The Attaché: A Community of Spies

By C.A Oganga

A leap into the limitless imagination of the author, put together with precise skill, just for you.

Amber Rosald comes back home after six long months in a strange place, ready to start a new life with her mother. She seeks answers to calm her confusion.
The family secret is revealed after decades, introducing Amber to a whole new world, far from what she had always known.
She learns about the Dylii, a Community of Spies, extensively trained to contribute towards a noble cause.
Her journey towards being a Dylii began at Mistral Institute, an institute that nurtures special talents. Her loyalty to the Dylii is demanded, regardless of her lesser understanding of them.
She struggles to understand her role in the Community, feeling unworthy of the responsibilities handed to her.
Will she graduate as a spy or break away to live a normal life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: Mar 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781482805284

C.A Oganga

He or she will be able to relate in a way that is true to the human nature as I have tried to incorporate as much human nature into the book to bring out an authentic feel to the story, to be as humble yet extravagant as possible. The anticipatory touch that I have created is intended to capture the reader’s attention, which will create interest and enthusiasm throughout the book. The level of uniqueness in the book, I hope, will create some kind of understanding of the evolution of creativity, drawing as many readers as possible.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Enough Is Enough

Today, the sun had risen to its fullest, giving hope to the children who wished to go for a swim. In the past month, the weather had been awful; it had rained frequently, giving the atmosphere a dull approach. The dark-grey concentrated clouds were suspended ad infinitum above maliciously, hiding away the joy of sunlight.

Even with the bad weather, daily routine still held; heavy sweaters and overcoats walked the streets, with each person adjusting just rightly to keep away the aggressive cold. The windows of businesses and houses ever painted in miasma, the inside warmed up with burning logs or coal, the condensation of exhaled breath thick in the air.

This was unusual because rain hardly came around this time of the year. Meteorologists had informed that there had been a drastic change in the weather pattern and that the natives should be ready for anything, snow in particular. Rain had always found a place in every conversation – board meetings, coffee breaks, and even at dinner time. It always came up somehow.

Today proved that anticipation wrong.

This Saturday afternoon found Diana Rosald in her humble abode in Lemur Estate, just off London town, a quiet suburban area. She, unlike others, was not too keen on the change in weather. In fact, the weather was the lesser of her concerns.

She was seated cross-legged on her well-sized bed, her mind out of reach. It had been like this for months now, estranged behind her bedroom doors. She only ever came out to eat, which hardly crossed her mind, after a bit of getting used to the confinement of those four walls.

It had happened gradually; the desire to be left alone had germinated like a bean seed, not too fast but inevitable.

The first thing that would catch anyone’s attention was all the used tissues that seemed to have dominated the whole room. Also, pillows, newspapers, open books – all contributed to the entire jumble that lay strewn everywhere.

Diana was a great reader, but the manner in which the volumes had been placed clearly indicated that they were not serving their purpose.

Just above the bed’s headboard was a prized painted canvas with the perfect idea of an African woman gazing beyond the sunset. Her position was strained; she was seated barefoot on dry ground, wrapped in a dark African lesso, with her back twisted to face the horizon. Her dark face brought out her glare, weary but determined to learn what lay in the beyond. The choice of colour was a generally depressing one with just a slight brightness as the canvas marked its end at the sunset.

At first glance, if one saw this picture, one could not decipher its meaning just yet. It had a complexity that only the one who had been immersed in such a predicament could relate. A blunt interpretation would not do it justice.

Diana had known it now. At first, it had just been another of her decorative canvases. She had been mesmerised by its artistic nature and authenticity; she loved art and everything about it. Now it served more like a source of comfort.

Diana had described herself as the woman in the canvas, intensely overwhelmed with distress but unable to find the light of hope. Her horizon was still dark with pain and heartache.

The front view from where she sat was just like any other master bedroom, with the opposite wall accommodating a wide flat-screen television, hanging like a suspension ridiculing gravity. On the left was an extension of the wall cornering at a distance before paving a path to the bathroom and the closet just before it. On the right was the same cornering but with windows on either side of a way to an open balcony, barred by a clear slider door.

The entire room was painted in pearly white, terminating at just the right places around the casement windows and the tiled floor below. A mobile phone charger lay helpless on the floor beside a pair of almost-new black stilettos.

