2

A wreck I was.

Figure wandering around the living room, not even far gone into the job, and I seemed a total mess.

For hours, I had gone through the same rigorous round of activities, dusting, scrubbing, brushing, it was only fair at this point, that I put my aching body to a rest.

Form pushing towards the plush settee, I sank into the seat without warning, a quick sigh pouring out my lips.

Okay, maybe I had raised my expectations so much. I must admit, I never thought making money would be this exhausting. And the worse feeling about it, is working for that money, not for one's personal gains, but to have an outstanding issue settled.

It was tiring, believe me.

Much exhausting, yet heart ached to go on, for there lingered a reason for me being here.

Something glistening on the wall had managed to snatch my attention for a moment—A glass frame, securing a painting, one which had my figure already inching closer to it.

My gaze lingered on such magnificence of a piece fingers already reaching forward, trailing around its edges.

And with gaze peering closer, I sought to uncover more of the painting, when suddenly a voice from behind had me jolting at once.

I had spun around amidst such fright sent down my bones, and upon turning, I was only met with those blank eyes belonging to Denna.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Everything here is" That voice of hers remained low.

"I was only-"

"Admiring it? It's fine. I won't tell"

"I'm Denna by the way"

"Nia"

I barely could find my own voice, hands reaching out to receive her outstretched arms, trying to be formal enough, even though Tara had done the introductions earlier on.

"You should hurry up before Miss Tara finds out you're not done with the chores. Trust me, you wouldn't wanna get on her bad side" The girl gave a warning to me in a very low voice.

So low, the words could barely be made out. There was something which rested in her gaze while she spoke to me, one I couldn't quite place.

We were soon interrupted by the sound of a car driving in, causing Denna hurrying over to the window, peering out.

"The kids are back!" Those words of hers came rushed with panic.

"Kids? They have kids?" My tone matched hers, the shock evident in it. And while my eyes followed the figure of Denna, she had shot off already, putting everything back in place.

"Of course!" She gave a cry.

"Who do you think lives in such enormity of a house? There are eight kids altogether"

"Eight?!" Came my voice.

Three boys had stormed in at that moment, voices echoing past the parlour walls. Chatters mixed with laughter.

Amidst the ruckus, my gaze was keen on taking in each detail.

One of them had dropped his backpack onto the couch, slumping, the other two shooting up the stairs, mindless of my figure stood at a corner of the living room.

"I'm tired and hungry" That utterance followed, with the kid soon getting to his feet, having a glance at Denna.

"Is there something I can eat? Anything"

"There's food in the kitchen, Dylan. Miss Tara made your favourite" Followed the girl, a smile soon gracing her lips.

One would think she was only trying to please the kid with that growing smile which never found leave off her face.

"Thank God!"

"It's like that lady reads my mind all the time" He let out.

Gaze lingered on him, watching as he went grabbing onto his backpack, and was just about leaving, when he took an abrupt stop, turning around slowly, gaze finally acknowledging me.

Eyes boring into me, I watched that gaze search through my profile.

"You're new" He stated with brows furrowed.

He had soon spun around, proceeding away, leaving Denna and I, once again unaccompanied.

"Those are the triplets. They're eleven" The voice of Denna was sure to follow as soon as the figure of the kid was away.

"Triplets?"

"You seem surprised. Wait till you hear about the twins. Those ones are Fifteen"

"You know, they're all lucky" She began. "Having parents who get them whatever they want, whenever" Her words followed, with the girl grabbing onto a cleaning brush.

She had pushed forward the same time a figure walked through the door, that form, sauntering into the living room.

It was a girl.

Lost in the conversation she was having on the phone, the cell remained pressed to her ears, with soft giggles escaping her lips.

She had tossed her bag onto the couch, seeming to take no notice of Denna or I, perhaps she only chose to ignore two random forms staring on at her, with such stupefaction held in their gazes. Or could it be daze? I sure I knew I was dazed. Everything that made up this abode surely was dazing.

Up the stairs, she went, attention still directed at the  cell.

"Are you done cleaning?" The voice of Denna had at once snapped my attention.

"I should be"

"That's good, Nia" I caught that smile taking her lips.  "You seem to be catching on just fine. I'll be in the—

Those words of hers were drowned in that shriek which poured out of nowhere, accompanied with the clicking of heels, and then came the girl who had walked in minutes ago, soon hurrying down the stairs, eyes clouded with sheer terror.

"Where are the keys? Where are stupid keys?!"Her voice blasted into the room. And with hands rummaging through the bag in her hold, she would curse every now and then, yelling to no one in particular.

"Have you seen my car keys?" She had spun around in a second, gaze directed at the form of Denna.

"You can't find your keys?" Followed the response which brought a scowl upon the face of the girl, who didn't seem like one who'd do much appreciating numerous questioning.

"I'm pretty sure I spoke without water in my mouth, Denna" Those words were spat out cold, gaze shooting fires.

She had soon turned over to her bag, continuing the search, when a light scoff left her lips, hand soon snatching out an item, from within the bag.

"Here it is" She followed with the frown on her lips, having disappeared.

I saw the cheer soon return to those eyes, and at once, she had spun to Denna. "If mom and dad are to ask where I am? Tell them I'm at Tiana's"

"Of course" 

I watched that figure stroll out the area, form taking exit out the house.

"That's Ashley" Denna called at once, eyes having a peek out the door at the girl.

"Sixteen"

"Has everything one could ask for; a nice home, loving parents, You know she—

Her words fell faint in my ears, all of her utterances a switch to the pains, that minutes ago, I had tossed aside.

Perhaps the silence, had at once snatched her focus, as she spun to me, gaze intent on my figure.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine"

"Excuse me" I let out, making my way out the space.

The broom held in my hands had dropped to the floor the moment I was outside, and the tears I struggled to keep hidden, soon came pouring out.

Mother was all that came to mind.

Mother, and hopes of a miracle.