Prologue

"Hajiya,don't worry.I'll surely find a maid that suits yours and the Young master's taste,hehe."

"Absolutely,you don't have to worry about anything,Hajiya."

"I will surely appreciate that,so please try harder.Make sure she's clean and doesn't irritate my Son,I hope you'll keep that in mind." said the woman they called Hajiya

"Sure,sure,rest assured she'll be of your liking,I promise that."

"Okay, then.I guess I'll have to trouble you." said the Hajiya,who wore an expressionless face.

She stood up and left,leaving behind the two women.

"Aryan,my son,my charmer,are you just coming back from work?You must be very tired.What do you want to eat?" Hajiya Maryam ask her son,who just returned from work.

"Hi,Mom. I don't want to eat anything,just coffee will do." He replied.

"Okay.Khair,Khair" Hajiya called.

"Khair??Who's that?" Aryan asked.

"Oh well,she's the new maid"

Just then Khair appeared and greeted him in her British-ascent English.

"Yes,Madam.Good Afternoon, Young Master."

Aryan Studied her from head to toe,he was in awe because of the person in front of him.

'Oh my!This babe is a beauty and she's also clean unlike most maid,wow!' He thought.

Khair was dressed moderately,she's wearing a short pink gown,that stops at her knees,and a white skin tight that is just a little way below her knee and a white kitchen apron.Her thick and long hair was pushed into a ponytail,with a white ribbon,she looks impeccable if not pretty,even though she wasn't wearing many makeup except for a lip gloss, which was shining, adding to her natural beauty. She's also holding a serving spoon in her left hand.

"Good Afternoon." He replied, and shook her right hand,which she extended for a handshake.

"Young Master?" he asked again,looking straight into her eyes.

"I...I..." Khair stammered.

Meanwhile, Hajiya Maryam was not pleased with how Aryan was looking at Khair and even shaking her hands not releasing it,so she interrupted.

"Yeah,I asked to address you as that."

He just replied with an 'Oh' and retracted his hands from Khair's.

"Anyway, make coffee for my son."

"Okay." She replied and left, grateful for Hajiya cutting in,because she feels like Aryan can see through her soul with just his stare. And his looks was distracting her making her to trail off.

Aryan,on the other hand,wants to have a moment with Khair,cause he has a lot to ask about her,but thus without his mother's consent.

"I'll be upstairs, Mom. Ask her to take the coffee to my room." He said

"Why? You just stay here and chat with me while you enjoy your coffee."

He shakes his head saying "No,Mom. You don't understand, I need rest cause I'm very tired." He then immediately left,as if he's afraid she might see through his little plan.

"Peace be upon you." Khair said as she silently open the door to Aryan's room.

"Same to you." He answered,without looking up,cause he would never mistake that posh voice. He could smell the delicious aroma of food from her clothes, as she bends to gently placed his coffee on the bedside table.

"Here's your delicious coffee. Its better to have it while its still hot." She said as she turned to leave.

"Wait."he called.

He looked at the cup of coffee and saw that she'd drawn a smiley face with the coffee maker. He then turned to her

"What's in for lunch?"

"Em..Is Fried Rice,with salad and for desserts is Chocolate Raisin Pancakes. " She replied.

"Homemade drinks or carbonated?"

"Homemade Tropical Punch."

"Okay,so can I have a moment?" He asked.

'What moment?What does he needs?As if distracting me for a split second is not enough?'

As if sensing her inner turmoil,he added,

"Please sit,I want to have a discussion with you."

'A discussion?About what?Could it be he's already curious about her identity?'

"Dis....dis...discussion?" She stammered.

"Calm down,I'm not a vampire,so I won't jump and start sucking out your blood.Its just a simple discussion.Consider it as I'm trying to make a friend."

"Oh! But I really need a shower,Young Master. I'll be back in 30mins."

He looked at his watch and said;"Okay, your time starts now."

"Peace be upon you." She said as she returned in a black bandana,white t-shirt and a black three-quarter. She firmly held a tray of two foodflasks, three serving spoons, a small container, two plates, two jugs, two cups, and cutleries. Aryan was taking a nap, so she quietly kept the tray on the bedside table. She was about to leave when someone held her hand. She was suprised when she turn and see Aryan sitting on the bed.

"Running away are we, Princess?" He asked.

"No its not, I...I...saw that...." She stammered.

"Are you a stammerer?" He asked as he looked straight into her.

She shakes her head signifying 'no.'

"Good.So what's the.....er....erhm.....what's this?" He asked pointing at the tray she kept on the table.

"This?"

"Yes."

"Its your lunch."

\*

Khair said as soon as she picked.

