The Shock

"Alright honey, we've got everything checked", said Mia over the counter as they were having breakfast," We've got your uniforms, stationery, accessories and everything in order. Details of your schooling has been handled, so on Monday, you'll be good to go. Do you need anything else? Contact lenses?" "No, I'm good", said Khalifa nonchalantly. Mia couldn't help but sigh.

Because she was a prodigy, she was always in the mist of people older than her or in classes above the usual which made her act older than her age. On one side, Mia was relieved since it was easier to deal with her because she understood situations which children her age were unable to grasp or be aware of, however she still longed for her daughter to be nothing more than a sweet little six year old child who needed her for protection and care.

"We'll be going to shop for a few accessories for Saturday, so hurry up and finish up. The assistant will be here any moment from now and we don't want to mess up our first meeting, do we? Good, let's go freshen you up" then. The child was still quite but she obediently followed her mother's instructions.

An hour and a half later, there was a knock on the door of the apartment. Mia opened the door to a smallish young woman. She was dressed in an office suite coupled with stiffly bunned hair to match. Her wide rimmed glasses covered her eyes which were filled with nervousness as she looked at Mia. "Good morning, Miss Adams. I'm Alexa Labinjo and I'll be your assistant throughout your stay here in Atlanta. Mia smiled and ushered the woman in," Please drop the formalities, just call me Macaria or Mia, just choose any that rolls off the tongue easily ".

Alexa blinked in surprise, never in all her years of working in the Atlanta branch of MACE had any of her bosses addressed her with such an informal tone. "Oh, I'm sorry, please take a seat. I'll respond to you shortly". Alexa was confused, in the office, there were rumors going out that Miss Adams was a rude and strict boss, the reason for her being under the radar all these years, whereas here she was the complete opposite. Alexa was confused, she was contemplating on telling her new boss about the rumors at office or waiting to see for herself the personality of her boss.

Whiles conflicting with her thoughts, she did not notice the mother and daughter take a seat across her. They sat calmly and stared at her in a strange and mysterious manner , waiting for her to say something or to notice something. Alexa decided on the later, she looked up, only to find the duo staring at her and was puzzled for a moment then she noticed it. She sat still unsure of what to do or say except to stare wide eyed at them. She was amazed, surprised and felt a dash of fear.

"Hmm, she looks freaked out but that's that", said Mia to her daughter. "Perhaps, she thinks they're fake", replied Khalifa. "Maybe she's okay with them, I think she's OK, I mean she's not screamed or anything",. "You're right, mom. Then it's going to work, so explain it to her". Alexa listened and watched the two engage in conversation without acknowledging her presence, however, when they turned to look at her, her heart began to beat rapidly.

Miss Adams was a young woman with beautiful toned dark cocoa skin, jet black, short curly hair. The mole on the left corner of her left eye made her alluring. The little girl beside her had a caramel toned skin and brown curly hair. The striking feature they both had was the difference in color of their irises. They both had merry blue and hazel irises, however there was a difference in their looks. The elder woman had an innocent yet keen look that emanated a gentle but dangerous aura whiles the child had dead eyes but with a penetrating gaze.

Mia cleared her throat to reduce the tension in the atmosphere, " I'm sorry we did this, but it was our little test to know if you would be comfortable working with us or not. Once again, I apologize". "It's okay, Miss Adams". "We've had nasty scenarios in the past so we needed to be sure you were fine. I'm surprised you were not informed". "Is that why we don't know anything about you, Miss?" "Partially, anyway, this is my daughter, Khalifa. We both have heterochromia iridis, thus our coloured eye thingy".

"Anyway, can you take us out to a mall, we need to get a few accessories for the party on Saturday". "Yes, please".

As she regally stepped out of her vehicle, aware of the stares she received, she fixed her sunglasses and walked into The Plaza. It was the only shop the elite in Atlanta patronized and as one, she had come here for a particular item. " Good afternoon, ma'am, how may I help you?" asked an attendant. "Where is the Starfire?" "I'm sorry ma'am, but that woman just purchased it", replied the attendant pointing to a woman walking away with a child beside her, towards the next aisle.

"What?"