Web of Deceit

Chapter2

Flora yawned tiredly even though she was just waking up from sleep. She stayed overnight in the office working her ass out. She has to anyway since she's the one sponsoring her siblings to school. Since the time her mother died, her father has never had her time or her sibling's time. Instead of him to take care of them he married another wife who pretends to be good anytime he is around and maltreats Flora and her siblings anytime he is not with them. Flora hasn't made enough money to live on her own. She badly wants to, but all the money she makes both from her workplace and side jobs goes to her three siblings'' school fees. She is at least grateful that her father still allows them to eat from his wife's pot, if not, they would have to beg for food. Stress has been taking a toll on Flora but to her, now is not the time to rest. She got down from her bed and went to freshen up. Her boss as well is not taking it easy with her. He already threatened her with her salary anytime she came to the office late. Flora opened her small wardrobe sighing frustratingly. She doesn't have office wear, but she can not afford to get one at this moment. She picked up the gown she wore the day before since she had no choice and put it on. She diverted her eyes to her small table searching for the money she placed there the night before for her siblings. "Maybe they've gone to school." She shrugged when she saw that the money was not there. Looking at herself all over again, she carried her bag, moving out of her room. As she stepped out, she widened her eyes."Three G's, what are you still doing at home by this time? I thought you left for school already."Big sissy, we are just on our way. We want to collect the money you promised us." The eldest one spoke up. Flora felt a breeze run across her face as she glared at the three children in surprise."W...what do you mean?""The money..." Flora did not allow him to land before dashing to the living room to meet her father. She was so sure he was the one who took the money. She met him and his wife talking."Father, father. Where's my money?" She asked her father angrily. She got more pissed off when she saw the look on his face as if he did not take it."Father, where is my money?""What money Flora? I did not take your money. Don't accuse me this morning.""Father, stop this, please. The money is to pay a part of my siblings' school fees." She said as tears were already gathered around her eyes."Flora, get going to work, you will be late.""Father!!!!! That is not what we're talking about. You don't take care of myself and my siblings anymore, and now, the little money I made to pay my sibling's school fees, you've collected it. Please, don't do this." She cried out getting to her knees and holding her father's leg. Her father shook her off his legs causing her to fall back to the ground. She looked at her siblings who had tears in their eyes as well. They appreciate their big sister's effort in sponsoring them and hate it when she cries."b***h! Get yourself out of here and stop disturbing my baby with your tears." Her stepmother eyes at her holding her protruded belly. Flora got up slowly and held her siblings as she ushered them to her room."Clean your tears, three G's; I promise to work more hard to pay your school fees. Trust me, you won't drop out of school. Have faith." She told them soothingly as she hugged each of them. She ended up giving them her transport fare before heading to the office on legs. She prepared herself for any insult from her boss because she knew that she was already late. Getting to the office, she stepped in reluctantly. As if her boss was waiting for her, she met him at the entrance."Flora, why are you just coming by this time? I have told you several..." He stopped on seeing her puffy face. For the first time Flora has met him, he showed concern for her. This triggered Flora as tears flowered down her face again."What is it, Flora? You don't seem okay.""I'm fine, boss; I would like to be alone, please." She insisted respectfully. Her boss nodded his head in understanding as he left her to her space. Flora put her head on her desk thinking about her life with tears in her eyes. She wished badly that her mother was alive. She had a rich mother, but her father denied her everything when her mother died and brought in his concubine. Sooner or later, she concluded, her father might send them out if the house was instigated by her stepmother. She has to prepare for this so that they will not be stranded. Her stomach rumbles reminding her that she has not eaten. What she was supposed to eat, she kept it for her siblings to eat when they returned from school. Bang! Her thoughts were interrupted by one of her co-workers, Clevin, who disturbs her each time they meet at the office."Wifey." He grinned at her. Flora rolled her face as she smiled slightly."You've started this morning, Clevin.""I'm sorry my princess." With the fact that he calls her names as such, she still believes they are on a friendship level but what she does not know is that Clevin sees her as more than friends. He likes her and wishes to be in a relationship with her which Flora is not aware of.