The forgiving heart

The rain finally stopped in the morning. A Monday morning moving and Marshall has to go to work. Micheal is a young boy at 22 years. His parents were killed in an accident 10 years ago and ever since he has been carrying his burden alone. He is a tall, black and lanky man. Although he tried gym centre for a while but stopped.

"what a great morning" he said still feeling a little bit sleepy, after some while, he cleared his bed clock, 7:08am. His work time is 8am. Now he got 50 minutes to get dressed and get to work. Getting a shower and dressed and having a quick breakfast took him less than 30 minutes, he has always been a fast guy from his little age and whenever he do things in a swiftly way he remembers his mother words when he was seven "slow and steady win the race" she will always say and he will replied "that is an old adage mum it can't work anymore in the century we are now". He smiled when he remembered the word and go to his work place.

Sheba company deals with all kinds of clothing materials. All over the nation, the company has been rather d the third best clothing producing company. Tony, who is the Ceo of the company has received numerous awards for his company's services. Now, Micheal is appointed to be the sales manager of one of the group of the company. At first, Michael did not like the job due to the fact that he think that the job did not befit him, having a first class degree in economics and doing a lot of numerous research for the financial sector of the country. If not for some backstabbing he would not he here applying for a job, but when he saw the pay of the job and its benefits his mind changed. Getting to the company, he went to his dicretor who will give him further instructions. The director big office, Micheal was amazed looking at the office greatness.

"good morning director" Micheal said politely

"good morning Micheal I hope you had a good night" he replied without taking his face from the computer.

The director is a very big man with a chabby face with that Micheal thought that the director will weight nothing less than 100 to 150kg.

"yes sir" Michael said smiling lightly

"I congratulate you on your new job and I hope that you will put in your very best" he said lifting up his face and looking at Micheal with a smile.

"yes sir I will put in my very best"

"that's good" he said nodding his head positively "take these files and have them treated meanwhile go to the group D sales department that is where you will be working". Micheal receives the file, bows his head and leaves the director office. His office is quite good and well furnished, it befits a sales manager, "time to get to work" he said to himself, went to the computer and switched it on to begin his new work.

At 5pm, Micheal signed out and left the company as many ex workers testify the company stress the hell out of you. Damn hell he thought. The company offers the money required for the stress, everything seems balanced to him. Now he had to get home, freshen up and have a lot of damn rest. "now work is going to be stressing me out" he said slowly and borad a bus going to his home. At home he was surprised to see his aunty. She had not come and visit him since the time he had come to the country. Even when he sent his word that he was seriously sick she did not come all she did was to send enough money to pay the bills and a warming word of hope. Atleast he thought she had been supportive but not showing around too often.

"welcome back Micheal, how is your new day at work" she said holding a cup of water in her hand and facing the television.

"it was fine and damn all stressful" he said as he slump over the chair. He looked at his aunt for a while and continued "but you did not tell me you are coming and if I am correct this is the first visit in last three years". Now his aunt has to give him a convincing answer to know why she came to his house unnoticed. She did not like doing things like that and when Micheal came to visit her without notice she yells at him for doing that. Taking another look at her, he noticed some changes. She is not has fat has before and she is having eczema all over her face, he could even notice some skin rashes all over her neck. What the hell happened to her. 5 years ago she had left her husband house and become a single mother with two teenagers children. The reason, Micheal supported, how will a man lift up his hands to beat his wife, that us not right.

"what the hell happened to your face" he said when he had finally got the courage to ask

"ohh that you don't have to worry I will have my skin doctor take a look at it tomorrow" she said and looked at him "you are not looking good either"

"i am stressed aunty and you know what that means".

"ywah I know what that means I really know what it means but I am not here to talk about look and stress"

"yeah I know you will not leave beautiful house without a good reason but damn hell I just wanna have a nap and get some rest remember I told you that my work is stressful"

"I know you just have to listen to this because you are the only one I can run to and ask for your help for this little boy"

The usage of the word shows that the thing his, aunt is here for is very important. Shey use to use that word whenever she want to tell him something important and that have been a unique way of telling him important things.

"okay, am all hears"

"I need you to do something for me marshel" she said and drop the glass of water.

"what help?" he asked. He knew his aunty will never ask any help from him without needing it very urgently. What kind of help did she need? He has been the only one asking help from his aunty when he did not have a job and was financially unstable. He had to stop that now atleast he heard a job, a good paying job.

"I am traveling overseas for a treatment and I need you to look after Jane" she said. He knew something is wrong. From the look of her face he could judge that her health is been affected what worries him is that the disease should be curable or else there will be a lot of tears for him. He milked that word for a second and asked "what ki d of disease is it and why can't you prevent yourself from it you know that...."

