The Diamonds

LOCATION: Lagos, Nigeria. Two sleek black jeeps rolled into a vast, elegant estate crowned by a stunning white mansion clearly foreign in design. A stunning piece of Korea right there in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria. The jeeps came to a halt one after the other and the door of the second vehicle opened as a young girl stepped out. Dressed entirely in black, her long flowing dress danced with the gentle early afternoon wind as she hurried toward the house, clutching a black scarf tightly. Her face was wet and red with tears. A beautiful, older woman emerged from the same vehicle. Her expression was clouded with worry as she followed the young girl inside. She was Eva’s nanny. More of a mother than a servant who has to watch helplessly as her young mistress’s world had just been shattered by tragedy. ** Inside the purple-themed princess room,Eva sat heavily on her bed, her elbows propped on her thighs, hands covering her face as sobs shook through her body. The room door slowly opened and her nanny stepped in, moving quietly. She sat beside the girl with gentle caution. “Listen, Eva… you have to be strong, okay? It’s over,” she whispered softly and Eva clung to her, trembling. “It’s not okay, Nanny. I miss them. I wish I had gone with them to Abuja that day.Maybe I would have died with them…” she sobbed in raw pain. “Eva! Don’t say that,” her nanny pleaded, hugging her tighter against her bossom. “They wouldn’t want to see you like this, not where they are. I’m still here, Eva. You’re not alone.” Her nanny assured but Eva couldn’t stop crying. Her world had caved in the moment her parents were declared de@d. Everything felt meaningless. She wished she'd died with them that day. Everything would’ve been easier than being left behind and carrying the weight of their absence. “Shhh. It’s okay, calm down,” the nanny cooed, running her fingers through Eva’s soft, rich hair. “The lawyer will be here soon. You need to get ready.” she finally said and Eva simply nodded, her chest still aching. As her nanny stepped out, silence returned to the room like a cold fog. ** Later… ** Eva descended the stairs slowly. Her expression was hollow, her face pale with streaks of dried tears. Her hair was disheveled, but she didn’t care. She just wanted the will reading over with and she'd return to her quiet room. The family lawyer had already arrived and her nanny was already seated opposite him,so Eva took the seat beside her. “Good evening, Miss Bieber. I’m deeply sorry for your loss,” the lawyer started gently but Eva didn’t respond. “Please, just read the will,” the nanny said. “She’s not in the right frame of mind to talk. “Understood.” the lawyer replied with a gentle nod then opened a file and began reading. “This document outlines the last will and testament of the late Mr. Bieber…” He started and Eva felt a wave of cold air pass through her chest. This was real. Her parents were truly gone. “..I leave behind all estates and properties under my name to my only daughter, Miss Eva Bieber. All vehicles go to Eva Bieber. My jeeps and private jets to my wife, Sonya Bieber. My companies are to be managed by my daughter, with guidance from my wife. Any other assets under my name not mentioned shall also be passed on to Eva Bieber. This is my final wish.” The lawyer concluded and slowly closed the file. The room was heavy with silence. Eva stared ahead, eyes glassy as tears filled it to the brim and her lips trembling. “Why?” she muttered, rising to her feet and walking away like a ghost, numb to the world. Her nanny and the lawyer could only watch her retreating figure in helpless silence. ♣♣ DAYS LATER ♣♣ Eva tightened her necktie in front of the mirror. Her purple and pink uniform suited her light skin perfectly, and her long, naturally curly hair flowed freely behind her. A gift from her Korean mother. Eva had a typical Korean female look.....because her Mother was from Korea who then married her Dad who was a Nigerian. In her school, she was the center of attraction and most times,the attention annoyed her so much. But now, things have changed. She was now an orphan left with so much wealth and robbed of parental care for life. She let out a defeated sigh picking up her bag and walked out of the room. As she alighted the stairs, she spotted her Nanny waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. "Good morning." Eva greeted icily. "Did you sleep well?" Her Nanny asked and she nodded heavily. Of course she didn't… And her nanny knew her too well to be able to discern that she was lying. "You didn't eat dinner last night. Come have breakfast." She urged and Eva sighed. "I'm not hungry Nanny." "You need to eat something Eva. I don't want you to fall sick." She said with utmost concern. Eva