Chapter 3 It Is Our Revenge

Amie Donald knocked and walked into her daughter's room. "Mum, you should be sleeping already," Lonnie said and rose up from the bed. "You are not asleep either," Amie said and sat by her daughter's bedside. "Mum, I insist, you should retire for the day," Lonnie maintained. "How can I sleep peacefully when your father is laying out there in the cold and his murderers are out there enjoying their lives. He..." "Mum, if this is about revenge, this discussion is over," Lonnie cut in.

"It isn't, my love. You were deprived of fatherly love because those bastards killed your father in cold blood. I can't believe they have the guts to ask for your hand in marriage after what they did. I was just eight months gone when they murdered your father..." "Argh! Mum! Enough! I have heard this story more than thousand times! Fine, I am not against your revenge mission but I am human, not a tool for revenge. I have plans for my life. Marriage is not my thing and you know it!"

"You must marry into that family. This is 'our' revenge not mine alone," Amie said emphatically. "Mum! Can't you achieve your revenge through other means? Why must I lost myself and get married into the Slawson's household? If I ever want to settle down, I should marry someone I love... Mum, my joy should be more important to you than your revenge," Lonnie lamented.

"A different strategy you say. Why do you think Slawson Group has been our business associate over the years? It's not because they are extraordinary. I keep them close for my revenge. I have tried to bring them down on different occasions but all my effort was abortive. They walked into my trap when they come asking for your hand in marriage. Killing your father off isn't enough for them, they want to get you under their wings to devour my years of labour. I took over the company's affairs after your father's death. Do you think it was an easy feat? And now, they covet what I built up from the ashes they created. Two can play the game. Their greed would be their grave and you can't deprive me of such blessing."

"Alright mum, if that's what you want, I will play along but I am sure we can get our revenge without me ultimately marrying Trevor. I detest marriage," Lonnie said and dialled Trevor's number.

Beep, beep, beep

Trevor's phone rang and he picked it up, he was surprised when he checked the caller. 'a night call from Lonnie? My prank is already working', he thought and smiled scornfully before picking up.

"Hello... It's Lonnie, Trevor?" Lonnie asked from her end. "Yeah it's Trevor, nice hearing your voice tonight..." He responded. "Can we go on a date 10am tomorrow?" Lonnie asked. "Tomorrow? I will have to check with my PA, if I am free, I will let you know." "Alright, keep me posted," Lonnie responded and dropped the call. "A date?" Trevor chuckled, "I will look forward to it... Tomorrow it is," Trevor said to himself and clamped his eyes shut.

"Satisfied?" Lonnie asked her mother. "Yes dear, I am happy you can feel my pains, we must avenge your father..." "Do not start again mum, go sleep, let's talk tomorrow." Lonnie interrupted. "Alright, sleep tight my dear," Amie said and walked out with a grin.

*****

"I know you like your kids' independence but I am surprised, why did you suddenly insist on a contract marriage for Trevor ? I am sure you know that such decision is a crucial one where he should be the one making his choice." Mrs Mary Slawson challenged her husband.

Mark pulled up the bed-cover and said to his wife, "Director Amie Donald of Nobel Pharmaceutical Company brought up the idea, she wanted her only child and daughter to marry Trevor. I am sure you know of her association with one of our subsidiaries. I felt it was a welcome idea and the best way to pay back for her husband's death. Moreover, that woman single handedly sailed the company ashore. She revived a company that almost liquidated. I am sure the daughter trained by such woman will be a good compliment for our son when he finally seats in my position."

Mary sat up and laughed scornfully. "Can I say you are simple minded or are you hiding the real reason behind this from me? I can't accept what you just said," Mary responded. "Woman! Let me have my peace!" Mark yelled and his wife left the bedroom angrily.

Mary walked into the living room and rested on the sofa. She ruminated over what she just heard. She knew her husband well, he wasn't an easy man. The reasons he gave for taking such step sounded unreasonable and she wondered what was going on.

It was hate at first sight for her, she disliked Amie Donald at first sight. She met her the for the first time when she attended a symposium with Mark. Being a crafty woman herself, Mary was able to see through Amie's subtleness. She later found out that Amie was the Director of Nobel pharmaceuticals, a compay in partnership with Slawson Biohealth. Slawson Biohealth is one of the Slawson subsidiaries which deals with scientific research on terminal diseases and drug production.

*******

It was 4am. Swan rolled around in her sleep and shook her head vigorously at intervals. Suddenly, her eyes popped opened and she sat up abruptly. It was the usual nightmare. She heaved a sigh and pulled down the string arm of her lingerie to reveal a large scar on her chest. She pulled her lingerie back in and position walked up to her younger brother's mat.

She knelt and tucked him in perfectly to ensure he was well covered and shielded from cold. Swan returned to her corner and resumed her 100 rounds of push ups. Her discussion with Rosey the previous night propped up in her head;

"Desperation has finally launched you into reality. I will over look your foolishness and help you out but tonight is out of it. All slots are fixed, I will fix you up for tomorrow." Rosey had told her over the phone. Her mind pictured all that would be happening over the night. She lost her grips and fell flat on her face. She remained in her position and sobbed quietly.