PHASE

Michael enjoyed his breakfast with Jenny as they conversed about everything and anything. "I missed you so much when you were unconscious. I was so scared and lonely. Now, I don't know how to resume my office duty on Monday." He narrated.

"Why would you say that?" She implored.

"It's because I have gotten so used to being by your side. I don't think I can adapt to anything less" he admitted.

Jenny couldn't help but notice his calmness, easiness and humour. She sat on the bed while he sat on a chair beside the bed. He held the breakfast tray and fed her. She found it so ridiculous but he insisted. They laughed a lot. She never knew he was so funny and he had lots of stories to keep her entertained. It was funny and strange at the same time because no one bothered knocking on the door as they laughed aloud.

However, She did not want to ask him some questions for clarity sake but she was bothered. What sort of relationship do they have now? Is it boss and employee? Or are they dating? The level of love and respect she received from Deji and Mrs Bose was confusing even at the hospital.

Besides the little forehead kisses, Michael has been pretty decent with her. He was a very sexual man and quite verbose about it. However, in this recent days, he kept his sexual innuendos to the barest minimum. This further confused Jenny the more.

When Stephanie woke up much later that morning and joined them, It became the perfect Saturday morning for Michael. They chatted and joked about the teenager. Michael reported Abdul's lack of respect and uncultured tactics towards his daughter. Jenny cautioned Stephanie by asking her to be vigilant about boys and more education focused.

Stephanie carried the breakfast utensils downstairs after the elders had finished their meal and she met Sarah in the kitchen.

"Good morning ma" She greeted.

"Good Morning Stephanie. How was your night?"

"My night was fine"

Stephanie carried the utensils and place them in the kitchen sink and began washing them.

"Oh you must not bother. I can handle them" Sarah said as soon as she began. "Thank you but I must insist. I can do the dishes" Stephanie replied.

Jenny had told her to wash them regardless of Bisola the cleaner or Sarah the cook asking her not to. She intended to obey Jenny and no one else.

At that time, Bisola entered the kitchen. "Good morning oh" She greeted as they both were not facing her.

"Aunty Bisola good morning ma" Stephanie greeted cheerfully. Sarah did not acknowledge her greeting as she had always found the cleaner to be a bit intrusive since she commenced working for the Oladokun's.

"How your mummy's body? I never go upstairs go greet am" Bisola admitted.

"She is much better, she will be happy to see you. She just finished having breakfast upstairs with my daddy."

"Okay. I go check up on her when I clean reach there". Bisola said as she waited a few second. Sarah found her waiting irritating and she focused on the ingredients she was slicing. Stephanie finished washing, cleaned her hands, took a plate and served herself breakfast from the breakfast tray.

"Aunty Bisola, should I serve yours too?" She asked the cleaner who looked quite hungry.

"I am sorry but I didn't make breakfast for the cleaner. The remaining breakfast is for Mr Deji who has not come downstairs" Sarah protested as she walked to the dinning table and Stephanie was startled. She Intended to stop the teenager from serving more food.

"Stephanie no worry, I done chop before I resume work" Bisola comforted the teenager who looked angry. She did not want to tell her that since Sarah resumed, she had not tasted any meal in the house.

"Why would you not make breakfast for her? She's part of the family!" Stephanie contended.

"Listen to me child, I wasn't informed that I had to make breakfast for the domestic staffs as well. I don't cook for cleaners" Sarah said aloud as she rolled her eyes at Stephanie.

Stephanie angrily carried her breakfast upstairs and hissed loudly as she walked. Her grandmother met her climbing the staircase in rage.

"Why is Stephanie angry?" Mrs Bose said as she came downstairs.

"I have no idea ma" Sarah replied as she went into the kitchen to continue cooking. Bisola greeted her and walked past in haste and Mrs Bose found it unnerving.

"What's the matter Honey?" Jenny asked as soon as Stephanie walked back into the room.

