Followed

Cassandra couldn't tell for how long she had slept but was suddenly woken up when something heavy dropped on her. She immediately sat up at once thinking that she was back at the old abandoned home that constantly had things drop off from the loosely hanging roof.

Her expression softened immediately seeing her little boy wrapped around her neck as he supported himself to the bed. She could hear him sniffing his nose, his chest vibrating against her body.

He had probably been crying seeing that she was indeed alive.

" I really missed you my son, I longed to see you every day," Cassandra said as she tightened her hold on him. Her little son was all grown up now. It was as though in the one year she had been away his size suddenly doubled.

" Mother......I thought I had lost you for ever," Cai cried in a loud voice, tears running wild on his face, the first time he ever cried as a grown man.

" I'm right here my child, I won't ever leave you, not again my child,"

Cai suddenly felt like a small child who needed his mother and clung to her, afraid that the moment they broke the embrace it would all be a dream. He won't let her go this time, not when he had longed for her for so long.

" Calm down my child, I'm really here with you. I'm alive, not even injured, so don't feel sad anymore. I won't leave you again," Cassandra consoled him, gently rubbing his back till his hiccups subsided and his tears dried.

The two sat on the bed facing each other, holding hands.

" I never thought I could see you again mother, I'm so happy that you are back with us,"

" I know my child, and this new opportunity I'm given I'll make sure to make it up to both of you, you won't loose a mother again,"

Cai suddenly sat up when Zia's image flashed in his mind. He shouldn't be this happy when Zia was all alone, thinking that she had no one in this life.

" And Zia...."

" Not now Cai, Zichi already told me everything. For once let me enjoy being in the company of my children. I've missed you so much for her to spoil this day for me,"

" Don't you miss her at all mother, she's your flesh and blood," Cai felt his heart breaking into a thousand pieces seeing his mother avoid his eyes and get up from the bed and head for the window.

She drew the curtains which let in the bright midday sun that hit her face, forcing her to close them up before adjusting to the blinding light coming in.

" Cai, why don't you let me freshen up and then we can catch up after that. I'm sure you are tired too from the long flight. Now go on, I'll be down in a minute,"

Cai flinched, Cassandra had never let go of her coldness towards Zia. She didn't even bothered to find out how Zia was doing after going through all that she had experienced. What mother would leave her child, the youngest one of them in the cold. Was Zia truly her daughter.

Cai let go of this thought. He had been there when his mother returned from the hospital with his little sister. But he had failed to understand how she never loved Zia at all when she was all so beautiful and adorable. Cai walked to the door and held the door hinges before glancing back inside.

" I'm really glad that you are back with us mother. Whatever it was that you went through, I'm sure with us around you'll be able to overcome it. I love you much mother,"

Cai closed the door behind him not waiting for his mother's response. As much as he had been happy, his heart was all out for Zia, all alone and unloved in this world.

Cassandra went back and sat on the bed. The mere mention of Zia's name brought anger into her happy soul. Soon she'll have to deal with that little brat to spare herself more headache.

As much as she was happy getting reunited with her children, the act was just too much for her. Cassandra wanted her life back as soon as possible, and she would get it back.

Back at Konza, Zia suddenly stretched from the bed after a long and peaceful sleep. She felt exhausted, and she knew that she must have overslept. She picked up her mobile to check the time, ten in the morning.

She kicked away her blanket, a habit she had tried so much to stop with no avail. She made her bed though the sheet were spread unevenly on the bed. She didn't fancy at all her bed, but it could do.

She entered the bathroom for a nice warm bath to waken her muscles. She made calculations in her mind. She had to head back into town to find a job, and today she wouldn't leave without getting one, no matter how much they agreed to pay her.

With everything done, she headed into the kitchen, hoping that Cai had been able to prepare breakfast for her rumbling stomach. She had gotten used to his special treatment every morning that she had almost forgotten that she was the lady here. The fact that she hadn't eaten much last night added to her anger that she immediately entered the kitchen.

Zia found it strange that the kitchen was cold and quiet at such an hour. Everything was in it's place just like she had left them last night. The bowl filled with food still on the counter.

Cai can't possibly be asleep at this time when he was the first to sleep.Zia shouted Cai's name but there was no response. She made to head for his room when something caught her attention from behind the bowl on the table. Several dollar notes were lying on the table and a note under the bowl.

