Ms Wilson's Replacement

24: This past week

A.N. I notice how readers leave comments asking for when an update is coming, but when an update comes they won't take a few seconds and leave encouraging comment. Please no "update please" or "when will you update this book?" type of comment, it doesn't encourage me. I publish here because I love writing and because I love my readers nothing more. Anyway, if you like it, comment and get engaged with it and encourage me to continue. Thank you ❤❤

"Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn't change the heart of others-- it only changes yours."
~Shannon Alde

The next few days that followed I stuck I kept my distance as well as communication with Elizabeth, partly because I wanted to avoid all forms of confrontation with Jumia and also because I didn't want any troubles with Anna, a lot was at stake, including Luke and Paula safety. I don't want to cause more harm to anyone than I already have and doing this now, is doing more good than harm even though it doesn't look like it.

Luke was good to me and I didn't want any harm coming to him because of me and Elizabeth shouldn't be fighting with her daughter because of me either.

Elizabeth called the day that followed to apologize for Jumai's behaviour, but I told her that there wasn't a need to apologise. Jumai was so blunt and cruel with her words and I thought she'd taken it too far with her accusations about Anna's character, and even if Anna was who Jumai said she was, my loyalty was with her and not anyone else.

Elizabeth tried to invite me over for coffee but I turned her down and told her that I was busy even though I could have made time if I wanted to. I told her it was for the best if I stayed away so that she wouldn't fight her daughter everyone. She told me I didn't have to push her away but that's was what Jumai wanted and also what Anna would want as well and I worked for her.

I wasn't surprised when Eli called to ask what had happened. My firm decision to stay off had hurt Elizabeth and she probably told him when he called to check up on her.

"Eli, I promise, nothing happened. I just don't want to see your mom and grandma going head to head because of me again." She closes the door and approaches her desk to take a seat.

"Grandma told me that mother called you awful names." He pointed out already having a sad tone. I couldn't take any emotion that would guilt me over the decision I've already made.

"Eli can we not go into all that?"

"No, Anna, mother hurt you with what she said and now you are taking it out on grandma and yourself."

"Eli please..." I plead and it was me warning him to drop it.

"Anna you have to-"

"I don't want to talk about it!" I snap, causing Francis to turn to me quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap, I just want you to let it go."

There is silence on Eli's end, and soon afterwards he sighs, "Fine, Anna, do what you want to do, I just hope you're okay."

We barely said more than that before ending the call and I drop the phone onto the desk. And bury my face in my hands. Eli will never understand why I do what I do and I don't mean to hurt him or be unruly but things are not always black and white. Keeping my distance will not just save fight, it would also keep me from getting on Anna's bad side which will, in turn, keep those I care about safe.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" Francis asks and I peek at him through my separated fingers.

"Yeah? Why?" I ask, giving him narrowed eyes.

He shrugs, "Well just curious, you been different the last few days. I mean last week was your best, you were happy and full of energy and this week you seem to have gone back to your old ways."