagine. You now have mouth to talk abi"

"No madam"

"Mtcheew, you better get this things and be back on time. I will prepare their lunch

"Maa?" Nneka asks in disbelief, florence preparing lunch for the children as well and that of grace inclusive was something to be concerned about. One stern look from her madam and she was out of sight.

The woman returns to her room and gets the white bottle. On the way Nneka realizes that she forgot the market bag and goes back to the house. The gate man is not close and the gate is open so she just walks in. Entering the parlour, there is florence putting something into one of the plates of food. Shocked she immediately covers her mouth and rushes to hide in a corner.

"Now Emeka is gone, Obinna join your brother" she laughs and cover the bottle. When she leaves, Nneka quietly comes out " chineke me oo, this woman is heartless. Did she just poison that meal?" Nneka speaks in whispers then she cautiously goes in to get the bag and leaves.

An hour later the kids are back and Florence was already waiting outside. She welcomes the children and takes them in. Nneka still stood out watching her with disgust, she still couldn't believe what had happened.

While they are at the table eating, florence sits in the parlour watching them especially Obinna, after a while Kingsley starts feeling uncomfortable. "What's wrong kingsley" Obinna notices first "I feel heavy, I don't know" kingsley replies looking disturbed. "It's the food dear, you're over eating" florence says. Not too long the boy screams to the floor and Florence is by her son in no second "kingsley!?, Jesus christ, kingsley what is it?" "My stomach ooo, aaahh!!" The boy cries, holding his stomach. Florence lifts up her face and is shocked to the marrow. The plate she poisoned is the very plate, kingsley ate from. Her face slowly turns white and she suddenly becomes too weak to stand. Meanwhile, the noise had brought Nneka and grace out of the house. They immediately call the hospital and Mr Alex. "Jeeesuus ooooo!!! My only son, my only son, heeeyyyyyy!!" Florence starts shouting getting Grace and Nneka more confused. "What have I done ooo"

'what have you done how? Florence calm down, he'll be fine. Maybe it's just ordinary stomach upset". Grace tries to calm her down not knowing what happened. Nneka just stood watching her. Sooner the ambulance arrives and kingsley is rushed to the hospital where he dies before meeting a doctor. Florence tears couldn't be described. She cried and rolled around the whole floor not minding that it is a hospital. Then Alex and Erica arrive at the same time. "What happened? Where is kingsley? How about the doctor?" Questions from different angles and Florence kept repeating " I caused it ooo!!" "My only son" "had I known". When the autopsy of kingsley's death was brought they found out that he was poisoned. "It wasn't for him ooo" florence shouted "I have killed my own child, heyy!" She kept on crying and beating herself. It was at this point that Nneka spoke up. She narrated the whole incident that happened earlier, how she met florence poisoning the food meant for Obinna and added how she swapped the plates when she went inside before then leaving with the bag she came for.

"God in heaven!" Alex exclaimed.

"Jesus christ! Florence could you be so wicked!?" Grace asked already in tears.

"Hey florence, you wanted to kill him? Haba naw, don't you have conscience!!?" Even her best friend Erica who knew about everything now stood among those questioning her. Florence was so ashamed and couldn't even speak, she bent her down and cried more.

"You're just too greedy. So this was the reason behind the whole good deeds of yours? Chaii you're truly a wolf in a sheep's clothing. I am so disappointed" alex said.

"Tufiaa!!, My God never fails. You are reaping what you sowed". Grace says to her. Erica gets up gradually and leaves florence sight. As the family were there, some police men came into the hospital with Emeka.

"Emeka!!!" Grace jumps to her feet and grabs her son. Everyone else is surprised. Florence and Erica can't believe their eyes knowing what they did.

"Good afternoon all" the senior amongst them spoke "we are from the states police headquarters" he says taking out his ID to show. 

"Officer how is this possible?" Alex asked smiling happily.

"We are here for one Mrs Florence, the person behind the kidnap if this young boy"

"Whaaatt!!!" The whole room shouts and all eyes are on Florence.

The police officer narrates how the young boy was brought to the station by a good samaritan. "She told us that she found the boy wandering on the streets in tears calling for his mother".

"Please, please you all should forgive me please. It was the devil's handiwork please".

Tge officer went on, "after thorough investigations one of the kidnappers were caught. Who confessed to florence involvement in the crime"

"Heey, this is unbelievable" Alex says out.

"Sergeant! Take her away" the police orders. "Yes sir!!"

"No please, don't it wasn't intentional" florence begs.

" Madam I advice you remain silent and comply as whatever you say now would be used against you in court" the police man says as he orders his boys to take her 

"Aahh, no please. Alex? Please don't let them take me please. Grace?" Florence pleads as she is rolled out. Erica stealthily carries her back and makes to leave. "officer hold her as well. The are both partners" alex orders.

"Ah, me? No o I'm not with her" erica immediately denies her relationship with Florence

"Ah, erica?"

"What! Did I send you work?" She barks back at Florence. 

The police officers drag both women out of the hospital. Grace hugs her son Emeka so tight and onyinye and Obinna come around. Mr Alex sat smiling at them while Nneka stood grinning shyly. She was later sent to secondary School were she made it and later to the university to read law. All thanks to Mr. Alex and Grace. Now Chioma and Naomi went through the exact same situation their mother placed Grace and her children. 

Erica was sentenced to two years in prison as an accomplice while Florence served five years.

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                          THE END.

🤗🤗 Thank y'all so much for taking time to read through. I'm sorry it was long but I hope you enjoyed the story.

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