The Lioness

"Butler Felix, come here quickly!"I heard the Old man shouting, I can't remember the last time

him talking without shouting,he was really fond of shouting, I think

doesn't shout he wouldn't have a good day

"Sir," I had the butler calling,"Go call that ungrateful

, good for nothing granddaughter of mine, now!"the Old man told the

. I was just coming from my bedroom when I heard the conversation between the butler and the Old man. Ohh, am sorry I forget to introduce myself,am Sally Edwards,am twenty three years old, I live with my paternal family although I don't use my paternal surname. I use my maternal surname,I hundred percent sure that

in my paternal family loves me , including my own father but I don't care because I also don't love anyone in that family. My mother is in a mental rehabilitation center and my paternal grandparents

and uncle died in a car accident, actually that's is everyone except of my grandfather , father

and I. My grandfather and father doesn't know that I know they were involved in my grandparents and uncle's death, there also don't

know that I know that there paid the doctor at the mental health facility to give my mother medicine that would stimulate mental instability. I knew all of those things from them,I overheard they conversation.

TWELVE YEARS AGO

My mother have just been taken to the mental rehabilitation center,I didn't want her to go there

but the doctor has said it's for her own good,I had no choice , even if my mother has tried to convince me several times that she wasn't sick, but the doctor has said that my mental patients acts that why, I promised to always visit her and run to my room. I locked my room and cried my heart out until there were no more tears, that's when I remembered my father,I Knew

knew that father doted on mother so much, I guessed that he should be lonely and devastated. I decided to go look for him and comfort him.

Knock Knock Knock

I knocked

his door several times but there was no answer,I opened the door and got into his room but he was not there. I

out of the room and met one of the househelps.

"Miss, have you seen my father

I asked the help,"your father is in your grandfather's study room ,I

coming from there,"the househelp answered me."Ok, thank you!"I thanked her,"you are welcome,Ms Sally,"the househelp said

. I took the lift to the last floor, my grandfather's study was located there,I was about to knock on the door when I heard grandfather mention my maternal grandfather's name. I halted and listened to what he was saying.

"I don't know what you are afraid of, your parents -in-laws and your brother -in-laws are already dead, the truck driver that hit them was detained in the detation center has already been taken care of, your wife is in the mental rehabilitation center, the doctor that is taking care of her will ensure that she continues to take those medicine, everyone thinks that the medicine been administed to her is to her regain her mental stability no one knows that your wife is being give medicine to make her mental stability, your daughter is the sole heiress of the Edwards group of companies and everything else that the Edwards left. Your daughter is still a minor so it's your duty as a good father to help your daughter manage the company until she could have age!"grandfather said to father but I hoped that he wasn't talking to father but not for a long time I heard the voice that I wished that I never have wanted to hear in such a situation,"You are right father,am just being paranoid,we have worked for this for a long time,I won't disappoint you, father!"I heard my father saying.

I felt my whole world crumpling, I wished it's a dream but no it's wasn't, what I have heard is true. My whole body was trembling, I didn't know whether to call what I was feeling shock,anger or fear.

I decided to go back to my room but I decided to knock and see if they will look guilty for what they have done.

Knock Knock Knock

"Who is there?"I heard grandfather asking,'Grandfather, it's me,"I managed to answer him."Sally, come in!"he said

I hesitated for a while before getting in, they seemed to be suspicious of me, I was afraid that if they suspected that I have overhead there conversation I will end up like my grandparents, uncle or my mother. I certainly had to act.

I run to my father and hugged him while crying,"father , will mother be alright, can I go and stay with her?"I asked my father looking aggrieved,he hesitated for a while before patting my back."Don't worry about your mother, there are professionals taking care of her , she will be alright soon,"he tried to comfort me.

"Sally,what are you doing here?"my grandfather asked,I think he was suspecting that I have overhead their conversation, I had to ensure that they don't suspect me or else I would be a dead meat."I have gone to look for father in his room but one of the helps told me that he is in your study, so I come to look for him to ask him if I can visit mother, father can I go?"I answered and asked father for permission to go see mother.

"Come here dear, don't worry, I will take you to see your mother tommorow, now go back to your room and rest,"grandfather said.

I went immediately to my room and texted one of my school mate and friend who was a hacker and asked him to delete footage of me listening to my father and grandfather's conversation. He asked me why I wanted the footage deleted . I lied and told him that my father and grandfather will beat me up if they discovered that I listened to their conversation, I didn't want to get him involved in our family mess it was better he he didn't know what he shouldn't.

