CHAPTER 13

It was a sunny Saturday morning. Charlie picked up his phone and began to dial a number. "Hello, Jones. What about the deal?"

"Completed!" The male voice on the other end of the phone responded. "Good! I hope he'll be imprisoned this time."

"Sure. It's a complicated issue, and I expect that he'll soon be charged in court." Jones responded. Jones was one of those who worked closely with Ralph. He agreed, along with two other staff members of JFlier Group, to ensure that Ralph was blackmailed. "Alright, then. I'm just waiting to hear what will happen next concerning him. Talk to you later." Charlie said as he ended the call.

Later that day, Charlie entered his car, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel as he prepared for the drive to Ralph and Nina's house. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling city streets.

Charlie merged onto the busy main road, where a sea of cars stretched out before him. The traffic lights cycled through their changes with metronomic precision, creating a stop-and-go rhythm that was both frustrating and oddly mesmerizing. Within a short while, Charlie pulled up before Ralph's house. The grandeur of the house, even from outside, was breathtaking, and it reminded Charlie of the luxurious life Ralph lived. In terms of wealth and achievement, Charlie knew he was nothing compared to Ralph, even though they were siblings.

This made him more envious of Ralph. The house in which he lived was not in any way compared to Ralph's house. Ralph was on the high end, especially as a CEO, while he was an ordinary office clerk who only earned a meagre salary. He stopped in front of the door and pressed the doorbell.

He was sure he would meet Nina at home since it was a weekend. Within a short while, the door was flung open, and Nina was surprised at the sight before her. "What are you doing here?" There was a mix of fear and hatred in her eyes. "Don't ask me such a silly question. Let me in." Charlie said as he pushed the door open wider, brushed himself against Nina, and walked into the sitting room.

"Charlie, I said, What are you doing at my house?!" Nina spoke at the top of her voice when she noticed Charlie had yet to answer her question. "I came to visit. Or is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes, Charlie. Everything is wrong. I don't need your visit. Your brother is in police custody, and you never seemed to be bothered since he got arrested. Now you badge into this place and tell me that you came to visit. Who did you come to visit, if I may ask?" Nina asked, squeezing her face at Charlie.

Charlie stood up from the sofa where he sat, walking up to Nina with a smile on his face. "Who else could I be talking about, if not you?" He said this, kneading the left side of her cheeks with his hand. Almost immediately, Nina tried to fling his hand away. "Get your filthy hands off me." But Charlie's grip was firm. "Don't be harsh, Nina. Your harshness would only make things worse, you know? Your husband is a loser, and its high time you accept that truth."

"Don't you ever say that about my husband?!" Nina yelled in anger. "Anyway, I came here so that you could satisfy my urge. I have the urge to be with you, so... lead me to you and Ralph's room."

"You must be out of your mind, Charlie... I'll do no such thing. Now, get the hell out of this place!" Nina yelled. Charlie dragged her right hand and brought her very close to himself, looking into her eyes. "Nina, are you sending me out, or was that a mistake? Have you forgotten what I'm capable of doing? I'll expose you to my family and everyone who cares to know that you're carrying my baby. I have nothing to lose."

At the sound of Charlie's words, tears rolled down Nina's cheeks. Charlie held her right wrist and led her upstairs as if he knew the way, then they stopped in front of a room. Charlie could tell that it was the master bedroom. "This is our matrimonial room, Charlie."

"I don't care." Charlie snapped as he pushed open the door. He began to unbutton Nina's blouse and to caress her, pushing her gently to the bed. Then he undressed himself as he lay beside her. He was about to plunge into her when they suddenly heard a sound at the door. The door flung open suddenly.

"Slut! So this is what you do..." It was Julie. "What... What are you doing here?" Nina asked, still looking confused and bewildered. "Don't ask me such a silly question. And don't bother adjusting yourself. I'm sure he has fixed his camera." Julie said as she began to check around. "Look." She said as she pointed to a small camera resting on the dressing table, not far from them.

"What?!" Nina reacted, looking like someone who had just been struck. "I just came around, so you could be aware that I know something about this. And don't think I'm not aware of what happened between you and Charlie on your wedding eve," Julie said as she walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Charlie, so you set me up?" Nina looked at Charlie, still struggling to find the right words. "Well, maybe I didn't. I really had a nice time today, and I look forward to another time with you," he said as he stood up from the bed, putting on his dress. Within the twinkle of an eye, he was out of the room.

"Oh no, this can't be happening to me." Nina said as she burst into bitter tears, worried and confused. Julie and Charlie had taken a video of her, and this was heartbreaking. She couldn't bring herself to think that her trusted friend had teamed up with her worst enemy. Her whole world seemed to be falling apart. Ralph was in police custody just a week after their wedding, and now this was happening to her.