The Forgotten Ones

By Trudie-Pearl Sturgess

Gateway 1605 Secret Service is an experienced, successful private agency run by Ayaana Hunter. Ayaana has the blessing of having extremely powerful and proactive people behind her. She risks her life each day to do the job she loves more than anything. Ayaana likes nothing better than delivering criminals to be prosecuted before the lawmakers. Finding her biological father has left a huge cross for Ayaana to bear. What is Ayaana going to do when she learns that her two half-brothers are in partnership with the very criminals that she is trying to put behind bars?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524626068

Trudie-Pearl Sturgess

Trudie-Pearl Sturgess is a Ghanaian talented writer, film editor, and producer. She lives and writes in Ontario, Canada, with her family.

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© 2016 Trudie Sturgess. All rights reserved.

Cover Design by TSOA Legends

Cover Photograph by TSOA Legends Studio, Canada

Author Photograph by TSOA Legends

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/08/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2607-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2606-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016913974

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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This novel is dedicated to:

Nana Sarpong, her children and grandchildren.

Thank you for the sacrifices that you have made for Nana Konadu-Yiadom, Mama Joyce, Nana Kessie, Papa Yaw and myself all of these years.

To Chrissel-Jayzel and Torian-Brendon Sturgess:

Thank you for your love and laughter. You have made what was impossible, possible for me. May God protect and watch over you always, my darlings. TS.

To my wonderful book editors:

Thank you Dr. Sally-Braun Jackson and Miss Megan Pratt for your hard work in bringing my stories to life. None of this would have been possible without you.

1

I t is as if Pandora’s Box has opened wide in Oliver’s mind after the two Hamilton, Ontario police officers left his office. Just like any law enforcement agency with clear mountains of evidence in their hands, the officers are blinded by the fact that Oliver is a doctor. And therefore, to them, his words are the truth. So that idiot really did leave his cell phone in my garage? So he witnessed everything? His heart is pounding rapidly. He sits down, rubbing his forehead.

He begins to pace up and down in his office. He knew it was just a matter of time before law enforcement put things together and connected all the dots. Akwasi he can handle; in fact, Oliver is confident that he is way ahead of anyone in Canada who can bring him down other than his wife and son. No, not like this. I have gone too far, he reminds himself.

He sits behind his desk and all the terrible memories that he has fought so hard to bury rush to the surface of his mind. He closes his eyes and suddenly, it’s 1984. Oliver is 11 years old, and he has been accepted into Ofori Panin Senior High School in Tafo, a town within the Eastern region of Ghana. His parents, Sam and Victoria Ofori Attah, could not be happier that their older child has been accepted into a school whose foundational stones were laid by a second cousin of Oliver’s grandfather-Kofi Asante Ofori Attah, the Minister of Justice at the time in May of 1962.

Oliver’s father, Sam, was also an alumnus of the school. Oliver and his younger brother, Jacob-who was five years old at the time-hear their father proudly say Dwen Na Som. Think and serve. It’s the motto of the school, Sam explains. He says that it is the philosophy of the school that everyone should, with a thoughtful mind, be ready and willing to serve themselves, their school, their family, their nation, and the world at large.

Is the world very, very big, Daddy? Jacob asks very seriously.

Oliver and his father both smile at little Jacob’s expression. Sam scoops Jacob onto his lap and opens his yearbook to show his sons some photographs of his former schoolmates, who have now gone on to become great men and women in Ghana. He explains to them that the school crest was designed using the leopard and other important cultural symbols: the leopard signifies strength and intelligence, a torch shows light and brightness on the path to victory, and a cutlass represents the farming community in the eastern region of Ghana. Jacob makes a sad face, and Oliver asks if he is alright. Gee, I don’t know guys. I think Oliver is going to be a very important person for going to that school, Daddy. Maybe, I too can go there when I get really big like Oliver, eh?

Of course, my son. Both of my two sons are each destined for great things, Sam encourages, as he hugs Oliver and Jacob tightly.

