"I know you won't do that dear, You are just trying to stop me from taking you with me, But darling I really don't want you to stay here alone, Please will you follow me at least do it for your Dad's day, We both agreed on it." She plead.
"Ok Mom I'll go with you." I finally agreed to it, "Thank you darling, You will love it there I promise." she said smiling.
"But if I don't like it there I will not be going with you ever again." I told her conditionally.
"Of course my dear I wouldn't want you to stay at a place you do not like or feel comfortable at, Now let's get going it's almost eight and the Jones do not appreciate tardiness, All workers have to resume by nine." She told me as she stood up to go grab her bag.
I was still feeling uneasy but my dad gave me an assuring nod and a smile. The thought of being in a big rich mansion which is likely to have spoilt arrogant kids living there just makes me nervous.
"Let's go Aki." My mom said adjusting the the handbag she is carrying on her shoulder as she was already prepared to leave. I went to the room to grab my jacket and shoes. We then bade Grandma, Andy and Dad goodbye.
We waited for a while for the bus to arrive when we got to the bus station, It was Monday morning and everywhere was bustling as usual, There were so many people moving about to their respective place of work, Restaurants and small shops were opened.
I stared longingly at some kids going to school, It's been three years now since me and my brother stopped going because our parents couldn't afford the tuition any longer, Though they have been saving up some money from their job earnings and I think it won't be long before we start going to school again.
I really miss going to school, I had lots of friends at my previous school and I didn't get to say goodbye to them when we moved from New Orleans.
"Don't worry Aki both your dad and I are going to get you and Andy back to school I promise, just give us time darling." my mom told me when she saw me looking at those kids.
The bus finally came and we got in and sat down, It was filled with mostly teenagers going to school and people going to work.
"But where are we going mom?" I asked her when the bus started moving, "Manhattan, that's where the Jones lives." she replied.
"Do they treat you well mom?" I questioned her. "Of course they do, They are really nice people." she told me. "Yeah they might be nice people but I bet their kids aren't." I told her. "Why would you say that Aki, Their kids are nice too they are wealthy but that doesn't necessarily mean they are bad people sweetheart." She answered me.
But truth is, I have a bad feeling about this Jones mansion we are going to, I don't know if Mom is lying to me just to make me go with her because if that's the case I really won't follow her anymore. I have had a history with bullying and I don't want to relive that again.
"I don't know why you are being so insecure but I assure you there's nothing wrong with the Jones." she said patting me on the shoulder.
I finally succumbed and stopped asking questions, it is of no use now since we are on our way there anyway, So I just sit back and stared beyond the window at blurry vision of the city due to the speed of the bus.
The bus finally came to a stop at a station somewhere in Manhattan, Students rushed out as they were already late I suppose, Me and my mom were no exception though we weren't students, It was fifteen minutes to nine o'clock which was the time she's supposed to arrive at the Jones mansion.
As soon as we came down from the bus we moved forward to board a taxi again to 'God knows where'.
"How far is their place really?" I asked Mom, it was getting cloudy already and it won't be long before the rain starts to drizzle. "The taxi will take us to their mansion, It's a private estate we will get there in fifteen minutes." She said.
"Spring falls" she told the taxi driver and he understood where we were going immediately, He drove off as soon as we entered.
It was exactly fifteen minutes later when we arrived at spring falls estate, My mom paid the taxi driver as soon as we got out of the car. I studied the place we just arrived and truth be told the whole surroundings was so beautiful, there were flowers everywhere, it's nothing like the trash site of a neighborhood we are currently living at in East Harlem.
There were houses of different structures and sizes all well beautifully constructed. And behind us was a very large metal gate beautifully decorated, It was dark in colour and beyond it was a very magnificent mansion.
The mansion when viewed from outside where we stood has an appealing sight. It has marbled walls and pointy roofs, The exterior was really fascinating, There were lots of trees also.
The mansion looked like that of a politician's, It was like one of those beautiful mansions I usually see on TV when watching the news with my Dad.
"We are here, Now let's go." my mom said and I wondered which particular house on the street we were going into. "Ok mom....but where?" I asked her.
"Are you kidding me Kira, We here already." My mom said pointing at the large gate behind us. "Really mom!, You work here." I shrieked, My eyes wide opened. I can't bring myself to believe it, I never imagined the Jones mansion to be as beautiful as this!. No wonder her payments was good.
I was so happy she works in a place as big as this even though she's just an house help, But she never told me or Andy about it she just said she got a job at a place but never told us where or how the place is.
Despite my happiness, I still think I would be an hindrance to her work, She's really determine to keep me in her sight and I doubt the owner of this Big mansion would generous enough to allow my mom to keep me around her at all times, It just doesn't make sense. Well I can't really judge because I haven't seen the so-called Mrs Jones.
"Wow Mom you didn't tell us you work in a place as big as this." I accused her, "Am sorry Aki, Well now you know." She said apologetically.
We rung the bell of the main gate and a man in his fifties which I think is the gatekeeper came out of his dwelling to attend to us.
"You're late." He told my mom, "I know Mr Philip, We were delayed by some unexpected events." My mom answered back.
"You can come in then." He said as he opened the gate, He seemed like a very nice person. "Thanks Mr Philip." My mom thanked him.
"Is she your daughter?" he asked as soon as we stepped in, "Yes she is, she will be staying with me now." My mom replied him smiling. "Well that's good then." He said laughing.
"Have a good day sir." My mom told him as we walked away. "Yeah you too." He replied after us.
I couldn't stop gawking at the beautiful exterior flowers and trees of this big house. I also noticed some gardeners taking care of the flowers, some were watering while others were spraying something like perfume or whatever it is that makes it more lively and colorful.
My mom extended her greetings to the others and opened the main door which I followed her in immediately, The whole hallway was busy with workers going back and forth as if there was an upcoming event that requires everyone to prep up.
"Well well don't just stand there Mrs Houston there's a lot to do." A very beautiful woman in her forties elegantly dressed said quickly as she approached my mom in a fast pace, And I guess she must be.....
"Good morning Mrs Jones, Am so sorry we're late." my mom greeted and apologized at the same time.
"Well it's of no use now, I guess this must be your daughter?, What's her name again?" She asked smiling.
"Akira, That's my name." I replied quickly before mom could, Smiling back.