A knock on the door woke Tema up. Standing up on her feet, she walks towards the door. " Eli is that you?" She asked.
" No!" A voice replied, from the other side of the door.
" Who is it then?"
" Open the door, Temara. It is me, Mr Asher." The voice replied.
Mr Asher? why did he come here in the middle of the night? Tema questions herself. She pulled the door opened.
" Nandi" She greeted but Mr Asher didn't reply her greetings. He was not in mood to exchange pleasantries. It was obvious, he was angry. Seeing the expression on his face, Tema gulped.
Mr Asher was the head of the slaves. He was a black like the rest of the slaves, but he was treated fairly than the others. Tema was surprised to see him. Mr Asher never visits without a reason.
" I hope there is no problem, Mr Asher." Tema asked, smiling from ear to ear, trying to easy the tension in the atmosphere. Seeing her expression, Mr Asher ignored her as he walks inside.
" Where is your husband?" He asked, without sparing her a glance.
" Why don't you take a seat while I get you some water." She said, ushering him to sit down.
" That won't be necessary, Tamara. I won't be staying for long. I see your husband is not here, but when he comes back, tell him to see me at once." He said, in a cold voice.
" Is everything okay, Mr Asher?" Tema asked, in a quivering voice.
" When last did you see Eli?" He asked.
" Two days ago. He told me he had some business to attend to and he won't be back till next week." She replied.
" I see. Eli was cought breaking into Master Gera's store house two days ago. In an attempt to run away, he murdered two servant of Mr Asher. They were Whites. He was caught and thrown into prison. This evening, report came to me that he had escape. I could only think of one place he would go, that's the reason I came here. I guess I was wrong, because he didn't come here either. Mr Asher said, walking towards the door.
Tema couldn't believe what she heard seconds ago. She knew Eli was a drunkard and a pain in the ass. But she never expected him to steal, not just stealing from anyone else, but from Master Gera. He even murdered two guards. What has gotten into him. Eli completely changed, after the incident twenty years ago. Tema gasped in fright, she could only imagine what they would do to him when he is cought.
" Temara!" Mr Asher called, bring her out of her thoughts. " I know you share a special bond with Master Gera, but I want you to know, he will not be as merciful like he was twenty years ago. He might really kill Eli this time." He said before leaving the house.
He was right. Twenty years ago, an incident happened in the plantation. Eli was accused of stealing a large amount of money from Master Gera. He ought to be killed, but for Tema's sake, Master Gera forgave him. He was punished severely, but he wasn't killed. Every since that incident, Eli changed into the man he is now. Tears rolled down her cheeks, she covered her mouth with her hands so she won't make a sound and wake Mashgad up. The child would be heart broken if he sees her like this.