Two

Mum had left without turning back. I had run out chasing the vehicle until my legs gave out. The guards had come out to carry me, a crying mess, into the house. Grandma was at the door waiting patiently, but I could see the fiery in her eyes. 

"Drop her." She bellowed to the guards and they set me down. 

I crawled to her, sobbing. "Grandma, she left. Dad was just buried and she left. She did not think about me."

"Then why are you wasting your tears?" Grandma grated.

"It hurts," I cried. "It hurts so much."

"It would hurt more if you do not shut up right this instant," Grandma threatened. 

Everyone was silent except me. I could not help but cry. Why would Mum abandon me? 

"Get me my whip," Grandma ordered. "I need to teach my granddaughter how to endure pain."

My teary eyes rounded like saucers. My heart began to pound. The whip arrived and Grandma slashed it across my back. My screams filled the house. The slashes rained down on me and with it came a new burst of pain. My throat had constricted and I could not hear my voice anymore. My head thudded loudly and my feet did not find it in themselves to move. I laid there, whipped until I passed out. 

I woke with a start. It was all a dream but it felt so real. I could feel the whips on my body at that moment but it did not hurt as much as it used to. 

The dark room indicated it was early hours of the morning. Four fifty-six am, the alarm clock read. I got out of bed and took my cigarette pack to the balcony. Extracting a single stick, I lit it and took a long drag. It soothed my tired nerves and made me feel alive. I smiled at the emptiness. 

I looked up at the grey sky and remembered Mum. Even though I did not want to care, I could not help but wonder where she was and how she was coping. Did her lover still love her? Was leaving me worth it all? Did she miss me? 

But I knew that even if she came back, I would not just accept her with open arms. Grandma had instilled into me ruthlessness. I could not forgive anyone who trampled on me. 

I was out, taking drags after drags, in my thin nightie, till six am. My maids began to trickle in. Activities had begun to take place outside the compound. 

"Your bath is ready, Miss," my chief maid informed me. She was in her mid forties and was widowed from what I had heard. 

I nodded, not sparing her a glance and took one last drag from my smoke. I had not even realized I had smoked half of the pack. I handed the packet to a maid who tucked it away. 

Entering the bathroom, I discarded my nightie and entered into my bathtub filled with milk. I held my breath and dunked my head, letting the milk caress my skin for five minutes. Soon, I gasped out and scrubbed for a while before exiting.

My maids were already waiting to dress me up. I had it hot with them yesterday for the slap I had received from Grandma. They had laid on the floor and I had stepped on each of them. 

Once I got seated in front of my vanity, they began to work on me. My chief maid chose a sleeveless skyblue floral jumpsuit. My hair was let down in its curls and it flowed down to my waist. I wore my ruby lip ring and necklace. Thin ruby bangles and rings glowed on my hands and a studded pair glimmered on my ears. A red purse and blue flats were chosen for me. 

"Light makeup," I mumbled and they obliged.

I was at the door when Aunt Joan came to get me. She led me downstairs where Grandma was waiting in a casual wear. 

She gave me a tight smile. "Very good. Make sure to keep this up."

I knew she referred to my punctuality. 

"If you slack, your employees too will slack. Do not give them a chance to," she admonished. 

I nodded. 

"Joan will let you in on the ropes. After today, you will be left alone to fully run the operations. Make me proud." She dismissed. 

I nodded and walked to the door. 

"Ivory," I heard her call out to me. 

I stopped and turned. She approached me and held me by my shoulders.

"Head's up. Chest out. Shoulder high. Elegant walk," she chanted and let me go. 

I nodded and exited. My fleet of cars already awaiting me. I got to Stone Culturist's building five minutes early and sauntered in. Everyone's gaze settled on me and their sibilant whispers reached my ears. 

I had bypassed two ladies in black suits when I heard one scoff in disgust. "She is too young to be the CEO. I can not imagine taking orders from her. What does she know?"

The other shushed her but it was too late. I had heard the envy and jealousy and distrust. I stopped and turned to them. My guards and Aunt Joan stopping with me.

"Who said that?" I quietly asked, glaring both of them calmly. 

They were silent. 

"Do you love your jobs?" I questioned coolly. 

They both nodded and the other girl pointed her partner out. My eyes scanned the envious one. 

"How old are you?" I inquired. 

She stuttered, "Th...thirty sev...seven."

I studied her. She was a pretty brunette. Looked younger than her age. But I shook her head and tutted. 

"I do not need old empty heads in my company either. You are fired." I announced and made to move but she was on her knees, holding unto my leg. 

"Please." she pleaded. "I am sorry." Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. 

I felt my skin crawl at the contact. My eyes zeroed in on her grip on my leg.

"Get your hands off me," I chafed and she immediately did in fear. "I need her off my territory in five minutes. Throw her out if you may." I informed the chief security, who stood amongst my entourage.

"Yes ma'am," he replied briskly and talked quickly into his walkie talkie.

I left for my office, Aunt Joan and the guards quietly following. My receptionist greeted me but I ignored her and entered my office. Only Aunt Joan followed me in. 

My office was hexagonal, containing a desk, shelf, conference table, a flat screen television and a massage chair. It had floor to ceiling windows and blinds. There was a door I was sure led to a bathroom. 

"You did a good job. Staking your claim and letting them know who you truly are. Mother would be proud." Aunt Joan commended, grinning and perching on the edge of my work table. 

I smiled stiffly and took my seat on the swivel chair behind my desk. My name was already on a plaque on the desk. I powered on my laptop and checked some mails. 

"Your PA should arrive soon. I sent her a message to let her know you were here already," Aunt Joan told me. 

"She should be here already. I do not have to arrive before her," I muttered, scanning a mail. It said I had a meeting with one Mr. Hatcher. 

I heard my door swing open. A flustered woman hurried in. 

"I deeply apologize for my tardiness. I had to run all the way here," she sputtered. 

I quietly studied her.

"It is fine," Aunt Joan smiled. "This is Ivory."

"I know," she beamed, her sparkling white dentition blinding my eyes. 

"Lesser teeth would do. You are blinding me," I cut in. 

Her smile froze and her lips shut. Aunt Joan gave me a playful glare. 

"Ivory, this is Cassidy. She would be your personal assistant. Mother had deemed her right for the job. She has worked here with us for six years. She is thirty. Single. And very hardworking. I hope you two get along," Aunt Joan droned on. 

I nodded twice. "Get me the file on Mr. Hatcher. I want to know what my meeting with him is all about. Do that right away. The meeting is said to be by ten."

She looked stunned, gazing at me. 

"What? Did you want me to throw you a welcome party? On with it," I snapped. 

She clomped to the shelf and began searching. 

"Take it easy on her," Aunt Joan whispered to me. 

"She should learn to get used to me," I said loudly, eliciting a tired sigh from Cassidy. 

I slit my eyes at her. She ain't seen nothing yet.