Bella
"I can't hide my feelings anymore, when I first saw you, you stole my heart. When you call my name, my heartbeat for you. The first time we kissed, I felt your presence always. When I close my eyes I think of you, when I open them I see you, when I speak, I speak of you. You might be poor to my parents but my heart is rich because of you, don't tell me no, Alisha, for this heart beat for you alone my queen."
Tears dropped from my eyes, "Gosh this movie it's so romantic, I wish I can be in her shoes, I love you too Desmond", I said cleaning my eyes but I got my eyes glued to the screen as they were about kissing.
My mother interrupted me by pouring cold water on my body and I jumped up immediately from the chair.
" Stupid girl, how dare you sit in my living room with your disgusting self to watch a movie?", mom yelled at me.
"Am so sorry mom, I got bored after all my house chores", I pleaded with her.
" Will you shut that trash you call a mouth, oh I don't know we have a machine in the house that can finish her work very fast maybe I need to double your work and you will never be bored".
I know am finished already, "No ma, am sorry, I take back my words, I never meant it that way, am very okay with previous housework am doing", the next thing I received a sounding slap from my mom.
" How dare you talk back at me, did you wash your sister's clothes, have you prepared the food we are supposed to eat, I will make sure you don't taste food throughout today", she continued beating me like I was trash to her.
"I will tell your father you are now watching porn videos, you learning how to kiss so you get to school and useless yourself right".
" Mommy no, please am sorry", she beat me up seriously leaving marks on my skin sending me out to wash my sister's clothes who is not yet back from school.
"I don't know why my parents hate me so much especially my mother, she treats me like a slave, my sister Joanna gets everything and she is as lazy as hell. She doesn't do anything at home, am the one doing the house chores and I even wash her undies.
Am her senior but am been treated like the last born in the house, she insults me and if I hit her, I will be ready to face my mom's wrath.
Mom has threatened to stop me from going to college because she feels it's all waste of money and now she has the perfect opportunity to do so, my life is just ruined." I cried as I was washing Joanna's clothes.
*
*
I finished working and I was starving as hell right now, I need food, I just hope she forgives me.
Dad, mom, and Joanna were eating at the dining table and I salivated.
"Mom am done with everything you asked me to do", I got no response from them.
" Mom I...", Joanna quickly shut me up, "Bella I guess you lack home training, can't we see are eating, yes you have finished working, we are not deaf".
" Am sorry, I just wanted to take permission before taking food from the kitchen", I said.
"Oh, you silly girl, do you want me to choke on my food just because you are hungry, sorry to disappoint you the food is finished but there is still some can food I kept in the kitchen for you", she said.
My mood brightens up a bit hearing from my mother she kept some canned food for me in the kitchen.
Father didn't even look at me, am use to it already. I rushed to the kitchen so happy.
I saw the nylon she stored the canned food in and immediately I brought them out, I noticed they are all expired food.
Hot tears rolled down my cheek.
I went to them and said," Mom, dad this isn't fair, I do almost everything in the house, I try my very best to be your perfect daughter but yet Joanna gets everything, I didn't go to school today because I don't have a reasonable outfit to put on, but you shop for Joanna latest clothes, I said I was starving, you all ate a healthy meal and gave me expired food, what did I do to deserve such from my family", I cried out loud.
Dad stood up and gave me a hot slap that made blood gush out of my nose, "You ungrateful child because I didn't give you leftover, in your life don't ever talk to me in that manner or your mother, Joanna will always be my best child, you are just a second option in this family", father words hurts me so deeply, I cried holding my face he slapped.
Joanna poured her remaining food on me and said, "You can eat from your rags you call clothes, now I know how jealous you are ", she said pushing my head before heading to her room.
Mom shouted at me to clear the dining at once.
I remained on the floor crying seriously, I have no option than to accept what life has given to me.
After clearing the dining table, I washed the plates they used in eating.
I microwave the expired food and had no option but to eat from it, I only ate once yesterday and now am seriously starving.
I regret ever been born to this family.
*
*
I took a walk to see my friend Lisa who is also suffering like me but hers is good, she is not maltreated at all.
Her parents are late, she lives with her grandmother in an old house that no one will ever think of living.
" Bella what happened to you, your face is so red and you are bleeding as well."
"Am fine Lisa, just came to check up on you, how is grandma?".
" Sleeping already. Am so sorry my friend, you don't deserve such treatment from your parents", she said.
" Am okay, I doubt if I can continue college again".
"What happened? Why the change of mind" she asked.
"My parents will be discussing it today with me, I don't think they will want to further my studies because I overheard mom talking about me working maybe as a maid and also as a senior to support the family and also assist my sister in her studies."
" What the hell? Am going to beat up your sister one day, I promise you that."
TBC.
Now let's discuss this chapter.
