i know you guys don't like my story much but plz Hala at me if u need the continuation.......am just learning how to write so plz bear with me abeg��

To those who have been following my amateur fictional story, please bear with me as I have been impeded by phone issues.....too broke and lazy to invest in a new one

THE REBORGE

87

JB's POV

What!

Seriously, this day have been tumultuous but I didn't expect these turn of events!

Like!

Jethro liking a female other than mother and Imogen?

Come to think of it? His attitude towards that sly foxy woman has been bordering pampering!

He just stood there while that that.... Woman haughtiness wafted the hospital ward! Jethro has never been patient with anyone or anything but he .......

" Well? Who is this woman?"

Mother's anxious voice brought me back to my surroundings. It is a good thing that now the attention isn't on Xavier's accident but then again am deeply mired!

" Mom! What are you saying?! That crazy woman is married! How can Jethro be smitten with that that .... vulgar woman!"

I retorted vexedly, pocketing my hands .

"Oh, really? Are you sure?"

She said dimming the glint that had flashed in her eyes . Before Xavier could give mum more ideals I stormed to the direction that Jethro took for more clarity.

When searched through the rooms and he was nowhere...the door of Xavier's room was ajar. I just entered and he had removed his jacket pressed it on the bed and he was folding his sleeves humming to himself like ....a lovestruck monkey!

Jeez!

" So it's true!?" I asked accusingly. He didn't even look at me or stop his humming. Which confirmed my suspicion.

" Mom, says that you like that that...woman! What did that woman say to you when we left you alone with her?"

" She wanted to stick her fangs in me but when I spurned her, now she has even gotten a big an d better fish to ...that besides the point ! You can't like her! She is married but she is still shameless enough to..."

" Lemme stop you right there before you insult my intelligence!"

He interrupted me while holding my shoulder seethingly .

" According to you she poured scalding food on you to get your attention when you gave her a cold shoulder. And she the epitome of it all was ridiculously throwing herself in harm's way to save my son...oh your nephew after kicking your balls! Did I leave anything out?"

He summarized the events of the day to make me look bad and petty!

" Clearly she was ...."

" She was what ?!! Planned it? Pretended! All I saw was a funny and compassionate woman who cares about good people."

He basically blushed when he started talking about her and his smile curved on his lips.

" JB! You're a smart guy! How many women have you seen that don't act coquettishly flirty in front of us? Stare shyly, giggle like school girls,or throw themselves at us...you mostly? It is my first actual time to witness one who brutally rejects and humiliated you!"

He said while propping his chin like he was thinking about something.

" Look bro,no matter what ,you can't like her that way!"

I said sulkingly but flickered his eyes and cleared his voice while rubbing the nape of his neck.

" You might be right about that! "

He said vaguely and grabbed his jacket of the bed. I figured he had agreed with me for once and smiled.

" Really? You agree? Good cause she no good!"

" She did the same thing she did to you to her so-called husband!"

He snickered while patting my shoulder soothingly.

" I have heard that she is in the tourism business, so get me everything about her! No buts"

" And in return I will totally drop Xavier off at her place, where are you supposed to meet?"

I was still processing what has just happened that I froze and my bulged eyes started hurting.

And 'boom'! That's the sound that was heard after he opened the door. Mom, Xavier , were eavesdropping propped on the door that they fell inside when Jethro abruptly opened door . Imogen was the only one standing rolling her eyes.

Jethro with his aloofness, he helped mom up without saying anything, flicking non-existent dust off her and walked away.

" I think I need to see this woman!"

" Who is this woman?"

"Dad? Grandpa?"

THE REBORGE

85

...................................................

From the beginning till now I never imagined Luann as a vindictive kind! She intricately laid out a plan to yank off the leeches in just a week's time and unobtrusively!

The dereliction of Xander in his marriage has impeded him tremendously but he is so blinded but some arrogant ego to notice what he is losing.

Sigh!!!

" You have been sighing for like an hour now , are you going to tell me what transpired in that house that thwarted like so?"

" Hey boss! You came? Eh.... Eh I was at Xander's house... Eh scratch that.. Luann's house as of now"

When my boss heard that, his forehead creased, squinting his eyes at me , his eyes are like a black hole of abyss void of any emotions.

He squatted down to face me squarely and blandly said,

" It is very imperative for you to tell me every single detail"

I grasped and heavily heaved after reenacting everything that happened the last 8 hours.

" So if it is like that why was Xander's things thrown out of house and he isn't allowed to enter the premises of that tourism company?"

" Didn't you say that Xander re-registered that company to his and that girl's name?"

" And the report I have here shows that that house was used as collateral to get the loan that we gave them?"

" Luann I trying to flaunt power now when she is in possession of chicken feathers!?"

My heart was erratic and fast when I saw how nonplussed he became. Cold sweat formed on my forehead, I obsequiously snickered,

" Boss, you're seething in rage because of Luann's underhanded antics or how Xander and Sage are mired in evil deeds?"

Luann has always been recluse, but I didn't know that under that facade some schemes were lurking. But who can blame her!

But alas!

Isn't she retaliating quite late?

The house that's she calls hers isn't really hers, according to my boss's temperament, I don't see how she'll be able to renege the contract that Xander sign with my boss's bank to get back the house without paying. And According to sources Sage has been stealing from the company to fend for herself. She has another tour company with weirdly close similar name 'Bacwezi Uganda'

So Luann is basically retaining empty shells as treasure...

These people are so fickle!

"Why would I be imperiled because of those trifle issues... If Xander fails to pay I simply take to house which isn't cheap by the way!"

He smirked and got up when I looked at his eyes , they were clear as day without any emotions

" Get someone to drop by her office and deliver the bank notice! Oh yeah! When Xander asks to him with this issue again spurn his butt!"

"Wait! What!?"

" You clearly told me to ....."

Before my words could register, he beckoned me,

" Jabril! Don't make me repeat myself! I heard Luann was involved in an accident earlier today!... Don't hide anything from me next time and make sure that idiot Jethro Mondo doesn't get involved with her to spoil our plans!"

When he said that a deep chill slowly crept inside my heart. How does he know everything all the time?

What does he have against Luann?

Maybe Xander?

Or Sage?

THE REBORGE

83

Shebz'POV

An old man that looked oddly familiar was standing next to to the boy who had a toilet ballcock in his hands and a piece of cassava chips in the other. He oddly squinted and twitched his brows like a person I used to know .

A lady came out of the shrubbery made bathroom with a shawl as a door and glared at Luann and I and dramatically rolled her eyes disdainfully.

The yellow t-shirt she was wearing was torn on the sleeves and chest area that the dirty old bra she wear wearing beneath showed.

The blazing sun must be scalding my mind because I must be hallucinating. Luann and I ended up here in this sombre and desolate place with decrepitude evident because she assured me that the person we were to meet would help us with Sage .

She had related all that happened to her after there father's death. And if I say I was stupefied, it would an understatement.

All a long I knew Xander was a dog but I didn't think he would wanting mistake fish's eyes for pearls. I always wanted Luann to leave his slutty ass but I didn't think again Luann would lend me to the deepest darkest abyss of ghetto in Uganda!

What can any of those people do to Sage that vicious snake! That is an insult to snakes, she is even more ferocious than a poisonous snake that is about to die.

I tugged her sleeves and pulled her aside vexedly,

" Ann! Honey! I know you are hurting and all but what can those people do for us? Huh? And besides what can sage really do that she hasn't done?"

She flicked my hand off , pressed her forehead with a bit of tiredness and indolently said,

" Sage was slapped by you, Shebz!
Sage was stabbed in the back by her best friend, Sage was humiliated by her always timid and weak sister in front of the Might Jethro freaking Mondo according to you"

She rolled her eyes and continued harrumphing

"Sage was violated by Mzee Matozo Boniface, Sage is going to lose the company that she has been stealing money from and I have already thrown them out the house, why do you think Xander was like a street shrew moments ago?"

" With all that and Sage's wilful and dandy temperament, you think she would take it lying down after losing face like that?"

"If she can harm a dove without scruples !"

"Oh ! Wait! About me hurting is because of Xander! He doesn't even deign to my glance"

I pressed the bridge between my eyebrows and nose, i heavily sighed and pointed at the old man,

" Now who are these?"

