5_ Sent Olima away

After a long search, Olima managed to hail a taxi. She gracefully slid into the back seat and confidently informed the driver of her desired destination: "To the Emerson estate, please."

The taxi driver responded with a simple "Okay."

He started the car and drove ahead, with Olima as the sole passenger, until they reached the entrance of the Emerson Housing Estate gate.

As the taxi came to a halt, Olima quickly settled the fare and swiftly exited the vehicle. She hurriedly made her way through the estate gate, sprinting towards her home with great urgency.

The estate security men watched Olima intently, curious about the reason behind her hurried return to her home, a familiar sight to them.

One of the Estate men remarked, "She's a stunning young lady, always bustling about on errands since her parents passed away."

The others remained silent and carried on with their work, as there were four security men present.

Upon reaching her father's mansion gate, Olima wasted no time in vigorously pounding on the gate, urgently calling out for Nathan.

Nathaniel hurriedly made his way to the gate and swung it open. He questioned her, "What's the reason for all the commotion at the gate?"

Olima offered a slight smile to Nathan and expressed her apologies, "I apologize, sir. Could you please open the gate as soon as possible?"

Olima hurriedly entered the compound and headed towards the front of the mansion, with Nathan graciously opening the small gate for her.

She felt a surge of anxiety as she timidly tapped on the entrance of the grand white mansion. She opened the door and entered the living room, where she found Mia still sitting on the couch, engrossed in the television.

Mia glanced at Olima as she entered the living room. Olima glanced at the living room wall clock and was taken aback to see that it was already 8:30pm.

In a flurry of movement, Olima darted into the kitchen, wasting no time in getting dinner ready. She was well aware that her stepmother would soon make her way downstairs to check on the progress of the meal.

Olima was desperate to avoid her stepmother's wrath for spending too much time in the market and not getting home on time.

In a flurry of activity, Olima swiftly retrieved the ingredients for her vegetable soup from the nearby local market. She swiftly washes the vibrant vegetables and expertly slices them into smaller portions.

She carefully removed the dried stock fish from the rubber band and placed it in a bowl of water to soak.

Additionally, she swiftly sliced the meats into smaller chops and meticulously cleaned them. Simultaneously, she turned on the gas cooker and placed her empty pot on top. Olima proceeded to cook the meat first.

In a flurry of motion, she was drenched in sweat as she hastily prepared the vegetable soup. She was startled when she heard the kitchen door slide open.

Mia entered the kitchen and inquired, "Why did it take you so long to get home on time? Could I really have some food right now?"

Olima let out a contented sigh as Mia approached her, observing as Olima diligently stirred the large pot of soup with a hefty spoon.

Olima carefully sampled the soup on her palm, determining whether it needed a touch more salt or a hint of pepper.

Olima extended her large stirring spoon towards Mia's right hand, gently urging her stepsister to taste the soup before deciding if it needed any additional seasoning.

Mia extended her hand, and Olima carefully poured a few drops of soup onto her palm. Mia brought her hand to her mouth and savored the delicious taste of the vegetable soup.

Mia licked her right palm, feeling frustrated that her mother hadn't disciplined Olima for making her hungry.

Mia instructed Olima to add more salt. "This dish could use a bit more seasoning..."

Olima gave Mia a disapproving look, her eyebrows furrowing.

She carefully stirred the soup and took another sip, then confidently declared, "The soup is just right."

Mia had a disapproving expression as she picked up the salt container with her hand. She added a generous amount of salt to the soup.

Olima called out, "Mia!"

At that moment, the kitchen door swung open, revealing Mrs. Gina as she gracefully entered the room, dressed in a flowing white night gown.

Olima hurriedly closed the pot of soup and carefully took it off the gas cooker, realizing that she hadn't yet prepared the semolina to go with the vegetable soup.

Mrs. Gina inquired about the situation, curious to know what was happening. "It's already after 9pm and you're still cooking the soup. Why?"

Olima responded promptly, "I'm almost finished with the semolina, ma."

In a swift motion, Olima filled the fresh pot with water, ready to prepare the semolina in no time. Meanwhile, Mrs. Gina turned her attention to Mia and questioned, "What are you just standing there for?"

Mia quietly said, "Mom, I'm hungry."

Mia scowled and stomped her feet on the ground as she made her way to meet her mother. Mrs. Gina instructed Mia to take a seat at the dining table. "The soup will be ready soon."

