The mafia's obsession

Julia happily ran into her family villa 'mum! dad!' Am home! She called excitingly but was greeted with an eeire silence. The house keeper Maria, ran up to her with a panicked expression 'young miss! The master collapsed today and he was rushed to the hospital!' Julia felt the ground crumbled under her feet and fell to the ground.

Recently, her father has been complaining about a certain company that wanted to partner with them but he refused because their deals weren't good enough. Julia knew his collapsing must be connected to it, and her father was struggling to live with HPB he is hypertensive! "But why will anybody want to harm him? He is a gentle and kindhearted man!" Julia thought to herself but what she doesn't know is that in the business world, strength rules not meekness.

She dried her tears, asked Maria about the address of the hospital and hurried there. When she got there, she began to ask around for Mr Bernard because her father is quite popular. She was led to an emergency ward, when she saw her dad, she felt strength leaving her. Her cheerful and vibrant father laid on the bed with tubes connected all over his body. Julia's legs were heavy as she walked towards him and collapsed on him. "Daddy........! Tell me you're okay! Tell me we are gonna go home together! Mom we're right?" She shouted looking at her mom whose eyes were bloodshot from crying, her mom tried to speak but tears choked her.

Soon her father's phone began to ring, Julia picked "Mr Bernard! Aren't ready to give up yet? Still strong hearted? You know.......I love people of your type it enables me deal with them!" A cold voice snickered and hung up. Julia hissed and kept the phone thinking it was just a fraudster who wants some money. Not until few minutes later, her father's secretary called sounding flustered. "Sir! There is chaos in the company, the investors wants to withdraw their investments and the shareholders are demanding explanations" Paul the secretary panicked.

Julia felt her heart skip, there must be something more to that lady's call before. Paul after receiving no reply from the other end for quite sometime he hung up. Then the phone rang again "gotten my surprise for you? Hahahaha..........Bernard Rodriguez, stop playing with fire" the devilish voice came again. "Who are you bitch?" Julia shouted in fury and there was a laughter on the other end. "I see Bernard is unavailable, I will call later" then she hung up. Julia was furious that she could even breath fire! She tried calling the line again but it was switched off.Julia and her mom drove back home, she told her about all the phone call she received at the hospital. Seeing her mom's panicked expression she quickly shut up.

When they got home Maria has already prepared dinner, as they settled down to eat, the doorbell rang and Maria went to answer it. Bernard parents stormed into the house, Bernard's father Augustine walked straight up to Roseline and asked. 'Where is my son? Roseline was stunned, she stood up to reply, but the word hung in her throat and she collapsed heavily back on her chair and began to sob, but the other people showed no sign of sympathy or pity at all, their eyes were cold and devoid of warmth.

"We heard what happened to him! Before he got married to you,we warned him that you aren't going to offer anything good to him, but he insisted. I know you are the one that prevented him from collaboration with the Harness group that is leading to this tragedy and the falling of our Kington group!" Bernard's mother shouted at Roseline. This words made Julia mad but she couldn't yell at them because they were her elders. After some hours of them insulting and belittling Roseline, they all left. Roseline quietly turned and began to head upstairs.

'Mom' Julia called out. Roseline waved her hand and muttered in a weak and cracked voice. 'Am okay baby, I want to go have some rest now, have your lunch and rest too okay?' Julia gently nodded. 'Goodnight mom' she muttered. After eating, she walked around the large and beautiful villa, her family pictures adored the walls and everything looked nice and warm. Why do they want to put apart this beautiful family? Julia thought to herself as tears ran down her face. She cried for a long time before finally falling asleep in the couch. The next morning, a heart piercing wail jolted her out of her sleep. She quickly stood up and realized it was coming from upstairs. She ran there and the scene there almost made her pass out. Her mother has been murdered in cold blood! On her body was a note that read........ DIE BITCH!!!!!

Julia picked up the note and put it in her pocket. Then everything began to go blurry then she passed out. When she woke up, she was in the hospital and Maria was by her side. After sometime, she collected her senses and remembered her mom was no more and her dad was barely hanging unto life. She screamed and began to roll on the floor pulling at her hair. Maria tried consoling and restraining her from pulling at her hair. But driven by agony, Julia was far powerful than her.

She ran out of the ward and began to ask people the way to the morgue, when she got there, the doctors were embalming a corpse and another was nearby. Julia with heavy legs, walked towards the corpses. What she saw made her spirit leave her body for a moment. It was her father they were embalming! NOOOO........ She screamed pulling the doctor away from the corpse. 'My father is not dead! He only had a heart attack! She shouted tearing at the doctor.

But she was quickly restrained by another doctor. "Am sorry miss Julia, your father passed on yesterday night we tried contacting your mom but it was not going not knowing she too is gone." The doctor holding her said sympathetically. Julia screamed and passed out again. When she woke up, it was already night and Maria was gone. She tried sitting up when she heard footsteps and voices approaching.

