Benson darted his gaze around before switching towards Donald. "Who cares about your wife and her birthday party? Why act as if you have anything to offer, we all know you are poor and can afford a gift. Look at yourself," he said, staring at him from head to toe.
"Look at his shoes and torn clothes, is this how you want to attend a birthday party? You are shameless, dude. I am trying to help you, you either choose to work or you quit. The choice is yours to make." He said in a mocking tone.
Donald clenched his jaw in embarrassment; he wouldn't want to lose his job, and neither would he want to miss his wife's birthday party. He was cut up in the middle, he glanced at the two men standing before him.
"I will work," he said, still maintaining a gloomy outlook.
"That's good, for wasting my time. I will be deducting your salary for the Month." Mr. Benson said walking away without looking back.
Donald felt his voice held in his throat; he was struggling to utter a word. His hand formed into a fist. "what will I tell her? She will be angry that I didn't get her the necklace and I didn't show up for her birthday party." He thought inwardly.
Henry moved towards Donald, he patted his shoulder. "I will help you if you promise me you will return on time." He said with his voice barely above a whisper.
Donald furrowed his brow, "Are you for real." He asked.
Henry nodded his head in agreement, "You will assure me you will return to work in time, and Don't allow Mr. Benson to set his eyes on you." He said.
"Yes, I promise." He voice, as his face lit up in excitement.
Henry shrugged his shoulders, "Then get to work, and be fast. I am sure you would have gone halfway before the party kicked off."
Donald felt excited; he hastened towards the dressing room and had his clothes changed; his expression was mixed.
He sprang into immediate action starting from the first room by his right. Donald has been working as a janitor for Elite Vista Hotel for two years; it was his second job in a year. He lost his first job at the Hilton Hotel due to his constant late coming; the manager couldn't bear his lateness anymore and had to send him away.
"I promise I will get you something nice for your birthday, Pamela." He said, while still working hard to meet up.
Henry Luke, the supervisor, was behind him monitoring the work as ordered by Benson David. Henry Luke used to be a supervisor at the Hilton Hotel some years ago until he decided to apply for Elite Vista Hotel, where he was appointed. He had known Donald to be hard-working; when he heard Donald lost his job, he talked to Benson on Donald's behalf.
Benson agreed, and he offered Donald the job. Since then Donald has become part of the Elite Vista hotel as a janitor. Benson has always thought about terminating his contract with them, but Henry would always come to his rescue; sometimes, he would offer Donald tips for transport fare.
Donald was sweating profusely, he felt his hand trembling after working for almost several hours without a break.
"You can take a rest and continue later. Mr. Benson is out and won't be coming back anytime soon." He informed him.
Donald was still determined to finish his job halfway, so he could go for his wife's birthday party.
It was 4 pm, and Donald was exhausted. His knees were weak, making it difficult for him to move; his hand cleaned a total of 30 rooms out of the 50 rooms.
He knew he wouldn't be able to clean the remaining room, even if he stayed to work.
"You need to rest a bit; the party starts at 6 pm, I guess. I will inform you if Mr. Benson is back." Henry said as he walked away, leaving Donald.
Donald nodded his head as he sat down on the floor, with his back placed on the wall. He took the water bottle and gulped the drink, emptying the bottle.
He felt a little strength within as he looked at his wristwatch. He stared at the wall opposite him, and a thought came into his mind.
He walked towards the dressing room at a bated breath, while heading towards his locker. Donald found the other janitor getting ready to leave the building, after being replaced. He was the only person who would work till dawn.
Donald got to his locker, he opened it and his face turned pale. His heart thudded in his chest, and his face turned crimson, as he glanced around the room.
"How is this possible? Who could have done this to me?" he voices out. His colleague turned their gaze at him, as they watched him act insane.
"What is it, Donald? Are you okay?" one of them asked.