STEPS (2)

When Mr Michael left for work, the cooking and meal preps for Jenny went smoothly. The tension she had felt by his presence dissipated and she resumed her chores. She prepared a platter of fruit salad which she kept in the fridge for appetizer. Jenny also prepared a delicious pot of Jollof rice and grilled turkey as complimentary protein.

Thinking strategically, Jenny marinated the fish she had cleaned. However, she refused to grill it or even fry it. She had a plan and as usual, she closed her eyes for brief prayer, hoping her plan worked perfectly.

When the cleaner had finished cleaning the rooms upstairs, she returned to find Jenny already scrubbing and cleaning the kitchen. Although she offered to help but Jenny declined. Instead, Jenny gave her the breakfast she had already packed aside and a plate of jollof rice. The woman was overwhelmed with joy. She introduced herself to Jenny as Bola and Jenny made her polite introductions as usual. Bola ate in such a hurry in the kitchen that Jenny was amused.

Jenny placed the marinated fish close to a non stick frying pan. She smiled as she meditated on her plan,figuring how absurd her plan was.

Jenny also served Bola the cleaner who sat down in the kitchen, some fruits salad after she hurriedly ate the meal she was given. The woman was awed! She couldn't believe that she could be treated in such a pleasant manner in the Oladokun's household.

Afterwards Jenny checked on Mrs Bose, but she had gone upstairs to her room to take a nap. It was 12pm, so Jenny decided to take a nap as well.

She followed the directions of Bola and found the assigned room always given to the cooks and Nannies employed. It was such a large room just besides Stephanie's room. Jenny was overwhelmed with how spacious, beautiful and heavily furnished the room was. It had its own flat screen TV, a large walk in closet, a toilet and bathroom separately with a bath tub. The giant size bed felt more like a 7 star hotel and it was also air conditioned.

Jenny chuckled as she walked around the room. Remembering her practice, she knelt down to give God thanks. She was truly grateful and did not want to take the opportunity for granted. She also prayed for wisdom to guide her activities. Feeling tired, she laid down on the bed.

Not so far away, was Mr Michael oladokun scolding his secretary for the fifth time since he arrived at work for a meeting. Everything she did seemed wrong and he wanted to break her into pieces like she was a piece of stick. He yelled endlessly and made her work non stop on several task. One of which was making her redo a document he needed 12 times without battling an eyelash.

Yes he was mean and was not afraid or ashamed to let anyone know especially the bloody cook who's image paraded his every thought. He wanted to break her into pieces.

When it was 3:30 pm, Jenny heard the main entrance doorbell ring loudly. Walking hastily from the room downstairs, she arranged her gown hoping to make a great first impression. As soon as she opened the door, she plastered on her face a large smile threatening to split her cheek into two.

However, the 12 year old was somewhat oblivious to a new person starring at her and that was very confusing for Jenny. Stretching out her hand for the young child who seemed taller than 12 years of age, all did not go as planned.

Stephanie walked right past her without a word of salutation or a simple "hi"

"Where is my grandma?" she asked as she walked away, throwing her school bag on the floor.

"She is upstairs taking a nap. My name is Jenny. Good afternoon young lady. I am sure you must be Stephanie". Jenny said trying to foster a conversation and a bond between them. The young girl had sat down in one of the couches with her feet up and the remote control in her hand.

"Whatever! Jenny or what you call yourself. Just get my lunch ready. You must be the new cook, so no introduction necessary "

Jenny felt she heard wrongly. A young child of 12 can't be this rude and very manner less.

"Excuse me Stephanie" Jenny continued, still trying to foster a relationship.

"Just get my lunch ready and stop talking to me bitch!" the girl yelled, throwing away the remote and walked upstairs.

Bola the cleaner who was eating in the kitchen shrugged her shoulder at that moment. This was because she had become accustomed to Stephanie's tantrums and rude outburst.

Jenny went into the kitchen and Bola encouraged her. She told her to just do all she is paid to do whilst ignoring Stephanie. Jenny thought hard. She had six younger siblings. Although they all had different personalities but none of them was this rude.

She had also taught in a government secondary school where she had met all sorts of kids, even the one who claimed to be cultists. In all her experience, there was one thing which was constant. The principle of child raising and childminding never changed and Jenny knew she had to bring up some rules.

Thirty minutes had gone by and Stephanie came down stumping her feet as she walked in anger.

"Where the fuck is the new cook?" She yelled.

"I told her to bring my food upstairs" and magically Jenny appeared from the kitchen.

"My name is Jenny and I'm your nanny and cook. I am not your servant who serves your meal at your will!"Jenny said with a low growl.

"what's the fucking difference between who cooks and who serves the food?"

"I'm sure you're 12 years old.

"Yes and so bloody what?"

"So a 12-year-old girl should know how to make her own meal. I even wondered why you would need a nanny. Oh maybe you wear diapers and you need me to clean your bum too."Jenny mocked.

"Trust me, I don't need a nanny

My dad just needs someone around to ensure everything is in order at home."

"So if you do not need a Nanny, why not walk into the kitchen like the big girl that you are and fry your fish because there is nothing on top of that Jollof rice" Jenny yelled which frightened the girl immediately.

"I'm calling my dad right now and you're getting fired today bitch"

"Oh please feel free to call him. But just so you know, your grandma Bose, said I am not going anywhere. So you have to make up your mind whether, you will listen to the new cook or Whether you will become the new cook."

Bola who was watching the whole scenarios busted into laughter and Stephanie turned on her.

"What the fuck are you laughing at?"

"Would you please stop swearing. It's not lady like. It's offensive and henceforth not permitted in this house."

"This is my fathers house. I will swear if I want to. I will curse if I want to." Stephanie declared.

"Okay miss cusser! You can continue while you search for what to eat." Jenny walked into the kitchen and the errant child tagged along with her stomach growling aloud

"Where is my food?"

"it's served in the kitchen. You can carry it.

She responded and Stephanie went towards the kitchen table to pick up her food. She saw the fish and she saw the pan. She looked at the pieces of turkeys and she began to salivate. She wanted a piece.

"You can fry the fish if you want some protein. The turkey is for your dad and grandma, so don't even think about it!"

"How do I fry the fish?. I have never done it before. Can't you fry it?"

"You have been rude to me, arrogant and plain annoying. Now my job is to cook for you and I have done that. If you need extra toppings, you have to be nice to get it. At your age I could cook for a whole village. My younger one's could also cook at 9."

"But I have never done it before. How do I do it?"

"I can teach you. It is not that hard. But I need you to stop cussing, else, you will eat delicious food, with no proteins"

"Whatever. I won't cuss at you anymore "

"Not just me, You are not allowed to cuss at anyone, no matter how upset you are!"

"Okay. I will try!"

That was a great start for Jenny and manageable. She quickly poured in the oil and showed the young lad how to fry the marinated fish till it was golden brown. She wore the girl the second apron and together the five pieces of fish was fried.

Stephanie felt proud as she stirred the fish and declared herself a champion when Jenny drained and packed them out of the pan. Feeling pleased with the child, Jenny placed two pieces of fish and a piece of Turkey on the girls plate. Walking to the dining, the girl did not even say a word of appreciation and Jenny knew she had a long way to go!