Connection (Part One)

                  When the results of the USA lotteries hit the internet and Jeff found out he had won,he couldn't control himself. As he bounced around in joy from the internet cafe straight home. He pulled out his cell phone the minute he got home and called his family and long time gal friend Hannah to share the news with them. They as well upon hearing the news excitedly bounced around like 5years old who had just been bought a present. It was all joy for Jeff and his family.
      Jeff a 23 years old gentleman,light skinned in colour and 6'1 feet tall was a university graduate whom had been home for quite sometime after his service with a telecommunications network. Jeff had registered for the lottery six months ago and with prayer,patiently awaited the results. So when the news came out that he had won the lottories and a free trip to the USA he knew it was a blessing from God.
    A meeting was quickly scheduled for the winners and the lottory company representatives and the conditions and terms to their trips were discussed. The terms were that each of the winner was going to go to the state's to work on businesses already made vacant for them. Such as butlers,house helps, handymen and factory workers.In which their monthly salaries would be giving to the lottory company as payment for their trip and expenses on them for the first six months and then afterwards they can receive their payments amicably.
      "If we give our salaries to u,how will we feed ourselves to gain the strength and energy to work for six solid months" One of the winners asked when the floor was opened for questions.
"Well,the butler's  and house helps will live with those they work with whiles they work there and so will be fed by their bosses. For the handymen and company workers we will give u flats in which u will stay in. 3 to a room. Food will be provided for u three times daily. Two by us and one by the company you would work for. The only time we will feed you thrice is on weekends. I hope your question is answered?" The representative asked the questionnaire.

   “Yes sir” He responded. The representatives moved on to share forms to each of the winners to read carefully,fill and submit before the meeting continued,that is if they agreed to the terms stated on it.A large number of the winners signed and submitted the forms,including Jeff. Those who didn’t fill and sign the form cause they disagreed to the terms were then escorted out of the auditorium. The remaining attendees(winners) including Jeff were then served refreshments in the form of fried rice with grilled chicken accompanied by a soft drink. Afterwards, a ballot was placed in front of them,between they and the representatives. “This is a ballot box of folded sheets containing the various jobs u would be doing in the States. Now, in chronological order starting from the front seats, come and pick a sheet. Now after u pick it,don’t open. Move to the exit and hand it over to the beautiful lady sitted there. She will open it and then show it to u. Then help u fill out the final papers and then that’s it.” The head of the representatives said pointing at the lady at the exit. Gently,each of the winners moved forward and picked a sheet,and then took it over to the lady who opened it and helped them to fill out the final forms. After a long wait it was finally Jeff’s turn. He putted his hand into the box and pulled out a paper. How he wished he could have opened it there and then,but he had to obey the rules. So he joined the queue of winners waiting to hand their pickings to the lady at the exit. Slowly it got to Jeff’s turn. “Hello” The lady smiled. “Hello” Jeff replied back with a smile. “Pls give me your sheet” She said. Jeff quickly passed the folded sheet over to her. After unfolding it she smiled and said “Butler”. Which mean’t Jeff was going to work as a butler in the States for at least Six months. And can choose to change it after he has fully paid the lottery company. Jeff somehow wasn’t excited about his pickings,since he hoped he had picked a job at the factory instead. But hey, he was still excited about his trip to the States. The winners were giving a date to receive their papers and documents for the trip. And were urged to get their passports ready as soon as possible.The days flew by quickly but slowly to Jeff as the day of claiming their papers finally arrived. A week to the trip. Jeff’s family and friends together with his galfriend organized a party for him. It was all joy and excitement for him and everyone who related him and had any form of intimate relationship with him. Especially Hannah. Finally, she knew she would at long last be called a Borga’s wife and soon join her man in the States.

      The D-day arrived. And Jeff was set to go. His family together with Hannah escorted him to the airport were he joined the order winners who had been gathered at oneside of the airport. Jeff bid his family gud bye as they waved gud bye at him with tears running down the cheeks of his mum,female siblings and Hannah. And with that Jeff and the other winners were directed into the plane and flown from Ghana to the States.It was a 12 hours,49 minutes flight from Ghana to the States as they finally arrived in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. They were then moved off the plane,allowed to take a few pics to prove their arrival to their families on social media and were then directed into Four large buses which took them to a hotel in Atlanta named Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. A hotel 12miles away from the airport, where they spent the night. They were treated as royals as they were served the best meals they had ever eating,slept in comfy beds and woke up to great views in Atlanta. At exactly 8am,they were moved back into the buses and sent to a park,where they were divided into the a group relating to the jobs they picked. The Butlers which included Jeff were grouped at the side of the first bus,the house helps were grouped at the side of the second bus,the handymen were grouped at the side of the third whiles the factory workers were grouped at the side of the fourth bus. Then one representative stated that,the position of the house helps and handymen contained both men and women which wasn’t right.So the men in the house help group were drafted to the handymen group,whiles the ladies in the handymen group were drafted to the house helps. So now the househelp’s were all women and the handymen were all men. They were then packed into the buses. Each bus drove towards a different direction. In the bus which contained the butlers,of which Jeff was part,a white conductor stood up and briefed them about their job postings. “Ok guys,here is how its going to go down, I will pass to u cards containing the last names of the families you would be working for. A butler to a family.I will mention the names of the families when we get to their junctions and if that is the name u have on your cards,quietly raise your hand.Now,there will be an agent already standing there to take you to their house,he too will be holding the name of the family you picked. That’s all to it. Hope am heard?”. “Yes sir” they all responded. The card Jeff was passed had the name Mcculister’s. Which coincidently was the first on the junction. Jeff therefore alighted and the agent at the junction of the Mcculister’s welcomed him warmly and then drove Jeff in the most luxuries car he had ever seen or sat in. They got to the compound of the Mcculister’s but Jeff thought they were still not there and might possibly be drivin thru a park which lead to the house due to the enormous size of the land.From the junction which contained the gate of the house to the house It self was like a trip from Accra to Circle. It was quite a large plot of land. But wat had Jeff gaping wasn’t that but the size of the house itself when he saw it. 

