Dear Tales

By Deborah Makafui

A MOTHER'S PAST RESURRECTS AND BECOMES HER DAUGTHER'S NIGHTMARE.

Somewhere in the Gold Coast, in 22nd century Africa, Mabel had made a name for herself as a super police detective and an elite-class investigator. She had successfully cracked down on a notorious crime gang and got their ring leaders arrested and jailed.

Thereafter, she retired to focus on family and raising her daughter, Ashley, who grew up somewhat unaware of her mother's past and exploits as a police detective. But little did she realize that in years to come she would have to contend with the dark secrets and cold-hearted crime lords from her mother's past.

The search for her own identity, a stubborn resolve to succeed in a field that makes great use of her super curious nature, and the blast from her mother's past, take Ashley on a truly defining journey.

Will the demons from Mabel's past swallow up her daughter? Will Ashley crumble under the weight of this cross or carry it to the end? What dark secrets will she uncover on this feverish journey?

In Dear Tales the past meets the present.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deborah Makafui
• Release date: Jun 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393212553

Book preview

DEDICATION

This book is especially dedicated to everyone; these include friends and family who has believed in me and this big dream. This also includes my readers who shall drink and eat of this work. Even my critics are not left out for without criticism, one may not truly stretch beyond the conventional. This is just the beginning and I'm going to make you all proud. The time is near and we all shall soar beyond the clouds of the open skies. Reaching the sun is our aim. Rewriting the stars is ours to dream into realities. See you all at the very top.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Glory be to God. In His own time, He makes things beautiful. My profound thanks go to God Almighty.

Deserving the foremost mention is David Michael, who wasn't only a proofreader, but a mentor and the wheel of this vehicle. Your kind heart, and those sleepless nights, to make this dream a reality is deeply appreciated.

My gratitude is also expressed to Ibkayee, my special IB, for supporting me financially, emotionally and morally in making this a success.

Mbanefo Emmanuel Olisa, for being there every time I needed you for your daily guidance and encouragement. I'm forever grateful.

Portia Gabor, for being such an inspiration. I love you.

Shady, you've been wonderful! God bless your kind heart. 

A special shout out goes to my mum, family, and friends.  I love you, and I appreciate your prayers and kind words.

And to you, my dear readers; thank you for making out time to read. 

I love you all.

PROLOUGE

Hey Boss, I think I have found the perfect time to strike. Let me do this now clean and quiet... 

BA 2 said and puffed on his Rothmans cigar as he sat across the rectangular master table in a dimly lit room from another man with a hat. The man in a hat was sipping his drink brought by his butler and pondering over the pictures in his hands brought by BA 2, keenly observing every detail.

BA 2 was a man in his mid-50s dressed up most times in a pale black tuxedo with an overcoat of similar color worn over the pale tuxedo. He had an ugly scar over his right eye and was a man of cynical desires. The only person he dreaded on earth was the man sitting right in front of him across the same table.

The man in the hat. 

The man in the hat was in his early 60s but was as fit as The Rock. He stood at 6ft 5inches and most times carried around an expressionless face. He was mostly called Boss by his subordinates but he is popularly known as The BA 1.

I hear that this woman is being closely watched BA 2.... The man in the hat finally spoke after a long while.

.... I expect that you have found a way to get to her without any hitches? He continued raising his face slightly to reveal his piercing eyes of terror.

BA 2 was a little ruffled at that look from his boss. He just dreaded this man and couldn't explain why in full.

Well...Boss...well... I uhm, he stuttered a little, then finally regained his composure saying, Well, Boss, truth is she is not always watched 24/7, I have taken mental notes of the time gaps and minutes the shifts are made. Besides no security is always 100% on point Boss. Remember Dark Waters Badu? 

The man in the hat looked at his most trusted henchman and nodded slightly in approval and agreement.

Okay then, but listen and listen very good! I don't want excuses this time. I don't want a repeat of Skywalk Alley. You got that?

