9. THE PAST 9

Yvonne avoided Raymond like a plague in the house for days and later, came to terms with it. Yvonne didn't confront Susan instead she stayed clear of her to avoid any trouble and to also hide what happened from her parents. Most times, Susan sends threatening messages to her once in a while, always insisting on taking Raymond from her. Yvonne had her doubts about the whole thing with Raymond but brush them off. Raymond felt relieved after telling Yvonne what happened between him and Susan for 3 years. He had been wanting to tell Yvonne but don't know how to start or how to tell her. He is happy now that it had been settled. That morning, He called Yvonne for the vacation, Susan had called him up threatening to tell Yvonne what happened. He panicked and called Yvonne without thinking, the first thing that came to his mind was a vacation which he said. It was after he dropped her call, he realized what he said. All he wanted was for her to hear from him first not someone else. After a week, they came back from their vacation. Raymond and Yvonne went to their respective companies and resumed work. Something came up in one of the Malconde's branches in Canada and Yvonne was sent to check it out. That same week, The main headquarter which houses all the other companies of The Malcondes was in jeopardy. Their sales were going down drastically, day by day. Their shipments were either reported missing or drowned. Mr. Malconde, Derek, wasn't happy with the situation he was in. He had looked at every detail for any slight mistake as to why things were going down but nothing fertile and now, he was looking for ways to get his company out of the mess they were in. Some weeks after, someone known as The Boss came with a proposal that could help Derek and would at the same time benefit him, Boss. "I don't think I can work with this," Derek said pointing at the files in front of him. The Boss laughed at what he said, "You don't have a choice, Derek. It's your only option out of this mess, you're in." "We can't share the profit equally, It's my company." He argued. "The company you aren't capable of taking care of and won't probably exist in a few months from now." He said in a raised voice. "This is the only way out." He pointed at the files. "Thanks for your help, Mr. Boss but I don't want this." Pushing the files back to The Boss. The Boss stood up, "Okay. You can reach out to me when you're ready. The deal is always available." He dropped his Business Card on the table and left. Derek was confused about what to do, he told his friend about it for advice and he was told to accept the proposal but he rejected it. The following week, things took another turn, worse than before. Their investors pulled out their contract, some of the other companies couldn't continue their work, and were closed down. Derek was frustrated. Every idea he came up with was turned down, most times, he would remember what The Boss said to him. He thought of it for long and told his wife, Mary. "I would support any decision you make, Honey." She said to him to which he nodded. The next day at the office, he called him up and scheduled a meeting. Both parties' lawyer was present to finalize the deal and serve as witnesses to the signed documents. For months, everything was going according to plan. Yvonne came back from Canada. Derek handed over to Yvonne to continue from where he stopped. He didn't tell Yvonne what had happened as he had settled it. Yvonne was in the office, going through some records when she heard a beep from her phone. She brought it out to check the message, "Good Luck, getting him back. From the soon-to-be MRS. RUSSELLS." Showing Live on the TV was Mr. Russells, Roland, who signed on some documents and passed them over to Raymond who also signed on them. "MR RUSSELLS HAS HANDED OVER THE AUTHORITY AND THE CONTROL OF HIS COMPANY TO HIS SON, RAYMOND RUSSELLS." She smiled, reading what was written until she read something else which made her stand in shock, "Ma'am..." She raised her hand to shut her secretary who had just entered, without looking at him. Her gaze was focused on the TV. "FAMOUS HANDSOME BACHELOR, RAYMOND RUSSELLS ENGAGES HIS MYSTERY GIRLFRIEND, SUSAN FABIAN." She couldn't believe her eyes, she closed her eyes and opened them again to be sure of what she was seeing. She screamed in pain and dropped to her knees. She looked at the TV in disbelieve, she could feel different emotions swirling in her, not knowing either to cry or laugh. She brought out her phone and called him, right on the TV, she watched as he took out his phone, checked the caller and ended the call. She took her bag and rushed out of the office, she went straight home. "Mom... Dad..." She called after her parents from outside before she got into the house. She ran to her Dad's study in tears for him to console her but met him gripping his chest in pain. "Dad!!! What is wrong with you?" She knelt in front of him, holding his hand. "Yvo... Yvonne... Am sorry... Am..." He stopped to cough. "Why are you sorry? Where is Mom?" "Am sorry... Some problems came up when you were in... in Canada. A man known as The Boss brought a proposal to help me..." He explained to her in detail what happened. "Dad, What has it got to do with what is happening to you?" She brought out her phone to call their family doctor but he held her phone back, "I suspected the proposal was somehow fraudulent so I rejected the proposal the first day he brought it." He told her how things became worse the following week, the reasons he had to call him back and finalize the deal. "The agreement was that all profits made will be his for 3 months then the other months to come, the profits will be shared 50/50." He gripped his chest, groaning in pain. "Dad, I need to call an ambulance. Stop talking, whatever it is we will get through it. I can't bear to see you are in pain, please." She cried loudly. "We were raided yesterday, Baby. We are accused of importing fake shipments. Everything is gone." Tears rolled down his face. "We will call the Boss to help us this last time, Dad. I am sure he would help." "The proposal is fake, same as The Boss. There is no evidence that a deal was made. There was no deal, he was the one in charge of the shipments. Nothing... Not..." He struggled in her arms. "Dad... No... No... There will surely be a way out. Dad..." "Tell your Mom, I love her always." He raised his hand to touch her cheek, "Baby, I love you for...ever..." Coughs. "You are the best child... any... one... would ask... for. Be strong for your Mom..." He gave up the ghost right in her arms. She screamed in pain, all emotions came at once and all she could do was to cry for her loss, her Dad, and her lost love. She called her Mom, "Mom... Home... Help." Those were the words she could make out before she collapsed, she couldn't take it all in. She had thought her heart and body would have gotten used to the pain but as soon as she regained consciousness, everything came rushing back. She had expected to see Raymond beside her but instead was her Mom lying on the bed, across her, with a drip connected to her hand. They were admitted for a week and later discharged. She settled the hospital bills with her savings and also things needed for her Dad's burial. Her dad died of a heart attack from the rumor of him involving himself in fraudulent activities, they have concluded his company has been operating on illegal means. He left them with nothing but his memories and with little to no family or friend's assistance. All of their property was seized from them, their accounts were frozen by the government officials. No company or house in any country was left. She tried reaching out to Raymond but no fertile result, after many trials, she called their homeline to reach him but someone else picked, "Hello. Who am I unto?" She whispered, "It's Yvonne." She closed her eyes in pain. She could feel the person moving and stop, "My childhood best friend. You called to wish or celebrate me?" Susan said. "Susan... I believe you are finally happy? You have got him, I see." "I heard about what happened to your Dad. I must say..." "Keep your words to yourself, Suzzy. I wish you well. If you may, extend my greetings to your fiance for me." She laughed, "I would deliver your greetings to him." Yvonne ended the call. She wished she had ended things before when Susan came to tell her about what happened between them, maybe the pain won't have been as bad as this. Everyone wanted nothing to do with them. She convinced her mom that the best they could do is to move far away from there. Her mom saw reasons with her and they went away, "FARAWAY TO START AFRESH."