Mia scowled as she made her way towards the kitchen door and called out, "Olima, hurry up please."

Olima responded with a hint of unease, "Alright." She let out a sigh of relief when she noticed her stepmother and stepsister had finally vacated the kitchen.

Olima let out another sigh as she finished preparing the semolina. She turned off the gas and used her light blue gown to dab at her sweaty forehead before quickly serving the semolina onto smaller flat plates.

In order to avoid upsetting her stepmother and stepsister, Olima efficiently divides their soups into smaller plates and carefully arranges everything on the large tray. With grace, she carries the tray to the dining room to serve her family.

Mia took her seat on the familiar dining chair, facing her mother. Olima approached the table and served their meals.

Mrs. Gina shifted her seat closer to the dining table, ready to begin her meal. Olima graciously provided bowls of water for them to cleanse their hands.

Mia diligently washes her hands, even before her Mother.

Olima inquired politely, "Excuse me, Ma, is there anything else you require?"

Mrs. Gina responded with a frown, "No, please go and eat your food first."

Olima responded with a simple "Okay."

As Olima turned to leave, Mia's piercing scream cut through the air, calling out for her mother. "Mom!"

Mrs. Gina gives Mia a stern look and demands, "What is it?"

Olima took a moment to stop by the kitchen door and locked eyes with Mia.

Mia complained to her mother about the unpleasant taste of the soup.

Mrs. Gina gave Mia a suspicious look, her eyes narrowing. Mrs. Gina stared down at her soup, having already washed her hands. She dipped her right index finger into the small plate of soup and tasted it herself. Her face contorted with irritation as she abruptly stood up from the dining chair and confronted Olima. "What is the purpose of this absurdity that you just cooked, Olima?"

Olima hesitated for a moment before taking a few steps back. "Well, Mom, I..." Mrs. Gina quickly left her dinner chair and hurried over to meet Olima.

She inquired, "You what? Have you even tried this soup?"

Olima hesitated, "I did ma... Mia sprinkled in some additional salts into the soup and..."

Mrs. Gina delivered a forceful slap to Olima's left cheek, leaving a resounding impact. She forcefully pulled Olima towards the dining table and pushed her head into a small soup plate. With a harsh tone, she said, "Try the soup and eat the terrible meal you made!"

"You foolish sorceress! Taste the intense bitterness of the soup and try it for yourself! Did Mia come after you and make the soup? Weren't you the only one who cooked the soup and happened to be in the kitchen when I walked in?"

Olima pleaded through tears, "Ma, I'm begging you..."

Mrs. Gina delivered another forceful slap to Olima's right cheek, accompanied by a stern command to be silent.

Mrs. Gina unleashed her fury upon Olima, while Mia's smile revealed a sinister satisfaction.

Mrs. Gina shouted angrily, "You witch! So, you've taken the life of your own parent, and now you have the audacity to threaten the lives of both me and my daughter?"

Mrs. Gina relentlessly continued to assault Olima, while Olima pleaded desperately, "Please, ma'am. I am completely innocent, I did not lay a finger on Mia. The soup was not spoiled. Please, ma'am." Olima wept.

"Be quiet! And please leave this house! I would prefer to never see your presence in this house again! Nathan." Mrs. Gina called out to the gate man, who promptly rushed into the living room and said, "Yes madam, you called for me."

Mrs. Gina exclaimed, "Get rid of this witch immediately! I never want to lay eyes on her in this house again."

Olima pleaded, "No, mother, I beg you, please... I didn't lay a finger on Mia, and I certainly didn't ruin the soup."

Mrs. Gina delivered another forceful slap to Olima's left cheek and sternly warned her against speaking further. "I will ensure that you are apprehended tonight, you sorceress. Nathan, please escort her outside immediately and ensure she is not granted access to this mansion in the future."

Nathan forcefully pulled Olima by her left arm and escorted her outside the mansion, as he had now become exclusively employed by Mrs. Gina. He forcefully pulled Olima out of her late parents' house and dragged her towards the mansion's exit gate late at night, around 10pm.

Mia's smile stretched across her face as Mrs. Gina reveled in her newfound happiness, having successfully rid herself of Olima and claimed full ownership of the mansion.

She stepped outside the house to investigate whether Nathan had ejected Olima or not.