Ofori Panin Senior High School is a co-educational secondary school. Oliver has lived a very sheltered life with his family in Akim, but he adjusted quickly to the boarding school life and excelled academically-though he proved not to be very sociable. Oliver loved science and doing experiments always made him miss his father and brother the most. Scientific experiments were a bonding experience with his father and his brother. Oliver gets sentimental; he wonders what his father has been doing since he left for school.

During all of the years that Oliver attended Ofori Panin, he kept to himself, studied and got good grades on his exams. By the end of school year, Oliver was the first student to leave the school without waiting for his parents to pick him up. During his last year of school, Oliver became very close friends with one of the students in his class-Zoey Appiah. He remembers her well.

Oliver comes to, and remembers he is no longer at Ofori Panin, but in his office. He is having difficulty breathing. He looks up to the ceiling anxiously-no, no, he cries, I have worked too hard and have gone too far!

He nods his head up and down as he dials a number on his phone. He books three tickets on Lufthansa airline to Accra, Ghana. The flight leaves in two days. Oliver sits down, fixes his necktie, and affirms to himself, You are not done, Oliver Ofori Atta, no sir. He lets out an evil laugh as he picks his keys and cell phone up from his desk.

Two days later, Oliver and his family arrive in Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana in the morning. It is three weeks before Christmas. They board a transit flight half an hour later to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region. Both Nana Yaa and Dakota, Oliver’s wife and son, have never been to Kumasi before. There are several flights per day from Accra to Kumasi, as well as busses, trains, taxis and tro-tro. It’s about 250 kilometers north-west of the Accra, Oliver explains to Dakota. He reminds Dakota that Kumasi is Ghana’s second largest city, and getting there is very easy and much quicker by flight.

Oliver informs Nana Yaa and Dakota that his elders have expressed their wish for him not to bring his family to his father’s funeral. Oliver has decided not to go, but Nana Yaa explains that she is not hurt by his elder’s decision. She pleads with Oliver to attend his father’s funeral. I’ll not go where my wife and son are not welcome. I want to show you something in Kumasi, my mother’s home town, he tells them as they fasten their seat belts on the plane and prepare for the flight to Kumasi.

Oliver sits in between his wife and son, holding their hands. He turns and smiles at Dakota and gives him a little history about Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti region. Son, the Ashanti’s have played a very important part in our history. Our people are known to be strong and very stubborn. The city of Kumasi-the place where we are going right now, is a historical centre for the Ashanti tribe. Tradition is held very high in Kumasi, son, Oliver explains to Dakota.

Nana Yaa is also listening as Oliver explains how well the old ways blend with modern day lifestyles.

Daddy, are there other attractions in Kumasi other than the Manhyia Palace? Dakota inquires.

Oliver beams with excitement. Yes, my son. For me personally, the National Cultural Center is a major attraction. We can go and visit there on the weekend if you would like.

Really? Wow! This is going to be so cool, Daddy! Dakota enthuses.

Their flight has landed in Kumasi. Now in the airport, the family passes through immigration and customs very quickly with the luggage’s they had. There is a driver with Oliver’s two older sons, Dallas and Montana, waiting for them at the airport. Oliver shakes his older son’s hands in greetings and introduces them to Dakota. Nana Yaa and Dakota both hug Dallas and Montana. They enter into a black GMC SUV together. Turning off onto the main road, the combination of rain and low clouds has deepened.

Oliver tells the driver to drive through Ashanti New Town. I want to show you Manhyia Palace, better known as Asantehene’s Palace. It is the palace of the highest Ashanti ruler. The King of Ashanti and his royal family live in their home, located in the northern part of the city, Oliver tells Nana Yaa and Dakota.

