Chapter Four

    Aunty Stella adjusts properly on the couch before facing her sister's direction.

"Stella?"

"It's about Alexandra!" Aunty Stella admits.

"What about her?" Mrs Wachukwu asks obviously interested.

"While talking to Alexs today, she made mention of something confidential, " Aunty Stella pauses, now looking at her elder sister.

"Go on!"

"She said, she is and would always be the only child of this family. In the presence of Juliet of course!" Aunty Stella says now looking straight into her elder sisters eyes.

"Why did you tell her such crucial matter, you know she isn't mature enough to handle it. She clearly thinks Raphael is taking her place. Please talk to her!" Aunty Stella explains now looking up to her sister.

"I will handle Chioma, " Mrs Wachukwu says with a worried look on her face, which she was too fast to masks with a smile before Aunty Stella could notice. "So how long will you be staying over?" Mrs Wachukwu asks with a gentle smile.

"Since Karis is coming home. I think two weeks. I wonder how long the strike would last, and I miss my daughter." Aunty Stella says.

"I can understand!"

"Can you imagine? She made me promise to spend time with her, " Aunty Stella says while she laughs.

"You don't say! I will be travelling very soon. Raphael is coming home. That was the reason I asked Juliet to come home. I know Chioma isn't reliable. And the fact they are both cat and dogs leaving in the same house is annoying." Mrs Wachukwu says.

"What about Ndidi?" Aunty Stella asks.

"You trust your niece, she has succeeded in chasing all the maids I hired away. I had no choice than to sack Ndidi, " Mrs Wachukwu explains.

"You are spoiling Alexs!"

"If she has decided to leave alone in this big house, it's her choice. I have tried my best. I hire maids. Which I end of firing just to please her. Since she wants to continue eating fast food and sending her clothes to the laundry. What am I suppose to do? I have tried my best. Alexandra isn't a kid. She should take responsibility! " Mrs Wachukwu who looked so exhausted explains.

"I understand, Alexs won't understand the crisis you are passing through!" Aunty Stella says.

"The fact is everything seems to be..., " Mrs Wachukwu pauses and takes a good look at her sister.

"I understand, you are the pillar of this household, don't let it collapse." Aunty Stella says with an assuring smile.

"Yes!" Mrs Wachukwu says. "Thank God you will be around for a while! That way Chioma won't misbehave. Will be travelling a day after tomorrow, " Mrs Wachukwu says. "I will talk to Chioma regarding her brother, " Mrs Wachukwu says with a smile.

"Alright, will leave you to rest! Good night, "

"Night, night!"

            ___________________________🖊

     Alexandra is sitting on her neatly arranged bed. In her well furnished and decorated bedroom, chatting on WhatsApp. As a girl and only daughter of her parents, her room was properly and richly furnished. Her wardrobe looks beautiful. In the whole house, her room was the only part painted with another colour, apart from white.

It was mixed. Pink and white. She is currently chatting with Kenzy, who was busy complaining about Ana, Trisha's friend. Meanwhile, Mrs Wachukwu walks into the room unnoticed.

"Why will you notice my presence? When you are so busy with your phone, " Mrs Wachukwu asks while she joins her daughter on the bed.

"Good evening mum!" Alexandra greets immediately she heard her mums voice.

"Chioma! aren't you going to sleep?  For how long would you use that phone of yours?" Mrs Wachukwu asks.

"Mum! I was chatting with Kenzy." Alexandra defends.

"Okay! You fought with your cousin even after I warned you, didn't you?" Mrs Wachukwu asks furiously.

"I don't need to explain! I know she is always right and I have no right to argue or fight with her. That's what you wanted to say right, " Alexandra asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Alexs, she is your elder. Learn how to respect her. I came to tell you that your elder brother is coming back home, " Mrs Wachuckwu says while she watches her daughter narrow her eyes.

"What do I care? " Alexandra asks while she plays with her phone.

"Chioma! Are you stupid, did you just speak to me in that tone?" Mrs Wachukwu asks with a raised voice.

