C4 Chapter Four

Rick walked through the reception office looking effortlessly handsome in his tailored suit and irresistible figure.

The ladies among the staff gushed after him and some went overboard with excitement.

Rhoda was behind him looking all glamorous in her sleek designer dress and styled hair.

Good morning sir, good morning mam, I chimed in with the others,

I overheard a guy nearby mutter, " she is in a good mood today. She and the boss must have had a good time last night, he said.

I frowned and continued studying the large files Max gave me to study the previous day.

There will be a meeting, 10am with the boss and Miss Rhoda. You and the other four new hires will join the first hour,Max said as he walked close to my table.

Are you finding things difficult?

No Max, I replied, feeling a wave of nervousness, Meeting with the boss?

The thought of it made my heart sink.

He noticed my uneasiness.

Miss Thomas, he said, with a reassuring tone.

It's going to be your first meeting,it's a common thing done here, plus there will be a fashion week in few weeks time, You will be guided on how we run our services, work ethics and a bit about our competitors, You are not expected to give so much input but opinions will be needed here and there, remember you're on probation, work your way up to brain stitches,.

Thank you Max, I replied , smiling, His words calmed my nerves.

This is an opportunity I have always waited for, I'm eager to learn more.

Good attitude, he said approvingly before heading to another activity.

As I glanced at my phone,

A message from Ben appeared on the screen. Charl, how are you? Please take it easy at work,

I will be stopping by your workplace to take you to the hospital tonight, please don't say No, and if you don't reply, I will take your silence as a yes.

I stared at the message for a few moments before I replied to him.

Ben, I will get back to you soon.

Needing some time to prepare for the meeting, I went to the restroom ,while I brushed my hair. In front of the large mirror on the wall at the restroom, two ladies walked in, one of them smiled, stretching her hand towards me.

Hi ,I'm Tricia,She said warmly,

I'm Charlotte, I replied, smiling back at her.

How do you find your work your first two days here?

She gave another friendly smile and curiosity in her tone.

It's been interesting I must say, no lazy work,

She chuckled, yeah Charlotte, no lazy work indeed,

I head the show room and I have been here for six months, she said adding some gel to her hair,

Oh wow, six good months, I have a lot to learn from you.

Tricia gave a light laugh, you are already higher than me, I have seen you receive instructions from Max, the boss's personal secretary and you will probably get more chances to see the boss and his lady.

I'm on probation you know, I replied, and my job means a lot to me, That's my focus.

Her expression shifted as she applied a red lipstick on her lips"her gaze on the mirror”

Every opportunity to sit In Front of the boss, I just wanna look my best, she mused,perhaps he finds me attractive.

Charlotte, one night with the boss will change my life, she winked like she was sharing some office secret with me.

I frowned and felt this uncomfortable twist in my stomach.Apparently,he flirts with his employees,I thought.

Nice meeting you, Charlotte, I will see you around, she said with a soft smile on her cheeks and walked out of the office stretching her skimpy skirt.

My phone started buzzing, it was mom.

Not now mom I whispered to myself,it was just some minutes to the meeting.

I quickly sent her a quick message, Mom, I will call you right back, in a meeting.

Everyone in the large office was looking all impeccably dressed, some went overboard with make-up as if they were earlier informed about the meeting.

Max moderated the first five minutes and we were given time to familiarize, we exchanged greetings with introductions and handshakes.

That moment , Rhoda walked in, almost everyone's attention in the office turned to her and I wondered why it was always like that,the attention they gave her troubled me a bit.

Okay sit all of you she said,

Her tone was serious but not authoritative this time.

I know family is one of our core values here.

She adjusted her sleek gown and continued,

I believe we have also met our new work force with brain stitches, Roy , Jake, Morris and Ethan. I waited for my name to be mentioned, but it wasn't.

I'm not with them yet, I reassured myself feeling ignored, but I will be soon.

Max and another guy took over from her a few moments later.

All we did was listen and take down notes while they taught with charts and pictures.

I kept glancing at my phone to see if I had a message from mom.

My mind raced as I saw her message on my phone some moments later.

“Charl,” Your dad hasn't said a word today”, his cancer has worsened.

Oh my God, I whispered and froze, I could barely process the meeting anymore.

Some moments later, Max called out some staff to leave before the boss's session. I was also asked to leave..That was a relief, I was eager to step out and call my mom.