bit her lip and walked towards the dinning room where she spotted her regular morning milk waiting for her and the sight of it had this painful reminder. It usually had a kind of herb in it that her mum never forgot to add. According to her,it would make Eva look a lot more fresh... remember she was from Korea. Eva picked up the glass, opened it and carefully emptied the glass trying to fight back tears then she wiped her lips with the back of her hand placing the glass back on the table then faced her nanny. "Thank you so much for preparing breakfast but I really am not hungry yet. At least I've had the milk. I will get something at the canteen. Bye Nanny." Eva waved and walked off. ✰✰✰ Location: Cam High School As Eva walked towards the elevator that would lead to her class, she heard students calling out to her but she was in no mood to reply. She finally arrived at the floor of her class and headed to her locker first where she saw lots of paper cards pasted on the locker door. "...We are sorry for your loss Eva.." "I wish I could take away your pain.." ".. I love you Eva.. please be happy." Eva smiled at the cards and opened the locker to behold a small pink teddy bear right inside the locker. A note was attached to it. "For you Eva... your crush.." Eva was forced to laugh softly as she took out the teddy bear holding on to it while she brought out all her needed books for classes that morning. "Eva.." She heard a chroused call and this time, she had to answer. She closed the locker and turned to see her best friends. Simi and Bella… A light smile crept up her lips as they had a group hug. "We are sorry we couldn't attend the reading." Simi said and Eva smiled. "I understand. At least you attended the burial." Eva replied with a soft smile. "You need to be strong Eva. Try to find happiness in your new world." Bella said. "I am trying..but... it is really hard.." Eva replied frankly and they held her hands. "We are here for you all the way Eva... Trust us." Simi assured her and all she felt was security and love. That was all she needed to get through this. ~ It was 4pm already and school was over for the day. "Bye girls!" Eva waved and her friends walked off while she waited for her driver to come pick her up. "Hey! Eva!'. Someone called out and she turned to see a student like her. Ronnie! Her heart missed a beat the moment she laid her eyes on him and watched as he walked up to where she stood. Ronnie was Eva’s one sided crush. She's been crushing on him for years now and daydreaming of how great they would be as a couple but couldn't do anything about it because she wasn't so sure if he felt the same way about her. He was a pure Nigerian. And one thing she loved about him was how well tanned his fair skin was coupled with his moderately worked out body. "Hi.." Roonie cooed and Eva tried to hold in her blush while clutching hard to the teddy she received that morning. "Hello.." She slightly waved, full of shyness as she tried to avoid staring into his brown eyes. "Um.. I'm really sorry for your loss. It was quite sad that my family already had plans for that day so I couldn't attend the burial." He apologized stunning her to the core. "You planned on attending?" Eva asked in awe and not even trying to hide it. "Yeah.." He replied with a casual shrug. "My! That's sweet. Anyways, thanks a lot." Eva replied. " I'm just glad they are well rested now.” she added and he smiled gently. "So...um.." "Miss Eva!.." A call of her name cut him off immediately and she turned swiftly to see her waiting driver. "Oops! My ride is here. Gotta go... bye!" Eva waved and scurried off. ♠♠ Days On ♠♠ Eva kept scrolling through her f*******: news feed as no posts entertained her till she finally came across one. It was an idolized post of a famous Korean boy band and their female band too. She really didn't know them since she really doesn't fancy them a bit but her friends do. Like, Bella is literally obsessed about them. Eva once heard from a gossip group at school that the guys in the boy band are really arrogant especially the 'supposed head of the band' and as for the females...hot but too b!tchy if she may say. She also heard the leader of the girl group once poured hot choco on a poor female student who sat on her chair.. Like…...who does that?!.. One crazy problem she had with most k pop idols and also bullying in school overseas. Eva hissed and scrolled on when a call popped up on her phone screen. The caller ID wasn't among her saved contact list and her Truecaller didn't give any information. She didn't want to pick it up at first but she did, reluctantly "Hello?" She said to the server. "Hey! It's Ronnie!" A cool voice came on and Eva sat up on her bed completely stunned. "Goodness! Ronnie? Wow." She exclaimed and chuckled. They