Try Again
RHETT
It's been weeks since the last confrontation, or rather since I was disowned by a man who should care about me. Not just him but my brother as well.
I still needed to do something, even though I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do.
As I placed the cigarette remains on the platter, I heaved a sigh. The kind that showed how frustrated I am and would be for a long time if something was not done about it.
Standing on my feet, I reached the closet where a towel was snatched. At least, before anything else, I needed to take a bath. My legs, once more and as usual, led me into the bathroom where I took my bath, and by the time I had come out, it looked like I had an idea.
Although I wasn't sure about it and should look for something else to use against Raymond. As the case may be, there was no way I could prove all my accusations right without evidence. Just like Grandfather asked.
“Shit!”
Hitting my hand on the strong wall, I pushed open the door of my room, leading my way through the hallway and catching up with the stairs.
In a short while, I had reached my living room, settled on a couch, and started to think about what to do or rather, since it seemed like I knew what to do—I was more concerned about how to go about it.
In the past, I knew a woman who hated my brother with so much passion.
Although the rivalry between Raymond and I didn't start recently, we had tried on several occasions to get along and one of these times, he invited me over to his company for an important hangout.
Who does a hangout in his company?
The thought of it alone made me angry but I still had to go. Just in case there was something there for me to lay my hands on. To my utmost disappointment, there was nothing at all to lay hands on. Not even a Bic was seen at that hangout. If only I had access to his office, then I would have had something—anything at all to use against him.
Just something!
But maybe I do.
Maybe I did all this while and didn't know.
The grimace on my countenance changed to a smile and I adjusted on the couch, heaving a sigh from time to time while I tried so hard to think straight and not be confused.
I still could not help the confusion.
There was a woman I met at the hangout.
The same way I hate Raymond happened to be the same way she hates him. I could see it in her eyes that day and fortunately for the both of us, we had the same issue.
If Raymond got married before I did, he would take everything just as he has. And Victoria, the woman I met, would lose the company because she had eyes on it. Together, we were hopeful that these things would be ours—sitting together, we talked about it, and laughed at Raymond because of the loss that was on the way for him.
But how could we have known?
How could we have known that he had his plans as well?
“Shit!” I shouted again, hitting myself.
The phone resting next to me on the couch was picked and I searched for her contact.
Did I delete it at some point? I didn't think so, I recalled and continued the search, stopping at some point to think about the name I saved her contact with.
She had given it to me, against my wish and now that I thought about it, I was more than glad to have taken her contact. Now what? Where was it? Did I delete it?!
Again, I picked up the device and started to search, one by one. One by one—slowly and slowly until I came across the number I was looking for, the grimace on my countenance changing to a smile while I, once again, relaxed my back on the chair. “Yes. Now what?”
How was I going to let her know about my reason for calling her? What was my reason for calling her this evening? Looking at the screen of my phone, I was about to let myself understand how useless this suggestion was, especially when I didn't have the slightest idea what I was calling for. What the fuck was wrong with me?
Standing on my feet, I began to pace the space.
Which was better?
Take some rest and come back to think again, or do the thinking once and for all before taking some rest? When does it ever end? When would all of these come to an end?
I reached the diner, and looked at the table before walking past it. My legs led me into the kitchen so that I could fix something—anything at all to eat. After my meal, I should come up with something to do about the situation.
Before the end of the next hour, I had finished making a pot of food. My legs led me back to the diner but with a tray of food, and there was me who looked at the screen of my phone with hopes that I could at least, come up with something right now and already.
I didn't.
After my meal, then. In conclusion, I took a seat on the chair and started to eat.
One spoon after the other, and I could feel strength coming into my bones and even inside of me. They rushed through my veins like blood and finally, the miraculous idea I waited for since a while ago, popped up in my head.
“Yes!”
Happily, I stopped eating.
Who knows? I might lose this idea before the next minute and in order for that not to happen, I picked up my phone, and dialed the number without thinking twice while waiting for the woman—Victoria to pick up.
“Pick up, bitch. Do you think I have all day? I have a battle to win in case you've forgotten!” In anger, I mouthed this and many more while waiting for the moment when I would hear her voice.
“Shit!”
Ending the current call, I put another spoonful of the food in my mouth. Once again, I picked up the phone and dialed the contact. What if she changed numbers at some point? What if she didn't? If she did, it shouldn't be ringing, or should it? I glanced at the phone screen again before placing it back in my ear and waiting.
“Hello, there.”
Finally!
“Hello, ma'am. Good morning.”
“Good morning,” from the other end, a voice I didn't know if the owner was younger or the old woman I met at the hangout that day, sounded. “Who am I unto?”
“I'm Rhett,” I let out, standing on my feet. “Rhett Jefferson. Do you remember me?”
“I'm afraid not.”
How could she say that?
Wasn't this Victoria?
“I'm sorry, but am I unto Victoria?”
“Yes, and who are you? Although your name sounds familiar, I don't think I know any Rhett.”
“You do, ma'am.” I attacked.
“We met at the hangout many months ago. Last year, to be precise. In my brother's company. His name is Raymond Jefferson. Does this ring a bell already, Victoria?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!” Again, she shouted. “How have you been, Mr. Rhett? It's so nice to hear from you again.”
“My pleasure, Victoria. I was wondering if you saw the latest happening with my brother. I mean, do you know he got married a while ago?”
“Oh, well—”
She scoffed from the other end. “I heard and saw pictures of the event everywhere in the media. Looks like we've lost a battle we thought we'd win from the onset.” A laugh ran out of her mouth, while anger was written on my face. “I don't know. I am tired of trying because I won't win.”
“No, don't say that, Victoria.”
“What?” She scoffed again. “You needed to see how hopeful I was to lay my hands on those documents because he wasn't married and the last time we checked, he wasn't in a relationship unless it was a secret which I doubted. What happened? Until now, I don't know what to say.”
“That's where I need you to think,” I let out. “Come on, Victoria. Can't you see?” I laughed, ready to speak again.
“How about a meeting? How about we see and talk about this? It could be a way forward and there are things you should also know about this marriage.”
“What is that? Tell me.”
“No, not over the phone. We need to see each other in person before I let it out. It could be useful information to you, Mrs. Victoria. What do you say about a meeting?”
“When do we see?”
That was all I wanted to hear. Yes!
“Tomorrow afternoon at a private restaurant. I'll share the location of this restaurant with you. See you there.”