CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: PAY OFF

Everyone present in George's grandfather's living room was stunned to hear what Mr. Green said. The journalism nature in the media representatives came alive in them seeing it as a very good evidence for a good evidence to nail Green. They wanted to use it as one of the basis for the interview but Gary stopped them.

'Ladies and gentlemen, this would look as if it was a set up.' Gary said raising his hands to get their attention.

'But we all heard what he said?' One of the bloggers argued.

'Yes, and I know where I'm going if you all would listen to me. You as journalists are hungry for news but I as a lawyer, am hungry to nail Green. Now listen, Mr. George, you will put a call across to Green to ask him to confirm what he told Georgy. Ask for his next line of action then from there we'd determine the format the interview will take.'

'Grandpa, I think Gary has a very good point here. Call him and make him feel as if his threat meant a lot to me.' George supported Gary.

His grandpa brought out his phone and counted up to ten before he dialed Green's phone number and put the phone on speaker.

'Hey Mr.Isaac.' Green spoke with innocent voice.

'What is it that I heard from my grandson that you threatened him?' George II went straight to the point as his usual character.

'Grandpa's boy has spoken to you?' Green said with a devishly smile. Although no one saw him but the sound his voice indicated it.

'Green don't play games with me, what did you tell George?'

'Since he has no gut to relate our discussion to you, it's just a simple analogy. As the executives, we have decided to replace him with no scandal candidate at the electorate.'

'You did what Green? Do you realize what effect this will have on the general elections? Have you considered other offices the party would contest for?'

'That doesn't matter. People vote based on personality and since your so called upright grandson has his secret leaked, he's no more capable of representing the party.'

'For how long have you been thinking of this?'

'Come on George, didn't you read the newspapers? Your grandson has a stain on him and as you know, there would always be a replacement.'

'And you think there is nothing you can do for my boy?' George asked with a gentle voice. Green grinned thinking he had got him where he wanted. He paused making George think he had cut the call.

'Hello Green, are you still there?'

'Yes.' He answered gruffly.

'I said is there anything you can do for my grandson?'

'You see, your grandson is as difficult and stubborn as you. I don't know how to cope with his attitude.'

'He's my grandson and I know how to talk to him. When are you submitting the names?'

'We have till this evening.'

'We have no time to deliberate much on this, now name your price.'

'Are you ready to play ball?'

'I have the interest of the party at heart and the person we are talking about here is my grandson. Green, name your price.' He said authoritatively.

'I want your grandson to marry my daughter, Allison.'

'Is that all?'

'That's all.'

'Is that why you published that news about him?'

'You know politics is a game of mind and it's only the crooks that can stay in it. You're too uptight and if I didn't do it we would not be discussing like this. Also George, you know I don't give up if I want something. So, your grandson is no difference from others to me.''

'I'll talk to my grandson.'

'Good.'

George II turned of the phone and looked at everyone. 'What next?' He looked at Sheila who was looking sad at the moment after hearing their conversation. He moved closer to her and smiled. 'My dear, you don't have to be sad, we're all here for you. Don't you love my grandson?' Sheila looked briefly at little George to see his countainance but his eyes were expressionless. She just nodded as if she was too emotional to speak. Gary was watching to hear her response but when she nodded, he heaved a sigh of relief. Little did he know that they had discussed about their feeling for each other. 'No one takes little George away from you so, cheer up.'

Sheila gave a tight smile and beckon to her make up artist to continue.

'I suggest we use it to pin him in this interview for people to know the kind of person he is.' Alistair suggested.

'I don't think it's the right time to do such.' Little George said. 'Let's have the interview first then let him watch it live and read on the other newspapers.'

'Will he not submit the names?' Alistair argued.

'He has till this evening and mind you, he's waiting for grandpa's talk with me. It's the interview grandpa will tell him to watch.'

'I've always told you Alistair, you do things like a journalist.' Gary joked.

'Can we please get set for the take off?' Alistair said ignoring Gary and going to the corner they set up to improvise as a studio. Everybody took a seat while waiting for the technicians to give them thumb up that they were ready. In no time, Alistair faced the camera and made her usual introduction.

