Chapter 1

Just like every other day after my job as a waiter, I proceeded to the locker room and changed back
into my casual clothes. Being a waiter isn't anyone's dream job, it isn't what I love to do but I have no
choice because I need to provide for my daughter and me

After changing back into the clothes I wore to work this morning, I grabbed my handbag and make my
way out of the restaurant building. I work in a restaurant but yeah, I work as a waiter.

Coming out of the restaurant building, I turned to my right and began to work down the road to my
daughter's preschool which was a few minutes' walk away from where I work.

My lips curved into a small smile when I remember my daughter. Her name is Mia, she looks so much
like me. She's smart and she's my life. She's my source of motivation and I promise myself to always
do my best to give her a good life, a life far better than mine.

Moments later, I arrived at Mia's preschool. I was talking with her Teacher when I heard that very
familiar voice.

"Mama," Mia said excitedly before running up to me.

I smiled, crouched down to my knees, and spread out my hands, ready to hug her.

"My love, I missed you," I said as I embraced her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Miss you too mama." She grinned at me.

I rose to my feet with Mia on my lap. "Were you good to Aunty Maya today?" I asked my little girl,
referring to the teacher who was standing in front of us.

"Yes, mama." Mia nodded her head and I kissed her cheek for being a good girl.



I talked some more with Mia's teacher, picked up Mia's backpack and lunch back then my daughter and
I made our way home.

................

The smile on my face turned into a frown when Mia and I stepped into our home. Everywhere was a
mess, it was the exact opposite of how I left it this morning. Thanks to my baby daddy who was always
giving me so much works to do. He couldn't care less about personal hygiene and I'm honestly fed up
with him. He never helps with cleaning the house, running errands, or doing dishes and laundry.
Instead, I have to remind him all the time where he has to place his shoes and dirty clothes.

He never helps with anything, not even to watch over Mia when I had to run errands. He doesn't pay
Mia's school fees, I buy groceries most of the time, I pay the house rent. He only gave me the part
payment of our house rent a few times.

I do not know what to do, maybe we should get separated but I don't want my daughter to grow up
without a father but as things are going now, I think getting separated is better because I can't let my
daughter see the mess her father makes every day. God this is not how I want my life to be, my life is
even better before I met him when am with my parent.

"Mama, why are you crying? Are you hungry?" My daughter brought me out of my thought and wipe
away my tears I did not even know that is there

"I am fine my baby, I am not crying something enter my eyes that is why there is water in my eyes

I take her to the living room to watch kids TV and clean the entire house then make food us. How I wish
to go back to my life before I came to California, I am not rich but am happy with my family

Flashback



My name is Bella, I am from Nigeria, I am 18 years old, I am the first child of my parent and I have 2
younger brothers, we are not rich but my parent still affords to put food on our table and send us to
school until when I finish high school.

One day my dad comes back from work and said he want to talk to me after dinner, after dinner I went
to meet him and I saw my mother also with him, I had a feeling that this is not going to end well
because I can see that my father face change when he saw entering the living room.

"Bella please forgive me for what I want to say to you, I know it is always your dream or goals to finish
your school without any delay and find a good job, and get married to the love of your life but am sorry
to tell you that I afford to pay your college fees now so you have to wait for me to sort out your brother's
fees," my father said sadly

After what my father said it is like everything around me just stops because I always say nothing will
disturb my education till I finish College.

"Please dad and mum I know you are trying for us but please how much is the college fee? I will go out
and find any job and you can add it to the little you want to give me for my College fees" I said already
crying

"Did you think that College fee is little money? How many months did you think you can work that will
complete the whole fees? We don’t want you to start college now and drop out halfway because of
school fees. I promise you that I and your dad will try our best and you will not wait for long" my Mom
said

I don't know what to say or do, I said thanks to them and went to my room, hug my pillow, and cry till I
fell asleep



The next day I wake and all that happened yesterday replay in my head and I cry more, after some
more crying I wipe my tears away and have my morning prayer after I stand up and head to the
bathroom to clean up myself and look forward to what will happen today. I saw my dad on the dining
table having breakfast about to go to work, I greet him good morning and sat beside him

"Dad, I am thinking that I should find some work to do at least if I can't go to school I can find some
work to do better than sitting at home without doing nothing," I said

As I said that I can see that his face change and what to say something

"Dad I know what you want to say but I am not working because of saving money for my school I just
want to do it to make myself busy, please daddy," I said

"Which work did have in mind that you want to look for?" He asked me

"I have a friend that works in a restaurant as a waitress and she said I can come and meet his boss
and see how things go" I reply him and he nods his head positively.

When I wake up this morning, I saw my friend missed call and I called her back and explain everything
to her so she said that she has someone that has a restaurant and the person need a girl to work as a
waitress and I said I will take the offer but I have to lie to my dad that my friend work there so he can
allow me to go.

"Ok, you can go and check the place and talk to the boss but if the place is not good or the work is too
stressful believe me you have to stop the work. I just agree for you to go because you will not be bored
at home and I will come and check the place myself and talk to the owner "my dad said

I agree with all that he said and said thanks to him for allowing me to go and check things out in the
restaurant and work there.



As soon as I finish my breakfast I get my things from my room and call my friend to let us meet and go
to the restaurant. When we get there I meet the owner of the restaurant and we discuss all the
necessary things and he told me the time and the payment and everything went well. He said I should
start the next day which I am very grateful for. When my dad comes from work I explain everything to
him and my mum and they said ok if that is what I want but I should take care of myself, they also said
that if I see that the work is very stressful I should leave it.


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