Diana picked up one picture from the pile on her bed, studying it with care. The picture portrayed a young girl holding onto a melting ice-cream. The flash of the camera had gone off at just the right time, capturing the laughter of the toddler revealing a recent gap. The outline of her young lips had vanilla on them, typical of a girl her age.

The girl had long brown hair that blew on her face at just the same moment, hiding part of her face. The background was bright and colourful, a day at the St. James’s Park. There were quite a number of natives and foreigners around, some walking on the paved walkway and some feeding the flock of pigeons that had gathered swiftly at the scent of grain. The view stretching across the mass of water terminated at St. James’s Palace. The flora was rich with colour, some encroaching the space of another to mark its boundary and blending into the surrounding perfectly as though conceived by a professional.

Just behind the girl, as captured by Diana’s camera, was a tall woman passing by, very distinct but not interesting enough.

A part of a suited man was captured towards the end of the picture, as though leaping into the frame, his visage far from clear. He had a hand in his pocket, almost pulling out something, only part of it, black against the environment’s colour, was visible, the object narrowing deeper into his pocket.

A tear trickled effortlessly down Diana’s cheek as she recalled that day. A drop fell on the picture, and she wiped it off carefully. It all seemed like yesterday that Diana had had her close by. Now she was gone, against her will. It had been complicated; it was beyond her.

She placed the picture against her chest, shutting her eyes gently. Her pain was genuine. Her heart broke at the thought of her predicament. She held on to the picture with so much compassion as though the girl in there was someone worth dying for.

She then placed the picture gently back on the bed and stood up. She wiped off her tears as though in immediate realisation. She crossed the room, making her way towards the window. She drew the bright curtains and flung the window wide open. She felt the fresh air rush into her nostrils, and for a moment, she found it difficult to breathe, immediately realising how stuffy her room had been. Her lungs soon adjusted to the change of atmosphere, feeling a cleansing in her system.

She scrutinised the view before her; it was the usual: the tall trees swayed from side to side gently on the pavement, the street lights, the tarmacked road, the neighbouring houses…but somehow, it proved to be different. It was a new realisation to the outlook of Lemur Estate. She had been away from that view for so long that she saw it strange.

Lemur Estate was a neighbourhood of the wealthy, the white-collar job holders, the celebrities who wished to live lavish lives, and the retired men and women who were now enjoying the fruits of their hard labour in perfect tranquil. Most of its natives had been proud to the extent of secluding themselves from the rest of the neighbourhood. Further, the mothers hardly let their children out in fear of them associating with the ‘wrong’ lot. But today things were different. There were people outside. The locality that had seemed so desolate was now inhabited by its owners; adults and their children were all outside for the sunny day. It was bursting with life.

Before, it had been a well-practiced routine: parents went to work, their children to school, and when evening came, they would converge in their houses for rest.

Women did not pay each other social home visits, the men hardly planned for golfing sessions, teenagers did not get together for parties, and young boys did not sneak out to harass the community. Basically, no one really got out for anything social; everything was boring. Not exactly the best place for a teenage girl to grow up in.

Diana spotted Mrs Bailey, a woman known in Lemur Estate shockingly for all the unpleasant reasons. She had been the source of all propaganda, with nothing much to do when her husband and children left in the morning.

It had not been long before she was found out. The Community had not exactly been pleased to have her around, but then again, here she was, outdoors too, after so long.

Although this was something to at least smile about, Diana did not dwell much on this new drastic change. She was not quite intrigued. She focused, not on the people, but on the road leading into Lemur Estate. The view from where she stood overlooked the entrance to the estate, her home not too far from the same. She stared at it with a longing, a longing for something or someone. Her eyes expressed regret and her face helplessness.

Her gaze lingered for a while before she turned her back on the view. Her sight caught the mess of the room. From the expression on her face, it was quite evident that she had noted how far she had let things get out of hand. She felt guilt.

She blamed herself for being weak, allowing her emotions to take over. She had never been the type of woman to succumb to emotional breakdown. But for a woman in her predicament, it would not be right to judge. The pain she felt in her heart was no ordinary pain. This was the pain of a wife and mother, left to bare the heartache alone. It had been hard to cope. But enough was enough.

