CHAPTER NINE:
IS THIS LOVE?

Stella arrived at the supermarket in less than 15 minutes. Waiting outside were a young man in his early 40s, two police officers, and one of her staff. She observed their faces before greeting them.

"What can I do for you, officers?" Stella inquired, already feeling a surge of anger.

The police inspector broke the silence. "Madam, this young man here is a barrister. He claims this young lady here," he pointed at Stella's staff, "stole his ₦80,000."

The officer concluded, and the young man, eager to speak, began his account.

Madam, that's how it happened," the young man continued. "Treasure is my girlfriend. I invited her to my house over the weekend, and just before she left that Sunday evening, I gave her my key since I wasn't at home. She blocked my number after stealing from me. I have CCTV evidence to prove it. Since then, I've been searching for her. A friend informed me that she works here, which is why I came with these officers to arrest her."

Stella was dumbfounded and felt embarrassed. She turned to Treasure, her employee. "You heard everything they said. Is that true?"

Treasure buried her head in shame, unable to utter a word, clearly indicating her guilt.

"I'm sincerely sorry for this mess," Stella said to the young man. "Obviously, she's guilty, as you can see. I don't want this case to escalate. I apologize."

Madam, she won't, but she has to come with us to the station," the officer maintained.

"Please, they will understand the need for her to go," Stella pleaded.

"I want to settle her debt now," Stella said to the young man. Later, he sent his bank details, and Stella paid off the debt. She then gave the officers ₦10,000 for their fuel and time, trying to pacify them.

At this moment, Treasure shamefully offered a "Thank you" to her madam, Stella.

"Your madam has a good heart; you should emulate her. This won't happen again because you may not be lucky next time," the police officer advised, simultaneously warning Treasure.

"You're lucky. Just thank your madam, Ode," the young man teased as he made his way into his car and zoomed off with the police officers.

Stella ordered Treasure to go inside. For Treasure, fear consumed her. She had been contemplating how she would face her madam after the ordeal. Her heart raced as her madam called her, breathing heavily.

"How can you explain the nonsense that just happened?" Stella asked, fixing her gaze on Treasure for an explanation.

Ma'am, I'm sorry. I don't really know what came over me," Treasure continued. "I've been in a relationship with him for almost two years now, but lately, he's turned into a bully. He constantly reminds me that I'm an orphan, that he picked me up and trained me in school, and that I'm nobody without him. He sees me as his property.

"He did help me a lot, sacrificed for me, but how long am I going to remain in his bondage? What haven't I done for Charles to prove that I'm indebted to him?" She paused briefly, noticing Stella's intent expression.

Stella, feeling a twinge of guilt, was deeply interested in Treasure's story, as it resonated with her own experiences.

"So, Charles is your fiancé's name?" Stella asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Treasure confirmed.

"Okay, please continue," Stella ordered.

"He beats me up, calls me names, and subjects me to all kinds of humiliation. I can't even bear to talk about his affairs with other women," Treasure continued. "I told myself I'm tired and I need a new life, which can only happen if I leave Charles for good.

The ₦80,000 I stole from him was what I needed to pay my rent. By the time I add it to my salary this month and my savings, I'll have enough to rent a place and cover a few other expenses. I just needed to start a new life," Treasure concluded, taking her time to narrate her story without missing any words.

Stella felt emotional hearing Treasure's story. It was a reminder of her own past struggles, and she had learned a lot from it. Various thoughts and ideas raced through her mind.

"Well, you did well. I now see why you couldn't even utter a word out there," Stella said, empathetically.

Treasure, who was already crying, continued to apologize to Stella, but Stella reassured her. "It's okay. You've done well, okay? As a matter of fact, I'm not angry with you anymore."

Treasure was very happy and relieved to hear those words from her Madam.

"Given your story, it seems like you really want to quit your job," Stella observed. Treasure nodded in affirmation, already feeling remorseful.

"It's okay, I understand. After work today, I'll send ₦100,000 to your account. I believe when you add it to the other money, it will help you start anew in your new place," Stella assured her.

Yes, ma," Treasure replied, her face covered with a smile. She thanked and appreciated her madam.

"It's okay," Stella said with a smile and later sent Treasure back to her duty post to continue her work.

"And again, don't let any of the staff know about this. Is that understood?" Stella reminded her.

"Yes, ma," Treasure answered with a smile, and she left Stella's office.

The other staff looked at her, hoping for a clue about what had happened, but Treasure refused to utter a word and kept smiling throughout the day.

Just after work, while Stella was heading home, something unpleasant happened. Her life was almost cut short when she was hit by a keke while crossing the road to buy groceries. Fortunately, her injuries were not severe, but she still needed immediate medical attention. Despite her desperate attempts to reach Jeff, he was unreachable. When he finally called back, Stella urged him to come to the hospital for her treatment. However, Jeff's companion (the lady he was with) insisted on delaying their arrival at the hospital, convincing Jeff that Stella was just interrupting their good time.

The next day, after Stella was discharged from the hospital, Jeff barged in, and Stella confronted him immediately.

"Jeff, where are you coming from?" she demanded in a thunderous voice. "How irresponsible and unreasonable can you be? You abandoned me in that hospital, probably because you were having a good time with someone under the skirt. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Don't you have any decency? Be civil and responsible once in your life!"

Stella was about to continue pouring out her frustrations when Jeff abruptly slapped her, leaving her disoriented and shocked. He then berated her, asserting his dominance and control over her life, and threatened her with violence.

"Listen, woman," Jeff continued. "I've been putting up with your behavior, but I've chosen to keep you quiet for my own reasons. You think you can control my life? I am a lion, not some weakling you can manipulate at will. I own you. I've given you everything you have, so don't let whatever you think you have now get to your head. If you dare speak to me rudely again, I'll send you back to the hospital where you came from. Enough of this nonsense!"

Despite Stella's tears, Jeff dragged her into the room for another round of sex.