Chapter 6

               ~LEONA~

"Sister Leo, please help me with my assignment." Vera walked into my home office with her workbook.

"I'm busy Vee. We'll do that later." I replied without taking my focus off my computer.

"No no no!" She protested stubbornly.

I sighed. "Okay fine. I will have a look."  I took the book and looked through it.

"This is simple, Vee." I looked up at the little blonde. "Here, I'll teach you." It was just simple algebra so I took some time and taught her.

"Wow Leo, you teach so perfectly more than our teacher. Why didn't you become a teacher too?" She grinned at me happily.

"But I'm already a teacher," I replied smilingly, looking at the youngest child among us. I love them all but I love her more.

"Wow? Really? Where do you teach? And who do you teach?" She asked innocently.

I chuckled. "I teach at home. Meaning, I'm your personal teacher and will always be until you don't need me anymore." I poked her cheeks playfully.

"Aww. You're so sweet Leo.  I'm proud and fortunate to have you as a sister. I'll like to be like you one day because you're my perfect role model. I love you, Leo." She got up and ran off with her assignment.

"I love you too little sis," I muttered even though she was already gone.

I sat back behind my computer but I hardly relaxed when someone else walked in.

"Leo," Elsie called.

"Mhmm." I hummed under my breath, wondering what could bring little Tasha into my office if it's not money-related. She's the eldest daughter among Tasha's children.

"My fees are due and I have to pay it." She said,

Bingo.

"Sure. I forgot." I took my checkbook and tossed it to her to fill in.

She tossed it back after filling in the amount and without checking, I signed it off.

"Anything else?" I asked when she was still standing after I gave her the check.

"Well, i... I.. just."

"Wanna go shopping?" I cut her off.

"Yeah. How did you know?" She asked in surprise.

"I'm your sister, Elsie. I know you more than you know yourself. Anyway, pull that drawer and pick any amount you desire."

"Any amount?" Her eyes widened.

"Yeah."

I felt her lips on my cheeks that instant."You're so sweet Leo. I can't believe this!"

I chuckled as I watched her leave the office. I touched where she kissed. When I do something really good that thrills Elsie, she kisses me on the cheeks. It's rare because, unlike the others, Elsie doesn't like me so much. I also try to please her anyway I can and especially for her kisses. 

I know I am overly lavishing them but they deserve it for everything they had to go through just for me to have a bright future. I work for no one but them.

I focused back on my computer and it wasn't long before someone came in.

"Leo, I hope you haven't forgotten that my birthday is tomorrow." Valerie, Tasha's second daughter reminded me.

"How can I? Just relax, I'll handle everything okay?"

"That's my sis." She beamed and left.

God, did they plan it? Why do they all seem to be in need  at once?

I thought that was all until I heard the lady of the house's voice.

"Leo, have you paid the utility bills and your father's medication? Have you paid for it?" She reminded authoritatively.

"I've already done that, mom," I told her.

"What about my car? Has it been sent for maintenance?" 

"I have but I also got you another one. You might want to check it out. It's in the garage."

"Thank you, with you around, I don't think there's a need for me to worry at all."

I smiled at her before she left. Making them happy is my priority. But if I really want my peace, I need to do this.

I concentrated back on my work and for the past three hours, there was no disturbance until I felt someone towering above me.

I looked up to see Raymond.

"Hi, Ray. Need anything?" I asked.

"Yes." He replied.

"I'm all ears." Raymond would never ask me anything since I started work and fending for the family. I wonder what she wants but I'm sure it won't be for money.

"I want to feed you, Leona." 

See?

Raymond brought out a tray he was hiding behind him.

"What? I've already eaten." I lied.

"No, you haven't. You've been stacked in here since morning even though it was a Saturday and you forgot to eat. I know it."

I sighed.

"You've been taking care of this family so much that you hardly have time for yourself. I want to take care of you too." He shut my laptop.

"But Ray..."

"Shush." He took a spoon, pulled a chair closer to me. I know there was no hell of a way I could stop him.

So I kept quiet and allowed him to feed me. This is one of the rare moments I cherish. When he takes care of me like this.

"Can I work now?" I asked after finishing the delicious meal.

"Not yet."

"May I know why?" I raised my brows.

"Because I want to spend some time with my little sis today."

"What? Are you kidding me? You know I've got a lot to do."

"But all you do is work, work, and work. When you were in school all you did was read, read and read. It's like you don't have a life at all. Why must you enslave yourself this way? Everyday Leo this, Leo that" He ranted in a singsong voice.

"Come on, Ray, don't let me explain the obvious. You know how much this family has helped me and why they did that so please stop questioning the obvious. This family is my responsibility Raymond, and I enjoy attending to everyone's needs."

He signed. "Alright, but you won't stay in this office today, Leo. I want to take you out so that we can catch some fun."

"But Ray..."

"Shhhh. You won't say anything, Leo. Remember that all work and no play will make you dull and unhappy." He took my hand and walked me to my room.

He sat me down in front of my large dressing mirror and loosed my hair.

"What are you doing, Ray?"

"Keep quiet and watch okay? You can close your eyes too." He commanded sweetly.

I nodded and he began working on my hair. After that, he began to apply makeup on my face.

I opened my eyes after he was done and my jaw dropped.

I couldn't believe my reflection. "Who's that, Ray?" 

"You of course." He chuckled.

"How did you do it? Do you perhaps have some magic?"

"The magic is in you, Leo. I hardly did anything to you. Perhaps you don't know how beautiful you are even without makeup."

"But this is so..so..wow!" I kept looking at my reflection, unable to believe that it's my image in the mirror. " Have you considered being a beautician?"

"No. Only a surgeon."

