Jesse rolled out of bed at five am the next morning and went through the motions of taking his bath, shaving and then making Gwen’s breakfast and lunch at the same time before he went to wake her up by six fifteen to take her bath and like a good girl that she was, she never gave him any trouble at all.
“You look tired daddy.” Gwen commented as he dressed her in her school uniform.
“I’m okay sweetheart.” He assured her. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Daddy?”. She called after a minute.
“Yes honey?” He looked up from putting on her socks.
“Remember Mrs Shalom said I shouldn’t come to school if you don’t pay my fees.” She reminded him.
Jesse stared at his daughter with a frown on his face as he tried to remember if he’d had a conversation with the bursar after he dropped her off in school yesterday then it hit him and he sighed.
“Yes I remember.” He sounded defeated. “I’ll talk to her to give me more time or I’ll talk to Mr Williams.”
“I’m sorry daddy.” She apologized.
“For what?”. He looked confused.
Gwen lifted a small shoulder in a half shrug. “I know it’s because of me that you don’t have money anymore. I’m always sick.” She looked sad.
“It’s not your fault.” He told her. “I’m not complaining am I?”.
“But…”
“But nothing sweetie. I’m happy to have you as my little girl. Any other girl is a counterfeit.” He tweaked her nose playfully.
Gwen giggled. “I love you daddy.” She threw her arms around his neck.
“I love you more baby.” Jesse murmured and drew back to kiss her forehead. “No more of that nonsense okay?”.
“Yes daddy.” She nodded.
“Good girl.” He finished dressing up for her and took her to the sitting room. “Will you watch a cartoon while I get dressed?”.
“You’ve subscribed for the Cable TV?”. She beamed. “I want to watch Disney junior.”
“Er… No, not yet.” He scratched his head. “Just ordinary TV.”
Gwen pouted. “I’m not interested.”
“Play with my phone then?”.
“Can I go to Aunt Abby’s instead?” She asked. “Susan will be awake now.”
“Let’s not disturb them this early morning.” He said. “I fried plantain and eggs for your lunch.”
“Really? Cool!”. She exclaimed. “Is it cornflakes for breakfast?”.
“Sorry. It’s oats this time.” He winced.
“I like oats too.” She said. “What about my medicine daddy?”.
“Oh right.” He nodded. “I’ll be back.” He left.
He opened the medicine cabinet in the kitchen and took out the bottle for her drugs, lifted it and sighed when he saw that it had finished. “Isn’t this just great?” He thought sarcastically.
He put the bottle back and slammed the cabinet close, dished her oats in a plate and took it to her in the sitting room.
“Medicine?” She questioned.
“I gave you the last one yesterday.” He replied. “You’re not doing any extra curricular activities in school right?”.
“No. I don’t even play with my friends.” She muttered sadly.
“You’ll have to be careful from now on until I get enough money to buy new drugs for you.” Jesse said. “By God’s grace next week… I should be able to get some money.” He let out a sigh and pressed two fingers to his eyes. By God’s grace next week if he wasn’t arrested because of the debt he was owing a lot of people.
Gwen stared at her father’s retreating back and lost her appetite for food. She dropped the plate of oats on the center table and went on her knees to pray instead.
This was how Jesse met her when he returned after getting dressed with her bag and lunchbox so he joined her to pray and they said the grace.
“Not hungry?”. He gestured to the oats.
“No. I’ll eat later.” She forced a smile.
“Let’s go then.” He took her hand.
“Have you turned off all the electronics daddy?”.
“I have. Let’s go.” He smiled and they left.
Just as they got down to the second floor, they met Ruben and the kids also leaving for the day so they all went down the stairs together and out the front door.
“Hey let me drop you and Gwen off.” Ruben offered.
“Uh… Sure thanks.” Jesse nodded.
Ruben unlocked the car and the kids filed in to the backseat while Jesse rode shotgun in front with Ruben.
Once upon a time almost two years ago, Jesse had also been the proud owner of a black Mercedes Benz E350 but the divorce and Helena’s outrageous request of one million naira for the settlement had caused him to sell the car and after she got the money, hooked up with the owner of the company where he worked and had him sacked within a week.
He who had been the general manager of the company now worked in a bottled water company earning not even a quarter of his former salary.
“I meant to tell you but it skipped my mind,” Ruben spoke interrupting Jesse’s thoughts. “There’s a vacancy for an accountant in my brother’s company. You could apply there as well.”
“I already did but I didn’t get what I wanted.” Jesse told him. “I was too over qualified for the job. Thanks though.”
Ruben laughed. “Right.” He said. His brother never liked to employ someone who was too good in their area of specialization and Jesse Billion was a genius having graduated magna cum laude from McPherson University – a private university for rich kids. He couldn’t say his brother was a cheapskate because he wasn’t but he’d prefer employing someone who would accept whatever amount he offered as salary without argument.