Luann knitted her forehead and faintly swept a glance at me, she tilts her head , opens her mouth but nothing came out .

I have heard what she has gone through for a day and even I , am flustered and languid.

But surprisingly the old man's face darkened but he quickly looked down in shame. The lady put the hand on her hips with all haughtiness, she pursed her lips and sneered,

" Hey? You haven't paid my money yet, you have thing loan sharks here......"

" Please maama Mukasa, lemme came and I clear you bill, please this once...."

The old man tried to pacify the lady but she jeered at him and guffawed, but wait that voice is totally familiar!

" You said clear?... Hahaha.... this once? Whom are you kidding? Huh? Do I look naive and stupid to you?"

The little dirty boy hid behind Luann...

What! What's with kids finding amnesty behind Luann!?

The old saw this and he leaped in front ambiguously limping of Luann and that is when I noticed him vividly.

" Father!"

";How ...how.... Why...what the turd!"

I stuttered pointing at him and I think I stumbled onto something because the next thing I know I was on the ground splurging in a ditch of dirty water..... probably sewage! And when I looked at Luann for help, she was basically muffling threatening giggles

"LUANN!"

I got up flicked off the disgusting sewage off my clothes and removed my shoes and ran off without looking back

"

THE REBORGE

82

Shebz'POV

Luann cleared her throat and smoothened her blouse flicking non-existent dust off her blouse and she unflinchingly said,

"Wow! That thudding slap that Shebz gifted you must have altered something! Because you seem to think that am a pushover!"

A cold, stern smile glinted in her eyes, she disdainfully curled her lips and reprimanded,

"Can't you distinguish right from wrong with acuity? It takes just a little sophistry from little Sage to send others in the deepest darkest abyss. Just because we are at the hospital doesn't give you the amnesty to injure people, and a frail woman at that!"

She ruthlessly put Xander in his place servilely. He had his jaw dropped and vexedly had his forehead kneaded. He looked at Luann like he could drill a hole through her face by glaring.

Sage helplessly heaved a sigh

"Pfft .. Lu, what are you saying?"

She opened wide her pair of perplexed and innocent eyes, Sage cast a glance at Jethro Mondo fawningly,

"Mr Jethro Mondo, listen... In the end I was only trying to defend your brother from her"

She retorted pointing at me. And all the sudden I got this extreme headache and bad premonition when Sage frenziedly started to curry favor Jethro.

"When I...."

Before she could even start unhindered voice was heard,

" So according to you, it is okay for a strong man to put his hands on a woman just because that woman was trying to assert decorum!?"

Jethro Mondo responded ambiguously. The smile on his face was inscrutable while Sage's face stiffened.

" Mmh... Em.. no it didn't...I mean that isn't.."

She was basically rendered speechless. Without warning, Luann pulled my arm and cast Xander a glared and said,

" Ingrained bias won't let you see your benign doom..it is a weakling of a man that puts his hand on a woman!"

We strutted away leaving him in a decrepitude and Sage literally plopping on the ground red eyed and chattering her teeth.

Surprisingly Jethro Mondo was right behind us.

" Ann you're leaving the hospital? Scratch that! You throw trash at Xander! Are you sure you're the same person!?"

I was basically flustered and happy at the same time and I was glibbing non-stop.

" Did you see how Jethro......."

Before I could could continue glibbering Jethro Mondo was guffawing while holding his stomach. I was stupefied to see him laugh. It was unbelievable.

" Give...me..a minute"

He said laughing even more. Luann's eyes were wide open and perplexed to say the least

" Bro, you're laughing!"

From no where JB Mondo strolled in and asked flusteredly , clearly he rarely laughs considering JB Mondo's bulged eyes. What even surprised the most was he stopped abruptly and rudely walked off.

This is going to be batshit crazy!

THE REBORGE

81

Shebz'POV

In a blink of an eye Xander was splurged with the leftover food and the silver plates !

A dangerous glint in Xander's eyes seemed to have ignited. His lips were twitching but he said nothing. He growled and leaped at Luann.

Before he could even touch her Jethro erected himself in front of her possessively. Awkwardness was written all over Xander's face.

His face knotted , fretting his lips . Luann had this innocent disbelief in her eyes without whim or rash.

" Oh my! I really thought it was a trash bag!"

" Go..Lo..gozaaaa" Xander scoffed intonating each letter of the name.
He flicked off some food off him but the results were dire.

" You, you ,you! You have just...."

Sage was wallowing in frustration that she continued saying' you'

Consequently she bawled her eyes out and snivelled,

" Sister, Luann! This , this your friend just waltzed here and slapped me! Look look.. the slap print is still on my cheek!"

She shamelessly squirmed and writhed showing her cheek.

THE REBORGE

80

Shebz'POV

When I shut the ward door behind me , I was met with a scene that reeled up my mind. Sage was hounding JB Mondo who had on this inscrutable smile , Xander was no where in sight.

" JB, please quell your anger, just because am her sister, I can't be labelled bunter!"

She spoke with a smile , her words soft and clear, I could see coquettishness intent hidden in her eyes. I clenched and unclenched my fists to stifle this insurmountable anger that dwelled within. I have tolerated her antics and whims for far too long! Now she is here bashing her own sister!

Her face was a complacency when I scurried up between her and JB Mondo. Without prior warning i stepped on her foot and when she grimaced I abruptly turned and jabbed her stomach and feigned clumsiness.

Such beguilement and shrewdness can stifle such vile spawns! Sage is crafty like a snake but two can play that game.

" Hey ! Shrew monkey! Can't you be of less..."

She was scoffing through gritted teeth when I ignored her and beckoned little vampire who was standing next to his uncle.

" Hey kiddo! Lu did really pour a hot scalding food on him and later kicked his balls...oh sorry kicked him...."

I said obsequiously point at my groin area. JB's eyes were filled with derision and I could see his chiseled jaws clenching while Sage had this incredulous look .

" What! Is Luann completely crazy!"

" Xavier let's go wait from the car with your sister! I can't dignify this witty banter with any response"

His throw daggers at me and walked away pulling the little vampire who in turn mouthed yes nodding his head cutely.

" Well Monkey! Are happy now! You have succeeded in pissed off the Mondos. Do you think that this is a park where tourists will throw bananas at you!"

She was still long winding when I throw a dirty slap in her face. Her expression stiffened and tenaciously clutched her fingers when she stumbled backwards.

"Never....."

'pa' sound was heard and I saw blurry images, the sunlight blazing must be so ferociously that the waves of dizziness nearly blinded me. I mind was in a trance.

" You dare slap Sage! You ,you ,you ... Whom do you think you're?"

I know that annoying voice! Xander! Xander has slap me with such energy!

" Can you imagine what Gologoza has done? Did you coerce her into doing this? I know you hate me and Sage but do you have a right to be so ...."

And just like that the ward door was flung open and Luann and Jethro we're standing on the door way.

THE REBORGE

79

Shebz'POV

Wait! Does Luann know whom she is speaking to? She is so scrupleless!

I was so stunned that I forgot how to swallow, when I gulped I choked and started coughing. What was even more stunning was I was ignored completely and surprisingly Jethro Mondo had this peculiar expression on his face.

His eyes twinkled imperceptibly before he cleared throat and obsequiously said,

" Er,,, about that.. I sent someone to get you something to eat. It'll be here real soon"

He giggled while pulling little vampire to his side. The boy begrudgingly strides to him and glanced at Luann pleadingly.

Seriously what is this? I must be delirious! How can this be happening ?

Mondos graced us with their presence and Luann is inadvertently making them lose face. What makes me even feel more baffled is that Jethro Mondo is basically obsequious to Luann. I know she threw herself in harm's way to save the little imp but come on!

" Really? You did? Not hospital food though?"

Luann asked creasing her brows and sitting back on the bed next to me .

Consequently, after 10 minutes of uncomfortable perfunctory small talk JB Mondo, strolled in with a picnic basket and a gift bag in both hands. My mind was still in a whirl when JB Mondo snarled,

" Now that we have paid her in kind , let's not continue mingling with lurking beings!"

I have heard this guy speak twice but what comes out of his beautiful mouth is incessant squabbles. What kind of prick is his? Handsome none the less.

