“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.
Megan’s POVMoments later, I heard many footsteps approaching me and a few guards helped me up and then they asked me to sit in the wheelchair. I saw that the pants I was wearing were wet and red with blood. A guard yelled and ordered two of my cellmates to prepare clean clothes for me. Things were quite chaotic. I just sat quietly in the wheelchair while enduring the pain. I wanted to scream and call my mom, but it was impossible. She was in a distinct part of the prison from me. I could only endure the pain alone. I couldn’t bear this pain any longer. After my cellmate gave a plastic bag containing clothes to a guard, they hurriedly took me away from there. They took me to a special clinic for prisoners. The city government had deliberately set up special clinics in each prison that were well-equipped so that prisoners didn’t have to be taken to a big hospital as much as possible. My wheelchair was pushed quickly. Blood continued to flow from my vagina. I stroked my stomach and mu
Piper’s POV“At one point, I regretted all the evil deeds I had done in the past and I felt that my life was not at peace. After thinking for a while and talking to someone, I came here and take responsibility. I’m sure everyone wouldn’t want to be in prison or spend their whole life in prison, but serving time in prison means I’m making amends to everyone I’ve hurt bit by bit,” Megan replied as she looked down at her cuffed hands. I saw clear liquid soaking into her bare face without makeup. Suddenly, Megan’s face turned towards the large glass where we stood and stared at us. The large glass separated the investigation room from the secret room. She smiled and said, “Piper, are you there? Sorry. All I can say to you is sorry. I wish you a happy ever after.”I was stunned. Jay hugged me from the side and I sobbed. Why did it have to end like this? Megan and I spent a lot of time together when we were kids. People said we were like twins. However, who would have thought that things w
Jay Lee’s POV As I was about to leave the workroom, my cell phone suddenly rang. Ah, it was an incoming call from Tom. If Tom was calling me in the middle of the night like this, he must have a special reason. “Yes, Tom. What’s up?” I answered. “Jay, I’m sorry to call you in the middle of the night like this, and I’m sorry to disturb your rest. I have some good news,” he replied. His voice sounded cheerful. “It’s okay. I was just about to go to bed. What’s the good news about?” I asked curiously. “Megan came here and confessed to everything she did. After searching for so long, she finally came in person and confessed everything. Now she’s in the investigation room with some officers. While her male friend waits in the waiting room,” Tom replied. “Re-really? Didn’t I hear wrong?” I asked for confirmation. “No, you didn’t. Come here tomorrow morning. Oh, and when will your wife give birth?” Tom asked. “Next month. That’s why I want this case to end soon so that Piper can give bi
Megan’s POVIt was snowing heavily in December while bringing strong winds and cold air. I spent every day just staying in my room and covering my body with thick blankets. Dean often made hot tea for me and cooked soup for us to eat every day. Fifteen days had passed since I arrived at that place. One month left, it was time for me to give birth. That night I intended to speak my heart out and tell Dean about my past. And for those fifteen days, we did everything together until I realized something had happened between the two of us. I realized Dean had fallen in love with me. He treated me more gently and provided everything I needed, including a crib and all the supplies. He also cuddled me when we slept together at night. However, there was one unique thing: when he wanted sex, he would ask me first. If I was willing, then we would do just that. However, if I wasn’t willing, he wouldn’t insist and he would masturbate alone in the bathroom. And he never had sex twice every time
Megan’s POVMy eyes continued to leak clear liquid. My chest felt tight and my mind kept replaying the events of the past and showing all the evil deeds I had done to those closest to me, including Piper, Uncle Martin, and Doctor Kevin. What kind of woman am I? I thought I deserved the nickname of a heartless demoness. Do I still have a future? Do I deserve to live after all the terrible things I’ve done? Even God might turn His face away because I’m a sinner. What was I supposed to do? Suddenly, I heard the door opening, and I looked back. That man walked in and looked at me in surprise. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did you finish your breakfast?” I just nodded. My voice seemed to disappear somewhere. I had to make a choice, but I was confused and didn’t know what to do. “Oh, apparently you’re hungry. Do you still want to eat? If so, I’ll make something for you. And I’ve also bought quite a lot of snacks for you,” he said as he picked up the tray and cleared the dining tabl
Megan’s POV“I felt nothing. So, don’t think too highly of me,” I said as I looked around the corner. He laughed loudly. “You’re lying. How is it possible to not feel anything yet your lips are making moans? I’m not stupid, but you’re right. I think highly, and I’m sure you’ll like me.”“Don’t get your hopes up. I hate you. You forced me in here and harassed me. I’ve told you many times that I’m not one of those women. They do work as prostitutes, but don’t,” I replied in a lofty tone of voice. “If you’re not one of them, then why did you end up here?” he asked as he got up and took something out of his desk drawer. He took out a box of condoms. Then he unwrapped one and put it on. “I’m going to use a condom so we both benefit,” he said. “You’re the lucky one while I lose. If you’re such a nice guy, you should have let me go and not kept me here,” I said, trying to change his mind. “Stop trying so hard to change my stance. What I want to do, I will do. Now it’s time for us to pl