The day my shop girl almost finish my business

Two years ago, my sister send me a girl from our village. She say the girl mama die, she need help. I say okay, I train her for my shop. I teach her everything , how to price goods, how to talk to customers, how to count money. I even let her sleep in my back room.

At first she dey do well. Very respectful. Call me 'Mummy' every time. I start trusting her with my daily savings. I tell her 'take this ₦50,000 go pay supplier for me'. She go and come back with receipt.

But something start to smell. My goods dey finish faster than normal. Customers start complaining say I no get stock. I check my book, everything look correct. But my heart no gree me rest.

One day, I pretend to leave shop early. I tell her 'I dey go market, lock up by 5pm'. Instead, I hide inside my friend shop two doors away. By 3pm, I see her call somebody on phone. She say 'Oga, I get ₦20,000 for you today, come take am'.

My heart sink. I reject it! Jesu! I just stand there watching. A man come, she give him money. I walk inside quiet quiet. She see me, her face change. She start stuttering 'Mama... Mama... I was...' I just look at her. I say 'Pack your things. Now.'

She start crying. Begging. Say she dey send money to her boyfriend for school. I no even vex. I just pity her. But business na business. You thief from my shop, you thief from my children mouth.

I call her village people. They come carry her. The whole market hear am. Some women say I too harsh. I say 'Na my sweat she dey chop.'

Now, I no trust anybody with my money. Not even my own sister. If you want work for me, I fit train you. But my money? I hold am myself. Hard lesson but e save me from worse.