Oliver points and tells the driver to slow down, as he explains to Nana Yaa and Dakota that Ashanti Kings have always lived in luxury, and visitors are often surprised by how beautiful the palace is with it huge golden gates. To add to the appeal, the palace is surrounded by rolling green hills, with carder and plum trees neatly lined up with colorful wild turkeys roaming freely on the ground near the pond. The palace is simply beautiful. The Adae Festival is coming in a week. There are two festivals every 42 days, when the King’s subjects come to pay him homage. I want to bring you, mummy and your brothers, Oliver promises Dakota.

Dakota points to the Anokye sword. According to the legend, Daddy, did you know that the Anokye sword sticks to the ground by the high persist of the gods? And the Golden Stool descended from the heavens, boom! Dakota exclaims and makes hand gestures in the air.

His brothers, mother and father all laugh at his expression as Dakota continues his description. The Anokye stick marks the birth and the strength of the whole entire Ashanti Kingdom. The British were after the golden stool, you know. But the great Ashanti Kingdom stood very firm and fought them, and no one told them the location of the stool. Dakota nodded his head proudly after he shared what he knew.

They all smile. Dallas, the eldest son, points to Nana Yaa on the drive and explains, Over there on the right is Kumasi’s vast central market.

It’s very different from Accra! Dakota exclaims.

Nana Yaa has been quiet since Oliver told them that they were coming to Kumasi. Surely, they could have stayed in Accra. She cannot help but think that there is more to this visit that meets the eye. Oliver asks if Nana Yaa is okay. She turns her head to face the window to avoid his stare. Yes, Kumasi is as vibrant as any in City in Ghana! she quickly says.

Relief washes through Oliver as the warm rain that was pouring stops. The sun begins to shine. He puts his hand around his wife and pulls her gently to his lap. She longs for moments like this-when Oliver is so romantic, it’s as if all her fears disappear without a care. Almost sobbing, she grabs the door and rests her head on his shoulders to hide her frantic, as memories of Thanksgiving night in Canada flash in her head, sending cold chills down her spine. The memories stop; she tries to relax herself as her stomach heaves.

Oliver lifts Nana Yaa’s head up gently and gazes at her. He can see the mixture of pain and fear in her eyes. He smiles and kisses her cheek, only vaguely noticing how warm her forehead feels. She reminds him of the morning after his father and brother had died, about how he did not cry for them. Oliver tells himself that he must not get caught up in the moment. It is necessary to keep his family together, and this is the only way to secure his future with his wife and sons.

They arrive at city hotel at the top of the TUC Bridge near Adum. Nana Yaa begins to relax when she realizes that they are staying in a hotel; at least she can call and speak with Waverley properly, she thinks.

They check into a luxury penthouse suite with four bedrooms. Dakota can’t hide his excitement! He is bonding with his brothers already. Dallas is 19 and Montana is almost 18. They are both as tall as Oliver is, with shaved heads. They have settled into their suites with a cold bottle of Coca-Cola in their hands.

Oliver opens a cold bottle of Vita-malt for Nana Yaa. She smiles and drinks some.

Oliver orders fried rice, chicken and salad for Dallas and Montana. For Dakota and Nana Yaa, Oliver orders a traditional meal. Awaakye, fried plantains, beans, and goat meat. He orders an omelet and bread for himself.

Dallas asks concern, Is that all you’re going to eat, father?

Daddy is not a pig. I eat all the food in the house, Dakota blunted out with food in his mouth. Everyone laughs.

They enjoy their meals. Dakota ends up falling asleep right after dinner on the sofa. Dallas carries his younger brother into one of the bedrooms and places him gently on the bed, taking his shoes off before covering him with a blanket. Oliver waits for his sons to leave the living area before he tells Nana Yaa that he is not planning to go back to live in Canada. Nana Yaa doesn’t respond right away. Oliver explains that he knows that Nana Yaa agreed to come with him to Kumasi for just ten days, and he is not expecting her to stay more than that.

Her mind is blank. She doesn’t know how to respond. She is certain that she wants to be where her husband is. She explains this bluntly to Oliver. Oliver is very surprised and asks if she is sure. Do you doubt that? she wonders aloud.