It was circumstances that pushed someone as brilliant as Jesse to work for less than he was worth.
Ruben arrived at his kids school and the children alighted from the car but Gwen stayed behind when she saw that Mrs Shalom the school bursar was at the gate with the record book in her hand.
“Gwen?”. Ruben looked back at her. “What’s wrong?”.
“It’s nothing.” Jesse was quick to say as he opened the door and got out. “Thanks for the ride bro.”
“It’s nothing.”
Jesse opened the back door for Gwen and she alighted then he closed the door, waved and watched Ruben drive off before he took her hand and led her towards the woman at the gate.
“Good morning Mr Billion.” Mrs Shalom greeted in her husky voice.
“Morning.” Jesse greeted back. “Uh… I’m here to ask for more time to pay her fees.”
“This is the third week Mr Billion. I would love to help you but the order has come from above that I am not to allow any pupil with outstanding debts into the premises.”
“Can I see Mr Williams then?”.
“He’s not around.” She said. “I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Jesse said, shuffled on his feet then took Gwen’s hand. “Thank you.” He turned and walked away.
Gwen looked back at the school sadly and a tear dropped followed by another until it was streaming down her face in torrents.
Jesse looked down at her and his heart broke when he realized she was crying so he stopped and crouched down in front of her there on the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry, please don’t cry.” He apologized. “I’m sorry I couldn’t pay your school fees.”
“I’m not crying because of that.” She sniffled. “I’m the one sorry.”
Jesse sighed and pulled her close stroking her hair to quiet her and she quieted down almost immediately.
“Want to go and stay with Aunt Abby in her shop till I get back from work?”. He asked.
“Sure.” She beamed.
Jesse straightened with a smile on his face, took her hand again and they continued their walk. A few minutes later a black Escalade pulled up beside them and Jesse stopped.
The back window automatically rolled down and his ex wife Helena smirked at them.
“Helena.” He rumbled.
“Hello Jesse.” She eyed him over. “How the mighty has fallen.” She drawled.
“Mama warned you but you didn’t listen Jess.” His subconscious taunted him. “Were you blind when you gave your heart to this woman?!”.He probably had been insane. Yes that was the only explanation that he could come up with as he kept staring at Helena. Insanity.“Mommy!”. Gwen’s excited voice yanked him back to reality.“What do you want now Helena? Are you happy seeing me like this?”. He demanded.“Get in.” She ordered. “You look like you’re going to keel over any second.”“Thanks but no thanks.” He snapped. “We’ll be on our way.” He made to walk ahead but the passenger door opened and a big bald man alighted and blocked his way.“Get in or Francis will make you.” She informed him. “You wouldn’t want your little girl hurt.”“I have to get to work.”“I could make you lose this one too.” She threatened.Jesse huffed out a frustrated sigh, glared at the bald man, rounded the car with Gwen in his arms and got in.“Good boy.” She smiled. “Let’s go Hank.”The driver pulled away from the
Two days laterGwen was returning to their class from the playground after recess with Susan and they were talking animatedly about the new cartoon that was soon to be released in Cinemas when she accidentally bumped into Freda Thompson the queen bee of the school and the owner’s daughter.“Are you blind?”. Freda’s eyes flashed as she stared down at her shoe and saw Gwen’s footprint on her beautiful white sneakers. It was Friday so it was sportswear day in school.“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” Gwen apologized. She moved to clean Freda’s shoe when the girl angrily shoved her in the chest hard and she fell to the ground.“Don’t touch me!”. Freda snarled.“Hey! That’s not nice!”. Susan chided and bent to help Gwen up.Freda glared at the two of them and flounced off.“Are you okay Gwen?”. Susan inquired as she dusted off the dirt on Gwen’s clothes.Gwen put her hand on her chest and rubbed as her heart raced in her chest. “I’m fine.” She replied breathlessly.“Your heart?”. Susan looked
Nine years agoJesse walked into the sitting room and met his parents watching TV. His father had given him an ultimatum; choose Helena Johnson and be disowned or do without her and become CEO of his father’s bank.At the time he’d been madly in love with Helena and of course knew what his decision would be before his father even finished talking but he’d pretended to think about it and now he had an answer for them.“I’ve made up my mind Mom, dad.” Jesse spoke up making them turn to look at him.“Which is?”. James Billion asked.“Helena.” Jesse replied. “I love her very much and I can’t bear to lose her.”“Jesse!”. His mother had been appalled. “Don’t do something you’ll regret later.”“Are you sure son?”. James questioned. “If you walk out that door… you’re dead to me. You’ll no longer be a part of my family.”“I understand.” He had said. “Thank you for everything Mom, dad. I’ll take my leave now.” He turned and walked away without looking back.Now… Nine years later he was back – n
