She Was Forced to Marry the Poor Security Guard They Mocked

She Was Forced to Marry the Poor Security Guard They Mocked

Madam, I cannot repair this myself. I need to find a mechanic.  How far is the nearest place?  There is a mechanic workshop after the junction. Please remain with the car.  Do not take too long. The heat is becoming too much. The heat is becoming too much. Please give me a bottle of water. That is 300 naira.

My money purse.  What happened to your money purse?  I must have left it inside the car.  You have already opened it and drunk from it.  I am sorry. I truly believed I had my handbag with me. That is what all of you see.  All of who? All of who? Corporate beggars. You people wear clean clothes and speak big English.

 Then you enter somebody’s shop and pretend you forgot your money.  Mama Bola, she has used style to collect free water from you.    I am not trying to collect free water. My car broke down on the other road. My driver went to find a mechanic. Where is the car? It is some distance from here.  Hmm. If she owns a car, then I own a private jet.

   Maybe her car is invisi- is invisible.  Please allow me to return to the car. When my driver comes back, I will send him with your money.  Do you expect me to believe that?  I did not mean to offend you.  You drank my water without money. And now you want to disappear. Then pay me.  I have already explained that my money is inside the car.

 You are not leaving here until you pay me.  Please, do not speak to me like this.  How should I speak to a thief?    I am old enough to be your mother.  Then an old woman should know that she must pay before drinking something. If you try to If you try to leave, I will shout that you are a thief.

 Everybody in this area will come and see you.  I am not a thief. It is only one bottle of water. I have told you that I will pay.  It is not only water. People like you come here every day with different stories. Look at her clothes. Does she look like someone who owns a car?  Maybe she escaped from somewhere.    I am coming.

The bus dropped me at the wrong junction.  I will not allow you to cheat me today.  I am not I am not cheating you.  Then bring out my money.  What happened?  Huh! This old woman came customer. She drank my water and now she says she has no money.  I left my handbag inside my car.  She has started talking about the invisible car again.

   Mama, are you all right?  I only needed water. I did not know I had left my handbag behind.  Do not allow her to deceive you.  How much is the water?  500 naira.  I thought you said it was 300.  The remaining 200 is for the trouble she has caused me.  Take your money. You should be careful.

 This woman may be a professional beggar. She did not ask me for anything. You do not know her, neither do you, but you have already called her a thief. Huh, if you like, carry her home with you. Mama, sit down for a moment. You have already paid for the first water. You look weak. Please eat something. My daughter, I cannot take more from you.

It is only biscuits. You are dressed for something important. I have a modeling audition. Then you should go. You may already be late because of me. Can you find your way back to the car? Yes, it is on the other road. My driver should be returning soon. Take a motorcycle. You are too tired to walk that distance again.

What about your transport? I still have enough. Why are you helping someone you do not know? Because you needed help. Amara, if you are not here in 10 minutes, they will remove your name from the list. I am coming now. Mama, I have to go. Because you needed help. Amara, if you are not here in 10 minutes, they will remove your name from the list.

 I am coming now. Mama, I have to go. Thank you, my daughter. Please finish the biscuits before you start walking. That girl has allowed herself to be deceived.  The old woman found the right person to pay for her.  Madam, I have been looking everywhere for you. Why did you leave the car?  I needed water.  The mechanic has repaired it.

 The air conditioner is working again.  Madam Ijoama, we came immediately after your driver contacted the office.  Are you feeling better now?  I am better because a young woman helped me.  Madam, I did not know you were telling the truth.  That was your mistake. You did not know me, but you decided I was a thief.

 I am sorry.  You should also be sorry for the poor people you have treated this way.  I could not ask the young woman’s name. She said she was going for a modeling audition.  Do you want me to find her?  Yes. A person with that kind of heart should not disappear from my life.  That’s Ifeanyi Okapo, Ecolux’s Executive Director.

That’s Tennyola Bakare, she’s leading the new Ecolux campaign.  Good afternoon my people. Your girl is at Ecolux house. Today might be the day I become the new face of Don’t post that yet.  Why?  Because you haven’t got the campaign. Confidence attracts opportunity. Announcing opportunities before they happen attracts Tennyola.

 Amara.  I didn’t know Ecolux was inviting former influencers.  I’m still an influencer.  Of course.  You influence brands to choose somebody else.    Security. move my car. The valet desk is outside. Did I ask where the valet desk was? No, sir. Then move the car. I’m responsible for this entrance.

 The valet will move it. A uniform has given you confidence.  Some people are born to enter through the front door. Others are born to hold it open.    Does he always speak to you like that?  Only when he’s trying to impress people.  You should report him.  To himself?  Amara, we’re late.  Your engagement has fallen significantly.

