Chapter 01_Meeting a Friend

“The foreigners will be arriving soon, Ms Yolanda” 

“I got the call. There are about 30 new ladies here, and we will be getting another more tomorrow. We have to make sure we impress those buyers, we really need to clear the room” Ms Yolanda said.

 “Sure Ms Yolanda” Her manager bowed and walked out of her office.

__

 LUNA'S POV

I walked out of the kitchen feeling very dizzy, I've been in the kitchen since morning fixing one thing or the other and all my stepmom does is just to sit and complain.

 I feel so weak and stressed out,, but I dare not speak out, else I'd get grounded with another round of work.

“Luna!!” I heard my stepmom's voice from the sitting room and I quickly rush to attend to her.

 “Yes ma'am” I said.

“What's this?” She asked, showing me the plate containing the fifth pancake I've just prepared.

 Here we go again!

“Your pancake” I replied, and she scoffed.

 “My pancake? Seriously! Did you make this charcoal and called it my pancake? Do you hate me this much, Luna?” Cora, my stepmom, yelled.

“I don't hate you mom, This is like the fifth pancake I've prepared and yet….” I immediately kept quiet.

 “Oh, really? So, what are you insinuating? That I suck at teast?" Cora asked.

“That's not what I mean” I said slowly.

 “You're so ungrateful, You should be happy and always bow at my feet that I accepted to marry your wrecked father and replace your miserable mother” Cora said.

“My dad is not wrecked. And my mom is not miserable!” I said, trying not to yell.

“Oh! Sorry… What do you know? Take this rubbish out of my face and get your ass to your room!” Cora hissed.

 “I'm sorry, Mom” I said and carried the pancake then emptied it at the trash can.

I walked into my room and fall on the bed, Geez! My back hurts so much. I can't believe I've been preparing different foods for this woman, and she's still so ungrateful to me.

 I pulled out my drawer and took my mother's picture, then kissed it.

“I know you're not a miserable mother, Cora is saying that because she's so jealous of you. I wish you hadn't died, or maybe I've died with you. We could've been happy together” I said to her and slowly hug her picture very close to my chest in tears.

 It's been two years since the death of my mother and I think, perhaps my dad had been cheating on her all this while.

He brought in his mistress, whose now his wife, inside our home Three months after my mother's death.

 Cora had made my life unbearable over this past two years, My father wasn't helping the matter either. He either came home drunk or come back leaking of cigarettes.

I'm still the one who's going to take care of him, Cora won't even touch him and believe she's too beautiful to be taking care of an old man. 

     

“Luna! Luna!!!” I heard Cora's voice at my door.

Argh! Can't this woman allow me to rest? I scoff tiredly and stood up to open the door.

“Yes, Mom” I said.

 “Are you deaf? I've been knocking on your door for the past minutes! Did you ignore me deliberately?” 

“No, I'm sorry about that”. I said and she rolled her eyes.

“Of course you should be. Get your stuff ready in one bag, I want you to meet a friend of mine” Cora said and made to walk out.

 “Sorry ma'am, I don't understand” I said plainly.

“What don't you understand! I just asked you to pack your stuff and not question me” Cora roared.

“You said I'm meeting your friend, Why do I have to pack my bags?" I still asked.

 “Luna, do not question me, I say!” 

“I'm sorry ma'am”

 “Make sure you make your stuff and get up before 6, tomorrow” Cora said and barged out.

I walked back inside my room and shut the door behind.

 What does she mean?

Why do I sense that she's up to something?

I signed, not like I can say no to her. But it's very creepy. How can I pack my stuff just so I could meet her friend? Who does that?

  I walked to my bed and pulled out my bag, then begin packing my stuff. 

___

 Ms. Yolanda's POV.

“What do you say about them, Mr. White?”

 “They are all beautiful, much better than the last ones. You sure do have eyes for good things” Mr. White said, and I smile.

“So, which ones should we arrange for you?” I ask him.

“I need only 15 of them. I'll buy more later, and I'll try recommending your company to my friends” 

 “Thank you, Mr. White”.

“Should I pick for you,, or you'll do that yourself? I asked and he noticed negatively.

“Help me do that. I'll be downstairs” He said and walked out.

 I turned to the shivering remaining 20 girls in front of me.

“Okay girls, It's your turn to move out. You all don't have to be scared. None of your family wants you, and not like you've anywhere else to be? I can't let you stay here for long whiles I require money. You should be grateful someone like Mr. White find you attractive” I smiled.

 “Mia, pick out 15 of them and arrange them for Mr. White, I'll go talk about the price with him” I told my secretary.

“Ok, ma'am”.

 I walked out of the room and climbed downstairs. Mr. White sat there with his guards smoking.

