HEAT

The next morning Regina arrived at the guest house to pick up Jenny as earlier planned. It was 7:30am when she arrived and the young girl was bathed, dressed and ready. Regina observed that she smelled so good. That was an addition to her qualities! She paid Jenny a compliment and Jenny returned the favour!

Together they journeyed to the residence of her new employer. All through night, Jenny was puzzled about the identity of the family seeking her service. She only knew they were affluent. Being very curious, she wanted to ask more questions about them but she decided against it. It was better she was in the dark about their identity. It will help if she went with an open mind. This will enable her work better with her employer.

It was a Friday morning and by 8am, they were already at the residence of the Oladokun's. It was a beautiful white duplex and it was a one of a kind in the area. Looking like a castle, the mansion was situated in an high brow area in Maitama. In fact, Regina told her as they drove into the street which was a close, that they were the only residents around the vicinity. There was an assigned car park for none family members outside of the house premises.

When they highlighted from the car, they took a few steps towards the large gate which was a see through iron barred net, decorated with magnificent green flowers.The gate was controlled by a remote as it opened on it's own for them. The compound was so grand and captivating.

It has a large swimming pool by the far end of her right hand side which was massive and a building marked, sport outfit indoors.

There was another building which was separate from the main building and it had no tag. It was just painted white. A security man stepped out from the unmarked building.

He was young and quite courteous. He exchanged pleasantries with Regina and Jenny. It would seem that he knew Regina very well as they chatted even about the cleaner.

Jenny greeted the man as she would always do politely and he gave an amusing expression.

"Where you come from?" The man identified to be Ahmed asked.

"I am from Delta state sir"

"Oh abeg call me Ahmed o, like Miss Regina dey call me na. No titles abeg. You are very welcome to the Oladokun."

"Thank you very much Ahmed."

As they moved towards the entrance of the main building Ahmed said

"Na God go help this girl o. The last nanny nor stay reach one week". Regina cussed him between her breathe. She did not want anything to distract Jenny from the work she had declared that she would do.

Regina rang the door bell and soon, a rather posh woman probably in the 60s opened the door. She was dressed in a long pink gown with a satin bonnet on her head.

"Good morning Miss Regina. I thought we would hear from you on Monday."

"Good morning Ma'am. I found a quick replacement among my recruits so I said I should come sooner, rather than leave your household vulnerable." Regina explained.

"It's such a good thing you're here now." The woman said.

"This is the new nanny as promised."Regina introduced Jenny who was standing behind her.

"Please do come inside the house. You can have a seat." She pointed to an executive set of cushion. This was a grand living room filled with state of the art furniture. It was a good definition of luxury as every item was either white or gold. Jenny took in the surrounding keenly, observing every piece of item.

"So what is your name? Does she understand English or is it yoruba?"

"Good morning ma'am. I do understand and speak the English language fluently. My name is Jenny. Jennifer Uchenna to be precise from Delta state ma and I would preferred to be called Jenny ma."

The woman was amused with her mouth opened.

"Oh this one speaks very well. Regina you outdid yourself girl.." The elderly woman giggled in excitement.

"Not just in speech ma. I am sure you would love a lot of things about her services." Regina added feeling very hopeful.

"In that case, Jenny my name is Bose Oladokun. My son Michael owns this house. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am just here on a visit."

"Your house is very beautiful ma. I am sure you must have found Nigeria very warm. But i'd like to ask ma'am, have you had breakfast? It's a bit too forward for me but I was hoping to make you some as part of my interview process as a cook" Jenny said.

"Oh Regina! I like her already. Her hospitality is impeccable. I have not had any breakfast and I would love to definitely have some." Mrs Bose said.

"Then that being settled. Please if you would not mind, kindly point to me the direction of the kitchen. Am sure I can whip up some eggs, tea and some toast"

"The kitchen is over there Jenny." She pointed towards the far corner of her left-hand and Jenny walked in the direction as told. As she moved, she smiled hearing Mrs Bose compliment her once again.