         There was a lineup of maids on the stairs of the main entrance which led directly to the gigantic door of the house, they had lined up purposely with the intention of welcoming the new butler. They helped offload his belongings off the car and in haste, moved it into the house. Jeff was directed by the agent to follow him inside. A bit intimidated and nervous due to the composure and size of the house, he still gathered courage and followed the agent in. The Mcculister’s were gently dressed standing in the grand foyer of their house. They were six in number. Composed of the head of the family, Tim Mcculister, his wife Patrice Mcculister, Their older son James Mcculister, The oldest among their daughters Stephanie Mcculister who was the exact age as Jeff, and a young twins named Bret Mcculister and Kate Mcculister who were just ten years old. The Mcculister’s, an all white family welcomed Jeff warmly and joyfully. “Welcome to our Buckhead mansion son” Mr. Tim smiled. “Thanks sir” Jeff said as he shook hands with Mr. Tim, introduced himself to him formally and then did the same with the rest of the family. Every member of the family except Stephanie wasn’t quite pleased and excited about the new butler. She clearly showed it in her reaction towards Jeff as he tried to shake her hand. She didn’t let out her hand for the shake and turned her head to the opposite side of where Jeff stood. Jeff felt a bit downed and embarrassed instantly, not knowing for sure what or why she did that. But guessingly he believed Stephanie didn’t like him, due to the fact that he was beneath them or due to him being black. But he didn’t want to jump to any conclusions regarding to the beautiful young white gal who had just killed the joy within him. Clearly Mr. Tim and his wife felt quite embarrassed as well at their daughter’s behavior. And Mr. Tim jokingly said “Huh…young ladies this days, full of jokes huh?!” as he smiled at Jeff, hitting him playfully on his shoulder.

       Jeff couldn’t smile back; the sense of being welcomed had vanished from him. He felt like living the premises there and then. But he knew he couldn’t give up so soon based on the notion and reason that a white spoiled American brat didn’t like him. He forced out a smile, back at Mr. Tim and moved on to introduce himself to the twins whom were rather much over excited to receive him. They hugged him tight and begun to ask him questions randomly and unsteadily. Mix-upped questions which completely confused Jeff. “Hey hey, one question at a time guys” Mrs. Patrice said. “Is he going to drive us to school every day?” Bret asked. “He is a butler, not a chauffeur young man” Mrs. Patrice responded. “But…but” Kate stammered. “But what Kate?” James smiled. “Willie and Maggie’s butler drive them to school all the time” Kate replied. “Well the Johnson’s aren’t us, one man to a job…tho in some cases Mr. Jeff would be required to drive us around….that is if he can drive and gets his license” Mr. Tim said. “I hope you can drive Jeff?” Mr. Tim continued. “Yes sir” Jeff replied. “Its yes master Tim, not yes sir…where do u think we are? A public school?” Stephanie screamed. “Hey that’s not the way to speak young lady” Mrs. Patrice said, looking rather amazed and pissed at her daughter’s rudeness. “Lady? Yea right…huh” James teased to the amusement of Bret and Kate. Mrs. Patrice forced Stephanie to apologize to Jeff. Which she hesitantly did. Mr. Tim then dismissed his family to go back to their various activities as he took Jeff around the mansion, briefing him about what is required of a butler and also getting to know him well. From the conversation between Mr. Tim and Jeff, Jeff realized Mr. Tim was an open minded man. Very friendly and easy going. He discovered that Mr. Tim was the General Manager of a tech company and was worth more than he looked. “A butler is the head…or let me put it this way, senior worker of all the workers in every house. He is seen as the house manager, estate manager, in some cases manservant, chief of staff or head of staff in mostly every home including ours. A butler typically oversees the household staff usually of one residence.” Mr. Tim explained. “You need to understand concepts like being anticipatory, friendly and not familiar, privacy and confidentiality, being invisible and available” he continued. He explained everything to Jeff clearly and told him to feel free to approach him anytime he had a problem or encountered one. “One more thing son, don’t let Stephanie scare you” he teased before he continued to explain the roles of a butler to Jeff.

