Beauty and the beast episode 32

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
ins××t 32
SEMIFINAL
AMBER
(TWO DAYS LATER)
I applied the finishing touches to my makeup and styled my hair. I wore an off the shoulder flair dress with gold heels.
satisfied with my look, I picked up my clutch.
I need to be at the office for an important meeting with the board.
I’ts been two days already. I waited this long for the dust to settle before meeting with the staffs again.
Grandpa promised to be there on time since he had something to take care of.
.
“You look nice” Miguel compliments hugging me from behind. I smiled taking in his Cologne.
I swiftly turned into his embrace.
“Why are you dressed? are you going somewhere” I asked
“Yes” he said but I couldn’t help but feel worried.
“Where are you going to?” I ask arching my eyebrows.
“You’ll find out later” he said pecking my cheeks
“Ok but what about Genie?”.
“I’ll drop her off before I go don’t worry”
“Thank you for everything”
“I’ll do anything for you. I love you”
“I love you too” I blushed like a teenager in love
“that’s my girl” he said and after waving him goodbye. I head out.
.
I drove straight to work and marched into the boardroom.
everyone was already seated waiting for me including grandpa so I walked to my seat and sat down putting my things on the table.
“I know you all are surprised to see me seated here instead of your former president but I’ll have you informed that from today henceforth, I am your new president” I said boldly while some people whispered to themselves.
“Tasha is no longer a part of this company, so is her daughter and son in-law. I am the only heiress of my father’s company so it’s only fair that I lead.” I paused “As we speak she is in prison for killing my father and I hope she rots as well” I seethe.
“I want to personally thank everyone who has helped to push the company forward despite everything that has happened these past few years. I know most of you only stayed because of my father and the relationsh¡p you have with him” I commend “I am truly grateful”
“But there are most people who are here because of Tasha and personal favours. I will have you know that my company will not be working that way so I come to a decision that everyone will reapply for their jobs again and only then best will be selected” I said
“But that will take a lot of time” one person ch¡pped in.
“I don’t care. I’d rather work with good and honest people who deserve their jobs that with lazy, backstabbers who would one day try to act otherwise. so yes, it will be done” I announced and grandpa nodded in approval.
“And my last decision is that,” I paused and looked at my audience to see if I had everyone’s attention which I did “I am handing this company over to Chairman Kim” I said catching everyone by surprise including grandpa.
“Amber that’s a very big decision.” he said but I only smile.
“You’ve done so much for me grandpa, you stood as a father figure in my life when I had no one. you shielded me from the world. this isn’t enough, I don’t even know how to repay you grandpa so I’m making you the owner of this company” I said blinking the tears that threatened to fall.
“So everyone, meet your new owner and CEO. I will work here as your president but Chairman Kim is the head” I announced and everyone clapped.
.
I adjourn the board meeting and went to my new office to take my seat. I’m just glad that everything is back to how it should be.
.
.TASHA
.
I puked again and again.
I couldn’t get rid of the stench that filled this cell.
two days in here and it feels like two years.
I looked dirty and my l-ips cracked. even my skin looks pale.
Just yesterday night, I was molested by one of the cellmates who happened to he a l-sbian.
I couldn’t stand another day here otherwise I’d lose my mind. I need to talk to Amber, plead with her if possible to let me out of here cause this place is choking and suffocating me.
Denisha was out in another cell cause she couldn’t stand my presence. I don’t say I blame her though.
my love for money got us into this in the first place.
“Tasha. someone’s here to see you” an officer yelled startling me from my thoughts.
I picked myself up and followed him to another room where we were supposed to meet visitors.
I saw him seated there.
but he didn’t notice till I sat down opposite him, facing each other.
“Do I know you?”
“My name is Miguel, does it ring any bell?” he asked and I searched my brain, staring at him again to recognize him.
“You’re Amber’s wife. you came to the party. what are you doing here?” I asked
“To help you get out of prison” he said and I laughed mockingly
“And what makes you think you can do that? is this another trick of hers?” I paused “I don’t trust you and besides I know I’ll get out because there is no evidence that I killed myers so I don’t need your help and help me tell her that I’m coming for her. This battle hasn’t ended yet” I said glaring at him
He shook his head
“The only way you’re going to leave this place is if you’re granted bail and we both know that’s not happening because you don’t have anyone that’ll be able to raise that amount of money” he said sitting down comfortably on his seat.
that’s when it hit me that I’ve lost everything. the money and property.
“I have a pretty good lawyer that will be able to help cause my wife insists on pressing charges. My lawyer said the murder cases usually ends up with a service of twenty five years or more” he said
“So how do you plan on helping me?” I asked desperately, cause I don’t want to stay here for another day.
“The only chance you have is to plead guilty to the court and you’ll be given less than that sentence because the waiter at that restaurant has agreed to testify against you” he said and my eyes flew open instantly. how did they know about that waiter? it’s been five years already.
I fell silent, thinking of the possibilities of everything going wrong.
