Chapter 6 - Tensions and a Troubling Call.

Mrs. Tonia didn't respond after Flora left the room. She sighed and sat beside Anita on the bed as Favour and Esther exited. "You shouldn't be harsh with your sister. Arguing wasn't necessary."

"I know, Mom, but they disrespect me too much. They're getting out of hand," Anita replied.

"It's okay. I understand, but don't change because of them. Keep being my sweet, calm daughter," Mrs. Tonia advised.

"Okay, Mom," Anita sighed, staring at her mother.

Glory walked up to sit on the bed. "I've got to go join your father. Glory, pack your bags and come join Anita here," Mrs. Tonia said.

"Okay, Mom," Glory replied, heading to the room she shared with Lisa. Flora was already there, arranging her clothes into the wardrobe, but she didn't say a word to Glory, who stepped in and carried her box of clothes out.

Lisa sighed as she returned from the kitchen and found Flora in the room she previously shared with Glory. She didn't ask any questions. She also didn't like Anita and Glory either.

Glory rejoined Anita in her room while Anita texted Temisa, who called instead.

"Hello, girlfriend, how's home?" Temisa asked.

"All fine. Yours?" Anita replied.

"All good. What's up? You don't sound happy." Anita asked.

"It's a long story. Remember, my father didn't show up at the ceremony. Now he's asking for my results and telling me to submit them to the Benson Group? You know I'm not interested in working there."

"What?! That's good news. You should be happy. You just graduated, and now you already have a job, unlike us, who have to wander around submitting applications," Anita said.

"Maybe, but that's not what I want, at least not now. Besides, with my grades, I doubt I'll get the job," Temisa complained.

"Hmph, be happy you have your father's support, unlike me," Anita said, and the call went silent.

"Okay. But I'm not excited about the Benson Group. I know they're sought-after, but I'm not interested," Temisa deadpanned.

"I know, but you can still apply. I'm submitting mine too, but I didn't want to bother you about it earlier or ask you to talk to your father. Maybe if I'm accepted, we can work there together, and you won't be bored," Anita said.

"Really? You plan to submit your CV too?" Temisa asked.

"Yes, but I didn't know your father had plans for you to work there. I didn't want to bother you," Anita responded.

"There's no problem, then. I'll submit my application and update you when they approve of me. This is through my father, so no stress," Temisa beamed.

"Yeah, lucky girl," Anita said.

"Thank you, but I'm only submitting because you will too. If you're not there, I'll quit," Temisa informed Anita.

"Okay, I will, but let's hope they accept me. Goodnight, girlfriend," Anita said, ending the call.

Anita set her phone down. Glory was in the room, arranging her box in the wardrobe. Anita sighed. All her siblings except Lisa, Glory, and herself were dark-skinned. Lisa was fair brown, but not white like her, while Glory had brown skin, and the rest were dark.

"Did Flora say anything when you carried your box out?" Anita asked.

"No," Glory responded, sitting beside her on the bed.

"I'm sorry for what happened," Glory apologized.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. Let's hope Flora, Favour, and Esther stop annoying me," Anita said, placing her hand on Glory's.

"I hope so," Glory sighed.

"So, what did you want to discuss before Flora interrupted us?" Anita asked.

"I wanted to ask about university. Is it too difficult to study business administration?" Glory asked.

"No, not too stressful. Keep focused and don't get distracted by guys and girls in your department," Anita replied, turning off her laptop.

"So you didn't have a boyfriend in school or any guy that liked you?" Glory asked, surprising Anita.

"Glory! What do you know about boyfriends?" Anita asked, surprised. "Okay, I don't have one because I don't want to lose focus, and you shouldn't either."

"Okay," Glory smiled.

"You'll show me your results for this term since I'll be around. I can be your tutor," Anita said, and Glory jumped up and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, big sis," Glory said.

"You're welcome. Can I breathe?" Anita asked, as Glory was almost suffocating her.

"Okay, let me go and ease myself before sleeping," Glory said, heading to the restroom. Anita decided to browse on her phone.

Anita decided to research the Benson Group. She searched for the Benson Group of Companies and saw recent news updates. She read through them and saw the news about Liam Jackson, the new CEO.

Anita stared at photos of the company's conference hall and then at the new CEO. Lost in thought, she didn't notice Glory climb back into bed and fall asleep.

Anita sighed as she heard Glory snoring. She scrolled through the new CEO's timeline, which had few updates. She clicked on his profile picture, wanting to see the new boss she might be working for if her CV was accepted. The photo was six years old, and he looked younger. She sighed and left his profile to research how to submit her application.

Anita found an application form and checked the available positions. She copied the company's email address, planning to write a letter of application.

Tired, Anita decided to type a letter of application to the Benson Group the next day. After copying the email address, she set her phone on the shelf and fell asleep.

The next morning, she heard her father scream, "No!" Anita and Glory jumped out of bed and rushed out to find out what happened.

"What happened?" They all gathered in the living room. Their father sat on the couch, his head in his hands, fighting back tears.

"Mom, what's wrong?" They asked, but she shook her head, pacing.

"Father, what is it?" Flora asked, sitting beside him. He shook his head and wiped his eyes.

"Mom?" Anita walked up to their mother. "What's the matter?"

Mrs. Tonia responded, "I don't know, Anita. Your father got a call this morning, and the next moment, I heard him scream. I don't know what's wrong." Mrs. Tonia stared at her husband, seeing him trying to prevent his tears from dropping. He stood up from the couch, dressed in his a dark suit as if it were a fresh Friday morning, but he sighed and walked back to his room, shaking his head.

"Father!" Anita, Flora, and Favour rushed towards him, but their mother stopped them.

"Let your father be. I'll talk to him," Mrs. Tonia said.

"Are you sure, Mom?" They asked, confused.

"Yes. Give him time. I'm sure he'll let us know."