   Jeff knew his stay in the Mcculister's mansion will be trouble free if only he stayed completely out of Stephanie's way. Mr. Tim moved on to show Jeff the rooms in the mansion. "As the butler,u need to know your way around this house easily" Mr. Tim said. Afterwards he introduced Jeff to all da workers in the mansion. They received him warmly and despite his colour and race,they were willing to take orders from him.
        The first few days of Jeff's stay in the mansion was stress free and went down smoothly, as he did his best to not provoke Stephanie. Jeff quickly earned the love,trust and respect of the maids and workers in the mansion. He also earned the full confidence and trust of The Mcculister's except for Stephanie who still remained judgemental and upset at every little thing he did. Jeff at first thought of avoiding her completely. But he knew that would be impossible. The only way he knew he could earn at least a drop of Stephanie's trust was to try as much as he could to please her even if she reigned racist insults on him.
       A month into Jeff's stay in the mansion,he became very close friends with a white maid named Brenda. Brenda knew almost everything which went down in the mansion. This was because the maidens gossiped alot at night when the family was asleep and they had nothing to do. She told Jeff everything he needed to know about Stephanie. He found out from her that Stephanie, who was a second year student in Emory university was dating a college graduate,whom she was bein groomed to marry someday. She also told him that the guy Stephanie was dating wasn't just any guy,and that he was the son of the C.e.o of the tech company Mr. Tim worked for. "I see..hmm...fair enough...the rich marries the rich" Jeff said.
    Mr. Tim was able to help Jeff get a valid license,so he could drive him around whenever he needed someone to talk to aside his family and friends. Mr. Tim had begun to see Jeff as a member of his family despite his colour and routes. And shared personal matters disturbing him with Jeff freely. James on the other hand was also quite cool with Jeff. He normally bought Jeff clothes and gifts whenever he went for  business trips or programs with his colleagues and friends,so clearly life in the mansion was great for Jeff. One day as Jeff was supervising the gardener trim the edges of some growing trees in the garden, Stephanie called out for him at the entrance that led to the garden. "Yes ma'am" Jeff respectful replied. Upon reaching the presence of Stephanie he bowed down his head quickly and waited for Stephanie to tell him why she needed him. "Looks like u are finally learning something after all. Gud thing u bowed your head before me. Looking at your face disgusts me and I seriously don't want to feel nausea,certainly not today" She said looking at Jeff with a despised look on her face.
         
       "My driver Austin fell ill. A flu or something. I don't think he will be able to drive me around town today. As much as it pains me that u re ma only option,I'd like u to drive me around town today. U can choose  a maiden and temporarily hand over your authority in this house to her,so the upkeep of the house will be carried out thoroughly and efficiently." Stephanie said. "Ok ma'am" Jeff replied. "Dont forget to take a shower" Stephanie said. "I've already showered Ma'am" Jeff replied. "Well shower again,u stink" Stephanie screamed. Jeff felt crashed within,and very angry at the same time. But he did as he was told.
       He chose Brenda to manage the affairs of the house in his abscense and quickly showered. Then as he waited for Stephanie in the cloak room he used the phone there to call his family for the first time since he got to the states. They were happy to hear from him in months,since the only place they ever heard or saw a pic of him was on social media,which he hardly visited since he started working. 
        Stephanie's delay in dressing gave Jeff ample time to talk with his family and even ask of Hannah whom he was planning to invite to the states as soon as he had enough money. Not Long after he hanged up,he heard Stephanie call him. She was ready to go to town. She looked absolutely beautiful in the red dress she wore. Jeff stole a short glance at her and felt like complimenting her but he was too scared to do so. He drove Stephanie out of the estate to Greenbriar Mall. Where she had some fun with her buddies as Jeff waited for her in the car. She got out of the mall hours later and ordered Jeff to drive her to Tuxedo park,where her boyfriend lived. Upon arrival,Stephanie directed him to her boyfriend's family mansion.
       They got there in no time and the butler of that house received his future mistress warmly. "Master Jake is upstairs ma'am" He smiled. Stephanie joyfully made it upstairs to her boyfriend Jake.Minutes later Stephanie came downstairs back into the car and waited for Jake. "You will be driving us to The Capital Grille for us to get something to eat" she said to Jeff. Jeff had no choice but to shake his head in agreement. Jake later got down and hopped into the backseat of the car where Stephanie sat,he greeted Jeff and Stephanie ordered Jeff to move the car before arguing with Jake because he greeted Jeff.
     "Why shouldn't I have greeted him,its the right thing to do. I mean,I just can't ignore him like he is not of any importance or he is an animal" Jake said. "Of course he is not of any importance silly,and yea he is an animal,take a Gud look at him" Stephanie replied pointing at Jeff. Pretending as if he hadn't heard wat she said Jeff drove them safely to their destination.