Entering the kitchen, Jenny was amazed. It was like nothing she had ever seen. It was a beautiful large space with modern cooking wares. The entire room was laced with metallic drawers, International cooking sets and gadgets. She was grateful to be in such a space. Thinking like the true house mistress that she intended to be, she began sorting through the various drawers to get the ingredients she needed.

She saw the aprons for cooking kept in a corner and quickly, she won one over a cream coloured gown. Jenny was a light skin beauty, slender and tall. She had grown her natural hair by simply weaving it her self. Right now, she had it in a bun on top of her head. She washed her hand and wore a chef's hat.

Turning on the electric cooker was not a challenge as she had seen it in one of the foreigners home back in Agbor. Mrs Jemima had taken her there and she had learnt a lot.

In exactly 22 minutes, Jenny walked out of the kitchen with a large tray of goodies. It contained a pot of hot coffee, another pot of English tea, a plate of scrambled eggs submerged in vegetables and toasted bread. She arranged some cream and sweeteners by the side. Mrs. Bose pointed towards the dinning room as Jenny approached and she went to the dinning room to set the tray down on the large table.

Regina and Mrs Bose walked into the dinning room and She was surprised at the arrangements and once again she was grateful that God brought Jenny her way as her recruit.

"This is a rather fast breakfast and it smells so good." Mrs Bose said as she had earlier been perceiving the appetizing aroma from the living room before Jenny came out.

"I'm so sorry ma. It took me a while trying to locate which drawer holds which ingredients. But now, am getting the hang of it"

"Oh nothing to be sorry about. You are still quite fast. I love the tray arrangements. Now let me have a piece of these eggs. Regina do help yourself to some toast".

"Thank you ma. But am okay" Regina respectfully declines.

Mrs Bose while seated, took a fork and serve out a piece of egg. The two women watched her in anxiety wondering if it was as appealing as it smelled.

"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed!

"This taste so delicious. Jenny you must give me your recipe. Where did you learn to make such tasty eggs? They remind me of my stay in london"She kept chewing the eggs along with the toast as she talked.

"I was privileged to be taught by some foreign cooks who served some foreign lecturers back at my teachers college" Jenny replied still standing.

"Oh please sit down dear. This is so yummy. I see you made tea and coffee. I am more of a tea person but my son loves his coffee.Thank you so much Jenny, thank you Regina" Mrs Bose said.

"Ma if this is to your liking, I would not mind to start on lunch preparation. I am sure your grand daughter would be back from school by noon."

" Oh Jenny don't call me ma. It makes me feel so aged. Mrs Bose is okay and as for Stephanie my grand daughter, she would be back by 3pm. Are you sure you don't want to sit down for a while and even have breakfast with me as Regina refused to eat"

"Oh am so sorry ma. You know I have a lot of places to be. If I have breakfast this early. I might be lazy all through the day" Regina said and the three women laughed.

"Mrs Bose, its no bother at all. I will get right to the lunch preparation. Would you prefer jollof rice or swallow and soup?"

"Jollof rice sounds tempting. I think that would be fine."

"I am sorry. I do not want to be intrusive but I would like to know if I should serve you fruits after your meal or smoothie. I would like to know if you have elevated sugar level or are you are vegetarian?" Jenny asked.

"Oh thank you Jenny. It's not intrusive at all. As a matter of fact, I like that you require This information. Anyways, I eat anything. I just try to watch my weight but I have no medical health concern. Although once my blood pressure was elevated but now, it's very normal"

" Thank you for the information. I will make sure all our meals are healthy and less fat saturated". With that, Jenny returned back to the kitchen.

"Where did you find such a young woman of grace, character and poise?." Mrs Bose asks Regina as soon as Jenny leaves the dinning.

" I think she found me ma. Please let Mr Michael know everything is in order. He threatened to cut ties with my agency yesterday "

Speaking of the devil, the man materially appeared from the stairs with only his black trouser worn. His light in complexion chest was open and he hung his singlet over his shoulder. He was thoroughly fit as there seem to be not one fat in his muscles.

