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Cold Stone Twenty One
I swayed my head and shoulders slowly to Smile by Simi playing softly through my ear pods while I worked the paintbrush against the white canvas. I had finished my day's work much more earlier than usual and hurried away into the painting room. My paintbrush splayed across the canvass, my creation taking its form. I had no idea what I was painting, but there was this image that constantly nagged my mind. My apron was a splash of different colours; some had managed to get to my shorts and sneakers. Focusing my attention on the art taking form before me, I let the music sooth my nerves, making everything smooth. I found Simi's voice captivating and refreshing. The music was interrupted by my phone's ringtone and I picked up when I saw Aunt Joan on the caller ID. "Aunt Joan," I called excitedly, dropping my palette with the paintbrush on a high stool.I imagined her surprised face, "Well, someone is glad to hear from me."I giggled, "How have you been?" "I have been alright. I mis
Cold Stone Twenty Two
"I will not see her," I responded stubbornly, after gathering my calm. "But she is not saying anything," Detective Michelle reminded me. "And if she does not say anything, there is no way we can continue with the case. There are hardly any leads and we must take on anyone we get.""I doubt she will be of any help either. Can you ask around the hospital my father was admitted in before he died? They should be of help," I evaded. She was silent a while, "Yes, ma'am. But I would advice you see that woman. She could hold information that will be helpful to the case."My palms formed fists and I growled lowly. "Just do as I say.""Yes ma'am," she hung up.I seethed in anger, puffing out white hot anger in breaths through my mouth. How dare she? What effontery did she have to request to see me? After she had abandoned me for years? I felt my head banging and I needed to go out to inhale some fresh air. I staggered to my vanity, knocking down my personal effects in the process. My visio
Cold Stone Twenty Three
IVORYI backed up away from her. "What...how did you...what are you doing here?" I sputtered, my voice breaking in tirade of emotions. I watched her discard the hat and sunglasses, holding them firmly. "Ivory. It is Aunt Purity," she introduced. Purity not Rebecca, Mother's twin sister. They were so identical that you could confuse one for the other. But what was she doing here? Does Mother not visit here at all? I stood up defiantly, dusting my gown and hands. "What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. "Umm...I will be waiting in the car. Come meet me when you are ready," Jide interjected and excused us. I nodded and gulped, rubbing my sweating palm on my gown. I was very nervous and I did not understand why. I should be furious instead of nervous."I visit Rowland often in the place of Rebecca," she informed me, dropping the bouquet of flowers on the grave stone. It was then I realized the numerous flowers on the grave stone, most were withered but the rest were still fresh
Cold Stone Twenty Four
Jide carefully put me down after he noticed my shocked expression. I blinked severally to try to clear the confusion I felt. How was she a HIV patient and I had no idea about it? What other secrets are there that I did not know about? A splitting headache was forming and I cradled my head in my palms to balance my heavy head. I felt Jide's strong arms circle around my shoulder and lead me into the entrance to the reception. "Good afternoon. How may we be of help to you?" A pretty petite red hair nurse asked, flashing us her white pearls. "We would like to see Mrs...?" Jide zoned out, looking at me to provide the rest of the information. I gulped and wheezed out, "Rebecca. Rebecca Stone."The girl's dark eyes filled in recognition and she gasped in astonishment. "You looked too familiar. I knew you had to be the famous Ivory Stone. It is so nice to meet you personally. Can I get your autograph? Can I get a selfie?"I was gobsmacked. "How did you end up in a hospital? You are not
Cold Stone Twenty Five
I bobbed my head rhythmically to Simi's Shake Your Body. I had come to love Simi's songs and had most of them on my phone. I spooned the contents of akume, pâtes and djenkoume into my waiting mouth. The dish was as superb as the other dishes I had tasted here. I felt someone tap my shoulders and I turned to find Kofi already sitting on my side of the table. I unplugged my ear pod from my ears and beamed at him. "Good morning, Kofi." I greeted him. "Good morning, Ivory," Kofi replied after a while. "You seem happy."I corked a brow and smiled, before returning to my dish. "I am."His forehead raised questioning. "For someone whose great family's reputation is about to be dragged to the mud."I laughed, "It is not being dragged to the mud. Justice is being served."He gave me a stunned look but recovered quickly, "I was worried about you. With all that happened yesterday, I thought it will have a huge effect on you."I gave him an assuring smile and placed my white palm on top his d
Cold Stone Twenty Six
"The doctor concurred that Mrs. Stone paid them heavily to cover up the autopsy carried out on Mr. Stone. She asked them to record it as a heart attack. But there is an original record," Detective Michelle revealed to me. It was late in the afternoon and I was in the painting room. I admired my almost finished work as my mind rummaged on the information I got. "Where is it?" I asked her. "Locked away in the hospital's archive," she informed me. "Hope you got a record?" I inquired. "Yes, I did and I have sent it to the police. They are working on it as we speak," she informed me.I nodded, "Good. Let us talk when something new comes up, okay?"When she replied in the affirmative, I hung up and returned to my painting. "She looks just like you," I jerked at Jide's sudden voice behind me. I calmed when his huge palms rested on my shoulders. "You gave me a jump," I squeaked, my throat suddenly going dry. "Sorry," he whispered and jerked his head to the painting. "I am sure she wa
Cold Stone Twenty Seven
JIDEI admired Ivory's picture on the local gist site. The fact that her smile could freeze a room and her African style of dressing made my heart swell. She was indeed breathtaking. It was dinner time and I strolled to the dining room. I got my Liberian meal of white rice and palava sauce. My eyes scanned the dining room to find Ivory was absent. She must have been in the painting room. Deciding to pack some food for her later, I took huge strides to my usual table surrounded by my friends. "Jide," their voices tumbled in discord. "Hey. What's good?" I asked as I set my tray on the table and sat down. "Have you seen the online news?" Kadin asked as I cut some part of my moulded white rice and mixed it with some portion of the sauce. "What is on the news? Another outbreak?" I questioned and spooned the meal into my mouth. Adel laughed, "It is about the outbreak of a hot supermodel who is not even a model."I realized immediately they spoke of Ivory. "What about her?""Damn. She
Cold Stone Twenty Eight
JIDEIt had been three days and Ivory had not awoken. I could not help but be terrified. Sitting by her bedside, I watched all the tubes that connected her body and the machines they were connected to. How much longer was she gonna be on this thing? Doctor said to give it time. How much more time? Was she going to spend the rest of her farm test here? Would she have to spend the rest of her one year here? This was so much to take in. Her father had died. Her mother had less than three years to live. And now she had a year? The doctor said it was a probability but damn it was scary. I had not returned to the farm since she was brought here. I had not changed out of my compost drenched clothes. I knew I was stinking but I did not care about me at the moment. I was more worried for Ivory. I had asked Kevin to inform her family, it was the right thing to do. I hoped they would not sue our farm. We did not want any trouble.I had sent a text to Jessica requesting that the children pu
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