Entangled Ties

Brielle never knew there would be a day like this in her life, she stood in front of her boss's office, after she knocked.

"Come in." The voice from inside said.

" What can I do for Miss Mikka?" George asked.

"Sir, I need a favour from you please," Brielle said.

"So what is it about?" he asked.

"Ehmm, the thing is" the words were stuck her my throat. "I was wondering if you could, pay me some months salary in advance"

"Why, should I, you know that's impossible,based on the agreement you signed." He said without sparing her a look.

"Sir, please my grandmother is dying and I really need to save her, I need the money." she pleaded.

"You don't expect when you work through that and state your problem, it will be solved like that."

"I know sir, but please I will work diligently for those months." George kept mute for few minutes.

With that I turned and left his office, tears were strolling down my face.

"What does this girl take me for, a father Christmas. To give out money, whenever someone asks. She got to work for it"

My phone rang, disturbing my thoughts.

"Sir, your grandmother is being rushed to the hospital now." I sprang from my seat to my car, racing to the hospital.

"What happened, John!"

"The housekeeper went to her room, to call her for lunch, only to find her sprawled on the bed, not breathing." I saw the doctor coming out of the ward.

"Mr. Barlow,can I speak to you?" I followed him to his office.

"Your grandma's health is so bad, I think she has passed the stage where her body can carry the surgery"

"Doctor, am confused, right now" George said.

"Wait you mean she didn't tell you"

"Tell me what?"

"You see,she diagnosed with last Alzheimer, few months ago, and she refused to get treatment"

"What?" Everything became blurry at that time. He left the doctor's office and moved slowly to Yaya wards. Yaya, that's what her grandchildren call her.

"Yaya, why didn't you tell me" George asked as he moved closer to her bed.

"Pappy, I'm sorry. I didn't want to add to your plate. Your mother's condition is already enough."

"You are my family, it doesn't matter, and you think it will make it better if you die" tears were threatening to fall from my face, but he bottled them up.

"Pappy, it's too late, nothing can be done. But I have one last favour to ask from you"

"What's that?" I cleaned my eyes.

"I want to see you married" George was dumbstruck at that moment.

"Yaya, why are you doing this, you know i'm not ready to marry yet?"

"Will you do that for me? I have only five months with you, and I want to spend it with your wife," she said, rubbing my cheeks. I became so weak at her request.

"I promise, I will." I leaned in and hugged her.

Yaya's condition has me thinking about my secretary.

***************

"So how did it go" Rafaelle asked

"He refused, he couldn't even look at me while I asked," Brielle replied.

Brielle has been working as a secretary to George for six months now, even though she didn't put all her hope that George will help her save her grandmother, she didn't expect it to turn out this bad.

"Does he always have to be cold? I hope he will encounter a difficult problem one day."

"You know that won't happen, with his money and influence he can solve all his problems with a snap of the finger." Brielle said giggling.

"Yeah, I agree with you. So where are you going to now"

"I don't know, going to that hospital and seeing Nana is the worst."

"But you still have to see her." Rafaelle rubbing my shoulder. They have been friends since college, and know each other's secrets and problems. Rafaella lives with her father, they aren't rich but able to survive each day.

"I know but what do I tell the doctor"

"I know, but you have to be strong for Nana."

"I will be going to the hospital then." They hugged Rafaelle and left the company.

"Nana, how are you?" Brielle asked her grandmother. She has been in the hospital for a week now, she has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, and needs a bone marrow transplant.

"Am fine, how was work today, you look tired?"

"It's always the same old things happening everyday." She pecked her. "So what did the doctor say today? Brielle asked.

"He wants to see you."

"Did he tell you why?"

"No."

"Okay, l will be back." Brielle said and left.

When Brielle got to the doctor's, as she was about to knock, George opened the doctor's office walking out.

'What is he doing here?' Brielle thought to herself. They stared at each other, before George left.

"Miss Mikka, you are here." Doctor Raphael asked.

"Yes, you wanted to see me."

"Yes, you see, I have been trying my best to see that your grandmother makes it till the transplant, but if it's not done anytime soon, I can't guarantee you anything."

She didn't know what to say, she barely started working, not savings yet. They have been paying bills from what she got and feeding. With her father's drinking habit. She left the doctor's office and went to the garden in the hospital. As she stared into the sky, tears streaming down her face, somebody was watching her from a distance, George.

"I think I should make use of this opportunity, give Miss Mikka the money for her grandmother and request for my benefits in return. This has to be my only way out. Am not ready for marriage yet." George mumbled to himself.

He picked his phone and called someone.

"Michael, I need your help."

"With what?"

"When we meet at the bar, you will know."

"The almighty Barlow George needs my help, who am I?" Michael said giggling.

"Be there by 8" with that he cut the call.

"I heard you sir."