Yes, Yaa, very much. You have to admit that you have changed the past three years since you were… Oliver hesitates. Since you were raped, he continues. I know I didn’t give you the support that you needed at the time.

Nana Yaa is sobbing now. Please Yaa, don’t cry. We can’t keep brushing things under the rug all the time. You know what I am saying is the truth. We have always discussed things together. But instead, you choose to do things on your own without discussing them with me, Oliver says abruptly.

Oliver, please. I have said that I’m sorry countless times. I didn’t know where I stood as your wife then when your parents came… she paused.

You never got in touch or talked to me either, Yaa. Instead, you went to a total stranger for assistance for you and our son. Dakota is a young man and these are things that he will not forget. I am not a perfect man, and I am not placing blame on you for any of the things that have happened, Oliver expresses with concern.

Nana Yaa knows that her decision to go to Waverley for help has cast a darker cloud on her already dark marriage. She saw the change in Oliver more clearly when their visa was expiring and she went to Waverley for help yet again, and went to work against her husband’s wishes. Suddenly, she has a flashback of being raped in their dark garage in their home in Canada. He body feels cold. Oliver gets her attentions and asks if she is upset with him for bringing up the past. No, I was just thinking of what you said, she says sadly.

I love you, but I think we want different things out of life, Oliver explains.

Nana Yaa frowns in suspicion. Why are you saying all this? This is your family, isn’t it? They think all I do is spend your hard-earned money and refuse to give you more children!

Oliver moves to the window. He is very quiet. For once, Oliver is trying to have a very serious talk with his wife. He wants to change his lifestyle. He turns and faces her with tears in his eyes. You and Dakota have always been my family, Yaa. You have always failed to see that. Nana Yaa, I am not going to go back to Canada. I want to stay home and raise my boys. I want our son to grow up in a loving home with his brothers, away from extended families and their gossips, their needs, their wants. Those have never been my needs or wants, and you know that! Oliver raises his tone. If you want to go back to Canada to work and hang out with your friends, that is fine with me. I am only telling you what I want, what I have always wanted-and you know it’s the truth! he says calmly.

He walks over to his wife and takes her hands to wipe the tears off her face. Nana Yaa, please. You know…we both have changed. We’ve been like strangers living in the same home all this while. We have… he stops. We haven’t done anything romantic in a long time. I am not talking about our non-existent sex life. Maybe we should call it quits and find some kind of amicable way to raise our son? he suggests as he lets go of her hands.

She is shocked. Shaking, she sits in the chair to calm her nerves. She looks at the man she thought to be her husband. You brought me here to divorce me? Are you going back to your ex-wife? Is that why… Nana Yaa stops.

Oliver frowns and asks, What are you talking about? I love you and only you. Why would you say such a thing? All this while we been married, have I ever done anything for you to think that there can ever been another woman for me? I want a wife who wants the same thing as I do. What is all of this about me going back to my ex-wife? Oliver demands.

Nana Yaa is even more confused than ever. She mumbles that she doesn’t want a divorce and she, too, is very much in love with Oliver and wants the same things as him. Oliver asks if so, then what has created the huge distance between them. Nana Yaa could not say. He didn’t push. Nana Yaa asks when they will go back to Accra. I am not going back to Accra. The home that I have been building for us is ready with the clinic in Apartrapa. All the land in Asuayeboa was sold, so I settled for Apartrapa. It’s a small town. I was going to come home three weeks before you told me you and Dakota were arriving in Canada. I felt to leave things as it is, Oliver explains.

Oliver’s home town, Asuayeboa, is located on the Sunyani road just 15 miles from the hotel. He tells Nana Yaa that he is hoping to buy more land there and develop it. Nana Yaa is very surprised that Oliver would make all this plans without discussing any of it with her first. She does her best not to show that she is not happy with any of Oliver’s surprises.

