Hidden Identity

Her dearest nemesis

Ahhhh!! Have you gone nuts? Rachel slapped Sonia at her back.

What is this all these about? How can you jump on the bed like this? Can't you see that you have ruined my efforts.

Rachel scolded as she showed her the bed which she just got ruined with her childishness.

I am so sorry. Sonia apologies with both hands joined together.

Rachel, she called out gently. It's good news, it's really good news.

What news do you have for me now? I hope it doesn't turn out to be a bad one. Rachel rubbed her forehead in frustration. This girl has become her dearest nemesis.

You should sit and listen to what I have to say before you pass your conclusions. She dragged Rachel to the bed as she sat beside her.

Fine go on, am all ears. She motioned her to speak. And make it snappy , I think I am finally losing my sanity.

When did my younger sister develop an anger issue overnight or did you wake up at the wrong side of the bed? Sonia pinched Rachel's cheeks softly which infuriated her the more.

Rachel who couldn't endure any longer and flared up. Will you start speaking or should this younger sister of yours smack you very hard? She playfully threatened.

Thanks for your information. Sonia breathed a sigh of relief before speaking up. Do you know that you have become a celebrity overnight?

What do you mean? Rachel asked with a confused expression on her face.

Good let me explain. You have won the competition and you will be attending your dream university. Sonia announced with joy.

What are you talking about? You are on again with this rubbish of yours. Speak clearly, I don't really understand. Rachel spoke hurriedly.

Sonia sighed as she murmured. I wonder how this girl managed to pass the examination when she is this dumb.

What did you just say? You just called me dumb right. I clearly heard you. Rachel questioned her.

Yes I did call you dumb, because you are actually dumb. Sonia responded. Didn't you take an examination last week? You clearly won the examination. You came first in the entire village and I came second.

Ohh my goodness. Rachel jumped in excitement. You mean we won the examination. I am just so excited right now. She exclaimed.

Why didn't you inform me on time? You kept beating round the bush. And that is my issue with you. When you have something important for me just go straight to the point and quit your chattering. Rachel advised.

Well if I really have to give you any news, whether good or bad you need to unlock your key of patience and keep your impatience aside. Do you get it? Sonia asked with a smirk.

Whatever. Rachel flings her hand. I don't have time for your lectures now. She rushed out to leave but was stopped by Sonia.

Where are you off to in such a rush young lady. Sonia asked with her hands on her waist.

I need to inform your dearest aunt who is my mother. Do you understand now? She replied with a frown.

That woman can never cease to make my blood boil in anger. At least when I give her this news she can spare me her lectures for just a few days.

Rachel explained hurriedly as she left the room leaving Sonia with zero chance to speak another word.

I wonder who can tolerate this girl with this bad character of hers . She sighed as she continued to arrange the bed which was in a mess.

In Rachel's rush she mistakenly hits her mother's younger sister, Esther, causing the bottle of oil which was in her hand to fall to the ground. Thank God it was properly covered.

Esther breathed a sigh of relief seeing the oil still intact. If she hadn't closed it properly, maybe it would have poured all over the place now.

She imagined while staring at Rachel who just stood still like a statue waiting for her aunt to scold her like always.

Where are you off to young lady that you couldn't look properly. She asked angrily. Were you planning on dislocating my shoulders for me with this unruly behaviour of yours? She asked again with a harsh tone.

Am sorry aunt. Rachel muttered as she picked up the bottle of oil from the floor.

Won't you answer my question. Esther asked.

What reply are you expecting from her? Franca calmly walked towards them as she held Rachel with her right hand.

Can't you see how my Princess is looking shocked from your interrogation. She warmly smiles at Rachel which calms her down from Esther's murderous glares.

Esther's green veins bobbled out of anger. Shouldn't you ask your darling princess where she was going in such a hurry that she turned blind, because she almost knocked me down.

Listen to me. Franca called out.

Rachel is still young so these kinds of incidents can't be avoided. And she must have gotten important work, so don't scold her like this next time.

I can get a nightmare from those glares of yours, talk more of a child like this. Franca joked to ease the situation.

Turning towards Rachel she asked. Where were you heading to my dear.

Yes aunt. I wanted to share some good news with my mother. I received some information from Sonia that we won the examination that was organised a week back.

I came first and she got the second Position, making us the best two from the village. She announced happily.

Ohhh my goodness. Thank God. Franca praised. I knew that my girls would surely ace the examination. I am so happy now. You will not imagine what happily this news will give to your mother.

