CH 4 : Six Years Later

“What’s going on? It’s not like he usually gathers us in the morning?” I asked curiously. Honestly, I felt a little uneasy, like something was up.

“I don’t know. But, given the state of the company these past few months, I think I know what he’s trying to say. I hope what I’m thinking doesn’t happen. Let’s hurry over there,” Marta replied.

“Ok.” I took my cell phone and put it in my pants pocket, then walked out of my room together with Marta.

As we walked to the meeting room, we passed the staff room. Their rooms were empty. That meant they had all gathered there. To be honest, my heart was beating faster than usual. Hopefully, it wasn’t bad news.

Now Marta and I were standing in front of the meeting room door. Marta pushed the door inward and there were rows of employees sitting on chairs arranged horizontally. Marta pulled my hand to hurry and sit on two empty chairs close to the entrance. Mr. Brown seemed to observe us from the front. He was silent as he looked at all of us one by one and occasionally exhaled a long breath.

“Well, you’ve all gathered here. I have something to tell you. Although I’m reluctant to say it, I can’t do anything about it because the decision is not in my hands. Are you ready to hear it?” Mr. Brown asked, his eyebrows raised as if he was deep in thought. There seemed to be some sort of inner turmoil within him.

“Yes, Mr.”

“Ok, with great regret the company is forced to announce that this week is your last week working because the management has closed the company until someone will buy and pay for the company’s considerable losses and debts. You can look for another job starting today and you can finish your work that has been delayed for this week. Your salary and all benefits for the month will still be paid to you. So, there is nothing to worry about. Questions?” Mr. Brown asked.

We were all shocked and saddened by the news we heard this morning because we have been working at this company for over five years and it felt hard to leave something that has become integrated into us.

In addition, Marta and I were confused, and it quite muddled our minds because of where we had to look for another job amid the country’s poor economic conditions. Long before we experienced this, I had often heard rumors about companies closing down and laying off thousands of employees.

Let alone, companies, even small businesses, were being affected by the economic instability in our country.

Marta touched my hand while looking into my eyes. From the look in her eyes, I knew she felt the same confusion as me. Especially since we were the backbone of the family and a single mother.

“Do you have any ideas?” I asked Marta. She shook her head.

I had expected that. Since the first day I started working at this company, Marta had depended on me a lot. She was an introvert, and I was her only friend in the office and the only source of information and ideas she sometimes needed.

I didn’t blame her or thought she was not trying. I understood her situation as a single mother with one daughter and she was also an only child with a sickly mother. She was juggling two jobs every day that even I probably wouldn’t be able to handle.

“How about this, Piper?” she asked.

“We’ll think about it at home in peace,” I replied.

After that, we were busy with our work until it was time to go home. Marta and I took the same bus to our apartment, which was quite a distance away. After saying goodbye and getting off the bus, I rushed into the apartment building and took the elevator to the floor where my apartment unit was located.

In my confused and idea-less state, I just wanted to withdraw from the world and stay in silence, trying to think clearly while looking for opportunities.

I opened the door and greeted mom and Jensen as usual. “I’m home.”

Jensen’s head was visible from behind the kitchen door. “Mom, dinner will be ready in a minute.”

“I’m going to take a nap. You guys eat first,” I replied.

“Are you ok, mom?” Jensen asked.

“Yes. I’m just a little tired. Don’t worry.” I went into the bedroom and lay on my stomach. It felt very comfortable even though my head hurt a little.

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind. Maybe I could ask Lisa for help since Lisa’s family is a wealthy family that has many connections with big companies. There’s no harm in trying. Who knows, she might help.

I hurriedly sent her a message, after which I slept for a while, just to relieve the pain in my head. Before I knew it, I had been asleep for over an hour. When I opened my eyes, I felt a blanket covering my body. Maybe mom or Jensen came into the room and covered my body even though I was still in my work clothes.

Before getting out of bed, I grabbed my cell phone and read the reply message from Lisa. And instantly I jumped for joy. I felt like shouting and telling Jensen and mom that there was an opportunity for me at one of Lisa’s friend’s companies. But I hadn’t told them anything yet. I figured I’d better tell them after I got through the interview with the company’s boss.

Before going to take a shower, I received another message from Lisa.

“Huh, interview at his mansion tomorrow morning. But? It’s okay, as long as I get the job as soon as possible,” I muttered. So I hurriedly texted Max and asked him to accompany me to the boss’s house tomorrow morning.

Finally, a bad day doesn’t always end with a bad ending. At least I could sleep well tonight.

The next morning, I was ready and waiting in the apartment lobby. It wasn’t long before Max’s car arrived and we drove to the address Lisa had given me.

“Piper, were all the employees who applied for jobs with Adams Company asked to come to the mansion?” Max asked, surprised.

“I don’t know. Lisa said that Mr. Jay asked me to come to see him at his mansion. I didn’t ask the reason,” I replied.

“Oh okay. Let’s just say that he asked everyone who applied for the job to come to his mansion. It seems a little strange to me.”

“How so?” I asked curiously.

“It’s okay. There’s no need to think about it. The important thing is that you get the job,” Max replied.

“Thanks, Max.”

Thirty minutes later, our car arrived at the mansion. Max parked the car right there in front of the entrance of a large and tall mansion. Two maids waited for me at the entrance.

“Welcome, Miss. Please come with us. Sir Jay is waiting for you.” A maid invited me to come with her to the workroom.