Oliver, too, can see her discomfort, and he doesn’t want Nana Yaa getting overly excited So, Oliver arranges for someone to come and give her a full body massage. She declines, stubbornly, when the woman arrives that she does not need a massage. Oliver pulls her aside, holding her hands. Yaa, you have done nothing but the last 48 hours but clean and pack for us to come home. Nana Yaa tries to talk but he kisses her as a means of silencing her. I’ll give you the massage and run a nice bubble bath for you, but I have noticed that you get nervous these days by… he pauses, you just seem very nervous and I want you to relax. Please, for once, stop being stubborn and relax! he asks.

She hugs him, and they part ways. Oliver says he wants to go with Dallas and make sure that everything is well with the house before he checks them out of the hotel. He reminds Nana Yaa to try and call Waverley after. The suggestion made Nana Yaa a lot more relaxed. She nods her head with a smile as Oliver walks away.

2

O liver and Dallas leave the hotel a little after, and drive to a small town on the outskirts of west of Kumasi called Apartrapa, just off the Sunyani road. It is hidden in a beautiful valley. As many artisans specialize in crafts such as goldsmith work, cloth printing, weaving and woodcarving, all of these talents are seen along the roads from Adum, Bantama, Kwadaso, and Asuayeboa. Oliver and Dallas exit on the right off the Sunyani road just before they reach Tanoso to Apartrapa. The town is tucked away in a hidden valley about four miles from Tanoso. The road from Tanoso to Apartrapa is very small muddy, and unpaved. There are no lights on the roadside. It is 6:00 pm now, and it is very dark already.

Oliver drives very carefully on the valley road through the town main streets. There were people trading by the roadside with small tables, each trader with a lantern light up on his or her table. The people stop and stare as Oliver drivers very slowly, nodding his head in greetings to anyone that catches his gaze. He drives further away from the town to a lit road stretched more than a mile up to massive iron gates. Oliver stops in front of the gates and honk the horn of his car. Dallas is immediately taken by all the cars in the driveway. Oliver pretended that he has not noticed the excitement on his son’s face.

Two security guards in dark navy blue uniforms appear and one of them waves his hands, gesturing to swing the gates open. Oliver drives in. He parks along the side of the many luxury cars, which are parked flanking the Tudor-style home. The two guards come and greet Oliver. Oliver asks if the maids are inside. One of the guards says yes. Oliver tells Dallas to stop eyeing the cars and to follow him inside the maid quarters. He puts on dark shades and removes his suit jacket, and loosening his tie, entering the maid’s quarters with his son by his side.

There were ten girls in the open concept living room, lounging around. They are all wearing the same green and white maid uniforms. They stop what they were doing when they see Oliver and Dallas. Where is your Madame? Oliver asks in a commanding tone.

A middle age woman appears, wearing traditional clothing with a hair tie on her head. Welcome sir. She says nervously. I… we were not expecting you until tomorrow afternoon, sir.

Oliver pulls a chair out for Dallas, who has not seen so many beautiful dark-skinned girls in one room before. All the girls have their hair shaved off. Oliver sits down and crosses his legs. Brago, is everything ready in the main house? he asks softly.

Yes sir, just like you requested, she smiles.

This is my son, Dallas. Who are my son’s maids? Oliver asks Brago.

Oh, they are in the main house helping Nana Yaa’s maid put all your wife’s things away neatly. The woman from Bonwire brought the kente cloths, lace and other cloths for your wife a while ago, so I sent the girls over to go and help Mansa, Brago explains.

Please take Dallas and show him around the home, then introduce him to the maids. He will let you and the maids know what his and his brothers’ needs are, Oliver orders. He nods his head toward Dallas, insisting for him to go with Brago. The other maids were all standing still with their heads focused on the ground, with their hands on their back. Oliver asks if Brago has been treating them all well. They all nodded their heads.

Oliver walks over to the TV and takes a DVD out from his suit pocket. He puts it in the DVD player and pushes play. He sits down, and asks the maids to remove all their clothes; leaving nothing but their panties on, if they are wearing some. One by one, they all do as Oliver had asked. He points to the TV and tells them to watch. It’s one of the porn movies that Daisy had made in Amsterdam.

