Behind the mask

Chapter 4

Tran sat on his sit carefully observing the girl, before he finally spoke.

"We'll I was just informed that our CEO is in need of help regarding house matters. I mean he needs......". Mr Tran tried to explain in a way that was not too direct.

"Maids. You want me to work as a maid for some man?". Hadleigh immediately understood what this man wanted from her.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't think I can do it. Thank you so much for your kind gesture". Hadleigh got up and stormed towards the door.

She could not believe she could be brought down to this level.

"Our CEO is not just some man miss Peters, he could change your life for good".

Hadleigh turned around to look at Tran. He got up from his sit as walked towards her.

"Miss Peters, I know you feel disappointed by this offer, but I am also a dad, I wouldn't want my child to involve in such type of work I admit. But in this case you have to do whatever you can to support your dad, it's all his requesting from you on his dieing bed. Think about what your mom would have done if she were here".

Hadleigh was speechless she didn't want to disappoint her parents but she also didn't want such low jobs either.

But Mr Tran was right she had to save her dad no matter what.

"If you are willing to take the job you can let me know and I'll make the call". Mr Tran's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Make the call". she replied almost immediately.

Tran had a slight smile on his face. He really was good at playing with people's mind's.

"Ok, I will. That's a good decision you made, you really do love your family". Mr Tran said and walked away to make the call.

After few minutes he returned to Hadleigh who was trying to fight her fears inside, this was going to be a whole new life for her.

"He will be here to pick you up at 6 you have to get your thing ready to leave".

"Hmm, I understand". Hadleigh nod her head as she set to leave.

Hadleigh had just twisted the door knob and was ready to leave the room when Mr Tran stopped her.

"What's it this time sir?". Hadleigh asked perplexed by the man's reaction.

"I'm sorry for troubling you miss Peters, its just there is one more thing I need you to do for me".

Hadleigh stared at the man confused. "And what is that?".

"Well lately,. the board members of our groups have noticed that there is something unusual going on with our boss. Something that we think might put our jobs at stake. So we decided that we have to find out what it is that is wrong with the boss, and the job was given to me".

"Well ok. How does that have anything to do with me?".

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't explain myself. Well the thing is since I have found you a job there I need you to help me secure mine here and I promise to help you complete the money you need to treat your dad".

Did this man really think she is a snitch, that she needed his dirty money to sell out someone. Well if that is what's on his mind he better think again. Hadleigh thought to herself.

"I'm sorry to inform you Mr Tran, but I'm not a snitch. And I appreciate the fact that you think about me money wise but I am not willing to be your pawn in this little game of yours. If getting the job requires selling out someone then I'm sorry I don't need it anymore".

"No, no, no, miss Peters I'm not asking you to sell out anyone or pay me back for getting the job, all I'm saying is I need you to help save lives. The lives of those who depend on this job for a living. I'm not the bad guy here I promise. I'm just trying to do what's right".

Tran knew Hadleigh was not an easy to fool girl so he decided to devise another method to get the girl on his side.

Hadleigh stared at him with questioning eyes for a good couple of minutes trying to read the man before she finally replied him.

"Alright. But I'm not giving you any assurance that I can leave my work and start poking in other people's businesses".

She closed the door behind her as she left, and Tran breath down a sign of relieve.

Before Hadleigh left the hospital she went in to see her unconscious dad. The old man lay on the bed lifeless, Hadleigh said a few words to him.

She remembered her mom on her dieing bed and how she could do nothing to save her. Tears ran down her cheeks freely, she wasn't going to let the same thing happen to her dad. She gave him a brief hug and left the room.

Hadleigh had barely seen her little brother in days and now she was leaving. , there was no way she could leave without saying good bye.

She went to the autism wards, her little brother Leon was in one of the wards. Children around his age who's conditions were not as serious as his, were around him playing.

Leon was the quiet and calm type he didn't just talk to anybody since he could barely talk with his condition.

As soon as he saw his big sis he ran to hug her he hadn't seen her in a long time. He brought her to his bed were his untouched lunch was lying. Hadleigh sat him down on her laps and fed him one spoon after the other.

Though he was 12 already he was still Hadleigh's baby. She couldn't believe she was leaving her baby brother. Tears ran down her cheeks but she quickly wiped it off so Leon will not notice.