Leaving Home
"I know you said that but you've been saying the same thing since last year. Stef, I really need the money and time is something I don't even have. Just last week, I nursed the idea of selling off Pai-boxes. Having this offer right now kind of feels like a sign. Maybe God is finally saying yes to my prayers. I don't expect him to say it in person you know. Everything in me tells me that this is God." Paige said holding Stefan on the hand with pleading eyes.
No matter what, the fact that Stefan is her man was undeniable. He's been there for her since she could remember and she loved him dearly.
He's been the only man that truly loves her except from her dear father of course. Very few men have ever showed interest in her romantically and she couldn't blame them anyway because honestly she rarely had enough money left on her at the end of each month to spend on cute dresses and make up. All thanks to Veronica and her daughter.
"I'm just worried that you might put yourself in danger with this job."
"Stef, Nat knows this people. And he has reassured me that I'll be in safe hands. Stop worrying okay?"
He nodded and managed a weak smile.
"If you insist on going, I won't stop you." He said, squeezing her hand gently.
"Thank you." Paige mouthed. "Promise me Stef, promise me that you will take very good care of the store in my absence., Like she's yours." She requested.
He drew closer to her with a sweet smile. Planting a kiss on her cheek.
"I promise baby, I'll treat PB like my our baby. That is what it is anyway." He said smiling.
"I would really appreciate that." She said standing up. She dropped a kiss on his forehead
"I have to go now, I need to get few clothes in preparation. Bernice, my colleague at work told me that Shein is having an auction sale today. I'll just quickly head to the venue and get few clothes for myself. Would you like to come with me?"
"Nah, I'll pass." He replied.
"All right, I'll inform Aurora of my upcoming absence on my way out." She announced as she headed towards the door.
"Will i see you tonight?" Stefan asked .
"You bet you will." She replied flashing a smile before stepping out of the tiny office.
********************
In the early hours of the morning, just before the sun rose and cast it's golden ray across the sky, Paige drove her Kia down to Yardstin.
The past few days had been very hectic for her, from checking and balancing stock at PB, to packing her bags and making sure that she didn't forget anything, then reporting to work to pick up her leave permit which was stress free and successful.
She knew her journey to Yardstin was definitely going to be a long one but she didn't care. Having spent lots of money trying to get decent hand-me-down clothes and shoes, she was almost penniless.
There was no way she could afford a flight to Yardstin hence her reason for being on the road battling with minimal traffic and struggling with a road map The engine of her Kia Rondo which she named Charlotte roared softly as she drove through the streets of Acubana.
Gentle and cool air seeped through the not so closed windows of Charlotte. Paige turned on the music player to beat the quietness. 'You're just too good to be true' by Lauryn hills started playing. This was one of her favorite songs, so she hummed to it.
As she hummed happily, her phone alarm blared letting her know that it was 3:00pm already. Just then she saw the road sign that read 'Welcome to Yardstin." At the sight of this, she heaved a sigh of relief.
"It's about time." She murmured to herself.
More minutes into the ride, she was graced with gorgeous pine and Gmelina trees planted on either side of the road giving the road an immaculate appearance and a calm shade.
"In two minutes, take a right turn to Creek Island." The audio map said.
"We are here already." She chuckled, feeling so proud of herself.
Taking a turn to the right, she drove towards Creek Island and the first thing that hit her was the beauty and neatness of the streets. Pine trees gave way for gmelina trees which in turn gave way for Palm trees and oaks spontaneously. She was blown away as she kept staring at the streets in awe. This was a clear opposite of what she was used to where she came from.
Then she saw it, she saw the mansion she was going to spend three months in. It was right at the edge of the road with its high walls and sparkly paint. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed in admiration.
If she'd known that the mansion was this gorgeous, she would have signed the contract from the first day she got it. She thought to herself as she smiled. Indeed the picture Nathan showed her didn't do justice to the house.
"Maybe the house was renovated." She thought to herself. Cause the picture she saw had a dull appearance than what she was currently looking at. Even from a distance, the mansion looked perfect.
In a couple of minutes, Paige drove up to the main entrance of the mansion. She was received by the security at the gate and her ID cross checked before letting her in.
Once the gate was opened to her, she continued her now slow ride into the beautiful mansion. Charlotte slowly came to a stop as her engines purred and Paige parked slowly in front of the Kentleys residence.
She spent few minutes inside the car making a mental note of all the cars in the garage. She swung her head to the sides as she realized that Charlotte was the odd one amongst them.
There was a Lexus ES250, a Ford pickup, a Chevrolet and a Mercedes Benz all lined up in the garage struggling for attention.
"Charlotte, your presence must be intimidating these wannabe's. I pray they don't tell me to park you behind the mansion. Because, they'll definitely feel intimidated by you. I can feel it." Paige said sarcastically to her beloved Kia Rondo.
A knock on the window brought her back to reality. She rolled down Charlotte's window and was faced by a man who introduced himself a Sherman, the butler of the house.
"May I open the door for you miss?" He asked Paige.