CLAIMING

Jenny's sleep was abruptly stopped and she stood up with a nagging headache. She wondered who could be banging on her room door so fiercely. Opening the door she saw Sarah scowling at her. Initially, she wanted to be alarmed. However, the displeasure on Sarah's face made her think otherwise.

"Good Morning Sarah, is there a reason you are banging at my door in such manner?" she asked so softly.

"Oh, Queen Jenny I didn't know you were still sleeping till this time. Oga said you should give me money. I am going shopping" Sarah replied sarcastically.

"Oh! I forgot about the monthly shopping. I did not remember its almost the end of the month. Can I see the list of things you are going to buy?" Jenny asked as she return back to the bed but this time, she just sat on it while Sarah stood.

"What for? Why would you see the list I made? Are you the one running the kitchen? Besides, who made you boss over me to be giving me orders? Just give me money joor" Sarah yelled. Jenny wore the look of bewilderment in an instant.

"Am sorry if I sounded bossy but if I don't see the list ma, how would I know the exact amount you need?" Jenny asked, still in a soft tone. She was hoping Sarah would see reasons with her suggestions.

"I need about 450k" Sarah said and looked away. She had figured this is a house of a multi millionaire, hence 450 thousand naira was chicken change for grocery shopping monthly.

"Excuse me?" Jenny exclaimed. This time her temper was beginning to rise.

"You are excused madam big English" Sarah replied, hissing alongside.

"You know, I have been keeping quiet at your rudeness and hostility towards me. But not anymore. What is your problem with me Sarah?" Jenny stood up with her bold and audacious attitude. Sarah was taken aback. She was not expecting the audacity from Jenny.

"Did I tell you I have a problem with you? Give me money for market shopping, you are acting like you owned the money. Just because you dey fuck oga, you think say you done become wife?" Sarah hissed.

Jenny was offended. She took a step back as she walked back on her bed. She tried to compose herself to suppress the fuming she was generating inside. She has always been a bold individual, yet polite.

"Abeg you dey transfer the money now, because I need to leave Asap. You know say na big malls I get to shop oh." Sarah boasted. It became obvious to Jenny that all she might be after is the money.

"There's no way in this life, where I will give you a dime until I see a list" Jenny declared.

"Who do you think you are?" Sarah yelled.

"Oh I am nobody to you. But as one Michael has entrusted his millions to, you must be smoking hard drugs to think I will release one kobo for your misbehavior in the name of Shopping."

"See this small girl oh. I am not your mate at all. You rat! I be 32 years old. I nor be small pickin at all" Sarah replied.

"If you like you can even be Methuselah. I don't care! if I don't scrutinize that list properly, you can forget about going shopping."

"See me see this small girl oh" Sarah clapped her hands, yelling at the top of her voice. Jenny's boldness was devastating to her plans.

"As a matter of fact, Please leave my room right now. Your presence is irritating. I need to rest" Jenny yelled back. Being taller than Sarah, her frame was also intimidating.

"Ashawo!!! He nor go marry you. Continue to dey fuck am. Collect e money, you nor go be e wife" Sarah yelled and walked out.

She took out her phone and called Regina informing her of the situation. Regina promised to be there in a few minutes. She realized that if the issue is not resolved before the Oladokun's return, it may lead to more problems.

Jenny laid on her bed crying afterwards. She was furious and sad at the same time. She tried to recollect if she had ever wronged Sarah. Who gave her the impression that she was sleeping with Michael. This was a slander and morally degrading. She wanted to call Michael to report the issue but decided against it.

True to her words, Regina arrived at the house by 10am, She called Jenny's name repeatedly until Jenny came out of the room, climbed down the stairs to the living room.

"Good Morning ma" Jenny greeted Regina calmly.

"Jenny what is good about the morning. I thought you were a kind person. But recently, you are just showing me your claws." Regina fired at her. This made Jenny feel so sad that her head began to hurt. She sat down gently on the sofa and Regina sat beside her.

"I don't understand what I did wrong ma? Jenny cried out in a low tone.

"First you made the Oladokun's aware that I don't pay you the full 250k. I know I didn't do right but I thought we were close. You didn't even pre-inform me that you have told them. Now you are ill, i brought someone to cook, you are frustrating her. I sent you here to work but you started sleeping the boss to gain favour. I didn't know you were this bad" Regina narrated.

"Sleeping with who?" Nina suddenly asked as she walked in. Everyone was surprised to see her. Mrs Bose had called her to come to the house and keep Jenny company when she is awake but She met Jenny crying and saw Regina shouting at her. No one could say anything as she walked straight into the center of the living room.

"Madam, you said she is sleeping with who?" Nina asked Regina again wanting to hear clearly.

