THE ENEMY

ANNA

It's been two years since I've been home. Oh how i missed my brother, Joe.

The last time I was home, i was 22 now I'm 24 and just graduated. I can't believe, I'm already done with college. Joe is actually my kid brother and he just turned 18. Trust me he is the only reason I'm glad to be home whenever I'm coming back from school in London.

It's not that i don't love my stepmom and dad, i do. And we click just fine with my stepmom. I just don't see the reason why she should always remind me to get my own place after college.

Dad on the other side, rarely has time for us. He is always away, mostly on trips away from home at work. But whenever we have a "we time", it's always the best time in my entire life. I just wish i had enough time with him. Yoh, i miss that man.

Just landed an hour ago in Nigeria and still waiting for the driver to come pick me up. Dad is away as always,  went for a meeting in UK, and my stepmom has a thing with her circle, or whatever they call it. Joe is having an exam.

Oh what a day to come back home.

I see mr Johnson, our driver waiting for me. He's now here, what a relief. Been scrolling on my phone like forever, not knowing who to call or text, my best friend Tammie, is home now and i guess she's busy with her siblings, she isn't giving a damn about my text since i started off from London, anyway she will come back to me as soon as she's discovered she has missed me. For now, let me just worry about getting home and my stepmom getting on my nerves that i should finally rent a place since I've graduated.

"Hello miss Anna", mr Johnson greets.

His been our family driver since i was like 4 years old, way before my mom passed. Anyway, will come back to mama later, now i don't wanna get emotional.

"Hello mr Johnson, how are you? Do i always have to remind you to call me Anna not miss Anna all the times?.

I smile at the old man and make my way to the back seat.

"Now that you've graduated i don't have a choice but  to call you miss Anna, maybe you could employ me one of these days". He says and smiles.

I laugh. Wow, i just can't believe the expectations are already on a rise. But i wouldn't mind employing the old guy as my personal driver. My dad always gives me a huge amount of money as my monthly allowance, i just hope it continues this way, now that I've graduated and I've already started looking up for vacancies as a secretary.

"Just get me home mr Johnson, I'd really appreciate it if we get home as fast as possible " i say.

"Alright miss" he responds and speeds up.

Thank God.

"Miss Anna" mr Johnson taps on my shoulder, like for the 10th time i guess.

"Yes" i look at him, puzzled.

"We are home now, you kinda fell asleep" he says.

Can't believe, i fell asleep. Maybe it's just jet lag. It's like a three day journey from London to Nigeria. I just didn't notice i was this exhausted.

"Thank you mr Johnson, would you just please help me with my luggage?"

"That's okay miss Ann, will bring it inside for you".

The moment I just entered the house, i noticed my stepmom on the couch, busy scrolling on her phone. She seemed very focused and didn't seem to notice me at all. It's like she wasn't expecting me anymore, yet i informed her the minute i landed.

I just had to let my gud down and went and gave her a hug.

"Hey ma"

"Ooh Ann, what time did you get here? She asked.

"Some few minutes ago. Just arriving, mr Johnson came to pick me up at the airport "

"Ooh Ann, i wish i came, but you know, i was with the girls, couldn't miss our meeting " she said. Pretending to care, yet both of us knew she doesn't give a damn about me. She wouldn't do the same if i was Joe.

Anyway, I'm just glad she gave me a brother i am fond of. I don't know what could have become of me if i and Joe weren't on good terms.

"It's okay, let me just freshen up. I've had a long day" i say, heading upstairs.

"Please do so honey, dinner will be served in an hour or so".

The moment I opened my bedroom door, i just wished the earth could open up and swallow me. Wow, my bags were already packed, with just a few clothes in my dresser.

I run downstairs and Violet looks up at me.

"What's up honey?"

"Why are all my clothes packed?" I ask, furious already and biting my lower lip to avoid making it obvious.

"Oh honey, i got you a flat for rent, you are moving out tomorrow " she says smiling.

"What! I just arrived, you can't be serious". It's unbelievable, who does that. It's not like i irritate her or get on her nerves or anything that I could think of that would make her want to get rid of me.

"Darling, it's actually fine. Your dad already got you a job and he will make sure he pays for the flat on your behalf "

"Dad knows about this arrangement?"

"Of course he does honey, you will be fine on your own, it's not that hard. I started staying alone when I was 18" she says

"Whatever " i say and go back to my room. I just wish they could ask me what I want sometimes,  than make decisions for me all the times.

They literally control everything about me, the school i went to, the program I studied. Maybe it's high time i moved out indeed.

Anyway, i head back to my room. Let me just take a shower and try to relax. I enter the bathroom and let the water cool me down.

It's been like three days now and still my bestfriend hasn't replied to my messages or called me. Like WTF. I thought she'd have missed me by now, but nope.

I hear someone knock at the door.

"Come in" i say

"Oh Rose!" She's been like my Nanny since i was 10. She's been like my mother all these years.

"Oh my princess, it's good to have you back home, come give your nanny a big hug. I missed you "

I rush and embrace her.

"Not as much as i missed you "

"Too sad you are leaving us tomorrow " Rose says.

"Uhh Rose, i wish you didn't remind me of that. But anyway, your girl is a big girl now. It's time i left and started staying on my own. Won't you come with me?" I say showing a sad face.

"I wish i did love, but Joe. You know i can't just leave my baby boy alone with that lazy stepmom of yours"

"But Joe is a big boy now, he can take care of himself "

"Don't worry, soon he leaves for college i will come stay with you" she says.

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise. Now let's go have dinner"

"Alright Rose, will be coming down stairs in a minute " i say.