LETTERS TO HIS NEW LOVER

CHAPTER FIVE

Morning light slipped through the thin curtains… My body still ached from the exhaustion of the night before.

Awakening with traces of dried tears on my cheeks, I rubbed my eyes.

“Good morning Yolanda” hope you had a blissful night. It was Bernice staring at me with those warm smiles.

“Why,yes! I did. Thank you for your hospitality.

“You slept in for quite a while”, "You must have been so exhausted." Anyway, you should go have your bath! I've prepared warm water for you already. Bernice said.

“Thank you so much. You've been so kind to me.

Interrupted midway

“It's nothing YOLA,” believe me.

“Give yourself grace and let yourself receive kindness.” Now I'll be making breakfast, so when you're done bathing, come over to the living room so we can have breakfast."

“Is that okay Yola?

“Yes,” I nodded as she disappeared out of sight.

The sounds of water flowing from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet could be heard colliding with the tiles.

Just as water washes away things, I wish it could wash away my pains. Just like a waterfall my thoughts flowed.

“…Who was he?”

“Why would he pay for someone like me?

Remembering the aura he possessed sent chill thrills down my spine.

Those emerald green eyes that pierced through my soul in the dark.

I could feel wrath that wasn't present.

“You'll be alright, Yolanda,” I assured myself before finally picking up a towel Bernice had left me to dry myself up.

“Breakfast is ready,” Bernice said, pretending to sing using the wooden spoon as a mic.

“Well, I hope it doesn't taste like the way your voice sounds,” I said, chuckling mischievously.

“Haha Yola! How could you say that l”. She tried to defend her plight but couldn't hold back her laughs.

"Anyway, sweet or not, you'd still eat." She shot at me with a teasing look.

“Yeah I would," I said, pulling out a chair from the table.

“…mmmm.mmm this is really nice,” I said, stuffing my mouth with more.

“What did I tell you, Yola” ? Bernice said, looking so proud.

“Well what did you tell me?” I shot back at her amusingly.

“They don't call me big mama B for no reason,” she said, swinging her hair in a dramatic manner.

We both burst into laughter …

Go big Mama, we sang in unison, clapping our hands and clicking our fingers.

Interruption.

Bizz…Bizz…

It was Bernice's phone vibrating.

Hello Madame, Good day.

“Oh”.... okay! “Yes, madame.”

“Who was it? I asked

“It was madame,” she responded.

“Madame! What did she say? My brows furrowed in panic.

“She says she wants to see us at work tonight.

“Tonight?

“Yes Yola!

“But why”? I turned to Bernice with eyes clues.

“I don't know Yola, I really don't know," her hands ran through her hair. She let out a warm smile.

“Well, at least look at the bright side of things. Madame wasn't shouting or cursing, she had quite a calm tone.

silence…

“Which is quite suspicious, don't you think?

“I know Yola! Gently caressing my palms.

“Something is quite unsettling Bernice. What if he never paid?

What if he came back?

What if he wants me to pay? And how do I even pay back?

Bernice, who was pouring water into her glass, suddenly paused .

“You really don’t know?”

The question felt like a hard crash. My voice trembled.

“…Know what?”

“Who he was”?

“I don't know”.

“it's alright”. Now can we eat? I'm starving. She let out giggles.

Clink…clink…the spoons made contact with the plate, as we both had breakfast quietly.

Sitting on that couch, so many questions and not a single answer!

“Come on YOLA, you should sleep a little, it's going to be a long night," Bernice said, intruding my thoughts.

I felt so drowsy immediately my body made contact with the mattress.

Yawning, I let out a sigh, then slowly drifted away into a very quiet place. My eyes blinked open a couple of times, but still I sank into bed like a little chic who had found temporary rest.

Waking up to Bernice's alarm clock made my head ache, it was so loud, it made me lock my head under a pillow.

…Arrgghhh…. I grunted.

“Get up YOLA, we're going to be late.”

Walking up lazily into the shower and stepping out earlier than I usually did, with water dripping from my hair ,I reached for a towel to dry my hair but stood frozen at the sight of Bernice on call.

“Who was it?” I asked nervously.

It was Omar and she responded calmly.

Omar! What does he want?

“He just called to ask us when we'd be coming.”

Coming? Omar never calls anyone, so why all of a sudden?

I don't know Yola, but there's one thing I know is that we'll be alright now and get dressed. We have work to do.

The night came so quickly as the streets became alive with varied lights shimmering.

Cars both luxurious and outdated zoomed To and Fro.

The RNL (RONVELLE NIGHT LIFE) stood bold and tall with high luminosity. Known for its exotic taste in liquor and expensive wines.

My heart raced harder the deeper we went into the building.

Walking in the hallway I could hear whispers from my colleagues.

“That's the girl,” one said, pointing at me.

“She's so clumsy,” the other said as they both chuckled.

“Don't you both have work to do?” Bernice shot quickly at them as they scurried away.

Let's change up, Yola,” Bernice said, handing over my uniform to me, as I stood there lost in thoughts.

Yola!

She called out!

Come on, let's dress up.

Staring at the rough bun on my head.

“My mum used to do my hair, you know.

I know Yola, I know, she said gently, rubbing my shoulders.

“What was it like with her, your mum? I'm sorry I asked, she said with tears swirling up.

“It was great! Whispered, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Yeah…it was.” she said, chuckling and holding my hands.

“Now let's get to work.

Stepping out of the dresser, our pace increased as we got closer to Madame's office.

Good evening ma'am, we're sorry for not arriving on time.

“It's okay, don't even worry, just get to work,” Madame said, surprisingly calm.

Just as we were both leaving her office she called my name!

“Yolanda stay back”

I stiffened as my eyes met Bernice's

I…I stay ... .stay back. My fingers pointed at me as they trembled.

“Yes, Yolanda,” she said with a smile.

“A client requested you specifically tonight.”