He said raising his voice slightly as he reached the end of his utterances. With that, BA 2 nodded and fidgeted a little in his chair saying, I get you, Boss. No excuses. No failures this time. I shall make this a home run for good! He concluded smashing his left fist into his right palm.

BA 2 has never failed his boss ever before. He has always delivered on his words. Always, except of course for that one moment at Skywalk Alley. The one moment that dented his perfect reputation as the most dreaded underworld henchman alive. He answered only to his boss who was the boss of them all. This was the meeting of two men hell bent on exerting full blown revenge on a woman who didn't even know they still existed or even knew of their monitoring her.

The man in the hat relaxed in his arm-chair, with his cigar lit for him by his butler. He puffed and puffed repeatedly looking up at his ceiling and then he suddenly burst out in laughter. A laughter that took BA 2 by surprise as he jerked back a little before regaining his comportment.

The man in the hat laughed hysterically and finally said with a wry smile, "so long detective."

CHAPTER ONE

You will do no such thing! Mr. Daniels declared his voice thick with both authority and alarm while staring murderously at his daughter, Ashley. The young lady sighed as she felt some spittle splattered on her face. 

Dear God not again, please!

Here again she was, for the umpteenth time trying to make her dad understand and respect her choice. Worn out, she allowed her beautiful round eyes wander around the office, eventually settling on her mom's picture.

I wish you were here mum.

Once again, her eyes wandered around the beautifully lit office she has always hated for some reason, and back to the raging, uncompromising countenance on her father’s face.

I studied hard for this exam dad, with all I could. I deserve this, I worked for it, you should let me live this dream, and I beg you. She pleaded her voice still decidedly calm.

Ashley was nearing the point of frustration. Convincing her father, strong headed as he is, perhaps is the most difficult thing to do; perhaps also, a foolish one, because the man would not relent.

I see you're trying to be stubborn, as always. From when you left home to your own place, this is who you’ve become, lady stubborn. Ashley's father pointed.

Looking at his wife's picture too, he couldn’t help but wonder why the girl wouldn’t be as submissive as she is. Has raging fire begotten cold impotent ashes? He wouldn’t understand.

That's a lie! Ashley burst losing her cool. Her father looked astounded, taken aback by her resilience.

Yes dad, it's not true, I’ve always done your bidding even though it has been against my wish. You made attend an all girls’ school when what I wanted was different. I had my choice but you would have none of it.

I’m done, really, I can’t do this now...

Ashley left her dad's company, angry and deflated.  She has never been so furious all her life. Her father always loved to complicate issues, she thought. How did mum end up with someone like him?  She wondered once more.

***

At length, she gave up on anything relating to her father and focused on her mother. She ought to see the doctor to know how her mum was doing and really hope she was responding to treatment. 

Right now, she needed her mum, and wondered how she had coped these past six months, since mum's health started deteriorating and she eventually became diagnosed with breast cancer. 

But I need you mom!

***

She parked her car at the parking lot and got a glimpse of herself through the front mirror. She looked terrible, she thought. She really looked like mum; they had the same pointed nose, brown eyes and full lips. She must have gotten her dad's temper, she thought miserably. She got out of her mum's car which has become hers over time. 

"Thank God the old monster didn't ask for the keys." Ashley exclaimed thankfully with a sly smile. The way she behaved these days amused her, walking out of her dad is something she never thought she could ever do.

***

Ashley got to the reception and met nurse Abena attending to a little boy who was looking sad beside his dad. She felt miserable and her heart went out to the boy. It's well. She said. Sometimes, she didn't understand why terrible things happened to good people.

Mom wouldn’t hurt a soul but enduring such a torrid experience as dealing with breast cancer, a pity! 

Nurse Abena saw her and signaled that she should follow her.

She followed Nurse Abena obediently. Praying silently that what she is about to hear is good news. 

Hello Miss Daniels, how are you? Nurse Abena said in her tiny voice. Ashley sometimes wondered how someone as big as Nurse Abena would have such a voice akin to that of a three year old.

I'm fine nurse, how are you? I thought I was going to meet the doctor instead today, hope no problem?

