Olima hesitated at the kitchen door, unwilling to abandon her attempts to plead with her stepmother.
She had graduated as the top student in her school, and had she been aware, she could have taken advantage of the school scholarship program that was available to her at the time. However, she believed her father had more promising plans for her. She pleaded with Mrs. Gina once more, desperately expressing her need to take the university entrance examination in order to secure admission into any university. Mrs Gina snaps, "And who's going to pay for your school fees, Olima? Did you forget how your father heartlessly cast me and Mia away? Just a friendly reminder, the money I'm using to support you right now was originally meant to pay the previous maids I had to let go. Unfortunately, there is no money available in this household to support your education fees at any university. Why am I bothering to explain all of this to you? Leave my presence immediately! Watch out, or I'll give you a good beating!" Mrs. Gina raised her voice, prompting Olima to reluctantly return to the kitchen. Nathan, the gate man of the mansion, politely knocked on the door before entering the elegant living room. He entered to let Mrs. Gina know that the school bus had arrived to pick up Mia for school. Nathan was aware that Mrs. Gina had not been in charge of the house before. However, after the previous madam's departure, Mrs. Gina assumed control of the mansion and assumed the role of the new madam. Nathan cheerfully greeted Mrs. Gina, "Good morning, ma'am. Mia's ride to school has arrived." Mrs Gina let out a sigh and responded, "Don't worry, Nathan. You're free to go and let the driver know that Mia will be outside shortly." "Alright, Madam," Nathan said with a bow before promptly exiting the living room. He's a middle-aged man, and he let out a sigh before heading outside to ask the school bus driver to wait. Mia finished her breakfast, savoring the delicious noodles and fried eggs prepared by Olima. She rose from her dinner chair and picked up her black schoolbag from the adjacent seat, informing her mother, "Mom, I'm heading to school. Take care of yourself, mom." "Alright, my little one. Take care too," Mrs. Gina replied with a sigh. As she stood there, observing her only child leave the living room. Mrs. Gina gazed at the dining table and proceeded to collect the soiled plate and tray that Mia had utilized. "Why is Olima still in the kitchen?" Curiosity piqued, Mrs. Gina ventured into the kitchen to investigate on her own, rather than summoning Olima to join her. Olima stood by the kitchen sink, gently washing her face with care. Her once innocent gaze transformed into a haunting shade of crimson. As the kitchen door slid open, Olima turned her head and caught sight of her stepmother entering the living room. Mrs Gina gives Olima a stern look and demands, "What are you doing standing there next to the kitchen sink?" Olima responded promptly, "Nothing, Ma. I was in the middle of washing my face." Mrs. Gina fell silent, making her way to the kitchen sink to deposit the dirty tray and plate for Olima to wash. Mrs. Gina gazed at the carton of noodles perched atop the open cabinet, her eyes fixated on the three strands of noodles and two eggs meticulously arranged by Olima for cooking. She inquired of Olima the reason behind the placement of the noodles and eggs. Olima hesitantly responded, "I would like to prepare it, ma." "Hmm," Mrs. Gina approached the carton of noodles she had purchased the previous week. She carefully examined it, as if the noodles were the smaller sized packet. She inquired of Olima, "What quantity of noodles did you prepare for Mia today?" "I prepared two noodles, Ma." Olima replied with a hint of nervousness. "So, you're planning to cook just for yourself? How many noodles are we looking at here?" Mrs. Gina exclaimed in surprise, her eyes fixed on the nearly empty carton. Olima shivered and responded, "Just three noodles, Ma." "Only three noodles! Exclusively for your enjoyment! Oh my goodness!" Mrs Gina let out a gasp, her eyes fixed on Olima who recoiled in fear. Mrs Gina questioned, "Were you intending to transform me into a thief overnight? How is it possible for you to consume just three noodles and two eggs in one sitting? No wonder you still look so fresh and beautiful even after the unfortunate loss of your parents..." Mrs Gina glared at Olima, who trembled in fear, while she focused on counting the contents of the carton. Mrs. Gina declared, "From this day forward, a single noodle and egg shall suffice for you. If I discover that you prepare more than a single noodle and egg for