C4 CHAPTER FOUR

Two days later, Annie stood in front of her dressing mirror putting some last touches on her make-up. It was Friday evening, and she was to attend a party in her boss' house. She looked at herself again at the mirror admiring her perfect look. She was wearing a wine coloured dinner gown that covered her feet. Her black high heel shoe added to her height, making her look taller than her normal average height. Her curves were highly visible and definitely irresistible. She smeared a red lipstick on her lips, applied a little powder on her face and smiled at her reflection on the mirror. She needed no one to tell her she was looking very gorgeous.

"Oh my gosh! Sis you are damn hot!." Rose said from the door way fanning her face with her hands.

Annie laughed out and turned to look at her younger sister.

" You aren't looking bad either Rosy, you look all dressed up like a twenty-two year old. No worries, I will keep an eye on you." Annie said.

Rose was dressed in a short blue dress that clad her body perfectly. She looked stunning and breath taking. Her black high heel shoe gave her beautiful straight legs a wonderful look, that would get all eyes admiring her all through the party. Rose walked to her sisters dresser to apply some make-up too. Looking at her elder sis, she let out a warm smile.

" Sir Chris will receive the greatest shock of his life tonight, what a timed

bomb you are." She said, and smeared a lip gloss on her lips.

Annie laughed and picked up her black handbag from her bed.

"Got any date for tonight bae? Won't be okay leaving you all to yourself." She said.

Chris had invited Rose to the party, the day he came to their house to explain things to her. He had brought the issue up when they were having dinner, and had insisted that Rose must come to the party too, because she was his second best friend.

" Yes sis, I spoke to Mike at school yesterday, and he had agreed to be my date tonight." Rose said.

" The guy you said called you an ugly monkey the other day?" Annie asked.

"Yeah, he apologized recently and we are good friends now." Rose answered.

"Hmm, and you didn't tell me that," Annie said.

"Sis, lets not ruin today with arguments. You started keeping to yourself first and I stayed out of your path." Rose defended.

" I'm sorry about my recent character little sis, it wont happen again I promise." Annie apologized.

"It's alright Sis, I forgive you. No more secrets right?" Rose asked.

"Sure." Annie replied.

"Good to have the most beautiful and loving sister back!" Rose hugged her

tightly.

Annie laughed and sighed with relieve, she felt loved by this amazing little sister of hers.

" We are running late baby lets get going" Annie said and headed towards the door.

The door bell rang twice and Rose hurried to answer it.

"Hey Mike, you are late." Rose said

" I'm sorry, I had to do some house chores for mum before I left." He said.

" Come in please." She said cheerfully.

Rose opened the door wide enough to let him in. Annie walked into the sitting room in a rush and stopped on seeing their visitor.

" Sis this is Mike, and Mike meet my elder sister Annie." Rose introduced them to each other.

"Good evening ma'm." Mike greeted with a smile.

" You are welcome dear, lets get going please, we are late." Annie said and started towards the door. " Lock up the door Rosy." She said and left.

" Alright sis. Come here cutie, missed you." She pulled Mike to herself and gave him a kiss.

"Missed you too." He said and returned her kiss. " Let get out of here before your sis walks in on us." Mike said with a grin.

Rose laughed and the both of them walked out of the house.

Annie drove her car in silent, glancing occasionally at the teenagers sited at the back seat, from her rear-view mirror. There was something more to the friends Rosy claimed they were, but she decided to hold her peace and find out later. Annie drove into the parking lot in the Jackson's mansion. The teenagers wowed at the sight of the building and stepped out of the car shutting the door behind them with a bang. Annie smiled at their closeness and walked behind them into the building.

"Welcome to Jackson and Prof. Olayinka's house party, can I see your identity card ma'm?" The bouncer at the door asked politely.

Annie brought out an identity card, that stated that she was a lawyer working in Jackson Law Firm, and and showed it to the man. He allowed them go into the house, while he attended to other guests. Annie caught a glimpse of that very person that had got her heart racing joyfully each time they met. And within seconds their eyes locked.

