CHAPTER THREE

Flora's POV

Today has been the worst day of my life. My father's company is going bankrupt and my salary from bringing an intern can't even survive us for two weeks. My brother is still in school and I need to cater for him as well.

“Flora!” Janet called out.

“Janet.” I called back trying to pull myself together.

“What have you been thinking?” She questioned.

“Nothing,I've just been tired.” I responded.

“It's closing time, let's go and grab something to eat before going home.” She said, picking up my bag and dragging me up.

Janet is an intern I met when I first resumed as an intern. She had been kind to me ever since then and we've been more like friends since then. I stood up from my seat and walked to her before I collected my bag and we started heading out of the company. We walked out of the company and walked down the road to a nearby restaurant where we could get something to eat.

We entered the restaurant and found our way to the vacant seat. We both sat down and were expecting a waiter or waitress to come for our order.

“Where will you be this weekend?” She asked.

“I'll be busy at home, I guess.” I responded, trying to dodge going out with her.

“Incase you're available, I need someone I can go out with tomorrow.” She said, looking sad.

“I'll let you know if I'll be less busy.” I said before the waiter showed up.

“What would you like to have?” He asked, giving out the menu to us to make our order.

“I want chicken and spices.” I said, returning the menu back to him.

Janet made her order and the waiter left our table to prepare our orders.

“I'll be transferring to the other branch by next month.” Janet said, heartbroken.

“Why?” I asked, surprisingly.

“They're short of workers and I'll be given a full-time position too.” She responded.

“That's great news. “ I said, smiling.

“I wish it could be but I don't know anyone there.” She said, frowning.

“You'll make friends there very soon.” I responded, letting out a smile which she returned back.

The waiter brought our order and we started eating. We talked and smiled happily as we ate, forgetting each other's sorrow. We finished eating and Janet proposed that we have some beers which I declined. I've been trying to stay away from alcohol with sheer willpower.

“We need to get going, it's getting late already.” I said, getting up from the chair.

Janet reluctantly stood up and we both went out of the restaurant. We stood outside the restaurant for a while before the bus passed and we entered finding ourselves a seat. We secured a seat and we sat down.

“Don't forget to call me tomorrow when you're less busy.” She said, looking into my eyes.

“I’ll call you.” I responded as I dropped at my house and waved her goodbye as the bus continued its journey.

I walked into the house with sadness clouding my features as I thought about the problems we're facing. I entered the house and saw my father with different documents on the table as he sat down deep in thought.

“Dad!” I called out and he responded immediately.

“Flora, you're home?” He asked, looking lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about and what is this? I asked, confusingly.

“It's the document of the properties I want to use as collateral in the bank so that I get enough money to bring the company back to its lost glory.” He said, sadly.

“Are you sure you'll be able to return the loan before its due date?” I asked.

“I will, don't worry.” He responded and started packing the documents back into the file .

“I need to go to bed and wake up early tomorrow to think of what else might be useful to add before Monday.” He said, standing up and heading to his room.

I locked the door and walked into my bedroom as well as bumped into my bed looking up at the interiors. Ever since my father's business started facing setbacks, everything has changed in the family. We are no longer the happy family we were, everyone started numbing their pains without wanting to talk to anybody about it. I was deep in my thoughts when I slept off.

”””””””””””””””””

I woke up early in the morning with pains all over my body from the previous day's work. I got up from the bed reluctantly and walked into the bathroom to have a warm bath to straighten my body. I was still in the bathroom when my phone rang. It kept ringing over and over again and I had to quickly check the caller.

I picked up my phone from the bed and it was Janet calling me.

“Why is she calling me this early?” I murmured to myself before calling her back.

“Hi, Flora. Are you still coming today?” She said over the phone.

“I told you I will come when I'm less busy today but I haven't even done anything when you called.” I responded, calmly.

“No problem. I just wanted to be sure before making lists of where we'll visit.” She said, sadly before hanging up the call.

“I don't have anywhere to go or anything to do.” I said to myself before picking up my phone from where I had dropped it and called Janet again.

“Hi, Janet. I just wanted to notify you that my appointments for today have been canceled and I can come with you when you're ready. I said.

“I'll come to your house right now and pick you up.” She said, excitedly and hung up the call.

I smiled and dropped the phone on the bed thinking of what to wear as I walked into my closet, checking out the clothes that are there. After several minutes of parading the closet, I laid my eyes on my beautiful black gown and my red pair of shoes. I picked out both and walked up to my bed where I dropped the clothes before I started wearing them.

After wearing my clothes, I sat down on the bed and started wearing my shoes when I heard a knock on my door.