MUMMY! IS HE MY DADDY?

Climbing the stairs, Hazel hesitated at the entrance of the library. A knot tightened in her stomach, a familiar reaction to her husband's unpredictable moods. She stood motionless in the hallway, attempting to compose herself. Taking a deep breath, she knocked firmly on the door. The sound echoed through the silent corridor, met only by more silence. Undeterred, she knocked again, and then again.

Her shoulders sagged as she turned to leave, the weight of anticipation heavy on her.

"Who the hell is that?!" The voice thundered from within, with irritation.

"Dinner is served," Hazel called out, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Fine!" The dismissal came swiftly, leaving Hazel with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

Descending to the dining area, Hazel perched on a chair, eyes fixed on the doorway. The minutes stretched, and her mind raced with thoughts of her husband's imminent arrival.

~~~~~~~

Inside the library •••

He sat back on a huge chair, tapping one hand on the table impatiently. His dark eyes remained fixed on the phone lying before him, conscious that dinner was ready twenty minutes ago.

A call came in---

He declined it---

"Dammit" his palm slapped the table. This was the third time he had declined his big boss call. Knowing what he was calling for, isn't ready. How long would it take his henchmen to deliver the parcel he sent them for?---

~~~~~~

In the dinning room, Hazel was staring at the beef. Should she or should she not send it back to the kitchen to be kept warm?

If her husband was going to be much longer it would be cold and he would hate it. But again, if she sent it back there would be delay. And he was always impatient.

"But surely you knew I was just coming!"

He would always nag her. They had been married for eight months, she has lived with him since she was twenty. And she dreaded the fact that, whenever she was near him her mind oscillated to and fro, whether he was pleased with the way she stood, talked or ate.

Hazel had adored him the numerous times he came to their house to discuss with her father. She will hide behind the curtain, and admire the his sharply curved face, heart shaped lips, and the deep dark eyes she hope would gaze at her even for a second.

Her joy knew no bound, the day her father broke the news to her that she would be living with her crush. She spent the entire day gazing out window, waiting for him. The moment she sighted his car, she ran out and embraced him. Surprisingly, he returned the hug, and escorted her to his car, where she sat in the front. She sat inside the car and saw her dad sign some papers, she didn't bother asking because to her she had won. When he got into the car, he smiled at her

"I'll look after you, he said nicely, don't worry about things I'll take care of you" he smiled a very attractive smile. she ducked shyly. All the girls in the community will go green with envy. Hazel felt on top of the world.

But that didn't last long as few months after, nothing she did seemed to please him, nothing she did was right. Matter of fact, she irritated him. Sooner, he made it clear to her that, all her right belonged to him. She had no say for herself. And she had to right to object to him.

The beef! Her thoughts came back, still no sign of her husband. She felt a sharp pain through both her temples. Now she was going to have head ache. And how it annoyed her husband. He would only care less.

Instead he always said, "think less. No use poisoning yourself with drugs" And that was it. Tears of self-pity sprang to her eyes. Three months after she stepped a foot in this house, she has never been happy.

BANG! Hazel startled. It was the door of the library. He came down the stairs bringing his own intense energy.

"How I hate everybody!, he exclaimed as he sat down and picked the carving knife.

"Oh, don't be silly!" Hazel laughed gently, in a bid to ease the tension

"Geez, this is stone cold!. Why on earth didn't you send it to the kitchen to be kept hot?!"

"Well, dear I didn't know. She blinked fearfully, you see I thought you were just coming, so ----"

"Sammy!" He shouted the butler's name irritably

"Yes sir", the middle aged man, appeared immediately and retrieved the beef

"Am so, sorry dear, it's all my fault, you see I thought you were coming immediately---"

He interrupted her impatiently, "Oh what does it matter? It's not worth making a song about. Gosh, can you shut up already!"

"Am sorry" she apologized ---

Suddenly his phone rang, seeing it was the call he had been expecting. He picked it up---

[Could you tell me what the hell has kept you guys!? If I loose my job, you're all loosing your heads] He thundered

[What?! A frown enveloped his face, stay right there am coming]

With that he hung up.

"Bernard!" He called the driver, as he took his coat from the hanger

"Where are you going? We haven't had dinner yet" Hazel called him back

"I'll be back soon" he replied not looking back

"Okay. what right did she have to question him, alright I'll be waiting for you so we could have dinner toget---" he shut the door before she could finish

"Ma'am should I bring the beef?" Sammy asked from the kitchen area

"No need" she replied him

How long could she continue living like this?

••••••••

In the heart of Mariama, a deserted community,it was four hours to midnight, the evening was chilly and the crescent moon gave little light to earth. Dark-colored vehicles rolled into the empty streets.

The convoy came to a halt in front a street, with ash colored houses. In a swift motion, the lead door swung open, and a figure bowed, and opened the door for the occupant at the back. Expensive shoes met the ground as the regime leader, Carl emerged. He wore a dark leather suit and a brown trousers. The black shirt was open revealing his smooth chest. His dark sunshade perched on his perfectly shaped nose, as his dark hooded eyes immediately began surveying the surroundings.

"Douglas!" Carl called out to his right-hand man. "You sure this is the street?"

A huge figure with blue eyes, Douglas, assured, "Very certain, sir."

