Their Submissive Assistant

It was time to become Lana again

LEILANI

It's been one month since I lost my job at Lustrous. Four weeks of leeching on to Jasmine, eating her food, sleeping under her roof, yet bringing nothing to the table.

I lost a bit of myself every day I returned to her self-contain apartment with another sob story of how my job hunting went.

Nobody wanted to hire a second-class mass communication graduate with little to no experience in the field.

In the first week of job hunting, I applied to the big firms—publishing companies, PR companies, and every other reputable media company I knew was looking to hire.

I had hope.

Maybe this might be my ticket out of the night industry. I could build a career in media, earn a decent amount of money, and rearrange my life for good.

One month of job hunting with nothing to show for it killed hope faster than a bullet to the heart.

I couldn't continue like this. I needed something to get myself off the floor—scratch that, I needed to get myself out of this pit.

I couldn't take one more email notifying me of my failure to get a job and make something meaningful out of my life.

I stood before South City Hospital after yet another failed day of job hunting. My heart choked at the sight of it.

It's been five years of coming here every day, hoping to get good news. Five years of spending my hard-earned money to keep my hope alive.

I walked through the hospital doors and plastered on a routine smile, greeting the now-familiar hospital workers.

“There you are, Ms. Roberts!” one of the nurses said once she saw me. “We've been waiting for you all day.”

I froze in my step, worry creasing my stomach. “Is there a problem?”

“Of course not,” the female nurse said. “The Medical—”

“I'll take it up from here, Nana,” Mrs. Gregory said from behind, greeting me with a fond smile.

“How are you, child?”

Mrs. Gregory was the nurse assigned to take care of my mother for the past five years.

“I'm alright,” I said with a courteous smile. “Is there a problem?”

“Of course not.” She led us towards my mother's ward. “Martha is doing absolutely fine.”

I let out a soft breath, and my nerves relaxed. “Although I bet she's having a difficult time with your absence the last couple of days.”

I bit my lower lip, pushing my hair behind my ears. “I'm sorry I haven't been available these last few days,” I started. “It's just—”

“You don't need to explain, child,” Mrs. Gregory said, stopping in front of my mother's ward. “I understand there's a lot of things going on in your life, and I worry for you every day.”

“But I just hope you aren’t getting tired of her or losing hope because I know she's in there and will be back soon.”

It was hard not to keep faith in my mother's return with Mrs. Gregory around. She spoke with such conviction that kept my hope alive.

“Her condition requires consistent care, love, and presence,” she said, staring me in the eye. “You fill that job so beautifully, so I'd hate for her to lose that.”

I sucked in a breath and took a long look at my mother, who slept with a serene expression, plugged to a life machine.

“I understand.” My shoulders grew heavy. “I'll try my best to be more present.”

“That's all I need,” Mrs. Gregory said, quietly pushing the door open. “Go on in,” she urged. “I'll be waiting when you come out.”

I gave her a nod and walked into my mother's ward for the past five years. The constant beep of the machine served as a reminder that my mother was still somewhere in there.

A lifeline available should she decide to come back. I swallowed hard and went through my routine, picking up the book we were halfway done with.

The next thirty minutes were spent reading to my mother, who remained still as the first day she was brought in.

My eyes watered, and I blinked back tears. “I hope you enjoyed that, mother,” I whispered, throat constricting. “I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately too.”

My heart panged with pain as I continued to speak to her. “Life has been kicking my butt lately…”

My voice cracked, I couldn't speak anymore, not if I wanted to keep a dry face.

After what felt like a moment, I gathered myself together and took her hand in the same manner I have since the news of her accident.

“I'm still waiting for you, Mom,” I said, jaws taut. “I'm still waiting for you to come back to me.”

I stepped out of my mother's ward with a sense of calmness. An odd clarity and peace that being around her often brought to me.

I headed for Mrs. Gregory’s office, knowing that she had news for me. A part of me had an inkling what it was about, but I wanted to hear it.

I needed to hear it to get my mind straight. I knocked on the door and walked in after hearing a faint “Come in,” from Mrs. Gregory.

“I didn't think you'd be out so soon.” She offered a seat, and I sat across her table.

“You wanted to speak to me about something,” I said, cutting to the chase.

Her countenance softened, and she observed me for a while before speaking. “You look like you know what's coming.”

I pursed my lips, refusing to affirm or negate her assumptions.

“It's about the hospital bills,” she said after a beat. “It's been a while since you made a deposit, and the hospital cannot continue keeping her if you don't clear the debt.”

I sucked in a breath as I listened to her, each word coming as a punch in the face.

“I know you are doing your best, but we need something more.” Mrs. Gregory continued speaking, but I was barely listening.

Her words faded at the thought of what my inability to take care of my mother was going to cost me.

It was only one month.

One month away from Lustrous, and my mother's life hung in the balance.

“Are you listening to me?” Mrs. Gregory called when I didn't answer.

“O-Of course,” I muttered, getting up from my seat. “I'll make some deposit before the week is over. I have to go.”

“Leila—”

I walked out of the office before I could hear another word. I didn't have time. I needed money, and I was going to get it.

Perhaps the corporate world wasn't for me. Maybe my destiny was to make a living hanging through a pole.

It was a joke thinking I'd be able to get something better or be something more.

It was time to become Lana again.