"Mummy did you order breakfast?. This smells good". Mrs Bose glanced at her son and shook her head as she was chewing.

"Good Morning sir" Regina greeted immediately standing.

"What is good about the fucking morning?."

Michael growled. Mrs Bose was used to her son's outburst so she ignored him.

Michael scooped some eggs into a saucer, pour himself a cup of coffee and sat down opposite Regina. Taking a bite and a sip of coffee, he looked pleased.

"Mummy which breakfast house did you order this from?. It's very nice. We'll make sure to always patronize them. They make the coffee how I like it. Rich and dark". He said.

"I didn't order it. Jenny made it?"

"Who the hell is Jenny?"

"Language son! I am still your mother. If you must know Jenny is the new nanny for Stephanie and our cook."

"Finally Regina hires some one with brain not the regular idiots she brings. At least this one can make a decent breakfast. Where is she"

Still standing and feeling embarrassed Regina spoke."She is in the kitchen prepping for lunch sir. I am sorry about my previous staffs sir"

"Whatever! Sorry for yourself"

Michael ate three pieces of toast and some eggs and gulped down his entire cup of coffee. Pouring another cup from the ceramic pot, he stood up, kissing his mother on her cheeks.

"I hope you have acquainted her with the knowledge of my daughter Regina. Let what happened between the last idiot and my daughter not repeat itself. Whatever Stephanie wants must be given and no maltreatment of my child"

"Yes sir. Noted sir"

"I have a meeting mum. Let me get dressed for it." With that he went back upstairs from whence he came from.

"Oh please pardon my son's manners. He can be quite annoying" Mrs Bose apologized.

Regina did not think of him as an annoying. She thought of him as a proud, arrogant, insulting bastard with a spoilt brat for a daughter! But she dare not voice out her opinion.

Biding Mrs Bose goodbye, Regina rushed to the kitchen to meet Jenny. She met her marinating the turkey and fish.

"I am leaving now, but this is my phone number. I know you don't have any phone yet but you can use the house line to call me."

"I will. Thank you so much for the opportunity to prove myself. I am most grateful for the job". Jenny appreciated.

"It's nothing Jenny. Just don't let me down and please don't quit soon. Please!! It's not going to be an easy job but try to persevere until I train a replacement!" Regina pleaded.

"Oh please, do not bother yourself. I will be the best Nanny and cook that they have ever seen" Jenny declared.

"From your mouth to Gods ears!" Regina said as she left aware of the challenges Jenny might face in the Oladokuns home.

Jenny had the rice washed and thoroughly rinsed when she heard a knock on the door.

Walking out of the kitchen, she answered the caller who identified as the cleaner. She opened the door and introduced herself politely to the cleaner. The woman mentioned her name as Bisola. Jenny went as far as offering the woman some breakfast. The woman was amazed. They have never had such a Nanny before. She told Jenny she would eat later so Jenny decided to increase the lunch portion. Jenny also informed her not to bother about cleaning the kitchen as she would personally do that.

Walking towards Mrs Bose who sat relaxed at the dining room, she smiled.

"Can I clear your table ma and get you some freshly squeezed orange juice?"

"Oh Jenny, I am so stuffed. I'm 62 years old but here you are, feeding me like a child. Please you may clear the tray and come join me in the living room so we can watch a show together."

Clearing the table, Jenny packaged the remaining untouched food and kept them in the refrigerator. She hated to waste food. It was a huge sign of ingratitude her father had always said.

As she lingered in the kitchen, she knew she did not want to overly become familiar with the host. This may lead to so many problems in a work space. Deciding on what to do, she went to the living room. Sitting down, she suggested a musical show. It was aired back in the 1980's. It was her father's favourite television show. He talked about it day and night even when they could no longer afford a television and they had to move to the village.