       Jeff waited in the car whiles the two love birds had fun and ate till they were full. Then,they returned and asked him to drive them down town. Which he did. It was almost 11pm and Jeff was already getting tired. Jake asked Jeff to stop and park by the street when he passed a bench and a path which led into the woods.
     Jeff obliged. Jake and Stephanie alighted,sat on the bench and enjoyed the view whiles Jeff pulled out his phone and called Hannah. Minutes later of talking to Hannah on phone,Jeff turned to check on Jake and Stephanie but they were no where near the bench. "Perhaps they might have gone for a walk" He thought,returning back to his phone call. Not long after he heard someone out of nowhere bump into the car from the side of the front passenger seat. "What in the...?" Jeff screamed. "Bae, I'll call u back yea" He continued. "Wait,what's wrong?where 're u going?" Hannah asked in fear before Jeff hanged up and reached for a baseball bat in the locker in front of the passenger's seat beside him. He got out of the car scared,but manned up as he confronted the person,with the bat in his hand.
    Getting close to the person he realized it was Jake,covered in sweat and breathing like a tired athlete. "Mr. Jake,'re u alright?where is Mrs. Stephanie? "Jeff asked as his heart begun to pound in extreme fear. Jake couldn't make out any words as he tried to breath. But he managed to point into the woods,which symbolized and meant that Stephanie was still there. "Wait here" Jeff said,as he runned towards the direction which Jake pointed.
           
    Jeff got into the woods and moved a bit further before he heard Stephanie cry out for help whiles a large manly voice screamed at her to shut up,followed by a flappy sound which meant the man had just slapped her.
   Jeff got there in time to catch the man trying to pull up Stephanie's dress,with the intention of raping her. The man was facing the opposite direction away from Jeff so he couldn't see Jeff when he hit him from behind with the bat. The man fell to the right hand side of Stephanie. Jeff quickly reached out for Stephanie,who quickly gave him her hand. He pulled her up and carried her in his arms whiles she wept.
       Just before Jeff could exit the woods with Stephanie in his arms,he felt a sharp object pierce thru his skin a few inches above his waist on the left side. He felt a bit faint and weak instantly as  the feeling of pain invaded his body senses. He nearly lost his hold on Stephanie but he forced himself to hold on to her as he turned to check wat had pierced thru his skin. It was a knife. And it was deep into his skin. Stephanie seeing that begun to scream out loud. The man who Jeff had hit with the bat had recovered and stabbed him. He hit Jeff in the face,making him drop Stephanie involuntarily. Both Jeff and Stephanie fell to the ground as Stephanie screamed louder. The man then moved towards her,loosing his belt. He laughed and said " Cant run away from me now butterfly".
       Before he could touch Stephanie someone speared  him to the ground from behind. It was Jeff.He had pulled out the knife and he still had a bit of strength within to fight back. The man rolled him over and hit Jeff a few times on the face before Jeff also rolled him over and hit him on the face a few times too. Stephanie got up on her feet as she looked on,biting and chewing her finger nails in fear. Jeff and the man rolled Each other over a few times more before Jeff knocked him out. Or so Jeff thought. As he struggled to his feet,the man pulled out a pistol and aimed at Stephanie and said "If I can't taste u,no one will...ever again". Just before he could pull the trigger Jeff got in the way of the pistol and Stephanie,with the intention of shielding her from the bullets and when the man shot,the bullets hit Jeff instead.
           
       The man upon seeing what he had done,runned off. Jeff fell into Stephanie's arms as his weight pulled them both to the ground. "Nooo nooo Jeff " Stephanie screamed as she shook Jeff in her arms. "Somebody help" She screamed. "Why did u do it Jeff,why did u? You 're ma butler not ma bodyguard. You 're human not a bullet proof vest. Why did u shield me against the bullet.why?" She cried as she tried to keep Jeff conscious by shaking him. "I...I...I..couldn't let.."Jeff tried to speak. "Shussshhhh don't talk,u will be fine...please...Jeff...please" She whispered before she called out for help some more.
     Jake had called 911 whiles he was catching his breath when Jeff entered the woods. So the police showed up in no time and heard Stephanie  call out for help in da woods. They got there and found Jeff lying in her arms,covered in blood.At this point Jeff was completely unconcious.One of the officers called for an ambulance. And in no time,when one arrived,Jeff was stretchered into it and drove to the nearest hospital with Stephanie sitting beside his stretcher in the ambulance. She held his hand and begged him not to die. She prayed to God to spare him and forgive her for everything bad she had done to him. Then looked at Jeff and said " Please don't die...I know I have being a jerk to u. A stupid rich gal. I allowed your colour control ma emotions. The hate within. Please am sorry. Don't die. I beg u...I...I promise to change ma attitude towards u and any coloured person if u don't die. Please...do this for my family if not for me...think..think about Bret and Kate...they love u so much....they would be crashed within if u die. Dad and mum already see u like a son...your death will leave a deep scar in their hearts...please don't die...please....Am sorry...please I beg u" Stephanie cried as she looked at his eyes to see if he will open them.