'مرحبا يا أختى'

It was her twin sister,they usually speak in Korean or Arabic Language.

'كيف حالك؟ والعمل؟'

'How are you? And your work?'

'أنا بخير والحمد الله. والعمل........ الحمد الله

'I'm Fine, thank God. And work......I thank God.'

Ummul Khair, from the other end could sense something is wrong. So she didn't even know when she switched to English.

"What happened, Tweety? You don't sound well. I hope the didn't find out?"

Khair didn't respond, on the other end, her Tweeny was growing impatient.

"Why aren't you responding? Or should I come to the house? Text me the address this instant, and I'll be on my way..."

"No. I'll tell you what happened."

She took a deep breath and began.

"Continue."

Ummul Khair urged her when she kept quiet.

"Continue."

"Then I said, its your lunch." Khair continued.

He then said "Take it to that table."

Khair silently took it to the table he showed her, she arranged the dishes as if it were a dinning table.

"Sit down, let's eat and have our discussion." He added.

"But.."

"No 'buts', just sit down." He cuts in firmly.

They ate together and afterwards, he asked her about herself.

"So, my name is Khairun Nisa' bint Qatadah. I was born on the 1st of January, 2000. I am the only child of my parents. I'm also a half-cast, as my Mom is from Britain and my Dad from Saudi Arabia, my Grandmom is a Nigerian of Fulani tribe, so I can speak English, Arabic and Fulani, fluently. I don't stay with my parents but with my twin sister and I often visit my Grandmom, thus this is my story."

Aryan looked puzzled.

"I made an observation," he said

"You said you are an only child but you lived with your twin sister? How comes?"

"Well, actually she's my best friend. We're cousins and were also born the same day. And many people said we look alike and look like identical twins, that was also true.As we wore the same clothes and do stuffs together. And also all of us are Khairs."

"Oh! So both of you are Khairun Nisa'? What are the odds?"

"No, she's Ummul Khair."

"Okay, I understand."

"Uhm..I'm listening."

"What? Listening?"

"Yeah, you tell me your own story."

"Okay, so my name is Muhammad Aryan bn Khulaid. My Dad is a Nigerian as you know, and also the minister of External Relations. My Mom on the other hand is from Saudi, just like your Dad, and also has the citizenship of Nigeria by staying here for over twenty years. She's also the Minister of Health. I'm an only child, also. Born on January 1st, 1994 and I lived alone. I occasionally return home. So my Mom said She'll find someone who'll live with me, that's my story."

"Don't worry," said Ummul Khair

"Just don't let him know the secret."

"Okay, Unnie."

"Alright, I'm hanging up, Good Night."

"Okay, Good Night. Sweet dreams, my one and only Unnie."

Khair said before her Unnie {Sister in Korean Language}.

The next morning, Khair began her chores immediately after aubh prayers. She's going to school today, that's why. She was about leaving, when Hajia called her.

"Good morning, Hajiya." She greeted.

She called her Hajia, because she was reprimanded for calling her 'Mom' yesterday.

"Morning." She replied as if she was forced to.

"Ehm... this.." she said pointing to a girl of about Khairs age

"....is another maid. Shell help while you are away. Her name is...."

She didn't finish as her phone rang.

"Yes? What? Okay, I'll be right there."

"I'll be going, its an emergency."

She said and left.

*

"Khair, Khair?" Aryan called as he came into the kitchen.

*Where the hell is this girl?"

Just then, he noticed a presence of an unfamiliar face. It was the new maid.

"And who are you? Why are you here? And where is Khair?"

"I am Fadila, the new maid. Sis Khair is not around,she said she's going to school. So I'll tend to you, what do you want, Big Brother Aryan?" she replied her big round eyes sparkling.

"What a white lotus!"

"Mtsswwwww!" he hissed.

"Don't you ever called ne Big brother, even Khair addressed me as Young Master, so who are you to address me as big brother? You are just a MERE MAID and can never be my Sister. Also, I'd rather die than let you serve me. I'm disgusted!"

He left the kitchen, and was about leaving the house in a fit of rage, when he heard Khair's voice, she was heading towards the room saying ;

"Is there anybody home? I've been ......."

She stopped midway because she saw Aryan was fine with rage. So trying to cheer him up, she put on the act of a brave bodyguard, ready to fight anyone.

"What's up dude? Come on tell me the problem? Who dares to make my Young Master angry?" she acted as if she's going to actually fight someone.

Aryan burst out laughing as he approached her.

"Come and sit down."

He said as he held her hand and sat her down on her sofa. He sat down next to Khair and asked her.

"Where did you go to?"