"Why is it so quiet here?" Carl's stern expression deepened as he frowned his wrinkled his handsome face

"Am not su-"

"Whatever, let's begin our work. Assemble your men," he cut Douglas short, the command echoing through the empty streets.

Douglas barked orders to his men, commanding them to surround the houses, ensuring no one was to leave until they were done collecting the tax

"Marshal, Douglas, Oliver, with me," Carl commanded with authority. "We'll start with this house. The rest of you, secure the perimeter."

This is strange" Oliver declared as they were approaching the house. The entire atmosphere was unusually quiet. Even though the hour was late. The Mariama community was always busy, up until midnight hours.

The air thickened with tension as they neared the door. As they entered the house, a flickering candlelight perched on a stool was what provided light to the house.

Carl's piercing gaze swept across the room, his eyes narrowing as he discovered the house was empty .

"Am I some sort of joke to you guys?" Carl's voice shattered the silence.

"N-No, sir," stammered Marshal, glancing around in surprise.

The tension grew thicker as Matthew, the head of security, rushed in, breathless. "Sir, the entire community seems deserted. No one is here."

"How is that possible?" Douglas asked, bewildered.

The silence stretched, suffocating everyone in the room. Carl wore a stern face as he stood silent, digesting the event.

Suddenly, the back door creaked open, and a middle-aged man appeared with an oil lamp in hand. Fear etched his face as he stammered, "M.. Mr. Carl, I didn't expect to see you here."

"Well, well, well. Seems the community isn't deserted after all," Carl sneered as he walked towards him "Mr. Gideon,he placed both his palm on his shoulder we're going to have a long night."

.

.

~~~~~~~

The atmosphere in the room became stiff as Carl escorted Mr. Gideon into the living room. "Sit," he motioned, revealing a callous disregard for the man's fear.

Mr Gideon, trembled as he leaned over to seat on the cushion. "No Sir, Carl stopped him and fiercely pushed him away then sat on the cushion. I said you should sit anywhere but not here.

"Where should I sit?" The old man asked innocently

"I don't know, anywhere. How about, yes Sit on the floor," Carl suggested, showcasing his disdain.

"Wh-what?" Mr. Gideon's eyes widened in shock.

"Go on, we don't have all day, so sorry all night," Carl grinned as he took a cigarette from his coat and lit it. C'mon, sir, I'm way past my dinner time." He groaned gazing at the man

The room echoed with the tense silence as Mr. Gideon hesitated.

"We don't always have to do things the hard way" he shrugged as he motioned his men, they men intervened, forcefully seating him on the floor.

"Cool, huh?" Carl sneered. "Now, let's begin. He took a deep breath, Where is everyone?"

I don't know" He replied without lifting his face

"Am not gonna ask in a nice manner again. Where is everyone?" His tone became firm

"I don't know" his voice was shaky

"Stubborn huh! Well that aside, where is it?" Carl demanded, you owe me tax of five months"

"Am..am doing my best, sir. Times have been tough. We barely have enough to feed our children, let alone pay the taxes."

Carl's disappointment and fury ignited. "Your best is not good enough. You think I care about your hardships?"

Marshal, stepped forward, his voice laced with malice. "Maybe a little demonstration will help him understand, boss," he suggested, a sadistic grin spreading across his face.

Douglas, nodded in agreement. "We've been here in several occasions, they blantly chose not to pay"

Oliver, stood by his side, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic anticipation. He cracked his knuckles, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Mr Gideon's spine "Proceeding on your authority sir"

A sly smile played on Carl's beautiful lips "I won't ask again" Carl's voice was calm yet threatening

Mr Gideon remained silent, as chill sweat rolled down his spine. As Marshal made a fist and was about to inflict pain on his frail figure. He trembled and began speaking...

"Am so sorry, he bawled, Someone informed the community that you will be coming with your henchmen to collect the tax and rent. So they all fled away" his frail frame trembled as he spoke

Carl, seething with anger, demanded to know the betrayer. The revelation hung in the air, setting the stage for a night fraught with revenge, secrets, and the impending return of the top boss-a story that Mariama couldn't escape, unfolding beneath the enigmatic moonlit sky.

.

Carl's fury ignited as he stood up from the cushion. "What! Who the hell betrayed me!?" He looked at his men, a fiery determination in his eyes. Gazing at Mr. Gideon, he demanded, "Where are they now?" He demanded

"About that, I honestly don't have any idea. That's why I returned," Mr. Gideon spoke honestly, his fear palpable.

Carl couldn't believe his ears. One of his own had sold them out. So he would return to big boss without the rent and tax from his community. He was at the verge of loosing his job and house.

He glared at his men, he yanked one of them forward then kicked him. Still angry he dove at him like a wild animal. Using both fist on his face. Marshal looked at Oliver terrified before moving in and dragging their boss back.

"Okay, he said okay! Let go of me! He shook off restraining hands. Breathing heavily he looked at his victim lying on the floor with a broken nose. Make sure he receives medical attention. His anger always found its way to fall in one if his men. Get your men, we're returning back" He commanded, turning to Mr Gideon. Inform me when everyone returns, if you don't. You will see my not so friendly side"

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as he thought of the punishment big boss would do to him. The frustration boiled within him, whoever betrayed him won't see another day. He exited and shut the door with a loud bang