The Love of the Housemaid and the Boss's Child

It was around two o'clock in the morning at Mbezi bus station when a woman named Mama James welcomed a truly beautiful young girl, clearly a newcomer to Dar Es Salaam, carrying her aunt's suitcase and wearing brand-new sandals. After that, they entered a luxurious black Range Rover with tinted windows, driven by Mama James herself, and the journey to their home in Oyster Bay began. During the trip, Mama James began questioning the girl. "Hey! Girl, how are you?" Mama James asked. The girl replied, "I am fine, Mama, greetings!" "Welcome... Is your name really Zai?" Mama James inquired. The girl nervously clutched her fingers, bowing her head, and answered, "Yes, Mama, I am called Zai." Mama James, looking serious, replied, "Okay, good. Now, going to where we are headed, I don't want any nonsense, do you understand? I don't want anyone with bad habits. I have also told the person who connected you to me, so I trust you because I trust them too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here right now! So what I want to mean is, don't ruin the trust someone placed in me because of you. Do not be afraid, and one more thing... I do not want you to bring bad habits into the home, from my child to my husband. You will cook, wash, clean, and do your duties, then rest. That is the system. I am just trying to give you my protocol. If you live as I want, you will last in this home; otherwise, you will be sent away!" Mama James was an educated woman with strict rules who did not tolerate nonsense from her workers. Zai responded to these instructions with a pounding heart, wondering many things about whether she could really manage in this city with such early demands. But she encouraged herself that everything is possible under the sun, and she had already decided to seek her own path rather than depend on her parents until she grew old with them. Shortly afterwards, they arrived outside a large gate of a two-story house in Oyster Bay, with a beautiful garden. Zai's heart beat faster, and Mama James noticed and asked, "Why is sweat pouring from you like this? Do you lack confidence? What is it? I understand; don’t worry, girl. I know you are used to staying in huts back in your village, but that should not spoil my work with your lack of confidence, okay?" "Okay, Mama," Zai answered. Zai was welcomed inside while continuing to admire the beautiful scenery. The house was very luxurious; one could say it was like a small palace. Mama James' husband, Anthony, was seated on a couch because it was Saturday and he was off work, enjoying a beer. When he saw the visitors arrive, he greeted them warmly, as he was a cheerful man who disliked stiffness. "Oh, welcome, visitors! Not far away, huh? I thought you might get here as late as five o’clock!" Zai replied to Mr. Anthony with greetings, slightly bending her knees respectfully, "Yes, sir, not far. Greetings!" "Welcome, my child! How are you? How do your elders back home say?" Zai lowered her head as usual and said, "They are all fine, Sir." Mama James interrupted their conversation teasing her husband but speaking seriously about what she said, "Hey, my dear, why are there so many greetings? Let the girl rest during the day, then start her duties so I can see if she can cook or is just trouble!"