She immediately started cleaning up, picking up every waste and dumping them in a bin by the door. She spread her bed and placed the pillows neatly on it. She carefully arranged the books and newspapers in their place. Every other thing was either tossed or returned to its respective place.

She made into her bathroom, feeling satisfied with the arrangement. She saw the reflection in the mirror first.

The large mirror on the wall sat just above the double sink system equipped with toiletries on either side with small cabinets for each sink. The cabinet on the right was slightly open and one could see that it was empty, out of use for a long time.

The image made her stand there for a while in self-pity. The mirror reflected a pale face with cherry patches around the cheeks; her long brown messy hair was tangled and greasy. The hazel eyes were swollen from all the crying; her lips were dry and cracked.

Clearly disgusted with herself, Diana withdrew from the mirror, a tear staining her blouse. She undressed and got into the overhead shower. She let the warm water run down her back for a while as she got accustomed to the heat.

The bath did her well. She came out a completely new person, like a new-born child. Her hair was now combed and healthy-looking. Her face was now radiant and spotless. Nothing more could contend with the facial cream that was smeared uniformly across Diana’s face, hiding away the nasty patches. Her eyebrows were curved neatly and filled with brown eye pencil. She had on a lighter shade of russet eye shadow with just one round of mascara on her lashes. Her lips bore cherry lip balm that slightly changed their colour to a mild pink. Her façade was a work of art, simple to one’s sight.

She had on a black trouser, complemented by a white thigh-long sleeved blouse that outlined her healthy body; her curves shone past her attire, and her full chest was composed in position. On her feet were Maasai sandals, decorated in a lovely pattern, and on her right wrist was a bright blue bracelet that swayed as she moved.

She walked towards the door and grabbed hold of the round knob. She stepped out slightly as though in fear of being seen. The wide corridor sheltered no one at the moment, silent as water in a pot.

Everything seemed new to her except the ancient Chinese flower vase that stood so distinctly at the corner where the staircase commenced its descent. A posy of fresh lilies gathered at its brim, arranged kindly to entice anyone that passed by.

At that point was a tall wall of glass demarcated at about eight feet in height and almost two feet in width from the surrounding concrete wall. The sun shone brightly against the tinted glass, which gave some kind of filter from the rays.

The floor covering was carpet-like, hiding away the embarrassment of dried wood. Diana had thought of changing the flooring before, but it had not seemed so urgent now that she was almost the only one making her way up and down the hallway, and rarely too. The carpeting had been a temporary measure until the right man for the job had been found to replace it and that fact had been delayed.

Nonetheless, the hallway still had its radiant nature, with some of the light spilling through the glass. A low chandelier lit up the way when night came, to illuminate the path as one made to the rooms on the landing.

Diana sauntered majestically down the oaken stairs, her right hand sliding gently on the rail. She reached the foot of the stairs, darting her eyes around. No one was in sight yet. She made her way towards her living room, taking two steps down. The room seemed to be too big for her even though she had known it too well.

This was one of the characteristics of Lemur Estate, not just very large living rooms but the houses, in general, were life-size, quite handy for big families.

The nude leather seats were carefully arranged at the edges of a moss-green-patterned carpet. A long white-and-black marble coffee table stood in their midst. On either side of the entrance were two sets of three brown stools arranged according to size, one under the other. The adjacent wall had a large African canvas hanging on the wall, framed by glass.

The fireplace was built from slate-grey stone with pictures of the family arranged on the high mantelpiece. A coal scuttle stood empty on the hearth. Diana had not felt the heat from burning wood in a long time, and the ash on the hearth made her remember; clearly, there had been a fire the previous night to warm up the house.

The chill that had rocked the night was virtually impossible to escape without a source of warmth as the blazing fire. Diana had tucked herself away under her heavy duvet, shivering as she tried to push through the night, anxious for a new dawn.

A television screen, similar to the one in Diana’s room, hung from the wall in line with the fireplace, complementing the room.

The curtains were white with streaks of black on the left and when drawn back, they revealed casement windows. The neutral curtain linings hung over the windows translucently from the dark curtain rods.

Diana then made for the dining room which, like the living room, was quite wide with same curtains and same flooring but it had different furniture; at the centre was a six-sitter brown mahogany dining table with a basket of assorted fruits placed at the heart. A hand-washing basin was at the far corner of the room equipped with all the necessaries; the glass used to assemble it was glittery against the room’s illumination.

