Cursed To Be A Stepdaughter

Chapter 20

Simamkele's pov:

I stretch as I feel my bones crack. I've been sitting for way too long. Jason is helping me look for Ms Williams in the crowd of people who are here to fetch those who have just landed. There,with a board in front of her chest,written 'Simamkele Browns'. It's not the first time I see her but it'll be the first time I meet her in person. Her autumn brown hair looks gorgeous against her pale white skin. Her eyes a bright brown and her lips marinated with a ruby red lipstick. She's wearing a classy black suit that matches with her heels. We walk over to her and she hugs me really tightly. She smiles at Jason and they shake hands.

"Thank you for helping her" she says smiling at him

"It was a blessing in disguise. I think I made a friend" he smiles back. He hugs me and bids us goodbye. Ms Williams wheels my suitcase and I follow behind her. She puts it in the boot of her car while I admire the scenery. This is a really big airport. We make conversation through the whole drive. I'm a little bit shy around her so I opt not to take pictures of the sunset. We finally get to her house and it's in a very nice neighborhood. She,again,offloads my luggage and wheels it towards the house. The door is not locked,meaning there might be someone here.

"Kids. I have someone I want you to meet" she shouts as she shows me a couch I could sit on. The house looked big on the outside and it definitely is spacious on the inside too.

"I told her to stop calling us kids but she's old so she probably didn't hear me" I hear a male voice say and then a giggle follows. There appears a male version of Ms Williams and a really pretty girl. She's all petite and snatched. The guy looks a little older than the girl

"Mason,Olivia. I want you to meet Mila,she's new in town" she says and we all shake hands. I don't mind shaking hands for now because I haven't had a proper bath.

"Nice to meet you" Mason says smiling

"Pleasure to be in your presence" Olivia follows shortly after her brother

"You could've just said what I said" he complains

"I talk smart,unlike you" they quarrel until their mother reprimands them.

"You must be tired,let me show you to your room" Ms Williams says to me. I follow her while she tours me around the house. We finally get to the room I'll sleep in. It has a bathroom just on the other door.

"You can shower if you like and then come down for dinner after that" I nod smiling "also Simamkele?"

"Yes Ms Williams?"

"Uhm I know it's too early but how about I adopted you? You'll stay here and be part of my family" she gives a little smile. My heart beats out of my chest "you don't have to decide now"

"What about the bursary agency?will they allow that?" I ask hesitantly. I have talked to this woman over the phone and she is the best,but how do I know that she really has my best interests at heart?

"Uh..." she pauses. I sigh loudly by mistake "I tried explaining your situation to the committee but they wouldn't hear a thing. They said that they couldn't offer a bursary to a pregnant individual. I'm really sorry" she hugs me and I just lay my head on her shoulder,with tears trickling down my cheeks. I sniff

"What will I do now?" I whisper thinking about my poor baby. He or she will have to grow up with a hustling,uneducated mother

"I don't mind paying for your tuition fees and everything else" I keep still and listen,I really wonder what she wants in return. "Simamkele I know your story and trust me,as a woman who came from an abusive home,I know how hard it is to trust. Don't rush,think about it and let me know,okay?" So Ms Williams was also abused? She lets go after some time and leaves the room wiping her own tears. I enter the en-suite bathroom. It is elegantly designed with white tiles-with a gold design- making everything so bright. I take my face soap to the shower,where a bath soap,shampoo,and shaving cream is already neatly stacked. I open the taps at the same time,so that I don't get the shock of the cold water. I stare at the bruises on my wrists,from when I was a kid and the step monster would tie me up,thinking it's fun. I snap out of my daze and start scrubbing my body. Worry still lingers around my mind. Will I finally be happy here?

After that shower I brush my teeth and comb out my curly hair. It tickles my forehead so I decide to tie it into a little bun. Back in "my" room,I wear a set of long sleeved night sweaters. These are new,I hadn't worn them before. The man who's name shall not be mentioned bought them for me. "Before you killed him" my subconscious mocks. They fit so perfectly around my round belly. I'm so convinced that my baby girl will have skin just like that man that rejected her. I send Jason a message telling him that I've arrived. I walk back slowly to the lounge,where I heard some laughing. I sit down on the vacant couch.

"Mila,we need you to settle a debate" Mason says looking at me,seemingly all sorts of annoyed. Olivia giggles,her cheeks turning blush.

"Yes?" I answer in a small voice.

"Do you prefer pizza with ham toppings or pizza with veggie toppings?" Olivia asks. I look at both of them shyly

"I prefer pizza with pineapple toppings" I respond and they laugh,I smile

"I like you already" that's Mason

"Let me sit with you" Olivia moves from the couch she was sitting on to sit next to me. She rubs my belly up and down "is it a boy or a girl?" she asks while Mason changes the channel

"It's a girl" I respond,giving a small smile. Ms Williams calls us for dinner. Throughout the whole dinner,there was constant laughter and silly conversations. After dinner I helped Olivia clean up while Mason sat there with his computer. All of a sudden he had 'work' to do. It was very funny to watch as they bickered about how Mason never helps with anything around the house. Olivia helped me settle into my room,telling me stories about her friends and childhood. She left shortly after we finished packing my closet. I sat in bed,thinking about how my life is about to change. Either for the better or it will remain like how it's always been.