The maids watch very nervously, when all of a sudden, a door opens, it’s Dallas with the other maids and the head housekeeper, Brago. Dallas turns to Brago and orders her and the three maids to go back to their rooms in the main house. They do as he has said. Oliver is very impressed with his son. Dallas takes a seat next to his father as they all watch the porn to its end. There is no guessing for Oliver what his teenage son’s mind is thinking now.

You all will be paid very well for your services to me and my sons. I will not tolerate any fights, gossip or rudeness amongst you. You may come to me personally with any issues, not your Madame. You must not set foot ever on the main house. You must not ever speak to my young son or my wife. Is that understood? Oliver asks softly.

The girls all say in unison, yes sir.

Oliver asks the girls to come and introduce themselves to Dallas. Again, they did one-by-one, telling Dallas their name with their bare heads facing him. Dallas knew that his father had questionable behavior based on what his mother had said. Dallas feels sickened by what he has seen. But he knows that there is nothing he can do about the rich and powerful Oliver Ofori. Dallas knew of his father’s businesses. He never thought, though, that Oliver would be using young girls for sex, especially within his family home. He wondered why so many girls were there, and if Brago knew why Oliver had them all. Surely, she could not believe they were all just maids! How many maids does a family of five need, anyways? Dallas thinks, and glances over to give his father Oliver a long stare.

Dallas, you’re a man. You’re the head of this family when I’m not around. I expect you not to have a soft heart like your younger brothers do. I will not tolerate any failure from you. Take two of these maids to the boy’s quarters. They will fulfill whatever sexual desires you may have, Oliver orders.

Dallas does what his father has requested without hesitation. Oliver instructs the rest of the maids to get dressed. He wishes them good night, and leaves.

The left wing of the main house is an adjoined bungalow. Through the kitchen, Oliver walks down the long corridors with a bottle of wine in his hands. He stops and knocks on one of the doors. The door swings opens and reveals a young, beautiful woman with her skin toasted like cocoa. She is wearing a cloth wrapped up her body. Welcome back, my husband, she says politely.

Oliver enters and closes the door behind him with his foot. He places the bottle of wine and the glass on the table by the door. He smiles, and asks her why she has not unpacked the suitcase that the maids brought her. She smiles and says that she was going to, but Brago acclaimed Oliver’s arrival before she could. I was not sure if you would be here with me or in the main house …with your first wife and the boys, she explains cautiously.

Oliver opens his arms, she walks into them. He holds her for a moment, slips off the cloth that she has wrapped her body with to reveal her naked skin. She wears two yellow and red beads on a chain around her waist. She is barefoot. She, too, just like the others, has shaved her hair.

Oliver lifts her up in the air and begins to sucks on her nipples, biting them. He tells her not to be afraid to touch him, urging her to open the zipper of his trousers and rub his manhood. She does; he exhales and tells her to do it faster and harder. Again, she obeys Oliver. She does it.

Oliver quickly bends her over and enters her. She lets out a loud scream and cries in pain. She pleads for Oliver to stop-but now, she has enraged Oliver by daring to tell him to stop. He pulls out of her, lights up a lantern and raises length of the light. The girl is still bent over the chair. Oliver pours some of the wine into the glass and gives it to her. Her handshakes as she takes it. Oliver tells her to drink it. It’s nice, he says, drink up.

The girl did not like the smell of the wine. Fatima, drink some. It tastes good. Oliver rubs his hands between her legs. She is very wet and she likes the sensations of Oliver’s fingers which Oliver notices. He moves her away from the chair and sits down. He noticed the ice cubes in a plastic cup on the table. He asks if Fatima was hot before. She nodded her head shyly. Fatima, I am sorry if I hurt you. Do you remember when I came to the Upper Volta to request that you come and be one of my wives, your parents told you that you must learn to please me?