I couldn't believe what I have heard but whether I liked it or not my father and grandfather were all murderers. I couldn't cry over spilled milk but what I know someday I will avenge my maternal grandparents and uncle's death and always my mother suffering.

There should enjoy their happiness will it lasts.

PRESENT

"Mr butler, you can go back to your work anyway am already,"I told the butler and I could guess that he had heard what he wanted to hear,"Ok, Ms Sally!"the butler said while walking hurriedly to the kitchen,I could tell that he didn't want to be involved in today's drama.

"Old man, what did you want to say to me?"I asked him,"Sally, it's high time your should start addressing your grandfather appropriately, don't you think?"this is the voice that I didn't like to hear especially when starting my day, it's was none another than my stepmother.

"Thank you for your reminder, sweet stepmother, I will try to remember next time!"I said to her arrogantly."Why is it so hard for you to respect her?"my grandfather asked pointing at my stepmother.

"Sally,am you mother,am trying to do everything I can to make our relationship better but every time I try you try to make it hard for us to have a good relationship, what should I do to make you love me as your mother?"she asked putting on a depressed but it was none of my business.

"The last time I checked my mother was still in a mental health facility so you aren't my mother, secondly I will never see you as my mother, do you know why?"I possed , give my stepmother a look and then continued"I don't know if your husband has ever told you about my mother, she is the true definition of beauty, while you are an ugly warthog. I have taken after my mother so you have no right to say that you are my mother, don't embarrass me,"my stepmother was about to die from anger.

"Sally, just leave, don't spoil my day for me,"my grandfather told me,"Thank you old man,I will get going,"I said and walked out of the house.

I saw my assistant waiting for me outside, she was laughing very hard,I didn't know why she was laughing at.

"What's so funny, Grace?"I asked her"I really liked today's drama, I don't why you guys don't change your family residence into a movie theater,"Grace said while we walked to the car .

To the world Grace is my capable personal executive assistant but to those who have worked closely to me for several years Grace is more than a sister to me, I met her Seven years ago.

SEVEN YEARS AGO ON ONE OF THE SLUMS

It was early in the morning ,most of the residents of the slum were still sleeping, the few who were awake so what was happening ,they decided to alert the others.

They was big excavation trucks that were destroying the neighborhood,the destractors didn't give them demolition notice, they were caught unawares. There tried to stop the demolition but the police.

All of their houses were destroyed, many people who didn't make it out of their houses died, Grace's parents were among who died during the demolition.

Grace and her brother have gone to the country side to visit mom's adoptive family,it was on a long school holiday but they didn't get to enjoy the holiday as they.

They have already had breakfast and were planning to go to the farm, when they received a call from one of their neighbors. Among the siblings Grace was the eldest, she was already in highschool although parents had low income, they had managed to buy her a second hand. When the neighbor called at first didn't get what she was saying,there was alot of noise coming from the neighbor's side. After several minutes, Grace was able to get what the neighbor was saying.

"Grace,I wanted to tell you that they were demolishers who come to our village very early in the morning and demolished everything, let me tell you Grace, there isn't a single building standing in our neighborhood , do you know that the demolishers didn't give us time to evacuate, they are really heartless, many people have died in the process including your parents, the police were there and witnessed everything,"the neighbor continued talking, she even didn't realize that no one was listening to him on the other side.

When Grace heard the lady neighbor mention that her parents were dead, she dropped the phone and sat down without saying anything,her uncle took the phone and tried to get what happened to her from the other side"Hi,who are you, what did you tell Grace?"Grace's uncle asked

"Hello there, this is Grace's neighbor, I was telling her that demolishers visited and demolished everything, there isn't a single building that has been left standing, many people died in the process, Grace's parents were not lucky, they died in the process, there bodies have been taken to the morgue by well wishers."She reported,if you heard her talking you could mistake her of a journalist.

Grace's uncle told the others what exactly happened, instead of going to the farm, the changed and travelled to the city to look for they died relatives.

Grace's parents were buried,life must go on, Grace had thought that the relatives were going to take them with them to the village but on the day of the departure,their uncle told Grace that, they couldn't take them to the village because they couldn't afford to take care of.

Fate was really unfair , Grace's parents had dead, the only relatives that they knew has refused to take them in. What else would they have done except start roaming around in the city.

