Chapter Seven

Nine years ago

Jesse walked into the sitting room and met his parents watching TV. His father had given him an ultimatum; choose Helena Johnson and be disowned or do without her and become CEO of his father’s bank.

At the time he’d been madly in love with Helena and of course knew what his decision would be before his father even finished talking but he’d pretended to think about it and now he had an answer for them.

“I’ve made up my mind Mom, dad.” Jesse spoke up making them turn to look at him.

“Which is?”. James Billion asked.

“Helena.” Jesse replied. “I love her very much and I can’t bear to lose her.”

“Jesse!”. His mother had been appalled. “Don’t do something you’ll regret later.”

“Are you sure son?”. James questioned. “If you walk out that door… you’re dead to me. You’ll no longer be a part of my family.”

“I understand.” He had said. “Thank you for everything Mom, dad. I’ll take my leave now.” He turned and walked away without looking back.

Now… Nine years later he was back – not to beg for forgiveness because even after the whole fiasco with Helena, he could never regret Gwen. Never. He was back to ask for his father’s help to save his little girl. He knew his father recently had a little problem with the bank but it had been solved now and they were back on their feet so surely his father would be able to spare him seven million naira.

Jesse knocked on the huge gray gate and stepped back as the gateman walked up to the gate and opened it.

“Yes? How can I help you?”. He demanded.

“Hakim no longer works here?”. Jesse asked.

“Hakim has gone back to his hometown. Can I help you?”.

“My name is Jesse. I’m here to see… the owner of this house.”

“You have an appointment with him?”.

“Joseph! Who is at the gate?”. Jesse heard his mother’s voice call out.

“Ma, it’s a man o. He says his name is Jesse.” Joseph replied.

Jesse’s mother Martina hurried to the gate in her flowing gown to see him and threw her arms around him when she realized he was the one.

“Madam, you know him?”.

“He’s my son.” Martina answered and pulled Jesse into the compound. “My son is back home.”

“Hello mother.” Jesse greeted in a husky voice. Somehow Martina Billion still looked quite young and she was fifty six years old.

“I missed you my darling.” Martina hugged him again almost smothering him. “Look at how lean you are. Have you not been eating?”.

“I’m fine Mom. Is… he home?”.

“Oh you mean your father? Yes but we’re going out.” Martina said. “Not anymore though now that you’ve come back. Let’s go inside.” She dragged him along into the house.

Jesse looked around the house and noticed that nothing much has changed except that his pictures were no longer on the walls or on the mantelpiece and in their place we’re pictures of his older sister, her husband and kids.

Jesse was still admiring her pictures when his father walked into the sitting room dressed in a sky blue african lace material with matching pants and matching cap and on his feet were black shoes to go. It looked like they were going to their usual Friday parties.

“What are you doing here?”. His father questioned. “I thought I told you…”

“I’m here to ask for your help sir.” Jesse cut in quickly. “My daughter’s heart is failing and she needs to have a heart transplant or else she’ll die. I need seven million and I promise to pay you back as soon as I can.” He pleaded.

“Seven million? Where do you expect me to get such a large amount of money from?.” James spat. “And even if I do have it, how am I sure you’ll pay me back? You’ve got no job.”

“I have a job sir.”

“As a mere factory worker when you could have been the CEO of a bank.” James taunted. “You threw your life away for a woman who didn’t even love you enough to stay when things got bad and now here you are… begging.” He shook his head. “Don’t let me say that I regret having you as my son.”

“James.” His wife chided.

“Anyway, I don’t have that kind of money now.” James informed him. “I have just five million that I received as a gift from a friend.”

“I can manage that sir. I’ll find some other way to complete the money.”

“I didn’t say I was going to give it to you. How can I give you a gift that was given to me?”. James chuckled dryly. “You know what you should do son?”.

“What?”.

“Just let her die. There are other ladies out there who would give you healthier children. What’s one compared to many that you’ll still have?”.James shrugged nonchalantly as if he’d not just stabbed his son in the heart with his words. “Why waste that huge amount of money over someone that is not one hundred percent sure of survival.”

Jesse clenched his fists to avoid strangling his father. He couldn’t believe that his father was this inhuman and his mother just stood there not saying a word.

“Thank you for your time.” Jesse said stiffly and stormed out.

“You shouldn’t have said that.” Martina admonished. 

“But it’s the truth. What if the girl does not survive?”.

“Let’s just go or we’ll be late.” Martina muttered.

Jesse hid behind a huge tree in front of the house as his father’s car drove past and he watched them go before he slid to the floor in tears.

It was not the first time this sort of thing was happening to Gwen but this could unfortunately be the last. Where was he going to see seven million naira between today and tomorrow?.

He had friends but just like him, they weren’t that financially buoyant. They could claim to have a few thousands in their pockets but certainly not millions. His father had been his last hope but alas the old man had crushed his heart with his expensive Italian shoes and left him bleeding to death.

“I won’t give up.” He wiped his tears and stood up. “I can’t give you up Gwen. I promise I won’t give up.” He dusted himself off and continued on his way.

James Billion had not heard the last of him. No one will because he knew he’d rise again and how that was going to happen was still a future unknown but it was certainly going to happen. One way or another.

~~~~~~

“Dude… bro I’m really sorry but I wish there was something we could do to help.” One of his friends Kester said. 

They were having drinks at a local restaurant and bar. He’d called them to meet him there and one by one they’d arrived and the end result was the above apology.

Jesse sighed and took a swig of his beer. He wasn’t supposed to be drinking but the situation right now called for it so he’d ordered one when his friends did as long as they were going to pay for it because he was broke as fuck.

“It’s fine.” Jesse said. “I understand. Thanks guys.”

“But there’s another way we can help.” One of them spoke up. “There’s a woman in town whom everyone calls the modern day fairy godmother. She’s very wealthy and generous and famous. She’s really loaded.”

“And who’s this fairy godmother?”. Jesse raised a brow.

“Aviva Arroyo. The ex wife of that Mexican billionaire.” Henry replied. “She lives at Pinetop estate.”

“Pinetop? Houses there cost like… three billion!”. Jesse’s jaw dropped. “Wait… Aviva Arroyo you said?”. He frowned.

“Yes. She helps people like you out but you have to go through her assistant first. He screens people before he sends them to her.” Oliver informed him. “She was the one that helped me with my business. I just finished paying her back two months ago with no interest.”

Jesse continued frowning as he tried to remember something then he snapped his fingers as it came to him.

“Ah ah! I just remembered now.” He said. “My mother told me when I was young of my godmother and her name was Aviva Marshall at the time before she got married to the billionaire. She used to send me birthday gifts since she was never around and I thought of her as my fairy godmother too.” He grinned at his friends. 

“Official godmother?”. Kester asked.

“Very official.” Jesse finished his drink and burped lightly making his friends laugh. “I’m going to pay her a visit tomorrow and I pray that she remembers me now that she has so many godchildren she’s taking care of.”

“Good luck with that bro.” They said in unison.

“I’ll need it.” Jesse stood up. “I hate to leave you guys but I have to relieve Abby at the hospital so she can go home.”

“No problem. Just give us feedback tomorrow.”

“I will.”

“Here. This is her assistant’s card. Call the numbers there and tell him that Oliver Bright referred him to you. He knows me.” Oliver handed him the embossed card.

“Thanks bro. You’re all Lifesavers.” Jesse hugged them in turn before he hurried out of the bar.

Now he hoped and prayed that God would answer him this time.