Chapter 4

"Are you okay Louis?" She asked peering at his face.

He nodded "sure mother, I'm good."

She shook her head "I know that look on your face, what is bothering you son?"

Louis sighed "mother it's nothing, you shouldn't bother about me."

He stood up to his feet stretching himself, he had a long day at the fish market"I would go to bed now."

He walked into his room without saying another word to his mother, he didn't find it cool to disturb him mother with his relationship issues, they had more than enough to worry about at home.

Louis walked into the small bedroom and sat on the bed, he shared the room with his two younger brothers who were fast asleep.

He took a deep breath lying on his back "I don't know what it is but I have a feeling that Selena is hiding something from me" he thought shutting his eyes.

Few minutes later, he dozed off.

"Dad..." Stella called out walking into her father's bedroom.

Mr. Chancy had was standing close to his wardrobe as he gently unbuttoned his shirt.

"Stella.... what is it?" He asked as the slim average height girl with dark short hairs walked into his room.

"Dad... you didn't give me the money like you promised" she frowned folding her hands.

"I didn't say I won't give it to you, besides I just got back and I need some rest" he said looking away.

"But dad you were supposed to give it to me today" she said insisting.

"Stella I give a monthly allowance large enough to cover for all your expenses, what more do you need and extra cash for?" He asked glaring at her.

"Dad it's girl's stuff, I just need it so quick" she answered hoping her father does not ask further questions.

Mr. Chancy looked away taking a deep breath, Stella was his only child his late wife had before she died in a plane crash two years back.

Stella was a perfect reminder of what his wife looked like, he always made sure she had whatever she asked for, he just wanted to make sure she was happy at all times but his love for her was rather making her into something the world might not appreciate.

Most people would call Stella spoilt because she was really sassy and had little or no respect for people nor her elders.

"By morning, I would send you some money, is that okay by you?" He asked turning to her.

"Sure daddy, I love you" she said hugging him.

Stella left the bedroom in a hurry.

A lot of people rumored that Mr. Chancy was a drug dealer, some said he was a business man but no one truly knew what Mr. Chancy does that gives him so much money, the least people knew about him is that he owned a company that deals on production of fabrics.

Mr. Chancy sat on an arm chair in his room with his hand under his jaw, yes he had all the money in the world but he wasn't happy.

He first met Selena at the restaurant and got attracted to her from that very moment, he thought it would be easy to get her to marry him since he was rich but he was surprised that Selena wasn't moved by material things.

When Selena had refused him of giving her a ride that evening, he was forced to follow her but was surprised she went to a hospital instead of going home, he wondered why she went to the hospital but he did not bother going in or sending his body guards into the hospital or Selena might get very mad at him.

"I don't care what it would take or cost me to have Selena but when I set my mind on something, I must get it" he mumbled looking thoughtful.

Two days later....

I was at work sitting at the corner while I sobbed into my clothes like a kid over her sister's predicament, I was lost in my own world of pain and despair.

Maryann found me and from the way she looked at me, I knew she felt sorry for me but at the same time she blamed me for not listening to her earlier.

"Why are you doing this to yourself and your sister Selena?" Maryann asked leaning on the wall.

I lifted up my wet face with difficulty to look at her, my eyes had turned red "what would you have me do Maryann?"

Maryann sighed squating, she placed her hand on my back "if you love your sister so much like you claim to do, you would do whatever it takes to make sure she is healthy and heart."

I gasped at Maryann's words wondering if I haven't done more than just enough by going to banks to get a loan and trying to borrow money from people who all ended up turning me down.

"I have told you before, a wealthy man in this town is attracted to you, take advantage of that and get the money from him and help your sister before she dies, dont be foolish Selena" Maryann said.

My eyes widened at the thought of loosing my sister, I shook my head choosing not to believe that would ever happen. I took glance at Maryann who has been acting sick concerned ever since my sister got ill unlike other of my colleagues who cared less and would rather prefer to tease me about Mr. Chancy.

I gradually rose to her feet with my legs shaking and so did Maryann.

"So what do you suggest I do? Marry the old man? I asked angrily.

"Yes Selena, marry the old man and save your sister's life for goodness sake, you're smarter than this" Maryann said placing her hands on my shoulders.

I shrugged her hands off looking furious "Maryann you know very well that I have a boyfriend yet you advice me to take up the proposal of this old man, what type of person are you?"

"Selena, I am a type of person who knows opportunity when I see one and grab them with both hands, I am that type of person that places my family before my ego, think about it, what if your sister dies because of your madness?" She asked raising her voice.

"My sister is not going to die" I fired back glaring at her.

"Then do something other than sit here and whimper like a child, you hold un to a poor boyfriend who would never be able to help you, he can barely feed Selena" Maryann folded her hand looking away.

I leaned on the wall with my head bowed, I bursted into tears again. I knew Maryann was right but no matter how hard I tried to make myself believe otherwise, it always proved abortive, the truth is that I need help and Louis is in no position to offer such to me.

Maryann walked up to me and held me in her arms, that was exactly what I needed at that moment "listen to me Selena, even if you don't want to accept his proposal but at least for the sake of your sister swallow your pride and ask for his help."

I looked up at her "you think he would want to help me?"

"He will Selena, their is no harm in trying" Maryann said smiling at me.

I took a deep breath "I guess I would try then."

Later that evening...

I decided to take my chance, I was nice to Mr. Chancy and tried not to get provoked by his words to me.

Mr. Chancy was done having dinner at the restaurant and was about leaving with his body guards when I ran after him.

He gasped in amazement on hearing me call out to him, he couldn't believe that I wanted to talk to him for the first time.

Yes, I felt like a hypocrite and a fool but then if sacrificing my ego to ask Mr.Chancy for help would make my sister whole again, I was so willing to take that chance and face by fear of being denied help by him.

"Selena.." He called out in a soft voice stretching the name.

"I'm suprised that you want to talk to me" he said.

I swallowed hard glaring at him "There is something I really need to ask you sir" I wanted to sound as official as possible so I always made sure to add the word "sir".

Mr. Chancy looked thoughtful "what is it?"

"I need your help Mr. Chancy, my sister is dying" I said with tears finding it's way out of her eyes.

Mr. Chancy walked closer to me using his finger to wipe the tears off my face "your sister won't die, I hate seeing tears Selena."

"Please sir, you have to help me, I don't know who else to turn to" I said sobbing, I couldn't help my emotions.

Mr. Chancy embraced me "it's okay Selena."

I wasn't expecting that but I didn't resist, I was just asking calm as a dove.

He left hold of me and dipped his hand into his jacket and handed a card over to me "call me tomorrow so we can discuss on how to help your sister."

I looked up at his face amazed at how willing he was to assist me, I took the card from him "thank you so much sir, I appreciate" I was excited.

Mr. Chancy nodded "good night Selena, you should go home soon."

He entered his car as the body guards closed it's door and they zoomed off.

I watched in silence grasping the ends of my shirt while, the car disappeared into the night but I was still there staring smiling from ear to ear how peaceful it went with Mr. Chancy.

"He isn't as bad and arrogant as I have always perceived him to be" I thought folding my hands.

A fresh wind of hope rushed into me overwhelming me with it's peace, I felt glad and excited at the same time that after all their was still hope for her sister.