Bought #complete (Sequel to Sold)

Chapter Four

A new commandment I give that you love one another as I have loved you

“Tia” Tia turned from the sink at the mention of her name. Her hands were buried in a sink full of soapy water and brand new dishes.

“Shouldn't you be in school?” Sisi asked, a yawn escaping her lips. Her hair was pulled up in a lazy bun and her blue pyjamas hung on her petite body.

“School? No, Aunty. I have never been to school. Mother home schooled me until she died. I have to work to earn a living”

Sisi stared at her, not sure what to say. A young girl needed to be in school to socialise with people her age. She motioned with her hands for Tia to leave the dishes and come to her. She rinsed her hands, and stepped forward towards Sisi.

“I don't want you working all day. You need to go to school” Sisi looked sternly at her. “Are there any good schools around here?”

“I can't work and school, Aunty. I will be a lousy employee. My former employers knew this. Please, don't send me away” Fear reflected in her eyes.

Sisi felt sorry for her. Every time she looked at her, she was reminded of herself; alone; without a family, homeless, no assurance of security, afraid that one day, the life she had known would be taken away from her. Just like Tia, Sisi had been home schooled. Chief couldn't afford for her to be exposed to the general public so he had locked her up like his prisoner and had hired a private tutor to teach her the basics. She made a fist. The monster knew that if he let her out of his sight long enough, she would escape.

“Tia” She touched her face, compassion filling her heart. “I'm not sure how I feel about you working here as my employee” The teen's eyes widened in fear and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak but Sisi stopped her by raising a finger. “I want you to live here with me. This will be your home for as long as I stay. However, you don't have to look at me as your employer. How old are you?”

“Fifteen. Sixteen in December”

“Good” Sisi smiled. “You can be a teen and do what normal teenagers do. For starters, I'm enrolling you in school”

Tia looked at her, her eyes widening in surprise. “Thank you!” She fell to her knees.

“No, Tia. In the same measure I have been loved, I will love you too”

****

Sisi mentally kicked herself as she made her way across the street to Jean's house for dinner. Why had she accepted the invitation to go?! She groaned. She wasn't here to make friends. On the contrary, she had come here to be alone but it seemed as if the longer she stayed, the more friends she made. Perhaps she has even gone ahead to acquire a daughter in Tia. Just what she needed; someone to get attached to and lose in the long run. Tia had insisted on staying at home instead of going with her to Jean's house for dinner. The mere mention of Jean and Tia would fly out of the room. Sisi smiled. She probably still feared that Jean would have her arrested for not leaving the property.

Climbing cautiously up the front stairs, she rang the door bell. A few minutes later, the door flew open. A middle aged white man stood before her; black hair, brown eyes, a beautiful smile on his face. He towered over her, his muscles hard to hide behind his grey long sleeve shirt. She had learned a few days back that she lived in a White neighbourhood. 

“Hi, you must be Sisi. I'm Ben, Jean's husband. Come in” He smiled, shifting aside for her to walk by him. “Jean's in the kitchen.” He motioned towards the kitchen.

“Thank you” She returned his smile. Turning to face the direction he pointed, she saw Jean making her way towards her, a big smile on her face. She reached where Sisi stood and hugged her tightly.

“Sisi! I'm so glad you could make it” Releasing her hold on her, she looked behind her. “Where is the girl who lives with you? Um... What's her name?”

“Tia” Sisi laughed. “I think she is afraid of you”

Jean looked hurt. “She shouldn't be!”

“She'll be fine. She has just been through a lot”

“Okay. Let's eat then” She announced.

It was a rather loud dinner. Jean talked a lot and Ben listened intently. Sisi was lost as to the direction of the conversation so she kept her eyes on her meal and her mind on Remi. She saw him smile in her mind's eyes, his dimples coming out to play.

“My love for you is not a sin. You can be free from Chief for you were never married in the first place” She heard him whisper as he captured her lips, her entire being responding to his kiss.

She sighed.

“Sisi” Someone touched her hand. She glanced up to find two inquiring eyes staring at her. “How is everything going with settling down in the house?”

“Um... Slow. I want to make some changes. I'm thinking of repainting the living room and bedrooms and changing the wall paper in the kitchen.”

“Sounds nice. Oh, do you plan on doing it yourself or do you have some one in mind who can help you?” Jean asked.

“No” She didn't know anyone in Johannesburg other than Tia. “I'll try doing it myself. It should be fun”

Jean laughed; a rich, bubbly laughter that filled the entire room and made it come alive. “Trust me, it is not as easy as it sounds. I tried it before and I made a bigger mess. Thank God for Andrew! I could send him over to help you if you like” She offered.

Sisi frowned. How hard could it be painting the walls? She might be a woman, she might be very little and probably quite young but she was a strong woman. No, she didn't need a man to paint the darn walls! She shook her head. “I can do it myself but thanks for the offer”

“If you change your mind, call me”

She nodded her head, knowing fully well she wouldn't change her mind. How hard could it be.