She Humiliated the Poor Maid—Until the Millionaire Chose Her Instead

PART 2 :

 You are taking her side.  I am taking the side of fairness. Something you seem to have forgotten. No one has ever defended me like that. Not since my grandmother.  Nam my son, you have come.  Mama, I’m home.  Welcome my child. Come inside. I have made oonu and pounded yam. Your favorite.  Thank you, mama.

 Mama, the new estate in Leki is almost ready.  Ah, that is good news, my son.  But the contractors are delaying and officials want more money.  Patience, my son. These things take time.  You’re right, mama. I will handle it.  I know you will. I am proud of you.   Hey, watch out. Oh no. Stop.  The rooster.  I am sorry. I am so sorry.

 Are you okay? Did I hurt you? I am fine sir. No harm done.  I was not paying attention. I should have been more careful. Please let me make it up to you. Can I buy you something? Food, a drink?  That is not necessary sir. It was an accident. These things happen.  Wait, what is your name?  Oluchi. Sir Oluchi Nasu.  Oluchi. I am Kenneth Ez.

 Ken.  I am from this village. My mother is Neca Ez.  The Neca Es. The one whose son built houses in Lagos. That would be me.  Look at the smelling girl trying to trap a rich man with her bastard child. As if anyone would want a girl who got herself pregnant in the gutter.  Look at her. Always the same.

 She never learns.  Excuse me.  I was just saying, sir, that girl is not decent. She got pregnant by some roadside men. She’s a disgrace to our village.  And you are a disgrace to basic human decency. If I hear you speak about this young woman that way again, you will answer to me. Do you understand?  I can’t believe this. Let’s go.

 This is ridiculous.  Do not listen to them. They are ignorant.  They are not wrong.  I am what they say I am. You are more than their words. Never forget that.  Mama, I have a question.  What is it, my son?  Mama, tell me about Olin Wasu, the girl who sells pure water in the market.  Poor innocent girl.

 She has a sick mother and a child. Her mother is bedridden, diabetes. I think her father is dead. She lives with her grandmother in that small house near the stream.  What about the baby’s father?  No one knows. Oluchi has never spoken of it. Some say she was taken advantage of. Others say it does not matter what others say.

 What matters is that girl works harder than anyone I know. She sells pure water from morning till night. She farms. She takes care of her mother and her grandmother. And she still finds time to go to church every Sunday. Mama, I want to bring her to Lagos to work as a housemaid in my home.  You want to help her or you want to marry her?  Mama, I am engaged to Mandy.

 Mandy? That Lagos girl who thinks she’s too good to visit her future husband’s mother.  She’s busy. Mama,  her work.  Her work is more important than meeting the woman who raised you. You are a man now, Kenneth. You make your own decisions. But I will tell you this, a woman who cannot respect your mother will never respect you.

 As for Luchi, if you want to bring her to Lagos, that is your choice. She’s a good girl. She deserves a chance. But be careful, my son. The heart is a tricky thing. It does not always follow the plans we make for it.  Thank you, mama.   Good morning, mama. I am Kenneth Ezeka.  Neca son, the one who builds houses in Lagos. Yes, mama.

 What brings you to my humble home?    Sir, what are you doing here?  I came to see you and your grandmother.  Sit, my son. Oluchi, bring our visitor some water.  Yes, mama.  That will not be necessary, mama. I will not take much of your time. Oluchi, I want to offer you a job in Lagos as a housemmaid in my home. The pay is good.

50,000 naira a month plus food and accommodation, your own room with a bed and proper ventilation.  50,000?  Yes. And there is more. I will make sure your mother gets proper medical care, a doctor in Lagos who can treat her diabetes, and your grandmother. Mama, I will send you money every month for food, for medicine, for whatever you need.

Why?  Because she deserves a chance.  Because I saw how hard she works, how people treat her, and it is not right.  Because my mother raised me to believe that when God blesses you, you bless others.  What do you think, Nem?  But who will take care of mama and you, grandma? Who will help you?  I will be fine.

 Your mother’s sister will come. She has been offering to help for months. I told her no because I had you. But Boba,  Boba will go with you. A mother and her child should not be separated.  Of course, the baby is welcome. There is plenty of space.  She will be fine. I promise.  I know.  I trust you, sir.  Call me Ken, please.

 S makes me feel like an old man.  Okay, Ken.     Mandy, this is Oluchi. She will be helping around the house.  A house help with a baby. Boba will not be any trouble. Ma, he sleeps most of the day and I can work while he naps.  Do not call me Ma. Call me Madam or Miss Amanda.