Nurse Abena smiled, There's no problem dear, and the doctor will be here this night through tomorrow. And there's no problem.

Ashley nodded gratefully. 

Nurse Abena continued, We've started the new treatment we told you about, it worked for our first patient, and we hope it will work for your mum. She's still in coma, which is normal. That eased the labored look on Ashley's face. 

Okay then, can I see her? she asked. 

Yes you can, we'll be watching her and we hope she responds to treatment. 

What if she doesn't? Ashley wondered. 

But she rebuked herself for having negative thoughts in these trying times. Nurse Abena and the rest of the team are professionals, doing the best they could for her mother, that’s certain. She must not derail such efforts with negative thoughts, she must not.

***

Her mother was still unconscious. Well, what was she expecting? The nurse already said she was in coma. She reached for her mum's hand. In those moments she held those tender hands that nurtured her to life, all the gaps of the past months, all the emptiness filled up instantly. The store gates of her emotions erupted and tears flowed freely. 

It's been hard without you mom, I've been strong for you. Please, be strong for me too. She sobbed. Ashley felt she needed to expend her burden to someone and right now, knowing her mother would in the least not able to respond even if she was hearing her.

More tears flowed and then she knew she couldn't help it. She had bottled up her emotions for too long. 

Mum, I wrote the scholarship exam I told you about and the results are out. I made it mum, I made it! I know how happy you'll be about this news, I am too. But dad.... Her head dropped slightly and the short period of her happy countenance was short lived as the mention of Dad brought back the raging anger and miserable thoughts.

....dad all these years still insists on medicine. I can't waste keep on living the life I’m responsible for, for him. Mum, I'm getting weak, can't do this anymore. I've made up my mind mum, I'll study journalism. I know in the nearest future, you and dad will be very happy about this decision I've made. She smiled at the imagery she had about it. Her mum happy and healthy and her dad saying he is very proud of the woman she had become. 

In time you both would come to understand, you would.

She reached for her handbag and took a handkerchief to clean her tears. Then she remembered she needed to call Aunty Cecilia, mum's friend, to come and stay with her mum at the bed side, for the night. 

Aunty Ceci her mum's bosom friend and has been there for her, right from day one. One could call them sisters as mum had been Aunty Cecilia's maid of honor and mom did same for her. Ashley called Aunty Cecilia and asked if she was free, stating also that her mum was in coma and she could come see her. She also said she needed to rest after having such a long day. Aunty Cecilia being a thoughtful friend and a second mum to Ashley was happy and said she was already on her way. 

Aunty Ceci is God sent!

Mummy, Aunty will be coming today; I'll beg her to stay longer with you, so that you won't be lonely when you wake up. Yes mum, I believe you'll wake up soon. I love you mama. She said as she gave her mum a kiss on both cheeks. 

As Ashley was leaving the hospital, she went to the little boy she had met earlier, and spoke calmly with him that everything would be alright. She took permission from the boy's father that she wanted to buy ice cream for the boy. The boy's father said no problem and also decided to follow them saying he needed fresh air himself. They went to the hospital restaurant, where she got the boy the ice cream and also popcorn. 

While the happy little child who didn't know much about the sad atmosphere was playing and licking his ice-cream, the boy's father thanked her profusely for her kind gestures and she smiled saying it's nothing. The little child thanked her also and his dad explained that his wife had been in a motor accident, and as at that time she saw them earlier, she was in the surgery room, fighting for her life. 

He also mentioned he had another son abroad whom he was afraid to inform about his precious mum being operated on. The man was emotionally shattered as Ashley looked at him with pity. Ashley wished them well and went to her car.  She wondered about what would happen if those boys lost their mum. It is well. she said repeatedly as she drove out of the hospital.

***

Why do terrible things happen? She wondered. She was perplexed, as she made a U-turn. She didn't understand why, but she had the urge to go visit her boyfriend who didn't pick her calls the whole day.

Richard sometimes acted selfish. She needed him more than ever and sometimes she wondered why she would fall in love with a renegade like Richard. 

Mtcheew! 

