Chapter2
1106 Words
“Careful not to spill dear.”
“Here. Sip slowly ma, it's steamy hot,” Ria said as she served Mrs Adeline the tray of hot tea.
“Thank you daughter,” the old woman smiled sweetly, the grey hairs on her scalp glistening under the bright chandelier.
Ria tensed as she took her seat on the four-edged glass table, just across Mrs Adeline. As she held her own tea cup, she admired how Mrs Adeline picked up the stainless steel spoon–her hands, fair and wrinkled. The faint smile on the elderly woman's face definitely didn't go unnoticed.
Mrs Adeline was the ‘old woman’ Ria was taking care of. She was caring, passionate and full of vision–full of life. She was the kind of woman who never let any situation keep her down. But life had other plans.
Tragedy struck when she clocked fifty. Mrs Adeline was diagnosed with a chronic heart illness. Ever since, she'd been living off a variety of medication.
According to the doctors–she didn't have much time left.
From the detailed meals to the regular check-ups, one thing was certain–she had to survive and give herself the best chances she could get.
Although Ria was young and driven, she never saw Mrs Adeline as a bore. She loved been around the late septuagenarian. Always willing to listen to her never-ending stories and experiences from her youthful days.
The couple sat in silence–the kind laced with unspoken tension.
“I know you'll get the job,” Mrs Adeline coughed, breaking the silence. She placed her hands on Ria's and gave her the most reassuring smile ever.
In that moment, Ria's heart melted. This woman didn't deserve to die so early. She still had so much more kindness locked up in her soul to give to the world.
But life was unfair, and just like Mrs Adeline, she knew she was also running out of time.
“Uhmm,” Ria stammered, the words refusing to form.
“Thank you ma,” she finally said.
“You know,” Mrs Adeline continued, not leaving her a chance to say another word.“My son used to make me very nice cup of tea, just like you.”
“Really?” Ria giggled through her teeth.
“Yes, my dear.”
“So what happened to him then?” Ria sobbed.
“Oh nothing,” Mrs Adeline replied cheerfully. “He's been really busy these days though. Work. Work. Work. That's all he ever talks about now.”
Ria let out a small laugh.
“I knew I couldn't keep him here forever, trust me–I tried,”Mrs Adeline giggled. “So I suggested he got me a caretaker, and then there was you.”
“It's my pleasure to work for you Mrs Adeline,”Ria smiled as she slurped the last of her steaming tea.
The old lady smiled back.“You'll be the perfect fit for him.”
Ria coughed hard, choking on the tea.
Mrs Adeline couldn't help but laugh at Ria's display.
“Okay ma, let me clear the table now. It's almost time for me to leave.” Ria replied, as she stacked their tea cups onto the tray.
“My son's coming around today. Be back on time darling.”
Ria phone buzzed against the glass table.
“I sure will, ma'am,” she replied, accepting the incoming call.
“Hello?”
“Ria!!!” Chantelle called out.
“I wanted to wish you goodluck before you left. You’re going to crush this interview, I just know it.”
Ria lowered her voice as she took small backward steps into the hallway. “Channy, don't jinx it. What if I freeze up or say something stupid?”
“Then you'll laugh it off and keep going,” Chantelle replied–her voice void of hesitation. “Because that's what you do. You don't quit.”
Ria looked at her phone screen and realization hit her.
“s**t!!! I got to go Chantelle. I'll talk to you later.” She buzzed.
***At Nash Enterprises
It was 9:07am. She was seven minutes late. Ria scurried through the hallway and kept cursing the morning traffic.
“Hey, watch where you're going–” but it I was too late. Ria had crashed into a hard wall of muscle. Her flies littered on the floor.
“I– I'm so..sorry. I wasn't–”
“You weren't paying attention.” His voice was sound. No, commanding. “People like you never are. Do you realize that this a professional space?”
Ria flushed, heat rising to her cheeks. “Excuse me? You were the one storming through the hallway like you own the place.”
“Because I do,” he replied sharply.
For a second, she stepped back to rethink what the annoying man before her had said. Then she blinked, chinning up to regain herself. “Well maybe next time, try walking like a human being, not a bulldozer.
Quickly,something flickered in his eyes. Then he stepped aside, cold and dismissive. “Pathetic.”
Ria clenched her fists in anger and fear, biting back another comeback as he walked away. Her nerves throbbing even faster than before.
***At the boardroom
The interview was brutal.
“Why did you leave your last position?”
“What are your strengths in managing complex schedules?”
“How do you handle a difficult superior?”
Ria forced herself to remain steady. The memories from her previous job threatened to resurface–the unfair treatments, the scandals, the betrayals. But she was no longer that girl, weak and emotional.
She focused on her strengths, her potentials. She knew she could do more.
The questions were finally over. As the panel exchanged quick glances, the bile in Ria's throat began to rise. Finally, the man in the middle cleared his throat.
“We’re impressed. Congratulations, Miss Ria,” the panelist smiled. “On behalf of Nash Enterprises, you have been hired as the personal secretary to the CEO. He’ll be with you shortly. Ria's face flooded with excitement and something else, something more–relief.
“Thank you, I won't disappoint,” she shrilled.
Suddenly,the door to the boardroom swung open. Heavy footsteps filled the room.
The man from the hallway entered.
The entire panel rose in acknowledgement of the man who had just stepped in.
“Welcome, Mr Na
sh,” they echoed in unison.
Ria froze. Mr Nash…?
Shock filled her senses and instantly, she knew she was in trouble.
- Writer