" I'm really sorry Zia that I had to leave on short notice. I had an emergency to take care of, but don't worry yourself, everything is fine.

I might not return in a week's time. I hope the money will serve you till I return, but there are more in my closet, you can pick any amount you need. I also left the car for your use. I'm sure you'll want to find a job, so don't hesitate to use the car.

See you soon, take care. "

The text ended . Zia let out a long breath she had been holding for a long time now. She felt so lonely and empty. With Cai gone it was as though a part of her was gone too. He had for the past week made her feel human again, making her discover things about herself that were still new to her.

Zia dropped the note on the table and retrieved a cold water bottle from the fridge which she gobbled up immediately. As much as she felt sad, she had to find herself a goal and purpose in life. She couldn't depend on him forever, and this just showed her that he had a life outside of her. Zia hoped that it wasn't because of her that he might have missed certain things and he now had to make up for it.

Pangs of hunger hit her once more as the cold water slithered down her empty stomach. She picked up the bowl of food to heat up. As much as she lacked appetite, she had to regain her energy, not with the hectic job hunt that awaited her.

Seating by the kitchen counter, she immediately gobbled up her food before she dropped the used utensils in the sink. She glanced back at the dirty dishes and flinched. Zia couldn't understand why she hated doing the dishes so much. She decided that she would clean them back when she returned.

Zia picked a few notes and stuffed them into her sling bag. She remembered to pick the car keys. Earlier on she tried driving and found that she had actually been good at it. In her previous life she must have drove a lot.

Getting out of the apartment and driving through the streets, she noticed a black range rover parked by the roadside. How strange. In her short time there she hadn't spotted one. She brushed aside these thoughts as she focused ahead, her eyes on the road careful not to miss a sign.

Zia had driven for close to twenty minutes when suddenly she spotted the same car from earlier trailing behind her. At first she didn't think so much about it, but after making several turns and still behind her, she felt alarmed and drove fast and pulled up in front of a hotel by the roadside and immediately parked. She stayed in the car and saw the same car pull up by the road for a brief second before speeding off.

Zia suddenly felt fear grip her heart, why would someone trail after her, did she have some kind of enemies that were back for her.

A knock on the car window startled her that she threw up the phone she had in her hand, falling back on her thighs. She glanced out frightened, only to see the hotel staff probably talking to her. She immediately rolled down the window.

" I'm sorry miss, but couldn't you please move your car a little bit further ahead," the man said respectfully.

Zia had her car parked and decided to get into the hotel to buy some time just incase her stalker was still waiting for her.

The hotel seemed luxurious compared to the rest that she had sought for a job before. She glanced around at the busy attendants who were moving up and about. The entire room seemed filled with guests at such an odd hour. Surely it had to be a very popular joint.

A girl probably in her thirties approached Zia with a menu in her hand, but before she could hand over the menu to her, the girl suddenly became dizzy and fell at Zia's feet which caught her off guard. Zia watched helplessly as the girl hit her head on a chair before she hit the ground.

Two other ladies rushed forward and helped her up. The girl was conscious, but blood was oozing out of her head.

" I'm so sorry , I couldn't help her at all, it was so sudden ," Zia finally found her voice as she helped the two ladies hold her steadily.

" It wasn't your fault miss, Jeddah wasn't feeling well and couldn't leave due to the parked work. She was bound to black out sooner or later," one of the girls said as they led her out.

At the hotel entrance, a car was pulled up ready to take her to the hospital. The commotion had alerted the management and the assistant manager had hurried to the scene.

One of the girls boarded the car to accompany Jeddah to the hospital.

" Great, that was just great. What am I do to with all the guests," The woman lamented.

Zia who was still glancing at the departing car was brought to the present and chanced on the opportunity that just presented itself.

" Excuse me ma'am, I'm actually looking for a job. Could you take me in to assist?" Zia said crossing her heart.

The woman glanced up and down at her, as though her eyes could see through to her bones before she resigned.

" What are you waiting for? If you are sure you can do the job then hop right in and get to work," the woman said and made a turn back into the building.

" Yes?" Zia jumped with joy before she collected herself and followed after the girl.

" I'm Zia,"

" Great to meet you Zia, but we don't have much time, you better get ready to work. I'm Zippy. You can head over there to get an apron," Zippy said and was off, not caring whether Zia heard her or not.

Zia swallowed hard before she turned to the counter, her first day would surely be a busy one.