Chapter 1

He is white, I am black. 

He is rich, I am poor.

He is a master, I am a servant. 

He is above and I... I am always below.

I.. I am in love with him. I really am but he doesn't love me back. Nonetheless, I don't mind as long as I will always be by his side forever. All I want... All I desire is to be there for him even if he'll never look at me the way I do. 

I remember our first meeting, it wasn't that favorable. I actually didn't like him at first. He in fact despised me as well. 

He and his parents had moved here in Kenya for vacation and also for a few business deals. My parents were hired in his house by his parents. My Father was the chauffeur while my mother was one of the three maidservant who worked there. We needed the money and since they offered my parents the job through the agency that they worked in, they couldn't refuse. Moreover, they paid well. 

I remember on that weekend one of the maidservants had left for a family emergency so the Kashif's (Kashif was their family name) household was short on workers. They needed someone to feel in for her and work. I volunteered to go work.. Hey! It was just for two days plus I had no idea that the Kashif had a son. All I wanted was to see that huge house that my mother would always talk about.. I wanted to earn that cash too and buy the books I needed for school (we we're on the weekends) since they we're paying on a daily basis. 

"Woah, it's a beautiful place!". I exclaimed happily as Dad drove us in. 

"Of course it is dear. We are in Karen. All houses are beautiful here in Karen". Mother replied with a huge smirk on her face. 

Karen was one of the estates where rich people lived here in the capital city of Kenya. Most houses we're classical and beautiful.  No, they were fancy and huge.. I really don't know if I could be able to describe them but just you know, they we're beautiful and huge.

"Well, I am going to work hard in school and buy a big house like this one!". I exclaimed as Dad parked the car and we got out. 

"I trust in you. I can't wait to see how large that house will be". Mother said as she smoothened down her uniform. I did the same.

"And you won't have to work like this again". I added as we started to walk towards the house. Mother gave me a fond look before pressing a kiss on my forehead.

"I can't wait for that day to come". She muttered.

"Behave yourself Lavi and stay away from trouble". Father said. I nodded.

•••••

Mrs. Kashif had been really kind to me. No wonder mother liked her. She was beautiful too; yellow skinned, medium height had dark hair that was always up in a neat bun. Anyways, I wanted to be like her when I was older.. Focused, kind and wealthy!. 

I guess it's everyone's dream to become wealthy most especially if you're from a poor background?. We grow up thinking that money is the first priority, it's not our fault to have such thinking you know. Anyways, I wanted to be like her. 

"Lavinia, would you please go dusty the study room?. I want it clean before my husband and son get back late today". Mrs. Kashif requested. 

"Son?". I had asked. 

She raised a puzzled brow at me before her face softened and lips quirked up in a small smile. 

"Oh you didn't know?. I have a son. You shall meet him later when he returns with his father. They..  They went to Chaka Ranch for a father-son bonding time". She explained.

"Oh okay. I'll clean up the study room". I said while nodding. 

Chaka Ranch was one of the ranches where families would go for their outdoor or indoor picnics and other activities. It was really expensive so my family and I couldn't afford going there but I could always watch the advertisements of that ranch in our neighbour's television. 

Mrs. Kashif gave a slight nod before leaving. 

I decided to first finish in cleaning the other living room before going to the study room. 

The rooms we're as huge. The size of the living room that I was cleaning was two times larger the size of the house that my parents and I lived in. But whom am I kidding? We lived in the slums commonly known as Kibera, the largest slum in the country... And we couldn't afford a better house, now I think you understand why my parents were working here. We were in real need of the cash that the Kashifs were paying us. 

I set down the bucket of water and the other cleaning stuff that I was to use in the cleaning as I took in the study room. The massive mahogany desk that sat in the middle of the room, behind it was a huge black leathered swivel chair and two chairs across it that faced each other. Behind it all on the wall was a nature portrait.. On the other wall was a shelf that held books... Different books.. From novels, to business books and magazines but it was all good and beautiful. 

I took a dry wash cloth and started to wipe the table. I was deep in my thoughts that I hadn't realised the door had been opened and someone else was there until they spoke.

"Who are you and what  are you doing here?". He asked. I looked up just in time to come face to face with the young man. He was barely a few years than I was, he was tall and lean, had dark hair and was Caucasian skinned. His skin was so white that I just gaped at him, looking him over and adoring or rather appreciating him apart from the scowl that was on his face other than that, he was handsome.

"I thought I asked you a question!". He exclaimed, his voice sharper this time thus pulling me out of the cloud of thoughts that I had been absorbed in. 

"Oh.. Uh..". I stuttered. 

"Are you dumb?". He snapped angrily.

"Uh. I'm a..." I didn't know what to say. Like couldn't he see that I was in a maidservant's uniform?. 

"I knew it!". He exclaimed as he took a step back. My brows furrowed wondering what he meant by that. 

"Excuse me?". I questioned.

"Shut up you thief!". He exclaimed loudly. 

'What? Thief? Me?'. I questioned myself internally. 'Did he just call me a thief?'. 

He backed away in the direction of the main living room. I followed him trying to maintain some distance between us in case he thought of attacking me. I needed to know why he was calling me a thief and yet I had stolen nothing. 

"Mother?". He called out causing Mrs. Kashif who was at that time talking to my mother (probably telling her what to do) to stop talking and look at him. 

Aah so this was her son?. 

"Mother?". He called again. I stood a few meters away from him, his back facing me. 

"What is it Salim?". She questioned.

So his name was Salim?. 

"We have a thief in the study room!". He exclaimed. My eyes widened at that. Mrs. Kashif  and mother both wore puzzled looks.

He seriously thought of me as a thief?. 

"What?". A male voice came from the direction of the stairs. 

Mr. Kashif!. 

He stood there looking at all of us. I could see the practical resemblance that he had with his son only that he was more muscular and a bit taller. 

"I think you're mistaken!". Mrs. Kashif responded ignoring her husband's exclamation. 

"Mistaken by what mother? I'm so sure that we have a thief in there!". Salim said.

"Saumu? What is our Son talking about?". Mr. Kashif asked his wife.

"We don't have a thief here. Naomi went to tend to a family emergency and we needed someone to fill in for her. I think that's the person that Salim thinks is a 'thief'!". Mrs. Kashif explained while she air quoted the word "thief" using her fingers. 

Mr. Kashif took in a deep breathe as he walked the last steps of the stairs and down to where we all were.

"Son? What did we say about having a good first impression?". He asked Salim.

"Well, how was I to know that she was one of the slaves that we have here?". He interjected.

"Salim?". Mrs. Kashif questioned. "How dare you talk like that?". 

"What? Isn't that true?". Salim questioned back.

"Is this how he thought of us? Of me? As slaves?". I thought to myself as tears threatened to fall down my cheeks. I was aware that my social status was low but that didn't mean that he should rub it on my face like the way he was doing. 

"I didn't teach you to be rude like this Salim. Apologize to her. Now!". Mrs. Kashif ordered. 

Salim huffed, arms crossed against his chest, "I've done nothing wrong!". 

I couldn't stand it anymore. I ran out if the house seeking the comfort if the slums that I knew as my home.