chapter two

Chapter two

( 5 : 45 ).

Anita sighed in relief the moment she drove into the driveway and finally into a parking spot.

Without wasting much time she climbed out her car combing through her curly hair before tightening her grip on her purse , her eyes scanned through the countless cars before forcing on the small church which was painted gray and was neither far nor close .

Her phone beep loudly as she pulled out her phone checking the message with almost disappointment.

" Huh ! "

She inhaled deeply sliding her phone back before locking the door and simply further her steps towards the direction of the church ,her steps were neither fast nor slow .

Until she came in front of the brown wooden door which was slightly opened, glaring down her wrist watch she couldn't help but sigh in relief .

" It's just 5 : 45 "

She muttered walking in only to be welcome by the humming of the choirs and the feeling of familiarity.

Her eyes travel round the small church Which smell of wood with the hint of roses,

and finally her eyes on the members.

which seemed to be lost in their own world of singing and worship and finally at the pastor whom eyes were closed but his hands held high singing alongside with the choirs .

" Where's Barnabas ? "

She asked silently glaring round in search for her son ,

who was spotted in the mixed of the choirs holding a mic and humming along

which made her smile warmly finally sittings on a bench close by which was at the back before shutting both eyes letting the song sink deep into her heart and soul.

After few more seconds of listening to the humming of the song ( powerful ! Powerful ! Lord )

she prayed silently deep in her heart as she careless her stomach lightly,

eyes now on the pastor who warmly gazed at his members opening his Bible so as the rest expect for Anita who didn't bring any

" Love ! today we will be talking about love "

She heard him voice out which attracted the members attention .

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Barnabas smile softly the moment his little eyes spotted his mother who seemed to be engrossed in the teaching .

" What are you staring at ? "

One of the female choirs asked the little boy who smiled the more pointing out his mother and gently whispered into her ears

" That's my mummy "

He pointed out in proud making the other smile tapping his head gently

" Hmm "

She replied glaring back at the pastor only for Barnabas to look aside towards the windows his lips parted into a frown staring a very familiar figure who hid behind the pillars

This wasn't the first time he had caught this stranger peeking at him among the mist of crowds at times he couldn't help but wonder if he was seeing things but each time he couldn't help but being scared

his small eyes not leaving the Same spot for mere seconds before feeling a gentle tap

" What are you staring at this time ? "

The lady voice asked out this time very low and soft which caught his attention.

" Nothing "

His reply was short, childish and was simply ignored. thinking he was just messing around,

but not Barnabas whom world was pure and pure and his lips parted in fear watching the white figure moved around placing his hands into his pocket

" Love your neighbor as yourself "

This word was quick to attract his attention,

he could clearly remember the words his mother had echo into his ears last night while reading the Bible to him .

" Love those who hate you and forgive those who forsake you "

The pastor continue leaving Anita to ponder over his words

" That was hard "

She muttered not certain for herself but yet again it was what every Christian must practice

The preaching continue for an extra hour before it came to an end .

Anita who was sited silently at the back watched each and every individual leave ,

her hands rubbing her tummy still in a daze only to feel a tag on her sleeve which bought her back to reality

" Mummy ! "

The little kid yelled happily not hiding his smile which made her smile as well

" So did you enjoy the service ? "

Anita who was in daze

felt embarrassed for the late reply

" Good "

He yelled loudly before running towards an older figure who was tall , bold , his hair was white and black and a warm smile on his wrinkle face

" Father ! "

She exclaimed while standing

" My dear you indeed made it "

He said his voice deep but rough only to feel another force tagging him below,

looking down he smiled at his grandson who pointed out a distance towards the windows

" Grandpa I saw an angel "

He informed about his new discovery which made the two smiled at his words but didn't say a word about it .

