Chapter 23. New Projects 11

The Bar And Resort 

I was happy to hear the supervisor saying that there would be a job fair in our resort.

"The organizers are recruiters for big companies. Therefore, we will be busy for the next three days."

"That is good to know. Can we inform our friends and relatives to apply?" I asked him.

"Of course, you can. That is why they are spending so much to train job seekers to be employable."

"Thank you for informing me," I appreciated him.

We went about our businesses without hitches. However, it was as though, a day would not pass without any form of drama. At a dark corner of the resort, there was a serious fight between two men over a lady. I was not interested because I had not seen my father for some days. Andrea was not interested as well. After a while, one of the men left and there was calmness.

I was assisting the waiters when the man returned with two policemen. 

"Look at them, Officers. They beat me up," the man explained and the police arrested the man and the woman.

"You can remain silent because whatever you say now may be used against you in the court," the police said to them.

"Huh!" The woman obeyed and the female police cuffed her hands.

The officer did the same thing to the man and they left.

Meanwhile, my mother had seen her doctor, and she was happy that my sister and I were able to sponsor that. I got home after work and discussed the job fair with her.

"Wow! I will give you my application to drop for me. Will it be accepted?"

"Yes, but it would be nice to come and listen to the teachings. At least, for a day."

"Huh! I would not mind. The doctor said I should avoid being idle," she explained.

"That is good. It would begin by 9 AM today."

"I will be there," she stated.

I helped her to get ready. Afterward, I escorted her to the road and watched her board a taxi. She waved at me and left while I returned to the house. I was resting in my room when I heard my father's car driving in.

"The prodigal father is back," I said and got up.

I looked through the window and noticed that he had grown lean. Above all, his clothes were disheveled, and there were bruises on his forehead. The lunch which he used to bring home was missing.

"What will he eat?" I asked myself without attempting to walk out to welcome him. 

Milo felt the same way as me and welcomed him. We remained in my room and heard him open and close his door. After a while, I slept off and Milo was waiting for me.

The Bar And Resort 

My mother was lucky to arrive earlier and was one of the two hundred applicants admitted. Just like the general manager said, there were many job seekers in the community. Before the event began, they had gotten over one thousand five hundred applications.

"Instead of asking them to come here, we will release an email address for them to submit their application letters," the HR Manager informed the General Manager.

"I agree with you. With such a crowd today, tomorrow may be worse and there may be a stampede."

After that, the GM informed the media houses of the adjustment in the program. He also gave them the new email address and the lecture began. It was enriching and the job seekers realized why they were still unemployed. The HR Manager and his team members put in their best hoping to achieve the aim of the program. Day one program closed after four hours with lunch and they dispersed.

My mother was happy but her joy disappeared when she returned and saw her husband's car.

'Why did he return?' She asked herself bitterly.

All the same, she walked into my room and met me sleeping. To avoid disturbing my sleep, she decided to leave. At that point, Milo woke up and yelped, and I was disturbed. I opened my eyes slowly and saw her.

"Mom," I called out.

"You can go back to sleep. We will talk later," she said and took a step.

"No, Mom. Are you back?" I asked her and got up.

"Yes, I am. I apologize for disturbing your sleep," she said with a broad smile and sat on my reading chair.

"Never mind, Mom. How did it go?"

She rubbed Milo's head and responded, "It went well. I can't wait to be there tomorrow."

"Wow. I'm happy that you like it."

"Yes. The organizers are good. Such a program is not supposed to be free."

"Huh!"

"You can't believe that we were served lunch."

"I am aware. The kitchen department was preparing for that before I left."

"I see."

"Did you submit your application letter?"

"Yes, I did. Many people were turned back. I was lucky to be there earlier than scheduled."

"That is good. I pray that they will get a good job for you."

"I pray so, as well."

We continued talking about the program and other things and avoided my father. I never mentioned that he had grown lean and had bruises. Before I left for work, I ensured that she was safe from my father's possible assault especially when he had no food to eat.

"Big sister will soon be back," I assured her.

"Yes. Have a nice day," she responded.

I smiled at Milo, rubbed his head, and said, "See you tomorrow."

The Gold Field 

I had forgotten about my charge to the CSO and his team members to find Julius, but they were always uneasy whenever they saw me. That morning was not an exception. I ignored their fears and drove in.

I was monitoring the activities in the Bar and Resort from my office. When I did not see Julius among the participants, I concluded that he was late and must have submitted his application letter and I began to wait eagerly for their return.