 It’s recovering.  Three brands ended their contracts with you.  After an anonymous account accused me of buying followers. The accusation was false. But the followers were also false.    Do you attend everybody’s audition? Or only mine? I’m leading the campaign. Technically, you’re auditioning to work beneath me.

 What would you bring to Echo Lux?  A campaign that feels human. People are tired of advertisements pretending to be real life. Show them the tailors, textile workers, and pattern makers behind the clothes.  Thank you, Amara. We won’t be moving forward with you.  You haven’t heard the complete idea.  A sponsor raised concerns about your reputation.

 What concerns? That failure may be contagious.    Wave to your followers, Amara. All 12 of them. Tell them I was busy learning who not to become. Amara, wait. I do not want to talk. You should not listen to Tenola. She humiliated me in front of everybody. It is already online. Give me the phone.

What will you do? The whole country has seen it.  You left this inside.  Thank you.  I am sorry about what happened.  You did not cause it.  They should not have laughed at you.  People enjoy laughing when they believe someone has failed. Mama? My daughter, he is here again.  Amara, I have waited long enough.

Your mother owes me 2,500,000 Naira.  Please give us more time.  You have until Friday. If I do not receive my money, I will lock the shop and give it to another person.  I had an important audition today. I will find another opportunity.  I am not interested in your Instagram opportunities. Bring my money.

 What happened? We have until Friday to save my mother’s shop.  How much do you need?  2,500,000 Naira. That campaign would have solved everything. Now we may lose the only thing my mother has left.    She still believes the anonymous account appeared by itself.  She should have accepted that her career was  director liked her idea.

 That is why I sent the message. I will not allow anybody to replace you.  What about the money missing from the campaign account?  I will move it before the audit.  And your cousin? What if he returns from London?  Kelechi has not entered this office in almost 1 year. He does not care about this company.

 As long as Madam Ijeoma remains remains ill, I control Echolux.  You came home in that uniform again.  I could not change before leaving the office.  How much longer will you pretend to be a security man?  Until I have enough evidence against Ifeanyi.  Your father trusted that boy.  And Ifeanyi used that trust to steal from us and mistreat our workers.

How was your hospital appointment?  The doctor wants to perform another procedure.  When?  In 3 weeks.  You will be fine.  I believe so. But nobody knows how much time they have left.  Mama, do not speak like that.  Then give me something to be happy about.  What do you want?  I want to see you married.

 Not this again.  You are 35 years old. You have money, houses, and businesses. But you return to an empty home every night. Marriage should not be forced. I am not asking you to marry a stranger. I met a young woman today, broke down, and I became dizzy. Many people passed me. She was the only person who stopped.

I am not asking you to marry a stranger. I met a young woman today, broke down, and I became dizzy. Many people passed me. She was the only person who stopped.  Did you get her name?  No. But I will recognize her if I see her again.  Lagos has millions of people.  If God wants me to find her, I will find her.

Bring me a wife before my procedure. I want to know that you will not remain alone after I am gone.  You are not going anywhere.  Then prove it by making your mother happy.  How did the audition go? They did not choose me.  I am sorry, my daughter.  I will find something else.  You have been saying that for months.

I am not blaming you. I can see how hard you are trying.  I should have helped you more when the business was doing well.  You helped with your father’s hospital bills. That is why your savings finished. And we still lost him. Your father would not want you blaming yourself.  I cannot allow us to lose his shop, too.

 This shop is not more important than your life.  It is all you have.  My daughter.  Mama, are you feeling better?  I am well because you stopped to help me. You left this with me.  I thought you might need a taxi.  My driver returned with another vehicle. What is your name?  Amara Nwosu.  Amara. That is a beautiful name.

Welcome, ma. What would you like to buy? I came for lace, but I believe I came to the right shop for another reason. Are you married? No. Married? Are you seeing anybody? No, mama. I have a son. Mama, he is a good man. He works too much, and he believes he does not need anybody. You hardly know me. I know you stopped for an old woman when everybody else passed.

 That tells me more than expensive clothes and beautiful photographs. Come and meet him. I am not asking you to marry him tomorrow. There is no harm in meeting somebody. Mama, please. Call me. Even if you do not want my son, I would still like to know you. Mama, this is too much. Then consider me a customer who knows good material.

That woman likes you.  You left one of your photographs inside the portfolio.  You kept it for me?  I thought it might be important.  It was taken when Brand still wanted to work with me.  You are still the same person in the photograph.  The internet does not agree.  Have you eaten?  I am not hungry.