"Sorry, mum! "

"Chioma, I'm asking you nicely. Don't cause any issues between you and Raphael. I know he isn't your biological brother. He is still older than you. Learn how to take him as your biological brother and try not to disrespect him. You know your dad loves that boy like his own." Mrs Wachukwu says.

"Okay, mum!"

"Chioma!"

"Fine mum! I won't disrespect

him, "Alexandra says.

" Also, mind what you say. Everyone knows Raphael, is the son of this family."

"Yes, mum!"

"Chioma. I will be travelling a day after tomorrow. Make sure you don't fight with Juliet ever again. Settle your differences okay?" Mrs Wachukwu says.

"I promise mum!" Alexandra says with a smile with she was obviously forcing out.

"Will you join me tomorrow. I mean  to the Airport, when I'm going to pick up your brother?"

"Mum, I...., "

"I understand, " Mrs Wachukwu who knew what her daughters responds will say.

"I will retire to my room!" Mrs Wachukwu says to Alexandra who lets out a small smile.

"Good night mum!" Alexandra says.

"Night dear. Make sure you read your books, " Mrs Wachukwu advice while she heads to the door. Meanwhile, Alexandra watches her till she shots the door.

He hasn't come yet and has started making this house uncomfortable for me. Even my sleep.

                  _________________________🖊

"Aunty Stella, " Alexandra calls out while she walks into the sitting room, still on her pyjamas.

It's 9:00 in the morning, Aunty Stella had gone out early as usual. Meanwhile, Alexandra hopes she is still at home.

"Aunty Stella!" She calls out. Meanwhile, Juliet walks into the sitting room, completely ignoring her.

"Aunty Stella, " She calls out again.

"Aunty Stella isn't at home, so stop making noise!" Juliet says with a frown.

"That's what you should have said long ago, " Alexandra mutters. Meanwhile, Juliet hisses.

"I know that wasn't for me, " Alexandra says with a smile which obviously didn't reach her eyes. "What are we having for breakfast? " Alexandra asks while she heads to the dining room, she could perceive an aroma. Meanwhile, Juliet follows her.

"Wow, spaghetti!" Alexandra exclaims while she opens the plate, she quickly picks up a fork.

"Madam, wait!" Juliet says while she pushes Alexandra out of her way. Meanwhile, Alexandra who looks so flaggabested turns to her in rage.

"Why are you looking at me? I'm I your maid? Haven't you succeeded in chasing all the helpers that work here away? Why don't you chase the gateman too! I woke up so early to prepare this meal, you were busy sleeping like a queen. Sorry, madam. I prepared this food for myself." Juliet says while she drags the fork away from Alexandra, who still looked shocked.

Alexandra turns to Juliet with anger mixed with frustration. While Juliet let's out a smile of satisfaction.

"You can cook, can't you?" She asks Alexandra who just hisses.

"I would pretend like I didn't hear that, " Juliet responds.

"Wow!" Alexandra says while she watches Juliet settle down and start eating like a queen, fully aware that Juliet was doing this to spite her.

"What's wrong?"

"You are so wicked and heartless!" Alexandra replies in rage.

"Yes. And you can't eat the food prepared by a wicked and heartless person, so after you insulted me yesterday, you still want to open your wide mouth and eat the food I prepared? Well that can't happen!" Juliet says.

"You are just the worst person, I have met on earth!" Alexandra screams at the top of her voice.

"Alexs, please stop shouting! Everyone knows you to be a very rude person. Don't make them think you are also crazy!" Juliet says with a mock smile.

"You are just so mean and heartless, and did you just call me a crazy person?" Alexandra shouts at the top of her voice.

"Shh. Calm down, you are making noise, " Juliet says while grinding her food.

"No, no, no! You called me crazy. I would show you how crazy I'm, " Alexandra says while she pushes Juliet plate of food down, making the plate break in the process. Juliet looks up to Alexandra in shock.

"What the hell is going on here?" Mrs Wachukwu who had walked in that moment, and saw what Alexandra did asks. Meanwhile, Alexandra and Juliet turns to the doorway.

  Mrs Wachukwu stares at both girls in fury, waiting for there explanations.

"Mum, I got it!" Someone's voice is heard, completely getting both girls attention. Just by looking at him, Alexandra could tell he was the supposed Raphael.