'Viewers at home, it's another edition of your lively program KNOW YOUR CELEBRITY. I would say this is the continuation of the last program because it ended up in a frenzy due to George's proposal to Sheila. This morning, I have them on this show because it's imperative for them to be here. Please welcome the latest engaged couple, GEORGE and SHEILA.' People applauded them with some noise. 'I have with me covering this show live, reporters from ADM, BASE and TRUTH Television stations Also, four outstanding newspapers writers are here, GOSSIP, LIFE, TELL and BULL with four bloggers. You're welcome ladies and gentlemen.

'Now it's time to get the ball rolling. My question, when you met Sheila, were you in a serious relationship?'

'I have been a popular guy with the title playboy which I got as a result of people seeing me on magazines' cover pages, entertainment news with various ladies. Most of these ladies are my platonic friends but I didn't have to start explaining to people who they were and still are. But I have sexual urge too and since I'm straight, you can't take that away from a sexually active young man like me. But I never had a serious relationship until I proposed to Sheila,'

'Does it mean you were not really going out as in dating before you proposed?' One of the journalists asked.

'Women wear insecurity as a cloak round them when it comes to relationship issue most especially when the person in question had a notorious reputation when it comes to women. I would say that Sheila wasn't taking me serious in the sense that, she's from a strict home, her heart is tender and she guided it seriously. Also, she has read a lot about me and she saw me as maybe I was only interested in her body. Yes, we were dating but to her she pushed me to arms' length but she couldn't deny her feelings for me. So I seized the opportunity that day to show how much she means to me.'

'But there's a rumor that you cheated on her.'

'I didn't cheat on her.'

One of the reporters brought out the newspaper and read part of the article. 'This paper state that on this particular date, you were seen with a girl named Christabel in one of your secret houses.'

'Please do they have the picture of us together?' George asked.

'No, it just the story.'

'I remember that night. It was a night I approached Sheila and she turned me down. Christabel has been a friend that we enjoyed each other whenever the need arose and I think if I have broken a law by sleeping with someone with her consent, then everyone of us here except my fiancé is guilty of such. Even the so called writer, whether straight or not has never kept to celibacy. I never said I abstain from sex and I can even count on my finger the time I slept with Christabel. I feel bad talking about this because I respect people's privacy. But since she had granted an interview already, I will only try to protect her in a way I can without shooting myself on the foot.'

'She said she is having your baby.' Another reporter spoke.

'She never told me and the last time we were together, she never mentioned such neither did she call to inform me. If truly she is pregnant and the baby is mine, I'd take responsibility.'

'You said you would take responsibility, does that mean you would break up with Sheila?'

'I don't see who and what can take away Sheila from me neither me from her. Taking responsibility does not go beyond financial responsibility.'

'We heard the rumor that you're now into politics, how deep are you into politics?'

'My grandpa actually formed People Opinions Party with few of his friends way back when in our living room. I asked him why go into politics with all his wealth and power. He told me that our politicians are corrupt but there would be a change in future that would give people confidence in the sovereign power. I kept on watching and learning from him and I believe the time for people to change has come. I was unanimously picked by the party to vie for the seat in the Senate. So our chairman Mr. Green with some of the party executives would be submitting my name to the electorate today.'

'Don't you think this news can affect your candidacy?'

'As a matter of fact, I detect a "pay off" in this news. We all know that journalists swarm round news like honey bees swarm round honeycomb, but why is it that it's only a newspaper that carried it without reputable ones like you knowing about it. As the chairman of my party, I am very certain that Mr. Green will not allow the newspaper hear the end of this. One, it questions his capability as a chairman of such great party and it's demeaning to us. I will compare this newspaper as a fraud and no one would ever believe a story from their writers. Also, I'm going to sue the newspaper for infringement on my privacy, the party executives will write a communique regarding the defamation of character concerning one of their most respected candidates.'

'Supposing your chairman thinks it's a way of purifying the party and stays clear of the case?'

'The chairman of the party is like the father to every member. I trust Mr. Green he will not stay clear without having his evidence which is not independent of the key members of the party. If he does that independently, then it's either his hand is not clean or he's having inter-party relationship.'

'Viewers, I think the interview is getting more interesting, stay tuned we would be back after the short break.' Alistair said.