yourself each day, it would be quite a sight. Then you'll witness a different aspect of my personality." "There are only 10 noodles left in this carton. And when I purchased it brand new. There were 40 packets... It seems that you and Mia have devoured a staggering 30 packets of noodles in just one week. I'm certain that you consumed the most. Now, put those two packets back into the carton to make it twelve. Then, treat yourself to a simple meal by cooking just one noodle and one egg. But before that, please prepare my tea and bring it out to the dining table now." Mrs. Gina released her grip on the noodles carton and exited the kitchen, leaving Olima in tears. Olima hurriedly made her way to the teacup cabinet to prepare her stepmother's tea. She had a feeling that her stepmother would disapprove. With grace and precision, Olima emerged from the kitchen, delicately balancing a tray of steaming teacups as she made her way to the dining room. She approached the dining table and placed the dish in front of her stepmother. Olima eventually returned to the kitchen to make her own breakfast. She quietly prepared a simple meal of one noodle and one egg for herself, hoping to avoid any punishment from her stepmother. Once she finished cooking the noodle and egg, she settled onto a stool in the kitchen and began eating her meal with a quiet demeanor, tears streaming down her face. Olima longed for the presence of her parents, aware that her father had been incredibly wealthy and financial concerns were never a burden. Her eyes welled up with tears as she realized the depth of her stepmother's animosity towards her. She couldn't help but wonder who would be there to advocate for her in her stepmother's absence. With the arrest of her uncles, it seemed as though none of her relatives cared anymore. Their sole focus was on her late father's properties. His oil company and extravagant mansions as well. After finishing her breakfast, Olima got up from the kitchen stool and headed towards the sink to wash her plate. Afterwards, she ventured into the dining room to check if her stepmother had finished her tea, hoping to clean the teacup and tray as well. Olima noticed her stepmother's absence from the dining table, and a silence fell over the mansion. As she listened, the familiar sound of a car engine starting reached her ears. Curiosity piqued, she made her way to the dining room window. Peering out, she caught sight of her stepmother driving away from the garage in one of her late father's luxurious new cars. Olima's late father owned up to five brand new, spotless cars, including three Jeeps. Olima let out a weary sigh as she made her way back into the kitchen. She diligently washed all the dirty plates and teacups that were left there before heading upstairs to her bedroom. Exhausted and alone, she was in desperate need of sleep and rest. As she finished her bath, she slipped into yet another delicate blue gown and settled onto her bed, contemplating the daunting task of enduring her stepmother's relentless cruelty day after day. Then she drifted off into a peaceful slumber on the bed. Later in the evening, Mrs. Gina returned home from her boutique shop, specializing in feminine clothing. She gracefully pulled into the mansion premises and parked her car. She gracefully exited the vibrant car and securely locked the door with the press of a button on her remote. Mrs. Gina fondly recalled how her late husband had graciously purchased a car for her. Once Mia reached the age of five, she began expressing her desire for Olima's mother's car. And her mother required a car as well. It was at that moment when Mr. Leo made the decision to purchase a new small car for Mrs. Gina, which she had been making do with until now. Mrs. Gina let out a weary sigh as she gazed at her compact black car, still sitting in the garage. She shook her head and approached the mansion entrance, ready to step into the elegant white house. The center of the compound boasted a stunning fountain, surrounded by a plethora of vibrant flowering plants at the front. Mrs. Zoe had a deep passion for flowers and plants. Nathan completed securing the gate and warmly welcomed Mrs. Gina once more, saying, "It's great to have you back, Madam." As he caught sight of her approaching the grand entrance of the mansion. "Yes, thank you Nathan. Has anyone come looking for me?" Mrs. Gina paused and inquired, to which Nathan responded, "No, Madam." "Okay," Mrs. Gina replied, and she made her way up the grand entrance of the mansion before stepping into the elegant living room. Olima jumped up from the black couch in the living room when she spotted her