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The CONTRACTs (Client #1)

Writer's picture: Chioma OnwudiweChioma Onwudiwe

"Good evening ma'am," the sitter greeted. And then watched the woman walk surely, but slowly towards them. She must have endeavored to open the door quietly, thought the helper to herself. Her boss never really came into the playpen. She took the child to her, when she called for it and was ready to see her. Standing up from where she had been kneeling, to observe the child as she played. The sitter busied herself, with picking up strewn toys and discarded vessels of consumption. It was all she could do, not to stare in confusion and unpreparedness. Even though she was not expecting the child's mother at the time and place, she had been trained to expect anything. After all, it was the woman's house. Her child and like she knew the woman often thought, her world.

"If you will excuse me ma'am, I will put these away in the other room." The sitter volunteered. As she began to walk away, with fists full of items. "How is she?" The woman asked. She was walking towards the girl, who had her head bent the whole time. She seemed focused on the stuffed animal, that she had in her hands. "She is fine. Just finished her snack and wanted to play a little bit more," supplied the other woman. When her boss hardly responded and simply waved her away, she took it as a cue and continued into the adjoining room. Making sure, to shut the door firmly behind her.

"Hello Nati," cooed the mother. As she came closer to the girl and knelt, right besides her. Just as the sitter, had done previously. "How was your day sweetie?" She pressed gently. Since the girl still had not lifted her head, to acknowledge her mother and/or respond to her. "Alright then," she continued in amusement. "I have a surprise for you!" She clapped her hands, as if in delightful suspense. When there was still no reaction, she added in rehearsed excitement. "For your birthday, I have decided...."

"You will do no such thing," came the deep growl. "What!...." Whispered the woman in shock, as she staggered back in disbelief. Looking around wildly, to see where the male voice had come from. "Ahahaha..." the ensuing laughter was as deep and guttural, as it was sinister. "It appears, that I have to juggle that faint memory of yours, yet again". The woman backed away again, real quick. Then she suddenly realized, that the voice was coming from her daughter. Who was now looking at her, with deep black empty sockets. "What?!..." She cried again, still dragging away from the steep darkness, that was threatening to swallow her.

"The only thing that would be happening in this birthday, will be her confirmation to me." "What? why?" Was all the woman could manage at this point, as she sobbed. "But I thought...." She started to say again. "Save your thinking. For it has never done much for you". Came the vile reply. "I thought we were finished...." she managed. But stopped abruptly, when the voice growled. Subsequently, the child threw the stuffed animal which she had been holding, across the room. The otherwise soft and furry object, crashed into a glass cabinet. Causing it to smash into tiny pieces, as if it had been crushed with a boulder.

"We are never finished, because I own you. I made it all possible, in case you have forgotten. You never stood a chance on your own. The more equipped and talented ones, would have swallowed you up. It's my world and no one makes it at least easily, unless I make it happen. I prepared and orchestrated the fame and accompaniments, all for you! Heck, it's all mine. I fixed your age and the records, that show you are actually a decade older than they know you to be. I fixed your contracts, opportunities and even your marriage. So, do you see? Do you understand now, how I own it all?!! "But you said I was free, after I completed....." She was wailing.

"It is so much easier, dealing with your husband." The voice seemed to spit in disgust. "He gets it quicker, than you do. Now you will proceed to wait for further instructions, in four days." "But no!.... Wait, please wait!.... You had said the contract would end...." The woman was distraught. "Never mind, what I said about any contract ending." The voice began retreat. "I lied. I am a liar." At those words, she buried her head in her hands and began to sob. Almost immediately, she felt something on her back and startled violently. But the touch was soft. "I want some Ice-cream mummy." She heard her daughter's familiar voice.


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