She got to Richard's house by 7:30pm after Aunty Cecilia called to say she was already at the hospital with mum.  Ashley thanked her and told her how grateful she was; Aunty Cecilia stopped her from showing too much gratitude saying that it was her job and she should make sure she had enough rest. 

She came out of her car and went straight to Richard's apartment and heard the laughter of a female. Ah! She thought. Richard's sister must be around, she was happy that she was around since Richard has been complaining about being lonely these days. At least, he won't complain having Kate around. 

She opened that door and saw someone else. Hey Katie, you dyed your hair? Ashley asked. The lady turned around and said, Sorry? Hi I'm Akosua.  Okay, just what the devil is going on here?

Ashley was still dazed from the little shock of not seeing Kate but an underage girl dressed sultrily in her boyfriend's house. Then Richard came in, and whispered something inaudible to Akosua who took her leave immediately, swinging her hips. 

Okay, little girl, I didn’t see that.

Hey, she's just a friend who needed help with her school work Richard said looking at Ashley. 

School work at this time; was that why you didn’t answer or return my calls? Ashley answered.

Well.....

Before you say anything, I called more than once. She added looking him straight in the eye.

Richard went to sit on the sofa, with his legs crossed holding his phone, as if realizing Ashley's missed calls. He then said, My girlfriend doesn't have time for me anymore, and she’s jealous of the one who made time for me. Richard picked a cigarette and a lighter, and started smoking. 

Richard you among all men should understand what I'm going through! Ashley shouted, clearly hurt by his words. 

How could this guy be so insensitive?

Ashley went to sit beside him, Sweetheart, these few days have not been easy for me, they've started this new medication for mum and it's like she's not responding as she should to the treatment. Dad disowned me today, everything seems like nothing is working for me. Right now, I need your support in these trying times, is that too much to ask of you? 

Richard looked at her; Ashley took the cigarette and dropped it on the tray laid on the table, and drew her closer to him. There was this familiar mischievous look in his eyes accompanied by that yet more familiar naughty grin. She damn could guess what he was up to.

Oh, no, goodness!

Richard took her in his arms and said, I know, but I'm also a man like come on! When last did we have sex? Ashley stared at him in disbelief. 

No, no, this isn’t happening live!

After explaining things to you, all you can talk of is sex? Good gracious! I've had enough today. Ashley said in anger. She freed herself from his grasp and stormed out of the house in full rage. Richard called her back, but she was having none of his trouble that night. Between this guy and father, she could not tell who hurt her the most that day.

***

How Ashley was able to get home was something she couldn't understand. 

Being an emotional girl that she was, her eyes were filled with tears as she drove back home. Why was everything against her?

She got down from her car and went straight to her small apartment. How she loved this place! She thought miserably.

She remembered when she got this apartment and dad wanted to put up a fight but mum intervened for her. She looked around in admiration, she has really come so far and no one was stopping her. She sat on her favorite chair and removed her heels. What a long day, she sighed. She went to the kitchen, then got to her fridge and saw her vodka. 

I want to get high tonight and I'm justified. she said to herself. Being fully aware she had made a mental note to minimize the way she drinks, just last week. And here she was, for the third time that week, thinking of getting herself drunk again. She took a glass with her also and went back to the sitting room. She started drinking, and at the same time, she was thinking of Richard in spite of his frivolous attitude hours ago.

I’m cursed with this guy! 

She tried to stand up, she needed to rest, she thought. While trying to stand, her hand hit the vodka bottle and spilled half of the content inside the bottle, on the tiled floor. She looked at the mess she had created with disgust and decided she'll clean it up first thing tomorrow, besides its Friday and on Saturday she mops the tiles in her house so it's convenient for her.

***

Ashley was able to carry herself to her room, where she sat on her reading chair. Life is hard she thought miserably for the umpteenth time that day. She looked around her big room; this is the very place she loved most about her house, the big bed, her working table and chair, her big mirror and her beautiful wardrobe. She picked up the books she read hard to pass her scholarship exams. Then her eyes fell