CHAPTER ELEVEN: DATES AND PARTIES

Sheila felt so disgusted by his statement that his grandfather was waiting to meet her. She picked up her fork and tasted the food which she found so tasty. She ate in silence as she concentrated on the food and avoiding George's eye contact.

'You've not answered me if you wouldn't mind knowing me better.'

'If you want to talk about yourself, you're welcome but I don't see any importance of it to me.' She replied nonchalantly.

'My grandpa is a very well calculated and articulated man who can't easily be deceived. I'm presenting you to him as my wife and he must not know of what brought us together.'

'Don't tell me you're under pressure to marry and you want to use me?' She asked suspiciously.

'Why would I be pressured? I thought you were more sensible than that. How could I marry and my grandpa would not hear of it? I don't want the marriage to be a secret and that's the extend I want to punish you.' He said arrogantly. 'My grandpa would definitely ask you some questions to proof to him that it's not my money you want to marry. A lot is expected from the marriage and he would expect a love filled relationship between us. Being an old man, and me being the only one that keeps his lineage, he would be very glad to see me married. I want to make him happy in his old age.'

'Is he dying?'

'No?'

'Would he not be heartbroken if after some time you dispose of me?'

'It would be a secret divorce. I could even fake your death so that I can move on.' He said with a sardonic smile.

'You're a devil. Very dispicable'.

'Tsk tsk, watch your tongue because you're still at my mercy.' He said laughing.

'So what would you have me do now?' She asked in frustration.

'Good girl! We have to be seen often on dates and at parties till we announce our engagement in two weeks time.'

'Two weeks? But is that not too soon?'

'Leave that to me to decide. Everything will be taken care of. Yours is to be at my side.'

Sheila sighed as she dropped her fork as so many questions came to her head. How would she explain her sudden love affair to her mother? Her mother would definitely suspect that something was not right. She didn't have any idea how to convince her parents most especially her mum. Even at that, what would she now say about divorce after a few months? Her mother was an advocate against divorce because she believed so much in love. God! This problem would get twisted as time went by without solution that would not scar her for life in sight. She felt someone's hand on her hand and she was brought back to her presence.

'Welcome back to life.' George said. 'I have been calling you but no response.'

'I'm sorry, I have a lot in my head right now.' She said resuming her eating.

'As I was saying, once my grandpa gets wind of my affair with you, I'll take you to him. And we take it from by there.'

'Supposing he doesn't approve of me?'

'I trust him. Whether he likes you or not, he'd never force a woman on me.' He stated with confidence.

'Hmm.' She sighed. 'Won't your friends suspect? One, I'm not your type of woman and the relationship looks so sudden.' She said with doubt.

'What are you getting at here?'

"My mum's reputation and integrity.'

'I have that covered unless you provoke me to do otherwise.'

'Is there no way you do something without a threat?' She cried.

'I'm a very shrewd business man and i bargain well. I don't trust people and I don't give chances for failure.'

'Can you please do me a favor?' He nodded and she continued. 'Can you please stop calling my mother a thief?'

'Of course, she's my proposed mother in law.' He said shrugging his shoulders.

'There is another one please.'

'No, you asked for just one and I have granted you.' George teased her, enjoying her discomfort.

'Please Mr. Isaac, just this once.' She made a puppy face and George laughed signaling with his hand that she should ask.

'It still about my mum, will you allow her to keep her job even after I might have finished the punishment?'

George looked at her and couldn't help admiring her devotion and loyalty to her parents. He would also do whatever it would take him to make his grandfather happy but not taking his place in punishment. To him, it was as if her life revolved round her parents or could it be she was pretending? Even if she did, time would tell but, he would grant her the favour just to fulfill his promise to his grandfather.

'You know something Sheila? I will allow her keep her job. Since it seems so important to you and there is no more favour after this.' He sipped from his wine glass.

After then, Sheila felt relaxed and enjoyed her dinner date with George. He dropped her at home around ten pm. This time he looked at her before she stepped down from the car.

'Seven pm tomorrow and Tara will be here to help you by four pm. I take punctuality as essence in business.'

'Yes sir. I will take cognizance of that.' She elegantly step out of the car without a backward glance and went inside her house. She hated him more for his arrogance, vengeance and ruthlessness. How could a man ruin someone all because she was of lower class and made a mistake. Definitely her face would be all over the newspaper tomorrow and her mother would start asking questions. She hated lying to her parents and George was forcing to do just that with his unreasonable proposal. She dropped her purse on the bed and sat by the small dresser to remove her makeup. The more she saw her face in the mirror, the more unreal she looked to herself. A real Sheila would rather live a quiet life of peace without scandal in her life. But, this Sheila was now living a fake life without a future to hold unto. She felt tears rolled down her face and she cleaned it with the determination to go along with George Isaac IV.

What had she got to lose anyway? Just her precious possession she kept for the man she would love.