THE PROPOSAL

CHAPTER FOUR

"We're only giving you this money because you've proven your honesty and loyalty, you'll pay back at the agreed time, or else we will take your house" The director spoke to James as he was about to lend him the million naira he had promised, the next day at work...

"Thank you so very much Director, I promise to work very hard and pay back the money, you don't know what you've done for me, thank you so much" James spoke as he hurried away with the cheque he had received to share the news with his lover......

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Lily had remained indoors and had refused to eat or come out the whole day and even the next, all attempts to please her failed, she did it on purpose knowing her parents will eventually become worried about her and her health and do her wish....

"She's refused to eat or do anything, I don't even know how she feeling right now" Mrs Bronte confronted her husband with a huge frown on her face ...

"Why are you giving me this information, I thought you said I spoilt her" Mr Bronte replied

"Honey please, this is my only child, I'll give the whole world for her, please reconsider her request, I'm sorry for the way I reacted yesterday" Mrs Bronte apologized...

"Well, I'm stepping out of the house now, I have a meeting, I'll look into it when I'm back, just make sure our daughter is fine..." Mr Bronte said...

"Thank you so much honey,...I'll make sure I get her to be fine... we'll be expecting you" Mrs Bronte said, she was now smiling, she was pleased that her husband was always understanding and willing to listen to her.

She walked to Lily's room and knocked and as usual there was no response

" My dear Lily, I've spoken to your father about it, and he has promised to do something about it, please open the door for mommy," Mrs Bronte spoke...and Lily who was all curled up sadly in her duvet suddenly smiled....

"I know they'll come around'" she muttered to herself, happy that her parents would do as she wished and she'd have James to herself...

She stood up walked to the door, opened it...

the relief on Mrs Bronte heart was clearly reflected on her face, she had been so scared and worried for her only child,....She hugged her daughter so passionately, and the both walked into the room.

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Mr Bronte Sighed deeply, after Joe had narrated his life story...he was deeply touched at how much he had suffered with his family

"I'll help you, because you are a good son, a true son of your father, you'll work for me as my driver and mechanic, I'll pay you your salary advance and I'll also support your father's treatment, you can as well get a loan from me if you wish, because I trust you" Mr Bronte spoke

Joe was astonished, he couldn't believe his ears, how that this total stranger had sowed him so much favour...

"But on one condition" Mr Bronte suddenly added...

"What's the condition sir?" Joe asked now very curious

"you'll stay in my house, I have a very good and comfortable boys squatters, you will live comfortably and feed well, I just need you to be around, and with this Mr Bronte narrated to him how that he had only one child and his great desire to have a son who he can share minds with..

"I'll speak with my elder sister about it and get back to you sir" Joe requested which Mr Bronte totally agreed to, He dropped him off and have him some good money for their feeding and upkeep....

Joe was amazed, he didn't believe people like Mr Bronte still existed, Rich and yet humble and selfless people, he blessed God who had made them cross paths....

Mr Bronte on the other hand was happy that Joe's considered his request, he promised to make Joe successful if he remained the honest and loyal boy he was.

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Joe was in so much hurry to get home to break the new to her sister and brother in-law....

He got home right in time for dinner, as he narrated the whole story to his sister...Sharon couldn't help but dance round the dinning table, thanking God who had made a way for her and her family, the men watched the excitement in her and they were pleased....

"You have my approval my dear brother, Just remain the good Boy that mom and Dad trained you to be, and make me proud" Sharon gave her consent...

"And also, make sure to visit as often as you can" She added quickly as she would definitely miss her baby brother

"I promise not to disappoint, I'll come around during weekends to stay with you"Joe said with smiles, he was happy that his sister had approved.

Mr Bronte got home beaming with smiles, he already loved Joe and had already started seeing him as one of his own, as he got home he kept reminiscing on the wonderful moments he'll have with Joe and how he'll treat him as a son...he got into the living room meeting his wife , daughter and Jayne Gold waiting patiently for him.

They all greeted him accordingly and he responded likewise....

"Yes, Lily ,you were saying something the other day" Mr Bronte asked....

Lily smiled, she was happy cause whenever her dad spoke that way, he definitely was gonna do what she wanted.. ..

so she re-narrated the whole thing and how she wanted her parents to help her and take her sides....

