CHAPTER SEVEN: I CAN'T LOVE YOU

'Sir?' Sheila was able to say a word at last after it seemed like hours but, it was just some few seconds after George spoke. 'I..I..don't understand sir.' She stuttered.

'Then let me explain to you in a simple language. Your mother stole my money and you came to plead that I should punish you instead of her. Right?' He looked at Sheila who nodded timidly. 'Good, now I wanted your mother to be imprisoned for her action but listening to you, I decided to heed to your plea. So what is it you don't understand?'

'But you don't love me?'

'Love? How can I love a thief's daughter?' At his statement, Sheila flinched at the name he called her mother. She wanted to protest but George continued with his tirade. ' Wake up from your dream and embrace reality. If you were the only girl walking on the planet of earth, I can never love you.'

'I don't think I can also love you too. So why would you allow us get married and become miserable?'

'The marriage would be for the period I believe my money must have been recovered while you perform your duty as a devoted wife.'

'But I don't want to get married to you sir. Is there no other punishment?'

'There is an option, the media houses will cover the story and you know what that means to your mother's reputation.' He threatened her.

'This is too much of a punishment. Can't I go to jail instead?' She asked with chagrin.

'No that is not a possibility because you are not the person that stole from me. It's your mother and that type of replacement is not applicable in law.'

Sheila bent her head with her hands folded on her laps thinking of anyway out of marrying this beast who was her mother's boss. She knew the implication of what her mother did but if it got out to the public then her family would be ruined. What then would become of her at the end of the marriage? Would she have any dignity left after this beast must have dealt with her? How would her father take the news of her sudden marriage? What lie would she tell her father that he would not suspect that something was wrong? Her thought kept on going round her mind till she felt dizzy. She knew George was waiting for her response and the earlier she gave her consent, the earlier for her mother's release. She raised her head with sternly look. 'I will marry you but my mother's job must be restored.'

George weighed her condition and gave her credit for her bargain. 'Alright then. My lawyer will draw up an agreement on this matter which we both will sign before your mother's release.'

'Wait a minute, what would you tell the staff who must have heard of what happened when they see my mum at work after the arrest?' She asked for the fear of the stigma her mother might face.

'She will be transfered to another of my establishment with an understanding that such a thing would not repeat itself.'

'That's fair enough. Can we have the agreement signed now please?' She said impatiently.

'Gary, please come over here with the agreement you've drawn.' George called to Gary.

Gary came with his phone and showed his write up. George went through it and made corrections and added Sheila's condition to it. 'I think it's perfect.' George said and Gary fixed his phone to the printer in George's office and printed the agreement. Once it was given to Sheila, she immediately asked for a pen to append her signature. 'Aren't you going to proof read it?' Gary asked her.

'There is no need. I heard him when he corrected what you wrote. I need to get my mother out of cell immediately.' She snatched the pen from Gary's hand and put her signature. 'And who follows me to the precinct?' Sheila asked looking at the two of them. Both Gary and George were surprised at her boldness after her agreement to marry George. She looked so fragile that no one thought she could exhume such strength. Gary looked at her in a different light believing that she might not be docile as he thought initially. He prayed he had not advised his friend wrongly.

'I'm going with you.' Gary said.

Mrs Cherry Banks had surrendered to fate and waited for the worst to come. But what she prayed for was God to forgive her sin and to show mercy to both her husband and daughter. She knew Sheila was a strong girl but for how long would her strength carry her alone? Her husband's health was paramount but for how long would the truth be kept from him? She might not see her family again going by what Mr Isaac said that she would spend a long time behind the bar. Hmm! She sighed and rested her head against the wall. She did not know when she slept off. She heard her name being called far off then someone tapped her. She jumped up from her sleep and saw a female police officer at the door beckoning her to come. As she came out she saw her daughter and the lawyer who accompanied head of security earlier in the day to bring her here.

'Mum!' Her daughter said excitedly as the police gave her some papers to sign. She did as she was told and the officer told her that she was free to go. At first she did not understand until when her daughter embraced her. 'Mum, you're free now,' Sheila said with a smile amidst tears.

'How honey?' She asked in confusion looking from Sheila to Gary who stood apart and watched.

'Let's go home and I'll explain everything to you.' Sheila said holding her hand to take her out of the precinct.

'If truly I'm free, what did you do Sheila?' Still confused, she pressed for answer from her daughter.

'Not here mum. You need to clean up and eat something first.'

'I'm not hungry, but I need to see your father first.'

'I know but, both of us are looking dirty and untidy. If dad has woken up, he would not be happy to see us in the state.'

'Mrs and Miss Banks, there is a car waiting to take you where ever you're going.' Gary informed them.

'?!' Mrs Banks was speechless. What would have happened within period of hours that would make her enjoy this favour from her unforgiving boss? She thought.