ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (43 page)

Listen! Babe, you struck gold with Billy though, do you know that? He tells me he likes you a lot and that is something really big for you. I don’t think you’ve realized the kind of fish you caught in Billy. Puffs of cigarette and smoke go up in the air with Penney’s words.

What kind of a guy is Billy really? Tell me more! Isabel said anxiously.

He is the lord baron of one of the main drug cartel around here, okay? And that means money! He and Augustine Zagat control almost the entire drug business in this country. And this is something good for you girl! The guy clocks in thousands of dollars every single day which makes him one of the richest men in this town if not in the entire South Africa or even the whole world. That’s why you see me with him all the time ‘cause Penney has no time for men of little means. If you wanna be rich, mingle with the rich. That’s how to make it babe! Mingle girlfriend! That’s the secret! Move in with him at his Palace mansion. Yeah! That’s what we call Billy’s place ‘cause he is a king of sort.

I know!! Still I’ve to work against my real feelings all the time just because I want to constantly please that so called husband of mine, understand? But is that good enough for him? No! He wants kids; he wants me around all the time. He wants me to clean the house, to do the gardening, to be at his beck and call every day of my life. He wants everything even though he knows nothing is gonna play the way he had it fixed. I’m fade up!

So quit wasting your time and get out as fast as you can. I think you already paid that so called husband of yours too much attention. So leave him now before it’s too late ‘cause we women don’t last that long on the pitch. Dump the guy and hook up with Billy, Is as simple as that!

You don’t have to say that to me no more ‘cause I already figured my next move. Everyone dog for born and this is Isabel’s turn. I’m gonna start working on this divorce thing pretty soon. Yeah! That’s what I’m gonna be doing.

This kind of talks with Penney she takes home to Wallis and now the guy is beginning to come to terms with the fact that what he is struggling to build with his wife will never go according to plan since she already set her mind in peculiar ways. Not that is easy on him to let her walk away just like that, is just that he couldn’t help but insist at the moment that everything in life has a terminal point. There are lots of things the he plans to accomplish and the kind of life style Isabel chose compels him to question if she actually fits into that kind of family life he aspires.

Faced by obvious facts, Wallis’s mind took to a different direction now. Divorce, is a topic he never though would be discussed in his married life, but now he is beginning to regard it as a very useful implement. For this reason he had very little sleep last night as he thought about how best to apply the tool considering the special circumstances facing him and Isabel in a strange land. It was this matter plus all the work he had to do at the fund raising activities he championed that knocked him out completely and when he got up to get ready for church his legs failed him. So he quickly went and tucked himself back in bed till at about 10 am when he hit the internet and has been on it till now the ringing tone of his home phone swayed him.

Rev. Ache was on the line. You couldn’t make it to church today, right? The reverend asked and Wallis tried to explain his condition.

I understand! Ache cut in. You simply had too much to do yesterday for sure and that could knock anybody out.

I know! But I don’t think that’s the main thing, continued Wallis.

I hope you’ve not fallen ill. Ache said with real concern in his voice.

I don’t feel so good, Wallis added.

What’s the matter? The Rev. asked.

I don’t know for sure!

Then we gonna come over to the house to see you, what about that? Ache asked.

Awesome! That will be highly appreciated

Ok! We shall be at your end as soon as possible then.

I’ll be waiting for you guys!

Before long, other members of the church got news on Wallis’s condition and more calls began to ring in. Soprana was one of the callers and this was her first time contacting Wallis by phone since that their initial encounter at the Business Men’s Council conference some years ago. For one, they see each other in church most Sundays and then at the once in a month Council meetings or at other extra church activities like the fund raising ceremony which took place last night, but they never call each other on private matters for any reason. They do talk on those occasions that they get to meet but personal issues are not discussed. So, now that her phone number showcased, Wallis picked it up struggling to contain his emotion from spilling over his voice.

I heard you’re not feeling so well, she asked. Wallis tried to explain his situation like he has been doing with other callers.

Have you been to see the doctor? She asked.

No! The thing started early this morning. Hopefully, it doesn’t get any worse.

Anyway, the Aches told me they are coming to see you, I might as well get in the car with them with your permission.

Wallis gave the idea a little thought before approval. That’s ok! You could come!

I’ll be coming with the Aches then, okay? Try to get you some rest ‘cause that helps a lot, Soprana concluded

Thanks! See you when you get here! Wallis said before he returned to the internet.

Chapter Twenty-Five
 

I
t was 1: pm on that Sunday afternoon and Wallis worries increased with the time. Isabel is yet to return home and considering the circumstances under which she stormed out of the house and the fact that she left just before dawn, he was genuinely concerned. His only hope now is that she has not gotten herself into some sort of harm. Wanting so desperately to check on her, he dialed her number but the phone rang on until it stopped. Still considering whether to go in search of Isabel at Penney’s, the house phone began ringing. It was the Ache’s saying they were on their way and he thought he should wait.

The Aches intervened at the right time because going to Penney’s for Isabel would have been going to the wrong place since she will not be found there. Still concealed from Wallis is the affair between his wife and Billy that is on its full bloom right now. It is a company Isabel has come to love so much and would do anything to keep. And since she has a good ally in Penney who helps nourish her interest, she found it real easy to continue.

Penney does come around to Billy’s place some times while Isabel is in there and everyone will simply lay around and do stuff the way Isabel really likes things done. Stuffs like drugs, listing to the best in music, watching movies and charting with good food. You know just fooling around and having fun with Isabel’s idea of the right kind of crowd. To put it in a nut shell, anything you wanna do in the name of fun, you are sure to find at Billy’s place. Ugly things do happen sometimes but even the ugly part is sometimes regarded as fun by everyone in Billy’s unique camp.

