Present-day.....
"Your cousin will be here soon. I don't want to see any harassment or maltreatment because of her past, okay?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Must we really house the mistress? She could just rent a hotel or something, are you really secure having her in your house, mum. What if the Kaye marriage isn't the only thing she can destroy?"
"Eric! Be quiet! I don't want that kind of talk while Abigail is here. Understood?"
"Too late"
Abby stood frozen in her cousin's doorway. She had thought that her place would be her haven, but to hear Tricia's son say something like that. She couldn't even argue with the boy, he had a point. She was hoping she wouldn't be judged here. Family is family, right? It's a safe place even when you make mistakes.
"Abbie, I am sorry about him. Don't mind him, just make yourself comfortable. You'll be sharing a room with Mekalia. Mekie, come and help Abbie with her bags."
"yes, ma'am."
Tricia watched them hoard her things inside and organise the room so they could both fit. She didn't know what had prompted Abigail to have an affair with a married man, but since she was here maybe they could sit down and talk and find a solution before her reputation went completely down the drain.
"This will be your half of the wardrobe, you can put your stuff here. I hope it will be enough. Dirty clothes go in the basket behind the bathroom door, rubbish goes in the wastebasket in the corridor, you can unpack now so we can put your suitcase up, but if we do you won't be able to get it down for a while. I cleared out the upper half of the drawers for you so you can use them for underwear or whatever. Books go in Dad's study. I guess that's it. Anything you need, I'm your girl. I'll let you freshen up, feel free to come for lunch or just take a nap when you're done."
"Mekie"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. I know this isn't easy for you, and I'm sorry...."
"Hey, it's not a problem. We're fam. Plus, men are jerks. I know he didn't tell you he was married. I'm on your side. But get some rest first, I'll have to teach you how to deal with little brother's smart mouth."
They hugged and left and she left the room. she didn't expect to find Eric leaning on the wall outside her room and staring at her like he could happily strangle her.
"What's your problem? Someone put a stick up your ass or something?"
"`We're fam`? `I'm on your side`? The hell was that?"
"if I were you, I'd keep my opinions to myself. No matter how you feel, she's mum's little sister. So she's family. You don't even know the whole story, so I guess you keep your little smart mouth shut."
"Why are we entertaining her? She destroyed someone's marriage!"
"For God's sake Eric! Be quiet! Until you've walked a mile in her shoes, you have no right whatsoever to judge her. I know what she's going through, so yes I will entertain her. If you're not comfortable with that, go for the scripture union camp you nagged Dad to pay for and stay there! And if I ever catch eavesdropping on my conversations again, I don't care if you're my mother's youngest son I will injure you. Now get out of my way."
Tricia listened to the conversation from her room and shed a tear. She also didn't know why her cousin had done what she had done, but she knew she had a reason. She just hoped it would be a good one. She walked out and knocked at Mekie's door. Abby opened it with tear-stricken eyes, a sign that she had heard what had happened too. She just fell into Tricia's arms and cried into her shoulders. She was devastated, but she didn't know what to do. Everyone was judging her, and she couldn't control it. And now she was going to destroy her cousin's family by her mere presence. What should she do?
"Come now, sit down and calm down. I'm going to talk to him. He's just a child, so he has no idea what he's saying. Just calm down. You're safe here. Just take a nap and sleep this off, okay?"
"T, am I a bad person?"
"Why would you think that love? You are a wonderful person, let nobody tell you otherwise."
A knock on the door interrupted them.
"We brought food for you, Abby. Dad says we should keep you and Mekalia as far away from Eric as possible. He heard the warning she gave him, and he has no doubt she will carry it out. We hope you will enjoy your stay here though. don't mind Eric, Mekie will put him in the hospital sooner or later and then we'll have lots of fun while he's away."
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh, Mum! You scared us! Uhhh...how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough."
"OH! Well then, see you later Abby. Bye!"
The twins ran out and closed the door behind them. They ran so fast and hard, they could hear their footsteps die out. Abby stayed in the room with Tricia, laughing.
Meanwhile.....
"Where is she!? Find out where she went and report to me with immediate effect! If she thinks she's going to just up and leave then she's mistaken."
"Yes ma'am."
Kim looked at the small apartment Abby had been living in. She walked around and noticed the cluttered things. It looked like she had left in a hurry as if she knew who was coming for her.
"That's right mistress, run while you still can."
She continued walking around and ventured into the bedroom. "So this is where it all happened?" She touched the bed, unmade. With enough anger to bring the whole building down, she ripped the beddings, opened up the pillows, turned the mattress and stomped all over the duvet. When she was exhausted, she knelt and started crying. She screamed and punched the duvet until she calmed down. Then, she got up and composed herself. She stared at herself in the dressing mirror and laughed. She wiped her tears and reapplied her make-up. "I will you find you, and you shall tell me where you disappeared off to with my husband, mistress." She picked up her bag and walked out of the room. She took one look at the unit before closing the door and entering the elevator to take her out of the building.
I will find you both, and you shall regret making a fool out of me.