Salome walks briskly she stares at her surroundings in an alert manner. she could hear the screams of a child who is being flogged by a woman. Okanga the place where she grew up in, a small town located in Lagos. She looks up and sights a billboard, it is Mrs. Onismus one of the most wealthy and powerful woman in Lagos. She couldn't believe she had gotten a job in the onismus' mansion as a kitchen staff.
Salome cross the street she didn't see a black sienna approach her she pauses almost getting hit, the driver horns loudly for a very long time.
Salome hisses and then screams
" Why don't you hit me" Salome says in an angry tone. She cross the road quickly paving way for the car to move she sights the driver he is dark and more handsome than she could have imagined but he had an annoying character that she was sure of.
*****************
Salome rings the doorbell it was her second time at the onismus' mansion she wondered how could a human being have built this gigantic house. Well for her, being 20, she rented a small self contain.The rent was a problem to her.
This was one of the main reason she needed a job.
"Good morning sir" Salome greets the old man who stares at her strangely
" Good morning dear" John the gateman says he could have sworn that Salome was the younger version of Annabeth, Mr. Onismus' ex- wife.
Salome stares at the old man she then breaks the awkward moment of silence between them as she feels uneasy.
" Can I come in?, I have an appointment with Mrs. Onismus" Salome says
" It's Mrs Josephine onismus, Mr onismus' second wife" John says trying to correct Salome. Salome stare at the old man.He is the gateman but he acted strangely as if he knew Salome before time.She never asked if Mrs. Onismus was the first or second wife to Mr Peter onismus'.
Salome steps in and walks behind John who directs her.
******
Salome stares at Jennifer her assistant as she speaks with pausing
" This house is so big am sure you must have seen that for yourself"
Jennifer says as she washes a ceramic plate ready to rinse it.
" Yes it is" Salome manages to respond
" Let me tell you things about the onismus family " Jennifer says she continues without waiting for a response from Salome.
" The head of the house is Mr Peter onismus his wife Mrs Josephine onismus. They have five children. James, Mark, Jemima and the two devilish twins Paul and Silas" Jennifer says lowering her voice
" How come you Know them that well" Salome asks still chopping the carrots
" What do you mean?, every worker in this mansion knows them especially handsome James " Jennifer says and then pauses as she mentions the name James
" Well am just hear to cook and serve, not to get acquainted with anybody" Salome says
" Well if I had your body and beauty I will work my way to ..."
" Work your way to what Jennifer" Agnes interrupts walking into the large kitchen. Jennifer is afraid she bends down her head ignoring Agnes.
Agnes was the head in this mansion she was madam Josephine's spy she had been the reason why her former colleague, Dorcas was fired.
" You better watch your tongue I wouldn't want Madam to hear of this your desire and you" Agnes says turning towards Salome
" You better not let your so called beauty or body deceive you " Agnes says eyeing salome.
It is a clear fact, Salome is indeed beautiful although the pimples and acne on her face hid part of her beauty but her facial structure was perfect.Her body was sexually appealing she had what one would call an hour glass shape and she is also tall and gracious.
Salome holds her head as it aches, it was one of her strange visions that she always always had since she was a teen. This was one of the main reason people tagged her the "strange beauty". She could see Agnes pouring a substance from a bottle into a blue ceramic plate in a suspicious manner, she stares from side to side being alert. The plate is filled with fried rice still steaming hot.
" Any problem " Jennifer asks staring at Salome who is discomforted.
" No problem " Salome lies she knew something bad was about to happen she knew Agnes was about to poison someone but who and why?.
********
Salome stare at the time it is 8 pm. Salome had been on Agnes case all day since her vision. She could never resist the urge to help those in danger. She couldn't seem to think of anything else but her vision.And one thing she was certain of was that her vision always came true.
" Salome please can you help me take the trash out" Jennifer says as it is already late she yawns ready to go home.
" Okay" Salome replies she rinse her hands using some water and then move towards the end of a giant refuse bag ready to assist Jennifer.
******
Salome and Jennifer are outside the gate they drop the waste bag on the floor at a corner. They always left the trash at that spot till it was time for it to be incinerated. Just then a car horns Salome recognizes the car it was the car she came across earlier this morning, Salome stare into the car wanting to sight the driver the gentleman push out his head towards Salome and Jennifer's direction
"Open the gate" he commands.
Salome is irritated she wasn't the gateman it was not her job so why was this fellow being so mannerless. It was the same handsome but rude young man. Salome turns back to talk to Jennifer ignoring the gentleman but Jennifer is at the gate opening the door in a sheepish manner.
" I have met you before haven't I?" the gentleman asks smiling.
"Yes I could never forget the face of the fellow that nearly horned me to death " Salome says picking up an offense.
" Am James onismus" he remembered Salome excellently,her beautiful face and body he had horned earlier this morning to get her attention.But he just pissed her off. But what was she doing here?, was she a worker?,
" Good night sir " Salome says not wanting to reply James. James drives in smiling at salome. He surprised all female staffs would crawl to have the opportunity which she just ignored.
" What did he say to you" Jennifer says smiling and shaking like cricket.
" Nothing important " Salome replies as she's irritated.
" Please can I go home now" Salome asks as she attempts to go back inside to pack her things.
************
Salome monitors Agnes as she goes through the breakfast she prepared she promised herself not to move out even if Agnes asked her to, but surprisingly she didn't.
" You can serve the food" Agnes says as she walks out to go check on Praise the laundry maid.
Jennifer smiles at Salome.
" You really are good. Agnes didn't find any fault in your cooking" Jennifer says tidying the dishes. Salome pays no attention to her. This was her sixth day at work and Agnes haven't made any move but she knew sooner or later she would but when she couldn't tell.Her visions never lie.
**************
Salome walks briskly heading home as it is late she is tired. The day had been very stressful. Salome was getting to a club, the ZZT club to be precise. A club filled with numerous thugs and sex workers. She sights some thugs few blocks away from the club beating up an individual. She couldn't say why but her instincts kicked in. She rush to a van close to the scenario. She hides behind the van and opena her phone she searches for an app. Just then police alarm is heard the thugs rush off leaving the injured individual. Salome rush towards the individual with the police alarm in her phone still ringing.The thugs are long gone.Salome is shocked. The individual is James the thugs had stabbed him before running off.
**********
James bleeds through his left arm where he had been stabbed by the thugs. He is dizzy, he could feel himself moving in his car but who was driving?.
Salome stops the car using the car brakes. She unlocks the car door running to the other side of the car she pulls out James as he rests on her arms. Salome summons all her strength dragging James who is unconscious. Salome unlocks her room door she couldn't take him to the hospital she didn't know any route to any closeby hospital and calling 911 would be fatal for James. She had little knowledge of attending to cases like his, her ex-roommate, Frdausi was a nurse so she learnt a thing or two from her. Salome place James on her bed. She search for the first aid kit given to her by Firdausi on her tweentieth birthday before their separation due to the fact that Firdausi got married.She hoped she could save James who sweats and groans profusely as he stares at Salome.
**********
James coughs. it's morning, he opens his eyes. A rush of pain makes him groan. He grabs his right arm, his mouth tastes sour he recalled swallowing something last night maybe it was a pain killer his head aches once again he feels sleepy he can't resist, he falls asleep.
Salome had given him some sedatives in order for him to have enough rest. Salome dusts her legs at the entrance of her house, she had trekked some far distance searching for a pharmacy to get some drugs for James. She press down the door knob entering her room. She sees James still asleep she moves to the television switching it on. She had a habit of listening to the 6 am news. She would have to leave James sooner or later to inform his family of his condition
******
