ChapterTwo
1034 Words
I knew that he kept late nights and stayed away from home for days. It was a routine that I was starting to get used to.
This was the third day since I had seen an empty safe, but my father had not shown up yet. My boyfriend had helped me with half of the money, but that didn't change the fact that I wanted to see Baba and give him a piece of my mind.
He could drink and squander money as he wished, but breaking my safe and taking all my savings was the last straw. I genuinely wanted my father to change.
I snapped out of my thoughts as work awaited me. I was going back to the same job that I planned to resign from.
I had no choice. The only option left was to work my ass out for the meager salary paid by Madam Kay.
All eyes were on me as I walked into the cafe including Bernice. I had not seen her for a long while.
I stretched out my hands to hug her, but she simply avoided me like I was a plague.
“Why did you take it?” She demanded in an angry tone.
I looked at her, confusion evident on my face. “Take what?”
“You want to play innocent. Weren't you the one who was asking me if you could borrow money the last time? She flared at me, with her hands folded across her chest.
“You stole my money.” She added, labeling me a thief.
“I wouldn't do that. I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Then tell me who took my purse that I had kept in the cupboard. You were the only person who had been working last week. That cupboard was locked and I came back today to see it open and my purse empty.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could utter any words, Madam Kay walked into both of us.
“Suzette, just because I didn't give you the raise you asked for. It doesn't mean you should go around stealing from people's purses.” My jaw dropped as she made that statement. At first, I had thought that Bernice was playing a prank on me.
“Madam, I didn't. I swear.” I tried pleading my innocence.
Another of my colleague, Eunice, was watching the scene that unfolded. I wondered if she was the one who stole it.
Madam Kay shook her head while looking at me with disgust. Bernice was fuming and she pointed a finger in my face.
“You must return my money.”
I had been accused of many things in life, but being accused of stealing was one thing I never imagined myself in. The worst part was that it was coming from a friend.
“I can't harbor a thief in my shop. I don't want you stealing from the customers. You're fired.”
I rushed towards Madam Kay, holding her hand as I pleaded my innocence.
“Madam please, I really need this job.”
“If you stay, you're going to work for the rest of the year without payment. The choice is yours.”
Bernice shot me an irritated look. My heart was torn as I couldn't understand why she lied against me.
I stood outside the shop and began trekking home. I didn't even have enough money to board a cab. I was welcomed home by the quit notice stamped on the door. My eyes stared at the bills on the table. The house rent was due, my father was nowhere to be found, my savings were gone and I was jobless.
I wasn't the type of person to give up tears easily, but everything was beginning to weigh me down and I let the tears pour freely.
I tried calling my father. I felt relieved as his number went through. I waited patiently for him to pick the call. My heart was shattered as I heard his ringtone echoing through the room. I raised up the throw pillow and saw his phone lying on the couch.
Everything seemed hopeless at the moment.
I called my boyfriend, explaining everything to him in tears.
“He's not even picking his calls. I think I should call the police.”
“Don't worry babe. Just calm down. I have a feeling that he'll come home soon.”
I wiped my tears and clutched my feet in a fetal position as Iay on the bed. My stomach rumbled and I slept hungry.
I couldn't continue starving. I needed a new job. The next day, I dressed moderately and decided to try out the job of a babysitter that I saw online. The location was far, but since I was empty, I couldn't board a cab. I resorted to using my legs.
“Job is already taken, miss.” The housekeeper said curtly.
I dragged my tired legs home. I was in a terrible state and my body was cramped from walking for such a long distance.
The door to the house was ajar and I could spot a sleek sports car and an SUV parked at the side.
“Baba.” I called out as my tired eyes stared at my father. But, he wasn't alone.
The house was surrounded by men in black. Two of them stood by the door and there were two inside the house.
My father held my hand and my face locked with that of a tall man donning a black suit and sunglasses. His jawline was sharp and he seemed to be giving orders to the man who was standing beside him.
He took off his sunshades and gave me a questioning look. His emerald eyes pierced into mine and I quickly hid my face. He was handsome, but there was something about him that sent shivers down my spine. My fears were confirmed as I saw one of his men holding a gun.
My father dragged me outside and I asked the question which had been hooked on my mind.
“Who are they and what's going on?”
- Writer
