Suspects: murder case

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

As I walk towards the conference hall at work, everyone is staring at me, watching me closely, I bet they have seen the story running on f*******: and they are gossiping about me, well I love being then center of attention so instead of my usual screaming, I smile and wave at everyone I bump into, you should see the surprised looks on their faces.

I walk into the conference room and sit down, Kenzie seems to have taken over the editorial meeting, she shoots me a disgusting look when she sees me and I just smile back at her before saying, ‘’good morning step sister.’’

‘’Mr. Msizi wants to see you in his office,’’ she responds.

‘’Okay,’’ I stand up and head to his office, walking in without knocking.

‘’Good morning sir?’’

‘’What is good about this morning?’’

‘’Someone is in a bad mood.’’

‘’What is this I am reading on social media?’’

‘’What are you reading?’’

‘’That you and Daniel are getting married and I don’t know anything about this?’’

‘’If you were a good father you would have known that Daniel and I have been in love for some time now.’’

‘’You know relationships at the office at not allowed right and you and Daniel might be--.’’

I hand him the envelope before he can finish his sentence, ‘’this is Daniel’s resignation letter, I will be handing in mine soon.’’

‘’You must be out of your mind.’’

‘’Well maybe I am, is there anything else you would want to talk about because I want to get back to work.’’

‘’You can leave but this is not far from over, I will sort it out with your mother.’’

‘’Whatever makes you happy sir,’’ I respond before walking out and slamming the door behind my back.

*

The editorial meeting is ongoing when a knock sounds on the door, we don’t usually have people over when we have meetings so I am wondering who has the guts to even come here and knock knowing that we are busy.

‘’Come in!’’ Kristy says.

The door swings open and a strange man walks in, he has a banquet of yellow daisies with two red roses standing up in the middle and a small box wrapped in pink in his hands.

‘’I am looking for Miss Kristy Msizi, I have been directed here by the receptionist.’’

‘’I am Kristy,’’ I respond wondering who he is.

‘’This parcel is for you,’’ he hands me the flowers and the small box, after I sign for them, he leaves. All eyes in the room are turned on me as I sniff the flowers and breathe in the perfume. I almost laugh when I see the angry look on Kenzie’s face.

‘’Can we please continue,’’ I say breaking the silence.

As they continue presenting, I pull out the note from the flowers, ‘’something to brighten your day babe,’’ It reads.

I smile, Daniel is doing too much, I am not complaining, I love how strategic and smart he is.

My phone rings at the moment startling me from my little trance and I pull it out of my bag and answer.

‘’Have you received the flowers?’’

‘’Yes, I have babe, thank you so much you didn’t have to.’’

‘’I wanted to my love.’’

I smile, ‘’thank you babe, are you at work already?’’

‘’Yes.’’

‘’Okay work well, I will see you at lunch.’’

‘’I love you.’’

‘’I love you too.’’

I hang up the phone and place it back in my bag.

‘’you know I am beginning to get annoyed with you right now?’’ Kenzie asks.

‘’And then?’’

‘’We are in an editorial meeting but you keep disturbing us.’’

‘’Jealousy will kill you my sister.’’

‘’Why would I be jealous of you? Aren’t you even ashamed of yourself? sleeping with your PA? What will people think of you? You are dragging my father’s name in the mud, have you no shame?’’

‘’If you know me you should know I don’t give a f**k about what people say.’’

‘’Ì really don’t understand why you are doing all this, are you trying to hurt dad?’’

I laugh, ‘’your father is not all that important to me, my world doesn’t revolve around him so f**k off. I think this meeting is getting boring for me, you finish up and keep me updated on what will be discussed.’’

With that I stand up, grab my flowers and bag and walk out

Daniel and I are sitting across from each other

at Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere Hotel.

We have just finished our meal and the next step of the plan is about to commence.

Daniel knows exactly what he is supposed to do and when. He has to make this night believable. I have my media team within, they will stream the engagement live on f*******:. Apart from this being about convincing Mr. Sondashi about my engagement, this is a publicity stunt that will gain me millions of followers and blow up my brand.

Like a couple in love, Daniel and i are staring at each other intently when Brian Nhira's "here in this moment" begins to play. Daniel gets up from the chair, produces a tiny blue - velvet box . Then he bends down gallantly on one knee and opens the box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring that I chose earlier this afternoon.

"Babe!" I feign surprise & astonishment.

Holding out a ring to me he says , “ Will you marry me ?"

"Babe!" I say tears running down my face. I should win an oscar for this great performance.

Rising to my feet I say, loudly,

"Yes! I will marry you! i will marry you!"

