Chapter 21 COWARD
\[DREXTON’S HOUSE\]
Drexton was sitting on a chair, staring upright as darkness enveloped him. The room was eerie in the darkness as the lights were off. The only light in his room was the reflection of the diamond watch that gleamed in his hand.
His eyes were shut as he played with the strap. He was well aware that what he held against Ixora wasn’t because she attempted to steal his watch.
The watch being kept in his office that day was just to trap her and make her think he hated her because of the watch. He knew she was in dire need of money that day for the surgery, but he needed something to make her fall into his trap...and she fell right into it without realizing.
He wouldn’t deny that the watch wasn’t important to him—the watch was his life, the source of everything he owned now.
His life was meaningless when compared to the watch. He rubbed the surface of the watch as he went down memory lane.
\[FLASHBACK, 21 YEARS AGO\]
“Dad, why did you call me?” Little Drexton asked.
His father gave him a sign using his head. Drexton understood the sign and went to sit on his father’s lap.
“So, Dad, tell me.”
Eric opened his palm, and the watch shone so brightly that Drexton had to close his eyes before opening them.
“Wow, Dad, is that a diamond? Where did you get it? It doesn’t matter, we are going to be rich and finally leave this house,” Drexton said with a smile as he collected the watch and stared at it in admiration.
Eric smiled before collecting it back. “No son, we are not leaving here,” he said, and the smile on Drexton’s face fell.
“Why, Dad? I’ve heard that people with diamonds are considered rich. Since you have it, why can’t we leave this place?” Drexton asked, staring at his father.
Eric shook his head. He knew his son was so intelligent despite not going to school.
He opened Drexton’s palm and placed the watch in his palm.
“This is yours now,” he said, closing Drexton’s palm against the watch.
“Why are you giving it to me? What will I do with it? I don’t know how to use it,” Drexton said, his eyes still on his father.
“Someday, son, you will know how to use it, that I am sure of.”
“Since you are so sure of it, why don’t you use it and get us out of this hell we are in?”
“Drexton, mind your language,” Eric cautioned.
Drexton pouted as he climbed down his father’s body.
“You don’t love me and Mummy. You only want us to suffer, because if you truly loved us, you would have used the watch to get us out of here, not handing it over to me,” Drexton said as tears welled up in his eyes.
“You are not a good father.” He wanted to leave when Eric caught him and carried him back on his thigh, ignoring his stubbornness.
“Listen to me, okay. The watch is being passed down over generations. My father didn’t have the mind of a businessman; that’s why he lost everything, but was lucky enough to retain the watch. Sadly, I took after him. I know if I did anything using the watch, our condition today would be far worse than the one we are facing in this house. I might have taken after my father, but I know you are different.”
“But daddy—”
“The watch is your inheritance. Use it, utilize it, but don’t ever sell it to the point of letting it go. It marks the Blackthorn Lineage. I may not be rich to the point of having anything to give you, but I kept this one for you, and I know you will make good use of it. I can see it in you,” Eric added, and wiped the tears that were threatening to fall out of his eyes.
“I know you might see me as a failure, and I know that I have failed you as—”
Drexton placed his index finger on his lips.
“Don’t say that, Dad. I made a promise to Mum that I would make money and take you both out of here...now I’m telling you the same. Just wait a little longer, and I promise to get you out of here,” Drexton said, wrapping his tiny arms around his father’s neck.
Eric hugged him back, and during the hug, Drexton opened his palm and stared at the watch before folding his fist against it.
He looked ahead and saw his mother watching them with a smile on her face.
“I love you,” she mouthed and blew him a kiss.
Drexton smiled.
\--
\[THAT SAME DAY\]
“Daddy! Please! No! Daddy!!”
\--
\[REALITY\]
Drexton’s eyes fluttered open. They were red like bloodshot. He loosened his grip on the watch, and it slipped and fell on the bed.
