The office cleaner

EPISODE 10

Mr David, Mr Excellent and Mrs Grace were detained. Sharon decided to wait for Chief Okpechi to decide on what to do first before she took up Mr Excellent’s case

Three days after they were taken away, Chief Okpechi visited Mr David, his nephew. He was allowed to spend just twenty minutes with him.

As soon as Mr David set his eyes on his uncle, he went down on his knees and began to plead for mercy and forgiveness.

Chief Okpechi asked him to get up and sit down.

“I want us to talk”, chief said, calmly. “Sit down and tell me where exactly I went wrong. What did I not do for you? he asked

“You were barely five years, when you lost your father. Your mother, who happened to be my immediate younger sister passed on, three years later”, chief continued.

“I have been taking care of you ever since, because I promised my sister, wholeheartedly, that I would take care of you, with everything I have.

I saw you through school, David, up to the level of Masters Degree. I employed you in my company, not as an errand boy, not as a messenger, but a managerial position, with good salary.

I entrusted my business in your hands, because I thought that as my nephew whom I took as my son, you would protect my interest.

I sponsored your wedding. The house you live in currently, was my wedding gift to you. I have been actively involved in your life. I made sure you were comfortable”.

Where did I go wrong and why do you think I deserve what you did to me? Chief asked, looking sober

All the while chief was talking, Mr David was crying and saying “I am truly sorry” repeatedly.

“I want to know what pushed you to it and that is why I am here. So, tell me”, Chief asked, looking straight into his eyes.

Mr David wiped his tears with his hands and began to speak.

“Uncle, I really do not have any justifiable reason for doing what I did. I allowed my wife’s words push me to it”, Mr David began

“After I got married to my wife, I told her how good you had been good to me since my parents died.

I told her how you were responsible for my education up till the Master’s Degree, where I eventually met her” he explained

“I noticed that while I was telling her, she didn’t look impressed with all you did. She told me that you are selfish. Your wife and children live in the United Kingdom. Your children attended the best schools abroad.

She said so many things. According to her, you could have sent me to school abroad too, but you chose to leave me behind.

And that you made me your slave, to look after your business in Nigeria, while your wife and children cruise around in the UK”, he continued, amid tears

I began to ponder on her words for some time. I made sense to me, somehow. To me, my wife had a point. Why leave me behind in Nigeria, when you were wealthy enough to send me abroad?

I became jealous of your wife and children especially, for enjoying abroad while I passed through so much stress here in Nigeria. So, decided to do something about it.

Although, my wife didn’t advise me to embezzle money from the company. I started it as a result of what she told me

My intention was to acquire enough wealth after which I would resign and relocate abroad with my wife and children.

Please, forgive me uncle. It was the devil’s handwork. I beg for a second chance. I promise I would be a better man, Mr David ended his speech.

Chief sat glued to his seat. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. How cruel can humans be, he wondered.

He just stared at his nephew, not knowing what to say. After some minutes, he found his voice.

“David, did you just say all that? Did I not do enough for you? I didn’t send you abroad, but I always made sure you were comfortable, chief defended

“You never lacked anything, even as a student and now that you are married, but look at how you chose to pay me back”, he said with hurt evident in his tone

“And please, don’t try to bring your wife into this. Even if she told you all of that, you know me better. Why didn’t you defend me? He asked

“I think you are naturally a thief. All you needed was a little push, which your wife gave you”, chief concluded

“I am sorry uncle, please have mercy on me and forgive me. It will never happen again, I promise you”, Mr David pleaded.

“I agree with you David, it will never happen again, chief cut in. You will not get such a chance ever again”, he added.

“I have decided to withdraw this case. After I leave here, I will do that and you and others will get your freedom, chief said as Mr David heaved a sigh of relief

“I am doing this because you are my nephew. People are very sentimental. They will not ask what your offence was.

They will simply say, “his uncle sent him to jail”. I don’t want to be in the news for negative reasons.

Over the years, I have managed to maintain a good name in the society. I will not allow you tarnish my image. You can go. You can also have the mansion and hostel you so much desire

I will not seize any of it. But just know that I disown you from today. You are no longer my nephew”. Chief concluded

He got up and left, while Mr David called after him in tears, asking him for forgiveness.

The next day, Mr David and Mrs Grace were released, while Mr Excellent was held back.

Sharon had sent a message to him, asking him to get a lawyer as she has charged him to court for the murder of her sister Dora.

TO BE CONTINUED…

What do you think about Mr David's reason for doing what he did