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                   CHAPTER ONE My decision Like a cat on a hot tin roof, Rubella walked around the room, with hands gesticulating as though she were arguing at a debate. On the rocky chair sat her grandmother, who was seated watching intensely at the drama queen in her speech mode. "Granny, I have stayed here for fifteen years now without going to my City. Dad only comes here but wouldn't let me visit him in the city. She drew close to her grandmother and in a somewhat whisper said, Granny, I'm an attorney now and would also like to get involved in the family business". Granny grasps breaths in, holds Rubella by hand, are you sure you want to go there? Rubella interrupts, "Yes I want to go there. Of course I want to go stay with my Dad" and I hate to say this but I've decided to return to the city regardless of what anyone of you would say.  Granny stirs at her and calmly replied. "Alright, you've decided already so call your Dad and tell him you're coming so he can come get you". Actually grandma, there will be no need for that", I'm a grown woman now, so I can find my way. I'll just book my flight, by morning I will be living for blourgh, voila!! Rubella responded. "No problem you may go, Granny grants her permission. With so much excitement, she shouts in amazement. "Alas! I'll finally, return to the City" In her simmering purple night dress, Rubella strolled up to the bathroom as she couldn't wait to start leaving for the city. She had been up, awake all through the night, only feel asleep by 4:am but got up by 6:am immediately her alarm rang. Goes to take her bath, get dressed. Humming like a hummingbird she walk into her Granny’s room, "granny, granny, i'm ready to go". Wakes with a loud yawn and search for her glasses with her hand, she replied, "are you really serious about heading for blourgh? "Yes of course, don't worry I'll be back to visit you" Rubella said in a comforting manner. Granny's looks at her daughter with teary eyes. "Awwnn.. grandma, don't make me feel guilty about this". She Kissed granny's cheek and bade her good bye. Pm At the airport of blourgh,  Grinning from ear to ear, she said, I'm fiinally home. She reached out for her phone in her bag and dialled her dad. Daddy!!! Am at the airport can you please come pick me up? She drops the call and within fifteen minutes, a fleet of cars arrived at the airport, a man in a suit came out of one of the cars, walks down to Rubella and quickly introduced himself. "Hi! I'm your dad’s personal assistant, sent to bring you home". In amazement, she stood from where she sat "with this fleet of cars? Rubella inquired. Well, things were going to be really interesting, she thought to herself. She got home. Dad and daughter warmly hugged. Her dad began, sweetie, I am so sorry for not showing up at your induction as an attorney, please forgive me. "No problem, granny said you went on a business trip, Rubella replied. She observed that body guards surrounded the house. So she asked, "dad, what’s with you and body guards all over the house? And I thought you would come get me from the airport, but you sent your men instead, she complained with an unhappy look. MC Clair sighs, “You won't understand, my dear, but i’m sorry alright? Go and freshen up, you had a long day”, pushing her to her room, welcome once again, he said. Umcertain about the reason for her return, he muttered to himself, “this girl is back”.  CHAPTER TWO The bag case Sitting down discontent, glaring absent-mindedly at the T.V, she grumbled, "I'm bored to death here, I’ve been indoors all by myself. "Where is my Dad, asking one of the men on suit; he went for a business meeting. She went into her room, changed her dress, picked up a small white purse and informed the chief body guard. "I'll be going out now and would be back soon. He puts his hand across the door, "You can’t leave". She gave him a grinned look and said "why can’t I go out? You would have to inquire from your dad, he said. What!!! Who does that? Do I look like a child you're babysitting? She reached out for her phone, called her dad, "Dad, why won’t your guard let me go out? She complained. She wasn't going to take a no for a response. Her dad said "Alright, you may go but you won’t drive yourself, my men will go with you. What? Dad, She interrupted him, he cuts the call.   