Chapter 10 Lucy's Dreams

After some years, Lucy has grown a little older with big dreams and Robinson on the other hand, has also waxed strong in the devils workshop at the duck.

As Robinson was fighting for power and dominance in the underworld, his little sister, whom he had never seen, was growing in strength and courage, becoming more and more aware of herself and what she wanted for a good life. They both live in separate worlds, even though on the same planet and in the same country. One sibling has chosen the dark ways while the other is holding firm to the path of genuine success, power and influence.

Lucy has beautiful dreams, but fate has its.

In Mama Grace's house, Lucy's new home, the small room held the weak, yellow glow of a lantern, its light dancing on the rough wooden walls. Outside, the night was a quiet hum of crickets and the whisper of leaves in the trees. Inside, only Lucy's focused silence filled the air.

Lucy sat on a wooden desk, her fingers held a pencil so tightly that her knuckles shone white. It was an old business textbook she borrowed from the community library.

A dream lived inside her, a stubborn spark. It was bigger than this small house, bigger than this quiet town. She wanted to be someone who built things, a businesswoman. She wanted to carve out a future where "orphan" wasn't the only word people used for her, a future where her name meant something.

But tonight... tonight was a fight against sleep itself. Her eyes burned, the letters on the page swimming together. She bit down on her lip, a tiny warrior battling the heavy pull of rest.

Then, a soft but firm knock on the door. She went still, every muscle tensing. Before she could even say "Come in," the door creaked open, and Mama Grace filled the doorway. Pastor Bassey's wife, her aunt, the woman who'd opened her home and her heart.

Her eyes, usually full of a stern but gentle kindness, landed on Lucy's books. "Still at it, Lucy?"

Lucy straightened up quickly, trying to hide the weariness that clung to her like a second skin. "Yes, ma'am. Just... finishing up my reading."

Mama Grace stepped inside, the long fabric of her night robe whispering on the floor. She glanced at the thick textbook, then at Lucy's tired face. With a soft voice, bearing a deep care and gentle concern, she said, "Every night, Lucy." Lucy replies, " If I truly want to have my own business in the future, then I must keep at this until I gain mastery." Mama Grace sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken understanding. She sat on the edge of the narrow bed, the springs creaking softly beneath her weight. "Your spirit is strong, little one.

But burning yourself out won't make that dream come faster."

Lucy answered Mama Grace, "I don't have time to waste", as if she knew something was going to happen. "If I stop fighting, I may never get what I am looking for." After watching her for some moments, Mama Grace reached out for a paper in her pocket. And there it was, a university scholarship application form.

A tight knot formed in her throat. "This... this is for me?" she whispered, her hands trembling slightly as she held the precious paper.

Mama Grace nodded, a small, encouraging smile gracing her lips. "You have a bright mind, Lucy. Brighter than most I've seen. I know your heart is set on business, but knowledge is power. A degree in business... that will give you the real tools you need."

Tears welled up in Lucy's eyes, blurring the words on the application. For the first time in what felt like forever, a real path stretched out before her. A future she could reach for. A chance.

She became overjoyed, seeing that she now has an opportunity to go to the university and study business administration, her dream course of study. Lucy wants to become a multimillionaire businesswoman. Controlling a very large firm in her country. She has dreamed of setting up a foundation in her parents' name to assist the orphans and young people generally, in her community.

She reached out for Mama Grace's hands and held them tight while she cried, clinging to her arms. With every sub, she was saying take you. "I pray to make you and Aunty Titi proud for all you've done for me."

Mama Grace responded, " We pray for the grace to do more. Let's hope that resources will come, be you will secure admission since it is not a fully funded scholarship, but 80 per cent of what is required. Daddy and I have agreed to take care of the remaining 20% alongside other basic responsibilities during your study."

Just when they were still talking, a sharp sound of breaking wood was heard and was followed by a shattering of glasses.

"Stay here!" Mama Grace ordered. She shot to her feet, her eyes wide with alarm.

She called out to Daddy, Pastor Bassey, her husband, who was already out trying to move some of the valuables kept at that part of the house before another crack would come. While she left to meet him, Lucy was already moving, she was propelled by a sudden jolt of fear. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she rushed towards the door. She could hear the wind howling outside, a furious roar that had been a gentle whisper just moments before. Something was wrong.

Then she saw it.

Through the window at the end of the hall, tree branches thrashed violently against the side of the house, clawing at the walls like angry fingers.

Suddenly, another crack, the big pear tree in the yard was giving way.

Before Lucy could realise it, a deafening sound from a heavy, mighty branch fell off the trunk and came crashing into the house. The whole house shook, a violent tremor that felt like the very ground beneath them was being ripped apart. Wood splintered with a sharp, tearing sound. Glass exploded in a shower of glittering fragments.

A huge piece of the house had just been destroyed.

And Lucy... was standing right in its path.