DESIRES.

CHAPTER FOUR

Leonard grabbed his phone in his fist and smashed it against the wall in a fit of rage. His lips were moving quickly as he murmured to himself. He had just gotten off the phone with Abdul and things did not seem to be as rosy as he had earlier thought. The sudden news of my being alive was what angered him even more. My presence had now ruined his perfect plan and he knew he had to act fast. His thoughts immediately went back to Clarissa and an idea quickly came to his mind.

He picked up another cell phone and dialed a number immediately. Once the caller on the other end received it he spoke almost at once.

“We are going to proceed with the plans though now we have to act fast. Move the Governor to the old mine just outside the city. Get your men ready too cause we are going for the girl tomorrow night.”

There was a short silence then a reply came, “understood sir.”

With that he ended the call and moved towards his desk. There was a tray on his desk with a bottle of whisky and a glass. He opened the bottle and carefully poured the drink into the glass. He then took the glass and moved towards his office window as he sipped from it slowly. A smile crept on his lips as he could not wait for his plans to set through.

“Aargh!” I yelled as the doctor poured a pain tranquilizer on my wound. She then carefully stitched up where the bullet had grazed my skin. A bandage was then carefully tied around my arm and the doctor flashed a smile at me. I felt too weak to respond. Gladys was with me all this while. She had picked me up and brought me to a private clinic. Once I was all patched up we left the place and headed back home. On the way I asked Gladys about what the police had found at the hotel.

“The place was clean. Apart from the damage caused by the shooting there is nothing else that was found there.” It was obvious the Governor had been moved to another hideout and those bastards were doing all they could to cover up their tracks. Despite all that I was happy that the Governor was still alive. Once we got back I simply went to bed as my body felt extremely weak. The pills given to me by the doctor had managed to lessen the pain but had brought with them a great urge to sleep. My hand was heavily bandaged and the hand sling I was given was not doing much to support it. I took it off and after laying my hand carefully on the pillow, fell into a deep sleep.

I don’t know how long I had slept but was woken by a loud noise. I slowly opened my drowsy eyes and it took a while before I could clearly see the clock on the wall. It was 5.00 o’clock in the morning. My first thought was to call out Gladys’s name but I later thought against it. I slowly got out of bed and moved cautiously out of the room. My injured arm felt a bit lighter so I did not bother to use the sling. On my way I heard something fall once more and the noise was coming from the kitchen. Suddenly I heard a scream coming from the kitchen and hastened to get there. Gladys was screaming her lungs out as she pointed at a large rat moving amongst the kitchen shelves. It was eating anything that came its way and dropped whatever was non edible.

My eyes looked around the kitchen and I saw a pan lying just next to the sink. Using my other arm I grabbed a hold of its end and stood patiently, waiting for the right moment to strike the rat. The minute it popped its head out of a packet of maize floor I hit it on the head with all my might. The creature came tumbling towards the floor and I hit it once more to make sure it was dead. Gladys simply stood by the doorway unable to move an inch. I took an old newspaper from one of the kitchen shelves and used the papers to cover the rat before disposing it into the dustbin outside the kitchen.

“Danger is gone now.” I said trying to ease her up. She immediately ran up to me and clung on me as though her life depended on it. I held her with my arm as her head rested upon my shoulders. There was a brief silence between us. She lifted up her head slowly and our eyes finally interlocked. We stared at each other for a while and I noticed the expression her eyes held. Everything else happened so fast. Before I knew it she had lifted up her head closer to mine and her lips were pressed against mine. At first I wanted to resist her but it was as though my mind had switched off. A burning sensation ran through my whole body and I could feel the warmth from her touch. My manly instincts overpowered me and I began to caress her with my left arm while trying hard not to injure my right hand. She was wearing a short white nightdress that clung against her body. My fingers moved from her waist all the way up to her nape as we exchanged soft and long kisses. Without knowing we moved towards the wall of the kitchen. I felt as though I had lost complete control over my being. My mind was in a haze and nothing seemed to matter anymore. It was when the thought of Clarissa flashed through my mind that I finally came to. I began to withdraw myself from Gladys who nonetheless kept planting kisses on my face.

“What’s wrong?” she asked trying to rekindle the passion we had just had.

“I can’t do it…I would only hurt you more by doing this. I am really sorry. This was all a big mistake.”

I really hated myself at that moment. I knew that Gladys loved me but there was no chance for us to be together as Clarissa was the love of my life. Nonetheless I considered her as someone important in my life and what I had just done was unjustifiable.

