FLAMING HEART

THIRTY - VULNERABLE

"I swear to God. . .if that son of a bastard is still around, today will definitely be his last!" - Francis.

† † †

"Chiamaka is your fiancee. You two are engaged. What are you talking about?" She whispered fiercely.

"I know all that. Stop the sermon. You and I can both enjoy each other before I get married."

"You're crazy." She blurted out in anger. "Please, leave now." She tried walking away but he caught her by the wrist; veering her to face him.

"You don't get to walk out on me, you b***h!" He spat; pushing her to the chair violently. She staggered as she caught a grip of herself and maintained her balance. She looked at him; now aware of what he wanted to do. Fear gripped her and she began to whimper. Charles smiled his wolfish grin; taking small steps to her while she moved back.

"Cut off the act now. You know I can offer you more than you can imagine. So stop the f*****g act." He tried to hold her but she dived away from him. She began to run to the door when he caught her by the waist; giving her a hard slap and pushing her to the floor. She fell with a heavy thud and moaned out in pain. He walked gingerly to her looking like the devil himself; a fiendish smile on his face. She began screaming for help but this only provoked more laughter from him.

"Yeah! Scream! shout! No one will hear you." He stooped and tried to touch her but she spat on his face and kicked him at the middle of his legs. He yelped out in pain. She got to her feet quickly and made way for the door but was held back by him. Agitated, she bit his hand and he yelled and cursed.

She ran to the door; pushing it open only to be held back by his grip on her shirt. With the strongest of willpower, she dragged herself forcefully; leaving some piece of her cloth in his hand. She couldn't stop screaming until she was out of the compound. She thought of where she could go but there was only one person on her mind to see so she halted a cab and hopped right in.

"Garden avenue." She told the driver as she hugged herself; still trembling in fear. She couldn't help but think of what had almost happened. The driver kept glancing at her furtively through the rear view mirror but she could care less. All she wanted was to see Francis. Charles had just tried r****g her! Why? It was true he looked suspicious and she had never trusted him for once, but what had she done for him to want to commit such act on her? Tears burned her eyes but she sat still with a steeled determination not to cry.

"We're there already." The taxi driver announced. She dipped her fingers into her pocket and brought out a crumpled note which she had found on the chair when she had first lain on it to watch television. She had hoped to return it to Evelyn since she was the last lady on the chair. Who would have ever thought it would save her life? She was glad she obeyed her mind to keep it when she had initially planned to leave it on the chair.

The driver drove off after dropping her at the gates of Crescent Cosmetology company. She stood still; contemplating if this was a good idea or if she should just go to Sharon instead. However, the thing about the whole situation was the fact that she wasn't in talking terms with the two people she held dear. Though, she believed Francis deserved whatever she had done but then, Sharon? It was for this reason she couldn't face her. At least, not until she had figured what to say in terms of apology.

Sighing and rubbing her chin which still burned from the slap she had received earlier, she walked to the security post and two security guards appeared from the booth. Unfortunately, they were not the same ones she had seen the last time she had been there.

"How can we help you?" One of them asked; staring at her sternly like she was a stray cat. She couldn't blame them anyway, she was the one standing with a torn shirt, an unkempt hair and a knee length short.

"I'm here to see Francis Ikechukwu." She gently stated; looking them straight in their eyes.

The two guards exchanged looks before turning their gaze to her. "And you are?"

"His girlfriend." She raised her head high despite the loud scream she could hear in her head. He had never said anything about 'girlfriend'. Uju was still his girlfriend - legally.

The two guards exchanged looks again and it was clear they doubted her. However, the first guard who had spoken nodded as he said:

"You can come in but you'll have to wait by the security post while we send the message to Mr Francis. You can't go in like this."

She nodded in understanding; not wanting to go in herself. His working place seemed out of place for someone like her to walk into. She wouldn't be able to handle the stares and attention - not in such a beautiful and high classed organization that screamed affluence.

She was given a chair by the security post and a message was sent. She bit her lip nervously as she tried to calm herself down. Events of the past minutes replayed in her head; making her cringe at the evil that would had befallen her. Before she could stop herself, she was calling Francis. Perhaps, this message would go faster. But to her surprise, her calls weren't answered. She wondered if he was still harbouring a grudge. Just then, one of the security guards walked up to her.

"They're having a conference. It is quite confidential so it may take a while before Mr Francis is free. Do you mind checking back later?"

