PURPLE LINEN

CHAPTER 1

Lisa McGeorge's car comes to a halt outside the gate of her mansion and her driver horns for the gateman. He delays and Lisa orders her driver down. She sighs and leans her head on the car's window, winding down when she notices a young girl asleep beside her gate, she calls to her driver 'Tony, wake her up' he nods and moves to the young girl who was deeply asleep with her head on her laps. He taps her and she jerks, holding her bag close to her, and Lisa talks to her 'yes, young lady who are you? 'I'm I'm Yolanda madam' she says rising to her feet 'and what are you doing here' 'I'm sorry, I, I just have no place to go to' Lisa looks at her tattered clothes and tired face 'and what about your parents? 'I don't have any' Yolanda says as Tony opens the gate and moves back to the car and Lisa continues 'OK, you should leave, you can't sleep outside my gate, and it's a public place' 'sure, sure, I'm sorry' Yolanda says starting to walk away and Lisa sighs and calls her back 'wait, Yolanda right? 'Yes ma'am' Yolanda says in fear 'come in, I can't just leave you to roam around' 'oh' Yolanda says frozen with surprise 'thank you ma, thank you so much' she says and walks in after them, as Tony drives the car through the open gate.

Yolanda opened her mouth at the beauty in front of her, there were two buildings, one was a mansion and the other was smaller, but it was a duplex. She let her eyes roam through the beautiful pathways and the fountain at the garden area and smiled at the maids who were working at the gardens. Tony parks the SUV beside the royce rolls and the lambogini that were parked at the spacious car park and Lisa came down and a maid rushes to her and takes her handbag from her 'morning madam' 'morning Vanessa' Lisa says with a tired face and turns to Yolanda who was looking very timid 'come in this way'. The living area of the house Yolanda thought was three times the size of her father's house, with light blue and red beautiful sofas, alongside the antique dining set and ancient artefacts, the house was nothing like she had ever seen.'good morning madam' another maid says rushing to welcome her 'morning Angela, please call Mary for me' Lisa says and settles into one of the sofa's 'yes madam' Angela says with a nod and Yolanda looks at Lisa closely for the first time, her beautiful well angled face had no make-up on, and looked troubled and sad. Mary a petite old lady in her mid 50s walks in 'good morning madam' 'Mary, how are you? 'I'm fine and you? Mary says with a rich smile that was comforting. Yolanda looked at the elderly woman, she was of average height had thick blonde hair and she was so beautiful that Yolanda couldn't figure out her age, Lisa sighs and gives her a knowing look 'it's well by God's grace Mary, how's Umar? 'He still hasn't let anyone see him, madam' 'has he eaten? 'no..but, it's OK madam, it will get better' Mary says trying to give Lisa some hope. 'It's OK, ehm..This is Yolanda' Mary turns and smiles at the shabby looking girl 'I want you to give her some food, and clothes, I'm employing her' 'OK madam which area is she assigned to? 'I don't know for now Mary, just give her food, or better still she's young so she can look after Umar, cleaning his room and all that' Lisa says touching her head 'oh but are you sure she can do the job? Mary says studying Yolanda's frail frame 'yes ma, I can do any job, cleaning, washing, anything ma'am' Yolanda says her voice showing her desperation. Lisa leans her head on the sofa 'I'll give her a try since Umar has refused to let any maids of this house see him, maybe someone new is what he needs' 'OK ma'am' Mary nods in agreement and Yolanda kneels 'thank you so much madam, I'm so grateful, God bless you' she says teary eyed and Lisa gestures for her to stand up 'it's ok, get up Yolanda just know that I'm trusting you, I've never done this before, so you have to be of good behavior, don't do anything to make me regret this' she says matter of factly and Yolanda nods 'yes ma'am, I promise I won't disappoint you' Lisa nods and turns to Mary 'get her something to eat and some new clothes, then bring her to my room, so I can explain her job to her' 'of course madam' Mary says and turns to Yolanda 'come with me Yolanda' 'ok, thank you madam' Yolanda says walking out with Mary. Lisa takes her tired hand through her hair and wipes the tear at the side of her eye.