She had to grip the door for support.
But Papa James only looked at her blankly.
He did not recognize her.
Jeff explained the job and then said, “Your salary will be five hundred thousand naira every month.”
Angela almost shouted. “Sir? That is too much!”
“I normally pay less,” Jeff said, “but I added more because of your sick mother. Use it to take care of her.”
Angela nearly cried from gratitude.
After Jeff stepped out, she leaned close to Papa James.
“Papa, don’t you remember me? I’m Angela—the girl who gave you money that morning.”
Papa James frowned softly. “I’m hungry, my child.”
Angela smiled through the ache in her chest. “Okay, Papa. I’ll get you food.”
From that day, Angela threw herself into the work. She fed Papa James, helped him take his medicine, arranged his room, and spoke to him gently whenever he was confused. Slowly, he began to relax around her.
Mabel, however, hated her from the first minute.
She shouted at Angela for entering the kitchen. She complained whenever Jeff praised her. And when Jeff left the country for his training, Mabel became worse.
One morning Angela arrived to find Mabel screaming at Papa James.
“Why do you keep calling my name?” Mabel shouted. “Am I your mate?”
Papa James looked small and tired on the bed.
Angela stayed quiet until Mabel stormed out.
Then she sat beside him. “Papa, don’t worry. I’m here.”
He looked at her carefully.
“Your face looks familiar,” he murmured.
Angela smiled softly. “It’s okay, Papa.”