"it is not the way you think, it us, a curable disease and cannot be transmitted all u need is just a surgery with the professional ij the field" she said smiling. "okay aunty I will look after Jane my apartment is okay for that but you have to support me"

"good boy and thank you soo much I will give you as much as you need" she said happily. Micheal looked at her for a moment and feel relieved in himself. Dear God I don't wanna lose her now. He thought and went to the room.

Jennifer doctor had made it clear to her that she had kidney stones and needef to be operated right away if she want to live long.

"you need to travel out of the country and get yourself treated if you want to live long" he told her at his office

"do you have any hospital you can refer me to who are specialized in it" she asked

"I will do that" he gave here the address.

The next morning was he for Micheal. The sun was up and very hot this morning. Jennifer left his house that night to get Jane ready for her new home. Michael just hope that everything will be okay between she and her daughter. Getting to work and continuing with the file given to him yesterday, he saw a credit alert on his phone indicating that a sum of $2 million was sent to him. By who he thought, it not yet time for job payment or is this some kind of a benefit enjoyed by workers in the company. Some fees minutes later he saw his aunty call and picked it.

"hello Michael "

"hello aunty am good and you"

"fine Micheal I hope you saw the cash I sent to you". Ohh that he knew atleast the cash will be able to take care of all the things around

"yes ma I saw it"

"I have talked to her about it and she have accepted the offer so she will be at the college so you go and get her and go home together"

Bot of them. He knew Jane to be a little naughty girl and her mother have complained about her, he even remembered an incident that has caused fight among him and his aunty because of Jane naughtiness. He can still remember the picture vividly.

"okay aunt, hope she has reduced or stop those naughty acts of here"

"oh that she has reduced it a bit but I bet you will still have to fight that out" she said wryly. After a little bit of discussion the line was disconnected. Now he has to face what his niece is going to bring to him and atleast take care of her for a few months.

Jane is a beautiful teenager girl with a nice figure. Most of the guys in the college love her and want to have some sort of relationship with her, for here, she plays with the rich and handsome boys heart thereby having a lot of relationship history. Bajos college is one of the best college in the region and the rich and influential people attend the college. Her mother has briefed her about her staying with her uncle, at first she did not like it but when her mother told her about her health she gave in to it. Closing from the college and getting to her uncle house. The house was a little bit sophisticated, but not to her mother own. She had in mind that she will atleast enjoy the little time to stay with her uncle. The major reason why she did not want to stay with her uncle was that he nags too much. That, she will have to deal with. It been a while Micheal have seen his little niece. His aunty is the only person for him in the family for him. His father was the only son of his grandfather and his mother had one sister, Jennifer, his aunty. Now she is now taller with a pump breast and a nice shape. She looks so mature and he pray that she try to put a change atleast to reduce the stress they are going to go through.

"uncle I really love your house, you put much effort in making it so good and cool" Jane said happily. Was she kidding him but he was happy about that word she is the very first person to say such a nice about his apartment but now he had to put his emotions in check. What of if she is teasing him?

"did you really think it is that cool and great" he asked with a grin. Jane looked at him, smiled and said"yes uncle I don't even think that you will need another apartment with what you have here, for me it is the best apartment I am looking at".

After a little discussion, Jane and Michael had dinner and went to bed. Michael apartment has two bedrooms, the second one was a small one and he gave it to his niece. At the sight of the room, she loved it. She even said that she did not like big spaced room just like her room in her mother house. That made Micheal relaxed, he had been thinking if Jane will not like any of his room or the apartment itself. He loved the getting along of him and Jane and he hope that it went well for the next few months till her mother will be back.

Jack was one of Jennifer trusted employees. One that she can confined in. She droped her son Wisdom in his care. She did not want to leave both of her children with Micheal because of his financial status, atleast Jane is going to stress him out and she did not combine the problem with wisdom own. She provided all the things jack will need in taking care of Wisdom, very much Jack knew that money is not his boss problem. 5 million dollars was sent to his account and she told him that if he needed more he should asked. When wisdom saw the man, he loved the man. Wisdom had a athletic statue and he is one of the best karate fighter in his college unlike his uncle he is tall, handsome and muscular. "you dont have any problems staying with me wisdom all you have to do is to let me know about your needs during your stay with me" jack said. "yes sir I will thanks for accepting me" wisdom repiled.

Tony, the owner of Sheba company was in his, big mansion. His house is a one storey building with tight security. He is know as one of the richest man in the country. Aquring security guards and equipment did not mean anything. The only problem for Tony is marriage. He has many scandals with ladies. His mum keep nagging on him and he told her he will try "mum it is not yet time" he will say anytime she nags. Now staying in his house, he sat on the big sofa having a champagne and a hamburger. His phone rang and he picked it on the second ring.

"hello Joe how are you doing" he said.