" Father ! I want to talk to you about something "

Anita said like a whispered catching Mr Samuel attention

" What's the problem please tell me "

Samuel asked his daughter in law who shook her head unwilling

" Maybe later it's private "

She said simply which made him nodded in understanding

" Shall we go I will drop you off "

She offer simply only for Samuel to decline .

" Don't bother I won't be leaving for now, you both should head home it's already late "

He said only for Anita to nod dragging her son who simply waved at him exposing his set of white teeth, as both Walk out through the entrance.

" Father ! "

A male voice rang into his ear which caught his attention staring back he could only find a certain boy running up to him with a panicked expression .

" Joseph what's the matter ? "

He asked rather softly letting the Young teen took in some deep breath from the short running,

before Joseph hand over an brown envelope which he took with a blank expression.

" What's this ? "

He asked only for Joseph to frowned

" It came from mrs Melody gang this morning "

He replied simply

" Why did you take it ? "

He asked harshly only for Joseph to stretch his head embarrassedly

" Sorry father but I did try to chased them unfortunately they refused to leave instead they intended to break in forcefully so I had no choice but to accept it "

He explained himself only for Samuel to sighed .

Opening the envelope to see what was inside only to find a piece of white sheet of paper in other words a contract .

" Another land contract "

He muttered to himself rubbing his chin before staring at Joseph who smiled silly at him .

" This matter shouldn't be discussed outside "

He warned placing the contract back into the envelope

" Hmm don't worry I won't tell a soul "

He assured Samuel looking down at the envelope with a complicated look

" What are we going to do ? "

He asked the already worried Samuel who sighed even though he didn't see what was written in the contract .

He do know it wasn't something good, if it was coming from a certain woman ( Melody )

" I didn't get to talk to your brother on Monday,

where is him by the way ? "

Samuel asked changing the topic only for Joseph to smug his shoulder

" I don't really know,

he was supposed to come help out with the choirs but he never showed up "

Joseph explained simply not surprised .

" If he do comes tell him I asked for him, it's important I talk to him "

With that he walked passed Joseph who smiled but nodded

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Samuel office

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Sited on his chair with a worried expression was Samuel who would glance at his phone every two seconds .

The gentle breeze of the night blew gently into the office cooling down the temperature which felt cool but not Samuel who was like fire in his mind .

" You can come out I know you are there "

Samuel glared sideway at a dark corner his eyes not leaving the spot after few seconds tall figure walked out .

His black pupils on Samuel who didn't seemed to be surprised and only watched him took few steps forward .

" Tell your madam that am not interested in selling my

church "

He informed calmly not intending to beat around the bush neither did he show any signs of fear just anger, This wasn't his first time seeing such things

" If you continue rejecting the madam proposal you might end up dead "

He threatened with a hint of concern which Samuel didn't seem to miss

" I am already old and not afraid of dead.

however I am not that easy to get bully tell your madam that this church isn't a building which could be easily be sell out like a auction house to just anyone "

He voice out torning the envelope into little pieces snd tossing it into a small container by the side

" Let this be the last time I hear from her cause if this continue

I will file a complain about your madam continues harassment and she will have to suffer the consequences of her illegal actions "

He threatened with a serious expression his hands hitting the table in a warning manner only for the figure to frowned .

" Are you challenging her ? "

He asked Samuel who simply nodded

" I've been quiet for long enough,

if this continues I will take legal action and don't think I don't have evidence I do have many "

His words harsh and brows frowned he truly mean it .

He was truly tired from all the threatening words of madam Melody and his long last patience was running out mostly when it comes to his family

" She had gone too far "

He spite out grinding his teeth just in thought of his grandson exposing to danger .

" Then I will pass the message "

The man said his voice light but held some authority to it.

as he make his way towards the entrance silently

" And also I will prefer if you don't show up again, I don't want others to misunderstand "

He muttered loudly watching the door slide open and then closed letting him breath out in relief , his eyes on the small family ablum before shutting both eyes

" I hope he's not causing

trouble "

He murmured under his breath thinking about Moses

" Hopes he's okay "

He prayed sincerely opening both eyes

" Melody ! "

He muttered out in distress thinking back to the days she came into his life

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Flesh back to seven months ago

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At Lola Restaurant

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Samuel gazed at his son photo while smiling

sipping from his brown coffee while sliding his phone into his pocket .