stepmother entering the room. She was completely absorbed in the captivating romance movie playing in the living room, oblivious to the sound of the car engine. With the blaring volume of the flat screen television, Olima was completely unaware of Mrs. Gina's arrival. Mrs Gina looked stunning in her long blue gown, which perfectly accentuated her figure. She completed her look with a sleek black handbag. Olima greeted her with a quick "Good evening, Ma." Mrs. Gina stared at Olima with intense, fiery eyes, growing increasingly frustrated as she received no response. Her eyes drifted towards the living room wall clock and she noticed that it was already past 7pm in the evening. However, Olima failed to show up at her shop in the afternoon to collect the money needed for their evening meals. Mia rose to her feet and warmly greeted her mother, "Good evening, mom." Mrs. Gina glanced at Mia and greeted her with a simple "Evening, Mia. How are you feeling today? Have you completed your school assignments yet?" "Yes, I have, mom. Olima was instrumental in assisting me with it." Mia replied and Mrs. Gina let out a sigh, "Hm." Mrs. Gina watched as Olima made her way towards the dining room. Curiosity piqued, she called out to Olima, "Hey, Olima, is dinner ready?" Mrs Gina was aware that there were no food supplies in the house, yet she felt compelled to ask Olima about it.Olima responded with unease, "No, ma'am. I've searched the kitchen cupboards and there's no food in sight." Mia's face contorted with hunger, and she inquired, "Why have you been so silent all this time?" Olima looked on in disbelief as she assisted Mia with her school assignments. Mia's demeanor quickly changed when she spotted her mother walking through the door. Mia would adopt and mirror her mother's toxic behavior, acting rudely as well. Mrs. Gina let out a sigh, "Hmm, and you can just sit down here with Mia and watch the television. Did you forget to come to my shop at the marketplace to ask for money to restock the house with food and prepare dinner for tonight? Or did you expect us to go hungry?" Mrs. Gina fixes a piercing gaze on Olima, her voice devoid of warmth. Olima replied with a hint of fear, "No, ma'am." Mrs. Gina's gaze intensified as she focused on Olima. She swiftly retrieved a stack of fresh bills from her purse and meticulously counted them. She handed over
After a long search, Olima managed to hail a taxi. She gracefully slid into the back seat and confidently informed the driver of her desired destination: "To the Emerson estate, please." The taxi driver responded with a simple "Okay." He started the car and drove ahead, with Olima as the sole passenger, until they reached the entrance of the Emerson Housing Estate gate. As the taxi came to a halt, Olima quickly settled the fare and swiftly exited the vehicle. She hurriedly made her way through the estate gate, sprinting towards her home with great urgency. The estate security men watched Olima intently, curious about the reason behind her hurried return to her home, a familiar sight to them. One of the Estate men remarked, "She's a stunning young lady, always bustling about on errands since her parents passed away." The others remained silent and carried on with their work, as there were four security men present. Upon reaching her father's mansion gate, Olima wasted no time i
Nathan forcefully pulled Olima out of the mansion, while she cried and pleaded with him, "Sir, I beg you, please don't cast me aside. I have nowhere else to go, Nathan. Please... " Olima wept while Nathan responded, "Regrettably, I am unable to assist you at this moment, ma'am. It's time for you to vacate this residence." Nathan was also concerned because he was unaware of Olima's actions. He caught sight of her as she arrived home and hurriedly retreated back into the house. Now, she was crying uncontrollably, and Mrs. Gina sternly instructed him to remove her from the premises. Olima pleaded, "Please sir, do not cast me aside. This house belongs to my father. I have nowhere else to go, please." Nathan released Olima's hands and ran his fingers through his short black hair on his head in frustration. He has a deep complexion and was also of average height. Mrs. Gina emerged from the grand mansion and called out, "Nathan! Is that witch still lurking around out there?" Nathan anx
