Betrayed By Her Protector

HUDA “I’m not sure I’m following.” I breathed slowly as I fidgeted in front of Mr. Smith’s desk. He cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, his round face much redder than usual. “Well, I’m not sure what there’s to follow here,” he snapped defensively. “This was a six-month training program. The six months are over, so you are not needed anymore.” He pointed at the door behind him. “Turn around and leave.” Of course, he expected me to bow my head and leave. I was non-confrontational. I always followed every rule and every command to stay under the radar and not be too much of a burden on my mother. I remained like that, even after her passing. He expected me to walk away because he was the senior partner, and I was his assistant's assistant, but it was time for me to put my foot down. It was time for me to ask why, once again, I was losing the little something I had worked so hard to get. I had nothing left to lose. Please, God, cut me some slack. I need a win. “Sir, I’m sorry to insist, but when we were brought into this apprenticeship program, we were told that the best performer would be offered a permanent position. I’ve been assured through the monthly assessments that I would be offered this position. Mrs. Miller even asked me to come back this morning to sign my contract and start the permanent position.” His face grew redder as he adjusted his position on his seat, his imposing belly squeezing against his desk as he leaned forward. “Things change every day in the corporate world, Ms. Jones. You would know if you’d tried to educate yourself and didn’t drop out at fifteen.” I inhaled sharply as I took the verbal blow. That one stung more than I expected, especially because I left school as young as I did. It had never been my choice—no, it had been just another good thing life had stolen from me. I blinked and looked down, having lost the small fire of injustice that had been burning—what had driven me to fight for myself. He sighed. “Listen, companies are going through restructuring all the time—the position that once was to be filled doesn’t exist anymore.” A flash of red in the corner of my eye attracted my attention, and I looked out the glass office wall to see Mr. Smith’s niece sitting at what had been my desk for the past few months. “I see…” I trailed off, too defeated to even try. It was nothing I had done, nothing the company had done; it was just a simple case of nepotism. He followed my eyes and glared at his niece, who gave him a sheepish smile before she twisted toward the screen. Should I feel better that he wanted to hide this from me? Was it to preserve my tender feelings or ensure I wouldn’t make a scene? He sighed. “Listen, Huda.” Ah, it was Huda now. He knew I was bright enough to catch up on the situation. “You were good, very good even, and you’re not leaving empty-handed. We—” He looked around his desk and stopped on the leather-bound corporate chequebook. “If you’d let me finish before, you’d know that we decided to grant you a gracious, two-week bonus to thank you for all your hard work. Also, know that should any entry position become available, your name will be at the top of the list.” I looked at him as he grabbed the book and wrote me a check. Gracious? This apprenticeship barely paid minimum wage, and I had to work a few nights a week at the bakery down the street to make ends meet. I was supposed to start a job today with a yearly salary of fifty thousand dollars. It would have been nothing to write home about for most people, but for me… it would have changed my whole life. Instead, I would leave with broken dreams, wasted time, and a check for… I extended my hand to grab the white piece of paper he extended and read the amount. $932.15?! Was he serious? I looked up at him. That asshole even took out taxes! “This experience is invaluable, Huda. You’ve spent six months working for one of the biggest fashion firms in California. It’s not negligible, and I’m willing to provide you with a stellar reference should you ever need one.” I knew what he was not saying. Leave without making a scene, and I’ll help you. I looked down at the check again. Lord, how I wish I didn’t need the money. That I could crumple it up and shove it so deep down his throat he wouldn’t be able to breathe anymore. I recoiled. Where did they even come from? I was not violent, never had been, but this compulsion… It’s in your genes. I shook my head and blinked as tears burned the back of my eyes. “I… Yes, thank you, sir.” “Don’t mention it. I wish you all the luck in the world.” I nodded silently, completely exhausted and out of words, and turned around to leave. “Huda?” he called just as I reached the door. I turned my head toward him, hope blossoming against my advice. Maybe he realized it was unfair, perhaps he found a solution. Maybe he just— “Don’t forget to leave your badge with security downstairs.” My heart plummeted once again as shame at my stupidity joined my other raging emotions. I should have known better… When did life cut people like me some slack? I pulled the strap of my thrift store handbag higher on my shoulder and walked down the corridor with as much dignity as possible, trying to respond to the small, sad smiles people gave me along the way. Chloe, an HR assistant, snuck into the elevator just as the door closed on me. “It’s not fair!” she spat, “What is?” “Everything!” She made a wide gesture with her hands, forcing me to take a sidestep to avoid getting poked in the eye by one of her sharp, pointy nails. “That f*****g old pervert once again f****d this company by hiring one of his backwards relatives, and no one bats an eye,” she huffed. “I swear, that man knows something to get away with that much shit.” I agreed with her, of course. I was angry but mostly sad and tired, and this combined with an overwhelming sense of defeat and doom. “It is what it is.” I shrugged, willing the elevator to descend just a little faster. It is what it is… The story of my life. “I’m going to be fine; I’m not worried.” Maybe if I say that enough, I’ll believe it. I sighed with relief as the elevator beeped, announcing my destination had been reached. “You better go back up now before you get into trouble. See you around,” I added, quickly exiting the enclosed space. I tightened my hold around the plastic pass, feeling it bite painfully in my palm. I stopped by the white reception desk and met Caleb, who gave me the same sorry eyes as they did upstairs. He was from the same part of town as me, so he knew the extent of the opportunity stolen from me. “I’m sorry, Huda,” he said soothingly, resting his big hand on mine. I looked down at his gentle gesture and my shaky composure cracked, letting a few burning tears escape. “Let me call you an Uber; you deserve it. The company owes you this ride.” “Thank you.” Usually, I would have said no, fearing he would get into trouble. But I didn’t feel like making the thirty-five-minute, two-bus trip home wearing an itchy dress and the uncomfortable heels I bought at the charity shop down the street to help me look professional. I had felt like a fraud all the way here, and now, on top of being a fraud, I felt like a failure. “The car will be out in a couple of minutes.” “Thanks, Caleb, for everything.” “You’re welcome, Huda. Don’t be a stranger.” I walked out, deciding to wait for the car outside, hoping the warm sun would help me feel a little better. I got my phone out and called Tyler. I need my boyfriend right now. I needed him to make me feel better, even if he had warned me not to get my hopes up from the start. The phone rang and went straight to voicemail. He was probably in ‘the zone,’ working on some of his freelance projects. I sighed, putting the phone back in my bag as a green sedan slowed and stopped before me. “Car for Huda?” “Yes, thank you.” I sat in the back and instead of giving him my address, I gave him Tyler’s.