Whispers In Time

me do you usually close from work?" he inquired. Emily flashed a warm smile.

sing an eyebrow, looking surpri

the car. "Call me when you're ready to leave," St

their pleasant conversation during the drive, he felt at ease with her. To his surprise, he had found himself sharing a lot about his life. "I've b

ions that encouraged Stephen to talk more about him

human resource development," Stephen explained. "I'

but warm up to her. "Enough about me," he said, trying to s

less-than-average looks, make average women look beautiful, and even transform beautiful ladies into

ily again and spontaneously offered to pick her up after work, even though she mentioned having an appo

he wanted to spend more time with Emily. This decision w

ace, the salon's owner, watched from the glass door. She observed E

ers occupied the salon, preventing the employees from chatting freely. Emily's coworkers hoped t

. However, Emily's face remained unreadable. Emily was known to smile, whether she was happy,

t, "Emily, please come and check my hair. I've been sit

g to the customers one by one. Within minutes, m

," one of the clients complimented the ow

imed in. "She's skilled and alw

nt explained. "I live in Opeibea, where there are countless

the backyard. She returned with towels and attended to some tasks

Lovelace

Emily responde

ddo's house three days ago

requesting home service and wanted me to come immedi

did she pay?" L

edis, Madam,"

rd of it in the cash

rise, the transaction she had recorded was missing, replaced by a different en

ed what I had writte

ing me?" Lovelace

veryone here can vouch for my honesty. Even when clients call me for weekend serv

fore. She was typically reserved and friendly, even when Lovelace

alon and go home on a two-week suspension,

ne of the clients interjected. "

eeched. "Do you want to

. However, Lovelace was resolute in her decision. In the end, Emily grabbed her handb

r, and a woman inside ask

s present when Lovelace had driven her out of t

ive in Opeibea too. Can you come to my place to do my

ceed in your profession because you have the skills. Don't be discouraged," the woman encouraged. "Lo

me, her cousin Maame

work," Emily announced as

quired, and Emily explain

threatened by you," Maame observed. "You're too confiden

be suspended, so I need some time to plan my next steps

now chaotic. Maame, her cousin and her aunt's only daughter, was back home for the weekend from her private university. De

lded. Over time, she learned to smile, even through the pain. When her uncle punished her, he expected her to remain silent. Emily would do her best to suppress her cries as tears flowed

d ensure that breakfast is ready before everyone wakes up. Maame would sleep until six in the morning, and I would have to fetch water for her to bath. When anything gets missing, they would beat me. When anything gets spoilt, I'm accused wrongly. I'm not happy over

sent back, she had decided not to go back to her parents again. She conclud

t her how to pray. Auntie Okaibea provided emotional support and became a mother figure to Emily. As they spent time together, she imparted valuabl

room instead of falling asleep as planned. Just as

Emily! Can you make some rice with

options. She had been working towards opening her own salon, had purchased equipment, and talked to a potential

Emily finally retired to bed. Her

work?" Stephen's v

ast nine. "No, I'm at home," she replied, stifling

u want to talk about it?"

e a meeting with your mother tomorrow

to at the moment?

ed. "I was just about to f

t keep you awake. Goo

mily replied, e

, it seemed Emily didn't want to talk. He had expected her to object when he mentioned not wanting to keep her

ing the evening alone. It was a long night ahead, and he hadn't ma