 Ma is for my mother, not for housemate.  I’m sorry, madam.  Mandy Oluchi will stay in the main house. There is a spare room next to the laundry. It has a window and a proper door. It will be easier for her to access the kitchen and the living areas.  The boy’s quarters are good enough for a maid.  The boy’s quarters have no ventilation and they are too far from the baby.

Oluchcci stays in the main house. That is final.  Of course, darling. Whatever you say.  Listen to me carefully. I do not want you here. I do not like you and I do not trust you. But Ken seems to think you are some kind of charity case. So I will tolerate you. But if you ever, and I mean ever, try to get close to him, I will make your life a living hell.

 Do you understand me? I understand, madam. I would never. Shut up. I did not ask for your opinion. Now finish those towels and then wash the kitchen floor with a brush on your hands and knees. That is how we do things in this house. What is that smell? It is Boba’s food. Madam, just comp. It smells like poverty. Open the windows.

 I cannot breathe in here. The windows are open. Madam, are you arguing with me? Are you?  No, madam. I am sorry.  Sorry is not good enough.  Mandy, what is going on?  Your house help is incompetent. She cannot even prepare baby food without making a mess.  Is that true?  No, sir.

 I mean, Ken, I was just feeding my son. It does not matter. I will clean it up.  It does matter. I want you to stop this right now. Oluchcci is not your punching bag. She is a human being, a mother, someone who has been through more than you can imagine. If you cannot treat her with basic decency, then you and I have a serious problem.  You are choosing her over me.

 I am choosing fairness over cruelty.  Oluchcci, what happened? Did Mandy do something?  No, it is not her. My baby called me mama today. Clear as day. Mama. And I just I started thinking about my own mother lying in that village bed and my grandmother and how I am not there to take care of them. And I felt so guilty.

 Your mother is being treated by one of the best doctors in the state. I sent a nurse to the village last week. Your mother’s blood sugar is under control. She is eating well. She is taking her medication. And your grandmother? I sent her a new phone. She calls me every day to complain about the network.  She does that.

 She complains about everything.  She is happy, Oli. Truly happy. Because you are happy. That is all she ever wanted. Why are you so kind to me? I am  nothing. A poor village girl with a bastard child. I do not deserve any of this.  You deserve the world, Olui.  And one day, I am going to make sure you get it.  He is hungry. I need to feed him.

 Of course. I will be in my study if you need anything.  This is Odo and this is Akonri. See how beautiful God’s work is. You are getting good at this. I had a good teacher.  Who?  You.  Sar Ken, you should not say things like that. People will talk.  Let them talk. I do not care what people say.  Hello.

 Grandma, it is me.  Oluchi. Name. I have been waiting for your call. How are you? How is the baby? How is Lagos?  One question at a time. Grandma, I am fine. Boba is fine. He’s growing so fast you would not recognize him. And Lagos. Lagos big. Bigger than I imagined. The buildings touch the sky.

 The roads are like rivers of cars. And the noise. Grammarite never stops. Even at night, the city hums like a giant generator.  And your oga, how is he treating you?  He is kind. Very kind. He bought me clothes. He bought Boba toys. He  He is a good man, Grandma.  And his wife, she’s not his wife. She’s his fianceé.

 And she she hates me, Grandma. From the moment she saw me, she hated me. She calls me names. She makes me redo work I’ve already done. Yesterday, she made me wash the same set of plates four times because she said they were still dirty. But they were clean. grammar. I know they were clean.  Listen to me, my child.

 There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who lift others up and those who push others down. Your ogre lifts. His woman pushes. A man who chooses to push alongside the one who pushes is a man who will one day fall. But a man who chooses to lift, that is a man worth keeping.  Grandma, nothing is happening between us. I did not say anything was.

 But I am old, Oluchi. I have seen many things and I know the sound of a heart that is trying very hard not to feel what it is feeling. Grandma, call me on Sunday and kiss my great-grandson for me. I will, Grandma. I love you. I love you more, my child. Stay strong.  Did you hear? The smelling girl has gone to Lagos.

 She’s working for some big company. Big company? Please. We all know what that means. She’s sleeping with her boss. That is how girls like her get jobs in the city. I hear she took the baby with her. Probably using the child to trap the man. You know these village girls. No shame. You girls have nothing better to do than spread lies about my granddaughter.

 They are not lies, mama. Everyone knows what Oluchi is. Do they? Do they know that she wakes up at 4:00 in the morning to sell pure water so her sick mother can eat? Do they know that she has never asked anyone for a coobo? Do they know that she’s in Lagos right now working honestly, sending money home every week? Let me tell you something.

