"Here, go to the supermarket, I want you to buy food stuffs. And some things for decoration". Marian
said
"What's the occasion?". Juliana asked
"Well, my daughters are bringing their boyfriends home, I want them to feel comfortable". She said
"I see…. And am to, do what exactly!".
"Cook dummy, decorate".
"You're gonna pay double. I'll take a thousand for the cooking, and 6 thousand for décor".
"Huh! Excuse me".
"You can turn around, no one is in your way. Or you can pay. Or hire a professional. Oh no that would be
too expensive". She said, dragged the money from her hand and walked away.
Stepped out of the supermarket, she turned around looking at the building. She was lost, her thoughts
were blank, but she was just staring. In front of the building, a car stopped, right behind her. She was so
close to the car. The passenger door open. An old lady struggled to come down from the car. She realized
herself when the door hit her a little. Immediately she turned, and she saw the old lady, she dropped her
things to help the woman.
A man came out of the supermarket, he gave Juliana a hand.
Deep breath, still in front of the building. He looked at Juliana "Thanks". He said. She looked at him and
asked "For what?".
"That woman is my grandmother".
"Oh! Ok". For some reason, she wasn't ready to leave. Awkward silence.
"Ok I'll…. A-am am going now, bye". She stutters
"Take care". He said, walked back into the supermarket
All ready for their guest. Drops the last dish on the table. Door opens
"Hey babe". Silia said as she welcomes her boyfriend
"Jaden". Juliana said slowly and then chuckled when she got close. Awkward silence, while they both
hugged and reminisce for a while.
"So why aren't you coming to school?". He asked
"Your food is getting cold". She said, just to avoid the question.
"Where are you going to?". Jaden asked, when Juliana didn't sit to eat with everyone else.
She chuckled, then looked at Marian. "Mm, I don't eat, here". She said then she stepped out.
The dinner was so quiet, not even a single word.
Coming out from a restaurant, walking back home, she bumped into the same man.
"Ouch! Sorry". Helped him pick up the things that fell.
"It's you again".
"Yeah, good…. evening".
"So, what are you doing here?".
"To eat dinner". She chuckles
"Where are your parents?".
"Well, my mom is dead, and my dad is dead too".
"Oh, so sorry".
"No, my mom is actually dead, but my dad is dead to me".
"Why do you say that?". he asked. She told him everything.
"Wow! That's a lot. Aren't you tired of standing?". He asked
"Yeah, I am". She said, looking around for place to sit.
"Let's go to my car". She wasn't so comfortable, doubtful look. He just chuckled softly.
"Don't worry your safe". He opens the door for her.
"It's cold in here".
"I can turn off the Ac".
"Don't worry".
"Wow! So, he did all that to you".
"Yep!".
"It's so painful. Do you want a job. So, you get enough funds".
"I would love that". she said in excitement
"The building you looking at this morning, I own it".
"Oh!".
"So, you want to work there?".
"Seriously! but…. There is no vacancy sign, you don't need workers".
"Yeah, you're right. But your smile, it's amazing".
"My smile". She started blushing and laughing calmly "What about it".
"It's contagious, you make people happy. I'll pay you to do that everyday, just to smile".
"You want me to be your smiling girl!".
"Yeah, I'll pay you 5 thousand dollars everyday".
"Really!".
"Yeah, just so you could go back to school".
"Oh my god! I don't know what to say".
"Say you'll start tomorrow".
"Sure! I-I will". She was so excited she tried hugging him, but she compote herself.
Walked back home "Thank you so much for ruining dinner". Livia said. She didn't know what she did, and
she didn't care. It was a long night for her, she just wanted to resume as soon as possible. She kept
rolling on her bed.
Next Morning, set to leave. "Where are you going to?". Halfway downstairs. Her daughters walked past
her. Getting down, they look at Juliana rudely, hissed and walked away.
"Am going to work?".
"What work?". She asked. Her father walked down, looking at the both of them as he eats his breakfast.
"Am running late". she said and walked away.
"How rude". She walked down
"What is it?".
"Your stupid daughter, what does she need a job for". She was so pissed.
Door opens, she went to the first person she saw "Hi". It's a big mall, groceries, anything you need for
your kitchen, house…. etcetera, you would find there.
"How can I help you". Lydia said
"Mm, am working here". She said casually. Looked at the girl beside her. They were both surprises. Till
her father walked in.
"Hey! You're early". He said
"What's going on dad". Paige said
"She works here".
"Since when". Lydia asked. While they were going back and forth with question. A woman walked in.
Juliana welcomed her with a big smile. She had no choice but to smile back. She followed her till she was
done buying…... this ended their argument, she was good.
"See! Good job".
"Thanks". She said
"Come with me". Paige said. She showed her around and also a place where she could sit and see when
customers walked in
Hours later. Arms fold, they both stared at the cctv, watching the happenings in the mall. "I must say,
she's really good". Paige said
"See! I know what am doing". He hyped himself
"So how much does this smiling girl cost us?".
"5 thousand". He said casually
"Mm, isn't that cheap".
"A day".
"What! why? That's too much". She yelled
"She has money issues, just wanted to help her".
"It's still much. Anyways, I like her".
Closing hours "Hey Juliana, here's your payment". Paige gave her the money
"Thank you so much". She was overwhelming with joy.
Sitted on the couch, watching TV. Juliana walked in. Paused when she saw them, they also looked at her.
All excitement gone. She quietly walked to her room.
Minutes later she came downstairs. "Where do you think you're going to?".
"Am going to get food, why".
"So, you left this house without doing your chores". Marian said
"One that you paid for. Am not collecting money from you, so I don't owe you anything". She said,
bashed out of the house.