    Upon reachin the hospital,Jeff was quickly rushed into the theatre with Stephanie in toe. She had wanted to enter the theatre too but was not allowed by the nurses. So she waited outside with tears running down her cheeks as she pulled out her phone and called her parents and narrated everythin to them.
    They got there in no time together with James and the twins,and hugged their daughter before asking her how Jeff was faring. "They have being there for an hour now and I haven't heard anything from them yet"Stephanie cried. "It's ok honey he is going to be fine"Mrs. Patrice said as she hugged her daughter and placed her daughter's head on her shoulder. As they waited,Jake kept calling Stephanie on phone. But she refused to pick. And turned it off. He then called James who assured him she was fine and told him where they were. He joined them there. Hugged every member of the Mcculister family but was turned Down by Stephanie when he tried to hug her.
    "Stay da hell away from me...u..U piece of shit...if u hadn't left us there all alone...Jeff would probably not be in the theatre fighting for his life now."Stephanie screamed. "But...but..i"Jake stammered. "You wat?Get out of ma sight...I don't want to ever speak to u again" Stephanie cried as she hugged her mum tight. "Am..Am sorry" Jake begged.
    One of the doctors operating on Jeff walked out of the theatre with a face which meant all was not well. "Doc...is he going to be ok?" Stephanie asked. "May I speak to his family please?" The doctor said. "We 're his family....now answer ma sister...is he going to be ok?" James asked. "Well he lost a lot of blood. And got hit badly when he was shot. We 're afraid there might have being some complications and one of his kidney has failed. He is currently alive because of the remaining kidney which we 're afraid is growing weaker a weaker by the minute. If we don't get a transplant and a donor soon,he will die. That is why i asked for his family." The doctor said. "I'll do it...I'll give him mine...my kidney"Stephanie said to the surprise of his family and Jake. "Honey 're u sure?"Mrs. Patrice asked. "Very sure mum" Stephanie replied. "Young lady we can't just give your kidney and blood to him. We need to check If u re a match first,and then check if both kidneys 're healthy enough amongst other tests before we can facilitate and undertake the transplant." The doctor said. "Please...you can carry out whatever test u want to,to check if I am a match...but Please save him" Stephanie cried. "Ok young lady,this way" The doctor said as he directed Stephanie to follow him.
                         
     One of Stephanie's kidneys was successfully transplanted in Jeff's body. And some of her blood was transfused into his body as well. The complications of his health diminished slowly as the doctors assured The Mcculister's that he will be fine.
    Stephanie was on a bed a few inches away from him when she heard the news. "Honey,am really proud of you dear" Mrs. Patrice said to her daughter. They both smiled as the rest looked on in Joy themselves. Bret and Kate were strapped beside Jeff as they refused to leave his bedside,waiting for him to open his eyes. Just then Kate noticed his index left finger move. She gaped as she looked on. "What?"Bret asked. "I think he moved" Kate screamed. Mr. Tim and James rushed to check If its true. As Mrs. Patrice rushed out to fetch the doctor. Stephanie  turned her head to the direction of Jeff's bed hoping it was true.
   Just then,Jeff's eyes slowly opened. And one of da brightest smile appeared on Stephanie's face. "Jeff son,welcome back" Mr. Tim smiled. Jeff smiled back and his first words were "Thanks Mr. Tim,is Stephanie ok?". "Am ok"Stephanie said,wasting no time to respond. Jeff turned his head slowly towards where he heard Stephanie from. And finally their eyes met. "Thanks...thanks for everything" Stephanie smiled. "Don't worry about it Stephanie...it was nothing,besides, that's wat family do for each other...I'll always have u back" Jeff replied. "Well having her back almost got u killed" James teased. Everyone in the room including Stephanie and Jeff laughed at that comment.
    Mrs. Patrice and the doctor arrived and he checked on Jeff. "Good news,his recovery rate is tremendous. At this rate,he will be discharged in no time" The doctor said. Everyone was happy to hear that. Jake who had followed the doctor and Mrs. Patrice in was also happy to hear that and to see Stephanie in one peace. Then he thanked Jeff for not abandoning Stephanie in the woods,and then with one look at Stephanie he smiled and exited the premises.
    Few days later Stephanie was discharged. But the hospital became her second home,since she frequently visited Jeff there after lectures,stayed by his side for hours and left late at night when he was put to sleep by a dosage of drugs via his IV(drips). One early morning Jeff requested for a phone call. And called his family back in Ghana and told them all wat had happened. And then moved on to ask about the well being of Hannah,his mum who he had being speaking to him on phone froze for a minute and told Jeff to call her himself to find out."Maa wats it? Did she do something wrong?" Jeff asked. "Oh my son...I can't answer that,She is the only one who can answer that question. Call her and then call me back" His mum said. "Hmmm,ok maa" Jeff replied before hanging up.
                                         