Chris stared at Annie with his eyes popping out and his mouth wide open. Pretty was an understatement when it came to describing how she looked,

she was drop dead gorgeous, he thought. Her wine coloured gown swept the floor swiftly, as she swayed gently to his direction. Her long hair was packed stylishly into a ponytail, which bounced behind her as she walked. He watched her stop to say hi to one of his employees, revealing a white set of teeth that had a beautiful gap in between the upper teeth, as she smiled warmly. Her soft dark eyes caught he's charmingly, sending a chilly

feeling down his spine. The dimples that deepened around her cheeks made her extremely irresistible. Like a flash, he saw her stumbling as she bumped into someone, he couldn't tell who. Before he could reach out for her, she was already in his arms. He hated the way he was starring deep into his Annie's eyes, with his hands clasped around her narrow waist. Who the hell was he? Chris thought with anger in his eyes. As he walked closer the smell of a familiar cologne hit his nose and at once he knew it was Seth his brother.

"I will take care of her dude." Chris said and pulled Annie away from him, feeling hurt at the way he had been holding her in his arms, for what seemed to be forever.

Annie straightened her dress timidly. All eyes were on them, making her feel so embarrassed. She wanted to be out of there in seconds.

" Am sorry dear." Seth said to Annie.

" No it..t w..as my fau..lt, for..gi..ve me." Annie stammered.

" It's alright dear. I'm Seth, you?" He said stretching his hand out for a hand shake.

"She is my girlfriend, thanks." Chris said rudely and pulled Annie away from there hurriedly.

Annie glanced back at Seth with a confused look and moved on. Chris led her upstairs to his room, he made her sit down on his bed and sat next to her.

" I'm sorry I wasn't there on time to help. That fool wouldn't have laid his filthy hands on you." Chris said.

" It okay Chris am fine." Annie replied weakly.

" Am sorry I sounded rude to that guy, but i hated the fact that he was starring deep into your eyes. I should be the only one doing that." Chris said.

"Haha! was that a tune of jealousy I heard just now?"Annie asked.

"Maybe something more than jealousy, at first I was scared that he was gonna kiss you. I had to pull you away, cos he is fond of taking any lady he sees me with" Chris replied.

He watched her laughed so loudly and smiled at the sound of her laughter. She was just so beautiful whenever she laughed.

"Baby you just wont understand, but I don't wanna ever lose you. Seeing you in that guy's arms ceased my heart with fear, I couldn't stand it. I..."

"Shh.." Annie cuts him off with her index finger on his lips. " You aren't gonna lose me, okay?" She said.

Chris nodded and hugged her tightly, murmuring sweet words into her ears. Annie pulled away from his arms and looked deeply into his eyes.

"Who is he to you?" She asked.

"He is my elder brother," he replied.

"Okay," she replied with a dry smile.

"I love you Chris, with the whole of my heart." She drawled.

" I love you more, baby. With my life." He said emotionally.

Annie took his lips into her's and kissed him so passionately. Chris held her closely to himself, enjoying her tender kiss without a let go. A soft knock at his door tore them apart clumsily.

" Son are you in there? The party has just started and your presence is needed." His father said from outside.

" I will be down in a minute dad." He replied.

He took Annie back into his arms and kissed her fore head softly before he stood up.

"You aren't gonna leave my side tonight for any reason, please." He pleaded.

"Alright, thats if am not gonna catch you starring at some bitch during the party." Annie said.

"Haha! thought I was the only jealous fellow here." Chris said amid laughter.

" Thank goodness you've come to know about your partner in jealousy." Annie said.

The both of them laughed hard and walked out of the room clanged to each other like couples. All eyes were on them as they descended the stairs holding hands. Annie locked eyes with Barr. Jackson as she stepped into the sitting room. He gave them a knowing look that said 'I have known this all along' and smiled.

"Welcome to our victory house party, we are just gonna dance and celebrate a victory so cherished." The Mc roared over the microphone.