 The same mouth that is gossiping today will be begging tomorrow. Mark my words, my granddaughter is going places, and when she does, none of you will be invited.  Chinke, look at you. You are glowing. And this house, is this where you live? I work here. Come inside. Let me get you something to drink.

 Oluchi, is it true what people are saying? That you and the yoga. No, Nikki, how can you ask me that? He is my employer. He is engaged. Nothing is happening between us. Okay, if you say so. But I have known you since we were five, Oli. I can see it in your eyes. You are in love with him.  Kchi, and he is in love with you, too.

Any man who looks at a woman the way he looks at you, that is not pity, my friend. That is something else entirely. It does not matter. He is engaged to Mandy. They are getting married next year. I am just a maid. A poor girl with a baby. You have a place wherever you choose to have a place. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

 Not even yourself.  Mind if I join you?  Of course not, sir. I mean, Ken,  can I ask you something?  Yes, Ken.  What happened to you before you came here? I mean, Boba’s father, your parents, everything. I do not want to pry, but I care about you. I want to understand.  You really want to know?  Only if you want to tell me.

 I will never force you.  I was 17 in my final year of secondary school. I was a good student, one of the best in my class. My teacher said I could get a scholarship to the university. My parents were so proud. One day, my father was supposed to pick me up from school. He never came. I waited for 2 hours.

 Eventually, I started walking home. It was getting dark. The road was empty. I found them when I got home. My parents, they were on the floor in the living room. Someone had broken into the house. They had unalived them.  Oh my god.  I ran. I ran out of the house screaming. I did not know where I was going. I just ran. And then men found me on the road.

Three of them. They were armed. They said they had been watching our house. They said they were going to finish the job. I screamed. I begged. No one came. When they were done, they left me there broken. My grandmother found me on the road the next morning. She took me home. She cleaned me.

 She held me while I screamed. And then [laughter] then I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to abort him. I went to Mama Equ, the village midwife. I begged her to give me something, anything. She refused. She said the child was innocent, that God had a purpose.  And your grandmother?  My grandmother told me something I will never forget.

 Forgive the men who hurt you, not for their sake, but for yours. Because if you do not forgive them, you will hate your child. And your child is not their sin. Your child is your miracle. So I forgave  them. I do not know how. I do not know if I truly have, but I chose to love my son. And he saved me, Ken. He saved my life.

 When I looked into his eyes for the first time, I knew I had something worth living for. You are the strongest person I have ever met. You are not what happened to you, Oli. You are stronger than all of it. You are a miracle.  Why are you crying?  Because I love you. I have loved you since the moment I saw you in that market.

 And I am sorry it took me this long to say it.  You cannot love me. You are engaged. You are rich. You are you and I am.  You are everything. You are everything I did not know I was looking for. Your strength, your kindness, the way you love your son, the way you forgive people who do not deserve forgiveness.

 You make me want to be a better man, Aluchi. Not a richer man, a better one. I know this is complicated. I know I have obligations, but I need you to know how I feel because I cannot keep pretending anymore.  I love you, too. I have loved you since you defended me from those village girls. Since you brought me to this city, since you learned to change Boba’s diapers like it was the most natural thing in the world.

 But Ken, what about Mandy?  Mandy and I, we have been drifting apart for a long time before I even met you. She is cruel, Oli. Not just to you, to everyone. She believes the world owes her something simply because she is beautiful. And I am tired of being the one who pays the debt. She is your fiance.  She is a mistake and I am going to fix it. But not tonight.

  Tonight I just want to sit here with you and Boba and pretend the rest of the world does not exist. Tonight the world does not exist.  Okay. Tonight the world does not exist.   Good morning. Good morning,  Aluchi. About last night,  you do not have to say anything.  I know you were emotional.

 It was the moment. People say things in the dark that they do not mean in the light.  Look at me. I meant every word. Every single word. I love you, Aluchi. I know it is complicated. I know I have obligations. But I need you to know that what I said last night was not a mistake. It was the truest thing I have ever said. Look at me.

 I meant every word. Every single word. I love you, Aluchi. I know it is complicated. I know I have obligations. But I need you to know that what I said last night was not a mistake. It was the truest thing I have ever said.  But what about Mandy?  I will handle Mandy  in my own time, in my own way.

 But I will not lie to you. I will not pretend I feel nothing.  Ken, if we do this, if we let ourselves feel this, there will be consequences. People will talk. Your business could suffer. Your family.  My family will understand because my mother raised me to value character over status.

