CHAPTER THREE — FROM BAD TO WORSE.

Chapter 03.

FROM BAD TO WORSE.

Brianna's POV.

The following day, as I arrived at work, after checking in, I went straight to Mr Yang's office. Jason was being a distraction last night, and so, we couldn't talk properly. However, to apologize for that and to know the conclusion of the meeting which was held behind closed doors, I'd to show up very early in his office.

Unfortunately, arriving at his office, I was met with his absence. According to his assistant, Yvonne, he stepped out not quite long. Perhaps, he'd a few things to attend to.

While waiting for him on the chair that his assistant showed me, I rubbed my hands on my pants legs and exhaled sharply. Before long, he walked in. However, as he did, he rolled up his sleeves and loosened his collar.

Whatever it was that happened out there must have been serious because he didn't even notice that I was seated there. Not until he settled on his chair and met my gaze.

“Miss Brooks?” he called, as if trying to be sure that it was me.

“Yes sir.” I answered, righting myself from the chair as I took a step towards his desk while holding my hands in front of me. “I came to apologize for last night. We weren't able to talk, and I wasn't able to call back because of a few reasons.”

“Is that why you're here?” he asked.

“Yes sir, and also I wanted to know the outcome of the meeting held yesterday concerning the incident.” I said, hoping I chose the right words.

“Mrs Brooks,” he said, exhaling sharply as he removed his glasses and lifted his gaze to me. “It's quite complicated now.”

As his words fell upon my ears, I felt a sudden coldness that hits at the core.

“I don't understand, sir.” I said, as a look of confusion seemed to mask my face. “Is there something wrong? What happened?”

“You must have noticed the look on my face when I came in.” he said, his gaze not leaving mine. “I just returned from a meeting with the Williams family. And it didn't go as planned.”

“I still don't understand what you're trying to say, sir.” I said, trying to quell the sob rising in my throat. “Could you please explain better?”

It wasn't as if I didn't understand what he was trying to get at. But I just didn't want to believe it just yet. I mean, if he said that things didn't go as planned, then it could have meant anything at all.

It could have meant that fifty percent of my pay would be deducted each month for the goods that were stolen. However, I just wanted to know exactly what he meant.

“I believe you already know where this conversation is heading to.” he said, as if having a read on my mind. “Trust me, it's not something I want to say to you because I know how hard you've been working. However, if you need me to say the words, then I'll do that. The family refused a thirty percent deduction from your salary each month to make up for the things that were stolen.”

“Alright, so what's going to happen now?” I asked, blinking back tears. “Did they say anything else?”

“They asked to let you go.” he said, with a shrug of his shoulder. “I am so sorry, Brianna. I tried to make them understand that you're an important person here. However, it seemed like they had already made up their mind.”

As his words fell upon my ears, I felt a sudden draining weakness in my body. Perhaps, he didn't know that this job was my only means of survival. The family, whoever they were didn't know how much their decision to fire me would hurt.

However, if there was anyone who could talk them into giving me another chance, then it was him. He just said it himself: I'm a valuable employee here. That should be enough to keep me.

“You have to help me out, sir.” I said, as my eyes shone with unshed tears. “This is my only hope of survival. Please, I would really appreciate it if you can talk to them some more on my behalf.”

“You think I don't want to do that?” he asked, narrowing his gaze at the words. “Or better still, you think that I haven't done that? Perhaps, you think that I haven't done enough, but I have. I've tried to make them see that we'll be losing a valuable employee if we let you go. But they won't listen.”

“I–I can't afford to be fired, sir.” I stuttered, choking out my words as my eyes burned with tears. “If I'm fired, then it'll be difficult for me to get a new job.”

“I don't think so.” he said, shaking his head. “For someone like you who's hardworking, finding a new job shouldn't be a difficult thing.”

“I wish it wouldn't, but you don't understand, sir.” I said, my throat tightened with tears. “It is quite complicated. Finding a new job would be difficult.”

“I am sorry, Brianna.” he said, in a soft voice. “But there's nothing I can do to help the situation. They employed you, and they've decided to let you go. There's nothing we can do about that. I've also been warned not to bring up the issue any more else I'll be fired too. I'm a family man, Brianna. And I'm not ready to lose my job.”

If he's a family man, then I don't think we're different. He has people at home to care for and so do I. Although, telling him might seem to be the only solution to reconsider talking to the family.

However, it would only complicate the situation more because people like me — single mothers, are hardly employed.

But then, he didn't understand when I said that it would be difficult to get another job. If you ask me, I would say that I was only fortunate to have gotten this one.

However, thinking about it, how many times does that same luck show up? Once? Perhaps, twice and that's it. Leaving his presence, it's not guaranteed that I would eventually find something else to do.

“Miss Brooks?” he called, his voice broke in on my thoughts.

“Sir?” I flinched, returning to the moment as I lifted my gaze to him.

“Here,” he said, extending a hand to me with an envelope in his grip. “It's for you.”

I lowered my gaze to the envelope in his grip. Was there any need to go home with the sack letter which would obviously end up in the garbage bin? For all I care, he'd told me what was written on that letter in the best way possible. Every other thing written there were just coated words not to make it hurt.

“Thank you, sir.” I said, forcing a brief smile on my lips. “However, I don't think there's any need to give me the letter; you've already told me what's written on it.”

“I know, but I can't allow you to leave like this.” he said, with a meaningful look in his eyes. “However, this isn't your sack letter. This is just my own way of telling you that I'm grateful for the time you spent here with us. The mart isn't giving you anything which I feel is wrong. So, accept this. It's from my pocket.”

I didn't want to cry. If anything, I'd done a good job fighting back the tears. However, after hearing his last words, I couldn't help it. A tear rolled down my cheek. And then another. Before long, I was crying like a kid in front of him.

“It wasn't my fault, sir.” I said, my voice husky with tears.

“I know, and that's why I'm doing this. So accept it.” he said, with a smile on his face. “I know it hurts, but crying wouldn't change the situation of things. You should pull yourself together and move on with your life.”

It was easy for him to say that. But for me? The mart was my life. So, how in the world was I supposed to move on? After working for four years, I'm being sent away like a criminal? It just didn't make any sense.

Even though it would hurt, and even demand that I got another job, perhaps run a night shift somewhere else, but I was willing to take that thirty percent deduction from my pay knowing quite well that I would be left with nothing but peanut.

Nonetheless, I couldn't blame him for what happened. If anything, I was grateful that he cared enough to offer me something before leaving.

“Thank you, sir.” I said, wiping my moist face with the back of my palms before receiving the envelope from him. “I really appreciate it.”

“You're welcome.” he said, with a brief smile. “However, who's Jason?”

“Pardon?” — the word jolted out of my lips on its own accord.

“I heard you call that name a few times. It seemed like you were warning him so that he wouldn't fall off.” he chuckled, sounding as if he was present when it was happening. “Who is he?”

“Uhm, Jason is—”

“It doesn't matter; the money isn't much, but I gave it you because I have a son too.”

My heart sank.