I did not say my stomach was not hungry. I will pay you back.  It is only food.  At the moment, I owe too many people.  What happened to your mother’s shop?  The landlord wants his money by Friday.  Can your relatives help?  They stopped answering when my father became sick.  And your friends?  Busy has helped as much as she can.

Everybody else disappeared when the brand deal stopped.  Why did the deal stop?  Someone accused me of buying followers. It was a lie, but brands do not wait for the truth.  Tenola knows something about it.  Why do you say that?  I have heard the way she speaks about you. Tenola and I started together.

 When my page began growing faster, she became my enemy.  You did not deserve what happened at the audition.  Neither did you.  What happened to me?  I saw how Ifeanyi treated you. A security uniform does not make you his servant.  Most people do not see us when we wear uniforms.  I see you.  I found her.

 Found who?  The young woman who helped me.  Where?  She works with her mother in a fabric shop. Her name is Amara.  Amara?  Do you know her?  I met a woman named Amara at Eko Lux.  It may be the same woman.  There are many women named Amara.  Does your Amara have a good heart?  Yes.  Then bring her to me.

 Mama, she is facing serious problems.  What kind of problems?  Her mother may lose her shop.  Help her.  If I help her with my real identity, she may believe I am trying to buy her.  Then tell her the truth and allow her to decide. Do not lie to a good woman, Kelechi. A good woman may forgive poverty, but she will find it difficult to forgive deception.

 Why are you sitting down?  I am checking yesterday’s security report.  Security men are paid to stand.  The report has to be completed.  Stand up when I am speaking to you.  Some people forget their position very quickly. Pick it up.  Did you not hear her? Your bag is on the desk.  You should learn to smile while serving people.

 He may not have anything to smile about.    I do not know how you remain calm. They want me to to become angry so they can use my anger against me. It is Friday.  Please give us one more week.  I gave you 3 months.  I will get the money.  From where? Your Instagram page?    I heard she has only 12 followers now.

 Maybe the followers will contribute the money. You have until tomorrow afternoon. After that, this shop belongs to somebody else.  Let him take the shop.  No. I cannot watch you sacrifice everything because of my debt.  This is not only your debt. We borrowed that money when papa was in the hospital. Your father is gone.

That is why I cannot allow everything he built to disappear, too. You said it was urgent.  It is.  What happened?  My mother is ill.  I am sorry.  She has a heart procedure in 3 weeks. She keeps saying she wants to see me happily married before she leaves this world.  Do not speak as if she is going to die.

 I have told her the same thing, but she is afraid.  What does this have to do with me?  I want you to pretend to be my wife.  What?  Please listen before you become angry.  You want me to lie to a sick woman?  I want her to stop worrying about me before her procedure.  Then find a woman you love.

 I do not have one.  That is not my problem.  I can help you save your mother’s shop.  So, that is why you brought me here. Where will a security man get that kind of money?  I worked private security contracts for several years. I saved money because I wanted to start my own business.  You want to give me all of that?  Yes.

 And in exchange, I become your wife?  Only for 3 months. We will sign an agreement. I will never touch you or demand anything from you. You will meet my mother, stay with me when she visits, and allow her to believe the marriage is real.  You have planned everything.  No. I only thought of it after meeting you.

 Why me?  Because you defended me when everybody else was laughing. You saw a security man, but you still treated me like a human being. I am begging you, Amara. My mother believes she may not survive the procedure. She wants to know that I will have someone after she is gone. Help me give her peace.

 In return, I will help you save your mother’s shop.  I cannot answer you now.  I understand.  And if I accept, I will pay back every naira.  We can put that in the agree in the agreement.  I need time to think.  No. You will not marry a stranger because of this shop.  It will only be for 3 months.  Marriage is not a business arrangement.

You hardly know him.  I know his mother is sick. I know he loves her. I also know we will lose this shop tomorrow.  Then let us lose it.  And go where? I have applied for jobs. I have contacted every brand I know. Nobody wants to work with me.  But he said he will not demand demand anything from her. He has always treated me with respect.

 I do not want you selling your future for me.  I am not selling myself. It is a loan. And I will repay him. Make sure everything is written down. Separate rooms. No demands. 3 months only.  Mama, I cannot watch them lock Papa’s shop.  I never wanted this burden to become yours.  Your burden became mine the day I became your daughter.

 You came.  I have conditions. Three months, separate rooms. You will never force me to do anything. The money is a loan. I will pay you back.  I agree. Marriage is a serious commitment. Are both of you entering it willingly? You can still change your mind.  I am ready.  You are now husband and wife.   The full amount has entered.

 You used your savings to help us.  Amara will pay me back when she is able.  May God reward you. Thank you.  You kept your part of the arrangement. I kept mine.  I have written down every naira.  I believe you. You can take the room. I will sleep on the sofa.  This is your apartment.  You are my guest.