While in the car, Rubella saw a boy who just snatched a lady's bag. With her eyes keenly following the action, she noticed that the thief had run into another as street. Quickly she ordered for the car to be stopped, came down and felicitates with the woman whose bag had just been snatched. She gave the woman some money. "Thank you my dear", said the woman who was almost kneeling down to thank her for the quick rescue. Holding her from kneeling. "No, please. I'll love to provide assistance in any way I can," Rubella responded. She got back into the car, She ordered the driver, "please take me to the road that tout entered, you saw where he entered right? She inquired. "Yes I did ma. He drives to the spot where the touts where. Rubella comes out of the car with the guards from the other car, sights the blue bag and walks toward the touts. These were boys within the ages of seventeen to twenty years of age. They were terrified at the woman who had just walked into their midst with huge men on dark shades. Her facial expressions was also threatening. In a rage, she ordered that the bag be given to her. The person holding the bag handed it to her. "I'm glad you cooperated, she said, I’m Miss Rubella Mc Clair, an attorney” she introduced herself. In amazement they responded “you’re our boss’ daughter”, Rubella confused and unsure of the reason for their response asked, “what do you mean by that? She asked With an angry look. Haa .. We just know your dad, that’s all. She immediately enters her car, take me to the police, she ordered.  They drove to the police station and she narrated the incident to the police. After which she returned back to the car. While in the car, Rubella had a lot of thought running through her head, what did these boys mean, hmmm are you sure they don’t have a hand in my mom’s death? She thought to herself, "but if they do, I promise to avenge her death by all means she muttered.                       CHAPTER THREE Knocks at the door Yes come in, said Rubella. Mc Clair enters her room and with a mile wrapped around his face said to his daughter, "Hey pretty, how are you doing?" "I'm not fine", says Rubella. "Why is that? What’s the matter?" He asked. "Where have you been all day? She replied with a question. "I went for a business meeting, he said. Can I seat now? He said pointing at her bed, she sluggishly said yes. Why the long face? He inquired again. "I went out today and encountered some touts. Surprisingly, they said they knew you and that they work for you. Is that so?" "Oooh no my dear you believe those miscreants? Com'on, those are boys of the street who hail me whenever they see me, don’t take their word for anything, forget about them". He said. Rubella wasn't sure if it was the information that made her suspicious of her dad or was she just assuming things? "It isn't right that the youths of this city are loitering about snatching people's bags. I even reported them to the police". Rubella said. "What!!! Why would you meddle in other people's matter", her dad interjected. "But Dad, those boys stole from a lady, she replied. "No, that's unacceptable, I don’t care just don’t get yourself involved with them. He scolded. She stood and said "Dad I did what is expected of me to do because any person in my position who has a Sense of civil responsibility will do the same thing, besides I don’t like seeing criminals getting away with their wrong doing. That is who I am. In what seems like a heated argument, Mr. Mc Clair warned her. "Enough of this craziness. I have told you to mind your business and don’t poke your nose into other people’s matter or else. Without finishing his statement, He storms out of her room hurriedly. Rubella in a confused state, thought to herself, what’s happening, why is he so upset? In an hour later, Rubella goes to her father to apologize. "Dad please i'm sorry", says Rubella, in her father’s room, speaking in a low and convincing tone. “You don’t want to talk to me because of that little argument, really? Mc Clair in his chair With a glass of wine, he stirs pitifully at her, don’t meddle into people’s affairs, is it hard? She moves closer and says “I really apologize”. But I have a mission to find who killed my mother. He looks at her and said "You know your mom died in an accident, remember?. "Well I Know that, but the story behind her death is hard to believe. I want to unravel the mystery behind her death", she replied. He Interrupted her, "young woman, you will do no such, besides, that cannot bring your mom back to life". This increases her suspicion. "Yeah, that reminds me, I would like to visit your company, I haven’t visited there before and you always told me while I was growing up that it was a family business. I'm grown now and i think I'm ready to take up a role in your company". Mr. Mc Clair looking like someone who was suddenly put on a spotlight, without knowing exactly what to say, he stuttered "Emmm..No you can’t come". "But why, dad? I can’t keep staying at home all by myself", she objected. "You can go to vonne and stay with your granny, she’s all by herself, she would want you back, don't you think? he suggested. She stood staring at him. (Alone in her room) Rubella paced around the room, biting her nails and soliloquizing "Why would Dad not want me anywhere close to his company? Just why will he say I shouldn’t go ahead with my investigation on mom's death? I smell a rat". She puts a call across to Granny, "granny how are you, I'm fine, granny replied. "Granny, Dad doesn’t want me to do anything here, he doesn't even want me anywhere around his company or at least see the company. What should I do now? she complained. "Just come back since your Dad doesn’t want you to do anything, come back to vonne", Granny says. "Okay granny, I'll talk to you later, take good care of yourself bye.  