CHAPTER TEN

May 12th, 2014.

Seven years since the death of Jennifer's parents. But she just got to know of it three months ago. It had become really hard to concentrate at school because all she could think of was the fact that wasn't going to see her parents ever again. Her grades were getting low as a result. Teachers were complaining. Nanny was also complaining as usual. she never gave her a break.

"Jennifer".

She jumped out of her reverie at the sound of her name. Biology class was going on but she was in a world of her own.

"s-sir?". she stuttered.

The teacher placed his hands on his hip, giving her a dissapointed look.

"Your mind seems to be somewhere else". He said.

"I'm sorry sir, I-"

"Miss Adedeji, I'm really concerned, you have been really inattentive during classes, you haven't been attending to your assignments and your grades are suffering. what is going on with you?".

"I'm sorry, sir". she said again, head hung low.

The bell rang for closing. Jenny picked up her bag hastily and left the classroom, ready to go home and sulk the more. It would have been nice if she could share her burden with her concerned teachers or maybe her friends. But she wasn't allowed to let anyone know about her parents death for some reason (orders from nanny). And she also wasnt allowed to have friends, which was really messed up.

"Already on your way home?". A chubby, happy looking girl said, walking up to jenny as she stepped out of the school gates. That was simbi, the best friend and only friend she had since she came to live with nanny. Simbi was the daughter of the food vendor just beside the school. They called her mom 'Mama put'. Simbi didn't go to the same school as she. She went to the community high school just a street away from her own school.

"Yes, are you on your way home too?". Jenny replied, suddenly replacing her dejected expression with a smile.

"yup". simbi replied, grabbing her by the shoulder.

"You aren't helping your mom put at the shop today?". Jenny asked.

"Nope, I'm going home early to clean the house. By the way, would you like to stop by my house and help me out?"

"of course". Replied jenny. She cherished spending time with her chubby friend. It was something that could cheer her up at a time like this.

"Great!". Simbi squealed.

Three hours later and they were busy chatting away, forgetting that they even had to clean.

"And then I told him I can't give him my number because I don't even have a phone!". simbi said, laughing hysterically. She was telling one of her boy drama stories. Jenny already had an earful of them.

"Oh shit!". Jenny suddenly exclaimed.

"what? should I have given him my number?".Simbi asked.

"No that's not it, I'm supposed to be home by four. Nanny is going to kill me!"

Simbi stared at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Well, it's 6 o clock already". she said calmly.

"Oh no!". Jenny screamed, packing all of her belongings.

"I'll see you tomorrow! bye!". She said, Hurrying out of the house. Thank God her house was just two blocks away.

She slowed down her pace as she got to her gate. There were two black Mercedes parked in front of the house, each having a metal Eagle head carved on the bonnet. Bizarre but regal. But what would two cars be doing at the front of their house?

She walked into the house using the back door. The visitors, which were two hefty men in black suits, were in the living room. Apparently in a deep discussion with nanny.

Jennifer tiptoed from the kitchen door to the nearest door, which was her room door, making sure she wasn't seen or heard.

"Where Is the child?" One of the men fumed.

"she will soon be here, please, be patient with me" Nanny pleaded.

"You told us that two hours ago!". The other one yelled.

Jennifer stood behind her door, dumbfounded as she took in the words she was hearing from outside. Were they by any chance talking about her? was she in some kind of trouble?

"We have a deal, woman, do not waste our time or else we will waste you". She heard one of them say.

waste? she panicked. As in kill? she let out a gasp, which was a mistake that cost her her hiding place.

The men suddenly stopped talking.

"someone is here".

"search the house!"

oh no! Jenny screamed inside. she thought hard of a way to get our of that place without them catching her. She could already hear sound of aggressive opening of doors becoming closer and closer. They were searching the whole house.

she looked around.

"The window!". She exclaimed in delight.

she saw a stool nearby and placed it by the window. She looked back. The men were almost at her door. In split seconds, she had climbed out through the window and jumped down.

She heard the door open behind her as the men were already in her room. She heaved a sigh of relief before taking to her heels and running without looking back.

She didn't even have to think hard on where to run to. She was going to run and hide in the only place that gave her comfort. Simbi's place.

"Yes, who's there?". Simbi's high pitched voice came from inside the house as jenny knocked aggressively on the door.

"It's me, Jennifer".

she opened the door to see an exhausted Jennifer dripping in sweat.

"Jenny? did you forget something? what are you-"

"Just let me come in, I'll explain everything".

******************************

Frank collins swerved his Honda accord to the other side of the street. He was having a rough morning and that was affecting his driving. Rita just called an hour ago, panicking because she had just woken up to see mimi having a seizure. He had left what he was doing immediately and picked up his keys to go see her at the hospital.

What he couldn't understand though, was the fact that Rita was going through all these on her own without complaining. Her husband had travelled to canada and left her all alone with mimi when she was just three months old. She hadn't heard from him ever since then. He said he was searching for "greener pastures" and promised to be back soon. Funny for him to say after leaving her with an epileptic child. What a man he was.

So far, mimi had only had two seizures, which was a relief. But today made it her third. The doctor had already made it clear that she was still too young to be showing such symptoms. But what could they say? it is what it is.

Bam.

His car just hit another car. He must have been so lost in thought that he didn't see the petite Toyota camry moving towards him.

An angry lady, looking like she was trying to make it early to work came out of the already bruised car.

"Hey! look what you did!". She yelled, walking towards his car.

Frank came out of his car to apologise but stopped midway when he recognised the fuming lady.

"wait...Victoria?". He said, his eyes widening.