He picked up his phone and went to his messages. Clicking on play pet, he began typing.
\[IXORA’S HOUSE\]
Ixora, who was on her way to the fridge, halted when her phone chimed. She saw it was a text, but before she could click it...
“Yes, I hope everything is in order,” Georgia said over her phone.
She was wearing a black bodycon gown that exposed some part of her cleavage and had slits on both sides. Her black heels blended with the black clutch bag she was holding. Her hair was packed in a tight ponytail, and it fell on her hips effortlessly; no doubt, she looked insanely gorgeous.
It was her campaign ceremony today. Georgia once ruled the state for three years but stepped down for some personal reason, but now she was back and wanted the position again.
“And the press, the coverage and everything. Nothing must go wrong today. Everything has to be perfect,” she said.
The feedback from the person made her satisfied. She hung up the call.
During the phone call, Ixora read the message. It was from Drexton asking...no, not asking, ordering her to come to a particular outhouse.
“Mum, you look so attractive,” Ixora said while walking close to her.
“Thank Xoxo. I have to leave now,” Georgia pecked her forehead.
“Mum, can I come with you?”
Georgia raised her brows. “When did you start going out with me?”
“Mum,” Ixora chuckled.
Her mum was right, she rarely went out with her mother, but Drexton had sent her a text. What if he comes to her house while she’s here all alone? Accompanying her mum to the campaign was the best option.
“I can start now,” she said.
“Now my daughter is acting like her mother, not following those paupers,”
“Stop it, mum,” Ixora said.
She knew her mom was referring to Hazel and her mother.
Georgia rolled her eyes. “Fine. Shall we?” she said, leading the way out.
Ixora smiled and checked her phone. The text was still there, so she sent a reply.
Ixora: Go to hell with your stupid orders.
“Are you still coming or not?” Georgia asked.
“Coming,” Ixora replied and went after her.
\[H.D. HALL\]
Paparazzi were walking in and out. Camera flashes filled the hall, and the media were making sure to cover the whole event. High-class society men and women, including politicians, were present.
Chairs and tables were well-decorated with fine China plates and silver glassware. It was just a campaign ceremony, but Georgia had lots of connections and had made herself so reputable in society that it had turned into a high-society party.
Georgia’s car screeched into the place, and reporters immediately swooned around their car. Georgia stepped out with Ixora.
Camera flashes covered their faces as reporters fought to write their story. Georgia had a smile on her face as she climbed the podium.
The reporters also noticed Ixora’s presence, but Georgia stole their attention. Ixora was dressed casually, much attention wasn’t on her.
She managed to find a spot for herself as she watched her mum waving to the crowd from the stage.
“Thank you—” loud claps erupted from the crowds, cutting her up.
She had to wait for it to die down before continuing.
“It’s my pleasure to be here today. I also want to thank you all for being able to attend it within the short time frame. As we are all aware, the election is coming up a few months from now, and we all know I was once the first lady, but had to step down for some private reasons. That’s all in the past now. I called you all today to let you know that I am interested in winning this time around. We all want a capable person,” she paused and faced the reporters.
“I am ready to answer all your questions,” she said, and they began throwing different questions at her, which she answered confidently.
Everybody stood clapping. Ixora stood too, but she wasn’t clapping, nor was her mind there. She was looking around because the strong effect Drexton had on her had settled in. Her eyes had scanned the entire crowd, but he was nowhere to be seen.
A text came to her phone.
Unknown: To the outhouse.
Ixora typed back.
Ixora: Show yourself, you coward.
Immediately, she sent that...
Boom.
The lights went off.
Bang.
A bullet was fired.
Click.
The lights came back on, and Georgia was nowhere to be found.
“Mum,” Ixora muttered.
“Mum!!!” she shouted, rushing outside the hall.
She looked around, her heart thudding loudly against her ribcage.
“Mum!” she shouted again, and that was when she saw people gathered while murmuring and making calls.
She hurried towards the crowd and squeezed herself in-between them. Her eyes widened when she saw Georgia lying on the ground with her eyes closed.
“Mum!!!” she screamed.