Melancholy...

Chapter 23

I cleaned the small rivulets of sweat that had began to form on my forehead as I got closer to the bastard's house. All night long,I had thought thoroughly through my decision and had finally decided that I was indeed going to take it.

I am not going to lie ,it was tempting to turn back as I got closer to the house. The familiar neighbourhood looked so odd to me now. I recognised a few of the neighbours and gave them little smiles in acknowledgement. Most of them returned it but of course,the ignorant ones just passed without even looking at me.

Lo and Behold,I was in front of the bastard's house. To say I was nervous was understandable. A part of me knew I was going to get the job, but a part of me was in doubt.
Why? You'd ask.
It had been more than 2 weeks since the proposal was made to me and according to the Bastard,vI had just two weeks to accept the proposal.

The smell of freshly cut grass hit me as I stood in front of the metal gate. Taking in a long deep breath,I placed my hand on the doorbell. Everything around seemed to stop as I rang the doorbell. I tapped my feet on the floor impatiently as I waited for the gate to be opened.

I was welcomed by the familiar face of Baba and I couldn't help but give him a hug immediately after I saw him. He hugged me back tightly,swaying me from the left to the right in his thin arms. After he pulled back,he smiled widely at me and invited me inside.

I quickly scanned the house and let out an annoyed huff. It was around 5pm and the bastard's car was not there meaning he was not at home. Baba and I talked and talked and talked as we waited for him. Baba said he missed me so much since the new house help was disrespectful. He complained bitterly about how she wore revealing clothes and how she always had a piece of gum in her mouth which she chewed loudly. Like every African uncle, he showed his shock to the insane amount of weight I had lost and encouraged me to eat more.

If only he knew.

He asked me why I didn't work there anymore and I told him that the bastard said he didn't want me there. It didn't make any sense to him since he didn't know that the bastard was my father but I was quick to change the subject before he started asking personal questions.

Around 6:30 pm,the bastard arrived. The surprise on his face when he saw me through his windscreen was as clear as glass. I sat awkwardly as he got down from the car,wondering whether I should walk to him or not. Our eyes locked and I stood up and slowly walked towards him. He made his way to the room and I followed suite.

His new house help sat cross-legged on one of the sofas in the hall with a can of coke as she watched TV. The bastard offered me a seat and I sat down slowly,trying my best not to stare at the house help as he went upstairs to change. I turned to the TV and stared at the actors acting the kumawood movie she was watching like I didn't know them.

After minutes of silence ,the bastard came downstairs wearing casual clothes. Upon seeing him, the house help got up revealing the very short dress she was wearing ,gave the bastard's hand a light squeeze and walked to the kitchen. Something seemed off here, but I looked straight forward like I had seen nothing. I was minding my own business just like I should.

"Follow me." He said to me as he walked to his office. I walked behind him slowly and closed the office door after I had entered. He sat down and pointed at the chair across his, signalling that I should do same. I sat down and stared at him quietly.

"What brings you here?" He asked.
"The proposal. I am ready. I want to work for him."
He burst out laughing as he hit his table dramatically. It took everything in me not to smack his ugly face with a book or something.

"You know it's been more than two weeks right?" He asked.
I nodded as I fidgeted with my fingers.
"Well luckily for you, he hasn't found anyone so you can still take the offer."
I smiled as I sighed in relief. A part of me was sad about all this but I refused to let that get to me.

"Well Miss Tough,what made you decide to take this offer? You are now not so tough again are you?" He said with a smirk.
"I'm doing this for my family." I said in a straight forward voice. His smirk got bigger and I focused my glare on the small pieces of bread crumbs on his desk.

"Be here tomorrow by 8am to sign the agreement. You can leave now." He said after a moment of silence. Giving him one last look,I left quickly after saying goodbye to Baba.

As I walked home,my heart began to race. I didn't want to do this.

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Thank you for reading this chapter! Please like and comment.
Xoxo
Arianna