After Sharon felt that she had to get away and was surprisingly helped by Gerhard, he had taken her to their home in London because he had been in London for some sort of business at the time.
Because of her, he only went to Germany when necessary.
Sharon had not wanted to accept his help because she already knew how he felt about her and did not want to encourage him or give him any false hope. It would not have been fair on him.
She tried to speak to him about this. His mother visited once and seemed glad at the choice her son had made. Sharon felt that it was between her and Gerhard and didn't bother to correct the impression. She also felt that her son would put her right concerning their relationship.
That night, she spoke to Gerhard. 'Gerhard, I am having a weird feeling that your mother thinks that we are an item. She might even be thinking that you are the father of the baby I am carrying. It is best if you put her right so that she does not get her hopes up'.
Gerhard had looked at her for a long time and then, 'I could be the father of your baby, if you allow me', he said looking at her with such love that her heart felt like breaking for him because she knew how he must feel. She felt exactly the same way for Bryan who did not even appreciate her except that she should continue gracing his bed and she could not because apart from that being far from what she wanted, he became cold and remote afterwards as though their sexual union meant nothing to him.
'I couldn't do that, Gerhard. If I had wanted so much to get a father for my child, David was more than willing to fill that post'.
'We could get married. Since Bryan does not value what he has, let me show you how a woman should be valued. I will invest so much love in you that you will have no choice but to reciprocate. I know you are bothered that you do not love me at the moment but I can assure you that you will come to love me', he said smiling wryly at her. 'Afterall, no matter how it turns out, I know what I was getting into'.
Just like it was with David, Sharon found it hard to refuse him but she had to. She could not foist another man's child on him and neither could she ruin both their lives because of sympathy. Marriage should not be based on anything other than love.
She told him as such.
After a few weeks, She went into labour and called David. That was how Deborah came into the world.
Gerhard helped her nurse Deborah as though she was his own and anytime she saw the both of them together, she felt a twist in her heart. Deborah's father was supposed to be doing all these but he was not interested.
Sharon started making arrangements to pack into a private flat of her own because she was no longer feeling very comfortable living with someone who wanted more from her than she was willing to give.
It was while she was looking for a flat that she found her cousin Gabriel and more surprises, he did not even live too far from Gerhard's Villa.
'Where have you been?' she asked surprised.
'Where you have kept me all these years. The background of your life', he said drily.
'I have really missed you. I lost contact with you but thank goodness I have found you. Now, I shall not let you go anymore. Where do you live?'
'Not far from here, Let us go and you shall see', on their way, Sharon told him her story and how she happened to be living with Gerhard and that she had a baby girl.
'But if he does not trouble you, why leave him?'
'I need my independence. I feel like I am overstaying my welcome especially since I have no desire to marry him. I need to leave so that he can find another girl to fill the space of a wife in his life without me being a hindrance'.
Gabriel nodded. He understood what she was trying to say. My house was given me by my mother. Instead of you looking for another flat, why don't we share this? We shall divide it into two flats and stay here together. That way we shall not lose contact anymore and I won't need to bring in a tenant. The house is too big as it is'.
'Thank you very much. This is a burden off my shoulder. The next hurdle now is convincing Gerhard that I need to leave. It will not be easy but it has to be done but I shall not just spring it on him, I shall break it to him gradually so that he won't be too hurt'.
Gabriel came a few times to get acquainted with Gerhard and get to know his niece. He became attached to Deborah.
Sharon started dripping hints to Gerhard about going to leave with her cousin and no longer being a burden to him.
'You can never be a burden to me, Sharon. You know how I feel about you. Can someone you love ever constitute a burden or nuisance to you? Even if it were possible, you could never be a burden to me' he repeated, hurt and pain chasing each other on his face.
'I need to be independent. Gabriel has also spoken to someone about a job for me and I passed the interview and would be starting with them soon'
'Where is this?'
'It is an advertising firm and I know I shall love working there'.
'And you can't go from the villa?'
'I shall feel more comfortable going from Gabriel's residence'.
'I did not know that you were not comfortable here!' he said.
'I am but I need to be independent. I do not plan on staying too long with Gabriel either. I shall leave as soon as I get a place I like enough to call my flat', this was aimed at making him not to feel much pain at her decision to leave.
'I want to ask you one more question before you leave' he said, visibly relieved by her response as she knew he would be.
'Is there something that Bryan has that I don't? What is so special about him?' he asked and smiled wistfully. 'No don't answer that. The difference is that you love him and don't love me'.
'Gerhard, you know I am fond of you. I like you very much', she said trying to calm him but he had hit the nail on the head.
'Yes. But both feelings are not the same. Even if you love me, you are in love with him and it is still not the same. I understand. It is the same reason, no other woman can serve but you. Not that I can't find myself other beautiful women who would be only too willing to be my wife but it is the feeling that counts'.
Sharon could not say anything but looked at him, begging him with her eyes for his understanding.
'Would you not at least consider marrying me? If it does not work out, we shall call it quits. I will write an undertaking to divorce you of the marriage turns out to be a disaster'. he pleaded.
The man was making it difficult for her to refuse though she knew that she had to.
'You do not need to give me your answer now, think about it'
'Gerhard....'
'At least consider it?'
She shook her head though she knew what her answer would still be but there was no need over flogging the issue.