chapter 6

"Wow! The lady exclaimed. You guys never told me you have a new boss. She referred to Anne.

"What's going on here?". James' voice thundered from within.

"Haha!" She laughed heartily. You're awake! Well, that's a relief.

"Amanda, what are you doing here? You've got no right to walk into my house without an invitation!". He yelled.

"Your house? We have a daughter remember? So definitely it's our house". She opposed it.

"Mmm! He smirked. Same daughter you abandoned?".

"I didn't abandon her, she's the reason I'm here".

"Or maybe, you're here to steal something else. Don't think I'll be foolish enough not to notice my missing Rolex".

"What…what!". She stuttered.

"Guards! Guards! Throw this trash out of my house". He ordered.

"Don't you dare, don't touch me!". She yelled at them.

"Mummy". Sophia's voice emerged from the staircase.

"Oh! Sophia dear, look. She sobbed. Your daddy wants to throw me out, he doesn't want me to meet you". She lied.

"Daddy. She called. Is that true?".

"No baby, I was just asking the guards to keep her in order".

"Uhmm, Anne, please help Sophia to her room". James ordered.

"No! She won't. You're in no place to place my daughter in someone's order". Amanda spoke.

"You're in my house and you'll live by my rules. All of you, leave this instant". His voice bore anger.

The house staff members walked quickly, maintaining a straight line towards the exit leaving Anne who was still holding Sophia's hand.

"Didn't you hear that? Or perhaps you're a member of the family now huh?". Amanda asked Anee.

"I'm.. I'm….she stuttered as she pulled Sophia with her.

"Let me go, didn't you hear my mother?". She pulled her hands off the grip.

"Come here darling". Amanda smiled.

"Sophia!". James thundered, leaving the young girl in shock.

Sophia held the legs of Anne in fear. She shivers because it was the first time her father raised his voice on her.

"Come here". Anne carried her and walked to her room, leaving James and Amanda.

"You better use the door". He said pointing towards the door and about to take his first step when Amanda called.

"James, I am here to stay and it's either you deal with that or visit the court".

"Urrh". He sighed as he recalled the agreement he signed on their divorce papers.

"I'm glad you haven't forgotten". She scoffed as she made her way through the stairs.

********

Anne made sure Sophia was fast asleep before leaving for her room. Her thoughts wandered about who the lady was. She controlled so much power and influence around the house.

"Could it be that she's truly Sophia's mother? Or perhaps James' wife? She thought.

"Hmm! All these rich people can be so unpredictable". She blurted out.

"And of course, the poor people can be so predictable". A female voice responded.

Annie stood in shock shivering as she wasn't expecting to be heard.

A feminine figure walked out from a corner, clapping her hands.

"You brat! Who do you think you are to come into my house and self gossip about me".

"You're mistaken ma'am. I never did such". Anee defended.

"So you're calling me a liar?".

"No..no…she stuttered.

A thundering slap elapsed her face and caused her to stagger.

"Ouch! I just stained my hands with your filth. Go feed the dogs". She ordered and about taking her first step.

"What! But that's not my job ma'am". Anne cried.

"And what's your job?".

"Looking after Sophia". She responded.

"Well, I'm sorry. Henceforth you've got a change of job or rather a promotion". She smiled while walking away.

"And who does she think she is to boss me around!". Anee whispered.

She maintained her position for some seconds and decided to head back to the staff room.

"Anee". Mrs Rachel called, immediately she saw her.

"Please". She responded as she walked to her bunker.

"I apologize for what happened earlier. Amanda can be crazy most times".

"All the times". I corrected.

"Hope you didn't get intro trouble with her?". Mrs Rachel asked in worries.

"Who does she think she is huh? Ordering me to feed the dogs! Hmm". Anne prepared her bed to lay on it.

"You shou..ld should go". Mrs Rachel stuttered.

"What?". Anne exclaimed in shock.

"Yes dear, you should, if not you could loose your job and James won't even find out".

"Well, that's what I seek for. I can't be a member of this slavery". She said, laying down in satisfaction.

"I hope you've got no family member here, in this City?''.

"Why?".

"You'll find out soon, just rest your head''. She scoffed.

Anne sluggishly stood up from the her bed and walked towards the exit. She was already stressed out from the day activities and feeding dogs was something she never thought of doing.

She walked towards the lobby of the dog compound and took out their food. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the giant dog house.

At first she was startled on seeing the size of the dogs. But when she recalled Mrs Rachel mentioning about her family, she swallowed hard and walked towards the cage.

They were four in number and she was sure some were roaming with security personnels. She consciously walked towards the gate and places the food beside the gates.

The dogs on seeing her unfamiliar face begins to bark, awakening the ones on duty. Anne runs far as her legs could carry her. She pants as she dashes into the mansion entrance.

The released dogs bark heavily causing the security personnels on duty chase after them.

"Are you okay?". The first man asked on seeing Anne on her staff uniform.

"Yes, yes". She pants.

"Bruno! Vigilant! Retreat! The man ordered the dogs. I'm apologize, they were only working on orders".

"It's fine". She keeps panting as she makes her way into the Mansion.

"Anne, Anne! Are you okay? I heard the dogs barking harshly". Mrs Rachel spoke.

"I'm out of here! I'm the only existing daughter of my mother you know". She sighs.