       Jeff called Hannah and after every pleasantries asked her wat was wrong. "How do u mean" She asked. "I called ma mum and asked of u and she sounded....sounded...I mean I didn't like the way she paused and sounded. As if something was wrong or u had done something" Jeff replied. Hannah upon hearing that also paused for a while and said "Ermm, Jeff dear,so many has happened in ur absence. It's been months since u left,and..and". "And what?" Jeff asked. "You know am a full blooded woman..."she said. "Yea,I know..I  never said u were not" Jeff snapped in. "Good...u know....u know every full blooded woman has needs" She continued. "Yea,I told u I'd Send u some money after I paid off the lottory company and u agreed so...."Jeff said before she snapped in. "Hey Jeff listen,am not talking about material needs...I...I..I mean emotional needs,sexual attention...that kind of needs." She said. Jeff's hands begun to tremble as he asked "what?". "You cheated" Jeff continued. "Look I didnt mean to,it just happened. Am sorry I couldn't control the need for it...understand" She pleaded. "It's being just a few months and u couldn't control yourself. What do u mean...do u mean most gals whose boyfriends 're also far away from them in distant countries who 're able to abstain from cheating for years 're not full blooded women?" Jeff screamed.
        "Ahhh why 're u raising your voice on me,I never said that...and who knows wat u have being doing over there. Don't judge me please..don't,I said am sorry....what again?" Hannah responded annoyed. "Herh Asabea Hannah!!! Do u know who it is u re talking to?it's me Jeff oo,so choose ur next words carefully" Jeff screamed. "Or what?what can u possibly do? Or u will hit me thru da phone eh?....u 're Jeff so what?" Hannah yelled. "I never said I'll hit u. In fact I've never hitted u or any woman before,so why 're u saying that?what has gotten into u?"Jeff asked,this time in a harsh but low tone. "Abranti33 if u don't have anything to say hang up,I can't continue with this relationship anymore,am even 2 weeks pregnant for someone else"Hannah boldly said.
  Jeff upon hearing that dropped the phone. Stephanie who had just walked in noticed the phone scattered on the floor and saw Jeff with his hands at the back of his head,weeping uncontrollably. She rushed to him and ask wat was wrong. But he couldn't speak out. His tears and sorrow were too strong to make way for him to explain wat was wrong with him. "Jeff please talk to me"She begged. "She..she..mm..she broke up..with me" was all he could say before bursting into tears the more,crying out loud like a child as Stephanie pulled his head close to her bosom and hugged him tight,understanding fully wat he meant."Am sorry...Am sorry..it will be fine...everything will be fine...Jeff...please stop crying"Stephanie said. She pulled Jeff's head back and wiped the tears off his face with her hand. "Stop crying like u lost something unrecoverable,listen to me,its her lost not yours,she doesn't know wat she has lost...at least not now but she will eventually know" Stephanie said before hugging Jeff again.

       The whole day Jeff didn't feel like eating. But Stephanie forced him to eat. She truly felt sorry for him and didn't feel like living him alone. She stayed by his side comforting him till it was time for her to leave after Jeff was drugged into sleeping. But this time around she didn't leave. She fell asleep by Jeff's bedside with her head on his chest whiles sitting by him.
     The following morning Jake walked in on them in that position and smiled before chuckling to wake Stephanie up. "Gud morning,I see u had quite a night" Jake said. "Yea I couldn't leave him alone,what time Is it?" Stephanie asked. "Half an hour pass your lecture"Jake replied. "Awww scrabss...I overslept" She said. "I can see that,I mean how will u wake up early sleeping comfortably like that" Jake teased. "Jake we haven't really talked about us after the incident at the park" She said. "Yea...since u have not being picking ma calls and have been avoiding me since then" Jake replied. "Can we talk outside?....please" Stephanie asked,pulling Jake with her outside the ward.
      "Look I've been thinking...about us,a lot has happened that am not proud of,and I know u feel the same way too. You know I care about u Jake,alot....and I know u care about me too but...but...I feel like its not enough anymore,I don't know how to tell u this but...but I think it will be best if we took a break" Stephanie said. Jake sighed,smiled and responded " I understand,I knew it would eventually get to that after wat happened at the park.". Jake sighed again and said " If that's really wat u want then I don't have a problem with it. But at least let us still be friends yea?". Stephanie smiled and hugged Jake,then she said "Of course we will still be friends,thanks for understanding". "Sure Steph...well...Am sure u haven't eating...care for a bite?I know somewhere around the corner" Jake said. "Naaa I can't leave Jeff alone. He has been thru alot since the incident so I think its best I stay with him" Stephanie replied. "Look at u,u need to eat something gal,u look tired and hungry"Jake said. "Don't worry about me,I'll live(life)" Stephanie smiled. "I never thought I'd see the day you of all people will forgo eating for a blackman's sake" Jake teased. "People change" Stephanie replied. "Yea true,people change before they treat others right...some people fall in love before they treat others right. Come to think of it,love leads to change u know. When u start to love someone,ur attitude towards them changes" Jake smiled. "What...?"Stephanie said with a smile on her face. "You have got to be kidding...Am not in love with him...ok I love him as a brother but not that kind of love running thru those nasty thoughts of yours" She continued smiling.
    "Hahaha sure I get it"Jake laughed. "Go be with him,I'll catch a bite for the three of us and bring it over...u Look like u could use something to eat,I'll be right back"Jake said as he planted a perk on Stephanie's cheeks and left the hospital. Stephanie moved back into the ward. And starred at sleeping Jeff as she smiled.
                             

