Clara’s vision was blurry for some minutes before she got back to herself. She didn’t understand why Elizabeth had to slap her but she didn’t blame her at all. She blamed her Dad for always supporting her Stepmom.
When she noticed that nothing positive would come out of her pleading, she went to her room to sleep. Sleep was an escape mechanism for her. Tomorrow, she will continue.
“You should be even grateful you have a roof over your head. Some people are homeless but yet you are such an ingrate!” Elizabeth screamed as she went to her room.
Though Clara did not hear the last part of what Elizabeth said because she already shut her door, she cried in bed till the next morning.
When she woke up the next day, she realised she had overslept a little bit. That was not the time she usually woke up, so she rushed to take her shower and got outfitted for work. She was about to rush out when Elizabeth obstructed her way.
“Where do you think you are rushing to without getting this house tidied and doing the dishes?” Elizabeth asked her, laughing out for only God knows why.
If Clara wasted any more minutes in that house, she would get sacked by her boss so she just pleaded with Elizabeth that she would get it done when she was back.
“Please Mom just let me go, I promise to do them once I’m back. I’m late for work.” Her eyes meant every damn word she said, and even more.
Before she could finish talking Elizabeth landed a slap on her face. Just in the space of a few hours at home, she has been slapped twice, twice!
“I have told you I’m not your mother! I’m not your dying mother in the hospital! I’m healthy and alive. If you ever call me mom again, I will make sure not to take it easy on you.”
“Now go inside and do all I asked of you before leaving this house.” She ordered, pointing at the door behind her.
Clara understood there was nothing more to do other than to be very fast. Maybe if she was so fast, she would meet up.
She was washing the dishes so fast when a plate slipped and broke, making a loud sound on the floor. The pieces splashed on her and gave her a cut on her leg.
She wasn’t even worried about herself but prayed Elizabeth wouldn't see that. A plate was more important than her injury, that was how bad it was!
When Elizabeth was not forthcoming, she was happy that she escaped that and quickly disposed of it before she came. She didn’t see the pool of blood on the floor until she was about to leave.
She had noticed something was dropping earlier but thought it was water because she was rushing to meet up. When she looked at her leg, she found out that she was bleeding profusely.
It was not just a cut but a deep cut. She managed to clean the wound and applied medicated spirit to it. Hoping to treat it better after work.
She ran off immediately she was done, even though she limped, it didn’t matter to her.
It was already late when she got to her workplace. As she entered, all her colleagues were laughing but she presumed it was because of how she limped. Unknown to her, the manager had come earlier and asked where she was.
She went to her post and found another of her colleagues already there.
“Hi Julie, this is my position,” she said to her faintly, but the lady only laughed at her and others joined her too.
The manager came out of his office and questioned Clara.
“What is going on here? Clara, are you just coming?” He asked her directly.
“Yes sir, I ……”
“Your family did what again? You know what, I have been kind enough to you. Pick up every item you have here and leave immediately, never to come back.”
She could feel tears already dropping down her cheeks or rather, running down her cheeks, but she doesn't have any control of it. She limped towards where her boss was standing.
“Please sir, I need this job, you can’t fire me, sir, please” she said pleading with him.
“I will work overtime” she added, but instead her boss started mocking her.
“Please you can’t fire me, sir,” he said, mocking her. “I can't fire you but I can employ you, right? Get out of this building.” He urged without pity.
After begging for a while without any commendable result, Clara picked up her belongings and left. Her colleagues made a jest of her as she exited the building. She had nothing on her, she never got to receive any of her salary at her workplace before a tragedy occurred.
Clara couldn’t even think of going home and decided to try her luck at any job vacancy she came across. At every job she went to, the manager threw her paper at her and told her she wasn’t qualified for the position.
It is true that she only went to high school but she was the best graduating student in her school, because her stepmom and her dad had refused to sponsor her, she couldn’t further her education.
Her school even had to give her a scholarship but the scholarship won’t fetch her money because she needed to take care of herself and her sick mum.