Before I could retort , Jethro Mondo casually said,

" If you said less, no one would think that you're mute!"

His expression turned same shade of black as I meet him the first time . He opened his mouth to say something but Jethro Mondo cleared his throat and his sight was directed at Luann who was stuffing her face with food without any scruples. When did she even start eating? She is slurping the soup loudly clearly enjoying her meal but the sight lacked decorum.

" Please wait outside, I would like to speak to her alone"

Jethro Mondo patted on little vampire's shoulder and pushed him to JB Mondo as he signalled me to follow suit. I glared at Luann who looked up from the silver plate and nodded.

" Luann! Are you even swallowing?"

I asked but with exasperation she retorted,

" What am famished!" With her mouthful, it was hard to hear what she was even saying. JB Mondo shook his head without concealing contempt and disgust in his eyes, he swayed to exit direction jeering .

Again surprisingly Jethro Mondo was shyly smiling as he stroked the bridge of his nose . My mind was frizzled!

" Let me get her some drinking water just in case she choked!"

I exited leaving both them staring at each other , the smile at the corner of Jethro's mouth froze when I patted him.

THE REBORGE

78

Shebz'POV

"But wait! Did you really kick JB Mondo's balls?" I implored clambering down from the bed and stood next to her muffling threatening giggles that were on the verge of bursting of my mouth.

She demurely started checking in her hand bag ignoring me.

" Where are you reticent all the sudden? Come on give my more dets"

" Shebz come-on! That's is your point breaker!? You're not even asking me how I found out about Xander and Sage but your are just more invested in this stranger?"

When she abruptly stopped ransacking through her hand bag and forlornly said this , I gasped and held my chest dramatically, rudimentary inspected her whole body especially the head and asked,

" Are you sure you're fine? Did you hit your head that badly"

She rolled her eyes stomped her foot down.

" Am I supposed to know this Mondo family? Are they celebrities of sorts?"

" He had this same entitled expression like every human being is supposed to know him. He even accused me of stalking him that I even coquettishly poured my food on him just to perfunctorily small chat with him!"

" The haughtiness of that punk!"

I knew my friend was aloof to everything that doesn't concern Xander but I didn't know that it was this bad! She is serious she doesn't know the Mondo family? How is this possible?

Her intelligence and acuity in some areas flustered me but then again her cluelessness in most areas flustered me equally.

She rendered me speechless when she just growled at me for showing a shocked stare. I didn't want to bother her the more because I will pull out all the info I want from her about today's incident but apparently not today. So I changed the topic

"How long have you known about Xander and Sage?"

" Did they shamelessly tell you?"

I asked my tone dropping several levels. She looked at me with gloomy eyes , her voice was devoid of all emotions when she said,

"Long enough to find him bed with Sage's best friend, Keke after father's burial"

I choked on my saliva and started coughing and in that moment a dark tall warrior like silhouette stood flicked the curtains and cleared his throat. I didn't even get time to react to what Luann had just told me.

Jethro Mondo!

A smile flitted across his handsome face but before I could carefully capture it, it disappeared completely... The small boy ran to Luann's side and curled his hand proprietary around her arm and looked up to her and asked,

" Wonder woman! You're now okay? Are you going home? Can Dad drive you back? We have a car and you don't seem to have one....."

The little boy was going on and on with questions till Luann bent down and gingerly held his chin

" Little vampire! My Kaaka says that when you're unlucky you can get cavities even by drinking only water!"

So Luann and the little boy refer to themselves by nicknames like old friends! Wow!
"What? Who is Kaaka? And what does that have to do with you?"

" You're not saying that you are unlucky are you?"

" Xavier! Come-on! Stop with this prattling! She just needs to conscientiously stay in bed and recuperate. And besides I would like to speak with Ms.. sorry Mrs..."

He said proffering his sturdy hand. Which Luann just stared at and .... ignored!

" Sorry forgive my friend! She must be still hurting! Her hand is bruised and probably hit her head in the process"

I nervously said completely panicking. What is wrong with Luann. This man is the king of tourism in Uganda, and Luann is willfully and arrogantly ignoring him? I must be crazy.. no she must be high! Or May be she is still flustered about Xander and Sage's betrayal. I myself am on the rollercoaster of emotions due to all these events that ......crap! I need to save the moment!

" She is Luann.. you can call her Luann and am Shebah, my friends call me Shebz.. you can be my friend if you want to...sorry again am rumbling... I rumble when am nervous"

" Am Jethro Mondo, my friends call me Jethro Mondo and yes Luann must have hit her head in trying to save my son.. am totally indebted to her for life , that is why I want to ...."

His elegant and husky voice was cut short by Luann's aloofness. She was staring in space massaging nape of the neck, he cleared his voice ,hesitated a little and continued talking,

" I know you have had a tumultuous day....."

" Seriously! Am hungry! I can't hear anything that you're saying on my grumbling stomach, I hate to return kindness with ingratitude considering...but I need to eat before I black out!"

Luann interrupted him

THE REBORGE

77

Shebz' POV

What!?"

" Oh my dear friend! How are you? Is it serious? I sorry I have ...."

"Shebz! Breath! Am not dying or you're just blanched because of some people?"

Luann frowned gingerly handling my hand. I have not seen her for some time now. Every time I would try to contact her Sage would be on the other side of the line . I wondered how she managed to be with Luann's phone all the time till I found out from a friend that she was taking care of her sick father and Sage and Xander were in charge of the company....what a mess!

Sigh!

" Shebz! Are you okay? Am..."

My facial expressions must have frosted over because Luann was tilting her head discerningly.

" Oh my oh my! Did you see who that was ?!"

When I pulled out my trance I excitedly asked her with smiles and probably drooling but she just nodded her head nonchalantly.

What!

" Luann! How is ... I mean why is .. seriously Luann can you give me more than a nod?!"

" That was the whole Mondo family! Luann do you know what that means ?"

I even stood up and gingerly held her shoulders and shook her cautiously while staring at her big eyes.

" Shebz! It means that was run over by a bike but by God's grace am unharmed and the little vampire is okay as well, so I guess all is well now"

She succinctly said without blinking. How is this possible?

" Don't you Know who Jethro Mondo is?"

I patiently asked her basically flustered.she gently patted on the bed to signal me to sit and flickered her eyelashes like a doll and stoically said,

"Shebz! Since when are you this invested in other people's lives! "

She was right, I never care about other people's lives much less male species but this was Jethro Mondo! I obsequiously stared her and sighed heavily.
She rolled her eyes and said,

" I pushed his son out of harm's way before , I had poured a plate of churning food on some clown by accident and he stalked me out of the restaurant where kicked his groin area and I ......found...that he was little vampire's uncle Mr Jethro Mondo's brother"

She related some drivel and looked down haggardly.
I thought about she said and I bulged my eyes when realization downed on me

" Wait wait wait! You did what!?"

I didn't know though to laugh of cry because this meant that JB Mondo was ......oh Lord have mercy!
I wanted to know more details but a little girl crept out of the bathroom behind the hospital bed that I almost gnarled in shock.

And wait! She is a girl? Wasn't she a boy just a minute ago? Am seeing things?

It seems like Luann saw the look on my face and said,

" Shebz! Relax! You're not seeing things . Yes she is a girl and twin of little vampire"

She explained but the little girl didn't even spare me a glance. She walked out of the room without looking back.

" Luann! What means Jethro Mondo is the father of those kids? How did this happen?"

" It is so easy you know..girl meets boy, boy...."

" Luann ! I know how people make kids but I meant how Jethro Mondo is able to have kids and I don't know about it...I know everything about him. Are you sure their his kids?!"

I melancholy asked but Luann abruptly got out of the bed and seriously stared at me and said,

" Shebz! Let's work together from now on! Quit your job and work with me....no no lemme rephrase it be my partner... Let's be equal partners in Cwezi Uganda. And don't worry about Sage and Xander, they won't be your problem anymore because I know why you quit from Cwezi Uganda in the first place. I know I know you are thinking about monetary power because those two have been stealing from me but that will be solved really soon.. now all you have to do is say yes then the tourism world is ours for the taking"

I had a myriad of emotions erupting within me and my mind was .......

