SARAH

Sarah lingered in the room after receiving the instructions from Jenny. She could not believe what her eyes were beholding. Regina had talked about Michael being harsh, unwelcoming, and always rude. He was a man to be feared. A philanthropist, yet unkind in words.

However, before her very eyes, she watched him acting like a love-struck teenager to his bloody cook! A girl hired to be a nanny! He caressed her lips with his hands, muttering some words no one could hear.

Jenny was probably shy because of all the spa ladies in the room as she blushed like a little school girl. Sarah was furious. The blood veins in her neck and the muscles in her forehead were threatening to pop out.

She remembered being cautioned by Regina concerning the required work etiquette in this mansion. She was told not to fraternize with the boss as he was not very appreciative of friendly staffs. He hated a slutty staff even more.

Regina also sang the praises of Jenny in every department of life. She was informed that Jenny was a great cook, respectful, kind and so hardworking. Well, it would see Jenny achieved a-lot of this good names from sleeping with the boss, Sarah concluded.

Leaving the room, she wondered what her next cause of action would be. She wanted a rich husband for herself or at least a rich benefactor. She was a graduate and she needed to open her own guest house or even a grand hotel as soon as possible. She studied catering and hotel management at the university which gave her an advantage over every other employee. Regina informed her that they had never had a graduate of a university as a cook in this house. She carried herself with that pride and knowledge but it would seem like all that would go to waste.

As she began cooking the Jollof rice, Deji came downstairs to the dining room. Silently, he ate his breakfast without interacting with her. As soon as he stood up to carry his tray, Sarah came to him. She had been watching him eat that morning and found him attractive as well.

"Do not bother yourself sir. I can clear the plates. All you have to do is tell me what you need and I will make it happen sir" Sarah said smiling. She helped him carry his tray and he cleared his throat to speak out.

"Thank you. You can start by reducing the salt intake. Its too much and i don't want to have problems with my heart" he said as he walked away back upstairs.

He was a hottie too but a rude one. Mrs Bose introduced him as her nephew. She wondered if he found her irritating. Nothing seemed to be working in this house and she needed a plan.

Michael came downstairs to take the lunch upstairs when it was noon. It was obvious he was taking food to the crippled Jenny as he asked for two plates of the meal, Sarah thought. What would make a great man become a simp and start mingling with his cook? Jenny must be using the African juju on him, Sarah though

By evening, it was obvious, no one wanted to eat anything from her as they ordered pizza and ice cream. Neither did anyone compliment the lunch she made. Deji had slotted in a comic film and the rest of the family gathered around except for Jenny and Michael who was probably having sex upstairs, Sarah thought.

One advantage of working for them is that she takes any meal she wants home and even sometimes takes raw ingredients to cook in her own kitchen at the guest house. Deji's girlfriend also came over that evening and would occasionally roll her eyes at her as she watched the film. From the dining room where she sat, she realized that she could not be bothered. As long as he was not married, he was fair game. If she wanted to seduce him, it would not take him a second to fall like a pack of cards. The thought of that made her smile.

As she closed for the day, Mrs Bose told her not to bother coming to work on Sunday. She wondered why! Has she offended them in anyway? She repeatedly asked herself.

Wanting to find out, she stayed by her window on Sunday morning and peeped. She saw the family including Jenny leaving for church. Jenny sat in the front seat with Michael like a wife that they did not hire her to be.

By evening, they had still not returned and she was puzzled. Not wanting to alarm anyone, she called Regina and told her everything that has been happening. The lady was shocked as Sarah reported how rude and bossy Jenny had been to her since she resumed working for the Oladokuns. Regina promised visiting to straighten the issues out.

Hearing the siren blast its horn, she checked the time and it was 10pm in the night. Resuming her position by her window, she saw that they arrived together and they all went inside.

On Monday morning, she hurriedly resumed by 7am to make breakfast. She usually leave any dirty utensils for Bisola the cleaner and she rarely sweeps the kitchen before cooking. She believed that everyone had their work cut out for them. She was a cook and that was all they required of her.

As usual, by 7:30 am, Michael was downstairs. Nonetheless, shirtless again to pick up breakfast for two. The sight of him was usually breathtaking for her. He was fit and his body was gorgeous. She desired him as a man and wondered what it would be like to have him in her bed.

As she admired him, he regarded the breakfast menu with disdain. She had made sandwiches with boiled eggs and mayonnaise, some pancakes and banana as fruits.

"Is anything wrong sir?" She asked as she had been regarding his gaze.

"The breakfast is so ordinary and little. I complained last week about the size. Did I not?" Michael asked.

"Am sorry sir, there's more sandwiches in the kitchen" she added. He turned to look at her.

"Then you should serve all of them at once" he raised his voice.

"I am sorry sir. I will get them." She proceeded to go to the kitchen when he stopped her.

