Laila Moore
______I traveled back to California overnight. I aimed to be at the FitFood building very early in the morning to secure my job.When I ran away from home back three years, the pain never felt this immense. The heaviness I was feeling in my chest as I left New York was unbearable. Many were those who pitied me while on the plane, maybe from how dead I looked.I wanted to give up. I was on the verge of drowning myself to death. But some words kept chiming in my brain. They were Mister Ross' words. 'Never give up'There must have been a reason why everyone in my family hates me. I hoped just a day would come and I would at least know, because it was really hard to bear it all without knowing why I deserved it.I hated everyone, and I was close to changing my name and living like they did not exist.I deleted everyone's number and blocked them from every social media. It was not easy, but it was for the best. They were not gonna hear from me ever again.I had just arrived at work. Everyone seemed to be back to work. That included Oliver who was now the new boss. He was seated behind the boss' office table. He was busy on his laptop, as well as busy ignoring that I had walked in.He hated my existence, that was certain, but he needed to explain to me why I got fired.I had a killing headache and I was sure I looked pathetic. My eyes also felt so heavy, I had no idea when I last had a nice sleep, but who would even need sleep while in such a situation?I closed the door and strode inside.It was quite amusing to see him clad a bit neatly, a white shirt which of course was not fully buttoned. The sleeves were folded exposing his forearms. His hair, like always, was in a low ponytail though this time, there were some hair strands neatly set to fall on each side of his face.If you ask, he was relatively not suitable for a person to represent a company to anyone. I preferred his father, who always looked professional.I decided to break the ice because, after all, I was the one who had an issue."I have worked for Mister Ross for three years. I have been his assistant and he can testify that I adhered to the regulation of this organization." I paused and breathed.He did not look at me once or stop typing. Chances were he never gave two fucks about my grieves."I know Mister Ross is in a critical condition and I am his PA, but that doesn't mean I am fired. He will get well and I will continue working for him. Right now I am required to do some of the work that I used to do without him."A vibrating sound caught me gazing at his phone on the table. He never hesitated to answer. He listened for a while then checked his wristwatch."I will be there." He spoke to whoever was on the call and then hung up.I was caught by him getting up. He grabbed his car keys and his phone then began leaving.Ignoring me was like his favorite game aside from hating me. What I did not come all the way from New York, straight to his office, was to get a silence treatment."Oliver." He stopped, luckily. He had gripped the doorknob, almost leaving. "I re–""Since when did we get to a point of disrespect?" He dropped his hand from the knob and got back to where I stood rooted. "Who do you think you are? My mother?" I kinda shivered at how heavy his voice was. "To call me by my name, you must be my mother or sister!" He thundered."Mister Castillo." I swallowed. "I really need this job.""Now hearing the manner you would address me, I am convinced that you were not offered the right education." He roughly uttered and that touched a part that always ached. "From now on, pass through the company secretary if you want to speak to any of the employees in the organization. Book a proper appointment.""Sir, give me a reason why I was fired." I stood my feet. The nerve of this moron.He scoffed. "Are you sure you want one? Where is your resume which should be in your file at the HR office?"That, I was fucked because Mister Ross did not find it necessary to ask for my resume. Like I said, the company was operating without a PA but for whatever reason, Mister Ross offered me the job."I guessed so." He noticed my silence. "This is not a dumpster where unskilled people will just walk in and think they can offer knowledge that can grow a company." He gazed on his wrist watch again and continue. "All job vacancies are on the company website, follow the right channel and apply for whichever vacancy suits you."He gripped the doorknob and pushed the door open. He was about to step out when he stopped and turned to me again."And now that you are here, make sure to clear this desk."Right outside CEO's office was my desk. It was quite an equipped office with a comfortable brown leather seat and a working computer which I rarely used because I had a laptop and an iPad.Behind it was an enormous window that I used to view the city when I was bored. There was no customer seat because I used to direct clients directly to the bossOnce client's booked appointments with the company secretary, she would send to me a daily schedule and I would handle the rest as she took care of the company.Susan never used to enter the boss's office except on Tuesdays, during my off day.I loved my job. It got me to travel around and meet other prominent people. I was always beside Mister Ross. A day never came when I thought I would stop working for him. But now I was fucked. Fired.I wished I had finished my education. It could have at least made my life easier. Now I couldn't even apply for a PA position. I lost it in a snap.I sank into the chair that I loved a lot. If anyone could have seen me a week ago, the smile I had on my face, they could have said I was a different person.I was required to pack my things and leave, but I was tired for that. I rested my head on the table. My tired eyes were voluntarily shutting, but I did not know that the moment I closed them I would immediately break down into