"Yes ! What next!"

THE REBORGE

76

Shebz POV

When I received a phone call informing me of Luann's accident.

I rushed to the hospital like a mad woman. At the entrance of he ward room, a dishevelled looking guy malevolently said,

"What was that bull crap that Gologoza pulled just now!?"

" I don't have time to waste on her frivolities! She should even be grateful that I dropped everything to come and see her forlorn face!"

Of course!

Who else calls Luann by her surname like that other than Namara Xander the weasel! As I prefer to call him.

He is here ranting to Sage who coiled her arm into Xander's.
She leaned on his body like a spineless snake with a dissatisfied scowl in her face she scoffed,

" You even broke your wrist defending her from that guy but she callously threw us out and continuously lampooned your generosity"

"What!?"

"Ann did what!?"

I asked incredulously while striding haughtily towards them. I didn't intend to say anything but they conversation intrigued me that I couldn't refrain myself from interrupting their coquettishness .

Xander had this sad face on like he was treated unjustly while Sage had a deprecating expression the moment she saw me.

"Luann has always been recluse and kept to herself , she managed to keep up with you fallacious idiots for far too long without wingling your necks . So of course their convo interested me. So forgive my intrusion"

I said chuckling zealously, Sage's face blanched immediately and she gnawed her teeth letting go of Xander's arm.

"Hey! Shebah! Or Shebz whatever you call yourself! This doesn't concern you! Stop hiding I the shadows to creep up on people's conversations"

" Clearly most of your is wasted on wrong areas, have you seen your face lately? You'll repulse the sick and doctors might retain you for some Ebola and other associated diseases tests due to your close relation to the monkey family"

I laughed disingenuously with unwavering tone I pointedly said,

" A polished turd is still a turd!"

I looked at Xander flicked his collar off imaginary dust and said,

" You petered out yourself the moment you laid this hussy!"

I swiveled around and strutted to the hospital ward private room number 321 but before I could touch the door nob , it was flung open and this dark handsome guy stopped at the doorway with his scarred eyebrow arched he smiled and succinctly said,

"Sorry and excuse me"

I was reticent and probably saliva dribbling out of my mouth as I glanced shamelessly at Jethro freaking Mondo!

"You... You... You're je...he..Jethro Mondo... Jethro Mondo!...oh my God!"

I don't know what came over me but I was stuttering like a retarded and saying prattles. He tilted his head and creased his brows flustered I think....

" I feel like am rumbling..." I laughed feebly touching my neck nervously.

" Am I rumbling... ?"

He open his mouth ... His beautiful mouth.. to speak but this voice came behind him and impatiently said,

" Why are you traipsing all over the place like a cow! He knows his name! Now scram!"

" Bro! Let's leave this place before we pick up some ....."

" You're JB Mondo! Jethro Mondo's brother! Jesus! I must have stumbled into the wrong room..."

The small boy appeared and squinted his eyes at me , he looks exactly like Jethro Mondo!

His son? No! It can't be he has no kids... Probably his brother.

"You're Shebzzz?"

He asked sounding strongly the 'z'

" You're in the right room. Wonder woman is fine. Sorry for scaring you earlier"

He said smiling. Pushing JB Mondo aside to give way to me. I like this kid.

" You're the one that called me ? Wow! You're so gentlemanly for a five year old comparing to him "

I said signalling with my chin to JB Mondo. He sighed and walked away.

" Wonder woman said that he is so cranky like a teenager who is broken hearted"

"Shebz! Am fine ! You can go back with the Mondos... If you didn't bring something to eat, my food was inadvertently drenched on someone who refuses to be the bigger man"

A resonating voice of Luann was loudly heard from behind the curtained bed ..

Her attempted levity was not received nicely by the grumpy guy who stomped and snorted and walked away... That is when I noticed his dirtened shirt and shoes

THE REBORGE

75

Sage's POV

"Sage! You .... You .... See a beautiful little girl, right!?"

She asked frenziedly staring at the bed, when she reached out her hand to touch her, the little girl step back frowning.

I laughed feebly and cleared my throat,

" Lu, dear sis, don't get agitated. I see the girl . She is ....."

'Bam!' little Xavier pushed me aside and stood sulking like in in front of Luann.

" Wonder woman! You're awake.....She is my sister!"

Luann snapped her eyes open widely, clearly in shock. She held her chest and genuinely smiled at little Xavier.

" There are two of you! "

" Oh thank God! For a minute there I thought I was seeing things"

" Are you not hurt?"

She was like a mother hen checking little Xavier's body thoroughly.

She can be annoying!

"Look! Your elbow is super hurt. Nurse help him please....and why is my room all crumpled up? Who are all these people?"

She said glaring at Xander and I. I felt chills down my spine. How humiliating! Is this a joke!

Before I could vent , Jethro's brother coughed and....

" Oh my! Pasta boy! You came to gloat?! Or you want me to wash your shirt? "

She blurted out at Jethro's brother and smirked propping her chin.
Little Xavier chuckled softly while Jethro's brother sneered.

" Bro, now you can see for yourself..."

" Hold up, hold up! You brought with family elders to rebuttal me?!"

She was vexing the poor guy and the brother seemed not to notice at. The guy was so pissed that clenched his fists and bones popped. I want to see how far she can humiliate herself....

Didn't she know the Mondos?

" You see how she is soooo incorrigible!"

She sighed and looked at little Xavier.

"Kid am glad that you are okay but please hurry and take you younger brother with you he is no fun at all. And take...."

She said casually

" But he isn't my brother... He is my uncle?"

Little Xavier said smiling and grimacing at the same time as the nurse cleaned the wound. Although the little sister rolled her eyes disdainfully.

I guess she doesn't like Luann like most people.

" Are you sure he knows that he is your uncle? He acts and behaves like your younger sibling?"

She scowled her brows pretending to discern. This look made me want to puke because it made both Xandy and Jethro giggle.

Jethro's brother stomped his foot and snorted derisively and folded his hands on his chest glaring at Luann.

" See! See what I mean!"

She said smiling at him and I have to admit that he really looked like a little kid.

" Dear sis, I came hastily to see how you are doing.... Even Xandy is here."

I nimbly said and held her hand to show my sincere concern.

" All of you get out ! You're all terminating the patient's environment"

What? Am I hearing things? She have just ordered Jethro Mondo to get out!?

Does she know who Jethro Mondo is?

Idiot!

THE REBORGE

74

Sage's POV

" Bro! I...I... I don't know what you've heard that...that..lady right there....she.."

The guy stuttered dithering while pointing at the languish body of Luann. He flicked his hands on his body exasperatingly.

" She did this to me! If it wasn't for her, this wouldn't have happened! Retributive actions are at hand here not me!"

He eerily said with a frosty smile.

If we weren't here I would have ferociously thanked this guy. Hahahaha

He is my kind of people! Well blantly said.

Jethro Mondo on the other side were basically vexed that his gritting jaws were basically clattering.

" Dad! Dad! Look!"

That is when I noticed a little girl in the room, she was staring at Luann while tugging Jethro Mondo's pants. I was so much captivated by Jethro Mondo's presence that I didn't notice the other people he came with.

This little girl was the exact copy of little boy who who has been rebutting the other guy. They are of the same age!

How come I didn't know about him having twins?

His like Mondo! The Jethro Mondo of Mondo hotels , cottages and lodges..

He is the richest, most handsome and mysterious bachelor in Uganda. Woman become coquettish at his sight......

" Dad! She is awake!"

The little girl spoke again and pulled me out if my trance.
I cleared my throat and approached the bed Luann was .

" Excuse me Mr. Mondo...."

I put on my winning smile and wore a pitiful look. Men can't resist a helpless woman especially a beautiful one at that.

"Sage" Luann sounded weak as she called. Honestly, I was grateful for her languishing situation. Because I gotta to meet the one and only Jethro Mondo.

If she can help me this once by being her pathetic self , I will definitely leave Xander for her!

"Are we in hell!?"

She asked weakly blinking. But bulged her eyes when she noticed the little girl next to the bed.
She tried to she and between grunts she asked frenziedly,

" You're a girl!"

She flicked my hand away when I tried to help her sit

THE REBORGE

73

Sage's POV

" Ouchieeeee! You brat!"