" Do you need anything sir ? "

The Walter asked Samuel who simply shook his head

" Just water "

He replied watching the Walter walk away taking more orders from the next table.

" Hmm ! "

He hummed the moment he sighted a familiar figure , a woman who was dressed in a red body hug sleeveless gown exposing her curves ,

Her hair parked into a pony tail and her white face was clothed in a mask and sunglasses.

Her steps was slow but steady and her purse moved slightly approaching close to his table which made him stood up

" Mrs Melody please have a seat "

He offer quickly recognizing her in a glance

" You are Samuel the pastor right ? "

She asked taking off her glasses while sitting on the opposite side as Samuel

" Yes I am "

He replied quickly in a gentle manner

" I heard from a friend that you are interested in fonding the church and for that thank you "

He humbily said which made her smirk but didn't seemed to care

" I do have a condition "

She voiced out which surprise him a little

" What condition ? "

He asked either way

" I will buy a new building and you and your members have to move there for your follow ship and other worshipping service at the new site "

She offered only for Samuel to frowned in confusion

" I don't understand miss "

He calmly voice out suspiciously only for Melody to gazed at her purse bringing out some shots of papers

" I want you to sell that building to me don't worry call any amount money is not my problem "

She explained in a lazy manner only for Samuel to stand which startled her but still maintain a calm but yet lazy expression

" If that's so then I rather not get the fond of the church,

my church isn't something that can be Moved or sell

so I refuse to such condition "

🦋. Chapter five 🦋

Samuel who was so lost in thought was startled by the ringing of his phone ,

  Holding his chest and breathing lightly , his eyes fail on his cell phone which he picked from his desk.

checking who the caller was before placing the phone on his right ear

" Hello ! "

""""""""""'''''''''""" CP law firm """""'

       Moses office

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Moses yawned tiredly for the fifth time rubbing both eyes sleepy,

  his eyes still scanning through the new set of files in a complicated expression .

" Sir aren't you leaving ? "

Leo asked softly yawning through the process only to receive a disproven stare from precious

" You've been overworking yourself lately, if this continues you might harm your health "

Percious advised her voice soft and nice and filled with concerned only to be elbow by Leo by the side who was completely ignored

" You both should head home am quite sure you're tired "

He replied his voice hoarse and weak but yet his eyes never leaving the files

" And you ? "

Leo Chip in uneasy only to be glared at by Moses who sighed understanding their concerned

" Don't worry there's just a few other case's that needs to be check, when am done I will head home as well " 

He assured them both glaring at his wrist watch which was 1:30 pm before staring back at Leo

" It's already late your mother must be worried "

He reminded Leo who frowned upon listening to Moses

" But - - "

Before he could complete the sentence  he was interrupted by a tap on his back

" Don't worry I will stay and help sir you go home and attend to Aunt "

Percious voice out with proud

" there's no need to trouble yourself an almost done and besides it's best you also leave as well  remember your father is still at the hospital am quite sure ,he's already waiting for you . So it's better you head back don't keep your father waiting "

Percious sighed softly but nodded .while Leo strach his head embarrassedly

" Okay "

Leo half yelled picking up his backpack while turning off his laptop so as percious before furthering their steps out from the office .

    Leaving Moses to simply attend to his work ,his eyes never glued back on the files as he tap on the keyboards with seriousness

30 minutes later he stood stretching a little before taking some few steps towards the window for some fresh air to clear his clouded mind .

  before looking down it was already dark and the chilling , the air was enough to make someone body goes numb .

but was simply ignore by Moses who breath in the cold air lost in thought only for something to caught his eyes

the strange movement from a glance was enough to make one suspicious.