“But did you really kill him?” he asked crossing his hands over his chest but I didn’t respond.
“I’m really trying to help you but the only way it’s going to work is if you trust me and let me in on everything. I could talk to Amber to redraw the charges, you know she listens to me” he coaxed.
I breathed out.
“Yes, I paid the waiter to poison Myer at that restaurant, it slowed his heart beating rate and murdered him” I said this time tears threatening to fall. “I wanted him out of the way so I could take everything. but now I just regret it”
“Just like you’re regretting killing my father, am I correct?” he asked and
I flinched
“What are you talking about?” I ask
“Oh come on Tasha, what were you thinking? that I’d help you?” he scoffs “The only reason I came here was to make sure you spend eternity in this god forsaken place” be gagged.
“But you—” I trailed off
“You are naive Tasha” he interject
“Now I have enough proof to lock you up here” he said and stood up.
“What are you going to say? that I killed him? , sorry but you have no proof against me’ I yell.
He brought out his phone and played the recording where I admitted to everything just now then put it back into his pockets.
“Actually, it’s your word against you” he said with a smile.
“Times up” the warden shouted coming closer to us.
“By the way, I’m Miguel Ramirez, the son of your ex husband” he said before walking away, not sparing me one single glance.
I watch him leave in tears as the warden dragged me forcefully to my cell.
If only I knew, things would end up this way, I wouldn’t have done any of this. now look at what my life has become.
.
.
. CHAD
.
I stare at Ivy as she lay peacefully on the bed.
We were told to evacuate our house since it no longer belonged to us and now, we’re subjected to staying at my mother’s house which was just a one room apartment. I can’t believe that Amber really went through with this. She’s gotten more courage and determination to make sure we don’t survive this torture.
I couldn’t even eat properly, talk more of providing for my little daughter.
I decided to go job hunting but no company was willing to hire me due to everything that has happened recently.
“Are you okay daddy?” Ivy asked and I blinked the tears away, I didn’t notice she was awake. I let my emotions carry me.
“I’m fine sweetheart”
“You don’t look fine to me and why is Mummy not back yet. I don’t wanna stay here anymore, I want to go home.” she whined
“Baby I told you we can’t go home just yet” I coaxed
“But why? it’s our house. I want to go back”
“Ivy please”
“No daddy I want to go” she whined
“I said no ivy” I yelled and she flinched, looking scared.
“That house no longer belong to us anymore okay. so we’re staying here got it?”
She whimpered “I’m hungry daddy.”
I really hated to see my baby cry but there’s nothing I can do.
“I’ll make you spaghetti”
“Can’t nanny make it? you burnt the one of yesterday”
“Nanny isn’t here” I respond
“You sent her away?”
“We can’t afford a nanny ivy so she’s gone”
“Are we going poor daddy?” she asked and I saw how scared she looked.
Even I was scared but I didn’t answer that question. I dreaded this day my entire life but now that it’s happening, I can’t help but get scared.
.
.
. ********
“How long do you think my sentence will take attorney?” she asked hoping that there’ll be a way for her.
“It’s a very delicate case Mrs Ramsey. we’re looking at a fifteen to twenty years or more” he replied
“Is there no other way” she asked this time, tears streaming down her cheeks. She only wanted to leave this place because of her daughter. maybe if she had a way, she’d apologize to Amber as well.
she was scared for her daughter’s life and what she would become.
“most times pleading guilty helps to reduce the sentence but the fact won’t change that you’ll actually be locked up”
She allowed the bitter tears to fall. Tears of regrets and sadness.
“so there’s no other way?”
“I’m afraid not” he concluded “And your daughter is having a difficult time with her father. she’s too young to experience this, so we’ve alerted the social services to take her in.” he said and her eyes flew
open
“Don’t you dare touch my child”
“I’m sorry but it’s the only way. As it is, you’re locked up in here and your husband doesn’t have a job at the moment and I doubt he’ll get employed due to the state you both are so it’s best for her and after you probably serve your sentence, you go sign a form for her to be returned to you” he explained.
She couldn’t bear it.
What if her child ends up in the wrong kind of family? or worse grows up to be like her?
She wouldn’t forgive herself.
“But if maybe you have another family or relative that’d be willing to help take care of her for you. she’s a little girl, she needs all the help she can get both emotionally, financially and physically” he added
She sniffed, quickly wiping her tears with the back of my palm
“I have a sister” she blurted out
“Who is she? do you know her address so we can contact her?”
She nods.
“Yes. please I want you to visit Amber Myers, she’s the only family I have.” she begged tears streaming down her cheeks “Tell her I need to see her ”
“The same Amber who locked you up? what makes you think she’ll help you?” he ask
“I don’t know but I have to try” She said “How much time do I have?”
“Less than forty eight hours, if there’s no response from her then they’ll take her away. I’m sorry” he replied
and he couldn’t say anything more but just stared at her in awe.
She just hopes that Amber comes to her rescue.
Tbc
Your Friend and Author
Kiari