" Have you even thought that maybe just maybe this is karma for her ! " He growled

" Everyone saw what she did to me! Why are you hell bent on...."

"Is this some kind of a bad joke!? So according to you she deserves to die cause of what she supposedly did to you!?"

The kid refuted, he is too articulate for a kid. And that means one thing!

He comes from a good family back ground!

But what did my dear sister do to that guy this time? I chortled inwardly

Xander stood up and pocketed his hands and tilted his head while squinting his eyes

" Kid! Do you this dude?"

" Did he advertently run over my wife?"

" And when you that he..."

The guy interrupted Xander and scoffed while clasping his hands behind his back,

"You can't falsify truth!"

Xander was fuming that his nose started flickering, he clenched his fist that the veins popped.

And " bah" he throw a punch on the guy's handsome face . He heavily heaved his chest and straightened his shirt.

"Why are you so arrogant and despotic right now!"

I gasped and muttered sullenly,

" Xandy! This is a hospital! Control yourself!"

The guy glared at Xander with a grimy face, he gnashed his teeth and laughed in a sluggish manner.

I felt uneasy at the sight of his penetrative glare. He opened his mouth to speak but he closed it when the door was flung open

In the doorway a dark lofty silhouette stood there with an elegant vibe and unignorable presence.

He was clad in dark blue suit fitting well, clearly tailor made and not cheap. He had a full brown bread that made him look so sturdy and warrior like. he had a scar above his right eyebrow that could tell knightly stories. His glaze was as penetrative as this guy's glare!

Oh my!

He is his brother!?

And all the sudden realization downed on me. The suited guy is none other than Jethro Mondo!
Jethro Mondo!

How is this possible!

" Dad! You finally came!"

The kid ran to Jethro Mondo and hounded between his legs.

" Of course! Are you okay?"

He said in a gentle voice that I was tempted to walk up to him and bite him, the hair on my body stood.

The sight of father and son being compassionate was priceless.

I was so stunned that I didn't know what to say in the presence of such most handsome black guy I have ever seen and top of all that he is Rich!

He didn't even make eye contact with me or Xander! He was intimidatingly staring at the guy who was looking downwards and discomfort seeping out of his body .

The cold sweat broke out on his forehead as his gulped non-stop.

Jethro Mondo bristled,

"Am ashamed to have such a cruel and unscrupulous brother!"

THE REBORGE

72

Sage's POV

When we arrived at the hospital, Xander was muddled and delirious! Like he really cared about Luann's healthy.

I packed my brain to understand why he is so worked up about this when he was cursing her out about the bank account issue?

Despair was taking root in my heart for real this time. They was concern in his eyes, he languidly slumped on the bed next to Luann .

With red shot eyes he asked the nurse,

" What happened? Will she be okay? Is anything broken? Who caused this?"

His fidgetiness with questions put my mind in a trance. He turned to the guy who was standing next to window languidly.

" Who are you? Did you bring her here or you caused this? And who is that boy?"

The boy I had not noticed shrouded in gloomy aura and hid behind the nurse.

" What is this? Can some...."

" Mister...uuhh?"

The nurse rudely interrupted Xander's questions and smiled obsequiously at the man next to the window. He looks oddly familiar but I didn't give it a second thought.

" Speak up damnit! Am her husband!"

The nurse stared at the man next to window and stuttered,

" She was ... Uhuh she was involved in an accident and this gentleman brought her here. She is .... She is ."

The nurse replied in perfunctorily. But I glanced at the man next to the window wondering why the nurse was so scared of him .

"She is what!?"

I asked blandly to placate the nurse who seemed frizzled.

" She seems have hit her head so hard that ....she kept calling for Sage frenziedly....she..."

My body reeled with shock when I heard that.

"Really?"

I asked with an imperceptibly mocking smile . But the kid behind the nurse glared at me and refuted ,

" It was more like pleading!"

He cleared his voice and puffed up his little chest with pride , raised his chin and reiterated,

"It was more like pleading! Whatever she is ...."

" Xavier!shut you mouth!"

The man moved from the window and leaped at the kid .

His articulation was so bland yet haughty.
A person's presence is determined by what lays beneath the surface but this man's clothes that are drenched in ground nuts sauce gives off an ambiguous aura.

And that rude kid...

"Who are you people?"

Xander asked , this time calmly but intimidatingly. After all men often enjoy displaying their power and making their enemies feel helpless. And from Xander's body language, he has already regarded this man as his enemy.

" She saved me!"

The kid said revealing the bruise on his elbow and kicked the shin of the man. And pointed at him accusingly

" He caused it!"

THE REBORGE

71

Sage's POV

I watched the grovelling Keke on the ground and I was dumbfounded!

I see what she did right there!

She wants to frame me for assaulting her.. so clever yet dumb!

She is so disgusting that I almost don't recognize her.

If she wants to be sly, manipulative two can play that game. I turned my head and was faced with the furrowed face of Xander.

My voice sweetened dipped in artificial worry,

" Keke clumsily poured tea on yourself, I was just trying to help her out when she tripped and fell, poor thing! She worried that I was going to pounce on her or even fire from the job she pleaded me for"

Xander scowled and heavily sighed, discerningly looked at Keke's stained clothes and imperatively said,

" Keke, please watch yourself! This is a work place not a market! It is just a mere conjuncture, you don't need to cause impetuous ....."

" But Xandy!..."

Keke tried to refute but a deadly stare from Xander halted her speech and movement.

" I don't have time for this! Go back to work...and Sage come with me"

He is the typical example of the strong use their power to oppress the weak, Keke's voice turned from whinny and grating to gentle and respectful.

" Okay boss! Lemme go change and the tourist that are meant to tour Western Uganda have arrived"

Xander who had turned to head to his office halted and threw daggers at me.

" So you guys were impetuously cat fighting while our clients are in the vicinity?"

Something strange flashed through his eyes but he walked away from our sight before I could deduce what it was.

When I decided to follow him ,Keke cleared her throat and said,

"Sage! You're the kind of person who has stabbed multiple innocent people in the back, yet you justify it by thinking you had to do it..more like it is your purpose from the ancestors to carry out their work! But believe we I say this your cruelty will ...."

" Keke, Keke stop with this haranguing! We live in the world of dog eat dog! So stop procrastinating your pending retribution!"

Before she would retort Xander came back flustered and blurted,

" Lu...Ann...Luann was involved in an accident!"

" What! Is she dead!"

I inadvertently said

THE REBORGE

70

Sage's POV

" Isn't it so funny how a pot calls a kettle black!"

She retorted before crossing her arms questioningly. There wasn't a faint of regret after blurting out .

" Oh no! I forgot! You guys don't know that she has been....."

"Keke! Shout your mouth right now! This is office environment we don't need to dawdle about, these good people need to start the day's work!"

I desperately said through gritted teeth trying to conceal the nervousness.

" Guys go on! There is nothing to see here! "

I said flicking my hand laughing feebly. My hands were trembling with rage that I had to tightly hold on to the Hem of my skirt to stifle the urge of face slapping her.

She smirked nodding her head and said,

" It feels nice to finally talk back at you!"

She moved from behind the desk and strutted to where I was standing and whispered,

" You keep saying that I drugged Xandy!"

The intonation of Xandy, was in sickly sweet voice that it made me want to regurgitate! What right does she have to call him Xandy?

Am the only one who's supposed to short sweeten his name!

Her haughtiness is growing.

" Have you asked him if he really was drugged! Cause I can assure you that I....."

I didn't want to hear what she was about to say so I slapped her across the face so hard to she stumbled back to the desk.she held her cheek,
Her eyes bulged out in surprise and reddened with rage .

She was dumbfounded!

" Even if you package rubbish into a friend and employ it,nit will always be rubbish"

"I'll make you regret to ever have betrayed me! After I can plot against my own sister and win who the heck do you think you are?"

She clenched her fists so hard that her manicured fingernails almost broke. I don't need saintly benevolence to deal with such trifle pests.

Insolence!

She sniggered and the smile turned stale immediately. A complete 180!

" Presumably, you think your appearance is a gift from the gods to save this jungle nation?!"

"Sage it is you who should be wary of I!