     Stephanie tried her best to keep Jeff from thinking too much.A month later Jeff was discharged and Stephanie was the first to welcome him back into The Mcculister's mansion. It was all joy for the family and workers in the mansion. Jeff still felt a bit sad about his break up with Hannah but The Mcculister's did everything in their power to cheer him up. They threw a big dinner party for him two days after he was discharged and invited every dignitary they knew.
    It was quite a classy dinner party,one Jeff wasnt used to or familiar with.And he felt quite shy whenever he was called upon by any of The Mcculisters to be introduced to their friends. Stephanie kept Jeff close to her more than anyone else did thru out the night. She introduced him to her mates at school,including Mandy her best friend whom instantly found Jeff attractive. "Wow" Mandy gaped as Stephanie introduced Jeff to her. "You never told me u had a handsome butler,and we have been bbf for like forever" Mandy continued pulling her hand out for a handshake with Jeff. Their palms embraced eachother's palm in a handshake which Mandy made to last for a few minutes whiles smiling at Jeff until Stephanie pulled both hands apart,smiling."Yea,u hardly visited since u left for school. You would have met him then" Stephanie said sloppily. "Errmm,Jeff can u please excuse us whiles...I catch up with Mandy,I haven't seen her in a while"Stephanie said. Jeff smiled and responded "Sure Stephanie,nice meeting u Mandy". Jeff then turned away and as he disappeared into the crowd of people present at the party,Stephanie watched him leave and smiled.
        "OMG"Mandy screamed. "What? "Stephanie asked. Mandy smiled for a while before responding "You love him". "Of course I love him...but as a brother nothing more"Stephanie replied. "Come on gal its me Mandy,ur buddy Mandy. Gal I've know u since grade 3. I basically can guess right the colour of your panties and predict wat u will say next. Gal I know u that much. I know u too well. You 're in love with your butler" Mandy said. "Am not ok,now drop it"Stephanie replied. "Ok ok,if u say so"Mandy teased. The party went down well and was soon over. And everyone including Mandy headed home. But before she left she bidded Jeff gudbye and whispered in Stephanie's ears telling her to follow her heart before it was too late.
    The next morning Mr. Tim called up a meeting amongst his family and Jeff,and announced that Jeff will no longer be working for them as a butler,he continued by saying that he had enrolled Jeff in Emory university too which meant he would be too busy to focus on his duties as a butler. And made it clear that Jeff will still be staying in the mansion. Every member of the family was happy to hear that. Mr. Tim assured Jeff he had fully paid his bills owed to the lottory company for him even tho the six month mark wasn't due yet,and told him he had nothing to worry about. Indeed this was going to be a new beginning for Jeff,as he thanked Mr. Tim and the rest of the family joyfully.
                          

                 The moment Jeff started schooling he became a hit on campus and among the lecturers,for his hard work and behaviour. He was friendly and respectful towards everybody despite their race or attitude towards him. And due to his brilliance,most of his mates approached him with problems they encountered whenever studying a subject or coarse.
   One day in the library,Stephanie walked in on him receiving a piece of paper from a lady which she suspected to be a phone number. Instantly she frowned and slowly moved towards dem and interrupted them. "Hey,taking another gal's I see?" Stephanie said. "Another gal?"Jeff smiled,with a surprise look slowly building up on his face. "Oh...don't mind me,go ahead take it...what do I care?....after all u re just like a brother to me"Stephanie smiled. The lady handing the number over to Jeff despite how confused she was about what was going on attempted to greet and intro herself to Stephanie  but Stephanie turned away,making Jeff feel embarrassed. "Ermmm,Nathalie, errmm...how about I call u so we meet elsewhere to study,yep?"Jeff said to the lady. "Yea....sure"Nathalie responded. With one look at Stephanie she left.
      "Stephanie wat was that for?"Jeff asked. "What was wat for?"Stephanie asked. "You were rude to ma friend"Jeff explained. "Your friend? Didn't look like that from where I was standing"Stephanie replied as she snatched the piece of paper from Jeff and tore it to pieces when she saw a phone number on it. "Steph wat  did u do that for?" Jeff asked gaping. "Am doing u a favour,this gals on campus 're bad news...you will thank me later."Stephanie smiled. "Steph,seriously if I didn't know u better,I'd think u were jealous"Jeff said before walking out on her. "Jeff am sorry"Stephanie screamed as she she tried to stop Jeff from leaving. "Shuusssshhh" A few people whispered,signalling her to not make noise in the library,with their fingers on their lips.

