Where pain had already lived.
And where she would have to be very careful.
Madam walked back to her seat.
“Why do you need this job?” she asked.
Adamma hesitated.
For a moment, she thought of lying.
But something told her not to.
“My mother is sick,” she said softly.
Madam didn’t react.
Didn’t even blink.
“How sick?”
Adamma’s throat tightened.
“Very sick, ma.”
Silence.
Madam looked at her for a long moment.
Then finally spoke.
“You will work here. You will be quiet. You will not interfere in anything that does not concern you.”
Adamma nodded quickly.
“Yes, ma.”
“And one more thing…”
Madam’s voice dropped slightly.
“If I ever hear anything… anything at all… about you and my husband…”
She paused.
Her eyes locked with Adamma’s.
“You will leave this house with nothing.”
The room went completely still.
Adamma felt a chill run through her body.
But she nodded.
“Yes, ma.”
Madam stood up.
The interview was over.
Just like that.
No smile.
No welcome.
Just rules.
As Adamma picked up her bag, she felt something heavy settle inside her chest.