Annie scanned the massive sitting room hoping to catch a glimpse of her younger sister. She saw her standing next to the DJ with a bottle of soft drink in her hand. Mike was whispering something she couldn't make out into Rose's ear and she nodded in affirmation. Annie shifted her gaze and it rested on a guy who had his back at her, she knew instantly that it was Seth and like he knew she was starring at him, he turned and returned her stare with a pleasant smile. There she saw it, the puzzle was well fixed now, the knowledge of this changed her expression to that of anger and hatred.

He was the one! That was the silly smile he had on his face that fateful

night. When he had held her from falling few moments ago, she stared at his face trying so hard to figure out where she had met him before. His brown eyes, flat nose and firm lips linked to that guy she had seen somewhere she couldn't just remember. When Chris had pulled her away from him, her mind drifted away from the image that was forming in her head. His voice had made her lose her voice for some seconds after he spoke, it was very familiar, and all she needed to do was to think very hard. Chris had pulled her upstairs before she could think straight enough. She had glanced back at him in confusion, she knew him somewhere but couldn't tell where. Right now, the sight of him smiling at her took her mind quickly back to her past. Her very ugly past.

****

"Annie your daddy is back, come for a hug." Annie heard her mum said cheerfully from the sitting room and ran out of her room to welcome her dad.

" Good evening dad, welcome back." She said and hugged her dad.

" How is my baby girl doing?" He asked and carried her up.

" I'm fine daddy, just that we all missed you. I, Mum and Rosy." She replied.

" Where is Rose?" He asked.

" She is asleep, I told her to stay awake, but she couldn't." Annie said with a giggle.

" You are a big girl, you stayed up just for daddy!" Her dad said with a wide grin.

"Yes daddy, anything for my sweet dad." She replied with a smile.

"Haha! Thats my baby." He said and brought her down.

"Welcome sweetheart." Her Mum said and gave her dad a warm hug.

" Thank you honey, how have you been?" He asked.

" Fine baby, we missed you." She replied.

"I missed you all too. Am very tired, want a warm bath." He said with a sigh.

"Alright baby, am gonna heat up some water for you now." She said and hurried into the bathroom.

Annie sat on the sofa and watched her dad took his shirt off slowly. A loud bang pondered on their door scaring the hell out of her. She could hear stern voices ordering them to open the door before they would set the house ablaze. Annie's face had turned white with fear, she watched her dad open the door for the intruders with a shaky hand. A gang of four men pushed themselves into the house and locked the door behind them.

"You are Mr Karl?" A man who seemed to be the gang leader asked.

"Y...e....s." Her dad replied with a trembling voice.

" You were told to drop the case between you and your wife's boss. Weren't

you?" He asked.

" I..I..I was told to do so" Her dad said with fear.

"So because say that man dey beg you like say you be God, you come dey claim oga abi? Your own don finish for this world today. fool!" A guy that stood next to the gang leader said.

" Please don't kill me, I will drop the case I promise." Her father replied with a teary voice.

" We don't want you to drop the case Mr Karl, we want you and your family dead this very moment!" The gang leader said and shot her dad.

Annie's mum screamed from behind her while she stared with fright. Her mum ran toward her dad, but before she could get there she was shot dead too. Annie let out a loud painful cry on seeing this. Her parents were mercilessly killed in front of her like criminals, she glared at these gangs

with deep hatred.

" Finish up the job, Steve." The gang leader said to a young guy that had been standing by the door all the while, and left with the other two.

Annie shivered with fear as the guy let out a warm silly smile. She watched him walked towards her with a devilish look that could skin her alive.

" I was told to kill you and your little sister. But I would let you live if you allow me play with you a little." He said with a husky voice.

"Leave me alone, I don't want to play with you, go!" Annie screamed and cried.

"Haha! You must play with me little toad." He said.

"Go away!" She screamed and pulled herself away from him.