Diana expressed a bit of concern, wondering where everyone else was. She had been aware of the presence of three other people in the house. She made for the kitchen, hoping she would find at least one person in there. At that moment, she met a woman about her height that she almost bumped into. Diana’s heart felt warmth.

The woman had with her a small fleecy snow-white dog which immediately slid off her arms. The female German Spitz barked and wiggled its tail, making rounds around Diana.

Bless my soul! the woman said in a wide grin. I don’t believe this. You— We thought you would— she said unable to finish her statements. She was stunned to see Diana stand right before her, bright as a button. She embraced Diana abruptly and let go just as fast. I’m sorry. Please don’t mind me. I’m just— overwhelmed. I’m just so glad to see you. Are you all right? I mean are you OK with the situation? she blubbered.

It’s OK, Fridah, and I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Diana said in a chuckle. She bent slightly to stroke the dog gently.

I am glad you are feeling fine now. There are no words to describe how we felt in your absence. Fridah was Mrs Rosald’s helper from way back. She was plump and tall. Her face was round and her lips thin. She had a reasonably long nose and tiny eyes that almost completely shut when she smiled or laughed. Her eyebrows blended well with the colour of her fair skin. She had a distinct mark on her left cheek and a smooth chin that complemented the rest of her face.

The excitement on her face was not one to go away immediately. She had no more words to describe that feeling. She was surely very fond of Diana and it showed.

Just then a young lady and a slightly shorter Chinese man appeared all in shock at the sight of Diana. The young lady did not hide her excitement; she immediately ran towards Diana, embracing her tightly, a large grin forming at the edges of her lips in gladness.

We really missed you, Mother, she said.

I missed you too, Kristy, Diana said with a grin.

Kristy was about twenty years of age. She had an athlete’s body, her sharp features enhanced by her fitness. She was uniformly chocolate-skinned with very bright eyes. She did not have even the slightest resemblance to Diana or any other family member for that matter.

She was an adopted child from Bamako, Mali, taken in by Diana at the tender age of seven. Kristy was like her own daughter now. She mostly lived with Diana’s mother due to agreed arrangements for her studies but always felt the urge to pay Diana a visit once or twice when she had the time. She was in Cambridge University, pursuing a major in medicine.

Ni hao, the Chinese man said with a bow. It’s great seeing you, Mrs Rosald, he added.

Nin hao, Diana saluted. You too, Mr Xing. I thought you gave up on me already! Diana said in a kind of shy tone.

Xing was Diana’s long-time friend and personal chef up until two years ago when he had seized his opportunity. He was now a restaurateur, a professional chef with numerous restaurants across the world. He was very popular for his work and often got calls from some of the biggest of names.

He was exemplarily skilled no doubt, and he loved his job too. In the past couple of months, he had been taking time off to visit Diana with regards of comfort. He had not found much luck then, but today saw his efforts through; he finally got to see her after so long.

I am so glad to see all of you. Thank you for standing by me. I know I was a little stubborn, but I really appreciate your concern. I am very sorry too for my obnoxious behaviour, Diana addressed the group in gratitude.

You don’t have to apologise. We understand, Mr Xing said with a smile.

We thank God, Diana, Fridah said happily. Diana smiled and so did everyone else.

Well, why don’t we celebrate this happy moment? This is a great day! Kristy said happily.

No, no. I don’t want you to bother. Besides I’m not in the mood, Diana claimed modestly.

A little celebration won’t hurt. We’ve not seen you this radiant in a long time, Kristy chimed.

Ma’am, Fridah pleaded.

OK, but nothing extraordinary, Diana said in agreement.

Mr Xing made to prepare something light to commemorate the occasion. Fridah served the drinks. The group of four sat in the living room as they filled Diana in on the new and old developments.

…can you believe that the people in Lemur Estate are actually socialising? Kristy said.

I saw that through my window. Mrs Bailey has some guts, Diana contributed.

Yes, she has. Quite courageous I might add, Fridah agreed.

Looks like they forgave her all right.

Forgiveness is virtue. Xing spoke in a happy tone.

True, Fridah added. How glad we are to have you back, she said with a smile.