"I'll wait." She told him and he gaped at her like she had just said something impossible. She held his gaze; looking back at him defiantly. There was no way she was going back to that house where that creep might be waiting for her.

The guard finally nodded and left; throwing looks her way and whispering inaudible words to his colleague. She rolled her eyes and resulted to send a message instead - just in case.

She wrapped her arms around herself; waiting impatiently. She could feel pains at various areas of her body. She was sure it was due to the rough way she had landed on the ground when pushed fiercely. She noticed an opening on her elbow displaying reddish and whitish flesh. She winced in pain as she touched it with a finger. Cussing and swearing, she bowed her head as a tear dropped.

A hand on her shoulder sent her jumping up as she made effort to bolt when she was held by the wrist. Somehow, she knew she was saved by that comforting gesture so she finally turned to take a look. Francis's surprised face came into full view as he stared at her intently. Worry crossed his face for a while and he raised a brow.

"What a pleasant surprise, OB!"

A surge of relief enveloped her and before she could think, she went into his arms as tears filled her eyes. She began to sob quietly while a confused Francis held her tight: smoothening her hair with one hand and rubbing her back with another. His arms around her was strong and firm; bringing comfort and safety to her. She buried her face in his chest, willing herself not to cry.

"What's wrong?" She heard him whisper but she was so much of a mess to speak. She only released him; looking at him with glossy eyes and tear streaked face. She could feel boogie filling her nostril and she sniffed deeply to prevent them from rolling out. Francis held her face in his palms; wiping her tears with his finger.

"Do you want a cup of coffee?" He asked and she nodded instantly. He smiled and led her to a canteen she had not noticed was there. Francis brought a hot cup of coffee when she had finally settled down. With the way he interacted with the staffs, she could tell he was really close to them.

She wrapped both palms of hers around the cup as she brought it to her mouth. Francis sat opposite her; watching her every move. She felt so much better so she smiled at him; hoping she had lessened the tension.

"I saw your message so I excused myself from the conference hall."

"So you can excuse yourself?" She dropped her cup; still holding onto the handle.

"No. I broke the rule. I'm going to face the music when I return." He sighed and her lips quivered; now feeling guilty for bringing him out.

"I'm sorry." She looked at her cup of coffee.

"Come on." He wrapped his fingers over hers. "It's nothing to be worried about - compared to you." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but break into a grin.

"So what's up? What happened to you?"

She exhaled and let out a big sigh. How would she begin? She placed her palms back to the cup; feeling relaxed by the warmth the cup was emitting.

"Charles tried to r**e me." She blurted out and Francis quirked his eye brow; his face contorting to a deep frown.

"Charles what? Who the f**k is Charles?" He asked through clenched teeth. Obioma was suddenly scared at how angry he looked.

"He's Chiamaka's fiance." She told him.

"What nonsense!" He stated. "How did it happen?"

She sighed; not wanting to relive the horrid experience she wished to forget. However, she told him about Evelyn's absence and how she was almost taken advantage of by the beast. Francis's eyes flashed in anger but he listened to her every detail without interruption. He held her wrist; trying to lift her up immediately she was done with her narration and she looked at him in puzzlement.

"Let's go!" He spat; his jaw working; his face taut.

"Go where?"

"Go to that house. I swear to the God, If that son of a bastard is still around, today will definitely be his last." Francis swore and Obioma flinched. Of course she hated and wished Charles dead but she didn't want Francis committing the act.

"Sit down, Francis." She said calmly; releasing herself from his grip. He stared at her; awestruck.

"Come on! We need to get going now. We can't afford to waste more time. That i***t might still be at home." He stressed the words; hoping to make her see he was right.

"And what will you do if he is still at home?"

"You're seriously not asking me this." Francis puffed. "I'll make sure I give him the beating of his life and then hand him over to the cops."

"And you think such a person can be arrested easily? He's very rich, Francis. From my little knowledge, I know the rich tend to escape justice."

Francis scoffed, "I'm rich too. I don't care if his father is the richest man in this world - which I know he isn't - this man tried to r**e you for crying out loud. Don't you see the severity of his crime? He needs to pay and I'm going to make sure of that."

Obioma took her bottom lip into her mouth as she bit it gently.

"I know you care about me, Francis but we have to let this one go."

Francis's eyes widened, "What?!"