" What's that ? "

He asked himself noticing a figure running into the distance and two others sitting more or less laying unto the floor .

He took him few more minutes to determine who they were through the ray of the moon

" isn't that leo ! "

He murmured under his breath rushing passed the sets of table grabbing his phone and finally out the door into the hallway , With a complicated expression on his face

  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

     Outside the law firm

"''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''"""""""""""""""""""""

Leo breath in agony as he lay on floor his eyes watery and drowsy staring at percious who was adding pressure on the stab wound which was bleeding

" Help ! "

She cried her eyes watery and red sobbing through the process

" Help ! "

She choke feeling helpless only to hear hurry footsteps behind    looking back to find Antonio who was half way towards them.

    his pupils wild in shock as he examine Leo from the distance silently before rushing towards him carefully

" Boss ! Leo is bleeding "

She blabber out not actually sure what what she was even saying

" What happened ? "

He asked as he hurry towards his car which wasn't far being followed by percious

" A group of men just attack us and took our bags they also try to - to "

She suddenly pause adjusting her shirt , fear written all over her face that's when Antonio noticed the buries on her face and neck .

" Open the door "

He ordered only for percious to held The handle of the door to find it locked

" It's locked sir the keys "

She struggled with the handle in distress only for Antonio to hissed remembering

  he had left the key up in the office in a hurry to get to them both.

  dropping Leo who was paled on the cold floor making him hissed weakly

" Apply pressure on the wound "

He instructed percious who silently did  what she was told , her browns sweating and her hands shaking from fear itself

Soon the continuously hitting of the glass window caught her attention

" Sir !!! "

She cried out her voice filled with fear gazing at her hands which was now cover in red

Soon the shattering of glass caught her attention as it fall on all sides like rain

" Hiss ! "

He moaned painfully feeling stinging on his elbow side but still unlock the doors helping Leo into the backseat .

so as percious who continue adding pressure on the wound the moment she sitter .

     while him climbed onto the driver seat starting the engine with the spare keys kept on the holder,

before starting the car and simply drove the car in the dark almost hitting some trees through the process turning on the lights to guard his way properly into the main road .

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            The hospital

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( An hour later )

Moses hissed holding his right arm in agony , his eyes never leaving the ICU which Leo was rolled in minutes ago .

Even though the hospital wasn't well equipped due to the continuous complained he had heard of , he had no choice since it was the only one closer to the law firm .

" You are injured too ? "

Percious pointed out her eyes on his sleeve which was also soaked in blood up to his shoulder

" Am good this isn't my blood "

He assured the already nervous percious who pale the more staring at her hands which was dyed in red .

" Precious !! "

He called out catching her attention her eyes red and swollen from all the crying and her voice hoarse as well

" What happened ? "

He couldn't help but ask feeling the need to know however before she could open her mouth

he suddenly felt painful all over he couldn't help but think that he had dislocated his shoulder.

     " Ding ding "

all of the sudden he felt his phone vibrated in his pocket which caught his attention .

  Taking few steps forward away from percious who stared his way vividly with fear

" Am coming "

He reassure her as he struggle to grab his phone from his pocket before answering with an hiss yet again

" Hello !"

He voice out feeling pains all over

" Honey you okay ? you sound wounded "

Anita asked sounding concerned only for Moses to force a smile

" Of course not I just bumped my leg into my desk no need to worry "

He replied simply sounding soft and calm which made her relax a little bit

" You really not coming home tonight ? "

She asked hopefully only for Moses to frowned at the question

" Not tonight maybe on Monday I promise "

He replied simply which made her sighed disappointedly

" You know I really miss you, you're never at home these days am both worried and sad "

She informed while smiling which made him felt guilty

" Sorry ! "

He apologized head down only for her to laugh at his apologize

" Am not angry just worried you are always putting yourself in danger which always make me uneasy "

She continue simply staring side

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