This argument between Marian and Juliana continued for days, while Juliana continued her job. It was
so trilling for her. She never had to work for money till now, it was a whole new experience. Meeting
different people, interacting with them in a very healthy way.
All Marian wants is for Juliana to quit, and be her personal slave. She did everything she could to
frustrate her. To the extent of stealing all the money she was paid for a week. That day was hot, filled
with argument, it was also the same day Marian found out that her two daughters who claimed to be so
smart, weren't actually. Juliana exploded; she was so furious she just had to spill. That state of confusion
between the mother and daughters, father inclusive. She dragged back the cash from Marian's hand; she
immediately ran out of the house to deposit the money in a bank.
Sunday evening, Juliana walked back in just to find her things lying on the ground.
"What's going on here?".
"Since you've refused to listen, you have to leave. It's not like you're even part of the family". Marian
said.
All she could do was hold those tears back. She gave a long stare to her so-called father, but he didn't
bulge. She sniffs. Then she put all her things together, she rolled her boxes outside. Last glance at the
house.
It was so late and it was rainy. She walked on the road, she was drenched, she cried her eyes out all
night. No where to go, no friends, no help. It was her and her luggage. At a point she got tired, she left
her things on the road. She slept in front of the mall.
Gasps. She rushed to help her up.
Open the door, dropped her on an empty bench. She gains herself slowly while Melena. She's the lady
who cleans the mall, she comes very early to clean before customers or workers start coming. She picked
up her phone.
Rushed in "Juliana are you ok". Paige and her father rushed in immediately. Melena went on with her
work.
She could not say anything, she just started crying. Paige was so confused, she let Juliana lean on her
shoulder. She cried for a while. Then she raised her head after much consolation. She wiped her tears.
"Am sorry, I shouldn't have come here".
"Juliana what happens, you have to tell us. Customers would soon start coming".
"I-i got kicked out".
"From where".
"My house, my…. He threw me out. They threw my things…" she tried so hard not to cry, but her
emotions got the best. Paige and her father where confused. She let her cry. They moved further away from Juliana.
"So, what do we do now? We can't leave her like this. You were the one who wanted to help".
"I know am thinking". He said
"Customers would start coming any moment from now, they can't see her like this".
"I know. Why don't you get her a change of cloth, like something good to wear".
"Yeah sure!". She left.
Paige walked back in with four bags on her hands "Juliana, come with me".
Ladies room "Why are we here?".
"Darling, today is Monday, customers can't see you like this. I bought you clothes".
"Really! Thank you so much". She was grateful. "Aren't you going to excuse me". she added
"What do you have to hide". She wasn't ready to leave.
"Okay". Juliana took of her clothes. Wow! She was amazed. Her body is so gorgeous, well endowed,
curvy lady, her waist so slim, thick thighs. Her ass is well rounded and big too. Her legs are so beautiful.
Then her hair, like Rapunzel. Paige was so thrill.
Passed her the towel. Just smiling while ogling at her body. "What?". Juliana asked
"Nothing! It's hot in here".
"I remember I told you to leave".
"Ha-ha-ha! But you're so beautiful".
"Thanks". She said. Got dressed quickly, they stepped out of the bathroom
"There you are". Her father said "Wow Juliana you look good, and brighter".
"Thanks". She said.
Lydia walked in "Hey, good morning. Mm Juliana you look hot".
"Thanks".
Business as usual, customers started coming in, so soon she forgot what she was crying about. until, she
said "Goodbye, shop with us anytime". The smile left her face when she saw Livia and Silia walked in.
Paige and Lydia, even her boss, because he was walking down, but they pause. It was strange. Juliana
would always welcome every customer with a big smile. But she wasn't. She was short of words. She was
so pissed. She quietly walked away. Paige and Lydia had to attend to them, they were clueless.
"What was the meaning to that Juliana". Paige was pissed. They all surrounded her. Seeking answers
"Those are my father's children". She said. They felt so bad when they heard that. Paige's father just
signed to them that he was leaving. They surrounded Juliana. "Am so sorry".
"It's fine. I don't deserve this. Now am homeless. I don't even know what I did. He was just there, he
didn't do anything, he didn't say anything. He kept quiet. They didn't what me to go to school, I was fine
with it. I had to work so hard. I guess they just don't want me around...". She went on and on. She cried
profusely. They were so drawn her story. Didn't even notice Justin, standing right in front of them with
his anchorage, just two though, the rest were outside. He watched her cry. She saw his foot. She raised
her head in shocked. Immediately they got up. Juliana wiped her tears so quick, she covered everything
with a big smile. It was so weird, because it wasn't contagious this time. She found it hard to relate.
Silence awkwardness till he left.
Moving on, Juliana got offered another job, but it's a night thing. Apparently, her boss daughter, Paige
owns a spa and salon, so they paid Juliana extra to go there at night to entertain and make their
customers feel good. Afterwards she comes back by 11pm to the mall to crash. Her life was just perfect,
she wakes up everyday with a big smile. Customers were satisfied with her around. And she was so
comfortable where she was, and hopeful also that she would raise enough money to fund for her
education.
"Juliana". Lydia called "Welcome…".
"To heaven on earth". She said aloud as she walked up to Justin. Backing it with a big smile.
"You look better today".
"Yes sir, ready to attend to all your needs". She said. Stretched her hand forward, signing they move
further. He followed her. Juliana did her thing. He was hard at first, but at the end of the day Juliana got
him to smile. "Shop with us anytime". He nodded, walked away.
"Wow! am proud of you". Paige said, tapping Juliana's shoulder.
Paige's dad walks in "Was that". pointing outside. They nodded in excitement.