Khair debated within herself on the whether to lie to him or tell him the truth, and decided to tell him the latter.

"School?" He asked antonished

"Which school?" he asked again.

"No, I won't tell you, so that you won't come to our school when you missed me."

Fadee stood there looking so pale because of anger.

"I've already missed you so much to....."

"Peace be upon you." said Hajia as she entered the sitting room.

"Same to you." they both answered.

"Welcome back, Hajia. Do you want me to arrange your bath or would you rather eat first?"

Khair asked as she went to collect the Hajia's bag.

Hajiya started rebuking her for no reason at all. She just didn't want to see Aryan with Khair.

Khair felt hot tears, welled up in her eyes. Never in her life had anyone rebuked her. Just then Faded stepped out of her hiding site.

"Welcome, Mom."

She said as she as she collected her handbag.

"Thank you, my daughter."

Never in her life, had Khair felt so foresaken. She couldn't bear to see what's happening, so she quickly left. Aryan followed her on her heels. His Mom was calling him but he ignored her. Aryan consoled her.

"Don't worry, Khair. I won't leave you alone in the lion den. I'm planning in going back to my apartment tomorrow, and you are coming with me. Start packing while I talked to Mom."

Even though, she isn't crying, she couldn't talk as she's afraid that even if she open her mouth to talk, she might choke herself, so she nodded her head. She's really grateful to Aryan for being by her side. She sluggishly stood up a and started packing her clothes, in her suitcase

What? Did you heard what he said, Fadee or am I imagining it?"

"I heard him too, Mom." Fadila replied, obviously surprised too.

"I think you didn't heard me well, I just said I'm going back to my house, together with Khair and mind you she's going to live with me and take care of me. Is there anything wrong with my choice?" Aryan asked.

"There's everything wrong with it. I purposely brought Fadee to that job. Khair is my personal maid not yours, you can't take her away. I can't let a mere maid take care of you." Hajia said.

"Why are so biased? What grudge do you hold against Khair? You said she's your personal maid, but yet you treat her coldly and treat Fadee as if you are her biological Mother.You find fault in everything she did. You can't let a mere maid take care of me, then why are you letting this little white lotus to? She's also a MERE MAID."

Hajia Maryam was so angry that she blurted out that Fadila is her friend's daughter and not a maid. And that she wanted him to marry her, that's why she can't let Khair live with him.

He turned to Fadila, because he saw she didn't say anything to make what his Mom said looks like a joke.

"Then why didn't you say anything earlier? Why act likea maid?"

"That's because most of the novels I read, the protagonist usually marries their maid." His Mom explained.

"Oh," he said uninterested, scratching his head.

"Well, not me. Atleast, I wouldn't marry her for now, because I don't love her. And I vow to marry only out of true love. Also for your information, I'm going back to my apartment tomorrow, no today, along with Khair, hence!"

Hajiya Maryam rained abuses on Khair, and vow to make her life miserable. Together with Fadila, they abuse her, her parents and grandparents, including her forefathers and unborn offspring. Khair cried her heart out, as nobody have ever abused her before, and Aryan is not there to console her.

Just then, Hajia's niece entered the house, followed by Aryan. Khair heard her voice and noticed her, when she said

"Peace be upon you."

'Wait, isn't this my Unnie's voice?'

Khair said silently in her heart, she raised up her head and saw Ummul Khair exchanging greetings with Hajiya and Fadila.

'How comes she's here? How did she come to know about this house?'

She ran to her and hugged her.

"Unnie." she said as she burst into tears again.

أنا مسرورة جدا بلقاءك لأننى لم أرك منذفترة طويلة

'I'm very happy to see you, because I haven't seen you for a long time.'

هل أنت على مايرام؟

'Are you Okay?' asked Ummu.

نعم، أنا بخير

'Yes, I'm okay.'

هل تعرفها يا أم الخير؟

'Did you know her, Ummul Khair?' Hajiya asked.

أجل، أعرفها جدا. هى جارتنا فى السعودية

'Yes, I know her very well. She's our neighbor in Saudi." replied Ummu, as she turned her attention to Khair. Khair switched to Korean language, when she heard Hajiya speaking Arabic.

"Did you know her?" asked Khair.

"Of course, she's my Aunty and Aryan is my only cousin."

Aryan turned and looked at them when he heard his name but he couldn't understand a single word as they're speaking Korean Language.

"I missed you to, Unnie." Ummu said as she disengaged herself from Khair and patted her back.

"I'm here now, tell me why are you crying?"

Khair told her everything, without leaving out even a comma or full stop.

"Wipe your tears, my dear Sis. Don't worry, Aryan will take care of everything.