both had become really close and he got her contact just yesterday. She was never expecting his call this soon. "So.. what's popping?" He asked and she shrugged. "Boredom. I'm so lonely." Eva sighed and he chuckled. "How about we go out to see a movie?" He offered and Eva smiled. "O..kay then. I will go get ready. What cinema?..." ** For once in weeks, Eva finally had a bit of fun...all thanks to Ronnie. She really did owe him one. They were both standing his Bugatti ride which he had dropped her off with. "All right. We will chat later." Eva said and he smiled. "Okay then. Good night." He cooed and she blushed when he reached to hug her. Ugh! He smelt so good and felt so warm. "Bye.." Eva whispered and headed into the premises while he got into the car and drove away. "Nanny! I'm home!" Eva announced arriving at the main sitting room and she paused dead on her track when she saw the least person she was expecting. Aunt San San!? What the hell was she doing here? Her aunt gave Eva a cranky smile as she gently got off the couch. "Annyeong dear niece.." She said with a nasty smirk and Eva gulped horrified. She doesn't know why but ...her aunt had a really bad aura around her. She could feel it. Heavily!. "Come on Eva..or let me call you...Kim Yoo.. come give your Auntie a hug.." She urged and Eva didn't flinch then she sighed. "Servants!" San San immediately called and all the house staffs rushed out to assemble, totally confusing Eva. Huh!? What was going on? "Tomorrow by 9am..I will be making a very vital announcement and everyone of you must be in attendance including you..Kim Yoo. "Aunt San San addressed and her eyes dimmed in shock. Announcement?? **. **. ** All through the night,sleep was very far from Eva. She just couldn't sleep a zlinch. Not when her Aunt had surprisingly showed up in Nigeria without informing anyone. According to what she knew,her Mother and her Aunt weren't really in a close term relationship before her death. So her sudden arrival just after the burial sparked great worry within her. ** Morning came, quiet and fast,like it was a day that couldn't wait to get started. "Rise and shine Eva!" Eva heard her Nanny sing from her sleep and she turned under her duvet groaning sleepily. "You need to stand up now Eva else we will be late for church." She notified and Eva groaned, sitting up tiredly. She barely slept with all the thoughts clouding her mind the previous night. Eva began to itch her hair as she yawned tiredly. "Nanny..?" Eva called quietly. "Yes dear?" The Nanny replied as she selected Eva's outfit for church. "Don't you feel odd about that lady? Or am I the only one?" Eva asked carefully and her nanny spared her a glance. "You mean your Aunt?" Her nanny asked in response and Eva nodded watching her. "Maybe a little." Her Nanny replied with a shrug and Eva sighed heavily. She hated how she felt so much. The Nanny and Eva alighted the stairs as the servants were equally ready for church. "What about your Aunt?" Nanny asked. "I don't know." Eva replied bluntly with a shrug. Just as they were about leaving,they heard her voice. Her Aunt's voice. "No one leaves this house!" She ordered and they froze on their tracks, turning to see Aunt San alighting the stairs. "No one. Everyone go back in and resume your duties.” Aunt San said firmly then turned to face Eva. " Kim Yoo.. come with me." She added and Eva froze in surprise at the order she just dished out. " But it's Sunday, and we ought to be in church.” She protested. " Don't be stubborn and come with me Kim.” Aunt San San deadpanned and Eva's shoulders fell in defeat. Oh gosh!.. Eva glanced at her Nanny who nodded reassuringly at her and Eva smiled tightly before hurrying after Aunt San up to the library. Aunt San closed the door the moment Eva walked in. Her Aunt walked away from the door, staring at Eva intently and all Eva felt at that moment was discomfort. "Kim Yoo..." Her Aunt started and Eva shook her head. "Please... stop calling me that name..it's hurting." Eva pleaded and her Aunt scoffed. "Very well then. I will stop." She gave in and Eva heaved slowly. Kim Yoo was a pet name or say her Korean name given to her by her late Mum. Only her Mother had the right to call her that…but…she was gone now. "Eva..now that your parents are dead.. what's next?" Aunt San asked and Eva furrowed her brows surprised at the question. "How do you mean Aunt?" Eva asked and she chuckled. "Look Eva... you just barely clocked 17 and now you are an orphan with so many assets to handle. I don't mean to sound crazy but...I think you are still too young to handle all these alone. So am here to take you with me to Korea where you will live afresh. Huh?" Her Aunt broke the nutshell and it sounded crazy to Eva. What the hell?? Go to Korea with her?? •••𝓣𝓑𝓒