The Adedayos' mansion was nothing like Adanna had imagined. Her imagination was too small .
The giant Mansion screamed money and power. She stared up at it, secretly wondering how much it would cost to build something so massive. 10.... no maybe 20 billion Naira .
Tall ivory columns stretched into the sky . A black iron gate creaked open, revealing acres of trimmed lawns and a massive fountain shooting silver ribbons into the air, right at the entrance. Everything was too grand, too expensive, and too far from the small, colorful world she had grown up in.
Does anyone really need this much money? she thought.
Her mother's grip tightened around her hand as they reached the mansion's grand doors.
"Smile," Chioma whispered without moving her lips. "Remember, we're blessed here. Privileged enough to work here."
Adanna forced a small nod, though her stomach was tight with nerves. She hadn't asked for this — this new life, this new family.
But after her mother had been handpicked to cook for Chief Babatunde Adedayo, one of the wealthiest men in Lagos, choice was a luxury she no longer had.
The sleek black car pulled up to the entrance.
An actual butler, dressed in the full uniform, opened the door for them with professional stiffness.
Inside, the foyer was all white marble floors and a sweeping staircase that looked stolen from a palace. Gold-framed portraits of stern-faced ancestors lined the walls, their painted eyes heavy with judgment.
"Welcome to my humble home," Chief Adedayo's voice echoed across the hall.
He was taller and broader than she expected — this man could swallow her and no wouldn't notice. Dressed in a rich shade of white , his agbada embroidered with gold thread , he looked every inch the man used to being obeyed. His smile was wide, almost too wide, and his sharp eyes glinted behind thin glasses.
Adanna swallowed the saliva in her throat, that was never there .
You call this a humble home? she thought bitterly. Then what about mine — a cockroach's nest?
But she kept her mouth shut, feeling the warning squeeze of her mother's hand.
Her sharp tongue rolled back .
A sound from the top of the stairs made her head snap up.
A boy — no, a young man — lounged against the banister, looking down at them with lazy indifference.
He wore black jeans and a fitted shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, tattooed forearms. His skin was a smooth dark brown, his hair cropped low, his eyes dark and unreadable.
A small, mocking smirk tugged at his mouth when his gaze locked onto Adanna's.
She instantly knew:
Life here is going to be much more difficult.
Chief Adedayo caught the stare and frowned.
"Ayo," he barked. "Come greet your new maid." The way he talked to him was though he was calling a useless bastard.
"Maid?" Ayo repeated, his voice dripping with boredom as he pushed off the banister.
He moved down the stairs slowly, deliberately, like he had all the time in the world and no respect for anyone. Mr Adedayo looked like he was going to slap him .but Ayo continued to move at the same place , like a snake sizing up it food .
He stopped just inches from Adanna — so close she could smell the faint trace of smoke on him.
And where there was smoke, there was fire.
She didn't want to get burned.
Ayo tilted his head slightly, studying her with a lazy, cutting amusement.
"Welcome to the circus," he whispered, loud enough for only her to hear.
Then he brushed past her, bumping her hard with his shoulder.
Adanna staggered a step or two , and flinch after making eye contact.
Her heart hammered in her chest, but she refused to break contact.
Chief Adedayo's sharp voice broke the heavy silence.
"Enough games," he shouted , glaring at Ayo, who barely spared him a glance. Then strolled out the front door .
Chioma bowed slightly, nudging Adanna to do the same.
Adanna gave the barest dip of her head — just enough not to be called rude.
"This way," the butler said stiffly, already walking ahead without waiting for them.
Chioma clutched Adanna's hand tighter and hurried to follow.
The hallways were endless — wide, sterile, lined with heavy furniture no one touched and paintings that probably cost more than their old house, plus there organs combined .
Adanna's sneakers squeaked awkwardly against the marble floor. She could feel Butler's stare burning into the back of her head, but she didn't turn.
They finally stopped in front of a heavy mahogany door.
The butler pulled it open, revealing a modest — by their standards — living quarters. Adanna found her new bedroom tucked away in the east wing of the mansion — a space bigger than her entire old apartment. The walls were painted a light pink, the furniture modern and gleaming.Nothing in this room was even affordable, the dust here is more precious than her life .
The bedroom had its own private bathroom. And small kitchenette. Is it even proper to call it a bedroom more like a small luxurious apartment with two living quarters one was out in the center of the room and the other was just a corner space , like a day bed .
"This will be your residence," the butler said without emotion. "You are to stay here unless called for. You will have access to the kitchen on the ground floor, but only at permitted times. Understand?"
Chioma nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
The butler gave a stiff nod and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
A few hours later :
A sharp knock startled them both. Before either could answer, the door swung open.
Ayo leaned casually against the frame, one hand tucked into his pocket. His smirk was back, lazy and dangerous.
" Our incompetent butler forgot the house rule," he said, voice dripping venom. "Stay out of the main house. Stay out of the way. stay out of my face. And mind your business, you see and hear nothing from the main house .Got it Maggots?"
Chioma quickly stood, bowing her head slightly in apology.
"Of course, sir. We understand"
Adanna's hands curled into fists at her sides. Her tongue burned with insults ." The audacity of this man , his ego must be through the roof ." He thought.
But " yes Sir " she followed her mother footsteps.