Raymond.
My heart seemed to plummet into the pit of my stomach. How can this be?
I can believe anything but not this one. What if this story was made up by Silver just to prevent the wedding from happening? I thought to myself.
She is Ashley's bestfriend and I believe she should know more about her. Come to think of it, why is she telling me all these in the first place? She should have protected her friend and hid everything away from me.
Ashley has spoken highly of her and they seemed to be cool. Why this? The thought of everything is making me go crazy.
I turned towards Silver and asked, "why are you telling me these? Why didn't you keep it to yourself?"
"There are things about Ashley that you ain't aware of. And I'm surprised you haven't found out yourself." She bawled.
"What do you mean?" I was confused.
"Do you think you are the only one in her life? She asked. She sleeps with different men and that's why she gives flimsy excuses all the time."
My heart began to beat rapidly at what Silver had just spilled out.
"I made to take my leave and she stopped me on track, where are you going?"
"I'm going to my house. I yelled. Do you have any problem with that?"
"Not really, it's late already. You wouldn't want to risk your life in the process. Nowhere is safe."
"And why do you care?"
"I have your best interest at heart and have looked out for you, but you don't seem to notice because you are all over your fiance." She said, clutching my hands.
"I beg your pardon, leave me the hell alone."
"But you haven't said anything as regards what I have told you." She said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, I will do my findings myself…" I said.
"And how will you do that?"
"It's none of your business. I said and walked out of her presence."
*****
The next day, I zoomed off to Ashley's house. When I got there, the environment was so quiet and I wondered if anybody was at home.
I tried calling Ashley's digits this time but it wasn't still going through. What could be wrong. There is a stable Internet connection here.
"Was Silver right about Ashley?" I mumbled, still in doubt.
The door creaked and it opened, revealing Tom, Ashley's younger brother. I rushed up to him.
"How are you doing?" I asked.
He looked at me from head to toe, "any problem?" He asked.
"Yes, I have not heard from Ashley for a while nor seen her at the office. So I just wanted to know if she is alright." I narrated.
"She is pretty fine."
"Where is she now?"
"You can go in and check for yourself. Excuse me."
What is wrong with this one? I muttered. Why is he acting like he doesn't know who I am? Hmm.
I took some steps forward and raised my right hand to knock when an elderly man opened the door.
Wait, was he not the same man I saw in that picture Silver showed me. I stood studying him.
"Young man, you look familiar. I can't remember where and how I got to know you." He said.
"Who are you?" I asked curious.
"I'm Fathom, Ashley's fiance."
My heart frozen at what he just said. I couldn't believe my ears. So Silver has been right all along.
This shit is really happening before my eyes. No wonder Tom looked at me like I'm a nobody. Ashley has been doing some dirty games behind my back all these while.
My heart ached and I forgot that Fathom was still there. "Is everything alright?" He asked, interrupting my thought processes.
"Everything is fine." I said, faking up a smile.
So who did you come to see?" He asked.
"I came to see Tom's parents." I said. "Hope they are at home?"
"Yea, they are inside. I will take my leave then.
"Wait. I don't know you as Ashley's fiance."
"Ha ha." he laughed. "Now you know, we will be getting married in a few days. We talked about it last night and I had a lovely time with her."
The words sent nervous chills up and down my spine. I wanted to go crazy. Ashley has been having some lovely moments and here am I worried about her.
I tried to comtrol myself to avoid getting the man's attention. "Wow, that's nice. I wish you both the best." I said, as I gazed at him.
"Is alright. I want to take my leave. I have some important things to catch up with. Take care of yourself."
I went into Ashley's house and saw her parents laughing and playing with each other. My presence wasn't even noticed.
"Good day everyone." I greeted, hoping they would hear me but what they did, made me want to get out.
They stared at me, looked at themselves and bursted into laughter. What insolence.
"How can we help you Raymond?" Ashley's mother asked.
"I came to see Ashley. Is she around?"
"Raymond, you see, we are sorry to tell you that your marriage plans with her won't work out anymore." She spat.
"And why is that?" I asked.
"She is engaged with someone else and as a matter of fact, the preparations for the upcoming wedding are getting set…."
"We arranged everything for her and she accepted it wholeheartedly. This is for our own benefit. Try and understand." Her father interrupted.
I bit my lips angrily, "okay."
"I guess she hasn't told you." He added.
"Not yet."
"Don't worry, she will be, okay." Her mum said, and with that they bursted into another round of laughter.
I got angry and stormed out of the house. I entered my car and took off. I couldn't go to the office right now. I needed somewhere to cool my head.