Chapter 16 Brian advises Gabrielle

 "His name is Ernest. He owns about five oil wells in and out of the country." 

"I don't believe you, do you know what oil wells are?" Brian asked. 

"He inherited them from his late father. He is the CEO of Nexoil. 

Do you remember the one-year strike that took place during the David Martin administration? All schools were shut down for a year?" Gabrielle asked. Brian nodded. 

"I took up a job as a salesgirl in one of the shops around our house. He came around with his bodyguards and declared surplus. 

I served them diligently and he picked interest in me. I turned him down because I was just sixteen and marriage was the last thing I was thinking of. 

He stood up and walked into his car without paying for the drinks. I followed him immediately. He wound down the glass and flung a paper. I hesitated because he was there. 

When his driver drove him away, I picked the paper up. It was his residential address. I folded the paper and tossed it in the trash. 

My boss came and insisted I must get the money. I sat down and tried to recall the address I saw. When I recalled, I boarded a cab and headed down to his mansion in Queenstown. 

He received me with a wicked smile. I was so scared because I did not tell my mom where I was going. 

He ordered one of his boys to take me to his room and wait behind. I hesitated and then the bellowing of my master began to replay in my head. I stood up and followed him. I was ready for anything. The bodyguard gestured me to the bed and sat on one of the sofas in the bedroom. 

After about twenty minutes, Ernest came in still wearing the wicked smile on his face. I squeezed my face and looked away. 

He gestured to his bodyguard and he began to move towards me. He lifted me and lowered me down on the bed. I tried to stand but his grip was too strong for me. I relaxed when I couldn't get his hands off me.

I regretted ever taking that risk. I began to recall all the things I have heard about some rich men, fear crept through me and my eyes began to let tears out. Ernest looked at me and grinned. 

"Are you ready to accept my proposal?" He asked. I nodded abruptly. 

"Let go of her," he commanded the bodyguard. 

"Come to me," he crooked his fingers. I came down from the bed and walked to him. He lifted me and balanced me on his lap. 

"I want to make you my wife," he grinned.

"I'm sixteen, I'm not ready for marriage," I said sarcastically and looked away. 

"I know you are sixteen. I can wait for you." 

"Wait for me? How old are you?" I asked. 

"I'm thirty-two," he responded with a grin. 

He asked for his briefcase, and his bodyguard brought it to him. 

He picked two wraps of money and gave them to me. I was happy I got the money because my one-year salary wouldn't have been enough to pay for the drinks he purchased that day. 

I went back to the shop, my boss was waiting for me with rage written on his face as though he was going to strangle me if I did not bring his money back to him. I gave all the money to him. I knew it was more than the sales, but I gave him everything out of annoyance. 

Since then, Ernest never stopped coming to the shop. He told me a lot of things about his family and his business. That was how I knew he had oil wells. 

I introduced him to my parents when I began to consider his proposal. My parents and siblings want me to marry him. None of them knew why I'm skeptical about the marriage. I can't tell them either because they won't listen to me. 

All they wanted to hear was the date of the wedding. I want to talk to someone, but I don't know who to talk to." 

"You can talk to me, I'm like a brother to you," Brian said. "Why are you skeptical about the proposal?" 

"The conditions attached." 

"What are the conditions?" Brian asked. 

"He said he was born with a disease that prevents him from having an erection…"

"What? How does he intend to take care of your sexual needs?" Brian interrupted. 

"He has a man already that would always get me pregnant and make love to me when I feel like. How do you see it?" 

"Do you know why your parents are forcing you to marry him?" Brian asked. 

"Yes, he is rich," Gabrielle responded. 

"No, because you never told them what you just told me," Brian said. Gabrielle lay beside him and rested her head on his pillow. Brian shifted his head to create more space for her. 

"No sane mother would allow her daughter to go into such marriage. Gabby you are too young for this. Don't ever think of marrying him. 

Money can solve your physical needs but no amount of money can take care of your emotional needs. 

A time would come when you will feel like having a normal marriage where it would be just you, your soulmate, and your children. Money won't matter to you anymore. You would wish you were poor but happy. 

When that feeling comes, it won't go away until its mission is accomplished. 

You are beautiful, young, and intelligent. Tell your people what he told you. Don't keep them in the dark." 

"I can't tell them," Gabrielle said. 

"They will keep pushing you and one day you might succumb. Gabrielle, tell your people. Stop keeping things to yourself. I was surprised you never told them what that Emma guy did to you."

"This is just me, I kept to myself," Gabrielle said. 

"I'm your brother now, you can tell me everything," Brian said and Gabrielle nodded. 

"Where is he now?" Brian asked. 

"I don't know, he should probably be traveling around the country. He comes to our house to check if I'm at home. 

I didn't tell him I have been offered an admission, so he can't find me," Gabrielle grinned. 

"Thank you Brian for your advice," Gabrielle said, crossing her hand on his chest and laying her head on his arm.  She slept off after some minutes. 

Brian lifted her up and gently lowered her down on the bed. He lay beside her and continued thinking about the production of goods and services Gabrielle told him.