1 Chapter 1

POV - Ella

My alarm goes on by 6:30, I whine

" why!".

I curse my boss for making me work extra at the bar last night he's such a meanie I only missed thirty minutes cause I was baby sitting some terrible twins and man made me work extra two hours.

I struggle to get out of bed and half consciously drag my body to the bathroom for a shower.

After my dreadful shower, I stare at my reflection in the mirror tracing the dark circles starting to form under my eyes, mehn do I look like shit.

These last few weeks had been exhausting for me, I know taking four part time jobs each day is extreme but we need the money and I'll be damned if I ever let my aunt work again.

I just wish I could get a job but apparently being a graduate isn't enough qualification in Nigeria and its even harder here in Abuja.

I start getting ready for my part time at Alhaji amirs place

I put on a black jeans, black plane shirt and straighten my almost black hair, I slip my phone into my back pocket and exit my room.

A smile forms on my face as I see my aunt making breakfast and singing to her favourite song in the kitchen.

I'm kind of use to it already, she does this every morning and if not for her I'll probably starve to death. Don't get me wrong I love cooking but I have close to no time for it.

" Good morning aunt " I say as I walk in

"morning honey just in time breakfast's ready, I made pancakes" she says enthusiastically with her eyes sparkling

" Yayyyy! " I squeale drawing out a seat and begin to eat.

" Aunt I love you this is so yum " I say as I stuff pancakes in my mouth. She chuckle as she watches me in amused.

she knows how much my love is for pancakes.

"Umm Ella you where home late last night, I tried calling you but you weren't picking I didn't even get to see you before I went to bed" aunt says suddenly serious,

I sigh

" I'm sorry aunt I had to work extra time " I mumble with pancakes in my mouth

"You could have called or something you know how worried I get about you and look at you " she points to my outfit.

" you always look like you're mourning someone. You promised to start wearing other colours Ella." She complains

" Aunt I look great in black trust me I dazzle me whenever I look in the mirror " I say with a goofy smile

" and I'm totally fine you don't need to worry about me "

She attempts to say something again but I cut her off

I raise my left hand from my lap.

" I promise I won't stay out that late again " I try to put an end to this conversation.

"Honey I love you" she says trying to smile.

" I love you more " I confess, giving her a reassuring hug.

" Aunt I have to go now " I say pulling away from her and she gives me a sad smile

"alright dear"

" see you later aunt remember to take your meds OK. I love you, bye! I yell and exit the house.

*****

My bike stops and I pay the bike man as I arrive at my destination.

I knock and the security guard ' Adamu ' opens just immediately.

" Good morning Adamu " I say with a small smile.

"Ina kwana, ya kike ella," he says smiling back(good morning, how are you)

" Fine thank you " I reply and find my way to the entrance.

I pull my footwear before entering and I see my madam just immediately, I give her my signature morning smile trust me its the cutest you'll ever find.

" Salamalaikum ma " I say greeting Hajia as she came down stairs.

"Walaikum salam ella how are you today?"

" I'm fine ma " I reply

"Torh Alhamdullilah, dear you can begin your work from the kitchen today "

" Ok ma " I say and go in the store carrying my usual tools and began cleaning.

-----------

Three frustrating hours later, I finished sanitizing the whole Alhaji Amir's Apartment

I check my time and its 11;30 already, I just have thirty minutes to be at my next part time. just great! I sigh.

I make my way out and board a bike to the restaurant were I help sell food.

I check my time again as I arrive at the restaurant and it's almost twelve. Just in time.

I say hi to madam Jane and she barely answered me.

This particular madam is the meanest of them all, Oh no I take that back she's the second meanest my boss at the bar is the meanest, literally he smells of nothing but wickedness but what can i say, I need the cash so i have to deal with them.

I take in a deep breath and help her set the table before customers start to arrive.

Not longer than ten minutes a group of men from an office opposite our restaurant start to alight, they are our regular customers, I greet them politely and take their orders.

I check my time and it's almost my closing time thank gracious.

Then it happened I see my most annoying customer Mr tobi approaching the counter I sigh in frustration, so close!.

He starts giving me an annoying smirk immediately he sights me and I breath in and out preparing myself for what is to come.

He's such an asshole I mean for God's sake this man is married with 3 kids but he's always professing he's so called love for me, he even tried rubbing he's lips on me one day when my madam was out.

The only reason why i haven't spiced one of he's orders with rat poison is mostly because I still need my job here and yeah if I was to go to jail for murder I'll rather it be more of a human being than this piece of shit! I know my madam will so scold me if I'm rude to her customer, so I take in another deep breath,

Calm Ella calm I cooed myself

" Good day Mr Tobi, what will you like to order today? " I say with the fakest smile I can muster..

" Iyawo mi oyinbo"( my foreign wife )

he says with all his teeth out and trying to touch me. Apparently he calls me Oyinbo cause I'm half cast,

I flinched

" What are you ordering today " I repeat still trying to maintain the smile.

"you know I'll order you any day anytime just give me your green light baby and I'll go straight in he says seductively,"

oh no! I scowl at he's terrible attempt at flirting

" I mean what will you like to eat, I say glaring at him and trying not to loose my shit ".

"You know all I ever want is to eat your little....."

Fuck it!

" Don't you dear finish that sentence you pervert, the only thing you deserve to eat is my freaking puke " I say smacking my fist on the counter and throwing daggers at him,

He looks taken aback but being the animal he is he spat out a ridiculous laugh.

" Wetin dey happen here hiella? "my madam finally notices what was going on. mehn do i hate the way she says my name

" Nothing ma Mr tobi was just leaving " I try to save myself.

"Jane this your girl dun dey get mind o she no wan get respect for us again, e be like say I no go dey come chop here again",

I glared at him..... He didn't just say that

" Ungbo hiella you dey do my customers anyhow ahbi, make I see how you go collect your money today" my madam says and I instantly turned pale.

I quickly go on my kneels

" Ma I'm sorry its not me he's the one that was...,"

I start begging her but she hisses and moves towards Mr tobi apologizing to him.

He simply acted like the victim and gave me a wicked grin before leaving.

I sigh and begin to clean up.

why can't I just have a normal job with normal people?