Mrs Miller(Picked from the Slum)

Continuation...

By the time Tobi and Amanda returned from shopping after two hours, they had so much with them. Janet had instructed them to buy the various grocery items in small quantities so as not to attract suspicion from vendors and they had done just that; which was why it took them two hours to be done shopping. They didn't have any cooking utensils so they could only shop for cereals, tea, juice, milk and cookies but what they had available was enough to last them for weeks. Janet who had given them forty thousand naira to go shopping was surprised that they returned with a balance of two thousand naira. "This is obviously a lot for just thirty-eight thousand naira. Tobi... Mandy.... what did you two do?" Janet asked as she stood up and walked towards them menacingly. The two took steps backwards in horror, scared of what she might do to them. "Mandy.... did you two steal any of these? And don't you dare lie to me." Amanda looked at Tobi as if trying to beg him for help. "Hmmmm... we did steal some of it. I'm sorry but I promise, it was really safe, no one was watching us when we did" She managed to say.

"What is wrong with both of you?" Janet yelled "...Didn't you see how those men chased me? Do you think you could run that fast if people had tried to catch you for stealing? Please don't do that again" she warned and then she paused; spreading her arms out she shouted "Group hug!" All six of them gathered together and shared a group hug while giggling.

"How touching!" The children jumped in shock when they heard the strange man's voice behind them. They turned to find the very man Janet had stollen from standing right there with four men in black suits. Apparently they had trailed Tobi and Amanda who had just returned from shopping.

"Young lady, did you really think you could get away with stealing from me? Just so you know I own everything and everyone in this slum including all of you standing right here" Janet rubbed her forehead in discomfort knowing fully well that she was in trouble. "You may own everything in this slum but you do not own any of us. Yeah... I stole from you. What do you want?" Janet asked with her hands curved into a fist as if ready she was ready to fight.

"I wonder what you young children are doing out here on your own. Where are your parents?" the man continued, totally ignoring her question. Janet frowned as she quietly drew the other children to her side, holding Pam-pam closely. "Why does it matter to you who and where our parents are? How's that your business?" She asked.

The man looked at the men behind him and gave them a nod; two came forward and each picked Chi-Chi and Pam-pam. Janet went crazy with rage as she held on to both men "Let go of my sisters, put them down now!" while she was doing this, the two other men came forward and picked her up. She struggled with all her might to get out of their grip but they were too strong for her. "You should keep still, I have no intention of hurting any of you but I'm definitely taking you along with me." The man said "And by the way, I am George Flinn." he continued while smiling. Turning to Amanda, Tobi and Orji, he said "the three of you are coming with me too. I'm going to take care of you, so you don't have to keep stealing from people"

Soon they were all in a Black Toyota highlander driving out of the slum to the beautiful Rivers City that was kilometers away from what used to be their home.

About two hours later, the Highlander stopped at the gate leading to a very large building with so many trees and flowers around. Janet had a really bad feeling about this sudden change but the children were so excited and she had no plan to kill their joy. The gate was opened and the car drove in while the other cars including Mr George Flinn's followed behind. By the time the cars came to a halt, the driver stepped out and held the door for the children to step out of the car. Janet who was holding Pam-pam closely, gently helped the little one out of the car before getting out herself. A lady came out of the giant building and led the children away while Janet followed.

"Hey! young woman!" Janet and the other kids stopped and turned around to find Mr Flinn standing by the Highlander that had just brought them into the premises. He beckoned on Janet to come to him. She looked at the others and gave them the signal to wait for her.

"Yes.. what do you want?" she asked.

"You owe me fifty thousand naira and some one hundred dollar bills which you stole from me. I am a business man and I hate to lose money, so when it's time, I shall have you repay what you owe me with an interest. Now you may go." the man said and walked away leaving Janet standing and wondering what he meant by paying back with interest. She had no idea that this was going to be the beginning of her involvement with the drug Lord's franchise. She had no idea that it would take her several years of service to this man for her to regain freedom and live her life freely.

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

Mrs Miller felt discomfort in her stomach as she remembered how hard life was for her while growing up and seeing that she hadn't been able to protect her only child from danger made her heart ache. She turned to look at her daughter but Melody had gone out to use the restroom while her mother was deep in thoughts. She looked around the suite to see if she could find Melody around but the girl was out of sight. She resolved to wait patiently for her to return, so she sat back in her seat. And no sooner had she sat back that Melody returned from the restroom. "What have you been thinking about that you totally didn't notice that I stepped out?