Her father agreed, and promised that there were gonna visit Sharon tomorrow and he'll do his best to see that his daughter is happy,

Lily was overjoyed, her joy knew no bounds, she ran and hugged her father and then her mother and thanked them for being the best parents in the world, Mrs Bronte was relieved and happy that their only child was happy, while Jayne as happy for her friend, if this would make her change and happy, she was glad, because she had always feared that Lily would never get a man to love her because of her attitude, even though deep down she prayed that James and Sharon would accept to the proposal , if not Lily didn't stand a chance to ever be loved, and as for Mr Bronte all he had in mind was to narrate to hsi beloved wife about Joe and all of his plans for him...

"Meet me upstairs honey, there's something really important I must tell you" Mr Bronte said and headed for his room upstairs with his wife following behind him.

"Thank you for this brilliant idea Jayne, you're indeed my best girl"Lily said to Jayne immediately her parents were out of sight...

"you're welcome baby, anything to make you happy, but heyy, don't get too excited, we still have to pray that Sharon listens to your parents and James agrees to leave her, don't get your hopes too high"Jayne cautioned

" This is why I always have issues with you Jayne, you always kill my joy with your pessimistic attitude, my parents would get this done, I'm certain of it, so don't worry, allow me to celebrate this" Lily replied refusing to let anything come in between her happiness.

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The next day was a Saturday, and unlike the previous ones, the weather was cool, it was raining and the sun wasn't scouching just the perfect weather....

Mr and Mrs Bronte took their child to the hospital for her checkup, and when there were done, they headed straight for Sharon's house.....

Sharon was taking a nap, when the sound of a car driving into her compound woke her up,

upon getting to the door, she found out it was not just Lily and Jayne but obviously her parents had accompany her, she thought for a moment, whether or not to open the door....when suddenly Mrs Bronte's voice called from outside

"please open the door, we come in peace" She had called out from outside the door....

Sharon opened the door and walked them in.

After the pleasantries, Mr Bronte started his speech....

"I understand that you love James with everything in you, and I truly respect that, seeing a woman who would love a man so genuinely even in his state is virtue and strength, but you see, this proposal were making it you is one that will change your entire life, I've promised to give you a 100million naira, I believe it will do alot for you, get your father to be sound again cause I learnt he needs a surgery, build a house, start up your business and become successful and great, and my dear, there are so many men out there whom you will find and eventually fall in love with, please consider this proposal" Mr Bronte started.

Lily and Jayne nodded in affirmation to every word he spoke....

" My daughter here, has a heart condition, form the doctors report, she's not supposed to go through any emotional disturbance as this can lead to her death, she's our only child, Please dear, help us so that we can help you, I believe if you calloff the engagement with James, he'd agree to consider and marry my daughter, we would give a him a good life and I know you love him and would love to see him live well, think about this" Mrs Bronte added....it was at this point that James walked in.....

Sharon ran into his arms with tears....

"they're asking me to leave you for a 100million" Sharon explained with tears....

"You know how much I need this money, especially for Dads treatment and to give my brother a good life" Sharon added....

"Wait, what, Sharon dear, don't tell me you're begining to give in to their suggestion, what happens to us, our love and all we've shared and been through together," James who was surprised at his fiances outburst said.

"You too deserve a better life James...I'll be pleased to see you have one, there's no good life if the both of us stay together, I love you beyond the Heavens and you know this, and I'm willing to do anything to see that you're happy and okay" Sharon added ...

"No Sharon don't tell me that, I thought you loved me, I thought what we shared cannot be bought, I'm so disappointed" With this words James walked out....Jayne looked at Lily, she was all smiles and she wondered how someone who be so happy at the unhappiness of others.

Sharon welt bitterly, she was so confused , she knows what Lily's parent had said to her was true, but she had been with James and he had done so much for her, she couldn't just bring herself to letting all that slide.....

"We'll revisit you again Sharon and we hope you would have made your decision, the right decision and say yes to this proposal" Mr Bronte finally broke the awkward silence, he stood up on his feet ready to leave

"This opportunity doesn't always come around dear, trust me, you will get over it eventually and you'll be fine" Mrs Bronte said patting her shoulders as they all walked out and drove away...

Sharon sank into their couch with deep sorrow, she cried as she prayed to God to help her make the right decision, meanwhile she knew she had hurt James and tried calling you apologise, but he wouldn't take her call.

"Thank you so much Daddy, and thanks Mom, you're the best parents anyone could ever have" Lily appreciated her parents while in the car on their way home.....

"As much I'm doing this for you Lily, it is wrong, we're causing so much pain to those people in addition to what they are already going through, if at the end of it all, It doesn't work out, please take ur eyes off that Boy and allow those people have peace" Mr Bronte who was a man of justice and truth spoke....

" Dad, I'm sure this will work out, I already noticed she was considering the idea" Lily encouraged.