2

My figure wandered around the living room, not even far gone into the job, and I seemed a total mess.

For hours, I had gone through the same rigorous round of activities, dusting, scrubbing, brushing, it was only fair at this point, that I put my aching body to a rest.

Form pushing towards the plush settee, I sank into the seat without warning, a quick sigh pouring out my lips.

Okay, maybe I had raised my expectations so much. I must admit, I never thought making money would be this exhausting. And the worse feeling about it, is working for that money, not for one's personal gains, but to have an outstanding issue settled.

It was tiring, believe me.

Something glistened on the wall, snatching my attention for a moment.

It was a glass frame, securing a painting, one which had managed to grab my attention.

My gaze lingered on such magnificence of a piece eyes staring in awe at this item which looked like something one would find at an art museum.

Feet had soon pushed forward, drawing closer, after having decided eyes alone couldn't do enough admiring.

My fingers had reached forward, trailing around its edges, gaze peering closer, wanting to uncover more of the painting, when suddenly a voice from behind got me jolting at once.

Turning around, only to find Deanna staring at me, a weak smile held on her face.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Everything here is" She added in a low voice.

"I was only-"

"Admiring it? It's fine. I won't tell"

"I'm Denna by the way"

"Nia" My voice was low, hands reaching out to receive her outstretched arms, trying to be formal enough, even though Tara had done the introductions earlier on.

"You should hurry up before Ms. Tara finds out you're not done with the chores. Trust me, you wouldn't wanna get on her bad side" The girl gave a warning to me in a very low voice.

So Low, the words could barely be made out.

There was something which rested in her gaze while she spoke to me, something I couldn't quite place.

We were soon interrupted by the sound of a car driving in, causing Denna hurrying over to the window, peering out.

"The kids are back!." She blurted, voice filled with panic.

"Kids? They have kids?" I asked immediately, while my eyes followed the figure of Denna who had shot off already, busy putting everything back in place.

"Of course!" She gave a cry, arms flinging in the air, her gesture a bid of placing much emphasis on her utterance.

"Who do you think lives in this enormity of a house? There are eight kids altogether" She called in a 'duh' tone.

"Eight?!" Followed my voice.

Three young boys stormed in at that moment, voices echoing past the parlour walls. Chatters mixed with laughter.

One of them had dropped his backpack onto the couch, slumping, while the other two went running up the stairs, mindless of my figure stood at a corner of the living room.

"I'm tired and hungry" The utterance followed, with the kid soon getting to his feet, having a glance at Denna.

"Is there something I can eat? Anything"

"There's food in the kitchen, Dylan. Miss Tara made your favourite" Responded the girl, with a smile gracing her lips.

One would think she was trying to please the kid who, if I'm not mistaken, seemed to be around the age of Ten.

"Thank God!"

"It's like that lady reads my mind all the time" He let out.

Gaze lingered on him, watching as he went grabbing onto his backpack, and was just about leaving, when he took an abrupt stop, turning around slowly, finally resting his eyes on me.

His eyes bored into me, gaze searching through my profile.

"You're new" He stated, with brows furrowed.

He had soon spine around, proceeding away, leaving Denna and I, once again unaccompanied.

"Those are the triplets. They're eleven" Denna let out as soon as the figure of the kid was away.

"Triplets?"

"You seem surprised. Wait till you hear about the twins. Those ones are Fifteen"

"You know, they're all lucky" She began.

All her words poured into my ears, for a moment having me in a state of haze.

"Having parents who get them whatever they want, whenever" She followed, hands grabbing onto the cleaning brush.

She had pushed forward, the same time a figure walked through the door, that form, sauntering into the living room.

It was a girl.

Lost in the conversation she was having on the phone, the cell remained pressed to her ears, with soft giggles escaping her lips.

She had tossed her bag onto the couch, seeming the take no notice of Denna or I, perhaps she only chose to ignore two random forms staring on at her.

Up the stairs, she went, attention still directed at the  cell.

"Are you done cleaning?" Denna called from behind, at once snapping my attention to her figure.

"Almost" I followed immediately, soon turning around to resume my chores.

The wonders of this house so wouldn't be the death of you, Nia. That I stood by.

"That's good" Dennis let out

"I'll be in the—

Her words got lost as a high-pitched shriek burst into the area, accompanied with the clicking of heels, and then came the girl who had walked in minutes ago, soon hurrying down the stairs, eyes clouded with sheer terror.

"Where are the stupid keys?!"

Her voice blasted into the room, with hands rummaging through her bag, she would curse every now and then, yelling to no one in particular.

"Have you seen my car keys?" She had spun around in a second, gaze directed at the form of Denna.

"You can't find your keys?" Followed the response which brought a scowl upon the face of the girl, who seemingly up for a

"I'm pretty sure I spoke without water in my mouth, Denna" Those words were spat out cold, gaze shooting fires.

She had soon turned over to her bag, continuing the search, when a light scoff left her lips, hand soon snatching out an item, from within the bag.

"Here it is" She uttered with the frown on her lips, having disappeared.

"If mom and dad are to ask where I am? Tell them I'm at Tiana's" She spun to Denna.

"Of course" 

I watched her stroll out the area, form taking the exit out the house.

"That's Ashley" Denna began.

"Sixteen"

"Has everything one could ask for; a nice home, loving parents, You know she—

Her words fell faint in my ears, all of her utterances a switch to the pains, that minutes ago, I had tossed aside.

Perhaps the silence, had at once snatched her focus, as she spun to me, gaze intent on my figure.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine"

"Excuse me" I let out, making my way out the space.

The broom held in my hands had dropped to the floor the moment I was outside, and the tears I struggled to keep hidden, soon came pouring out.

Mother was all that came to mind.

Mother, and hopes of a miracle.