Chapter 02
Chiku And Victoria Evolve
As time elapsed, I expanded my education and my confidence evolved. I managed to tear myself away from my demanding English Miss, meeting a nice black boy and resolving to move in together.
However, despite my highly impressive honours degree in English Literature, jobs were extremely hard to obtain and we became despondent and disgruntled as money dwindled.
My boyfriend's job was poorly paid and we desperately needed a second, supplementing income.
One day, my Mother, who was still employed as maid to Victoria's Mother, mentioned that Victoria owned her own house now with her boyfriend and needed a full time maid.
I quivered uncontrollably at the thought ------ no way could I work for that spoiled, self-centred girl! I am bright and intelligent. How demeaning it would be!
How could I forget the ignominy I had endured in front of her white friends!
I said to myself, never, never, never will I slave and wait upon a white girl again!
As the weeks then months rattled by, there were still no imminent signs of meaningful employment. I started to feel a strange yearning to see Victoria again. Maybe my submissive nature was taking hold of me!
This, coupled with a now mounting monetary problem, enforced me to think deep and hard.
Finally, I asked my Mum if the maid's job was available and luckily Victoria had dismissed the last girl only a few days previously so I was granted an interview.
I plucked up the courage to call. Apparently, it was a large, detached house with 6 bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool. I realised why she needed a full time maid.
As I rang the large, engaging doorbell, my heart was beating fast and furiously then. The door opened and our eyes met!
I could see her smug satisfaction that her African girl was back, this time practically begging to be her maid!
Victoria looked even more stunning than ever, alluringly attired in an expensive black mini-skirt with matching shoes and an inviting low-cut top. She sported an abundance of exquisite jewellery which radiated the natural beauty of this 'English rose.'
There was no semblance of friendship now. I could see that she was putting on airs and graces in front of her handsome companion. This was clearly now going to be strictly an employer/employee relationship.
Victoria and her boyfriend sat down as I was made to stand before them.
'You may remember Timothy, we are engaged to be married,' she said.
'Congratulations,' I said.
'You will be required to work 6 days a week, staying over during weekdays.
Your duties will be cleaning, ironing, shopping, serving meals and anything else I may require.'
'But Victoria,' I retorted. 'I can't stay. I too live with a boy and he would definitely not allow it.'
An incumbent anger engulfed Victoria's face!
'Firstly, you address me as Miss from now on and my boyfriend as Sir and secondly, they are the conditions of employment. Take it or leave it, there are plenty other willing girls.'
'I understand Miss; you will be my first priority.'
How had it come to this: - An intellectual, gorgeous black girl having to succumb to this self-indulgent white bitch. Now I had to tell my boyfriend of my new job.
What would he think of me serving a white girl's needs? I was scared he may leave me as I would see so little of him.
Luckily, though he was far from happy, Duane understood my despairing dilemma and agreed to the arrangement for the time being.
Every Monday he would drop me off at 8am and would pick me up usually at 6pm on the Saturday, unless Victoria was having a house party, in which case I would be required to serve food and drink into the evening.
The meticulous demands of Victoria made the job absolutely exhausting though when she was out I would often engage in pleasant conversation with her boyfriend.
He was so nice; a real English gentleman with exquisite manners and exhilarating conversation. I could see he respected my obvious inner credentials and he seemed fascinated by my contrasting but equally captivating beauty compared to his girl.
