The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the gate, and I stared up at the towering walls that seemed to touch the sky. The estate was nothing like anything I'd ever seen. Thick vines of bougainvillea climbed the whitewashed walls, their pink flowers spilling over like a cascade of wealth. My palms were clammy as I clutched my small bag. Inside were all my possessions—two dresses, a worn Bible, and my dreams of a better life. 

This job was my chance. 

The guard at the gate barely glanced at me as he swung it open. He muttered something I didn't catch and waved me through, his eyes already drifting back to the tiny television perched in his security post. My sandals slapped against the paved driveway as I stepped inside, the sound swallowed by the sheer size of the compound. 

The mansion stood at the end of the driveway, a structure so grand it could have been mistaken for a palace. Gleaming white walls reflected the afternoon sun, and a row of pristine windows glinted like mirrors. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and faintly of jasmine, a scent I would come to associate with this place. 

I hesitated at the foot of the steps leading to the entrance. The double doors were enormous, carved with intricate patterns that told of wealth far beyond what I could fathom. My heartbeat quickened. This wasn't just a house; it was a world entirely removed from the cramped room I shared with my sisters back in Mushin. 

I reminded myself why I was here. Mama's voice echoed in my head: "Tayo, this is your chance to change our lives. Work hard, keep your head down, and make us proud." 

The door opened before I could knock, and a woman stepped out. She was tall and regal, with an air of authority that made me stand straighter. Her skin was smooth, her makeup flawless, and her dress tailored to perfection. She didn't smile. 

"You must be Tayo," she said, her voice crisp and measured. 

"Yes, ma," I replied, lowering my gaze. 

"I'm Madam Adaora. Follow me." 

I hurried to keep up as she led me through the foyer, a cavernous space with marble floors that gleamed so brightly I could see my reflection. A chandelier hung overhead, its crystals catching the light and scattering it across the walls. Every step I took seemed to echo endlessly. 

"This will be your uniform," she said, handing me a neatly folded set of clothes. "You will start tomorrow. I expect punctuality and discretion at all times." 

"Yes, ma," I replied again, clutching the uniform as though it were my lifeline. 

She gave me a sharp nod before walking away, her heels clicking against the floor. I watched her disappear down a long hallway, her posture as perfect as a dancer's. 

Left alone, I allowed myself a moment to take it all in. A sweeping staircase curved up to the second floor, its banister polished to a shine. The walls were adorned with artwork—paintings of abstract shapes and colors I didn't understand. A vase filled with fresh lilies stood on a table near the staircase, the scent mingling with the faint jasmine in the air. 

For a moment, I felt a flicker of doubt. Could I really belong in a place like this? 

I pushed the thought aside. I couldn't afford to be timid. This was my chance to prove myself, to earn enough to send money home and maybe even go back to school one day. 

As I was shown to the small room I would call home, tucked away near the back of the house, I felt a mix of emotions—excitement, fear, and a determination to succeed. The job wouldn't be easy, but I was ready for it. 

This was the beginning of something new. Something bigger than me. 

I just didn't know how much it would cost.