"Sarah, Its okay. Am sorry i raised my voice. Its just that, I am used to a large breakfast with options you know" Michael said. He missed Jenny's cooking but right now, he wanted her to rest.

"I understand sir, i would correct this unfailingly tomorrow" she assured him smiling.

"It's alright. As long as its not too….. hmmmm you know...salty" he added slowly watching her expression.

"I promise you sir. It will not be salty" she declared smiling.

Michael laughed at her assurances as he served his and Jenny's breakfast.

When taking the tray upstairs, he turned to her "Thank you Sarah " She nodded in response but deep down she felt like shrieking! He appreciated her and he knew her name. She made more sandwiches for the rest of the family and hoped to take the rest home.

Afterwards, Bisola the cleaner moped, washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen while she sat pressing her phone. At the sound of doors opening upstairs, she began arranging the breakfast on the dinning table.

Stephanie and her grandmother descended down the stairs at the same time.

"Good morning ma" Jenny greeted

"Good morning Stephanie darling" She added

Stephanie regarded her with the same expression as her father did some few minutes ago.

"Good morning Sarah. How are you?" Mrs Bose asked

"I am fine ma" Sarah replied smiling.

"Good morning ma" Stephanie greeted her without any emotion.

As they served their breakfast, Stephanie looked at her sternly and took an extra plate. It seemed like a deliberate act but she did not want to react rudely in front of Mrs Bose.

"If you are dishing for your dad, it wont be necessary. Your dad has already served breakfast and taken it upstairs."

She politely said

"Its not for my dad ma. Its for Aunty Bisola" Stephanie replied and Sarah was furious.

"Oh Stephanie you are so sweet and thoughtful. Jenny is doing such an amazing job" Mrs bose complimented her smiling as she admired her grand daughters kindness. Sarah wanted to object but she noticed that the grand mother loved the act.

Stephanie took the breakfast to the kitchen to meet Bisola washing the dishes.

"Aunty Bisola good morning ma. This is your breakfast. I also want to wish you a fantastic week and thank you for always cleaning my room so well" Stephanie said aloud. Mrs Bose giggled in the dining table and Sarah had to plaster a fake smile on her face.

"You be real sweetheart. Your mummy go dey proud of you. I go eat am when i finish. Thank you Stephanie" Bisola said.

"You are welcome ma" Stephanie replied.

Stephanie walked out of the kitchen watching Sarah soured expression unknown to Mrs Bose.

Deji came down for work, rejecting the breakfast he headed out of the house. The others were eating their breakfast on the table as he walked briskly greeting them and totally ignoring Sarah. She wondered if she had offended him in any way.

"Have you made a list of the items needed to stock up the house?" Mrs Bose asked.

"Not yet ma" Sarah responded.

"Please do that as soon as possible. Also note that Stephanie is resuming school next week, so intensify her proteins and vitamins intake. As a matter of fact, have you taken the recipe and meal menu from Jenny like I asked?"

"Not yet ma" Sarah replied.

"Why? What is causing the delay? You should also ask her for Stephanie's meal plan. Stephanie used to be so skinny but since Jenny came, my grand daughter glowed." Mrs Bose said with pride.

"I will get the list from Jenny ma" Sarah nodded.

"Please do that. I am going out today to get Stephanie her school supply's. I know she would prefer to do it with Jenny" Mrs Bose rubbed her hair.

"But of course grandma i love doing anything with my mum. She is very thoughtful and super kind" Stephanie said as she glared at Sarah.

"I know my dear. But she needs rest. Remember what the doctor said yesterday. She needs quality rest." Mrs Bose pleaded

"Oh is she still ill?" Sarah asked feigning interest.

"We went to the Doctor's after service and he said her blood level is still low and she needs rest. She is such a hard worker"

Sarah wondered why this woman sings Jenny's praise a lot. She practically behaves as though she is the mother of Jenny.

Michael came downstairs, all dressed for work, when his mother told him of their plans for shopping.

"Sarah meet my….. meet Jenny and she will disburse the cash" Michael instructed.

"Okay sir. Have a great day work" Sarah said

"Yeah thanks but please don't go there now. She is sleeping. You should wait till like 11:30am and take her lunch upstairs when going.

"Yes sir. I will most definitely serve her sir" Sarah said

"Thank you. Bye Steph, bye mum"

"Bye Daddy"

"See you later son"

Stephanie continued glaring at Sarah. After her breakfast, she took her utensil to the kitchen and washed them despite Sarah's protesting.

When Mrs Bose and Stephanie went upstairs to prepare for their outing, Sarah met the cleaner eating in the kitchen.

"I didn't come to this house to cook for cleaners oh. If you are hungry, you should eat at home before resuming work" she hissed but Bisola did not reply. She continued eating with her head bowed.

As soon as Mrs Bose left the house, Sarah matched upstairs by 9:30 to Jenny's room banging on the door.