Beautiful Mask - Episode 21

Caroline:

"What the heck is this?" i exclaim and kelvin walk over to my bed and

peer at beatrice's phone which is now mine. We have been in the united

state for two weeks now and my scar is mostly gone. I just need one

more radiative scar removal session and we are good to go. Thoughts of

helping Simon has been the only thing keeping me going. Simon and i

have talked on the phone since i came here but it wasn't Caroline he

talked to. It was Beatrice. It kind of hurt when he talked about

meeting his mother to discuss the wedding. I told him i am in the

states for treatment. I wasn't specific about the kind of treatment

though and he didn't care to ask. That just shows that he doesn't care

about Beatrice.

"It's a new article" kelvin say, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Ofcourse i know its a news article. Why does it say Caroline pius

committed suicide when i am right here?" i ask and he just shrug his

shoulder. I narrow my eyes at him and he raises his hand up in

surrender.

"People were starting to look for you." he says

"why don't you want people to look for me? When this is over, how will

i get back to my life."

"You are no longer Caroline. You are Beatrice."

"What about my parents and friends? They would mourn me when i am

alive?" i ask incredulously.

"Let them mourn

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/beautiful-mask

. Its no big deal. They are not even your parents. You

have to concentrate on this plan so stop thinking about that article

and get some rest."

"Umm alright" i say and lie back on the bed. I close my eyes and feign

sleep. Some minutes later, i feel kelvin peck my fore head and i try

not to cringe. I wait until i hear the door open and shut before i

open my eyes and text Beatrice.

Caroline- pls tell me that stupid khalifa is ready to testify. P.s. I

Don't know how much of kelvin i can take before i lose my mind.

Few minutes pass before i get a reply.

Beatrice- don't know when you are with kelvin so i haven't called you

to tell you that khalifa remembers collecting money from a guy named

bullet to rape you. I want you to check kelvin's phone for anybody

named bullet and send the number to me. I think that is the name of

kelvin's henchman. If we can find bullet, we can finish our plans

sooner. Please be safe.

************************

Simon:

Marrying Beatrice seem to be more daunting each day. I still see

Caroline everywhere. Everything reminds me of her. My office chair

where she sat when i caught her that day, my house and even my bed. I

had to hide the sheets she slept on the day she slept at my house

because the sight of it always get to me. My mother is so enthusiastic

about the thought of me getting married and settling down. She came

back from dubai yesterday and i know she would start asking about

Beatrice. My phone vibrate in my pocket as i drive out of the company.

I bring my phone out and see my mother's name on the screen. I knew

she wouldn't stay quiet for long. She is more excited about this

marriage than i am. I put my wireless earpieace on and connect  the

call.

"Mom. Its so good to have you back" i say feigning excitement.

"Simon" she says. She sounds like she has been crying. What's going on?

"mom. Are you okay?"

"Simon, Caroline is dead. She committed suicide" my mom sob out and i

almost lose control of my car. I quickly drive off the road and park

my car.

"What do you mean she committed suicide?" i ask

"its on the news. Wait I'll send you the link after this call. It says

she wrote a letter before she jumped off a bridge. The letter said she

was depressed about her scar and nobody wanting her. Did you notice

her depression son?"

"no, mom" i nearly choke on my words. I don't understand. This doesn't

make any sense.

"Such a young and good girl. She was so selfless. Did i tell you about

how she saved me from a robber? Even when the robber was more than two

times her size, she still helped me."

"Oh" that's the only word i can say but my mom keeps talking.

"She has been through so much for her mother. Just few weeks ago, i

was able to contact her and she said she went to lagos for her

mother's surgery. She sounded a bit off and i should have asked her

about it."My mom starts crying on the other end of the phone.

"Its okay mother. Stop crying" I try to console her when all i want to

do is scream in agony.

"I am sorry, son. My emotions are just all over the place. I just need

to rest. Goodbye Simon"

"goodbye mom" i say and end the call. My grip on the steering wheel

tighten till my knuckles show red.

"Caroline, why the heck do you keep torturing me.

Read " A woman's dilemma " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I should hate you

but the knowledge of your death is like ripping my heart out of my

chest." i bite back tears and anger. And frustration. The vision goes

blurry as hot tears blind me.

"Why! Why! Why!" i scream while continuously hitting the steering

thereby honking the loud car horn. The noise startle me and that's

when i notice the police man knocking on my window. I take in a deep

breathe and wind down. The police man shine a bright torch in my face

and i have a strong urge to break the stupid torch.

"Are you okay sir?"

"yes sir" i plaster a fake smile on my face.

"Then i suggest you leave. This is a no parking zone" he says

"am sorry. I'm leaving now" I say then wind up. I raise a hand to the

police in form of thanks and zoom off towards home.

"ga, one girl dey for inside they wait for you. I for not let am

enter but i remember say she don come here before" my gate man says as

soon as i drive into my compound. I trust that he wouldn't let in a

stranger so i just nod.

Who do you think the visitor is?.