SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA

chapter 22

The next day, I went to my mum's supermarket, Cindy was sticking to my body like glue.

She tells anybody that cares to listen that I am her sister, I saw Serena and Tobias, and they both came to greet me with other staffs as their employer's first daughter who studied abroad. Cindy made sure she filled them all in very well.

I wondered why they didn't recognized me. I left their house when I was just sixteen years, I was looking so thin like match stick, unkempt and malnourished. I was older than Serena with a year and Tobias with three years, but Serena was looking as if she was my aunt then. Just within three years in my dad’s custody, I grew into my real self.

My mum was away, so I was the new boss on ground as everybody reports to me. I have planned with Cindy who was ready to do anything I ask of her, to stage a drama for Serena. She was very excited to tag along.

Cindy went to the staff dressing room and hide a very expensive perfume in Serena's bag. After the close of the day, I instructed Cindy to go and stand with the two security guards on duty, she should tell them that an expensive perfume was missing and they should search every staff before they cross the gate.

Everybody was searched including Tobias who was in line with others and it got to Serena, who never knew the plan on ground. I watched with a smile from the camera as the security men searched her bag and saw the perfume. She opened her mouth in shock as she kept saying she doesn't know how the thing got into her hand bag.

I sat at the cashier and watch from the surveillance camera as Cindy accused Serena of stealing, and threatened to tell my mum, their employer. Both siblings were brought to me, I dismissed others to go home, I watch as Serena cried and pleaded that she doesn't know how the thing got into her bag, even her brother pleaded on her behalf. Now it was up to me to determined what will happen, and I started my own drama.

My long awaited drama.

"This small item you stole can pay your three months’ salary, I wonder why my mother will employ people without proper background check, is this your brother...?

"Yes madam "

So you planned with him to steal… how long have you both been stealing here?

I swear it madam I did steal it !!

Never you raise your voice at me  again. Today you will face your doom because I'm shrewder than my mother, I will dismiss both of you, I’ll personally sack you and your brother, and employ better workers. I don't need thieves working for my mother."

Tobias decide to finally speak it funny because I kind of miss hearing him talk especially when he is singing .

"Please ma'am pardon my sister I beg of  you "

" Gabby-L supermarket just opened not up to two years and we’re already encountering thieves, no... This is just too bad. I think you need to be locked up... so that it will serve as warning to those who have such evil intentions..."

I was already enjoying myself with this drama, sounding so convincing in my ears and to everyone present.

Cindy too became scared for them due to the way I was reacting, I needed them all to believe that this was real. I watched as Serena knelt and begged, Tobias wasn’t left out while his sister cried…

"Please ma, we are begging, please don't sack us, my sister did not steal... I'm not saying you are lying ma, please even if she did I'm on my knee begging you to please forgive us... Don't sack us or call the police, we are graduates and....

"Hey... Hey I don't need your life details, spare me all that and save it for the police... I need to see the woman that gave birth to two of you, let me know if she's a good mother or not... maybe she was the brain box behind the this. take me to her, after meeting her, it will determine if I should call the police or not, but just be praying to whatever God you believe in because you will need lots of prayer to be save from this..."

"I'm innocent ma, we don't have any bad record in my family, my parents are good people, and my mother is a kind woman... she’s…”

"Are you sure your mother is a kind woman? Well, I will love to find out for myself, take me to your house, quickly." I commanded.

They were surprise but I was serious, this was my own way of meeting Mrs. Ortega. Cindy was trying to follow as usual.

"Stay back, call mom to come pick you, or you go home but make sure you don't say anything to anybody. If you do you won't be my sister anymore, I will just swap sister, do you understand me?"

"Yes, I do, I understand you clearly big sis, I won't say a word to anyone, I will just tell Mom you took a walk round the neighborhood".

I smiled and hugged her before leaving with them.

We got to their house after twenty minutes, it was a slum. When we got in, I looked round the house, it wasn't bad, but one can see that life hasn't been as pleasant as it was before for them. I guess they have adapted to such low life.

Their mother came out. She was looking so frustrated and tattered. I didn't see Emily as I waited.

On seeing her children worried with tearful look she too became worried. Who won't be worried  ? .

They both started explaining about what happened. Boss Lady looked at me with worried stricken face, I acted unconcerned as I sat on their worn out chair and crossed my leg in fashion style, even their mother couldn't recognize me.

"Please ma, they are my children, they are not thieves, I didn't bring them up that way, my hus...”

"Enough, I'm not here for those details Madam. I was told by your children that you are a kind woman... So are you kind...? Your truthful reply will determine if I will take up this your children's stealing case or drop it and let it slide... policemen are just one phone call away from here".

"My daughter, I am a kind and loving woman, because I know it’s the rich and famous that rules the world, my daughter is innocent... I beg you to have mercy and please don't sack my children, please..."

Still lying.

"Madam Delilah, you are very funny…”I said and she opened her eyes wide as she stared at me in shock.

“Oh you are surprise that I know your real name, I can dismiss your children and still frustrate their lives and yours too, it’s unfortunate you don't even know who's standing before you".

With the way she is gapsing for breath one will think I am actually squeezing her neck .

"Where’s Emily by the way? I guess she's your errand girl now. If I ever have a change of heart it will be because of her.

I wonder what they have turns my loving Emily into .

"Tell me the story of Lauretta and Nora, your once upon a time housekeepers”.

She was speechless.

“My father is the popular wealthy Micho Tello, my harlot mother is the owner of Gabby-L Supermarket where your children work. My name is Lauretta M. Tello, the useless maid who summoned courage to stand up to you before running out into the cold lonely street only to discover who she really was”.

She soon started crying like a baby who lost her puppy.

“Mrs. Ortega, don't cry because it’s of no use, I'm not planning to pay you back in your own coins. Even if I ever had such plan but because of Emily I forgive you all and let the past remain where it belongs.  I need to see her, when she comes back tell her to visit me at Gabby-L tomorrow”.

I turned to Serena and Tobias “you two can resume work tomorrow. I just want you all to understand that wickedness is not a good way of life”.