CHAPTER FOURTEEN: LOVE IS FOR THE POOR.

George and Gary were with his grandfather at headquarters' conference hall of the People's Opinion Party (POP) along with the party's chieftains. Although the faces were strange to him since he was never interested in politics.

'People of this great party, we want to capture the votes of the youth this time around and going by the statistics, our youth are over fifty-five percent of the populace. Being the only party presenting a young candidate, our strategy is very advantageous.' The chairman of the party, Mr. Green addressed his executives. 'As we all know that the Senatorial has been zoned to Harper district, I believe that the candidate produced will take our party to the next level in political arena. He is a young successful business tycoon who at a very young age has achieved what most of us have not been able to achieve in so many years. He's vibrant and have eyes for details which will bring a lot of innovation, opportunities, development in rural areas and enormous employment to say but few. An owner of conglomerate of companies, I welcome into our midst, Mr. George Isaac IV our able candidate.' Every one applauded Mr. Green while George stood up from his seat to move to the podium where Mr. Green was standing. When he got there, Mr. Green raised George's right hand to present him to the party executives.

'We will listen to him now to tell us what he has for the people.' Said Mr. Green as he stepped aside for George.

'I will want to recognize my grandpa who thought it fit that for us to move forward in our country, young brains who have had time to mingle and see what people are going through in this land need to be imbibed into the system. Thank you Mr George Isaac II for this opportunity.' He paused as people clapped their hands. 'I'm also using this medium to thank everyone of you who never opposed my nomination. My good friend and adviser, Gary Stevenson, you're also welcome. I am a man of few words but full of action, as people get tired of long talk but no action.' Some of the people chuckled. 'I take my action from correcting the mistakes of the past to strengthen our populace and economy. In a country where we allow few powerful people to control our economy with obsolete ideas, and we keep on going round in a circle, will not bring hope to our youth and will also kill the efforts of the old ones. Why are people migrating to the capital for well paid jobs? What happens to development of rural areas to give the people there the opportunity to compete with people in capital in regards to education, conducive environment, modern transportation system and financial stability?' Here, the hall was engulfed with claps and 'oh yes!' from the audience. 'I will out lay my plans to the executives as we progress in the visitation of all areas that make up the senatorial district. Thank you for your time.' He took a bow and went to sit down.

Later, after various candidates for various offices had spoken and primary election was in progress, Mr. Green cornered George to talk to him.

'Young man, I can see why your grandpa was insistent on you being picked for the post. You're full of ideas you want to off load.'

'Thank you sir. In actual fact, I thought my grandpa was just pulling my legs when he told me. But I have seen the reality which I believe we can all achieve our aim with unwaivering cooperation from all quarters.' George responded.

'Yes, we are looking towards the members' sponsorship for the campaign as you know that campaigns gulp a lot of money. From printing of materials to traveling to all necessary locations for campaign, to hotel lodgings and feeding. Moreover, latest next week, all parties must submit the names of their nominees to the electoral body so that preparation would be in top gear This brings me to the question that has been bugging me. Are you married?'

'Not yet sir. May I ask why the question?'

'You know that people take you more serious when you have a wife or husband beside you.as a public figure' Mr Green explained.

'Yes I know and I have put that one in motion.' George informed him.

'Is she a daughter of any of the party member?'

'I'm sorry she is not.' George was getting impatient and uncomfortable with the line of his questions. 'If I may ask sir, what importance is that to my nominee?'

'You see little George, a politician needs a partner who is well known to boost his political career. You can't at this stage marry a nobody. It will be a setback.'

'What are you driving at?'

'If your girlfriend or fiancé is not a daughter of an aristocrat or politician, I would advise you let go of her now. You're a greenhorn in the political world and you would need a wife from an influential and powerful family.'

'But supposing I love her so much I can't afford to live without her?'

'Young boy, love is for poor people. Do you think our marriages are lovey dovey ones? Most of them are marriages of convenience and the major reason why we turn our faces away from what our wives do and vice versa. There is no one of us that doesn't have a skeleton in the cupboard here. I have a very beautiful daughter who, would fit as a perfect match for you. Also, you would stay in the corridor of power as long as you wish.'

'Is she very beautiful?'

'She's just like her mother. Very beautiful girl.' Green said being proud of his daughter.

'Supposing she doesn't like me?'

'She'd definitely like you. She's dad's girl, whatever I tell her she does.'

'But this is too sudden.'

'I'll tell you George, just say the word and you and my daughter would get married with me footing the whole bill. You can still keep your present fiancé as a secret lover. She can even bear all your children and when the time comes, you can divorce my daughter on an agreed settlement.'

George was extremely disappointed and this proved his disposition towards the so called politicians. Thank God his grsndfather was a known and wealthy man, this Green of a man would had manipulated him into marrying his daughter.

'Thank you Mr. Green but, my wedding is in the next two weeks.'

'Does it matter? Have you printed the invitation?'

'It's almost out.' George lied.

'The name can still be changed and you can get married same day but to a different woman.' He said and laughed humorlessly.

George was already seething with anger with Mr. Green's proposal but he would not insult him so that his grandpa would not be disappointed in him. He knew if he should tell Sheila that their deal was off, she would jump for joy. But he would not cut off his deal with her just for the selfish reason of Mr. Green. He saw him as a manipulative demon and he would never succumb to his plan. Whether Sheila was a nobody or not, he never went back on his words Sheila must be his wife as planned. He saw everything as challenge to him and he loved challenges. He reigned in his anger and looked at Mr. Green with a sardonic smile.

'You're such a man full of experience in this field, tell me sir, is your daughter an illegitimate child or not,?'

Mr. Green was taken aback with George's question. He narrowed his gaze and stuttered his answer. 'Of.. of course she is my legitimate child.'

'That means your marriage was never for convenience but for consummation?'

'My case is different because I married my wife before I became somebody,'

'Why didn't you divorce her when you had the opportunity to join politics?'

'Boy, what are you saying?' He asked George with slight annoyance. George saw this and persisted.

'I mean, the politics of today is to correct the old political mistakes as I said earlier, and this is one of those mistake that would be put right. So using myself as the first example, I will go ahead with my marriage even if my fiancé is a nobody. Good day Mr. Green, it's a pleasure knowing you sir.' He stretched his hand for a handshake which Green reluctantly took before he went to meet Gary where he stood talking to his grandfather.