“Its okay Harry, I understand. It was wrong of me to have put you into such a situation and am sorry for that.”

“Its okay Gladys. I don’t want this to ruin our friendship. I may not feel the same way you feel about me but I still have a space for you in my heart. ”

We then disentangled ourselves from each other and I led her back to her bed and made sure she was well tuck in before I went back to sleep too. In the morning things were a little bit awkward as we tried to brush off what had happened between us that early morning. She went to work as usual and I decided to remain indoors that day and await news of any further development. Based on what had happened last night I realized how much I wanted Clarissa in my life and decided to break protocol and see her that evening. Even if it meant risking my life I had to see her and let her know that both her dad and me were still alive.

Not far from where I was, a black tinted car was parked at the side of the road. There were two occupants in that car. One of them was busy smoking a cigarette while the other had his eyes fixated on the road.

“Could you please put that thing out. We have to be alert so as not to miss her.”

“What the hell is wrong with you? I’m just having a smoke. Its no big deal.”

“Put it out!”

There was a tense moment in the car as the guy with the cigarette put it out and threw it out the window. He then sat back on his seat with an annoyed look on his face. Just then a small white golf car passed by them.

“It’s her car. Let’s go.”

The car’s engine was roared to life and in a matter of seconds was cruising after the car ahead. Gladys hardly noticed the car coming up from behind as she was busy humming to a song playing on the car’s radio. Once the two men caught up with her they overtook her and stopped right in front of her. Gladys placed her foot on the brake pedal and she nearly hit her head on the dashboard. The two men came out and made their way towards her. On seeing the on coming danger she got out of her car and decided to run for her dear life.

“Don’t let her get away.”

Gladys took out her phone and was just about to call me when one of the men pounced on her. She screamed her lungs out but the street was deserted and there was no other living soul nearby. The man managed to pin her to the ground but she held up a spirited fight and kicked him in his lower abdomen. The man released her and yelled in pain. This was her chance to escape but a shot rang out and she stood there transfixed.

“Move another inch and I swear I will put a bullet in your head.” She simply stood there shaking like a leaf as the phone dropped from her hand. In a flash a handkerchief was placed on her face and she could slowly feel her strength leaving her. After she was unconscious the men carried her to their car and zoomed off.

Time had really flown fast and it was fast approaching dusk. I had tried to get ahold of Gladys the whole day but she wasn’t picking up her phone. I guessed that probably she was avoiding me because of what had happened between us and blamed myself for it. My mind was already made up about seeing Clarissa that evening so I left a note for Gladys when she came back. Their house was out of town and luckily for me Gladys had my car moved to her place after the fire incident. I really owed a lot to this lady. I got into my old Volkswagen and roared the engine to life. A smile creeped on my lips when I saw it was still in good condition. But little did I know that there was a surprise in store for me ahead.

Back at the Governor’s house Leonard had just arrived at the premises. He was allowed in together with another car that came in tow. It was from there that the tables were overturned as close to five men came out of the car brandishing rifles. The security men were in no luck as they were held at gun point before they could react. Leonard moved towards the house in the company of two men. Once inside they moved up the flight of stairs and were soon standing outside Clarissa’s room.

“Stay here and keep watch.” He ordered his men and slowly opened the door knob. He then carefully closed the door behind him and he could hear the sound of running water from the bathroom. He made his way towards the bathroom and he caught sight of a naked figure in the glass walls of the shower. A devilish smile formed on his lips. All this while Clarissa was oblivious of what was going on. Leonard decided to go back to her bedroom and wait for her there. After a while Clarissa got out of the shower and took a towel from a hanger next to the wall. She then carefully wiped herself and wrapped it around her body. Her mouth fell wide ajar when she went to her bedroom and caught sight of Leonard sitting on her bed.

“What is the meaning of this! What the hell are you doing in my room?”

He simply flashed a smile at her and stood up to move closer to her.

“Don’t you dare come near me!”

“I am not gonna hurt you.”

“Stay back. Get out of my room!” She let out a scream but he merely laughed.

His face suddenly changed and he drew out a pistol from his pocket. He aimed it at her as she stood there quivering in fear. There were some clothes on the bed and he took them and threw them towards her. “Get back in there and get dressed. Don’t try to pull a fast one or else things will end badly for you.” She quickly bent down and began to pick the clothes that had fallen at her feet. Fear had already clouded her mind as she want back into the bathroom to get dressed.

