You can start work

"I think you'll see the doctor about that."

Lucy's heart raced as she ran to the doctors office. 

"Doctor please, how's my daddy? Doctor please! She cried out.

"Calm down, miss. I won't say your dad is fine, but he is still alive."

Lucy felt a surge of pain by his words. She doesn't want to lose her dad who is the only family she has.

The doctor leaned back and removed his glasses. "His health is very bad, and…and I'm scared."

"But I worked yesterday for his dialysis, how come it's getting bad? Lucy interrupted, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry ma'am, the dialysis you worked for has expired hours ago and we have stopped his treatment as you are unable to foot the bill," the doctor explained.

"Doctor please! My father will die! Please, I promise to pay! Lucy pleaded but the doctor insisted that she had to pay before any further treatment.

Seeing that her pleas were in vain, Lucy cleaned her eyes and walked slowly to her father's room.

As she got to her dad's ward,  She opened the door. She saw a fair, tall, slim nurse cleaning the room because it was already smelling. She stayed aside and waited until she was done with the cleaning.

"You can sit now, I'm done", the nurse said, putting her record book in place and preparing to leave.

"Okay, thank you", Lucy appreciated her and moved closer to her dad. But he dad wasn't moving.

"Daddy, your princess is here," Lucy called out.

Mrs. Edward opened his eyes a bit. "You are welcome dear."

Even though her dad made a wrong choice in marrying Madam Theresa, she still loved him and would do everything within her power to save his life. 

"My princess, your mum must be proud of you, you look so much like her," Mr Edward said as they smiled. 

Lucy didn't see any sign of recovery in her father. She tried to hide her emotions but tears kept on dropping down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying? Did the doctor say I'm going to die? Mr Edward asked.

"No, just that. I remembered. I was thinking about something and then. Don't worry dad, I'm fine," Lucy stuttered. It was then that Mr Edward knew that there was no hope for him.

Lucy quickly reached out to the box of food and from the look on her dad's face, he must be very hungry. Adding to the fact that it was his favorite meal.

The aroma oozing from the food box was enough to feed a hungry man.

"You shouldn't have bothered buying food," Mr Edward said, with a worried look.

Lucy knew he didn't mean what he just said because her dad never rejects food not to talk of his favorite.

"How's your mum doing? He asked.

"Dad, she is not my mum, please. A wicked woman who abandoned her husband on the verge of death and willed all his properties can never birth me", Lucy retorted angrily.

She served him the food with water and helped him to sit straight on the bed and set the bed feeding table for him for easy feeding.

She watched her dad as he struggled to feed himself. His left hand was on drip and his right hand was shaky. It really pained her in her heart. She couldn't watch him so she offered to feed him and he agreed.

She fed him until he was full and helped him with the water.

"Thank you, my princess," her dad said, smiling.

She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her that he enjoyed the meal.

As packed back the plate of food into the bag, she knew that working for the hospital won't provide enough money for the treatment.

"Dad, I want to do it," she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Madam Theresa and her daughter proposed that I marry Mr. Blackwood before they could give me money to pay for the hospital bill."

"Mr. Blackwood? He yelled a bit with surprise.

"That man is just a few years younger than me. How would you marry such an old man? He is fifty years old for God's sake, Lucy!

"I know you might be disappointed daddy, but with the situation at hand, I think that's the only available option now," Lucy said .

"Please don't marry that old man because of money," Mr. Edward pleaded.

"Dad, it's not because of money but for your health. You need to stay alive for me," she responded.

Immediately she stood up to leave, she made up her mind to face whatever this decision might cost her.

"Lucy, please stop! Don't do it Lucy! Please! Mr Edward please but she ignored his pleas and went out.

The hospital is not too far from her home and she's always lucky to see available taxis going her way. 

After a few minutes' drive, she got home. She stood outside the house and cried her eyes before making up her mind to go in.

She walked into her father's mansion only to see her stepmother and step sister partying. She was startled while watching them.

The sound of music was so loud that they didn't notice that someone came in.  And the house was sound proofed that someone can't hear them from outside. 

They were empty bottles littered all over the place as the smell of alcohol was oozing out heavily.

Even the crumbs  from the meal they ate, were littered all over the places as they danced happily as though nothing was bothering them.

What caught Lucy's attention more was when madam Theresa brought out a bundle of money and sprayed it on Martha. 

Lucy was so enraged but making trouble won't solve her problems at the moment.

She walked up to Martha who was already half drunk and tapped her shoulders.

Martha immediately turned off the loud music. "What gave you the nerves to touch me? She accompanied her question with a slap on Lucy's cheek.

"I'm sorry. But the music was so loud and I decided to-

"To disrupt our peace of mind? Madam Theresa cuts in.

"Lucy, you have always been a bad luck and an enemy of progress, because why on earth would you want to spoil this happy moment? Are you that frustrated that you despise seeing people happy? Martha sneered.

"I'm sorry about that, but-

"You should be sorry for your miserable self and your dying father," madam Theresa interrupted. 

She went a bit closer to Lucy. "We offered you a sweet opportunity but you denied the offer. So, don't tell me you are here to beg for money, because you won't get any."

"I.. I have accepted the offer," Lucy stammered. "I will marry Mr. Blackwood. Just give me the money to pay the hospital bills please. My father is dying," Lucy pleaded. She tried to control her tears but her emotions won't let her.

Madam Theresa and Martha locked eyes and let out a scornful laughter. "I thought you were proving stubborn. I never knew you could be so pathetic and pitiful," Martha said as she bursted in a mocking laughter.

"Please, the treatment is urgent. Can I get the money now? 

"My little Lucy, it's not that easy. Since you have spoiled our enjoyment, you will have to clean up this place before I'll give you the money," madam Theresa said mocking.

Lucy's heart was filled with anger, remembering how severe her dad's illness had become and needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.

"How do you expect me to do all these? The doctor said that my father will die if his treatment doesn't start in two hours. Why are you acting this way? Moreover, we have cleaners in this house who should do the job," Lucy pleaded.

"You still have options right? We have cleaners but I want you to do the job. So, the earlier you start without countering words, the better for you," madam Theresa responded.

"Sophia! Come here! Martha called out one of the servants in the house.

Immediately a young lady in a uniform ran into the sitting room.

"Pick up this money on the floor. Use it to get whatever you need," Martha ordered, pointing at the money her mother sprayed her earlier.

Lucy stood there in disappointment and watched how they treated even servants better than they treat her.

Lucy started the cleaning immediately because she had no time to waste. She made sure everywhere was sparkling to avoid more complaints from madam Theresa and her daughter.

When she was done, she went to madam Theresa to get the money. "I'm done with the cleaning, can I have the money now? Lucy asked.

Madam Theresa let out a scornful laugh at her. "My dear Lucy, there is one more thing left for you to do."