And just like that she plopped down and bawled her eyes out and started sniveling. From behind a voice was heard,

" What the hell is going on here!"

THE REBORGE

69

Sage's POV

That statement alone was enough to satiate the people with curiosity.
Her tone and demeanor didn't show any slightest sign of deferment.

She pressed her palms on the desk and looked intimidatingly at me.

Inwardly I was shocked and perplexed by how she is fearlessly acting knowing certainly she would blather moronic stuff but I scoffed in an icy tone,

"Keke! We've been friends since childhood! This is how you're repaying me?"

She looked down in shame when I said that but recovered quickly and snorted. If it wasn't for these low lives idiots of workmates eavesdropping, I would have pounced on her and tear her to shreds.

I clenched my teeth and reprimanded,

" You were just unpopular as sewer rat when I met you, I worked had to crawl you out of that deepest abyss of life but now you've become this sly cold woman that seduce and drug their friends...... My their boss"

The people around gasped and covered their mouth in shock.
That gave me more ammunition to deflate her ego.

" You think you would still bask in glory after the stunt you pulled immediately after father's burial?"

People gasped even louder and glared at her disdainfully. To drive the point home, I held my check and snivelled.

"Keke, you went to far! I invited you as a good friend in mourning my father's death. But you... You...Keke! Aren't you so shameless? I gave you an inch but you reciprocated by taking a yard!"

When people scheme against me without guilty, why should the victim ... Me.. feel bad about slandering them?

The tour guide who had designs on Keke looked at her disdainfully and sneered loudly,

"Utterly brazen! Insolence! Don't be arrogant showing contempt to Miss Sage! Beg for forgiveness!"

Keke guffawed disregarding the tour guide guy ,she laughed heartily that her eyes became glassy... What's his name?

She wiped the tears that were seeping out from the corners of her eyes and sighed.

She watched on coldly at me , her eyes devoid of any compassion or pity.

THE REBORGE

68

Sage's POV

She was livid and filled with rage which placated my heart slightly.

" Why....you ..."

She choked on the words now she saw my swaying finger .

"Okay back stabber! Lemme stop you right there! You have been hounding me for sometime now with the I'll intention of cajoling with my .....with Xander!"

" Now that you have gotten it out of your funk it is time to disappear!"

" Skunks like you don't deserve...."

I was still haranguing when she cackled like banshee!

I swallowed my words and stared at a crazy the thing

"Well well well look who is ranting about morals and values!?"

" Are you sure you want to start this war right here?"

THE REBORGE

67

Sage's POV

If God wanted to destroy a person, He would first make the person do crazy things and as I discern Luann, she is at the flirting with death!

I didn't know that she was this calculative!

Her depravity is unprecedented!

The look she had in her eyes when she choked me icy unwavering. I could have sworn that she really wanted to gouge my throat that instant.

I massage the nape of the neck and rub my face clumsily to stifle that nasty feeling that keeps creeping in my heart Everytime Luann's name comes up.

As I approach the reception of the Cwezi offices I notice this familiar silhouette atop the front desk swaying her legs sipping on tea, nodding her head humming.

Keke!

What the hell is Keke doing here? Did she lose her brain?

Does she think she can still work at Cwezi, with what she did?

Such ignoble doesn't exist!

With the way I have began my morning I guess ,I won't have a good day.

I came to office to confront Xander about closing the Cwezi account without informing me. After having that crazy woman Luann , run her mouth and she dared put her hands on me!

I deserved a gift in form of cash and since she is the cow that I milk whenever I want to boast my confidence, but was I supposed to know to Xander would have closed it?

But when?

And now this twerp clown Keke , is here at the reception giving off market vibes!

Who sits on top of a desk while drinking tea swaying her legs around like she is in her own house?!

Such classless pest!

So uncouth!

A village girl will always be a village bumpkin! Am still trying to wrap my mind around why she was able to lay Xander, was he drank? Did she craftily scheme with Luann?

But why would Luann do that? She totally loves Xander!

My mind was basically twirling and whirling that I felt a slight headache and nausea. Probably this unpleasant sight before me .

"Hey! Twerp! What I. God's name are you doing here?"

I bristled with a thudding slap on the desk. She was caught off guard that she scurried off the desk spilling the tea on her skimpy blue skirt, she tried to flick off the spill while jumping like she was stepping on a burning bush.

She muffled a groan as she raised her eyes and glared at me. The cup broke and the brokenness pieces were sprawled out on the ground. The commotion attracted a swamp of workmates mostly tour guides and drivers.

" Sage! What gives!? "

THE REBORGE

66

Luann's POV

As I took large strides towards the taxi stage. My mind was in a whirl, how did the situation reach this dire stage?

Was my journey to second life going to be this long and arduous threaded with obstacles?

I growled in frustration and shook head my vehemently to shake off that thought!

I know that idiot will come knocking on my door soon, considering he basically insinuated that he some sort of a big deal but am not to be trifled with.

I precariously took the phone from the hand bag, clearly hunger is winning. I start seeing blurry images.

I sent the message and decided to wait at the stage for my ride. I sighed heavily and slumped on the bench . Good enough it was lunch time , so few people were waiting for the taxi in the blazing sun. Everyone was minding their own business no one noticed that I was wearing one heel limping like a lame duck.

As I tried to calm down, a soft light voice said,

"No lady has ever spoken to him in such manner, he has always been the object of affection and every woman fawn in him , he always has his nose in the air trampling on every lady! "

" Lady! Wait.... No.. Wonder woman! Definitely Wonder woman! You have made my day! And to think I didn't want to come at this stupid restaurant!"

" Did you see the look on his face when you kicked his groin ? It ... Was.... Epic!"

I turned my head to my left side to see a kid in white and blue jersey and plain blue shorts. He had a ball under his armpit, eyes glistening with excitement. When he smiles dimples showed up on his cheeks, the smile was sweet and innocent.

His canine teeth were longer than normal that he looked like a young vampire.

His glib mouth worked non-stop and I wondered how he is able to talk like that without biting his tongue!

The drowsiness I was feeling immediately vanished.

But wait!

Why does he know a lot about sauce boy?

They're related somehow!

Despair started to take root in my heart, this vampire boy looks so young and innocent and probably nice but ........

And all the sudden the voice roared , seething with anger and my thoughts were impeded by that upbeat and shrieking voice.

" What the heck are you doing with my nephew?! Now that you have failed to curb me , now a ten year old is your target now?"

"Xavier! Stayed away from that vile female who knows no end to her subterfuge!"

He was attracting many standbys with his honorifics.

But wait!

The boy is called Xavier? Is this a coincidence!?

I raised my head and looked at the vampire boy whose body language shrouded in a gloomy aura and he gave me a placating stare pursing his lips.

When mister sauce pants saw this he leaped at the boy who dodged him to the side and sauce pant's hand patted on the ball.

The ball rolled in the middle of the road which pissed off vampire boy(Xavier, apparently). He glared at him his confidence greatly bolstered .

Without warning he ran to pick the while a boda boda ( bike) with a passenger was headed straight to his direction.

I was still infuriated half to death by his callous words but the sight before me
.......

I acted like a crazy woman and the last thing i saw before I blacked out was grovelling body of vampire boy on the ground

THE REBORGE

65

Luann's POV

She was trying to suck up to this guy. The service delivery of this country is plummeted.

I flicked my finger left right to hush her up. She snorted derisively and folded up her arms onto her chest.

"Shouldn't you be dexterously cleaning up these broken pieces of China tat is sprawled out everywhere before someone else is hurt?"

"But then again how would you be able to throw digs at a customer? Pfft.....or why don't you help this poor man who is drenched in ground nuts sauce with a towel to clean himself instead of quibbling rudely! This place has lost it's class clearly!"

"At least use your tongue to slurp off that sauce off his clothes consider it as ......."

I was still going on reprimanding her when a boisterous laughter filled up the room and I abruptly turned to be face to face with sauce boy .

"You're actually trying to craftily throw dirt on the poor caterer for outright coming out and saying what's what?"

" You're that willful?"

He said with a taunting laugh filled with mockery and disgust in his eyes.

"You know what!? Forget it!"