You can go and inform your mother. She must be with your grandmother at the shop. She informed her.

Yes auntie I will go right away. Rachel responded while she took to her heels.

Remember to take the food pack alongside. Franca screamed behind her as she smiled watching the girl's figure.

Are you done with your drama now sister. Esther impatiently questioned. Can't you see how that girl is a problem to this house. Because she won the examination, does that give her the right to behave unruly?

You should try explaining things to her, like a good aunt who you are. She is a girl and she should behave like one.

Franca took a step closer to her.

Esther, she called out. I know you very well. You are still holding grudges against Marianna and you are passing it over to her daughter. It's over twenty years now. Why haven't you changed? Franca asked calmly.

You know how much Maria values her daughter after that incident happened. If she hears you calling her child a problem, then it won't go down well with the both of you. I know you are aware of that. Franca questioned.

Esther turned her eyes away as she stammered. I don't know what you are talking about. Just tell that girl to stay away from as much as she can. With that she walked away.

Franca could shake her head out of helplessness.

Sonia who was eavesdropping behind the wall finally came out.

What incident occurred twenty years ago and why does aunt Esther harbour so much hatred in her heart towards Rachel. Sonia could only question herself without getting any reply.

There is definitely more to learn about in this house. She concluded.

Rachel stopped at her grandmother's provision shop with a bead of sweat on her forehead. She handed her mother the food pack as her grandmother used the edges of her wrapper to wipe her forehead.

Did you trek to this place? Maria asked Rachel who nodded in approval.

What has gotten into you. Maria scolded. I have warned you severally to always enter the bus when coming to the shop. Your grandmother can pay the fee even if you don't have money on you.

But you never obey any of my orders. You always act per your wish. I am truly fed up with this attitude of yours. When will you start acting maturely?

Why are you scolding my child now? Mrs Vivian yelled at her daughter as she protected her granddaughter.

Haven't I warned you to never scold this child again. She brought food all the way from the house just for us to eat. Won't you at least praise her efforts. Maria ignored her mother's talks as she gently unlocked the food pack.

Come and sit with me my dear. Mrs Vivian took Rachel aside as they both sat down.

Why did you trek all the way from the house? Her grandmother asked her. Why do you like angering your mother? You know she is only worried about you right, and you repeat the same action every time.

I am sorry grandmother. Rachel sincerely apologised after receiving an earful from her grandmother.

I was in a hurry, that was why I forgot to climb a bus. She explained. I promise not to repeat this behaviour again. She said which earned her a smile from her grandma.

So what brings you here. Maria couldn't wait any longer before questioning her.

What sort of question is that? Mrs Vivian frowned her face. Why do you always come here, isn't it to see me. So she must be missing you. Am I right, my child. She asked Rachel who nodded sideways.

Look at it. How can she ever miss me when she has her most loving and caring aunt franca with her. She must have come here to ask for something. Maria concluded.

Tell me. What is it that you want? She inquired.

Moving closer to her Rachel replied. So I can't come to see my mother again without demanding something. Is that how bad you have seen me mother? Rachel asked playfully.

Will you go straight to the point? I have no time for your silly jokes. Maria said.

Well you are absolutely right. Rachel confirmed her words. I came here only to pass information to you.

Guess what I want to say . She asked in excitement.

Stop being ridiculous and go straight to the point. Maria cut her shut. This is a shop and not your chattering Palace.

Fine mom. I just wanted to tell you that I and Sonia won the examination we took last week. The one that we both represented our school. She announced.

We will get a scholarship to go to the most prestigious university in the country. Springfield University has been my dream school. I can finally study my law and become a barrister.

And do you know what, mother ? She continued. They will credit us with our monthly allowance which is over fifty thousand naira. Our rooms and everything needed for our study has been taken care of already.

And by winning the competition, the government is giving each family a million naira as another form of reward too. Mom, I am just so happy. She smiled happily, bringing her dimple to light.

Wow, I am so happy for you two. You have definitely made your mother and this family proud. With that she happily embraced Rachel. I can't imagine this mother. She said, turning towards Mrs Vivian who ignored her .

I have always told you to have faith in my girls, especially Rachel. Do you see the proof now? She held Rachel's hands as she spoke.

My dear you have done a great deed. You and your sister have definitely made us proud. I will get you both a gift to appreciate you two. She said with a smile.

Thank you grandmother. I will pass your message to Sonia. I need to leave now, so you two should take care. She took a nearby rag and cleaned her foot which had become dusty.

