Married to power

Chapter 1 A splash of water hit Florella's face. She quickly sat up from the bed she was lying on, wiping the water off her face. "Get up i***t!" Malia, her arrogant cousin snapped. Florella looked at her but continued wiping her face. "Do you know what time it is huh?" Malia asked. Florella doesn't respond but still wiping her eyes. It seems like the water entered her eyes. " 8 am and you are still sleeping? The nerve." "I am sorry Lia. I...I didn't mean to oversleep. I worked all night at the shops" Florella's calm little voices annoy the hell out of Malia. She feels like hitting Florella in the face. Malia scoffed. "And so bloody what? You are not the only one. Dad was there too" "Uncle was sleeping all through. I was the only one handling everything" Malia scoffed. "Get up and go to the kitchen right now. Laura needs assistance" Florella arches her brow. She doesn't work in the kitchen. Her job is fishing and taking the fish to the market for sale. She doesn't know why her eldest cousin wants her to assist Laura in the kitchen. And it's Sunday. Her half day off. She works from Monday to Saturday and then half a day on Sunday. The past week was very stressful for her. Now her cousin is trying to make her work in these few hours she has to rest. "Didn't you hear me?!" Malia yelled, looking at Florella with anger. Florella opened her mouth to speak but quickly stood on her feet the minute her uncle's wife entered the room. "What's the noise all about?" Liliana asked. "Can you believe this Mum? This thing here refused to...." "No no no I didn't refuse. I am going there already" Florella chipped in. Malia's face twitched. Florella steps ahead but Liliana holds her arm, bringing her back. Florella's heart dropped. "What did she refuse to do Malia?" Liliana asked. "She refused to assist Laura in the kitchen," Malia said, looking at Florella in a saucy way. Terror washed Florella as Liliana gave her a look. Florella shakes her head trying to defend herself. But she gets a stinging slap from Liliana. "Ah.." Florella whimpered, holding her cheek. Malia smirked. Florella's eyes brimmed as she looked at Liliana. "You think I don't know what you just did?" Liliana asked. Florella sobbed silently. "Your eldest cousin was talking to you and you were sitting down. Immediately you saw me, you stood up. Do you think I am a fool?" Florella shakes her head no. "Huh?" "No aunt. I am sorry " Florella cried. "Get yourself to the kitchen right now!" Florella ran out of the room and walked towards the kitchen. Wiping her tears, she entered the kitchen. She sees Laura standing close to the washing sink and her hands are inside the soapy water. There are a lot of dirty dishes and pots. It looks like Laura has not even touched anything. Florella's inside begged to disappear at the sight of the work before her. She has no strength left to work right now. "Oh good. You are here" Laura said the moment she saw Florella walking in. She quickly washed up her hands and wiped them on the apron. Removing the apron, she walks towards Florella and hands the apron to her. Florella arched her brows. "But..." "Be quick. Mum wants to prepare breakfast. You know she hates dirty kitchens" Laura said. She makes a step to leave but... "Malia said I should assist you," Florella said. Laura scoffed. "What the hell do you mean by assist? You are the youngest here so you have to do the job all by yourself" Florella felt like crying. "But I have been..." "Shut up and do the dishes will you?" Laura said walking out of the kitchen. Florella let out a tired sigh. She stares at the dishes for some time before walking towards them. She feels like screaming right now. She needs to rest. This is so unfair. She is sure her uncle is on his bed right now far gone in his sleep. He didn't do anything at the shops yesterday. It was all her. She was awake all through. She was thankful yesterday that today is Sunday. She has some hours to sleep but she didn't expect her cousins and aunt to make her work this morning. In a few hours she will be going back to the shops then tomorrow she will start her full day of work. This is torture. She managed to force herself to wash the dishes. She has no choice but to do so or else she will be punished by her uncle's wife. Time passed and she was done with the dishes. She heads out of the kitchen. Her body longs to meet her soft bed. She can't wait to get some sleep... "I hope you are going to get ready for today's sales?' Florella stops on her track at the sound of her uncle's familiar voice. She turns to him. He is seated on the couch busy looking at the newspaper and Liliana is seated on the other couch next to him. "But it's... it's not yet time ..." "I'll say when it is time Florella." Her uncle said without looking at her. "And now is the time." Florella felt like crying. "Pick up the shop keys and go." He ordered. Florella held down her tears as her weak legs took her towards the table and she picked up the keys. Walking back into her room, she sat on her bed as her tears found their way out. She cried silently. She used her two hands to cover her face as she cried everything out. Her body is weak. It needs rest. But no. They never let her rest. They always make her work her life out. She can't complain or do anything about it because she is living in their house. She is indebted to them. If not for them, she will be living on the streets by now. She has a roof over her head thanks to her uncle. She has food to eat, clothes to wear, and a family to call her own thanks to them. She lost her parents when she was five. Her uncle took her in and raised her with his daughters. She is indeed indebted to them. Florella wiped her tears and got on her feet. Recalling everything has given her strength. It took her five minutes to get ready. Done with everything, she heads out. But not before taking her lunch that her uncle's wife dished out for her. They can be hostile sometimes, but they don't deny her food. Except when she does something wrong. Florella heads straight to the shop where they sell fish. She also does the fishing but didn't go to the river today. She will be selling the remaining ones from yesterday. Getting to the shop, she opened the door and brought out all the fish. She displayed them on the table outside the shop. Most shops are not open just hers and a few. It is Sunday and still early. Florella heaves a sigh as she sits on the chair waiting for customers. Time passed and the sun was already out. Florella heaved a sigh. Her eyes are heavy and her body is weak. She looks down, praying internally for nightfall. "Ella!" Florella flinched a little at the sound of her friend's voice. "Lucy" Florella's weak voice said. "Hello," Lucy sang happily as she took a seat next to Florella. "I figured you would be here" Florella forced a smile. "What's wrong?" Florella shrugged "Nothing" "You look exhausted" Florella shook her head. "no I am not" she said forcing a chuckle. Lucy sighed. "It's your family, isn't it? They are overworking you again" Florella looks down. Lucy groaned. "why don't you run away?" Florella looked at her. "What?" Lucy nods. "Yes" "Don't say that. They are my family. And I... I love them." Lucy scoffed. "Yeah, right. Well, they don't love you. Pack your bags and run away!" "Lucy" "Yes!" Lorita said out loud. Florella sighed. "Run to where Lucy?" A familiar female voice claimed their attention. Florella's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Laura and her uncle. Her uncle is looking at her with anger. Oh no.