Chapter 6: Father's trouble

Mrs. Tonia didn’t say anything after Flora exited the room. She sighed and sat beside Anita on the bed while Favour and Esther also left the room.  

“You shouldn’t be harsh with your sister. Fighting with Flora wasn’t necessary,” Mrs. Tonia said to Anita as she sat beside her.

“I know, Mom, but they keep disrespecting me too much, and it’s getting out of hand,” Anita replied.

“It’s okay. I understand, but don’t change yourself because of them. Keep being my sweet and calm daughter,” Mrs. Tonia advised.

“Okay, Mom.” Anita sighed as she stared at her mother. Glory walked up to meet them and sat on the bed too.

“I’ve got to go now and join your father. Glory, you go pack your bags and come join Anita here,” Mrs. Tonia said.

“Okay, Mom,” Glory replied. She stood up from the bed and walked out of the room to the one she shared with Lisa. Flora was already in that room, arranging her clothes in the wardrobe but didn’t say a word to Glory, who carried her own 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, as she didn’t like Anita or Glory.

Glory exited the room and walked back to join Anita, who was busy texting Temisa. Temisa called instead.

“Hello, girlfriend, how’s home?” Temisa asked.

“All fine, and yours?” Anita replied.

“All good,” Temisa responded.

“What’s up? You don’t sound too happy,” Anita asked.

“I know, it’s a long story. Remember, my father didn’t show up at the ceremony, and 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 with them,” Temisa said.

“What! That’s good news. You should be happy. You just graduated, and now you already have a job offer, unlike us who have to wander the streets submitting applications,” Anita said.

“Hmmm, you can say that, but that’s not what I want, at least not now. Besides, I doubt I’ll get the job,” Temisa complained.

“Hmph, that’s okay, girlfriend, but be happy you have your father’s support, unlike me,” Anita ranted. The call went silent for a while.

“It’s okay. But honestly, I don’t have high hopes of working with the Benson Group. I know they’re the most sought-after company, but I’m not interested,” Temisa deadpanned.

“Hmph, I know, but you can still apply. I’ll be submitting mine too, but I didn’t want to bother you or ask you to talk to your father about it. If I submit mine and get accepted, then we can work there together, and you won’t be bored with office work,” Anita said.

“Really? Do you plan to submit your CV there too?” Temisa asked.

“Yes, but I didn’t know your father planned for you to work there. I didn’t want to bother you,” Anita replied.

“Oh! No problem then. I’ll submit my application and update you when they approve me. Since it’s through my father, no stress,” Temisa beamed.

“Yeah, lucky girl,” Anita hyped her friend.

“Thanks, but I’m only submitting because you said you would. If I don’t see you there, I’ll quit,” Temisa informed Anita.

“Okay, I will. Let’s hope they accept me too. Good night, girlfriend,” Anita said as the call ended, after Temisa replied, “Yeah, good night too.”

Anita put her phone down and saw Glory arranging her box in the wardrobe she shared with Flora. She sighed, noticing that all her siblings had dark skin except Lisa, Glory, and herself. Lisa was fair brown but not white like Anita, while Glory had brown skin, and the rest were dark.

“Did Flora say anything when you went to carry your box?” Anita asked.

“No,” Glory responded and sat beside her on the bed.

“I’m sorry about what happened earlier,” Glory apologized faintly. Anita smiled.

“It’s okay. None of it was your fault. Let’s just hope Flora, Favour, and Esther stop annoying me,” Anita said, smiling and placing her right palm on Glory’s hand.

“Hmph, I hope so,” Glory sighed.

“It’s okay. So, what did you want to discuss before Flora interrupted us?” Anita asked.

“I just want to ask about your university. Is studying Business Administration difficult?” Glory asked.

“No, not too stressful. You just have to stay focused and not get distracted by handsome guys or girls asking you out,” Anita replied, turning off her laptop as she was tired.

“So, you don’t have a boyfriend or any guy who likes you?” Glory asked, surprising Anita.

“Glory! What do you know about boyfriends?” Anita asked, wide-eyed and smiling.

“Okay, I don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t want to lose focus, and you shouldn’t either,” Anita advised, while Glory smiled.

“Okay. You’ll show me your results this term since I’ll be around. I can be your extra coach,” Anita said. Glory jumped up happily and hugged Anita tightly.

“Thank you, big sis,” Glory said.

“You’re welcome. Can I breathe now?” Anita asked as Glory’s tight hug almost suffocated her with her chubby body.

“Okay, I’ll go freshen up before sleeping,” Glory said, letting go and walking to the restroom. 

Anita sighed and decided to play with her Android phone as it was late.

Anita browsed information about the Benson Group to learn about the company. She searched for the Benson Group of Companies and saw recent news updates on her phone. Anita read about the new leadership by Master Liam Jackson and sighed.

Anita stared at photos from the company’s conference hall and the new CEO. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice when Glory climbed onto the bed and drifted to sleep.

Anita sighed as she heard Glory snoring peacefully behind her. She scrolled through the CEO’s timeline and profile, which had few updates.

Clicking on his profile picture to see the new boss she might work with if her CV was accepted, Anita saw the photo was six years old, and he looked younger, making her sigh again. She left his profile and searched for how to submit a job application.

Anita found an application form and checked available positions. She copied the company’s email address and decided to write a letter of application, as that was the only way to apply.

Tired, Anita decided to type the letter the next day. After copying the email, she put her phone away and drifted to sleep.

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The next morning at home, Anita woke up to her father screaming, “No!” She jumped out of bed and rushed out to find out what happened.

Everyone gathered in the living room where their father sat on the couch, hands on his head, fighting back tears.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” they asked. Mrs. Tonia shook her head, pacing silently.

“Father, what’s wrong?” Flora asked, sitting beside him. He shook his head regretfully and wiped tears.

“Mom?” Anita approached and held her mother’s folded arms.

“What’s the matter, Mom?” Anita asked.

Mrs. Tonia finally replied, “I don’t really know, Anita. Your father got a call this morning, and then I heard him scream while talking to the caller. I don’t know what the problem is.”

 She looked at her husband, who was trying hard not to cry. He stood, already dressed in a deep blue suit, ready to leave for work as if it were a fresh Friday morning, but sighed and walked back to his room, shaking his head regretfully.

“Father!” Anita, Flora, and Favour rushed to him, but their mother stopped them.

“You girls should let your father be. I will talk to him and find out what the problem really is,” Mrs. Tonia said.

“Are you sure, Mom?” they asked, confused and wanting to see their father.

“Yes. Give him some time. I’m sure he will tell us what’s wrong.”