Love In The Office

CHAPTER 4

Rentia’s pov

In the morning after a very restless night, I struggled to get up and hide my fatigue and distress. Jane was already banging on my door as early as 5 am.

“Coming, jeez don't you sleep?” I asked in a sleepy voice. As soon as my door swung open, Jane pushed me to the side and made her way into my small apartment.

“Okay so the job is for a secretary, There is this guy I was having fun with last night and he opened up to me” Jane shared.

“What do you mean by fun?” I asked curiously.

“That's not the point, The thing is that you are getting that job and leaving this slum” Jane reassured.

“I am not so sure” I walked over to the bed and sat down.

“You have your whole life ahead of you, Do you want to spend all your days in that restaurant, working day and night and still being disrespected?” Jane always did well to remind me to take any opportunity I could find to leave that place. It was filled with half-brained people, As Jane liked to say. Her mind churned with unease but the eagerness to provide a better life for baby Mar pushed me.

“Fine, there is no harm in trying,” I said.

I got ready and dressed Baby Mar. Jane got ready to leave after she gave me every detail I needed.

“I will be going now, Do you need help with anything?” Jane inquired.

“I am fine, now go” I insisted and we hugged before she got on her bike and left.

I rushed and took baby Mar to the daycare but the lady wasn't accepting any more children as all the bed spaces were filled up.

I had no choice but to take her along with me, so I got a cab and after a while, I finally reached my destination.

The building was enormous. It was like a skyscraper that reached for the clouds. As I walked up to the entrance, I couldn't help but be amazed by how wide it was. The doors were grand and opened up to a spacious lobby. The receptionist's desk was right in the center, and I felt so small in comparison to the vastness of the building. It was impressive, no doubt.

I sat uncomfortably in the lavish Hall room of Dan Cook’s company, I saw five other people who came for an interview. My heart raced at the thought of being questioned for a big job like this. I wanted to turn back but the thought of baby Mar was always at the back of my head, I am doing this to give her a better life.

I couldn't burden Jane to help me watch her knowing how she works in the restaurant.

I begged the receptionist to help me watch her while I went for my interview and the kind lady was nice enough to accept.

The opulent chandelier overhead bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, casting elongated shadows on the intricate wallpaper.

“Rentia Andrew,” Someone called to me. My voice tinged with a mixture of anxiety and fear of not getting the job.

“You are next if you will just follow me” She declared and I stood up and followed her into a room.

I met a man seated comfortably with his suit and glasses. I sat down on the chair in front of him.

“Hello I am Mr. Edward and I will be your interviewer for today”.

The weight of the words wore down on me. I had been relentless since I arrived here but his words just made me realize that it was happening. I had grown tired of not giving my baby the best life she deserved. I had my dreams and aspirations, I wanted to move out of that apartment that had more rats than humans.

“Good morning Sir, I am willing to answer all the questions you might have” I politely said while handing my CV over to him.

“Can’t we proceed?” Edward’s voice echoed around the room.

“Yes of course” I affirmed.

After a few questions that I answered to the best of my abilities, Mr Edwards reached out to touch my hand.

“It won't be bad to have you around the office, you do understand that it’s a difficult choice to choose the best dear, but you can change my mind.” I felt offended and I quickly removed my hand.

“I am sorry sir, I want to get this job for my abilities, not any other way,” I said, still trying to control my anger.

“You are not innocent, It will be quick and the job will be yours.”

I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the elegant marble floor.

“Goodbye sir,” I muttered, my temper flaring.

I stormed out of the office, leaving him bewildered. He probably thought I was desperate enough to do anything aside from answering his questions. The cool Air conditioner breeze did little to calm my racing thoughts. As I walked through the hall the guilt of having failed my baby gripped me as tears came rushing down, I stood in an isolated Hallway and wiped away my tears, and took a deep breath. I went straight to the receptionist's place to get my daughter.

I got to the receptionist and I was met with security guards and she was standing in from of them.

The fear in my heart didn't want to make sense of what was happening. I used my eyes to scan for my daughter and I couldn't find her anywhere.

“When I walked closer to her, Our eyes met and I immediately asked the recurring question that was in my head.

“Where is my daughter?” I requested with worry in my heart.

“I can explain” She had this sorry look in her eyes and I didn't want to try to understand anything.

“Where is she?” I asked again.

“I left her here to go get something and when I came back she was gone. Don't worry Ma’am, we will find her.” She responded.

“What are you saying to me right now?” with tears brimming in her eyes. I fell to the floor and cried. This day can not get any worse.

“Don’t be upset Ma’am, She will be found” One of the security guards reassured me.

We searched everywhere for my little girl but to no avail. After much frustration, I held the receptionist and pulled her close.

“Find my daughter or Everyone else will feel my wrath” I exclaimed. The attention of the man who interviewed me was drawn to my case.

“You again?” He stated when he saw me

“Look, I just need to find my daughter,” I said.

“Get this woman out of here I'm sure she just wants to create a scene”. He commanded one of the security guards, And before I took more steps to confront him, The security guard held my arm.

Someone who I guessed was the boss came and all heads were bowed to greet him.

“Whose child is this?” He asked and I freed myself from the security guard and ran to hug my daughter. She was in my arms and nothing else mattered.

“And who are you?” He asked but I didn't spare any word or thought to his question. I was just glad baby Mar was safe and sound.

“Erm She is the new Secretary,” The disgusting interviewer answered. I am sure he only said that so the boss himself could reject me. But what he said next shocked me

“Kids are not allowed in here, See you tomorrow ” He declared then turned to leave. I looked at the puzzled faces of the man and the receptionist. Before the man shrugged and left. As I stood up to leave the receptionist stopped me.

“I am sorry Ma, But be careful of Dan cook, He is sinister”.