Chapter 3

Mr Grumpy

I didn't respond.

To be honest, I felt scared. His voice sounded really tough and I was almost sure he wouldn't be an easy nut to crack.

What if he refused to render help to my mother? I mean, he was so heartless to the point of just dumping my mother in the hospital without paying a dime so how could I be so sure he'd assist me in paying the bills?

I could tell from his voice and how he had behaved that he wasn't a nice person. I'm not judgmental but how could you just abandon someone who's worked with you for many years at the hospital without even bothering to wait for her family to show up? He didn't even render his help financially nor mentally. Maybe I had made a mistake in coming to the house in the first place.

I'd never been there and my mother only said that work was fine, she didn't tell me how her employer nor his family treated her and so, I was unsure of what exactly to expect.

Not finding an alternative on where to go, I knocked again.

"Oh! Who the hell is knocking by this time of the night?" The husky voice went again.

My heart nearly exploded on hearing his scary voice again but come to think of it, it was just about 6pm so why in God's name was he exaggerating?

"It... it's me," I managed to say.

The door swung open.

A short ugly man in his fifties with grey hair and grey beards with a frown plastered on his face stood in front of the door's entrance. He had this intimidating look and a grumpy appearance.

I cowered. Thankfully, I still felt sane and my heart hadn't tore out of my body. Honestly, the man looked capable of instilling fear in anybody that I began to wonder how my mum managed to work under someone as grouchy as him without losing her mind.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm... I'm...." I stuttered.

"You're... You're?" He asked mimicking my tone.

"Can you tell me who you are and what you're doing here? Who even let you in? Security!" He yelled.

Oh no! This was my only hope and I most certainly couldn't mess this opportunity up.

I immediately found my tongue, "Madam Helen... I'm Sandra, Madam Helen's daughter," I said, in a haste.

His forehead which had been squeezed with annoyance suddenly became normal and he looked a little less intimidating.

"Oh, really? I never knew she had such a pretty daughter," He said, sizing me up with his eyes.

I felt really uncomfortable with the way he looked at me lustfully. I'm really a fan of compliments, I love being told I'm beautiful because I am, but not in this manner.

I decided not to go straight to asking him for money.

I swallowed hard, "The doctor told me she fell down the stairs and I don't understand. I mean, she's been working here for quite some time so can you brief me on what really happened?" I asked, in a pleading tone.

It took a whole lot of courage for me to talk to someone of his kind of scary demeanour but I had to just say something so it won't look like I had just come for money.

"Well, the cook said she tripped and rolled down the stairs. I had driven her to the hospital like the good person that I am and had told the doctor to call her family to check up on her and pay the bills because he was spilling a whole lot of gibberish about paying money that isn't my responsibility to pay. Imagine him telling me to make a deposit over someone like her. Didn't I do well enough by driving her to the hospital?" He asked.

It had been extremely nice of him to respond to my question so I couldn't ruin it all by asking what he meant by "he couldn't make a deposit for someone like her." Was my mother not a human being as well? I could only but ignore his silly reply.

"You did well," I said, through gritted teeth.

He seemed pleased with himself, "Of course, I did and I don't need anyone telling me that."

The monster.... He felt happy just leaving a poor woman on her own, the useless he-goat.

I could tell he enjoyed being praised and I decided to give him what he liked, "You're a very good man, my mother speaks highly of you," I lied.

"She does?" He seemed shocked.

Why wouldn't he be shocked? I was sure he didn't get compliments a lot and that's why he was surprised on getting one today. How would someone like him even be complimented? I'm sure he was a terror to everyone he knew. He didn't even know how to smile, all he knew was how to frown and look like the grumpy mister he actually was.

"Yes, she does," I lied.

"That's a good one. How is she by the way?" He asked.

Finally! I could finally go to the real reason I was at his house.

I shook my head sadly, "She isn't doing well at all. Her condition is bad, very bad."

"What is wrong with her exactly? Wasn't it just a small fall?" He asked, irritably.

Just hear him speak. A small fall? I felt like strangling him with my bare hands. How could a small fall land my mother in the terrible state she was in? Still, I knew I couldn't express my anger. I needed money and I'd have to ignore his silly comments if I wanted the money from him.

"The doctor said she's suffering from an internal injury in the brain and I need to pay a deposit of #300,000 before he can operate on her. Please, help me out," I said.

"So that small fall led to her being diagnosed of an internal brain injury? Wow! Internal injuries, especially in the brain, isn't something to be taken lightly. It's very dangerous, it can kill," He said.

God! Was he trying to aggravate the matter or what? Still, I needed to be patient.

"I know, sir. Brain injuries are deadly and I'm the only one my mother has. We have no relatives nor close friends and I'm only a young high school graduate with no money at all. Sir, I need your help. Please, sir, I really need you to help me out of this predicament," I pleaded with tears actually trickling down my eyes.

He looked at me and after a while, he cleared his throat, "That's sad. Your situation is sad... Very... But as you can see, we can't just throw money away."

"No, sir. No, sir. Please... I'm pleading with you sir, please. She is in a crucial state and will die if there's any delay," I cried.

"What if she still dies after the whole drama?"

"No sir, she won't....."

He cut me off, "Let me finish."

"Okay sir."

"If she still dies, my whole money will be lost. Gone in vain! So... I have to make my money matter. Now, tell me. Have you had sex before?" He asked, lowering his eyeballs and sizing me up.

I understood where he was headed at once but I couldn't believe it. I had endured this man's annoying behaviour for him to be thinking of having sex with me? I had known this man was an idiot but I didn't know he'd actually stoop to this level.

I feigned pretence, "Wh...what do you mean, sir?"

"You know what I mean," He said and came closer to me.

"No, I don't," I denied, moving backwards.

"Are you sure you want to save your mother's life?" He questioned.

"Yes sir," Tears kept coming in their numbers. "Yes sir," I repeated.

"So, tell me honestly, have you slept with a guy ever in your life?"

I hated what I was going through but I had to cooperate with this loser of a man.

"I... I haven't."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm a virgin."

"That's quite some prize!" He exclaimed in a huff.

I bowed my head. I knew what he was up to. I'm not a child.

He cupped my chin and made me look up to him, "I knew you were a virgin even before I asked, it's so obvious. Make love with me and I will give you the full amount of money you need. I could even give you more if you turn out to be a good girl."

"Please, sir. My mum has served you and your family for years. Even after her illness, she came back to work for you. Please, sir, please. I'm prepared to work for you but, please, don't do this to me. Imagine I were your daughter," I pleaded, crying profusely.

He wasn't moved at all. Instead, he hardened the grip he had on my chin and tried to kiss me.

With every ounce of strength I had, I pushed him away.

"Go to hell!" I screamed and ran out of the place.