All her efforts to find a job that day were to no avail so she went home intending to continue tomorrow. She managed to branch to a clinic on her way home and treated her wound properly, making the pains subside too.
Later that night, she was so exhausted and lonely, her family was always having one fun or the other and they weren’t back and it was seven in the night.
Clara decided to just hang out in a lounge and come back later. At least, a little alcohol would help her feel better.
She proceeded to go to a popular club in the city. She was going to have a little fun and come back home.
When she arrived at the club, she just sat in a corner and watched ladies and gentlemen dancing while she was just taking shots. Feeding her eyes a little wouldn't be so bad.
But why does her eyes refuse to be fed with the people in the club? Why are they fixed on one person? He looks more handsome than anyone she had ever seen. Is he an angel? Clara concluded that he was an angel, so she let her eyes take the lead.
She had already gotten quite tipsy when the same gentleman approached her and introduced himself. Why would an Angel be introducing himself to her? Has he come to liberate her from her situation?
The young man only said just a few things to her and Clara stood and followed him. It wasn't so bad following this angel.
Maybe, she might find a solution to her problems.
“Are we going to heaven?” She asked him. She doesn’t even know if she said that loud or if it was just in her mind. The next morning, Clara woke up and found a man lying beside her. She can't remember anything at all from the club but only recalled what transpired between them last night. He wasn’t an Angel? He is human? What have I done? She thought to herself. The man was still fast asleep, she stole a glance at him, he looked so handsome. No wonder she followed him thinking he was an angel. He was not only handsome, he looked wealthy also, she couldn't believe she must have accepted to sleep with him for money. That thought alone made her grit her teeth. Alcohol was too bad for a light-headed person like her. Without making much noise, she tiptoed in order not to wake the man up. She collected her clothing and took a last glance at him, before leaving the hotel. She went back home but by the time she got back, her items were outside. Her family had thrown her out of the hous
Alex chuckled. He didn't expect Clara to still call him that, now that she was back to her senses. Clara identified the man to be the person from the club. How can she have such a coincidence? she asked herself. Alex stared at her in the eyes. “Ms. Clara, why did you leave so early that day? I woke up and couldn’t find you.” Clara remained speechless, kind of shy that this was what she got to discuss with her employer. Alex could dictate the embarrassed look on her face so he tried to make her feel better. “You are the first applicant to make it to my office. You have passed the interview.” “But there are still people outside,” Clara replied abruptly to him, confused about whether he was trying to say she had been picked. Alex quickly called out to Andrew and instructed him to dismiss the remaining applicants and he complied. He turned back to Clara. “So you see Ms. Clara. This Job is for you, you fit in perfectly for that.” Clara didn’t feel so convinced by his words. Maybe
“Clara?” The three said basically in unison and Alex nodded.“Did she steal your wallet? Oh! You must be the guy she lives with and she ran away with your money.” Selene uttered first.“I’m sorry for whatever issues Clara must have caused you, Mr. Alex, we have tried our best to help Clara but all she does is bring embarrassment to us,” Elizabeth put in.“Mr. Alex, please tell us what she did, we might be able to offer some solutions. How much did she steal from you? I can replace it. This is why I always refer Selene only to people but they are carried away by Clara’s innocent look. Selene, go ahead and apologise for what your sister did.” Jackson urged Selene immediately.“I apologise for whatever Clara did. My family will make it up to you.” Selene apologised, posing as the good person that she was not.“Unfortunately, Clara did not do any of these. It would be an honour if she agreed to see me. Do any of you know where she is?” Alex finally said amidst all the drama.“I don't think
Mrs. Peters didn't find it funny at all but she assumed her son must be playing some kind of game. He appeared to be in a good mood but still, he shouldn't joke with something so weighty like this. “Alex, what sort of joke is this?” She asked, hoping that Alex would confess that it was a joke too. “Joke? I'm playing no jokes, Mum. Didn't everyone want me to get married? This is my wife-to-be, only a few preparations left.” Clara, who had been listening to all that was happening, quickly adjusted her position and sat upright. Mrs. Peters had been condescendingly looking at her all through the discussion, though she hadn't said anything to her yet. To Mrs. Peters, Clara was too small to have that conversation with, she rather have it with her son. “I know you are cracking one of your jokes again. I'm here for a reason.” Alex Peters didn't react in the manner that his mum predicted. His gestures just showed that he was very serious about what he said. “Mum, why should I be joking?