Disappointed at what her grandma said, she shouldered, "No! No!! I can’t go back to vonne I have been preparing for this all these years. I must do something, let me call Lannah. "Hey lannah how are you doing", "am fine said lannah", "babe there is a problem", "you know that I have always wanted to know who was behind my mother’s death", "yes," lannah responded. "My dad said I shouldn’t do anything I should leave it that I cannot bring her back Even if I Know who killed her, can you imagine that"? That means am right that it wasn’t a mere accident. Rubella said. "Now we would have to do this without him", lannah encouraged, "Go to your mum’s room search for any clue, look around check for what you can find there, let’s start from there first". Lannah adviced. Rubella concurred with, drops the phone on the bed, immediately heads to her late mother’s room, opens the door, goes to towards the pillow, raising it up in search of a clue, moves the wardrobe, nothing. Grasps, "there is nothing in here", goes to the drawer, opens the first, nothing, the second same thing. She stood in a confused state. "Something must be wrong somewhere, I don’t just get it". She bends to open the last drawer, Mr. Shaun walks in. "What are you doing here"? He asked. Rubella in shock said ‘nothing' "I just came to see my mom’s room, Abi is it now a crime for me to come to come in here"? "I would just tell my Dad to sack you because you’re crossing your boundary. She hissed and walks out of the room". Goes back to her room in a state of rage, "babe I didn’t find any clue". Be calm, says lannah on the phone. "Can you come over to blourgh now? I can’t do it on my own".Rubella asked in a low tone." No problem I will come over, what are friends for". Lannah says, calming her friend down                       CHAPTER Four She Arrives In Rubella’s room, a well furnished room, a big bed, pink wall design, a well furnished clothe line, a reading table with lots of book on it, a dress table. At 7:00 alarm rings,. Rubella stretches her hand to turn off the alarm, picks her phone while still in bed plays her morning motivation, stands up to do some yoga. Right after that, she heads to her clothe line to pick up the clothe she would put on . She then brings the denim chinos places it on the bed, search through the hanger for her red top. In desperation she shouted, "where is my red top"? as though someone was with her in the room. She reached for a stool, climbed up to upper case of the wardrobe. Her hand felt a box, anxious that would be there, she brings it down. "Hmmm who's box is this and what is inside? She thought. She was about to find out when her phone rang. It was Lannah calling. "Ella, i'm at the airport already", Said lannah. "Really? Ehmmm I will send the driver to come get you now", she answered and hung up. Rubella picks the room telephone,  "please go and pick my friend from the airport, I will send you a picture of her". she spoke to the person who answered the phone. Excited that her friend was visiting, she goes to freshen up, when lannah arrives I show her. Lannah enters the living room with a shout, "I'm here now... Rubella races downstairs and they both hug, "oh my.. how are you, girl? They giggled and make some jokes about each other. While they headed to Rubella's room, Lannah says in curiousity, "what's with all the guards around this house? Or are you in prison?, Rubella chuckled and said " Don't mind my Dad and his over protective attitude", I have told him that I don't need all of that. "Anyways enough of that" Rubella said with an indifferent look. "But am concerned about what I saw this morning" she said while they headed to the room. she told Lannah how she had been busy searching all over for her favorite top only for her to find a golden box in the process.  "This is it, Rubella walks towards the bed to carry it, I saw this box on top my wardrobe". Scared about what is the content, she drops it back on the bed and they both tried to unlock it. "This wouldn't open without a key, "did you also find the key?" Lannah asked. "No I didn't, Rubella said. They tried opening it but it couldn’t open. "Let me use my hair pin if it will work." Said Rubella. She Uses it and it opened. They saw a paper that looks like a hand-written note. They were going to find out who's letter it is and what is contained in the letter. My dear, Rubella, when you will be reading this letter, I must have be dead, I want you to go to the address on the other letter, go and find out all about your father’s business. Be careful not to let him know. What you will find will amaze you. I do not know how long I'll live but I am writing this in case I die soon. Your dad is not who you think he is. I didn't tell you before this time because of your safety but i know you will do the right thing and not allow your dad continue in his evil ways. I have loved you and will always Love you. Good luck sweetie. Yours truly, MUM. "I don't get it. I am confused right now, Rubella said looking at her friend. She continued, What exactly was she trying to say, that my dad is evil? Hmm.. for sometime now, I have had my suspicions about my dad's business dealings but I can't figure out what exactly this is all about". Lannah sighs "What do we do? "Mum believes in me to do the right thing. How do we go about this, Lannah? Rubella says. Lannah snaps her finger, "yes I think I Know what to do. Rubella sits on the bed with keen attention, "so spill it" she said.  "We would go to the address on this paper, pointing at it, okay', Lannah responded. But how do I get out of this premises with all these security, seeing that I haven't been allowed to leave this house, Rubella said looking worried. After much thought, Lannah said. "Here is a plan, we would cook a meal for the guards and put sleeping pills inside it, give it to them, then when they size off, we'll take the key from the gate keeper. Then we move to the place. Then it was noon, they got into the plan. Rubella went into the kitchen, prepared spaghetti & chicken. Sprinkled the pills on the food. Then she Sent Lannah to serve it to them. Mc Clair enters the house. Welcome sir, Lannah said. Yes, how are you? He said in a deep voice. Fine sir, she answered. Who are you? He asked? I am Lannah Duke, Rubella’s friend, from Vonne city, am an attorney. Okay, you're welcome to blourgh. City when did you come in? I just came in this morning, said Lannah. Rubella enters, "welcome daddy". "my angel how are you? He asked with a litted smile. Then Rubella responded "am very well, dad. You’ve met my friend already? "Yes I have, she’s intelligent just like you". He commented. "Thank you sir" Lannah said showing a sign of respect. Am hungry, where is Tems ?(the chef) Tell him to get my dinner ready. Daddy, he went to food to the grocery store for the house. But I made spaghetti bouglonese by myself?, do you want me to bring it for you? Well, I don't mind, I'm really famished, bring it to my room", he said heading to host room. She goes to give it to him. She left. By the time they returned to the room, Mr Mc Clair had slept. Every other person who had eaten the food too had also fallen asleep.                   CHAPTER Five Exposed They took the car key from Mr. Shaun and the gate key then they drove out. They got to the place. A hidden place, a big shop like place, bullet proof. But it’s lock, said Rubella. Hitting the shop trying to open it. Lannah goes closer trying to open the place, can I get the car keys? She collects it from Rubella. Try’s all the keys it didn’t work, luckily for them the last key she tried opened it. Look it’s open, she Said to Rubella. And behold they saw a lot of weapons, amunition, what is all this, who owns them, she’s shocked, held her friends hand tightly, they both Walk around the store, they glanced at Mc Clair's picture hung on the wall. Don’t Tell me that this place belong to my dad. Rubella spoke. We have to go now, says lannah dragging her out of the store. They locked the place and zoomed off.  In the room, they are both found pacing about the room like a man waiting for his wife to deliver. So this is what my dad does, no wonder the touts I met some days ago were hailing at the mention of his name. Says Rubella. You don’t mean it . Lannah said. I never knew about this, what I was told is that he is an importer and exporter. No offense, are you sure he didn’t kill your mum? Lannah said. No, No, No, it can’t be possible. How would he do that, if he is the cause I will do something oo because I didn’t enjoy my mum. I would never forgive such person who is responsible. But how do I get the detailed information? Rubella asked. They both went to bed. That morning no one noticed anything. Rubella decides to follow her Dad to his meeting without his knowledge. She got in to a New dress, "I would be spying on my Dad today", she said to her friend. "Can you do it? Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you"? Lannah inquired. "No don’t worry Rubella says". After Mc Clair had drove out with Shaun and his cars. Rubella took a neighbor’s car and followed them. They went to his Warehouse first, he collected some weapons he had put them in a brief case. Then he left. I drove behind the cars. We got to a hotel, my Dad came out of the car, entered one of the rooms. I packed my car, took a picture of the hotel then I disguise myself as one of his men with black shades. We entered the room, there was a fair man sitting on an exotic sit with men around him in and outside the room. Immediately the door was shut. My dad brought the brief case and opened it for him low and behold there were lots of amunition inside it, the man laughed hard, then he shook my dad’s hand saying "you delivered well". In return gave him a big brief case filled with dollars, Then I took a picture of the brief case, we left the room immediately. I just diverted to my car and I drove hear. So that is how I ended up dressed like