Justin gazed intently at Jesse's face in the strip-club parking lot, lost in thought. He mentioned about the attractive woman we encountered earlier while exploring the estate today. Jesse grinned and responded, "Oh, you're talking about that girl who bolted when you tried to talk to her, right?" Justin shot a piercing look at Jesse, but Jesse couldn't help but burst into laughter and quickly apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, boss." Justin shouted his own name."How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me boss?" Justin always found it frustrating when Jesse insisted on maintaining a hierarchical dynamic between them. Jesse expressed remorse, "I apologize, Justin. You're aware of the potential consequences if your father discovers our friendship and that I address you by name." Justin responded, "I understand and it would mean a lot to me if you could address me by my name, especially when we're in public settings like this. To avoid drawing attention from others." Jess
Jesse's eyes also widened in shock as he saw Olima's face and knew that she was the same young lady that Justin was asking him off earlier when they were still at the club, but now she looks so battered than when he earlier saw her. Jesse couldn't believe that she was the one, and Justin was seriously worrying about her too. Olima was still unable to speak about who had hurt her as she cried and begged Justin, "Please, sir, help me get to the estate gate?." Justin asked her, "Why?." He held her left hand closely, as he didn't want her to run away from him again, but his phone continued ringing out in his black suit trouser side pocket. Jesse's phone also rang out, and Justin knew that his parents were the ones calling him. Even though they acted blindly toward him sometimes, his mother still always called him to know where he was and if he was alright. Justin said, "Wait first." He immediately took out his phone from his trouser side pocket, and at the same time, Jesse's phone w
Justin's car finally drove into the garage and parked. He stepped down from his car first and saw his mother standing at the mansion frontage and staring at him too as he walked over to the second side of the car and assisted the young lady in stepping down from his car. Mrs. Juliet was wearing a red long rosy nightgown and hearing the sound of her son's car arriving in their compound and parking in their garage. She immediately rushed out to have a peek at who had arrived, and seeing it was Justin made her relieved. Her husband had traveled abroad for a business trip to other states where he owned other mega houses as well, and she knew that he usually cheated on her, even more than Justin. Her husband, named Mr. Emerson Robert, kept his promiscuous lifestyle a secret, thinking she wouldn't know. She had seen a lot of photos and videos of him with some shameless young ladies who were proud to host her husband in their beds. Despite knowing that he was a married man and a billionai
Justin walked into the living room with his mother, but Mrs. Juliet wasn't in a good mood at all and she questioned him, "Son, just take a look at the time. You're just arriving home now. It's after 12 am in the midnight!" Mrs. Juliet ranted, and Justin rather apologized to his mother, "I'm sorry, Mom. I saw her on the road, and I couldn't just drive past her." "Why, son? We have the estate security agency to help her out, and now with you bringing her here, that will prolong the matter and warrant more questioning and explanations. What if that young lady did something more terrible in her family home or killed someone there, and you shamelessly brought her here to us, to implicate us too?" Mrs. Juliet roared out her frustration at Justin. "No, mother! She's innocent and cannot hurt a fly," Justin said, and his mother shook her head as her black eyes narrowed at her handsome son. "Okay. It's already late now, and I want to go and sleep. Tomorrow, I want you to take her away from h
Justin replied to Leah's greeting, "Good morning Leah, how was your night?" Justin was practically a free guy, and even though he knew that he was supposed to be strict with his staff and workers, he wasn't that type of guy that took life so seriously and should be demanding for respect all the time from his staff. He knew so well that Leah, Jesse, and their gate man, Alex, all respected him as he is their boss, just after his father, but he smiles with them and plays with them behind his parents' back, especially when his father isn't at home, as his mother usually turned a blind eye on his playfulness sometimes, but his father didn't approve of it at all, and always told him to maintain his distance of boss to servant relationship with their staff. "My night was fine boss, and yours?" Leah asked Justin as she paused her sweeping and stared up at his balcony again, he was leaning on upstairs. "Fine too," Justin replied, but his eyes remained focused on Olima, while Leah saw that he