25 Isabella Howells

The car was silent as Pete drove into the estate. He had been playing Naira Marley's song earlier but Kathleen had turned off the stereo claiming it was too worldly for her, and she didn't want to corrupt her soul or that of Amanda with such a song. Thus the rest of the ride to the house after that had been a rather silent, but welcomed one for Kathleen.

Pete parked the car in front of the house and got out of the car to carry Amanda who had dozed off, "Give me a minute to lay Amanda on the bed and then I'll show you to your apartment." Pete informed her as he walked into the house with Amanda while Kathleen remained outside waiting for him.

Not more than five minutes later, he returned with keys to the apartment and led her to the side of his house where the boys quarter was located. "This is where you would be living." Pete said as he unlocked the door and walked into the house. Pete watched her, as he waited to see her reaction. He expected her to at least show gratitude since he was sure she would prefer this house to the one she had just moved from.

Kathleen didn't know whether to thank God or not, since she knew she would never have been able to afford this kind of well furnished apartment in the next two years, not with her salary since she was always sending most of it home, and making do with what little she had. She could tell this was one of those situations she didn't like being in. Where she was going to have to owe him for being this kind to her, and then she would have to be nice to him and not turn him down when he asked for difficult favors.

Kathleen sighed as she turned to look at him, "Thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure I can stay here for free." She said as she looked around the beautiful house.

Pete scowled as he looked at her, "I thought we already established that you will pay back by rendering services to me? Fine. Let's assume I agree with you, how much can you pay me? And let's say you can't pay, where are you going to live?"

"..." Kathleen looked away from him, she knew she was being unreasonable, but she also knew she didn't want to owe him anything. That was how it always started. He would want her to render services around the house, and next would be in his room on his bed.

As though he could read her mind he looked her over, "Judging by your overactive imagination I'm sure you think I would want to have something sexual with you in return for this... but get this straight... I'm not interested in you. You're very attractive don't get me wrong, but I don't like ladies like you. So let's just get this over with." Pete said as he turned to leave the apartment.

Kathleen felt her blood boil at what he had just said. God knew one thing she was still praying to God to help her control was her temper and her mouth, "What do you mean by 'ladies like me'?" she asked quietly before he could walk out of the door.

Pete turned around to look at her, and without saying another word he walked out of the apartment. He knew the tone she had just used very well. That was the way ladies usually sounded when they were spoiling for a fight or an argument. His late wife had been that way, and so was his mother and sister. He wasn't ready to get into one with his holier than thou employee.

Kathleen gritted her teeth as he walked out and she quickly hurried out after him in time to see the car which was driving into the compound.

Pete closed his eyes when he saw the person behind the wheels, think of the devil. It was his only sister, Isabella Howells, fondly called Ella by the family.

"I would rather you don't talk to me in such a manner again. I may be your employee, but I'm not your kid and I'm certainly not your slave." Kathleen hissed at him.

"Are you going to live here or not? If not feel free to pick up your bags and leave. You can forget about being my daughter's caretaker. I'll just get someone who is more interested in the job." He said without looking at her as he walked over to the car.

"Pete Howells!" She greeted with a cheerful smile which immediately relaxed him as she got out of her car and approached him. She was the only one among his siblings who called him by his name.