Entwined Lives

Chapter4

Halloween.

“Who weds on a halloween day?” Micheal Davis thought to himself standing in front of the jewelry attendant.

Indeed, Pheobe Walker was full of so many wonders and surprises. She was exactly the kind of woman he wanted; extraordinary everyday. Michael laughter filled the jewelry store directing all gaze to him. What a triangular love! The woman he loves told the man she loves that she wants a wedding on halloween. “She's made my work easier.” He said before letting out another mysterious laughter.

The jewelry attendant stood before Michael confused. She wondered if she had started her day with the patronage from a mentally ill man or was he just overwhelmed by love. “This will suit her perfectly, sir.” She said, forcing a smile on her confused face.

“Huh, everything suits my love well.” Micheal said, hitting his hand on the counter with his expression cold. The jewelry attendant was startled. Again, she wondered if Micheal was a lunatic.

As if Michael had read her thought, he said, “I'm alright…I'm just excessively obsessed with her.”

The jewelry attendant heaved a sigh of relief. “Awwww!” She exclaimed replacing the terror that was on her face with a big smile. “She is so lucky to have you.” She complemented.

“You think so? No, I'm so lucky to have her.” He corrected, staring at the ring in his hand.

“I think it's both ways, I'm sure she's also very excited about the wedding.” The jewelry attendant assured scribbling on a receipt.

Alex's face turned neutral, without emotion. “She doesn't even know we are getting married…she doesn't even know me in person.” Alex explained, still gazing at the ring in his hand.

That was it for the jewelry attendant. she needed no other confirmation that Micheal was a lunatic. She hurried up with the receipt she was preparing as she placed it on the counter, pushing it over to him. “Here is your receipt, sir. Thanks for your patronage.”

“I don't need it.” He said glaring hard at her before storming out of the store. The jewelry attendant heaved a sigh of relief.

Micheal drove straight to his apartment and headed straight to the portrait of Pheobe hanging on the wall of his room. Micheal Davis was a known artist. It was his family line of business so it was easy for him to become a famous artist. His room harboured lots of his art work, especially the once he considered best. Others were always kept in his exhibition room. For him, it was love at first sight with Pheobe which gave him the drive to make a drawing portrait of her and hanging it on his room. He since then made it a tradition to always visit Pheobe's portrait whenever he misses her or felt overwhelmed.

“My love,” he called out softly while still gazing at the portrait with much affection in his eyes. His hands reached for his pocket as he grabbed the ring he bought. “Very soon we'd be married.” He opened the ring case as he showed it to the portrait. “I'm so eager for our beauty day, I hope you are too.” He said, with a smile appearing on his face revealing his dimples.

Micheal left the portrait as he grabbed a seat and lowered himself into hit still gazing at the portrait hunged above. “Of all day for our wedding, why did you choose halloween? It sounds crazy yunno.” He inquired letting out a soft chuckle. “Whatever you want is fine by me tho…” he assured. “You know I can do anyth…”

The door bell rang, interrupting Micheal. He had no appointment with anyone, neither was he expecting any client as he informed them he wouldn't be taking in any deals for a while. The door bell rang again jolting him back to reality. He walked over to the open the door and there he was…the least person he expected.

“Hi, I'm Alexander Martins, son of Martins Williams…I'm sure you know that name.” Alex boasted.

Micheal gave a sarcastic “yeah, so?”.

“May I come in?” Alex asked. Micheal hesitated for a moment before finally replying “yeah”.

Alexander scanned the living room in admiration. His countenance changed as he saw a portrait hunged on the wall. “I love your space, it screams art.” He said.

“Maybe because I'm art.” Micheal replied almost immediately.

“Impressive! Your place isn't that big but it's beautiful.” Alex complemented boastfully.

“Yeah, thanks… so you mind telling me what you want? I was kinda busy before you came.” Micheal said, standing opposite Alex.

“May I sit?” Alex asked politely. “Yeah” Micheal answered sharply.

Alex wondered why Micheal was being so unwelcoming. He had never seen him before so there was definitely no rift between them that he could think of. “That's his problem.” He said within.

“Firstly, I'd like to say a big congratulations to you on your upcoming wedding.” Alex started.

“How do you know about my wedding?” Micheal asked confused. He was already getting uncomfortable with this sudden visit.

“Yeah, I'm also having my wedding the same day you are having yours…I didn't know until I went to book the venue for my wedding only to realize it had been booked by someone else. I convinced the agents to let me in to your details and address and that's how I located you.” Alex explained calmly.

Micheal face turned expressionless as he asked “ohh, okay, so?”

Alex adjusted himself on the seat as he leaned forward with his hands on his knees. “I need a favour from you” he said, his voice almost inaudible.

“I barely heard you.” Micheal replied, his face still emotionless.

“I rarely ask for help from people, but this is important to me.” Alex added. “I need a favour you, Mich. I was wondering if you could let me have the hall for that day… that's you will postpone your wedding till probably the next Saturday…I'd sponsor the bills, I promise.” He pleaded. “My woman insisted that she wants to get married on halloween and that's the venue that would be best for us.” He added.

Micheal let out a scornful laughter as he watched Alex speak. “Really? You came here to tell me to postpone my wedding for you?” Micheal asked his voice laced with mockery. “Well, sorry to burst your bubbles… I can't “ he added unapologetically.

Alex remained silent for a few seconds as he was processing the next line of action. This had never happened before. He never thought a day would come when he would have to ask anyone for a favour but here he was doing it and most surprisingly bring rejected. He felt a surge of anger and pride rise within him but he discarded it. After a few minutes of thinking, a quick smile appeared on his face. “Okay, can we both use the venue the same day? I beg of you… this is really important.”

“Huhhh, that works then.” Micheal replied.

Alex's smile broadened as he got up to shake Micheal. “Thank you so much man, I really do appreciate this.” He said.

“Yeah, yeah.” Micheal replied simply.

“I'd be on my way then.” Alex said as he took one look round Michael's sitting room. Alex stopped by the door as he gave Micheal a questioning look. “Moreover, why did you guys pick halloween too?”

“For the same reason with which you did.” Micheal replied bluntly.

Alex chuckled as he exited the sitting room.

Micheal rented the air with a thunderous laughter as he collapsed on the sofa. “I'm always ahead of you, dumb head.” He mocked.

“This has gotten a lot more interesting, but there's something I must do.” He concluded with a calculative intelligence smile.

He locked the door and hurried inside his room. He stared at his most treasured portrait as he muttered a few words. “My love, you see all I'm doing just for us to be together…I really do hope you appreciate all my efforts.” He continued, “That boy is not the right man for you, he's only a spoilt billionaire son…I'd stop at nothing until I have you all to myself. Our wedding must hold!” He concluded before moving away from the portrait. He reached for his phone as he dialed a number.

“Hello boss!” The voice said from the other side of the call.

“We have to execute our plan. Halloween… get prepared.” Micheal said, his voice low and deadly.

“Copy that boss.” The voice said before the line went

dead.

Micheal walked over to his window with a calculative smile. “Alex, wait for me.”