SMILING DEVIL: Part One @Lizzy_dasare #shortstory #freebie

Hey, readers. We have a treat for you.

For the next five days we are serializing a FREE short story on our blog for your enjoyment.

SMILING DEVIL by ELIZABETH DWAMENA-ASARE is a story about a man who deceives a young woman and promises her heaven on earth. It is only after they move far away from her family that she realizes how much of a devil he is. How does she find her way back home when he's blocked every access she could use to reach her family? You might want to read and find out.

PART ONE: STORMY DAYS

It had been snowing continuously for days nonstop. The weather was frigid and people could hardly be found on the streets. Almost everyone stayed indoors, minding their own business just like Abena would spend her entire day admiring the snow and her next-door neighbours through the transparent windows. They all seemed extremely happy and the laughter from their end was contagious.

Today, she was staring outside her glass window absentmindedly as droplets of water slid slowly down the windowpane. Lost in her thoughts, she hugged the beautiful blue satin curtains that hang in front of the window.

’How could I not sense that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing? How could I have mistaken infatuation for love?’ She thought to herself as tears ran down her cheeks.

She had been married to Kayden Luke for two good years. Kayden was popularly known as 'Smoke' among his gang. He was the worst person Abena had met in her life. The marriage that initially seemed like gold had eventually turned into coals in the twinkling of the eye.

Her dream was to complete school, move to the capital city in her home country, find a well-paid job and finally fall in love. Unfortunately, that dream was never realized ever since Kayden showed his ugly face at her doorstep a week after she graduated from the university.

It was the Year of Return for Diasporas and he had shown up with his friends from Russia to explore their motherland after they’d been away from home for years. Kayden and his friends had arrived ahead of time to witness the whole event when he caught sight of Abena who was volunteering with the organizers. He had recalled seeing her pictures on a colleague’s phone but still proceeded to ask her out.

She was the perfect dark skin girl he’d ever set his seductive eyes on. With her long natural hair, beautiful brown eyes and her awesome curves, which could not be missed in any dress she wore, she was simply pretty to behold. By the time the one-month event was finally over, Kayden had won the young lady’s heart and she was very certain that they were meant for each other. Nothing attracted Abena to him more than his looks. She constantly described him as a fine wine.

This came as a surprise to Kayden as he used to be mocked in school for being a mulatto. But as he grew up, women flocked to him and he became known as a ladies’ man. Truth be told, he loved that name.

The phone rang bringing her back to the present. And looking in its direction, she walked slowly to it and pressed the reject button.

Within seconds, she heard the honking of her husband's Ford outside the gate signifying that he was home from wherever he had spent his entire day. Of course, he spent it with women he referred to as ‘bitches’ and his gang. As quick as lightning she dashed upstairs and tucked herself in bed feigning sleep.

Kayden slammed his car's door angrily after parking it in his automated garage and headed for the building muttering God knows what to himself. He had shown up in the life of the Akyeampongs portraying himself as a wonderful and perfect gentleman and with that convincing appearance, he swept the entire family off their feet. Without a second thought, Abena’s family married her off to the devil in return for a better living as he consistently showered them with gifts throughout his stay in the country. He had promised her heaven on earth, which was actually hell in disguise. His promises were empty and it broke the young woman’s heart beyond repair.

Kayden opened the bedroom door and walked in barking angrily at his wife. "How dare you reject my call slut?"

Abena sat up in a state of panic as big drops of sweat trickled down her innocent face.

"I - I was asleep." She lied.

"That's a very stupid excuse to give! You do not work. I do everything around here fool!”

"But I - I take care of your house. That’s also work."

"Nonsense! If that was work, many housewives would have been rich by now. And where is my supper?"

"You said you'd take supper outside so I..."

A slap landed on her face, sending her straight to the neatly furnished floor. She struggled to her feet but he kicked her in the stomach causing her to fall again.

Taking her face in his merciless hands, he roared, "Go and get me my supper!"

And with that, she dashed into the kitchen with tears trickling down her face. That was how life had been with her for the past two years as she tried to cope with each passing day. She was determined to remain stronger than ever, even after he had cut her off completely from her family. There was absolutely no way to reach them.

He had banned her from communicating with outsiders, blocked her from all other forms of communication and the only people she saw around were his friends who shared the same feathers with him. Boredom and stress set in causing her to age. She was tired and longed for emancipation. Unfortunately, she could not see light at the end of the tunnel. Her whole life was virtually within the four corners of the house.

At the age of twenty-seven, she'd had several miscarriages and her yearn for love kept diminishing as her heart began to grow dark and cold.

The doorbell rang the next morning. Kayden had left home early without informing her as usual. As she sat nursing her wounds, the doorbell rang a second time and she made her way to the door. There stood Mac, Kayden’s bosom friend.