 I am supposed to be your wife.  My pretend wife.  Yes. Your pretend wife.  You can leave whenever you want. You do not need my permission.  Thank you.  My mother wants us to have dinner with her tomorrow.  What have you told her about me?  That your name is Amara. And that you are kind.  Is that enough to convince her we are married?  We have a marriage certificate.

 A marriage certificate does not prove that two people love each other.  Then we will have to behave as if we do.   I have attended many company events, but Echo Lux has never organized anything this large.  Tonight is important. They are launching their biggest campaign of the year.  I heard Ifeanyi expects to be confirmed as permanent managing director.

 That decision belongs to the chairman.  Does anybody even know what the chairman looks like?  They say he has been in London for almost 1 year. Some people believe he will appear tonight.  Teniola says she will receive a new contract tonight.    You have checked that invitation almost 20 times.

I still do not understand why a security officer received two invitations to an event like this.  Kelechi said his department rewarded him because of his work. He also said his mother would meet us before the night ends.  You have lived with him for 2 weeks. Has he broken any of his promises?  No. He sleeps on the sofa every night.

 He has never demanded anything from me. He even helps my mother at the shop after work.  Then stop worrying. You are here as his wife.  Amara Nwosu. Your name is on the special guest list.  What are you doing here?  I was invited.  Invited by whom? The cleaners? Her name was on the guest list.  Then somebody made a mistake.

 This ballroom is for successful Your Instagram career ended months ago. Maybe she came to take photographs and pretend she attended as a celebrity.    Mhm. Perhaps some people have not heard the latest news. The former influencer is now married to a security guard.  She married a security man?    She could not find another brand, so she found a security man.

 Amara used to pose beside expensive cars. Now Now she is married to the man guarding them.  That is enough. You are embarrassing her.  She embarrassed herself when she married beneath her. My husband works honestly. Nothing shameful about that. Look, the husband has arrived. Did Amara tell you that she loved you before or after you gave her your savings?  She has deceived you.

When the 3 months finish, she will leave you with nothing. Are you all right?  She is fine. You should worry about yourself. A security man should be working, not speaking to guests. Clean it.  Did you not hear her?  He is my husband. You will not treat him this way.  Your husband? You should hide your face when you say that.

 I will never be ashamed of the man who helped my family.  He helped you because he was foolish enough to believe you. You lost your savings because of a failed Instagram model. Now you’re about to lose your job, too. I will not clean something she deliberately poured. Remove your uniform and leave this building.

 You cannot fire him because he defended me.  I can do whatever I want in this company. Take both of them outside. They are not fit to remain in this ballroom. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Madam Ijeoma Okoro, the founder of Echolux House.   Mama?  My daughter? Kelechi? What are both of you doing together?  He is my husband.

 You are the wife Kelechi wanted to bring to me?  Kelechi is your son.  Madam, there must be a misunderstanding. This man is only a security guard.  That man is my only son. Kelechi Okoro is the owner and chairman of Echolux House.  The security guard is the chairman? We were laughing at the owner of the company.

You own Echolux?  Yes.  You allowed me to believe you were a security man.  Nobody is leaving yet.    I returned to Lagos 3 months ago because money was disappearing from this company. I wore a security uniform so I could discover what was happening without being recognized. That recording proves nothing.

The board has confirmed the missing money and every account that received it.  [sighs]  Teniola created the lie that destroyed Amara’s career. Ifiok then ordered the casting director to reject her campaign.  She was becoming more popular than me. So you destroyed everything I worked for because you were jealous? I only wanted to protect my position.

 You called Amara a failure after making sure she failed.    You are no longer the managing director of Eccolux.  Amara, please help me. Tell your husband not to destroy my career. I begged you to stop humiliating me. You laughed. Now you must answer for what you did.  Kelechi, we are family.

 You remembered our family only after you were exposed. Your campaign contract is cancelled. Amara, I am sorry.  You lied about your name, your work, and the money.  My name was real. My mother’s illness was real. The arrangement was real. I became a security officer before I met you.

 I was investigating Ifeanyi, not testing you.  You should have trusted me with the truth.  I should have. I was afraid that once you knew I was wealthy, you would believe I used my money to buy you.  I was not pretending when we met. My car truly broke down. You helped me when you believed I had nothing.  You may end the marriage if that is what you want.

You may also repay the loan if it gives you peace. I will never use money to hold you, but I need you to know that I love you.  I fell in love with the security man. I am angry because you deceived me, not because you are rich.  The security man and the chairman are the same man.  Then that man must promise never to lie to me again.

 I promise.