“Get her for me,” Mama Gabriel instructed.
Moments later, Fiona appeared, slightly breathless.
“Ma, you sent for me?” she asked respectfully.
“I am looking for my diamond necklace, and I heard you were the last person in my room.”
Fiona’s eyes widened in shock.
“Me? No, Ma. I have never stolen anything in my life,” she said, her voice trembling.
Erica stepped forward quickly.
“Madam, I don’t trust this girl. We need to search her room.”
Joy added, “To be fair, we should search everyone’s room.”
Mama Gabriel nodded.
“All right, search all the rooms.”
They began the search.
Moments later, the necklace was found in Fiona’s room.
The air went still.
Fiona’s legs gave way, and she fell to the ground, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Madam, I swear on my mother’s grave, I didn’t take anything,” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
For some reason, Mama Gabriel hesitated. There was doubt in her eyes. Something about Fiona’s desperation felt real, but discipline had to be maintained.
“You are no longer allowed in the main building,” she said firmly. “You will stay in the boys’ quarters. Understood?”
Fiona lowered her head slowly and nodded, her shoulders trembling.
Erica frowned slightly. That was not what she wanted. She had wanted Fiona thrown out completely. But for now, this would do. At least they thought she would no longer be seeing Gabriel.
But little did they know, something strong had already begun to form between them.
That day, Gabriel walked to the boys’ quarters.
“I heard what happened,” he said as he approached.
Fiona panicked immediately, her eyes widening.
“Sir, I honestly did not take it.”
“I believe you,” he replied calmly. “I just came to find out how you are coping.”
Fiona let out a small breath and smiled faintly.
“I am fine, sir.”
Not far from them, Erica, Georgina, and Joy stood watching, their faces tight with anger.
“We can no longer allow this to continue,” Erica muttered under her breath. “If we do, this girl will take this man from us.”
Joy nodded slightly.
“It is better one of us marries Oga Gabriel than for this riffraff from nowhere to have him.”
That afternoon, the three of them dressed up neatly and went to Fiona’s door. They knocked.
Fiona opened the door, surprise flickering across her face. It was the first time they had ever come to her.
“Hi, Fiona,” Erica said with an unusually warm smile. “Today is my birthday,” she continued, her tone light, “and I want you all to hang out with me.”
Fiona’s face brightened instantly.
“Oh, happy birthday. Okay, give me a second.”
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