Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Chapter 60: The advise

"You're a stupid girl!"

"Mama—"

"An idiot!"

"But—"

"You should be going after the white man not that imbecile horse boy." The woman clicked her tongue turning to look away.

"I love him." Faith whispered.

"Because you're a fool! Get out of my sight. I do not want to hear about this your child either."

"Mama it's your grandchild..."

"Will it take me out of this gutter? It will be born and it will live in this gutter with the rest of us. Thought you young girls had learnt a little something from Elliot's wife...that got her freedom from giving birth to a..."

Faith sighed. "Elliot is a fool, always has been."

"Fools seem to know each other because you speak so knowingly of him."

"I'm already pregnant. Thomas is happy about the child."

"But is he happy with you?" The woman questioned.

Faith was silent.

"If he was, he would have came to see me. To apologize, to ask for your hand in marriage but no."

"He will...soon enough."

"Kifah....of all the things you've ever done, this has to be the worst gutter you've ever thrown yourself into."

Faith cringed. "Mama it's Faith."

"Kifah Kifah, your name is Kifah."

"...it's Faith..."

"The name you gave yourself? When you started working at the house, you should have told them your name is Kifah not Faith, what is Faith? Faith exactly?" The woman yelled aggressively.

"Faith, Mama. Faith because I have hope that good things are about to come. Kifah is simply a reminder of struggling and living in misery."

"If your name means struggle it means struggle. It is very disrespectful to change it. You have disrespected me already as it is by telling me of this your child."

Overwhelmed, Faith looked aside. There was no pleasing her mother. She would never be happy. Never be satisfied with anything.

"What did you steal for me today?" Her mother changed the subject.

"Nothing..."

"You're a fool."

"Mama, madam is there and I could not touch anything in the kitchen or anywhere in the house. She was present and—"

"I hate when you want to speak big words at me..."

"Present means she is there..."

"Whatever, Kifah. I do not like being taken for a fool."

"I know Mama, I'm sorry."

It was quiet.

"I will bring you something soon. Madam brought some nice dresses and jewels."

"See now you're talking... we could sell the Jews to Amos...then we can exchange for—"

"It's jewels not Jews... Mama."

"Shut up Kifah. Shut your mouth. You think you know everything because you mingle with the white people. Do not be stupid. If you were smart you'd be the one working in the office counting money like that Merri girl but all you do is scrub floors and seduce horse boys."

"I'm trying..." she whispered.

"It's not enough, it will never be enough."

"I have to leave..."

"Good, go be useful."

"Yes."

"Fix your face, you're ugly the angry face only makes you uglier. Please Kifah..."

"...sorry mama..." Faith forced a grin.

"Good."

—

Austin could not help himself. He had to go ruffle the man's feathers just a little maybe a more than just a little.

"You're still breathing?" Austin spoke up startling Thomas. A smirk on his thin lips and his hands in his pockets. The tension was visible and could be cut through the air by a razor. Thomas felt so much anger within him, for himself, for his unborn child that was taken away too soon, for helpless Merri who had to end things for his sake for his safety, for himself and the pain he went through for merely being with Merri. Thomas felt wrathful. He was never a violent man but in this moment he wished death upon this man who stood in front of him with no remorse what so ever for the affliction he had caused. For the damage he could never repair...

"I'm talking to you Malund."

"It's Malundi." Thomas muttered.

"Malundy Malady London, I do not care." Austin hissed.

"I'm working..."

"I can see that. I won't say I'm impressed. Nothing about you impresses me."

"Merri and I are no longer together. If that's what you want to hear Master Austin."

"...not really... but it does sound pleasing hearing you admit and confirm with your own mouth dry lips. Are you starving? You must be." Austin smirked. "Are you thirsty? Tired from all the shagging you were doing with Faith behind Merrigold's back. I'm glad you're settling in well with the average woman that you deserve."

Thomas had his fingers in a fist.

The rage in him—

"I'd like to continue working—"

"I'm not holding you back, am I?" Austin shrugged.

"No..."

Try to stir away from him, and I will try my best as well. Thomas remembered Merrigold's words. He could not disappoint her. She would be the one paying for it at the end of the day if he retaliated. Thomas told himself, he is better than this. Better than the evil man Austin is. He asked for God's strength even when the devil was testing his patience.

"I'm not here to fight with you. I'm only here to congratulate you on your child."

Was it possible to feel shame and pride at the same time. Thomas had always wanted a child. He had dreamt of being a father. It was something that he thought of regularly. He would not pretend that he was not happy. Even if it had to be with Faith. The mere act that e would be having a child, that looked up to him and would call him father, that almost brought him tears.

"Thank you." Thomas said trying to be civil and making the conversation as short as possible.

"Before you know it, Merri and I will be right ahead of you."

Thomas face immediately changed. There was nothing more Austin enjoyed than ruffling Thomas feathers. He would lie to get any reaction out of him. Austin knew it was not true and that it would never be but that did not stop him from making Thomas enraged and bitter.

"Master Austin... if you really loved her as much as you claim. You'd be there with her comforting her, not here insulting me. It's as if I'm the one you want. Merrigold is hurting. You hurt her. Yet you're here trying to get a reaction out of me? It is not worth it. I doubt you love her. How could you... the only person you've hurt is Merri not me. If you assume she'd want anything to do with you after all that you've put her through then... you're delusional."

Austin only blinked flabbergasted.

"I should not even be giving you advise on how to be with Merrigold because myself I do not even want you to be with her. I hope you got whatever pleasure you were seeking from all your profound deeds."

"Y-you speak a lot of nonsense!" Austin stuttered.

"If you assume so, Master Austin."

"You deserve to be—"

"Can I tell you a secret? That I realized while locked up?"

Austin bit on his bottom lip too prideful to say yes. Too prideful to want to hear anything his enemy had to say.

"...she loved you..."

Austin's heart skipped a beat. Clearly not what he was expecting to hear from Thomas of all people.

"I love her, I was willing to ignore her love for you. I was willing to ignore it all. She loved you, I do not know what it is that could make a person love someone like yourself but all I know is she loved you. Unfortunately that isn't the case anymore, you really outdid yourself, sir."

Austin could not think of anything to say.

"I—" He stuttered. "I forgot I have some errands to run. Uhm..."

"Ofcourse Master Austin."

"I'm a busy man, I couldn't be bothered by an uneducated nigger who thinks he can teach me about women. When he has only been with one..."

"You might have been with more women that I can count with my fingers and toes but I've been with one and she's the one you want. I know her better than you could ever so you ought to listen to me..."

Rolling his eyes. "Get back to work!" Austin yelled marching away. He felt bitter very bitter.