Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 12

EPISODE 12

Strangers

INT. THE MANOR- MORNING

Imade enters her bedroom to find it empty. She round a large bedroom which is denied the essence of a natural light with the dark blue curtain which prevents it. The only source of light in the room is the golden light which is emitted by the six bulb chandler which hangs down the roof at the feet of their well laid king size bed lying on an elevated platform in the middle of the room

She moves towards the closet and open the door. She finds it empty too. On closing the door to the closet she opens the next door which leads to the bathroom. She checks inside and it is empty also.

She goes out of the room and walks down the hallway and she opens the door next to the staircase which opens a large room which looks like a home office. It is also empty

IMADE

Where is he?

She close the door and walks downstairs to the ground floor. She passes through the large living office and makes her way to the dining room where she sees four ladies including the nanny who came for Jowaloju. A now dressed Jowaloju in her school uniform sits in a child seat been spoonfeed by a nanny and her twin sister also in a school uniform also spoonfeed by another nanny

Another nanny packs their lunch into a small flash while the fourth lady who is older than the other three ladies watch them as they carry out these activities.

The ladies tenses up the moment Imade comes in while Tawalore’s face lights up when she sees her mother walk into the room

TAWA

Imade!

Imade glares at the little girl, Tawa on realising her mistake quickly covers her mouth and looks down. Imade then turns to the oldest lady who is their head Butler.

HEAD BUTLER

(Looks surprised) Is everything okay ma’am?

IMADE

What sort of question is that?

HEAD BUTLER

I am sorry, Ma, it is just… do you need anything?

IMADE

Where is my husband?

HEAD BUTLER

He is out

IMADE

Already?

The woman nods

IMADE

How long ago?

HEAD BUTLER

Few hours

IMADE

(Looks confused) Is there an early morning meeting I am not aware of?

HEAD BUTLER

He didn’t say

IMADE

I will just check

She leaves the dinning and goes upstairs into her room. She climbs the two stairs at the end of the elevated platform and goes round to her side on the bed where she picks up her phone which is on the small table next the bed.

She dials her husband number, seconds later, an automated voice informs her that the number she dialled is switched off

IMADE

(With a scowl) Switched off? His phone is never switched

She then opens her schedule on the phone

IMADE

(With a heavy sigh) There is no meeting today

She looks so worried as she sits down on the bed

IMADE

Is he that angry with me?

Then she presses her phone and then sighs in disappointment

IMADE

Shit! I don’t have Ashobi’s number

She stands up immediately and makes her way downstairs again where this time, the nannies are helping her daughters put their little school bag on their back. Everyone turns their attention toward Imade, the moment they hear her footsteps

IMADE

I need Ashobi’s number

At that very moment, ASHOBI, a tall dark skinned man in his forties comes into the room.

IMADE

Is my husband back?

ASHOBI

No, ma

IMADE

Then why are you here?

ASHOBI

He asked me to take the kids to school

IMADE

(Eyebrow scrunched up) Only you? Is he mad?

HEAD BUTLER

No, ma’am, Mr King left instruction that one of the nannies should follow them

IMADE

Why just one? Where the fuck did he even go to leaving you to take the kids to school?

She breathes in and out harshly and she turns to the Nannies

IMADE

I want the two of you to go with them

NANNIES

Yes, ma’am

Imade dials Wemimo’s number again and receives the same information as before

IMADE

(Annoyed) Where the fuck is he?

Then she looks at the people in front of him

IMADE

What the hell are you waiting for, go

Two of the nannies hold unto each girls and walks out of the dining room with Ashobi. Imade follows behind them out into their really large compound. She watch as they help her girls into the car, she sighed deeply watching the car drive her children away

Then she suddenly turns to the Head butler

IMADE

Are my kids save with them?

The head butler looks surprised

HEAD BUTLER

Of course, they are, ma’am

IMADE

(In annoyance) Where the fuck did he go for him to leave my children with strangers

HEAD BUTLER

Ma’am, you have nothing to worry about, your children are safe

IMADE

Where the fuck is him?

She turns to go inside

IMADE

I need you to get the car ready, I am going to work

Imade takes a few steps into the house when she notices that she got no response from the Head Butler. She turns and sees the woman looking so confused

IMADE

Didn’t you hear what I said?

HEAD BUTLER

I did but you are not supposed to leave the house today

IMADE

Am I under house arrest without my knowledge?

HEAD BUTLER

It is just that Mr King…

IMADE

(Snaps) What is it with you today, Ms Franklin, it is not like you to question me?

HEAD BUTLER

I am sorry ma, I will get the car ready