Chapter 4

It was a very early morning on Sunday when Sophia sprung up from her bed to pick up her phone that would not seem to stop ringing unless she answers.

Saturday night had been the most stressful night ever for her, she didn’t get to seat until 10pm as the request at the starlight nightclub was just too much but she didn’t have a choice because apart from the weekly salary, she knows how much she’s garnered from the tips given by customers.

At first, she didn’t know if it was okay to take the tips until the manager himself told her to take it whenever she’s offered.

“This is Sophia, do you need me for anything?” Still feeling sleepy, she yawned loudly.

“Were you among the ladies for the night shift??” She still didn’t know who was talking.

“Yes, I was with them”

“Come to the club right away, something happened and everyone’s attention is needed immediately” her eyes briskly opened with force.

She cleared her throat whilst trying to get that statement settled in her head as it sounded out of the blue. “I’m not on the morning shift so…

“This is not about work, we’ll assume you stole the item we’re looking for if you’re not here in the next 10 minutes!” Before she could say anything more, the call ended abruptly.

Sophia stomped her legs angrily on the ground, she stopped after realizing that her daughter was with her.

She ran to and fro before finally deciding to just wash her face rather than take a shower which would take most of her time.

As she picked her bag and some cash from what she got as tip last night, she stopped in her motion after seeing the little roll to each side baby Ann was doing.

“Please don’t wake up yet, I can’t take you with me” Sophia declared, stepping slowly to the door like a thief.

“Mama” Ann was already awake, trying to climb down from the bed to go to her mom.

“Geez!, my mom isn’t even around to stay with you!” Sophia laments. She wished her mom didn’t have to go visit her friends this early.

She wouldn’t stop hissing as she picked her up whilst trying to lock the entrance door, she couldn’t help but thank her creator as a taxi branched right in front of her.

It was very cheap and that was the only reason she could afford to ride it.

The car parked right in front of the club and with no one having to tell her, she could already tell that there was fire on the mountain.

“Thank God you are here but did you have to bring your sister at a time like this??” One of her coworkers said with a very disgusting eye roll at the little Ann who was just locking her fingers in Sophia’s hair.

If something like this happened to Sophia of two years ago, she would be so quiet about it but she’s a totally changed person now.

Life's hurdles will change the way you think!

“If you’ll run your mouth, run it at me not at my daughter!” She did the same eye roll before walking past her.

“It’s nice that everyone is here. We’re asking everyone one last time before checking the cctv footage from last night. Did anyone of you steal anything at all from Mr.Herbert? We all know him right?” YES, they all respond.

“If you did steal or actually saw someone do it, speak up now or everyone else might be affected by it!” The manager was a very young man, but he looked older than his age.

No one was willing to say anything and the only thing that surfaced the place was the soft mumbles and unsorted muttering from each person.

Sophia’s head hung low as she began to tap her index fingers on her tummy, it’s something she usually does whenever she’s anxious and most people here already knew that.

“You’re taking…

“I want to say something!” The lady who had issues with Sophia earlier raised her hands with so much confidence.

“Please question Sophia, she attended to him the most and even got tips from him and as you can see, she’s already so nervous which points that she’s the culprit!” Without wasting time, everyone’s attention was shifted to her.

Sophia who didn’t even know what was going on was resurrected back to reality with a tap from her daughter. “Mama” everyone gasped at the word.

“If anyone needs money the most here, it would be no one other than a single mother with…

“With what??” Sophia half yelled.

“What rubbish are you spiting from that pipe of yours!?, how do you know it’s money that been stolen and how can you accuse me when you yourself and everyone else is also involved? Matter of fact, prove it.” She raised her voice with anger burning in her.

“Do not turn this place into a quarrel zone both of you.” He said in a soft tone, making sure there was a maintained decorum.

“We gathered you here and you should know we’re not a fool to not know who the culprit is. But first, Sophia please go back home with your daughter, your cab fare will be added to your next week salary!” The manager said to her, she blinked her eyes in confusion.

“Why are you making her….

“I promise you that today will be your last day here as the one thing I’ll not tolerate is this impolite act that from you!” He slammed the words at her. The same lady who's accused Sophia and dismissed the whole staff before turning to go back to his office.

He had been signaled that the culprit has been found and the only person that wasn’t involved in this, doesn’t even have a hint on what happened was Sophia and some others but he decided to have everyone called in to make it a fair judgement on his end. Also, knowing the situation Sophia was in with her daughter, there was no need making her stay longer which is why he asked her to go back home.

Sophia released a long sigh as she stood in front of starlight, still trying to understand what just transpired inside and Ann thought it to be the perfect time to remind her that she was still around and needed her attention.

“Don’t even cry, I’m not in the mood to add your whining to my problems this morning!” Sophia scolded her baby.

She finally pulled herself together and dragged her legs tiredly to the bus station so they could go home.

As she got tired to carry Ann, she let her down so she could walk on her own but the little girl did not like it.

“What are you doing to my granddaughter??” Luisa popped right out from behind them.

“Mom?,” Sophia gasped in surprise.

“you startled me. I had no idea you were following from behind. Your look like you went shopping too. Did you?”

“I had to. I was craving Mac and cheese and we didn’t have any mozzarella so I went to get it." Sophia nods repeatedly before heading inside, all of them.

Sophia carried Ann into their bathroom so they could shower together, the girl happens to be so active when bathing and she wouldn’t stop teasing her mama while she bathes her.

“Just stop already!” Sophia scolded playfully with a smile as she uses her hand to rub off the foamy soap she splatters on her cheeks.

“Sophia are you done?, I need you to take these cookies to welcome our new neighbor” Luisa said, checking on them from afar.

"What new neighbour?" Sophia asks, wiping her daughter's body dry as they were done bathing.

Luisa doesn't respond until she sees them come out into the bedroom. Sophia makes Ann sit on the bed while she moves to pick out her clothes and body lotion.

"The house across the street, you know the one you talked about a few days ago. The new owner just arrived and I wanted us to do something nice to welcome them to the neighbourhood." Luisa said, beaming with smiles as she sits with her granddaughter who was playing happily on the bed.

Sophia shook her head, not liking the idea as she moves to have her child dressed. Quietly, Ann lets her do her business, like the good girl she is.

“Do I really have to do this? Since when did we become the friendly neighbourhood welcoming committee?" 

“Just tell me, since when did giving gifts become something a neighbour shouldn’t do??” She asked Sophia who was busy getting herself dressed.

"Whatever mom, is the food ready? I'm hungry and I'm yet to feed Ann. I've got alot planned out for today and I want to have her fast asleep. So you see I've got no time for this."

“Don’t say anything, just take this to our neighbor, I’ll watch over Ann and feed her too. You can eat when you return, it wouldn't take long now will it? You can chat with him or take a stroll in the environment if need be, just take your time.” Sophia already sensed what her mom was getting at.

“Don’t keep your hopes up mom, no man would date a lady with a child and I’m also not ready to give love another chance in my life!” She made it clear to her mom before leaving.

Luisa read no meaning to her words. She was actually determined to make things work for her daughter to find happiness again.

Sophia stood in front of the main entrance to her neighbour's house, she had already rang the door bell and was waiting for a response.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, you are?” The young handsome man who had come to get the door said. Sophia gasped.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to look!” Sophia rasped impatiently and turned around after seeing him with just a small towel wrapped around his waist.