Game changer
Chapter 3
Game Changer
I walked out as the security guard opened the door for me. It was quite late and the atmosphere smelled of victory and freedom at last. I raked my hands through my hair and put my cap on properly, waiting for my ride. He had promised to get here before I got out, so what exactly was holding him down?
The car arrived shortly and I watched as he packed and the driver, walked out, smiling.
“Took you long enough Kyle,” I said as I shook his hands and hugged him. He patted my back and I did so with him too.
“Ready?” He asked and I nodded before getting inside the car. I looked at the correctional center for the last time again before Kyle's car zoomed out and the gate thinned out as I watched from the mirror. I shook my head as memories of the endless suffering from being in custody flooded my memories.
“How are you homie?” Kyle asked and I looked at him with contempt.
“How do you think someone who's been in custody for twenty four months is doing? I'm no way near fine Kyle and you know it. Quite asking me that question,” I snapped.
Kyle apologized for asking and faced the road, with his hand tightened around the steering while I watched as we got into the thin road leading into the town.
“Why wait till this late ,I could have come to pick you up earlier?”He asked but I didn't reply. I was merely ashamed of my sorry ass and still hadn't shaken off that betrayal that got me in prison away. I didn't want anyone to see me arriving and so, I had pled with one of the warden to delay my exit till early hours.
“So.. how's he? I asked finally when I mustered courage to do so. I couldn't bring myself to mention his name without getting angry. The look on Kyle's face changed from being lost to finally realizing who I was talking about because he mouthed an ‘oh’
“Royce Robben? Guy has turned everything around. Named the company RoyBen Hotels and Suites since you left and his business has been thriving. He got married right after your trial to daughter of the popular Carl Jonathan. You know I can't really tie my brain around it because he seemed like a good guy.”
“Tie your head around what? You mean you didn't believe it when I said Royce set me up?” I asked
“Well… you know he's one of the good people in the society. It is difficult to believe. You guys started together but maybe you made a mistake somehow? I'm saying this because this guy is now the real deal. His face was all over Forbes last month.” He said again.
“So, am I the bad one now ?Because he's doing well for himself means that I was wrong? I wasn't guilty of tax evasion. All taxes were paid, I don't know where all those money laundering documents came from!” I screamed.
“Alright mate,” he said but I knew he didn't believe me. I couldn't blame him though. Royce Robben really had me in his webs and pawn me out exactly like he wanted. And now he's changed the company to his own name? That sneaky bastard! I clenched my fist and teeth as I remembered how close we used to be.
“He's still in Italy?” I asked and Kyle nodded.
“No… he moved the headquarters to New York but still does business here once in a while,” he explained.
“Then to New York then!” I declared to a very shocked Kyle.
“Wait what? That wasn't part of the plan Percy King! You told me you wanted to get out and live your life as calmly as possible. So what are you saying now?”
“Yes, I'm going to lay low and work out finding a way to defend myself and show everyone that I was set up. All Royce has ever done is to step on people's neck to get wherever he wants. The only mistake I made was to believe that he wouldn't do that to me. I'll prove my innocence to everyone…including you.” I said painfully.
“Oh no! I didn't mean it that way, I'm just saying that you know…he's a Philanthropist and I don't think he'll do something like that,” he said facing me , with eyes no where on the road
“I got it man, no hard feelings but eyes on the road before you get both of us killed.” I said to ease the tension.
“What do you mean by that? I've been driving even before you got disflowered, he replied without yielding to my warning. It was quite early in the morning and the streets were clean and clear but before I could warn him again the second time, I saw the figure clearly.
“Watch out Kyle!” I said but it was too late before he hit on the break with tires screeching. The only thing I heard was the sound of the car crashing on bones and the figure hit the windscreen and shattering it before finally hitting the ground with a thud. We both sat in the position for a second, taking time to understand what had happened.
We got out of the car and before us laid the motionless body of a woman. Her hairs sprawled on the floor with blood gushing out of her head. In that instance, I realised that Kyle had killed someone and that I could be in trouble too.
“Kyle? Get in the car,” I said walking quickly into the car but realised that he wasn't following me
“Get into the fucking car, there's no way I'm going back to prison because of this!” I shouted. In all the time I was there, all I have ever thought about day and night was how to get back my revenge at Royce and immediately I got out, I'm about to get unfortunately again? No way!
“She's holding my fucking leg man, I can't move,” he said and I got out again. I kicked her hand with my left boot and it hit the floor.
“We can't leave her here, we need to save her,” he said and picked her up as if she weighed nothing. I cursed under my breath as he instructed me to open the back seat and I did too while he dropped her in. I looked around to be sure that no one saw us and noticed that the area was a dark site and so, there were no CCTV cameras around.
We both got into the car and sped to the nearest hospital while all I did was hope that she wasn't dead.
It took a lot of strong will to not ran out and leave Kyle behind in the mess he found himself because it sure was taking a lot of time for the doctor to come around.
The whole of Kyle's face and body was smeared with dry crimson blood and I had on my hands too. The doctor had told us that she needed to be operated on as soon as possible or she might die and had gone into the theater.
Finally,the doctor came out and immediately I saw him, knew he had a bad news with the frown on his face.
“The surgery was successful, she is stable for now but we'll need to watch her closely. Also… I hate to say this but she's in a coma. With the look of things, only miracle could bring her back because it took you a while before getting her here and things had gotten bad. Infact, it is indeed a miracle that she is still alive.
You can go see her as soon as she is well cleaned up. Oh, and Please go to the reception and sort her identity and payment out,” the doctor said before leaving.
“This is the part where we leave, Kyle,” I said as soon as the doctor left but Kyle was already walking to the ward. I muttered a curse again for the hundredth time and followed him in.
She had a tube in her nose and mouth with bandages on her head when we came in. The beeping sound of the machine did nothing but added to my anxiety as I watched her.
“It's time to leave Kyle,” I said this time with anger but she moved closer to her.
“No Percy, hold on. She looks familiar.” I watched in awe as he brought his phone out and brought it closer to her face.
“I knew it! She's Bella Robben. She's Royce's wife!” he said to my amazement and turned the screen of his phone to me. I took the phone from him and saw that she is truly Royce's wife.
I walked closer to her and took a closer look, thinking about my next line of action. All I have craved for is revenge and now I have it right on my doorstep.
“This is it Kyle. A game changer. I have Royce's wife here, something to have a hold on him.” I said.
“What are you saying Percy?” Kyle looked at me in shock.
“Exactly what you are thinking. I changed my mind, we are not leaving any longer. We'll take care of her and no matter how long it takes for her to wake up, I'll be here waiting.”