Mr. Smith just came back from his trip. After having his meal, he decided to have a discussion with his wife concerning Joyce.

“I hope the girl you talked about is ready because I have already invited the native doctor that will administer an oath on her.

“Yes she is ready,” Mrs. Smith answered.

” Let me see the document you gave her to sign.”
The wife got up to go and bring it.

“Did She read it before signing it,” Mr. Smith asked.

“No she didn’t read it.”

“That is how they do. Many of this poor people are desperate like you. They want to reap where they did not sow.”

His wife handed over the document to him, he glanced at it and his countenance changed dramatically.

“Linda what is this?” He flung the paper to his wife angrily.

“What did I do?”

“While will you enter into a 3 year agreement? I expected nothing less than 5 years.”

“This was the exact document we gave to Nnenna, you did not tell me to change anything. Besides, she might not agree to serve for 5 years. When the time elapses, we can renew the agreement if she so wish.”

Mr. Smith stood angrily from the bed. His wife understood what he wanted to do, so she ran to the door.

“Linda you are an idiot. I don’t know why I am using my hard earned money to feed and clothe a fool like you. I thought that you will learn a lesson from Nnenna’ s case but you have remained adamant. If nobody is available to do the work, you will do it and bear the consequences. I am going to the sitting room. You better go and call the girl out.”

The native doctor was already sited before Mr. Smith got to the sitting room. As they were exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Smith and Joyce joined them.

“Good afternoon sirs.” Joyce greeted them.

“Good afternoon young lady. Have your seat,” Mr. Smith told her.

Mrs. Smith quickly excused herself.

“Straight to business. Before we proceed, I want to remind you of some of the contents of the document you signed. It’s just a reminder, in case if you have forgotten any. The contract is for 3 years and you will be paid salary on a monthly basis. If you are diligent and obedient you will surely enjoy being here. The initial money given to you is for empowerment. It is not part of your salary.”

“Thank you sir,” Joyce said nervously.

“You don’t have to thank me. Let’s continue with the content of the document. You are not allowed to be with a phone, you have to hand over your phone to my wife.”

“Please sir, I cannot stay without my phone,” Joyce told him bluntly.

” Young lady” Mr. Smith barked. ” Be civil, don’t interrupt my speech again. This was written on the document that you signed.

Don’t you ever play pranks with me. The next is that from henceforth, you are not permitted to leave this compound until after 2 years…”

“But sir…” Joyce tried to protest but stopped abruptly when Mr. Smith thundered the name on one of his body guards.

” Tiger!” The sound vibrated on the whole building.

“Yes sir,” Tiger answered. He rushed in immediately.

“This small rat is trying to be play smart. Give her code 101”

“It’s done sir,” Tiger replied.

Joyce heart was pounding vigorously as Tiger approached her. She tried to get up and run but Tiger quickly caught her and give her a slap across the face and she blanked out.

“Take the idiot out and resuscitate her. Don’t allow her to waste my time,” Mr. Smith commanded.

Tiger carried Joyce out and poured water on her. After few minutes, she got up and they brought her back. However, the slap broke the blood vessel in one of her eyes.

“What happened to you now is a tip of the iceberg of what you will experience if you make noise again, while I am talking. If you die, I will bury you and compensate your family. If at this point or at any point before the expiration of the agreement, you feel that you are no longer interested in the job, no problem. You will pay 300 percent of all the money, that was given to you.

This was also written on the paper you signed. I’m I telling lies, ” he asked Joyce.

Joyce didn’t know what to answer since she didn’t even read the document, so she kept quiet. Then she heard Mr. Smith shout,

“Lion!”

“I read it sir, it is in the document,” Joyce answered with fear.
Immediately Joyce sighted the second bodyguard, she blanked out again.

***************************

Nnenna was so worried because of Joyce but she tried to control her emotion. She moved around trying to eavesdrop. However, at the point that Joyce fainted and Tiger brought her out, she broke down totally.

After Joyce was resuscitated and taken back, Nnenna retired to her room and soaked her bed with tears. Kate was shocked at what she saw when she entered the room to give her food.

” Nnenna, what is wrong with you,” Kate asked.

Nnenna looked at her , sighed but didn’t utter any word.

” I hope you are not crying because of that girl. I will advise that you allow her to carry her cross. After all nobody helped you, when you were suffering yours.”

“I can’t help it. I’m really worried about her.” Nnenna said.

“Any way I understand. You feel this way because she is your friend.”

“Joyce is not my friend. I don’t know her.”

“What do you mean by that? You are so funny. Were you not the one she came to see before your madam offered her the job?” Nnenna asked. She was amused that Nnenna was trying to deny her friend.
Nnenna had no choice than to explain how she met Joyce.

“Joyce met me on the way one day and told me that she admires me and wishes to be in my shoes. I told her that she cannot do the kind of work that I am doing. She begged me to introduce her to madam but I refused. I couldn’t really tell her much because of the oath. Few days later, she appeared here, claiming that she is my friend. I was surprised.”

Kate busted out in laughter, “Was that what happened. So she came in search of job that day. She has gotten the job, let her happily do it.”

“Aunty Kate please stop laughing, it is not a laughing matter,” Nnenna told her and start weeping again.