Maria took a clean one thousand naira note and handed it over to Rachel. Here take this, for your transportation.

Rachel accepted it with a smile. Thank you mum, I know you love me the most. She gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving the shop.

You have a daughter indeed. Mrs Vivian commented quietly as the young girl ran to catch a bus.

Ahhhh. Rachel slowed down because she was exhausted. Did all the motorcycles go on a public strike or what. She couldn't stop questioning herself. She rubbed her sweaty palm as the scorching sun made her head ache.

Seeing the dirty water on the roadside she calmly raised her gown up to her knee length. Taking one step forward a car suddenly splashed some water on her making her instinctively move backwards.

Rachel squeezed her nose due to the bad odour from the water. Trying to calm her anger she walked up to the man who was standing beside his car. He was hurrying, staring at his wrist watch.

Before she could utter a word he spoke first. He squeezed some cash in her hands. Here, take this and get a set of new clothes. He paused.

Bringing out his card from his breast pocket. He stretched it towards her. Here is my official card, you can call my lawyer and we will discuss this. But I suppose that amount should be enough to take care of the mess. He replied coldly.

About to get into his car, Rachel spoke up.

Is that all you have to say to me, Mr. You splashed dirty water on me and instead of apologising you are giving me money. Wow, Rachel clapped her hands in fury.

Do I look like a beggar or are you donating to the poor? Common courtesy demands you apologise first before compensation.

The man slowly raised up his head. He was taller than her, as he looked down on her.

You really want an apology from me. Do you think you are worth it? He smirked.

Coming out of my car and meeting you facially is enough. I don't have time to entertain your tantrums. My time is really precious to me, so I advise you to take your money and leave now.

And besides you should blame your bad sight for the incident that happened. A reasonable person would have waited patiently for me to pass. But I can assume that common sense isn't common. He concluded.

Rachel flared up. So, me demanding an apology from you is seen as throwing a tantrum. Well I don't blame you, I blame the home you are coming from. You clearly lack basic home training.

Or weren't you taught how to behave appropriately with women. You clearly saw me coming and now you are trying to put all the fault on me instead of admitting to your mistake.

Well how can I expect so much from a spoiled rich brat. You should better go back and learn proper manners, because your next victim may not be this lenient with you. You should better mark this face, with that she left him

James stood still as he watched her retreating figure. Did that girl just insult me now? She clearly insulted my family's upbringing.

Does she know who I am? I guess she will regret this when she finally figures out who I really am. I will definitely not let this go just like that. He swore angrily.

His phone instantly rang. Seeing the caller he frowned as entered his car and left. Today was definitely a bad day for him.

This was all his father's fault for sending him to this remote village. He complained bitterly.

Reaching the hotel room, James knocked twice as the door opened. A young man with an innocent face flashed a smile at him urging him to come inside.

James quickly scanned the room. His uncle was seated on an exquisite chair in the company of two ladies. One was massaging his shoulders while the other sat on his laps.

James' face was full of disdain. Uncle, he coldly called out. Is this the business I came here for?

His uncle grinned mischievously, turning around he ordered the both ladies to leave the room.

Why does your temper always reach its peak? He asked while pouring wine into the two empty glass cups. He handed one over to his nephew.

Uncle, I left my studies on dad's instruction just to come and inspect the site. I need to hurry up and leave. He sipped the wine.

Wow, what a serious student you are. Harry joked . I can see you are really stressed up. Should I invite some ladies in to help you relieve yourself. You know what I mean right. Harry smirked.

Rubbing his forehead in anger he stood up abruptly. Uncle I came here for important work and if it's not yet ready I beg to take my leave. He announced decisively.

Seeing that the situation is clearly not going as planned, Harry quickly backed down. You shouldn't take my words to heart dear. Here is the document you need to see. Look through them and notify me if you find any flaws.

James took the document from the edge of the table. He calmly read it as he flipped through the pages.

Harry watched quietly. Like father, like son. His little nephew is slowly turning into a man who is planning to succeed his father and take over the company. The Anderson group.

James held the document firmly with his right hand. Uncle, I think I need to leave. I will message you if there will be any further adjustments in the document. Thank you uncle Harry. He bowed his head in respect.

James, Harry called out.

Do you really have to study so hard? You are already the successor of Anderson group. And being that is enough already. Why must you go through the stress of education?

James straightened his suit. Uncle, whether I become the successor of Anderson groups or not, I still need to be educated. With that he walked away.

Harry smiled quietly, lighting up the cigarette in his hand as he watched the retreating figure.