       That night Jeff got back to the mansion late,expecting to not meet Stephanie awake. But she had been sitting in the great hall of the mansion waiting for Jeff. "Hey" Stephanie whispered as she saw Jeff. "Hey" Jeff replied. "Sorry about today,I didn't mean to...."Stephanie said as Jeff quickly snapped in "No,no u were right,I shouldn't be giving the ladies on campus much attention. You have been there for about three years now and u know them more than I do. So I should be apologising"Jeff said. "No...no Jeff...don't...apologize ..just..give them da attention they need but be cautious about it. I don't want u to be uptight because I said so. Loosen up with them but don't over do it. That's all"Stephanie said. "I've got to sleep now"She continued,as she smiled and said "Gud night" to Jeff. "Thanks for your advice,Gud night"Jeff responded.
          The following morning Stephanie skipped lectures to visit the family shrink (Psychiatrist),cause she needed someone confidential to share what she was experiencing with. "How can I help u today Stephanie?"said Dr Mildred, the psychiatric doctor. "Doc,I think am going crazy,there is this guy who used to work for us,I hated him so much cause of his colour...then he nearly died for me and then I changed...then i begun to like him and...and..and"Stephanie stammered. "And what Stephanie?" Dr Mildred asked. "I think begun to over like him in a way...i begun to think about him often,anytime am alone I day dream about him....his face,his smiles,his body,his lips"Stephanie said,smiling with the brightest look on her face. Dr Mildred chuckled to interrupt her,and then smiled at Stephanie and said "Stephanie,wat u need is a love counsellor,not a psychiatrist. You 're not crazy". "You think am in love with him?"Stephanie asked. "Well dear I can't judge for u if u love someone or not. But based on your...errmmm symptoms,yea I believe u have fallen in love with him" Dr Mildred smiled.
    Stephanie froze for a while and begged Dr Mildred not to tell anyone,especially her parents. "Don't worry dear,confidentiality is part of ma specialties"Dr Mildred smiled. Stephanie was drowned in thoughts on her way home. "I can't tell him,nope I can't. He doesn't need to know" She thought. Jeff on the other hand had been thinking all day about Stephanie's recent behaviours towards him when she sees him with ladies. It occurred to him that Stephanie might have developed feelings for him,but he quickly brushed it off cause he believed that was impossible.
         Later that night he approached Mr. Tim for some advice about women, Stephanie of course but he couldn't tell Mr. Tim directly that it was Stephanie. "Mr. Tim,errmmm I kind of need an advice on something bothering me"Jeff said. Mr. Tim smiled at him and asked "having gal trouble son?". "No...no...not...not really sir"Jeff replied. "Come on boy,with that look on your face now it has to be about a woman. Believe me I know,I've been there before" Mr. Tim teased.

    "Yea sir...u 're right,it has to do with a lady but its kind of not a woman trouble"Jeff said shyly. "Same thing son,same thing. So what's bothering u?" Mr. Tim asked. "There is this lady sir,I don't know but her attitude towards ladies who she finds talking to me confuses me. The way she acts is like a jealous girlfriend. But on the other hand,the possibility of her falling in love with me is 0 to none. She likes me but I don't think she'd ever like me like that....like love me as a boyfriend."Jeff said. "Son....there is nothing like 0 to none when it comes to love. Now wat u described about her reaction when she sees u with a lady,clearly is a sign of love. Maybe she has not told u yet but as a guy,she expects u to know how she feels"Mr. Tim said. "But sir,how will I know if she doesn't say anything." Jeff asked. "You will know boy,u have to. Son,as a guy when a gal likes u, u will know. It's like a connection between u both. Silent but present. Unlike us guys who like to verbally make gals know we re interested in them by approaching and proposing to them,they use expressions,reactions and actions to communicate their feelings to us. In other words son,they propose to us by giving us signals and signs thru their reactions towards us. Something like a come on I like u so make a move signal son. So if she acts strangely when she sees u with other gals,then yep,she loves u. But do u love her?" Mr. Tim asked. Jeff kind of felt shy to reply to that question,but he eventually did " Well....well...Yea I do,I love her sir" Jeff replied. "Wow,then she is one lucky gal son. Tell her then,tell her how u feel" Mr. Tim said. "I wish I could,but....But..she is kind of unpredictable,am scared that maybe it's  not that she loves me like that,as in wanting to be ma galfriend,maybe she acts that way cause she just cares for ma well being"Jeff said. "Well son, Steph....ermmm I mean that gal needs to know how u feel,then u can draw your conclusions from what she will say or do then"Mr. Tim replied.
          "Was he about to say Stephanie?"Jeff thought before he answered "Yes sir". Jeff begun to feel uneasy cause he knew Mr. Tim clearly knew he had feelings for his daughter. But then became a bit relaxed cause he noticed Mr. Tim was ok with it. On the other hand Stephanie had locked herself up in her room drinking off the thoughts of Jeff. Cause she read somewhere on Google that alcohol is great in helping people forget people completely. She drank too much and was drunk in no time. Then the power of alcohol completely invaded her senses,boosting her confidence and changing the way she walked. Instead of helping her forget Jeff,it rather made her approach him as she banged heavily on his door.
       "Steph?"Jeff said,after opening his door to see her. "Oh baby,Jeff dear...I love u...I love u Jeff....I love u...please say u love me too..."She said,as she laughed for no reason. "Oh mine,Stephanie I can't believe u 're drunk"He said,looking around to check If someone was nearby. "Come on,let me take u to your room"Jeff said. "No...no..no...I want to spend the night with u"Stephanie said. "With me?No u can't,u 're not yourself now"Jeff said,attempting to pull Stephanie to her room. "Let go of me,am not sleeping anywhere else. It's your room or your door step" Stephanie screamed. "Ssshuuusshhhh u don't have to be loud about it"Jeff whispered. "Ok,ok get inside"Jeff continued. He held her hand and gently moved her into his room. "You can have ma bed,I'll sleep over here"Jeff said,pointing to the couch in his room. Stephanie dropped herself on his bed,as he laid down on his couch. Minutes later Stephanie invited him to come sleep by her. Which he turned down.
                     To Be Cont