She glanced at them briefly and noticed they were still standing.
"You can sit down," she said calmly. "Standing is not allowed."
"Thank you, ma," they both said as they sat.
Mrs. Sampson crossed her legs slightly and looked at them.
"The security man said you are here for a housemaid job?"
"Yes, ma," Bimbo replied. "She is my daughter."
"Your daughter?" Mrs. Sampson repeated, her gaze shifting to Ella.
"Yes, ma. Her name is Ella."
Mrs. Sampson nodded slightly, still observing her.
"How old are you?"
"I am seventeen years old, ma."
"Seventeen…" she murmured. "You're quite young."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Are you in secondary school?"
"I was, ma… but I had to stop because my mother could not afford the school fees anymore, including my younger brother's."
Mrs. Sampson's expression softened a little.
"For how long have you been out of school?"
"For some time now, ma," Ella answered quietly.
"Do you still remember what you were taught?"
"Yes, ma," Ella said quickly. "I still read my books sometimes."
Mrs. Sampson nodded.
"That's good."
She leaned back slightly.
"I'm sorry. What about your father?"
"He died some years ago, ma."
"I see…" she said softly. "That must have been difficult."
Bimbo lowered her head.
"Yes, ma."
After a short silence, Mrs. Sampson continued.
"How much do you expect to be paid?"
Bimbo hesitated briefly.
"Ma… I don't want money."
Mrs. Sampson raised her eyebrows.
"You don't want money?"
"No, ma," Bimbo said. "I just want my daughter to go back to school."
Mrs. Sampson looked at her more carefully.
"You want me to send her back to school instead?"
"Yes, ma. I don't want her to suffer the way I did."
Mrs. Sampson turned to Ella.
"And you? Do you want to go back to school?"
"Yes, ma," Ella replied immediately. "I really want to."
Mrs. Sampson nodded slowly.
"That is good."
She looked at Ella again.
"Can you cook?"
"Yes, ma."
"Clean properly?"
"Yes, ma."
"Take care of the house without being told every time?"
Ella nodded.
"Yes, ma. I can."
"I will do my best," she added.
Mrs. Sampson gave a slight nod.
"I will send her back to school," she said.
Bimbo's face brightened.
"Thank you so much, ma—"
Mrs. Sampson raised her hand gently.
"But that is not all."
They both looked at her.
"I will also pay you a monthly salary of ninety thousand naira."
Bimbo froze in shock.
"Ma…?"
"Yes," Mrs. Sampson said calmly. "You still have a son and responsibilities. You will need support."
Tears filled Bimbo's eyes.
"God will bless you, ma. You will never lack."
Ella also spoke softly.
"Thank you so much, ma."
Mrs. Sampson shook her head.
"I am not God. Be grateful to Him."
They both nodded.
"You will resume tomorrow by 8:30 a.m.," she added.
"Yes, ma," Ella replied.
"Don't be late."
"I won't, ma."
Bimbo stood up.
"Thank you very much, ma. We are grateful."
Ella stood as well.
"Thank you, ma."
Mrs. Sampson nodded.
"Alright. You can go."
The room was quiet, filled with a heavy emotion neither of them wanted to admit.
Ella adjusted her bag slowly, her fingers lingering longer than necessary. Standing in front of her was her younger brother, his eyes already glistening.
"I'll miss you," he said softly.
Ella smiled faintly and pulled him into a gentle hug.
"I'll miss you too."
She held him for a moment before pulling back, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Listen to me," she said, her voice calm but serious. "I have something important to tell you."
He nodded.
"Please… don't stress mummy, okay?"
"Okay."
"And don't do anything that will upset her. Just keep being a good boy."
"I will."
Just then, Bimbo stepped into the room.
"Ella, you're going to be late."
"I'm ready," Ella replied.
Bimbo walked closer, her expression softening as she looked at her daughter.
"Ella… don't forget to make me proud."
For a brief moment, everything went silent.
Ella nodded, her eyes filled with quiet determination.
"I won't, mummy. I promise… I'll make you proud."
Bimbo pulled her into a short embrace.
"Don't disappoint me. Keep being the good girl you've always been."
"Yes, mummy."
Ella picked up her bag and turned toward the door.
"Bye, mummy."
"Go well," Bimbo replied.
Her younger brother waved, forcing a small smile.