One day as Grace were around they met a group of men who wanted to take advantage of Grace, Grace screamed and tried to ask for help but no one was willing to help her she thought she would die in those men's hands but she was astonished when a group of boys come to her rescue and beat the men badly before taking Grace and her brother to where they

, that's how I met Grace and George her brother.

Sally, your family is fully of actors and actresses.

PRESENT

Grace and I got into the car, she was a really chatterbox, the can talk the whole day but she couldn't be tired, she talks even while sleeping , the only time she doesn't talk is only when she is in a very serious meeting or she is very sick.

"Sally, don't you think that there are many actors and actresses in your family, the entertainment industry would be more fun if all your family members joined the industry that's includes the butler,did you saw how he walked away hurriedly when you dismissed him,I guessed he was wishing if only he has wings,he would really fly to the kitchen,"Grace was saying while laughing.

"You are very nosy,how did you know what happened inside?"I asked her"I can know whatever happens at your family residence, any time I want, don't you know that all the suivall camera are connected to my phone?"Grace asked me

"You can look for whatever you want in that house , expect for watching people naked,as for the entertainment industry I think no one in that house is interested!"I told her

"Who talked about being interested,I was just saying that they can be good actors and actresses. For instance your grandfather, he is a murderer but if you heard his speech on the charity event the other day you would think that he is the nicest man that has ever lived in the face of planet Earth, and you stepsister she looks very innocent but who would believe that she usually goes to a private club to have sex with older men and your father,"She continued to talk until the driver got enough of her.

"Grace,if you want to get to the farm safe and sound, you should shut up but if you want your brother and the others to get a call from the hospital to come and try to identify your body you should continue spouting nonsense,do you get me Grace?"the driver was really pissed

"Don't tell me that you want to take my life,ohh my God, I always know that you are not a good person,I wish I had gone to register for a gun I have taken your life before you got a chance to take mine,"Grace complained."Grace,if you want to keep on living , you should keep quiet and let the driver focus,"I enlightened her,I could tell that he has misunderstood the driver.

"You win,"she said with a sad face,she successful keept queit until we arrived at the farm.

Farming was one of the many business that my I have started with the help of my friends,we have many kinds of crops and animals, farming business was very lucrative and it brought alot of income, needlessly to say we get enough food to find the entire Hope Children's home, that where we give children that doesn't have a place to stay home,we also provide food, clothing and we aslo send them to school.

"Good morning to you!"we all greeted the gate keeper who have opened the gate for us,"Good morning to you,"he greeted back.

The driver drove the car to the farm's garage,we alighted and Grace and I walked to the office building. In the farm Grace and I were boss and her assistant,we couldn't act as close friends,we know that the Old man has sent someone to spy on us, even if we knew that a spy excited amongst the workers we didn't intend to expose him,we will let him report to the Old man ,he thinks he is very smart, even the old man has rewarded him because he has worked for a long time without being known that he was a spy.

I went to my farm office, I changed my outfit and put on the one that was very suitable for farm work. After changing I called Grace and we went to where the farm workers were.

Planting Spinach was today's work, Grace and I joined the workers, first we would get the spinach seedlings from the nursery and transfer them to the farm.

"Everyone, please be careful when handling the seedlings we don't want them to be destroyed,"the farm manager warned us. Even if I was the boss, the workers didn't feel uncomfortable doing farm work with me, they were already used to it, we would even have a friendly conversation with them.

"Ms Edward, when are you introducing our brother-in-law to us?"one of the workers asked me,I was confused I didn't know which brother-in-laws the worker was talking about,"Mr Emilio, which brother-in-law are you talking about?"I asked the worker while still planting the spinach.

"Miss Sally , what Emilio is trying to ask ,is when are you taying the note!"the farm manager explained,I could see that Mr Emilio looked embarrassed after the farm manager explained what he meant.

"Mr Emilio, don't worry, when I find your brother-in-law I won't forget to introduce him to you guys, but you should all promise to dote on him!"I told all of them."Of course Ms Edward,we promise that we will all dote on him very much,"they all promised.

I always felt like staying with my employees rather than staying in the Peterson residence,but if you want to catch your enemy ,you should stay close to them and monitor their every move.

"Ms Edward, you still have a meeting with real house investors, she should get going if we want to be on time,"Grace reminded me bringing me out of my trance. I still had seedlings in my hands ,I looked at those seedlings,I wanted to plant them all but time didn't allow."Ms Edward, don't worry about the seedlings, leave them to me, I will plant them for you,"Mr Emilio volunteered,"Thank you Mr Emilio!"I thanked him.

