Chapter Eight

THIRST FOR VENGEANCE

"What? No way, I can't be Mercy. Don't even joke about it", I told her.

"You know if you turn out to be Mercy her mysterious disappearance will be solved and you will be reunited with your family", she winks at me as she goes to her room.

Minutes later she returns with an album full of photos.

"Take a look at this and tell me you don't look alike. That's Mercy and some of our school mates. And then that's her and her family. I actually asked her sibling to give me one of the family photo when I went visiting them after the disappearance."

I was overwhelmed. She actually looks like me. Now I don't blame those who call me using her name. But one thing is for sure. Am like an older version of her. She is more of light skin than me and she is way bigger. Am slim or rather skinny compared to her. I guess drugs lowered my appetite.

"Can I please take this to my room?" I asked Hazel referring to the album.

"Sure, if that will help bring your memories back", she said with a mischievous smile.

"By the way what did you say about visiting a therapist a professional one to help you with your memories. Am sure you wanna know who you are and am eager to help make it happen soon", she added this time seriously.

"Can I think about it and let you know when am ready?" I replied.

"Yeah, take your time. No pressure at all. You know am always here for you right?" She holds my shoulder and squeezes a little bit.

I smiled at her, "Thanks Hazel. I can't imagine where I could have been without you".

We bid each other good night as we went to our separate rooms.

* * * * * * *

Today is a Saturday and Hazel's day off she decides we go shopping and hang out in town. We head to the market to buy tops considering that they are prettier than those in the mall. We get beautiful t-shirts and tops across the market cheaper and affordable. Then we decided to go to the mall for shorts and trendy trousers. I got myself a wig too. I need to change my look in case am going for that therapy. We finish up with groceries and we are quite tired when we get home at dusk.

I have made up my mind to see that therapist, but I need a job urgently. The next day we lazy around after hectic laundry time and lots of cleaning around the house we settle for a movie. Hazel chooses for us an interesting movie entitled 'How to get away with murder' and I don't even blink when it starts. Annalise kitting turns out to be my first amazing character.

We watch in silence until 10pm and Hazel has to go to sleep since she has an early morning. I also need to sleep coz am restarting job hunting tomorrow. So help me God, I silently pray as I got to bed.

Early in the morning Hazel prepares and goes to work. My alarm goes off at 8am and I rush to get ready too. I had a nice sleep last night undisturbed, no nightmares, no nothing. So am sure nobody would kill my energy today. I decide to take a warm bath and took my time well. This time am kinda confident with myself no matter how screwed my life seems. I put on a nice black top and faded jeans. The weather outside seems pleasant to walk around without a sweater. After taking my breakfast and cleaning the dishes, I finally walk out of our house as the kind sun rays hit my skin making me feel warm.

Am carrying a little sling bag that contains my national ID and few notes that Hazel had left at the table for me. Honesty I have no idea where to begin but am determined not to go back home without any job.

So I decide to board a bus to town to try my luck there. We get there within ten minutes and the search officially begins. I knocked on several doors, salons, offices, boutiques, barber shops, phone shops, jewelry shops, grocery stores anything that had doors but I was told no vacancy was available. By the time I finally got exhausted it was few minutes to five. I had not eaten lunch and was famished. I had to eat something. So I bought myself an apple and decided to go home. Before I reached the bus stage I saw a building indicating it was a club and I debated within myself if I was to go try my luck or go back home and try again tomorrow. I had nothing to loose if I try... I thought as I head towards the main entrance.

"Hello ma'am can I help you?" Someone tapped my shoulder

I turned to see a smartly dressed young man of about my age.

"Yes please sir, do you work here?" You are asking an obvious question silly, my subconscious laughed at me.

The man however seemed polite and told me he was the manager there.

"Manager? But you are so young. Managers are usually old people with protruding bellies", I thought out loud.

He laughed so hard and I was surprised

"Well you thought wrong Miss...",

"Alexa" I blurted out

"What?" He asked

"My name is Alexa" I said extending my hand in greetings.

"Am Ryan. Nice to meet you Alexa," he said with a simple but awesome smile as we shook hands.

"So Alexa, what brings you here today?" Ryan asks.

"Umh...am actually looking for a job sir", I said looking straight into his eyes.

"Really now? Have you worked in a club before? Coz you definately don't strike me as a party animal or rather an outdoor person. You look so composed more like an introvert", he replies while busy studying me.

"Well sir, life didn't exactly give me roses, instead I got thorns," I laugh absentmindedly

"Tell you what, come to my office tomorrow morning you may just land yourself a job. For now, just go home you look quite tired." He told me then gave me a last glance before he walked away.

This is it. Unbelievable! Someone just made my day. When reality struck that I had a chance I realized he was gone before I could thank him. Nonetheless I went home happily.