Now, he was waiting for it.
Waiting for dinner.
Waiting for stories.
Waiting for her.
Even his schedule began to change.
Meetings ended faster.
Calls became shorter.
One confused business partner asked on the phone, “Sir, are you okay? You sound happy.”
Anthony paused. “Is that a problem?”
The man panicked. “No, sir. Happiness is good. Very good. Please continue.”
Anthony ended the call and shook his head. “People are afraid of joy.”
Ma had no idea what was happening.
She was just doing her job—with extra talking.
That evening, she walked into his room again with dinner.
“Sir, today’s story is premium. I even practiced it in the kitchen.”
Anthony looked up. “You practiced?”
“Yes. I don’t deliver low-quality stories.”
He leaned back slightly. “Proceed.”
She placed the tray down, sat comfortably like she owned shares now, and began.
“Sir, one time my neighbor wanted to impress a girl…”
Anthony already knew this would be chaotic.
And he was right.
Ma acted out the entire story—voices, expressions, even background sound effects.
Anthony laughed.
Not small laughter.
Not hidden laughter.
Full, free, uncontrolled laughter.
At one point, he held his stomach. “Stop. Stop. This is too much.”
Ma clapped excitedly. “I knew it. This story has never failed.”
She stood up and bowed dramatically. “Thank you, thank you. Tickets are sold out.”
Anthony shook his head, smiling. “You’re unbelievable.”
Ma pointed proudly. “I am limited edition.”
Meanwhile, the maids were boiling.
“She’s laughing with him again.”
“She’s spending too much time upstairs.”
“This is not maid work. This is an audition.”
One of the jealous maids snapped, “I will not accept this. Who is she?”
Ngozi rolled her eyes. “Relax. If your destiny is inside his room, it will call you.”
The maid hissed. “My destiny is not foolish.”
Mama Grace stood quietly in the corner, watching, smiling.
It has started.
Days passed, and something inside Anthony changed completely.
He started noticing things.
Small things.
The way Ma laughed without fear.
The way she spoke without calculation.
The way she brought life into a house that had forgotten how to breathe.
One evening, after she left his room, he whispered to himself, “What is happening to me?”
But deep down, he already knew.
Back in the maid’s room, Ma sat on her bed staring into space.
Her friend Ngozi nudged her. “What is it?”
Ma shook her head. “I don’t understand that man.”
Ngozi smirked. “Which man?”
Ma whispered, “Oga.”
Ngozi gasped dramatically. “Ah, you have upgraded to Oga.”
Ma hit her lightly. “Be serious.”
Then she lowered her voice. “He looks at me somehow.”
Ngozi leaned closer. “How?”
Ma struggled to explain. “Like he is seeing something only he can see.”
Ngozi grinned. “My dear, that is called interest.”
Ma’s eyes widened. “No. Don’t say that. I am just a maid, and he is a billionaire. Life is unfair.”
The next day, Anthony sat in his car thinking.
Then suddenly he turned to his driver. “Stop at the mall.”
The driver blinked. “Sir?”
“Stop.”
Inside the luxury boutique, Anthony stood surrounded by expensive dresses.
The attendant smiled politely. “Sir, what are you looking for?”
He paused, then said simply, “Something beautiful.”
“For who, sir?”
He did not hesitate. “For someone important.”
Minutes later, he held it.
A creamy, elegant dress.
Soft. Classy. Stunning.
Just like—
He stopped the thought.
“Wrap it.”
Back at the mansion, Anthony walked into the living room. All the maids straightened immediately.
“Oga is back.”
He looked around.
“Ma.”
She appeared from the kitchen. “Yes, sir?”
He handed her the bag.
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