SOPHIE
Working in this house hasn't been an easy task. Being a house help ain't a walk in the park.
My madam wants me to do this for her, my boss also wants me to do something for him.
Their daughter is another pain in the ass. She spites me.... She sees me as garbage. But do I have a choice? Hell no!
One moment, I'm in the kitchen, the other I'm in the laundry room....
This is the pattern since day one
This job is hectic but do I have a choice?
I'm like a robot. I have to do whatever I'm asked to do else I'll be out on the streets, jobless and begging for shelter.
I'm not complaining because I have someone to look after....
Having completed my high school education, years ago, I had no one to take me to college even after passing with flying colours.
I get involved with a spoilt brat in our village and one thing leads to another.
Before I realise, I'm heavy with a child.
I approach Mike the baby daddy and he tells me to my face that he can't marry a pauper like me.
I'm desperately looking for a solution.
But one thing is for sure, I'm not going to abort the first fruit of my womb.
The baby daddy can go to hell for all I care.
Mike is still in college and I somehow understand his fears.
He thinks a baby will just tie him down.
After putting to bed, Mike comes with his parents and just like that, they take my baby Brandon away.
I try to fight with them to no avail.
They are rich and influential and I just give up on them.
I don't have that strength.
"We can't let our blood wallow in poverty as we watch..."
That's all they have to say.
"I'll get my boy back when I make enough money.. "
I promise myself.
Life is tough out here and I have to do menial jobs to sustain my grandma and I.
Sleeping hungry and skipping meals is the order of the day.
Forced fasting it is.
My parents are long gone and having only my grandmother to take care of me, I find myself a job in a construction site in the city.
The foreman is a guy in his late twenties. He takes a liking for me immediately our eyes meet.
"What is a beautiful girl doing in a construction site? This job is meant for men...."
He asks as he holds my hand firmly.
"I need a job...I don't mind if it's for men or not! "
I reply amid tears.
"Don't cry young lady. I'll help you. "
Having come out of a toxic relationship, I doubt his intentions for me.
I'm not ready to rush into another relationship.
I have enough troubles in my hand and adding more might make me run mad.
"I'll take you to my boss. He needs a house help..."
He snaps me from my reverie.
"Really? Just like that? Thanks alot."
He excuses himself after giving instructions to the workers.
It seems his intentions towards me are pure.....
******
Here I am, working my aas out to help sustain my ailing grandma back in the village.
The pay is way better than I could imagine.
Everything I need is available and I don't have to worry about a roof over my head because I live in my boss's house...
Madam Sarah is somehow friendly and she doesn't treat me as bad as her daughter Khloe. I wonder why she spites me so much.
She's still in college.
She always speaks highly about her brother who's pursuing his masters abroad.
I later come to learn that the couple has only two kids.
Khloe and Kelvin.
The boss Mr. Evans doesn't talk too much either.
To him, it's like I do not exist except when he wants me to run an errand for him.
However, that doesn't happen more often lying.
I sometimes wonder why Khloe hates me so much but either way, I have to work to sustain my grandma and myself....
I hope against hope that I'll be able to save enough for my college fee.
Since the foreman brought me there, I haven't seen him neither hasn't he called me and I had given him my number.
I also have his but I don't want to look like a bother to him.
I somehow regret misunderstanding his intentions towards me. Maybe he just wanted to help.
****
"Good morning Sophie...."
I receive a call one morning as I prepare breakfast.
"Good morning Alvin, how have to been?"
We chat for sometime and he promises to pick me up that Sunday during my day off and take me somewhere to talk.
I don't have a problem with that therefore I give him a go ahead.
Listening to him won't cost me anything.....