CHAPTER FOUR: UNFORGIVING

Sheila just stepped out of the multimillion building of one of the most successful companies in the country where she was called for an interview. A young graduate in Human Relations majoring in administration, Sheila applied for the position of Human Resource assistant. Her interview went well and she couldn't wait to tell her mother the high hope she had in getting the job. But first thing first, she needed to head to the hospital to see how her father's condition was improving. Her father had been operated on for heart surgery two days ago and thank God it was successful. She was so grateful to her mother's boss who was able to loan her five hundred thousand for both the surgery and drugs. The worries of how to raise the money had been taken care of and for her getting a job, it would be much easier for them to pay the loan. She smiled inwardly as she hailed a taxi. As she boarded the taxi, her phone rang and she saw a strange number on her phone when she looked at the screen for the caller's identity. 'Hello'. She answered the call.

'Sheila, Sheila.' The voice called and she recognized it to be her mother's.

'Mum?' She asked unsurely.

'Yes honey. Please can you come over to City police station?' Her mother asked, panicked.

'City police station? What are you doing there?' She asked in confusion.

'Just come quickly, I'll explain when you get here.' Her mother said and the phone went dead.

City police station? She asked herself. What would her mother be doing there? As far as she knew, her mother was an easy going woman who would avoid any violence. She turned to the driver and told him of the change of her destination. In no time thanks to no traffic at that time of the day, the taxi pulled up in front of the City police station. She quickly paid her fare and rushed inside. She saw her mother sitting with her head bowed. She quickly view her mother's condition and gave a deep sigh of relief that no harm was done to her. 'Mum?' She called softly, and her mother raised her head on hearing her daughter's soft voice. 'Honey, you're here earlier than I expected.' Her mother said while sitting because she was told not to have physical contact with anyone. 'Come sit close to me.' Her mother called.

'Mum, what happened?' She asked as she took her seat opposite her mother.

'Sheila, I'm sorry I lied to you.' Her mother cried holding her daughter's hands.

'Mum, please calm down because I don't understand what you're talking about.' She said softly placing her hand on her mother's cheek to clean the tears that had fallen. 'Breathe in and explain to me.'

Taking her daughter's advice, Cherry Banks took a deep breath and started her explanation. 'Honey, you know when your father was rushed to the hospital the doctor requested for money before he would carry out the surgery and he told us there was no time left.' She sucked in her sob and looked away from Sheila to control herself. Sheila in her own way to sooth her mother started rubbing the back of her hand. She took another deep breath and continued. 'I went to the head of my department maybe he could help me approve loan from the company but, he said it would take a while. I also approached some of my colleagues if they could raise even half of what I needed for your father's surgery but none could help. Time was running out and your father's life was in danger. As I went to see the company cashier if he could help me, I saw someone give him plenty money. After the person left, I approached him but he denied me. Then' she stopped talking and Sheila concluded the story. 'Then you broke into his office and took the money?'

'I didn't break into his office. He actually left his safe opened and left the office. I couldn't break into his office honey, I'm not a criminal.' She broke down and wept.

'Mum, I understand and I would have done the same if given the chance. You were only trying to save dad's life. Now tell me, who brought you here?'

'The head of security and my boss' lawyer.'

'Where are they?'

'They left after they made the report but I'm waiting for the police to do the documentation before they put me in the cell.'

'No mum!' Sheila shouted which attracted the attention of the people around. 'I'll do anything to see that you don't go into the cell.' She tried to control her tears but failed.'

'Honey, let me receive the punishment for my actions but please don't tell your dad what happened.'

'Mum, stop please. I'll rather be in that cell instead of you. You can easily tell dad that I've gotten job in another state till he gets better before breaking the news to him. But first, let me get to your boss maybe he'd listen to my plead.'

'Honey, don't bother yourself, my boss is unforgiving.'

'Hold that thought there, you don't know what God can do.' At that time, a police officer with a file came to meet her mother.

'Mrs Cherry Banks, you will have to follow me.' He told her but, Sheila held his hand.

'Please wait sir, my name is Sheila Banks her daughter, how serious is my mother's case?'

The man looked at her with pity because there was nothing this fragile looking girl could do to help her mother. Not with the statement the lawyer made that justice should be served hot. George lsaac IV, a ruthless and unforgiving man was a dangerous man to go against. He was rich enough to pardon this woman with the reason behind her motion for taking the money. But a man like George Isaac IV, he would never allow her off the hook. 'I'm sorry young woman, speaking about the case and who brought it, your mother has no hope but to be locked up.' He said as he signalled to Cherry to follow him.

Sheila seeing her mother been taken away halted the police officer. She quickly rushed to him. 'Supposing we pay back the money immediately would you release my mum?'

'That'd depend on her boss but for us here, certainly.'

'Honey, don't disturb yourself, where would you get such an amount to pay back immediately? Just go to your father and stay with him. Whatever happens, know that I love you both dearly. Please take care of your father for me.' Cherry followed the officer.

Sheila sat on the floor and cried bitterly. When she could find no more tears, she stood up with determination and walked our of the police station.