"I'm good" Joe repiled

"so what is the reason why you called"

"I have done information about your ex wife" he said shortly. His ex wife, Jennifer. She is a very lovely woman and he had always wished to have a back than marrying any other woman but she can't cime back to him. The costly mistake he made has made him lose her. "what is it Joe" he asked.

"she is leaving for China today". What for, for quite some days he has been on the woman knees, knowing her steps and many others things about her. He is still thinking he can have her back if she throughly forgive him but he is scared to go see her or invite her over.

"I think for some treatment" Joe said. Joe had his friend ex wife on surveillance. Actually he did not want the job but after many pleading from his friend he gave in to the job.

"treatment oh my God" Tony said in a distress tone. What is the nature of the sickness?. Diabetes, Hypertension. "hope it is not too serious Joe"

"of course not, she just have to get some surgery and treat herself that a no need to panic dude"

"okay just don't leave your eyes off her" he said

"you can count on it dude" and the line was disconnected. Tony was worried. What could be Jennifer health problems that will warrant her to travel out of the country. Looking at the television set he raced back his mind when his ex-wife was with him and also remembered the mistake he did that result to the divorce. Has he remembered the mistake he feel a pain in his stomach and tears rolled down from his eyes. Jennifer told him when they finished from the court "you are just a shitand an asshole thag can never find a true love from any woman". Now, he beloved the word. "Jennifer I need you now" he told himself and cried bitterly.

The morning marked Micheal problems. Jane did not wake up on time and getting her up was a problem,even after that making breakfast is another thing.

"you need to learn to do this Jane" he said

"my mum did not let me learn how to cook and she even told me that I don't need it" she said sharply. Micheal knew that his aunt did not want her children to know the hardship of life. Having housemaids was not his aunt style but she just have to adapt. Now he had to teach he had to teach her. "but you can teach me uncle Micheal I have always have the passion of cooking" she said happily. Thank God, Micheal sighs and take a good look at her. Now, what is she planning, his little niece have been known at the college as 'the trick planner', looking at her and judging her reactions what trick is she planning this time? "okay Jane when I am on my off we will have some cooking class" he said allowing his body to relax. Jane saw the the whole expression, many young guys fear her a lot but she did not know why. The nickname trick planner has stocked with her from her high school all the way to her college. Although she has done so many trick that has caused so many problems but this time she wanna stop atleast if she wanna enjoy her stay.

"no worries uncle, I can count on you for my class looking at the way you are cooking now" she said nicely

"yeah don't worry within a few days you will be learning how to cook nicely and even better than me" he replied. Micheal got to work a little late today but to his surprise no one actually hold him for it and he prayed that continued throughout the today. His secretary came in after seeing him settled down for work.

"sir we just finished analyzing the sales of yesterday and this is the file" she handed over to him.

"you can leave, I will check it when I am done" he said lifting his face from his, desktop and she left. Looking at the file, he found some error made by the accountant. He need to analize this. He picked his telephone and dialed a number and said "get me the accountant"

"yes sir" she replied.

At the college a new boy just came to resumed with them. The boy is the done of one of the richest man of the country. He is handsome and had an athletic statue, tall with nice looks. Almost all the girls in the school look at the boy and get dazed by his aura. While walking to the classroom he stopped when he saw Jane who was also walking to the same classroom. "you are pretty" he said and walk off, Jane glanced at him and continued her walk. For the rest of the day Kelvin, the new boy kept his cool while girls keep fanning around him. He was equally amazed at the beauty of the girl he saw but he was professional enough not to show it. Now he had to put in is his best to make it up to the top and keep the girls out of his mind.

Avoca karate school was the name of the collage that wisdom attend. All his life he has always planned to fight against injustice he was 12 years when his mother left his father place and he saw his father beat his, mother. He has always determined to fight against it, the injustice, the violence. At school he has done as some of it. Getting to school as early as ever and he made sure that he is never a second late. He was thinking about his sister and how she is coping in hus uncle place. His uncle is a nice person although he nags to much. Christ. Everyone had their vices.

Mentioning his sister now made he remember something about his mum before she left she mentioned something about his uncle getting a job at one of the best clothing company in the country. He knew that his father company is one of the best clothing company in the country. What the hell is that supposed to mean, his uncle will not be employed even though he applied to the company, he thought.

Tony in his big office, well furnished and have all the greatest necessary tho gs that the office should have. He had be thinking about how to approach his inlaw. He learned that from the record of staff he was going through this morning that was brought by the administrative team in charge of it. He told all director and administrative staffs to grant him unrestricted access to the company. Tony, from his childhood has always been a shy boy. The love and the real feelings burned in him when he remembered Jennifer. He had called Joe this morning and he told him that she is, safe. Now he had to make up for the past. He had to talk to Michael if he really Jennifer back to his life. He really need to.

The school closed for the day and students are eagering to go home. As Kelvin walked out of the gate, one of the most famous girl in the college approached him.