tears.Silent sobs began fleeing my throat. As much as I tried to control it, I was aching. I realized I had a lot in my heart that I was avoiding.Dad passed away. He was after all my father despite that he hated me. But he was gone for good.Mister Ross was in a coma. I couldn't even pour to him the problems I had in my heart like I used to.I was now jobless and broke. I had no good papers either. In short, I was an idiot.I did not have any friends. Silly how Mister Ross and Mike were the only friends I had. If it was for drinking, we used to do it together, if it were for vacations, we would go together.We were so close that I forgot I had a life. But God knows that they were the only people who understood me.It's the way Mister Ross treated me like his only child. He spoiled me and now he was not here to tell me that I needed to keep fighting.I had no idea how much I cried or how long I had been there, but I suddenly jerked up when I felt some cold fluid gushing down my hair. I was drenched when I lifted my face to the culprit. Susan."What the–" I shook the water off as it dripped down my shoulders."How long do I have to call you!" She always had bitterness when speaking to meI stared down at my wet top which was now exposing my bra underneath."Why would you do that?" I questioned. I was losing it, and God knows I was close to jumping on her."Well, I am supposed to lock the boss's office, care to leave?" She slammed the glass she had carried the water with on the table.I checked the wall clock and boy oh boy, I slept for hours. I didn't even realize it until that moment."Well, you didn't have to wet me." I sniffed and I felt some irritation in my throat, a feeling that only emerged when the fever was knocking."Oh, so it's my fault you slept off here! It always is my fault right?""I did not say that. I said you are rude to pour water on me.""Rude?" She scoffed. "Oh, who is rude? For a person who showed up in this company and got employed through the back doors, denying other people opportunities, that's rude!"I stared up at her. "You don't know shit, so shut up!""Or maybe you sucked his dick, who knows." She scoffed mockingly and what got me was for her to insult Mister Ross.I got up abruptly and without a second thought, I attacked her cheek with a sound slap."Don't you dar–" I never completed my sentence when the door flew open. Oliver walked in.His eyes were on me, my hand was still held up ready to give Susan what she deserved, and for her, she was busy breathing heavily as she rubbed her cheek. I could see tears in her eyes."What's going on here?" Oliver asked.I dropped my hand, and he saw it.Susan hoofed away with fake tears spewing down her cheeks."I've worked in many organizations, and no one has ever dared to touch me." She sobbed."You insulted mister–""I thought I made it clear that you should leave!" Oliver barked. "Now you dare to slap employees here?"I scoffed while staring at him. "Really?" I asked. "Yes, I slapped her and do you know why? She insulted your father.""Oh please, don't lie–""I am lying?" I nearly jumped on Susan. "You were never happy with me working for Mister Ross! But for you to say I sucked his dick to get employed, that's beyond!" I barked.She shook her head and then turned to Oliver. "I did not say that. She is lying.""That's what you said!" I screamed."And maybe she is right!" Oliver interrupted. Susan and I gasped.I froze. For a moment I thought I misheard him but from the cold gaze he gave me, he seriously said it."Leave this building." He declared, "And if you need a job, apply!" He thundered before walking into his office.None of my body cells were functioning. Even when he slammed the door shut, it did not alarm me. At that moment, I hoped he just blurted it out because he wanted to take Susan's side, but not that he thought I had an affair with his father for me to get the job.I just hoped.Oliver Castillo Ross_____I switched off the disturbing radio news that was all speaking of the CEO of FitFood. He was not only all over the internet but also in the news where everyone was trying to exaggerate the story.I gripped the steering wheel tighter, making my knuckles turn white. I revved the speed of the car, desiring to make it to where I was going, as quickly as possible. The rain was dropping immensely and the night had crawled in like an insane demon.I left the highway and took to the road that led to my destination. From a distance, I could see the lights illuminating from the windows of the building I was nearing. The music was blaring to the stereo and expensive cars were driving into the building.I stopped the car outside the entrance, grabbed my phone, and stepped out. A parking valet took the car keys and I left it to him. I advanced towards the entrance door.The assessment was as usual but my presence was recognised. The two guards opened the door for me imme
Liana Moore._____I stuffed my mouth with a fork-full of spaghetti. The restaurant served them best with baby kale salad and an avocado lime sauce which always worked wonders for me. Whenever I felt lazy to cook, since most of the time I ate at work or home with Mister Ross, you'd find me in Cain restaurant enjoying their spaghetti.Some of the waiters knew me. My arrival was always felt and they did not miss to approach me and tease me with my "the usual" order.I sat near a window that gave a view of the busy area. People moved about and vehicles made noises in the street creating an industrious ambiance. That was the noise I was craving for on my shitty Sunday.I had no idea why I needed to eat a lot. It was a day after my father's burial and even though I had resolved to never care about my family, every pain was now on my shoulders. The thought that he was gone forever was what gave me nightmares.I wanted to assume everything and move on but it hit hard to realize I even missed
