Swapping Places Chapter 40

Read ​Chapter 39 here.

Kobby heard a knock on his door. He dragged his feet to the door and opened it. 

“If you are here to change my mind, don’t even bother.”

“I’m not here to do that. I just want to talk.”

“Come in.” She entered.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how she’s doing?”

“I know you’ll tell me anyway,” he said in a tone of indifference and with pocketed hands.

“She’s fine but devastated.” He sat down. She dropped her handbag on the sofa and crossed her arms.

“Tell me the truth, are you angry at my sister for pulling that stunt or because you found out it wasn’t me?” He looked up at her and looked away. She nodded. His silent answer was clear.

“Why on earth would you think I’d come all the way here and defile my sister’s matrimonial bed? Is that what you think of me? Some shameless slut?”

“I admit that I didn’t think it through. If I were in my right senses, I might have judged the situation differently but I didn’t.”

“Regardless, you should have known it wasn’t me.”

“How? You told me you two were the same physically.”

“Oh so because I said that, you imagined it would feel the same way?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is, the fact that you see two ripe oranges from the same tree doesn’t mean they would taste the same.”

He stood.

“Yeah…I’ve slept with my wife for a while now and I should have known…but…how would I have known it wasn’t you?” She only stared at him, waiting for him to figure it out.

“Wait…you’re not…are you…?” She raised a brow. He swore under his breath.

“You’re a virgin, aren’t you? Damn it, why didn’t I figure it out? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Whoa, since when is that a required conversation for in-laws?”

“You know we’re not like typical in-laws.”

“And I regret my part in it.”

“Well I don’t. Since we’re baring it all, it hurt me that what I thought to be the most beautiful night ever was an illusion. I know it’s wrong in every way but in my heart, it has always been you, Del and I know you know that.”

“I figured you had moved on with your fascination with me just as I have. I’m trying to build something solid with Rob and you two keep disrupting it. I won’t forgive you if I lose Robert.”

“I should have walked away that day when Seth made that revelation. It was my legitimate get out card for which no one would fault me for. But you convinced me not to and I listened because…how could I ever say no to you?” He was facing her now.

“And if I were to ask you to stay…would you?”

“You said you moved on, right? Maybe it’s time I did same so I’d say no.” She nodded and picked up her bag.

“Then hurry up with it so I can kick you out of my life forever.”

“You don’t mean that,” he said, holding her by the arm. He turned her to face him.

“I love you, Del. I always have and always will.”

“No, you don’t. It’s just lust. You apparently had the best night of your life with the mere idea of me. Maybe I should go away so you can move on.”

“Wherever you go, my heart will find you.”

“Daphne loves you, Kobby. She is complicated, I know but she loves you.”

“Are you seriously asking me to let it go? For crying out loud, this is strike two. What will she do next time? Go sleep with your boss?” The words hit Delphine with such force that she lost her voice for a moment. Could Daphne be capable of that?  She was afraid she knew the answer to that.

“Daphne wouldn’t do that.”

“Will you look into my eyes and say that again?” She avoided his eyes.

“Goodbye, Kobby.” She left.

*

Daphne looked up from her phone when she heard Delphine come in. She put her phone down.

“So?”

“So what?”

“What did he say?”

“What did who say?”

“Come on Del, I know you went to see Kobby. I can literally smell him on you right now.”

Delphine rolled her eyes and sighed. “He seemed set in his mind about his decision.”

“So not even my faint made him reconsider?”

“You don’t seem to realize that Kobby has had enough of your games, do you?”

“That wasn’t…it was real! I did pass out. I wasn’t expecting him to blurt out divorce to my parents.”

“I wished I could say I feel sorry for you but honestly, I couldn’t be bothered.”

“You want him to leave me?”

“I don’t care what he does is what I’m saying. From now on, I’m going to concentrate on my life and my future with Robert. If you choose to continue on this path and throw your life away, that is your problem.” Del started walking towards her room.

“I know you don’t mean that.” Del closed the door behind her. Daphne threw herself back on the sofa and sighed. She couldn’t lose Kobby. She had to do something. 
*

“Great work, Delphine. I owe you lunch,” her boss said, smiling.

“Thanks, sir. I’d like to leave a little early because I have to pass by a client’s office to pick up some documents.”

“Okay, which client?”

“Mends.”

“Oh okay. My regards to him, yeah?”

“Sure.” Del stood and walked out of his office. His phone rang.

“Hey KB, been a while! What’s up?”

“I’m good ooo.  How are you doing?”

“Still working on meeting our targets…you know how it goes.”

“Yeah…I just met with one of your marketing executives…Delphine Coleman, is it?”

“Yeah, I do have a staff member by that name. When did you meet her?”

“Oh right now. She just left a few minutes ago.” The boss felt confused.

“And what did she say?”

“She was talking of some of your investment packages and I wanted to clear something up with you.”

“Hold on, we can talk about that later. Tell me, how did she look like?”

“She’s a pretty one…took a picture with her. Will send it to you when I end this call.”

“Okay. Please do so. Why don’t we meet up for a drink so we can talk about our investment options?”

“That would be great.”

*
He stared at the photo on his friend’s phone. She looked exactly like Delphine. His friend studied his face.

“That’s Delphine, right?”

“The time you called about meeting her, Delphine had just excused herself out of my office after a meeting.”

“What, so she’s an imposter?”

“As I said, she looks exactly like Delphine from my office.”

“So what, they are sisters or twins?”

“Who knows? I’ve to get to the bottom of this before some nosy reporter decides to sink us. I’m glad you called, buddy.”

