AMELIA
I closed the door of the Gemstone hotel's admin office and walked out of the building with sunken shoulders. I wondered if there was a place in this country that was out of reach of that guy. Everywhere I went, I was rejected without a chance of proving myself. I could see how far money could make people go. Everyone is willing to lick the ass of the rich for a few dollars.
Although the day is bright and sunny, I don't feel so good. It was as if I was drowning in a dark cloud.
Lost in thoughts, I strolled absentmindedly on the busy street. All of a sudden, I heard the screeching of vehicle' tyres in front of me. I jolted out of my thoughts in fear and fell on the concrete floor. I felt so confused and disorganized that I began to cry. The driver of the car got alighted and walked up to me. She began yelling at me in annoyance with no atom of sympathy.
"What's your problem?! Are you blind!!" She shouted.
"I'm sorry.." I whimpered loudly as I tried to regain my composure.
"Hey, it's okay," I heard a male voice say from the side.
I looked up and saw Mr Patrick to my greatest surprise.
He was trying to pacify the angry driver but she wasn't having it. At the end though she let out a loud hiss and then entered her car and drove off saying a few curse words..
"Sorry about that. Let me get you away from here," Mr Patrick said, lending me a helping hand.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I was so confused, I didn't know I was in the middle of the road", I sobbed as he picked me up.
Patting me gently he led me away from the road. Several cars kept honking at us impatiently but he shielded me with his body while beckoning to them to calm down as we walked past.
Mr Patrick led me to where his car was parked, opening the front passenger's door for me he wanted patiently until I got in and sat down before he closed the door and came inside. Taking his seat beside me he gave me a piece of tissue to dry my messy face with. Treating me very tenderly.
We sat in silence for about five minutes, my silent sobs breaking the silence at intervals but after a while I became a bit more emotionally stable and composed and that's when he turned to me, worry clearly seen on his face.
"Do you want to share what's making you cry now or you still need more time?" He asked, his tone soft and comforting as he handed me another tissue.
I blew a great deal of muck into the tissue before speaking.
"Nothing is working out for me. I don't have a job. I got fired a few weeks ago and I've been trying to get another one but I keep getting rejected," I let my heart out, my voice was wobbly from all the tears.
I continued while he patiently listened." There's a lot of pressure on me and a lot of bills to pay. I struggle so hard, yet, I have nothing to prove for it. I don't have a life of my own.
When I was done speaking he started consoling me." I understand how you feel Amelia, I've been there before. Tell you what?" he said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Let's get out of here and relax somewhere. When you feel better, we can think of a way out okay?" he said calmly.
I heaved out a deep sigh and nodded. Igniting the engine he drove off…
The air conditioning system in the car calmed my nerves a little and the cool music that was playing did even better to my soul.
After about ten minutes on the road we arrived at Brianna Park. Seeing the liveliness and cheerful vibe here, I try to remember the last time I had such childlike fun. It was a long time ago, when my parents and I used to go on family picnics before death took my mum away and ill health incapacitated my dad. That was before my life became a bumbling mess.
"Would you like to grab lunch first before we feel the grass with our feet?",Mr Patrick asked and I was quite embarrassed to say my mind.
"Um…"
"Come on, it's my treat. A good meal can calm your nerves," he said with a warm smile.
"Okay lunch would be fine," I replied, smiling shyly.
I was feeling a little embarrassed for dumping my emotional baggage on someone else but it felt so good to let it out it was becoming really heavy for me to bear alone.
Mr Patrick and I sat down for lunch at the Happy Place diner. The view of the park from across the road was beautiful from where we sat. Cars were gliding gently along the road. Little children were running around freely in the park and lovers were huddled together under umbrellas.
Just beautiful!
Soon, our orders were ready and we ate in silence. As I bit into my burger, I was grateful for Mr Patrick's generosity towards me this afternoon. I hadn't eaten anything tangible all day, except for the soggy slice of pizza I ate in the morning.