As the footsteps and voices drew closer, Julia quickly lay back and pretended to still be unconscious. The door opened and someone said 'the idiot is still unconscious, she and that her evil mom are pretenders! They killed my son and left the company in bankruptcy. Julia recognized the voice immediately, it was her grandfather Augustine!

Then she heard another voice lower this time. 'Doctor, is it possible to inject her to death? Just give her anything as far as it kills her and name your price we are ready to pay anything! A feminine voice Julia could not recognize said. Julia almost gasped in shock, she was just a 16 years old harmless teenager! What threat could she possibly pose to them? Then the doctor sighed, I will do it for you but lets go talk about the price at my office. Then the voices faded away.

Julia's eyes flew open! Alarmed! She needs to find a way out of here! Or she will be killed! She tried jumping through the window, but her room was on the second floor. There was no way she will land without breaking her legs. As she looked for alternatives, she heard footsteps. She quickly ran back to the bed and pretended to be unconscious once more. The doctor walked in and headed towards her. Time seemed to stand still for Julia, her family was gone and now she was next! Her blood boiled! Without thinking anymore, she opened her eyes and saw the male doctor preparing to inject her.

She grabbed the syringe from his hand and threw it out through the window leaving the doctor stunned. Before he could react, she has headed for the door and ran outside. Shit! He exclaimed and tried to pursue her but he couldn't find her anymore. Meanwhile, Julia ran down the stairs and out of the hospital to the road. The hospital was a good distance away from her home and it was the city general hospital. She didn't have any money on her to board a taxi so she began to trek.

As she walked on, she began to sob uncontrollably, people gave her weird looks but she didn't mind because they didn't know the pain she was going through at that moment. After trekking for about an hour, she sat on the walkway and pulled out the note from her pocket. It was stained with blood! Her mother blood! She buried her head in between her legs and wept. She fell asleep on the walkway. The next morning, she woke up to someone tapping her. It was a handsome guy, are highschooler.

He was dressed in his uniform, if it were to be the former version of herself, she would have complimented his good looks. 'Are you okay? He asked. She nodded and quickly stood up muttered a thank you and walked away. Few hours later, she arrived at the villa she called home. As she rang the bell, an unknown face answered. 'Welcome Julia! The entire family has been expecting your' the unfamiliar lady said with a wicked grin. Julia slowly walked in, to her utmost surprise all her father's family members were present! And her belongings were shoved towards her as soon as she stepped in. 'What's going on? She asked in anger. Her grandmother stood up and slowly walked up to her.

'You and your bitchy mother has done the worst you can do to the kington family. She killed my son, liquidated the family group and purchased properties in her name! But today........where is she? No more! Dead! Her grandmother shouted in her face. Julia couldn't take it anymore! Her fists clenched and she shouted 'my mother didn't kill anybody! You all here are gold diggers reaping what you did not sow. That company was given to my dad when it was at the brink of collapse! My mom was with him in the rain, and the sun to build that company to what it is today! Yet after they died all of you dogs and bitches all ran here hoping to gain out of their demise! I hate you all! We are suppose to be family, but we can't because only greed dwell in your hearts! Julia shouted and began to pant because she was exhausted.

Her grandmother laughed hysterically, 'you little imp! You have the temerity to speak to me in that manner? Alright let me see how long that pride will last! She shouted. 'Jim! Jim! Take this girl and throw up and her belongings out of this villa! If i ever see her again, you will have yourself to blame! Her grandmother shouted to the gatekeeper who grabbed Julia and began to drag her out the villa. 'No! No! You cant do this! This is my father's villa.........! She shouted but she was still thrown out of the villa with nothing but her phone,clothes and the note.

Julia was angry and confused. She banged on the villa gates till her hands hurt. She sat on the floor, she felt like crying but she was too angry for that. The tears simply refused to come out. She began to reminisce about her family.....peace loving people who couldn't hurt a fly. Before Julia broke out of her thoughts, it was getting dark. She couldn't locate Aunty Maria because she knew surely she will be thrown out. As she stood up thinking about where to go spend the night, she saw her best friend at school Martha heading towards her house. 'Julia! What are you doing outside your house? Are you alright? Why are your belongings on the road? Where are your parents? I've been trying your line for the past two days it has not been going through...........

Tears ran down her cheek she quickly kept quiet. Julia sighed heavily. She began to narrate all she had gone through since the last two days. Martha's hands were on her mouth my the time Julia finished narrating her ordeal.

Martha was speechless for some moments......

'Julia am so sorry about your parents...but for the now you have gone through what even an adult will be traumatized by. Please come stay with me.....please. Martha begged fervently.

Julia shook her head repeatedly. 'No no Martha your family......its polygamy how can I come stay with you? Your father other wives and children how will they react? Julia asked concern etched on her face. 'Julia! Do you want to sleep on the streets? You could be raped or even kidnapped! Martha exclaimed with wide eyes. 'Besides, I am the only child of my mom the children of the other wives don't play with me you are my only friend I can finally have a companion' she continued. Julia nodded reluctantly, Martha quickly helped her pack her belongings and boarded a taxi.