Mrs Bose was amazed that she knew about such shows. She sang along with the actors and did not mind when Jenny returned to the kitchen with the excuse of checking on what she had placed on the cooker. She went along side with her bag that she had placed on the floor when she came in. She would later take it upstairs as Regina had mentioned that she would be required to stay with them in one of the guest bedrooms.

As she worked in the kitchen, she heard a sound and turned to see a tall light-skinned man staring right at her. She suddenly became aware of her creamed coloured gown with her hair packed upward in a bun. He was very good looking in his white linen and brown sandal. He had this big wristwatch wrapped around his wrist that has expensive written all over it. Jenny almost felt intimidated as they both stared at each other for almost a minute.

"Good Morning sir. My name is Jenny the New Nanny and cook. May I help you with anything "

"Oh Jenny as in what, what the fuck is your full name?"

"Jennifer sir. Jennifer Uchenna" Jenny replied scowling at him but he seemed not to notice.

"Okay Jennifer "

"You can call me Jenny sir"

"I will call you whatever the fuck I want to call you Jennifer"

"Excuse me sir! I beg your pardon"

"Whatever for?"

"That's a curse word and unhealthy to use in civilized conversations sir"!

Michael was intrigued. He has never heard a domestic staff sound like a Harvard graduate.

"Like I initially said sir, is there anything you would like sir or would you like me to excuse you from the kitchen?"

He was shocked.

"Where the fuck did you learn to speak like that? Secondary School? Primary school? Because no graduate agrees to become a bloody cook or a fucking Nanny.

"If you would not mind, I would like you to do away with the cuss words once again sir. They are so uncultured for a man how much more an adult male sir. If you must know, I graduated as a teacher from the training programme after my Waec in Agbor Delt state. I went to a college of Education sir."

Michael felt reprimanded. He wanted to clip the confidence with which she spoke from. She was speaking to him like a child.

"You must have come from a very wretched family to have become a cook and a Nanny, Jennifer smart mouth" He said trying to pull her down emotionally.

"Contrary to what you think, one's family does not determine what you become sir and I am absolutely privileged to have come from my loving family. Now if you don't mind sir, I would like to grill the turkey for lunch"

This enraged Michael, she sounded like she was dissing him. It reminded him of a wicked maths teacher in his secondary school.

"Excuse me?" Michael growled

"You are excused sir!" Jenny snapped.

"Now listen to me you fucking brat. I am paying you and therefore i demand your absolute obedience. I am not your child or a pupil in your school. My name is Michael Oladokun and I owned this mother fucking house."

"You must be Stephanie's father! I wonder how you model prime and proper character when you cuss in all your statements". Jenny said pointing at him from the sink area where she stood.

"My daughter can cuss whoever the fuck she wants to cuss" Michael announced.

"Not under my watch sir. I have been hired as a Nanny to raise a 12 year old and I will give it my best to see her become a young lady of character.

"That's it, drop whatever the fuck you're doing and get out of my house. I will not have a control freak maltreat my child. You bitch"

"Very well sir. Good luck finding another replacement"

Michael was shocked! He expected the girl to apologize but that was not the case.

Jenny turned off everything that was on and began washing her hands. Before she finished wiping it, Mrs Bose showed up to see her taking off her apron.

"What is going on here. I heard arguments." She said

"Well Mr Michael had asked me to leave because i simply stated that he cuss too much. I also humbly added that I would raise Stephanie to be a young lady who do not cuss" Jenny stated.

"Michael why would you be cussing at a polite and sweet lady who cooks so well. She is right you know, Stephanie should not cuss. Its very bad character."

Michael felt like an errant child. He glared at Jenny and the young lady was not moved.

"I am off to work. You can stay Jennifer"

"Her name is Jenny" Mrs bose said and Michael saw Jenny chuckled.

"Please do get back to work and forgive my son" Mrs Bose returned and Michael walked out of the kitchen feeling defeated.

"Have a great day at work sir. I will keep some jollof rice and turkey for you sir.

"Fuck you" he mouthed off to her wordlessly and she glared at him.

This was a different One and he intends to break her wings.