 And you, or Luchin Wosu, have more character in your little finger than most people have in their entire bodies. Let us take it one day at a time. No pressure, no expectations, just truth. Can we do that?  Yes.  One day at a time.  Then today  I would like my egg scrambled with extra pepper and maybe some of that magic you put in the yam porridge.

 You are impossible. [laughter]  But I am your impossible and I intend to stay that way. So he is buying her gifts now. Expensive clothes. Oh my god. A golden chain. A baby’s footprint. This is unbelievable.  What is this?  You tell me. Is this not the same girl you saw at the market? The one you followed like a lost puppy and forgot I existed.

 Mandy,  do not Mandy me. I went through her things, Ken. I found everything. The clothes, the bracelet, the notes. YOU ARE BUYING HER GIFTS. YOU ARE TREATING HER LIKE SHE IS YOUR WIFE.  She is not my wife. She is a young woman who has been through hell. And I am trying to help her. That is all.  That is all.

 You think I am stupid? I have seen the way you look at her. The way you defend her, the way you hold that bastard child like he is yours.  Do not call him that.  Why not? That is what he is. A bastard. Product of a village WHO SPREAD HER LEGS FOR ROAD WORKERS.  Do not ever speak about Aluchi or her son that way again.

 Do you understand me? You are hurting me.  I am sorry, but you need to understand something. Oluchcci is under my protection. She is a guest in my home. And if you cannot treat her with respect, then you and I have a serious problem.  This is not over. I will find proof. I will catch you both. And when I do, you will wish you had never brought that smelling girl into this house.

That smells incredible.  Thank you. Boba helped. He tasted the pepper and cried for 10 minutes, but he helped. [laughter]  Where is he now?  Sleeping finally. He fought his nap like a warrior today.  Oluchcci.  Yes,  I have been thinking about us. about.  So it is true.  Mandy,  do not Mandy me.

 I have been watching you. I have cameras in this house. Ken, did you think I was stupid? I saw everything. THE WAY YOU LOOK AT HER, the way you touch her.  There are no cameras, Mandy. And even if there were, you would see nothing except common decency.  Decency? You call this decency? You want to sleep with my fianceé? You smelling girl.

 You think because he pies you, he loves you. Madam, please. Nothing is happening. I swear. Liar. I WILL FINISH YOU.  THAT IS ENOUGH. MANDY, STOP.  Let me go. Let me go. You traitor. How dare you choose her over me. I AM AMANDA OKONQUO. I AM THE WOMAN YOU are going to marry.  No.  What?  No bride price was paid on your head. No marital rights were performed.

 We are not married, Mandy. We are not even traditionally engaged. My mother has never met you. Your parents have never met me. We are two people who dated and decided to get married because it seemed like the right thing to do. But it is not right. It has never been right.  You are breaking up with me. For her? For a housemmaid?  I am breaking up with you because of who you are, not because of who she is.

 You are cruel, Mandy. You are entitled. You treat people like dirt because you think money makes you better than them. But it does not. It just makes you rich. And I would rather be poor and kind  than rich and cruel.  You will regret this. I will destroy you. I will tell everyone you are sleeping with your maid.

 I will ruin your reputation. Everything.  Do what you must. But get out of my house.  This is my house, too. I decorated it. I chose the furniture. I  it is my name on the deed. Now pack your things and leave or I will call security. You will pay for this both of you.   Ken, are you okay?  I am now.

 I am sorry you had to see that. It is not your fault. She was She was never going to let go peacefully.  No, she was not.  He has perfect timing. [crying]   Cousin, what happened to you? You look like you fought a bus.  He threw me out. Kenneth threw me out of my own house for that village girl. That’s smelling pure water cellar.

 Kenneth Ez chose the maid over you. Mandy, that is that is actually embarrassing.  Shut up. I need your help. Chi, I need to destroy him. Destroy them both.  Destroy Kenneth Eay. The man who built Eay Towers. The man who sponsors the governor’s charity ball. Mandy, that is not easy.  I do not care.

 I know things about him, things that could damage his reputation. I know about the contracts he won through connections. I know about the tax arrangements and I know about her.  And what do you want from me?  Your contacts, the bloggers, the gossip columnists, the people who owe you favors. I want the story everywhere by morning.

 Kenneth Easy sleeping with his housemmaid. The poor of orphan who seduced her boss. I want them trending on Twitter. I want their names dragged through the mud. Now that  I can do, but it will cost you.  Name your price.  The Rolex  Kenneth bought you last Christmas and the diamond earrings from your birthday.  Done by noon tomorrow.

