CHAPTER THREE: WE MEET AGAIN

MAE "Let's call off the engagement then." I suggested, and the expression on his face was priceless. It lingered for a while before he came off it. "Yeah, there's no point in getting married now, right?" He asked, meeting Sonia's surprised gaze. One could tell he didn't mean what he said, "No, there's none." I added firmly. I looked into his eyes until I was piercing into his soul. "Oh no, Mike," It was Aunt and her drama again. I knew she was happy with all that was going on, but she just had to pretend to be a good mother to gain Mike's favor. She rushed to him, and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Please don't take Mae's words seriously; the poor girl has been through so much lately, and I think it's affecting her mind." "She's right," It was Sonia's voice, always available to support her mother. "Mae has just been fired from her job; she is very heartbroken and has not been able to get over it." “Don’t try to defend her, Sonia.” He objected stubbornly, even though it was clear he wanted to reconsider, and he wanted me to reconsider, too. But as always, he was too proud to beg; he wanted me to do the begging. “We’re not defending her, Mike; we want you to understand her and not make any rash decisions.” The aunt said she was holding his hand and making faces that suggested she cared. But I knew better than that. “Look at her aunt; she’s not even remorseful at all.” He added, and they all turned to me. I shrugged carelessly. I, for one, have been tired of the relationship with Mike; it was toxic. All he did was boss me around and make me feel like he was doing me a favor. I knew it had to end. I didn’t even have plans to get married to him anyway. “Mae, apologize to Mike; tell him you are sorry.” “Yes, tell him that the affair was a mistake too, and you won’t repeat it ever again.” Sonia added that she enjoyed the humiliation she was making me feel. I ignored her. “Well, I have nothing to say to any of you, especially to you, Mike.” I said it without remorse. “I don’t regret anything; as a matter of fact, I have been looking for the perfect excuse to end this bondage called engagement. I just hit the jackpot.” I picked up my bag and scurried to the door, ignoring their gasps. “Mae,” They called in unison, both mother and daughter. But I didn’t look back. I knew my aunt was sick and tired of me; all she wanted was to get rid of me. But when Mike and I started dating, she minimized all the maltreatment. But anger and jealousy blinded her, and though she wasn’t hitting me, she never stopped the verbal abuse. When I got home, it was still early, so after having breakfast, I changed and set out to look for a new job. I was very optimistic and didn't care about the outcome of what I said to Mike and Aunt. However, after the first two weeks of searching for a job, I began to feel discouraged. I wasn't getting any jobs with my qualifications. So, I started applying for any available job, no matter how small it seemed. By the third week, I was already regretting everything I had said and done to Mike and Aunt, and I was willing to make peace with Mike. It was my only option since I could not go back to my aunt again. I picked up my phone to call him, but a call came through before I could dial his number. "Hello, this is Mae." I informed the person at the other end of the line since it was an unknown number. "This is Grace from the Benson Group of Companies. I am calling regarding the job you applied for." Her sharp voice resounded, making me a little tense. "Okay…" I replied, knowing she still had something to say. "The company has decided to hire you." There was a pause, and I waited patiently for her. "It's a cleaning job; I know your qualification is higher than that, but that's the only vacant position in the company. You are free to look elsewhere if you're." I didn't let her finish before speaking up. "I'll take up the job," I replied "Okay, then, I'll do my best to pay you a little better than the others." She assured me kindly. "Thank you so much," "Alright then, see you at work tomorrow." "Tomorrow?!" I didn't know it was that urgent. "Yes, work resumes tomorrow morning; be on time." She clarified immediately. "Okay, thanks again." A cleaning job was not what I really wanted, but it was better than starving to death or having to go back to a toxic relationship for money or acceptance. That job saved my dignity and was worth it to me. "Are you Mae?" A tall blonde lady asked when I got to the reception at the company. "Yes, I am." I answered, sizing up the lady who looked classy. "Well, I must confess, you are beautiful and came on time. Although the boss is here already, that makes you kind of late. She explained that she was walking ahead of me and gesturing to me to catch up with her. Since she was taller and had longer legs, I had to jog to get to her, making her grin. I ignored her completely. "If I understand what you're saying, then it means that my coming early to work is determined by whether or not the boss gets to work before me." I inquired as she led me to an elevator. She twice pushed the button that said one meant that we were heading to the eleventh floor. "Exactly my point," She seemed impressed. "So, what time does the boss come to work?" "Now that's where the problem is; it's difficult to know; he comes at different times." She chuckled softly. "I'm Grace," She introduced herself as the elevator door opened, and we stepped out. "Oh my God! Nice to finally meet you." "The pleasure is all mine, Mae." She smiled broadly, and I felt pleased. "Okay, this is the boss' office." She said it with pride, standing in front of a big office. "He is in a meeting now, so you'll be cleaning his restroom." "Okay," "Do a great job and meet me on the first floor as soon as you are done; is that okay?" "Yes, it is fine with me. Thank you." "See you in a short while." With that, she turned, swaying her hips as she headed towards the elevator. I opened the door and entered the office, and I was dazed by the sight I was beholding. The office spoke beauty and luxury, and it was so perfect. I have never seen anything like it. "Is this a house or what?" I asked myself wordlessly. What was expected from the biggest group of companies in Standstern Town? I knew that even a cleaning job here would pay more than some high-level positions in small companies. Yet the size of the office and its beauty swept me off my feet. I rushed to see the restroom, but it left me confused and in a dilemma. "Fuck!" Not that the restroom was not amazing, but it was so clean; in fact, it was too clean to a fault. I could clearly see my reflection on everything there. "Did Grace ask someone else to clean the restroom before asking me to do it? I wondered inwardly. I went to the office to check if it had been cleaned, and it was also sparkling. I concluded that the restroom was cleaned by the person who took care of the office. Returning to the bathroom, I noticed a small curtain shielding something at the room's far end. I went there; who knows, it might be where I was assigned to clean. I pushed the curtain and saw that it was a bathtub. I didn't wait for an invitation before sliding into the bathtub and lying in it, stretching my body. I closed my eyes, enjoying the water. I didn't turn on the water, but it still felt refreshing. I lay in there, having nothing to do. After a short period, I began to feel some discomfort in my stomach, and I stirred a little. When I began to feel the urge to throw up, I knew I had to rush to the sink. When my eyes opened, I was shocked to see a pair of dark eyes piercing into mine.