Empty Promises, Wasted Years
It's my fifth year working at my relative's factory after giving up a high-paying job. I'm in the middle of helping the administrative staff clear out the printer when I accidentally catch a glimpse of the new clerk's payslip—Base Salary: 6,500 dollars. I freeze right on the spot.
Five years ago, I've turned down two high-paying offers and joined Dad's younger brother, Liam Graham's, factory.
Back then, he patted me on the shoulder and said, "We're family. I'll never shortchange you."
I believe him.
However, it's been five years, and my salary is still the same five grand I started with. Every single time I ask for a raise, Uncle Liam cries poverty, claiming that the factory isn't doing well. My girlfriend breaks up with me, saying my salary makes it impossible for her to see a future.
I pull the weight of three people and pour my heart into training the newcomers, only to find out a new hire is making 1,500 dollars more than me. I jeer out of sheer exasperation and hand in my resignation to Uncle Liam.
"Why?" he asks in shock.
"The pay is terrible. There's no career progression. I can't do this anymore!"