Woke Up Married

119

Fame of Shame - Part 1

"Time for me to go receive my glory," she said and got up leaving the house for the Hotel, knowing very well there would be reporters at the hotel waiting to interview her too.

The guard was already at the door waiting for Mrs Haward as soon as she exited the living room. The guard pressed the elevator button and they both entered. Mrs Haward was in her best clothing and looking elegant. Within a few minutes, they were on their way to Paradise Hotel.

In the car, she opened her phone browser going through the various platforms that were talking about Jason's arrest. She couldn't help but smile ear to ear. The car drove into the hotel compound and as she had anticipated there were reporters everywhere. She got out of the car and was immediately surrounded by reporters who asked one question after the other. She was not paying attention to any of the questions but was very happy she was surrounded by so many reporters. It was Jason who used to get this kind of attention when he was still recognized as Mr Haward's son.

"Mrs Haward were you made CEO of Paradise Hotel because Jason Haward was stealing from the Hotel just like he did with the Haward's company? Is that why the Wellingtons took it from him?" asked one reporter.

"Mrs Haward, it appears anytime we hear or see something criminal about Jason, it was somehow through you he was found out. What do you have to say about that?" asked another reporter.

"Mrs Haward, how do you feel about being the new CEO of Paradise Hotel?" asked another reporter.

"News has it that the Hawards are now working with the Wellingtons', what should we expect?" asked another reporter.

"Thank you all for coming and to answer your questions, Jason was my stepchild and I raised him with all the love a mother can give a child. It's just so sad he turned out this way. I feel very sad and ashamed of everything he is doing. I hope in prison he comes to the realization that we live in a society governed by rules and such should be respected," Mrs Haward said and faked tears.

"Mrs Haward does this mean you will not do anything to stop a jail sentence passed on him?" asked one reporter.

"Jail might be a terrible place to be but it's a place for transformation. I respect the laws and I believe actions should be taken against crimes," Mrs Haward replied.

"We have heard lots of news about Paradise Hotel doing very well and that was still under Jason Haward why the change of CEO?" asked a reporter.

"Let's not forget the Wellington's took over first, if they brought me on board to be the new CEO I am sure they found something was not right," Mrs Haward replied.

"You said he was your stepchild, does it mean you do not acknowledge him as such anymore and again, kidnapping was added to previously announced crimes, what do you have to say to that?" asked another reporter.

"Yes, I used that because I don't know the criminal arrested by the police as my stepchild. Kidnapping? That is a question the police will be in a better position to answer," Mrs Haward replied getting irritated by the reporter's question.

"You raised him so if he is a criminal today, does it mean you didn't teach him well?" asked another reporter.

"That is enough for today, I have a business to run," Mrs Haward said and started walking away with the help of the guard who pushed the reporters away to make way for her.

"I hope you took note of the stupid reporter who kept asking me stupid questions?" Mrs Haward asked the guard once inside the Hotel.

"Yes ma'am," replied the guard.

"Good ensure she loses her job," Mrs Haward instructed and walked towards the elevator ignoring everyone.

At the police station, Jason was matched in by two officers, he looked around and realized Julia was nowhere to be found.

"Where is my wife," Jason asked.

"Shut up," said one of the officers.

They entered the station and they were approached by the in-charge. Jason looked at him with a frown. He was the one he had gone with to the warehouse to search for Julia.

"Well, well, Jason, ain't we being troublesome of late," the in-charge said with a smile. "Take him inside and lock him up, no visitors," he instructed and the officers did as requested.

Mr Wellington had just woken up when the news of Jason's arrest got to him. Without wasting time he quickly called Dr Andesh.

"Hello, it has started. I hope you are on your way to the Hawards, please ensure Julia is safe," he said and ended the call.

He dialled the number of someone at the police head office.

"Hello Chief, the criminals have made their move," he said.

"Yes, I saw it on TV. I have already dispatched my men and I am calling the station he had been taken to now," the chief replied.