Fatima nodded. Oliver places the glass up against her month and encourages her to drink. She does. She is beginning to relax. Oliver asks her if she has been watching the porn that he had asked her to watch daily these past nine months. She nodded yes. Oliver smiles at her, and asks, Do you remember our wedding night in the Upper Volta, what I did to you? He teased her with kiss on her neck, moving down to her waist before he stops. She giggles.

I have missed you. Would you like me to do all that I did to you again? Maybe you can show me what you have learned from watching the movies I gave you. If you cannot please me, I will have to send you back first thing tomorrow and get a wife who can please me, Oliver warns.

Fatima is trembling; she puts the glass of wine down and begins to go down on Oliver. Oliver tilts his head back and smiles. He rubs the back of her neck and tells her not stop. He is coming. He pushes himself inside her mouth and holds her head until he has fully discharged. Oliver picks her up from the floor and takes her to the shower; the water feels cold. He bathes her, and then wraps a towel around her naked body before bringing her back to the bedroom.

Fatima is overwhelmed whenever Oliver will do these kinds of romantic things with her. He did the same things with her in Upper Volta, the day he came and paid for her bride prize and brought her to the Ashanti region. She does not want Oliver to send her back. After all, if it wasn’t for Oliver, she would have been sold by now to some old farmer who cannot look after her. Which is worse than being married off to a man old enough to be her father. At least Oliver is not that old and treats her very well. It’s Brago, that she does not like. After all, she is Oliver’s wife and Brago is just the hired help. She wants to tell Oliver this, but does not know how to. Oliver let go of her as he breathes very slowly. I see you have learned a lot in nine months. He complemented her on her skills.

Yes, my husband. And I am very happy that you have come back home, Fatima says.

Oliver senses that there is something on her mind. He asks her what it is. She pulls the sheets to cover herself up. My husband… Why I am not allowed in the main house? I mean, I know you must have other wives. My father’s wives are all friends and we all lived in one compound with my brothers and sisters and their mothers. I am very lonely here with no one to talk to, she says in a child-like way.

I am not your father. This is your own part of the home and you must stay in your own part of the home. You’re not here to make friends. Tonight is just about you and me. I’ll leave in the morning and return later in the evening with my first wife. I’ll take you out to dinner in a restaurant tomorrow night, so you must dress well, he informs her.

She smiles. They will have sex again before Oliver leaves for the main house. He goes to Dallas’ room to find him sleeping on the sofa with his clothes on, the remote control on his lap. The two maids are sleeping on Dallas’s bed. Oliver shakes his head and closes the door.

Dallas opens his eyes, and whispers that he is on to Oliver. He opens the door to see if Oliver is turning the corner to his room. Dallas wakes the maids up, and escorts them to their bungalow. He glances at his watch, it’s after mid-night. He takes out his cell phone and dials a number as he walks. I have a huge problem. I think you may be able to help me, Dallas says to whoever is on the other end of the phone. He continues, telling the person on the phone to try and find her. And that they may kill her. Visibly distressed, he says to the person that he will see them on Christmas Eve. He ends the call, and walks back to his room.

In the meantime, Oliver is very restless so he goes upstairs to the master bedroom and out on to the balcony. It is not as warm there. He sits and smiles. He is quietly thinking of what Nana Yaa had said when he suggested they spilt up. How can he change for her? He wants to be the man that she deserves. No, women are all the same. They are good for one thing and one thing only. She wants to keep things from me? She must suffer, he says to himself. He thinks about how Nana Yaa is with his sons and it warms his heart. He loves her very dearly, always has, even when she belonged to another man.

No woman has ever taken his heart quite like Nana Yaa. Her smile and those long, sexy legs of hers can make any man go insane. The trouble with Nana Yaa is that she is too intelligent, being much smarter than most of the women that Oliver was used to before he met her. Nana Yaa is also traditional in every way. If only if she was willing to experience sexual adventures like most women. They would have a fantastic marriage. But no, not Nana