Jesse paced to and fro in the hallway of the hospital outside the children’s female ward holding the card in his hand. He was suddenly nervous to call the numbers on the card. What would he say? He couldn’t possibly tell her assistant that he was Aviva’s godson!.“Just call puss!”. His subconscious snapped. “Time’s a wasting.”“Right.” Jesse nodded, pulled out his phone from his pocket and quickly dialed the first number then clicked on the call button and put the phone to his ear before he could chicken out again.“Hello.” A male voice said.“Good evening.” Jesse greeted. “Am I speaking with uh… Aviva Arroyo’s assistant?”.“Yes, this is he.” Paul replied. “How may I help you?”.“My name is Jesse Billion and I need Mrs Arroyo’s help.” Jesse replied. “Jesse Billion? Of Monument bank?”.Jesse shrugged. “Yes but not anymore.”“I see.” Paul muttered. “What’s your problem?”.“My daughter is sick and she needs to have a heart transplant as soon as possible or she dies.” Jesse told him. “I
Isabella was not able to get away during the weekend but she made sure to leave Sunday evening and landed in Nigeria early hours of the morning around seven am.“I hope you enjoy your stay here in Nigeria.” Her father’s pilot Jennette smiled at Bella.“Thank you Jen.” She hugged the woman then descended down the stairs of the plane.The back door opened and her mother’s nephew Paul alighted from the car with a smile on his face.“Hi Paul!”. She waved and rushed to hug him. “Look at you!”.“Look at you too Aunt Izzy.” He said and turned her around for inspection. “You look fabulous!”.“Thank you.” She chuckled. “You don’t look bad yourself.”Paul watched as the bodyguards brought down Isabella’s bags and put them in the trunk of the car. There were so many bags of different sizes.“Are you relocating here?”. Paul looked amused.“No but I’m staying for at least three months.” She grinned.“Aunt Aviva is going to reach the skies.”Isabella laughed. “I can’t wait to see her. You didn’t te
A month laterFor about a few weeks, Bella corresponded with Jesse about Gwen's modeling gig after he gave his approval to let Gwen model for her winter collection and Bella could safely say that she and Jesse were becoming fast friends.He had an insane sense of humor that always made her laugh long after the conversation was over and Aviva saw this as a good thing which was why she made a call to Vincenzo the day before Jesse's and Gwen's arrival to tell him about her plan."You what?". Vincenzo sputtered. "You want to marry our daughter off? Why?"."I'm not marrying her off." Aviva refuted. "I'm just… looking out for her that's all.""How well do you know this guy?". Vince inquired. "For all you know,he might be a serial killer in disguise.""Don't be silly Vince." She admonished. "He's my godson.""The last time you saw him in person was almost thirty years ago. You didn't watch him grow up." Vince said. "What if he's a wife beater?".Aviva grunted in exasperation. "I wouldn't tel
The next morning Bella got out of bed, walked to the bathroom to do her morning routine then came out and quickly changed into her workout clothes, slipped her feet into her shoes and left her room.She carefully went downstairs so as not to wake anyone and straight to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. She shrieked when she turned on the lights and saw Jesse bare chested standing by the refrigerator guzzling down water."I'm sorry, did I scare you?". Jesse fought a smile when he noticed her averting her eyes. "It's... I didn't expect anyone else to be awake that's all." She walked to the fridge. She could see the sweat dripping down his neck and all the way down to the waistband of his sweatpants which made her mouth dry up."I've been awake since five." He told her. "heading to the gym?"."Yeah. And you?"."I'm just coming from there. That room is a dream." He sighed. "I can live there all my life and never get tired."Bella chuckled. "You're funny." She shook her head, opened t
"Going somewhere Mr Billion?". Godwin asked from behind Jesse. Jesse turned to look at the landlord with a smile. He'd asked his wife where her husband was but the woman had not known her husband's whereabouts. "I was going to see you Mr Godwin." Jesse said. "Can we go somewhere to talk?". "If it's money talk then sure." Godwin shrugged. "How's Guwen?". "She's fine now." Jesse said. They went to the man's shop and Godwin offered him a drink but Jesse declined it and sat on the bench instead. "So... what do you have to tell me?". Godwin inquired. "I'm staying at my godmother's house for a few days so we won't be here at all." Jesse informed him. "Oh? You have a godmother?". Godwin looked very interested. "Who is she?". "Mrs Arroyo." "Really?!." Godwin's eyes widened. "That woman is very rich o." "I have brought the money I'm owing you." Jesse took out a brown envelope from his suit jacket and passed it to Godwin. Godwin took out the money from the envelope, counted it an