UNVEILING THE MASK (Sequence 2)

CHAPTER 4

EDWARDO'S POV

My father's word kept ringing in my head... How dare him ask such a thing from me..

He knows how much i love Mia.. If i can't have her as my woman.. Atleast as my friend..

I can't stay away from Mia even if i tried to I need to leave this house before it turns into a disaster.. I stormed downstairs..

I stopped as Mia approach me.. We stared at each other for a while and i forcefully tear my gaze away.. I marched outside snobing her as she stalk after me calling my name.. I couldn't ignore her for long so i stopped and turned around to face her.. She was about to say something when i raised my index finger to silence her..

"Not now.. Mia" i flitter my gaze everywhere and i noticed that everyone was staring down at us including the children..

Mia uses this opportunity to stand next to my car..

I turned my attention back to her as i stare at her angrily..

"Please.. Mia move out of my way or else" i paused taking a deep breath..

"Am not afraid of your silly threat.. Ardo"

"why don't you understand that i need go" i said pushing her and she hits her back on my car..

It felt like a knife pierced through me.. I winch in pain as i released my grip but she stood before me fearlessly and calm..

"Am sorry.. I didn't mean to hurt you i swear"

"i know.. You would never let any harm come to me Ardo.. Never"

"that's the more reason.. I need to go alone.."i tried to reason with her..

"No.. You're wrong.." she said with a smile and i raised my eyebrow in confusion..

"What do you mean..?" i ask curiously..

"You promised to always protect me right?.." she asked and i nod my head in confirmation

"and you swore never to hurt me nor let harm come my way.."she asked again...

"yeah" i replied confidently

"so that's the more reason i have to go with you because as long as am with you no harm will come near me which also applies to you.. So let's go" she said and entered the car..

What kind of woman is she? i asked myself.....

i entered my car and drove out..

We sat in a comfortable silence throughout the drive while i stole glances of her.. We finally arrive at my house.. We walk inside together and i ordered all my housekeppers to leave the house.. I was too pissed to entertain the sight of another person...

"You should have atleast left one maid inside with us.. Who will stand as a witness because i might attempt to kill you" she said mockingly and i laughed..

I sat on the bare tiles facing her as i rest my head on her lap..

She caressed my hair softly....

"Do you wanna talk about it" she whispered and i nod my head lazily..

"Dad warned me to stay away from you and i challenged him for the first time in my life.. I challenged my father's decision" i said with so much bitterness, anger and regret....

"Am sorry I got you involved in my mess" she said and i raised my head and sit next to her..

"It's not your fault Mia.."

"Yes it is.." she said raising her voice.. We both stared at each other

"I'm only using you to achieve my selfish needs." she said and my heart arch in pain hearing those words from her mouth.. "You may be right.. But you didn't compel me to help you.. I helped you out of my own free will and because i love you.. Mia.." i said sincerely..

"How can you love some one like me.. Am only using you and playing with your emotions.."

"No, you're wrong.. Am helping you because i want to always see you happy.. Your pain is my pain and in your happiness I find my happiness Mia.. This is what love is like... Fighting for the happiness of your loved ones ignoring your own pain.." i said and cupped her cheeks..

"That means am a heartless and selfish b***h" she said with a forceful smile..

"No Mia, you coming here with me proves that you care.." She caressed my chest as i breath in a sharp breath because her action just turned me on.. She stopped as she noticed my bulge....

"You're responsible for this.." i defended myself..

"When last did you get laid.." she asked me and i smiled..

"For a long time i haven't gotten laid but sometimes i get worked up by myself"

"you really need to get laid because...."she said

"You should help me.. Mia" i said interupting her..

"Am married.. Ardo"she sigh

"with all my knowledge of marriage.. I can prove it to you that you're single.. You and my brother are just living together with your children.."

"What do you mean.. Ardo.. What are you trying to tell me.." she asked searching my eyes for some answers.. I guess i went overboard with my sentiment..

I didn't plan to tell her now but since my mouth won't control itself I guess it's high time i let the cat out of the basket..

"Okay..I'll tell you but you must first promise not to overreact.."

"i promise.. Just tell me the truth" she whines like a child..

"You're not legally married to Bill.." she laughed

"how can you say that.. I signed those documents that day and the priest sealed us together.."

"Yeah.. I know that.. It was just a scam.. A show that was created and hatched by me.."

"Throw more light.. Ardo.. What the hell are you talking about" she asked getting angry..

"I switched the priest.. The documents are invalid.. Which means your marriage is null and void.." i explained raising my voice at her..

"How dare you.. You lied to me.. How could you stoop so low as to faking my own wedding.. What the hell were you thinking? What gave you the right to cheat me the way you did Ardo.. For God sake Ardo.. I trusted you.. I confinded in you.. You betrayed me big time..You completely fooled me.. You made a mockery of me and my honesty.. I hate you for lieing to me.. I don't want to see your face ever again..". She pushed me hard on my chest and i stumbled and fall down..

I watched heplessly and shocked as she walked out of my house I didn't realise that i was actually crying until i felt my cheek stained with hot liquid..

'I've lost everything' i said to myself.....

EMILIA'S POV

Never in my wildest dream would i have imagined that Ardo would be capable of playing such a stunt on me.. He should have told me of his brillant idea of faking my marriage i would have definately succum to his ideas..

I hate lies.. For over six years.. How could i have trusted him so blindly.. He was more than a partner to me.. He was my adviser.. My friend... I had full faith in him.. I cared so much about him.. How could he take my affection for foolishness..

I hate you so much.. I cursed the day i put my faith in you..

