"Mom please can we come in, Tiana said hurriedly. "Of course where are my manners come in, what would you like Ella sweet's, cookies, Martha always spoilt Ella no matter what, even when her mom forbade her from doing so; she would sneak and feed Ella till she couldn't eat anymore
"Mom can I talk to you privately, it's kinda urgent. Tiana asked.
"Ella go upstairs to my room, you'll find cookies at the bottom shelf in my closet, Martha said trying to keep Ella out of their conversation. "Okay bye mommy I'm going to eat cookies, Ella said excitedly. "Sure thing sweetheart, Tiana said.
Ella ran upstairs.
"What's going on, why do you look like you've seen a ghost, Martha was worried. "Honestly I wish it was a ghost I saw, Tiana said sarcastically. "Don't say stuff like that, Martha was shocked by her daughter's words
"I don't know what to say to you mom, since this morning everything has been going down. It's all over there is nothing left, Tiana said.
"Tiana baby can you please stop speaking in riddles your scaring me, Martha couldn't take it anymore.
"Derek is dead"
Tiana burst into tears. "How is that possible that can't be true, Please tell me it isn't true, Martha said.
"Honestly I wish it wasn't, but sadly it is".
"The most hurtful part is that he is coming after all of us"
Martha was scared,
"who is he? what does he want with us? Is he the one who killed Derek"
"Yes mom and he is coming to kill us too". "What are we going to do"
"I don't care you and Ella are all I've got I'll take care and protect you both even if it costs me my life"
Martha was angry, how could she let her daughter say things like that, she gave a lot for her so she would protect her, and besides she's old her husband has been dead for a long time now, she misses him. If anyone is going to give herself here it had to be her. Martha thought.
"Tia you are young you have your whole...."
"I'm sorry mom but I have to leave right now, please take care of Ella I'll be back in a week. I promise".
Martha knew she couldn't stop her, Tiana has always been an independent kid right from when she was born, So all she could do now is support and pray for her.
"Please survive my sweet girl".
"I will mom I promise.
******
Tiana left her mom's house and headed for her shop. Her shop was more like her second house, she had a bead, shower and everything required for her house. Most of the time when Derek left for business trip Ella and her spends their night's here.
Her shop was a mess because of their last delivery so she took a broom and started cleaning up, she immersed her self in the sweeping to escape the memories of Derek. When a man walked into her shop her first reaction was to be alert but seeing who it was she calmed down. Dave, Kath's boyfriend.
"Tia hey"
"Oh... Hey Dave how can I help you".
"I'm just looking for Kath, I've been trying to reach her but I just can't have you seen her?