"Bye, sister."
Ella paused at the doorway, glancing back one last time…
Then she walked out.
The morning sun was unforgiving.
Its heat pressed against Ella's skin as she made her way down the street. Sweat gathered on her forehead, but she didn't stop.
Her mother's words echoed in her mind.
Don't forget to make me proud.
She clenched her fingers slightly.
I won't… I promise.
After what felt like forever, she finally arrived at a large gate. The house behind it stood tall and elegant.
She hesitated for a moment… then knocked.
A security man opened the gate and looked at her.
"How long have you been standing here?"
Ella wiped her sweat.
"For the past thirty minutes… under this sun."
The man chuckled.
"Ah, fine girl like you dey suffer like this? No worry. One day, when I get money, I go buy Lamborghini."
Ella wasn't amused.
"Please… can I see madam?"
He looked at her briefly, then stepped aside.
"Go in."
Ella nodded and walked in.
The moment she entered, her steps slowed.
The house was even more beautiful up close. Everything looked expensive, neat, and perfectly arranged.
When she stepped into the sitting room, she stopped completely.
Her eyes widened.
The place was breathtaking.
Soft cushions, shining floors, beautiful decorations—everything looked like something from another world.
So this is how rich people live…
A small smile formed on her lips as her imagination began to wander.
For a moment, she forgot why she was there.
She was completely lost in thought.
"Ella."
She didn't respond.
"Ella."
This time, the voice was firmer.
She blinked, startled, and turned quickly.
Mrs. Sampson was standing there.
"Good morning, ma," Ella said immediately.
"Good morning," Mrs. Sampson replied. "Sit down."
Ella sat carefully.
"Thank you, ma."
Mrs. Sampson looked at her briefly.
"I believe you already know why you're here."
"Yes, ma."
"Good. You will be working here as a cleaner… and also as a chef."
Ella nodded.
"Yes, ma."
"You will make sure the house is clean at all times, and you will prepare meals when necessary."
"I understand, ma."
"I leave for work by 8:30 every morning," Mrs. Sampson continued, "and I return by 6 o'clock in the evening. Everything must be in order before I get back."
"Yes, ma."
"You will need to wake up early. Breakfast must be ready on time."
Ella nodded again.
"There is a food roster in the kitchen. Follow it properly."
"I understand, ma."
Mrs. Sampson's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma."
Her tone softened just a little.
"In case you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me."
"Okay, ma."
"Your room is down the hallway. Second door by the left."
"Okay, ma."
"Good."
Mrs. Sampson stood up.
"I will be on my way now. Have a good day."
"Alright, ma."
"Okay, bye."
And with that, she left the house.
Immediately, Ella stood up.
She turned slowly, staring around again.
Everything still felt unreal.
"So… what next?" she muttered.
"Oh… I need to find the kitchen."
She began checking doors until she found it.
She stepped in—
—and froze.
The kitchen was just as beautiful.
Everything was shining, neatly arranged, and clearly expensive.
"Wow…"
She turned slowly, taking it all in.
"Is it one woman that is living here?" she muttered. "In this kind of big house? Without children?"
She paused, then shook her head.
"Ella, mind your business."
Her eyes landed on something.
"The food roster…"
She moved closer and looked at it carefully.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Omor… na one person dey chop all this?"
She shook her head slowly.
"Life is sweet ooo…"
She paused, then added with a small smile,
"When money enter… life is sweeter."
She smirked.
"Davido no lie at all."
Behind her…
Henry had just stepped into the kitchen.
He stopped.
A stranger stood there.
He said nothing.
He just watched her.
Confusion settled in his eyes. He had never seen her before—never.
Yet there she was… standing in his kitchen like she belonged there.
Tall, well-built, and effortlessly striking. His fair skin caught the light subtly, and his face carried a natural sharpness—defined jawline, calm but observant eyes.
His full curly afro framed his face perfectly, adding to his distinct charm.
Back in high school, he had been the one everyone had a crush on.
But right now…
He just stood there.
Watching her.
Silently.
After a few seconds…
He cleared his throat.
The sound broke the silence.
Ella froze.
Her heart skipped.
She turned sharply—
—and her eyes met his.
Shock flashed across her face.
She quickly straightened.
"Good afternoon, sir," she said politely.
Then, confused, she added,
"Please… who are you?"
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