Against all odds

CHAPTER 2

The evening sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink as Rosaria Gomez stepped out of the bustling office building. The weight of the day's responsibilities lingered in her mind, but her thoughts were already drifting toward the comforts of home.

The setting sun cast a warm glow on their modest family home, where Ignacia Gomez, their mother, awaited their return. Ignacia's health had been a source of concern for Rose ever since the accident that had claimed José's life. Her mother's resilience had held their family together, but Rose couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at her heart.

As she entered the house, the aroma of a comforting home-cooked meal enveloped her. Ignacia smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, but Rosaria couldn’t smile back. Dropping her bag on the dining table with slumped shoulders, she looked up at her mom, the sadness dancing in her eyes. She didn’t have to say anything, Ignacia wiped her hands and dropped the napkin in her hand, rushed to Rose, and hugged her. Pulling back, the mother stared at her daughter, deeply scrutinizing her face.

“Rosaria? What’s wrong with you my love?”

“Mama, it’s Mr. Ford.” She felt her voice wavering, so she sat at the table, her mother’s steady hand still resting on her shoulder. She looked up at her mom, her chest once again constricting, “he’s retiring. And Andres is taking over from him.” Saying those words triggered something in her, and she had to breathe in and out carefully so she wouldn’t break down.

Meanwhile, her mom was so shocked, she had to sit down as well.

“What? Why?” They stared at each other, their future swinging in their heads, on the verge of toppling. Without Mr. Ford at the company, Rosaria’s job was uncertain. Sure, she was confident in her skills, and she was a hard worker, but most of the staff didn’t believe in her or even like her.

Just then, Monica walked in on her phone, oblivious to the shift in atmosphere.

“Hey Rosy, you’re back! You won’t believe who just texted- Rosaria? Mommy, what happened? Is everything okay?”

She quickly sensed the aura in the room and switched off her phone, taking a seat opposite her family at the table.

They turned their heads to look at her. Ignacia spoke up, as Rosaria could still feel the lump in her throat threatening another anxiety attack. “Mr. Ford is retiring.”

“How’s that a bad thing?… Shouldn’t Rose get a promotion anyway?”

“Yes, but he’s giving the company over to his son, Andres.” With those words, she squeezed Rose’s hand tighter.

“Woah, I forgot he had a son even-“

Ignacia shot her a quick, hard glance. “I mean, yeah, like- damn. I’m sorry Rose, you deserve a promotion more than anyone, you’ve worked so hard.”

“You have Rose, and if they don’t see that, then we’ll find you somewhere else. You don’t deserve to be treated less than your worth.”

“She’s right sissy, we’ll look for another job if anything happens to this one. Your CV is good enough to get you any job you want. What does Andres know about the company anyway? I’m pretty sure I’ve only seen him once in my life. I doubt he’d sack you anyways, Mr. Ford would easily put in a good word for you.”

“Yes exactly, he loves you, he won’t let you be stranded.”

“We hope.” Rose had finally found her voice. Her family’s motivation was only making her feel worse. It was easy for them to say they’d get her another job. Job hunting was hell. Especially now, with the supply of workers higher than the demand for them. She’d been a secretary her entire corporate life. How many secretaries had such a good opportunity like hers?

Rosaria turned her back to her family and busied herself serving her dinner. She would try to “beat the odds” like her mom wanted her to. But these were impossible odds. Andres would probably insist on some new busty white secretary. She dismissed that thought.

I don’t even know this man. If Daniel raised him, surely he’d be a decent person. He can’t possibly be that bad.

So Rose decided to be hopeful. For the sake of her mental health and her mom’s health as well. If she kept giving Ignacia reasons to worry, she could have a stroke. She served her food into a dish and turned to face her family.

“It’s fine guys. I’ll just have to beat the odds again.”

——————-

Rosaria loved the weekends. Her long-term boyfriend Steve came over and he was a distraction she desperately needed. They’d known each other for a long time, but they only started dating two years ago, sometime after her father’s death. She loved Steve a lot, he was cheery, strong, and most importantly, very supportive. After her father died, he was one of the few sources of light for her- and her family too. He was like a son and older brother to the family. And she couldn’t wait to see him and tell him all about this retirement fiasco.

Rosaria always slept in on Saturdays. Because she was an early riser and late sleeper every other day, her family let her have some well-deserved rest. After a warm scented bath and a detailed intensive skincare routine that she only did on Saturday mornings, she stepped out of her room.

As the familiar scent of home-cooked meals wafted through the air, she found herself enveloped in a cocoon of comfort that only her family could provide.

Sitting around the dining table, Ignacia, Monica, and Steve engaged in laughter and animated conversation. It was these moments that made Rosaria's heart swell with gratitude. Each smile, every shared story, was a reminder of the love that anchored her in a world often filled with uncertainties.

Monica's teasing banter and Steve's playful retorts painted a scene of familiarity that brought her a deep sense of belonging.

All heads turned to her when she stepped into the room. Steve stood up to give her a warm hug, a knowing look in his eye. They’d probably told him the news.

“How are you feeling this morning babe?”

“Better, better, there’s nothing a good bath and body works self-care can't solve.” She smiled at him again and squeezed his arm.

She went over to give her mom a small hug and a kiss on the cheek, “Good morning mama. Have you taken your meds this morning?”

“Yes she has, Mrs. Worry warts, why would she eat and not take her meds?” Monica piped up from her seat, still staring at her phone. Rosaria cheekily snatched her phone from her hand, “no phones at the table young lady.”

“Rose.”

“Monica.”

They had a little stare-off until Rosaria gave in and gave her back the phone. “Fine.”

Monica smiled a lastborn who always got her way and kept eating her food. “Anyway, Steve here was just telling me about a potential job opening at that restaurant opposite his flat. They’re hiring new waiters! I need to apply Rose, I need a job.”

“You don’t need anything Monica. Besides, who’ll watch over Mom.”

Ignacia cut in, “I don’t need watching over, I’m the mom in this house, remember? I can take care of myself.”

“Tell her, Mom.”

“Monica- do you even know how to wait tables?”

“No, but I can learn, there’s probably some sort of orientation, it can’t be that hard to take down orders and serve food. And that cafe has a lot of rich and influential customers, you never know who I could meet. Plus, the tips! Rose, you better let me do this.”

“Hm- I’ll think about it okay?”

“Yeah, do some real deep thinking.”

Rosaria just got her toast and eggs and took a seat at the table. All this time, Steve had been staring at her, “Hi”

“Hi Steve”

“You good?”

She gave him the most reassuring smile she could muster, “Yeah of course.”

He kept his hand around her thigh as she ate, his warmth brought her a little comfort.

Breakfast was always a family affair. Ignacia treasured family breakfast, because it was a culture they’d had going on in the family before Jose, her dad, died. So she buried her anxieties and laughed and joked with the people she loved.

But behind her smiles and laughter, a cloud of anxiety loomed. The impending change in the system at work had cast a shadow over her thoughts. The company's transition of leadership, with Andres Ford poised to take the reins, had ignited a flicker of unease within her. Her position, her hard-won place in the company, seemed to hang in the balance.

As the weekend unfolded, her family's warmth provided a sanctuary from her professional worries. Late evenings were marked by shared stories and cherished traditions. Yet, Rosaria's mind occasionally wandered to the uncertainty that awaited her at the office come Monday.