When they got to Martha's parents villa, Julia was stunned! It was far more bigger than her own! 'Martha what does your father do? Julia asked in amazement. 'Oh he is just a senator.......but he I actually a nice man but the thing is he is a polygamist imagine he married four wives!' Martha said and quickly reduced her voice as they stepped into the villa. Inside was in chaos! Some children were in the living room playing PS and others were busy with one thing or the other, almost everyone was talking at the same time.

Martha just shook her head and headed upstairs and Julia quickly followed suit. As they ascended the staircase they ran into a beautiful woman wearing tons of jewelries. 'Martha! Who are you bringing into the house? Who do you think you are to bring in a stranger into the house?' The woman continued ranting but Martha just ignored her and continued climbing the stairs. 'Who is she?' Julia asked quietly when she was sure they were out of earshot. 'That's Raina my father's fourth wife, she is just a loud empty barrel that loves making noise! She has bern married to my father for over a year now and still doesn't have anything to The woman wore a smiling face but Julia still had her fears. Martha hugged her mom, Julia almost busted into tears when a shout off horror jolted her out of her thoughts.

Samantha, Martha's mom hugged her tight with tears streaming down her face. Julia then processed what was happening, Martha has told her mom what happened to her. 'Come in my dear, come in' Samantha urged pulling Julia into a room. 'Martha take her luggage to the guest room' Samantha ordered. 'Yes mom' Martha said leaving both of them. She took Julia into her room and asked about the details of her parents death. When she heard the name of the group that wanted to partner with Bernard and he refused, she exclaimed in shock! 'He should have partnered with them them! They are devils! Samantha exclaimed crying. 'You know them ma?' Julia asked her eyes wide with shock. 'Yes, few years ago I and my elder sister went clubbing.....

Two years ago.............

Samantha and her elder sister Joyce walked into the most popular club in the city. Star life club was located in the city center, it was a club strictly for the wealthy. They were invited by a Joyce boyfriend Harry who was a top ranking business man. As they got there, they were stopped by the security. 'Am sorry girls, but non members of this club can't get past here' one of the men stated coldly. Joyce stomped her foot angrily 'look here Mr man! My boyfriend is Harry Robinson! How dare you stop me from entering? Are you tired of your jobs?Joyce shouted pointing her finger at the guy who just spoke but they ignored her. Samantha patted her and asked her to calm down. 'Call Harry' she urged.

Few minutes later, Harry came out. 'Am sorry Ladies' he apologized and led them in after scolding the security men. When they got in they were stunned! Everywhere was bustling with life, there were people dancing on the stage and in another corner they were gamblers. They also learn from Harry that there was a casino upstairs and the identity of the owner was unknown even to the management of the club. As they wined and dined, suddenly a large group of men in black suit and goggles walked in surrounding a person. No matter how they tried, they couldn't see the person surrounded, so they gave up and continued having fun. Few minutes later, a young man wearing black suit and goggles walked up to Joyce and whispered something to her pointing upstairs.

Joyce's face changed immediately and she stood up and gave the young man a resounding slap! Samantha and Harry were dumbfounded. 'How dare you? How dare he? Can't you see am with my boyfriend? Are you blind? Go back to your dirty boss and tell him I have a boyfriend he should go look for an harlot! Joyce screamed at him. Then Samantha and Harry then understood what was going on. Harry became furious and his face became deadly. He stood up and punched the young man on my face, and began to fight him. It took the intervention of the other patrons of the club to pull them apart. Strangely, during the fight the young man didn't utter a word even when he was asked the name of his boss.

After the fight, he just turned away and left swiftly. Everyone then returned to what they were doing and the. matter was soon forgotten. Close to morning, Samantha, Harry and Joyce decided to return to the hotel Harry booked down after a fun filled night. But as they settled into the car, their tyres was shot and the passenger's door was yanked open and Joyce was pulled out forcefully by a group of thugs. Harry tried dragging her with them but he was shot on the chest and he died instantly. Joyce was abducted and never seen again after that.

Back to present..........

Tears didn't cease to flow from Samantha's eyes. 'Then my family company began to go down, when it was at the brink of bankruptcy, we were called by a strange young woman and told we have offended someone we weren't suppose to cross in a lifetime. They also admitted they were the abductors of Joyce and asked us to pay a huge amount of money for them to loose their hold on our company. My struggling parents couldn't even afford half of the money so I was married off to the senator and my family company returned to normally' Samantha narrated still soaked in tears. Julia gritted her teeth in fury! So her family wasn't the first? She felt her blood boil! Samantha hugged her 'its going to be okay my dear, you are going to be fine' she consoled her as Julia sobbed in her arms.