“Hey, Mr. White” I went to sit opposite them.

 “Yola. Are they ready? I've got an important meeting to attend” He said.

“Yes, Mia is arranging them. I just came down, so we can discuss their price” I said.

“Price? Seriously Yola. Is that what you're worried about?” He laughed and I know he's paying much.

 “Get me my briefcase” He waved at one of his bodyguard.

“Okay, boss” the guard bowed and walked out.

 “I'll be paying you straight away, Yola. But I'll be returning here tomorrow, I want you to prepare one special package for me” Mr. White said as we waited for the guard.

 “What do you mean, Mr. White” I asked?

 “I want you to prepare something different for me this time, I'll pay any amount. And I want a virgin, Virgins are sweeter, especially when you hear them screaming in pain. Their cries arouse me a lot. If you understand what I mean” He laughed and I smiled.

“Very well, then. Mr. White, I'll make sure to provide that tomorrow.”

“I trust you, Yola”

 The guard arrived with a briefcase and handed it over to him. He collected it and opened it, then close it before handing it to me.

“Here is your pay” He said.

 I collected it and opened it and almost wowed but controlled myself.

“All?” I asked and he nodded.

 “Thank you, Mr. White, it was nice doing business with you” I stood up and shook his hand.

“Ms Yolanda. The girls are ready” Mia said from the stairs.

“Bring them down for Mr. White” I said.

________

 LUNA'S POV

“Welcome back daddy” I greeted.

 I'm done with packing my cloth as my stepmom demanded, when I heard the living room door open and I know dad is back. Cora didn't even come out to open the door,, and it's nothing new to me.

“Thank you, Moon” He said and sat down.

 My daddy prefers to call me Moon as that was what Luna means. 

I looked at dad who was neither Leaking of Cigarettes nor drinks and that was very much unlike him.

 I helped him sat down and then served him water. It was already night.

“I'll serve you your dinner, Dad” I said.

“Thank you, Luna” 

 I made to walk to the kitchen,, but Cora blocked my way.

“Mom. Dad is back, and I just want to serve him dinner” I said.

 “Which dinner?” She asked with her nonchalant attitude. Her hands placed on her waist and her, tapping her feet on the floor like someone ready for a fight.

“We still have some food left in the pot, I stored it in the fridge” I replied.

 “Well..... I fed them to my chickens, you can get some money from your Not-wrecked father” She laughed and walked away.

I stared at her and tried hard not to believe what she just said. Furthermore, I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge, then the pot, and she was right. There was no food in the pot! 

 I stormed back to the living room and meet dad still sitting down. I walked to him. 

“Dad, Cora fed the food to her chickens” I told him.

“What, Why will she do that?” He asked, and I replied that I don't know.

 “Cora!! Cora.” He yelled and storm into their room.

Next I heard them shouting at eachother. I sighed and cleared the cup he used to drink water, then walked to my room.

-

  I woke up the next morning with a slight of headache and I immediately took some pills before I stepped out of the bed. I said my morning prayers then walked out of the room.

The living room was still quiet and I know my father and stepmom were still asleep. I walked into the kitchen and begin mopping it as well place a pot on the fire.

I'm going to prepare rice dash and sandwich as that's what the note I find on the counter stats .

  I don't need anyone to tell me that It was my stepmom that dropped it.

Minutes later, the sandwich and rich dish was ready and I put them down. 

   "Good morning Daddy" i greeted my dad.

He just walked into the kitchen to grab some water. My father is fond of drinking early morning water.

"Good Morning Luna" he muttered and walked out.

I stared behind him and sighed. Seems his argument with his wife was a terrible one.

____

   I arranged the table and serve the food to my father and stepmom , then sit down to have mine.

I only get to eat well when my dad is around. Though not always, my stepmom is just like she has my dad on her tips. He's always ready to do as she says.

   There was silence and all that could be heard was just the spoon meeting with plate.

"Luna, get me my juice" Cora said.

  I nodded and stood up then walked to the fridge. Ever since Cora came in, she has broken a lot of rules my mum kept. She believes she's not "Ms Evelyn" my mum and for that she has to set her own rules.

I brought the juice to her and helped her pour it inside her cup.

  "Luna, I hope you arranged your bag as I ordered yesterday" Cora asked.

I was sitting down back on my chair now. 

"I did." I replied.

   "Very well. After you're done eating, Take your bath and put on something nice, like I said, you'll be meeting my friend" Cora said and i just nodded.

"Cora, I don't think this is a good idea" My father finally speaks up.

  "Oh, shut up! I'm doing this for you, for you, and for the future of your family" Cora hissed.

I stared at them as they started another round of argument. I don't actually get it, what exactly are they talking about and why does their words seems to be pointed at me?