Mary had been pondering on Smith's offer since she got home. She had been absentminded around the house. Her mind had been so preoccupied. It was definitely a sweet deal and she would only be a fool to throw it all away without thorough consideration. Recently, she noticed how her mum has been trying to hide her pain from her but she had caught her fighting through it on different occasions and it broke her heart to see her subjected to such condition.
She could remember vividly the events of last year like it was yesterday. It was on a Saturday evening on her way back from her music lesson. She hopped excitedly down their lawn, dashed into the house with abandonment to share the good news with her mother who was supposed to be off work that day. Her voice kept ringing excitedly through the silent apartment as she called to her. She dashed to her room, and then to the kitchen, only to see her mother's lifeless body on the cold kitchen floor. In the flash of a second, all the worst scenarios crossed through Mary's mind as she stood frozen to a spot, confused and scared to see her worst nightmare coming to reality.
"Mummy! Mummy!" She called frantically as she knelt beside her mother, shaking her.
She took a minute to pause and calm her nerves as she tried to assess the situation before her. She gingerly touched her neck to feel a faint pulse, relieved that she was just unconscious, and not dead as she had first thought. She sprung to her feet to call for help. With the help of their neighbour, Mr. Samaila and his wife, her mother was resuscitated and thereafter, rushed to a nearby clinic.
At the clinic, her mother was admitted, while she restlessly paced the lobby of the hospital, awaiting news of her health condition from the doctor attending to her. By that time, Mr. Samaila and his wife had already left the hospital, with a promise to check on her later. After a while. She had her head on her thighs, lost in deep thought, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She raised her head slowly, her eyes reddened with tears, coming to face with the most angelic pair of eyes she had ever seen. Her smile was reassuring and motherly when she introduced herself as Dr. Bright, the doctor attending to her mother.
Mary shuddered at the thought of the news she had delivered few minutes after. She remembered how she had felt like she was receiving a death sentence. She immediately abandoned her gloomy thought, resolving to talk to her cousin about Smith's offer; hear her opinion on the matter before bringing her mother in on it.
Her cousin, Jennifer was in the room, taking a nap. Mary went in to follow suit. She had checked on her mother and saw that she was resting well. She tossed and turn in bed until she finally slept off. Mary woke up an hour after. It was exactly 4:00pm. Jennifer had gone out of the room. Mary rolled out of bed, stretching herself a bit as she walked out of the room. She met Jennifer outside, sitting at their lawn. She went to sit beside her. Jennifer looked up as she approached, smiling.
"Hey girlfriend! How are you?", Jennifer asked Mary.
"I'm fine girlie", she replied, returning her smile.
"Soooo, how was your meeting with the mogul?", She asked winking at Mary.
Mary shook her head and laughed.
"You are a case, Jennifer. Well, there's not much detail to give", she said trying to tease her.
"You better don't give me that girl! I want every little detail; from when u stepped into that building, till you came into this house".
Mary shrilled with laughter.
"Actually, I've got some juicy details for you", Mary said sweetly, as she launched into details of her meeting with Smith.
She however withheld some part as she hate to admit that she found Smith alluring. It should be considered grossly immoral that she would even allow herself to be add by his charm. Mary thought.
"Why do I have a feeling you're not telling me all of it?", Jennifer asked, looking suspiciously at Mary.
"Well, that's because you have your imaginations running wild. Sorry to disappoint you girlfriend", Mary replied with a wicked grin.
"Now, Miss, what I need is your view on the matter not satisfying your curiosity. Tell me dear, what do you think of his job offer?", Mary asked with a frown settling on her soft brows.
Jennifer took a moment to ponder over the issue before expressing her thought on it.
"I will be honest with you babe. I don't intend to sound mean but you know as much as I do that Mr. Smith lending a helping hand to the family is the brightest light that has shone into our dark tunnel since your mum fell sick. Your motive; whether revenge or survival, doesn't really matter to me at the moment but you should seize this opportunity dear. The most important thing we should be worried about is Smith's motive, though".
Mary, who had been listening intently on Jennifer's opinion, gave her a puzzled look.
"His motive? What do you mean?", Mary enquired.
"Let's look at it this way," Jennifer began. "What if Smith's true intent is not to offer you a job but to have his collar around your neck? Maybe he knows of your strong desire to exact revenge on his industry. Do you think he would let you have your way with such knowledge?"
"Okay, this is weird!", Mary exclaimed. "I know what you mean but he didn't need to go through all that stress to stop me. There are a thousand and one ways to achieve that without his direct involvement. Offering me a job would put him on the spotlight if anything happens to me or my family", Mary elaborate.