" Since you have thrown rationality and semblance of cordiality out of the window and unequivocally blamed me for this. Saying sorry won't do much. Sorry will be just a word against thousand wilful people"

With that I took long strolled flicking away people who had gathered around. The sauce guy stomped his foot down like a sulking child but I ignored him and strutted away.

When I reached outside the restaurant, I realized I couldn't move further limping around with one heel.

I clamped my hand bag to retrieve my phone , I heard a grimy voice behind me ,

" You! Stop right there!"

I sighed heavily in exasperation and braced myself, I have being patient with this punk but isn't getting a hint!

They insulted me and I let it because he looked wronged that then.

Not intimidated with his angry glares, he was seething in anger when he tried to grip my shoulder.

I leaned backwards and abruptly hell his hand and swirled it , kicked into his groin. A shrieking scream tore out of his throat before falling on the ground curling up tightly.

The people in the restaurant were on the door way observing everything and all males cringed at the sight of writhing guy on the ground.

I jumped him and strolled away in large steps flicking off imaginary dirt with one heel and bag in my hand without looking back

64

Luann's POV

" Why are you treating your words like treasure?"

The cute pasted guy hissed writhing my wrist. I growled at him and tried to flick off his hand but he tightened his grip.

" You're this incorrigible and haughty that you can't even pretend to say sorry?"

"Could you be less obvious? You have been frivolously filling up that plate to attract my attention and when you didn't get any you decided to detrimentally curb me?"

" I hate cheap stunts! Especially from desperate boring gluttonous little twerps!"

He ranted all this while emitting this indomitable aura. My mind was frizzled to say the least.

Who is this jerk!?

What is this incessant squabbling all about?

Why does he think I was being obsequious?

So impertinent!

" Hey! Caveman! Whom do you think you're?"

I bristled, pulling away my hand . The caterer who was had her arms in akimbo grasped .

She said; " the audacity of some people!"

She rolled her eyes upwards. I ignored her and shot daggers at mister paste boy!

"First of all I don't spend my time running amok with ground nuts paste to cajole with the likes of you!"

" Secondly, this was totally super coincidental freaky mishap on my side and this tin tinny hole that broke my good heel's"

I said blandly , I bent down and removed the shoe to show him that it was stuck in the ground.

" So what! Shouldn't you apologize for being careless! You were filling up your plate like a village bumpkin , holding up other customers! But now you're here again dawdling.

Everyone saw how you kept on staring at......"

Miss caterer long-winded at me pointing fingers, rolling her eyes and sneering at me.

THE REBORGE

63

Luann's POV

After the upheaval of my day ,I deserved a hearty meal. I had to quell Mzee Matozo Boniface, so that he can bid to my every whim. And especially to make sure that the government deal of marketing Ugandan tourism to the locals goes to me, my company, Cwezi Uganda . It wasn't an easy ride to blackmail the old man to he eventually yielded.

In that short period of time I had to rectify my bank details because leaving my account in hands of those two malevolent humans would be an affront to my intelligence.

To eliminate a diseased banana plant from spreading the infection to the whole garden, one has to uproot the whole tap root ,stem and surrounding roots and burn them to ashes... And even bury the ashes just to be sure it won't fester and grow to became resistant.

Am preparing an unimaginable perilous for my dearest husband and my treacherous snake of a sister.

They will be churning in an endless spiral of coincidental bad luck and mishaps. Just thinking about it bring my to a benign smile.

Just when I was about to curve my lips into a benign smile, this guy next to me forced a frosty smile filled with disdain clearly and his demeanor inadvertently stood out.

I ambled slowly under his stare and snubbed him , picked up a piece of beef to stock my plate.

But i was surprised to find the plate brimming with ground nuts pasta that it started dripping on the tray.

I smiled obsequiously to the caterer who in turned snorted derisively. I was so much lost in a trance that I didn't notice how much sauce I had placed on my plate.

No wonder everyone was contemptuous to me . They probably think that am completely devoid of morals and values that .....

'pa' sound was heard and followed my clinking of glass and a loud thud.

It happened real quickly that I don't know how my heel broke and the tray I was carrying brimming with food flew out of my hands and landed on the cute guy who was previously glaring at me in contempt.

He was now covered in ground nuts pasta and he was jumping around like he had hot charcoal in his pants.

I wanted to squirm and writhe the heel's wheel and scram. While I was wishing fervently, the cute guy was throwing daggers at me like he might broke off my head an drink my blood .

Jeers and insults surrounded me, I gulped in fright when the cute guy leaped at me with bulged eyes, veins popping up on his chiseled face, creased his brows and gritted his teeth. It was very hard to take him seriously with pasta drenching his shirt and pants.

"Why are you treating your words like treasure!?"

Caveman!

That's what came to mind

"

THE REBORGE
62

Xander's POV

" Dude! Dude! Beer at this time of the day isn't conductive for office environment, considering your work with bazungu! They won't take your managerial position seriously!"

*Bazungu ( white people)

"Clyde! Refrain yourself from seeping factious monologue, I have Sage for that!"

I said reclining back to the chair, swirling the beer in the glass, ice cubes making clinking sounds as they hit the sides of the glass.

Annoyance was radiating from Clyde though his expression gave away nothing. Since he mentioned Luann laughing with that old perv. My heart clenched and the hunger I was feeling dissipated!

I used to hear some suckers saying that," his heart skipped a beat" and I would laugh at them because they sounded some cliche!

But now !

Sweaty palms, wavering heart, churning stomach and spacing out , these are all the weird feelings and emotional rollercoaster that seep through me when Luann's name is mentioned.

I became more frustrated when Clyde said he didn't hear anything Luann was discussing with Matozo Boniface . I know as a fact that, that whatever Luann is scheming with that old perv is detrimental to me.

" Clyde! I thought you had some useful info when you waltzed into my office"

I said looking at him challengingly. He quirked his eyebrows and snorted. I planted this quack in Matozo's office to get me info on some big government deal that am supposed to bid for. With inside knowledge, it would be great for me but Clyde is gallivanting around and apparently Mzee Matozo has made him.

"No need to lose all your remnants of cordiality, Dude!"

"I can't start spouting out secrets when you're clearly in no mood for any rationality"

He said and move forward to the table squinting his eyes, he put his hands on his chin and sighed.

" Seriously dude, you're scaring me. If am risking my life out there to get the info that we need from the lion's den why do I feel like I would be throw into the pit of fire because....."

He was still ranting when I interrupted him,

" Luann caught me and Sage frenziedly making out, she fainted and that same night Keke somehow ended up in bed with me in Sage's room in the village after the burials, Sage fought Keke shamelessly tearing up her clothes, she was basically naked in my parents presence and that old fart Matozo. To cut the story short Luann wants to divorce me , take the house and the company!"

I blathered , his jaw dropped and it seems he forgot how to swallow because the next thing I saw Clyde spit the mango juice that he was drinking and coughed while holding his chest.

I rolled my eyes over his dramatics .

" She said that it would be unfair of her if she held me back from following my heart. That she is all about fairness "

I paraphrased what she told me when we arrived from the village.

Clyde was too shocked to say anything. He looked at me like.....

The phone has been ringing since we sat down to drink. I decided to finally pick it up.

After seeing the caller I sighed and answered , before I could say anything the caller was whimpering and whining,

( You closed the company bank account without telling me! Do you know how much embarrassment I had to endure? On top of that ....)

" What the hell are you talking about?!"

THE REBORGE
61

Xander's POV

When I arrived at work everyone was giving me a side glance, but I didn't have the energy to retort them because I was so exhausted with everything that are swirling out of control.

The first person that had the guts to approach me was .....that damn girl... Keke!

How did I even that she works as my receptionist?

I felt my heart lurch in my throat when she blandly greeted me , her eyes shimmering like a fool basked in love.

She always brings me snacks and tea in the morning as her way of bestowing favours. And leading her on is what has lead me to this demise

Too many lures!

I touch the space between my eyebrows closing my eyes tightly. Gripping on the table. Before I could lay her off gently, the door opened and the punk I have been waiting for strolled in and wantonly winked at Keke. Who in turn sneered and walked away.

He scowled at her , and muttered,

" What's with her? ...oh... Wait just a minute! Did I interrupt some wei....."

