One Night With Mr Braxton

Mrs Steele was all dressed and ready when a black jeep pulled up in front of her home. Having expected the arrival, she immediately made her way out of her quarters and down the stairs.

She met Talia on her way down who couldn’t help but ask about the ongoing situation.

” There’s a black jeep parked outside. Where are you off to? Don’t tell me you want to head over there yourself.” She asked, wondering what was going on.

” I told you. There are things that you should turn a blind eye to. There are things that are concealed for a reason and when the time comes for you to know, you’ll be the first to know. I have to go.” She said and hastily resumed her journey. The occasional blaring of the horn told her that her future in-laws weren’t patient.

When Mrs Steele entered the car, the driver introduced himself and immediately started the car. Not really knowing exactly where they were headed, she turned on the tracking device on her necklace and relaxed.

After about ten minutes of driving, she sat up, took out her laptop and communed with the team she created to spot out the whereabouts of Emma. According to the updates, they had gotten hold of the original place she was kept hostage and waiting for approval to check out the place.

Mrs Steele was placed in a difficult situation. Knowing the sort of life-damning information the kidnappers had, she couldn’t risk making any move and alerting her enemies of her presence.

There was a lot more to lose should the operation fall through and so, it wasn’t a risk she was willing to take. She was happy to know the supposed hideout but rushing into action would only put her in danger. She could only take those decisions when every blackmail material had been retrieved.

Especially one that threatened her wellbeing. She was no longer the woman she used to be and she couldn’t entertain the idea of returning back to being an ordinary person.

Another staunch reason she couldn’t make a move was the Braxton’s. This was a grand opportunity to get close to them and exploit for as long as she could. Getting on the good side of the Braxton’s was definitely multiple climbs up the social ladder.

There was so much at stake!

With that, she crafted a text, demanding that they hold onto that detail and thoroughly ascertained the surety of the information until she said otherwise.

After that, she prepared herself on the best way to present the matter before Braxton’s Matriarch. No doubt, she must be the pioneer of the family, seeing the alleged man who was Emma’s predestined husband was yet to make any move or appearance as regards to her disappearance.

She wondered just how miserable and loveless their marriage would be if she survived this situation. Her life was funnily ironic. Just like her dead mother, she was about to enter a terrible, loveless marriage. It was like a familial curse. One that didn’t in any way bother her nor her beloved daughter.

In other words, she couldn’t bring herself to care about Emma’s situation. She was much more bothered about what they knew about her. If she could get out every single detail they had craftily figured out about her, she’d totally forget Emma and probably even order her slaughter.

Make no mistakes, they were also going to pay for the stress they caused her family. It was only a matter of time. She was going to get retribution!

Soon enough, the car pulled up to a magnificent mansion. No doubt belonging to the Braxton’s. Mrs Steele was immediately ushered out of the car and escorted to meet the family matriarch. Who would have thought she would one day step foot into the glorious Braxton’s family home.

Things were indeed taking a good shape in her life. The more reason she couldn’t let herself be taken down. Her confidence multiplied as she entered into the home. It was all shades of magnificent.

Before she could take out time and appreciate the view, she heard ascending footsteps and was graced with the presence of the famous matriarch of the Braxton’s family.

She stood up but was stopped by the elderly woman’s voice.

” Oh dear! You don’t need to do that. We are family. I’ve been awaiting your presence for the longest time.” She said, and to a lady standing by the extreme end, she demanded, ” Don’t just stand there, get her something to eat.”

” That won’t be necessary, ma. I’ve been unable to eat ever since the terrifying news of my daughter’s kidnap. It’s the second day and I really need to get on the move about rescuing her. She’s so dear to me, I can’t imagine losing her.” Mrs Steele said in the most moving voice.

Her tone was of one who was at the brink of tears. Every former look of confidence was shredded. Completely gone! She was such a talented actor!

Mrs Braxton was touched, she had previously ordered some money arrangements to be made and they were currently on the way.

” I understand. It is indeed a terrible occurrence, one that has left me shocked to the core but I must inquire, how exactly is the exchange going to be made? I’ve made arrangements for two million dollars and some special security agents to join you on the quest. How else can I be of help to you?”

” You have done enough. More than enough!” Mrs Steele said . She didn’t expect such a level of zeal and commitment towards the case but was deeply enlightened and encouraged by it. No doubt, she was now more determined than ever to retrieve Emma.

She needed Emma in order to maintain such a level of closeness to them. She was her master card, one she wasn’t ready to lose just yet.

” Pray tell, when are we expecting her? What are the plans for her successful retrieval?” Mrs Braxton launched into her questioning. She was desperate to get a timeline. She needed to save Asher from the impending doom she could sense coming and it all depended on that lady.

” Do not worry. Trust me. I’ve made every single preparation and with your help, everything will hopefully go according to plans. Thank you so much for this.” Mrs Steele said in a tone that depicted she was done. It was time for her to leave.

” The money has been arraigned in the car. Remember, no matter the peril, reach out to me. I pray for a successful mission and await better news.”

” Thank you.”

With that, Mrs Steele left the house, having a strong impression of the capabilities of the Braxtons. She couldn’t ponder on it so much as she had a lot to do. With a tap of her finger, she informed the launch of their mission.

At midnight, she was going to transform into the queen of the underworld and raise hell upon as many who dared to stand in her way!

*****

Asher was in his office when he got news of the whereabouts of Emma. Apparently, she had been kidnapped by some yet to be identified people. Angered at the news and Its delivery, he placed a call across to Jason.

” Identify the damned people and retrieve the girl. I don’t care what it takes or who you need to get rid of but GET IT DONE! ” He said and without warning, hung up the call.

Jason wasn’t surprised. Matter of fact, he was used to his friend’s manner of approach. It was something he understood and couldn’t fault him over. There was a mountain load of pressure everywhere and he couldn’t even be bothered by such.

The recent information gathered notified him of the involvement of Mrs Braxton and knowing how uptight the mother and son duo were, he wasn’t about to get in the middle of that.

***Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

On the other hand, a young man was in his office, waiting for news on a certain case. So far, he remained in the background, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

His phone rang and with a smirk, he answered. After the call, his mood was noticeably better. Everything was going perfectly and as planned. He immediately forwarded some orders, demanding the immediate launch of the next phase of the plan.

If there was one thing he knew, there wasn’t any more time and he could only strike while the iron was still hot. Any moment later and everything would be for nothing.

***

Emma was in her stall. She was moved from her former prison into a more comfortable area. She couldn’t understand why she was suddenly being attended to by her previously rude abductor.

The remnants of the gang members were yet to arrive and with her continued stay, she grew even more cautious of her caretaker. The night before, he took her into a room and ordered her to have a bath and even brought some change of clothes which she didn’t quite understand.

When she caught the tail end of what she presumed to be a phone conversation, her heart dipped and at that moment, she realized just how much trouble she was in.

Her nightmare was coming to life! She was being sold off!