Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen: A visit to the Attorney’s abode

Rick Anthony’s house was just a lone building stood in between a small lake and a route to a farm. My hands fidgeted my head banged as a whirlwind of thoughts spring in and out of my head. I touched the doorbell and quickly took my hands out like a wave of electricity had passed through me. Then I went for it , this time I made sure I tweaked the switch and as I did, I knew that there was no going back now. Mrs Rick glowing in her dark wiry dun–coloured shiny skin stood in front of the door holding it .

“

morning Mrs Rick,” I said.

“Regina this be you?

thought I’d see you again after all these years.” She said, “Come here,” She moved in for a hug. Her eyes were the color of jade, her hair a deep ochre with few strands

of

gray hair lining the sides of the perfectly arranged bun. She would have looked younger if not for

the few lines of wrinkles that stayed by the side of her eyes as she smiled.

Darling, who is by the door?” I heard Rick’s wary voice from within.

“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you ”

“Well, I’d rather see for myself.” His voice echoed as he came out.

Regina.” He called out. I flung myself on him in a warm hug as tears filled my eyes. It had indeed been a long time since I set my eyes on the couple.

Rick even in his seventies still rocked his body. He wrapped his hands around his wife’s curvaceous, goblet–

waist. Pressing his dark lips on her cheek as they walked in

“Darling you to let you know I have my hands filled and we have a guest now.

“Oh Regina is no ,” He said with his arms still wrapped around her waist.

“Welcome my dear.” She outstretched her hands towards me and I returned her kind gesture with a warm smile. Her nails were long and lacquered perched on nimble fingers. “Welcome to our home, please have seat,” She said with a welcoming smile. I could see her eyes were paradise–green with a berry–red lips gloss spread across her lips. Rick was certainly showering her with so much affection.

The living room was small and well–ventilated. There were lined–up picture frames small golden trophies and carved wooden awards lined up. The last time I was here, I could barely spell my name. I around checking out the pictures of Rick with his family on some family vacations.

“When did you take this?” Ashley asked after Rick had walked back into the living room.

“That was ten years during a vacation at the water pole“.

“You have a lovely family, and your daughter looks just like with her dainty nose just like yours.”

“Oh Grace she workaholic. Work at the Regional institute. Her husband comes once in a while.”

“Speaking of which, I saw the news. What’s going on ”

“Rick let her breath, I guess we’d have plenty of time for that

Soon the table was set, the aroma filled the room with a fresh smell of Chinese noodles mixed with a tint of ginger and whiskey.

“This looks nice.” I rested well on the seat with a napkin around my neck.

“My wife makes the best Chinese noodles“. Rick bragged. I saw the pinkish glow growing on the checks of Rick’s wife.

The hot and spicy taste from the elaborate concoction of spices and herbs used in making the broth, as well as the sizable amount of chili oil in the Chinese noodles settled well on my tongue as my taste bud screamed for joy. It was indeed the best I had tasted in a while. It had a hot sensation on my tongue as I continuously drank from the glass of fresh water to calm my spicy tongue.

We had lunch quietly, only the sips from our lips filled the entire room. On Intervals, I would find Rick or his wife’s eyes on me. It was like they could read through my thoughts.

“I know have a lot of questions as to why I would want to go against Thomas for the mayor’s position,” I said just after the .

“You know that is not the question I have for you.” Rick said, “Why are you here Regina?”

“Come on Rick, I came to see you. It’s been many years.”

“You come to see me the same time go against your husband for the mayor’s position? Regina, I have known you from the day were , there is nothing shallow about you.

going ”

“Thomas and I are separated.”

“Oh darling, how have you ”

“It’s been rough for years now. I’ve been quite patiently hoping that he will come back to . But until recently I realized that I have been living a life for Thomas. Right now I have found my peace and I know that I would be a better Mayor for the town and Thomas.”

“I had been your father’s lawyer for so long up until the day he died. I would say I know so much about you to know when you are unhappy and seek revenge.

“Being mayor little to do about Thomas At think so. Mr Rick you are influential and your utmost support would be valued.”

You know you have my support already. Our support,” He glanced at his wife and then back at me.‘

“But before something like is done, you need to ask yourself why your opponent would likely not be suitable for this. Why do you feel Thomas is incapable?

“That’s easy, he is selfish and cares only for himself. He only wants to be the mayor to gain some popularity himself.

know this I have been his wife for two decades.”

“Wow, this just keeps getting interesting. Thomas didn’t seem like that kind of man. I mean you guys have been married for how long? Twenty years?”

30

“I guessed it only took a couple of years to reveal one’s true self.”

“But you guys were good together. You never seemed unhappy. They must have seen signs to all of

Signs? They were all over the place, but I guess I overlooked them. For Thomas It was never about his flaws. With him it was just him and everything that came with him, I thought I could ignore everything until it all came down on me, I caught him in bed with the same girl he claimed was his personal assistant. He forgets special things about me including my fucking birthday. I guess it was time I moves.”

“I am glad you survived it all. Rick, your parents saying anything. Regina is like a daughter to us.”

“I had always known this day would come.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have been waiting for the right time to tell you this. I guess there will be no better time than now.

“What are you talking about?”

He exhaled forcefully as he began. His words changed every aspect of my life.