Dera was happy with how things went at Clem’s home. Though the fact that  Clem already had a fiance worried her. She was afraid that Clem may

mistreat her, if he was finally forced to marry him.

She decided to visit  Cindy to discuss the matter with her.

“Cindy, I am really tired. I don’t know what to do. I feel ashamed that it seems that I am forcing myself on Clem,”Dera lamented.

“Does it matter? What matters is that you have landed into wealth,”Cindy told her

“But Clem said that he doesn’t love me. Don’t you think that is a red flag?”

“Who love help? You better advise yourself. Secure a name for yourself and your child. ”

“Cindy, I regret everything. I regret ever meeting Clem. I regret ever having a relationship with him. I also regret heeding to your advice to date Clem. I wish I continued in the way of the Lord,” Dera cried.

Cindy laughed hysterically

“You are just deceiving yourself. Let me tell you. If your fellowship members get the opportunity you have gotten, they will grab it with both hands. Don’t be unwise.”

“Cindy, which opportunity are you talking about? After graduation,  can’t I get a good job and make money?”

“In which country? Is it in this country that you are hoping to graduate and get a good job? You must be joking. Let me tell you. Clem is an expressway to wealth. Hold him tight,”Cindy advised.

“How do I hold him, when he said that he doesn’t love me?”

“Are you a baby? Force him to love you. The first is for you to enter. His father has already given you that opportunity. After that , I will take you somewhere. When you come back, Clem will lick your foot. He will be doing whatever you want him to do.”

“Cindy, please I’m not interested. Don’t you ever suggest such to me again.” Dera warned.

“No problem. Even without that, Clem will still love you. Just Marry him first. It’s his fiancee that is making him mistreat you. By the time he marries you, he will forget her.”

“My major problem is his mum. She detests me,” Dera lamented.

“Don’t worry yourself about her. Is she the one you are getting married to? She will learn to love you by force. By the time her grandchild arrives, her character will change.”

“I pray so,” Dera wished.

After spending time with Cindy, Dera left for her house. She was almost close to her lodge when she saw someone that looked like Ijeoma. She looked very well and confirmed that she was truely her. She felt so ashamed and would have sought for a way to hide herself. Unfortunately for her, Ijeoma  had already seen her.

“Dera how are you? I came to look for you,” Ijeoma informed her.

“Really? You came to look for me. Thank you so much, ” Dera appreciated her.

“I don’t really understand. I got so worried that I have not seen you for a while. I tried calling your phone but it was switched off. That is why I decided to come over,” Ijeoma told Dera.

On a closer look, Ijeoma discovered that there were tears in Dera’s eyes.

“Dera, what is the matter? Are you crying?” Ijeoma inquired.

“I.J I am in trouble. A big one for that matter,” Dera lamented.

“Ha! What could that be?”Ijeoma asked.

“I am ashamed to talk. I am just tired of this life.”

“No, please don’t talk like that. No matter what the issue is, there is still hope. Just believe in God,” Ijeoma assured her.

“Ijeoma, I have sinned against God. I left God many years ago. “

“But you can still retrace your steps. He will not cast you away.”

“But it is too late. The period of mercy is gone,” Dera cried. 

“Please don’t talk like that. What is the matter?”

“I am pregnant again. But Clem has denied responsibility for the pregnancy. Though his father is trying to force him to marry me,”Dera explained.

“Why would he be forced to take up his responsibility? I thought he said that he loves you. You also said he promised you marriage. Why the sudden change? Did you offend him?”

“Clem was deceiving me. He had a fiancee that was studying in America. The lady is back now.”

“What! Then you are in trouble. Let me advise you. Don’t allow anyone to force Clem to marry you. He will frustrate your life.  Let him just take care of the financial responsibilities concerning the baby. God will give you another person who will love you. Most importantly don’t ever think of terminating this pregnancy.”

“My dear, the only way out is for Clem to marry me. I can’t carry this pregnancy to my parents. It’s a suicide mission,” Dera cried.

“Hmm! This is really a daisy situation. That is why we need to look before we leap. I pray that God will help you to make the right decision. I have to go now,” Ijeoma told Dera.

Dera entered her house and sat on the bed thinking.She knew that she would never  present herself to her parents in that condition.  She decided to do all that it would take to make sure Clem married her.

As she was still carried away in her thoughts, her phone rang. It was not a number saved in her phone so she didn’t know the caller, but she reluctantly decided to answer the phone call.

“Hello.”

“Hello. It’s that Dera”

“Yes sir,” Dera responded because the voice sounded familiar.

“It’s okay. This is Clem’s dad. I got your phone number from Clem,” he explained.

“Good evening sir. I’m sorry that I have not called you on the phone as you instructed,” Dera apologized.

“That’s not a problem. I’m actually reaching out because of the promises I made that my son must marry you. I am a man that likes keeping to my word but circumstances beyond my control has twisted my arm. I got a report that you keep wayward friends. What is the proof that you don’t live such a life? It will be wrong for me to force you on my son after hearing such bad testimony,”Clem’s dad explained.

“Daddy please. I don’t live a wayward life,” Dera pleaded.

“Dera my mind accepted you from the first time I set my eyes on you.  I never wanted you to go through pain. That was why I had to stand by you, though Clem was claiming that he was not responsible for the pregnancy. But at this point, I have to tread carefully. Unless you are assuring me that the report I got about you is false. I can bring the person that gave me the report. If you can stand before him and refute it, I will stand by you. Clem have no choice  than to do my bidding,”

“Daddy, some of my friends live wayward lives. But I’m not like them,”Dera explained.

“In that case there is nothing I can do. Have a nice day. Please, don’t involve me in this anymore,”Clem’s dad warned.

“Ha! I’m finished ” Dera cried.

She quickly called Cindy on phone,” Cindy, wherever you are, come to my house now before I do something stupid”

Sudden fear gripped Cindy. She quickly wore her clothes and ran to Dera’s house.

“She met Dera in a pool of her tears.

“Girl friend, what is the matter? Why are you weeping”

“Cindy your friend is gone. Clem’s father just called on the phone . He said he received a report that I keep bad friends. He is doubting if Clem is truly responsible for the pregnancy,”Dera

“What kind of nonsense  talk is that?  That family should not allow me to give them fire o,” Cindy threatened.

“Cindy, I am in trouble. What should I do? I’m three months gone,” Dera lamented.

“Don’t worry. There is a way out and you won’t regret it.” Cindy assured her.

“What exactly is this way please? Do you have another husband for me?”