He puts the ring on my finger and the people around us clap.

Standing up, Daniel suddenly pulls me into his arms, kissing me before I have a chance to respond. Must I mention that this was not part of the plan?

He kisses me softly and gently.

And for a moment I’m frozen solid wondering what's happening. But knowing that people are watching, I wrap my arms around his neck, dig my fingers into his hair and kiss him back. As the kiss deepens, a strange sensation stirs in my chest- goosebumps spread. I still don't know what's happening but I can feel that something is happening within me.

When we finally pull away from each other, breathless, he looks me right in the eyes and whispers, " I love you!"

"I love you too," I reply.

For a moment there I was lost in that kiss, the kiss was so full of warmth and passion, i swear it didn't feel like we were acting, for a moment there everything felt real. He too deserves an Oscar. I have no doubt everyone watching believes our story.

We drive back home in complete silence. When he pulls up in front of my house, he turns to look at me and asks, "are you okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"You have been unusually quiet."

"Are you saying I am talkative?"

"That's not what I said."

"What did you say then?"

"Never mind, is there anything else you would like us to discuss tonight?"

"The wedding."

"What wedding?"

"You know people are obviously going to be waiting for our wedding? Did you see how many people were watching the live video? My audience has tripled. We need to make this as real as possible.``

"By faking a marriage?"

"Six months and we get divorced. I will pay more."

"Stella?"

"Please!"

"What happens when we get married?"

"We move in together and pretend to be a happily married couple when we are public."

"And in private?"

"You do you, I do me but the first rule still stands you can't be with anyone else for the six months you will be with me, I have a reputation to maintain."

"Does this also apply to you?"

"Yes, I won't be with anyone else for the six months we will be married."

"And then how will we end this?"

"We will say you cheated on me and I decided to leave."

"Why should I be the bad one in all this?"

"Because---"

"Let me guess," I cut her off mid- sentence, "You have a reputation to maintain."

"Exactly."

"So you want your audience to crucify me for allegedly cheating on you?"

I shrug, "they will crucify you but not for long, you know Zambians easily move on."

"I guess you have all this planned out."

"Yes, what do you say?"

"I will have to think about it."

"What's there to think about?"

"Marriage is a big step."

"It's not even a real marriage. And you have nothing to lose but everything to gain! You will be famous too."

"I didn't say I want to be famous."

"Well there's nothing you can do about it now,you are already famous, your Ex- girlfriend must be fuming with anger at this point! I bet she has watched our live video."

"That's not funny."

"I know."

He rolls his eyes and I burst out laughing, I have no idea why I enjoy his outrage—but I do.

"Anyway, I will get the wedding preparations started, I will also transfer some money into your account, how's that?"

"Whatever you say boss."

"I am not your boss."

"Alright my love."

"Are you trying to annoy me?"

"Anything else you want to say before I leave?"

"Nop."

"Goodnight," he leans in and quickly brushes his lips against mine.

"You sure do have guts, " I say before I get out of the car.

"Goodnight babe, think of me as you lie n***d in your bed tonight," he calls after me.

"f**k you Daniel."

"It takes two to f**k and I am up for it if you are ready."

I smile before I quickly walk into the house and gently close the door behind my back

I walk into my room and I am about to take off my clothes when my phone rings. My phone has been blowing up with messages and calls this evening, I have been ignoring them all, I am not responding to anyone until I go for my television interview. These online media publications have a tendency to twist stories.

I pull my phone from my bag and stare at the screen, when I notice who is calling, I quickly press answer.

"Mummy P."

"Hey love, how are you?"

"I am fine, thanks , how are you?"

"I am okay, congratulations on your engagement."

"Thank you Ma."

"Sorry for calling this late, I am sure you are tired.."

"It's okay Ma, you don't have to apologize."

"I wanted to congratulate you for scooping the Marketing Director position at Sondashi Inc, you can come through for orientations tomorrow afternoon. You start work on Tuesday."

"Wow! Thank you so much!"

"I hope you don't disappoint us, I am putting my money on you girl."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome and good night."

"Good night."

As soon as I hang up, I dial Daniel's number and he picks up almost immediately.

"Hello!"

"I got the job! We did it," I excitedly say.

"Really?"

"Yes, this calls for a celebration."

"I am so happy for you."

"Are you home yet?"

"Not yet."

"Okay drive back, let's pop some wine and celebrate this great achievement."

"You are sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, see you soon."

"Bye."

"Bye."

For Helen Banda! Happy Birthday love! Blessings upon you! Admin Ella loves and appreciates you!!! Enjoy...