Liana Moore____Monday morning found me at the Fitfood building for the interview. I nearly missed the interview as I overslept but luck was on my side. Though it had begun, there were still a few people who were waiting.As soon as I walked into the room where the interviewees were waiting, everyone turned to me with a deadly silence reigning. Not even a single sound could be heard, except maybe the noise made by my uneasy breaths. Maybe they were staring at my attire. I had a feeling with the ridiculous black-fitting dress that I chose to wear that morning. Or perhaps it was my hair which I styled with my fingers as I ran here. Oh, it could have been my face, definitely yes. I had a fever and I knew due to excessive blowing of the nose, I looked as red as a monkey's butt."Ah, ignore it and sit down. At least you made it." My super supportive inner voice encouraged me.I mentally calmed myself and ambled nervously to a three-seater seat that was occupied by two ladies. I could fee
Liana Moore _____ It was either I was the problem, or something was certainly wrong with Susan. I did not expect us to have a decent conversation, but the point where she couldn't even answer a question about the company was infuriating. I had delivered my papers to the HR office where I found her having a chat with Jonathan. Jonathan was an employee at the HR office.I had no plan to talk to either of them but when I heard her saying she canceled all of Oliver's meetings, I was concerned and I had to ask about it.The last time I checked, Mister Ross was supposed to have a meeting with William Banks. Everyone knew who William was. He had launched a new five-star hotel and a resort. The meeting with mister Ross was for Fitfood to start supplying food to his restaurants.He was to be part of major customers of the company but from what Susan was dishing to Jonathan, it appeared that the meeting was not gonna happen. As if the company hadn't lost customers already.There was an hour
Liana Moore___Some decisions in my life always fucks me up. Choosing to meet a client in Boss's place was probably the worst decision ever, but nothing happened. Yet. I had been expecting a call from work bearing news that I was probably fired again, but Tuesday arrived without hearing anything from Oliver. That meant I was to show up for the job as required.My usual job routine always started at Castillo mansion. I was supposed to pick him up so we could go to work as I discuss with him his schedule. At least that's what I used to do with Mister Ross. So was his son.I arrived earlier than usual, probably from anxiety or excitement. Being hired again at the company brought joy to my heart.The Castillo mansion was a dream paradise. The architectural building stood towering over the surrounding buildings. It was a house to point at whenever passing by the estate, an estate believed to be owned by rich people.Its exterior was painted white but most of the walls were those huge gla
Liana Moore.____ I tossed my handbag on the table and sighed in frustration. I couldn't help but glare at the door where Oliver walked into. He was getting on my nerves, and I was gonna pour my outrage on him anytime soon.I sucked in the fury and walked around the table. I sank into my seat and thanks to the comfortable leather chair because it calmed my tensed nerves. I leaned on the backrest and commenced swiveling. I needed a plan to tame him.He was not going to sign up with William Banks. I wondered what I was going to tell Knox William, he was visiting the company to tour around and then sign the contract, but the boss, Oliver, was against it.We were already on the edge of incurring major losses, we needed prominent organizations to sign up as our customers. I grabbed the iPad and checked Oliver's schedule again. The healthy inspector was to visit the central production kitchen. Oliver was to accompany him. Later he was to approve the new package of cassava chips. But ther
Liana Moore.____ Life taught me to appreciate everything that comes along. That was back when I was still my parents' daughter. Mum used to blackmail my life with threats. I never used to care about it because I was young, until I grew up and learned that my childhood was not a darling to me.She used to warn me about any bad thing a kid would do. And instead of punishing me and leaving it at that, she would threaten to stop taking me to school. Even if I spilled some water on the floor by mistake, she would threaten my career dreams.I got used to it, and I learned to avoid chaos by doing what she required me to do, even if it was too much for me. Same case as to what was happening. I did not take it seriously being the FitFood errand girl. It was not something new to me, so I did everything wholeheartedly.I served the members in the meeting with some coffee, with a smile.Once I was done, I left the conference room because it was clear that Oliver did not want me in. And I was n
Liana Moore______I woke up feeling pathetic in all ways possible. You would think my day to die had arrived but unfortunately, I was very much alive, and I was required to go to work and face Oliver. His words rang in my brain like a Catholic hymn song. It was as if he said them to me but I just overheard him. I hated to assume things but definitely, I was the pathetic employee he hired back. What was bothering me was the part where I was playing a role in his game.It was draining my good brain cells. Every passing second felt like it was eradicating my skin, leaving me in a skeleton state.A part of me urged me that he was not talking about me. But again, none of the employees who were fired was hired again. None. So I was his pathetic employee playing a fucking unknown role.I sighed and then grabbed my handbag. It was my brown huge handbag that could fit a newborn baby. I loved it mostly for its space to fit some few stuff I would need for my day. Mostly I packed breakfast prep