DUTY OR DEATH

STILL ON COLIN'S POV

Grandma Violet stared curiously at Jay and I biting her lips, then I knew she wasn't going to let it go. Whenever she's bent on something, she do everything to achieve it.

"Tina lied about being pregnant with Colin's child, the child isn't his. That's why he's angry about believing that psychopath of a girlfriend, grandma."

Jay tried to help me out.

"Then what did you do, Colin?" She stared at me with doubt in her eyes."

"He did nothing, grandma."

"You aren't Colin son, let the boy speak for himself." She made a face.

"Grand Violet, like Jay said, I did nothing. I'm just regretting why I let go of something of value to go after something of lesser value."

"Hmm, 'how could I have… how could I have let go of something of value to go after something of lesser value,' hmm, that settles it then." She patted me on the shoulder. "Do the right thing child." She smiled kindly at me and walked away.

"Jeez! Your grandma is fierce," I grinned, " I can't believe she heard us."

"She is…" he laughed. "Despite her age, she's still so sensitive, I wonder at times if she age at all." He laughed. "So what are you going to do now?"

"Hmm, I don't know yet. But I will try to keep on reaching her, as for Tina…she's going to regret ever playing such game on me." I gritted my teeth in anger.

"Just let it slide boss, she isn't worth it, by the way we have a lot on our hands."

"You haven't sorted that out already?!" suddenly felt a rush if panic on my chest.

"I have boss, it wasn't easy though." He ran his hands down his head.

"I never opted for any of this to happen, you know that right?"

"Yeah I do, I'm sorry boss."

"Jay…" I called his name signifying I was about to say something different .

"Yes boss!" He looked up on me.

"How many years have we known each other?"

"Hmm, about ten or so… anything the matter boss? I know I messed up I'm sorry." I felt guilt imprinted on his face.

"For these years, have I treated you like you were only just a P.A? Haven't I treated you more of a friend than that?" 

"Yes boss, you've been like a friend, even more than a friend. You've been like a brother that I never had." He smiled wearily.

"Than Jay why, why do you still call me boss? Like we aren't friends? You're my pal bro," I hit him gently on his shoulder. "We have always been there for each other, I'm not just your boss, neither are you just my P.A , we are friends, I dare to say brother. Just stop with the boss stuff, it makes me feel uncomfortable, especially when I'm serious situations."

"Hmm, alright boss." He scratched his head anxiously.

"There you go again… I might soon start calling you, Mr. Jay Snowman!" I laughed hysterically.

"I'm sorry." He laughed. "I do call you by your first name at times."

"It shouldn't be at times bro, always!"

"Hmm, I will try." He laughed.

"That will be great! Take your time with your grandma, Jay, I will be heading home now."

"Yeah, goodbye." He patted me on the shoulder.

*****

I lay on my bed face down, one might think I was deep in sleep, but rather I was consumed with anxiety. 'What am I going to do?' I wondered. 'She I confess everything to her?' The thought of the outcome hit me like a blow. I dare not do that. I needed to have a long and relaxing sleep, I haven't had one in days. I used to have some insomania drugs here, I searched my drawer. " Thank God!" I exclaimed happy to find them so easily.

" I need a glass of water." I said to my maid after dialing the house number.

"Alright boss. Sir " she said after a long pause.

"Yes…"

"Some lady is here to see you sir." I noticed her shaky voice from the other end.

"What's her name?" I wondered who it might be, surely it wouldn't be mum, she would have just said it straight. Who then might it be?

"She wouldn't tell me her name sir," her tone was laced with fear.

"Hmm," I sighed feeling exasperated. "I will be with you shortly." I ended the call.

Few minutes later I got to the lounge with curiosity about who this nameless person was. 

"Colin…" she rushed to hug me. "You need to fire this lady, can you believe the way she treated me? She wouldn't let me into the house, I had to force my way in." She rolled her eyes at Penelope my maid with much disgust than annoyance.

"Pen, can you excuse us please." I said in a low voice trying not to show my annoyance.

Pen quickly but gently walked away with her head bowed. I could tell she was sad, probably from the way this psychopath must have treated her.

"Why are you here?" I gritted my teeth exasperatedly.

"I've missed you sugar," she hugged me closer. "You've refused to pick my calls or reply my messages, we've missed you baby."

"Who's we?" I pushed her away.

"Come on baby, your baby and I. We've been so lonely these past few days." She pouted, I felt so irritated by her presence. I didn't wanted to see her barbie like face anymore, but I needed to tell her my mind.

"Do you think you can keep on with your lies? Well Tina you sure can't, God knows where you got that little bastard from, he surely isn't my son!"

"Baby… what are you saying? Gregory is our son, our first fruit together, and the rightful heir to your inheritance." she smiled as if she was making sense. Sudden realization struck me like lightning.

"Oh, now I get it. You planned it all didn't you? God! You're so… smart my love, you didn't only made a fool of me by lying about your pregnancy, you went ahead to probably a god damn orphanage or wherever you must have gotten that child from, you then made me believe he is my son, no wonder you claimed to deliver without me knowing. Do you know the worst part? I've been hurting myself regretting that I wasn't there for the both of you during the delivery. 

What haven't you done Tina? You've succeeded in ruining me, I actually thought you were my gift from heaven, never knowing you actually are my nemesis. I've done things I should be punished for far beyond this, that's why I'm just going to let this slide and let you walk. But if you ever come near my house again!"

"Baby, I'm sorry! I didn't want to lose you, I lost you before so I thought claiming you be with you child would be the best thing to do. But later on, I had to find a way to continue what I started, I love you so much Colin, please forgive me." She knelt on the ground crying and begging me for forgiveness.

"Get out this instance, Tina. I don't want to hear you are still here unless you will have yourself to blame."

I hurried away from her presence, the feelings of hate and regret weighed on me like a rock. I rushed into my room and locked the door. 'What did I do to deserve such hostility?' Mum usually tells me she was an humbug but I never knew she could play such games as she did, although I was knew she was after my money than me really.

*****

"Mr. Graham…" I heard a knock on my door.

"What the hell?!" I shouted from my sleep. " I was just having a nice sleep." I grumbled standing up to answer the Knock.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you sir, I brought you the glass of water you requested for." She passed me the tray.

"Thanks." I rubbed my sleepy eyes. "Is she gone?" 

"Yes sir, she left you a note." She passed me a pink paper note.

"Trash it!" I took the water from her and closed the door.

"Arrrgh…" I cursed feeling bad about the way I shut the door on her. "She's just a maid, I shouldn't be feeling bad even if I treat her badly huh."

Few minutes later I found myself at the front of her door. 'What am I doing here?' I asked with myself looking around.