I went straight to the farm residence,I had built a very beautiful mansion here,I have also built houses for the workers who worked on the farm on the daily basis. There were several househelps who lived in the mansion,who were responsible for cleaning the whole mansion, there was also a chef, I liked to have meals on the farm mansion whenever I can but I always had breakfast here.

I always eat breakfast after two hours of work on the farm. From the farm I directly went to the mansion got on my bedroom and showered,I never use the master bedroom it was preserved for my mother,I believe and hope that one day I will seek revenge for my maternal grandparents and uncle,I will bring my mother from the mental rehabilitation center, bring her here and also give her the Edwards group of companies and everything that her parents and brother left, she deserved and much more, although I have stopped the doctor from giving her the wrong,I will only be happy when the time comes and we finally can live together, tears always streamed down on my checks whenever I think about her but this time I was very calm because I knew I will get to stay in the same house very soon.

Hang in there mother,I will get you out of that place soon.

"Ms Edward, breakfast has been served,"I heard Grace calling out. I got out of the room and walked to the lift with Grace,we were very careful with our words, there is a possibility that there was a spy in the mansion, better safe than sorry.

The breakfast was very delicious,it was prepared mainly using ingredients from the farm,I didn't forget to praise the chef,he is very shy and I liked to see him blush whenever I praised him.

From the farm Grace and I went to the real estate company,I had a meeting scheduled today but I was thirty minutes early,I walked around the company talking with the employees and finally with the manage.

"Rosy,how is the development on the new project?"I asked Rosy, the real estate manage."The project is progressing well Ms Edward, the contractor has already started working on the project,most of the unskilled labourers are from the slums as you had ordered,"Rosy informed me.

"Very well, what about the building materials, I hope all the companies that he gave the tender to provide materials have already brought the materials to the site,I don't want any setbacks!"I inquired"Don't worry Ms Edward,all the materials have been delivered to the site."Rosy said

Knock Knock Knock

I heard someone knocking Rosy's office door,"Maybe it's my secretary, should I let her in or should I tell her to wait?"Rosy asked me. I looked at my watch and realized that it was almost time for the investors meeting, it's alright Rosy,I will get going,I will squeeze my schedule to make time to visit the site on the time being keep up the good work,"I told her and stood up to go."Everything noted Ms Edward.

I met Grace on my way out,I guessed she was looking for inform me that it was time for the meeting."Has everyone arrived?"I asked as we walked to the conference room,"Yes Ms Edward, they are all in the conference room waiting for you,"Grace informed me"Ok, let see what they have today,we should be very careful with Mr Mark,"I told Grace as she opened the door to the conference room.

It was Eleven in the morning and the meeting would be held for one hour,so I asked Grace to ask the secretary to prepare coffee for us.

"Good morning everyone one",I greeted the investors"Good morning to you too Ms Edward!"they all greeted back expect for Mr Mark.

I suspect that he was the spy that have been sent by the Old man to spy on the real estate company,I was not very sure and didn't want to attack him without evidence. I couldn't be intimidated by the Old man , even if he bought all the other investors,he couldn't win against me I was still the one with more shares.

During the meeting we discussed several things,all this time I was keeping an eye on Mr Mark and Grace was also doing the same,he has been objecting my every time, even the other investors started that they is a personal feud between us,it got to the point that Mr Mark started yelling at me,I was very careful not to say anything that will make him think that I was suspecting him.

"Mr Mark,why are you attacking Ms Edward like that, I have seen she is going her best to put up with you,why are you making things hard for here?"the Older investor asked"Ms Edward's suggestions are very ideal,I personally agree with her,"another said

"I also agree with you"another one said

I agree.

I agree

All the investors agreed with my suggestion,Mr Mark was the only one who haven't said if he agreed or not. Everyone was looking at him, being stared at everyone Mr Mark has no choice but to agree, he didn't say that he agreed he just nodded his head but the older investor was having none of it.

"Mr Mark,did you argue with your wife before coming here,if that is the case please do know that you aren't the only one who have a wife,I think everyone here except for Ms Edward and her assistant is married and we occasionally argue with our spouses, but we live our feuds at home, will we pick them up when we go back home later,now be a good boy, open that big mouth of yours and say if you agree with what we have discussed today.

Mr Mark was very embarrassed after being lectured by the older investor, everyone conference room was holding their laughter, he had no choice but to speak.

Mr Mark,"I agree,"he finally said

"Good boy,"the older investor said while applauding him,if we really could continue holding our laughter,he were not human beings

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! everyone except the old investor and Mr Mark broke out of laughter. The meeting was adjourned,Mr Mark was the first one leave the conference room.