Thank you, Fridah, Diana smiled.

This was more than what Diana had had in mind for a welcome. She was appreciative no doubt. At some point, she just watched as they spoke, smiling at their enthusiasm to welcome her back to the present. She listened keenly, appreciating their effort. She had dreaded that they would not have shown so much compassion towards her. She had been very obstinate towards them and had not talked much with them or heeded their advice, but who would have after going through so much.

CHAPTER 2

The Return

Kristy was just about to speak when the house phone rang. She got up respectfully, making for it. She placed the receiver against her ear. Hello, she answered.

She was silent as she waited for a reply. Oh, it’s for you, Mother, she said, handing the receiver to Diana.

Hello.

Mrs Rosald? a man’s deep voice spoke.

Speaking. How may I help you?

Yes, we are calling from Mistral to inform you that Miss Rosald will be arriving home shortly. Thank you for your time, ma’am. Have a lovely day, the man said.

Thank you too, Diana answered. The line went dead, leaving her in shock. She held onto the phone, trying to contemplate what she had just heard. Was it really true? Was she really coming home?

Everyone stared, eager to know the news.

What’s going on, Mother?

"Diana, is everything OK?’ Mr Xing asked.

Diana did not wait for Fridah’s enquiry. Amber’s coming home. She announced still unable to believe it. She stood up as her tears ran down her cheeks. Kristy noticed and was about to enquire.

No, don’t. Let her be, Fridah interrupted.

Diana sauntered sluggishly to her backyard where she would be alone. She sat on one of the four seats near the sky-blue pool that reflected the heavens above. She had the view – a green lawn extending to about quarter acreage. It was perfect for a picnic day, with slender trees creating shades along the concrete wall that enclosed the Rosald home.

The news she had received was comforting. In fact, there would be no better thing that would boost her spirits. But in spite of that, her heart still ached. Even though she was out of the room, she still felt like she was still enclosed in it; she felt trapped.

She was like any ordinary woman with problems but hers seemed to be out of her control. Seven years earlier, she had had everything any woman would want – the security of a God-fearing partner, a house, a well-paying job, and two wonderful children, a boy and a girl, the joy of her life. She was complete in that sense.

She recalled that evening when Mr Rosald came home with news that would eventually be the source of her anguish. He had gathered his whole family in the living room, as the custom, to inform them of something. Mr Rosald had announced his great happiness with the utmost intention to garner support from his family. His gladness was true. It was quite clear that he felt accomplished. His children were happy for him but not Diana; she knew what promotion to a higher post meant for her and their children. Behind her weak smiles, she was afraid.

She had requested to talk to him alone to at least make him reconsider his decision. Behind their bedroom doors, she articulated with fear as her driving force.

Wilbur, she started, you know what this means.

Yes, I do, Diana. I have been waiting so patiently for this opportunity, and besides, this is how I get food on the table, Wilbur replied confidently.

Wil, please, think it over. How will Jordy take this? What about Amber? You know she will be heartbroken. She will not understand, Diana pleaded.

Jordy will have to leave soon. We have already finalised this. As for Amber, you know the situation. She can’t go just yet, but time will come when she will have to, Wil said.

Wil, please. I sacrificed for us. We can leave all this behind us and start over somewhere far from them.

Diana, this is not just any job. It is a duty, and you know this. I cannot just leave everything just like you did. Need I remind you that you almost left me a widower?

I’m scared Wil, for you and for Amber. This is not what we wanted for her, Diana said.

Diana, I know, but please try to understand.

From that time onwards, there had never been another conversation concerning that matter. In about a month, Wilbur was gone, Diana being the only one who knew the truth. She had come up with a story that would then be the basis of her lie to her children.

Two years later, Jordy was also gone; again Diana was the only one who knew the truth. Again, she had to lie to Amber.

In the recent six months, two men had come for Amber. Diana had not really expected that day to come as fast. This was in accordance with a higher law that she had no choice but to conform to. Diana could not object, not now that times had changed. She would have wanted to hold on to her daughter much longer though that option had now been overtaken by time, out of her reach.

She had not informed Amber of this day or its purpose; she had let Amber leave blindly with no valid explanation. As far as Amber knew, she was going to visit a few friends of Diana’s as Diana took care of some things here, and that was where the explanation ceased. Diana was evidently devastated. She had lost her whole family, and there was not much she could do.

