My Precious

TWELVE

Grace stood up from the study table and went over to Precious where she sat in the living room. She looked at what Precious busied herself with and squatted beside her.

"Oh. This is pretty." Grace said as she held the paper Precious drew on. "My baby is a born artist, I'm so proud of you." She said and pecked her forehead. Precious smiled.

"Thanks Mom. How was work?"

"Fine. So what would you be doing for this year's talent show?" Grace asked stroking her back.

Precious was quiet. She never liked talent shows, she believed everyone was a show-off especially Carolina who sings beautifully.

"I think you should sing. You sing sweetly and you are always cute when you do." Grace fiddled her hair.

"I really don't want to do anything." Precious replied.

"Why? Are you shy? I've told you great women exhibit confidence. And you my love, you are great. Know that."  Grace said and gave her a hug.

The following morning Grace tore apart the whole house in search of Precious, they were both running late and still Precious was nowhere to be found.

Grace had gone about the estate in search of her, she couldn't pinpoint where she could be, no guess at all. She had made a turn for the police station when one of her neighbors called that they found Precious hiding behind a bush.

Grace thanked her neighbors as they left one after the other, she was clearly disappointed and angry. She shot Precious an angry look.

" What was this for?" She questioned in anger.

"I'm sorry mom, but I didn't want to go to school." Precious replied in fear.

"And you didn't think to tell me."

"I knew you would still insist I go."

Grace looked at her and sighed. She went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Precious is still a child, why in the world wouldn't she want to be in school. She wasn't ready to believe she had a naughty daughter. She went to her room, she met on her bed.

"What is wrong? Is there anyone disturbing you in school? Is it your teachers? Friends? Tell me." Grace said lifting her up.

"No." She answered lowly.

Grace sighed and glared into the open air. She really hopes everything is okay with Precious. She decided she was going to visit her school tomorrow and talk to her class teacher. She dropped Precious and stood, she was so late for work but she was still going to go. She went to her room and redressed herself while she ordered Precious to take her bath and change clothes. Within an hour, she was driving out of the compound in her car with Precious beside her.
               ********

"Miss Atiba, I assure you everything is okay. In fact, she is one of our star student, always bright and shining." Precious class teacher said with so much assurance.

"You sound assuring but my daughter's action yesterday was burdensome. I would like it if you paid a closer attention to her. Thank you." Grace said pleadingly.

"Don't worry ma. Ehm. What is she signing up for?" The teacher asked as she smiled to Precious, she looked away.

"Signing up for? Oh, you mean the talent show."

"Yes ma."

Grace pulled Precious closer to herself and smiled.

"She is singing." She answered, the teacher smiled and took out a book, filled Precious name in it and handed her a paper.

"She's in."

Grace collected the paper and looked at it.

"Okay, I'll be leaving now." She stood up and waved to Precious as she exited the class.

Mr Abba stood at the centre of the office. He took of his eye glasses and cleared his throat.

"As you all know, the CEO of this able firm would be joining us for a while next month but he is visiting us soon. I want us all to be on our best act." He stopped when the staffs started rumbling.

"Hey, hey, calm down. I'm not saying you have not been on your best act but just be on the best of it. The CEO is a no nonsense person as have heard and from the little have seen, so I want you all to behave. Especially our sector. That's all, now all you should return to your duties."

He returned to his office.

"Heard the CEO is really handsome." Clara said to her friend in the office.

"I can't say till I see him. Besides, if he's strict I'll pass him as ugly. Fine or not." Her friend replied.

"Clara!" Grace called. She rolled her eyes before she went to Grace.

"What?" She said as she got to Grace's desk.

"I've worked on the raw files of this and I've sorted out the data. Just for you to finalize-"

"I thought I told you to help me out with it."

"Yes, and I have just a little job left and since you are less busy I was thinking you should finish it plus it needs your signature and I'm busy. I have a whole lot on my hands." Grace said as she handed her the file.

Clara snatched it from her hands, hissed and walked away. Grace sighed as she wondered how long all this was going to last. Would people ever like her for being herself? She doesn't know what exactly she does wrong to get on the bad side of people.

"Atiba! Take this to Davis et Davis, I have worked out the basics. You see them through with how they are going to escape the publics." Mr. Abba said and dropped a file on her table.

Grace frowned and tried to protest but he walked away without giving her a chance to say anything.

She looked at the wall clock in the office and hurriedly packed her bags as it was time to pick Precious up from school.

Hello guys!
I know it's been long and I'm really sorry for the break but I promise to make it up to you and that's why I'll be uploading more chapters the week.

Sweet Grace and Precious....😗
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Thank you.

See ya.