"But you're so good at this. Look no further."

"Yeah?" He narrowed his eyes on me. "You know I'm good at it because it has always been me taking care of your hair since mama left."

His voice is thick with a sudden emotion that instantly changed the aura in the room. I didn't know what to say. Ray has indeed been there for me as a big brother would his sister.

"Shall we go?"

"Where?" I can't help but ask.

"You'll soon know."

I took my purse and we got out. We barely made it to the garage before it started pouring heavily.

I tried covering my hair and face to prevent the makeup and hairdo from ruining but it was of no use as the rain was only aiming at my face.

What the hell! What kind of rain is this? It's heavier than usual.

I opened my eyes and tried to look around in case I saw Raymond but I didn't see him. Instead, I saw Tasha, my stepmom.

I sprang up suddenly to see her with another round of a bucket full of water about to be emptied.

Gosh! So it was all a dream? It looked so real that I wish it wasn't a dream at all.

"What are you still doing here when I told you to leave yesterday? You're sleeping so soundly after all the problem you caused us huh?

I'm soaking wet and began to shiver.  My clothes stung on me like a second skin.

I managed to get out of bed.

Where's Raymond? After yesterday's discussion with him, he left and promised to come wake me up early this morning but why didn't he do so.

"Listen, mom.."

"I won't listen to anything, Leona. All I want you to do is to pack out of this house."  

Elsie walked into the room and began packing my stuff as if she had been sent.

"I can't leave like this, mom. Please hear me out for a minute." I pleaded but she only grabbed my hand and began pulling me from the room till we got outside and she stopped.

"It's not my fault that I got pregnant. It was a mistake." I tried to explain.

"Then is it my fault you got pregnant? I opened your legs for the useless man to have his way with you, isn't it? Don't provoke me and get out of here!."

"I didn't know I was pregnant. I just found out yesterday and it was really a mistake."

"Oh! So now you've finally accepted that you're pregnant? Thank God,  because I actually thought another savior was about to be born through you. It was a mistake indeed when you went and opened your thighs willingly right?" She asked sarcastically.

Elsie threw my luggage at me and all the clothes fell from it onto the floor including my files.

"Take your things and leave. We don't need you anymore." Elsie said and they shut the door on face.

"Open the door, please." I banged on it. 

"Mom please open the door you know I have nowhere to go. Please don't do this to me. You're the only family I have. I'm so sorry mom. I didn't do anything at all. Please believe me." My tears flowed freely as I knelt In front of the door and wept.

After some time when it doesn't look like they'll come, I crawl to my luggage and pick the clothes back into it as well as my files.

I stood at the same spot after I was done packing for almost two hours. I was completely lost. I didn't know what to do anymore or where to turn.

Raymond has told me to consider the baby since it was innocent but why keep something who's responsible for the condition my family is in now? The reason why I am being thrown out of the house?

And my dad has been in the hospital since. I wonder how mom is managing to get his medicines.

I can't believe my dad is in the hospital because of me and I can't even see him if I want to.

I know he'll be so heartbroken for what happened and it's all because of this unknown child I was carrying.

But this must stop now! 

I got up to leave when I spotted an envelope beside my luggage. I took it and was about to put it in the bag when I realized that it was the same envelope 💌 the chancellor gave me on the day of our graduation.

I opened it and began to read.

Dear Miss Leona,✍️

📃📜📝

  We're glad that you made it as the best student our school has ever had and the government who has been so intrigued by your intelligence will like to employ you as soon as

possible with payment of half a million,  a mansion and a 2020 Benz model but unfortunately, you got pregnant so the government has decided to withdraw his offer since you can't work with your pregnancy...📝

I stopped reading as the letter flew from my hands.

"What!" Why did this happen to me? Why me?

Why should it be me and not anyone else?

I lost so much because of this baby.

My salary alone could have been enough to enroll all my siblings into school and enough for me to give my family a decent living.

We could move into that mansion and forget about this old and weak cottage we're living in.

But no! I lost it all.

I left my luggage in front of our house and raced to the junction. I stopped a taxi which conveyed me to the hospital I went to have my malaria treated.

Why the hell would they have to do that for me? Did I tell them I wanted a baby?

I got out of the taxi like a crazy person without paying the driver. I could hear him following me to take his money but I didn't mind him.

I ran into the hospital and the moment I saw a doctor, I rushed towards him and held him by the collar. I think I lost my sanity because my next action was not something Leona will ever do.

"How dare you ruin my life this way?" My hands connected to his cheeks and he winced in pain.

The onlookers gasped.

"Before I knew it, the securities were holding me."

"Did she escape from the mental asylum or what?" The doctor questioned and straightened his shirt, looking at me with scorn.

"Is that what you gonna say after implanting someone's baby in me?" I accused him madly.

"What is she talking about?" The doctor questioned innocently.

I looked around the room and my eyes, fortunately, spotted the nurse who administered the injection.

She looked away when my eyes met hers. That gave it away.

"She's the one," I shouted and struggled with the security to free myself.

The doctor turned but the lady nurse moved swiftly from where she once stood, leaving that place bare. The doctor couldn't have seen anyone there when he turned.

Why is she hiding?

The doctor turned to me and shook his head.

"She's crazy. Do well to keep her from the sane people here." The doctor said and began walking away.

"No, I'm not crazy!" I screamed.

He stopped and turned.

"That's what they all say." He replied quietly but loud enough for me to hear and resumed his steps.

"Please, I need to talk to you urgently, doctor. It's very urgent!" I pleaded tearfully.

He ignored me and disappeared into one of the wards while I still struggled to break free from the security guards. That mission seems impossible. They looked like they were made of steel. 

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   Thanks for reading!