Set for unusual game

Episode 2

**Marian’s POV**

Life has been unfair since the fateful day of the fire outbreak that claimed the lives of my father and three siblings. My father was who we all relied on since my mother’s health changed. The tragedy took a toll on me and my mother.

My mother who was once strong and could manage her asthmatic ill-health is no longer the person she used to be.

The grief and pain has taken a toll on our mental and physical health, leaving us frail and in a pitiful condition.

We struggled to make ends meet. My mother’s illness was on the verge of making me a school dropout, but I didn’t let that happen.

I searched around for at least a meager job that could be of help to fend for my education.

The weight of the situation was much more than I could bear. We struggled to get up with their loss. Friends and families who had once been supportive began to distance themselves from us because they couldn’t handle the intensity of the grief.

Susan, my best friend, who is also a victim of life cruelty, but with living parents, advised me on the next move to take since we were both through with our college education and found no nice job.

She worked as one of the cleaners in “Chelin’s warehouse.” She suggested that I apply for the job of cleaner, since it was the only vacancy in the warehouse.

Initially, I wasn’t comfortable with the job, because it required me to work through the night. Considering my mum, I was skeptical about going for the job. My mum needed someone to stay close to her, most especially at night, because she experiences the asthma crisis mostly at night.

Fortunately, after I had spoken to my mum about the job, mentioning also the prerequisites involved in it, she accepted that I was going for the job. She assured me of being able to take care of herself at night.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was willing to do whatever it took to get the inhaler and drugs my mother desperately needed.

I went with Susan to apply for a job. It was as though they knew that I was in desperate need of the job. No interview or anything of that type was conducted. I was told to resume duties tomorrow. I don’t why I feel so excited, maybe because I was going to ease a little burden from our lives.

I worked every day except on Sundays when I spent quality time with my mum in a way that she wouldn't feel my absence when I left for my weekly duty.

The part of my job that hits me with so much happiness notwithstanding its tasking nature is that I get to afford my mum's monthly medication unlike before. And since she started taking her drugs consistently, there has been an obvious change in her health. Mum does not only appreciate my efforts; she prays for me daily. This feeling is immeasurable.

I can't thank my best friend enough for giving me this life-changing idea. This is the reason I can't give up on her. Although she can be over the top, she remains the best friend anyone could think of having.

With time, Mum got a bit stronger, and she decided to take up a job to help herself and to help me too.

Honestly, this is the least I expect from Mum. I don't want her to expose herself to anything that would trigger the crisis.

I told her my worries, but she gave me an assurance to be careful with her health. My mum always has a way of assuring me to believe her. I think it is so because she doesn't want me to feel like my words were neglected.

Mum reminded me of the company I once spoke to her about. The CEO of Sheveron's company had made it clear to every young lady who has aspirations of working in his company that there was no way forward for them. I didn't know all this about the CEO until Susan, who was a victim of harassment, shared how her experience with him went.

Her experience with the CEO is an unforgettable one.

“Marian, with what we've heard about the CEO of Sheveron's company, I think I should give it a trial, being older than the opposed ladies.” This is exactly what Mum said to me.

I thought it to be a good idea, but Mum's health was where my skepticism lay.

I spoke to Susan about it, and just like me, the idea didn't sit well with her, but since Mum insists on going, I hope her fate meets well with her.

Since I constantly got drugs for mum every month, she has been better, at least free from everyday crises.

Mum went for the interview with a conviction that she would work with the egoistic CEO. Where and how she got her conviction amazed me. I wish her well regardless.

"I hope that the arrogant good for nothing CEO doesn't down your mum's request," Susan said to me in my work post.

I hope he doesn't, but if he does, I'm sure Mum would listen to me and not search for another job.

Not so long after I had the chit-chat with Susan, I got a call from Mum. I quickly guessed it was a call to tell me about the rejection, but she burst my bubble.

"Marian, Marian!! Mum screamed through the phone. You won't believe that I got this job. Not just that, he said he loved my manner of approach and, because of that, he'd hire me to be in charge of cleaning his office. He mentioned that no one has worked in his office ever since he became the CEO of the company." Mum narrated, grinning from ear to ear.

I won't lie, I'm happy for Mum. “But why must it be in his office, why not some other place like others," I thought to myself.

Well, I think Mum should go for the job if she is fully convinced that it is a good one. Right now, I don't think I can change Mum's perception of the job, so there wasn't any point in seeing my thoughts towards her. Albeit, I'm greatly concerned about her health.

Susan was astonished after I had narrated the whole mum's new job gist to her.

"Marian, the fact that he hired her to be in charge of cleaning his personal space is bizarre. This arrogant CEO has never for once allowed anyone to clean his space. He objected to anyone who offered to render help with cleaning his space.

What must have led him to hire your mum for the task he never allowed anyone to carry on with him?" Susan asked with a serious look on her face.

At that point, I was dumbfounded. Mum should do whatever she wishes. I hope she finds peace within herself and her new job.

But Mum's job was demanding, in that she was required to be at her workplace before 7 am and also, work every day including Sundays.

She gets back exhausted as late as 6 pm daily. The pay she gets isn't worth the amount of stress she goes through, but she always insists on handling the job.

I came up with the idea of accompanying her on Sunday to her place of work since that was the only time I had to stay close to her.

Susan told me about the way he embarrasses young ladies who are found around his firm, but I had no other option than to accompany my mum to work on Sunday.

“Instead of moving into the office with her, I'll sit outside to wait for her until she's through with the day job." I thought to myself.

I didn't tell Susan what my plans were because I knew she would keep from doing that. So, I decided to follow her to her place of work.

I was very careful each time I was there. On several occasions, I was nearly caught by the so-called CEO, but I always sneaked away.

I am beginning to think that the CEO has sent someone to spy on me.

I'm only taking this risk for the sake of Mum. I don't want her working her ass off every day, and after everything finding no one she can talk to unwind after a long day.

The crisis that was thought to stop has been disturbing her frequently. This is the only reason why I was scared of her taking that job.

Mum would always insist on going to her workplace every day as it was a criterion for being paid, especially for new staff. It was more like a test of your competence. If she failed the test by taking a day off from work, her salary would be hoarded. Mum struggled to see that she kept to the rules even on days when she battled with a crisis.

I had to take a week's break from my boss so that I could take good care of my mum. He was considerate to give in to my request because it was just Susan and I that managed who managed the cleaning duty in the firm.

Susan tried to figure out by herself what must have led to my request for a break, unlike me. I refused to let her know about my plans to go to Mum's place of work to help her because she was going to discourage me from doing that. And discouragement is the least I need presently.

I could no longer stay outside to wait for Mum because I wasn't sure of her being strong enough to handle the day's work alone. She could be triggered and begin to battle with the crisis alone.

But my problem is the CEO. He comes to his office before 8 am, and if I go in to help mum I won't be able to escape him because I'll be right in his office helping mum with the task of the day.

Other staff who saw me around advised that I stay off from the premises because the CEO has been looking and waiting for the opportunity to deal with me whenever he finds me.

I paid deaf ears to all that they said. I went in only to find mum resting on one of the tables in his office. I had to help her clean the office.

I heard a honk at the gate, when I peeped I realized that it was the CEO who was driving him.

I'm nervous because, from what I've heard, I don't know what his reaction would

be when he finds me.

I couldn't control my nervousness as he made his way to his office.