At Diamond Gardens, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, Felix spotted Celine strolling through the lush gardens. A beautiful pink dress flowed around her, its delicate fabric catching the light like rose petals dancing on a gentle breeze. Long, dark hair, cascading down her back in a waterfall of gentle curls, seemed to drink in the sunlight. A single, delicate rose, its soft pink colour complementing the dress, nestled amongst her curls like a precious jewel. She was the perfect finishing touch to a vision of breathtaking beauty. Her laughter, a melody of pure joy, filled the air and carried across the manicured lawns. She stopped by a marble bench, its cool surface gleaming in the sunlight. As she reached for another flower, the maid, a woman named Adaora, spoke in a voice barely a whisper.
Adaora, a woman in her late forties, looked very different from Celine. Adaora wore a neat black and white uniform, almost like an old-fashioned maid's outfit. It seemed a bit plain compared to the luxurious garden and Celine's stunning dress. But even though her clothes were simple, Adaora held herself with respect. Her brown eyes showed how worried she was about something. Celine gave Adaora a small nod to let her know she was listening and to keep talking.
Felix, his curiosity piqued, watched from a distance. The maid's voice grew more earnest, her words tumbling out in a rush. Celine's posture stiffened. A frown momentarily marred her usually serene expression, her demeanour shifting from light-hearted to concern as she listened intently.
'The children, Ma'am Celine,' Adaora finally choked out, her voice thick with emotion. 'Back in my village in Ebonyi State, so many children spend their days selling things on the street instead of going to school.'
'Not going to school?' Celine echoed, her brow furrowed. 'But why?'
Adaora sighed deeply. 'Poverty, Miss Celine. Many families there rely on farming to survive. From a young age, the children are needed to help out in the fields. Education often comes second place, if at all.'
Intrigued by the sudden shift in Celine's demeanour, Felix decided to investigate. As he approached, Celine's face broke into a radiant smile, showcasing the warmth and kindness that Felix knew so well. 'Felix!' she exclaimed, her voice tinged with delight. 'Come join us.'
Her brother Felix was so handsome that she swelled with pride. The maid saw him as well and paused from what she was saying. Celine winked at him, and wondered if he would help her with ideas regarding the charity event she was hosting at her school with Prince. The maid stood in proper silence at the approach of Felix. Celine hoped that whatever Prince would say would help her with the event.
Felix settled beside Celine on the cool marble bench. The scent of the vibrant flower she held—a heady mix of sweetness and spice—wafted towards him. He took a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the garden, the gentle murmur of the fountain blending with the chirping of birds. Glancing at Adaora, the maid who stood stiffly beside Celine, he noticed a faint blush creeping up her neck like a rising tide. Her downcast eyes and tightly clasped hands spoke volumes about the worry churning within her.
'Adaora seems to have something important to tell you,' he observed, his voice a low murmur that wouldn't intrude on their conversation.
Celine plucked another flower, her gaze fixed on a distant point in the garden. 'Adaora was telling me about the children in her village back in Ebonyi State,' she replied softly. 'How many spend their days hawking wares on the street instead of attending school.'
'Ebonyi State?' Felix enquired, his brow furrowed in concern. 'Isn't that primarily an agricultural region?'
Celine nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. 'Most families there are farmers. From a young age, the children are expected to help out in the fields. Education often falls by the wayside.'
'The issue might be that attending school takes away from the children's ability to help their families put food on the table.'
Celine glanced at him through her lashes and laughed softly. A thoughtful silence fell between them. 'It's a hard decision,' Celine continued. 'Education is important, but these families need their children's help to survive right now.'
Felix stroked his chin thoughtfully. 'Just throwing money at the problem might not be the answer,' he mused. 'If these families rely on their children's help to survive, giving them cash for school might just take them out of the fields and put them on the streets begging.'
Celine's shoulders slumped slightly. 'I know. That's the whole dilemma. How can we encourage education without jeopardising their livelihood?'
Adaora, who had remained silent throughout their exchange, spoke up hesitantly. 'There is a new community school project starting in my village, Ma'am Celine. They offer classes in the evenings, after the harvest is done.'
Celine's eyes lit up. 'That's perfect! Maybe we can focus on raising funds for that project. School supplies, books, even a generator to light the classrooms at night.'
Felix nodded. 'That sounds much more sustainable. You could even use the charity event to showcase traditional crafts and agricultural products from Ebonyi State. It would raise awareness and potentially create a new income stream for the villagers, freeing up the children to attend school.'
Celine beamed. 'Felix, you're a genius! We can combine education with economic empowerment. It would be a win-win situation!'
Adaora's face broke into a wide smile, the worry lines around her eyes easing for the first time that morning. 'Thank you, Ma'am Celine. Thank you, Sir Felix. You bring hope to my village.'
Felix looked at Celine. 'For your charity event, Michael and I won't be there, but we agreed to give out 30 million naira to help with your cause.'
Celine hugged her brother. 'You're absolutely the best big brother in the world.'
'Yeah, says a ripper,' Felix said jokingly, and Celine poked his nose playfully.