My Annabel

CHAPTER TWO

When Annabel went upstairs to her room to sleep that night, the love birds continued to chart. Honey, Mrs Claire called her husband. This young lady walked up to me in my shop this evening asking if I have any kind of work that she can do. I did not want to take her in at first, but after some discussions I decided to help her. She is an orphan, and has been living with her adopted parents who began to maltreat her when their own children started coming, Claire explained to her husband. And I feel she is a cool person, she added. Alright baby, your wish is my command. I just hope she doesn't bring any trouble to us Mr Charlie Brown told his wife romantically, thank you my love Claire replied.

But my darling, we cannot just leave her all alone in the house everyday, what plans do you have for her? Mr Brown asked the wife, I will be discussing that with her tomorrow. That's fine then let's go to bed, it's late into the night already. Okay love, let's go, the wife replied and then the couple went to sleep.

Good morning sweetheart, Mrs Claire greeted the husband, fine morning my darling he answered, hope you slept well? he added, yes I did Mrs Claire answered. Let's pray and get ready for work said Mr Brown. They held each other and prayed vehemently.

After the prayer, Mrs Claire went to the kitchen to make breakfast while her husband gets ready for his work.

Good morning ma, Annabel greeted her, fine morning dear, how was your night? Mrs Claire replied in a lovely concerned tone, I slept well ma answered Annabel.

Annabel who has been battling within her mind if she is going to spend the day alone when the couple leaves for their job finally builds the courage to ask her madam, ma please can I come with you to shop today?

Yes Annabel, I actually want to have a word with you about what you would love to do said Mrs Claire, you know what? Just get ready my dear we are going together so we can have a long time to talk, Mrs Claire added.

It's about 7:30am and the little family are done with their breakfast and ready to go out. Alright honey take good care of yourself for me Mr Charlie said to his wife, okay my love and you do the same for me replied Mrs Claire as they kiss each other goodbye.

Annabel on the other side is enjoying every bit of the openly display of affection between her madam and the husband. And she really wished she can have a similar marriage too.

When Mrs Claire arrived at her shop with Annabel, she sat comfortably on her desk trying to plan her activities for the day while Annabel decided to sweep and clean the shop.

In one of the biggest plaza at the center of the town known for it's busy and numerous activities, the C&C shop is the most talked about. Mrs Brown Claire choose her brand name by merging the initials of her name and that of her husband. She deals on the most trending wears for men and women, and other dressing accessories too

Aside mrs Claire selling original imported stocks and materials, her customer services is second to none.

The way she laughs and relate with her customers keeps them at ease of shopping from her and will always make them return to her each time they're in need of what she sells.

Annabel is done with her cleaning and she called out to her madam reminding her of what they are meant to discuss. Annabel has understood her madam to be an easy going human being, so it was not difficult for her to get along with her.

Ma you said earlier that we have something to talk about, asked Annabel in a low tone as her curiosity rises, yes my dear Mrs Claire replied.

I want us to talk about what you want to do said Mrs Claire, I know you would love to further your education but for now, I want you to learn a skill. So it can help you when you finally gets to school, Mrs Claire further explained.

Annabel loved the idea of learning a skill so much, it is something she has wanted to do but was not given the opportunity. With a joyful heart she said to her madam, thank you so much ma, it will be my pleasure to learn something I will be doing for myself.

Seeing the excitement on Annabel's face, Mrs Claire continued with her discussion, so tell me Annabel what would you love to learn? Annabel answered her I want to learn catering and baking. I have always wanted to be a chef and a baker too.

Ooh that's very nice, exclaimed Mrs Claire. I already have a friend that owns a bakery academy and she does cooking too. I believe she will help me train you to perfection, Mrs Claire explained with a bunch of smiles on her face as she feels relieved.

Annabel started her training a few days later and it has been an awesome experience. She has learned a lot of things and she is very glad that she is doing great for herself.

One evening,after the day's activities Annabel was on her way home when she got involved in a ghastly motor accident.

Annabel was hit by a strange man, and this man took responsibility immediately and took her to the hospital.

There was no phone with Annabel so it was difficult to contact her.

While the young man was worried and praying nothing happens to Annabel, Mr and Mrs Brown were also worried that Annabel is not back and it's getting too late.

It was 9pm already and Annabel was still in a coma and could not give any information about herself. The young man that hit her could not leave her all alone in the hospital so he abandoned his trip and decided to stay with her until she regained consciousness.

Mr Brown Anderson's visit to the city was meant to be a surprise to his brother and the wife but now there is a redirection of plans and he has to call his elder brother Charlie Brown to tell him about the circumstances around his movements.

Hello bro, Anderson greets Charlie. Yes Anderson, how are you doing? Charlie asked him.

Anderson answered in a very devastating tone, I am fine bro, just that I have a little problem here. Another problem? Charlie cuts in as if Anderson has been aware of the previous problem at home.

Yes bro, I was supposed to be in your house by now but I had an accident. I hit a young lady crossing the road by mistake and we have been admitted to the hospital. She is still in a coma. There is no information about her or any of her relatives, she doesn't even have a phone with her.

The doctor said she will be alright by tomorrow morning, so I will probably be in your house tomorrow after her discharge. Anderson explained to his brother.

Mr Charlie Brown was stunned, allowing his brows to form an arch as he heard his brother explain his ordeal.

Which hospital are you in now? Charlie asked, The Alpha medical center, answered Anderson. Alright,I will be there soon, I will be coming with Claire. Alright bro thank you, Anderson said as he drops the call.

The two brothers have not seen each other in a very long time, it would have been a very delightful reunion but now it's a mixed feeling and very unappealing as they have to meet in the hospital.

The Alpha’s Medical centre is one of the best hospitals in town. They are well known for their uncompromising expertise in rendering health services. Their health-workers-to patients relationship is top-notch and that gives most of their clients the confidence to always return to them when there is need.

In less than 30 minutes, Charlie and his wife arrived at the hospital to see his brother. They called Anderson to verify about the particular ward they are in which should be Accident and Emergency ward supposedly.

As they got into the ward, lo and behold Annabel lying helplessly on the bed.

Annabel!!! Claire Screeched. She dashed towards her bed with tears rushing down her cheeks like it has been in a haste to empty the lacrimal sac.

Charlie couldn't believe his eyes either as he stood still watching the helpless girl his brother hit earlier who turned out to be the same Annabel he had been worried sick about her unanticipated missing with his wife.

For a moment Anderson thought he was dreaming but then this is reality. He was yet to comprehend the outburst of emotions from Claire and the intense shock in his brother's eyes the moment they caught sight of Annabel. He must be missing out somewhere he thought.

There was a phase of silence amongst them while they were all lost in thought of what to do or say before Anderson decided to save the situation.

Bro, do you know this lady?

Yes Anderson, we have been living with her for some times now. She is doing her catering training in the town and she returns home early. But today was different, we didn't see her when she was supposed to be home, we called her madam who confirmed that she left her place a long time ago.

We waited a little longer but still didn't see her, searched for her in the most likely places she could be but all to no avail. We were about to report her missing at the police station when your call came in, breaking the news of the accident.

Only for us to get here and discover that the lady you hit is who we have been looking for and this explains why she did not get to the house after work. Charlie explained to his younger brother, saving him from the stress of thinking how they knew the lady.