CHAPTER 3

“Oh my God, oh my God”.

Matilda hurriedly grabbed her bag from her brother's hospital bed stand, took her shoes then gave Niki a quick kiss before dashing out of the clinic.

She waved down many cabs, but no one was stopping for her.

The chilly morning wind did not even have any mercy on her, as it blew particles of sand into her eyes.

Eventually, she got a cab and headed back home to freshen up.

Matilda prayed silently for a miracle as she walked towards Jaden's office. There was no use running, she was hours late already.

“Come in”.

Jaden's voice jolted her back to reality that, she was actually in a deep mess.

“Good morning sir”

“And what is so good about the morning?”. Jaden looked up from his desk, and gave her a stern look.

“I'm so sorry sir, what happened was that…”

“I do not need any explanation!”

Matilda shivered and jerked from the angry tone of Jaden's voice. She cannot afford to lose her job now.

She immediately knelt down on both knees, Jaden's eye widen because he was not expecting her to portray such actions.

“Please sir, I had an emergency. My brother…my brother fainted and his school called me. I had to rush to the hospital”. 

There was no much tears left to flow, she was already drained. Still, the sadness could be heard in her voice.

Jaden cleared his throat, “still you should have given me a heads up. I needed those paperworks today”.

Matilda lifted her head and her eyes grew wild with eagerness.

“I can do all of them right now, I will get them done right away, sir”

Jaden waved his hands, “it's of no use, I already did them myself”.

“I'm sorry sir”, she bowed her head once more, remorseful.

“Just get up and go back to your desk”. Jaden sounded rather uninterested.

“Thank you very much sir”. Matilda happily got up and dusted her knee, about to leave.

Jaden scoffed, “ don't thank me yet, I already told the accounting department to cut little out of your salary this month”.

Matilda's shoulders dropped, dejected and sad. Now, she really wanted the tears to come, but there was nothing left.

“What? You don't like that? Would you rather have me sack you then?”

Jaden tilted his head, his eyebrows arched, with his fist on the table like he was going to pounce on her.

Matilda stuttered, “Of..of course not sir, thank you for your generosity”.

“I thought as much”. Jaden made the remark, as he returned to what he was doing.

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

All through the day, Matilda could not concentrate on her work. Niki was the only person lingering in her mind.

The thought of also where to get his money for surgery, clouded her mind.

The hospital already called her and informed her Niki already regained consciousness. She was asked to come take him back home,that there was no use keeping him at the hospital. All he needs right now is surgery.

Matilda kept staring at the wall clock, it was already 30 minutes to closing hour. 

She hurriedly began to pack her bag, in anticipation to go pick up Niki from the hospital.

“And what do you think you're doing?” 

Matilda was startled by Jaden's usual scary voice.

“It's almost closing hour sir, so I'm packing to go…”

Jaden didn't even allow her finish

“Come to my office”, he walked away.

“Will this ever end?”

Matilda murmured to herself as she followed him.

“I'll need you to work on this and bring it in tomorrow morning, no excuses this time”.

Jaden spoke with authority in his voice, as he passed a file to her.

“Yes sir”.

Matilda knew she would have to work overnight, again.

“No rest for a poor girl”, Matilda sighed as she swinged her bag over her shoulder.

***********

“ Stop staring at me like that Matilda, I'm fine”.

Niki's weak voice did not assure Matilda that.

“You are so strong my little pumpkin, I'm proud of you. Don't worry, after your surgery you will be able to play and live like normal kids”.

“Really?” 

“Yes my little pumpkin”

Matilda stroked his hair as he responded to her with a rather weak smile.

“I'm happy, can we go home now?”

“Of course love, let me get your bag”.

********

As Matilda stepped into the house, she was welcomed with the cold air around the room.

She had not paid for their energy bill that month,the bills just kept on piling up for her.

She made dinner for Niki and herself to eat, although she didn't have any appetite, but she forced herself to eat something.

Matilda helped Niki change into his pajamas, and tucked him into bed. She sat beside him, their hands intertwined.

“Big sis has got a lot of work to do this night, so I just want you to sleep soundly. I'll try not to wake you up with any sound”.

Matilda caresssed his face as she spoke, Niki nodded.

“You should go now, so you can start the work early and sleep on time”, Niki suggested.

“Look at my little pumpkin being considerate and looking out for me”, 

Matilda gave Niki a little tickle.

Niki tried to free himself while laughing heartily. 

“I'm not little anymore, I'm 12 now”.

“Even when you become an adult, you will still be my little pumpkin”.

She gave him a kiss on his forehead and muttered a “goodnight” to him.

Despite Niki's suggestion, she waited till he fell asleep before she left.

Matilda changed into her own pajamas, tied her hair and picked up her system to begin her work.

She managed to work half through, before the thought of Niki struck her again. 

She dropped her system and crawled up into her bed, hugging her pillow to her chest.

There was no one to lend her that huge sum of money.

She had no property to lay down as collateral even if she wanted to take out a loan.

“Wait…”, Matilda said to herself as her eyes sparkled with the idea that just came to her.

Jaden…she would beg Jaden to pay her a upfront of her salary.

She knew it was a 50/50 chance, with her scary and cold-hearted boss, but that was the only option she could think of.

“Yes!”. 

Matilda was delighted once a again, it was like life had given her and Niki a second chance again. 

She rose up from her bed and began to work steadfastly, her hands moving freely on her keyboard, with the thought to impress her boss tomorrow by finishing up the work he gave to her. 

**********

“You are kidding right?”

Jaden asked with a grin and a half wicked laugh.

The world came crumbling down at Matilda's feet again, the little ounce of hope she had was gone.

“Why would I pay you 8 months upfront of your salary?” , Jaden asked, his face filled with irritation.

Matilda sat upright, adjusted her shirt and looked directly into Jaden's eyes. She had to do this, for Niki, even if she had to walk into a lion's den.

“My brother has a coronary artery disease. He has been on drugs since I can remember, always in and out of hospitals. But now, the doctor said he needs surgery at this point and that…and that…” 

Matilda sniffed, trying to prevent the tears that was building up from falling. She had to finish her story.

“The doctor said if he doesn't get the surgery before the end of next month, my brother might die”.

Matilda couldn't help the tears from falling this time, her heart ached from the thought of Jaden not helping her out even after hearing her story.

Jaden's face did not show any expression, he still looked cold.

“I'll think about it and get back to you” 

Jaden said, trying not to sound sympathetic or cold.

“Thank you very much sir, thank you!”.

Matilda cried and laughed at the same time, her beautiful set of teeth was visible at this point.

Her hope was revived once again.

*********

Jaden paced round his room, with his both hands on either side of his hips.

“I can't just help her without collecting anything back in return, no.”

He continued to pace about, but this time faster. He came to halt and stood facing his

reflection from the standing mirror beside his bed.

“Jaden, you're a genius”.

He made this remark with a smirk on his face, as he reached for his phone and dialed his lawyer's number.