I interrupted his blathering and thudded on the table , a flicker of coldness seeped through my body , it took a lot of will power to stifle the urge to throw the cup of tea that Keke had brought.

" Wow! You're even more grimmer than usual!"

" Oh ! By the way I meet with your wife Lu, in Mzee Matozo Boniface's office! She seemed happy and comfortable with the old perv, if you ask me.. her smile was like a flower blossoming. She.."

I think I had on this incredulous look on my face because he stopped blathering and looked at me with flustered expression.

"Let's go for food and you paraphrase everything that you heard for me"

I muttered sullenly

THE REBORGE
60

" Lemme first hit the shower real quick, maybe I'll cool off"

When he sighed and said that , that is when I realized I was standing in the bedroom.... Scratch that...

The room was disgusting!

The alcoholic stench assaulted my nose. It smelt like a brewery.

The empty bottle of Uganda waragi was on the bed stand right next to his laptop and phone.

The lamp stand was broken after falling off the table, clothes scattered around the room making a trail to the closet.

Bed unmade with crumbs of fries and chicken.... He clearly blacked out while eating. The imagery wasn't captivating. This isn't the Xander I know .

His arduous voice pulled me out of the trance I was in .

" Don't mind the filth! Luann has been sleeping in the guest's bedroom...hahaaha... She said that , she thought I had an erectile dysfunction!"

" How did my relationship with my wife reach this dire stage? She was my friend...how can she be this callous?"

His mind was frizzled cause he forgot about showering and plopped down angrily on the bed and heaved heavily.

Just when I was about to feel a smug bit of guilty about his sorry state, he blurted,

" Now she wants to divorce me just because of she has an itch!"

" If she thinks that she'll eat her cake and have it , then she is as boorish as always"

I stifled myself from choking him when he superciliously said that.

What kind of filthy animal did he eat !

My body was reeling from shock that I found myself clutching my tongue.

" Man, but don't you think she is right? Since you very much love Sage, then this is good for both of you considering you wanted to hitch a plan for letting her go in a feal manner"

" After all she was your friend and your parents treasure her! How much money will you splurge on...."

I tried to reason with him but he shut me down .
He stood up, screwed up his nose in disgust and rebutted,

"Jabril! Since when are you this long-winded? Huh? Which side are you on? Are you trying to have a way for yourself? "

" Be a good lawyer you're and read through this divorce documents and advice me as a friend.

And as a client because this house and any other properties and projects we dexterously worked on together within the last three years will be mine! Am the man!"

Say what now....!!!!

This guy! Even now his prideful self is spouting prattles!

He thinks everyone is a pushover!

My smile was full of mockery but he was too involved with himself to notice.

Well Namara Xander! There is no wall big enough to block out Luann and my boss.

Their schemes are running amok!

THE REBORGE
59

As Xander lead me to his bedroom, Sage stomped her foot on the ground in frustration and bawled.

I can't believe what I have just witnessed!

If I hadn't noticed the previous Luann who was fawned with Xander, following him everywhere yearning and craving his attention, at his Beck and call , love stricken mindless girl ,I wouldn't have believed that she is the same same one trying to create a pandemonium for him!

I chortled just by remembering the look on Xander's face.

" What ! Is so funny?"

" She has turned me into a jest and you are amused!"

Xander said furrowing his forehead and folding his arms on his chest , his nose was twitching clearly simmering in anger.

But what did he expect!?

Cajoling with your wife's sister coquettishly in her presence and now you seem to be wronged!

What a prick!

" Am sorry Namara Xander!....."

I wanted to obsequiously respond with a smile but he abruptly and rudely shouted at me.

" Damnit! Jab! Don't call me that!"

" Now days Luann calls me by those names as though am a stranger to her!"

" What the......"

He was wallowing in frustration and I didn't have a time for his petty bull crap thinking the world of himself.

" Xander! Bro! Let's calmly talk about what is going on and why you called me here"

I interrupted him blandly

THE REBORGE
57

Luann paused her haranguing and closed her eyes tightly, it seemed like she was recalling something horrible because she clenched her fist and the veins on her hand showed. I gulped and swallowed my saliva flustered.

I signalled Xander with my brows to try and pacify her but he was dazed and confused even more.

Just when I was about to make a move Luann, flickered her eyelashes and heaved a long sigh to reclaimed her semblance of control . But she still had on this pensive Serious expression.

Luann has always been a taciturn person but am now surprised to witness this wordy side of her .

Believe me when I say that she looks even more breathtaking indignant.

I have not seen her with short hair but it brings out her facial features dazzlingly.

I wonder what my good friend was thinking to neglect such gem and beset in for a regular plastic shell!

Sage is a beautiful fair skinned girl and what else?

Sage shelved herself as innocent and pure but she is so impertinent!

She only portrays this naive side of her with her targets.

I know Xander is one those men that fall for damsels in distress. Whether Luann is strong and more talented and eloquent than Satan himself, that clearly come second fiddle to Sage's beauty.

"Jab!" Sage raised her voice and ardently gazed at me. I looked at Xander who is glaring at me as well.

What the heck men!

I blanked out !

I don't even know what they were saying! Sage's little face flashed with grievance and when Xander saw this his eyes emitted unprecedented emotions. I was so flustered that I tactfully said;

" Dude! You called me here but clearly I came at the wrong time, since you're still in your boxies dawdling with these two lovely ladies"

Luann showed her lovely white teeth and her nose bridge wrinkled cutely. Seriously this woman is totally beautiful. How is it that I didn't pay more attention to her little more?

Just that thought was stifled by Xander's ambiguous stare.

"You're saying that I slurp on this grievance? This treacherous scum of a sister just tried to malevolently strangle me and now that she has this poised manner if sassing me , you want me to sing kumbaya ......."

Sage was ranting , veins popping forehead creased . Swaying her pleading her towards Xander but Luann chuckled softly and slowly sighed .

It was a pitifully sight!

" Jabril! Forgive.... Arrg but cares anyway? Birds of the same feathers... Etiquettes are so overrated! I will not dawdle more of my time"

She strolled away elegantly, the pants were bracing her curves perfectly , the heels kept on squeaking on the floor as she moved with no rush .she abruptly turned and blurted,

" Namara Xander! I know your whole stock isn't that bad please put on some clothes , it is so uncouth!"

She giggled and disappeared.

" No sh*t!" I can't suppress my heart from throbbing hard after that .

" Xandy! Are you going to .."

Sage tried to poke at Xander, his face glossed over icily and unpertubed, he leisurely strode off.

" Jab, bro, come this way! "

"Jessica! Get us some breakfast! and brush my shoes asap!"

THE REBORGE
56
Luann's POV

Now my good nature is being trampled on just before!

They say if you are aware of your enemy's wrath you yield before your demise. Clearly whoever came up with that saying was referring to the old me.

This new me will not yield, quiver or plummet.

Xander reverted back his glance eyes swirling with sadness and dissatisfaction. He looks down gritting his teeth and I think that is when he notices that he was still half naked because touched his torso and folded his hands on his chest cleared his throat stiflingly.

I looked at him condescendingly, myriad of emotions erupting in my heart.

" Do you think I love being a melancholic? Or the prerequisites for being you is to suck up to you?"

" I wish for absolute devotion, someone to be fond of me, love me , treasure me and most importantly a faithful heart"

I stared at him challengingly without a single undulations in my voice.

" But just because you heard young Sage chime in your ear, you tyrannically throw away all rationality, I asked for divorce when I realized you will never aspire to be a honorable man. Then why would obstinately attack her over the same drivel?"

THE REBORGE
55
Luann's POV

Just like a street shrew?

What does this punk think he is?

This is the perfect example of repaying kindness with idiocy shamelessness. This is exactly why I had decided to sever my ties with these vile spawns but I think that is even too good for them.

When we were traveling back from the village Xander's father was caught in a quandary between his son and his friend's daughter.

He assured me that Xander being his son doesn't give him amnesty to act like a shameless 'man sl*t' his words not mine.

He said that he would support me, no matter what. So when I thought about it , I figured he was totally right.

If you want to destroy vicious unscrupulous people, it is necessary to first sow discord amongst them.

And my previous lifetime taught me that , what is most painful to humans isn't death, rather , it's to have them lose the things they depend on the most in life .