I wake up from the pain in my hands. Once again, I'm reminded of the physical strain I have put on my hands ever since working. I get up to start my daily routine of getting ready for work, only to remember that I need my backpack with my items. On the downside of things, I have to go back to that wretched house and see that punk again. Then again on the plus side I no longer have to work for them again.
For once the apartment is empty which gives me more time to shower and get ready for work. I decide to make a couple of toasts with jam and I'm out the door earlier than necessary. I take my time walking toward the bus stop and have enough time to have a seat and enjoy the cloudy sky. The bus arrives a couple minutes later only to realize I'm boarding on an empty bus. For others it would have been considered creepy, but I'd rather enjoy the quietness. I take my pain-relieving pills to help with the aches in my hands. I sigh to myself, time for another day of work.
. . .
By end of the day, I get a called to the boss's office on the other side of the warehouse. I make my way across the receiving dock as everyone look at me in a questioning manner. I look outside the receiving area and notice two black SUVs with license plates that are from the Enlightened. I pick up the pace to make it to my boss's office up the stairs. I reach the top of the stairs and knock lightly a couple times. Someone opens the door, and I see two men in suits and Mr. Espinoza with my backpack on one of the chairs with my boss sitting at his desk.
"Mr. Espinoza," I greet, "what are you doing at a warehouse?"
"Ah, good to see you again, Ms. Santiago, if you could please have a seat," he motions to the empty chair. I take a seat right away, thankful after a few hours of being on my feet without a break.
"I apologize for leaving abruptly yesterday without turning in my two-week notice, sir," I glance at my boss and my backpack.
"Would you excuse us Mr. Davis," says Mr. Espinoza, "I need to speak with Ms. Santiago in private for a couple minutes."
"Of course, sir," says Mr. Davis as he gets up to leave his own office. Once the door closes, Mr. Espinoza makes eye contact with me as I remain seated, desperately trying to not sweat profusely.
"I know son was out of line with the way he treats Natalie," he sighs, "but regardless of the fact, we do need another housekeeper with more potential and understanding towards others and I can tell that you are a good person."
"With all due respect, Mr. Espinoza, as much as I need another job to make ends meet, I would like to respectfully decline your offer."
"I figured you would say that" he shakes his head and sits down on the edge of the desk, "which is why I have an offer that you cannot refuse."
"I highly doubt that I would change my mind and for the worst-case scenario, you would have to hire a new housekeeper." I sit up straight.
"Well to start off, I could convince Mr. Davis to fire you and I could double your pay when you come work for me and my family. I can assure you that we are quite powerful, Samantha. On the other hand, I could hold your parents' lives over your head in order for you to continue working."
"Why me, Mr. Espinoza. You can pick anyone out of the Veiled community to clean, cook and raise your children. The only reason I applied was for a foolish dream that can never come true."
"Let's just say that you are rare to come by," he says with a smirk. "Either way you come work for me or your life as you know it will come crashing down."
I have no idea to his remark but it's clear that its only going to end bad if I don't agree to this deal.
"I don't know what you mean," I tell him finally, "but I guess you leave me no choice but to agree to this."
"I'm glad you see things my way, Samantha. If you keep this up, I can guarantee things in your life will be looking up in no time." He stands up and walks up to me to give me a handshake. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Ms. Santiago."
"Good day, Mr. Espinoza." He leaves me alone in Mr. Davis's office with my thoughts. Oh, why did I happen to get drawn into drama that I cannot afford?
. . .
I'm on the bus at end of the day to start work again at the Espinoza house. The bright lights in the Enlighten city blur by causing a headache to erupt. My mind is a blur up until I walk into the house as if the bur ride went by in a blink. Natalie is cooking as usual, and the little girls are giggling and screaming upstairs in their rooms.
"Sam," whispers Natalie as she takes my hand, "why did you come back?"
"Let's just say I dug a grave that I cannot get out of finally." I shrug as I put on an apron to help her chop vegetables that was laid out on the counter.
"What do you mean?" She puts her hands on her hips waiting for me to open up.
"To be honest, even I don't understand why he wants me here. Mr. Espinoza showed up at my other job today and blackmailed me to come back or else he'll make my life a living hell for me and my parents."
"But why," she asked again.
"Like I said, I have no clue and that's all there is to it."