Regan.
Present day. Tuesday, next day…
I'm inside this expensive LA home, one which am sure Juanita had no idea Horacio had. It's bought under Wilhelmina Angst.
But I know of this apartment, because I've had tracks on Horacio for a long time. I know of his dirty secrets. I know Wilhelmina Angst is his mistress. It sickens me sitting here. But I have.
When I saw the horrible marks on my sister's face, yesterday. I was livid. However I didn't want to alarm Juanita. I wanted her calm.
I know Horacio saw that he had crossed the line. Hitting my sister, yet his father and himself had promised to take care of Juanita. Even if my sister was at fault in all this, it didn't warrant them to treat her this way. Worse than garbage. A punching bag for Horacio.
I sent someone to bring me intel on Tommy's well-being and the pictures I saw weren't good. He was hospitalized days ago for a deep wound on his forehead. Received nine stitches. My little nephew.
The door opens and Horacio and Wilhelmina walk in, unsuspectingly. Acting like a married couple. Hypocrite.
"Welcome home, brother in law." I sneer.
There's this familiar darkness that fills the room with eeriness. The same darkness seeping inside me.
It's evening and am standing by the corner of the window. Horacio startles, seeing me. His eyes wide. He places a distance between him and Wilhelmina.
"Don't bother." I remark.
When we were little, I fought kids that bullied Juanita. I didn't mind being called to order all the time by our parents. I have always loved my sister devotedly. And anyone who hurts her, is my enemy.
"Regan…It's not what you think…" Horacio stutters.
I have this detached look on my face as I regard them. He's disgusting. I close the gap between us. My height looming dangerously over him, even though he's just an inch shorter than I'm. He shrinks back; afraid.
"You are scum. Do you know that," I coldly say.
He nods, frantically. He's nervous. Good. He needs to know he did wrong. His eyes sweep across my three men, who're standing inconspicuously.
"You beat my sister. Hurt my nephew. Those marks on them will never go. Scars for the rest of their lives. You killed their self-esteem. Little Tommy is just a kid." I sneer, coldly.
He's nodding nervously.
I hate bullies. They're disgusting. That's the reason I hate my dad sometimes. But I was born into this life. I can't step back. It would tilt my entire existence.
"Plea…Please, Regan. I didn't mean to hurt them…Juanita cheated on me…"
"And Tommy? Did he cheat on you as well?"
He pales.
"You'd never hurt them again." I turn my eyes to my men, nodding. Horacio follows my gaze, his face panic-stricken.
"What…What are you going to do to me?" Horacio asks, agitatedly.
"Ensuring you never hurt them again."
He pales. His pleas pour on my cold heart. I whisper instructions to my men.
Thereafter, I spare both Horacio and Wilhelmina a look, before I speak, a dark grin tugging my lips.
"You know, for someone who claims hurt from his wife's infidelity, you're quite the hypocrite on the subject."
I give a go ahead to my men and I stroll out of the house, ignoring the sound of my name on Horacio's vile lips.
He didn't pardon my sister or my nephew. He doesn't deserve mercy.
***
Wednesday…
"Horacio Carmel and his lover, Wilhelmina Angst, were found shot dead in Wilhelmina's home. The police suspect a lover of Wilhelmina's responsible for the murder. Her ex-lover, Bregs, has been taken in for questioning."
I listen to the news as I sip my morning coffee, my attention struggling to focus on something Dinah is saying.
She slept in again and I'm beginning to get bored of her presence. However, she's a convenient distraction, from my craving for Rita. Seeing her is like seeing Rita. Although a poor replica.
Am dressed for work already, waiting for us to finish and we'd leave. My phone is blaring from calls. Mum, dad, my brothers. But I don't want to pick. I know what they intend to tell me. News of Horacio's death.
My only concern is Juanita, who the news announced, is currently grief stricken by the death of her husband.
I hope she finally finds the peace she deserves this time. Not many of us are fortunate to be given a second chance in life.
"There's a party the Tenshaws are hosting this Saturday."
My eyes shift from the TV screen and focus on Dinah now. "What party?" I ask her, intrigued.
"It's an exclusive party to celebrate the successful launch of another communication satellite. The MEL01, they call it. It boasts new technology, which the Tenshaws have incorporated into this design." She excitedly describes.
It's like she's enamored by the Tenshaws. Drinking from the palm of their hands. Bile rises in my throat just hearing praises about those cockroaches. Worse, I can't get my mind off Malachi's hands on my Rita.
The way he held her protectively, during the party. Shielding her from me, her one and true love. And the way he held her so affectionately as they danced. I feel irritated just thinking of it.
"Am not invited to the party." I sneer, bitterly.
Picking a slice of buttered toast. I love buttered toast. Thank God my physical trainer breaks me every morning, before I leave for work.
"Well, am to cover the evening for LA World and am allowed a plus one. I'd like you to join me." She smiles, seductively. "Unless, your fiancée wouldn't permit."
She adds, slyly. Baiting me. She reeled me in, the moment she made mention of my fiancée.
Lucinda and I haven't talked since the night of the party. Besides, I'd love to crash Melanie's night with her husband. Excitement coursing through me at the thought of being in her presence.
"You said fiancée. Not wife."