Will they stop Bella from going to school?
Bella
Guess what, my room is the storeroom in the house, it's so small but I have to manage for I don't have a choice.
Am the only one not using a bed in the house, I sleep on the floor.
The best clothes I have are my high school graduation outfit and others are rags.
I love reading romantic stories and always wish I can be Cinderella because my story is kind of related to it.
I started reading a book titled "Damian admit you love me", I so much love this book and I fell in love with the character already.
Then I heard my mom calling my name and I rushed out because I don't wish to be beaten at this moment.
" Mom you called me", I said.
"We have something important to discuss with you, you can sit", mom instructed and I obeyed.
" I think you are okay with your high school grades, I cant be sponsoring you and your sister in college, moreover you are the eldest so it's wise your sister continue schooling", dad said.
"Father please I beg of you, I don't want to drop out of school please", I pleaded on my knees.
" How dare you? You want your junior sister to quit her studies because of you hum? I can't believe you are so selfish and ungrateful. It's time for you to support the family with me".
I got heartbroken by my father's statement.
"We found a good-paying job for you, with the money you can sponsor your sister in school and her needs", father added.
I wondered why my work should be to sponsor my sister but I don't wish to get beaten so I agreed for I have no choice left, I had to sacrifice college just for someone that will never appreciate what I do.
" You are to work with the family of Wilson as from tomorrow as a maid", mom said.
"But mom, you didn't even tell me to know if I will like the job or not", I got a resounding slap from dad.
" Where are your manners, Bella? You dare question your mother, we are your parents and what we say is final. Get your stuff ready for tomorrow, I guess now your clothes that are rags fit the job you are doing and I hope I don't get complaints once you start working there else, you will be seriously dealt with", Father concluded before leaving with mother.
I regretted the day I was born.
*
*
My younger sister was already back from school, this is her first year in college, I noticed she came down from a car that brought her home and I saw things she bought.
I entered her room to let her know I will be starting work tomorrow at the Wilson home according to my father.
"Hey, what are you doing here?", she asked rudely.
" Am sorry, I just wanted to have a word with you", I said to her.
"You can't knock?, so dumb, what do you wish to say, let it out now before I lose my temper".
" I won't be going to college anymore, I will be resuming my job as a maid tomorrow", I said smiling.
"Wow, the job suits you so well", she brought out ice cream and start taking it, I love ice cream so much
" Yeah", I said, I was almost joining her to have ice cream with her but she shouted at me.
"What do you think you are doing?".
" Just wanted to join you sister", I replied.
"Fine, you wish to lick ice cream, ice cream you will get".
She brought out another ice cream, opening it, I was happy but she did the worse to me, she poured her ice cream on me and chased me out.
" You lick the ice cream, this way and leave for I need my privacy".
I was so hurt at what she did but I can never be angry with my sister.
I went straight to my storeroom and brought out the cloth I will be wearing tomorrow to resume work as a maid.
*
*
I was still sleeping on the floor when my mom came to the room pouring me a bucket of water.
"Useless girl, you are still sleeping, will you get up and do your home duty", she yelled.
I know it's way too early to go to work but I just don't get the fact mom has to wake me up this way.
'Mom, it's still early and I can't go to the Wilson home now", I said trying to recover from the shock I had when she poured me water.
" Am not dumb to know you can't go to Wilson's home now,won't you do your house chores before leaving the house."
"Mom since have gotten a job now, let Joanna be doing the house chores since she will be the one spending time at home mostly after school and I will be at work", I tried to reason with my mom.
She slapped me all over and said," You lazy girl, how dare you give me directions on what to do in this house, now listen very carefully, you are to be awake by 4 am every day to finish the housework before you resume work by 7:30 am at the Wilson every day and you will get to eat your food when you come back if you argue with me, I will beat you with this bucket am holding", she left the room.
I grumbled but still have no choice. I started with washing the dirty plates and some clothes, sweep and mop, and also had to prepare Joanna's breakfast.
I finished everything by 7 am so then I had my bath putting on my outfit that is manageable to wear even if it looks like a rag.
I saw dad paying the cabman to take my sister to school.
"Good morning father, am all set for work", I chuckled.
"Okay bye".
Those were the words father said but I had to stop him again saying," Father won't you pay for a cab to take me to work since am running late".
"Oh about that, I don't have funds left with me, here is the address", he handed me a paper with a written address.
" You can go by yourself".
"But father, the place is far from here!".
" Why do you have legs, trek to the place and don't be late, Mrs. Wilson doesn't accept lateness else she will scold you, you need to even loosen up some weight, can't you have like your sister stature making her look like a model", he said before leaving.
I didn't get enough sleep, I worked so early without having breakfast now am to trek to work.
I fear that Mrs. Wilson is going to scold me but I have no choice but to trek there.
