I Believe!

Part Six

"Madam, I really shouldn't be talking about my boss, I'm sure he wouldn't like it." Rose stood before Sara with her hands clasped in front of her and her head down. But far from it being a submissive posture, Sara could sense strength and determination oozing from her.

"Please sit down." Sara said for the fourth time though it felt like the thousandth time.

She took a deep breath to calm herself as Rose shook her head yet again, "No, thank you, ma."

"What's going on here?" Jemimah asked from the door. "Aren't you supposed to be cleaning or something? Why are you just standing there?" She asked Rose

"Miss Sara was talking to me." Rose answered, her head still down.

Jemimah turned to Sara. "I'm sorry but she doesn't get paid to stand around or talk. She's paid to work." She raised an eyebrow to Rose. The older woman took the cue and left the room.

Sara was about to tell Jemimah to at least show a little more respect to Rose when she heard the sound of the gate opening and a car driving in.

"Oh, my God!" Jemimah exclaimed. "That's probably Michael. Rose." She shouted on her way up the stairs. "I hope you have food ready for him." She turned to Sara and spoke hurriedly as she zoomed off, "I have to freshen up, I'll be down shortly."

Sara heard the door open and close as Rose swiftly went into the kitchen. She felt like there was commotion everywhere. She stood up nervously, started for the door and then thought better of it. She had been hoping Mike would come tomorrow, Wednesday, instead of today because she still hadn't been able to get much either Jemimah or Rose. Talk about crushed hope, she'd thought Rose would be easy and now, even though she'd had extra days added to her wait, she was wishing for more!

Taking a seat, she fidgeted and straightened the simple plain brown dress she'd found in the cupboard. She'd had to hold in a few areas with safety pins so that she wasn't swimming in the dress. Despite that, the dress still sagged around her and she kept her nervous hands busy with pulling up the neckline every other moment.

The door opened and Sara held her breath as Michael walked in, his jacket draped over his arm, and his tie hung loose around his neck. He looked fit, like he worked out often and could take on just about anything, his shirt fit him snugly and a gold watch glistened at his wrist.

His hair was cut professionally short and his face looked smooth, although it'd take a miracle to clear his eyes of all he'd seen and been through. He didn't look surprised to see her but a hesitant smile formed on his lips and shivers ran down Sara's spine as she stood before him. His confident stance intimidated her greatly.

"Sara." He acknowledged

"Welcome Michael." Jemimah said, coming down the stairs, arms open wide.

Michael seemed to stiffen a bit and didn't look in her direction. "Later. I'll see you later, Jemimah."

Sara noticed the look of disappointment and slight anger on the young girl's face before she turned away. The look had made her appear more like a child than the girl would have probably liked. Sara found herself briefly wondering if Jemimah was even up to 15 years old. Michael's deep baritone clipped her wandering thoughts.

"Please sit." He said. He waited for her to get seated then sat opposite her. He flung his jacket over the arm of the chair and it landed perfectly, neatly. "I was surprised when I was told you were here. What brings you all the way to Kaduna?"

Sara took a deep breath, "I came to check on you, Mike. I was worried. We hadn't heard from you in over a year and then you called all of a sudden. What's been going on?"