It took me about twenty five minutes to get there and I could now see the house. At first I wanted to drive up to the compound but something caught my eye. There was a car parked right next to the entrance and two men stood next to it, armed with rifles. I slowed down my car and turned off the headlights. If this was what I thought it was then I was already too late. With the car engine still running I stopped at the side of the road just some few meters away.

Something was definitely wrong but I could not quite put my finger on it. On instinct I checked for my gun underneath the driver’s seat and placed it on my lap. My left hand was still injured so I had to rely on one hand in case all hell broke loose. After a while I noticed another car coming out of the premises. It stopped right at the entrance and I waited to see what would happen next. In about a minute or so I could hear the pleas of a lady and my mouth fell ajar when Clarissa came into view. Two men were holding her on each side and they were dragging her into the car. I could feel my muscles twitch as my hand tightened its hold on the steering wheel.

Just then Leonard’s face popped up and I felt a massive surge of anger within me. He got into the car after them and the car zoomed off. “You are not getting away.” I muttered to myself and pressed my foot hard on the gas pedal. The second car was already in tow and I was just behind it. In one swift move I rammed my car against the boot and the car began to swirl. Without hesitation I rammed it again and I could tell the driver had now lost control of the car. There was a sharp corner at the end of the road and before we knew it the car had left the road and spiraled into the air before landing into a ditch. It exploded in a matter of seconds as pieces of the car flew left right and center. I turned on my headlights and I could see the other car was not far ahead.

“What the hell is going on back there?” Leonard looked back through the rear windscreen and could see a car being swallowed up by flames. Another car was quickly catching up with them and he could tell something was amiss. “Boss, we are getting no response from the guys in the other car. Something is wrong.” Leonard kept his eyes focused on the car behind them and just as I got closer Clarissa screamed my name at the top of her lungs as she banged her two fists on the windscreen. It did not take Leonard long to realize that she was right and a terrified look fell on his face.

“Step on it!” He yelled at the driver who without hesitation stepped his foot on the accelerator. The car zoomed off at lightning speed as I tried to get closer. Clarissa could not contain herself as she threw wild fists and kicks at Leonard. He in turn retaliated with a smack on her left cheek that sent her sprawling onto the floor of the backseat.

“You had better behave or I’m going to tie you up.” She simply lay on the floor, not wanting another confrontation. I could see that I was losing them and I stepped on the accelerator. It felt as though I was flying through the air as the car grew lighter. I could feel the car shaking as the engine roared to its maximum. It was as though I was in a James Bond movie and was chasing after a criminal who had valuable intelligence. In a matter of seconds I was right behind them.

Leonard looked as though he was going to lose it. He ordered his men to gun me down. Before I knew it the half figure of a man appeared from the rear window brandishing a rifle. My mouth fell wide open and before I knew it a stream of bullets blew through the air. The first place to be hit was the headlights which were blown apart into tiny broken glasses. Immediately I stepped on the brakes as the tires screeched on the tarmac road. My heart was breathing fast and I was trying to keep the car steady. About four more bullets were fired next and they came shattering through the windscreen. I lowered my body just behind the steering wheel as the bullets also penetrated through the seats.

My gun fell from my lap and landed on the other side near the passenger seat. The windscreen was already damaged beyond repair and it was hard to see anything. My body was shaking all over and I struggled to maintain control of the car.

“Stop please! Don’t hurt him, I beg you!”

“If you don’t shut your mouth this instance….” he stopped talking midway as he saw my car come up fast behind them.

“So our little friend here has decided not to give up. Take him off the road!” Clarissa jumped at him but he expected her reaction and gripped her tightly with his hands. I had to open the window and look outside in order to see where I was going. I was right behind them and my face was filled with horror when I saw my attacker appear once more. He aimed for the front wheels of the car and before I knew it they had burst making the car to spiral out of control. There was little I could do to keep the car on the road and my eyes widened as it veered off the road. I was headed straight for a cliff! In one swift move I made for my gun and then kicked my car door wide open. As the car made its way up to the top of the cliff, I threw myself out in the nick of time.

The car suddenly exploded with a loud bang as it fell from the cliff, crashing into the forest just beneath it. A thick cloud of smoke filled the air as the car smashed itself against the rocks on the sides of the cliff. The car landed with a thud and a blazing fire emanated from it, consuming it whole.

Leonard’s car had changed direction and was moving towards the cliff. Once he was close he looked out through his car window and a smile formed on his lips. Clarissa could hardly utter a word as she felt the words choke her. Tears were already streaming freely down her face. She buried her head between her hands as she wept. Leonard signaled his driver to go on and the car was soon back on the road.