“Don’t mention it, man.”

*

Delphine was driving home when her phone rang. The ringtone sounded out of her car stereo system. She pressed a button on her steering wheel. 

“Sir?”

“Hi Delphine, what is your plan for tomorrow?”

“Um…I’ll be coming straight to the office from home tomorrow. Might step out later in the day. Do you need me to do something?”

“No. I need you in the office first thing in the morning, yeah? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Enjoy your evening.”

“You too.” The call ended. 
Daphne’s phone beeped. It was a message from the client she had met that afternoon. A smile crept up her face as she read it. 
“Sent the message?”

“Yep. She’ll meet me at ten.” He put the phone down.

“Fingers crossed.”

*

“Hey,” Del greeted when she entered the house. 

“I’ve got you a client!” Daphne blurted out, unable to hold in her good news. Del raised a brow.

“You went impersonating me again? I thought we have wrapped up that project,” Del said tiredly, dropping her car key on the table.

“Well I was bored and as they say, the devil finds work for the idle hands…”

“You work, don’t you?” Del slumped herself into the sofa.

“I do but I had no appointment for today so I thought, why not get some cash for my sister?” 

Daphne handed a file to her. Del took it and scanned through.

“I see. You’re getting better at this, Daphne. Why don’t you apply?”

“Nah…love the flexibility of my job. He texted me not too long ago. He wants to meet at 10 tomorrow.”

“So you want my permission to go meet him?”

“No; I’m telling you to go meet you. You are the best person to fill in any blanks and seal this deal.”

“I can’t. I have to meet my boss early in the morning.”

“But you can’t miss this. This is big bucks coming in. Let him know you have this impromptu meeting and that it is a good deal. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind rescheduling your meeting.”

“I don’t know…why don’t you go and finish this? I’ll be sure to be online to assist you.”

“No. Tomorrow’s meeting will include signatures and all and I don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”

“Like you haven’t already? I keep on telling you to let me know so I can get out of the office. The day my boss suspects something will be the end of me.”

“I know; just wanted to give you surprise. I hope that would make you smile at me.”

“If you think this will make me forgive you for what you did, then you’ve clearly underestimated my displeasure, sis.” Daph gave her sister a pleading look. Del rolled her eyes and looked away. She got up.

“I’ll take a close look at this and decide whether to meet him tomorrow or reschedule.”

“You better not, Del; he’s a very busy man.”

“Who isn’t?” Del entered her room.

*
Del was in the kitchen having a bowl of cereal when she heard the doorbell ring. She heard the door open and the sound of footsteps apart from Daphne’s. She heard some muffled voices and then approaching footsteps. She put her bowl down, hoping to have finished her chewing and swallow it down before the person appeared.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” 

“Am I invited?” She chuckled and covered her mouth. He approached her, took the spoon and put some in his mouth.

“Can’t remember the last time I ate cereal.”

“How old are you, sixty?” They both chuckled.

“Are you here to say you’ve changed your mind?” He ate another spoonful and shook his head.

“Your parents asked me to come.” She nodded.

“Can’t you find it in your heart to…” He shook his index finger at her.

“Don’t, Del.” She nodded.

“Kobby?”

“Yeah.” He brushed his palm against Del’s arm and walked out of the kitchen. She looked at the skin that he had touched. She rubbed it to drive away the goosebumps. She emptied the bowl and washed it. She put the bowl and spoon on the rack and wiped her hands dry.

She entered the living room to find her parents with Daphne and Kobby seated.

“Um…I’ll be in my room,” she said.

“Thanks, dear,” her mother said with a smile. Del walked quickly to her room and closed the door.

“So Kobby, I like you very much and I know you to be a good man. Tell me what pushed you to make this drastic decision. I know marriage can be hard sometimes but you don’t have to give up on each other especially when your marriage is this young,” George said.

Kobby and Daphne shared a look.

“Maybe Daphne should tell you.”

“No, you broke the news so you tell us why.” There was a pause.

Del strained her ear against the door to listen to the conversation. She gave up and laid down in bed. They will sort themselves out.

*

Del called her boss’ number but he didn’t answer. She sent him a message. Tried calling you. Have to make an urgent detour before coming to the office. Will be sure to be in the office by noon. See you then. She sighed. Daphne had briefed her about the meeting the day before and it seemed the bulk of the talking had already been done. She sat in her car and drove off.

She recognized him from the photo that Daphne showed her so she gave him a smile when their eyes met and she walked towards him.

“Good morning, Mr. Boateng.” She sat down and put the file on the table.

“Honestly I was excited to receive your text yesterday about you wanting to meet. I hope that means we are in business.”

He chuckled. “Who are you exactly?” Delphine sat back.

“What do you mean? I’m Delphine Coleman of…”

“You can’t be when Delphine of Premium Bank has a meeting with her boss this morning.” Del gasped and her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her socket. He signaled to someone behind her and when she turned, she saw a cop approaching her.

“No, you’re wrong about me. I’m really Delphine.”

“Yeah, yeah, we shall see about that.”

“Come with me, young lady. You have the right to remain silent as any word you utter can be used against you in the court of law.”

“Please, you have to believe me.”

The policeman dragged Del out of the place into a waiting police car.

Mr. Boateng called Del’s boss.

“She’s been taken.”

“Good. Will be at the station soon. Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome.” He ended the call. Del’s boss saw Del’s message. He scowled.

How was this possible? 
Del was in total shock. Her deepest fear was happening in real time. She was going to be locked behind bars. Her life as she knew it was about to come to an end.

© Josephine Amoako 2017