He was wearing his usual smile, and it was hard to believe that he was friends with the beast himself. Handsome, dark, tall, and with a soft accent that could sweep any woman off her feet. Also, he wore a decent haircut all the time.

His hard work and commitment to his former organization had catapulted him to the pinnacle of fame. Unfortunately, his association with Kayden had dragged his name through muddy waters and it seemed he had less desire in climbing the ladder of success again.

’How in the heavens did Mac end up with a flea like Kayden?’ Abena thought to herself as she stared at him with a disgusting look on her face. ‘His good manners had been corrupted by Kayden.’ she thought again.

"Hello my darling!" he said with excitement in his voice as he attempted to hug her which unfortunately, she swerved. She glared at him knowing very well how much of a hypocrite he was.

"Come on, I'm not a demon." He gave her a boyish grin and took a glance at the hall. "He’s got cameras all over, I'm most certain of."

"He's not around, come back later." She rolled her eyes and proceeded to shut the door in his face.

"No, wait. I came to see you. May I come in?” He gave her a questionable look.

Abena stepped aside and watched him enter, closing the door gently behind him.

"Do you care for anything?"

"No, I'm okay. Come and sit down."

She walked into the hall and sat in the couch facing him. He looked straight into her eyes and asked, "You know, you've grown a thick skin ever since you arrived, right?"

"What's your reason for coming here today?" She asked, staring directly at him.

"Anyway, I have a business proposal for you and it's worth billions of dollars." He said.

"What business exactly?" She knew Mac never had any good intentions just like her husband. But she felt this could also be her opportunity to step out there and eventually flee away from her husband.

"Are you in anyway interested in becoming a porn star or a stripper? You could make millions out of it you know." He gave her a serious look, searching her face for an answer.

"Are you this heartless? God! You came all the way from your chicken coop to ask me something of this sort? You know what? You're one hell of a beast and I hate you from the bottom of my heart. Get out!” She roared.

"Come on babe. I'm serious."

"You son of a bastard and a bitch, leave this minute!" She yelled.

"Are you not ashamed of the kind of marriage life you're living? Wouldn't it be better to make a living?"

"Silly! I will never be interested in your proposals."

"Very well." He smiled and stood up looking stupid. He knew he'd failed but he was determined to keep his head up.

Get out!" She sent him out and banged the door heavily behind him.

Kayden’s friends had been showing up in his absence to ‘frustrate’ her with their numerous and uncalled for proposals.

A month ago, Kayden’s friend called Snape, had passed through and proposed love to her. She rejected it and shut the door right in his face as well.

As if that wasn't enough, Snape was still pestering her. When Kayden took notice of his actions, he backed off. Taking his time to see if there'd be another chance for him to strike. He wasn't going to give up yet.

The clouds disappeared as the sun gathered its rays and journeyed towards the west. Night had fallen quickly and the atmosphere grew quiet. Even the crickets could not be heard. There was pretty much only one sound that could be heard. That was from a thick belt lashing against a body. Kayden was furious as he lashed his wife with a thin belt for being rude to Mac in the course of the day. She cried out as he dragged her outside the door and left her at the mercy of the weather.

"That's what you get for insulting my best friend. See you in the morning!" He locked the gate and returned to the bedroom to smoke a packet of cigar. He could hear her banging the door but paid no attention. The neighbours watched quietly from their windows, as they were scared to phone the police knowing how deadly this man was.

Mac called, "did you take care of her?"

"Yes, I've handled her. Sorry about that, man. I hope this hasn’t affected our contract."

"Not at all. We're good. I had a call from Damon this afternoon, and he mentioned that Snape was back from his hideout. I don't like that guy. Why are we still doing business with him? I wish we could do this particular business without him." Mac sighed deeply.

"Don't worry. I've got things under control. Ron is watching him from a distance. We need Snape in order to get access to the high officials. So until then, he must be a part of the contract." Kayden explained sipping a glass of wine.

"Alright. See you in the morning." Mac hung up and headed for bed.

A black Mercedes Benz alighted in front of Kayden’s residence and carried Abena to a coded location.

READ PART TWO

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Dwamena-Asare was born and raised in Ghana. She is a Novelist, a Human Resource personnel and a Social Entrepreneur.

She began writing at a very tender age. An age where she equally enjoyed reading, and would skip hanging out with friends just to complete a novel. As an avid reader, she takes delight in encouraging others to read. She loves to center her novels on Mystery, Adventure, General fiction and Paranormal.

Just in case you’re interested in blog posts, check out the content she served on the Leti Arts website.

Elizabeth looks forward to publishing more novels in the future and hopes to make a solid impact through her gift of writing.

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