After Amber’s departure, Diana could hardly find much meaning in her life. It felt lonely and desolate. She spent most of her time locked up in her room, weeping.

Diana hardly made it for work in time. Her employer had opted to give her a leave, noting how less productive she was becoming by the day. Her boss could not allow her to manage things at the bank in that condition. Her concentration level was almost negative. She had allowed her troubles to interfere with her whole being. This was her mid-life crisis.

The absence of Wilbur and Jordy weighed heavily on her heart, even though Amber was coming home. It did not really substitute the pain. This pain still felt like a confinement, caging her mind. Being out of her room did not make so much difference mentally wise.

Diana wiped off the tears that trickled down her cheeks as she recalled. Fridah came to her side. Ma’am, stop crying. This day should be a happy day for you. Your baby’s coming home. You don’t want her to find you like this, do you? Fridah encouraged.

Diana replied, trying to stir up a smile. No one here had known the truth like she did; the burden of keeping this truth from them haunted her. These were the people who had trusted and loved her so much. I guess not, she said, composing herself with a vague smile.

Now come on, let’s get back inside. Keep up that smile for your daughter.

Xing was in the kitchen, once more, making something for the homecoming. The aroma hung in the air like a veil, filling the kitchen space. There was no question of Xing’s skills in the kitchen; he knew his trade well enough.

The longing had now come to an end when a hoot at the main gate sounded. Diana had heard it, loud and clear, and so did Kristy, Xing, and Fridah. They all hurried towards the entrance of the house to welcome Amber home. Diana was at the stone steps, waiting eagerly.

The driveway was spacious with a roundabout of a carefully manicured hedge, a bit of greenery in the enormous concrete vase surrounding it. The entire ground was covered in decorative stones. On the left was a car park with Diana’s and Wilbur’s vehicles side by side. The garage door was shut, concealing any junk that had not much use.

They waited.

A dark Mercedes manoeuvred skilfully to where they had stood, coming to a slow halt. From the front passenger seat a tall dark man in a black suit climbed out, and like a chauffeur, he opened the door to the back seat to help the passenger out.

A teenage girl emerged into view with her hand on his; a good number of hippie Boho bracelets were dangling from her wrists as she came out. She, like Diana, had shoulder-length brown hair, a curvaceous physique, and, against the sun, her skin appeared honey-coloured.

Her nose was small and pointed, just like Diana’s, and her eyes were hazel-coloured, just like Diana’s; everything about her seemed to have been inherited from her mother except her lips which were no doubt her father’s, but with a difference so distinct that they were the centre of attention.

The difference was slight but very visible. Right under the skin of her lower lip was a beauty spot that resembled the shape of an irregular heart. She never thought it a big deal and did not quite understand why most people she encountered made such a big fuss about it. She had struggled to accept it for a while, with a lot of enquiry about it.

Some complimented her, while others expressed jealousy and few others just outright disgust. People would stare even as she went out of sight. It was irritating at times, but to her, it was as normal as life; even if it were abnormal, there was nothing she could do to change it. The stares made her feel under scrutiny.

She literally ran towards Diana and embraced her with so much enthusiasm that both of them would have fallen if Diana had not reciprocated with the same energy. Diana held on to her daughter, kissing her forehead numerous times. Her tears flowed at their own liking, out of joy. They were in each other’s arms for a while until Diana let go.

I missed you, Amber was all Diana could gather to say at the moment.

I missed you too, Mum, Amber said in the same melodious voice as her mother’s.

Amber embraced Kristy, Fridah, and Xing with the same energy and even Sarabi the German Spitz who came barking and wagging her tail at her. A man came out of the driver’s side and helped with Amber’s luggage. Fridah and Kristy took the bags inside as Diana welcomed her guests.

Come on in, Diana ushered. Amber wound her arm around Diana’s waist as they got in. She was excited to be back.

Diana beckoned them into the living room where tea was served.

So tell me, how was Amber’s take on the new place? Diana asked as she took hold of Amber’s hand in hers.

Fine. She adjusted just fine, the dark man said, sipping his tea.

I am glad to hear that, Aidan, Diana said. I knew she would. She is a survivor, she added