HIRED WIFE

” Okay.. how much would you want to be paid for the six days you are going to be taking care of my daughter?” I asked nonchalantly

” I think 200k will be okay sir and If you are wondering why the payment demand is that high… you know that it is going to be an everyday job involving someone who can’t see, that’s why the pay it’s on the high side!” She said and shrugged probably expecting me to argue with her, but I did contrary to her expectations

” No problem Oge.. nevertheless you are to resume tomorrow morning, I will also issue you a cheque for your advance payment before you leave here tomorrow!” I responded while she looked at me dumbfounded, I guess she is shocked that I could accept such exorbitant demand of payment so easily

Fortunately for her, my daughter’s health care is worth everything to me so I don’t mind any amount

” .. for the work terms, it’s going to from 6am to 8pm daily when I will be back from work… hope that is okay by you?”

” Sure sir.. it is! Thank you sir!” Oge said to me smiling in a way that displayed all her front teeth

” You’re welcome Oge! Sorry I forgot to offer you something to drink.. forgive my manners please!” I said and stood up to walk to the bar, but her next words halted any further movement from me

” It’s okay sir I understand, but that will have to be next time because I will love to be on my way now sir!” Oge said and stood up

” So soon?” I asked not happy about the poor reception I gave her,

What a bad first impression from an host to a visitor! I thought

” Yes sir, I promised my mom that I will visit her today but I had to honor your invite first… and now I need to start going because I’m already running late! ” Oge said and picked up her purse to show her seriousness about wanting to take her leave

I heaved before replying

” Okay Oge if you say so, till tomorrow then!.. please take this as your transport fare” I said and stretched out a bundle of ten thousand naira note to her, which she collected after a little persuasion from me

” Thank you so much sir.. I appreciate” she said to me smiling as I walked her to the gate and waved her goodbye.

Woaw! I think I have just found myself a perfect hired wife! I thought as I walked back into the house smiling.

“Good morning sir” I heard a soft familiar voice from the back as I stood facing the gas cooker, wondering what to prepare for Angie this morning.

I turned shocked on seeing Oge standing at the kitchen door, I kept wondering how she got into the house without me opening the door for her

Then my memory reminded me of how I gave her one of the house keys before she left my place yesterday. I gave it to her just in case the need to use it arises.

I checked the time on my wrist watch and it reads 8:35am

She is actually late on her first day at work, but either ways I smiled as I replied to her earlier greetings

” Good morning Oge.. how are you today?”

” I’m fine sir, I wasn’t expecting to see you at home by this time.. are you not going to work today?” Oge asked smiling widely as she moved her hands upwards to adjust her hair.

That’s when I actually noticed she made a new hairstyle from the one I saw yesterday

” Yes Oge I am off work today.. I see you made a new hairstyle, it’s beautiful” I complimented and briefly scanned her dressing to see that she is smartly dressed in a flowery mini gown with a pair of black scandals

” Thank you sir… Hope you slept well?” she replied blushing, moved to a stool in the kitchen while trying to strike a conversation with me without even bothering to first ask or check on her patient, Angie

” I see you are cooking.. what are you cooking?” She asked as she sat down on the stool, still smiling

” I’m yet to decide that.. Angie says she wants to take something light excluding tea, golden morn, cornflakes or custard..”This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

” .. initially I was planning on making Irish potatoes with sauce for her but then her doctor advised against anything tomatoes, yam or potatoes” I continued wishing she could actually suggest something since she is Angie’s nurse

” oh! too bad.. So what’s your favorite food sir? We could prepare that instead” She asked

” It’s chicken stew and rice but that isn’t an option too” I said frustratingly

” Why not? I love chicken stew too.. lets prepare it please” she said and I looked at her wondering if she is suffering from few minutes amnesia

” Did you read the manual I gave you on all of Angie’s medical dos and don’ts? and where you even listening at all to what I said earlier about the doctor’s advise against tomatoes for Angie?” I asked looking intently at her

” Oh! you did?” Oge asked feigning surprise as she continued

” .. I’m sorry sir.. I was just too carried away when I heard chicken stew since it has actually been a while I ate that, and I was also overwhelmed that coincidentally we share the same favourite food!” Oge said remorsefully or so she made it seem

I heaved as I stared at her

” you did not even bother to ask of your patient Angie whom is your main purpose here.. and to be honest I’m not impressed at all Oge” I told her with all sincerity

” Oh! about that.. I checked on her before coming to see you in the kitchen and she was soundly asleep!” She replied but I knew deep down that she was lying because my Angie is in her gym house that is erected at the backyard. I personally took her there few minutes ago before I came to make breakfast for her

” Really?” I asked hoping to hear the truth from her

” Yes sir!” She answered still lying confidently

“Okay” I said as I turned to face the gas cooker to put it on after finally making up my mind to prepare noodles for Angie

” Sir I think I will go back to check on Angie again.. hopefully she will be awake by now!”

” No problem Oge.. Feel free” I said gently. As I watched her leave the kitchen to Angie’s bedroom, I kept wondering if I am not making a mistake entrusting Angie’s care to someone who is so nonchalant and tells irrelevant lies too

I continued with Angie’s noodles preparation and I was almost done when I heard footsteps followed by Oge’s worried voice

” I can’t seem to find her in the bedroom sir.. I have searched everywhere inside the house but I still can’t find Angie anywhere” Oge said as she moved closer to where I stood beside the kitchen cabinet