C3 Job Offer

She was happy, the results were out but wished her fate was bright. With shaking hands, she finally clicked on the email.

She was overjoyed to see “Congratulations!”

Roxy opened her mouth to scream when she remembered her mom was sleeping. She held a palm against her mouth. She quietly danced happily.

“I had a weird day but this email just made my day”, she said grinning.

She quietly walked to her room but overheard noise coming from her mom’s room. She walked closer to inform her about the result when she heard her mom saying

“Tell me, what you did. I hope he didn’t hurt her. Roxy was alone”.

Roxy stood still, she was shocked her mom knew about what happened. She immediately turned around and went to her room angrily.

“How could she do that?”she asked, disappointed at her mom.

“Who is she talking to?”, she said curiously.

After a while of thinking, she slept off.

*****

The next morning, she stayed in bed. She couldn’t face her lying mom, she couldn’t hide what she just heard.

“What’s your plan for this weekend?”, Laura asked from the door.

“I’m not sure. Let’s see how it goes. I’d prepare for my work”, Roxy replied.

“Work, which one? Did you pass the interview?”, Laura asked excitedly.

“Yes, I just checked. I got an email”, she said.

“That’s wonderful dear. I’m so happy! Why don’t we celebrate together?”, Laura said.

Having no way out of avoiding her mom, she agreed.

After a while, she dressed up and left her room. She met her mom in the kitchen. .

“Hey mom, what are you baking?”Roxy asked.

“I’m baking some strawberry cookies. Your favorites. I’m almost done!”, Laura said.

“Okay, is there anything I can help you with?”Roxy asked.

“No dear, I’m about to put them in the oven”, she answered.

“Alright”, she replied.

When Laura had placed them in the oven, Roxy decided to confront her mom about what she heard last night.

“Um… mom, can we talk please”, she asked.

“Sure dear, what’s going on?”Laura asked, cleaning her hands on her apron.

Laura walked to her daughter and sat beside her.

“Okay, I’m here. What’s wrong?”, she said.

“Well, I don’t know how to say this”, Roxy stated.

“My dear, you know that you can always tell me anything. What’s bothering you?”, she said, reassuring her.

“Mom, I heard your conversation. Your … conversation last night. You were on the phone, right?”, she said.

“Yes, I was. Did you eavesdrop? Young Lady, how dare you eavesdrop on me? I’m your mother!!!”, she screamed.

“Well, I didn’t mean to. I just overheard it. I was going to tell you about the result when I heard it”.

“What did you hear?”, Laura asked in a whisper.

“Mom, tell me the truth, please. Is it true? What do you have with those dangerous people?”Roxy pleaded .

“It's nothing to worry about. Mom, can handle it”, she said.

“Really, how?”Roxy asked.

“Somehow, things will work out. They said, prepared to hear it.

“I don’t want you to know anything about them because they’re very dangerous. I want you safe. You are all I have, Roxy “, she said.

“They are Russians. They have no feelings at all”, Laura said.

“Okay….”

“Your father worked with them. He tried to leave but couldn’t . They killed him, so that no one will know the truth”, she said crying.

“Really? Is that the reason you refused to talk to me at the dinner?”, Roxy asked curiously.

“Yes, I had to protect you. Now, they’ve found you. I don’t know what to do? I promise to keep you safe”.

“How did you know about them? Did you work for them?”

“Actually, I didn’t work for them. I borrowed money for your college from them. I don’t have the money to pay back”.

“What? That’s dangerously crazy. How could you do that?”

“I’m sorry Roxy. I didn’t think twice”.

Roxy didn’t know what to say and more importantly, what to do next. She stared into the night sky through the kitchen window. Her mind was filled with different thoughts but none were plausible.

Few minutes later, she got up and left. Halfway to her room, she turned and returned to her mom. She hugged her tightly.

“We will get through this together”, she whispered consolingly.

“Let’s forget about all these…. Let’s celebrate your success”

They spent the whole day, talking and laughing, trying to forget everything. Roxy got a bit dizzy and decided to rest.

Her weekend was packed up with activities and thinking. Despite everything, she couldn’t take her mind off her new job. She prepared her clothes for the week.

*****

The next Monday, Roxy ate and left for work. Her new job made her super excited. She didn’t know who to share her joy with. She kept it plastered on her face.

She got to the entrance of Hilton Company. She had a few minutes, so she stood in front of the building, just staring. Her thoughts were disturbed by a loud horn behind her. This brought her back to reality, she quickly turned back to see a black SUV.

She quickly got in, went through all the processes by the Team manager.

“You, No. 8, you’re assigned to the CEO office”, she said bitterly.

Roxy was surprised but got her cleaning items ready and made her way to her duty. She got in without knocking. She saw the empty room, she was so excited.

When she was done cleaning, on her way out, she bumped into a young man wearing a blue suit. The items spilled all over, even ruining his suit.

“Can’t you watch where you’re going?”