From behind a tree some distance away, Chioma watched the open window of the maid’s room at the back of the mansion. She frowned. It was the same room she stayed in throughout her teenage years working as a maid instead of being treated like the niece she was.
The weather was icy cold and a light drizzle fell steadily but she didn't notice. Years of labour in her uncle’s house had finally seemed to pay off. The old man was dead but the land where her mother had built their house had been willed to her.
Yet at the reading of the will the previous day before, the solicitor had never mentioned it. Her mother was devastated and unable to get up from bed that morning.
Now seeing no one in the backyard, Chioma pushed through the ajar fence gate and climbed through the opened window.
The document proving the small piece of land belonged to her mother was hidden somewhere only she and her uncle knew about. She cleaned for him but she also noticed things none of his children did.
She climbed the stairs quietly, stepping over the places that creaked, until she got to the study. The door was not locked. Chioma shook her head and smiled, whispering, “easy peasy.”
She remembered the big wooden desk with three drawers beside the shelf. One of the drawers was always locked. Pushing aside old newspapers and envelopes on the desk just for the fun of it, she tried the spare key she had taken years ago. The old man didn't miss the key.
The drawer clicked open. Inside it lay the will and several documents to landed properties.
For several seconds, she could only stare at the signature at the bottom of the will because there was no mistake about it. Her uncle had indeed left the land to her mother. Whatever document the solicitor read the previous day was fake.
Then the front door opened slowly and her cousin, Ugochukwu stepped inside, his face tight with anger.
“In case you don't know, I installed security cameras,” he drawled, folding his hands across his broad chest. “I could have you arrested for burglary.”
Chioma straightened and raised her chin. “But not before your siblings and everyone knows you forged your father's will.”
Ugochukwu blinked, the anger draining from his face as his eyes moved to the document in her hand. For a moment, neither of them spoke. He held up both his hands. “Okay, Chioma. I won't fight you on this but let's talk.”
“There's nothing to talk about,” she snapped. “I want what's due to my mother.”
He nodded. “You'll get it.” He pointed to the drawer. “The papers are in there. Take them….just don't tell my siblings. Please.”
A slow smile spread across Chioma's face. For years, they had treated her like the maid but finally, she carried the truth and Ugochukwu was going to pay for it.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "easy peasy”.
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