Steve caught her, tore away her clothes and flung her on the floor. Annie screamed with pains, he was stronger than her so she couldn't fight back. He went inside her roughly and in a very fast pace, making her whimper as pains shot inside her shaking her body violently. Annie became so weak, and like the helpless girl she was, she drifted into darkness.

****

"Hello everyone, please i need your attention over here." Said the CEO.

The CEO's voice over the microphone drew Annie's attention back to reality. She heard Chris' dad introduced Steve as the Inspector General of Police, who had been his close friend years back and had insisted on gracing the

party that night.

Annie wondered why a wicked person as Seth would be recruited into the police force and also given a position such as the IG. She knew he had changed his name from Steve in order to cover up his past, but was going to expose him soon. She later learned from a person standing next to her that his uncle was a governor in one of the states in the country. She

scoffed as her eyes met his again the second time. She wondered if he recognized her as the girl he had raped thirteen years ago or he was pretending he didn't. Annie made up her mind to make him pay for his sins at all cost, not minding that he was the IG who could buy his way out of the law.

Seth held her gaze for a while before he looked away. She had stared back at him without blinking away for a second, and had returned his silly smile with a more silly one. Was that how he smiled or had he reserved that smile just for her? Annie thought. She wasn't enjoying the party like she planned to, she felt like going home. She glanced back to where she had seen her younger sister before, but was surprised she wasn't there anymore. Fear ceased her heart, she scanned the sitting room and spotted her at the dance floor, dancing with Mike. She sighed with relief.

"Let's go for a dance baby." Chris whispered into her ear.

" That would be great." She said.

She wanted to do something that would push away her past out of her mind. She so wished that her night mares would not come back to taunt

her dreams again. Chris led the way to the dance floor holding her by the waist. She felt so relaxed in his arms and smiled up at him. He returned her smile and dropped a soft kiss on her cheek. The music was changed to a slow beat that made almost all the guest screamed with joy. Annie smiled

and placed her hands on Chris' shoulders, while he held her gently around her waist as they danced to the music that was played in the background.

"Did I tell you that you look so stunning in this dress of yours?" Chris asked with a smirk.

" Yes. You just said it now." Annie replied raising an eye brow.

"Haha! Smart girl." He said.

" Whats funny now?" She asked.

"Everything about Annie Jackson is funny." He replied.

" And who is Annie Jackson?" She asked with a frown.

" Her majesty the queen, who is dancing with me now."

Annie laughed and gave him a playful punch on his left arm.

"You aren't serious." She said.

"What if i'm serious, Annie?" he asked.

"Oh please Chris, am not ready to change my name just yet." She said and looked away.

"Why?"

"I'm too young for that."

"You are twenty-three Annie, you aren't a kid anymore."

"I know, but we haven't even dated for a week yet Chris."

"Does that matter? We love each other Annie and I don't wanna lose you." Chris said soberly.

"Chris you aren't gonna lose me, i told you before. Lets get to know more about each other please." She pleaded.

" So when are you gonna be ready to change your name?"

" When am done with what's on my mind."

"What's on your mind?"

"Yeah." She answered.

The music ended and Annie left the dance floor before Chris would ask her anymore question.

"Hello Miss." Annie heard someone called behind her and turned.

Seth! What does he want from her? She hissed and tried to move on but he pulled her back to himself.

"Hey beauty i want some of your time, please." He said.

"What do you want?" She asked calmly.

" I want you." He said lustfully.

"You are silly, aren't you?" She asked.

" Am serious babe, you are too hot and I really wanna feel you." He replied.

Annie scoffed and yanked her hand away from his grip.

"Do I look like a prostitute to you ? You can't just walk up to me to say trash you idiot." She said.

"Am sorry. I just said that to gain your full attention, didn't mean to hurt you." He replied.

"Full attention my foot." She said with a hiss.

"Can I have your contact at least?" He asked.

"Sorry i don't give out my contact to assholes." She said and made to leave but he pulled her back again.

"No one walks out on me girl." He said between clutched teeth.

Chris pulled Annie away from Seth giving him a dead glare.