Chapter 3 – Birth In A Hut

With the start-up capital, Benice opened a small boutique in order to start sewing. She registered her shop as “BEN-EUNY Fashion House.” "I need to ask madam Rose to show me the market where I can purchase fabrics in bundles and cheaper.” Said Benice. She bought a bundle of cloth from a far Commercial town of the same State. She began to cut and sew boxers, throw-pillows, duvets, travelling bags and took her own measurements. She displayed them in front of her shop. One evening, Benice sat quietly in her boutique after closing hours; reflecting, as she used the shop as a residential apartment. The street outside had grown silent, and the faint glow of the streetlights reflected through the glass window of ‘BEN-EUNY Fashion House;’ "More than eight long years had passed since the night I collapsed in the rain," “My life has changed drastically and positively since then;” “What started as a desperate search for survival had gradually turned into a journey of determination and resilience.” Benice thinking through. She leaned back in her chair, exhausted but satisfied. Customers now traveled from different parts of Oaks City to buy her designs. Within a week or two, people purchased her designs and ordered more to sell to their customers from the hinterlands. The demands became more than the supply. “I’m contemplating employing a helping hand." “But will I be able to pay monthly wages?"She asked herself. Nobody knew about Benice’s background for all those years of apprenticeship. The boutique attracted customers daily, admiring the elegant dresses displayed on mannequins. Benice has become known for her unique designs—simple yet graceful, bold yet classy. One quiet evening, after closing the shop, Benice sat alone reviewing fabrics when her eyes fell on a small wooden box inside her drawer. She slowly opened it. Inside lay a velvet pouch she had kept upsafely for many years. She slowly opened it. The diamond earrings sparkled under the boutique lights. For a long time she simply stared at them. “These earrings again,” she murmured softly. “They had been with me since the darkest night of my life.” “The night I was abandoned by my family.” “The night a stranger unknowingly helped me survive.” she continued with her reflection. She remembered opening the envelope days after Mama Amah rescued her. At first she thought the velvet pouch was just decoration. But when she discovered the diamonds, she was shocked. The following morning, she visited one of the most respected Jewelry merchants in Oaks City. The shop was quiet and elegant. An elderly Jeweler sat behind a glass counter examining a necklace. “Good afternoon sir,” Benice greeted politely. The old man looked up. “Yes, young lady. How can I help you?” Benice carefully placed the earrings on the table. “I would like to know how much these are worth.” The Jeweler picked them up slowly. At first his expression remained neutral. But after examining them closely under a magnifying lens, his eyebrows rose in surprise. “Where did you get these?” Benice felt uncomfortable. “They were given to me… many years ago.” The man leaned back in his chair. “These diamonds are extremely rare.” Benices heart began to race. “Rare?” “Yes. In fact, I have only seen stones of this quality a few times in my entire career.” He paused thoughtfully. “Whoever owns these must belong to a very powerful family.” Benice felt confused. “A powerful family?” The Jeweler nodded slowly. “These are not ordinary earrings.” He gently placed them back on the table. The Jeweler lifted the earrings carefully under the bright lamp. “Young woman,” he said slowly, adjusting his glasses, “do you know what you have brought here?” Benice shook her head nervously. “No sir. They were given to me years ago.” The old man stared at the diamonds again. “These are not ordinary earrings. Whoever owns them belongs to a very powerful family.” Benices heart began to beat faster. “My advice is simple.” “What is that?” Benice asked. ”Keep them!” She looked surprised. “Why?” “Because something tells me they will bring you into the spotlight one day.” “Are they really that expensive?” The Jeweler leaned back in his chair. “Expensive? My dear, these could change someones life.” “I should sell them,” she whispered. “My business needed expansion. More machines. Better fabrics. More staff.” “Perhaps the earrings could help me take the next steps” she muttered to herself. Benice smiled politely, but as she left the shop, her mind was full of questions. “Who had really given me those earrings?” “And why did they feel connected to something bigger than I could imagine or understand?” The questions were only beginning. Benice felt confused. Benice smiled politely, but as she left the shop, her mind was full of questions. “Who had really given me those earrings?”