I ate hungrily and only stopped at intervals to gulp down my can of coke. By the time I was done eating, I felt a lot better.
"Food really calms the nerves. You were right," I said, wiping my lips with a serviette.
"Told you," he said with a smile.
"That was delicious. Thank you for the treat."
"I'm glad you like it. I come here all the time. Their food works like magic," he said and I nodded in agreement to that.
"True and the scenery is beautiful. It's so bubbly and active around here," I stated my observation.
"Just don't get addicted," he said with a wink.
I smiled and shrugged.
"Well, I'll try." I said and we both chuckled.
When we got to the park, I took off my shoes to feel the soft grass on my feet. The sky was bright and the clouds were blue. It was the perfect weather for a walk in the park. We began to stroll across the park.
"So, what do you do in your free time?" He asked as we passed a group of chattering college girls and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Did I say something funny?" he asked with a playful, confused look.
"No but free time? I don't have that luxury. I work like a horse all day with little rest.", I said and it was quite sad as it's the truth.
He looked at me with concern.
"That's not very easy is it?"
I shrugged.
"I'm accustomed to it."
"But are you happy?" His eyes were fixed on me.
"I don't really have a choice, you know. It doesn't matter if I like it or not, I have to show up. No one will do it for me."
"I know how crazy that can be. Life sucks"
"Yeah, it does." I agreed.
I fumbled with my key chain as we took a turn.
"Look, um at the company where I work, there's a vacancy for an office assistant. Just tailor your CV to the details I'll send to you okay?" he said a little nonchalantly but I couldn't help but smile as that was the best news I have heard all day.
"I don't know what to say. You've done enough today. Thank you so much. I'm feeling so embarrassed already. I'm sorry you had to see all that earlier…" I kept thanking him and apologizing at the same time.
"Aww, don't be so bashful. I wish I could do more for you." He said with a smile and it looked genuine.
After ordering Popsicles to cool our tongue from the heat, we headed back home.
*
GLORIA
According to the report I got from the meeting with Magpie solutions my daughter Kate handled the final negotiations quite well. I feel proud of her but resentful towards my husband for not appreciating her efforts more. My baby girl would soar even higher if she's given a position of note and bestowed more power. She should be the next in line because she can do it, not like that useless Liam who is there because he's the first child and son.
Taking one last look at the platter I just served for my husband, I adjusted the chairs and went upstairs.
"Sweetie come downstairs for dinner," I called out, entering halfway into the room.
"Alright, darling," he replied calmly…
Sitting across from me at the dining table, I watched as he ate his meal sumptuously.
"Aren't you hungry too?" He suddenly asked.
It's time to strike the metal while it's hot. I thought..
I shook my head slowly and picked on my food.
"I've got something on my mind," I said, getting his full attention.
"What's the matter my love?"
"When someone is doing very well, isn't the right thing to put such a person at the helm of affairs? Sometimes even if you're working with dedicated people, results may not be seen because of the person handling issues." I said, trying to select the right words.
"Where are you going with this?" He asked with furrowed brows.
I got up from my seat and took the one beside him.
"What I'm trying to say is that Kate has proven that she's fit for the job, don't you think? She can surpass your expectations if she is put in charge of affairs, where she should rightly be anyways," I said, frowning slightly at the end.
Knowing my thoughts my husband shifted his focus on cutting the steak in his plate into a bite size portion as he started chewing slowly.. There was silence for a few seconds before.
"You know what I'm saying is true, say something," I said, a bit irritated at his silence.
"Look Gloria, we've talked about this before. You can't tell me who I can or cannot fix in any position. You have other things to concern yourself with," he said, not sparing me any glance.
"But…"
"No buts Gloria. This is the last I want to hear of this, understood?" he said with finality as he raised his head up.
"Fine." I agreed only with my lips.
All was far from fine. If he won't go about this the easy way, I would make sure my daughter gets to the top by all means necessary. She deserves it and I would do anything for her.