"I don't like Sarah. She is not kind!" She replied as she sat on the other side of the bed. "What did she do?" Michael asked calmly. "I don't think she is as nice as mummy"

"Everyone cannot be like me honey. The important thing is that she is doing her job" Jenny comforted her.

"I think her eggs are very salty" Michael said as he faced the television. The trio busted into laughter.

"But you ate them" Jenny opposed.

"I did because I was eating with you. Your presence made it sweeter" Michael said still looking at the television.

Jenny coughed at his admission because she feared it might make Stephanie uncomfortable. Both father and daughter rushed to offer her water at that instance.

"Are you okay Mummy?" Stephanie asked looking concerned. "Please drink some water" Michael offered.

She was overwhelmed at their considerable show of affection towards her. After breakfast, Jenny called for home service from the salon so that Stephanie's hair would be made.

Michael insisted that she added spa services for herself and Mrs Bose which she did. The company came quickly and Mrs Bose was overwhelming excited to have them in the house. Sarah watched at how Michael led a team upstairs and she wondered where they were going to. Mrs Bose had her pedicure and manicure downstairs. They also set a massage bed for her. Sarah admired such luxury and she craved it as well.

While upstairs, Michael watched the spa ladies massage Jenny, wash her hair and cleaned her nails. He also insisted on facial treatment for her as her complexion was looking so dull. He noticed she no longer glowed which was one thing he liked about her skin.

By noon, he returned downstairs fully clothed and met Sarah watching the television as his mother was having a massage.

"Can I get some fruit salad?" he asked the cook and she was unnerved. She did not notice when he came close to her.

"I am sorry sir" she quickly ran in to the kitchen and poured him a glass of coconut milk and he rejected it.

"I am sorry, I only take fresh pineapple juice. Deji is the one who drinks this milky stuff. Besides what are we having for lunch. "Yam porridge sir" she replied smiling.

" Yam again? Are we under punishment? Please change it, what happened to rice and stuffs like that. Call me when the pineapple juice is ready."

He said as he climbed upstairs. Sarah was in disarray. She had just finished making the yam porridge. Not wanting to get ahead of herself, she walked up to Mrs Bose who was receiving the spa services.

"Please ma what should I make for lunch?"

"You have not made lunch by this time? What happened?"

"I have made yam porridge for lunch but Oga rejected it"

"why would you repeat same yam recipe? It's too much"

"I thought because everyone liked it yesterday....."

"But of course not, no one likes to eat the same thing over and again. Variety is the spice to life. Please go and ask Jenny what we would have?"

Sarah hated to do that. Asking the former glorified cook meant she was not good at her job. Regina had told her all about Jenny. She had warmed her way into the heart of the family and she intends to do the same.

She knew Mr Michael was a widower and she desired him from the profile Regina described. When she arrived upstairs, she saw the room doors all opened and walked into Jenny's room first to see a sight she couldn't forget. She met the ladies from the spa massaging Jenny's body as she laid on the bed. Besides her was Michael reading a book aloud. She coughed aloud and he stopped.

"Sorry to disturb you sir but your mother said I should ask her what to make for lunch." she stuttered. Jenny turned to look at her"

"Hey Sarah, good afternoon ma" Jenny greeted.

"Good afternoon. What should I make for lunch?" Michael observed Sarah and she suddenly became self aware as she arranged her clothing's.

"I thought you would have made lunch by now" Jenny said. Sarah did not want to respond to that smart statement of Jenny, hence she looked away. To her dismay, Michael answered. "She made yam porridge and I rejected it. It's too much. Yam last night and Yam again? I can't stand it"

"I understand. Sarah please use the air fryer. Make roasted turkey, jollof rice, pepper sauce on the side and salad. I don't remember much but there should be seasoned Turkey in the freezer. Please make use of them. You can serve it with simple orange and mango juice. You should use the juicer. It makes the fruit juice come out nicer" Jenny said.

Michael smiled looking at her and Sarah's eyes shone open as he reached to touch her lips with his hands. The realization that Jenny was sleeping with Michael made Sarah furious.