Chapter Five

“Mama warned you but you didn’t listen Jess.” His subconscious taunted him. “Were you blind when you gave your heart to this woman?!”.

He probably had been insane. Yes that was the only explanation that he could come up with as he kept staring at Helena. Insanity.

“Mommy!”. Gwen’s excited voice yanked him back to reality.

“What do you want now Helena? Are you happy seeing me like this?”. He demanded.

“Get in.” She ordered. “You look like you’re going to keel over any second.”

“Thanks but no thanks.” He snapped. “We’ll be on our way.” He made to walk ahead but the passenger door opened and a big bald man alighted and blocked his way.

“Get in or Francis will make you.” She informed him. “You wouldn’t want your little girl hurt.”

“I have to get to work.”

“I could make you lose this one too.” She threatened.

Jesse huffed out a frustrated sigh, glared at the bald man, rounded the car with Gwen in his arms and got in.

“Good boy.” She smiled. “Let’s go Hank.”

The driver pulled away from the sidewalk and drove off.

“You couldn’t get away from me fast enough and now you won’t leave me the hell alone.” Jesse grumbled. “What is it you want?”.

“I just wanted to see how she is doing.” Helena glanced at Gwen, sent her a forced smile and looked at Jesse. “And you as well.”

“What do you care?”. He scoffed derisively. “Is this all you have to say? We’ll get down at the next stop.”

“Why isn’t she in school?”. Helena inquired. “No don’t answer that.” She shook her head. “You have no money to pay for her school fees right?”.

“It’s none of your business.” He replied through gritted teeth.

“I have a proposition for you.” Helena said. “I can’t say it in front of the girl so why don’t we drop her off in school and we can talk?”.

Jesse raised a skeptical brow. “I have a job that I can’t be late to Helena.” He spat her name in disgust. “You have all the money in the world to spend now so why bother us again?”.

“I can give you your old job back if you do what I want.” She said. “Wouldn’t you like to be the general manager of Standard Flour Mills Limited once again?”.

Standard Flour Mills Limited was the most successful manufacturing company in the country and anybody would be lucky to find himself or herself as part of the team there.

They produced cement, flour, sugar, spaghetti and whatnot. If you didn’t have at least one product of Standard Flour Mills in your home then you were a nobody. They were simply the best.

“Very well.” Jesse said. “I’ll hear whatever you have to say if she gets to stay in school today.”

“Turn around Hank.” She smiled triumphantly.

Jesse hoped he wasn’t making a big mistake again.

They dropped off Gwen in school after Helena paid for the previous term’s fees and they went on their way to a guest house which Helena’s old boyfriend owned.

“I do not want to be disturbed.” She said to Francis.

“Of course madam.”

She closed the door to the office and gestured for Jesse to sit which he did then she took her seat behind a glass desk and crossed her legs.

“I’m all ears.” Jesse said.

“I’m going to have you reinstated as the general manager just as fast as you lost it but I need a favor from you.” Helena told him.

“Favor? I’m not going to like the sound of this.” Jesse sighed shaking his head. “What is it?”.

“As you well know, Harrison Allen has been… I would like to say he was cursed to have only female girls as children and no male child. I heard from a reliable source that once he dies, his wealth will be divided between his wives, siblings and children but… unless he finds someone to give him a male child, all of his wealth worth one billion naira will be given to the lucky woman.” Helena cited. She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “I want to be that lucky woman.”

“And you need me for what… exactly?”. He questioned.

“You’re a genius Billion so figure it out.”

Jesse put two plus two together and got four as his answer but the proposition sounded so ridiculous in his head that he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that tears streamed down his cheeks.

“What’s funny?”. She inquired.

“You.” He guffawed. “God that felt good.” He threw his head back with a sigh, chuckled then looked back at Helena who was scowling at him.

“How am I funny? I just offered you your job back and you think that’s funny?”.

“Do I look like a fool to you Helena?”. He asked. “You want me to get you pregnant, make you a proud mother of a baby boy and that’s if the baby turns out to be a boy.” He lifted a finger as she opened her mouth to speak. “Then you get one billion naira all for yourself and I get my job back? That’s all?”.

“I’ll give you five percent of the money.” She huffed.

“I’m going to do the work Helena.” He reminded her. “I wasn’t born yesterday. That’s fifty million naira out of one billion.”

“Ten percent then.”

“I’m not interested.” He leaned back in his seat. “I’d rather have my dick cut off than for it to find itself in your witch’s cauldron ever again.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I’m honored that you thought of me as the only one who’d be able to make your dreams come true. Thanks but no thanks.”

“I can make you very sorry that you said no to me.” She warned in a icy tone.

“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger sweetheart.” He shot her a sardonic smile. “Do your worst. I’ll take my chances.”

“You really hate Gwen don’t you? I can have her taken away from you by the court. I’ll tell the judge that you can’t take care of her like I will because you have no job.” She taunted. “And once I have her in my custody, I’ll make her my slave.”

Jesse stood up angrily and leaned forward towering over her. “I might have been disowned by my parents but don’t forget who I am Helena. I can make you very sorry you ever threatened my little girl.” He growled at her in a low menacing voice. “And when I’m done with you, your dear Mr Allen won’t be able to save you.”

Helena gulped when she noticed the fury in his eyes. She’d seen first hand just what chaos his rare temper could cause. He was not a man to be trifled with when he was in that state.

“I’m glad we understand each other.” He straightened and smiled cooly. “Let’s keep our continued distance from each other and no one gets hurt. Capisce?”.

“Clear.” She replied stiffly.

“Good girl. Have a nice day.” He turned and walked out of the office.

“Bastard.” Helena spat acidly.

“You did good.” His subconscious remarked.

Jesse high fived himself in his head and went to work a happy man. He’d gotten Helena to pay the outstanding debts for Gwen’s fees so now he only had this new term to worry about.

~~~~~

“Hi Papà.” Isabella stood up to greet her father when he approached her. They were having lunch at La Vindor another Italian restaurant but a more classy one this time.

“Hello Princesa.” Vince smiled and took his seat. “You look well rested.”

“It’s about time.” She said. “How are you Papà?

“I’m good. Estrella and I are planning to go on a vacation sometime next week but…”

“I’ve decided to pay mother a visit in Africa.” She spoke up knowing what her father was going to say next. “I’m not a little child anymore Papà.” She pouted.

“Africa?”. He blinked in surprise.

“Yes. To get away for awhile.” She shrugged. “And it’s been a while since I hugged Mom. Her hugs always makes me feel so much better likes yours.”

Vincenzo smiled. “Very well then… when are you planning to leave?” He inquired.

“This weekend if I can get all my work done quickly. I plan to spend at least two to three months with her.”

“She’ll be over the moon.” He said.

“And… who knows, I might like it there and never come back to Mexico.” She joked.

“That better be a joke.” Vince glared playfully at her. “I lost your mother to Africa, I won’t lose you too.”

Bella laughed. “We’ll see how it goes.” She said.