"Madam gum boyfriend up and down, please stay out of this, it's between a boss and an employee". Sarah shouted at Nina. Nina rolled her eyes at her and refused to say a word. She quickly picked her phone and dialled Deji's number as she went outside.

"Jenny this is not a crying matter. What did Sarah do to you?" Regina continued her torturous query to Jenny.

"Please help me ask her. Whether it's jealousy or she is feeling threatened about my presence here, I don't know.I nor come here come fuck oga. I came to cook great meals" Sarah attacked. She had been sitting opposite Jenny and Regina in the living room, tapping her feet.

"Why won't you give her money to go to the market Jenny?"

"She failed to bring a list and how am I supposed to hand over 450k to a stranger when I use far less than that for stocking up that kitchen" Jenny asked.

"Who made you a judge over market prices ashewo?" Sarah attacked again

"Please can you refrain from using such vulgar words on me. I thought you are matured" Jenny said

"Maturity kill you!" Sarah responded.

"Jenny are you tired of this job? Do you want me to tell the Oladokun's to sack you?"

Regina asked.

"Who told you she is a worker in this house?" Mr Michael asked.

Everyone was startled to see Michael with a pack of food in his hand and Nina behind him nodding as though cheering him up. Sarah immediately stood up, greeting and stuttering at the same time. Regina also greeted but he ignored their salutation.

"You didn't answer my question Regina, why are you threatening her with a sack?"

"Sir I can explain." Regina stood up but he raised his hands, shunning her explanation.

Michael walked towards Jenny and realized the tears. He dropped the pack of food on the ground.

"Why are you crying my love?" he asked

"What happened Jenny? Talk to me?"

"It's my head, it hurts" she said.

"When did you wake up?" he asked as he checked his time and it was 11am. He turned and glared at Sarah.

"What time did you wake her up?" Michael yelled with so much force that the ladies were frightened.

"Just now sir." Sarah said as she shivered.

"That not true Bros. I have been here since a few minutes past ten when your mum called me and Jenny has been downstairs since I arrived." Nina said.

Sarah eyes almost popped out of the socket. She instantly dreaded what was going to happen as Michael's gaze hardened on her. She regretted ever crossing Nina as a person because as the girl was bent on getting her sacked with these reveals.

"What is your problem? Are you deaf? Did you not understand my instructions? I thought you were learned." Michael attacked.

"Am sorry sir."

" I hate liars and you just made me dislike you." Michael spat out as he cuddled Jenny to his chest in front of everyone. Regina was shocked at the public display of affection. Sarah's eyes began to tear up.

"Why did you wake her earlier than advise. Do you want her to develop high blood pressure?" Michael asked.

"I wanted money for shopping and time was going" Sarah offered an explanation gently.

"That's not entirely true. She wanted money for shopping without a list and I rejected such. She asked for 450k to buy monthly groceries. I don't even use more than 160k to restock the kitchen." Jenny explained with so much pain.

"Are you a thief? They should give you money without a shopping list" Nina asked.

"Can you imagine the rubbish and unprofessional attitude of your staff?" Michael asked Regina who was suddenly feeling so embarrassed.

"I am very sorry sir. Jenny am so sorry. She obviously misled me" Regina apologized.

"No You are not sorry. If you are so quick to believe the lies of a newcomer to one who has been here for months, doing a great job then you are a terrible person." Michael spat out.

"Exactly! Because you accused her of sleeping with him" Nina said to Regina. Regina suddenly wished the earth could swallow her up. Michael looked at her and shook his head.

"For the record. Jenny is no longer a staff in this house Regina. She is My woman, my soulmate and soon to be my wife and mother of my children. She deserves unconditional respect and honour." Michael said so calmly.

Jenny felt so emotional. Butterflies surrounded her stomach and she held unto Michael tightly.

"I am sorry sir. I didn't know sir. I am so sorry Jenny. Please forgive me" Regina pleaded.

"My darling. I am so sorry, I wouldn't have told her to bother you. Let's go upstairs. I got you a meal from Africanna, I didn't like the breakfast option." Jenny stood up and held unto his hands that he stretched out. Michael looked at Sarah and she bowed her head.

"I am sorry sir. It will not happen again" She pleaded but he ignored her.

As they climbed upstairs, Deji walked briskly with fury into the house.

"Madam Salt are you mad? Who are you to insult my woman?You opened your dirty mouth to shame her when you cant even cook and you call yourself a professional chef?" Deji yelled at the top of his voice at Sarah.

"Oh my goodness, this girl will not disgrace me" Regina lamented. Michael turned to look at them for a second before he continued taking his woman upstairs. Tending to Jenny meant more to him than appealing to Deji not to pounce on the Saltful cook!