"You are right,Mr Mark certainly is the one who is working for the old man, he is very stupid just

old man who have paid him, he doesn't know how to keep a low profile.

"Don't say much than you should,walls have ears, they could be listening to you,we are going to Good Life hotel,go tell the driver to prepare the car,I will go fast to my office to get some files ,I will meet you at the garage,"I told Grace.

Grace immediately left, there was someone following us and trying to eavesdropp,we have seen her , that's why Grace talked about Mr Mark. The person was none other than the Real Estate manager's secretary, we started suspecting her a few days ago now we were sure that she wasn't to be trusted.

I went to my office took some files and went to Rosy's office. I found her talking to the secretary, she knew about her secretary, she was the one who have informed us about her suspicious.

"Rosy,moles doesn't have a place at Senior Edward group of companies, I told Rosy looking directly at the secretary,"You are right Ms Edward, moles deserve to go to hell,"Grace answered,we didn't know what she knew,we couldn't just let her go just like that, something will be awaiting her when she gets off work.

I went to the underground garage to look for Grace, she was leaning on the car when I found her."Grace, let's get going,"I said to Grace,"What to you so long, don't tell me you have scared Rosy's secretary until he peed on herself?"Grace said exaggerating everything."Don't talk if you don't know how to talk!"I said to her emphasising on every word I said .

The driver drove towards the Good Life Hotel.Good Life Hotel was one of high end five star hotels that I have established,all those visited any of my five star hotels were big shot.

We arrived at the hotel and we we got into the inside and witnessed a very lively site.

A waitress was go on her business, she was carrying a tray,I think there were several dishes on the tray she was carrying,on the way to deliver the dishes to the costomer's table, she met , one look and you could tell that the lady was very rich, she was wearing all branded clothes be it her clothes, the accessories and the bag she was carrying all were branded, the lady knocked at the tray that was in the waitress's hands,the waitress didn't have time to react,all the tray landed on the floor and the dishes spilled on the rich lady's branded clothes, the lady wanted to create a scene and seek attention to herself.

"Ohh, my goodness ,do you want to scald me by spilling hot food to me?"the rich lady asked angrily."Am sorry Madam,it was an accident, please forgive me,"the waitress answered looking terrified,it was the lady's fault that the waitress dropped the tray , instead of the rich lady asking for forgiveness to be waitress , the waitress was the one asking her to forgive her.

"I am sure that you wanted to dirty my clothes because you can't afford to buy such expensive clothes,so you can't bear to see someone wearing them,"the rich lady accused her. The waitress whole body was trembling, she can't afford to lose her job,I Know her,I heard that her mother had had a surgery and is still recuperating from home,her father is a drunkard, she has two pay for her mother's medicine, her siblings school fees and every other bill in the house,she will be doomed if she lost her job.

"How dare you spill food on my wife,are you courting death?"the rich lady's husband asked the waitress"Low lives like her shouldn't be employed to places such as this one, there don't know how to behave,"a costumer said looking at the trembling waitress."I know there likes,I think she is one of those that envy and feel I liked the rich people are the ones responsible for their poverty, they hate rich people and doesn't let a chance to harm them go,"a lady added.

"Where is the manager,call him here immediatly!"the rich lady yelled, the manager have already arrived ,he had seen the commotion through the suivall camera and had come immediately.

"Madam Davidson,I would like to apologise on the behavior of the waitress,we are very sorry, the hotel will take the responsibility to compensate on your dirtied outfits,"the manager apologized to the rich lady.

Of course the manager knows who Madam Davidson is, she is a woman that likes to attract attention to herself and she is a pain in the ass."What are you trying to say,am very rich and everything wearing is speaking money ,am not interested in your compensation,all I want is for you to fire, this good for nothing,low life!"she didn't care about being compensated, the waitress lost all the hopes crembled when she heard the rich lady's demands, she didn't have enough strength to continue standing, she knelt down and tried to beg the rich lady but she even lacked words, she really wanted to say something but it seemed that her tongue have become so heavy and had gone against her also. Tears kept on streaming down her face,I couldn't keep quiet anymore, I have had enough of Madam Davidson torturing the waitress.

I cleared my throat and everyone removed they attention from the trembling waitress to me"Madam Davidson,what if I tell everyone that it's your fault that the food spilled on your clothes,"I wouldn't watch her continue torturing the poor waitress.