CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
978 Words
The Kingdom Of Agrippa… A Month Before The Start Of The Selection.
Their uncle leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees as he runs a hand through his thinning hair. “Look girls, what I am about to tell you is not at all easy to say so I would appreciate it if you kept quiet and listen till the end.”
My sister and I exchanged a look of apprehension and I feel my chest tighten when he mumbles. “Though, to be honest this is mainly a proposal for you Mina.”
“Okay then, we will listen uncle so please continue.”
“Things have been a little tight and messy with the shipping company lately, and despite the growing economy, the business has been performing badly as of late. Look, I don’t want to waste your time with mindless chatter so I will get straight to the point. Because some of my wealthy business partners have switched companies, my shipping business is losing money and in other to manage funds I have to either cut off your aunts spending or cut off the money I provide for you girls.”
“What?” We ask in alarm, eyes wide in fear.
Back when things were tough and I couldn’t find any stable job, we barely made it through the year. If I hadn’t secretly reached out to our uncle without our aunt’s knowledge for a little more help, my sister and I would probably have starved to death.
“Am sorry girls, I would love nothing more than to cut your aunt off but you know what she’s like.”
“What are we supposed to do uncle, I just graduated from high school and Chloe still has 2 more years to go.”
“How do you expect us to survive, we can’t even afford to maintain the expenses we have with the little money we both work up at our part-time jobs, if you cut us off we’d starve!” Chloe panics, her breathing coming out fast as she hyperventilates.
“Then there’s school fees, house bills and groceries… oh my God please no!” She groans, covering her head with her hands.
“Calm down,” He raises his hands in the air and stares at Chloe with a weary expression. “I didn’t say I was going to cut you girls off.”
We breathe out in relief.
“Not unless it’s gotten to a really bad state.”
“Then why are you talking about this if you aren’t cutting us off, yet?”
“Girls, in other to avoid drastic actions I need your help with the company.”
“Alright, what is it you need help with?”
“You joining the selection.”
Leaning forward, I ask in disbelief. “I’m sorry... what?”
“Mina, you need to join the selection.”
Pin-drop-silence, that’s the response I gave to his command. Yes, you heard me right, it was not a request but a command. I knew there’s no way to refuse him because we’d be on the street the minute we do.
“If you stay in the competition through the duration of the selection, then it should make an impact on the company and investors will pour in. I will ensure that you are sponsored with the finest dresses so your value isn’t questioned.”
I can’t help but lift a brow at the unintentional, but intentional insult and my sister scoffs beside me. “How generous of you.” She says sarcastically.
“But what about Chloe, I mean I can’t just leave her to stay here all by herself. She needs someone to take care of her.”
“She can stay with your aunt and me.”
I turn to my sister to gauge her reaction and can’t help the sympathy I feel to see how pale her face has gotten, her eyes wide with despair. We both knew we’re in quite a stitch with no way out, which means there’s only one way to go and that is forward.
“Well,” She chuckles without humour, her tone dry. “We know we can’t say no so why not, it’s not like we have a choice.”
“Perfect,” He claps once in excitement. “Now I’m sure your aunt is getting impatient so I will take my leave. Get ready next week because your aunt will be picking you girls up to go shopping.”
I pull a face at that, but Chloe’s expression is even worse. “I don’t mean to sound insulting but she’s right, you can’t go to the selection looking the way you do. After your shopping trip, you girls will pack a few clothes and move into our mansion. After I’ve signed you up for the selection and you get picked, you will be moved to the palace.
“What if I don’t get picked?” I ask, and he smiles with a calculated gleam in his eyes.
“You don’t need to worry; I’ll take care of that. Just make sure to get some clothes ready when your aunt picks you girls up.”
The horn of a car blares outside and we all turn to the window, staring at it as if we could see my aunts impatient face scowling at us through the wall.
Turning back to us, he sighs tiredly. “Be ready by 10:00 am on Monday girls.”
He stood to leave and we stood along with him, following behind as he made his way out of the apartment. We stood by the door and watched, leaning against it as he hurries down the side staircase and slips into the black SUV waiting downstairs.
“What do you think about what he said, do you believe they’re going broke?” Chloe turns to me as soon as their car drove away and I shrug.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, it’s not like it’s going to help our situation anyway.”
Whirling to head back inside, I say over my shoulder. “Come on let’s eat, we have an entire turkey to scarf down.”
- Writer
