Rising

First Day on the Job

    It was my first day on the job and I was able to make it on time. Despite not knowing about the city, I managed to get there. Now I was here, with my new manager. She was giving me the instructions on how to stock up my cleaning cart and how to clean certain items.

    We headed to the top floor, where the CEO office was and my nerves showed up.

    "Don't worry, darling. I have worked for him before. You might feel like you want to quit, but you will be able to handle him" she said as we left the cargo elevator and walked towards the office. I looked to the side and saw Jayden's office and a smile appeared in my face. I would be close to him for a few hours. That might make my day much easier. 

    I waved at Minerva before we opened the doors and headed inside. It was empty and the lights were dimmed. The office looked luxurious. Every item here could easily feed poor families. Why do rich people feel the need to show off everything they have?

    "Well, Niray. I will leave you here, I have to go check on other things real quick, but I will be back soon" she said, and I nodded before she walked out. I bit my lip nervously and decided to figure out how to make sure everything was clean and not break a single item.

    I grabbed a glass cleaner and headed to clean a coffee table in the middle of the office, but I couldn't start when the door opened and he came in. I froze in place as he looked at me. How could this man hate me if he didn't know me, just for the simple assumption I am not working here legally?

    "What are you doing here?" he asked and I looked around his office. 

    "I came to clean your office, sir" I replied. All the courage I had yesterday went out the window. I felt intimidated and I was a little afraid. He was a very powerful person and I was just a simple girl.

    "Well, you better hurry up. I have an important meeting in thirty minutes and you can't be here" he replied and I quickly got to cleaning. He observed me and I was very nervous, wishing Jayden was here to protect me. But I can't rely on him all the time.

    "Well, get to work" he ordered and I moved as quick as possible, but it was not quick enough for him.

    "Could you please hurry up?" he raised his voice. I put my cleaning items on the cart and I was ready to leave when he stopped me "do you think you can have my brother's protection forever?"

    "No, sir. I don't think that. I can do very well on my own" I replied, but he scoffed. 

    "I doubt it. You are no one"

    "Please sir, a little respect for me. I am just working, no need to keep insulting me. I will get out of your way now" he laughed at me and that was upsetting, but I didn't show it.

    "Respect? You are nothing but a cleaning lady. I am your boss and you will do as I say. Now, clean this up" he said while tossing his cup of coffee on his brand new rug.

    "Yes, sir. I will do so immediately" I said in my broken English, tears threatening to fall.

    "And you are lucky I don't fire you, or send you back to your country!"

    "No, sir. Please, don't do that. I will clean right away" I said as he headed out, leaving me there. I couldn't help but let out a big sob. I was a nobody and he had all the power to destroy my life. I finished cleaning what I could and I headed downstairs. As soon as I got there, José, the guy that interviewed me approached me.

    "You know, I don't care if Mr. Belleview is protecting you. But here you have to work hard if you want to keep your job" he mentioned. Why does everyone hate me? I just started here today and I am already getting stares and people were murmuring and probably talking behind my back.

    As I was putting the cart away and getting it ready for the next day, two ladies approached me. "So, what does it feel to sleep with the boss for a job?" they said. I felt offended at their words, but ignored them and kept working on my cleaning cart.

    "I am talking to you, Gringa" they called me white girl. I guess I can't blame them, my skin complexion was lighter than a normal person from my country. 

    "I don't want problems. I am only here to work, if you have a problem with my position, talk to Mr. Belleview, maybe you can get the job" I mentioned and they just laughed at me. They didn't say anything else, they just left. I was having the worst day of my life. 

    Lunch time came and I was sitting in the table with my homemade lunch, while reading the newspaper and trying to learn more English words. Suddenly I see Jayden sit in front of me. I looked up in shock and looked around to make sure no one was looking at us.

    "What are you doing? Do you want to start rumors? I am already having problems with my coworkers because of you"

    "No, correction. You are having problems because of them. They can be a little jealous, but that doesn't mean we have to stop talking to each other" 

    I didn't want anyone else saying anything else about me. I kept eating my lunch, when I noticed he left me and minutes later he came back with more food. 

    "Here, the sushi is really good here, you should try it" he said, with a big smile on his face.

    "You really need to stop spoiling me, if you were my boyfriend you probably won't be doing all of this for me" I joked, but noticed he wasn't laughing. I cleared my throat and tried one of the sushi. It was not bad for raw fish.

    "Niray, I am serious about helping you, and if I was your boyfriend, you wouldn’t be working here, but being spoiled even more. By the way, I talked to a friend of mine, who is willing to teach you English and some refinement" I coughed my water out, getting myself wet.

    "English and refinement?" I asked.

    "Yes, my lovely lady. Big plans expect you in the future"