“Ma, I am okay with what you said. God bless you . Please, can I start the work now” Joyce asked.

“Not so fast. You have to go home and think about all the things I told you. Then my lawyer will prepare a document that we will sign.”

“Ma I am ready to sign the document now, but if you insist that I should come back , no problem.”

“Yes you have to go. But before you come back, tell your mum to search for people that have land for sale in your village.”

“But ma, I will have preferred to buy in town here.” Joyce told her.

“Many people selling land here are fraudsters. I don’t want you to fall victim. At least you can trust the people in your village. Look for people that want to conduct burial or people that want to establish their children in business. They always sell land.”

“You are correct ma. I will do as you have said,” Joyce promised.

“Just take your time No need to rush so that you don’t make mistake. Nnenna still have 2 weeks to spend here.” Mrs. Smith advised.

Joyce travelled to the village to tell her mother and uncle about the job. Her uncle was not comfortable with everything that Joyce told them.

“Joyce, if I say that I am comfortable with what you narrated here, I am telling lies. It’s like you have not told us the truth.” her uncle told her.

“Uncle everything I said is the truth. The madam I want to work for is the one buying lands for me.”

“The madam you want to work for, not even the one you are already working for. She want to buy a land of 3 million naira for you, before you start working for her. Is she buying you? Answer me, are you for sale?” his uncle barked.

“Uncle, she want to empower me. It is called empowerment?” Joyce explained.

“Joyce, you are speaking Grammar. If you have started prostitution in the city, you better tell us.”

Joyce’s mum was enduring what her husband’s brother was saying but the last sentence made her to flare up.

“What is the meaning of this? Why are you jealous? Your brother’s daughter brought back good news. Instead of you to be happy, you are talking what I don’t know.” Joyce mum told his husband’s brother.

“Did you just say that I am jealous of your daughter?”

“Yes, you are jealous. Joyce has achieved what your children can never achieve, that is why you are jealous.”

“It’s okay, we shall see,” he told his brother’s wife and walked out in anger.

Joyce and her mother contacted land sellers and negotiated with them. After the negotiation, Joyce travelled back to the city to tell Mrs. Smith about it.

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

Joyce was beaming with smiles when she met Mrs. Smith.

“Joyce you are looking good, how was your trip?” Mrs. Smith asked.

“It was fine ma. My mum sends her greetings.”

“That’s good to hear. It means that she is in support of your working for us?”

“Yes ma. In fact she is excited about it,” Joyce explained.

Mrs. Smith smiled. “Which poor woman will not be happy to hear of 3million naira.” She thought to herself.

“Alright give me the account number of the land sellers, let me transfer money to them.”

Joyce gave her the account numbers, though she added her mother’s account number to it, because she wanted her mother to establish business.

” Ma, please transfer five hundred thousand naira each of the first four numbers, then transfer one million to the last number,” Nnenna told Mrs. Smith.

After making the transfers, Mrs. Smith brought the agreement paper for Joyce to sign. She was so excited that she didn’t even read it before signing it.

It’s alright Nnenna will take you to your room. I will give you 2 days to relax, don’t do any work. Nnenna will be serving you food in your room. After the 2 days, I will take you around the house. That is when your work will start fully. For now , enjoy! But remember, you are to be in your room for now.”

” Noted ma. I am grateful ma. God will surely bless you.”

Nnenna took her to a well furnished room and Joyce could not hide her happiness. She quickly jumped into the bed.

“Wow! this place is really nice. This is what you have been enjoying alone. You are a bad girl,” She told Nnenna.

“Yes o. Now that you are here, you will partake in the enjoyment,” Nnenna replied without mirth.

“But why did Madam say I should stay in my room.”

“You should have asked her. But let me give you a friendly advice since you told her that we are friends. Don’t step out of this room for now. Your madam’s husband does not tolerate disobedience. Your head can go for it.”

Nnenna smiled and left.