To be continued.....
What awaits Bella at the Wilson home?
Bella
Reaching the gate of the Wilson, I sat on the ground to get myself back, I was sweating profusely and breathing very fast.
Have never trekked like this in my life.
I know am damn late but I just need to be bold.
The security opened the gate and I bow my head close to my knee in greeting him.
He directed me to the part all the new maids are waiting to be addressed by Mrs. Wilson. "You better hurry up young lady except you wish to end up as her scapegoat".
" Thank you so much".
I hasten my footsteps and saw other maids waiting in a single queue which I joined instantly and trying to catch my breath.
One of the maids said to me, "You are lucky you got here before she comes out to address us".
She was right, immediately I joined the queue that was the very moment she came to join us.
I thank God for helping me out today.
I looked in awe when she came in with another girl like my age mate or senior to me if am not mistaken.
You need to see the way she carried herself like she was our boss, I never knew she was the chief maid in the house it was when Mrs. Wilson introduced her to us.
I almost sigh that moment but just didn't.
Mrs. Wilson told us what to do and shared our task for us, I was so lucky to be among those that will work inside the house, cleaning, and cooking.
Another thing that gave me joy was the fact that dirty clothes are to be washed with the aid of washing machines.
I thought of bringing the clothes at home to wash here but I argued with my thought, what if I get caught, I can't jeopardize this opportunity else my parents might just chase me out of the house.
Mrs. Wilson was done addressing us and she left with her husband who looks way too handsome.
Brenda, the chief maid asked us to come with her, she was walking majestically like she is called out to model for the maid.
Secondly, her make-up was off, if there is any other thing I can do, is makeup.
She showed us the food timetable, what to prepare and also when to resume work and leave work.
She also told us most times, we will be asked to sleepovers and we all should expect it soon.
I started cleaning the living room, it was so beautiful and attractive, well decorated, I must confess the Wilson has good taste.
I checked if anyone was around and I started feeling myself by sitting on the different couch in the living room, some were so soft and others so hard.
I got carried away by what I was doing forgetting the fact that am a maid here then I heard Brenda cleared her throat.
I maintained instantly and I pleaded with her and she said," Seems you are done with this, go to the kitchen and prepare food for the Wilson according to the time table I showed you earlier and if you are caught in this act again, I will deduct from your salary"
She turned around and I just mimicked her and she got me red-handed and I just started smiling foolishly.
I went to the kitchen to prepare the chicken soup, stew, and made rice as well and it was tasty.
I was about taking in some when the devil herself came in and I just looked for a way to cover up my act and she did a sign of my eyes are on you.
*
*
After everything, it was 5 pm already, I had to take permission from Brenda that am done for the day and going home.
She just answered me like a piece of trash and some of the maids were painting her nails like she is some boss or what.
Coming out from the compound, it was dawn on me that am trekking home.
I trek to the house, I was almost collapsing and I remembered have not had food since morning. I was thirsty that I needed water and I was lucky to see my sister with a bottle of water.
I begged her to help with water to drink that am dying of taste and work was so stressful.
She empties the water and said, if you want water, go and drink from the tap and what took you so long, am very hungry, dinner was supposed to be ready by now. Be fast in preparing dinner"
I almost shed tears for what just happened.
I had to go to the kitchen and drank water from the rushing tap on the sink, wash the dishes, and prepared yam porridge.
When the food was ready, I went to have my bath and wore my house clothes that are comfortable for me to sleep, I greeted my parents and took my plate from the rack to dish my food.
Opening the pot, I saw the food is almost finished, what was left was just two pieces of yam and porridge soup.
My sister came in, dropping her plates, and said, "Nice meal, such a good cook, please don't forget to wash my clothes before leaving to work sis".
I ate the remaining food, it was not enough for me, I entered my storage room and started crying.
I wake up at 3:45 am daily to finish the house chores and trekking to work and I always arrived at work so early.
*
*
We were all called for a quick announcement by Brenda, the chief maid.
" As you must all know, The Wilson son will be coming back from the states today and we are to prepare a very nice meal for his return, note, you must not have eye contact with him, you dare not talk to him, his your boss too".
We nodded in agreement
I was feeling sleepy but I was asked to clean the boss's son's room, I finished cleaning it and was so tired that I couldn't cheat nature from sleeping.
I fell on his room floor and started sleeping forgetting about what Brenda said earlier.
Writer Pov
* Extract from next episode*
Kyle Wilson arrived in the country but met with his friend Theo and they came to his home together, he was happy his parents were not home.
He got to his room and got startled seeing someone sleeping in his room.
He got attracted by her and couldn't stop staring.
He carried her and placed her on his bed and covering her with a blanket and watches her sleeping admiring her.
She slept for hours and woke up very late
To be continued...