Chapter – Slow and Steady

Unable to focus on his play, Niko was haunted by the thoughts of his failed engagement with Margo as well as the girls bullied him. He tried to keep up his vain performance on track. The director of the play and the audience, including Margo and her family were unable to comprehend the cause of what was affecting his recital. Niko tearfully apologised.

"I'm sorry."

He decided to forfeit the performance, much to Margo's vexation. As Niko left, Margo pleaded for him to return. Niko suffered an emotional breakdown over his inability to balance his life and lost his acting talents.

"Margo, hey, what's wrong?" asked Gru.

"Something's happening to Niko."

"Niko? I thought you said you hate boys." said Gru.

"I did, but… ugh… I was foolish. I was blind by hate towards boys when he saved me from the girls who were bullies. Anyway, let's go and find him!"

Gru gave his family a lift in his strange vehicle. Lucy was astonished by this vehicle. Despite its huge size, it went at an interesting speed.

"Wow, this vehicle really is huge, yet it goes whoosh, voom."

"Eh, Lucy, what's the difference when airplanes are bigger than vehicles, yet they too go whoosh, voom?"

"Come to think about it? What's to be surprised?" laughed Lucy.

"Why are we going there?" asked Agnes.

They spotted Niko who was with a group of workers near a truck. Cargo aircrafts dropped food parcels and medical kits over a village where poor, homeless and orphans. The photojournalist took pictures of Niko with the charity workers and the poor people. Gru and the family came out to see them.

"Food, clothes and other good stuffs that are good in good ways for the stuffs that will do them good in a way that is good." said a burly man with moustache.

"Excuse me, but what exactly is going on?"

"Ah, you must be Mr Gru. And this is Miss Lucy Wilde."

"Well, actually. It's not Miss since we're well…"

Lucy took a string and tied a rope around both her hand and Gru's into knot.

"Ah, yes. I see. You're tied into a knot. I've heard about your jam and jellies."

"You did."

"Yes. And that is being made to good use."

"Huh?"

Gru noticed the charity workers made use of his jam for the organisation.

"To answer your question, Mr Gru, what you're seeing is that this organisation is meant to supply human fuel."

"Human fuel?"

"Look at the name!"

They all looked at the name of the charity organisation labelled "Human Fuel".

"Oh, I see where this is leading. Well, I'm looking for this Niko kid."

"Ah, the Cheesy One."

"Cheesy One?"

"Well, see for yourself!"

They saw Niko distributing food parcels to the poor, orphans and homeless. They all cheered at his generosity. This further enticed Margo to see him.

"So that's what you've been doing."

"Hello, Margo, what brings… oh my goodness… I didn't…"

"You don't need to say anything."

"I was reckless."

"What do you mean? Your performance was…"

"Not good. I became extremely obsessed with becoming famous and neglected my own self. I wanted to do something better with my life. The first time we met, I didn't understand you. I was hasty in my decisions because of my mother who tried to get me to get engaged with you. But, I didn't know much about you. But your mother is a nice lady yet scary. When you rejected me, I wanted to be famous at the theatres. Instead, I've become a laughing stock. I…"

Margo nodded sympathetically.

"I was told by your father that you hate boys forever. And that would mean you hate me too. I understand, I…"

"Oh, I didn't mean that. I'll try and tell you. That day, during the party, there was a boy who I loved him because of how handsome he was. Thing were getting well until I saw him with another girl."

"Then, that's where you hate us, boys?"

"Oh no, I don't mean you. What made you want to work in the theatre?" asked Margo.

"Money to help those beneath our feet. Also, the play wasn't doing well since there was no girl to take part in this. So it was mainly me."

"Well, Niko, at least you got me and the family…"

"Uh, not me. Just count me out! If there's one thing I…" Gru refused.

Lucy cleared her throat to remind Gru.

"Oh, yes… the play… quite like… Bauble Shop… Dear Mother and all… well, do I really need to do that?"

"We need to get him to…"

"No way. Not me. Not now. Not ever." Gru refused.

"Please, Gru! For me!" Margo insisted.

"Why?"

"Gru, Niko's play isn't successful due to a lack of crew. Also, this way, he would earn money."

Gru would think.