★Aunty Benita's POV★
As soon as Kate entered the room, I felt a surge of fear run through me, and she immediately noticed my reaction. "Are you okay?" she asked with concern, but I forced a smile and pretended everything was fine.
"It's nothing, really. I just saw her doing something strange, so I had to put her down, and..." I trailed off, trying to think of another excuse to add.
"That's all. But you're here now, so just look after her. I'll be back shortly," I said, before quickly leaving the room. I could tell that Kate was suspicious of my behavior, but I wasn't surprised.
★Tina's POV★
All I could remember was trying to cough up something that was blocking my throat, and then I woke up in my bed. Although I still felt sleepy and my eyes were blurry, I slowly got up and stretched myself, letting out a yawn.
I was surprised to see that I fell asleep like that since yesterday's night just to wake up in a new morning morning.
I looked around my room and noticed that it was more organized than before, but I didn't really care about that. I walked over to the mirror and stared at myself, touching my body to make sure that everything was okay.
As I sat back down on the bed, I tried to recall what had happened to me the night before. I remembered being threatened by Aunt Benita to keep my mouth shut, but I wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality. What was she trying to do? Was she trying to give me a position in my own house? That was impossible! She would have to leave this house if that was her plan.
But Aunty Benita had warned me that if I ever tried to expose her again, I would lose my ability to speak. I was afraid of that too, and I knew that she had done what she did last night to stop me from telling my mom the truth about her dark side.
Although I may not tell my mom what Aunty Benita was really like, I was still capable of making her leave the house. I knew my mom would do whatever I asked of her.
So, I left my room and headed to my mom's room to discuss the situation with her. When I got there, I knocked on the door and she welcomed me in.
"Thank goodness you're okay," she said as she quickly got up from the bed and hugged me. "Are you feeling okay now?" she asked, and I nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, and she placed her hands on my cheeks.
"Please tell me if you're feeling any pain or discomfort. If there's anything you need, you can always let me know," she said as I let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm fine, Mom. If you want to talk, I actually have something to discuss with you," I replied, and she shrugged her shoulders.
"Go ahead then. I'm always here to listen to you. What is it? Should we call your doctor right away?" she asked.
"It's actually something unrelated to my health. Like I said, I'm okay," I explained, and she listened attentively.
"Go on then... I'm all ears," she encouraged me. But just as I was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" my mom asked. "It's Benita," the voice replied.
"Okay, come in," my mom approved. But as soon as Aunty Benita entered, I could tell from the look on her face that she was here to disrupt our conversation. I wondered how she found out I was here so easily. She must have something that backed her up.
"What do you want?" my mom asked, waiting for Aunt Benita to state her reasons for coming to her room.
"It's about what I told you last night, Kate," Aunty Benita said, trying to step closer to us. But my mom stopped her.
"I know," my mom responded in a slightly harsh tone that made Aunty Benita stop and stare at her intently.
"Yes, I remember what you told me last night, but as you can see, I was having a conversation with my daughter. Can you excuse us, please?" my mom said with a fake smile.
She gave me a warning glare that I was the only one who noticed, but I didn't care. I knew she was trying to remind me of what she said about not telling my mom what I saw, but I don't care.
"Sorry, I don't know why she never lets us have a peaceful conversation. Go ahead..." my mom was saying when I interrupted.
"Actually, what I want to talk about is her," I said. My mom paid attention to me attentively.
"Daughter, tell me what happened to her. Is she treating you harshly in any way?" she asked, and I looked at her for a few seconds before replying.
"No," I answered.
"So, what do you want to tell me about her?" she asked, wanting to know more.
"I just want to know why you decided to bring her here. What is she doing here? Don't you think it's time for her to leave?" I asked my mom, and she shook her head.
"No, no, no. She can't go now, daughter, not when David is still a baby. She's here to take good care of him while I go to work and you go to school," my mom explained, leaving me surprised.
"Don't tell me you're serious," I reacted aggressively.
"Of course, I am," she replied.
"You mean you'll leave David all alone with her in the house?" I asked, looking mad.
"Yes, and hasn't she been doing a great job already? She's doing a great job," my mom said, and I stared at her with my eyes wide open.
"She's doing a great job? You don't even know what you're saying! Someone who almost..." I almost revealed the secret, but I held myself back because I still valued my life.
"Mum! Even if you need a nanny, Zara was all you wanted. Why bring this lady here?" I asked.
"Because you're standing here today is because of her protection. She gave you a life, and that's what I want. I want the both of you to be protected, you and David," my mom explained.
"And Benita is the one who can do this. She has a clean heart, even as goddess," my mom said, leaving me confused.
"Born a goddess? What the hell are you talking about, Mom?" I asked, confused. But she just smiled at me.
"You wouldn't understand now, but I bet you'll thank me later when you realize what I've done for you and your brother. You both need..." my mom was still talking when I interrupted her.
"Mom, you're being too overprotective of us! You're doing something you're not supposed to do?! I bet that's why you did what you did to Zara and her mother!" I said, but my mom reacted angrily.
"Shut your mouth, Tina! You don't know anything! You're just a kid! Get out of here! Go and prepare yourself for school right now!" she yelled at me, leaving me with tears in my eyes.
I left the room angrily, and as soon as I stepped out, I saw the monster named Benita laughing at me.
"I know. It's very hard when our mothers are blinded and can't see what's best for us because they think they're doing the right thing," she said as she stepped in front of me.
I stared at her for a few seconds before leaving without uttering a word to her.
★Zara's POV★
"If I had money, I could have resumed school today. But I bet I would have to work for the money I need this week, and maybe I can resume school by next week," I thought to myself. It was the thought that kept me up at night, even though I slept very well last night, at least the time I managed to sleep.
Now that I was awake, I sat on top of my bed feeling hopeless like a helpless dog. I didn't even know where to start this morning. I had no food at home, and it was shaping up to be another hopeless day. But I hoped that maybe help could come from anywhere.
First, I needed to brush my teeth so I could go out to look for something to eat. I went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a shower, and put on some nice clothes.
I am ready to head out for work, even though my stomach is empty. These days, I only eat when I feel like it, so I don't feel particularly hungry.
As I stepped out of my house and into the compound, I noticed a banner with the CC Group of Companies logo. This was the ungrateful company that my mother used to work for. I was surprised to see their banner here, wondering why it was displayed in front of my house.
As I looked back at my house, I noticed something stamped on the wall that I hadn't noticed before. I became scared as I didn't know what was written there. Should I read the message on the building or the one on the flag first? I wondered what the company wants from me again abd what could be written there?