Take for instance what was going on while Wallis waited at home and worried himself sick about his wife. The moment Isabel stormed out of the house that early morning she did so with only one aim in mind, to get to Billy’s house. And that was exactly where she headed.

Normally she would have called Billy ahead of time to say she will be at his place but because of the way she left home today, the call was sudden. Baby I’m on my way to your place right now, she informed the guy somewhere along the road.

Why didn’t you call earlier like always? He snapped in his usual temperamental manner.

‘Cause something happened, Isabel said.

What happened?

I’ll let you know when I get there.

You better hurry cause I’ll be going on a ride and might as well take you with me, Billy continued.

That will be fun! She said and increased her speed until she got to Billy’s place.

Baby, I got to get some shower and breakfast before we get going, Billy said. My appointment is for 10 am. You know what to do so make yourself comfortable. right?

Isabel went into the bed room, laid on the bed, turned on the TV and relaxed with an ongoing movie.

At about 9:30, Billy walked into the bedroom, nicely dressed. Come with me baby, it’s time we go on that ride I promised you, Billy said.

Isabel hurried along and both got into one of his most expensive cars, a Bentley and speed off.

It was a long drive and as he drove Isabel fed him with tales on what is going on at the home front between him and Wallis chattering away in her typical manner and Billy listened halfheartedly. The ride continued way into a part of Jozi Isabel was visiting for the first time. Wow! This place is lovely! Look at the houses and how everything around is put together so nicely! She said, excited and relaxed sipping the atmosphere in splendor even though Billy’s reaction that followed was not complementary. After a while she added, how come I’ve never been to this part of the city all these years? What is it called? Do you ever close your mouth for a second? Billy bellowed.

You ask me questions all the time and each time I wanna know something you won’t come up with answer and I tell you that is wrong! I don’t operate that way, Isabel grumbled.

Keep your ever running mouth closed and let me drive the fucking car, okay? He said, raising his voice as loud as Isabel was used to. She chose to withdrew to herself and stayed like that until they got to their destination and Billy packed the car on a very short alley closed up by a bogus house.

Come over to the driving seat, he said and she did as she was told. Listen, he continued, I want you to stay here and wait for me. I’m going into that house, he said pointing out the house. What I want from you is this; Watch that house like a watch dog until I come out. Now keep your beautiful ears open too ‘cause you never know what may come up. Here is the most important part; I want you be prepared for a quick take off, understand? Depending on what happens in there I might get out in a hurry and once I get into the car you hit the paddle. Anything you wanna say.

I’m fine. I can handle this, so get on with whatever it is you wanna do.

Isabel sat on the car alone waiting and watching. It wasn’t a long wait at all when she heard multiple gun shots, Billy flew out of the house and shouted, baby get ready to go! She barely poised for the drive when Billy dumped his Body into the car and with a screech that went simultaneously with more gun shots she managed to bit the gunners and drove with such a composure that surprised even Billy. She was so calm and so fast on the wheels and not for once did she look back as she drove with Billy’s instructions. Billy was now busy on the phone with someone as she raced on but could hear what was being said since the conversation was on speaker mode. Hey Dave! This is Billy, he continued. The Zagat’s almost got me killed but I managed to fight my way through it all you know. Oh men! That was one tricky moment I just went through! Someone lay dead in that room right now but I’m okay. We just got out of there.

I already heard, Dave responded. One of Augustine Zagat boys called me. I guess the police are on their way so watch your drive.

Really! Never knew news travel at the speed of light! Thanks pall! We are taking all precautions!

Just take it easy! Continue Dove. In our kind of business anything is possible. I warned you about Alex, didn’t I? He did it just like I said he would. He set you up to be killed. I told you he was up to something but you didn’t believe me.

I just didn’t think he has the guts to pull a thing like that, Billy responded. See, I’ve known Alex for years enough to trust him. Does it mean there are no more men of honor out there anymore? I simply thought you can still trust somebody, get my meaning? I guess I was wrong. Men, these are really bad times. Anyway the moment I got into that house and noticed Augustine wasn’t in there, as a matter of fact nobody was in that room when I got in and knowing this business we do so well, I prepared for the worse and it happened. I had one hand on my amour and my legs on the door and that saved me. Anyway Alex is out of luck now!

Where is this Alex right now? Dave asked.

At my place! See how stupid he is? He is probably at the pool side fighting the summer heat right now but he is done his time on earth.

Bye Alex! Dave said chuckling. Just keep me posted buddy.

Isabel remained steady on the wheel with Billy’s directions until they got home. Luck was on her side that day because the Police was on a different route. She drove into Billy’s home in such a rush that everyone present knew something was definitely wrong but because it was nothing unusual, nobody was surprised. As soon as the car stopped, Billy’s voice went out simultaneously with the breaks, where is Alex? He asked a gun in his hand.

He is at the pool side, one of his security guards told him.

Just like I thought Billy said as he pushed the guard out of the way and continued in furry. Alex was sitting down with his legs inside the water when he got to him and pulled him up. Stand up fool! Billy’s voice echoed.

Scared to his bones Alex sprang on his feet while everyone in the compound looked on. But then it’s just another of those things that make Billy’s place thick.

You are the double crossing bastard that had the guts to dare me right? Billy began.

What are you talking about Billy? Alex asked, his eye ball almost popping out of sockets.