Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 24

EPISODE 24

Suspicious

CONTINUATION FROM LAST EPISODE

INT. SOMEWHERE IN JOHANNASBURY- NIGHT

Imade and Micheal are engulf in an intense conversation about Wemimo after Debby's recital at the auditorium.

MICHEAL

Did you know my family wanted to take Wemi from you?

She suddenly turns back to him in surprise

IMADE

(Exclaims) What?

MICHEAL

Of course, he did not tell you

IMADE

What are you taking about?

MICHEAL

Before Wemi died but after our elopement failed, I called I wanted to talk to you

IMADE

I remember not picking your calls then

MICHEAL

But Wemimo did and he came to visit me with his goon…

IMADE

Wait a minute, your parent found out about Wemi before he died?

MICHEAL

Not at first

IMADE

What do you mean by not at first?

MICHEAL

You were not picking my calls, I said that to make you see but your husband…

IMADE

(Cuts in looking so disappointed) So you lied?

MICHEAL

I needed to see you Imade, I needed to tell you I didn’t come to the airport as promised… your husband had me kidnapped and then had the audacity to show up in my room with the kidnapper

Imade burst into laughter

MICHEAL

(Baffled) I just told you your husband had me kidnapped and you are laughing, what is so funny about that?

IMADE

(Covers her mouth to eat her laughter) I am sorry it is just that…

Then she burst into another bout of laughter. Suddenly, realization dawns on Micheal

MICHEAL

You knew

Her laughter subsides

IMADE

He told me himself

MICHEAL

(Shocked) What?

IMADE

I don’t know what you are trying to achieve… on the other note, I know what you are trying achieve but it is not going to work

She turns to leave again

MICHEAL

So, you don’t think that Wemi’s death is suspicious

She turns back to him with a scrunched up expression

IMADE

Excuse me?

MICHEAL

I told your husband I was going to take Wemi from him one day and our son died the very next day, (raises his voice) you don’t think that is suspicious

In fury, Imade walks to him in an haste and then strikes him across his cheek to the young man’s surprise

IMADE

You must be mad, you must be crazy to think of such. Wemimo loved that boy like his own, he grieved for him like his own, how can you make such accusation?

MICHEAL

I have seen the length that man will go to keep you, why will killing his rival’s son mean anything to him if it means keeping you?

Imade raises her hands to strike him again but he blocks it by holding unto her hand

MICHEAL

Enough with the slaps!

IMADE

How dare you, I finally made peace with his death, how dare you bring it up again

MICHEAL

You want to forget him, no, you can’t… you are his mother, I won’t let you forget him

Imade scoffs and then removes her hand from his grip

IMADE

What you are trying to do, this rifts you are trying to create between my husband and I, it is not going to work. Wemi died because of an overwork nurse, she gave an overdose of his medication in case, you don’t know

MICHEAL

He could have asked the nurse to…

IMADE

(Yells) Enough…

Micheals flinches

IMADE

Enough with all this baseless accusation, I have had enough. You promised to give the building after the recital, I will like to have it now

MICHEAL

After the dinner with Debby

IMADE

You said after the recital

MICHEAL

I know but I can’t have you ditch Debby

Imade scoffs

IMADE

(Pissed) This was stupid, go to hell with your building

Imade turns towards the entrance to leave

MICHEAL

You want to go back to your husband a failure again. Isn’t the whole point of this meeting to prove to your husband that you are much more than a pretty face?

IMADE

(Exclaims angrily) Fuck you, Micheal

MICHEAL

If this is the way you give up at every turn of challenge, how did your marriage last this long, how did you even become a billionaire… oh that was not you, your husband is the risk taker

IMADE

You are a devious man

MICHEAL

That actually saddens me and I hate it about myself but that is who you turned me into, Imade, that was what your love made me into

DEBBY

Is everything okay?

The duo turn to see Debby come in a casual wear

MICHEAL

(With a bright smile) Of course

IMADE

Debby, I am sorry but I can’t do dinner tonight

MICHEAL

(Comes on strong anxiously) Are you really going home to your husband a failure?

IMADE

(Raise her voice in anger) I am not a failure, I am a fucking billionaire and why, because I am badass designer. Wemimo is who he is today because of my talent, yes, he diversify but he built everything on my back, I was his bedrock and I will always be his foundation. A huge part of KINGS was created with my talent and sweat, I may not be involve in business deal and that is fine because it is not my area of expertise (Chuckles) I have been so stupid, I can’t believe I let you play me. Of course they don’t expect anything from me because business is not my area expertise. I have been foolish, so foolish to let you whisper poison but enough is enough. I am done letting you play me, so fuck you and fuck your building

She turns to Debby who watch the drama unfolding before her eyes with a sad expression

IMADE

Like I said Debby, I can’t do dinner

DEBBY

That is okay

IMADE

The next time you are in Ibadan, in fact the next time you are in Nigeria, you must see me in Ibadan, it is an order

DEBBY

Okay

Imade dips her hand into her purse and bring out her business card. She stretches it to her

IMADE

Call me when you are coming