OWNED BY FAITH

Chapter Four

I sat on the bed, thinking. What could he possibly want? Why is he helping me? What does he have to gain? I really should tread carefully in the meantime, I might as well get used to the place. When he comes back we'll talk.

Albert showed me that there was even an indoor pool, massive, it was underneath blue, sparkling in the sun. How rich is he, really? What does he do? Is he a gangster? Oh shut up Precious, I'm sure the are other things one could possibly do to become this rich, I told myself.

After Albert showed me everywhere, he said it was time to introduce me to the staffs.

We went inside and he gathered everyone in the main hall. There were four ladies, all dressed neatly in uniforms and three men.

"These are the cleaners," Albert said pointing at the women. "They handle all cleaning, laundry and maintaining the house generally. That's Sofia, Ruth, Veronica and Bella."

They all smiled politely, I waved back not knowing what to say. Bella looked my age, the remaining three looked older and it was evident they've been working here for long. I really wanted a friend, I didn't have one. "Maybe Bella will love to be my friend," I thought. I'll talk to her later

And these are the ground men, Joshua, the gardener, Peter the cook and lastly John and Timothy, the securities. They are two more men," he turned to face me, "they left with Mr Alex to work, they are his personal body, Fred and Richard, I believe the boss will do the introduction himself."

"Good day ma'am," the men greeted in unison. I could only nod.

"They'll see to your every need, so meet them when you need something, and if I may What is your name ma'am." Just then I remembered that I hadn't introduced myself to them yet

"My name is Precious, it's nice to mee you all, I hope we get along well." I said politely, smiling, they smiled back and left.

I went upstairs to rest, beside my bed was a landline, Albert had shown me how to use it. I laid on the bed, thinking about how my life was gonna go, I had nothing planned, just leaving everything to faith. What Alex had install for me? Will he give me a job, will I work as a cleaner here too? I wouldn't mind though. I am hardworking, I wouldn't mind working here. I was so lost in thought that I slept off.

By the time I woke up it had gotten dark, how long had I slept, I didn't know. I walked to the bathroom to wash my face. Hopefully, Alex had returned, and we could talk about the next step.

I walked to the sitting room but didn't see him around, I checked outside and I saw Fred by the car, I was sure now, he was back. I decided to stroll a bit and find Bella, I could really use help and besides I needed a friend. Luckily for me as soon as I stepped outside, I saw her she was walking off to her quarter.

"Bella." I shouted not too loud, but loud enough to hear her. She turned her head to see who called her. I waved and smiled, she smiled also.

"Hey, Bella, hum, how are you." I tried saying, all I ever did in the past was to mind my business put my head down and not talk to people, but since my life is changing, I might as well change too and start getting along with people.

"You wanna sit and talk?" I asked nervously hoping to get a positive response from her.

"Sure, no problem." She said, I could hear the excitement in her voice but it was controlled. We went to the garden, there was a swing at the garden, so we sat there

"Hi, I was hoping if we could be friends?" I asked shyly, in a friendly tone.

"Sure, we can, I'm Bella, which you already know. I'm 24, I work here because this was were my grandmother worked before she passed and I needed the extra cash, and so Mr Alex took me in. How about you? What's your story?" She asked

I explained myself, told her my age and told how I got here and how I was waiting for Alex to tell me what to do.

"Is he nice? hum, I'm just asking out of curiosity, how does he relate with everyone?" I asked wanting to be sure Alex was good.

"Yes, so far he's been good to me and everyone here also, he doesn't talk a lot, everyone knows what to do and talk mostly to Albert. He talks mostly to Albert. But in all he is a good man, I'm sure you'll like him." She said smiling and looking at me.

"I'm sure." Just as I wanted to ask her another thing. Albert showed up

"Ma'am, Mr Alex is waiting for you at the dinning." He said, his face is expressionless.

I turned to Bella, "we'll talk better tomorrow, have a goodnight rest." I said before walking away with Albert

Walking back inside, I was nervous, because it was finally time to talk to him, I couldn't tell if he'd give me a job or something else, I just really hoped it was going to be good.

I walked into the house and walked over to the dinning, there I saw Alex seating, going through his phone, he hadn't touch d his food yet, i guess he was waiting for me.

"Good evening." I greeted him calmly. He looked up from his phone at me, I smiled and walked to seat where I did earlier in the day.

"Evening, hope you had a nice day?" He asked me putting his phone aside and about to it.

"I nodded,"hmm hmm," already eating.

We ate in silence and then went to the living room to relax and finally get to talk.

"So Precious, I'm going to go straight to the point." He said with a straight and serious face that gave me goosebumps. "When I helped you yesterday, I had nothing in my head, no intensions whatsoever, all I saw was a lady in distress and decided to help her. I'm sorry for what you're going through, but I need you to do something for me in return." He paused.

I was scared already waiting for the worse to come, I muttered the courage to ask. "What is it, what is it you want in return?"

"I WANT YOU TO MARRY ME."