Alex Peters ignored what Clara had just told him. The driver had matched the break forcefully because of Clara’s reply to Alex, but he was quick to apologize to his boss. Clara felt a little regret uttering the last statement. It was truly how she felt but she didn't know why the man kept bothering her. They already made a mistake by having a one-night stand and he should just get over it. They arrived at a flower garden and stopped the car. Alex and Clara came down having a nice view of the place as they walked like every other person there. Clara followed Alex reluctantly and they hadn't said a word to each other. But Alex was walking side by side with her like they were couples. Suddenly, Alex received a phone call. It seemed urgent and he urged Clara to wait while he quickly addressed the matter. “I will have the driver drive me to the office for some clarification. Please, don't go anywhere, I will be back in twenty minutes.” he urged her and before Clara could say anything,
At the airport, a young beautiful lady was seen standing. She was dressed in a jumpsuit and a red heart with sunglasses. She looked more like a model and she spoke with an accent. “Mum, is he not going to be the one to pick me? I saw the driver you sent here.” Mrs. Peters at the other end tried to explain to Annie Cooper that Alex was busy at the office. “You don’t have to worry about that, Alex as the CEO is quite busy but he’s got more surprises for you.” “OK, Mum. Got it.” Annie replied and hung up. She pouted her lips, flung her hair, and matched to the spot where the driver was waiting for her. Mrs. Peters had just lied to Annie Cooper. Even though Alex didn’t plan anything, she knew that with time, she would be able to convince him and until then, Annie would be staying in the five-star hotel. Alex gazed at Clara for a while, she was still asleep. Due to their exhaustion the previous day, they weren’t able to talk about the condition and now he was off to work. “Wooo,” Cla
Clara was startled by the scream of Mrs. Peters. She didn't expect her and she also didn't know when they came in. “Good morning Ma.” She greeted politely to show some respect but the old lady was going to find fault. “What did you just do? Greet me? Do you think that will change the fact that my son brought a prostitute to his home?” Clara tucked her lips to the insults Mrs. Peters laid on her. She didn't dare to open her mouth and speak while the Lady still spoke. Annie Cooper rushed to where Mrs. Peters was standing. She had been looking at the glass design on the wall but because of the way Mrs. Peters spoke, she wanted to know what was happening. She had just finished examining Clara and turned to Mrs. Peters and asked her. “Mum, who is she? I was thinking the servants should have a room close to the kitchen or outside.” “Mum, is she the head of the maids? She must be really annoying and that is why you are yelling at her.” “Did Mr. Alex pick her up from the streets? I hear
Alex immediately came down from the car and went after Clara.He held her wrist the way he normally does but she pulled it away instantly.“What’s the problem? See I'm home, I told I was going to work only half of the day and I'm back. We could talk about what you always wanted us to.”Clara acted so reluctantly. They were still under the rain and because of her, Alex was now drenched.“Let’s get into the car.” Alex said again and tried to hold her but Clara pulled her hand yet again.This lady is just so stubborn, even if she's mad can't we just get out of the rain. Alex said inwardly, he already shivered a bit because of the cold.“Mr. Alex, I don't think this marriage thing is possible. Your wife-to-be is already inside, she’s pretty and she has an accent too.” Clara clarified to him, she had wanted to add that she has a bad character but that wasn't in her place to say. It is left for Alex to figure that out.But a part of her was waiting for Alex to tell her all those things didn'