Tripping Troubles

*Andrea*

Getting to my office, I did not even think much about what transpired between myself and my boss. 

Becoming a contracted wife wasn't a good idea and Mr. King was not ready to tell me his reason for that. I can't just venture into it. 

What was there to think about? I was sure I would never accept such an outrageous proposal. 

I focused on my work as there were lots of things to be done. 

***************************

Finally, it was time for lunch. I made my way to the company's cafeteria to get food. 

Thankfully, I am free during lunch time as my boss eats out and not at the cafeteria. 

After I got my food, I was heading towards a table when something or somebody almost tripped me over. 

My body was almost getting to the floor and I had my eyes closed expecting the worst. 

I opened my eyes when I noticed I was yet to touch the ground, only to notice that I was in Mr. King's arms. Worse of it, my food was all over his suit! 

I knew I was dead this time. Gosh! I've been too clumsy lately and if I get fired, that will be the end of me. 

Everybody had stopped eating and was looking at me now. I had to do something. 

“ I– I am sorry sir. I–I didn't mean to.” I stuttered, trying to explain myself. I hope this works. I felt as if I was thrown in a burning furnace, my body felt so hot. 

Mr. King moved away from me and headed in a particular direction. He got to a stop at a table where Rosie was seated and giggling with her friends. 

They failed to notice his presence until he cleared his throat. 

Rosie adjusted her clothes and gave out a smile. That sl*t! I wish I could wipe that seductive smile off her face. 

“Miss, you know it is against the rules of this company to bully someone right?”

Bully? Who did she bully? Wait.. She almost got me to fall. I'll kill this girl. 

“I didn't bully anyone sir, she is trying to lie against me.”

Duh, I didn't even say anything. She is just too dumb to have given away her deed. 

“The ‘she’ you are referring to did not say a word to me. I witnessed everything myself, how you whispered to your colleagues and then stuck your legs out so nobody noticed.”

Let me relax and watch the scene unfold. The look on Rosie's face was hilarious. I wish I could just take a video of this right here and show her later on. 

“I apologize sir.” She stood as she said this, her head was bowed in shame. Not because she was caught, but because she was caught by Mr. King. 

“ I'm not the one you are supposed to apologize to. Do the needful and apologize to the right person or else, consider yourself fired.”

Good Lord! Today is a good day! But wait Andrea, is the proposal part of the good day? 

Shut up! We're not talking about the proposal, I am talking about the Lady in front of me. 

Aiish! I'm doing this again, talking to my imaginary self. 

“ I am sorry Andrea.” Rosie said, secretly rolling her eyes. I didn't care less, after all, she still apologized. 

Hearing her apologize, Mr. King leaves the place but not without cursing. 

“ F*ck” He cussed under his breath as he regretted making that move. 

I on the other hand got a different food and sat far from Rosie to avoid events repeating. 

Eating slowly, I smiled and recalled how Mr. King stood up for me. 

“Maybe he isn't that bad after all.”

***************************

I glanced at the clock only to realize it was four, I was so tired. I knew my face might be showing how worn out I was but then again, I couldn't do anything about it. 

I decided to get myself some coffee to pass time. 

In the process, I heard my cell phone ring and found out it was Lisa, my sister. 

“Lisa, never calls me at work. Did something happen?”

*****

Answering the call, I heard Lisa sob on the phone. 

“Andrea, please come home. It's mom, I don't know what’s wrong with her. We came home only to meet her on the floor and she is not moving.”

“Lisa, calm down okay, I will be there right away. Nothing will happen to mom, just stay with her okay?”

“I'm so scared Andrea, please be fast. ”

Hanging up, I forgot all about the coffee and made my way to Mr. King’s office. I need to go and see my mother. 

Knocking, I entered without waiting for a response. 

“Sir, please I need to go home.”

“Miss Andrea, you can not leave your work half done and go home.”

“ I am very much aware of that sir, but I really need to go home. My mother is on the verge of death, please let me go and I will make sure to get everything done tomorrow.”

“You are off the hook but keep it in mind that this is the last time.”

“Thank you Sir, Thank you so much. ”

I rushed to my office, took my bag and got into a taxi immediately after I was out of the building. 

Lost in thoughts, my only prayer was for nothing to happen to my mom. 

**************************

Arriving at home, I met a sobbing Lisa and Laurel.

“Goodness, Andrea you are here. I was so scared.” Lisa said as she ran to give me a hug while crying. 

“We have to get mom to the hospital, we can't let anything happen to her. I will get a cab just wait here for me.”

I have to save our mom. We lost dad but we won’t lose mom. 

I spent an agonizing five minutes outside before I was finally able to get a cab. 

The cab driver helped us get mom into the car. 

Immediately we got to the hospital, the nurses were fast to rush our mother to a room for examination. 

A doctor suddenly came out after several minutes and we rushed immediately to the doctor. 

“Doctor, what is wrong with our mother? Is she okay?” I asked, with a breaking voice. 

“Miss, your mother has pancreatic cancer which can be very serious if a surgery is not performed”

“Pancreatic cancer? My mom never told us she was sick. Although we noticed she was frail most of the time, it wasn't that serious.” 

No! No! No! Pancreatic what? 

“Collapsing was due to stress and physical strain. A surgery must be performed in the next 72 hours or I'm afraid you may lose her.”

“Gracious, this is so much to take in! Nothing is going to happen to our mother right?”

I heard Laurel speak for the first time since the incident. 

“People who undergo pancreatic surgery have a slight chance of surviving. I can not raise your hopes high, but maybe your mother can be among the few percent who survive. Get your money ready and sign the consent form to proceed with the surgery.”

“How much are we talking about here, doctor?”

“Considering there will be a combination of chemotherapy and surgery, it should cost $2.5 million.”

As the doctor finished speaking, I couldn’t help but cover my mouth in shock, tears threatening to fall. 

“How are we going to get that money doctor? We've never held such money in our entire lives. Can you please do something about it doctor.” 

“I'm sorry miss, but the money has to be arranged immediately else, I can't guarantee what will happen next.”

The doctor left right after saying that. I slumped into the hospital chair with all hope lost. 

“What are we going to do Andrea? We have to save mom.” Lisa said. 

“Don't worry, I will think of a way to solve this issue.”

“You better do it since you could not save dad, do well to save mom.” Laurel chipped in, her voice filled with venom as always. 

“This is not the time to bring this up Laurel, Andrea is worried just as we are.” 

Lisa tried defending me but Laurel was just so stubborn.

“ Laurel please, can you stop blaming me for once in your life? I've been carrying this burden for years and it's eating me up. What hurts the most is you, my sister, saying all this. Please.” I had so many things to think about but this sister of mine was making things difficult for me. 

“Stop pretending Andrea! You and I know it's your fault papa died so stop playing the pity game!” 

Laurel said in anger not caring how much her words were cutting deep into me. 

My only resort was to excuse myself to the washroom. 

“This has been my life for the past few years. Not going a day without accusations from Laurel.”

I'm tired. I'm drained. Only God knows I've tried.