"Please, I'm begging you, stop speaking this strange language of yours and speak the normal English." said Aryan.

"Okay, my lovely Cousin."

تعل يا أختى. إجلسى هنا. ماذا تريد أن تشربى؟ هل تريد الماء؟

'Come, my sister. Sit down here. What do you want to drink? Do you want to drink water?'

لا، تعال واجلس معى. أنت التى يجب عليك أن تشرب الماء

'No, come and sit with me. You are the one that is supposed to drink water.' replied Ummu.

"No, I'm fine." Khair added.

All this while, Hajiya and Fadila stood there rooted, watching them. Especially Faded, she flabbergasted to hear Khair speaking Arabic and the other strange language, fluently.

*

"Aryan," called Hajiya.

"Can I have a moment?"

Aryan was reluctant to stand up, because he was already fed up.

"Just say it here, let everyone hear it." he said.

She tried to persuade him, in the end he refuse to go alone, he insisted on having Khair there. Hajiya didn't expect that, but she agrees.

She then told him that Fadila is the president's niece, and that Hajiya Amina, the first lady and Fadila's mother has vowed to impeach both her and Aryan's Dad if Aryan refuses to marry Fadila. She begged him to marry Fadila and if he wish to marry three more wives, nobody would stop him. She also apologized to Khair.

"I didn't mean to be harsh on you, but I'm forced to do so. You see, I and Aryan's Dad are not rich, it's because of the first lady that we are what we are today. She's also the one who sponsored Aryan through medical school of Harvard University."

"How much did she spend on us?" Aryan asked.

"I've been keeping record of what she's spend on us. I'm glad it'll help, let me get the record book."

She brought out the book, and together they calculated the numbers.

Aryan's medical school tuition cost about Six Hundred Fifty-Seven million, Three Hundred Forty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twelve (657, 345, 912) billion naira, plus other expenses, it's about 100 trillion naira.

"I've some money in my bank account, I think it is up to 50 trillion naira. We can use it to start paying the debt, because I wouldn't marry Fadila." said Aryan.

"I have 20 trillion in my own account, making 70 trillion, where can we get the remaining 30 trillion?" asked Hajiya.

"Can't we ask Daddy for it?" asked Aryan.

"Oh no! You Dad didn't know anything about this, so he'll be angry at me for hiding such a thing. We've got to get it on our own. And please, don't say anything to your Dad about this, till we settle it."

"Can I say something?" Khair asked.

"Yes, my dear." replied Hajiya.

"Don't worry about the remaining money, I'll pay it!" she replied.

Aryan turned his head rather sharply and stared at her asking;

"You'll what?"

"Pay it." she replied with a straight face.

Hajiya was looking at her, speechless, before realizing what was happening.

"My dear, where will you get such a huge amount of money?"

"From my Dad."

"Your Dad?" they chorused.

"Yes, my Dad." she replied and looked at Aryan before she continued speaking.

"Right now, I've 16 trillion naira, so I'll ask my Dad to send me 20 trillion and the additional 6 trillion would be used to start up something, so that we wouldn't be left stranded."

"Who is your Dad?" Hajiya couldn't help but ask.

"My Dad is the Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Sayyid Qatadah bn Shaddad. An Uncle to cousin Ummul Khair and of course, a friend of yours."

Hajiya burst into tears, saying;

أنا أسفة جدا لأنني طننت أنك فقيرة ولكن..... هل أنت تمزح؟ هل أنت حق بنت أخى قتادة؟

'I'm really sorry, I thought you're poor, but... are you kidding me? Are you really brother Qatadah's daughter?'

Khair sat by her side, consolling her.

أجل يا عمتي. أنا حقا بنته.

'Yes aunt, I'm really his daughter.'

"Don't call me Aunt. I'm also a Mom to you, because your Dad, is like a brother to me, as we grew up together in the same neighborhood. He later became a member of our house, when your grandfather died, and your Grandmom returned to Nigeria, because he refused to tag along. You....can you forgive me for being harsh to you?"

"Of course,yes. To err is human and to forgive is divine. I've already forgiven you. Now wipe your tears, Mom. I'll inform Noona immediately." she said and left.

Aryan followed her quickly.

"Wait!" he said.

"Tell what is your mission in this house?"

She studied him in surprise.

"Let me tell you something, I have no mission."

"Then what brought you here? Working as a maid? When you can live a life of a wealthy heiress?"

She then told him about her phobia, she's suffering from Xenophobia and how her therapist suggests she suggests she live in a more lively place, so that she'll interact with more people, so as to get rid of it, and she's been on monthly Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and also has some antidepressants and antianxiety medications prescribed, in case of emergencies.