an agent. Lannah bursts in to laughter." But seriously I can’t believe that my Dad will be involved in this kind of business. I will have to stop him, and get to the root of all this". "What is the next step now" Rubella inquired from her friend looking at her. "Well you took pictures right"? Says lannah ," yes I did",showing them to her. She takes it from her and began to upload them to the laptop in the room. Lannah searches online, his name is what? I think Mr. Snoop, I heard him call him that. Here is his profile, said lannah. They both reads, he is an importer and exporter, a renowned business man. "Wow so they are both renowned business men very interesting",Said Rubella. His picture was still on the screen of the system, when Mr. . Tems (chef) knocks at the door, come in lannah shouted. He entered, are you girls hungry? He immediately sights the system, what are you girls doing with that picture he said pointing towards the system. "You shouldn’t get yourself involved In the affairs of that man". "What do you know"? "You know something, talk or I will tell my dad that you know a lot about that man and you Know what will happen to you", so spill, Rubella threatens him. He talks shakenly, "your Mom had an accident while running away from Mr. Snoop's men who tried to kill her. Because your mom happen to find out about your dad’s business. She tried to talk him out of it, they always had a fight about it". One of the days your mom took the brief case that he was supposed to give to Snoop, she ran out of the house, your Dad was very furious because that business she was With would give him a fortune. Mr. Snoop asked your Dad about it, he told him that it is With his wife who ran away with it. Mr. Snoop took it upon himself to find her, him and his men searched all the hotels, they sighted her come out of the station so they followed her, your Mom being a smart woman, noticed that she was being followed sort to drive fast then a car hit hers then the car summersaulted, she couldn’t survive it. But they didn’t get the stuff now Rubella asked. Yes because your mom had gone to drop it in the station. Mr. Tems.  No problem we shall all see in court, said Rubella. Wait, are there evidence to back up all these? Lannah inquired. He takes them to Mrs. Elena Mc Clair’s room, but I have searched here said Rubella. Did you search here, he said opening the last drawer, bringing out a big envelope. Okay I didn’t, flashes back, I wanted to when Mr. Shaun came in. Opening the picture these are the pictures of your mom with the brief case going to the station. The picture of the accident scene. He spoke. Wait, wait, wait how did you know all this? Rubella asked. He flashes back, your mom told me where she was and that she was being followed, and told me her address, I quickly went there, as I was getting close, Mr. Shaun' s men were on a race with her, that was when she was hit by another car because she didn’t see the other car coming. So how was she able to call you? Lannah asked. When she noticed, she was in a traffic, then she alerted me. So you took the pictures and printed it, hid it here. Rubella inquired. He echoed Yes. So where is my Dad now she inquired from him. He went for a business trip said Mr. Tems.  he went to deliver his business to his clients right? I am Rubella Mc Clair I am a revolutionary, I have come to change the narrative, I can not keep shut because my dad is into it. We will go to court. How do we get Mr. Snoop to court owing to the fact that he would not want to come. Rubella asked Mr. Tems . Live it he will come because we have a clear evidence. He will come. Mr. Tems said. A bright afternoon. Mc Clair was at home, he got a letter from Mr. Shaun, sir , here is a letter for you, he hands it over to him. He opens it and it reads. Good day sir, you are requested to appear in court over allege custody of amunition. This is from the court of law. He exclaimed, who is that person. Rubella heard his voice and came out hurriedly, what is it Dad? Nothing, he pretends. But you just streamed right now. She inquired. No oo I was watching football match, he said stuttering words .                  ABOUT The story Caught In The Web captures the braveity and courage of Rubella, who stood for the right thing, not withstanding anyone involved. She depicts the saying that " your word is your bound". The major theme of this story is Justice and selflessness.   Rubella made a promise to bring to book those who killed her mum. But things take turns and her father's illegal business was exposed, being an activist and an attorney she did what was needed of her, to bring her dad under the law. Which she didn't do alone but also with the assistance of her friend, Lannah.      Lannah, a smart attorney, that had an investigative nature, she was ready to fight Mc Clair of his business. quiet but she knew what to do at any moment. I am Theodore Divine-Favour, age 18, I love writing, travelling, meeting new people, singing, talking and am a lover of God, am also a fashion designer.