Beneath His Lies

Chapter 4

“Sir, that’s risky.” Andrew protested.

“Riskier than sitting here while somebody destroys this company from inside?”

“What if someone recognizes you?”

“Most workers don’t even know what I look like. And the few who do won’t expect to see me there.”

“Your father would never approve.”

“That’s exactly why I’m not asking for permission,” Barry said with a smug expression.

“I’m doing it. My mind is made up, and I’m only telling you because I need someone to hold the fort for me over here.

Feeling defeated, Andrew accepted that there was nothing he could say that would change Barry’s mind.

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“Yvonne, your phone is ringing,” Mrs Jones called, handing her the phone.

Yvonne frowned at the screen. It was an unknown number. She suspected it could be one of the loan apps she had borrowed money from. She muted the call and put the phone in her pocket.

Here you go Dad, she said, handing him a plate of food.

“Thank you,” he muttered.

Her phone rang again and she checked to see the same number calling.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Her dad asked.

“No dad, it’s not important.”

Her phone buzzed again but this time with a text message from the same number. It read

‘Good day, Ms Yvonne. My name is Collins, and I’m the HR officer at the company, Dynamo. I’m delighted to inform you that you have been offered the position of Operations support assistant. I would appreciate it if you could call me back during your free time so we can discuss the benefits attached to this role. I look forward to hearing from you.’

“What is this?” She laughed.

“What’s that? Let me see, ” her mum said, reaching for the phone.

“Dynamo? The one that produces all those beverages and cereals? Well, this is good news, Sunshine. I told you God would provide another job,” she said beaming with a smile.

“Mum no, it’s a scam. I didn’t even apply for any role.”

Her mum’s smile faded.

“Let me see, her dad said.

She passed the phone to him and he read through with a serious expression.

“I don’t know Sunshine, this looks like something a HR person would actually write. I think you should call him and hear him out. After all, you have nothing to lose.”

“When did companies start hiring randomly without applications?” Yvonne protested. She was still sad that she lost her job and was trying to avoid having any false hope.

“Isn’t Dynamo one of the companies that Sylvia supplied food for?” Her father asked.

Yvonne’s eyes widened in realization.

“Oh my God. Dad, you’re right. What if she actually submitted an application on my behalf?”

“Exactly. So that’s why you need to call back,” her mum said from across the room.

With a beam of hope rising inside her, she picked up her phone and dialed the number. She felt like she had been waiting for eternity and felt relieved when she finally heard a voice at the other end of the line.

“Hello, Ms Yvonne…..”

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“I thought about it already and I’m going to go in as a quality control trainee. That has to be the best role. It’ll allow me to observe everything and everywhere” Barry said while adjusting his tie in the mirror.

“And your clothes sir?”

Barry frowned.

“What exactly is wrong with my clothes? Barry asked, turning back to look at Andrew.

“You don’t expect to convince anyone that you’re a low level employee when you look like a million bucks. If you’re really going to do this, then we have to make sure you look the part.”

Barry nodded slightly.

“You’re right, but I could just wear the factory overalls.”

“Yes, sir. You can, but you still need to get some regular looking clothes. You’d have to change out of the factory wear before leaving and you might want to move about in some other places asides from the factory.

“ You’re right,” Barry said while clenching his jaw.

“So where do I get such clothes from?”

Andrew grinned satisfactorily. “I can take you to a thrift store to get some clothes. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Hmm,” Barry hummed.

He was grateful to have Andrew as his right hand man. He was wise, older and very loyal. Barry was a little free with him compared to how he was with his other personal staff. Growing up, he had always been the socially awkward one. He didn’t have any friends. Sandra was the one who was outspoken and could make friends easily. She was smart, calculative and calm in a way that made people love her most. In a period where Barry felt to be one of his lowest, he knew he could depend on Andrew to hold everything down for him.

**************************************************************

The new week arrived quickly and it was finally time for Yvonne to resume at Dynamo. She got up early to prepare and put her best clothes on. Her parents had prayed with her the previous night. They all believed this new job would finally change things for her. She felt nervous but prepared.

She remembered the details of her first conversation with the HR officer.

“The offer comes with a pay of six hundred and fifty dollars per month."

“Six hundred and fifty dollars?” She exclaimed in disbelief.

Her father signaled to her to put the phone on speaker. She did that and moved closer to his side.

“What’s wrong Ms? Is it too low? We can make it eight hundred.”

She looked at her father feeling too stunned to speak. He tugged at her arm, encouraging her to continue. .

“No… I.. I mean yes,” she stammered.

“Yes, six hundred and fifty is too low. Eight hundred sounds much better.“

“Ok, I’m delighted to hear that. I will send you the remaining details via email.”

“Ok sir, I’m looking forward to it,” she replied, still unable to believe her ears.

The day after she was fired from the restaurant, one of the waitresses had called her and told her that the manager went through the CCTV footage and knew that she was innocent.

She said she never doubted her innocence and made sure all the other staff knew as well. Yvonne was honestly grateful to hear that but she knew she still wasn’t going to get her job back. In fact, she felt too humiliated to go back to that place.

So when the HR officer claimed that someone recommended her for the position, she suspected that it was the manager because she knew that deep down, he was a decent person. Maybe he felt bad for throwing her under the bus. It was either him or her friend, Sylvia, though Sylvia denied having anything to do with it. Either way, she was just happy to be offered a job in a big company such as Dynamo.