Part 1
“DINNER WITH THE WOLVES (Season Three)”
©Adeniran Ayomide

I kept mute in fear and trembling limbs while Doris kept her fingers on her lips in fear too. I am talking to you, you bastard! Did you just argue with our queen? He asked again. I stepped back several times till I got trapped at the wall. He also moved towards me in anger asking the same very question. Before I knew it, he pounced on me and began beating the hell out of me.

I screamed but there was no help. Kukua, if you think Caleb is in this house to hear or see this, then I’m sorry. He’s gone to work, and ain’t coming anytime soon. Cally bragged after the beating. One more thing Doris, you ought to do a proper orientation for her. Including her choice to tell Caleb everything and die, or to keep mute and suffer. Curtis added and they walked away.

I sat on the floor weeping my eyes out. Kukua please get up. I am so sorry, I should have told you never to exchange words with any of them. Please forgive me. Doris consoled and helped me unto my feet.

Kukua, now it is your choice to tell Caleb and get blackmailed out of this house, or dance to their tunes and stay in peace. Doris cautioned. I kept weeping till bedtime. God save me, this is more difficult than I anticipated. I thought sadly.

Days passed into months, and soon, the parents of the house returned from the States. Doris and I were so busy preparing all sort of foods to welcome them at home. Doris served the food afterwards, whiles I remained in the kitchen washing the utensils.

Mum and Dad, I got to run to the workplace, there is a contract I must win. I overheard Caleb stating in haste as he walked away. After they were done eating, I quickly went to the dinning hall to clear the table. Wait a minute young lady, who are you? It was Caleb’s mother, Mrs Bentum. I am the assistant cook ma’am. I responded humbly.

Assistant cook? With what qualification? Mr Bentum asked. I began to panic. I asked a question young woman. He repeated. A senior high school certificate sir. With a trembling voice, I responded. You must be out of your mind! How dare you! In fact who employed you? He yelled.

Daddy, it was Caleb’s initiative. I warned him, but he wouldn’t listen. Curtis responded. You warned him and he didn’t listen, yet, you stooped low to eat the foods she prepared? Curtis, I am disappointed in you, yes I am. Mr Bentum angrily spoke.

Daddy please leave Curtis out of this. You must deal with Caleb and the accountant, they connived for this nonsense! Cally, a. k. a. Afrakoma added up. Quickly, Mr Bentum called the accountant on phone. Hello, come here at once! He instructed. And to you young lady, kneel down over there. He instructed me.

Quickly, I went down on my knees with teary eyes. Minutes after, the accountant walked inn. Young man, on what qualification did you and my son employ this lunatic here as an assistant cook? Mr Bentum angrily asked.

Sir please, she isn’t an assistant cook, she is a plate washer. The accountant responded. What happened to the plate washers we had? Where are they? Mrs Bentum asked. They have all resigned ma’am and since this one qualifies for it, I employed her. He explained.

Did you give her an appointment letter or you didn’t? Mr Bentum asked. As the rule demands, she is on probation for three months before the employment. The accountant responded.

No wonder she is parading herself as an assistant cook. Do you know what it takes to be an assistant cook? Do you? Mrs Bentum yelled at me. I’m sorry ma’am, I am so sorry. I pleaded in tears. Well Mr Accountant, in other to avoid this nonsense bragging of hers, just print a letter of probation indicating why exactly she is here. I don’t want further embarrassment when my visitors come for Caleb’s wedding. Mr Bentum instructed. You can all leave my presence now! He added.

I quickly got up and picked the plates into the kitchen. I was weak due to fear. My adrenaline level had risen beyond normal. Kukua, I know how you feel, please sorry for the stress okay? Doris whispered. Doris, it isn’t easy at all. I am scared to stupor. I responded. Kukua please give me a promise, promise you ain’t going to resign. She pleaded. God, how do I promise on something I am considering? I thought.

Part 2
“DINNER WITH THE WOLVES (Season Three)”
©Adeniran Ayomide

God, how do I promise on something I am considering. I thought. Kukua please promise me. I don’t want you to leave this house. If not for anything, for the promise brother Caleb gave you, the promise of you going to school. She convinced.

Doris, what if I don’t survive till that time? What if this family torments me to death? I asked sadly. Kukua, you need to be strong. If maltreatment kills, I would have been dead long ago, but look at me, I am stronger than ever. As I speak to you, I am taking care of my junior siblings who are both in the senior high school.

I am as well taking care of my old parents who are jobless. And I am building a four bedroom house for them as well. All through this job. She narrated. Really? Doris are you sure this job is that good? I asked. Yes it is Kukua. You need to stay. She responded.

But Doris, I have no family to take care of, so why should I stress myself this much? I asked. For the sake of your future Kukua. Don’t forget you will marry and have children someday, you need to lay a solid foundation for them. She advised. If you say so Doris. I promise to stay. I responded.

A week later, Cally’s cousin, Theo, returned from Europe. The family welcomed him happily since he was within their class. Rich and powerful as well. Doris served them the sumptuous variety of meals we woke up at 4am to prepare. I also went about my normal duties as a dishwasher.

Hey you, since when have you been in this house? Theo asked after they were done eating and I was cleaning the table. Two months sir. I responded humbly. Do you have that strength and courage to work for the Bentum family? He asked. Yes sir, I can do anything. I responded in fear Theo, concentrate on what we are discussing and leave this cheap thing alone. Cally cut in.

I hurried into the kitchen to avoid more troubles. Kukua, there is something you must know, and that is, Cally doesn’t allow her cousin to mingle with any of the maids in this house. Even though Theo is friendly, Cally restricts him from mingling.

Doris explained. Why would she do that? I asked. Of course she is bridging him against poverty. Doris responded. But there is one way you can win his favour, and that is to serve him fruit juice even if he has not asked for it. With that, he will prevent Cally from slapping you unnecessarily. She added.

That is no big deal Doris, I will serve him fruit juice even if he is in bed. I need to deactivate that slapping subscription. I jokingly responded. We both laughed over it for sometime and we got back to duty. Later in the evening, the entire family went out for dinner.

Theo, ain’t you going with us? Mrs Bentum asked. No mummy, I need some rest from my business trip. He responded. Alright then, we will see you when we return, but please, don’t kill yourself with fruit juice.

Mrs Bentum teased and they drove out. Doris, this is the best time to please Theo. I am going to his room to serve him fruit juice. I happily stated. Sure you have to. Good luck my sister. She responded happily.

CLICK HERE TO READ “DINNING WITH THE WOLVES 3” (PART 3&4) – ADENIRAN AYOMIDE

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Published By: Ifeoluwa ORISAKAHUNSI
Founder, gospelfilmsng