ABUSED..
Episode 19
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I have enough investment fetching me money monthly and weekly. Ella is not doing bad herself. I have been thinking on expanding my business of late; I intend to quit since I have made money to carter for myself. Not like I have a family I carter for like Ella. I feel lonely most times when I am by myself. I wished I had a family to call my own.
Sitting on my bed, I stretched my hands towards the drawer close to my bed and brought out a pack of cigarettes – yes I smoke now. Funny how comfortable I got with the smell. Ella has really influenced me. I have made a lot of money but I still feel the hurt of the past and most times I am lost in thoughts when sadness creeps in, smoking is the escape for me.
I tired to smoke but I felt irritated and coughed severally after taking a drag. I feel funny and hot; I wondered what could be wrong with me. Well, I think it’s one of those days one isn’t in the mood to do anything.
Ella came into my room all dressed up,
” Babes, Madam call we get job to do”
” I’m not in the mood”
” See you o. Cash plenty”
” I will pass this one๐”
” No. Abeg I no go pass this one o. Hard currency is involved”
I laughed at the way she motioned with her hands on hard currency. Ella likes nothing more than Money
” Ella aren’t you tired of this trade? We are established let’s quit and focus on our businesses. You know the reason we got into this trade and now we have it let’s a call it quits”
” Na true you talk but me never achieve wetin I want achieve finished o. You know my siblings are in school..”
” We have more than enough to sponsor that”
” Ruth. Let’s leave this issue for now. Come on dress to kill ”
” I’m not feeling too well. Besides, I have call it quit here”
” What will you tell madam M?”
‘ I can sort her out. Besides I am no slave to her. It’s an agreement which I signed there was no option stating I can’t quit’
“ok o. For me I never finish trade o”
” Elllaaa. Come it’s enough already. Our businesses are flourishing. what else do you want to achieve?”
” Babe forget that matter. wait o, you look pale. what’s wrong?”
” I don’t know..” I barely finished the statement when I felt the urge to puke. I ran into the toilet holding my mouth, Ella behind me
” Hah! Ruth e like say you don chop o”
I am weak and tried my legs could no longer support my weight I felt after empty my stomach
” But I am on pills”
” Hmmm. This is not good for business o”
” Ella are you serious right now? I feel sick and you are talking about business”
” You need to do test probably I am soon to be a God mother”
” Oh please, you are insane” I bloated while sitting on the tiled floor
” This early morning sickness is part of pregnancy symptoms”
“Ha doctor Ella. I thought you said you have business to attend to”
” Yes babes. Let me help you to your bed I can see you are about to faint’
I rolled my eyes at her trying to get my self up, she pulled me up and led me to my bed
” seriously Ruth. when last did you see your visitor?๐ค”
” Ella I am not pregnant, I take pills besides I…I” I was trying to recollect the last time I saw my monthly visitor
” You see! Anyways, don’t worry Babes, I will get you a pregnancy test kit when coming back. Take care of yourself. ”
” I think it’s just fever. I can’t be pregnant Ella”.
She laughed and teased me about being afraid to nurse a child.
” I don go jare. see you later dear”
As soon as she shut the door behind her, my heart raced to different places. I can’t be pregnant! I can’t nurture a child at this point in my life. The last thing I want to be now is being a mother! Oh goodness! What if I am truly pregnant, whose child could it be? Oh no๐ฉ๐ฉ!
I think Ella is just cooking these theories of symptoms just to prank me. it’s just fever and I over ate last night that’s why I threw up. I opened my side draw picked a card of paracetamol and down it with water.
‘ Ruth, you are not pregnant just fatigued’ I assured my troubled heart as I held on to my chest as though pledging to something.
I rested a little, feeling much better I took my bath and dressed up – I need to go to work. Bisi is handling my boutique well, but I feel I need to pay attention to my business now that I decided to quit this hustle with Ella.
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I arrived my boutique almost noon, it’s Saturday everywhere is bustling. I parked in free place as most places were occupied.
I could see there were lots of costumers in my shop, so I increased my pace a little to go help them out.
The glass door is automatic, I was greeted with a chilled breeze as I set foot inside which made me feel uncomfortable.
” Good day ma ” Bisi greeted
” Bisi, how are you doing”
” Fine ma. ”
She went on attending to costumers and other workers were busy with other costumers.
As I walked down to the left side that leads to my personal office, I noticed a young handsome man in a transfixed state – no one was with him.
I walked up to him with a smile wanting to help him out
” Good day mister. I see you are confused about something”
” Oh dear, I am truly confused. Tomorrow is mothering Sunday, I don’t really know what to get for my mother. These fabrics are beautiful but I am lost on which color to pick. ”
” Is that so? The purple and gold looks more beautiful than the others”
” Really?”
” Yes! It’s a new material we got last week from India. The material is so cool. I bet you mama will love it. You can add shoes and bag to it”
” Wow! Thanks for helping me out but are you new here?”
I laughed at his question
” No, I am not. I actually own this placeโบ๏ธ”
” Wow! I have been here about four times and I have never met you”
” Well, now you have”
” Yes. ”
‘ Ok. I will see you another time”
” oh Yes! My name is Maxwell” he said stretching out his hands
Receiving it with a smile matching his
” Ruth”
” It’s nice seeing you๐ค๐”
” The pleasure is mine. Thanks for your patronage” I replied trying to free my hands but his hold was a bit tight as he kept staring at me
” I am sorry” he said releasing my hands when he got the memo I wasn’t comfortable
” it’s ok. ”
I beckoned on Bisi to come help him get the lace
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” Make it double” he ordered
That’s one for his mom and the other for his wife I thought. I turned to leave for my office when he called me
” Miss Ruth”
” Yes”
” Do you mind I invite you to church this Sunday”
” Hah. No. I won’t be free, I am pretty much occupied tomorrow maybe some other time”.
” Ok. If you say so”
” Yes Mr Maxwell”
” Can I have your number?”
” You know what! when next we meet I will give you, Mr Maxwell. ” I replied with the brightest smile
“Ok. it’s a small world”
” Sure ”
” Ok. Have a nice day”
” You too”
Ok
I left for my office not wanting to look at his charming face anymore. Charming can be harming. I settled in, it’s been a while I came here. Having good hands like Bisi can make you sleep without a headache about your business. She is trustworthy.
I remember when I picked her up from the streets, poor girl.She is just eighteen then but smart, that very day I was returning from one of our trips with a client when I spot her crying by road side. I don’t know why I felt touched to reach out to her. I did and found she was robbed of her earnings that day, her mother is a widow; Bisi being the first child hawked fruits to help her mother and brother.
I gave her some money took her home; seeing the poor state of where they lived I was touched. I got them a new place and employed her to control my boutique – she is being doing great.
I rushed to the toilet when the urge came again, throwing up. I really feel dizzy, what if I am pregnant truly.
I became anxious, picked my bag and walked out. I met Bisi, I told I have somewhere to go as she was surprised I was about leaving.
I drove to a pharmacy, I bought the test kit and head to my house, I need to confirm if I am truly pregnant.
I just hope it’s negative, I don’t want to have a baby…
To be continued..