I walked around for hours before I decided to go home. I unlocked my phone to call my driver.. 20missed call from Ardo.. And 10 voice mails.. I deleted them without listening to it.. I wonder where Bill could be.. So i'll break the news to him and free him from his so called responsibility.. I called my driver and he took me home.

"You finally decided to come back to your dumb husband.." Bill said with a tune of mockery as soon as I entered the house.. Speaking of the devil and he came nagging like a child.. I stood up and walked majestically to him.. Coming face to face with him..

"At least you finally accepted the truth.. You've confessed with your mouth that you're dumb.." i said with a fake smile...

"You speak highly of me sweetheart.. but i want to..."

"i need a cup of cofee.. We'll talk later Bill" i interrupted him and walked out on him..

He stalked after me like i was his prey and i snubed him and hurried downstairs.. Suddenly i felt a hard grib on my arm and when I turned, he pushed me hard to the wall..

"How dare you walk out on me Emilia" he yelled at me.. I pushed him off me..

"Who the hell do you think you are Bill.." i raised my voice at him as i notice the presence of my whole family.. oh God not again....they are witnessing this nonsense over again..... When i say my whole family.. It includes Shilla, her husband, her daughter Altagracia, Ardo, Uncle Sola, and my respectable father inlaw and my children Cassius and Castilo .. The almighty WILLIAMS..

As Bill locked eyes with Ardo he vibrated in anger.. He forcefully grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him..

"Am your husband, Emilia..you're my wife.." he said grinding his teeth..

"The last time i checked we're not really husband and wife.."i voiced out in anger and he looked shocked and released his grib on me.. I guess my word release really hit him hard..

"What do you mean...?" he asked..

"What i meant is that we don't reciprocate love to one another.. You know what i mean by that don't you.." I lied so as to cover what I just spilled..

"That's not my fault.. You're good at c**k blocking me and am certain you do get yourself worked up with my brother..Or don't you.."

"don't you dare question my dignity.. You're no saint Bill.. You do get yourself worked up with your flinch, Naida Marsh..." I said interrupting him..

"Yes i do.. I get myself worked up because you don't let me in.. Am a man with desire and wants.. Blood runs through my vein.. And you my queen is as guilty as i am...You do get satisfication from my brother don't you?"

"Bill..." Ardo yelled his name scaring the children.. He stormed towards us.. I swear i've never seen him this mad before.. Someone has to stop him because with his rage he could the impossible in this state..

His father stood in his way but he frighten him away with his hard stare.. Mr Willams quickly moved out of his way.. Bill is doomed today.. I moved away from Bill slowly and stood next to Uncle Sola..

"Can you stop him" i asked whispering to him..

"No.. Let him release his temper.. He's been holding back for so long.." Uncle Sola whispered back.. I was about to say something when Ardo slamed Bill to the wall.. Bill held Ardo by the neck tightly and Ardo manoeuvred him and twisted his arm and gave him a superman punch..Blood gushed down from his nose.. Ardo used this opportunity to give him a suplexcity and climb on top of Bill.. He punched Bill repeatedly..I couldn't stand it anymore and no body was willing to stop him.. Cassius and Castilo were crying with Shilla shielding them and they clunched closer to her.. Thank God Altagracia was sleeping..

Ardo was about to land his fist on Bill but i quickly grabbed his hand.. His bloodshed eyes pierced through me.. He's venting his anger for me on Bill.. Bill forced his eyes to remain open while Ardo eyes held mine captive as i used my free hand to touch his cheek and he relaxed to my touch. He released his fist and he pulled me with him as we stood up..

"Am sorry.." he whispered as i led him to sit down while one of the workers tend to Bill's wounded face..

"No.. You don't need to appologize to me.. Am sorry I overreacted earlier today but i know you did what you did for me.. Thank you Ardo.." i said and embraced him unconsciously....

"i want a DNA test with Cassius and Castilo.." Bill said and i disengaged myself from Ardo..

"What did you say.." i asked

"you heard me right Emilia.. I need a confirmation that these children are mine.."

"No.. I won't give my concert to that" i said in anger..

"It's just a test my dear.. Let him do it.." my father in law chipped in.. What the hell...

"No father.. He's the father of my kids and i don't need any test to confirm it.."

"Your resistance is proving me right my queen.. Edwardo is the father of your children and you know it.. Cassius resembles him alot.. don't he?" Bill questioned me.

"Yes he does.. If you want a DNA test.. It will be done by Ardo and the children because am confident that Bill is their father.." i suggested...

"Tomorrow....Edwardo and the children will have a DNA test done.. I;ve made my decision. I don't need anymore rant and rare from you Bill.." my father inlaw said and dismissed us all..

I will make you pay for this humilation Bill.. I promise..

Shilla took the children away and Uncle Sola left few seconds later..

"Why did you do it.. Ardo?" i asked and he stared at Marcelo who immediately excused us..

"I did it for you.. I did it so there could be us someday.. So i could be special to you without crossing someone's territory.. You know what i mean don't you.. Please Mia.." he wrapped his hands on mine.. this is absolutely crazy... I nod my head and said..

"as your friend with benefit isn't it..?" i asked even though i knew the answer to my question..

"Not really.. i do wish to be your life patner.. But i know you don't love me or have a kind of special attraction to me.."

"i understand your philosphy.. Thank you so much. You're the best.. Ardo" i pecked both of his cheeks..

"Mum.. Is it true that dad is not our real dad but uncle?.." Cassius asked me and i quickly turned around.. Staring at my soldiers in awe..

'Who will save me from this dilemma..?' i questioned myself..

© Winner Godwin

&

Grace Aghedo

August 2018

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