"Thanks," replied Mr Wellington and the call ended.

"Hello, get your people to the location, let's give them a fame of Shame," said Mr Wellington on his next call and it also ended.

Mr Wellington changed his clothes and headed for the station with a convoy of guards driving in front of him.

Back at the Hawards, the elevator bell rang and the door opened. An officer walked out of it holding Julia by the neck as he pushed her towards the entrance door.

James smiled as soon as the door opened and the officer entered with Julia. Veronica was just exiting the dining area when she saw Julia in the living room, her hand behind her and an officer standing by her with James standing in front of her playfully pulling her hair. Veronica quickly grabbed her phone and going into her room, dialled Jason's number but Peter answered.

"Hello, they have Ms Julia again," Veronica reported.

"Thanks, someone is on the way," replied Peter but before Veronica could ask whom she was speaking with a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Oh, I see. So this is what you have been doing all this while," Mori said with arms folded across her chest standing at the door Veronica forgot to lock in haste.

"I knew you were up to something the day you kept coming to Fiona's room," Mori stated.

"Please ma'am, I... I..... I was talking to my mum," Veronica said.

" Oh, I see. I didn't know the dead now use phones in the grave," Mori retorted and Veronica was surprised.

"Surprised? I already know your mum is no more. Take her away and lock her up. James will instruct you on what to do with this traitor," Mori said and walked out of the way when two guards entered.

They dragged Veronica away ignoring all her pleas.

Back in the living room, James was standing in front of Julia with a. smile plastered on his face.

"I told you, I will find you," James said with a smile ignoring Julia's feeling terrified.

"We can do this two ways. I like you. I have always liked you and I want you. Jason is going to remain locked up in prison forever. So why don't you give yourself to me and I promise to protect you better than Jason did or I forced you to be mine where you will be locked up in my room," James said with a sinister smile.

"Even if you kill me, I will never be yours," replied Julia in a low voice.

James smiled, held her by her jaw and forcefully kissed her. Julia had her hand in handcuff behind her but she did not give in as she kept moving and also pressed her lips together to prevent him from kissing her. James bit on her chin but still, Julia would not yield.

"Quiet a stubborn person we have here, but let's see how long you can keep that up locked up in a room and tied up to a bed," James whispered into her ears.

"O dear brother, you have not changed at all. You are still the same spoilt pig, mum raised with senseless love and care," came a familiar voice drawing James's attention to the door.

Standing at the doorway were, Mirenda, Henry and a woman. James frowned but before he could utter a word, six police officers entered the living room. James pulled out his phone but before he could dial any number, the officers grabbed his hand and put a handcuff on him.

"You are under arrest for fund embezzlement, kidnapping and fraudulent activities including money laundering," said the officer and another officer read him his right.

"Do you have evidence?" James asked laughing.

"Did Ms Julia here, come here out of her own free will?" asked one officer and another woman walked in making James frown.

"And you confessed to the kidnapping and raping of my friend Fiona," Vera said holding out her phone with a video playing on the screen.

"Vera," James whispered her name concluding she was the one Fiona was working with.

Mori seeing what was happening tried to run but there was nowhere to go and she was arrested. The handcuff was taken off Julia. Her wrist had already turned red with some bruises. She hugged Mirenda and Dr Andesh smiled.

"Jason is not going to like this," Mirenda commented holding Julia's hand after they parted from the hug.

Meanwhile, James and the officer who had brought Julia in handcuffed to James together with Mori were being led out of the apartment. The guard whom Mori asked to lock up Veronica opened the door and set her free.

"I am sorry, I was just following orders," the guard apologizes

"At a point we all were," replied Veronica who was rubbing her wrist.

They both proceeded to the living room to find Dr Andesh, Henry and Mirenda about to step out of the living room.

"Hello Veronica, I will be back soon," Mirenda said to Veronica upon seeing her.

"Let's go see Jason," Dr Andesh said to Julia and she smiled.

They both exited the living room and were soon in the car heading towards the police station where Jason was sent.