 Everyone in Lagos will know their names. To justice,  to revenge,   I am just a poor girl with a baby. I do not belong in his world. What scandal would do to Ken? It would all be my fault. I am sorry, Ken. I love you too much to stay.  Where too?  Ouga the [snorts] boss park.  Trouble at home,  something like that.

 Do not worry, sister. God day. Everything will be fine.  Protect us on this journey. Guide us through the night. Keep my Boba safe as we enter the unknown. [singing]  Oluchi. Ouchi. Ouchi.  Who the cry of the forgotten? Dear Ken, I am sorry. I cannot stay. Mandy was right. I bring trouble wherever I go.

You have been so kind to me and this is how I repay you. By leaving before I destroy everything you have built. Please do not look for me. I will be fine. Boba and I have survived worse. Thank you for everything. I will love you forever, Oli.  No, no, no, no, no.   Have you seen this woman? No, I haven’t.

 Excuse me.    Please I please pick up. The person you are calling is not available.  Mama, please. Is she with you?  She is not here. I have not seen her. Kenneth, what happened? Where is my granddaughter?  I will find her. Mama, I swear to God, I will find her.   The road was dust.

Kenneth, come home.  Mama, I cannot. I have to find her.  You will not find her by driving around Lagos like a madman. Come to the village. Clear your head. Think. She is a good girl, my son. She would not just disappear. She has gone somewhere that matters to her.  Think, Kenneet. Where would she go?  Thank you, mama.

I know where she is. [screaming] The child nobody wanted  to see selling pure water beneath the burning sun while tears deeper than  the river.  Your heart kept singing. [singing]   I do not want trouble, sir. I am nothing. I have nothing.  You are everything. You are everything to me. or luchi.

 I broke up with Mandy because of her wickedness toward you because I realized that I could not spend my life with a woman who hates the person I love most in this world.  But your reputation.  I do not care about my reputation. I care about you. I care about Boba. I care about the family we can build together.

 Please, Uluchi, come home. Not as a maid, as the woman I love, as the mother of my heart. You are a fool.  I am your fool  forever.  Dada.  What did he say?  Nothing. He is just babbling.  He said dada.  He called me dada.  He has been saying it for a week. Every time he sees your picture on my phone.

 I did not tell you because  because what? Because I was afraid.  Afraid that you would not want to be his dada.  Afraid that I was imagining something that could never be.  I want to be his dad.  And I want to be your husband if you will have me.  Yes, I will have you   and I you forever.    Kenneet is back  AND HE HAS BROUGHT A WOMAN.

 KENNEET IS BACK.  HE BROUGHT A WOMAN. [screaming]  The smelling girl.  So this is the one. Mama, this is Oluchin Wasu and this is her son, Boba. The people I love.  You are the pure water seller.  Yes, mama.  My son tells me you work harder than anyone he has ever met. That you never complain. That you love your son more than life itself.

 I try, mama.  You have beautiful eyes. Sad eyes but beautiful. Welcome to my family my daughter.  Thank you mama.  Every  scar become a crown. Nobody can hold you down. Every prayer never waste.  Every blessing coming [singing] in. When the road was cold  and dry. Still you kept your dreams alive.

 Oh, every heartbeat tell a story.  Grace go carry you to glory. No fear. I was so worried when you did not call when Kenneth came looking for you. I thought I had lost you.  You will never lose me. Grandma, I am sorry I scared you.  Mama D. I brought some things. A new phone so you can call us anytime.

Medicine for mama. Rice Gary palm oil. And this is for you for whatever you need.  Thank you my son.  Kenneet, this is too much.  It is not enough. for what you have done, for raising this extraordinary woman, for keeping her alive when the world tried to break her. I can never repay you, mama, but I will spend my life trying.

You are a godsend, my son. A godsend. Mama, I want to marry her. I know properly, traditionally with the wine carrying and the collar knots and everything. I want to do it right.  And Mandy  gone for good.  She is a good girl. She has suffered but she has not let suffering make her bitter. That is rare, my son.

 That is a gift from God.  I know. I am going to spend my life making sure she never suffers again. Then you have my blessing and your father’s blessing wherever he is.   I am his father in every way that matters.   Oluchi, there is something I have been wanting to ask you.  What is it? I know we already decided to get married.

 The traditional rights, the introductions, everything,  but I want to do this too, the western way. Just you and me. Luchin Wu, will you marry me? Not because I rescued you. Not because you need me, but because I need you. Because you make me whole. Because without you, I am just a man with money. With you, I am a man with a life.  Yes.

Yes, I will marry you.   Open every door. Love around your soul.  Now you’re finally home. Dance  now. Dance now. Lift your hands right now. Sing loud. Sing  loud. Let yours be