"hey handsome" she said. Kelvin looked at the girl and judged that she is not his taste, but atleast he need to show his nice part, it is what had ruin varbos college for him.

"hey are you doing" he said with a smile. Lorraine though that he was, dazed by her beauty but was dawn on her when she had his second reply

"uhhm I got to get gone fast, see you later" he said and walked away.

"what the hell" Lorraine said. No guy has ever looked down on her that way, no one. To ease of the pain that she received and had to show off to her friend who are watching her, she said from the distance she was with a very audible voice "I guess he is not manly enough to handle a preety girl like me"

Jane saw it all. The interaction between the new guy and Lorraine. He is a jerk, she thought. Thank God she had not gone and meet him. Although the looks and his great status was tempting still Jane did not fall for all of that. Many guys and girls in the school know her as the supernatural guy attention catcher but she had to remain like that and let no jerk spoil the reputation for her, with thag she sighs and continues to the place she will broad a bus going to her uncle place.

Michael noticed something. The look on everyone face when he talked. Even the directors don't look up to him while giving him orders. When he called for the accountant, he saw the reaction he gave. Everyone looked at him as their new boss. What is going on? Why all this respect now? Was he because they heard about his school sucess. Of course that can't be the reason. There are also atleast half a dozen people here that also have first class degree. Now he could not get his hand around what is going on. His closing hour came and he signed off and left the company. On the buss going home, he thought about the action of each staff he meet today in the company. He knew about the next award the company was in line to receive. Did they need his knowledge to get the award? He has just been in the company for two days now. He need to know more about the company, atleast to be on a safe hands. At home Micheal had a shower, changed his clothes and fixed himself something for dinner, he noticed Jane has not been herself for some moment.

"what's wrong jane" he asked. Jane looked at her uncle for some moment should I tell him about this, christ I should be focusing on my book not in the handsome jerk.

"ohh it nothing" she said smiling. Micheal knew something is wrong, he had done sonr studies about reading people emotions and reactions and he was preety good at that subject. He knew Jane was trying to suppress her thoughts but he need to know. Standing from where he sat down in the sitting room he went close to Jane put his hand roun her and said"talk to me Jane, what is wrong". Jeez, that statled her, she had not be held like that for the past few weeks after she broke up with her boyfriend, her brother is not that too caring to do this. Now she can't hide it anymore, she heard to tell her and he had to know. Swallowing her saliva she said "I am in love or better still I think I am". Micheal chuckled and smiled broadly. He could not laugh atleast not to discourage her

"you are in love, how did you know that"

"uncle I have been in and out of millions of relationship in my life but the why I feel now is different I mean totally different"

"really, do you csare to share it with me"

She sighs now she veed to confined in her uncle atleast he would know more in the emotional world.

"okay I feel like my heart is going to drop when I see this guy and sometimes I feel anxious and uneasy within me it just like I want the guy to hold me and do all manner of this that couples usually do with each other". What a feeling Micheal thought. He did not know what to say, for every girl at her age their parents wi always tell her that them to focus on their education not on a dmn relationship that will lead you no where, but something else caught his attention. How did she really get to the point of loving someone. All Micheal life he had never love someone except from his family. No girl or lady no matter how beautiful hs caught or worth his attention. Throughout his year for school after his parents died, he was known as the strong and stony heart.

"Jane you know that you.."

"I don't have need this right, that what every one keeps saying even my brother, Noone has ever tried to be in my shoes" she said softly. That really bad, I got to do something before she breaks down Micheal thought. With his best voice and composure he said "you did not let me finish what I wanted to say, I wanted to say that you know love and relationship is full of a lot of price to pay and that requires someone who is ready to pay and besides who is this guy that you are having feelings for and how sure are to winning him over or has he showed his feelings ". Jane milked in the moment. Shiiwed his feelings, the guy us a jerk but how cone she had this strong feelings for him, she did not know.

" uncle, if u tell you this you won't believe "she turned and look directly to his face" the guy is just a newcomer, he just resumed with us and you know what he is a jerk a really bad one ".

Micheal could not control his feelings, he busted into laughter. Jane was taken aback by the sudden reaction. What the hell did her uncle mean, she is pouring out her mind and he is laughing at her.

" Jane, why don't you let us rest and continue this conversation tomorrow" he said after laughing.

"and why are you laughing when I told you about the guy I had feelings for" she said sharply. Micheal could notice the sarcasm in her voice but now he did not have time to change that, he need to rest, if she thinks she is ready to go into relationship then it her choice. He need to let her know about that.

"it has never occurred to me that my little niece with a her all powerful charm and aura around guys will fall for just a newcomer and not just a newcomer but a jerk"

"so, what the problem about that" she asked with a curious face

"I guess not everytimr one can be strong right" he said looking at her.